Chapter 3 - The First Step
"Oy, Harry!"
Harry, who was warming-up a little on his broom before the training started, looked down and spotted Ron waving to him. He grinned and landed right next to his best friend.
"This is a surprise!" he said, shaking his hand. "What brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be at your own training?"
"I'm on my way there," Ron answered. "But I thought I might come and see how you were doing. Is Hermione giving you a hard time?"
Harry smiled. "Not really. I think she'll be done with her inventory tonight."
"Thanks God," Ron said. "Then why don't you two come to the manor tonight? We can all have dinner together, it's been a long time since the last time we did."
"If I remember correctly, last Friday we went there..."
"Well, a week is a long time, my friend!" Ron exclaimed, frowning. "Come on, Liz will make something delicious."
"Sounds great, I'll ask Herm," Harry said.
Ron folded his hands in his pockets and stared at Harry curiously. "So...?"
"So... What?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"Did you buy it?" Ron asked, lowering his voice. He was obviously referring to the engagement ring.
"I'll go today during the lunch break. Remus suggested a great place to find what I'm looking for," Harry said. He had a very clear idea of what kind of ring he wanted to give Hermione.
"Remus Lupin? The one I know?" Ron asked, amused. "Since when does he know so much about engagements?"
Harry laughed and shrugged. "You should hear some of the advices he gave me."
"I'd love to hear them, so save it for tonight, now I have to run..." Ron froze in the middle of the sentence, his gaze fixed in something beyond Harry's shoulder.
Harry looked at him, curiously. "Ron?"
Ron shook his head and turned to his friend. "Sorry, but I would've sworn I saw Cho Chang going into the changing room."
"Well, it was probably her, the training is about to start..."
Ron arched his eyebrows. "What?"
"I said that the training is..."
"No, not that part! What do you mean it was her?"
"Oh, didn't Ginny tell you?" Harry asked. "Cho is the new Chaser. Remember I told you that Willis left the team? Well, Oliver called her, and next day she was here."
"Does Herm know?" Ron asked, as if Harry had just told him that someone had just died.
"Umm, yeah, she was here when Cho arrived... Why are you looking at me like that?"
Ron eyed his best friend. "Well, it's just that I don't think she is very happy with the idea of you and HER working together."
Harry frowned, not understanding what Ron was trying to say. "Why?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "And they say I'm thick... Because she's your ex-girlfriend and..."
"Hey, hold on just a second," Harry cut him off. "Cho was never my girlfriend in the first place. We only had one date!"
"If I remember correctly, you hanged out a lot with her when we were in our sixth year," Ron argued.
"Well, yes, but there wasn't any romantic interest involved then, we were just friends. She was going through a hard time and I..."
"Helped and supported her, I already heard that," Ron muttered, smirking. "But she was your first crush... That might make Herm uncomfortable."
"Why on Earth would she be uncomfortable? Hermione is not some jealous freak, Ron."
"Oh, sure she isn't," Ron snorted remembering how many troubles had caused Hermione the last time she had been jealous.
"But she has no reason now..." Harry protested.
"Weasley!" Harry and Ron turned around. Oliver Wood had approached to them with a slight smirk. "Spying on the enemy? Are you afraid we'll beat Puddlemere again?"
Ron laughed. "Terrified," he said. "Well, I must go now. Harry, good luck with... erh you know," he said, rubbing his finger significantly. Then, he noticed that Cho and the rest of the team were already there. "And remember what I told you!" he yelled, before disapparating.
* * *
As soon as Oliver announced they would have an hour and a half for lunch, Harry put his things on his locker and waved goodbye.
The jewerly store that Remus had talked to him about was in a very fancy neighborhood in London. It was a wizard store, named "Bonds". The dependant was a witch that must have been about 60 years old and squealed when she realized it was Harry Potter himself the customer that had just entered.
"I'm so honored, Mr. Potter!" the woman said, wiping the tears from her eyes, while Harry lowered his head, uncomfortable. "I knew this day would come! I knew that, just like your father, you would once come to my humble store..."
"My father?" asked Harry, now interested.
"Oh, certainly. He came here about 27 years ago to buy an engagement ring... It was such a beautiful wedding," the woman blew her nose.
So that was the reason why Remus had suggested that store. Harry smiled and started looking at the rings displayed in pretty blue velvet boxes.
"So," the woman said, regaining her composture, "what kind of ring are you looking for? Gold? Silver?"
"Silver," Harry said, knowing that Hermione didn't like gold too much.
"I see... What about this one?" she showed him a pretty silver ring with an emerald on it.
Harry frowned. "No, no green," he said. It wasn't that he didn't like the color, but silver and green reminded him too much of Slytherin.
The woman showed him about twenty different rings, but none of them was what Harry was looking for. The ring he was going to give to Hermione had to be perfect and unique.
"I know!" the woman said suddenly. "I think we might have something you'll like inside. It was just made a few days ago..." she disappeared inside the store and came out a few minutes later, carrying a red box. She opened it for Harry to see the ring.
It was love at first sight. The ring was absolutely stunning. It had only two small stones, a ruby and a zapphire. It was so simple, and yet so perfect, that he knew right away that had to be the one.
"I'll take it," he said, grinning. He had finally found it.
"Harry?"
He turned around, slightly surprised that someone was calling his name. His surprise was bigger when he saw that Cho Chang was standing in the store's entrance, smiling at him.
"Cho... Hi, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I was just passing by," she said, waving her hand, casually. "I stopped here to look at the shopwindow, and that's when I spotted you inside." She approached to him and looked at the ring he was holding. "Is that an engagement ring?" she asked.
Harry nodded.
"I didn't know Hermione and you were getting married," Cho commented, still smiling.
"Well, I haven't proposed to her yet," Harry said. "Hey, maybe you can give me your opinion about the ring," he added, showing it to her.
Cho took it and looked at it in every angle. "It's pretty... But don't you think it's a little bit plain? Women like big diamonds and stuff."
"Oh, no, Hermione doesn't like that kind of jewerly," Harry said, paying for the ring.
"We still have an hour before we have to go back to the Pitch," Cho said. "I was on my way to have some lunch, would you like to join me? In that way, you'll be able to tell me how do you plan to propose to your girlfriend. I'm sure you have a fascinating idea."
"Ok, let's go," Harry accepted. He turned to the old woman. "Thanks a lot, ma'am. Can I ask you a favor?"
"Anything," she said, eagerly.
"If the press happen to come here and ask you what I was doing, please don't tell them anything. It would spoil the surprise."
The woman grinned. "Of course. Descretion is our motto."
* * *
It was unbeliavable. Thanks to Harry and Ginny's help, I had been able to finish all my work by 1 o'clock that afternoon. I was free, finally! And I who had though I would have to work the whole Friday.
Liz had just flooed me to the office to invite Harry and me to have dinner with Ron and her that night, and I accepted immediately. It had been a whole week since I had spoken to either of them, and I was starting to miss sharing time with my friends without worrying about those stupids reports.
It was early and I still hadn't had lunch. I though that maybe I could invite Harry to have lunch with me. I hadn't thanked him properly for staying with me the whole night. So I went to the Cannon's Pitch to look for him.
"Hey Hermione!" Oliver greeted me. He was working on some complicated chart he probably was planning to show the team later.
"Hi, Oliver," I said, smiling. "I'm sorry, but I didn't bring any sandwiches today."
He groaned. "Damn, I was hoping you would."
"I came to look for Harry."
"He went out. As soon as the break started, he disapparated, and I have not the slightest idea where he went."
"Oh," I said, puzzled. Harry almost never left the Pitch during the breaks. Usually, when I wasn't there, he spent that time flying around or chatting with his teammates. I scanned the place. Almost everyone was there, expect for...
"Where's Cho?" I asked.
Oliver shrugged. "She went out too, I think. Do you want me to tell Harry something?" he asked, turning his attention to the chart again.
"No, nothing. I'll talk to him later. Bye!"
* * *
I was reading a book in my living room when I heard noises in the apartment next door, meaning that Harry was home. It was about six o'clock. I immediately apparated there, and he jumped when he saw me.
"Geez, you scared me," he said, putting his hand in his pocket.
I looked at him curiosly. "Why? I always apparate here..."
Harry blinked. "Aah, of course, it's just that I thought you were at the office..."
I smiled. "No, I already finished everything."
"Really?" He grinned and hugged me, kissing the tip of my nose. "That's great. I don't have to share you with those reports anymore," he said.
"Actually, I finished quite early today, thanks to you," I said, kissing him briefly in the lips. "I was hoping we could have lunch together today, so I went to the Pitch to look for you," I started.
"You...went to the Pitch?" Harry pulled away. "I'm really thirsty," he said, going to kitchen and pouring some orange juice in a glass. I followed him.
"Yes. You weren't there, though," I said with a casual voice. "Which was a bit strange, since you don't like to leave the Pitch during lunch breaks. So you must have a had a really important business..."
"Aaaah... well, I went out with...Ron," he said slowly.
"Ron?" I asked.
"Yes, that's right! Ron dropped by and we had lunch together," he said quickly.
I relaxed immediately, feeling relieved. "That's great!" I said. Why had I even worried?
"Yeah, he want us to go to his house tonight."
"I know," I said, "I spoke to Liz."
"So, are we going?" he asked.
"Of course. I really miss to have a social life, you know?"
"OK, then," Harry said, caressing my cheek. Then, he smirked. "So, you said that you finished your work earlier with the help of whom?"
"Hey, don't get so cocky, Potter! Ginny helped me too," I said.
"But she didn't stay the whole night, did she? And I'm sure she didn't have to review the files from 1875, like I did..."
"Oh, so that's how it is," I said, pulling away and glaring at him, playfully. "You help me and then throw it in my face. Or is it that you want something in exchange?"
"Mmm, that doesn't sound bad," he said, with a thoughtful expression.
"OK, what is that you want for your valuable help?"
"I was thinking something like this..."
He pulled me closer and gave me a long kiss. Oh, how I love this man. I never thought that I was ever going to fall like this for a guy. "Falling in love" had always been on my "to-do-list", just above of "getting married" and "have a family", and below "being a professional". But Harry had changed my world. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's the truth. Being with him is the best thing that has happened to me.
"So, does this pay my debt?" I asked, when I was able to catch my breath.
"I'm not sure, maybe if I try again..."
* * *
"It was delicious, Liz, you certainly have to teach me how to prepare this," I said.
"That sounds like an impossible task," Ron commented, hiding his grin behind his glass of water.
I glared at him. "If Harry'd let me step in the kitchen more often, I could improve my cooking."
Harry smiled. "I don't hear you complaining when I cook for you almost every night."
Liz giggled. "I'm going to wash these..."
"Oh no, you're not," Ron said, standing up. "Harry and I will take care of the dishes, won't we Harry?"
"Uhm, sure..." Harry said.
I looked at both of them. That kind of comments coming from Ron could only mean that he wanted to talk about something with Harry privately. Harry followed Ron into the kitchen and they closed the door behind them.
"Well, what do you say if we go to the garden? It's a lovely night and we could catch up," Liz said, standing up with difficulty, due to her big belly.
We sat on a bench, right outside the manor. I remembered all that had happened in that place almost a year ago, and I smiled inwardly. So many things had changed... I used to hate Liz, and now she was one of my best friends.
"So, I heard you've been really busy this week," she said, smiling.
"You bet," I sighed. "But it's over. I won't have to worry about this until two more years. From Monday, I'll be having a normal day at work."
"So, you'll still be working a lot," she chuckled.
I turned my head to look at the house. "I wonder what they're doing..." I said.
"You mean Ronnie and Harry?" Liz asked, smiling slightly.
I nodded. "Yeah, 'Harry and I will take care of the dishes'?" I snorted, mimicking Ron. "They don't even have to wash them! They just use the cleaning spell, and that's it. Ron has never been very subtle when he wants to talk to Harry alone."
Liz didn't say anything, and kept smiling.
"Do you know something that I don't?" I asked, staring at her.
"Oh!" she said, touching her belly. "He just kicked me!"
"What?" I asked, turning to her. I knew that probably the baby was moving a lot, after all he was eight-months, but I have never been there when he 'kicked' Liz.
"Do you want to feel him? He's moving," she said, grabbing my hand.
A little apprehensevely, I let her put my hand on her belly. Although I loved children, I had never been around too many babies, since I am an only child. I felt something moving inside Liz. It was the weirdest feeling, but I grinned excitedly.
"Amazing," I muttered.
"I know," she said beaming. "I'm afraid he'll be as quiet as Fred and George."
We both laughed, picturing how that was going to be.
"Do you want to have children, Hermi?" she asked me, suddenly.
"Well... Sure I do..."
"You don't sound very convinced," she pointed out.
"Oh, no, I'm pretty sure about it, I love children, I would love to have a big family, but I'm not very sure if I'd be a good mother..."
"I understand, I feel the same way," Liz said. "Actually, I don't think there's a woman in the world who isn't afraid of becoming a mother. But I'm sure you'll be great. You had a lot of practice with Harry and Ron." We laughed. "Harry will be a good Dad too."
My smile faded a little.
"What is it?" she asked.
"It's nothing, just that I... Well, everyone seems to be so sure that Harry and me will... you know, but..."
"But what? Don't you want to start a family with him?"
"Yes I do," I said immediately. "But maybe, we're not ready yet."
Liz leaned back, interested. "What do you mean? You feel like you're not ready to get married?"
"No, actually, I think I am," I said, lowering my voice. "But I don't know how Harry feels about it."
"You think he doesn't want to marry you?"
"I don't know... Maybe he does, just not yet. We've been together for a year and we have never talked about this. Don't you think it's weird?"
She shook her head, smiling. "Not really. There's not a proper time for a talk like that, until it happens, Hermi," she said, in that wise tone she always had when we discussed about our relationships.
I sighed, staring at the sky. "I've wanted to bring up the subject, specially lately, you know? But I'm afraid of what he might say. What if he thinks it's too early? Or maybe he just doesn't want to get married..." We fell silent for a while. "Ron and you were quite brave. I don't know if I would have the guts to marry someone I had just met."
Liz laughed. "You know, if someone had asked me two years ago if I would do what I did, I would've certainly said 'no way'. But it was different with Ronnie. He's such a wonderful person... He cares about me so much. He leaves everything else when it comes to me or his soon-to-be-born son. Like today, for example..."
"What did he do?" I asked, with interest.
"He skipped his lunch to go with me to St. Mungo's to check on the baby. Can you imagine what it was for him to lose a whole meal?"
I laughed, knowing that Ron hated to miss lunch, but then I froze. "Wait, did you say that Ron was with you at lunch hour?"
"Yeah, he came to pick me up at 1, and we stayed together until he went back to his training..." Liz said, puzzled. "Why?"
Harry had told me that he had had lunch with Ron... He had lied. But why would he lie to me? Unless... Cho Chang wasn't there...
"What is it, Hermi?" Liz asked, worried.
"It's nothing," I said, smiling weakly.
What was going on?