Hey everyone, I'm so sorry for the year in between updates. I hope people still like this story and are willing to forgive me. This chapter contains a very hard R, so this is my warning, if you notice a sex scene starting to unfold, skip it if you are uncomfortable.

oOOooOOooOOo

After Draco left and I had my own shower, I found myself once again on my futon on the balcony. This was becoming more and more frequent; I would go out there, have a cigarette, contemplate my life, and then either doze or head back to my bed.

I didn't know what to do about Draco this had to be one of the most confusing things I could possibly deal with. He was everything to me from my accomplice to a soundboard if I felt like screaming to him about anything. He was my savoir, as cliché as it sounds he had saved me from my death and for that I'm in debt to him always.

I looked at the moon, it appeared to be heading towards the horizon and I knew morning was only a few hours away. I got up and shook out my wet hair before heading into my bedroom for some much deserved sleep.

oOOooOOooOOo

The morning I awoke to the sun blazing through my chiffon curtains and I was pleasantly surprised. It was almost as if the Dark Lord controlled the weather because it was so rare that the sun shined. I smiled and got out of my comfy bed before heading into my closet.

I pulled on a red and black corset, a black sports jacket and a nice pair of black slacks. Today, I would be having a meeting with a third of my prostitutes on their progress and if I wanted to promote them to a higher levels. I did this when I got bored, there really was no need to move around my prostitutes but I knew that they liked change from the norm because it was so utterly depressing in our society.

Ginny always got a kick out of this process because I would ask my employees to do abnormal things. Like a few months ago I had them do a fashion show. The catch was that it had to be high fashion and classy, those who managed to be sophisticated and professional were promoted and those who were lacking were moved to a lower level.

I liked to keep things interesting in my company because these tests not only kept things competitive but the wizarding world liked to watch my tests. This was a great way promote business and I also made a hefty profit off of the spectators.

I did this every four months and a third of my employees were able to participate for a chance to move up in ranks. Did I mention as you get higher up in my company, the benefits are greater? Let's say if an employee starts out on the 2nd floor, this being the smuttiest of it all. They get a small variety of customers, smaller wages, less days off and a limited amount of clothing. The customers that see the 2nd floor want fast, hard sex and can hardly careless about atmosphere as long as there is some shape of a bed or hell a space on the floor/wall. My girls and guys on this floor have a small bedroom separate from their entertainment rooms and one day off per week. They get two sets of "play clothes" and make only a galleon every two weeks plus tips.

That's the worst of it and usually is given to those who appear the most desperate. It's cruel but in this life that's just how it goes and I'm not very sympathetic. However, there is always a small ounce of hope that they can move higher up.

The highest an employee can move up to is the 90th floor. I live on the 99th and 100th floor so this is a gauge on how different life is up here. These employees have a spacious apartment and an unlimited amount of clothing. Their entertainment rooms can be anything because their customers pay for it and they usually see the most creative customers up here. They enjoy the most delicious of foods and have up to four days a week off. They make 50 galleons a week plus tips and can lead almost normal lives away from the dreary life in our world.

Life in these floors is idyllic and people try desperately to reach these levels. It's my way of keeping my employees loyal to me and plus I like feeling as I have godly powers over them in these situation.

I made my way to the 1st floor where all my meeting, training, and every possible need rooms are. I entered the room, it's more of an auditorium and it all the voices went silent. Ginny was already sitting there as I sat down next to her. "Welcome everyone this morning; it appears to be another evaluation month." I heard random cheers from the crowd. I smiled because I also noticed some uneasy looks from those in the higher levels; they could be moved from their cushy levels if they weren't careful.

"The test this month is an artistic challenge." Silence ensued this announcement as I continued, "The theme is beautiful but deadly; you will create some form of art that portrays this theme. I don't care if it's a sculpture, picture, painting, clothing, play, etc. You have two weeks; you will all have access to miscellaneous room for all your needs these next two weeks until 11:59 P.M. All projects must be in the showcase rooms by that time or you will be disqualified and we all know what that means."

Disqualification meant an automatic demotion to the 2nd floor and everyone feared that. "Ginny and I will both judge these works and then showcase them during the last week of this month for the wizarding world to see. Postings of promotions and demotions will be posted the morning after that. Granted, I will have all your comments and evaluations from customers to help me decide but these projects will be the main decision."

The room was quiet and I knew they were all thinking of what they would do. "I guess that's all, you all are still obligated to your customers as you know, so if your work with them suffers based off this project, you'll hate the consequences. Remember, up to one partner, the minute you leave this room, the contest begins."

There was a scramble and everyone headed out of the room to begin their work. Ginny looked over at me, "This is going to be an interesting round."

"I thought so, this will bring out the creativity in everyone and I think it will make a nice showcase."

Ginny stood up, "I agree. What made you pick that theme?"

I shrugged feigning innocence, "It just popped into my head."

Ginny nodded, "So Carl huh?"

I laughed, "I told you! He is certainly something."

We left the auditorium amidst the frantic commotion of those in the contest, Ginny relaying back the details on her night with Carl as we headed out to go shopping.

oOOooOOooOOo

We got back in the evening, the hustle and bustle of my prostitutes gone for the most part. Ginny looked exhausted from all our shopping and I could feel the exhaustion myself.

We reached our floor and she headed into her own suite as I let myself into my office. Giselle was still there organizing files. "Back from shopping I see." Giselle said smiling.

"Yeah, I didn't feel like working today, but I do now. Any messages?"

Giselle nodded and muttered a few words and a large stack appeared in front of me. "Lovely." I replied and headed towards my office, the stack levitating behind me.

"Oh Ms. Granger, I almost forgot. Draco has been waiting for you for the past half an hour in there."

I turned to look at her, "Really?"

The secretary smiled sheepishly, "I got side-tracked."

"Uh-huh." I teased, "Okay well, whenever you're ready to go you can."

"Well you see, Ms. Granger, Draco asked me on a date for tonight."

I blinked, I suddenly felt emotionless as I replied, "No problem, I'll make sure we get done quickly."

She smiled, "Okay. Thanks!"

I nodded and headed into my office. I cast the security spell and knew that whatever would be said in my office was strictly between him and me.

I dropped my purchases on the leather chaise by the double doors and he turned to look at me. He already had a glass of brandy in his hand and looked to be in his element. "So going to fuck my secretary tonight huh?" I asked as I pulled off my jacket and hung it on the coat rack.

He smirked at me. "Aren't we feisty this evening? What does it have to do with you?"

I made my way over to my desk, sat down and propped my expensive new pumps on the desk. "Nothing. What the hell do you want?"

He seemed thoroughly amused, "I came to say hi, ask your secretary out and get a glass of brandy."

I fumed, he was doing this to annoy me and make me regret my decision last night. "I see. No plans or legitimate reasons to stand in my office?"

He set his glass down and began to loosen the cuffs of his white shirt. "Well." He said as he pushed the sleeves of the shirt up his arms, "I wanted a good fuck while I was here too, but I wasn't willing to pay such a high price for you, so I settled for a cheaper price."

It was then I noticed he was severely pissed and I was slightly taken aback by his dark tone. "What's gotten into you?"

He smiled, "Oh, you're concerned now?"

"Of course I am you're acting weird."

"Weird? How about disturbed?"

I was starting to feel frightened, "Draco, what's going on?"

He came up to the front of my desk and leaned forward. "They're talking Granger."

My eyes widened, "What do you mean?"

"The Dark Lord has been hearing rumors that there are underground groups conspiring against him. He thinks that people in his inner circle are involved."

I swallowed, "Meaning you."

He was silent, "Not necessarily me, but others are being watched and suspected of involvement."

I pulled out my wand and whispered a variety of complex spells that I knew would block out any intrusion, no matter what. This was a series of spells that I only used in desperate times, if anyone wanted to contact us, they would have to wait until I deactivated this spell. "It's time isn't it?"

Draco nodded, "It's time Granger, everything we've been doing is starting to take its toll and now its time for us to start planning for the final stage."

I nodded, "How do we get in touch with these groups."

"They've already started contacting me. They've been doing it very subtly, like I received a list of numbers by route of a tortoise in my backyard. My house elves found the tortoise in the backyard and I was surprised to see it eating the watermelon in my garden. I lifted it up and there was a small scroll attached to the bottom of its shell."

I knew I looked shocked, "Where is the tortoise now?"

"Its here." He pointed to a small box sitting by his boots near my door.

I got up and went over to it. I deactivated the illusion charm on it so I could open the box and there it was, a tortoise the size of an overturned salad bowl munching on a carrot. "He's adorable."

Draco rolled his eyes, "Granger, it's a messenger not a pet."

I stuck my tongue out at him as I touched the tortoise's shell.

"You better not do that again or you'll regret it."

I noticed his eyes were a little darker than usual, "I'm not in the mood to play that game with you right now, have you decoded the list?"

"I have, they want both of us to meet them tomorrow night at six."

"Where?"

"We have to go underground to where the tube used to run and apparently one of their members will meet us. We have to wear black hats so they can identify us."

"This sounds risky and how do we know it's not a trap?"

He nodded, "I know. The tortoise was a rather ingenious way of communicating though I have to admit. I'm still trying to think of a way that we can meet with them knowing it's not a trap."

I knew how torn he was, this was very difficult because if we got caught we'd be killed in seconds flat. "How did they know to contact you?"

He looked at me, "Good question." He started pacing at that point. "I didn't even think of that, how did they know to contact me. No one knows what we do except for us."

"There are two options to go with; it's a trap and they wanted to see if you'll go for it. Or someone knows about us and told the underground rebel groups."

Draco looked bothered as he sighed and looked at the tortoise now trying to look over the edge of the box he was sitting in. "We still have some time to figure this out, I'm going to think about it and I'll come to you tomorrow night and we'll discuss this."

I felt cold suddenly, "That's right, you made plans with Giselle."

He didn't make eye contact with me, "You said you didn't want us to be that way."

I knew he was right and I didn't like it. "What would you have me do? I have a business here and if we were together it would complicate it. You know that my business is the only reason I'm alive and I risk jeopardizing my life if it was threatened."

Draco came up to me, his eyes were full of emotions and I couldn't pinpoint any specific ones as I searched his grey irises. His hands cupped my face and he stared into my own confused eyes, "I don't know what I want. We have a lot of work in front of us and I guess you're right."

He dropped his hands, "Keep the tortoise, I don't know what to do with it." He pulled on his boots and jacket before heading to the double doors.

I deactivated all the spells and walked him to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow night then."

He nodded before leaning down to brush his lips against my forehead. "Bye."

The minute the doors closed behind him, I locked down my office, grabbed the tortoise and headed into my own rooms. I sealed my office behind me and locked myself in my rooms. I went out on to my balcony and set the tortoise down on my futon. I sat next to it and lit a cigarette; it was going to be a long night.

"So what do I call you?" I asked my new pet, regardless of what Draco said, this tortoise was now under my protection.

It scratched at the box, its head peaking over the edge of the box. "I suppose I'll call you Henry." I finally surmised after I watched it. "You seem determined to get out of that box."

Henry just kept scratching and finally I decided to make a little spot for it out on my deck. I conjured a 4x4 gated spot with grass and a nice little house for him by my futon. I spelled a security tarp over it to cover it in the rain so he wouldn't get wet and protect it. After it was finished I let Henry in his new habitat and conjured some food for him before laying down on my futon to watch him.

It was soothing to watch the tortoise; he didn't seem inhibited by me or scared as he ate his way through different types of lettuce. "Where did you come from?" I asked him. Of course he didn't respond, he hardly even glanced at me in response but I was curious.

I took a drag as I flipped over on my back to look up at the sky. So it was time to start to win our world back. I know that I miss being able to walk the streets and see muggle coffee shops and antique shops but these of course didn't exist anymore because all the muggles had been murdered in the first year of Voldemort's rise to power.

Another thought occurred to me as I was nostalgic for the things I had grown up with, I hadn't been in my library in a long time. I got up off my futon leaving Henry to his meal and into my bedroom. I hardly ever went into the downstairs area of my apartment because I was either entertaining someone (either a man or woman, sometimes both), sleeping, in my office, or on the balcony.

My downstairs consisted of a muggle kitchen, a living room and then a door leading to my library. I padded through my kitchen and towards my library. I opened the door and strong smell of leather and books filled my senses. The lights automatically went on and lit up the two story high room with books lined up on every inch of it. There was a spiral staircase in the center and a ledge that led to the upper half, most of these books I had stolen from Hogwarts after the Dark Lord had deemed it abandoned. This was after I had established the Dollhouse and no one had bothered to take the books, so I felt free to keep them for myself. I was already a felon in the eyes of the law so I didn't feel guilty, these books were apart of me.

I ran my finger down the spines of some of my favorites before choosing one to sit down and read. I curled up in a big recliner in the corner near a Victorian style lamp and began to read.

It wasn't before long that I began to fall asleep and before I knew it, light was pouring into the library and morning had arrived.

oOOooOOooOOo

I was summoned to my entertainment rooms by a man named Ryat R. Ephort; he had bought a 7 hour time frame with me. My entertainment door glowed blue and I knew he had arrived so I drew a deep breath before heading over to it. I opened the door and went through the silvery sparks and entered a forest setting. I was clad in only a long loose forest green tank top, one of the oddest outfits I'd ever worn. There was a mossy bed in the center of the clearing and a man lay on the bed watching me.

I walked over to him; he had bright blue eyes and short brown hair. He was very handsome and he appeared to be inspecting me. "Mr. Ephort?" I asked quietly.

"Yes, are you Ms. Granger?"

I nodded and waited for him to make some form of a request. He had asked for everything possible in regards to sex and had paid for it all in galleons so he basically owned me for the next seven hours.

He studied me for a little longer, "I know you're curious and I'm still rather confused as to what I paid for. I've never been to one of your establishments before, so could you tell me what I'm supposed to do."

I stared at him, I'd never come across someone who didn't realize they had paid for sex. "You're at a brothel, Mr. Ephort. You requested every service available and paid for it, so what would you like to do?"

He laughed his voice husky and deep. "I understand that, I just didn't understand how this works. Please call me Ryat."

I sighed and played with the edge of the tank top that was barely covering the tops of my thigh, "Well, do you want to have sex?"

He stared at me, "With you? Yes, I did pick you for that reason."

"Okay, then do you want me to undress or pleasure you first?"

His eyes were unreadable, "You would do that for me, Hermione?"

His tone startled me, it was familiar and I couldn't realize why. "You paid for it, so I will do whatever you want me to do." He was making me uncomfortable and I hadn't felt like this in years over the act of sex.

He got off the bed and stood in front of me, "I would rather pleasure you, if that's okay?" He replied quietly and I was at a loss for words.

Usually men came in here and dropped their pants telling me to suck them off. He was so far the oddest customer I've had. I didn't reply as he leaned forward to kiss me. He kissed me softly, gently touching my tongue with his and I wrapped my arms around his neck.

We stood there kissing, his hands wrapped around my waist before he pulled away. He searched my eyes for something before picking me up bridal style and placing me on the bed. He sat down next to me and leaned down to kiss me again just as soft and gentle as before.

He began to kiss his way down to my neck before coming back up to kiss me on my lips again. He suddenly stopped and pulled away, "Can I remove your shirt?"

I stared at him and then nodded lifting my arms; he pulled the light fabric off of my body leaving me completely naked. He studied my body intently, I was glad that all my scars were hardly visible anymore except for the one on my hip and the design on my back. I had been stabbed and the knife had dragged its way up to my belly button. Ryat gently touched it, I felt exposed as he traced it, a frown on his face. "How did you get this?" He asked me quietly.

I found it to be very personal, no one ever questioning me about it before. "I was tortured." I replied softly.

He nodded and leaned down to kiss it. He kissed his way from the start on my hip to my bellybutton before continuing to my breasts. He placed a kiss on both the nipples before raising his head to meet my eyes. "May I see your back?"

I stared at him in shock, "Why?"

A small smile appeared on his face, "I think a woman's back is incredibly beautiful."

"Mine isn't."

He frowned, "May I still see it?"

If he hadn't been so sweet or a customer, I would have refused so I flipped over and heard a sharp intake of breath. "That's the dark mark." He said.

The scars on my back had been carved by a whip and a knife to form that cursed mark. "I know."

He seemed to sense my uneasiness. "I'm sorry." He said and then I felt his lips kiss my back. "Could you turn over again, please?"

I did as he requested and looked up to see him completely naked, his skin pale and I also noticed a few scars along his chest. He leaned forward to kiss me again and this time he was gentle but more urgent, he kissed his way down to my breasts and took one into his mouth as he laved the nipple. I arched into him before long, clutching his head to my chest. It wasn't often that a man took such time pleasuring my body.

He gave the same attention to the other breast before kissing his way down my stomach. It wasn't long until he propped my legs over his shoulders and inserted his tongue into my core. I was moaning his name as he licked and sucked, it wasn't long before I screamed his name and came.

He gently put my legs down on the bed and pushed them apart, I felt him slowly enter me and then his lips met mine in a deep kiss. His strokes were long and deep as I met his hips slowly with mine. He kept eye contact with me urging me to come. I cried out his name as I came a second time. He went a few more strokes before burying his head in my shoulder crying out my name and coming to his own release.

We lay there breathing heavily after and I was in shock. Men came through, wanted rough sex and hardly ever let me come before they pulled out. It was sick in some ways; they would leave me hot and bothered and ask me to suck them off again before engaging in sex again. Ryat had been sweet and hadn't demanded I do anything. I wasn't quite sure how to respond and then I felt the room change, people randomly put in requests for a room change ever hour that they were in there.

The room changed and suddenly we were both at a lake in the middle of the forest setting. Ryat offered me his hand and we walked into the water. It wasn't very deep as it came up past my chest and the water was crystal clear.

Once again he kissed me softly and I could feel his erection against my thigh. He was very thorough as he lightly bit my lips; I played with his hair and pulled him against me.

It went on like this, it was never just sex, he was sweet and gentle with me the entire time and by the end of the seven hours I didn't want him to leave. He kissed me once more before his time was up and I almost melted into a puddle of goo as I made my way into my own rooms. I closed the door behind me and felt my clothes return, I lay against the door with a big smile on my face before sinking to floor against it. In all my years doing this a man had never been so respectful and loving towards me.

"Granger."

I must have jumped a foot in the air as the voice interrupted my thoughts. Draco sat in my office staring at me, "What the hell?" I yelled.

He looked shocked, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

I stood up and glared at him. "I was just with a client."

His face paled and little red flares of anger appeared on his face. "I see. Do you always come out of there as if you're in love?"

"Of course not! I just enjoyed his company; he's probably the best I've had in a long while."

Draco looked annoyed, "Oh. Well, anyway I'm here to talk you about Wednesday. So could you please come back to earth and pay attention?"

I shot him a nasty look, "Okay, let's head into my rooms. I need a shower."

He nodded and followed me into my suite. He was casting the security spells around my suite as I headed into the bathroom. He followed me and I quickly stripped off my clothes, knowing he was watching before getting into my shower.

"Is it safe?" I asked him as I turned the knob and the water started pouring out of the showerhead.

"Yes, it's safe. So here's what I'm thinking, we should go."

I let the water fall over my body as I thought about his idea, "I think you're crazy."

He was silent for a few seconds before replying, "What else can we do?"

"I should go, not both of us."

"Why you?"

I sighed as I washed the soap off of my body, of course he wouldn't let me go alone, but it was the safest option. "Draco, you have easy access to the dark lord right now and we need that. If this was a trap and they caught me, it wouldn't be the first time and then they'd finally kill me."

"Hermione, this isn't about suicide. I can't let you go alone."

I quickly rinsed the conditioner out of my hair before getting out of the shower. He was watching me again as I wrapped a towel around my body. "If they kill you, I have no inside to what's going on. At least they could never trace you back to me; you still would have a chance. I'm going, you're not and that's the end of it."

He glared at me, I knew he didn't like it but I was right. We couldn't go together, that was too risky, but if I went then at least he could finish it off without me if something happened.

I walked into my bedroom and into my closet; I grabbed a big t-shirt and shorts to change in. He went out on to my balcony, probably to see Henry. Once I was dressed I joined him, he was feeding Henry a carrot. "You're taking good care of him." Draco said.

I smiled, "He's got a nice little habitat to live in for now."

Draco nodded and took a cigarette from his pocket; he lit it and offered me a smoke. I took it and took a long drag before collapsing on the futon. He sat next to me and we passed it between us, Henry eventually went inside his house leaving us alone.

"I'm going to follow." Draco finally said as if contemplating on when to inform me.

I looked at him, "Draco, if you got caught, it would be the end. I can handle myself damn it. I know how to kill in milliseconds flat. You trained me damn it."

"I know and I don't doubt it, but I would never forgive myself if they killed you."

It was an awkward silence after that; I was confused on how to reply. "I know." I said quietly, "But if this it, we have to take risks that won't get us both killed."

He smashed the end the cigarette out. "Okay, but I'm still going to follow you. There's no problem in that, I'll wear and invisibility cloak if it makes you feel better."

I sighed, "Fine. So it's set that I will be meeting with them, if something goes wrong you must not get involved. I'll be okay on my own, I can handle myself if someone comes at me they won't know what hit'em."

He nodded and stood up, "Okay, I'll come see you before Wednesday. I'll let myself out."

I didn't watch him go but instead laid down to stare up at the sky as I was prone to do. I could hear Henry scratching inside his house and not long after that I fell asleep.

oOOooOOooOOo

Okay then, I can't believe I wrote this chapter in a day. I hope you all like it; I think I'm going to continue with this story so please REVIEW. I'm sorry for the long spans in-between updates; school is the number one priority in life.

Please Review.

Hugs and Cookies.