Disclaimer: I own nothing that has anything to do with Harry Potter. All that stuff belongs to JK Rowling. I just wanted to play in her world a bit to make mine seem more fun.
Chapter 6b
"What am I going to wear?!"
"Ok, relax," Hermione muttered, taking a deep breath. "You've got plenty of clothes and time. How difficult can it be?"
Back at Godric's Hollow, Harry was sitting in the kitchen, still debating whether or not (and how) to tell Victoria what Lily had said. He knew it was his responsibility to talk to her about it, especially since it was partly his fault; he did leave her in the middle of Hogsmeade on the High Street. But part of him wanted to chuck it all and just be done with her.
"Girls," he groaned to himself as he rubbed his temples. "Too much trouble they are. At least this one is."
"You know, talking to oneself is a sure sign of insanity," a friendly voice cut into his thoughts.
"Hey Sirius," Harry replied without facing his visitor. "Are all girls so difficult to deal with and please?" He then proceeded to tell Sirius of what had transpired over the course of the afternoon; he mentioned the run-in with Victoria, how she treated Lily, and receiving a Howler from her. He wisely left out the part about him and Hermione ending up on his bed; somehow he knew he'd never hear the end of it.
Sirius listened intently, trying to figure out what to tell Harry. "Ok," he started slowly. "Where would you like to begin?"
At the confused look Harry threw him, Sirius elaborated. "Do you want advice on how to deal with Victoria? How to break-up with her? Whether or not you should?" he trailed off gauging Harry's reaction.
"Well, I do want to break up with her," Harry began. "I have for a while and I guess this incident was the breaking point."
"When I was your age, I would have just stopped talking to a girl and treated her horribly until she was so mad, she'd break up with me," Sirius admitted.
"Padfoot!" Harry admonished. "That's so immature."
"I'm not proud of it," Sirius added. "It's the way I was. Now I'm above that."
"OK. So what do you suggest?" Harry asked.
"Well, as much as I am an expert on women," Sirius paused when Harry started howling with laughter. "I would suggest actually talking with one about this. Each and every one of them is crazy and they all know how the female mind works to manipulate us men."
Harry raised an eyebrow, thinking about what Sirius had said. "Not all women are manipulative," he mumbled. "Hermione isn't."
Sirius smirked, having heard that last bit. "I'm sure she is to some degree; she manipulates Bagman all the time."
"An ape could manipulate him!" Harry argued and Sirius had to agree.
"Be that as it may, talking with a woman will help you break Victoria and her motives down," Sirius stated.
"I guess you've got a point," Harry replied. "I could talk with Ginny or Luna about it," he added, referring to the girlfriends of his mates Neville and Ron, respectively.
"Or…" Sirius prodded.
"Or Mum," Harry stalled.
"Or…" Sirius pushed, more forcefully.
"Mrs. Weasley; any one of the 5 of them," Harry drawled, enjoying this little game.
Sirius looked as though his eyes were going to pop out of his head or he was going to strangle his only godson…possibly both. "Don't you know of any other girls you could talk to?" he asked, sounding desperate. "Someone, perhaps, whose name begins with the same letter as yours?"
Harry pretended to think long and hard about it. "Can't think of a one," he answered cheerfully, smirking all the while.
"Hermione," Sirius spat. "Get your stubborn arse out of the house and go talk with Hermione!"
"Relax, Padfoot," Harry replied easily. "I'm meeting her for dinner and drinks in an hour. I'll talk with her then."
He turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving a slack-jawed Sirius stammering in his wake, to go get himself ready for his 'date' with Hermione.
Upon entering his room, the first thing Harry noticed were the bags from the different stores in Hogsmeade; the ones Hermione had filled. A smile made its way to his face as he remembered the afternoon. He could wait another hour before seeing Hermione or he could just pop on over quickly-she may need these bags now.
There was really no argument and Harry grabbed the handles and Apparated.
"AHHHH!"
A piercing scream greeted Harry and he stumbled backwards and landed on his bum. "It's me! It's Harry!" he said quickly.
"Harry!" Hermione gasped, putting her hand to her heart. "You scared the shit out of me!"
"I'm sorry!" Harry stuttered. "I should've flooed first. I am so sorry!"
Now that her heartbeat was getting back to normal (or at least as normal as it could be around her new friend) Hermione was able to see the humor in the situation. Harry sprawled out on the floor, bags -her bags, Hermione noted- spread out around him, looking adorably lost.
Hermione smiled and extended her hand to help Harry. He grinned sheepishly and grasped the hand to pull himself up. He picked up the bags and offered them to Hermione. "I thought you might be missing them," he said shyly. "I didn't know if you'd need them for tonight."
"Thank you, Harry," Hermione replied. "That was really sweet of you."
During this brief exchange, Harry hadn't looked at Hermione; really looked at her. His eyes widened as he finally took her in.
Upon seeing his reaction, Hermione's brow furrowed and she glanced down; it was then that she noticed she only wearing a -very short- dressing robe. It was closed all the way, but still allowed a hint of cleavage to peek through.
Both seemed to be at a loss for words and the sudden tension in the air was tangible.
"So, um, I guess I'll be going," Harry said after a minute or two of shocked silence. "I still need to get ready."
"Me too," Hermione replied, still blushing. "I'll see you in a little while."
"Sure thing," Harry answered. "Bye Hermione."
"Bye Harry," she responded.
Harry smiled weakly and Disapparated with a *pop*.
"That was so embarrassing!" Hermione muttered. "I can't believe he saw me in this." She briefly considered canceling for the evening but decided against it; it would just make it all the more awkward the next time they'd be together. No, better to face it head on and get it over with.
Forty-five minutes later, Hermione stood in front of her mirror, adding the finishing touches to her attire. Even she had to admit she looked good-something she rarely did; Hermione prided herself on not being as vain as her old dorm mates.
"Hermione?" a voice called through the fireplace and she grinned in recognition.
"Yes?" she replied.
"Is it, uh, safe, to come over?" the voice continued.
"Of course," was the answer.
"Ok, see you soon."
A moment later, a pop was heard, and a very nervous looking Harry Potter stood in the foyer, eyeing the entrance way. "Hermione?" he called.
"Hi Harry. I'll be down in a minute. Have a seat," Hermione answered.
Harry sat on the couch and was greeted by Desse, who jumped on his lap in excitement. "Hello to you, too," he said scratching the Crup in her favorite spot.
"I think she likes you more than me," Hermione's voice was laced with humor.
"I told you, all the ladies love me," Harry joked back, standing to greet the young woman.
'No argument here', Hermione said to herself, while she quirked her eyebrow and smiled slightly in response.
'Aha. She doesn't deny it; she even smiled,' Harry thought triumphantly. "Ready to go?" he asked aloud, his spirits high.
"Sure," Hermione responded. "Although I am a little nervous about meeting your friends," she confided.
"Don't worry. If you can handle my dad and Sirius together, this will be a piece of cake," Harry reassured her.
Hermione visibly relaxed and Harry put his arm around her, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "All you really have to do is watch out for Ron "The Octopus" Weasley."
He'd scarcely finished his sentence before Hermione felt the strange sensation of side-along Apparition. One day -just ONCE- she was going to get him back.
When Harry and Hermione arrived, she shot him a mock glare and he smiled cheekily in return. They walked through the people standing in line, Harry guiding Hermione with his hand on the small of her back. "Hello," he said once they reached the hostess.
"May I help you?" the girl replied, sounding bored.
"You sure can, Sunshine," Harry answered smartly, causing Hermione to swallow a giggle. "Longbottom, party of 6. Has anyone else arrived?"
"Yes," she responded shortly. "They're at the bar. Your table will be ready in about 15 minutes."
"Thank you so much for your help," Harry answered sarcastically. "Have a great evening."
He steered Hermione toward the bar, earning a smack on the arm in the process. "Ow!"
"Harry, there was no need to be rude," Hermione stated sternly, her eyes dancing with hidden laughter.
"Little Mary Sunshine started it," Harry retorted, feeding off Hermione's obvious amusement.
"Hiya Harry!" a voice cut in, interrupting Hermione's playful retort.
'Thank you Neville' Harry thought. "Hey Neville," he said aloud to the brown-haired boy. "Hi Ginny," he added, dropping a kiss on the cheek of the red-headed girl entwined with Neville.
"Watch it, Potter," Neville growled jokingly. "She's mine now."
Ginny giggled and kissed Neville. "Just where I want to be," she murmured against his lips. She kissed him again and pulled away, both grinning widely. "Hi Harry. How is my favorite Potter?"
"Well, Mum's good. So am I, thanks for asking," Harry joked back. "I want to introduce you two to Hermione Granger," he added, subconsciously pulling the girl closer. "Hermione, this is Neville Longbottom and Ginerva Weasley. We were all at Hogwarts together," he explained.
"Please call me Ginny," Ginny replied, grasping Hermione's outstretched hand. "My mum is the only one who calls me Ginerva."
"The only one who gets away with it, you mean," Neville whispered conspiratorially. "Neville Longbottom. I bunked with this one all seven years at Hogwarts. I can tell you anything you want to know about Mr. H. Potter."
"Hmmmm," Hermione said, pretending to mull it over. "I may take you up on that offer."
"Count me in too," Ginny declared. "There are things I can tell you, too," she added impishly.
Neville and Harry exchanged nervous glances at the grins Hermione and Ginny wore. "So, Hermione, would you like something to drink?" Harry asked, trying to change the subject.
"Yes, please," she answered. "I'll come with you."
"We'll be right back," Harry said. "Do either of you need anything?"
"No, I'm ok," Neville replied and Ginny nodded her agreement.
Hermione and Harry headed to the counter to get their drinks, Harry once again unconsciously placing his hand on Hermione as they went through the crowd, as though he was afraid of losing her in the shuffle.
Harry managed to get the attention of the barkeep; or rather he sauntered over when he laid eyes on Hermione.
"What can I do for you, love?" he asked, openly starring at Hermione.
"Sex on the beach, please," she replied off-handedly, her mind wandering to Harry's hand at her hip; she did not notice the phrasing of the question asked of her.
"Aren't we forward," the man answered roguishly. "I'll get you the drink now, on me of course. Maybe you can get me the same later…and I'm not talking about the drink."
Hermione felt Harry tense and he pulled her close, until their bodies were flush against each other. "How about you get us each a white wine. We'll have our own sex on the beach later. And I'm not talking about the drink either, mate," Harry shot back, anger evident in his green eyes.
"The name's Jack," the keep retorted arrogantly. "And I think you've already had too much to drink, mate. It's time for you to leave."
"Well, Jack, why don't we ask the owner and see what he says," Harry replied evenly.
"Sure thing," Jack responded smugly. "Although it's fair to warn you he always backs his staff." Jack turned and left, presumably to retrieve the owner and tell him his side first.
"Not this time," Hermione heard Harry muttered. When she turned to look at him, he only smirked in reply.
'Well this should be entertaining,' she thought, relaxing against Harry's chest. He tightened his hold on her and she smiled, enjoying the closeness of their bodies.
"This is the guy I was telling you about, Mr. Finnegan," Jack's voice carried as he walked back, breaking into Hermione's thoughts.
"Hey Seamus," Harry said casually, much to Jack's dismay and Hermione's amusement. "How are Lavender and the girls?"
"Harry!" Seamus Finnegan exclaimed happily at seeing his old friend. "Lav and the girls are great! Anna is three now and Sara is 18 months, just toddling all over the place. How are you?" He glanced at Hermione, curiosity written on his face at their intimate positioning.
"This is…" Harry broke off to glare at Jack, who's ears had perked up. "Do you mind?" He waited until Jack skulked off before continuing. "This is my friend, Hermione Granger. Hermione, Seamus Finnegan, owner of this fine establishment. Incredible business sense, lousy judge of character," he stage-whispered.
Seamus laughed good-naturedly. "It's nice to meet you, Hermione."
"Likewise," Hermione answered, smiling kindly at the Irishman. "It's nice to meet friends of Harry."
"We're just waiting for Luna and…"
"Oi! Potter! What the hell is taking you so bloody long?" a voice was heard over the din of the crowd at the bar.
"…Ron," Harry finished lamely, shooting Hermione an apologetic look. She didn't have a chance to ask before Harry was pulled away roughly and slapped on the back by a tall man with hair the same colour as Ginny's. With him was a subdued blonde girl, wearing what looked like bottle caps around her neck.
Ron finally noticed Hermione standing close to Harry and punched him in the arm. "You finally dumped that cow! About bloody time is all I have to say. Never liked her much. Stupid slag."
Harry stood there open-mouthed and Hermione could only stare wide-eyed; words were lost on the two.
"What?" Ron asked, confused at the look on his best mate's face.
"Victoria," Harry nearly spat out the name. "And I are still together," he added softly. 'At least technically,' he added in his head. "This is my friend Hermione Granger."
"Oh." Ron was dumbfounded and his face was beginning to change colour, starting with his cheeks and the tips of his ears. "I'm sorry, Harry," he added rapidly.
Harry finally blinked and offered a weak smile. "It's ok, Ron. Could've happened to anyone," he said lightly.
"Yes, but only my Ronald would speak first and ask questions later," when Ron's companion spoke, her voice was low and breathy.
Everyone laughed, the tension broken, if the words not forgotten. Ron's face went a deeper scarlet, although he too laughed. "One of the things you love about me, Loony," he said affectionately.
"Well, she's the only one," Ginny quipped, walking up behind him.
"Table's ready," Neville broke in before the Weasleys started having a go at one another.
The group followed the hostess, who was considerably more friendly since Seamus was with them, to a large round table in the back. Seamus left them to eat, with promises to catch up later in the night. They settled into their seats and Hermione vaguely noted the three girls were on one side, while the boys were on the other; she herself was situated with Harry to her left (for which she was grateful) and the blonde -'Luna,' she mentally corrected- to her right.
Dinner went off without a hitch, probably because Ron's mouth was so full of food, there wasn't room enough for his foot as well. Hermione winced once or twice when she glimpsed small bits of chewed food fall from his lips.
"He used to be much worse," Harry whispered in her ear, making goose bumps appear. "He now actually chews and swallows before shoving more in."
Hermione didn't know whether to laugh or be ill, so she settled for a slight smirk. "Makes me kind of glad I missed out on it at Hogwarts," she replied in a low voice.
Harry coughed, caught off guard and Hermione innocently reached for her water glass as three of their four dinner companions turned their attention to the couple. Harry grabbed his glass and drained it in one gulp. "Went down the wrong pipe," he explained, his eyes still a bit watery. He shot a sideways glance at Hermione who removed the cup from between her lips and gave him another smirk.
Harry found it difficult to look away; he was mesmerized by Hermione's mouth, the way one side was quirked upwards made her lips look very plump and kissable.
An elbow to his left side brought him back. "Ow! What was that about?" he grumbled.
"Had to get your attention somehow, mate," Ron jibed.
"Anyways," Neville said, drawing the interest away from Harry. "I was just asking where everyone wanted to get to. Is everyone in for staying out or do you have somewhere else to be?"
"It's up to Hermione," Harry said automatically, earning a shocked look from Ginny. "She has to be up early tomorrow for work," he quickly explained.
"I do," Hermione confirmed. "But it's still early, so we're in."
Once again, a surprised look came across Ginny's face; one that was missed by everyone else. She was getting a strange feeling in her stomach, like butterflies, only worse; it was a feeling she'd had before where Harry was involved and she didn't particularly like it. A squeeze from Neville's hand on hers brought her back, although the smile she sent him was forced.
"Any ideas?" Ron inquired.
"We could go to the Three Broomsticks," Ginny suggested, knowing it was Harry's favorite place.
"We always go there," Harry replied quickly. He wasn't particularly interested in going back to the scene of the crime, so to speak, and he didn't think Hermione wanted to either.
"Well, we could try The Lion's Den," Luna proposed.
"Says the only Ravenclaw in the group," Neville joked.
"Neville!" Ron hissed. "Not in front of the M-U-G-G-L-E!"
"Hey Ron," Hermione interjected. "I do know how to S-P-E-L-L!"
Harry chuckled at the double meaning, while Ron looked around wildly and reached for something in his pocket. "Hermione, did you know that Ron and Ginny are related to Fleur?" Harry asked conversationally.
Ron stopped in his tracks. "How do you know Fleur?" he asked suspiciously.
"School," Hermione replied vaguely. "Although she mostly knew me as the person who bothered her endlessly about the Tournament held at your school in my fourth year."
Ron was too flabbergasted to get any words out, as the others grinned at the faces he was making. He finally gave up and sat back, defeated. "I'm always the last to know," he grumbled mostly to himself.
"Ronald, do you remember the last Quidditch World Cup?" Luna asked, seemingly out of nowhere.
"Do I ever!" Ron responded enthusiastically. "England finally won because that stupid seeker got distracted by some slag in the crowd! Can you believe it! I sure would like to kiss her one day. Er, just as a thank you," he added swiftly.
"Would you settle for a handshake and not calling me a slag?" Hermione retorted.
"Blimey!" Ron exclaimed. "It really is her! I mean you! I mean, I thought you looked familiar, but…cor! Harry, do you know who this is?!"
"We've discussed it," Harry joked back, putting his arm around the back of Hermione's chair.
"I thought we were trying to pick a place to go out," Ginny interrupted rudely. "Not talk about things that happened ages ago that nobody cares about anymore."
"Gin, don't be so rude!" Ron admonished. "It's just cool, is all."
"Oh yeah. Real cool," Ginny retorted sarcastically. "Meeting someone who probably used an illegal love potion to pull the match. It's most likely the same one being used right now," she added nastily. "Since Harry already has a girlfriend."
Everyone at the table was shocked by Ginny's outburst. Everyone, that is, except Hermione; she just looked uncomfortable with the situation. Ginny was the most outspoken advocate for Harry and Victoria breaking up. Why she would suddenly say something like that was lost on the rest of the table.
"It was a pleasure to meet all of you," Hermione began quietly. She did not want a repeat performance of earlier in the day, although she wasn't quite sure why Ginny was behaving so coldly, when she was so warm when they were first introduced. "I should take my leave. There are things I have to get together for tomorrow anyways." She didn't miss Ginny's triumphant smirk. "Goodnight.
"Goodnight, Harry," she said turning to him. She gave the shocked boy a light kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow morning. Thank you for dinner."
With a weak smile, Hermione Apparated to her flat, just as a few rogue tears fell from her eyes. She laughed mirthlessly. Ginny must be an ex. It's the only logical explanation, she deducted.
At the restaurant, Harry was finally coming out of his stupor. "Ginny Weasley, that was totally uncalled for! You don't even KNOW Hermione!" he said angrily.
"Maybe not, but I do know her type!" Ginny argued back. "She's just after the Potter legacy and your celebrity!"
"You would know," Ron mumbled inaudibly.
"Actually, Hermione has been friends with my parents, Remus and Sirius for some time now," Harry answered, his voice oddly calm. "Dad is the one who introduced us. She knows all about the 'Potter Legacy' as you call it. And she doesn't care."
"Oh," was all Ginny could say.
"Oh," Harry mocked. "Grow up, Gin. Green isn't your best colour; clashes with your hair. Tell Seamus to charge my account," he addressed Neville.
Not even waiting for a response, Harry Apparated to Hermione's flat, only to find her sitting in the kitchen, staring into an empty mug.
"Hey you," he said quietly, walking to her.
"Hi, Harry," Hermione replied softly. "Why aren't you out with your friends?"
"Because you're here," he answered aloud. "And I can see them just as easily tomorrow."
"But you haven't seen them in ages," she argued weakly.
"Maybe, but you're my friend, too," Harry answered as he pulled Hermione up and wrapped his arms around her. "Besides, I have no desire to be anywhere near Ginerva Weasley right now!" he declared.
"May I ask you something?" she said into his chest.
"Anything you want," Harry answered easily.
Hermione pulled back slightly, just enough to look into those green eyes she was growing to love. "Were you too an item back at Hogwarts?" she asked.
"Yes," Harry admitted. "For the last bit of my sixth year. But it didn't last very long and I wasn't very serious about her. We haven't been together in a long time, so I'm not exactly sure why she felt she needed to act all jealous towards you."
"Jealous?" Hermione scoffed. "Why on earth would she be jealous? Especially of our friendship?" she added, the last word tasting bitter in her mouth.
"Don't be silly. Of course she's jealous," Harry reassured, squeezing Hermione. "You're obviously smart, witty and extremely beautiful to boot." He blushed at his last statement. "She probably picked up on how close you and I have become in such a short amount of time; closer than she and I ever were."
By now Harry's face was bright red, as was Hermione's. "Really?" Hermione asked quietly, disbelief in her words.
Harry pushed a few stray hairs out of Hermione's eyes and leaned down. "Really," he affirmed softly, his eyes never leaving hers.
Their faces were barely an inch apart and there was no space between their bodies. Hermione couldn't tear her eyes away and her heart was pounding like she'd just run a marathon; Harry licked his lips in anticipation and glanced at Hermione's lips quickly and then back to her face.
"Hermione," he said, his voice low.
"Yes, Harry," Hermione whispered back.
"I…"
A loud POP filled the air and the two jumped away from each other, faces flush with embarrassment at the realization of what was likely seconds away from happening. Harry couldn't help but be angry at whoever the intruder was and he noticed Hermione needlessly straightening herself up.
"I thought I might find you two here!" a male voice said cheerfully as they turned the corner and came into view. "Uh oh," he said, at the murderous glares of green and brown.
It's a good thing looks can't kill, or else Sirius Black would have been dead and buried.
A/N: Hi everybody! Miss me? HAHA! Hope you enjoyed this installment, a heck of a lot sooner than the last one, eh? As always, please let me know what you think; what needs to be fixed, how I should be murdered, etc, etc, etc. Happy Holidays to all!!!