Author’s Note - Hey guys. Please don’t hate me for taking so long to update. I’m really, really sorry. I hope this lengthy chapter will help you forgive me. Anyways, hope you all enjoy this chapter. Toodles.
Disclaimer - I do not own Harry Potter. Only this story.
Chapter 18 - Clubbing
Not willing to believe her eyes, Hermione stared hard at the man who was standing about six feet in front of her looking at a jewellery counter. There was no mistaking it. It was him alright. He looked the exact same as he had ten years ago except now he had more grey hair and wrinkles. Blaise and Malfoy had now noticed that Hermione had stopped walking with them and turned to look at her.
"What's up?" Blaise asked with a confused expression on his face. Hermione opened her mouth to speak but found that no words came out. "You want a drink of water or something." Blaise asked slightly concerned. Hermione shook her head.
"Uh, no... I, uh... we need to get out of here." She said hurriedly. The two boys looked at each other, both clearly wondering what the hell was going on. "Quick." She hissed grabbing them both and making an attempt to dash for the main door.
"'Mione Granger! Is that you?" A deep voice from behind them called. Damn it, Hermione cursed. She turned around to face the monster who had called her. "I've not seen you in a long time." He grinned. Hermione felt the vomit begin to creep up in the back of her throat as she looked at his face.
"Yeah, well how about we keep it that way." She said abruptly turning around to walk away but a hand wrapped tightly around her wrist which stopped her in her tracks. She shuddered.
"What the hell! Get your hand off of her! Who the hell is this guy?" Blaise asked angrily. The man released Hermione and smiled evilly at the three teenagers before him.
"Oh, no need to worry. I'm an old friend of Miss Granger here. Just thought we might do some catching up." The man stated. Hermione looked at him incredulously.
"Um, I think not. I'd rather make out with toilet brush. Now if you don't mind, I'll be going." She snapped before spinning around on her heel with Malfoy and Blaise following her.
"Fair enough 'Mione, but I'm sure this won't be the last you see of me.”
[On The Way Home]
“So are you going to tell us who that guy was or what?” Malfoy asked impatiently as he, Blaise and Hermione walked up the street leading to the Zabini Manor. He and Blaise had been pestering all the way back from the mall about who he was. Hermione groaned yet again. She was getting tired of their constant questions and it didn’t help that she was carrying about twenty of her shopping bags.
“I said it doesn’t matter. He’s just this guy my parents… um, my adoptive parents new when I was a kid. It’s no big deal. Drop it.”
“Well it seemed like a big deal at the time. You seemed really rude and kinda uncomfortable around us. Why aren’t you telling us?” Blaise asked frustrated.
“DROP IT!” Hermione shouted causing both boys to almost jump out of their skins. “Now can one of you please help me with these bags?” She asked. Blaise and Malfoy looked at each other before bursting out in laughter.
“I don’t think so. Carry them yourself. Didn’t you say this morning that you would rather get off your own ass than make someone else work for you?” Malfoy asked. Hermione groaned. She knew she shouldn’t have said that.
[Back Home - 9 PM]
“You ready yet?” Blaise called through Hermione’s door. She was getting ready to go to the club ‘Hypnotic’.
“Nearly!” She replied frustrated as she put on her lip-gloss. Blaise groaned.
“You’ve been getting ready for an hour. Malfoy and I were ready in fifteen minutes!”
“Ok, for starters, I’m a girl. I’m allowed to take longer than guys to get ready. Two, that explains why you two will still look a mess and I won’t. I’m ready now.”
“Finally!” Blaise muttered.
“I heard that!” Hermione called. She opened her door to see Blaise standing there looking very annoyed. He motioned for her to follow him. He led her to the living area where Malfoy was waiting for them.
“And it’s about time. How long does it take for a-” Malfoy stopped in mid sentence when he saw Hermione. Although he hated to admit, she looked great. Even though she was now his best friend’s sister he didn’t like her any more than he did when she was ‘Granger’. Despite this, he found himself wondering whenever she got so damn gorgeous. She had straightened her dark hair so it was flowing down her back and was wearing a sparkly green tube top and a pair of low, tight fitting jeans. Her eye make up was dazzling. She had on thick, green, sparkly eye shadow and what looked like fake eye lashes. They were actually real; she had just used a lot of mascara.
“Can we get going?” Blaise asked impatiently, a little freaked out by the fact that his best friend was staring at his sister dreamily. Malfoy snapped out of his trance.
“Uh, yeah. Let’s go.” He said as he picked up some of the green powder by the fire place and threw it into the small fire. Large emerald flames willed the grate and before they knew it, Malfoy was engulfed by them after shouting ‘Hypnotic’. Blaise did the same leaving Hermione in the living room on her own. She looked down at the sparkly watch she had bought that day. It was 9:15 PM. Their curfew was 1 AM. Apparently Hypnotic got a bit ugly soon after. Sighing, she picked up the powder and stepped before the fire place. She threw her powder in and stepped into the grate.
“HYPNOTIC!”
[At the Club]
Hermione’s jaw dropped when she entered the through the main doors to the club. It was amazing. It was a non-muggle club so there were sparkly lights hovering around, large crystal balls hanging from various parts of the ceiling, a bar that seemed to stretch on forever and every colour of drink you could think of. There was no age limit so people of every age group were there.
“This place is amazing.” She said quietly. As Blaise and Malfoy made their way over to some seats in the corner, Hermione headed up to the bar to get herself a drink. A young guy bartender, who looked no older than 18, came across to her. He was definitely cute according to Hermione. He was tanned with black, tousled hair and the most amazing brown eyes she had ever seen.
“What can I get you Miss?” He asked in a charming voice. Hermione smiled shyly.
“Just a Butterbeer please.”
“You sure that’s it?” He asked, flashing her a heart melting grin. She nodded. He walked over to the back of the bar and returned with a mug full of Butterbeer. As Hermione put her hand in her bag to get her purse he put his hand on her arm to stop her.
“This one’s on me.” He winked. Hermione blushed.
“Are you sure. I’ve got the money right-”
“I’m sure. I’m Aaron by the way.”
“I’m Hermione.” She said holding out her hand to shake his. He took it and shook it lightly before letting go.
“That’s a beautiful name. Very unusual.”
“Thanks.”
“Uh, I guess this is a little forward but I get off work here at ten if you fancy doing something. I mean, it doesn’t seem like you came with anyone.” Aaron asked.
“Actually, I’m here with my brother and his friend but when you get off, you could stay here and keep me company. Sitting with them isn’t exactly comfortable for me.” Hermione said hopefully. She really wanted him to say yes. Even though she had pestered Blaise to let her come, she didn’t exactly want to sit with him and Malfoy the entire night whilst they chatted up girls.
“Yeah, that’d be great.” Aaron replied. Hermione smiled.
“Well, I’ll probably just be sitting here until you get off. Or maybe on the dance floor if I feel daring enough.”
“See you at ten then.” Aaron said before making his way over to another customer.
[Blaise and Malfoy]
“Was that bartender guy just hitting on her?” Blaise asked Malfoy who seemed to be wondering the same thing.
“Dunno. Sure looked like it.” Malfoy replied. Blaise narrowed his eyes.
“When I get my hands on-” Blaise growled before being cut off by Malfoy.
“Chill it. I’m sure Grang- I, uh, I mean Hermione is old enough to look after herself.”
“Yeah but-”
“No buts. Leave her alone. Would you have been acting like this about her a week ago?”
“No but-”
“I said no buts! You know, she might be your sister now, but she’s still the same person. She is still Hermione Granger. Remember, the same Hermione Granger we have taunted since our first year in Hogwarts, the same Hermione Granger who has gotten us detention umpteen times, the same Hermione Granger who is best friends with our biggest enemies - Potter and Weasley.”
“So you still hate her?” Blaise asked. Malfoy shook his head.
“I don’t hate her. I severely dislike her. I know she’s your sister buy I can’t just put all those years behind me like that. It’s different for you.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Blaise said shrugging his shoulders.
[Hermione - 10:05 PM]
Hermione had just finished drinking her Butterbeer when Aaron appeared beside her. He had changed from the work T-shirt he had been wearing and was now wearing a light blue T-shirt with black writing sprawled across it and faded jeans.
“So, you weren’t brave enough to face the dance floor then?” He asked, causing Hermione to twirl on her chair in shock.
“Oh, hi.” She laughed. “You shouldn’t creep up on people like that. Might give someone a heart attack.”
“Well, we wouldn’t want that now would we?” He asked. Hermione giggled.
“I see you’ve finished your drink.” He said motioning to the empty Butterbeer mug. Hermione nodded.
“Yeah, I was just about to get myself another before you popped up.”
“And what were you going to get?” He asked flirtatiously.
“Well, I was thinking about an Estus. I’ve they’re the newest drink to hit the bars.”
“Yeah, they’re good. So you getting one?”
“Yeah, I think I will.”
“Hey, Mike!” Aaron called to another bartender. A young guy came over and stood before them.
“Hey Aaron, what can I get ya?”
“I’ll have a Firewhiskey, and an Estus for the lady.” He said. Mike looked from Hermione back to Aaron.
“You’re with him?” He asked Hermione amused.
“Uh, yeah, why?” Hermione asked laughing.
“Oh, nothing. Just don’t see why a gorgeous girl such as yourself would be sitting here with Aaron of all guys.” He said. Aaron punched him on the arm.
“The drinks?” He asked.
“Oh right, the drinks. Just a sec.” Mike said as he disappeared to the back of the bar. He returned within seconds with their drinks. “That’ll be one Galleon and four Knuts please.” As he handed the pair their drinks. As Hermione’s hand left the bar counter to reach for her bag she was stopped again by Aaron.
“I go it.” He said handing the money over to Mike.
“I can’t let you buy me another. Really, I have-”
“It’s cool okay. Just let me buy you it as a thank you for hanging out with me.”
“Well, thanks I guess.” Hermione said smiling as she picked up her drink.
“No problem. So, are you still at school then?” Aaron asked, taking a sip of his Firewhiskey.
“Yeah. I’m in my sixth year at Hogwarts. I got the weekend away to visit my family. You?”
“I’m in my seventh year at Durmstrung. We get to go home at weekends.”
“Awesome.”
“So who’s your brother then?” Aaron asked, trying to keep a conversation going.
“Uh, he’s up in the back corner. He should be next to a guy with really blonde hair.” Hermione said as Aaron scanned the room to see them. When his eyes fell on Malfoy and Blaise his eyes widened.
“You’re Blaise Zabini’s sister?” He asked quite shocked.
“You know him?” Hermione asked. Aaron nodded.
“Yeah, we were friends before high school. Drifted apart after that.”
“Oh, maybe you should go over and speak to him. I’m sure he’d love to see you again.”
“Nah, he’s with Draco Malfoy.”
“You don’t get on with him?”
“I did. The three of us were good friends. Then when I was ten I had a huge argument with him. Never really spoke to him again. That’s one of the reasons Blaise and I drifted.”
“Oh. I don’t like Malfoy myself to be honest. Never got on with him. Oh well. So what you up to the rest of this weekend?” Hermione asked changing the topic. She didn’t really want to be talking to this guy about her brother and Malfoy.
“Nothing much. Just working here tomorrow and then back to school. What about you?” He asked taking another sip of his Firewhiskey. Hermione shrugged.
“Probably just spend time with my family no doubt. I don’t go back to school until Wednesday. They’re setting up the halls for our talent show so classes are cancelled on Monday and Tuesday.”
“Lucky you.” Aaron smiled.
[Blaise and Malfoy - 12:40 AM]
“Hey, what’s up with you?” Malfoy asked Blaise as they returned from the dance floor and sat back down in their seats. They had been chatting some girls up but Blaise didn’t seem too interested. He seemed to be staring at the guy who was talking to Hermione. She had been with him all night. She had even danced with him at one point!
“Nothing.” Blaise replied shortly. Malfoy raised an eyebrow.
“You’re not still giving that guy evils are you?” Malfoy asked.
“There’s something about him.” He replied. At that moment, the guy turned around to look at the back of the club and Blaise nearly choked. “Holy-”
“What?” Malfoy asked.
“Look at him. Look at him. Don’t tell me he doesn’t look familiar. Don’t you recognise him?” Blaise asked. Malfoy turned to look at the guy Blaise seemed to be obsessed with. Come to think of it he did look kind of familiar. He actually looked a bit like… no, it couldn’t be. He hadn’t seen him in about six years.
“Holy cow, is that Aaron Thorn? Wait ‘til I get my hand on that son of a bitch!”
*Extra Note*
I’m so dreadfully sorry, but I by e-mail has been mucked up. All my addresses have been deleted. So sorry for those on the e-mail list. I will try to fix my e-mail but I can’t inform you of updates until further notice. Sorry.
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