Chances Taken

Warnings vary per chapter but this first part is very tame. Certain acts will only be mentioned in passing. If it doesn’t involve the main characters in some way, it won’t be written explicitly.

Quick Authors Notes – While I usually hate to post anything unfinished before knowing I’m going to finish it I’d really like some feedback before moving forward with this story. I rarely write het though I do enjoy it and I’ve never posted any Hermione/Lucius though I have attempted writing it in the past. I had only intended to write something short but in beginning this, I realized that I could take it much further than I originally intended. That being said, I’m not asking for a rough and dirty beta or for someone to tell me that they hate my writing etc. I’m simply asking those that do read this to give me some honest feedback.

-

Mussed and exhausted, Hermione dropped into the high backed chair with a sigh. She’d had a very long day and all she wanted was a large glass of wine and enough food to fill her aching belly. A very large pile of paperwork had landed on her desk at the lunch hour and she’d stayed in the office to go over it despite the very loud protests of her stomach. Fortunately, Luna had stopped by her office to invite her to dinner before the end of the workday and she’d agreed, paperwork be damned.

The blonde witch sat across from her, the same serene smile on her face as she watched Hermione pour herself some wine. They’d become friends over the years, a fact that often surprised Hermione considering her feelings towards the other woman during their school years. She’d always thought Luna too flighty to be taken seriously but after getting to know her, she’d learned otherwise. The lilting voice and blank stare were mostly for show, as was the nonsense she often spouted at random. In reality, Luna was a very clever witch, a fact others often forgot despite the fact that she’d been a Ravenclaw.

“I knew you were having a bad day, I didn’t realize it was quite that bad.” Luna said as Hermione knocked back half of her wine in one long swallow.

“It’s that bloody paperwork, it’s like I’m the only person in the office that can do it correctly.”

“I’d say you’re the only person that cares enough to do it correctly.”

“There are days when I wonder.”

“It was your idea to incorporate a Beings Division into the Department of International Magical Cooperation.”

“Oh don’t remind me,” Hermione groaned. “Some days I wish Kingsley had just tuned me out like so many of my staff do when I get fired up about some cause or another.”

“You’ve helped a lot of people Hermione, given them the respect they deserve be they beast or wizard. Our world needs more people like you.”

“Dried up old bluestockings with no life outside of their jobs?”

“You’re 26, that is hardly old.” Luna laughed before taking a sip of her own wine. “You’d have a life if you ever left your office you know.”

“We both know that’s not true. Most men are intimidated by my intellect. If they manage to work up the nerve to approach me it’s because they want to be seen with the famous Hermione Granger, right hand to the boy who lived.”

“Well what about women?”

Hermione flushed at the question, not because she was insulted but because she had given it some thought in the past, especially after she and Ron parted ways. The idea had intrigued her but she’d never acted on it. She’d had a hard enough time getting Ron to notice her and he’d known her since they were children. She just found it hard to believe that another woman would find her sexually attractive, that anyone really would to be honest. Her split with Ron and had done a number on her self-esteem though she hid it well. Finding your significant other in bed with another smaller, blonder woman would do that.

“I’m not sure, I’ve never…”

“Would you like to?”

“Luna!” Hermione exclaimed, reaching for her glass of wine again. “You’re a very dear friend but I don’t think-“

“Not me.” Luna said with a laugh. “I meant other women in general.”

“Well then, I don’t know.”

Luna’s glance became speculative as she reached for her wand. Casting a wordless muffling charm she reached into her handbag and pulled out a small white business card. It was made of the finest parchment, Hermione could tell though she couldn’t see the words it held. Sliding the card across the table Luna pulled her hand away and watched her. The card remained blank and Hermione grew confused, looking at Luna in question.

“You’ve become a dear friend to me Hermione, one I’ve come to trust greatly over the years we’ve known one another. What I’m about to show you must be kept between us if you choose to decline, do you understand?”

“Of course.” Hermione replied, even more confused but intrigued by Luna’s enigmatic words.

Watching intently as Luna waved her wand, Hermione could only stare as black ink seemed to bleed onto the card, finally revealing the words once hidden. The script was delicate but clear and Hermione took in the words with curiosity. Paradis, one word that meant many things to many different people.

“This card is a portkey. Holding it and speaking the right word activates it and takes you to paradise.”

“Paradise, really?” Despite Hermione’s sarcastic words, Luna still smiled.

“Every fantasy you’ve ever had. Every fantasy you never knew you had. It’s all possible in paradise.”

“You’re suggesting I go to a brothel?”

“Of a sort. The witches and wizards that go to paradise are all consenting adults, some are being paid for their time, and others are not.”

“What does that mean?”

“Some of the patrons are there for the pleasures of others in order to achieve their own. If you’d like to play with a… professional, you simply let one of the staff know when you arrive and a fee will be charged depending on your requests. If you are unsure you can always take a look around and approach one of the staff once you’ve come to a decision.”

“How could anyone tell the staff apart from the patrons?”

“All the staff dress in white robes,” Luna explained calmly. “It makes them easier to identify. The professionals wear leather or lace cuffs that they must keep visible at all times. A member of the staff will explain it all further if you take the card.”

“What about you, won’t you need the card to get there?”

“Once the card is freely given and accepted it is replaced.”

“I don’t know.” Hermione said, nibbling her lower lip in uncertainty. “I’ve never done anything like this before. Rita Skeeter would just love to find out I have to pay for sex.”

“Ah but that’s the beauty of Paradis, it’s entirely anonymous. A glamour is strongly recommended to all patrons though they can be as subtle or elaborate as you like. Once you step foot over the threshold the manor ensures that the glamour stays in place. Of course if you’d rather not wear a glamour you can wear a mask that you won’t be able to remove until you leave the premises.”

“Can I think about it?”

“Of course,” Luna replied, reaching out to take the card and put it back in her handbag. “Just let me know once you’ve decided.”

-

Hermione arrived home later that evening and Crookshanks greeted her with an unenthusiastic purr from his place on the love seat before resting his head on his paws and falling promptly asleep. Age had mellowed her familiar and he spent most of his time lounging about in the sun or curled up on the softest available surface. Shaking her head, she moved through the living room towards her bedroom.

Quickly stepping out of her sensible heels, she stripped out of her dress robes and padded barefoot into the bathroom. The mirror was blessedly silent as she peered into it. She’d changed very little since leaving Hogwarts. Her hair was longer, her figure fuller and despite her busy schedule she only had the faintest of lines between her brows. She looked like a woman, not an underdeveloped teenage girl, which had been part of the problem according to Ron. He hadn’t been pleased about being caught and had taken it out on her that evening, telling her that he didn’t fancy shagging his mother as he eyed her body disdainfully.

Hermione had been mortified, especially when she heard the little slag giggle from the other room. She’d run to Luna, who’d given her tea liberally laced with a calming draught, and told her everything. When she’d ceased sobbing, Luna had told her plainly that she was too good for Ronald Weasley and if he couldn’t see that, it was his loss. Luna’s support had cemented their budding friendship and Hermione was glad to have her. She’d stayed the rest of the evening with Luna, gathering her courage for what was to come.

She decided the best way to go about things would be to contact Harry. Though he was her best friend, he’d always considered the Weasley’s to be his family and Hermione felt it would be best to know if he’d taken Ron’s side. Harry had been appalled at Ron’s behavior and refused to let Hermione blame herself for his actions. He’d fire called George, promising him that he could be the first to tell Mrs. Weasley if he got Ron out of the flat they’d once shared. George had happily agreed and Harry had taken her to pack her things.

It had taken her some time to get over Ron’s words and betrayal but he had eventually apologized after much berating from his mother. Things were never the same between them and Hermione was sure they never would be but she didn’t want that to stop her from getting on with her life. That was why she was even considering Luna’s offer. Her musings had lasted throughout her shower and as she stepped out of the claw-footed tub, she dried herself quickly before pulling her hair back into a plait and rushing for the bed.

While living with Ron, she’d often slept in the nude and had taken to doing it while living alone as well. It was a way to reclaim her body and her self-esteem. She couldn’t be ashamed of something she couldn’t hide from. Snuggling beneath the covers, Hermione used her wand to stoke the fire and extinguish the candles. The strange conversation she’d had with Luna earlier that evening replayed itself in her mind and it took hours for sleep to finally claim her.

-

It took a week for Hermione to come to a decision. Apparating to Luna’s home after her shift at the Ministry, Hermione rubbed her damp palms along her robes before knocking on the door. Luna let her in with a knowing smile and she rolled her eyes as she headed for the living room. Two steaming cups of tea sat waiting and Hermione knew that one was for her. Her feelings about divination aside, she couldn’t deny that sometimes Luna just knew things. Sinking down onto one of the plush sofas Hermione reached for her tea and sipped it delicately.

“I see you’ve made a decision.”

“What makes you think that?” Hermione asked stubbornly. “Couldn’t I have just come round for a visit?”

“Yes, but you didn’t.”

“No, I didn’t. I just wanted to be sure that I could… do this.”

“That’s fine. I wasn’t so sure myself at first.” Luna said with a shrug. “What matters is that you took the time to think about it and came to a decision.”

“I want to do it. I want some adventure that doesn’t involve unforgivables or deranged dark lords. I’m just not sure if I’m… suited for that sort of thing.”

“I know you’ve doubted your femininity, since Ron.” Hermione looked down in embarrassment at Luna’s words. “Trust me when I say that you shouldn’t. You’re beautiful Hermione and he was a fool. I’m positive that you’ll find someone who can show you just how desirable you are.”

“I don’t know what I would do without you.” Hermione said sincerely, reaching out to touch Luna’s hand. “After the way I treated you when we first met…”

“We weren’t friends then. We are now.”

Luna’s words, spoken so matter-of-factly, touched Hermione deeply. Taking a deep breath, she released it with a weak smile.

“So, how do I do this?”

-

Luna was kind enough to fill Hermione in, as she was never one to walk into anything unprepared. Basic rules of house etiquette were gone over as well as advice on how to dress as an expression of her interests. She learned that it wasn’t only the professionals that wore cuffs on their wrists but the patrons there to service others as well. Luna made it clear that the rules were not to be broken in any way to ensure the safety of all those involved. Though it was anonymous, ones magical signature was recorded by the manor itself and once a patron was expelled, it was for life.

It took four days for Hermione to feel she was truly ready, four days of goading herself into going only to back out at the last minute. The last time she’d done it she simply refused to give in to her nerves and rushed into the bathroom to get ready. She washed and moisturized her skin, attacked her unruly curls until they fell in soft waves down the middle of her back and scrubbed her face before applying a bit of kohl to her eyes and tinted balm to her lips.

Getting dressed proved much easier and once she donned the new things she’d purchased with Luna, she began to feel much better about her decision. The knickers she wore had a Brazilian style cut or so the shop witch had told her and they barely covered the neatly trimmed thatch of curls between her thighs and the bra wasn’t any better. The cups ended long before her breasts did and the loosely ruffled trim at the top was left to cover the half of her nipples the cup left exposed. It made her look a bit top heavy but she’d never felt so sexy in her entire life. It was made of an almost entirely sheer white material that made her skin look like a deeper shade of cream.

The black dress she slipped on over it fell just past her heels and dipped low in the front. Not enough to expose her entirely but it hinted at what could be found underneath. By the time she’d finished dressing she felt much calmer. After shrugging on her outer robes and casting a slight glamour on her face, she tucked her wand into her cleavage and grabbed the card. Whispering the word to activate it, she felt the familiar hooking sensation before she was deposited into an empty but extravagant sitting room.

A door opened off to her right and a man in white open robes stepped through. His face was relaxed but blank and Hermione took a second to wonder if she’d come at a bad time. Resisting the urge to fidget she straightened her spine and approached the man.

“There doesn’t seem to be anyone here. Are you closed?”

“We never close.” He replied with a slight grin. “I’m sure you’ve been informed of our rules so if you have any questions it’s best to ask them now.”

“No, I have no questions.”

“Excellent. Will you be getting or giving pleasure this evening?”

“I’m not really sure.” Hermione replied uncertainly. She’d asked herself that very question for four days and she still didn’t have an answer. “I was told it was alright to decide later.”

“It is. Some simply know beforehand what they’d like to experience. Would you like a mask before joining our other guests?”

“No thank you. I already have a glamour in place.”

“In that case,” He said, leading her towards the only door on the left and opening it slowly. “Welcome to paradise.”