Chapter 09 - Dinner and Friends
Jake's apartment was a typical bachelor's home, sparsely furnished with only the essentials, since he wasn't typically there for more then sleep. He rarely entertained in his apartment, that's why there are so many restaurants in the city. Only a very few people know where he lives and even fewer had ever seen his home. Eileen was one of those select few.
His apartment was a typical beach loft, the space sub-divided with glass-brick walls. The area typically called a living room held a large sofa in front of a large coffee table flanked by a pair of wing-back chairs. Against the wall near the front door stood a staple of most bachelors', a large entertainment center, which was seldom used. To the side opposite the front entrance stood a hall with the only solid walls in the apartment, leading to back of the apartment hiding the bath and bed area. His bedroom had a glass-brick wall separating it with the living room, making the space seem larger then it truly was. To the right of the entrance, was his kitchen, with a eat-in bar sub-dividing it from the living area. He had enough room for a small but functional table, big enough for two, three if he pulled it away from the wall.
The crowning glory of the apartment was to the left side, a massive wall of windows opening to a small balcony overlooking the ocean. The beach was not only clearly visible but the surf could be easily heard with the sliding glass doors opened. It was the view he had dreamed of since he was a kid. The rest wasn't important, since his main love was the ocean. A small table and two chairs on the balcony blocked the view. Jake had spent many a night, sitting at that small table staring to the horizon.
Jake was busy working in the small kitchen, a huge pot boiling on the stove; it resembled an old kettle one would have seen hanging in a fireplace two hundred years ago. He had found it at a yard sale many years ago and used it often since it was the perfect size for his favorite dinner, those crustaceans he captured this afternoon. He wanted to wait until his guests arrived before he cooked the delicacies. But the flounders did require cleaning and preparation before hand. With the skill of an experienced surgeon, he relieved the flat fish of their flesh, his initial wounds were carefully placed so to not damage the delicate flesh, as the entrails were carefully removed and discarded. The filets were lightly floured and placed in a large glass pan. He drained the juice from several lemons into a cup, and carefully sliced the edge of the skin, the very zest, from the shell of the citrus fruit and finely chopped it into almost a fine paste. He added that to the juice, and poured the mixture over the fish. He placed a large slice of butter on each piece of fish in the pan, and finally he emptied a bottle of a dry white wine in the pan. The creation will be put in the broiler when he introduces the lobsters to the cauldron on the stove.
He glanced at the clock on the stove, 6:25, time for a quick shower and a final 'pick-up' of the apartment. The steam from the pot on the stove combined with the steam from the shower, nearly cooking him as he was planning to do to the lobsters within the hour. He selected a comfortable but colorful shirt, and khaki slacks, the most formal clothes he owned.
At the stroke of seven, he heard a soft rap on the door.
"Come on in, it's open."
"Jake, hope we're not too early."
"Nope, right on time. Harriet, Herman, good to see you two again."
"Thank you for your hospitality, sir." Harriet greeted her host.
"No formalities, just Jake. Eileen, care for a glass of white?"
"Love one. And they can have a glass too, if the wish, a small one."
"Umm, they're too young, this ain't Europe."
"It's ok, a small one won't hurt." Eileen assured him.
"That's a fantastic view," Herman observed, "I can see why you like living here."
"Yeah, kid. That's why I gave up my old life to move here. I got tired of the rat race."
"Excuse me? Rat race?"
"It's a term they use for the average work day." Harriet replied. "Exactly what did you do?"
"I used to be a 'wizard'." He replied casually.
"Excuse me?" The two teens asked in unison, Eileen was use to his sense of humor.
"I used to be a 'wizard', a computer wizard, software developer actually. Worked with them since College."
"Computers?" they both looked to each other.
"Don't tell me you've never heard of them, why the latest OS, Win98 is much better then the old stuff. I have two in my shop running inventories and such."
"Our school is still very traditional, and we don't use computers there. Dudley got one a year or so ago, but he smashed it soon after he got it." The boy replied.
"Man, you guys must live in the dark ages over there, how do you send you mail? By carrier pigeon? Hahaha…" Jake thought he was being funny, but noticed he was the only one laughing.
"Actually, we have a specialized private delivery system." The girl replied, looking a bit taken back. "We're not completely backward, you know. "
"Umm, didn't mean to offend you guys, it's just funny that you haven't heard of that technology before. Anyway, I gotta get dinner cooking, it'll be about fifteen minutes, you can watch a bit of TV if you want."
"Thank you, no, can we offer some help preparing dinner?"
"That's ok, it's all taken care of. Go enjoy the view on the balcony. Eileen, let me refresh your glass." He motioned to her to join him in the kitchen while the two teens walked to the balcony.
"What is it Jake?"
"I hope I didn't offend them, she seemed kinda pissed at my pigeon joke. We use to kid around like that all the time." He seemed concerned that his guests were not at ease.
"Don't worry 'bout it, they're not use to the same things we are. They don't watch TV there either, they really do things the old-fashion way." She reached for his hand and gave it a re-assuring squeeze. "They're fine, don't worry about them."
"Can I ask one thing, and tell me the truth; they're not related are they?"
"Ask them yourself, if you're curious."
"Alright, let's get these critters in the pot." He slid the flounder under the broiler first, knowing they would take a few minutes to cook, and then opened his cooler from the boat. He picked up the six lobsters he caught that day and introduced them to a nice warm steam bath.
While he was busy with the main course, Eileen opened the fridge and pulled out a head of lettuce and pulled out a large knife from the draw. She roughly chopped the lettuce, and deposited it in a large bowl. She repeated the chopping with other items for the salad, and put that on the table while Jake checked the steaming.
"It'll be ready in 5 minutes, kids." He yelled to the balcony.
On the balcony, the two teens pulled the chairs together and sat quietly fingers interlaced. The view and sounds of the ocean at dusk had them mesmerized. She nuzzled her head into his shoulder and he lightly kissed her cheek.
"It's so peaceful here, I wish we could stay forever, I really dread going back to that..." She said as a cool breeze lifted the edges of her hair.
"I know. I can't imagine being anywhere else either. I'm glad you're here with me to enjoy this, I couldn't imagine being here with anyone else."
"Not even Ginny?" She teased.
"No, not even… HEY, that's not fair."
"Course it is, just because she's your sister doesn't mean you don't like her. I mean the way you two were carrying on and such." She grinned at him.
"It's tough to remember she's my sister, now. I still kinda like that."
"I know. I'm so glad you're happy. Just seeing you smile makes me warm inside."
"When it's over, I promise we'll go somewhere with a view that'll make you forget about the view here."
"I love you, you know that."
"Yes, I do. I love you too, I always have, I guess. Strange how we've been together so long and not realized it until just now; maybe that's why we both had trouble getting together with others in the past."
"I wish we didn't have to pretend like this any more. I hate having to act like your sister. I could have just told that bully to 'sod off, my boyfriend's just over there.' But we have to keep it a secret."
"Yeah, but that was funny how he just froze. And he probably thought I'd be a pushover." He pulled her chin up to his and they joined briefly.
"We need to be more careful though." She wheezed as she pulled away. "Stunts like that could give us away. We'd better go in, I think dinner's ready."
"Ok, love, dinner now, time for us later."
They stood, still keeping their fingers woven together and walked into the small dinning area Jake set up. He had pulled the small table up into the middle of the room between the living room and the kitchen, and surrounded it with four matching chairs. From the way the table had been set, it was obvious Jake and Eileen would sit next to each other leaving Harriet and Herman to take the two remaining seats. He didn't miss the fact they were still holding hands.
"You two ever have a Florida Lobster before? They're different from the Maine lobsters you usually get."
"I, er… we've never had either before. We typically get whitefish or cod." Harriet answered.
"Well then you're in for a treat, Jake cooked a delicious dinner of flounder and lobster. Really the best part is the tail and legs. Crack it open and dip the meat in the butter." They followed Eileen and Jake's example, and tasted the treat from the ocean.
"Ummmm… That is really good."
"So is the fish, what kind is it again?" he asked Jake.
"Flounder, I cooked it in wine and lemon. Simple and quick. I keep my grocery requirements to a minimum; get most of my staples form the ocean."
"This is delicious, thank you for having us; we really haven't met too many other people since we arrived." Harriet complemented their host.
"You're welcome. There's plenty, so help yourselves."
The foursome devoured the meal accompanied by the usual chit-chat. Jake had one question on his mind since he met these two teens and he was waiting for the right moment.
- - -
"Leave the dishes, I'll clean up later." Jake told the small group.
"It's not a problem; I'm use to cleaning up after others." Herman replied as he began collecting the plates. Harriet also began collecting the dishes to help.
"It's ok, leave them. I'd like to know more about you two. Eileen's kept her family pretty much a secret, maybe I can get you guys to crack." He joked.
Eileen gave Jake a look as though the topic he broached was not one she approved.
"What did Eileen tell you about us?" Harriet asked, as she gave her cousin a questioning glare.
"Jake, I don't think this is a good time to bring this up. Kids, I wanted you to get to know Jake because he knows this area better then anyone and he's a good trusted friend that can help you two, and the more he understands, the better he can help when you need it."
"If he MUST know, then tell him, 'Harriet'."
"Well, I don't want to pry into a touchy subject; she said something about your ex-girlfriend and that you two have had a bad scare." The boy looked at the man with a fixed jaw with a gaze would have made other men back down.
"Yes, what she said was true." His anger at having to remember what they both have worked so hard to put behind them was began to show.
"It was far more then a bad scare." The girl added sarcastically.
"I know something like that must be hard to live with."
"HARD to LIVE with?" His anger started festering; she noticed and took his hand, as he squeezed it tight. "Cho was murdered, in cold blood by Viktor, yeah that's hard to live with. Padma and Hannah murdered in front of me, my friends almost killed. Sirius and Cedric killed just to get to me. My mother and father murdered. And you don't mean to pry, then WHY are you?" The boy's anger and temper began to come to a full boil; she knew he'd loose control if he didn't calm down, her palm began to sting.
"Herman…" She pulled on his arm to get his attention but he yanked it away. "HERMAN… STOP… HARRY..." She stood and grabbed his arms to pull him to face her, as she's done so many times before. "STOP!" SLAP, she dealt him a blow across the cheek, to snap him out of his anger.
"Mione?" He looked to her, his eyes glazed over and moist, having to relive his past brought his pain back quickly.
"Relax, I'm here." She grabbed him by the arms and pulled him to her, so they were face to face, cupped his face in her hands, "You know you had nothing to do with that. Please Harry… don't hide, not now, not again."
"Harry? I thought---"
"Please Jake… leave them alone. I thought it might help them, but I was wrong." Eileen commented quietly.
The girl turned to Jake and with bitterness in her voice, "All we wanted was time, and some peace. He needs to heal. IF you must know, a girl he had a crush on was murdered by a boy I dated once and who then killed himself in front of our entire school. He wasn't in control of himself; someone else had taken over his mind."
"HOLD ON… your ex killed his ex, and someone ELSE was to blame?"
"Yes, people die around me. My godfather was… is… because of me."
"Look kid, I'm sorry. I know what it's like to loose someone close."
"Do you? He was the closest thing to a father I ever knew, he was my parent's closest friend. I only knew him for a couple years, after he escaped from prison."
"WHOA… your godfather was an escapee? Why was he in prison? Eileen, you said they've been through a lot, but this story is a bit much."
"Believe me or not, you wanted to know. And Sirius was in prison for the murder of 13 people, which he didn't do. We found the proof just before he di---"
"Harry, it's ok. He died trying to save us both." She turned to their host and continued. "He was one of Harry's parents' closest friends, yes, he's not my brother, but Eileen IS my distant cousin. Harry's parents were murdered when he was one year old, in front of him. The murderer's been trying since to kill Harry. Since he can't, he's hunting and hurting those closest to him, namely, me. That's why we're hiding in this country. Last year he tried to get Ron and me, but Ron saved my life. He was badly hurt, but there were 30 other people killed in the explosion, two of them were our friends."
"What explosion, this is sounding a little too much."
"At Kings Cross last September first. Harry, you ok?"
"Yeah, Hermione, I'll be fine. But now he knows. He could tell---" Harry's hand slipped inside his shirt, and retrieved a thin wooden rod, so only she could see.
"No. We'll think of something else." She whispered as she pushed the thin wooden rod back into his shirt. "We have to. We need to be able to trust someone while we're here." She turned back to Jake, "Can you keep this to yourself?"
"I can, if you'll trust me to keep your secret. One more thing, what are your real names?"
"His name is Harry Potter and I'm Hermione Granger. But call us by our other names, please."
"Ok Harriet."
"It's terribly important that no one knows we're here. If someone should ask, act like you don't know, and let one of us know immediately. Our lives may well depend one it."
"This sounds way to serious, have you contacted the local authorities, Herm-Harriet?"
"There are only a few people that know we're here, even at home, only one other knows where we are."
Jake stood and walked to his closet in the living room, and returned with an elegantly carved wooden case. "Here, I thought I would need this when I moved down here, but I found I don't. It sounds like you'll need it more." He handed the box to Herman, who had a puzzled look.
Herman opened the box to reveal a rather large handgun. A .40 caliber M-27 Glock, with 3 13 round clips and a box of bullets. "Ummm, it's a pistol isn't it? I really don't think we need this… thing."
"Nonsense, I'll take you shooting off the boat if you want."
"Jake, he's right. I don't think a gun will help him." Eileen added.
"And if one of these people tries something, maybe with her, what can you do?"
"We both get top marks in our 'defense' classes, and Harry, err. Herman had been tutoring the younger students on more advanced techniques. He's really quite good."
"What kind of defense? Martial arts? Ti-Quan-Do?"
"Jake, leave it alone. They are capable of taking care of themselves, leave it at that."
"Look, kids, I know you don't really know me, but I would and will help. It's obvious you don't think you need this kinda protection," he put the pistol back in the case, "but I'd feel better if I knew you at least had a way to call for help."
"You really don't have to worry about us. I can take care of both of us. You really shouldn't be concerned. As a mater of fact," he stood and reached his hand to Hermione, "we really should be leaving, we've taken up too much of your time and hospitality. Thank you for a wonderful day and a delicious dinner." Harry said with a touch of sarcasm.
"Yes, I also had a marvelous time. Thank you." Hermione added reflecting Harry's tone.
"Look, kids, I'm sorry for pushing. Come to the shop anytime, the door's always open. If you want to go back out on the boat, let me know, and I'll make room."
"Kids, I'll see you back at the apartment, I need to have a talk with our host."
The two younger members of the group went to the door and left for their apartment, a short 10-minute walk.
She waited until the two had left before Eileen began her 'talk' with Jake. "Exactly what did you hope to accomplish by giving a 16 year old boy a gun?"
"I thought if he took it without knowing how to use it, he'd be a fool. If he accepted some instruction, then he'd be willing to try most anything. As it was, he refused altogether, that tells me he's either not in as much trouble as they said or he's too proud to accept help, as if he thinks his problems will magically disappear."
"So it was a test?"
"Yeah, and he refused. I believed what they said, but they really do need some help. I don't see how he could put up much of a fight, he is just a kid."
- - -
Two teenagers walked hand in hand down a quiet street in a small beach community. The day had been relaxing and enjoyable, as was dinner. The evening conversations, however, revealed more then they wanted.
"I know you wanted to Obliviate him, Harry. But if Eileen trusts him then I'm afraid we'll have to trust her judgment, at least for now."
"Then I'll leave him to you. If there's one hint of trouble, he's the first on my list. I won't risk your life for him, or her."
"Fair enough. Just try to be friendly when he's around. We have to try and trust someone while we're here. He's offered to let us out on his boat any time it's not full, do you want to go out again?"
"That was peaceful, yeah I would. But as I said, if he does ANYTHING that might harm you…"
"I know… Harry, it's kind of dark here." She stopped and pulled him into an embrace. "It's rather nice…"
Their lips met in on the dark street, locked in a lover's embrace. They both felt the passion they had begun to share. He left her lips and moved to her neck. His light kisses made her squirm in his arms and moan with pleasure. Her arms tightened around his neck as she felt herself explode. She pulled his face back to her lips as she began to devour him, inch by inch, nibbling on his lip, and working her way down his neck. He felt a low guttural moan of passion escape from his lips, a sound neither had ever heard.
"Harry…maybe we should go back to the flat?" She asked with a vixen's wink.
She led him by the hand back to their ocean view apartment, where they could continue what they began on the street. They managed to open the door, and as he reached for the lights, she blocked his hand, and lightly shook her head. Once inside the darkened room, she ripped off his shirt and began kissing his smooth, firm skin, while he ran his hands through the long strands of her hair. He closed his eyes, and gently pulled her locks to his face and inhaled deeply, as they dropped to their knees.
"I've always loved the way you hair smells… don't ever change it." He whispered.
"I won't." She cooed back. She felt the tingle radiate from her hand through her arm and held him in a tight embrace, as she continued to nibble on his neck. She could feel his enthusiasm grow as she pushed him to the floor and laid on him; her blouse soon followed his shirt. Her attacks on his neck subsided as they remained locked in each other's arms, both breathing deeply, at a quickened pace. He pulled her lips to his again, and kissed her as deeply as he ever had.
"I will love you forever, Hermione." He said lovingly as he broke off his attack to her lips.
Her only reply was a return kiss. "I know." She whispered while she curled in his arms.
After slowing down and letting the passion and desire for more subside, she stood and released herself from his embrace, and left for the bedroom. He waited a few minutes before he followed, to find her in the shower. He watched her through the smoked glass of the shower door as she washed her hair, rinsed it and began washing her body.
He knew he was in love with her. He knew she was in danger because of it. He watched his love through the glass doors and slumped to his knees, cursing his lot in life.
"Why can't I just have a normal life?" he muttered to himself. "She shouldn't have to suffer like this. DAMN IT…" his fists pounded the floor where he kneeled and felt a sickening crunch.
She felt his mood shift quickly, from the pleasant tingle to the sharp pain she was feeling in her hand. She quickly ended her shower, grabbed a towel and wrapped herself in it. She closed the distance between them in seconds and pulled him to her.
"What happened? Please, Harry, tell me. You're shaking…" She said when she saw his swollen hands and cringed.
"I… I was thinking why me? Why can't I just be normal? Why do you have to be in danger because of me?"
"We both know the answer, and it's not just you, it's him. Remember, Harry, I'm in this to the end with you. And I promise we will have whatever life you want to live when this is over."
"All I want is to disappear with you forever." He mumbled as he buried his face into her shoulder.
"I want to just be with you, and not have to keep looking over our shoulders for the rest of our lives. I love you Harry, that won't change."
"But, he's going to try to…"
"Let him try. Together he can't beat us, you know that and I know that. Now stop worrying and come to bed. Tomorrow we'll return to those spells and your training."
She pulled him to his feet, and she led him to their bed, and helped him remove his trousers and socks. She gently pushed him to the bed and laid his head to the pillow, running her fingers through his hair. She bent to him and gently kissed his cheek and then his forehead while she continued stroking his hair. She reached for her wand to heal his broken hands and before she could cast the spell, his fingers began to straighten on their own. She was slightly startled, but not surprised.
"Get some rest, love. We have a life to share together," she whispered to Harry as he closed his eyes.
She turned off the light on the other side of the room, dropped her towel and crawled in next to him holding him close, feeling him against her bare skin while she gently rubbed his arm until he slipped into sleep. She soon followed.