Chapter Five
Storm
"STOP!" Tension and fear coated the already silent hallway. Morgana wasn't quite sure what had possessed her to have spoken out against the Death Eater playing Professor, but she had. She blamed the scared pinched look on the younger girl's face, her small wrist was clenched tightly in the older man's larger hand. She'd have bruises. There'd been an unnatural glint in his eyes that told her he was enjoying the little girls pain. Small droplets of blood dripped from the child's palm, hitting the stone floor with a nearly soundless whisper.
"Who has spoken?" At his harsh question the students around her parted like the muggle fabled red sea, her grandfather might have despised the muggles for what they were doing to their kind, but he had taught her many of their fables. Angry pale brown eyes stared at her from the middle of the hallway, unease and an all too familiar emotion when she walked these halls….fear had her stomach rolling.
"I did." Stepping forward from the safety of the crowd, her steps slow, while at least a dozen eyes turned to stare at her curiously. A tall form near the open doors of the potions class room, Morgana recognized Neville Longbottom standing in the shadows with a few more Gryffindor's who watched her with hooded expressions. Stilling four feet from the Death Eater and child, goosebumps raced across her skin at the emptiness in his eyes, it was a similar expression her father used to watch her with.
"How dare you interfere! Who are you?" Thin lips pulled into a snarl that had the little girl….what was her name? Glancing down she noted the tears filling the young girl's hazel eyes, she wasn't pretty nor was she ugly, but somewhere in-between. Her eyes were too far apart, lips a little too thin, but her hair was a mass reddish-brown waves that shimmered in the flickering candlelight. Her name was Ella….Ella McHenry. One of the shy muggle-born Ravenclaw first years still trying to wrap her mind around the idea of her being a real witch, while, also trying not to draw attention to herself. Morgana felt sorry for the little girl to have come during these dark times.
"Morgana….Morgana Bloodburn." A gasp and whispers filled the silence and echoed through the hallway amongst the other students, making her feel self-conscious. The glamour she wore hid everything about herself that made her standout amongst the average wizards that had lost their families hidden magical talents and unfortunately she'd inherited many on her mother's side.
"Bloodburn?" Mahogany brown eyebrows crinkled creating lines across his otherwise gaunt face, he might have been handsome when he was younger, but his years in Azkaban had left his skin tight around his cheeks, giving his eyes a slightly sunken appearance. Stringy chestnut brown hair was tied into a tight ponytail and like the rest of the Death Eaters located here they'd followed Headmaster Snape's wardrobe, black robes that clung to his thin frame.
"Why do you interfere?" It was a valid question, not one that she was capable of answering because she wasn't even sure as to why she'd spoken herself. What would be a good excuse to give? One that would save the girl from more pain and wouldn't draw attention to herself either?
"If you hurt her hand any further she won't be able to write the transfiguration essay I'm tutoring her on." How she got the words out Morgana wasn't sure and judging from the suspicious look that he cast at the younger girl, he didn't believe her. Mimicking Dane, Morgana straightened her shoulders, stood up as tall as she could make herself and looked down at him. Keeping her gaze locked with Carrows blue gaze, her hands twisted nervously behind her back, hoping that Ella was smart enough to realize that she was trying to stop him from hurting her, because if she wasn't they'd both suffer.
"I'd rather not have to write it out for her Professor Carrow, so if you would let her go." Arching an eyebrow Morgana glanced down at where he still held Ella's hand, his grip tight. If he tightened his hold any harder he'd break one if not all her fingers, but if she wasn't mistaken, the hurried steps echoing in the silence of the hallway belonged to Headmaster Snape. His gait was familiar from all the times she'd snuck out after curfew and to familiarize herself with each of the teachers steps to ensure she didn't get caught or at least not by the dungeon bat. His punishments were always unbearable.
"EVERYONE STOP GWAKING AND GET TO CLASS!" Bellowed Headmaster Snape, his normally measured tone echoing in the stone hallway causing the other student's around her to bustle in different directions. Their soft voices filled the air and it was probably all about her, her father and….her mother. Ignoring it, she watched Professor Carrow release his hold on Ella, allowing her to take a step back and then another before darting into the crowd where a sixth year Ravenclaw pulled her into her arms and led her out of sight. By the end of the day none of the first years would be found wandering the halls alone.
"What is going on here? I've told you to keep the punishment to a sedate level Amycus." Headmaster Snape's gravelly voice whispered, taking her own step back Morgana slipped into the crowd, hunching her shoulder's and pulling up the hood of her sweater, she tried to disappear into the crowd. However, a quick glance over her shoulder had her eyes locking with the heated gaze of a very dangerous man. One she was sure she'd just made an enemy of for standing up for Ella McHenry, a child untouched by the prejudices of the wizarding world. It was the only reason she'd stepped forward, she was innocent. Now if only she could get her racing heart and panicked mind to believe that it had been worth saving her. Dread washed through her at the gut feeling that her actions would have consequences and like her grandfather, her feeling's were very rarely wrong.
Jerking awake, a cold sweat having broken along her skin making the light blue tank-top that she'd chosen to wear to bed clinging to her upper body. The memory turned nightmare was a constant companion when the nights grew colder. If only she'd known how severe those consequences would have been, because those memories were like emotional bombs that sent her spiraling in different directions and right now she couldn't afford to fall off the craggy slope she found herself on. She might have never spoken up, because other than her looks she'd inherited her mother's unbalanced emotional state or at least that was what her father had thrown at her when she'd been younger. Pushing her pillow away from her, Morgana wondered if she'd pulled it towards her and had been hugging it in her sleep? Sitting up and pulling her thick mass of hair off her neck, Morgana used one of the ties around her wrist to pull it into a ponytail. It felt unbearably hot in the room for some reason and the sweat that coated her skin had her needing to take a shower and….glancing at the clock she sighed in frustration.
"Ten o'clock, only an hour of sleep." Falling back onto the bed Morgana stared up at her ceiling, the dancing dragons she'd created to help her anxiety when waking up to watch their wings mimicking flight would also help her fall asleep, danced about merrily above her. Except, the last few days it hadn't helped and it wasn't going to. Pushing the covers off her, Morgana climbed out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. Turning on the light she glanced at the mirror to stare into her nearly opaque silver eyes, the lack of color to her pupils was a change that she'd noted two weeks ago. It seemed that there were more consequences to her spells than she'd originally thought. Blood magic was controversial in nearly every magical society, witches and wizards had stopped practicing it in the late 1400's after a Romanian Prince had massacred an entire invading army staining the earth with wild magic that drew magical creatures to it. Africa and South America were the same as were a few states in America and several other continents. It's why magical creatures were dying out, the wizarding community wanted to remain a secret to the muggles and anything that threatened their objective was disposed of. However, when Blood Magic had been banned all over, due to the consequences because of the wild magic, nearly everything had been burned or hidden away. She'd been flying partially blind with her desire to help Harry Potter. What does it matter? My eyes have always been considered unique and it was a good learning experience. Morgana thought.
"Since it's still considered early, there's no better time to scope out the Flaming Phoenix." Turning away from the mirror, Morgana took five steps towards the tub, reaching around the shower curtain she turned on the water, making sure it was hot. Quickly, taking off her clothes she stepped underneath the hot spray of water and closed her eyes, feeling the tension caused by the nightmare draining from her shoulders, leaving her feeling….lost. Running her finger's thru the wet strands of her hair, Morgana reached for her shampoo, pouring a small amount into the palm of her hand she lathered it into her hair. Stepping back underneath the spray, she rinsed her hair out and just stood there for the next few minutes letting the droplets of water sliding down her skin. Sighing, she reached for the water handle and shut off the water. Twisting her hair to get out the excess water, she couldn't help, but wonder if the rumors were true and Theodore Nott could always be found at his club during the weekend. Reaching for a towel on the towel rack, Morgana wrapped it around her, while making up her mind.
"Time to get back to work."
…
"What is this place again?" Questioned Sirius, his gaze taking in the dozens of women dressed skimpily in black leather halter tops, skirts or pants. Some of them wore different types of what appeared to mimic dog collars around their necks, making his lips curl in distaste. With that one glance he could tell most of the people on the dance floor were simply pretending. He'd never thought highly of people who weren't themselves.
"Flaming Phoenix. It's run by Draco's good friend Theodore Nott Jr. The club actually has two portions to it, but you and James won't be able to access the second part without becoming members." Explained Bill, his large hand reaching to pick up the crystal tumbler filled with an amber liquid, pouring himself a glass. Turning away from the mass of moving bodies, Sirius turned his attention to the oldest Weasley to notice that the man actually appeared relaxed. Unlike his brother's Bill Weasley was never relaxed, Sirius had started to wonder if the man was constantly in a state of stress. Apparently, since the loss of his first child and divorce of his wife, Bill was constantly traveling for his job. Never really staying in London for long periods, except since Sirius and James and come back. Sirius had overheard Hermione telling Harry that she'd seen Bill visiting the Ministry quite often these last few weeks.
"What's the second part?" Sirius questioned out of politeness, not caring for the answer. The music being played on the dance floor shifted, allowing him to feel the bass pulsing throughout the building, but because of the silence charms placed around the private room, he couldn't hear it.
"A BDSM playpen or at least that's what I heard from one of the women who'd asked if I'd let her top me." Slapping a hand across his mouth to keep from laughing aloud, Sirius turned to the doorway to see the indignant expression on James' face. The idea of a woman approaching James and believing him to be a part of that lifestyle made holding in the laughter harder. Coughing, Sirius turned away from the dance floor and took a seat next to Bill, reaching for the same tumbler the other man had used he poured himself a drink and quickly swallowed the burning liquid.
"No need to hide your amusement Sirius, I couldn't help, but laugh in her face at the outrageous request. Thought she was crazy, until Draco here explained to me the main reason this place is popular." Tilting his head towards the blonde man handing a glass of bungbarrel spiced mead to Blaise who sat across from him, the strong scent tangible from where he sat.
"As I said downstairs it's not the main reason. Theo picks the hottest music that's popular in both the muggle and magical communities, bringing both together. The BDSM aspect of the club is for the member's that are serious about the lifestyle, not those playing at it. The men and women out there are merely experimenting." Disgust, with hints of anger filled Draco's tone, but his handsome features remained bland.
"Why are we here?" Sirius asked, taking another sip of firewhiskey, he wondered what the reason Draco, Bill, and Blaise had invited him and James for a night out. He'd had every intention of turning them down, when Harry had mentioned that they would be joining them later that evening. Apparently, Hermione enjoyed coming to the club when her work load was slow. Harry had laughingly explained that it was the only place his fiancée acted her age. Harry's explanation had been a reminder that neither of them acted as if they were twenty-four. All they had been through had aged them emotionally, if not physically. It was in their eyes.
"No reason. Harry had mentioned that the only thing the two of you have done since your return was house hunting or spending you're time watching Teddy." Beneath Bill's words, Sirius could hear the worry his godson must have felt at him and James simply settling. Except, Sirius found he was content with spending time with people he trusted and cared for. Unlike the time, he'd escaped Azkaban and had been forced to hide out in his childhood home, with only the Weasley's and Remus for company, he'd nearly flown off the walls being cooped up. For the first time since he'd been brought back he wasn't interested in finding the witch who'd accomplished something that seemed impossible, because he was here and he wished to accomplish the things he hadn't done the first time.
"Nothing wrong with either of those things, but figured it'd be a good change of pace." Commented Blaise blandly, his attention focused on the book he'd opened up when he'd sat down. Studying him, Sirius wondered why he'd come to a club if he'd planned on reading, however he'd discovered at the Memorial Ball that Blaise Zabini was a strange young man. He also knew some powerful people in the Ministry, he'd noted him speaking with several Wizengamot members, each one looked as if they wished they had never caught Zabini's interest.
"Thank you so much for your concern." Sighed Sirius sarcastically, except the other man merely lifted his glass of mead at his words and took a healthy swallow completely missing his annoyed tone.
"Sarcasm is wasted on Blaise Mr. Black. He doesn't much care for other people." Chuckled a man who'd stepped into their room, his pale brown eyes going to Draco who handed him the second glass he'd been holding since he and James had gone to the first floor to get drinks. Clearly, he'd been expecting this man to appear. Much like Draco and Blaise, he gave him the impression that he was from a pureblood family, but was a man who'd earned his money and not relied on his families old money. He carried himself with far too much confidence and self-assurance to have done anything less and the expensive suit that covered his lean frame was another clue to his success.
"This is Theo or Theodore Nott Jr. Owner of this establishment and the café in Diagon Alley." Introduced Draco, his blue eyes twinkling with that hidden warmth he seemed to reserve for very close friends.
"Don't let his smile fool you, he's savage as a Chimera." Commented Blaise, while turning the page, his brown eyes glancing over at Theo with a flicker of amusement pulling at his lips.
"No need to be rude Blaise. I just came by to tell you drinks are on the house and to remind Hermione not to go too crazy on the chocolate liqueur." Laughter filled their room as Bill, Draco and even Blaise chuckled at Theo's words. Glancing briefly at James who shrugged in open confusion, Sirius figured there was a very good story to go along with the comment.
"I'm afraid you'll have to come back and tell her that. As far as we're concerned Hermione is adorable when she's drunk." Laughed Draco, clapping a hand on Theo's shoulder, who glared daggers at Draco before sighing.
"Have you forgotten Draco? Theo's terrified of Hermione, which is why he's having us limit her drinking." Slapping the book closed, Blaise finished his drink and placing the glass on the table, stood up.
"I take it you need me to look at the books while I'm here?" Straightening his suit jacket, Blaise stepped around James and Draco to motion Theo out before him.
"Relax Draco have a drink. We'll be back shortly." Murmured Blaise when Draco made a move to follow them, but was stopped by Blaise who'd placed a hand on his shoulder. Sirius watched uncertainty cross Draco's face, but moved to the spot Blaise had vacated and sat down. Sirius waited for him to leave the room, before turning his attention fully to Draco whose entire posture had tensed.
"Here." Taking an empty glass and grabbing a bottle of what Sirius guessed to be Gin, Bill filled the small glass to the top and handed it to Draco who swallowed it in one gulp.
"Any progress on our case?" Asked James, causing a groan to escape Sirius in a brief flicker of annoyance.
"If you're going to ask about that I'm going to the dance floor." Standing up swiftly, Sirius headed towards the door. Maybe Bill and Blaise were right, it was possible he and James were too focused on finding remnants of their old selves or trying to settle into a comfortable life had them playing it a little safe. Stepping out of the room, the music blasted his ears with a fast tempo that had the men and women gyrating and moving together, hints of smoke filled the large space and if he wasn't mistaken sex. Pushing his curling locks out of his face he descended the stairs that separated the VIP area from the rest of the masses. Flicking his gaze around the room, he pushed his way thru the crowd towards the bar, disappointment filling him quickly at the type of women his eyes landed on. There wasn't one who caught his interest, they were either dressed to skimpily in their midriff tops and short shorts not leaving anything to his imagination to get him curious. Or their eyes were looking at him too hungrily, he recognized those looks from his first life and each one of those women had been after his fortune.
"Possibly enjoyed myself too much the first time, otherwise using a woman and having her use me wouldn't bother me as much as it does now." Sirius whispered underneath his breath, not that he needed to with the music drowning out the sound's of conversation going on around him. Spotting an empty chair at the bar he snagged it before anyone else and decided to settle down there for the next few minutes. If he was lucky there was something or someone who'd catch his eye.
…
"She hasn't approached you yet?" Questioned Blaise, causing Theo to turn away from the camera's on the wall behind his desk, to turn to his closest friend to see he hadn't bothered to glance up from this month's expense report. Turning his chair away from the camera's, the muggle contraptions made it easier for him to make sure everything in the club was running smoothly without any incident. He had Severus to thank for mentioning them and Hermione with Harry on occasion teaching him how to set them up and use them. Though he had needed to hire a muggle expert to set up the entire club to ensure it was done correctly and without incident. Dennis Creevy had helped to make them magic proof and had become Theo's technical wizard. The youngest Creevy brother had followed his brother's passion for photography and had built himself a small studio that had made him quite popular even in the high circles of wealthy purebloods. Not that the younger man cared for their interest However, the technical part of camera's were Dennis' own passion making it possible for Theo to hire him on occasion to make sure everything was still running smoothly.
"Didn't think she would. From what I heard on my trip to Dallas, Texas this woman isn't like others." Theo replied dryly, having disliked the city. It'd been far too dry and hot for his taste and the Madam he'd met had known very little about a woman who'd worked for her for five years. Was every Madam disinterested in the women they hired? Regina Adkin's had tested his patience last year, by sending women to take the course he had every dominant and submissive take before becoming member's of his more private club and each one had failed. Rose had been vain and selfish. Unable to follow the simplest orders and was cruel to the men he'd placed in her care when he'd tried her to see if she was dominant. Crystal far too skittish for the darker pleasures, the young woman had done nothing but cry. The third woman she'd sent Rachel had been slightly better until he'd realized she had tried to blackmail one of his members and had threatened Madam Adkin to obliviate her if she wished to keep her or he would and he'd have been a lot less gentle about it.
"Anything of interest?" Asked Blaise, drawing Theo from his thoughts and anger at the women who worked for Madam Adkin. Rubbing a hand along his clean-shaven jaw, he remembered the expressions each of her clients had gotten when speaking about her.
"She inspires a great deal of loyalty. I was able to get a meeting with Silas Griffin, but he refused to tell me a single thing about her. In fact, he gave me a warning to stop digging. Miss Bloodburn does not take kindly to those who wished to discover her secrets." Theo told Blaise absently, meeting the other man had been… interesting. The young woman's other clients had barely made an impression on him, but Noah Hayes and Silas Griffin had left him with the thought that in the next few years one of those men was going to be the president of MACUSA. He wondered if the young woman had known and that was the reason she'd formed an exclusive contract with Mr. Hayes. However, he was only speculating until he met her himself.
"Mr. Hayes sent the same message when he responded back to my letter. Cut back the appearance fees Theo, otherwise you'll lose money next month. Also, it looks like someone isn't charging the proper price for the expensive wine bottles, you lost nearly a thousand galleons on that alone." Grimacing in annoyance at Blaise's observation, Theo straightened in his chair and wondered who'd dared tried to steal money from him. Clearly, his discipline of the last man who'd tried the same thing when he'd first opened hadn't been warning enough.
"Ban Ogdan from the club. He injured another one of your submissives last night and tried to hide it by buying her silence." Rage filled Theo at Blaise's words, standing up from his chair he stalked to his office door and slammed it open to reveal one of the men he hired to keep the men and women who put themselves under his care safe, staring at the wall idly.
"Is Ogdan here?" Theo bit out between clenched teeth, watching Kevin tilt his head to the side listening to something he couldn't hear. For the hundredth time Theo thanked his chance encounter with the older wizard, he was a natural Legilimens, who was mostly glued to either Theo's side or his head of security Marcus Flint, his mind brushing along the member's minds every few minutes to ensure everyone within one of the private rooms was safe. He was indispensable.
"Yes, he seems to be in the middle of a session." Replied Kevin distractedly, growling low in his throat Theo strode past the smaller man heading towards the door that led towards the lower rooms beneath the more accessible dance floor. Opening the heavy door he descended down the narrow staircase, two floors down to slam the door into the low lit hallway. Moans and the smell of sex filled the air, but it was the shrill scream of a woman not enjoying herself that had his steps quickening. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of Marcus exiting the security room and heading towards the same room he was, putting a hand on Marcus' broad shoulder's to stop him. Theo slammed the door open, causing the sound to echo in the room and the older man standing over one of his more vulnerable submissive, holding a whip dripping droplets of blood on to the polished wood floor. Pulling his wand from his jacket, Theo sent the older man flying across the room to slam against the wall hard enough to know that he'd caused some damage to the older man. Stepping into the room he rushed to Isla, who hung in the middle of the room holding back her tears, to find several deep lash marks had ripped open the skin on her back, causing a steady flow of blood to slide down across her pale skin. Marcus went to her other side, quickly pulling a small vial of what he was sure was a calming draught. Placing the tip of his wand on the warm steel cuffs, he unlocked them when Marcus got a careful grip around her waist to keep her from falling to her knees when her legs nearly gave out from underneath her. Reaching into Marcus' worn leather jacket he pulled out a bottle of calming draught that he knew his friend always kept on him for emergencies and held it out to Isla who took it from him with shaking hands and swallowed it down quickly, It didn't stop the young woman's shaking or silent crying, which made Theo's anger burn colder at allowing this situation to occur. At five foot Isla appeared delicate with her large doe blue eyes and short, pale, strawberry-blonde hair that clung to her tear-streak face. She was curvy in all the right places making her a popular submissive among the dominants, not only because she was a natural, Isla was a Masochist. She craved pain. Carefully removing his jacket Theo wrapped it around her small shoulder's to cover up her bare upper body.
"How many times have I warned you not to leave a mark on these women?" Growled Theo, his attention turning to the man who'd caused the injury. Tiberius Ogdan was a sixty-six year old respected member of the Wizengamot, a man who many women still found attractive. Looking at him Theo couldn't quite understand his appeal. Grayish-white hair was pushed back to hide the balding spot at the very top of his head, his eyes were a bland blue color, his lips were thin and if one looked hard enough they'd see the cruelty etched into his features. Dressed in plain black robes that made his growing beer belly stand out, Theo shook his head in disgust. Picking up the whip Ogdan had dropped upon their entrance, Theo flicked his wrist causing the very tip of the lash to brush against the older man's cheek gently, causing the older man to jump in surprise.
"She was asking for it Nott, you know that one likes pain." Whined Ogdan in that tone of voice that had Theo gritting his teeth. Nearly, every man seemed to believe that because Isla was a masochist that they could abuse her without repercussions. Not for the first time Theo wondered if it was time to find a permeant dominate for the young woman.
"There is a limit to how much even Isla can take and judging from the wound marring her back you've crossed it. Did you not take my warnings seriously?" Theo asked curiously, drawing the whip back to him and dropping it on the bed that occupied most of the room. Moving towards the display case that occupied the other half of the room, Theo placed his wand into his back pocket and grabbed the cat of nine tails. Drawing a small blade from one of the pockets in his leather jacket, Marcus removed his steady hold on Isla to walk towards him to expertly tie it to the tip of one of the tails, before moving back to Isla and gently leading her out of the room. His friend was a man of few words, but his request was clear, the large door squeaked loudly when Marcus closed it behind them.
"Come on Nott we both know that you can't do anything to me." Chuckled Ogdan nervously, his eyes following the blade on the small whip when Theo twirled it lazily. Using wandless magic, he allowed the man to fall onto the bed below him face first, the cuffs attached to the large antique headboard snapping into place along his wrists and ankles after a small struggle on Ogdans part.
"I heard from a friend that you harmed one of my girls last night. Who was it? Lie to me and this will hurt you far more than it will me." Growled Theo, his sharp gaze noticing the slight tremble that overtook the older man's shackled hands.
"Whoever told you that is lying Nott. I know the rules, never meet one of your girls outside of this place." His voice wobbled, making Theo wonder how many times this man had abused the trust of his submissives. His grip on the leather handle of the whip tightened at the anger pulsing in his veins. He had warned each of the men whom he had accepted into his club that if he learned of any abuse towards the women that they would regret it. Of course, knowing women could be just as cruel he warned them as well, he considered emotional abuse to be just as bad as physical abuse.
"Oh, is that so?" He asked, stepping towards the bed to study his face better, even if it was pushed into the mattress and made it hard to read, but it was the eyes that showed what a person was truly thinking.
"I respect you Nott. I would never-" Slapping the whip across the other mans back, Theo heard the fabric of his robes rip and a startled shout escaped Ogdan, his arms pulling on the shackles uselessly. A quick glance showed the thick fabric of his robes had saved him from being sliced from the blade and that had barely been a love tap.
"I don't remember her name. It was just the one time." Sniveled Ogdan, his blue eyes wide in surprise and if he wasn't mistaken a flicker of fear, clearly he was starting to remember why Theo was very rarely crossed. The individual usually didn't believe the rumors about him and decided to test his limits, or they believed because of their status that he couldn't harm them. He would remind them that he didn't care for the reason, they would be punished.
"You seemed to have forgotten whom I'm friends with Ogdan and this has been his second report about you harming one of my girls. I let it slide the first time, because the woman hadn't been seriously injured, but it seems this time you harmed this woman a great deal. Enough to try and buy her silence" Theo told him patiently, stretching his arm he slammed the whip down causing the older man to let out a scream of pain. Kneeling Theo stared directly into his watery blue eyes,
"You will not breath a word of what happened tonight and your membership here has been revoked." Scratching his jaw, Theo noticed the other man's lips twitch into a smirk before disappearing.
"I'm also aware that you are a member of Eternal Night's and thus will be informing Madame Adkin's to remove you as a member. If you so much as try anything to harm my club or her establishment I will destroy you Ogdan and this right here will seem like child's play." Standing up Theo lashed him again, taking care that the blade didn't bury too deeply into his flesh with each strike he placed. Breathing heavily, his right arm sore, he stepped away from the sobbing man to drop the bloody whip onto the floor. Murmuring the counter spell to the locks, he watched the shackles unlock and fall to the floor, spinning on his heel he exited the room to find Blaise leaning against the door frame.
"Get Marcus to send one of the men to help him to his home and owl the healer. Tell him to make sure to leave the marks. I need some fresh air." Not waiting to see if Blaise would follow his instructions, he walked quickly down the hallway to the heavy wooden door that appeared at his approach. Opening it he walked up the flight of stairs to the second floor and exited near the edge of the dance floor and the front door. People quickly moved out of his way in his attempt to get to the door, their curious and frightened expressions causing him to briefly wonder what he must look like. Seems another rumor will be added to the others. He thought in somber amusement. Reaching the front door he nodded to the doorman he employed and walked towards the lone bench that was a few feet from the large building and sat down. Prior to belief, Theo didn't enjoy getting his hands dirty, but sometimes it was unavoidable. Some men had to be handled with fear otherwise, they would try it again elsewhere. Rubbing his head tiredly, Theo took a deep breath of the crisp night air and listened absently at the soft, melody that escaped into the night from the open door behind him.
…
"They say I did something bad, then why's it feel so good? They say I did something bad, but why's it feel so good? Most fun I ever had and I'd do it over and over and over again if I could. It just felt so good, good." Singing softly under her breath, Morgana paused at the sight of a tall, nicely dressed man exiting the club to take a seat at the lone bench just a few feet away from the loud, pulsing club. Curiosity had her stopping mid-step, but it was from past experience that had her glancing away from him and continue walking towards the man guarding the door. His eyes roved over her scarlet red dress, black thigh-high tights and three-inch red heels, before returning to her face and motioned her inside. Going forward Morgana stepped inside and felt her lips twisting in distaste when she caught sight of several men dressed in leather pants with only a leather vest over bare chests. Arching an eyebrow, she wondered what each man was thinking when they decided to wear there outfits. Soft, flabby flesh. Shuddering she turned away from the sight, Morgana headed towards the bar, careful to avoid wandering hands, noting the scornful glares from a couple of women and lustful ones from the men that had her skin crawling.
"Can I get you anything?" Asked one of the male bartender's when Morgana moved her body between an empty stool and one occupied by a man, his tall form hunched down on the bar top.
"Vodka in water." Morgana attempted to tell the bartender over the thumping music that easily drowned out her low toned vocals, causing her to sigh in annoyance when the bartender just stared at her blankly. Waving him off, she sat down in the empty stool and glanced behind her at the dancing figures that could be made out in the flickering colored lights that shone brightly on the dance floor. Sliding her hair over one shoulder, her eyes shifted to the stairs that led up to another floor, where she counted six VIP rooms with at least two of them being occupied. Another glance around the bustling floor, she spotted a few women wearing tasteful dresses that weren't black or leather. Only one wore a gold band around her tanned arm that only someone who wasn't experimenting in the scene could recognize as belonging to a dominant, who she guessed was the short, stocky man sitting down with another man watching the group of women with an indulgent smile.
"You here alone baby?" Rolling her eyes up to the ceiling, Morgana took a deep breath to keep herself calm and not make a scene by turning whoever had spoken into a rat. Shifting in her seat, she locked eyes with a man that was far from her type as possible. Spiked blonde hair with silver tips on the tops, blue eyes filled with humor and interest had her glancing away. He was cute, but from her first look she could tell that he was a nice man. Dressed in a nice blue dress shirt, over a pair of jeans, he was one of the few people who'd opted out of the leather dress code that most of the people in here believed was a part of the BDSM scene. Tapping the cool, marble table top in annoyance Morgana decided to ignore him, catching the eye of the bartender she pointed at the glass sitting in front of the man next to her and pointed back to herself. Nodding his head he handed the fruity cocktail he'd been working on for another customer to a woman who flashed him a brilliant, flirtatious smile that he ignored. Pulling out a small bottle and glass he poured what she assumed to be firewhiskey and placed it in front of her.
"Here you go." He shouted over the music, placing it in her hand and shooting the guy who hadn't moved from her right side a disgruntled look.
"Try someone else, Nathan. She's taken." Commented the bartender during the slow hum in the music as it shifted, his hand motioning to his bare neck causing Morgana to lift her own hand to reach up and touch the diamond charm she'd added to the silver linked necklace around her own neck. Turning away from them he went down to the other side of the bar where a line had formed of people who'd left the dance floor when the music had become soft and slow.
"Damn," said the man called Nathan, feeling cold air take the place of where he'd been standing, Morgana turned her gaze back to the dance floor to watch couples dancing against one another. It was interesting to notice that each woman wore a piece of jewelry along their arms or neck that bespoke of belonging to the man that they danced with, their touches soft and intimate. Taking a deep breath, she was sure that her face betrayed the longing Morgana felt while watching them. For a time, she'd had what they did. However, Silas and Noah had never belonged to her. Which is why I came back here. Except, dreams were a fragile thing and easily shattered. Lifting the glass, Morgana downed the burning liquid of firewhiskey, it's strong aftertaste having her shake her head. She'd much have preferred the vodka with water or the sweet taste of a white Russian over firewhiskey.
"So, Bloodburn's only daughter belongs to someone?" Placing the empty glass back onto the marble countertop of the bar, she glanced to her left to see the man she'd sat next too was none other than Sirius Black. What happened to never seeing this man again? Sighed Morgana internally, wondering if because she'd brought them back their fates had become entwined with hers. Though that does seem to be something the goddess Hekate would think was funny. In the flickering lights of the club, his eyes appeared to be a lighter gray that stared at her curiously.
"Don't tell me the great Sirius Black is unfamiliar with BDSM?" She asked during the song change, his large frame leaning towards her to hear her better and judging by the confusion crossing his handsome features he either hadn't heard her or he didn't understand her question. Slipping off the chair, Morgana angled herself between Black and the bar, the cold countertop touching her bare back where the dress dipped. Leaning forward, Black placed his hand on her waist to keep her steady when she placed a hand on his shoulder to allow Morgana to lean into his lean, muscular frame, her lips next to his ear.
"Come dance, puppy." Laughing softly when he jerked at her words, indignation clearly written on his face. Pulling away from his warm touch, Morgana stepped away from him and headed towards the dance floor. The music shifting to a fast paced beat that had people moving along to the thumping music, placing a heel on the hardwood floor, she felt an arm wrap around her waist, pulling her around to bring her up against a hard body. Morgana was forced to tilt her head back to stare into grey eyes, strands of ebony hair falling around his angular features, she felt his other hand pull gently on the diamond teardrop, his gaze intent while he studied it. Morgana watched his eyes narrow in confusion, clearly not understanding how the diamond teardrop charm had told the bartender that she belonged to someone. Ignoring the jostling of the other dancer's, Morgana placed her arms around his narrow waist feeling the heat of his body burning her even thru his white shirt. To most people the charm was just that a charm, but the silver intricate knotwork that surrounded the diamond was a signal that she didn't have a master, but was looking. If it'd been gold, it would have told them that she was in a serious relationship with her master and wasn't to be approached without permission. Leaning back from his touch, she reached a hand behind her feeling someone taking it and pulling her away from Black's hands to spin her. A quick glance behind her showed Black standing by himself, his firm lips pulled in a grimace, laughing Morgana allowed the man who'd taken possession of her hand to pull her deeper into the crowd. Work could wait a few minutes.
…
"You coming Draco?" Asked Hermione, her laughing chocolate eyes on him as he stood up from the chair he'd occupied for the last hour, wondering if she'd somehow gotten away with cheating. Glancing at the cards on the table he wouldn't put it past her, but regardless a bet was a bet. Sighing loudly enough for everyone to hear him, he shot an annoyed glance at Harry who simply lifted a shoulder in a shrug and grinned at him. Clearly, amused that once again Hermione had chosen him as her dance partner. He should have never allowed her to see his discomfort the first time she'd decided to use dancing as a punishment, because for nearly three years she'd used it against him.
"Have I mentioned how much I despise dancing." He drawled at Hermione, taking her arm he took a step out of their VIP Room, leading her down the steps carefully, knowing the heels she'd chosen to wear tonight were unfamiliar and uncomfortable. They did make her tanned legs appear longer and brought her slightly shorter frame to his shoulders. The lacy, purple dress stood out in the sea of black that most of the young crowd wore, he found it amusing to watch the men and women to pretend to understand something that seemed to escape their grasp.
"That's why it's a punishment Draco. Besides I love dancing." Rolling his eyes, he allowed her to let go of his arm to grasp his hand to pull him thru a throng of giggling women, their gaze on a man standing on the edge of the dance floor. Having recognized the form at probably the same time he had, Hermione led him up behind Sirius just as the man took a step forward his eyes focused on something or someone in the crowd. Except, he paused to smile down at his godson's fiancé her other hand sliding around his waist to give him a brief hug.
"Dance with us, Sirius!" Shouted Hermione over the pulsing bass, moving behind his friend when a young man rammed into his shoulder, pushing the boy back into the crowd, Draco resisted Hermione's pull towards the middle of the dance floor. In the flickering light's he made out her exasperated expression before letting go of his hand and started moving to the beat. Rolling his eyes upwards, he reached for Hermione's slim waist and pulled her closer to him, Harry would be pissed if someone else took her from him. Taking her hand in his, he twirled her around, laughter flowing from her, causing a smile of his own to pull at his lips. Swaying to the beat he allowed Hermione to maneuver him how she wished. Her brunette hair bounced around her, tendril's of her long hair escaped from the high ponytail, giving her glowing features a softer appearance, making him feel a bit envious of Harry.
"You're still so bad at this, Draco." Laughed Hermione when he pulled her into his chest, the music finally shifting to a slow paced song after nearly ten minutes of being pulled across the dance floor, by one small woman, who'd found his discomfort enjoyable. Last time I play poker with this woman. Witch always likes to see me suffer.
"Darling, I can dance the foxtrot, do the waltz and some of the tango. This? This isn't dancing!" Draco growled at her, keeping his hold on her waist, he glanced around the emptying dance floor in search of Sirius who'd slipped into the crowd during the second song. Catching sight of a flicker of red out of the corner of his eye, he turned to notice a woman in a short red dress standing next to the bar. The revealing dress had no back, allowing him to notice the tattoo along the pale expanse of her skin, even from where he stood Draco could tell that a lot of attention went into the ink.
"You are such a snob Draco." Shrugging a shoulder at Hermione's comment he led her to the bar, quickly getting Logan's attention, the younger man reached beneath the bar to grab a bottle of chocolate liqueur and an expensive bottle of scotch. Glancing at the glass bottle, he wondered if Theo was having a rough night.
"Thanks Logan." Picking up both bottles he paused when the other man leaned over the countertop to glance in the direction of the woman downing what appeared to be a shot.
"Woman's been causing a stir among some of the dominants. She's a free submissive, tried getting a hold of Marcus, but he seems to be dealing with an issue at the moment. Theo has stepped out of the club and nobody can find Blaise. Don't think your friend Black will be able to keep a few of them at bay much longer, think you can place her under your protection for the night?" Questioned Logan his head tilting to a few males sitting at a table a few feet from the bar, their gazes turning to stare at the woman every other minute. Sirius had taken position on her right side, his storm grey eyes staring down at her quizzically. His gaze was drawn back to the tattoo, the multi-colored wolf sat just above the ridge of her spine howling at a half-moon with Celtic ruins inside the design that he could just make out on her right shoulder in the flickering neon lights and when she shifted her ebony tresses over to her left shoulder.
"She a member of the club?" Draco asked, feeling Hermione take the slim bottle of chocolate liqueur, he turned to her to see her point towards the stairs, nodding to let her know she could go, she moved into a small crowd of women towards the VIP section. Only, when he saw her small frame walking up the stairs, her lavender heels in one hand, did he turn his attention back to Logan, his lips twisted in a small smile. Hermione might drive him crazy, but she understood his need to keep her safe. Even if this club was owned by Theo, he never took a chance that someone might think to harm the brilliant witch, even after eight years she still had made enemies during the Second Wizarding War.
"No, would have remembered a woman like her. First woman I've seen who seems uninterested in Black." Leaning onto the bar top, Draco shifted his gaze back to the woman, taking in her small frame next to Sirius's, he knew she had to be about the same height as Hermione. The way she moved was slow, careful, almost as if she thought about every move, before she made it. With her back turned to him, he couldn't see her face, but he could see Sirius, and the other man appeared bewildered.
"Have one of the other bartenders take this upstairs. I'll go make sure everyone here understands she's not to be touched. When Theo returns and if she's still here, have him speak to her." Handing the glass bottle of firewhiskey back to Logan, he waited until the other man had moved away, before straightening and pushing his way towards Sirius.
"Draco," Pausing just behind the woman at the shout of his name over the music and chatter, he glanced up to notice Theo mid-way up the stairs, Logan having met him on his way down from the VIP room. Shifting, he felt the woman bump into him, her silky black hair sliding along his arm.
"Sorry,'" Her voice was low, barely a sound against his ear, her slim form soft and supple against his as she moved past him.
"Seriously?" Shouted Sirius, low laughter following his shout, causing the other man to lean against the countertop in exasperation.
"Turn you down?" Questioned Draco, a smirk playing at his lips. Harry and James had both questioned Sirius' lack of interest in the opposite sex, completely uninterested in the women that practically fell at his feet. According to James, that was unusually of the younger version of Sirius he'd known. While Harry had hoped his godfather would set his wandering eye on something or someone close to home.
"Shit, that one confuses the hell out of me. Must be Layla's blood in her, she used to confuse me almost as badly." Snarled Sirius, rubbing his head causing the long strands of his hair to fall into his face. Staring quizzically at Sirius, Draco spun around when his words sank in, there was only one Layla he knew of and that was the mother of Henry's illegitimate daughter, Morgana. The woman who had apparently taken him on as a client. Pushing a man out of his way, he followed after her, ignoring both Theo and Sirius' questioning shouts. Catching site of her small form exiting the club, her ruby red dress the only splash of color among the crowd entering and leaving.
"STOP!" He shouted, coming to a pause just out side of the club, he spotted her standing underneath one few lanterns located around the club, pale blue eyes stared back at him, painted red lips pulled back into a smile. Glancing around him he noticed people had stopped in the entrance, glaring at them they quickly went back to what they were doing, before he'd yelled.
"It's cold Mr. Malfoy." Even outside away from the blasting music and chattering voices her voice barely carried on the cool breeze. Moving towards her, he'd always assumed his eyes were the lightest color of blue, closest he could come to describing hers was an artic blue. Ivory skin appeared almost golden underneath the glow of the lantern, ebony tresses that weren't completely black as he'd believed flowed around her arms and it had him wondering if she was even his type. Sure, Morgana Bloodburn was a stunning young woman, but staring into her eyes he could see shadows lurking in those depths, having seen them looking back at him in the mirror. Having traced her whereabouts while Morgana had been in the states hadn't been easy, but what he'd discovered was that trouble somehow always seemed to follow her.
"Don't you think we should have a conversation?" He asked, placing his hands into his pockets watching her cross her arms underneath her chest, having him notice that despite her small stature she had generous sized breasts.
"Hmm…can we make it another time? Alcohol and business do not mix and sadly we must discuss business before pleasure." Blinking Draco, felt her gaze slide from his head all the way down to his feet and back up. For the first time since he was fourteen year's old, she stared at him how his first crush had looked at him. A mixture of innocence and curiosity.
"What?" He asked, coming to the conclusion that Sirius wasn't lying she was starting to confuse him. Nearly, everyone of Atkin's girl's had thought he was the dirt beneath their shoes. Hell, even Pansy had used him for nearly two year's in the hopes of getting his last name and access to his Gringotts vault. Yet, here stood this young woman watching him as if she was really interested in him.
"Oh darlin," He watched her chest heave in a sigh, her smile turning into a frown that had him wondering what she saw in his expression. Dropping her hands, her heels clicking on the cobbled street as she walked towards him. Stopping only a few inches away from him, he had to look down to see her face, his skin jumped when he felt her hand touch his abdomen just above his t-shirt.
"I don't take galleons as a form of payment, makes what happens between my clients and I feel cheap. I like gifts and by that I don't mean expensive gifts or jewelry. Think outside the box on that." Arching an eyebrow at her words, he could see the amusement glittering in her eyes, his mind mainly concentrating on the feel of her palm sliding from his stomach to his chest.
"I also don't do a few hours to…rut as one of my earlier client's put it. Get's quite boring after the first few times. Fair warning Mr. Malfoy if I get bored you will be taken off my client list." Cold, smooth fingers slid along his neck, her body arching into his, allowing him to feel that she hadn't been lying about being cold.
"Sounds as if you're proposing a contract." Commented Draco, feeling his confusion grow. Only one of his friends, Anthony Goldstein, had formed a long term contract with one of Madam Atkin's girl's. A quiet, shy little thing that hadn't come out of her shell until about six month's after the contract had been formed and now he sure that the two of them would get married in the next few years
"All of my client's enter into something similar to an exclusive contract. I might be a courtesan Mr. Malfoy, but with the clients I choose I tend to be quite loyal." Shrugging a slim shoulder, her lips a mere inch from his, allowing him to feel her warm breath mingling with his. Making it hard to keep his hands in his pockets because she'd been right, business came first.
"Let me guess you expect loyalty in return?" He questioned, a flicker of annoyance filling him at the sheer arrogance of her words. Who did she think she was? A whore making demands of him?
"Of course not, you can date and sleep with whomever you choose, but if you ever tie the knot that'll be the end of our contract. Marriage is sacred and as such something that I will never come between. I'm not my mother." Anger coated her raspy tone making him wonder how people had treated her growing up just because her mother had been her father's mistress. Dane had attended Hogwarts, which meant there was high probability she had as well. So the question was, how had he treated her?
"Actually, you enter any form of a permanent relationship and this will end." Dropping her hand, Morgana stepped away from him, her head turning away to stare at the dark street of Diagon Alley, even from her side profile he could read the somber expression on her face.
"Whore I maybe Mr. Malfoy, but unfortunately my choice of client's always put's me at a sort of disadvantage." Taking a another step back, she turned to look at him, causing him to feel slightly uncomfortable underneath the weight of her regard. Inside those artic blue iris's were flicker's of different emotion's that Draco wasn't sure if he was understanding what he saw.
"You have a choice Draco, continue with the shallow fucking that brings you no pleasure or step out of that hole you've placed yourself in. Believe me when I tell you that it can be quite liberating. When you've made up your mind come find me, I'm sure it won't be too hard with you being an Auror." Red lips pulled into a small smile and then she was gone.
"Shit." Pulling a hand out of his pocket, Draco ran it thru his hair the cool wind having picked up, making him notice the absence of Morgana's warmth where she touched him. This is not going to end well. Thought Draco already knowing his choice.