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Hermione and Andrea stood outside the Slaughtered Lamb in NYC on a balmy summer evening. They decided to wear flapper dresses. They were waiting for Nigel to show up so they could join the Gangsters and Ghosts Tour on ghosts and speakeasies. It’s the first time that Hermione is going to meet him. “Andy, why are we doing this tour?” Hermione arched her eyebrow at her lover. “I mean, I don’t mind going to pubs for a drink or two, but this?”
“Listen, my Love,” Andrea kissed her softly on her lips, “I always wanted to do this particular tour, and I knew it would pique Nigel’s interest.”
“Six, are you trying to say that I am old?” Nigel walked up to them dressed in a long scarlet pinstriped suit, a black shirt underneath, a solid dark cherry tie, black dapper shoes, and a matching fedora on his head.
“Nigel!” Andy wrapped him into a big hug, “How is my fairy godfather?”
“Wait, you two call each other names?” Hermione interrupted their greetings.
“Sorry, Love,” Andrea smiled at her lover, “Hermione, meet Nigel Kipling,” she gave him a half squeeze before she let go. “Nigel, please say hello to the woman that has captured my heart, Hermione Granger.”
“Hello, Hermione,” Nigel smiled at the young woman as he shook her hand, “I understand that you had a run-in with our illustrious former boss, Miranda Priestly.”
“Former?” Hermione inquired, “Oh wait, I believe your friend, Emily, mentioned that you work elsewhere.”
“Yes, I work with James Holt, a fashion designer,” Nigel bobbed his head.
“Oh, how is James? Still making that lethal punch of his?” Andrea lit up at Nigel’s answer.
“Yes, and I think our tour guide is ready to go,” Nigel jerked his head.
“Yes, welcome to the Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl in Greenwich Village! We will see ghosts, hear spooky stories, and hopefully hear a werewolf howl.”
“Oh, bloody hell, darling, really werewolves and ghosts,” Hermione shook her head.
“What, Hermione?” Andrea looked at her in surprise, “I thought it would be fun to find Theodosia Burr’s ghost, but my question is, are you afraid of these things because I didn’t think to ask you that?”
“Pish Posh,” Hermione waved her off, “I’m fearless, remember?” Hermione arched her eyebrow.
“Ah, yes, my fearless love,” Andrea kissed her on the lips.
“Are you two ready to go in?” Nigel snickered at them as the guide held the door open for them.
“Sorry,” The ladies apologized as they entered what looked like an old-fashioned speakeasy from the 1920s.
“We have used this for a locale for shows that watched to do a past show or reminisce-type show.” The tour guide piped up. “We will try to see if we can hear the lone wolf.”
Hermione snorted, “I forgot to take notice. Is there a full moon?”
“No, It’s only a half moon,” the tour guide at her oddly. “When the speakeasies came to New York, they had fronts or/and a hidden door to keep them away from the cops or federal agents looking to shut them down. This particular one was where Aaron Burr’s lovely daughter likes to haunt.”
“Nigel, are you enjoying yourself?” Hermione walked up to the bar and tapped it three times. Someone placed three shots in front of her. “Oh!” The older witch passed them out and raised her. “To friends!”
“To friends!”
“To friends!”
They clinked their clear shot glasses together and tossed them back.
“Oh, man, I have forgotten how strong the moonshine gin is,” Nigel puffed his breath out.
“I know; I haven’t had something like strong since James’s party,” Andrea remarked.
“Andy, did you forget the Christmas party at the Weasleys’?” Hermione gazed at her lover. “with how George spiked it near lethal.”
“Is that the party we ended up crashing at your place instead of mine afterwards?” Andrea stared into her golden brown eyes.
“Yes, that’s the one,” Hermione bobbed her head.
“You mean someone can make it stronger than James Holt?” Nigel appeared surprised. “I need to meet this fella.”
The couple shared a look, “Well, Nigel, we could invite him to one of our parties next time you are in town since he always adds a bit of fun to them.”
“Really,” Nigel tapped the bar once, “One Brandy Alexander, please.” The bartender placed the drink before him, “Thank you.” He swirled his glass as he thought about what she said. “I know James is going to the London Fashion Week in September. I can extend my vacation/work week a few days.”
“We need to move to the next area,” the tour guide nudged them out, causing Nigel to gulp his drink down fast. “The fresh air will help.” The three of them joined the group and listened to the guy talks about the stories of ghosts of teens that died in the early 1920s due to the lousy moonshine.
“Oh, man, I think I will be grateful that I didn’t live that era,” Nigel took out a handkerchief to wipe his brow. “And why did I wear a full suit?” looking down at himself.
“Because it wouldn’t be you, Nigel,” Andrea squeezed his arm, “Plus, I bet James wanted you to show off one of his suits.”
“I see you still remember your lessons,” Nigel smirked.
“Her lessons?” Hermione looked puzzled. “I thought Runway was a magazine.”
“It is dollface,” Nigel purred, earning him a whack in the arm. “What?!”
“No, sweet talking to my girl, Nige!” Andrea’s eyes flashed, “Plus, get your guy.”
“I did, sweetie,” The older man grinned, “and I am so happy.”
“Great! Who is it?” Andrea perked up at the news, which made Hermione laugh at her. “What?”
“You are worse than the gossip rags,” Hermione giggled, causing Andrea’s face to scrunch up. “Sorry, darling, but it is true. Although you don’t report it like some that I know.”
The next thing they knew that they were near the end of the tour when Andrea realized that they were at Down the Hatch. “Nigel, have you been here before?”
“Yes, once or twice if James and I want to escape the cameras. I even came here once with your former friend, Doug.” Nigel looked over his glasses at her.
“Wait, Dougie is gay?” Andrea looked at him in surprise before tipping her head, thinking. “You know, that all makes sense now.”
“What does, darling?” Hermione rubbed her back before looking at the bartender, “Three house drinks, please.” The two of them looked at her in surprise. “What?” She arched her eyebrow. Andrea shivered at the sight.
“Hermione, feeling a bit frisky with the drinks?” Nigel tilted his head. “Andrea, you have it bad for this young lady.” Andrea blushed as Nigel studied the British woman with them. “Wait, you never did tell me what you do for work?”
“Oh, I just work for the government,” Hermione tried to wave him off.
“Andrea must love the powerful women,” Nigel gave her a knowing glance.
Andrea nearly choked on her drink. “Nigel! I do not have a thing for powerful women!”
“I think she protests too much, Hermione, don’t you?” Nigel wagged his eyebrow. “You mean to tell me you weren’t at least infatuated with Miranda?”
“What?! No, I had only mutual business respect for her,” Andrea shook her head, “Plus, I adore brunettes with brown eyes that sparkle in delight, like I know she has at the moment.” She kissed Hermione deeply, much to his delight.
“Get a room, you two.” Nigel broke the smoking kiss. “I don’t want them to call the cops on you for setting this place on fire.”
The two ladies started to crack up at his bad pun. “Seriously, Nigel, please let me know if you are coming in September. We can celebrate Hermione’s birthday in style and bring James. Tell him he needs a quick sojourn before you go to Milan.”
“We aren’t doing Milan; we would be gearing up for Paris, but you are right.” Nigel gave them a quick hug, “Thank you, ladies, for a lovely evening,” Nigel reached into his jacket's inner pocket, pulled out a business card and a pen and wrote his cell number on the back before he gave it to Hermione, “Please don’t hesitate to call or message me when you have an idea of the meet-up. I am sure you will see signs for the London show.”
“Will do, Nigel,” Hermione hugged him before letting Andrea hug him. “We will be in touch.” Hermione smiled as he walked away. “He’s nice.”
“Yes, he is, my love!” Andrea wrapped her arms around Hermione’s waist. “Let’s go back to the hotel and,” Andrea whispered into her ear, “have hot, steamy sex,” Hermione shivered at the hot breath over her ear.
“Bloody Hell!” Hermione kissed her lover hard before pulling her out of the bar into the alleyway and apparated them to their room for early morning lovemaking.