Chapter Three
I woke up with an extreme headache, as if I drank a whole gallon of fire whiskey the night before.
I turned my body around to face away from the sunlight coming through the gigantic window, only to roll off the bed.
"Owww," I groaned. I rubbed the back of my head and cracked open an eye to check the time. 1:24 pm already. I put my head between my knees.
My dreams had been plagued with images of battle and Ron and Harry's faces watching me stonily. I felt my face and found that it was cracked with dry tears.
What was I to do now that I was in New York, a city that I was completely unfamiliar with? Why did I come here again? Oh yes, that's right- to escape. God, I am so pathetic.
I didn't even have a good, well- plotted plan. My current plan was stupid. My plan so far was to find my cousin Lisa and rebuild my life from there. Maybe get a job at wherever she worked now, whether it was at Club Clevouge or at anywhere else. I needed to start somewhere.
So I called up Aunt Helen, Lisa's mother.
I picked up the phone and dialed.
It rang three times, and than… "Hello- Warner residence," said a sweet, homely voice that could only be my sweet, homely aunt.
"Hi, Aunt Helen. It's me, Hermione… Hermione Granger."
"Hermione! Well, what a surprise! How are you?"
I twisted the cord nervously. "I'm fine...I'm fine. Listen, I was just wondering if you knew the address of Lisa."
"Of course! What kind of mother do you make me out to be? Well, let me see…" Some shuffling could be heard on her end. After about a minute, my aunt told it to me.
I wrote it down on the hotel stationary. "Thanks, Aunt Helen. Stay well." I hung up right away.
I threw on some clothes and took the elevator to the lobby. Now that it was daytime, I could see the place more clear. It looked pretty high class, but not enough to be out of my budget.
I pushed past the elevator. Right away, I was hit by an array of big- city noises. Cars honking, people shouting, horns blaring…I have to say, it was very exhilarating. It helped push back the bad memories to the dustier and further away part of my brain, replacing them a little with new and fresh things that weren't shameful.
I called a cab, and gave the dirty man the address.
"Here you go," I handed the slip of paper to him, trying not to touch his greasy hand. He took it and grunted in response.
On the way, I looked out the window. I was completely entranced by this place. I was so used to sleepy little London and majestic, peaceful Hogwarts. After that, the grey and tensely quiet war camps. And here I was now, in the boisterous and busy city of New York.
Finally, he pulled up beside a grungy- looking apartment building and held out his hand for thirty- six dollars and forty- two cents.
I sorta dropped the money into his palm, again not wanting to be contaminated by his filthiness.
I stepped out of the cab tentatively. The driver sped off, clearly glad to be rid of me. Likewise, I mouthed.
I pressed #2546 on the intercom, and not too long after that, a static- filled voice came on.
"Hermy? That you, girl?"
I spoke while pressing the red button. "Yeah, it's me. Lisa?"
I could practically hear her grin. "Hold up; I'm gonna ring you in right now. Floor 3, first on your right!"
The door made a loud clicking noise, signifying that it had unlocked. I pushed it warily, and mercifully, I was granted in. I climbed the grey cement steps until I reached a grungy sign, reading Floor 3. Except someone had written in permanent marker under it- is right up your ass.
I was starting to have second thoughts. But it was too late now. I took a deep breath and immediately choked on all the dust in the air.
The door on my right immediately flew open and there was my cousin, Lisa. I had quite a shock. This girl looked nothing like the girl I saw seven years ago, when I was still in my sixteenth year.
The Lisa I remembered was sorta shy, hiding behind her glasses, with a schoolgirl uniform and hairdo. She was 15, only a year younger than me.
This girl was something altogether different. She had on a skimpy red halter top, a belly ring, tight- fitting ripped jeans, no glasses, and highlighted brown and gold hair that was layered. I felt plain in my gray t- shirt and loose jeans. Not to mention my uncolored and boring bushy hair.
"I can't believe you're here! I couldn't believe it when my mom called either, but here you are!" She wrapped me in a big bear hug.
I tried to work up some enthusiasm. "Wow! You sure have changed."
She giggled. "Yeah…I guess this must be sort of a shock, huh? Well, you'll get used to it. Come on in!"
I walked in and took in my surroundings. Her apartment was colorful and wild. Completely opposite of what I was used to.
"What brings you here?" She made me a cup of something I wasn't quite sure what it was. I took in anyways, and took a polite little sip. It wasn't bad, actually. Citrusy and sweet.
"Well…" How could I say? I couldn't. I was still too embarrassed and shaken up about it. What would she think of me if she knew?
She already knew I was a witch. She didn't know that my world was at war though. None of my muggle family knew. But she did deserve an explanation.
"Well…" I repeated. "I guess I just wanted to get away. Have an extended vacation." I laughed nervously. "My boss said I was working too hard and I should take a break. I was this close to having a nervous breakdown, so he practically forced me."
I took another long sip of my drink after I finished.
She nodded. "Cool, cool…Where are you staying?"
"Some hotel." I realized that I didn't even remember the name of it.
"No way! You are not staying at some hotel when you got family here. Move into my apartment for a while! It'll be great!"
"I couldn't! I mean…I'd have to pay rent. If I can pay rent, sure! It does sound fun."
She made a dismissing noise and said, "Whatever, cousin. Hey- you know what would be awesome? I'll take you to work. My boys will get a scream out of meeting a real Brit girl, accent and all. I swear, they'll adore you."
Her quick pace threw me. Was everyone in New York like this? Though shocking, it was refreshing as well.
"Oh…well, sure. Why not?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My goodies
My goodies
My goodies, not my goodies!
The music droned out all doubt, worry, and anxiety in me as I pushed open the door to the club. Lisa had told me to meet her here, since she had to come earlier to work.
Immediately, I loved the place. It was dark and full of people, lit up only by a disco ball and rainbow lights that spun around the room. People were forced close together, dancing sensually. They did not seem to mind it one bit.
I looked down at the clothes Lisa had forced me to buy. A black halter top that plunged at the neckline, and a flirty black skirt to match. I felt extremely uncovered and uncomfortable, yet at the same time sexy.
Lisa had taken one look inside my trunk and said, "Don't take this the wrong way, babe, because I love you and you're awesome and all that…but you dress like a prude."
So she took the liberty of taking me out shopping, using a lot of my saved up money. Somehow, I didn't mind much.
The music was unfamiliar to me, seeing as I hadn't listened to muggle music in years. A sultry rap began.
I got a sick reputation for handling broads
All I need is me a few seconds or more
And it's a wrap
Tell the ladies to bring my lap
I weaved around the crowds of people. I sighted the bar, but I was stopped by a man.
He looked about my age, maybe a little older. He had dark brown hair, and was very good- looking.
"Dance?"
At first, I didn't know quite what to do. I was definitely not used to this. He was looking me up and down in a very sexual and predatory way. It made me more nervous yet, but empowered me.
"Oh…" I stammered. "Well, you see, I was…That is, I'm going to…My cousin…"
He took my hand in spite of my objections and pulled me close to him. I could smell his scent of cologne.
You may look at me and think that I'm
Just a young girl
But I'm not just a young girl.
Baby this is what I'm looking for:
Sexy, independent, gotta spend it type that's getting' his dough
I'm not being too dramatic that's the way I gotta have it.
"E-excuse me… But I…" He shushed me and began swaying, his arms latched around me. He showed no sign of letting go.
Oh, crap. Now he was grinding me. I felt it in his pants that he was getting turned on, but I was just getting insulted. His hand was slipping up my skirt!
I slapped it off and tried to pull away.
"What's wrong, baby? I don't bite. Well, I do, but you'll like it." He smirked at his own dirty joke.
I scowled at him and began to turn away, but he grabbed my wrist.
"Hey, girlie-"
"Hey, ass wipe, get your hands off her!" I sighed quietly in relief. Thank goodness. Lisa to the rescue.
"What if I don't?" he sneered.
"Then I'll kick your filthy behind- that's what," she said fiercely.
"I'm so sure, kitty cat. Why don't you just try?" he seemed to find her amusing, and it showed on his face. Not smart of him.
She made a fake little sweet smile, and kicked him right in the part where hurts.
He grabbed his balls and screwed up his face in pain. "Bitch!" he spluttered.
"Yeah, yeah. Get out of here, you slime ball."
I was standing frozen like a deer caught in the headlights. "Wow. I can handle Death Eaters, but you can sure handle prats like that."
"Death Eaters?" she cocked her head in confusion.
"Nothing. Show me the rest of this place! Nothing else can be as horrible as that man."
She laughed. "No, it isn't. This place is really cool, trust me. Come on, I'll introduce you to the guys. I do have a few other Brit friends, but not one of them are girls! So everyone is going to just delight in you, my friend."
We got to the bar, and she whistled over a group of males.
"You guys! Come here! This is my cousin! She's all the way from London! Hermione, this is Dave (a very tall and completely adorable brunette), Kyle (a spacey looking blonde who was obviously a great body and a dull mind, but nice personality), Craig (a dirty blonde with a visible great six- pack underneath his tight black shirt), and Heath (a redhead who reminded me greatly of a more handsome Ron)."
They immediately began to circle me.
"Sexy little thing," said Heath.
"Don't scare her off now, man," said Craig.
"We won't…I'll hold her down," kidded (I hope) Kyle.
"Remind me to go to London one day," smiled Dave.
"You guys! This is my cousin here! Be nice!" scolded Lisa, who very obviously had a huge soft spot for these guys. I could see why. Right away, I liked them. They were flirtatious but not pushy, and they seemed lovable right off the bat.
"Aw, we're kidding. You know that," grinned Craig.
"You know that, right?" Heath directed toward me. He was obviously the most sensitive of the lot.
I nodded and smiled in good humor.
"So how do you like the club so far?" asked Heath.
"Except for that man who practically attacked me, it's lovely."
They all had different reactions to my accent.
"Alright! That's awesome!"
"That's hot, girl!"
"I'm digging it!"
"Totally reminds me of Drake!"
Lisa frowned. "Speaking of which, where the hell is that boy, anyway? Anyone seen Drake around?"
"Right here, Lisa. No need to get yourknickers in a bunch," came a deep voice from behind me.
My smile froze on my face. I felt a cold flood of recognition sweep over me.
That deep British voice. That familiar drawl. I knew that drawl. I last heard it seven years ago, but it rang through my ears and my memory as true as I was standing there.
I turned around to face him. Our faces both flushed inshock and emotion at the same time.
"Malfoy!"
"Granger!"