Writing Club - Disney Challenge - Under the Sea - Use the dialogue, "It's better down where it's wetter."

Creativity Month - AdultWorker!AU - HermioneNeville

Small Island - Liverpool - (word) loud, (action) going on a night out, (word) friendly

HPFC - Easter Egg Hunt - (thing) shot glass

Lights flashed and loud music roared. Dancers were swaying their hips provocatively and winking at any male who passed by. Even more men were hanging around the bar, drooling and gazing up at the women with lustful eyes.

Hermione hated doing this. It was low, extremely low.

She was one of the women on top of the bar, shaking her behind and taking off her clothes for all to witness, just so that she could earn some money. It was humiliating, really. She wasn't a hooker, nor was she a stripper, but right now, all of the signs were pointing to it.

(She just prayed to all deities that none of her friends came in and saw her doing this.)

She winked flirtatiously at one boy who was sitting alone at a table with only a shot glass. He was handsome, in a boyish way, with slightly chubby cheeks and bright eyes. The man looked up, but he didn't smile nor leer at her. He just stared at her with a gobsmacked expression, one someone wears when they are surprised.

The song ended and Hermione gratefully slid off of the bar, but not without another man whispering in her ear lecherously. "It's better down where it's wetter. Come by my place, and I'll show you a real good time."

"No thanks," she politely returned.

The man stood from his stool, towering over her. "You dare say no?!" he rumbled threateningly. "You ungrateful slut!"

Hermione surreptitiously reached for the emergency button under the counter. She could sense a tantrum brewing; it was best to go ahead and alert the cops before a brawl broke out.

"Excuse me, sir," she said, fighting to contain her temper, "but I'm not a prostitute. I'm just a dancer." The words tasted like bile in her mouth.

The man swelled. "Yeah, well-"

"Leave her alone!" someone across the bar called, and to her shock, Hermione saw it was the man she had winked at earlier.

The man whipped around. "Who are you?" he thundered.

"Her boyfriend," said the unnamed man, crossing the room and slinging an arm around her shoulders protectively. It was a pleasant weight, thought Hermione. To continue the ruse, she wrapped an arm around the man's waist and shot her aggressor a glare.

They had an audience now. All eyes around the bar were on them, and the bartender was watching with slight curiosity.

The man looked torn between punching his savior or leaving and avoiding an arrest. He chose the latter.

"I'm sorry, mate," he said, clapping him on the back. "You should keep an eye on her."

Hermione bristled, but her "boyfriend" patted her on the shoulder. The other man threw them loathsome glares and stomped off huffily.

The activity around them resumed and Hermione immediately turned to thank her savior, only to see him staring down at her. She swallowed.

"Are you Hermione Granger?"

She nodded, cocking her head questioningly. "How do you know my name?"

"I'm Neville, Neville Longbottom. Remember we were in the same homeroom every year in junior high?"

Her eyes lit up with recognition. "I do!" she exclaimed, her attitude changing to friendly. "What happened to you?" A blush followed that question as she realized what she had said.

Neville smiled. "It's okay, 'Mione," he said, using a former nickname fondly. "I grew up."

"You grew up well," Hermione teased, nudging him playfully. "You got a girl?"

"Yup," he replied solemnly, and Hermione felt a stab of jealousy. "She's standing with me right now."

Hermione glanced around, expecting to see some gorgeous woman with legs a meter long, only to see Neville looking at her with amusement.

"Me?" she asked, bewildered. "I'm not-"

"Well, she will be my girlfriend soon," he amended, "right after I ask her on a date."

Hermione grinned.

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