Chapter 6: Learning to Adjust
Hermione was half asleep; trying to take very accurate notes on everything Ginny was telling her. Her series of engagement parties were looming ever closer and before such it was highly important that Hermione memorized the names and stasis of everyone worth knowing. If she was going to pull off being Mrs. Potter she had to know everything there was to know about "his world" as she'd come to call it in her mind. It all seemed to so unrealistic when this all started weeks ago but by now Hermione was beginning to find that this wasn't just some bizarre dream. People really did live like this and it wasn't exactly a cake walk. She'd wanted to strangle herself the first time she'd thought it but it really did take work to keep up with the fast life and maintain the posh appearance everyone around her seemed to pull off with no effort at all.
Ginny and the girls had put her through a crash course of charm school and were filling in her important peoples and places gaps. For all the things she'd thought she'd known having always been top of her class, Hermione hadn't known the half of the people and places she'd ingested over the last few weeks. She constantly chastised herself feeling as though she was neglecting Lily to put on some show for people she didn't really care to impress but found Lily had a schedule busier than hers if possibly. She was constantly off somewhere with Harry who was determined to make up for all the years they'd spent apart in a matter of days. Lily's room consisted of every toy the world had seen, she'd been taken to Disney World, sat first class at quidditch matches, been dressed in clothes more expensive than their former house, and treated like some lost princess finally returned to her people. She'd made the transition into "his world" quite smoothly. She was even beginning to get used to the cameras, Hermione had noted at one of their many photo shoots for some family magazine cover. Everyone wanted to plaster her and Lily on the cover of their magazine, sell a poster with them on it, even make a doll out of them. It was crazy.
Hermione spent several long nights on the phone with her step-mum and dad convinced they were her lifeline to reality. She refused to let herself be swept up by all this. They'd had to reschedule their family get together because Harry was out of town at a match and Hermione and Lily had shown up alone with Ginny. Ginny had raved for hours about the quaint little town and how she loved its unhurried peaceful manner. She'd talked about the wedding the entire dinner and had assigned each of Hermione's family members some task before they left. Hermione had been glad she brought the red haired tornado with her, it lessened the questions about Harry's whereabouts as everyone was so overwhelmed by Ginny's enthusiasm.
All Hermione craved now was a day off. Harry hadn't been kidding when he'd told her getting involved with him was a twenty-four hour job. The longer she stayed there, the more she began to worry that maybe this life just wasn't for her but Lily seemed to be enjoying being with her father so much and if Hermione would stop and be honest it really wouldn't be so bad if she'd just allow herself to be one of them. She didn't have to keep herself at the distance she was but how could she just throw caution to the wind and completely change her life, everything she'd taught herself to believe.
"Maybe we should finish later?" Ginny's suggestion cut into Hermione's thoughts, having noticed Hermione seemed to be in her own world despite the fact that she had never stopped writing. "A bit of a break's in order by now, yea?"
Hermione sighed nodding. A bit of a break was definitely in order. "Maybe we can just pick this up tomorrow? I mean, we have time right?"
Ginny looked at the tired woman in front of her and offered her a gentle smile. "Of course we do. Let me know when you're ready. Get some rest."
Hermione nodded again and watched Ginny gather up the papers around her. With another small smile she turned to leave, flipping out her cell phone and plunging into another facet of wedding plans. `Merlin, does she ever stop?' Hermione thought. `Better her than me I guess.' She made slow progress to the stairs and eventually found herself outside Lily's room. She leaned her head against the door for a moment then pulled back and knocked gently before opening the door.
"Hey you." Hermione murmured quietly seeing Lily lying on the floor reading a book, with Sirius curled up beside her.
"Hi mummy, are you not busy right now too?" Lily asked, forgetting the book in an instant and hugging on to Hermione's side.
"Thought it was about time I take a breather. Where's your father?" Hermione asked.
"He's at practice; we're going to dinner after." Lily grinned, in a way Hermione noticed she always connected with her father. Lily seemed to simply glow under his affection and never missed a chance to spend time with him.
"Oh, and where are you two off to this time?"
"Three, you're coming too. He'll know you're not busy now, so you come too." Lily pouted.
"We'll see." Hermione responded not wanting to say anything that might upset her daughter. "How about we go paint my art room now? Daddy says it's done."
"Yay, I wanted to paint with you again." Lily whispered as if it were some secret that no one else was supposed to know. "I missed painting with my mummy."
"I missed being with you too Lils. I missed being with you too." Hermione murmured picking the child up and carrying her to the art room she hadn't entered since day one which now seemed so long ago.
Hermione paused in the doorway, taking a deep breath. For a room that was still bare it was extraordinarily beautiful. The floor was no longer covered with tarps and shiny, smooth oak wooden floors gleamed before them. Staring straight ahead, she could see out into the gardens below. The pools sparkled beyond the gardens and the beauty of it all overwhelmed her momentarily as she set Lily down beside her and they both pad quietly into the center of the room. There were easels set up around the room and a couple smaller ones placed lower to the ground for Lily. A sideboard lined the right wall and was lined with paints and tools for her. On the left wall, she spotted what she figured was the art door Harry had mentioned before that would allow her access to restock her art supplies.
"Well, how should we decorate this Lily?" Hermione finally asked.
"Can we make flowers?" Lily murmured uncertainly.
"Flowers? Not a bad idea. An extension of the garden, and make it look like there's no wall there, it just goes on." Hermione murmured to herself as she spun slowly taking in all the room. She moved closer to the glass and surveyed the garden for a minute as Lily watched her. Picking up a blank sheet of paper and a pencil from the sideboard then began sketching out the room she was envisioning. Lily clambered up onto the sideboard and watched over Hermione's shoulder as the idea began to take life on paper. The upper walls would be blue with clouds and enchanted to change with the weather outside so it would look as though they were outdoors. The lower walls would be covered with flowers and shades of greens and yellow for grass and be enchanted to sway with the wind whenever a breeze made the flowers outdoors dance.
Hermione removed her wand from her back pocket and flicked it, turning the walls a beautiful sky blue. Leaving Lily sitting on the sideboard, Hermione found some sponges and ventured into the closet to find a dark green paint and some trays to pour the paint in. Setting them down on the sideboard, next to Lily, she gave her wand another flick to protect the floor from spills. Hermione checked the labels on the paint cans to be sure there was nothing harmful in the paint and cast a spell the vent the fumes from the room. After prying open a can she filled two trays, set them on the floor near a wall, and gestured Lily over. Taking the sponges into their hands, the sat on the floor as Hermione instructed Lily to simply pat the walls to give it a sponged green look, that would be the grass. She flicked her wand once more to turn on the wizarding wireless and fill the room with music, before putting her wand away and beginning to pat the walls with green paint.
* * *
Harry let out a breath as he set down the weights he'd been working with. Grabbing a towel from the nearest rack, he swiped at the beads of sweat covering his face and neck.
"Alright there, Harry?" Oliver Wood asked as he plopped down on a bench across from Harry.
"Splendid." Harry replied, motioning for Oliver to toss him, his water bottle.
"Hey Harry, we're going to the pub after we get done here, you interested?" Seamus called from across the gym.
"Can't, I'm taking Lily out to dinner." Harry winced, knowing what was coming next.
"Yea, Seamus, Harry's a family man now. He can't just go out and get hammered whenever he fancies. He's got to ask the Mrs. first." Dean grinned as he and the rest of Harry's close friends crowded around him, laughing.
"Oh, you're funny Dean. Real funny." Harry said, rolling his eyes.
"I do try." Dean grinned.
"So when are we going to meet this fiancée of yours." Anthony Goldstein, a fellow auror, asked as he joined the huddle.
"Yes, we're absolutely dying to meet her." Percy commented as he shoved his wave into the group.
"She's gorgeous, you're all going to falling over yourselves in a jealous rage once you see her." Collin Creevy commented.
"You've met her then?" Fred asked.
"Of course, I've met her, I'm the most sought after photographer in all of Europe. Who do you think put her on every magazine from here to America?" Collin rolled his eyes.
"He isn't lying. She is definitely a looker. Though I do believe, Harry will be lost to us once this is final. I'm sure she'll be whipping him into shape." Ron joked.
"Ron, she'd have more luck training Sirius than she would with me. I'm not cashing in my lifestyle, I'm just getting married to keep Lily happy." Harry growled.
"Of course you are mate. It always starts that way. Just think about poor Lee Jordan. He got married too and now . . ." George stopped for a dramatic pause and pretended to sniffle. "now, you never see the poor bloke any more. He's off being a family guy. Doing family things. Merlin rest his soul."
Harry burst into laughter. "That's because he moved back to England and is the head of the department of magical games and sports, you dolt."
"Just the same, he'd of never gone if he hadn't gotten married." Fred put in stubbornly.
"He'd of never gone if he hadn't gotten promoted. Do stop being so dramatic. Hardly anything is going to change." Harry pronounced getting up. "Now I really must be off. You'll all meet Hermione next week at the first engagement party."
"Oh come on Harry, it's not even dark yet. The sun's just setting. Surely you can stay a while longer." Draco demanded.
"No can do, I have to shower and find out where Hermione's gotten off to so she won't throw a fit when she gets back and Lily's missing. Heaven forbid Lily go missing with her father." Harry said.
"Like I said, gotta ask the Mrs. first." Dean quipped, waggling his eyebrows.
"Shut up, Dean." Harry muttered as he broke through the ring around him and made his way to the locker room. `I don't have to ask her anything.' In reality this was mostly due to the fact that she probably still wasn't talking to him since their little episode at the jewelry store but he didn't have to admit that.
He apparted home after collecting his things and took a minute to stretch as he made his way to the stairs. Mrs. Weasley had apparently arrived some time during the day and informed him that Lily was getting dressed, before disappearing in the direction of the room she had chosen for herself. Harry was momentarily bewildered until he remembered that she'd be staying with them until the wedding. Shaking his head, he continued toward his room. Upon, entering his room, he peeled off his sweat soaked shirt and made to move towards the en-suite bathroom when the sound of music caught his ear. Turning back, he stuck his head out of his door trying to determine the source. He'd been self assured Hermione was out with the girls and surely Mrs. Weasley would allow Lily to have music playing that loudly in her room. Picking his way down the hall, he stopped outside the art room, which was clearly the source of the playful beat. Shower forgotten in the stead of curiosity, he pushed the door open to see what was going on.
His mouth went dry upon opening the door and being greeted with the site of Hermione's nearly bare back and the knee length peasant skirt swishing around her legs as she danced in a world of her own. She was making a sweeping motion with her hand, dragging a sponge dipped in white paint along the wall. She stood on her toes as she created clouds on the wall. Her hair was up in a clip, allowing him to watch the muscles in her back work as she reached up. There was a knot at the nape of her neck and at the middle of her back telling him that she was wearing a halter that only covered the front. Normally seeing a woman dressed this way was no big deal, less flashy that what he was used to but this was Hermione. His conservative Hermione who he assumed never pranced around showing this much skin in her life. Ginny had definitely been to work here, he decided.
He watched the skirt cling to her hips then flow out to swish and swirl around her muscled legs as she did a brief spin to dip down and get more paint on her sponge. He flickered his gaze around the room briefly seeing that the walls were now blue and the bottom half of the wall she was working on had been sponged green. He watched her calf slip into his vision once more and he followed the pale skin up to the skirt to settle once more on her hips. She was so wrapped up in her song; she hadn't yet noticed his intrusion into her haven. Forgetting she was probably still angry, he couldn't stop himself from advancing into the room until he'd come up right behind her, placing his hands on her hips and gently pulling her back into his arms.
A gasp of surprise escaped her as she suddenly found herself enveloped in his embrace. Any lasting anger she'd felt towards him was forgotten as he pressed his face into her neck and pressed soft kisses to her pulse point.
"You really are the most tantalizing vixen, I've ever come across." He breathed into the junction between her neck and shoulder.
"That had better be your way of saying you're sorry." Hermione admonished, shaking herself and trying to reach for reality once more. If they were fighting, she could be sure that she was still herself.
"Sorry for what?" He asked dumbly.
With much effort Hermione fixated her features into a glare and turned around in his arms. `Focus Hermione, you've told him he can't kiss his way out of everything, now stick to it.' Hermione coached herself to keep from losing herself in his eyes.
"You know very well what. I already told you I won't tolerate your selfish, childish views on things, it's about time someone taught you, you can't have everything you want, starting with me." She snapped wriggling out of his arms and folding them over her chest.
"You're not honestly still on about that are you?" Harry growled, folding his arms as well and letting out an aggravated huff.
"You can't very well think I'd just forget about it."
"Actually you could but instead you are choosing to remain upset over something that's not going to change, so you might as well get used to it."
"I won't. I'm not about to let you screw up all the morals and values I've instilled in Lily."
"You think I'm going to screw Lily up. I'm glad you have so much faith in me as a father."
"Have you given me any reason to think better of you. Merlin, if I had to sum you up in two words or less the first words that come to mind are insensitive bastard. I think that's pretty accurate."
Harry glared at her. The audacity of this woman. How the hell was she going to insult him in his own home? He was really considering the possibility that she was bi-polar, one minute she seemed to be fine and the minute he opened his mouth she was snapping at him. Somehow he'd managed to really upset her because out of all their encounters he couldn't recall her ever swearing at him. To be honest he was really quite fed up with her attitude towards him and decided two could play her infuriating game.
"Well if we're hurling insults why don't we add frigid bitch to the pot." Harry growled back.
"Oh, I'm frigid because I don't degrade myself by throwing myself at everyman I see or because I have absolutely no interest in you."
"No interest in me! Ha, now we both know that's not true in the slightest. You want me but you're too damn insecure to admit it."
"You know absolutely nothing about me so don't even try to pretend you understand how my mind works."
"Fine, I may not know how you're mind works but I definitely know how your body works and you want me. Even now when you want to despise me, you can't help but want me."
"Ugh, you're so full of yourself, it's no wonder my sister liked you. I don't need some bogus relationship like you guys had. The only interest I have in this relationship is for Lily's sake."
His eyes flashed at the mention of Fleur and she knew she'd hit a soft spot. There was no time for apologies though, as she found herself up against the wall his hands on either side of her head and dark green eyes glaring down at her. The challenge she saw there made it impossible for her to back down or apologize anyway.
"Define bogus, Hermione. I'm curious to know what's going on in that head of yours, since as you said earlier I clearly don't know." Harry demanded.
"Fake, unrealistic, fantasy, imaginary, take your pick. I have more." She bit back.
"You think this is fake." His voice had dropped to a sensuous rumble as he brought a hand over to trace her bottom lip with his thumb; holding her eye with his own as he let his hand trail down her throat, over the curve of her breast, and down her flat stomach to rest on her hip. "'Cause I don't think what's going on here is fake or unrealistic in the slightest. This attraction is very real, there's something going on here, between us but you seem to be doing everything in your power do avoid it."
`Merlin I love her angry. How does she keep doing this to me?' Harry thought suppressing a groan as he leaned in closer to her, eyes roaming hungrily over the soft full curves before him. He could feel her breasts rising and falling quickly against his hard chest as he continued to lean in until his lips were mere centimeters from hers.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She ground out, squirming to try to get away from him despite being against the wall. Thank Merlin for drying spells of she'd have paint all over her hair and clothes.
"Really?" He smirked trailing hot kisses up her throat and bringing his other hand down to her hips as well to still her against him.
Hermione's eyes widened and she stopped squirming the moment she felt how very much he wanted her. She wanted to be disgusted if not with him at least herself for enjoying the feeling of him against her but she couldn't bring herself to loath this moment.
"Are you absolutely certain you don't know what I'm talking about?" Harry whispered against her ear enjoying the feeling of her shuddering against his body when his breath made contact with her ear. "You don't feel anything, right now?"
"I never said that." Her voice dropping to the same level of whisper as his.
"Then what? Hot maybe?" His words were accented with the cool air that suddenly made contact with her skin as he pushed her shirt up.
"A bit." She responded without thinking. If she had been thinking she'd have never given him the satisfaction of verbally letting him know that he was really beginning to affect her. So far she'd prided herself on not giving into the attraction between them. She'd be a fool not to notice it but it was another factor she considered as giving into "his world".
Desire flooded him at the innocence he saw in her eyes as she gave the reply automatically. "Then I suppose it's only right that I cool you down."
Closing the space between them he captured the lips that had teased him since their first kiss, wrapping her lithe form in his arms. Harry made sure to take his time slowly exploring the soft warm mouth offered to him. He couldn't out right make love to her but he'd sure as hell make love to her mouth in hopes of changing her mind on the waiting until their wedding night idea. He felt her fingers digging into his arms as if trying to hold him to her forever.
Yet again he found himself thinking that there was no other woman he'd ever wanted as much as this hellion in his arms now. He wanted more than just one night with her, he wanted to possess her, to know her, but first he wanted her to recognize her own desire for him in return.
Her hands had slipped from his arms and her own were now looped around his neck drawing him closer searching for satisfaction she knew only he could bring. He loved the feel of her, the taste of her, and the soft whimpers that were threatening to push him over the edge.
Harry raised his head a bit and marveled at her strength as she fought to draw him back to her, standing on her toes as not to lose contact.
Despite her thoughts to stop and the warning bells going off in her head, Hermione couldn't bring herself to let go. She' long since lost control of her body to lust. Her back arched against him and her hips moving of their own accord. She felt his hand slipping between her thighs and parting them to make room for him. The warning bells were almost deafening as they sounded in her head telling her she'd let this go too far but she couldn't stop, she couldn't push him away.
He thrust his hips against hers and she felt the hard length of him push between her thighs, pressing against her softness sending electric shocks all through her body. She moaned at the sensations he was causing her by repeating this action.
Harry froze at the sound of her moan and let out a growl of frustration. This had gone farther than he meant it to and if he didn't stop now she'd more than likely kill him in the morning, if Lily and Mrs. Weasley didn't interrupt them first to remind him about dinner. It took all his will power to release her and he berated himself for the instant cold he felt without her body pressed against his.
"Any cooler?" He rasped slightly, running a hand through his dark hair.
Hermione was silent for a moment catching her breath, leaning against the wall for support. Her heart was racing and it felt as though fire were coursing through her veins. `Why the hell did he stop?' She wanted to shout at him but couldn't bring herself to use that much energy. Instead she settled for snapping at him for his little comment.
"No."
"That's funny," He said staring into her darkened eyes once more. "Because if this were fake you ought to be rather cool if not cold by now. People who don't like each other, aren't interested in each other, don't get this turned on by one another."
"That's not true." She snapped fighting back the blush that threatened to flood her cheeks at his words and as the realization of what she almost let herself do began to set in, but she couldn't let him see. No, she had to at least appear as though she were still in complete control. "Anyone can be turned on by sex."
"Yes, but that wasn't sex, was it? It was me. Me taking care of your needs because you know I can. And when you stop being so damn stubborn and just admit what you want I'll gladly take care of those needs." Harry growled his eyes sweeping her body once more before pressing a short kiss to her lips and disappearing out the door.
`Damn him.' She cursed angrily to herself. He'd succeeded in completely throwing her off. She was absolutely furious with herself for giving in to him. How could she be attracted to a man with such infuriating views on the world around him? `He's selfish, over bearing, head strong, childish . . .' her internal rant was cut off by a knock on the doorframe. She threw a furious glare in that direction expecting it to be Harry back with some snide comment but immediately blushed and replaced the glare with a smile, seeing Mrs. Weasley there. She had to suppress a wince seeing the woman. If she'd thought Ginny was overly enthused she'd been sadly mistaken. She'd made a grand entrance and dragged Hermione and Lily out of the art room for tea and absolutely raved over how darling Lily was, what a beauty Hermione was, and how glad she was that Harry had decided to settle down with such a sensibly girl. Hermione thought they wouldn't be able to escape once the topic of the wedding came up but Ginny decided to drop in at that moment and mother and daughter began talking amongst each other. As soon as an opening provided itself, Hermione had slipped out of the tea room with Lily right on her heels. They'd retreated back up to that room and stayed hidden there until Mrs. Weasley had come to collect Lily to dress her for dinner.
"Hermione what are you doing in here? Come, come girl. You should be getting dressed. You're dinner reservation is in less than thirty minutes." Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, prodding Hermione out of the room.
"I didn't know we had reservations. Isn't it for two if it was reserved?" Hermione asked over her shoulder as she was ushered to her guest room.
"Of course not, I had Ginny change the reservation. How are the three of you to be a family if you never spend time together as such? Starting today, I'm going to see to it that you three spend more time together. I'm here now so you don't have to worry yourself over the wedding plans any longer. Everything will be just perfect. Now hurry along dear. Hop into that shower and I'll find you something to wear."
Hermione wasn't given the chance to respond, she'd already been such inside her bathroom. Sighing she did as she was told, resigning herself to endure the most uncomfortable night she'd ever experienced in her lifetime.
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