Chapter Four- Brighter
Hermione shivered as she took tentative steps down the now dark cobbled alley. She was going to murder Ginny Weasley when she got hold of her! It was too cold to be out on a night like this, but she'd never hear the end of it if she didn't come out.
Ginny had sent her a memo at the office, demanding that she turn up to a glamorous new nightclub, that had recently opened in Diagon Alley. According to Ginny, it was the place to be and be seen. And also, full of single men, looking for a good night.
When she didn't respond to the first, Ginny sent her more memo's, filling Hermione and Draco's office, before finally confronting her in the canteen area at the Ministry. She had practically (and literally) been on her knee's begging her to come out, until Hermione had finally agreed, mainly due to the large crowd surrounding them. At that, Ginny was all smiles and hugs, telling her to be outside Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes that night, at eight o'clock, sharp.
She saw them as soon as she rounded the corner, Harry in a smart white shirt and dark jeans, Ginny in a short black dress (or as the Muggle girls said: LBD, a little black dress).
"Hermione! You came, I knew you would," smiled Ginny, waving enthusiastically as her friend drew closer.
"Wow, Hermione, you look gorgeous," Harry grinned. Ginny punched him lightly on the arm and he looked slightly sheepish.
"Thanks," she muttered and smoothed down her dress. This had been a last minute purchase today in the Muggle world. She had been passing New Look, or whatever it was called, and it had caught her eye; even better than it being pretty, it was on sale. It was a navy colour, made of floaty material and quite short she realised when she had tried it on, in the dressing room.
You only live one, she sighed as she handed her money over at the till.
Carefully, she had twirled her soft brown hair up into a silver glittery clip, leaving small tendrils hanging and framing her face. She had outlined her eyes with black eyeliner and applied a little shiny pink lip gloss on her lips.
She had taken her small white handbag off the table before glancing in the mirror. Yes, that'll do, she thought.
"So… where's this new place then?" Hermione asked, shivering, wishing she had brought her jacket with her.
"Just up here," Ginny gestured and set off in the direction of where the newly refurbished Ollivander's Wand Shop was situated.
The group moved up the alley. The only sound that could be heard within the group has the tap of Ginny and Hermione's high heeled shoes. Hermione noticed that there quite a crowd was gathering, all dressed similarly.
And Hermione saw why. It was tall and narrow, paved with white bricks. Huge windows with pulsating neon lights dominated the front, barring a large iron wrought doorway. Spiky styled handwriting proclaimed, "Narkoa". Two wizards in sea green robes stood, tree trunk thick arms set in a menacing fashion.
Hermione, Harry and Ginny edged closer to the doors, being jostled about by the now thriving group of people.
"Hi, we're on the list," Ginny smiled at the nearest wizard.
What list? Hermione thought.
"Name?" grunted the bouncer.
"W-"
"Miss. Weasley! Mr. Potter! And Miss. Granger! You've come, I'm so delighted. Gerald, please move out of the way and let these delightful people in," came an aristocratic voice Hermione recognised. She looked up and saw Lucius Malfoy, come sweeping out the entrance.
He still looked the same as he had during the final battle at Hogwarts, except maybe his hair was slightly shorter, and his eyes held a little warmth. Not that he had much in his life anymore…
After the fall of Voldemort, Draco had moved out of the Malfoy Manor in Wiltshire, to a small penthouse in London. ("Too many bad memories in that place," Draco had told Hermione, shortly after the move). Lucius had lost his son.
Shortly after Draco's departure, Lucius' wife Narcissa had passed on into the next life. Lucius had lost his wife.
They had been heartbroken, but they were slowly moving on with life; the son now working in the Ministry, the widower moving onto new and exciting ventures.
Ginny nudged Hermione, and swallowing a lump in her throat, they scurried into the nightclub's warm entrance. They passed Lucius with their heads bent , and he caught Hermione's arm, puling her back from her friends. She looked back at him in shock and his eyes were alive with light.
"I will warn you now Miss Granger. Mr Weasley and Miss Brown have been in and I am unsure whether they have left," he said quietly.
Hermione groaned. "Ok," she sighed. "Thank you for warning me Mr Malfoy".
"Oh please, call me Lucius. Have a good night won't you?" He smiled at her, let go of her arm and swept back inside, leaving Hermione feeling down at the prospect of seeing "the happy couple".
*
The music pounded. The heat rose. The drinks sank. The dancers thrived. Hermione had never been so happy!
She didn't know how much she had drunk, only that it was a tremendous amount, and it wasn't affecting her as much as she had thought it would, yet she supposed that come morning she would have a hangover the size of Gringotts.
She had blasted away the cheesiest chat up (including from her sort-of-ex Cormac McLaggen, "I must have had some Felix Felicis because I think I'm about to get lucky").
She danced and danced, knowing that in the morning, her feet would be covered in blisters.
And to top it all off, there had been no sighting of Won Won, and his beloved Lav Lav.
Harry had finally extracted her from the vibrant dance floor and sat her in a red and black silk booth. "Stay here, I'm off to find Ginny," he had said, and he had vanished into the crowd of revellers.
Hermione sighed and crossed her legs in front of her, folding her arms like a child, letting her head fill with thoughts… So far tonight, none of then men she had danced with had that… that… je ne sais pas pour quoi. She was wondering whether she just ought to leave now, but a velvet covered voice made her jump.
"What do you say we Disapparate out of here?"
Hermione spun around and nearly slipped of the seat. Draco Malfoy was smiling at her, white teeth shining, his eyes bright and shining, wearing a white shirt, silk green tie and tight black trousers.
"Dr…Draco! I… I… didn't know you came… here," she stammered. Damn it, the alcohol was taking effect! Why now? she thought.
"Not often, but often enough," he grinned.
The music pumped around them, louder than before it seemed and still Harry and Ginny hadn't returned.
"What do you say we go somewhere quieter?" he shouted over the music.
"What?" she shouted back.
She watched him laugh. He moved closer to her and said in her ear, "What do you say we go somewhere quieter?" His breath tickled her ear and her stomach contracted slightly.
"Sure," she shouted, and she headed for the doors, closely followed by Draco.
The cool night air swirled around her and she breathed it in, tasting it, revelling in it. The air in Diagon Alley was so pure, unlike the streets of Muggle London.
She turned to face Draco and found herself blushing. After all, he looked so handsome, with the moonlight shining on his perfect face. She remembered a time, when it had been brick red, after slapping him in the third year at Hogwarts. She blushed even deeper.
"So… where are we heading?" she asked, nervously.
He grinned at her, taking a step closer. He surveyed her a moment and his eyes fell near the ruffles of her dress.
"I see you're still wearing the necklace I sent you," he stated.
She looked down and noticed it again. The chain glittered in the pale night. She moved her hand to it and opened her mouth to speak, but Draco moved his hand on top of hers and he pulled her closer to him. Hermione immediately shut her mouth. It would not do to stand this close to the young Malfoy and look like a goldfish. Most unbecoming.
"Hermione you look simply beautiful tonight. I hope you would permit me one favour…"
"And that is?" she asked, nearly breathless with the tension building.
"Would you mind if I kissed you?" he asked, shyly.
Hermione felt as if a Dementor had swooped down upon her and sucked out her soul. She was dying to scream yes and throw herself on him, but being a Granger, she had some self respect.
She smiled coyly. "Hmm maybe". She looked up at him through her long lashes.
"Only maybe?" he asked, and pulled her tighter against him, giving her a look more suited to a lion about to pounce upon a poor gazelle.
"Hmm yes," she squeaked.
Draco bent his head and kissed her. It was a kiss unlike anything she had ever experienced. His lips were warm and gentle, not chapped and rushing. It numbed all her senses and she found herself opening her lips and letting his tongue roll gently into hers, making her insides leap for joy and this touch. She lost control of her tongue and it returned the favour, caressing his with as much tender care that he was giving hers. It was only fair, she thought.
And that's when she realised something. She was in love with Draco Malfoy. And if she was guessing right, he loved her too.