Author's note: Don't know if we've mentioned this before, but this story is 45 chapters long. Some of you might feel as if its dragging along, but everything has been carefully planned out and we're trying to incorporate all of the couples without short-shifting some and keeping others on the backburner. This isn't just an H/Hr story, after all. Be patient with us and with the characters.
And everyone say hello to our new beta, the always lovely PerfectMisstake! And everyone have a Happy Christmas!!
Cho's first class that morning was ballet and she stood in front of the studio looking at her group of eight-year old girls. They were all trying to mimic what she was doing and Cho's heart swelled as she watched them. She was teaching the girls the ballet positions and of all the girls little Amelia Stout was having the worst trouble getting the positions down.
Cho walked behind the girls to see if their form was correct. When she reached Amelia, the little girl had a frustrated expression all over her face. "I'm never going to learn this!" Amelia exclaimed, stamping her foot.
"You'll be fine," Cho smiled. "This is only your third class. No one ever learns anything perfectly by the third class," she patiently helped the girl into position again.
"My mum says I have two left feet," Amelia said with a frown. "What does that mean?"
Cho stifled her laughter. "I say the same thing about my husband. It basically means you can't dance, but that's not true." she explained. "I've taught him a few things and he can work his way around a dance floor now."
Amelia crinkled her nose up. "I'm never going to dance with a boy! They're disgusting!"
"You'll change your mind someday," Cho patted her shoulder. "All right again!" she called out, taking her position back at the front of the room.
Cho managed to get the girls to go through each of the five positions and for the most part, they did fine. At the end of the class each of the girls came up and thanked her for the lesson.
"I can't wait until our next lesson," Amelia said, giving Cho a hug. "I've got to get rid of my other left foot."
Cho laughed. "Don't worry about that love, you'll lose it in time." she patted the girl's shoulder as she scampered out of the room. She busied herself with doing a general cleanup, humming a happy tune as she did so.
Luna stood in the doorway to the studio and grinned at her friend, who looked so happy and content. "Where do I sign up for lessons?" Luna asked teasingly as she properly stepped into the studio.
"Right here!" Cho laughed. "Although you don't need any lessons Luna Lovegood. You could give me a run for the money if you decided to open a studio as well."
Luna giggled as she gave her friend a hug. "This place looks amazing!"
"Thanks," Cho said. "It's doing really well; I'm going to have to open up another class for my young ballet students."
"I saw a few of them as I came in," Luna said with a grin. "They're so adorable!"
"They are cute aren't they?" Cho replied. "They're all really sweet as well. Did you know when they left they all thanked me for the lesson?"
"Awww," Luna said. "That's so much better than the guests at Hillsdale. Merlin, some of them didn't even give up a tip let alone say thank you."
"Tell me about it," Cho said. "I'm already making more doing this than we did at that place."
"I'm having my dad run some adverts for you in the next issue," Luna said with a wink. "Free of charge, of course."
"Luna that's so sweet of you!" Cho gushed. "Thank you so much!"
"It's the least I could do after all you did for me," Luna said, waving her hand.
"All I did for you?" Cho asked. "All of you guys have been amazing for me; I could never repay you for everything you all have done for me and Chiaki."
"You're my best friend," Luna said. "And it does my heart good to see you so happy."
"Thanks," Cho hugged her again. "So what brings you over here?"
Luna leaned against the wall. "I was doing a bit of research for Harry and I thought I'd stop by and see you before I went into the office."
"What sort of research?" Cho asked.
"He asked me to find out some information on Gordon Devereaux," Luna answered.
"Merlin is he still obsessing over that bloke?" Cho asked with a sigh. "He should know by now that Gordon Devereaux isn't going to do anything to his and Hermione's relationship."
"Cho," Luna interrupted. "You don't understand. There's something not right about Gordon." She briefly explained what she'd managed to find out about Gordon. She told Cho about Gordon's parents, his expulsion from Beauxbatons and the mysterious events behind it and she told her about the connection between Gordon and the missing Daily Prophet reporter.
"So based on all that, I'd say Harry has good reason to be worried," Luna said.
"Merlin..." Cho said again but this time in a completely different tone. "I had no idea!"
"Neither does Hermione," Luna said. "Harry's tried to tell her..."
"And she won't listen will she?" Cho said. "Those two are stubborn to a fault."
"Maybe we should call them mules instead of rabbits," Luna suggested with a laugh.
"Harry might kill us if we tried to take away his rabbit title," Cho smiled. "He enjoys that way too much."
"That he does," Luna said. "But you haven't even heard the best part...you have no idea what he's going to....No, forget I said that. Wow, look at the time! I better get going!"
"You just got here!" Cho said.
"Yes, but I was about to tell you something that I wasn't supposed to mention," Luna said quickly.
"What?" Cho said. "You're hiding something from me Luna!"
"No," she said, shaking her head. "I'm not hiding anything from you. I'm keeping something from you. There's a difference."
Cho crossed her arms and glared at her. "Come on Luna, that's totally unfair!"
"Cho, you know I love you, but if I tell you this, you'll tell Hermione and Harry will kill us both," Luna said.
"So it's something to do with them," Cho said. "What are they going to elope or something?"
"No," Luna said emphatically. "And it has nothing to do with them! You know me, I'm always spouting off at the mouth about some nonsense. You know I wouldn't just come right out and tell you that he was going to pro...promise me....um, I should really be going."
"Not so fast!" Cho said. "You can't hold out on me now!"
Luna fidgeted. "Oh, alright, but I swear if you tell anyone about this, I'll tell everyone that you used to have a crush on Lupin back when we were at Hogwarts."
Cho stared at her. "Fine... this must be really serious for you to resort to blackmail..."
"It is," Luna said quietly. "Okay, are you ready for this? He hasn't done it yet, but I reckon when Harry gets back from New Zealand, he's going to pop the question to Hermione."
"He's going to propose?!?" Cho shrieked.
Luna nodded. "See what you and Neville started?"
"Why is he doing that?" Cho ignored her question. "He told me they weren't going to worry about that anytime soon!"
Luna's smile faltered somewhat. "They weren't, but this situation with Gordon has sort of sped things up in a way. He thinks that if does this now, maybe Gordon will finally see that he doesn't have a chance."
"Cor..." Cho sat down on a chair. "I can't believe Harry didn't tell me this!"
"With your track record of keeping secrets?" Luna asked in disbelief.
"Right," Cho sighed. "Wow... Harry getting married..."
"You never know she may say no," Luna said sarcastically.
"Please," Cho said just as sarcastically.
Luna laughed, but a stern expression soon came over her face. "Listen to me, Cho. You aren't to breathe a word of this to Hermione. Harry wants it to be a surprise."
"I'll try," Cho said. "I'll really, really try I promise..."
Luna frowned. "Cho, maybe it'd be a good idea if you didn't see Hermione until after Harry and Neville get back. That way, you won't be tempted to tell her."
"What am I supposed to do if she rings or comes by?" Cho asked.
"Maybe she won't," Luna said hopefully. "She's been pretty busy with her classes. And if you do have to talk to her just tell her you're really busy with the baby. I know it's crazy, but you might let something slip and we can't chance that, can we?"
Cho gave her a look. "I guess," she muttered. "I'll bet I could keep it to myself if I really wanted to!"
Luna patted her friend on the shoulder. "You probably could, but I don't think it's a good idea to chance it. How would you have felt if someone had told you that Neville was going to propose?"
"I don't know," Cho said. "I guess since he planned it out and everything and it was a complete surprised I'd have been annoyed," she toyed with her wedding ring. "All right, point taken. I'll keep my mouth shut and I'll try to stay away until Harry actually does it."
"Good girl," Luna said, looking down at her watch. "I should really get back to the office."
"Okay," Cho said. "Thanks for stopping by. And Mum's the word, I swear."
"Let's hope so," Luna said, grinning at her friend.
*** *** ***
Harry looked through a display of rings with a reluctant Neville at his side. "Come on Neville, I stayed with you when you were ring shopping for Cho in Florence." He said as his friend sighed impatiently.
"Lupin finally gives us a break and you want to go shopping?" Neville asked. "Which was okay, but Harry--we've been to six shops already. Just pick one!"
"Hey it has to be the perfect ring all right?" Harry said.
Neville sighed again. "Pray tell me, Harry, what is the perfect ring?"
"I don't know," Harry replied testily. "I'll know it when I see it."
Neville nodded. "I hope the jeweller doesn't come over here again. That bloke was intense."
"Yeah, he seemed hell bent on selling me a ring from this store," Harry replied. "Almost made me want to leave."
"So, any idea on how you're going to pop the question?" Neville asked.
Harry paused a moment to scrutinize a large diamond. "Over dinner I think... I'll make reservations somewhere really nice and ask her during dessert."
"Sounds like a plan," Neville said. "Think she has any idea that you're going to do it?"
"I hope not." Harry looked hard at another ring. "It will only be a surprise if your wife doesn't hear about it."
"I haven't told her," Neville said. "Merlin knows I love that woman with all that I have, but I think she has the biggest mouth on the planet."
"Aye she does," Harry turned to another display case.
Neville watched as his friend looked over some gold and silver rings. Harry had been somewhat preoccupied since they'd arrived and his head hadn't really been in the training. Lupin had even taken Harry aside earlier to ask him what was troubling him. Neville knew that it wasn't just nervousness about proposing to Hermione. He knew Harry was worried about Hermione's safety. From what he'd heard about Gordon, Neville knew Harry was right to worry.
"Hey what about this one!" Harry was bent over another case.
"Which one?" Neville asked, bending down to get a better look. "That silver one?"
"Yeah," Harry motioned to a different jeweller and the man pulled the ring out for him. It was sterling silver, engraved along the band with a large round diamond set in the centre. "This is it," Harry decided.
When the jeweller mentioned how much the ring cost, Neville couldn't help his jaw dropping.
Harry held the ring, trying to picture how it would look on Hermione's finger. "She wears a size six ring," he said, disregarding the price completely.
"Excellent choice," the jeweller said, a broad grin on his face. Neville reckoned the jeweller was picturing the large commission he'd get on selling such an expensive ring.
"Once you buy it, there's no going back, Harry," Neville teased.
"Yeah I know," Harry said. "I wouldn't want to..."
"I was just teasing," Neville said quickly. "If ever two people were meant to be together, it's the two of you."
"Thanks Neville," Harry smiled at his friend. "I hope Hermione likes it as well."
"Are you kidding me?" Neville asked as he watched the jeweller box up the ring. "She's going to love it."
"I just hope she wants to get married too," Harry said, accepting the sales slip from the jeweller, along with the promise that the ring would be ready by the next morning.
"Why wouldn't she?" Neville asked pulling a confused face.
"Well we've talked about marriage, right around the time you proposed to Cho last year, and we both said that we'd eventually do it, but I don't think she meant so soon." Harry explained.
Neville nodded. "But when you think about it, it's not really that soon. I mean you two have been together for awhile now."
"Less than a year," Harry said. "You don't think it's too fast do you?"
"It doesn't matter what I think," Neville replied. "This is about what you think. Harry, you're not just doing this because of this Gordon bloke, are you? Don't bullshit me, either. Is that the real reason why you're doing this now?"
Harry looked away. "Partly," he said. "But I really do want to marry her Neville."
"You realize that if she knew this was why, she'd be really hurt, don't you?" Neville asked.
"That's why she'll never know," Harry turned his eyes on his friend.
"I certainly won't say anything to her about it," Neville said honestly.
"Well look I'm not JUST marrying her because of Gordon," Harry said a moment later. "I AM marrying her because I love her and because I want to be with her the rest of my life. That pregnancy scare we had awhile back just proves it to me. I was ready to drop Auror training if she needed me because we were about to become parents."
Neville smiled, satisfied with his friend's answer. In the time that he'd known Hermione, he'd come to see her as a great friend. "That's the answer I was looking for," Neville said.
Harry bumped his shoulder. "All right Longbottom how does a drink at that pub down the road sound? My treat?"
"That sounds fantastic," Neville replied.
"Hopefully I have some money left," Harry joked.
"I think you made that jeweller's year," Neville said laughing.
"I certainly hope so," Harry laughed as well.
"Come on then," Neville said leading the way down the sidewalk. "You owe me big for going shopping on our time off."
"Right, right..." Harry followed him. "I'll remember this when you're shopping for an anniversary band."
"Anniversary band?" Neville groaned. "I guess I should start saving now."
*** *** ***
Gordon walked into the library and scanned the crowded room for some sign of Hermione. Sure enough, he found her sitting in the back at her usual table. She was absently twirling a strand of her hair around her finger as she read. "Good afternoon," he said when he reached her.
"Afternoon," Hermione smiled up at him.
He visibly winced as he sat down as the strap of his bag pinched the cotton bandage he had wrapped around his right hand.
"Goodness what happened?" Hermione had noticed him flinch and saw the white band.
Gordon shrugged. He certainly wasn't going to tell her that after he'd stopped by the cottage the other night; he'd gone home and ransacked his apartment. He'd cut his hand rather badly when he slammed his fist through a glass table.
"Cooking accident," he lied. "I, um, cut my hand when I was dicing some tomatoes."
Hermione took his hand in hers, not noticing the look of pleasure on his face. "You sound worse than me at cooking," she teased lightly.
"I hope I'm not that bad," he joked.
"Oh come now, you liked that lasagne I made that one time," Hermione remarked. "I thought Harry was going to devour it whole."
Gordon jerked his hand away from hers at the mention of Potter.
"Oh did I hurt you?" Hermione was contrite. "I'm sorry Gordon!"
Gordon gave her a reassuring smile, but he wanted to tell her that yes, she had hurt him. She hurt him every single time she mentioned Potter. She hurt him every single time he pictured her alone with Potter. "You didn't hurt me," he said quickly. "I just hate you making a fuss. It's nothing, really."
"Are you sure it's not infected or anything?" Hermione was still concerned.
"Positive," Gordon replied. "I went to St. Mungo's right afterward. They gave me some ointment to put on it and it should be fine in a few days."
"Oh good," Hermione smiled at him. "You're smart enough not to let it get infected."
"Yeah, so smart I nearly cut my hand to bits," Gordon said self-effacingly. "I blame you, you know. If you'd taken me up on my offer for a cappuccino, I wouldn't have cut myself."
"Oh here we go," Hermione closed her book and shook her head, biting on her lower lip to keep herself from grinning. "Blame me because you're clumsy."
"I do," Gordon said shaking his head. "All my bad faults I can attribute to you, both directly and indirectly."
"Hey!" Hermione started to giggle.
"You were the one who put me in detention during second year!" Gordon said, swatting her on the arm. "You were the one who protested for longer hours in the library and convinced me to sit with you that entire night."
"And that's resulted in long lasting bad habits?" Hermione asked, giving him a look.
"Yes, it has," Gordon said, matching her look. "And you should feel supremely guilty. I am the man I am today because of you, Miss Hermione Jane Granger. You should be ashamed of yourself."
"Ha," Hermione rolled her eyes. "As if I'd believe THAT,"
Gordon felt light-hearted just bantering back and forth like this with her. He could see them sixty years from now, sitting on a porch enjoying the same rapport that they were now.
"So, all kidding aside, what time should I be at your place?" he asked. "We've still got loads to do on this project."
"Oh..." Hermione thought of Harry. "How about we meet at your place? The cottage is a mess these days, especially after my cousin's stayed there."
Gordon looked up in surprise. He certainly couldn't have Hermione at his flat. She'd see the mess he'd made during his tantrum and she might find Andrew. He couldn't take that chance.
"We can't go to my place," he said simply. "We wouldn't get much work done, I'm afraid. My neighbours are really noisy. And I've tried every silencing charm known to man and it's hopeless."
"Oh," Hermione looked down. "Well... I guess... if we have no other place..."
"It sounds as if you don't want me to come by," Gordon said, knowing full well who was behind her change of heart.
"Well it's not that," Hermione tried to think of a good excuse. "Maybe we can work here. It's bound to be nice and quiet in the evenings." she looked around the library.
"It's Harry isn't it," Gordon said, adding a touch of sadness to his voice. "He doesn't want me there."
"No!" Hermione said. "Harry's not even there, he's still in New Zealand."
"I know he doesn't like me," Gordon said, deciding to play on her sympathies. "I've tried to get along with him, but he just doesn't seem to want to..."
"That's just... how Harry is," Hermione replied, feeling her face turn red. "Trust me, he wasn't all that great when I first met him and look at the two of us now."
"If you'd rather stop seeing me, I'd understand," Gordon said glumly. "I--I don't want to cause trouble for you, Hermione. I just want to be your friend."
"You ARE," Hermione said, putting her hand on his arm. "You're one of my good friends Gordon. Harry knows that and he'd never try to stop me from seeing my friends."
"You're the only real friend I have," Gordon said, his voice catching. "I've drifted apart from my parents and that whole mess with Skylar, it just hurts so much. Your friendship means so much to me, Hermione. I don't want to lose that. But, I don't want to cause problems between you and Harry."
"You aren't causing any problems," Hermione said firmly.
He smiled. "I hope you know how wonderful you really are, Hermione. I've always thought that."
"Oh thanks," Hermione flushed even redder. "I'm really not that great."
"Yes you are," he said, touching her arm. "I bet Harry doesn't even know what a gem he has in you."
"I think he does," Hermione smiled. "He's always telling me how glad he is that we found one another."
Gordon forced a smile. "So, should we get to work then?"
"Sure," Hermione said, pushing her book aside and pulling a sheaf of parchment out of her bag.
Gordon tried to concentrate on their work, but he was too busy thinking about his plans. He could sense a crack in the perfect facade of Harry and Hermione's relationship. Perhaps, he wouldn't need the spell after all. He could play the supportive friend and let her know that he'd be there for her whenever she needed him. Potter would screw up eventually and Gordon would be there to pick up the pieces. But, Gordon thought miserably, Potter had a way of coming out smelling like a rose every time.
The spell was truly the only chance he had to make Hermione his forever.
*** *** ***
Seamus felt like an absolute idiot. He had promised Harry that he would drop by the cottage once or twice during the time he was gone. Ron had gone the previous night and had eaten half of the food in their kitchen, so now it was his turn. He tried to stay out of sight in case Hermione happened to look out the window; he didn't want her to know that Harry wanted the two of them checking up on her.
"Seamus? Seamus Finnigan, is that you?" a familiar voice called out rather loudly behind him. "What on earth are you doing lurking about outside Hermione's cottage?"
"Lav!" he jumped. "What are you doing here?" Seamus stared at his girlfriend.
"I believe I asked you first," she said, staring at him. She was about to open her mouth to say something else when Seamus grabbed her by her arm and shushed her. He pulled her behind a large oak tree.
"Okay, you need to tell me what is going on and you need to tell me right now," Lavender said crossly.
"Promise me first that you won't get mad," Seamus said anxiously.
Lavender's mouth fell open. "Oh Merlin! Oh Merlin! You're some sort of a pervert, aren't you? This whole entire time I've thought you were perfect, but here you are...standing outside my cousin's...."
"Lavender!" it was Seamus's turn to be angry.
"Sorry," she said sheepishly. "Please. Go on. Explain."
"Well... Harry sort of asked me and Ron to check up on the place while he was gone," Seamus replied.
"Why?" Lavender asked.
"Just to keep an eye on things," Seamus said evasively.
Lavender wished it wasn't so dark outside so she could get a good read on Seamus' face. She had a feeling though that he wasn't being entirely honest with her.
"Hermione's more than able to take care of herself," Lavender argued. "Has something happened with one of You-Know-Who's supporters? Have they come back to seek revenge on Harry? Are they using Hermione to do it?"
She heard Seamus groan impatiently.
"Honestly," he said. "He's just worried about that Gordon bloke all right? Luna found out some things about him and he's worried that he might try something while Harry is in New Zealand."
Lavender nodded. "What sorts of things? Come on, Seamus. She's my cousin. If she's in danger, I think I should know!"
Seamus sighed impatiently again and explained what he knew to her. "And every time Harry tries to tell Hermione, she turns away and won't listen," he said.
"I knew that Gordon was up to no good," Lavender said smugly. "But does anyone ever listen to me? Noooooo, of course not!"
"Right, the always perfect and all knowing Lavender Brown," Seamus replied.
"Shut it, you," she said, swatting at him blindly in the dark. "Should I say something to Hermione about this?"
"I don't know," Seamus said. "That's up to you."
"She probably wouldn't listen," Lavender said thoughtfully. "And we're so close now; I don't want to ruin that. I guess I'll just let Harry handle it from here."
"I think Luna's still digging up information for him too," Seamus said.
"Good," Lavender said with a weak smile. "I-I was going over to see if Hermione wanted to grab a bite to eat. Did you want to come with?"
"Sure, since I'm already here," Seamus took her hand.
Lavender and Seamus slowly made their way toward the cottage. Lavender rang the doorbell and when no one immediately came to the door, Lavender looked at Seamus. "You didn't see her leave, did you?" she asked.
"No, she was just down in the living room there a few minutes ago." Seamus's eyebrows knit together as he rang the doorbell again.
A few moments later, Hermione finally came to the door and Lavender breathed a sigh of relief. Her cousin looked quite frazzled, however.
"Hermione?" Lavender asked slowly. "What took you so long to get to the door?"
"Sorry," Hermione replied absently. "I was just... going through my closet..." she stepped back to let her cousin and Seamus come in.
"Did you lose something?" Lavender asked.
"No... well... yes, I mean..." Hermione sighed. "Apparently I'm misplacing my clothes, because four of my jumpers are missing, along with two dresses, three skirts and a pair of jeans. Also, SIX of my bloody robes are gone as well!"
"And where's your locket?" Lavender asked, looking at her cousin. "You haven't taken that off since Harry gave it to you for Christmas. Oh, Hermione! Don't tell me you lost that, too?"
"No, my locket is upstairs in my jewellery box," Hermione replied with a frown.
"I could see you misplacing one jumper or maybe even two," Lavender said with a laugh. "But you're the most organized person I know. The only thing, I've ever known you to lose is your patience...and your temper."
"Very funny," Hermione gave her a look. "Why are you here?"
"We thought we'd take you out for a bite to eat," Seamus said giving her a sympathetic smile. "My treat, of course."
"Oh, that's really nice of you," Hermione softened.
"So does that mean you're going to come?" Lavender asked. "Come on, Hermione. You've got to eat. And I'll have someone to commiserate with when Seamus here goes on and on about how Citizen Kane is a masterpiece...and he rags on me again for falling asleep through it the fourth time he tried to get me to watch it."
"It's a great film!" Seamus exclaimed.
"It's a boring film," Lavender said, rolling her eyes.
"That is a good film," Hermione smiled conspiratorially at Seamus.
"Not you, too," Lavender said, shaking her head. "It's about some stupid man and some wonky sled called Rosebud. Boring!"
Hermione shook her head. "This comes from the girl whose favourite movie is that American film Clueless."
Lavender glared at Hermione. "Now' that's a great film! And I'll have you know it was a modern adaptation of that Jane Austen book, Emma. So there, Miss Smarty-pants and Mister High-Brow Movie Man."
Hermione and Seamus looked at each other and laughed. "You only like it because they go shopping," Hermione said between giggles.
"That's not the only reason I like it," Lavender replied defensively. "And at least my favourite movie doesn't put you to sleep like someone else's I might add."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione and Seamus asked at the same time.
"Citizen Kane is a better sleep aid than any sleeping draught out there," Lavender said simply.
Seamus shook his head. "One day I'll have you bloody trained to appreciate the finer movies."
"The day you get me to stay awake through that movie is the day I get a personality transplant," Lavender replied hotly. "Besides, we didn't come over here to debate films, did we? We came over here to take Hermione out and she hasn't answered our question. So, Miss Granger..."
"All right," Hermione replied. "Let me get my bag."
Lavender watched as Hermione went upstairs to collect her bag. "Do you think she saw through us?" she asked in hushed tones to Seamus.
"I don't think so," Seamus replied in the same low tone. "It probably helps that we came up to the door together..."
"Yeah," Lavender said, nodding. "This whole thing with Gordon gives me the chills."
Seamus wrapped his arms around his shoulders and kissed the side of her head. "I hope Harry gets back on time," he said. "I don't like sneaking around like this."
"Neither do I," Lavender whispered. "I don't like her staying here alone."
"Maybe you should stay the rest of the week with her," Seamus suggested.
"How am I going to get her to agree to that?" Lavender asked.
"I don't know," Seamus said. "You're the charming one not me."
"I am, aren't I?" she said smiling at him.
Hermione came back into the hallway. "Okay," she said. "Sorry it took me so long..."
"So what are you two ladies in the mood for tonight?" Seamus asked. He gave a warning look to Lavender. "And please don't say sushi."
Hermione made a face. "Yes, please don't say sushi." she shuddered. "How about pizza?"
"Pizza sounds fine," Lavender said grinning at her boyfriend. "I wasn't even going to mention sushi."
"Right," Seamus said sarcastically.
"So, have you heard from Mr. Wonderful?" Lavender asked as Seamus held the door open for them.
"No," Hermione said with a sigh. "I know he's busy though so I wasn't thinking I would hear from him."
Hermione had confided to Lavender about the argument she and Harry had before he'd left for New Zealand. "Everything will be okay," Lavender said, putting an arm around her cousin. "You two just need to have your talk and it'll be okay."
"I know," Hermione said. "And now I've promised to go flying with him as well..."
Lavender snorted. "You? On a broom?"
"Sod off," Hermione slid into one side of a booth as Lavender and Seamus got into the other.
"Were you pissed at the time you made this promise?" Lavender asked.
"No," Hermione said. "He's... just very persuasive is all."
"You were having sex at the time, weren't you?" Lavender asked.
"Oi! You two aren't the only ones at this table!" Seamus broke in.
"I didn't bring it up," Hermione said.
"Alright, alright," Lavender said. "But, seriously, Hermione! Are you really going to do this? Fly?"
"I suppose it couldn't hurt," Hermione said, only slightly hesitant.
"Trust me Hermione, there's no one better than Harry to take you flying, and I'm not just saying that because you're his girlfriend." Seamus smiled at her.
"That's true, Hermione," Lavender admitted. "He'd never let anything happen to you."
"I do feel safer when Harry's around..." Hermione said thoughtfully. "Which I suppose is a bit ridiculous since there's nothing around that's going to harm me."
Lavender and Seamus exchanged a look.
"What's that for?" Hermione had noticed it.
"What's what for?" Lavender asked innocently.
"Why are you two looking at each other like that?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
Lavender looked helplessly at Seamus for help. "Lavender and I made a silly bet is all, Hermione," he finally said, spouting out the first thing that came to mind.
"A silly bet?" Hermione asked, her eyes still narrowed.
"Aye," Seamus said, nodding. "Lavender thought Harry was a fool to worry about you while he was away and I thought he had a right to be worried so we made a bet as to whether or not you would get scared being on your own."
Hermione stared at them. "Why would Harry worry about me when he was away?"
"You remember how you heard those noises outside your cottage a few weeks back?" Seamus asked. "And that time we thought we saw someone lurking about outside? You never figured out where that was coming from, did you? I imagine Harry was worried about leaving you alone..." Seamus said a silent prayer that Hermione would buy what he was saying.
"Oh..." Hermione turned to look out the window. Lavender and Seamus shared another quick look, this time in relief. "Well I suppose you're right. I hadn't thought of that."
"Nothing like that has happened recently, has it?" Lavender asked. "No strange noises or people standing outside?"
"Not that I know of," Hermione said. "At least, I haven't heard anything in a few weeks now."
"That's good," Lavender said, and felt an overwhelming sense of relief when the waiter came to the table and took their orders. After he'd left, Lavender decided to broach the subject of staying with her cousin until Harry came back.
"Hermione?" Lavender asked, crossing her fingers under the table. "Would you mind if I stayed with you a few days?"
Hermione looked up, surprised. "I suppose that would be fine," she said. "Why do you want to stay with me? Are my parents going out of town or something?"
"No," Lavender said shaking her head. "But you know we never get to spend time together like we used to. We shared a room for how many years? And I just thought with Harry gone, you and I could catch up."
"Sure..." Hermione was still giving her a strange look. "That'd be nice Lav,"
"Great," Lavender said, smiling across the table at her cousin. "It'll be like old times."
"As long as you don't touch my hair," Hermione said.
"Need I remind you again who it was that did your hair the night of your big dance at that other resort and it was me who styled Cho's hair for her wedding," Lavender said airily.
Hermione simply shrugged and Seamus laughed at his girlfriend.
"But if it will make you feel more secure, I promise not to touch one hair on your head," Lavender said.
"Thank you," Hermione replied. "Merlin I hope our pizza comes soon. I'm starving!"
"Me, too," Lavender agreed.
"So how have your classes been going?" Seamus asked Hermione. "Lav says you're working on some big project?"
"Yes, Gordon and I partnered up together," Hermione said. "Counts for sixty percent of our grade this term."
"Gordon?" Seamus asked, nearly choking on his water.
"Yes," Hermione said as Lavender patted him hard on the back as he coughed. "What's so surprising about that?"
"Nothing, of course," Lavender answered for Seamus. "So I take it he's coming by and working on the project with you quite regularly, eh?"
"We've mostly been working at school this week," Hermione said. "But usually we work at home."
"Yours or his?" Lavender asked, trying to keep the surprised tone from her voice.
"At my place," Hermione looked at them both. "What's with the bloody third degree about Gordon? Has Harry been saying nasty things about him to either of you?"
"Yes," Lavender said, at the same time that Seamus said, "No, of course not."
Hermione sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. "Which one of you is going to fill me in?" she asked pointedly.
"Now don't get angry at Harry," Seamus began. "He was only trying to look out for you..."
"Tell me," Hermione said evenly.
Seamus frowned. He decided to tell her the truth, but he'd leave out what Luna had discovered about Gordon. "Harry asked Ron and I to check in on you while he was away," he said quietly. "He was worried about you being by yourself."
"And I told him many times that I was perfectly FINE by myself," Hermione bit back her angrier words.
"There's no need to get angry," Lavender said, watching helplessly as Hermione grabbed her cloak and bag. "Hermione! You can't leave!"
"Why not?" Hermione snapped. "Obviously none of you think I'm capable of taking care of myself if you're there checking up on me. And what was that bullshit you just gave me about wanting to catch up?" she glared at her cousin. "You just want to stay there because Harry wanted you to!"
"That's not true!" Lavender said quickly. "Hermione, he didn't ask me to stay. I wanted to. We're only looking out for you."
"I can take care of myself," Hermione said coldly.
"We know that," Seamus replied. "Harry knows that, Hermione. He just wanted us to keep an eye on you while you were gone...and I know I'm making this worse, but I...I have no bloody idea what to say!"
Lavender looked around as some of their fellow patrons were looking in their direction.
"He's treating me like a baby," Hermione was stubborn. "I already told him I hated that yet he goes behind my back and asks you all to look in on me as if I was Chiaki!"
"The two of you really need to talk," Lavender said. "I wish there was some way you could talk now and he could explain why...Hermione, he loves you. He just wants to keep you safe."
"I'm not in any bloody danger!" Hermione wanted to explode.
Lavender watched as Hermione slung her bag over her shoulder and nearly ran out of the restaurant. "We should go after her," Lavender said, looking to Seamus.
"Aye," Seamus reached into his pocket and tossed down some money as he and Lavender ran out after her.
"Hermione!" Lavender called out as they walked outside. "Hermione!"
"Leave me alone," Hermione walked faster, trying to lose her cousin and Seamus.
"Hermione, I know you're upset and you have every right to be..." Lavender said, jogging to catch up to Hermione.
"Damn right I do," Hermione didn't look at her.
"Harry knows you can take care of yourself," Seamus said, catching up to the girls. "He...he has a good reason for being concerned. He wouldn't have asked Ron and I to look out for you, if he wasn't."
"Isn't there some way you could talk to him now?" Lavender asked. "You both need to talk about this."
"No, there isn't a way," Hermione said shortly. "He's on a training mission, or didn't he tell you that? No- he was too busy trying to get me a baby sitter!"
Lavender was losing patience with Hermione by the moment. Everyone was looking out for her and she wasn't listening to reason. "Maybe because you're acting like a big baby!" Lavender heard herself exclaim. "I'm sorry, Hermione. But we're all just trying to look out for you. Pardon us for caring, but we don't want anything to happen to you!"
"Well why are you all looking out for me? Because you all think Gordon 'isn't right in the head' as Harry put it?" Hermione yelled back. "You all think he's going to do something to me is that it?"
Seamus stepped in between them. "Let's everyone calm down. Hermione, you need to talk to Harry. He should have told you about this before he left, but for some reason, he didn't. Don't get angry at Lavender. She had no idea that Harry had asked Ron and I to look in on you. Honestly."
Hermione looked at him a moment. "All right," she said in a normal tone of voice. "I'm sorry Lav."
"I'm sorry, too," Lavender said softly. "I hate when you and I fight."
Hermione shook her head. "You mean you don't like being at my throat all the time? Come on..." she smiled.
"I'm not at your throat...all the time," Lavender said, giving her cousin a hug.
Seamus smiled. "That's better now," he said.
"If you'd let me, I'd still like to stay with you," Lavender said. "I really did mean what I said about missing hanging out with you, Hermione."
"All right," Hermione said. "And I'm sorry for running out of there like that... it's not your fault Harry's asked you all to baby sit me."
"You're really going to let him have it when he gets home, aren't you?" Seamus asked, not envying his friend at all.
"Well he'll certainly know I don't appreciate this." Hermione frowned. "I mean... I DO appreciate the fact that he's concerned about me but not like this."
"Well, since there's nothing we can do about it now," Seamus said, linking arms with both girls. "How about we go and get a pizza and take it back to the cottage? We can watch a movie or something...and before you say one word Lavender...no, we don't have to watch Citizen Kane. We don't want you falling asleep on us, do we?"
"That sounds good to me," Hermione smiled at them.
*** *** ***
Neville walked with Harry down a Diagon Alley sidewalk. They'd just returned from their training session and both of them were tired, but very happy to be home.
"Are you really sure buying flowers is a good idea?" Neville asked, as they walked toward a florist. "I've always heard that when you buy a woman flowers for no particular reason, she's going to know you did something you feel you need to apologise for."
"Or it just shows her that you appreciate her," Harry said, stopping at a large flower laden cart. "It wouldn't hurt you to get some for Cho."
"We wouldn't want you showing me up or anything, would we?" Neville asked, looking at the variety of flowers before them. "You look a bit pale, Harry. Are you thinking of asking her tonight?"
"Maybe," Harry said thoughtfully, looking and passing over some roses. "I really want it to be the perfect moment."
"I can understand that," Neville said. "But you haven't spoken with her parents yet, have you?"
"No," Harry said. "Do you really think I should talk to them first? You all were just taking the mickey out of me the other day so I wasn't really listening."
Neville nodded. "I don't know Dr. Granger very well, of course, but I think he'd appreciate it if you asked him if you could propose. He seems to be the old-fashioned type."
"Yeah I guess you're right," Harry finally picked out a bouquet of daisies and several other flowers and gave the witch a Galleon for them.
"You want me to come back to the cottage with you?" Neville asked, as he picked out some red and pink carnations for Cho.
"No that's okay," Harry said. "I know you want to get home to the wife and baby."
"More than you know," Neville grinned. "Good luck, mate."
"Thanks I'll need it," Harry said. He waved goodbye to his friend and headed for Horizon Alley, smiling when he saw his cottage come into view. He let himself in, dropping his bag on the floor in the hallway. "Hermione?" he called.
Hermione came out of the bedroom carrying a laundry basket. She'd not expected him home so soon so she'd been doing some household chores before she returned to her studying. Slowly, she descended the staircase, wondering what she was going to say.
"Hey!" Harry's face lit up as he saw her.
"Hey," Hermione said coolly, dropping the basket to the floor. "You're early. I wasn't expecting you back until later."
"I know, we finished up just a few hours ago and Lupin arranged for earlier portkeys," Harry said. He stepped forward to embrace her and was surprised when she pulled away.
"You sure you don't want to go and pay Seamus and Ron for babysitting me?" she snapped. "They made sure I didn't get into any trouble or throw any wild parties while you were away."
Harry stared at her a moment. "Who told you that?" he finally asked.
"Seamus let it slip," Hermione answered. "But it doesn't matter who told me. It matters that even after you told me you knew I could take care of myself, you still went behind my back like that, Harry! I have one father already. I don't need another one."
"I know you don't," Harry said. "But I was worried all right? We have someone coming around our house late at night and peeking in the windows, and I was worried about you being here all alone!"
Hermione sighed. "I appreciate your concern, I really do. But, I'm quite capable of handling myself. You know I'm not some simpering fool."
"I know you're not," Harry said, dismayed that he'd been in the door for about a minute and they were fighting. "I'm sorry all right?" he reached out to caress her cheek.
"Stop it," she said, moving away from him. "That's not always going to solve our problems."
"I'm not saying it is!" Harry's voice rose and he unsuccessfully tried to push down his anger.
Hermione ran a hand through her hair. "I could understand if you had a good reason to be afraid for my safety, Harry, but you don't. Gordon is harmless. And whoever it was sneaking around outside our cottage, they've not been back in weeks. It was probably some of the neighbourhood children playing a prank..."
"I'm glad you find Gordon so harmless," Harry snapped. "If you knew what I knew-" he stopped short as he remembered an owl he'd gotten from Luna right before he had left. She had managed to get a few leads on Gordon's parents' whereabouts and would fill him in when he returned. He wanted to tell Hermione what he knew but he also wanted to wait until he had as much dirt as he could on the other bloke.
"What do you mean if I knew what you knew?" she asked hotly. When he didn't answer, she shook her head and laughed. "There you go again, keeping secrets from me. I guess not only do you decide whether or not I can be left alone, you also decide what I know and don't know."
"Hermione..." Harry started as she grabbed her basket and turned away. "Some homecoming this is," he muttered.
"What did you expect?" she asked, dropping the basket back down on the floor. "Me to fall at your feet thanking you for what you did?"
"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!" Harry finally lost his temper. "Damn it, I guess because you think there's nothing wrong means that I shouldn't care if anything happens to you while I'm gone?"
"I NEVER SAID THAT!" she retorted. "I said I appreciated your concern, but there was nothing to be concerned about, Harry! And if there was, I guess I know now you'd never tell me. I'm too fragile to handle it!"
"I don't think that!" Harry snapped back. "You're just too damn stubborn to listen to reason!"
"Me? That's rich!" she said, walking out of the room and up the stairs toward the bedroom with Harry hot on her heels. She pushed open the bedroom door and walked inside.
"You are!" Harry said angrily. "You don't listen to anyone when you're in a strop. I was concerned and you pushed that away. So I asked my friends to look in on you! I don't see any harm in that!"
Hermione sank onto the bed and put her head in her hands.
"What?" Harry looked at her. "What could possibly have you so stressed out?"
She looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes. "I guess my schoolwork doesn't amount to too much in the eyes of some big-shot Auror. My finals are coming up and I've still got that project to finish and you and I are fighting all the time. I can't imagine why any of that would stress me out!"
Harry sighed. "Your schoolwork isn't any less important than my training all right? I never thought it was."
"I know," she said quietly. "I just..."
"Just what?" Harry asked.
"Just feel like we're falling apart and I can't do anything about it," she answered simply, wiping a tear from her cheek.
Harry felt a flutter of panic in his stomach. "We're not falling apart." he said, sitting next to her. "We're just... going through a rough patch."
"Is that really all it is?" she asked him.
"I think so," Harry said more calmly. "We haven't even been together a year and already we've had more to deal with than most couples aye?"
"We sure have," Hermione said softly. "I-I'm sorry for overreacting."
"No I'm sorry for not trusting you." Harry slid an arm around her and was relieved when she didn't pull away. "I know you can take care of yourself."
"Thank you," she said, hugging him tightly. "I did miss you, you know."
"Just a little bit?" Harry smiled as he kissed the side of her head.
"Maybe more than a little," Hermione said slyly. "Were those flowers downstairs for me?"
"No," Harry teased. "I bought them as a welcome home present for myself."
"You would," she said with a laugh.
"What does that mean?" Harry pretended to be affronted.
"Nothing," Hermione said, kissing him. "Nothing at all."
"That's more like it," Harry pressed his lips to hers again. "That's what I've been thinking of all week."
"Harry," she said as he lowered her back onto the bed. "I have housework to finish..."
"Leave it and I'll help you out later," Harry kissed the side of her neck.
"It seems to me you want to help me out now," she teased as he began to unbutton her shirt.
"Help you out of your clothes that is," Harry grinned at her.
She laughed. "It has been a week..."
"And that's seven days too long," He said, his voice muffled as he kissed over her skin.
"Way too long," Hermione agreed. She loved being with him like this again, but she wasn't about to fool herself into thinking that their problems were over. They still had so much to talk about, but it wasn't important now.