Innocent Eyes

Innocent Eyes

Chapter Four

“Do you like the blue ones or the green ones?” Hermione asked when they were buying robes.  Harry had gotten out of it by going off to Flourish and Blotts to surprise Charmain with a few books to start her own collection and Hermione noticed he was taking an awfully long time that is unless he had wandered into Quality Quidditch Supplies.

“I think you look good in blue,” Charmain said.  They were finished buying her robes and Charmain had decided Hermione needed some new robes, but what Hermione didn’t know was that Charmain was thinking she could wear them when she and Harry started dating.  Hermione just thought Charmain was being sweet.

“Yes, we’ll leave the green robes to you and Harry and your eyes,” Hermione said.

“You think he has nice eyes?” Charmain asked nonchalantly.

“Oh, my gosh they’re gorgeous,” Hermione said forgetting to catch herself and then blushing furiously when she realized what she had said.  “Hey, you, no mind games allowed!”

“I’m not playing games it was just a question.”

“Uh, huh, ready to go pick out what kind of room you want?”  Hermione asked changing the topic.

“I know, I want it to be like the sky,” Charmain answered.

“Why is that?”

“Well, I always remembered that when I was little I would try to look out the windows of the dormitories and I was too short.  It isn’t a problem now, but back then I used to love to look out at the sky while I learned to read, but I couldn’t see,” Charmain explained.

“Then you’re going to love the room I picked for you,” Hermione smiled deviously.

“Why?”

“Nope, it’s a surprise,” Hermione said not budging. “What kind of bed do you want?”

“I think the size I had was nice, but I want different sheets.  Anything but white,” Charmain said rolling her eyes.

“You sure, because we could get you a double instead of a twin?”

“Yes, I really only had a problem with the sheets,” Charmain answered as they walked down the street.  Charmain had to hold Hermione’s hand because Hermione was afraid she’d get lost, but Charmain chose not to argue.

When they got to the shop that sold linens Charmain ended up choosing a light green color for her bedding.  Hermione told her that they could enchant her ceiling to be like the sky so Charmain chose a light blue for her walls because the sky wouldn’t always be as blue as she wanted.  Her dresser and desk were light oak and Hermione said they could make her a closet.  Then she asked about books.

“That’s a surprise too,” Hermione said.

“So, I’m guessing you have a lot of books?” Charmain said knowing that it would only be a surprise if it was good news.

“Something like that,” Hermione answered, and Charmain knew from when Harry had said the same phrase earlier that she was right.

“Where’s Harry?” Charmain asked as they walked around aimlessly.

“Good question,” Hermione said looking around.  It was beginning to get dark and she wanted to get back home.

“Why don’t we finish up buying the odds and ends you’ll need,” Hermione said going towards another small shop.

“Like what?”

“Like a toothbrush for instance,” Hermione said not really knowing what else she needed.  She was nine so she was hoping that she wasn’t too high maintenance just yet.

“Oh, yeah, I’ll probably be needing one of those tonight,” Charmain agreed.

After they were done buying Charmain everything from the toothbrush to shampoo they began looking for Harry, and Hermione found him just where she thought she would, Quality Quidditch Supplies.

“Hey, you two, have a nice time shopping?” Harry asked.

Hermione and Charmain nodded.

“Good, because I did a bit of my own,” Harry said and held up a bag from Flourish and Blotts and one from the store he had just come out of.

“What’d you get?” Charmain asked.

“Well, I got you a book about the Chudley cannons, a couple snitches because mine are getting warn out and that library card you asked for.  Also, a few new books all your own.  I didn’t know what you liked so I asked them what eleven-year-olds read,” Harry said.

“I’m not eleven years old though?” Charmain said confused.

“Well, your reading level is so I figured you would want something new,” Harry answered.

“Thanks!” Charmain smiled.

“I’m impressed Harry I thought you’d come back with a new set of quidditch balls and a broom,” Hermione smiled.

Harry looked like he was a little kid who had just gotten caught at something.

“Harry you didn’t…”

“They won’t be in till next week?” Harry said hopefully.

Charmain’s jaw was about to hit the ground. Were they serious did he really get her a broom?

“Are you serious?” Charmain choked.

“Well, I was hoping I could train you, I was quite interested when I saw you catch that snitch.  I used to be a seeker on the Gryffindor team when I was at Hogwarts, and I thought starting early wouldn’t hurt anyone.  Besides the Weasley’s have a traditional quidditch game at every get-together, and I want my family to be prepared.” Harry said.  Hermione was looking a bit pale.

“Wow, just wow,” Charmain said and hugged Harry. 

“Oh, come on Hermione I know you want in on this,” Harry said looking at her still surprised face.

“Harry are you insane!  Flying’s dangerous!” Hermione said anxiously not caring if Charmain heard.

“Hermione I’ll be with her the whole time!” Harry said.

“Fine, but I want no part in it,” Hermione answered coldly. “I’m going to go get your room ready Charmain, you stay with Harry for a little while,” and in the blink of an eye Hermione apparated to their flat.

“Harry I don’t think Hermione’s happy about you teaching me to fly.  Maybe you shouldn’t,” Charmain said not wanting to cause them to put any distance between them.

“Charmain you listen, now Hermione may act like she hates the idea, but she was always really happy when we won matches, I think she secretly loves quidditch.”

“Maybe she loves you,” Charmain said indifferently.

“I wish…HEY!” Harry said indignantly.

“I think I hit a nerve, or a soft spot,” Charmain giggled.

“What kind of books have you been reading young lady?” Harry asked trying to act a little peeved, but failing miserably.  Secretly, he was glad that he might now have someone besides Ron to talk to about Hermione.

“Anything that the orphanage carries, and that’s all I’m saying.  You can’t deny faith,” Charmain answered.

“You don’t think she’d be too mad if I took you out for ice cream?” Harry asked changing the subject. They walked towards Florean Fortescue’s.

“No, I wager she’d think it was a nice gesture,” Charmain answered.

“Good because I really want a sundae what about you?”

“I like pistachio,” Charmain answered.

“What kind of kid likes pistachio,” Harry thought out loud.

“I do,” Charmain answered cheerfully.

By the time they got home it was nine o’clock and Hermione was sitting on the couch reading.

“Hey what took you two so long?” Hermione asked looking up from her book.

“We went for ice cream,” Charmain answered.

“Aw, that was nice of you Harry,” Hermione said and Charmain glanced back at Harry.

“Yeah, well how’s the room coming along?” Harry asked ignoring Charmain’s glance.

“I don’t know its owner has the final word,” Hermione said.

“Where is it?” Charmain asked looking at the two doors she had to choose from.  One was Hermione’s room and the other was the bathroom.

“Neither of those, your room’s upstairs,” Harry answered.

“Oh,” Charmain said.

“But while you’re here, the door to the right of the living room is Hermione’s bedroom and the other one is one of the bathrooms, there’s another upstairs,” Harry said.

“You mean you two don’t share a room?” Charmain asked sneakily.

“No, now come on up you go,” Hermione, said motioning to the stairs and playing it like she wasn’t blushing thirty shades of magenta.

“Your rooms at the end of the hall, it used to be a library,” Hermione said.

“Wow,” Charmain said when she walked into the room.  Her ceiling really did reflect the sky and there was a bookshelf on the wall.  There was the desk, dresser, and bed she and Hermione had bought together and white doors that led to her closet.  Then she saw the window seat and ran over to look out to the nice view it had. “Thank you,” Charmain said coming back to hug them.

“You’re welcome, what’s ours is yours, except for my file cabinets, but I doubt you’ll try to get into them.  I keep pretty good locking charms on them,” Harry said.

“Don’t worry I hate documents,” Charmain said referring to the adoption papers and the like.

“You and I have yet another thing in common,” Hermione said smiling. “Harry’s documents make a very large mess in his office, which is right across the hall.  The bathroom was to your right when you come up the stairs and Harry’s room is across from it if you ever need anything.”

“Alright, I think I’m going to leave you two alone and go to sleep now.  What time is breakfast?” Charmain asked.

“Whenever you wake up, I’ll be here all day,” Harry said.

“Yes,” Charmain said happy she didn’t have to get up at seven in the morning unless she wanted to.

“Goodnight, Charmain,” Hermione said kissing her head, and Harry followed.

“Do you uh, want to be tucked in or anything?” Harry asked.  He wasn’t sure what the cut-off age for it was.

“No, but it’s nice to know you’re willing,” Charmain answered thinking about a few of the people at the orphanage who wouldn’t do that unless you paid them, like Ms. Charles.

“Okay, goodnight,” Harry said and joined Hermione back on the couch.

“The kid’s brave I’ll give her that,” Hermione laughed putting her book down.

“Yeah, she’ll make a great Gryffindor,” Harry smiled.

“You can’t wait to watch her play quidditch can you?” Hermione smirked.

“Nope, and you’ll be right their with me.  She’s got your last name,” Harry reminded her.

“Yes, but she’s being influenced by your rebelliousness nonetheless, I can tell.  I still can’t believe you ordered her a broom,” Hermione said shaking her head.

“Well, someone had to,” Harry shrugged.

“Yes, but she can’t even take it to Hogwarts for two more years, as far as I know the first years not having brooms rule stands,” Hermione countered.

“Hey, I never did get a look at those papers, when’s her birthday?” Harry asked.

“I looked at them while you were gone,” Hermione said snuggling up to him.  She was already in her pajamas.

“Really, you took a shower too, your hair smells nice,” Harry said and Hermione secretly swooned.

“Thanks.”

“Just making an observation,” Harry said not wanting to sound, well, he didn’t really know, but he had noted when Charmain said ‘leave you two alone.’  The kid wasn’t one to feel unwanted and Harry didn’t think taking in her scent would help prove her wrong, that they were just friends.

“Her birthday’s January, 4^th, she’s just over a meter and a half tall (about 4 ft. 10 in., again tall kid), and her parents were Marquis Aiglentine and Ciara Malfoy.  Before you even call Draco and interrupt a newlywed shag session he and Gin are probably having it’s a very common name in France,” Hermione said looking at Harry who hadn’t moved, but she could tell by looking into his eyes that the wheels in his mind were turning.

“I wasn’t going to say a word,” Harry said a few moments later.

“Sure, but you can’t deny that the blonde hair does kind of resemble Malfoy’s,” Hermione said.

“So, her birthday’s in January?  She’s almost ten, wow, they sure do grow up fast,” Harry said smiling.

“I was thinking that it is sort of odd that we aren’t even old enough to be her biological parents.  I almost think she will come to look at us as an aunt and uncle,” Hermione said and Harry brought his arm around to hold her to him.  He really liked snuggling with her.

“Hopefully a cool aunt and uncle,” Harry said smiling.

“What are you smiling about?” Hermione asked.

“Does there have to be a reason?  You, Charmain, and me it’s a beautiful picture don’t you think?  In fact I can’t wait to get one to hang above the fireplace.”

“That would be nice.  I just can’t believe I signed a marriage license today,” Hermione said rolling her eyes.

“What am I not husband material?”  Harry asked and Hermione didn’t know what to say.

“I wouldn’t know I haven’t had a good romp with you yet,” Hermione smiled.

“Is that why you don’t ever keep a guy?  No one to satisfy you in bed?” Harry laughed and Hermione jumped him because both knew that wasn’t true, but he began to tickle her furiously to get her off.

“Ah, stop, Harry!”

“Come on say you bet I’m good, come on,” Harry said still tickling.

“You know I didn’t mean that! Ah!” Hermione said when he finally pinned her to the couch.  Her hair was sprawled on the cushions and a powerful arms to the side of each of her shoulders.

“Say it, come on,” Harry smirked.

“Alright, I bet Harry Potter’s good in bed,” Hermione said and blushed despite all her attempts not to.

“What? Oh, thank you, but I wanted you to say I’m good husband material,” Harry laughed.  Hermione blushed even more.

“Fine, you’re good husband material?”

“And…”

“And what?”

“And I could so satisfy you in bed,” Harry smirked and then his eyes went wide with the knowledge of what he’d just said.  It definitely didn’t sound like that in his head.

“Harry…” Hermione said unsure of what to do about a very warm feeling spreading through her.

“Hermione, I’m sorry,” Harry still didn’t know what to say, but he also hadn’t moved from being on top of her and his body was becoming aware of the suggestive position. 

“Don’t be,” Hermione said shaking her head.

“Huh?” Harry asked confused.

“I think Charmain was right, we just need to be left alone…” Hermione said and was starting to laugh thinking about everyone that tried to put them in these situations.  Charmain had just succeeded. 

“We do, don’t we?” Harry said and Hermione smiled and then her eyes got wide at the realization of what he meant.

There were only a few seconds for her to prepare for the meeting of his eyes to hers, and then it happened.

Harry leaned down and gingerly touched his lips to Hermione’s, and then everything felt right.  Instantly Hermione responded and lifted her hands to run through his hair.  The kiss slowly became more passionate. One of his hands cupped her head to his.  She made a noise in the back of her throat that drove him insane.

Hermione couldn’t believe what was happening to them, and what wild crazy part of her had decided it was right to do this.  To snog with her best friend on their living room couch. Charmain was just upstairs for Merlin’s sake!  Hermione lightly pulled away before anything too risqué could come about.

“It could be dangerous if we were left alone for too long,” Hermione whispered.

“I know,” Harry sighed.  There were a thousand things running through his mind and a million emotions playing through his body.  He had just kissed his best friend and it was the most wonderful kiss he’d shared with anyone.  Hermione was probably afraid of him for taking advantage of the situation.

“Harry, I think I’m going to go to bed now, good night,” Hermione said silently leaving the couch and avoiding the awkward silence that was bound to set in.  She didn’t kiss him on the cheek as usual ritual before they separated to their respectable rooms.  She absolutely couldn’t bring herself to do it after what had just happened.  What Harry had just made her say?  The kiss they had just shared.

Harry’s mind finally registered that she was leaving and quickly he said something, “Hermione do you think it’s faith?”

“What?”  Hermione asked confused.

“Never mind, good night,” Harry said and sauntered up the stairs for a night of tossing and turning.

Charmain slept with a smile on her face knowing the words Harry had just said.  They were finally beginning to see.