IV. To
This was the third time Hermione had been in the car with him, and the third time she had behaved the same way. She turned on the radio first. When she found the song she liked, she set the temperature. Finally, she opened the mirror, to check what she looked like. Rituals. Something that calmed her down. Something familiar. She felt nervous about this evening. It's true that she had already met Draco's friends, but this was different. Here they were privately. They didn't have to keep up appearances. They didn't have to care about their reputation. And they were older. Hermione always distinguished between intelligence and wisdom. She always knew she was smart. She's always had a complex about intelligence. That's why she was smart. She read every book, to know the answer to every question. Even if she wasn't smart enough to figure it out on her own. She was smart enough to find a book, which had an answer. The only thing that comforted her was the belief that intelligence comes with age. And this meant that she was on the losing end of this group. The youngest. The least experienced. The most naive. Their profession was discussion. She'll definitely make a fool of herself.
She felt Draco's hand on hers.
"I know that I'm breathtaking, but you need to breathe, baby." He said in a soft voice, that she's never heard from him before. "What happened? Do you want to go back?"
"Absolutely not!" She said a tad too loud. "It's just... What if they don't like me?" She added in a much quieter way. Barely audible even.
Over-analyzer she was. He had his suspicions, but now he was quite certain. In the future, she only confirmed this belief, such as when she read the menu before going to a restaurant.
Her mind must have been tired by now. Constantly coming up with solutions to a million worst-case scenarios that were never going to come true. But not for much longer. Soon, she’ll rest, when he’ll make all the difficult decisions for her.
"Then you can stop worrying this instant, because I know for a fact, that they already adore you."
"But they don't know me," she argued. She always did. His brilliant girl.
"But they trust my judgment," he said with confidence. The tone that ends all arguments.
If I love you, they love you too, that's just how it works. But he didn't say it out loud.
"You're not in costume either," she noted, changing the subject.
That was her thing. Running away. From fights. From tough talks. From problems. So he was going to be there for her. To solve problems, hold conversations and fight her fights.
He reached into the backseat, and put on a white mask that covered half of his face. Phantom of the Opera mask.
"Clever," she said. "But lazy."
He chuckled.
About half an hour later, they parked in the underground parking lot of a modern apartment building.
"Whose apartment is this?" She asked, as he offered his hand to help her out of the car. "So I know who to compliment," she clarified.
"First of all, don't suck up to us. We hate it."
"Really? I had the impression that Theo loved it," she interrupted.
"Well, it's true. Theo loves it. But apart from that, don't suck up. Blaise, especially, he hates it. And secondly, the apartment belongs to all of us. It's our family home."
"You have a lovely flat then," she said, even though she hasn't seen it yet.
"You are a stubborn little thing."
"Well yes I am," she said, pleased with herself, as she left the lift.
The elevator led directly to an ornately decorated living room, which, however, was empty of people. The lights were off.
"The party hasn't started yet?" She asked surprised.
"Oh, this isn't the room we hold parties in."
He led her deeper into the apartment. At the end of the hall, on the left, was a mahogany double door, with handles shaped like writhing snakes. With a confident movement, he grabbed one of them, and held the door for her.
His friends were sprawled on the couch. All in expensive suits and leather shoes, but disguised. Theo had a funny mustache plastered on his face and a bowler hat on his head. Next to him, leaning on the seat, was a black cane. Pansy paired a black suit with a white satin blouse. She accessorized it with long strings of pearls around neck. Her ears were decorated with large clips. Her black hair was combed smoothly, in the style of the 1930s.
"We can finally get the party started," Theo clapped his hands as soon as they crossed the threshold into the room.
"But first, tell us who you're dealing with," Blaise said defiantly.
A little test of their own. Riddles instead of passwords.
Hermione looked at Draco and Theo, the answers were obvious. She looked at Pansy for a moment, examining her from the 1920s-style makeup to the ballerina shoes. She looked at Blaise for the longest time. The suit he wore was almost identical to the one from the banquet. This time, however, he paired it with a black shirt. The swaggering, almost arrogant Blaise Zabini.
"Phantom of the opera, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel and..." she stopped for a second, uncertain of the very last answer. But she didn't have any better. "Blaise Zabini."
"Devil has a brain," Pansy grinned devilishly herself.
"So you won't be wasting our time then," Blaise smiled approvingly. "Good to know."
"Just choose whatever sit you want, and don't listen to these idiots," Draco said, standing a mere step behind her.
Though he had a pleased smile himself. His brilliant baby. He kept his hand on her hip the entire time.
Only now did she focus on the room. It was spacious and red. The quilted sofa that surrounded the black table in front of the entrance was also red. The walls behind the sofa were adorned with large mirrors in gold-plated frames. There were lamps on the tables placed under them, giving a dim light from under red lampshades.
"We couldn't agree on what color our cave should be. So we settled on a color we all hate," Pansy explained.
"Then I'm glad I dressed appropriately," she smoothed the front of her dress as if to confirm.
Theo went to the opposite part of the room, where the dance floor was. He turned the knob on the stereo set, standing in the corner.
"Is that Los Lobos?"
"That's when the party starts baby," he grinned.
"Theo..." Malfoy's voice was gravelly and warning, yet tinted with humor.
"An only child," Pansy mouthed, satirizing.
"But no other guest has arrived yet."
"There are no other guests, Hermione," Pansy said.
"Yeah, we don't invite just anybody," Blaise added.
"And aren't you something special," Draco finished in a low voice.
"Then why did you want me to wear green, when the only ones present were your friends?" She asked quietly enough that only he could hear her. A boyish smile danced on his lips. "To brag?"
In their world, everyone had what they wanted. Polymaths, they were. The whole lot of them.
They haven't got many unique things to brag about. So when they've found one, they clung to it with all their might. Something that made them stand out. And her place was on a pedestal. The nine muses of Apollo were no match for her. Unearthly, she was. Even in red.
"That too, but at the same time, they're the only people who need to know. Only their opinion matters to me."
Blaise lit his cigar, and within seconds he was surrounded by a thick cloud of smoke. Malfoy prepared her a drink. Theo walked up to Pansy, bowed gallantly and, extending his hand, asked:
"Would you do me the honour of this dance?"
As they crossed the parquet, he took a red rose from one of the vases and handed it to Pansy.
"You seem to be a gentle lover," Hermione said to him.
"Theo is a very gentle lover," Pansy answered for him, as he dipped her. "If you're a man," she finished, winking at her upside down, and then he dropped her. "Theo!" She screamed reproachfully. "Just proving my point here, by the way."
"It's never okay to out somebody, Pans." He turned to Hermione. "Though I have absolutely no problem with it. It's just about the principle, you see."
"Yeah, Theo is the righteous one, you see," Blaise said in a mocking manner.
"Even at school, he was a prefect," Draco added.
Pansy and Theo left the dance floor and sat down on the couch. The blonde extended his hand towards her.
"Draco, no."
"C'mon, don't be such a prude."
"I'm not a prude!"
"Then dance with me, baby."
"I definitely need to drink more for this," she said, grabbing her drink.
The others followed her example. Three drinks, and flashbacks of their entire first year of law school later (which all four of them graduated with honors, thank you very much) it was time for another song. Something from the 60s, and Draco managed to get her onto the dance floor. And bloody good dancer he was. With his twist moves and all. He had to take lessons since childhood. Theo didn't seem to forgive Pansy, as he danced alone. She, however, twirled and danced alongside Blaise.
A few songs had passed when Draco stopped.
"I've had enough."
"You've got to be kidding," Pansy scoffed.
"I'm not as young, as I used to be," he replied jokingly.
"You definitely are not. Your loss," Theo said as he grabbed Hermione to dance.
"I lied," Draco took a step towards them. "I will always find energy for you."
"Too late, mate."
"I don't want to come across as ill-mannered, now do I?" He couldn't believe that she started cooperating with him so quickly.
No sense of loyalty.
"Of course you don't," he smiled at the memory, as it all started. He walked up and pushed Theo with his shoulder and hip, causing him to stumble back two steps. He placed his right hand on her lower back, pulling her closer. His left hand landed on the back of her neck. He tangled his fingers in her loose hair and pulled gently, causing her to lift her face. "It's a good thing then, that we've already established that I'm not a gentleman."
He kissed her briefly and deeply. She felt whiskey, cigarettes and possessiveness under her tongue.
"Sweet or sour?" He asked.
"Sweet, thank you," she said, barely a breath leaving her lips. Her eyes still closed.
"I asked about a drink, not the kiss."
"I know, you idiot." Nevertheless, her face blushed.
"I don't know about you, but I think it's time for a round of poker."
"Oh, I don't know how to play," Hermione said.
"That's a crime. Three to five years in prison," Blaise said completely seriously. Thing so stupid, it must have been sarcasm, even with such a flat tone. "Trust me. I'm a lawyer."
"That’s not a problem. You'll play with me," Draco patted the spot to his left. “I’ll bail you out.”
She sat down and he moved the glass towards her with his left hand. He wore a white gold signet on his ring finger, topped with an elaborate M. There was something about men and jewelry, she thought. As she took the glass from him, she could clearly see the veins in his hand.
"We only have one rule at this table," Draco began in a conspiratorial tone.
"We won't get any younger. We can only be fucking richer," they replied in unison, raising their glasses as if in a toast.
"Watch, I know you'll catch on quickly," he said, kissing her temple.
Pansy dealt the first game. Draco checked the cards, then discreetly showed them to her. Everyone was staring at her, trying to guess what hand Draco had. But she just frowned, not understanding whether the cards they had were good or bad.
Theo put his cards on the table. And he moved one stack of chips to the center of the counter. He sat back, waiting for the others to move, and began explaining the rules to Hermione.
"Me and Dragon have to give the opening blind," he said as Malfoy moved his stack of chips. "Now Blaise can fold, call or raise, depending on how good his hand is."
"And I call," Zabini said.
"So do I," Pansy added. "Which simply means we have to give the same amount of money."
Then she dealt three cards on the table.
"Those are community cards," Draco leaned towards her. "Anyone can make combinations with these."
"I check, as nobody did raise," Theo said. "As I've already given the highest amount to the pula."
"And we do raise, baby. So Zabini can't check."
"But still can call and raise, so he calls," Blaise finished for him.
"And now it's time for the fourth card, which's called turn."
"Fifth's river by the way," Theo threw in.
"Why do you keep raising when these cards don't match?" Hermione whispered in his ear.
"Because with those already placed, the probability of winning is still high."
Malfoy was apparently right, because the last card gave him four of a kind and a win. The next win went to Pansy. Each round became longer and longer as they played less and less and talked and drank more and more.
"Would you like another drink?" Malfoy asked.
She nodded and he almost immediately started to get up.
"Sit, play. I can do it myself. I don't understand much anyway."
When she returned with a glass of Martini and a plate of hors d'oeuvres, Blaise checked his cards. She took a sip, unconsciously stopping mid-step for a moment. This didn't go unnoticed by Malfoy. Sitting down, she took another sip.
"Bite if yes, lick if no," he murmured, as he pulled her closer to his side.
“Does he have an ace?” He whispered into the crown of her head, finishing with a prolonged kiss.
It was only then, when Hermione realized what he meant. But no one could blame her, as her mind was dizzy for most of the evening. She wasn’t complaining though. It was one of the most relaxing evenings in a long time. Even though she was crippling with anxiety prior to it.
So she placed her mouth on the side of his neck. She could feel a pulse accelerating under lips and her own hot breath crashing on his skin, slightly sweaty from dancing. She bit the skin gently, as if examining, then tugged slightly.
“King?” It was much hoarser, yet still not loud enough for the rest of them to hear.
She licked the very spot, she bit earlier. He was sure, she wanted to torture him. He’d gladly let her.
“Second ace?”
Another bite.
"Are you done getting cozy or do we need to stop the game?"
"Actually no, thanks. I prefer to get cozy. I fold."
He discarded the cards on the table, revealing a pair of kings.
Pansy went va banque (I won't get any younger, I can only be richer) with two aces. Which resulted in Zabini winning the entire pot.
This also meant game over for Pansy. With their money, it was easy to not know the limit. That's why they always set aside a certain amount for the game. They couldn't contribute from their own pockets, they couldn't borrow from each other. Because with their money, it was easy to lose everything in the blink of an eye.
Hermione didn't know how it happened, but she finished the game on Malfoy's lap. She decided she needed to stop and sweat out some of the alcohol. She played another song and dragged Pansy to the dance floor with her.
"What kind of song is that anyway?" Blaise asked.
"The one you can romanticize your life to," one corner of his mouth lifted.
"It's very The Smithsy," Theo said in a loud voice.
"It is! Isn't it?" She smiled radiantly.
"Thank you, mate," Draco whispered.
When the song ended, she immediately headed towards him.
They were sitting in the armchairs and he grabbed her ass, but mainly to prevent the dress from revealing too much. At least that’s what he told himself. She felt Malfoy gently squeeze her thigh. He refrained from tightening his fingers, only because he promised to always treat her like a lady in front of others, but his fingers involuntarily increased the pressure ever so slightly.
"So are we a thing or what?"
"English major here. We are dating, Hermione. I'm your boyfriend. Whether you like it or not.”
"When will we come home?"
It wasn't like she wanted to go back. But she needed it. Draco smiled and she didn't know why.
"Whenever you'd like to, baby."
"Sorry guys, but we'll be going. I'm a bit sleepy," she said in a blaring tone that suggested quite the opposite.
Theo frowned in disbelief, and Pansy fucking smirked in that exact annoying manner, that could be seen on Draco's lips. The true siblings they indeed were.
He shook hands with Theo and Blaise and kissed Pansy on the cheek, thanking everyone for a nice evening.
"Can you go on your own?" He asked Hermione. She had quite a few drinks.
"Of course I can." She replied defiantly. Then she said her last goodbyes,
However, as soon as the apartment door closed, she asked:
"Remember that thing you did last time I walked into your apartment?"
"The one where I threw you over my shoulder and carried you up the stairs?"
"Exactly that one. Do you think you could do it again?"
"Whatever you want, baby."
When they took the elevator to the parking lot, a car was already running and waiting.
"Good evening, Master Malfoy."
"Good evening Mr. Dobby. Take us home."
Only then Hermione'd realized, she didn't precise what home she meant.