Devil In His Own Way

THE GROTTO

Hermione took a deep breath and opened up her suitcase. Alice and the girls were hovering around her, all five of them crowded into her bedroom. The party wasn't supposed to start for another hour or two, but she knew getting ready would take time.

"I feel so out of place!" Hermione said honestly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks that not even her slight buzz could hide.

She'd sat by the pool with them for most of the day, letting them fill her in on the who's who of pureblood nobility. When the girls weren't filling her in on the gossip, they engaged in conversation more meaningful than Hermione had expected. It was clear that the girls were well educated and had traveled to many different countries, some of them even going to Muggle tourist sites. Callista's story of her time at the Eifel Tower had caused Hermione to laugh so hard her cocktail had come back up through her nose.

"You're one of the most beautiful girls here, Hermione," Leona looked up at her across the bed. "Everyone is going to be looking at you."

The thought sent chills down Hermione's spine. She'd never felt she was a witch who drew that kind of attention. As the hours ticked closer to the party, she began to grow even more restless. Not knowing what would happen was eating her nerves alive. She hated not knowing what to expect.

"Don't be nervous," Callista placed a calming hand on her arm. Hermione had realized early that this was something Callista did to bring people back to the moment. She spoke, like a mother, and used her touch to remind people that they exist in a physical environment and not just in their heads.

"What if I don't want to, you know..." Hermione trailed off, not knowing how to finish her sentence. It was Kiara's turn to speak up then, giving her a look of encouragement.

"No one will force you to do anything you don't want to do," she flicked her long brown hair over her shoulder. Both twins had chocolate hair that went down to their waists, and Hermione had immediately been jealous of the way it flowed without a single knot or tangle. "That's why Archie is here. I haven't had sex once since I've been here."

Hermione took a deep breath to try and calm her anxious nerves. Kiara's admission did make her feel better about her tendency to shy away from physical touch, particularly from men. She didn't see the point in purely physical relationships, but she could see how they would appeal to others. And, now that she was at the mansion, Hermione supposed it was worth testing the waters. But, that didn't make her any less apprehensive.

"We're all here for you, Hermione," Alice, forever the graceful leader, smiled warmly at her. "And we won't leave your side unless you're comfortable. We look out for each other here."

"Now, let's see what we're working with!" Callista clapped her hands and stared down at Hermione's luggage, a smile much like Ginny's creeping onto her face.

Ginny. Ginny was going to be there. With her husband.

Before Hermione could process how the thought made her feel, lingerie flew out of her suitcase and floated in the air before them. All eyes immediately settled on the periwinkle Teddy with the rhinestone belt. Hermione blushed and pulled it from the air, running her fingers over the lacey fabric.

"My best friend picked this one out," she said. "Ginny Potter?"

"Ginny Potter knows how to pick out her lingerie," Callista gave Alice a knowing smile. Hermione raised an eyebrow at them.

"She comes to the parties often," Alice shrugged. "And always looks an absolute picture."

"Straight out Draco's magazine," Leona quipped. Alice shot her a look that Hermione didn't know how to interpret. She seemed both jealous and excited.