IV. Time
Unlike the last date, this time Hermione was ready on time. On Saturday night, Draco rang her doorbell, then leaned against the doorframe. The manner seemed effortless. In fact, it has been practiced for years. He didn't even have to wait half a minute.
"So am I to understand, that this is a red outfit?" He said as soon as she appeared at the door. She nodded. "You were right, it wasn't professional."
He saw her face drop, so with a mischievous smile he added, "But how many generous donations it could get." This made the corners of her mouth turn up slightly.
"Which doesn't change the fact that you're not dressed up," he continued.
"But I am," she put on red horns.
"Clever," something in her eyes shifted. So you do love praise. "But lazy," he finished.
"So green isn't only your favourite colour. It's your signature."
Sharp mind, he thought. Not just book smart. Not something he appreciated. Something he required. Though, he gave her more than enough of clues, he had to admit. He wanted her to succeed. He needed her to succeed. How was he to breathe, if she wasn't near? In this very moment of his life, he breathed, ate, slept and woke up only for her. He lived for her. And she hasn’t decided if she wanted him yet. How captivating.
"Legally not allowed, but I tend to use it, yes."
"And I'm not a thing You can just sign."
"You've already given that impression."
"But you've tried anyway?"
"What can I say... I like to play, that game with you. And father has always taught me to fight till the very end. Wear it whenever you're ready, baby. I'll be waiting."
Hermione had already met his inner circle, but this was different. Now he was taking her home. To the den of vipers. Snakes in a natural habitat. And he could always rely on this family. However risky the matter might have been. However trivial it might have been.
***
"Mate, shush."
Last Friday they had to work. But late at night, as always, they found time for the Serpent Club. There was no question of throwing a party. But a quick flight to London has never hurt anyone. The plane was waiting for them before they could get there from work.
In London, Blaise was driving, as he had the keys. Pansy argued that she should be the one to drive because the Jaguar was hers. And she values it more, than all of them combined.
"Lie," Draco replied, in a low voice.
Theo argued, that he should be the one to drive because the idea was his.
"Theo, love," Pansy began, turning to look at him.
Since she couldn't drive, she had to sit in the front seat. As if she wanted to make sure, she could snatch the steering wheel from Blaise's hand at any moment. Though it wasn't really about that. Pansy called it 'The Golden Rule', which simply stated, that she was to seat in front seat, if she wasn't a driver, because she is a lady. Which didn't stop her from punching Theo straight in the face, to secure the seat for their first ride. When he started to complain on the way to the hospital, she simply replied (from the front seat), that if he treated her like a lady, that she is, his nose wouldn't be broken.
"Not to be harsh, but your plan seems pretty stupid to me. I have no idea why we proceed with it," she finished.
"Because we always fight... Theo began in an omniscient tone.
"Till the very end," they finished in a sing-song tone, that suggested they said it countless times in past years.
"Even if idea is this stupid? "
"It is about a principle, Pans," Theo answered. "So especially then."
They left the car at the end of the street. Blaise checked the door, and put the keys in his pocket, instead taking out the keys to the garden gate at the back of the property. On the south side, a short distance from the yew hedge, stretched a flower bed of boxwood. Convenient, pre-selected place.
"Mate, shush," Theo silenced Blaise, who brushed against a branch, causing an almost inaudible murmur.
"He’s practically at home. They're not going to throw him out."
"Help yourselves, gentlemen," Pans held her arms out in front of her. In her hands, she held a beige handbag, tilting it sideways so they could reach inside.
"The last time I spiled water on your Birkin, not intentionally, I must add, I almost had to use Blaise's services. It was an attempted murder," Theo said, taking three eggs from inside.
Blaise, you see, worked with criminal law.
"For my birthday, I got the same one from two people. This one is a spare."
"How convenient."
"Aim at the windows, they can be washed. At the façade, we will be responsible for property damage."
Pansy threw first. "Fuck the façade. We can afford the fines."
The egg was followed by a salvo, in the direction of the house, soiling the outer wall of the right wing of the mansion. Only Draco stopped. Blaise turned to him with a mocking smile.
"Too good, too fancy or too old for that?"
"Blaise, you're like brother to me. So let me just say, that it was me, who dropped horse shit from the stable into your room when we were seventeen. I'm never too good or too fancy and especially not too old for a laugh," he said, taking the eggs from Theo.
"I would also like to remind you that I am a four-time Oxford javelin champion. Name the target, and if I miss, I'll give you five percent of the company."
"You know the target," he replied, pointing to the upstairs window. "Hit it, and you'll get my five percent."
"Easy," he said, as he threw.
The very moment the egg was supposed to hit the window, said window has opened, and Astoria appeared in its placed. She must have wanted to check what the noise was. And she got hit straight in the face.
"Right, mate," Blaise deadpanned. "You've got ten percent of my shares."
"We’re fucking fleeing guys!" Pansy screamed.
Pansy was always saving their butts. Thanks to her, their outs and abouts remained between them. Thanks to her, they still had their law licenses.
"If we get caught, you boys will be boys," she once said. "I, on the other hand, will be the ill-mannered lady, who has disgraced her family. "
"So if I ever get busted, because of you, I'll hang you by the balls, at the top of the Astronomy Tower. Do we understand each other? "
Draco always assumed that was why Pans ran the fastest. She was the shortest (only two centimeters shorter than Theo), but she was driven by a much better factor. Sincere fear. Ever since they went to high school, Pansy didn't seem to be afraid anymore. Still, she was the fastest. It was no longer fear that motivated her, but pride. Only Draco was more honorable than Pans. But it was Pansy, who had remained unsurpassed since they were children. That's why every time they chose the flight in fight or flight mode, they didn't stand a chance with her.
It was no longer about a respectable reputation. It was about plain bragging. Being better. About pride. In their world, everyone had what they wanted. Everyone received a extraordinary education. Polymaths, they were. The whole lot of them. Knowledge of languages, horse riding, a prestigious job was not something that stood out. And even if you managed to find something that others didn't have, everyone was wealthy enough to have it right away. Everyone had to work out something of their own, something that made them stand out. Something they defended at all costs. For who were they, if not that? Just another golden brick in the wall.
Pansy dealt with banking law, specializing in providing services to Swiss banks. And once, a few years earlier, over a glass of brandy, Theo had concluded that this was no coincidence. Pansy was just good at it. At hiding things. Then Blaise jokingly said:
"So let us pray, that she never wants to hide our bodies."
Laughter froze on his lips, as if he realized something, and then he held up the glass. Draco held up his, repeating,
"May she never want to hide our bodies."
Theo clinked his glass against theirs, and repeated sentence for the third time. Like a litany.
They ran around the corner, the final stretch between them and the Jaguar.
"Fuck, I lost the keys." Blaise's voice could be heard from behind.
A second later, the car's headlights flickered. Pans was maybe three paces from the car, her car keys outstretched in he hand, then jumped into the driver’s seat.
Draco ran around the car, sliding his right side over the hood, and took the seat next to her, listening to the screams about disrespecting her car.
Theo and Blaise piled into the back.
"I said I drive. I have the keys to the gate. Without me, you wouldn't even go through the first phase."
"Don't act like you've made some dizzying arbitrage. You have the keys, because you're fucking her mother. Thanks for the convenience, but we would just jump over the fence. Now shut up and let me drive. "
"Charming as usual."
"It's not my fault, that you were stupid enough to get robbed," she said, placing her hand on the back of Draco's chair, so she could pull back.
Boys have always joked, that she could remove all the mirrors from her car, and wouldn’t notice the difference.
And now they were sitting here, as if nothing had happened. Ready to welcome their first guest at the party. In elegant suits and expensive leather shoes. Heirs to the largest law firm in the city. Who threw eggs at someone's house last Friday.