Omerta

Chapter 2

"It's no big deal, Hermione." Harry shrugged, drying out the glass he'd just washed.

"Have you lost your bloody mind?!" No big deal? No big deal?! Harry was acting as if he'd just informed her that the weather was taking a turn for the worst. Or perhaps that he would have had to cancel plans with her. She felt almost annoyed at how casual he appeared as if he hadn't just informed her that she was working for mobsters. Every bit of it was an enormous deal, and she began to question her friend's sanity. 'No big deal' her arse.

"I told you that she wouldn't be ready to hear it." Ginny shrugged, lining up the shooter glasses on a couple of trays to be filled with delicious mixed drinks and passed around the floor later.

Ordinarily, Hermione loved opening duties at the club. It was borderline therapeutic, the mundane tasks allowing her to shut her brain off for a little while and focus completely on the tasks at hand. But, of course, her two best friends had gone and completely ruined it by telling her what was likely the scariest thing she'd heard in her life. She hadn't even known that the mafia still existed, and suddenly, she's learning that they not only still exist, but that she was also involved with them through association.

"Honestly, I'm surprised you've not heard of Draco Malfoy anyway. The Malfoy family, in general, is infamous and have been quite notorious for trouble in recent years." Harry muttered as-a-matter-of-factly.

"I heard that they arranged some kind of deal with the mayor, that's why they don't really get caught. And if they do get caught, they never get in trouble." Ginny smiled.

"I can't believe you two KNOW about all this, and still choose to work here! Doesn't it bother either of you at ALL? You know, morally speaking?"

"Not really. They haven't ever bothered us, and the job pays well. As long as we mind our own business, they have no reason to pay us any attention. That's the benefit of looking in the other direction. I'm sure that's the only reason Draco Malfoy hasn't come after you after what happened in the streets. This-" Ginny turned to face her friend, tapping gently on the pin sitting over the brunette's heart, "-is not free. It comes with a price. And since they have not done anything to Harry or me personally, I am willing to pay that price for the safety I get in return. With time, I promise you, it becomes so much easier to mind your own business. Trust me on this one."

"But I don't understand how you-"

"Hermione." Luna rounded the corner, wearing a dazed look on her face as if she were lost in thought. "If you could please follow me to my office. We have something we need to discuss."

"Yes, Ms. Lovegood." Hermione ducked her head, nerves settling uncomfortably in her stomach. However, she bravely lifted her chin, following Luna to her office.

"Have a seat, love." She smiled warmly.

"Have I done something wrong?"

"Of course not! I've been proud of your performance thus far. I just wanted to check in with you. You've only been here for two weeks, and you've managed to impress every single person you've come across, including the owners, who I happen to know for a fact are quite particular and are rarely pleased with anyone."

"Something tells me that can't be said for all of them." She grumbled in response, thinking about how Draco had treated her during their last encounter.

"I assure you that it can. But, nevertheless, the owners have requested that you care for them each time they come to visit Crucio, at least until your month-long trial period is over in two more weeks. I guess, seeing as they have never been this happy with anyone serving them aside from myself, I figured I would ask if there were any way you might be interested in staying longer. I can't make you stay, of course, but I think you are a lovely fit for the club, and I don't just mean the dress." She smirked, tossing Hermione a playful wink.