Chapter 10 – Caveau De La Bolée[Revolution by The Beatles]
The next Saturday after a week of listing ingredients for test potions, Hermione arrived early at Malfoy Manor with some pastries and a thermos of flavored coffee as a surprise for Draco. When she knocked on the door no one answered but she saw Vale flying around so she followed. In the small lake, she saw Draco swimming laps and occasionally diving down to swim underwater. Since she felt some warmth in the air near the lake, she surmised that Draco used a heating spell on the water. Hermione seated herself in the grass next to his towel and enjoyed the scenery. As Draco emerged from the water wearing swimming trunks, to her surprise, she enjoyed it more. Someone's been working-out.
"Sorry about that," he said the moment he saw her. Draco grabbed his towel and dried off. "Once I get in the water, I lose track of time."
"Actually, I'm early." Hermione patted the grass next to her. "I brought some pastries and coffee."
"Maybe I should dress a little more appropriately for company, plus the scars?"
"You're fine the way you are. Don't be embarassed."
"It smells delicious." While she poured some coffee, he opened the basket and picked through. "Ooh cinnamon bread and whipped butter; you're the best lab partner ever."
"Nowadays, I can say the same of you." They clinked their coffee cups together in a mock toast and enjoyed a snack before adjourning to the Malfoy lab.
Afterwards, Hermione and Draco spent their time mixing potions in the Malfoy lab. Within, they wore their goggles, sprinkling various ingredients into over a dozen cauldrons. A quill and parchment sat next to each so they noted the ingredients they used and the reactions produced. As they did, they reminisced about their potions classes. "Remember what happened to Seamus in most every class," he said.
Hermione laughed hysterically. "He just seemed to have the worst of luck." She went to the last cauldron and sprinkled a few ingredients. "Draco would you mind watching this one?"
"Sure," he answered. Closely, he observed the lavender smoke that bellowed forth from it.
After she continued with some more of the cauldrons, she noted how close he stood to that particular cauldron. "By the way, you may not want to stand too close to that one. The fumes are very toxic."
"What!" Draco jumped back immediately. "Why didn't you warn me?"
"I did. Look at the note next to it." Laughing, she watched as he held his breath and quickly grabbed it.
Once Draco reached a safe distance, he read the note. Gotcha! "You want to play, Granger?" Playfully, he chased her around the lab tables while the potions brewed. "I'll let you win this time but I'll get you later."
"We're friends. You have to be nice." Immediately, she stopped and smiled demurely. "Draco, its Saturday."
"Yes, it is." Draco tended to one of the cauldrons.
"I'm sure there's lots of invitations to nightclubs and balls for tonight on your desk, aren't there?"
Draco stirred one of the potions, pretending to ignore her. "I'm sure there are."
"It would be a shame to waste them."
"I know so I sent them all back." Once he said that, Hermione gasped. "All but two," he added. "Well go on then, pop home and get yourself ready."
"Tell me where we're going so I know what to wear."
"No," he replied despite her pout. "If you wear something trendy and slightly casual you'll be fine."
When Hermione returned that evening wearing a pink sweater and black skirt, she almost didn't recognize Draco who dressed casually and wore a hat as well but in very light colors. "Are you in disguise?"
"Yes, because where we're going, a Malfoy shouldn't go. It's undignified." Together they walked to the gates of the manor where he offered her a neon purple ticket which she touched the tip of. "Activer," he commanded.
After a dizzying portkey ride, they arrived in a bustling downtown. In the distance, she saw the Eiffel Tower or at least the magical version of it with a myriad of colors shimmering all over it and fireworks shooting from the top. From the trendy outfits and multi-colored hair of the witches and wizards on the sidewalk, she knew they weren't somewhere Draco would go normally. As they walked, he pulled her a little closer. The ticket had a yellow arrow that pointed in the direction they were supposed to go. Once they reached a giant manhole cover, bright red lips glowed on the cover and on the ticket.
The moment they stepped on to the cover, they transported underground into a small club with dozens of tiny tables lit with candles. Patrons from all classes of the wizard world bustled about in the expansive network of caves converted into a club. The ticket pointed to a back booth where they sat. Once Draco placed the ticket on the table, a gold old-fashion phonograph speaker appeared. Two tall slender glasses followed filled with a mixed fruity drink. The bubbles tickled Hermione's nose when she drank the ginger ale apple tasting drink.
After the lights dimmed in the audience, the stages lights brightened and several mimes apparated onto the stage. They began a trapped in a cupboard routine. A toastmaster with a long curled mustache and a top hat wearing a purple velvet suit stood in front of the stage speaking loudly in French. The English translation could be heard from the speaker on the table. "Welcome to the Blabbering Boggart!" Suddenly onstage several streams of black smoke appeared followed by Death Eaters. The audience gasped. Immediately, Draco checked his forearm. Then he took Hermione's hand while with his other hand he dug through his pockets to get his portkey to the manor. "Death Eaters have such a bad reputation but they did do the world one favor." All of the Death Eaters cast at the mimes who then disappeared in a puff of white smoke.
Hermione squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Thank you for wanting to protect me." Noting Draco's initial reaction, Hermione watched him closely to see if he would want to leave. Instead, to her relief, he laughed hysterically.
"Of course, we know why Voldemort surrounded himself with Death Eaters." The hoods, robes and masks dissolved to reveal beautiful witches and squibs in neon wigs and skin tight neon leotards who danced provocatively around doing acrobatics before they moved into the audience targeting the wizards.
When it became Draco's turn, Hermione draped his arm around her shoulders and shook her head at the witch. "I'll protect you."
Afterwards, several female performers took the stage and sang very bawdy songs. Draco hugged her closer. "Now, you really need to protect me." After he said that, Hermione noticed the Adams' apples on the singers. Once the show was over, Draco placed several galleons on the table and they headed towards another section of the cave where they heard lively dance music of every modern variety. Hermione grabbed his hand and led him to the dance floor where they danced the night away.
At the gates Malfoy Manor very early in the morning they arrived back, both flushed with excitement. "That was fun. I'm glad you can laugh at everything."
"What else can I do? I think we both could use more laughter." Draco kissed her forehead. "I'll see you on Tuesday."
"Goodnight," she said as she apparated away.
