Disclaimer: I don't own H/H. JKR does. She's a goddess! I'm just borrowing them for your entertainment. =)
Thanks for all those who read the first chapter of this!! More to come!
~*~
Quiddtich and the Ever After
~*~
Chapter Two:
"Hi, it's me."
Harry was shoving groceries into the cupboard of his kitchen as he listened to his messages. Since he lived in a flat in Muggle London he'd become adapted to using many common use items such as the telephone and accompanying answering machine.
"I suppose you're out, but I just wanted to call and remind you of the favor I asked of you last night. Not that I thought you'd had too much to drink and that you wouldn't remember!"
Harry smiled to himself at the sound of Hermione's voice rushing out an excuse. He slightly shook his head in amusement as he went back to unloading his grocery bags.
"Anyway, I was hoping we could start soon. I only have a month until my and Timothy's anniversary. I also know you are going to be rather busy with league finals coming up and National team bids being announced soon."
Harry nodded as he moved to the refrigerator and began putting items into it. It was true that the upcoming month would be very busy for him.
"Even if you know you're the shoe in for England National Team's Captain!"
Harry blushed slightly at the praising tone of her voice, but quickly shook it off and continued to listen to the message.
"So when you get this message, give me a call so we can get together. Love you. Bye."
Harry sighed with contentment at the sweet, loving tone of her voice. Even if he disapproved of her dating Eton, she was his best friend. He loved her too dearly to let something like that come between them. Walking over to the answering machine that had just shut itself off with a beep, Harry picked up the portable phone resting next to it. With smooth motions he'd committed to memory, Harry dialed Hermione's flat. Cradling the phone on his shoulder, he continued to put away his remaining groceries.
"Hermione Granger," her soft voice answered after a bit of shuffling noises from the telephone being picked up.
"Hi gorgeous," said Harry, smiling at the mere sound of his best friend's voice. He put the last of his groceries away and took the receiver in hand as he made his way into his living room to take a seat on the couch.
Hermione giggled a bit at the other end of the phone at his compliment. "Flatterer."
"I try," said Harry laughing a bit himself. It made him genuinely happy simply hearing her voice. By now, he had his feet comfortably resting on a coffee table.
"So you got my message?" asked Hermione.
"Yes, just now. Sorry, I was at the grocery store," said Harry needlessly apologizing for not being there when she'd called.
"That's all right. What's a good day for you to start this week?" she inquired.
"How about tonight?" said Harry smiling at the thought of being able to see her that night. He hoped he wasn't sounding overeager. He did really want to get some alone time with her. Between his time with Quidditch and her time with Eton, their alone time was far and few between.
"Um…actually that sounds like it will work out. I can't think of anything else I'd planned to do," said Hermione with a cheerful note to her voice.
"Great!" said Harry a bit too enthusiastically.
"It's what, two p.m. now? Would you want to come over for dinner, then go out flying after that?" said Hermione, her voice lowering a bit when she added the dinner part.
"Sounds good. Did you want to go out for dinner, or…"
"I'm cooking," she smiled cutting him off. "I'll see you here at five p.m. sharp, alright? And no jokes that I can't cook. You know very well Mrs. Weasley taught me well over the past few summers."
"Yes, ma'am," said Harry with a large smile.
"Well, I better go to the grocery store then so we can have something to eat. See you soon. Goodbye, Harry."
"See you," Harry clicked off the portable phone and lazily set it down on the couch next to him. He took a long relaxing stretch before getting up and heading to take a shower. He wanted to appear his best to Hermione at dinner.
~*~
Harry looked into his large bathroom mirror at his reflection. His normally messy dark brown hair had been combed smoothly into place. Its bit of length still gave it somewhat of a roughish look. A few loose pieces danced across his forehead, hiding his trademark scar. He tugged at the collar of his burgundy dress shirt. He'd worn it with a casual pair of khakis. The burgundy shirt was Hermione's favorite. It reminded her of their Gryffindor days. Naturally, Harry had chosen it on purpose. After pulling at his collar for a while, he decided to undo the top button. Finally satisfied, Harry gave a quick glance at his watch.
:: 4:55 ::
Hastily, he dabbed on a bit of his favorite cologne, leaving the bottle open on the counter as he ran into his bedroom. Grabbing some shoes from the floor next to his bed, he hopped around trying to get them on with one hand while grabbing his broomstick out from under the bed with his other hand. In his haste to see Hermione, he'd nearly forgotten it. When he finished, he grabbed his wand off of his dresser and muttered a quick shrinking spell on his broom that was still inside its protective traveling case.
Glancing at his watch again, Harry discovered he only had two minutes left. He turned and grabbed his long, black, button-up wool coat off his bed and threw it of. Tossing his broom and wand into a pocket, he disappeared with a small pop.
~*~
A moment later, Harry reemerged in an alley way around the corner from Hermione's. It was the designated place Hermione had deemed safe for he and Ron to use when Apparating to see her in Muggle London.
Straightening his coat, Harry casually strolled around the corner, down the sidewalk, and up the steps until he was waiting at the front door to her complex. Scanning the roster next to the door, he found "GRANGER" and pressed the call button next to her name.
"Right on time," Hermione's sweet voice replied as the door buzzed, allowing Harry to go upstairs. He glanced at his watch as he went. It was five o'clock on the dot.
"Good job, Potter," said Harry quietly to himself as he got on the lift and headed up to Hermione's flat. What seemed like forever later to him, Harry finally arrived at her door. After a gentle knock, she answered. Harry had to control himself from dropping his jaw at her attire. She was wearing a long-sleeved white oxford with the top and bottom buttons undone as well as the sleeves, allowing the slighting view of her stomach and cleavage. Her long, fitted grey pants dusted the floor, barely showing her bare toes poking out the end of the cuffs. Her long hair flowed down her back in a cascade of curls, and she'd put on a bit of makeup.
"Harry! Hi!" said Hermione as she stepped through the doorway, breaking his stare and giving him a hug. He gladly wrapped him arms around his best friend. He even wagered a small inhale, noting the sweet familiar scent he attributed to her.
Breaking apart, she took him by the hand and led him into her flat. Harry closed the door behind them. Releasing his hand, Hermione offered to take his coat and placed it on the antique coat rack she had near the door.
"I'm really glad we're getting a chance to hangout," said Hermione with a smile. They were standing in her quaint, elegantly decorated living room, warmed by the fire she had going.
"Me too. I miss not seeing you. Everyday for seven years in hard to give up, even if it's been awhile since we graduated," said Harry, watching the distant fire dance in the reflection of her eyes.
"I know what you mean," said Hermione, dropping her voice and her gaze from him. Harry looked at her oddly, wondering about the change in her reaction, but it was fleeting as her head shot up and she smiled saying, "Are you hungry? I'm starving! How about we go eat?"
"Alright," said Harry, gladly following Hermione into her dining room. He awed when he saw what she'd set-up. The lights had been barely dimmed, not enough to be seen as romantic, just peaceful. Two long-stemmed candles had been set in the middle of the round, four-person dark wooden table. Two plates sat across from each other, dished with delicious looking chicken and broccoli fettuccini that he didn't doubt she'd made from scratch, without magic.
"Well…?" said Hermione nervously, taking her seat as Harry slowly sat down into his.
"Hermione, this looks…amazing! I don't deserve all this," said Harry smiling at her from across the table as he unfolded his napkin and strew it across his lap.
"Thanks," she mumbled, blushing and gazing down at her plate.
"You really didn't have to work so hard…"
"I want to make sure you know how much I appreciate you helping me… For Timothy," she added.
"Of course," Harry gave a forced smile at the mention of his name. "Can I?" he asked picking up his fork and pointing it toward the food in front of him.
"Oh! Of course! Please, enjoy," she said, picking up her own fork and delving into it.
Harry swirled some pasta on his fork and rose the bite into his mouth, "Mmmm…wow Hermione! This is really delicious!" Harry praised her cooking as soon as he'd swallowed his first bite.
"Thanks," said Hermione sheepishly as she took a small, delicate bite into her mouth.
"And it's still warm. Heating charm?" said Harry with a grin before he took another heaping bite.
"Of course," said Hermione, spearing a single broccoli floret.
"This really is nice. You out did yourself. I'm not used to such treatment." Hermione blushed as Harry spoke. "I bet Timothy loves this; you making him dinner and setting it up like this, I mean," said Harry between bites.
"Actually, we never do this together. Timothy always insists we go out. He says he likes to show me off to his public," said Hermione, her voice a bit disheartened.
"Then he has no idea how much he's missing out on," said Harry softly while keeping his gaze on her until her eyes would meet his. She smiled softly and he back before Harry returned his attention to his delicious dinner.
Hermione stayed relatively quiet throughout the rest of the meal. Harry gave her the occasional glance wondering if Timothy was the reason for her sudden change in demeanor. Every time she spoke of him, her smile seemed to fade away. Just seeing her unhappy twisted his insides. If in any way Timothy was the cause for even a drop of her unhappiness, Harry was going to make sure he'd pay for it.
~*~
Harry helped Hermione with the dishes after the meal, then let her put some shoes and a sweater on before heading out for her flying lesson.
He sat on Hermione's couch fiddling with the shrunken broom in his coat pocket while she changed. When she emerged, she was wearing a black v- neck sweater over her white oxford and now had shiny Doc Marten's poking out from under the cuffs of her grey pants. She was sliding a black pea coat on as she walked up to him.
"Ready to go?" he asked rising from the couch, his long black coat flowing out behind him as he stood.
"Yes," she replied, not looking up while she did the buttons of her coat up.
"Great," said Harry, walking over to the front door and opening it for her, "After you."
"Why thank you, Harry," she beamed as she walked past him. Harry followed and stuck his hand in his pocket, taking a hold on his wand as he pulled the door shut. Turning the wand in his pocket, he muttered a locking spell before catching up with Hermione.
"You did not!" she frowned, crossing her arms as he walked up next to her. She hated it when he used spells for things he could easily do manually.
"What?" said Harry, challenging her with his trademark boyish grin. Hermione just scoffed loudly and defiantly turned her head from him. "You look like a Muggle tonight," he suddenly teased.
"Harry," she laughed, "I AM a Muggle. Besides, you look pretty Muggle yourself tonight." She enjoyed the friendly banter. It was always something she could count on with Ron and Harry. Unfortunately, conversations with Timothy were always so serious. Not that she minded though. She liked Timothy for who he was not for who he wasn't.
"I did live with them for the majority of my life," said Harry.
Hermione stuck out her tongue then smiled and shook her head as they walked toward the Apparation point around the corner from Hermione's flat.
"Are you ready?" asked Harry, holding out his hand toward Hermione once they were safely out of sight from the Muggles wandering the streets.
"Where is it that we're headed?" said Hermione flashing Harry an apprehensive look. Still, she gently laid her hand in his. As she did so, his fingers curled softly around hers.
"Just trust me," he winked as the pair disappeared with two small pops.
~*~
"Where are we?" asked Hermione as she felt the ground materialize beneath her feet. Her eyes still remained close in respect for Harry's wishes to surprise her. Uncertain of her footing, she kept a tight clutch onto Harry's hand.
"A piece of land that I bought out in the countryside. Don't worry; no one can see us here. I've set up multiple Anti-Muggle charms, as well as Invisibility charms around the exterior so no one will even see that we're here, witch, wizard, or Muggle alike," said Harry as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He was really enjoying the feeling of her delicate fingers entwined with his. He didn't know where the desire came from, but somewhere in the back of his mind screamed for him not to let her go.
"Can I open my eyes now?" said Hermione. Harry watched in amusement as her eyebrows rose while she spoke in an attempt to keep her eyes sealed shut.
"Sure," he laughed as he watched the large chocolate-colored orbs flutter open. Hermione took a few moments to glance around before her eyes settled into lock with Harry's.
"It's beautiful here," said Hermione in a soft, appreciative tone.
'That's not the only that's beautiful here,' thought Harry as he absently-mindedly let his thumb rub up and down the side of her hand. Suddenly, he froze, realizing what he was thinking and doing. This was Hermione, his best friend. He had absolutely no romantic feeling for her. Harry shook his head as he let her hand fall from his. Unnoticed by both, a frown crossed their two faces as they lost physical contact with one another.
"So flying, right?" said Harry with a large, pasted-on smile. He pulled his broom out of his pocket, enlarged the case, and began fiddling with his now regulation-sized broom inside.
"Right…for Timothy." said Hermione in an odd wistful tone that Harry couldn't quite read.
"Okay, all set," he smiled. "You can still pick it up, right?" He smiled, remembering the few lessons Hermione had received during their first year at Hogwarts.
"Of course," she said in a dignified tone as she marched over to the broom Harry had so carefully laid out on the grass. It was his most prized possession after all. "UP!" demanded Hermione as she stretched out her hand and watched the broom fly into her grasp. She turned to Harry and tossed him her classic know-it-all look.
"Great, now hop on," said Harry as he watched her with a bemused smile.
Hermione's eyes flicked nervously, albeit quickly, toward Harry as she saddled up. After she was settled, she gave a quick nod to herself, then turned her attention toward an awaiting Harry.
"Great, now kick off," said Harry, still watching. Hermione nodded in assent then pushed off the ground. She wobbled a bit as the broom rose a few feet, causing her to lean forward and nervously clutch the handle. "Are you all right?" asked Harry with a bit of concern as he walked over next to her.
"Ya…no," she said letting go of the handle and flinging herself onto Harry's chest. She was still seated on the broom, but her entire upper torso was now being supported by Harry.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, it's okay," said Harry as he wrapped his arms protectively around her and began stroking her hair. "Here," said Harry as he tried to move. Hermione's grasp tightened before he did. "It's okay, I'm just moving behind you. You only have to let go for a second." Harry voice was soft and gentle as Hermione sat up and slid slowly from the embrace. He slowly lowered the broom with a steady hand so that he could get on.
"Okay, thank you Harry," she mumbled. She couldn't bring herself to look him in the face, she was too ashamed that after all these years, she couldn't even bare levitating a bit off the ground.
"Okay, just relax," said Harry softly as he slid onto the broom behind her. He could feel Hermione relax back into him as he slid up closely behind her. "Now, we'll just have to do this together until you're comfortable," said Harry as his arms slid around her waist to grasp the broom handle in front of her. "Ready?"
"Yes," said Hermione, the trepidation still obvious in her voice. Harry could feel her cringe as she waited for them to leave the ground.
"One…Two…Three," said Harry as he gently kicked them off the ground to hover a few feet above it. As soon as they rose, Hermione hands flew up to tightly clutch around Harry's. "Are you ok?"
"No, but I have to learn," said Hermione with a shaky voice, "Besides, I know you'll never let me fall."
"Never," said Harry into her ear as he pulled up on the handle amd lifted the broom higher into the air.
Hermione sighed and let her eyes flutter shut as Harry's lips brushed her ear. His caring voice worked like and intoxicating drug, relaxing her to the point that she almost didn't realize they were traveling higher up together. 'Stop this!' her mind screamed at her. 'Harry is your BEST FRIEND. You are doing this for Timothy; Timothy your boyfriend. Now just relax and this will be over soon enough.'
"Still doing okay," said Harry again into her ear. He couldn't help speaking so closely to her. He loved the feeling of her proximity too much for his own good.
"Yes, thank you," said Hermione as she willed her eyes open and glanced down. She tightened her grip on Harry's hands slightly as she realized how high they'd climbed. "I can do this," she said softly, almost under her breath.
"Of course you can," said Harry. "Now try pulling the handle up a bit."
Hermione nodded and pulled up on her and Harry's hands. It was a bit jostled, but the broom rose a few more feet. "I did it!" Hermione turned her head a bit toward Harry's behind her.
"Good job," smiled Harry. "Now tip the handle down a bit. Not so hard this time and it will go more smoothly. Just press down slightly."
Hermione bit her lip a bit in concentration as she followed Harry's orders. She couldn't help but smile to herself a bit as the broom responded to her subtle directing.
"You're doing so well," beamed Harry. He really was proud at how quickly she was getting the hang of it.
"It's not so bad after all," said Hermione as she leveled off the broom let it glide through the sky in a small left to right pattern.
"Good," said Harry tightening his arms around her and firmly gripping the broom himself.
"Harry, what are you doing?" asked Hermione at his sudden action.
"Nothing," he smiled with a devious tone to his voice.
"Harry...OH MY GOD!" she screamed as he sped up the broom and headed into a downward dive. Hermione continued to scream, even as he pulled the broom up and began zipping through the sky. "Please, please, please stop!!!" She begged.
"Why?" he smiled coyly against her ear. He was having way too much fun to stop and continued looping and swirling his broom around in the graceful manner he enjoyed so much. "Just relax, it's fun."
Hermione bit her lip and willed her eyes open. After a minute of extreme flying, she began to realize there was no way Harry would let anything ever happen to her. She felt so safe in him arms, she began to relax and watch the sights around her as they flew by in unrecognizable blurs. Suddenly her breath caught in her throat, it was actually quite exhilarating zipping around on a broomstick. She'd never given it enough of a chance to realize how thrilling it really was. Before she knew it, an amused smile had creped its way across Hermione's face.
"Why Ms. Granger, it look as if you might be actually enjoying yourself for once," laughed Harry as he felt Hermione relax and noticed she seemed to actually be having some fun.
"Oh bug off, Harry," said Hermione, attempting to give him a stern look. She failed miserably as she giggled just looking at the pouting lip her gave her in return. "Do you have to always do that?" she playfully ventured a hand off the broom to slap him in the arm.
"Only for you," he dropped his voice as his lips brushed her ear yet again. Hermione's eyes fluttered shut for a second. She didn't understand what was going on, and she didn't really care. All she knew was that she was having the time of her life, and the only person she wanted to share it with at that moment, was Harry.
End part 2
Let me know if you want more chapters! ;)