Of Books and Leather

A/N:I want to thank everyone who has review, they mean a lot to me. For those of you who are afraid that this story will be abandoned or have long periods with no updates, I just wanted to reassure you that this story is already completely written out. Now on to the story.

Chapter 2

“He is an infuriating man,” Hermione said angrily. She was sitting at Ginny’s table in the kitchen.

Ginny quirked eyebrows at her best friend. “You’ve said that… twice.” Hermione came over right after she closed her store for the day. She brought wine, chocolate biscuits, and a burden mind. The minute she walked through the door she had done nothing but complained about Lucius Malfoy.

She grinned a little. “It’s worth repeating.”

“What exactly happened today? Did you slap him again?” Ginny asked excitedly.

“No, I wish! I confronted him about being in my store again. Apparently, the Ministry of Magic put him in charge of keeping every business in wizarding England legitimate.”

“Has Kingsley finally lost his mind? My dad warned him that the being the Minister of Magic would turn him mental. I mean do Lucius’ past actions mean nothing to the Ministry?” Ginny asked.

Hermione sighed and gave Ginny a sad look. “As much as I still don’t want to admit it, we know that Lucius only followed Voldemort because his family was being threatened. The Wizengamot, ruled in his favor stating that he only performed those horrendous deeds under duress.”

“I know, but it still doesn’t excuse what happened to me during my first year. The diary incident was not something that I wish to ever experience again.” Ginny shuddered as her eyes turned all glassy.

“He did do time in Azkaban for some of his actions.” Hermione quickly pointed out, snapping Ginny from her own horrifying musings.

They both sat in silence for a few seconds.

“So what exactly happened today?” Ginny said, getting back to the point.

“He cornered me by my office and started to ask me some questions about a number of books.”

Ginny gave her friend “the Molly look” as Harry had dubbed it. She knew she was holding something back. “You are not telling me everything. What books did he ask you about?”

“Umm, some of the more interesting books I carry.” Hermione answered, trying to avoid the question.

Ginny gave her a knowing look. “Do I have to beat it out of you, or are you going to tell me exactly which books you are referring to?”

Hermione bit her lip nervously, and lowered her head a bit. “Alright, the books on S&M play,” whispered Hermione while she covered her face with her hands. Her cheeks were now bright red.

Ginny’s eyes widened into saucers. “I didn’t know you carried books like that. Where are they located?”

“Ginny please…” Hermione sighed, lifting her head from her hands and looking at the red headed witch across the table. She was waiting for an answer. “Next to the diet and exercise books, in the back corner.”

Ginny smiled at Hermione. “Did you tell him that you are interested…?”

She didn’t finish her sentence. Hermione cradled her head in her hands once more and nodded to her best friend. “I didn’t mean to. He trapped me against his body and ran his fingers through my hair. Before I knew what was happening he asked me if I was interested in those particular tomes and I said yes.”

Ginny was on the edge of her seat as this little melodrama played out. “What did he do after you confessed your little secret?”

Her head still in her hands she mumbled. “He left the store.”

“Oh.” Ginny stared at her friend. A small grin appeared for a split second before Hermione raised her head to look at her.

“What am I going to do?” She begged Ginny for an answer, any answer.

Ginny reached across the table and took her hand in a gesture of comfort. “Do you want my honest opinion?”

Hermione nodded her head. “Of course.”

“Ask him if he will take the role of your, Master.” Ginny replied in a no nonsense tone.

“Ginny! That is not helpful.” Hermione screamed mortified at the thought. She got up from the table and started pacing.

“Oh, why not? I know that you are dying for a little kinky action. He seems perfectly willing to help,” Ginny stated, while watching her pace the kitchen.

“You don’t know that. He might be trying to use that information against me. He probably doesn’t even favor that kind of sex.” Hermione gestured wildly with her hands.

Ginny burst out laughing, “Hermione, I happen to know for a fact that Lucius definitely likes it kinky.”

Hermione stopped pacing and turned. “How have you happened to come across this tidbit of information?”

“Umm… Severus,” Ginny replied sheepishly.

Hermione's eyes narrowed. “How in the world did you get Severus to reveal that kind of information?”

“I rather not say, it is a little embarrassing.” Her cheeks pinked slightly at her statement.

Hermione looked at Ginny with scepticism. “What is she hiding?”

Hermione waved it off. “It matters not. I am not going to have sex with Mr. Malfoy, kinky or otherwise.”

“Aren’t you even a least bit curious? I bet he could be a wonderful Master.”

“I’m not looking for a new Master any time soon. I’m not sure I could trust a man enough to put myself in that position again, especially a Malfoy.”

Ginny could kill Ron for destroying Hermione’s trust. He exploited Hermione’s interesting in S&M play and practically turned her into his slave. He tried to control her in and out of the bedroom. It slowly destroyed Hermione’s self-respect for all men. She swore that she would never give a man that kind of control again.

“Have you heard from Ron recently?” Ginny asked cautiously.

“No. Thank the Gods! It seems he finally got the hint to leave me alone,” Hermione said weakly.

“Why don’t we go out tonight?” Ginny said, changing the subject.

“I don’t know. I’ve had a long and confusing day. I think all I want to do is go home and eat a carton of ice cream, preferably a large one, with chocolate,” Hermione said miserably.

Ginny really wanted Hermione to come out with her. She didn’t like seeing her friend so unhappy. “You can do that tomorrow. It’s Friday night let’s have some fun, while we are still young enough to get away with it.”

Hermione smirked, “Where did you have in mind?”

“A little night club called, Curfew. I discovered it last week when I was out with Luna,” the younger witch said excitedly.

Hermione cocked her head a little. “I have never heard of it before, where is it located?”

“It is in London, not far from Diagon Alley.”

Hermione smiled a little. “Okay, it could be fun. What time did you want to go?”

“Around nine, but we need to go shopping first,” Ginny said.

“Why?” Hermione asked.

“Well this club has… a certain dress code,” Ginny said with a smirk.

“What kind of club is it?” Hermione asked suspiciously.

“A fun one!” Ginny replied.

**

Hermione and Ginny Apparated to the clubs entrance, it was located on the outskirts of Diagon Alley. The building was not marked on the outside, and it appeared that there was no door, and there was nobody else around.

“Are you sure this is appropriate attire of this club?” Hermione asked, looking down at herself and then at Ginny.

Ginny had picked out her clothes. Hermione was dressed in red leather pants and a tight black shirt. She adjusted her mask, which was a requirement for the club. It was black lace with a large red rose on the side. Ginny charmed her hair straight, which was rather tedious, and used a glamor to add red highlights. With the mask on, Hermione did not recognize herself.

Ginny’s outfit was a little more adventurous, she wore a black leather skirt with knee high leather boots and dark green tank top. She pulled her hair up and charmed it blonde for the night. Her mask was black satin with a green scroll design around the edge.

“Yes, you don’t want to be recognized, it takes away from the fantasy.”

“I can’t believe I let you bring me here…” Hermione looked around. “Umm, how do we get in?” she asked.

Ginny smiled at her, walked up to the corner stone of the building, pressed her wand to the small mark in the stone, and whispered “EGO peto permission ineo.” Within a few seconds, an opening appeared in the front of the building.

“How did you manage to figure out the password?” Hermione asked in a curious voice.

“I heard someone else speak it,” she replied nervously.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. Why do I think that there is something going on that she is not telling me?

They walked into the entrance, it looked like a lobby at a theatre, a man dressed in leather pants and a simple black mask greeted them. “Hello, ladies, welcome to Curfew.”

“Thank you,” Hermione and Ginny said in unison. There were a small number of people dressed in leather and masks leaving the club.

“Please check you coats here.” He pointed to a counter where a woman, also in a mask, took their coats and gave them a ticket. “Is this your first time to Curfew?”

Ginny spoke first. “It is her first time. I have been here a few times already.”

Hermione whipped her head around at her friend and fumed, but said nothing for the moment.

“We have a few rules here,” he spoke directly to Hermione. “First, don’t remove your mask, and do not use your real name, for the fantasy and for your protection.”

“Protection?” Hermione whispered.

“Second, we ask that, when you leave you take a sobriety test to make sure that you are well enough to get yourself home without an accident. If you are not we will arrange transportation.

Hermione was impressed. “Wow, you really take care of your patrons.”

“Yes, madam, the owner has taken pride in creating a safe environment for his guests. Please enjoy your night,” he said and motioned them to the double door.

Hermione gasped when they walked through the doors. It looked like an enormous ballroom, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. Off to the side, on the right, was a large stage area where the band was playing very erotic sounding music. The dance floor was croweded, with people in masks, dancing provocatively with each other. The bar was long and looked like it was made out of thick glass. There were small circular tables scattered throughout the club. To the left there were curtained off sections. “Gods only knows what happens in those areas,” Hermione thought.

The waiters and waitresses were dress in leather slave costumes, complete with collars and wrist cuffs. “I see that leather was a good choice to wear,” she thought to herself.

She turned to Ginny, “I thought you had never been here before.”

“Oops, I must have forgotten,” Ginny said, sheepishly.

Hermione was a little miffed. “Ginny…”

Ginny lightly slapped Hermione’s arm. “Shh... don’t use my name, call me Ginger”

“Not too creative if you ask me,” Hermione retorted. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to be there anymore. Something didn’t feel right.

“Ginger,” she said, sarcastically. “Why did you lie about not being here before?”

She ignored her question. “You need a name. How about…”

“I’ll pick my own thank you, and don’t ignore the question,” Hermione said with a little bite in her voice.

Ginny gave up. “Okay, this is an exclusive club. The greeter at the door determines who comes in and who has to leave. If we were rejected, I didn’t want you to know that it was because of you. Not that I think that would have happened. Now, what name do you want to use?”

Hermione was shocked. She didn’t realize that this was a private club. She was a little ashamed she suspected Ginny. “Umm, call me, Helena.”

Ginny raised an eyebrow. “Helena? Okay, Helena, why don’t we get a drink?”

“Sounds good.” Hermione smiled.

**

Hours had passed since they arrived. In that time Hermione or, Helena, as she has been called all night, had been on the dance floor with various people. Hermione cherished the feeling of being able to dance sexy, and a little risqué, without people knowing who she was. It gave her a sense of freedom. After a while, she needed to sit down and catch her breath for a minute. She signaled to Ginny, who had been dancing with the same group of people since she had arrived, that she was going to take a break. Almost immediately, after sitting down a waitress, in a slave collar, mask, and leather corset came and brought Hermione a glass of red wine and a note. “This is for you.” She smiled and left.

Hermione read the note, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Ginny sat down, with a fresh drink in her hand.

“What's that, a note?” she asked.

“Yeah, it's from someone named The Dom.”

Ginny spit out the drink she was consuming. “The Dom wrote you. Are you kidding me?”

“Who is he?” Hermione asked, perplexed.

“He is the owner of this club. He never sends notes to his patrons. What does it say?” Ginny asked curiously.

Hermione looked down at the note clenched in her hand. “It says he wants to talk to me more privately, in his rooms upstairs.” Her forehead furrowed at this.

Ginny’s eyes widened. “Really? Nobody is allowed in his private room. That is an exclusive privilege.”

Hermione was not convinced. “Privilege? It seems creepy. Beside I did not come here to meet anyone, especially someone who calls themselves The Dom. I’m just not looking for someone right now.”

Ginny blew out a breath in frustration. “First of all, it is one night not a relationship, and second, who said anything about him becoming your Master he just wants to talk. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Come on live a little.”

Hermione pondered for a moment. Did she really want to meet him. Ginny did have a point; she didn't have to do anything she didn't want to do. “Okay, I will go and meet with him.”

When she got up a waiter was there ready to escort her to the room. He was dressed in black leather shorts and a slave collar. “I will escort you to The Dom, madam.”

Hermione threw her friend a concerned look and grabbed her glass of wine, Ginny waved her off, “Have fun, Helena.”

Hermione was lead away, to a set of circular stairs to the left of the bar.

Behind her, Ginny was joined at the table by one of the men she was dancing with. She looked at him. “I won the bet. You owe me ten gallons, Sebastian. Not only did I get her to agree come tonight, but I also convinced her meet with him.”

A familiar silky voice responded. “Yes, you are the mistress of manipulation. I think you should have been in Slytherin.”

Ginny laughed and smiled, “No, I don’t think I would have wanted you to be my Head of House.”

Severus smirked at his former student. “Having you in Potions class was enough for me.”

Ginny shook her head. “Does, The Dom, know who she is?”

“No, but I wish I could see his face when he figures it out.”

**
A/N: Is anyone else getting thirsty for some lemonade? I know I am.

Translation- EGO peto permission ineo – I seek permission to enter.

Here is a link to what Hermione’s mask looks like.
http://homepage.mac.com/koyawiz/.Pictures/2005%20Hees%20Designs%20Int%27l%20JPG%27s/a913.jpg

Ginny’s mask was inspired by these masks.
http://homepage.mac.com/koyawiz/.Pictures/2005%20Hees%20Designs%20Int%27l%20JPG%27s/A-866%20ASST.JPG

Thank you to my betas Valady and Sbrande.