Atlantis

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Summary: Since graduating from Hogwarts everyone’s moved into the real world. The golden trio are still inseparable but what happens when the fabulously rich and famous Draco Malfoy decides to sweep the Deputy Minister of Magic off her feet? DM/HG


Atlantis - Chapter 2 Beyond the Red Door


Winky panicked as she watched Hermione make her way toward the floo station. From her position she couldn’t see Dobby anywhere in sight and was beginning to shake nervously. Twenty minutes had passed since Dobby had abandoned his post to get a drink, leaving Winky in charge to continue surveillance on the two girls. During that time the situation had gone from bad to worse. First the two girls appeared to be going into a heavily charmed part of the building only to have a fight and were now going their separate ways.

Winky’s duty was to protect Ginny Weasley, the Minister’s girlfriend, while Dobby was to protect the Deputy Mistress Hermione Granger. According to the Personal Magical Security (PMS) code of duty, in times of emergencies elves were to protect the highest-ranking individual they are with. Winky, however, had been guarding Miss Ginny long enough to recognize that glint she gets in her eyes when she was up to no good. Torn between whom to follow, Winky decided it was best to find Dobby so he could go with Miss Hermione and she could continue to look after Miss Ginny.

The gaming floor was packed with gambling witches and wizards, but it didn’t take her long to spot Dobby surrounded by a cloud of smoke, perched on a stool waving a butterbeer in one hand and playing magical slots with the other. Winky fumed with rage at the sight of him so blatantly neglecting his post. With a scowl on her face, she homed in on him in his multi-coloured robes and top hat. She had always known Dobby had a flair for the dramatic and it amazed her how he managed to stay out of site wearing such flamboyant outfits.

“Dobby!” Winky shouted up at him only to be completely ignored. Deciding that she might need to get closer to him to be heard over the noise of the chiming slots and random conversations, she leaped up and down beside Dobby’s stool, shouting, “Dobby! DOBBY! DOOOOOBBBBBY!”

Dobby finally noticed Winky on her third attempt at getting his attention. Her head collided with his butterbeer spilling the sweet beverage over her. Looking down at the irritated elf, Dobby smiled and said, “Sorry, Winky. Is you having any more sickles? I is running out but just got two wands and a chocolate frog. I is knowing on the next pull I is getting all three wands and winning big. Plus I is being stalked by angry witch who is claiming I stole her spot. She is just waiting for me to move to win all those sickles.”

As the butterbeer trickled down her back, Winky growled, “Dobby you is being very bad. I is telling Harry Potter you is neglecting your duties to play wizarding games. What is you thinking? That angry witch can turn you in.”

Dobby shook his head before proudly announcing, “I is no longer lowly house elf, I is captain of Ministry’s PMS Division. We is having rights now Winky, same as any witch or wizard. Harry Potter is making us equal.”

Hurt and scared, Winky pleaded, “Dobby, Miss Hermione is going and Miss Ginny is up to no good. I is knowing she is doing something foolish.”

Dobby waved his hand as he replied, “Miss Hermione is going home like she always does, she is not needing us tonight any more. Now please come up and play. We is bound to win soon; I am promising to buy you the purple robes I know you is wanting.”

“You is wanting the purple robes. I is happy with my black ones.” Winky protested.

A sly grin crossed Dobby’s face as he replied, “Then Winky is helping me win my pretty robes? Just one sickle please? I is even letting you do the pulling.”

Knowing the sooner she gave in to Dobby’s demands the sooner she could return to her duty, Winky relented and handed Dobby a shiny sickle before climbing onto the stool with him. As she pulled the lever the two sat mesmerized by the flashing lights and whirling pictures. “Oooh” the two said in unison as one wand stopped, followed by another, followed by…

*****

As if held in a trance by the discarded pass lying on the floor, Ginny was brought back to reality by the ringing of a slot machine on the gaming floor. By the sounds of things, some witch or wizard had just won big, accomplishing what they had come here for, and she was going to do the same. ‘Please forgive me Hermione, but I came here for a story and I’m not going home without one,’ she said to herself as she made her way back toward the red door, clutching the pass firmly in her hand.

From the look on her face, Ginny could tell the woman standing before her was not happy to see her again and her suspicions we confirmed as she said, “That pass was not meant for you. Now where’s your friend?”

Ginny was determined not to let this woman give her the brush-off as she confidently replied, “My friend has gone home for the evening. I will be using her pass to meet the band.”

A sly grin crossed the assistants face as she said, “This pass doesn’t grant you access to the band, only the Dragon, and I’d be careful what you ask for. Everything beyond this door comes with a price.”

Confused by her words Ginny asked, “A price?”

The dark haired vixen nodded as she said, “He likes girls that look like her, not you. In fact the Dragon hates redheads.”

Fearing that her opportunity might be passing her by, Ginny quickly announced, “Look I’ll do a quick charm before we go in. He’ll never know I’m a redhead.”

“I’m afraid it’s going to take more than just a quick charm, a lot more.” She answered as she leaned against the open door.

“Whatever it is, I’ll do it. Please. I have to meet him.” Ginny pleaded.

The assistant grinned as she said, “Alright then, follow me. By the way, my name is Obsidian.”

Beyond the red door lay dozens of dimly lit rooms, most used to store instruments and costumes. The girls walked along the winding corridor until they came to large metal door guarded by the same burly guard that had stopped Hermione on the way out of the concert. Upon seeing Ginny, his eyes widened as he promptly announced, “Sid, I swear she’s not the one I gave the pass too. You can’t take her in there. He’ll be furious.”’

Before he could say anything more she replied, “It’s OK, Vincent. I’ll fix everything. I always do.” The tense guard relaxed at hearing her words and moved aside to allow the women to pass.

Stepping past the black door was like stepping into another world. The lavishly decorated room was a vast lounge bustling with well-dressed witches and wizards, enjoying music and drinks. The room itself was lavishly decorated and looked crisp and clean without a spot of dust or rubbish anywhere in the room.

“Where are we?” Ginny whispered in Obsidian’s ear, as she was led away from the posh partygoers and up and spiral staircase.

“This is the members’ only club known as Fantasia.” The woman replied casually.

Ginny’s jaw dropped as she heard the name. In astonishment she said, “I thought that was just a myth. This is really Fantasia?”

Unmoved by Ginny’s newfound excitement about her surroundings she answered, “The one and only,” as she continued up the stairs.

Giddy with happiness about the bonus information she would have for her story, Ginny boldly asked, “Is it true it costs fifty-thousand galleons to join?”

“It’s actually one-hundred-thousand.” Obsidian replied before knocking on the door at the top of the stairway.

The top half of the doorway opeto rto reveal a formidable looking goblin who barked, “That’ll be seventy five galleons a piece for the vials and extra if you didn’t bring your own hair.” Before looking up at the woman before him, to which he apologized, “Sorry Sid, didn’t see ya there.”

Obsidian gave the nervous looking goblin a soft smile before saying, “It’s OK, Grebbin. I’ll just take two of the usual for Dragon.”

“Sure thing, what flavors will it be tonight?” he asked, regaining his composure.

Obsidian turned toward Ginny who had been watching the interaction between the two with interest and said, “What’s your favorite flavor?”

Ginny looked confused as she replied, “Cherry, why?”

Without answering Ginny’s question, Obsidian turned her attention back to Grebbin and said, “You heard the girl two cherries, Greb.”

The goblin scurried away, only to return within a few minuets clutching two vials of a murky red liquid. In a hushed tone he said, “Sid, these are the last two I’ve got. If he wants more, he’s going to need to restock.”

Obsidian allowed a small frown to pass her lips as she said, “Yes, we’ve had some trouble lately getting our supplies, but we’ve got a team on it and I’m hoping we’ll have more soon for all our sakes.”

Grebbin glanced at the redhead beside his boss’s assistant and said. “Maybe if that knucklehead of a guard could see in the dark, we wouldn’t go through the stock we have so fast. Any idiot can see she’s a redhead and doesn’t look a thing like her. You better make sure she drinks that fast and keeps her eye on the clock. You know how much he hates redheads.”

Before he could continue, Obsidian took the vials from his hands and replied, “It wasn’t Vincent’s fault he actually picked one that was damn close to the original but she didn’t wish to stay. This is her friend.”

Speaking directly to the redhead before him he said, “If I were you, I would’ve left too. He’s in a foul mood this evening and if he finds out you’re a redhead, there’ll be hell to pay.” With that, he slammed the door, leaving Ginny dumbstruck.

Obsidian began walking down the hall to the right as she said over her shoulder, “Come on. Follow me. Grebbin is just a cranky old goblin. Don’t mind him.”

Ginny hurried to catch up with Obsidian, who was now walking at a brisk pace down the hall. Before she could stop herself, she asked, “What do you need goblins for in a place like this? And what did he give you that would cost seventy-five galleons a vial? That’s more than I make in a month.”

Obsidian ignored her question until the two came to a set of doors; one labelled “witches” while the other was labelled “wizards.” Holding open the door marked “witches,” she motioned for Ginny to go inside. Together they had stepped into was a decadent looking bathroom, decorated in black and silver. Smooth looking black marble sinks were a sharp contrast to the shiny silver faucets. As the door closed, Ginny noticed for the first time Obsidian’s sweet floral-scented perfume.

“Now to answer your question: we have a few goblins working here to keep sensitive areas secure. For instance Grebblin, who you just met, looks after our polyjuice room.” Obsidian explained.

“Polyjuice? Who in their right mind would pay seventy five galleons for polyjuice?” Ginny asked in awe of the revelation that something that cost no more than a few galleons to make an entire caldron full of could be sold for seventy five galleons a vial.

Seeing that the girl was obviously confused, Obsidian replied, “There are two reasons actually. The first being our customers do not exactly have a month to wait for their own batch of polyjuice to be ready, and secondly if you’ve ever digested polyjuice before, you’ll recall it tastes downright disgusting. However we’ve been able to create a more palatable formula. Speaking of which, here, drink this.” Handing Ginny a single vial of the liquid, Obsidian watched as the redhead drank the contents of the vial, transforming into the mousy-brown-haired woman her boss was so enamored with.

Obsidian had been right about the taste of the polyjuice having being changed. It was a smooth cherry-flavored drink compared to the thick, nauseating drink she had tasted only once before in Snape’s Advanced Potions classroom. As she felt the transformation ripple through her body, she glanced at the mirror and was shocked to see Hermione Granger looking back at her. Rounding on Obsidian she shouted, “Why do I look like Hermione?”

Obsidian was shocked. Yes, Hermione…that was the name of the woman whose likeness he always requests, but how did this girl know? Thoughts of the young woman with the redhead earlier popped into her head but before she could speculate she narrowed her eyes and asked, “How do you know her?”

“She’s my best friend. Now I want some answers. Who is the Dragon and why does he want women who look like Hermione?” Ginny asked, her voice laced with anger.

A million questions ran through her mind but before she could answer she heard him bellow, “SID where the hell are you?”

Looking back at the now furious face before her she said in a slightly panicked voice, “Look I can’t explain it and I don’t think this is a good idea. I’ll tell him the girl wouldn’t come and I’ll call for Vincent to take you home.”

Ginny glared at the woman before her as she heard the footsteps in the hall outside growing louder and louder. It was obvious that the woman was hiding something and Ginny was determined to find out what. Pushing past Obsidian, Ginny opened the heavy oak doors and came face to face with The Dragon.

Still wearing his mask and stage clothes, his eyes raked over the form before him. It wasn’t her, it never was, but that didn’t stop his heart from speeding up at the sight of her. After all this time and all the girls who would parade before him in her borrowed guise he couldn’t help but hope this time it could really be her. Despite the glaring lights of the stage he could have sworn he saw her. So strong was her presence that he had almost stopped the show to rush out to her. It was always the lights though; he had thought he saw her a hundred other times before, but in the end it was always just an illusion.

The moment Ginny noticed the lust in his eyes as he looked at her, the reporter in her forgot to smother her defensive side “What do you want with Hermione?”

That had done it; the trance was broken and he now knew for sure it wasn’t her, but surprisingly it was someone that knew her enough to call her by name. Unlike many of the other girls who had referred to her as Deputy Mistress Granger, this one looked insulted by his interest in Granger. In an attempt to defuse the situation, he simply replied, “My interest in her is none of your concern. Now I trust Sid will show you the way out. Good evening.”

Ginny noticed the worried look on Obsidian’s face; the woman had just exited the bathroom and Ginny knew that she wouldn’t be getting answers from her. Ginny dashed down the hall until she caught up with him just as he was about to enter a room at the end of the hall. Thrusting her way through the open doorway, she announced, “I’m not leaving until I get the answers I came here for.”

Despite the late hour, his interest was piqued. Who was this girl and what does she know about Mi? His curiosity won out as he said, “All right, come in but I’m not talking to you until that stuff wears off. Take a seat on the couch. I’m going to get a shower. Sid will bring you anything you need.”

As she watched him disappear through the doorway to a joining the room, she couldn’t help but have a sense of uneasiness. Judging from what everyone she had come in contact with this evening had said, he wasn’t going to be happy when he learned she was a redhead. However she had no idea when he would be back and since the polyjuice was still in effect, she might not get the opportunity to perform, the hair colour changing charm. Wrapping her fingers tightly around her wand, prepared for whatever was going to happen, she took note of her surroundings.

The room itself was adorned in furnishings of silver and green. Along each wall stood shelves crammed to capacity with volumes of books. Unlike the club downstairs, this room was done in more of a simple elegance. The centerpiece of the room was a king sized four-poster bed made of cherry inset with an intricate swirling design, flanked by two matching solid cherry side tables. The other large items in the room were an oversized executive desk along the wall and the plush couch on which she sat done all in emerald green.

After what seemed an eternity he exited the bathroom still wearing the mask yet having replaced his tight black leather pants with a pair of black silk pants and an unbuttoned shirt and matching robe that hung open and loose, rippling like water against his still-damp features. Pulling the chair from the desk he placed it squarely in front of Ginny and without even looking at her position beside the door he asked, “Sid how much longer till this stuff wears off?”

“Should be any minute sir, but I think you should know...” Obsidian began, but before she could warn him the polyjuice wore off leaving behind a formidable looking Ginny Weasley.

His eyes narrowed as he looked at the woman seated before him. As he took note of the flaming red hair, he had a fairly good idea of who she was and her indignation over finding herself being made to look like Mi. He muttered, “Bloody hell. Figures it’d be a Weasley.” Keeping his eyes locked on the woman before him he said, “Sid, go tell Crabbe he’s fired and find an escort home for Miss Weasley. I’m sure our Minister of Magic, the great Harry Potter, will be anxious to know where his girlfriend is.”

Obsidian took a step forward and pleaded, “Sir, it wasn’t Vincent’s fault. It was her friend. He asked to come but she refused and this one begged to see you. It’s my fault she’s here, not Vincent’s.”

Closing his eyes and breathing deeply he looked again at Ginny as he asked in a soft whisper, “Was Hermione with you tonight?” Unsure how to answer the masked man before her whose eyes showed such sadness, she simply nodded. He looked in the direction of his assistant and said, “Sid, please wait outside?” She smiled before leaving the room.

Ginny couldn’t help but feel uneasy, having been left alone in the room with a man who obviously knew who she was, but whose identity was a mystery. After spending several moments watching him stare at the ground as if it held some secrets weaved into the carpeting she said, “It seems I’m at a disadvantage. You seem to know me, but I can’t say I know you.”

Hearing her admit to having no idea who he was caused a small smirk to cross his features as he said, “I’m sure if you thought about it hard enough you’d figure it out, but then again you Weasleys were never good at putting the pieces together unless the answer was staring you in the face.”

Ginny bristled at his comment. The prick had just insulted her family and that was one thing she wouldn’t tolerate. With renewed anger, she stood up and pressed her finger into the firm flesh of the man before her and shouted, “I don’t know who you think you are but no one gets away with insulting me or my family. If I hear so much as one more comment out of you about my family, I’ll hex you seven ways ‘til Sunday. You got that? Now answer my questions: how do you know Hermione, and why are you bringing girls up here and making them look like her?”

“I didn’t realize I was forcing anyone; you yourself begged to see me, didn’t you?” He casually replied.

Seeing that a forced approach was merely putting him on the offensive, she sat back down and repeated, “How do you know Hermione and why would you want the women who come to met you to look like her?”

As he contemplated the numerous lies he could tell about getting his kicks out of women in power he was surprised to hear the truth fall from his lips: “I love her.”

Ginny sat in shock at the words she just heard. He loved her? Somehow the thought of the blonde Adonis before her and Hermione together just didn’t seem realistic. More quickly than she would have liked she found herself asking, “Do you even know Hermione? I mean, have you ever met her?”

He couldn’t help but laugh at her question as he leaned forward and said, “Yes I have met her personally and know her intimately. Though I would wager to guess that she’s never breathed a word of it to you, I’m her dirty little secret just as much as she is mine.”

Ginny couldn’t comprehend what she was hearing. Straight-laced Hermione, wouldn’t be intimate with someone unless she was married and could practically be called a spinster as far as her track record with men goes. How could she have been intimate with this man in from of her? This man was everything Hermione was not, so how could he claim the two shared a past? Thinking as quickly as she could, she said, “Prove it: tell me something only a lover would know.”

Without hesitation he replied, “She has a sleeping dragon tattooed in the centre of her lower back.”

Thinking she had caught him in a lie she leapt up and announced, “Ha! No she doesn’t. She had it removed the summer after she graduated from Hogwarts when Harry defeated He Who Must Not Be Named.”

A grimace flashed across his face at the revelation, but he simply replied, “I never said it was recently. In fact, I haven’t seen her since that summer.” Not sure why he still cared or if he really wanted to know he asked, “How is she?”

“Why don’t you read the papers? She’s Deputy Mistress now, practically runs the Ministry single-handedly.” Ginny announced proud of her friend’s accomplishments.

A small smile crossed the masked man’s face as he spoke to himself as much as Ginny, “Yes that sounds like my Mi.”

“Mi? That song you sung tonight…that was about Hermione?” she asked.

“They’re all about her in one way or another. She’s the only woman who, no matter how much I try, I can’t forget about,” he replied, his voice filled with remorse.

“Who are you? Hermione has never said anything about any blokes she dated beside Ron and Victor.” Ginny questioned.

Upon hearing the mention of her brother’s name his features tightened as he said, “Yes, not all of us could be heroes like your brother and perfect Potter. Some of us were just scared lads, doing our best to get by.”

Remembering the dark days of the war she said wistfully, “We were all scared back then.”

“Yes, but some scars don’t heal. So how is she?”

Ginny deliberated about what to tell him before settling on the truth. “She’s miserable. She won’t date anymore despite the numerous dates we set her up on. She buries herself in her work and my getting her here tonight is a rarity. I know you say the two of you were an item at one point, but I’m sorry, I just can’t see it.”

“No one was supposed to. That was how it started. Secret meetings, a private snog in random closets, entire nights spent doing nothing but shagging... It was our little secret. Not even Potter or Weasley knew what Miss Prim and Proper did or with whom, for the better part of a year at Hogwarts. We each had our images to consider and what started out as a game of cat and mouse between the two of us quickly escalated into something more. In the end though, I wasn’t who she wanted me to be and I was too scared to let go of portraying what was safe.”

Haunted by his words, Ginny found herself compelled to ask, “Who are you?”

Removing his mask to revel himself to her, he said, “Draco. Draco Malfoy.” Before pulling his wand from his robe pocket and in a fluent motion chanting, “Obliviate.”

******
Next up Hermione makes front page news and I promise some action :)
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A/N Big thanks to Myrtle and Nelly who put in the extra yards to make sure this got done.


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