Practice on Monday went as everyone had surmised. Harry was in charge of training Marcus as seeker while the two practice teams pulled pass drills and bludger dodging. Seekers weren't exempt from the bludger attacks and Harry was feeling very proud at the rate his understudy was improving. Calisthenics, weight training and weather training were run as normal and the day had flipped around by forcing the exhausted players to run laps until the required four kilometers had been reached.
Early in the day, Harry had spotted the familiar red flash of hair that he found himself falling for in the stands watching their practice. He'd made it a show of swooping past in his drills with Marcus and flashing Connie a wide smile. He felt giddy when she returned the smile in full force and during their lunch break, he stopped by to say hello.
"I didn't expect to see you here today." He said with a wide smile plastered on his face.
She grinned in return and shrugged. "I thought I'd come out and see you in action." She said with a blush then thanked him for the drink he offered.
They sat in the stands watching the clouds float by, chatting idly about insignificant things like the weather, current events, and other bits of daily gossip in the wizarding world. She'd laughed more than once as he described a torrid article here or there about his scandalous love affairs that he seemed to have on a daily basis and all the supposed lovers that crawled out of the woodwork. She spoke briefly of her time in the American wizarding school and kept to vague impressions of anything that she deemed too intimate at the time.
There were definite hints about how they felt about one another in a glance or a brief hand on the thigh, a flick of the hair or a squeeze of a hand. Harry found that he was enjoying himself immensely even though he wasn't learning much more about this mysterious girl. Their visit ended somewhat abruptly when Wood called Harry back to practice and the young Mr. Potter impulsively dipped down to peck her on the cheek before sailing off on his broomstick again.
She remained for a few more hours before waving and heading for her hotel. Without her presence, Harry started to feel lonely and a longing began to fill him. A near miss from a bludger startled him back to the impending reality he was in and at the end of the day, he was physically drained. The few visits he'd had with the psychologist Harry recommended seemed to have improved Marcus' confidence immensely and it showed in the air. He was staying aloft and increasing his speed in short, but profound increments and he soon discovered that he could tolerate acceptable seeker speeds.
It was a tired and now disgruntled Harry Potter that was standing outside his flat staring at an old Gryffindor tie that was looped around the doorknob. Harry cursed under his breath and sighed as he turned around to find a place to whittle away the time until he could go to sleep.
Harry found it truly amazing at just how often it rained in London when he was out walking around without an umbrella and as the cold sheets of water began to pelt him, he looked around to find some shelter from the icy stuff. He looked at the building closest to him and smiled at his luck, he was at Hermione's. Hurrying up the steps he could only pray that she wasn't stuck at work.
"Coming!" Hermione's muffled voice echoed through the door to her flat and after a moment of locks being unchained or turned, the door opened slightly. "Harry? What brings you here?" She asked as she undid the last chain and opened the door.
"Ron's occupied and I got caught in the storm." He said through chattering teeth. "Just thought I'd see if I could pop in for a few, you know, until he's finished ..."
Hermione looked at him concernedly and clucked her tongue. "Tut, tut. You know how easily you get ill, Harry." She said with a warm tone. "I've got some of your clothes here from the last time you visited, go change and we'll dry these off."
He smiled happily and was soon wrapped in a warm blanket sharing a steaming mug of cocoa with his best friend.
"How was practice today?" She asked from behind the rim of her mug. "Wood still putting you through the paces?"
Harry laughed. "That makes him sound almost humane." He grinned at her snort and took a sip from his mug. "It went smashingly well." Harry said with a bright smile. "Marcus is improving tremendously!"
"That's good to hear! How are you getting him past the speed issue?"
"I referred him to Dr. Mudds." He said with a smile. "They've been talking about his mother and how she died. It seems to be working well."
Hermione put her feet on the coffee table and leaned back with a sigh. "Anything else exciting? Any bludger accidents?"
"I almost got hit." Harry admitted with a twinkle in his eyes. "Connie stopped by to watch and we had lunch together."
Hermione looked to her mug and took a long pull from it. "Oh." She said softly. "Did ... Did you learn anything else about her?" She didn't look up as she pressed her hands against the warm sides of the mug.
"Little bits and pieces." He said with a sigh. "I guess she doesn't want to go too fast if things are actually starting up." He admitted.
"Well, see how she reacts after your date Wednesday." Hermione offered. "Things might work out ..."
Harry smiled at her and blew her a kiss. "Thanks." He said simply.
"Anytime." She replied with a slight smile.
Harry released a long, loud yawn that startled his hostess and she let out a laugh. "Would you like to kip on the sofa?"
"Would you mind? Just a few minutes." He said sleepily. "Training was tiring today."
Hermione summoned a pillow for him and with a stretch and a sigh, he lay down and smiled. "You're too good to me, you know that?"
Hermione snorted again and raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I don't deserve you, I know." He said with a chuckle and she watched as he fell fast asleep.
His eyes fluttered open to darkness flooding in through the windows and he gingerly slid his glasses on the bridge of his nose. With a stretch he glanced around Hermione's sitting room and smiled when he saw her knelt before her fireplace bathed in green light.
"I'm sorry, Ron, I can't make it Wednesday, I've got too much work to catch up on at the office." She said irritably. "Yes, Harry's here, he's sleeping on the sofa, what were you doing?"
Harry sat up and a frown settled on the chiseled contours of his face as her words began to make sense to him. Hermione's not going to be at the Three Broomsticks? He rubbed his face and sighed audibly and caught Hermione's jump between his fingers.
"Tell Luna I said hi then, Harry's awake. Love you too, Ron." She said and after a moment pulled her head from the magical flames. "How'd you sleep, Harry?" She asked nervously.
"Like a rock." He said quietly. "So, I guess you don't want to meet Connie then?"
She looked to his face and saw the sadness reflected in his eyes. "I didn't say that, Harry." She said reassuringly.
"You know, she's the first girl I meet that isn't insanely jealous of you from the get go." He said in frustration and stood abruptly, letting the blanket slide to the floor. "Could you spend a few minutes with us at least? She said she'd come with me to meet you and Ron because you're my friends. She understands how important you two are to me."
"Harry, I have so much work ..." She said pleadingly but the look on his face seemed to pain her. "Ok, I'll see what I can do, but I can't promise that I can make it." She said firmly.
Harry sighed and after he walked over to her, wrapped his arms around her lithe frame. "I'm sorry I'm being so selfish." He said softly into her hair. He felt her arms wrap around him and he kissed the top of her head. "It's just ... How often do I find someone who seems to accept me for me and not the myth?" He asked as he pulled back.
Hermione rested her forehead on his chest and sighed. "I know how you feel, Harry, I really do. I'll try to be there, but I can't promise anything more than that ... is that ok?"
The tight hug he gave her was all she expected but the kiss on her cheek made her blush in spite of her self. "Even if it's only a few minutes, that's all I need." He said with a slight smile. "She's a great girl from what I've seen so far and I'm sure you two will find that you have a lot in common."
Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled slightly. "We'll see, Harry."
His eyes brightened at her smile and he gave her a final quick hug. "So is Ron done over there?" He asked as he sat in her hearth chair.
"Yeah, he was with Luna of all people." She grinned sheepishly. "It looks like it might be something serious so don't tease him about it."
"I won't ... much." Harry said and laughed when Hermione slapped him playfully on the arm. "I understand what he's going through, somewhat, so I'll be good."
"Ron's actually bringing Luna with him for their date on Wednesday." Hermione said with a shake of her head. "Mister Romantic himself."
Harry chuckled as he collected his clothes and slipped on his shoes. "I'm going to stop by after the date." He said quietly. "I was thinking about taking her dancing and then to that new Greek place in SOHO."
"Sounds like a nice night." She said wistfully. "I miss that Italian restaurant we went to last month ..."
He smiled at her warmly. "That was a good time, wasn't it? I didn't know you could put away so much linguini."
"It was brilliant!" She said with a wide grin. "The dish you brought me for lunch last week was almost as good ..."
"Maybe I should go to a culinary arts school and open my own place, what do you think?" He said with a grin. "Oh, and that reminds me, I've got news to share with you and Ron. You need to be there! It's killing me to keep it from you two."
"Harry, why don't you tell me now?" She said with a smile.
"Sorry, I can't until Wednesday when Ron's present. It's big news ..." He took her hands in his and kissed the back of them. "I'll see you in two days!"
She smiled and stepped back to give him room to apparate and with a pop, he was standing in his study.
"Hello, Harry." Luna said with the dreamiest look he'd ever seen on her face. Harry jumped, not expecting her to be sitting at his desk.
"Don't sneak around like that, Luna!" Harry said with a laugh.
She looked at him quizzically. "I've been sitting here for the past fifteen minutes, you're the one sneaking about ..."
Harry shook his head and smiled at her. "So you and Ron finally got together?"
She literally beamed at him and that was all the answer he needed.
"Be gentle with him ..." Harry said with a snort.
"Quiet, Harry." Ron said in a huff from the doorway. Harry turned and grinned sadistically at his best friend and laughed heartily when Ron's face paled.
"Don't worry, I've talked to Hermione and I'm under orders not to poke fun." Harry said with a clap on Ron's shoulder. "I need to get some sleep, so I'll see you two later."
Luna said goodnight in her sing-song voice then giggled when Ron pulled her into his arms. The two of them disapparated and Harry smiled at Ron's fortune. They both deserve the happiness. He thought as he yawned and returned to his previous activity of sleeping.
Tuesday went by in a flurry of reservations and dry cleaning as he readied himself for the final part of the wizarding contract that he'd signed after the auction. He couldn't help but hope that the date went well and Connie would want to see him more afterwards.
The time for him to apparate to their chosen rendezvous was rapidly approaching as he finished the final touches on his wardrobe for the evening on the town. He thought it would be bad form to buy her flowers this time since she'd have to carry the bouquet with her all night. He knew jewelry was out of the question this early in the game so he decided that the best gift would be the Emily Dickenson book he'd read her on their outing. She had said she'd loved poetry and he could always shrink it down to fit in her purse.
He looked at his watch and felt his palms start to sweat. "I'm going to be a sweat-soaked buffoon when I meet up with her." He said nervously. Harry swallowed hard and a second later was standing casually at the corner to an alley not far from the club. He heard a slight pop and his date soon joined him on the sidewalk.
He smiled happily at her and admired the way her clothes fit her curves well. His gaze stopped at her lips and he cleared his throat. "Glad you could make it." He said nervously and offered her his arm.
She smiled slightly and took it, seemingly on guard. "Sorry if I'm late." She apologized quietly.
"You weren't late, Connie, I just arrived myself." He said in the same quiet tone. "Why don't we go dancing before we eat? Work up that appetite?"
She smiled and nodded. "Sounds like a plan to me."
The club wasn't that far from where they'd arrived and after greasing the palm of the bouncer, the two of them were afforded the privilege of skirting the line that wrapped around the block. They ignored the dirty looks and pressed their way through the teeming mass of bodies that were gyrating to the music.
Harry led Connie out to the dance floor after they'd gotten past those who were lingering at the entrance and they began to join in the fun everyone else had been. They danced through several quick, heart pounding numbers and after the last of the run of fast songs ended, they smiled at each other through their panting. A slow song started and Connie smiled apologetically and turned towards an open table.
"Don't go ... Dance with me?" Harry asked as softly as he could and still be heard. His gentle grip on her arm made for a hard argument to sit it out and she agreed reluctantly.
Harry smiled shyly as they pulled each other close. Her arms encircled his neck and his hands were resting gently on her hips. They swayed to the music and Harry couldn't help but find her scent intoxicating. They danced that way through several slow songs that seemed to not end and they were jarred out of their little world when the next adrenaline pumping beat kicked in. They laughed nervously and Harry glanced at his watch.
"We don't have much time to make our reservations." He said loudly and started for the door. Connie laughed and trotted after him as they made their way down the streets of SOHO. They stopped in front of an authentic looking Greek restaurant and caught their breath before going in.
Dinner was filled with pasta, antipasto, and several other samples of Greek cuisine as they laughed and talked idly about food an what each of them really liked. He smiled when he found her opening up a bit more than she had the other days and sighed when the bill finally arrived.
"Are you ready to meet my friends?" Harry asked nervously. He still had the impression that Hermione was going to be a no-show and he really wanted to talk to his two best friends about his career change. Connie nodded nervously and smiled in the same way as Harry dropped the payment on the table and the two of them left the building hand-in-hand. He stopped suddenly and grinned.
"I forgot, I got something for you." He said as he pulled a small package from his jacket pocket.
"You didn't have to get me anything, Harry." Connie said with a bashful smile and a blush creeping up her already rosy cheeks.
"Go on, open it!" He urged with a laugh. She ripped the paper off the small parcel unceremoniously and smiled at the book of poetry.
"Emily Dickenson ..." She said quietly. The smile she'd sported had worked it's way into her eyes and Harry could do nothing but admire the twinkles that came to life there.
"It's the same book I read to you, I hope you don't mind second hand ..." He chuckled nervously.
She looked from the book to his eyes then did something he didn't expect, she kissed him fully on the lips. It was quick and sweet, and her embarrassed smile and red face spoke volumes to him.
A goofy grin suddenly appeared on him and he put an arm around her shoulders. "Do you want to make the visit short?" He asked dreamily and felt her nod quietly next to him. Her arm snaked around his waist and he felt like he was in heaven.
They made it safely to another apparition point that was in the area and were in front of The Three Broomsticks seconds later.
"Ok." He breathed deeply trying to settle the butterflies in his stomach. "Here we go, are you ready?"
"I-I guess as ready as I'll ever be." She said nervously.
Harry smiled goofily again and opened the door to the wizarding establishment. It was packed tonight, more so than any other night he'd remembered since the first celebrations had sprung up after the Dark Lord's defeat. He scanned the common room quickly and caught sight of Ron and Luna at their usual table.
"Ron, Luna, this is Connie Covert." He said with a smile and motioned to the woman still wrapped with his arm. "Connie, my best friend Ron and Luna Lovegood."
"My girlfriend." Ron said confidently to Luna's smile as he took Connie's hand in his. "I'd heard that you could pass for a Weasley, but this is uncanny." He said with a grin.
Connie took Luna's hand and laughed. "That's one of the first things that Harry said to me."
"The accent gives it all away." Ron said with a smile.
"Hey, where's Hermione?" Harry asked as he stood on his tiptoes and searched the rest of the room.
"She said she had to work, mate." Ron said nonplussed.
"I thought I'd talked her into coming." Harry said with a frown. He smiled apologetically to Connie. "I'm sorry, Connie, it looks like she won't be here tonight ... I wanted you to meet her."
"Sorry I'm late." Hermione said as she gasped for breath. "I had some killer paperwork to finish."
Harry turned to the voice and beamed. "Connie, this is Hermione Granger. Hermione, Connie Covert."
The two women smiled at each other warily and shook hands. Harry watched the exchange, bit his lower lip, and glanced at Ron with a look of hope in his eyes. Ron shrugged and smiled before returning his attention to his best friend and Harry's date.