Summer Writing Series Challenge (August 9)
Challenge: Alternate Story Week: Challenge for July 5th: Harry/Hermione feed/eat from the
other's plate at a restaurant.
Challenge Conditions: All you do is pick any challenge that was given on this day of the week earlier
in the summer, and do a different story from what you did before...or one that you missed.
Title: Business or Pleasure
Word Count: 1,000
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and any other things you recognize created and owned by JK Rowling, Scholastic Publishing, and Warner Bros., Inc.As for the plot-line, it's based on a scene from Table for Two: Summer Desserts by Nora Roberts.
"I'll pick you up at eight."
"Harry, I said no."
"I'll see you later," Harry Potter repeated calmly, leaving before the other could slam the door in his face.
Hermione Granger, the finest chef in Europe, sat fuming on her couch in her suite. Just who did he think he was? Barging in here and just assuming I'll have dinner with him whenever he decides to. He was not the boss of her, not yet, anyways. When-if-she took up his offer, that would change.
She thought back to the rather flattering and very generous offer. Harry Potter owned one of the best chains of hotels and resorts in both muggle and wizarding Europe. He wanted the best head chef available for his new hotel based in London, and she was the best. The six-digit salary alone had rendered her speechless. But, Hermione always freelanced, never starting her own restaurant-something she could've easily done-to avoid being attached to one project. She found settling down with one restaurant not as satisfying as traveling across the continent just to make one dish. She almost refused until he cleverly inquired about Draco Malfoy, her long-time rival. How could he even consider that slimy pig as a second choice? She'd accepted the offer rather rashly. She had let him manipulate her then, but not tonight.
Going out to the nearest fast food restaurant, she ordered drumsticks and soda. Then, washing off her make-up, she dressed in the shabbiest jeans she owned with a T-shirt that was torn at the left sleeve. It was the perfect plan. He would, of course, show up dressed in his best dressing gown. Hermione poked a few holes in her jeans for added satisfaction. When the knock came promptly at eight, she leisurely got up and walked slowly to the door.
"So, dinner ready?" Harry asked casually, inviting himself into her suite, while Hermione gaped openly at him. Except for the tattered tennis shoes, Harry Potter dressed almost identically to her. He had outwitted her once again. And the most annoying part was that he could look so attractive even dressed in such casual clothes.
Fuming she replied, "My dinner is ready, I don't know about yours."
"I said eight."
"I said no."
"You said no to going out, so I thought we could eat in. So is this dinner?" he asked picking up a drumstick from the coffee table. "Your taste in fast food is most intriguing for a cook such as yourself."
"Chef," Hermione replied stiffly.
"Whatever," Harry said, knowing it would annoy her, propping his legs on the table. Hermione debated a second before joining him. She's going to come up on top in the end, and he wasn't going to manipulate again. "So, is this how one of the greatest chefs spends her evenings?"
"The greatest chef spends her evenings however she likes," Hermione retorted. "Why did you see me tonight?"
"The professional reason or the personal reason?"
"Both. Professional first, then..."
"Since we'll be working closely over the next couple years, I thought we should get to know each other so we can make the appropriate adjustments," Harry said, finishing off the drumstick.
"Logical. And the personal one?"
Harry smiled, "Personally, I find you very attractive and I want to take you to bed," he paused to see her reaction. When he received none, he continued, "but I thought we should get to know each other first. Logical?"
"Yes, and egotistical," Hermione replied. She could tell her coolness unnerved him at least a little. Good. Seeing that they finished their measly dinner, Hermione said casually, "I have éclairs in the fridge, would you like some?"
"Supermarket special?"
"No, they're mine."
"I could hardly turn them down then and risk insulting you," Harry said with a smirk.
Hermione laughed dryly. "I'm sure diplomacy is your only motive."
In the kitchen, Hermione let her mask fall. He'd shaken her with his words, just like he meant to. She was losing this battle. Placing the éclairs on the plate, she put on her cool mask again and reentered the room. "My éclairs aren't to be taken lightly. Nor to be eaten with anything less than reverence."
"I'll do my very best."
"Actually, no effort required," she broke off the first bite and brought it to his lips. "Just taste buds."
"Amazing," he murmured before taking the fork from her hand. Breaking off another bite, he deliberately brought it slowly to her lips, resisting the urge to kiss her. "I'll return the favor."
Hermione claimed the fork once again. She knew she was playing a dangerous game. A game that needed to be played with cunning. A game she was going to win.
"Last bite," she murmured, bringing the éclair in front of him. Just when the last bite was about to enter his mouth, Hermione drew back and fed herself the dessert instead. Harry, following the bite, brought his lips to hers. Hermione hid her surprise quickly. She never allowed anyone to seduce her, and Harry Potter was no different.
Just a sample, she told herself. She knew how to taste and judge, and then step away from even the most tempting flavors. She also knew how to absorb every drop of pleasure from that one tiny test.
But when they broke apart, Hermione found that she couldn't break away from the enchantment of the kiss. She had to end this. Now.
"I do not look for romance or companionship, Harry Romance has a beginning, and so does it an end. Companionship demands patience and compromise. I give all my patience to my work, and I have no talent for compromise. Monday, we will be working together and that's all there's going to be. Business associates," Hermione said with finality.
Harry just looked at her knowingly. "Contract is paper, and just that. It's not going to make a difference. I'll see you on Monday," he left with a curt nod before she could object.
A/N: First, this story was totally AU, based on a scene from Nora Roberts's Table for Two: Summer Desserts, if you skipped over the disclaimer. If you recognize a phrase or sentence from the book, it's because it is. Some parts were so good, I couldn't resist but to put it in.
Sorry, this was posted late. I've been very busy over the last weeks to find time to write. This will be my last entry in the SWSC. I hope you enjoyed it. :) Thanks to everyone for reviewing, your feedbacks were a huge help!
Lastly, A huge thanks to Another for beta-ing all my entries. You've done a wonderful job! And for those interested, With One Dream is now revised! You can find it under my user profile.