Chapter 6

Hermione was tired the next morning. She hadn't slept well. She was ignoring the red gown that had been discarded in a corner of her small room as she sat on the end of her bed looking out the small window facing the street below.

She still wasn't sure how she felt about the previous evening. She wasn't directly distressed by the fact that she had given herself to Malfoy. He had been good on his word and everything was taken care of this morning. The ladies had their potions, there was wood to heat the flat and there was food in the cupboards.

She wasn't even outright ashamed about the night itself, she didn't really care what anyone thought. The only sticking point was what Harry would think. She was ashamed that she had coped out, given in, admitted defeat. Harry would never compromise, he never did. The thought completely gutted her. Would Harry hate her for being so weak? Then again, Harry was never hungry.

Hermione didn't know what the right thing was to do, should she have fought to the bitter end, starved and refused to compromise no matter what? She hoped Harry would forgive her for what she'd done. Starving to death might show these people how callous and hypocritical they were, on the other hand she didn't care enough about them at this point to be a martyr for their awfulness.

The thoughts just left her sad. She knew she was damned if she did and damned if she didn't, but this way she lived to fight another day. Although she wasn't entirely convinced there was anything left to fight for.

She didn't hear from Malfoy until the next day, when he demanded her company at 9 in the evening.

She considered not going, but that would put her back where she was. Begging on the street for bread. They hadn't really talked about anything beyond the first night. She was starting to understand that this was meant to be an ongoing thing. He would provide and she would...provide her company in return.

A package arrived soon after the missive. Another gown, a bright purple one this time. It wasn't ugly, but it wasn't her taste either. She also wasn't sure how she felt about having to do it again. She couldn't even understand why he'd want to. He'd gone out of his way to tell her how disgusting she was throughout the time they'd know each other, but he had schemed and manoeuvred to get her into bed. Paid to get her into bed. And by all appearances, he wasn't taking one for the team last night, he wasn't exactly holding back.

In terms of rubbing her situation in her face, it had been pretty lightweight as well. Hermione couldn't figure it out, but she was determined not to try that hard either.

She was dreading the evening, but she floo'd over to his house at the appointed time.

"You're here." He said when she arrived. "Come here."

She walked over to where he was sitting by the desk. She wasn't sure what he wanted. Was she supposed to kiss him? The thought made her stomach churn. It was much too cordial an action for how she felt. Although she wasn't entirely sure how she felt. She hated him, but couldn't deny that she needed him. He had made her dependant on him. Maybe this is how women who marry rich men feel. Although this was not a choice for her, it was absolute necessity. She did not understand why anyone would put up with this by choice.

"Turn around." He ordered.

Hermione did as she was told and felt something cold snake around her neck. He attached it at the back and adjusted it. It was obviously a necklace.

When he was done she looked down and saw a gold necklace with an amethyst stone. It was a nice size, not too garish. It went with the dress.

"Are you giving me jewellery?" She asked.

"Don't you want it?" He asked surprised.

"I just wasn't expecting it." She said and touched the stone. "Its pretty."

"You are so naive." He said and grabbed her by the elbow. "Time to go."

"Go?" Was all she managed before he side along apparated them. The nausea rose in Hermione when they arrived. She didn't know where they were. It was a dark hallway, but obviously in a fine house.

Draco walked them towards a door and the light and laughing spilled out of the room as he opened it. He motioned for her to go inside and she did.

It was a dining room filled with Slytherins and ladies in bright dresses. They had obviously had dinner but had finished.

The room seemed to silence a little as they entered.

"As promised, my new girl." Draco said to the room.

"Is that...is that Granger!" Theo Nott said and stood up. He walked over and took Hermione by the hands and lifted them up to her sides. He started laughing. "Where in the world did you find her?"

"In some third rate bakery." Draco said in his lazy drawl.

"I thought she was gone." Theo said. "Marcus. Look, its Hermione Granger, the mudblood that Potter ran around with."

"I remember Nott, I was there." Marcus said. "Deserves a toast really."

"So she's been here all along?" Theo asked Draco.

"Yep." Draco said and walked over to the table.

I'm right here, Hermione thought to herself, annoyed at being talked about like she wasn't there.

"Sit down." Theo said in a low voice and indicated to the table. He returned to the table as well and sat down next to a blond woman.

Hermione found a spare seat and sat down as well. One of the other girls handed her a glass of wine and Hermione smiled her thank you. The boys were drinking wine as well as stronger stuff. They all seemed to stare at her at one point or another, but no one really talked to her.

Following the other's lead, she helped herself to some cheese and crackers on the table, and sipped her glass of wine. She noticed again that all the ladies were wearing bright dresses. It also became apparent that none of the ladies at the table were wives. It took Hermione a little while to understand that this was the girlfriend/mistress crowd. Obviously the girls they partied with while their wives were, wherever they were.

They sat around the table for a while and the men got increasingly drunk, and the crowd seemed to get increasingly flirtatious. Draco didn't pay that much attention to Hermione, which didn't bother her one bit. Instead, His Pastiness was talking and laughing with his friends as the drink was flowing.

While studying the crowd, Hermione noticed that there was some animosity between some of the girls as well. A couple of them were particularly fighting for attention. As time went on, the group got louder and louder.

As much as she hated Draco, he was not an unattractive man. He had never had trouble attracting girls at school. It did not make sense to Hermione that he would have to pay someone to be with him, even worse, force someone into survival mode like he had done with her. But then they were all doing it weren't they. Every woman in this room was probably being paid in some form or another.

Theo Nott and Marcus Flint were talking about her. It wasn't difficult to tell and they were not making any effort to hide it. To Hermione's mortification, she got the feeling they were talking about her 'assets'. Talking horse flesh, she thought bitterly, maybe they will check out her teeth soon.

Some ice cream appeared at the side table and Hermione got up to serve herself some. It was the perfect opportunity to take a breather. The blond woman with Theo Nott joined her at the side table.

"My name is Constance." She said and held out her hand.

"Hermione." She said and shook the woman's hand. The blond woman was absolutely stunning. She literally looked like a living Barbie doll.

"Everyone calls me Connie." She said and smiled. "I'm with Theo. I think we were at school together at one time."

"I'm sorry." Hermione said, "I don't remember."

"You were very small at the time." Connie said and smiled the most brilliant smiles Hermione had ever seen.

"I haven't seen you around lately." Connie continued. "Did I hear that you have been working in a bakery?"

"That's right." Hermione confirmed.

"This must all be quite new to you then." Connie said and leaned in a little closer. "Are you living with Draco?"

"No, I have my own apartment." Hermione said, not sure where this conversation was going.

"In MQ?" Connie asked.

"Yes."

"I have an apartment there too, but I don't live there. Theo provides me with a little cottage out in the country."

"Oh." Was all Hermione could say. "How long have you been ...together?"

"About four months." Connie said. "Before that I was a part of a little bit more of a sedate crowd, mostly Rawenclaws. I was a Rawenclaw at school."

"Are all the girls muggleborn?" Hermione asked.

"Not all. For example that girl," Connie said while pointing to the dark haired girl who was currently sitting on Blaise Zabini's lap and having her breasts fondled. "Anthea, is a half-blood, but I am sure she won't be remiss in pointing that out when she gets the opportunity."

Hermione got the subtext and she shared a knowing look with Connie. Hermione realised that Connie might be a girl she'd have a lot in common with. Perhaps even a potential friend.

"Nice necklace." Connie said and started scooping ice cream into a second bowl.

"It was a gift."

Connie smiled. "Good start." She said and grabbed her two bowls and headed back to the table.

Odd comment, Hermione thought. She watches as Connie gave her second bowl to Nott before sitting down and flashing that brilliant smile at him.

Am I supposed to serve Malfoy, Hermione wondered. She didn't. She couldn't stomach the idea. He didn't look like he was all that interested in ice cream anyway. He was actually laughing. Laughing so hard he was turning slightly pink in the cheeks.

She'd never seen him laugh before. It changed his face completely. Perfect teeth, of course. Over the last few days, she had seen more than his scowling, snarly side. She was starting to realise that there actually was more to him. Pissed as he was. She'd never seen him inebriated before either.

Blaise and the half blood girl were fully making out now and Hermione, who was sitting across from them didn't know where to look. She studied the paintings of ancestors. By the look of them, she determined that this was Flint's house. The Flint family had not been blessed in the teeth department like the Malfoys.

Once Blaise and the girl started, it seemed to spread like a contagion. Soon Hermione's attention was drawn to a hand on her shoulder.

"Time for you to take me to bed, girl." Draco said. His was doing his best to pronounce each word, but he was clearly drunk.

Hermione got up and hesitated about what to do next. Draco swung his arm around her shoulder.

"I think flooing would be the safer option at the moment." He said and he seemed to know where the appropriate floo fireplace was.

Draco was a little unstable when they got back to Black Manor, but he pulled her close and kissed her. Hermione could taste the alcohol on his lips. It tasted like off fruit.

"Take me upstairs." He said. "I seem to have indulged a little tonight."

Hermione placed an arm around his waist and helped him keep stable as he walked up the stairs. She didn't really want to go upstairs. He was clearly drunk, which didn't bode well.

When they got to his chamber, he pulled her flush up against him and pushed one of her stay curls behind her ear.

"You smell divine." He said and nuzzled his face into her neck. "I love that perfume."

"Come on Malfoy, I'm so broke, we've eaten the condiments. Perfumed are not high on the list of priorities."

Hermione could tell that he wasn't listening. Instead he was watching her and occasionally pulling her hips in to press against him.

"I shouldn't have drunk so much." He said. "Now I am too drunk."

Hermione realised that he was saying it was too drunk to bed her. Oh what a shame, she thought sarcastically.

"I will get you some water." She said before he changed his mind. "Drinking a glass of water will help you feel better in the morning."

Hermione prised his fingers off her hips and pushed him back on the bed.

"Always so bossy." He said and laughed harder than the comment justified.

By the time she got back from the bathroom with a glass of water, he was asleep. Lying with his lower legs off the bed and his arms splayed across the bed. He was snoring. Hermione took his booths off and rolled him onto the bed before covering him with a blanket.

"Sleep tight Malfoy." She said. "I hope the bed bugs eat you alive." She extinguished the lights before shaking her head and leaving.