Being as I can't dance, I apologize for the weak dancing scene. Other than that, enjoy!
Put to rest what you've thought of me
While I clean this slate with the hands of uncertainty
So let mercy come and wash away
What I've done
-What I've Done
The bar was a short distance away from the hotel but the music reached their ears as soon as they walked out the doors. They walked around the pool and entered the crowded area. Several heads turned towards them as they made their way across the dance floor to order their drinks. Hermione took a seat while Ginny took her drink out onto the floor.
Hermione scanned the crowd. She and Ginny had entered the bar a little later than they planned and many of the partiers were already well on their way to overindulgence. She wasn't like Ginny, she just wanted to go out and let a little loose, have a few drinks, and return to the room. Ginny saw the trip as her golden opportunity to be, well, not Ginny.
A few moments later Ginny was standing in a group of men wearing college t-shirts. She waved Hermione over and, reluctantly, Hermione abandoned her stool to join her friend.
"Hermione," Ginny had to shout over the music. "This is Andy, John, and Derrick. Guys, this is Hermione."
Hermione exchanged handshakes with all three men. Ginny left her with John and Derrick as she dragged Andy onto the dance floor. The group stood in awkward silence for a few moments.
"So... are you from London?" Derrick asked, grasping for something to fill the void.
"I work in London."
"Where do you work?"
"In law enforcement."
"You're a cop?"
"More like a detective."
"That's cool. Have you ever had any interesting cases?"
Hermione shrugged. "I helped a couple friends take down a mass murderer once." The thought of talking about defeating Voldemort so nonchalantly made her feel like she was betraying the effort.
"That sounds dangerous."
"Yeah, it was," Hermione replied, hoping the conversation ended there. "Are you in college?" she asked the boys.
"Yeah. We go to the U of I," John replied proudly.
"U of I?" Hermione asked.
"University of Illinois."
"What are you studying?"
"I'm studying computer programming, Derrick is studying engineering, and Andy is studying graphic design."
Hermione nodded, but didn't know what to say. No one really studied those types of courses at Wizarding schools, so she wasn't totally sure what each one entailed.
"Do you like computers?"
"Honestly, I went to a boarding school of sorts that didn't allow the use of computers, so while I've used them, I'm not dependant on them or anything."
Derrick and John were looking at her slack-jawed. "They didn't allow computers?" John asked.
Hermione shook her head.
"That's practically barbaric!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, remembering an assignment for her Muggle Studies course entitled 'Computers have set back the advancement of Muggles: Discuss'. "It really wasn't that bad. It had a giant library, and it really helped us hone our research skills."
"But why spend hours trying to find something in the library when you can find it in seconds on the internet?"
Hermione sighed. There would be no winning the argument. "I like doing research in libraries."
Derrick and John looked at her, a mixture of shock and disgust on their faces.
"She does. You couldn't pull this woman away from the books at school," Ginny appeared behind her. "Come on, 'Mione. I need another drink."
Ginny grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her towards the bar. "Not working, huh?" Hermione asked as Ginny flagged down the bartender.
"He spent the whole time telling me how his daddy is paying for this trip, and how they flew down on daddy's private jet, and how daddy owns his own company and is going to give him a high paying job when he gets out of college. If I wanted someone who was constantly being taken care of by their daddy I'd date Malfoy."
"No, you wouldn't," Hermione smiled.
"You're right, but only because he's a prat. You want another?"
Hermione looked at her mostly full drink. "I think I'm good."
"Ready for another lap?"
"I think I'm going to stick around here for a while. You go," Hermione waved her away and sat on a stool. She watched as Ginny, avoiding the college boys, walked around and was immediately picked up by a cute, dark-haired man wearing a different college's t-shirt. Rolling her eyes thinking that Ginny was jumping from frying pan to frying pan Hermione took her gaze from her friend and scanned the group.
On the other side of the bar Harry and Ron were dancing close to each other, surrounded by several men eyeballing Harry. Another pang of sadness ran across her. They looked so happy together. She wasn't sure she'd ever find that happiness again.
The bartender tapped her shoulder, and she turned to face him. The man was holding a bottle of cheap beer.
"From the man at the end of the bar," he said, pointing to a fat, balding man sitting across the way from her. He waved at her with pudgy fingers. His shirt was hanging open, exposing his grey-haired chest.
"Oh, no thanks," Hermione replied, pushing the beer back at the bartender. "I don't drink beer," she said lamely.
The bartender shrugged as he returned the beer to the cooler. Hermione quickly turned away from the man to avoid giving him the wrong impression, but the man had more determination than she thought. A moment later he was sitting next to her.
"What are you drinking?" he asked.
Hermione pushed her daiquiri out of the man's eyesight. She didn't respond, but stared at the dance floor.
"Where are you from?" the man persisted.
"Not around here," Hermione replied shortly.
"I've been there before. What part of not around here?"
Hermione rolled her eyes.
After waiting for an answer the man asked "how long are you staying in Mexico?"
Hermione thought fast. What would Snape reply? "I'm thinking of leaving right now," she said sourly.
"One of those 'I'm better than everyone' girls, aren't you?"
A fresh daiquiri appeared in front of her. Hermione looked up to see George smiling at her.
"There you are, sweetheart," George said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
"Where have you been, honey?" Hermione replied, playing along.
"I just wanted to watch the end of the match. Lots of fouls. Took forever," he said, taking the seat next to her. The man slunk off.
"Thanks for that," Hermione sighed as she watched the man depart.
"No problem. I know a damsel in distress when I see one."
"Since when have I ever been a damsel in distress?"
"Just drink the damn drink and shut up," George teased, taking a swig of beer. "Where is my darling sister?"
"Looking for something, anything with an appendage."
George's head shot up as he scanned the bar for Ginny.
"George, she's an adult. She can take care of herself."
"She's my sister. I don't want to think of her shagging some random stranger."
"She shagged Harry."
"Harry is Harry. Though I'm not thrilled about her shagging anyone."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"So you think random sex is okay?"
"I think that it's Ginny's choice."
George, seeing Ginny dancing with the new college boy, turned back to Hermione. "How come you're not off looking for 'something, anything with an appendage'?"
"I'm not Ginny. I'm not interested in anonymous sex."
"So you don't do the one night stand thing?"
"I didn't say that," Hermione said, blushing furiously.
George raised an eyebrow. "Who was it?"
"What makes you think I'd tell you?"
"You told me you had a one night stand, that's bad enough. You might as well go the whole way and tell me who you did. I promise I won't give you shit for it."
Hermione studied him for a moment. "Neville," she practically whispered.
George snorted and bit his lips together to keep from laughing.
Hermione smacked his arm. "It was right after Ron dumped me. He listened to my crying, we drank a little, we fooled around. I'm not going to say it was a mistake, it just wasn't going to be anything long-term and we both knew it."
"Neville?" George asked with an impish grin.
"What does everyone have against him? He's a nice guy!"
"He is a nice guy. A loyal friend and all that. Good in the sack?"
"None of your damn business, George Weasley!"
George's face was wide in a stupid grin. "Don't kiss and tell. I like that."
"Like I give a damn what you like," Hermione rolled her eyes, but was unable to contain a smile.
"We've been down this road before. I'm handsome, charming, rich..."
"And an arrogant prat."
"You can't talk to me like that. I bought you a drink!"
Hermione smiled, took a drink and tried to look innocent.
George looked Hermione up and down. "Care to dance?"
"You want to dance with me?"
"Why would you think I wouldn't?"
Hermione shrugged. She quickly drank the last of the daiquiri and let George lead her onto the dance floor. They started dancing several inches away from each other, their eyes darting around the room. Suddenly George grabbed her waist and pulled her towards him. Hermione responded by starting to move her hips in time with his. She caught a glimpse of Ginny dancing with her new friend in a way that she was sure would make George protective, so she decided to distract him by mimicking her friend.
"Oh, Merlin, Hermione," George breathed as she turned around and started grinding her hips into his. "When did you learn to dance like this?"
"Just now," Hermione replied, reaching back and running a hand through his hair.
"Compliments to your teacher."
Hermione smirked and glanced at Ginny, who was now locking lips with her dance partner.
"Can I ask you something without it getting weird?"
"Ask away. I promise I won't give you shit for it."
"Would you... go upstairs with me?"
Hermione turned around to look him in the eyes. He was rapidly turning red and looking as though he wanted to run from the room. She responded by stretching her neck up to kiss him. As he looked shocked she grabbed his hand and started to steer him towards the door.
Please don't be mad at the cliffy ending. I promise the next chapter will pick up where this one left off.
Please review. I love to hear from readers.
