A/N: So sorry for the long wait, but I put up an extra long chapter for you guys, and I hope it's worth it. I'm having exams in a couple of weeks, so it might be a while before I'll update soon. Just a warning though, I might have to pause this story so I could finish all of it, then start posting regularly. Also, I got my internet taken away and shit, so.. Aaand, one more thing. I dun have a beta, so excuse the grammatical and other mistakes.
Disclaimer: Things you don't recognize from the books is mine. The rest belongs to JKR.
Chapter 3: Potter Meets Granger
Hermione pulled on her new pressed navy blue robes, smoothening it down her chest as she surveyed herself in the full length mirror. The robes were plain, but they had this air about them that made the person wearing it look professional. Which was exactly the impression Hermione wanted to make on her first day. Working with Harry Potter meant no nonsense.
She walked over to the dresser and sat down, grabbing her make-up kit. She applied mascara and lip-gloss carefully, and smacked her lips in satisfaction. Good enough. Don't want him thinking she was a tramp…But Hermione didn't apply loads of make-up anyway.
She twirled a lock of her brown hair around a finger and watched as her expression frowned, contemplating what to do with her hair. She was actually pretty pleased with its appearance now. Back when she was in school, she barely had time for herself; she was that focused in her studies. Her hair was rather bushy and she didn't care about it, or her appearance. But now that she graduated, she had a lot of time on her hands, and Abby insisted making her over. She'd obtained a whole new look, and liked the way she looked now as opposed to before, and took more care of herself.
Hermione's hair used to be a 'halo of bushes', as Abby liked to call it. But now, rich healthy brown tendrils flowed down her back, a huge difference from her previous flyaway hair. She was finally able to tame it, and liked the way it looked now. She was actually able to do something with it now, without using tons of muggle hair spray and Sleakeazy's Hair Potion. She definitely looked better this way.
Finally deciding for a high ponytail, the brunette grabbed a small black elastic to tie her hair back with. She smiled at the way the hair flowing out bounced slightly, curling slightly at the ends. She pulled out a few strands to soften the sides of her face turning her head a bit to the side and looking at her reflection skeptically. Satisfied, she stood and walked over to the bed, retrieving her trainers from under it. She put them on quickly, and just as she finished tying the laces securely in place, she heard the doorbell ring. She hurried to answer.
"He-", Hermione smiled brightly as she swung the door open, smiling brightly, but then frowned. The person at the door most definitely wasn't Jess. It looked a whole lot like her, thought. There was a rather uncanny resemblance, really. Same dirty blonde hair (although spiked up), same twinkling warm brown eyes, except those silver wire framed glasses…Then the realization struck her. It was her twin, of course. How stupid. She'd watched the Silver Arrows play before, and she saw Adam there too. Weird how she didn't recognize him right away.
"Adam Kyle." He said smoothly, sticking his hand out for her to shake. He flashed a grin at her, looking at her intently.
"Hermione Granger," she smiled, shaking his hand. Something about his gaze made her feel a little uneasy but she brushed it off.
"Charmed", he smiled flashing a single dimple in his right cheek. Her cheeks pinked slightly; he was very appealing.
She stepped back and motioned for him to come in. "Come in. I'll just go get my broom."
"Nah", he waved a hand. "I'll wait here."
"You sure?" Hermione frowned. "You don't have-"
"Sure, I'm sure. Go on."
"Alright." Hermione shrugged and made her way back to the bedroom, quickly rummaging under the bed for her ever-faithful Nimbus.
Grabbing it, she almost forgot her wand lying on her dresser, and cursing herself, went to retrieve it, and then pocketed it.
"Okay", she smiled as she joined Adam again and closed the door behind her, locking it. Abby had already left for work, and wouldn't be back till evening.
When she turned back to Adam, he had a pen in his hand.
"Portkey activates in ten seconds", he said, holding it out.
Hermione obediently took hold of the Portkey, and as soon as the ten seconds were up, Abby's apartment door disappeared and she felt that familiar tug in her navel, that feeling of being pulled down onto the floor. Hermione had traveled a fair few times by Portkey, but never got used to it, and always ended up lying flat on her face. Somehow, that thought didn't seem very appealing now (not that it ever did), especially since she was with Adam Parker.
When Hermione saw a stadium coming into view, she began to panic, starting to fall face down and unable to stop. So she just closed her eyes and held her arms out to at least try and break the fall but felt strong arms wrap around her instead. She blinked her eyes open, and saw a grinning face looming over her hers.
"All right, there?"
"Uh…yeah." She bit her lip, still staring upwards.
"Haven't traveled by Portkey before, have you?"
"I have…just never got used to it", she replied, her cheeks now crimson as she pulled away, feeling terribly embarrassed. "Thanks, Adam…"
"No problem", replied the young man brightly, not seeming even the slightest bit fazed over the fact that he had had a total stranger in his arms just two seconds ago.
Hermione cleared her throat and straightened her robes once more, and then looked up, for the first time seeing the pitch properly. Her eyes widened. The Silver Arrows' practice pitch was a beautiful shade of silver and dark blue-the team's colors-glinting brilliantly in the sunlight.
"So, I take it you like our pitch?" Adam's voice came from beside her.
Hermione nodded, smiling. "It's magnificent."
"I'm glad you think so…Harry has good taste." He smirked, and then turned to look at her. "Well…let's get you to his office then. He must be wondering where the hell I took you off too." He motioned for her and started walking toward the other side of the stadium and went into a sort of built in space, where a desk and chair had been placed, with a few parchments scattered about on it and two telephones (which Hermione thought was weird, since this was a wizarding area), and a lush sofa along with two armchairs against the wall on the other side of the room. Upon further inspection she saw there was an oak door at the back too, with a star on it, standing ajar.
"Sarah?" Adam called, and then shrugging, walked over to the official looking door and pushed it open Hermione bit her lip and followed, although politely stood just outside. A female voice was speaking.
"Are you sure, Harry? He said he wants to-"
"I'm sure, Sarah", replied a weary voice. "Tell him I'm busy. Ah, Adam. She's here?"
"Yeah." A pause, and Adam poked his head outside, just as the woman named Sarah came out, offering a smile as she made her way to her desk. "What are you doing out here? Come on in." He raised an eyebrow.
"I-I just thought-" Hermione stammered, feeling the knots in her stomach tighten with her nervousness.
"Yeah, whatever." He held the door open and motioned for her to go in. "He'll see you now."
Hermione forced a small smile. "Thanks, Adam."
"Hey, no problem", he winked. "Don't worry, he doesn't bite…not too hard anyway." He pushed against her shoulder gently so she'd go in, and closed the door behind her, leaving her alone with the captain of the Silver Arrows.
Hermione blew out a shaky breath as soon as Adam closed the door and looked toward the desk where Harry Potter sat, frowning and scuffling through some papers, raven hair as messy as ever and emerald eyes behind rectangular wire-framed glasses darting here and there on his desk amongst the sea of parchment. Then shaking his head slightly, he looked up, pushing his glasses up.
"Well, hello", he smiled and stood up, going around the desk and moving over to her, shaking her hand. "Hermione Granger, I presume?" She nodded and smiled, looking up at him, awed by the difference in their height, although it didn't show in her features. He had to be a 6'1, in contrast to her 5'7.
"I'm Harry Potter."
She cracked a grin. "I know."
"Of course." He laughed and shook his head, releasing her hand and motioned toward one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Please, have a seat." Hermione obediently went over and sat down just as he did, and placing her hands in her lap primly after leaning her broom against her chair, looked at him expectantly.
"I'm sorry for all this mess", he smiled, waving at the parchment on his desk. Hermione shook her head, smiling back. "Not at all."
"Well!" He leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers beneath his chest, pausing for a second as if examining her. "May I ask how old you are?"
"I'm 20."
"Ah…Well, I just really wanted to try you out…I'm not much for interviews." Harry shrugged, leaning forward, his elbows propped up on his thighs. "Ready to hit the pitch?"
Hermione nodded, although inside, she felt the knots in her stomach tighten. Oh Merlin. What if I messed up?
"All right, then", he smiled approvingly and stood up, and Hermine followed suit, clutching her broom in her hand. "Ah, you got your broom. That's good." He continued, and retrieved his own broom that had been placed behind his desk, against the wall.
Hermione followed Harry as he made his way to the door and stepped out as he held the door open for her.
They went past who Hermione thought obviously was Harry's secretary, and instead of making their way straight to the pitch, Harry turned and taking out a key from his pocket, inserted it into a hole in the wall. Instantly, a wooden door appeared. Hermione's eyes widened as she went in after Harry, her chocolate brown eyes trying to take in everything around as he switched on the lights.
On one side of the triangular room, there were three long shelves. The first held still red quaffles, her area of expertise. The second was more interesting…Bludgers. Bludgers held by chains against the walls, twitching slightly every now and then. The third shelf held a rather long buzzing cage, in which you could detect a mass of Golden Snitches.
The side of the room where the door was placed, there were long packages-roughly about ten-leaning against the wall on either side. Hermione had never seen that number of brooms together in her life. Well, not brand new ones anyway. The third side of the room held about seven boxes and a couple of crates for the balls, along with shelves above the boxes, one of them holding more brooms, although used. The rest held Quidditch equipment, which Hermione itched to at least run her fingers over.
Hermione stared at the boxes quizzically as Harry stepped further in and grabbed a Quaffle from the shelf, bouncing it slightly in his hand.
"Nice place you got here." Hermione said, smiling in awe as she looked around.
"Thanks…those are the player's extra Quidditch robes and equipment", he pointed toward the boxes under the shelves, having clearly spotted the quizzical look she'd shot them. "If you're wondering."
She nodded, flushing slightly at her own curiosity and stepped back and out, allowing Harry to lock the room again. She was impressed…It was so original.
"Alright." he muttered as if to himself, and mounting his broom, kicked off, zooming to the middle of the place in mid-air. Hermione was quick at his heels though and started slowing down a bit when she saw him hover where he was, with his back to her. However, Harry whipped around fast and threw the Quaffle hard at her. Not the slightest bit fazed, Hermione caught it deftly, and tucked it under her arm, halting several feet away from him. She threw the Quaffle back at him with as much force, and for a while, Harry kept trying to catch her off-guard, throwing the Quaffle this way and that, but Hermione caught every single one, and couldn't help the small smirk on her face as she threw the ball back at him every time.
Harry wasn't showing any sign that he was impressed though, and kept working her hard, for about two hours.
"Alright", he said, and pointed to the far end of the pitch as he started to maneuver his broom to the opposite side, tossing the Quaffle at her. "I want you to go out there and show me what you got. I'll be Keeping."
Hermione pursed her lips and nodded, zooming toward the other side, and took a deep breath as she turned to face him, yards away. Determinedly crouching low on her broom, she gained speed, zigzagging through imaginary players with the Quaffle clutched tightly under her arm. At one point, she even made a back flip in mid air, and played the Slot-Grip Roll, and a few other tricky moves. She narrowed her eyes as she neared the hoops, with Harry defending and made as if to aim toward the right hoop. Harry clearly thought she was trying to trick him into defending that hoop and leave the rest, so he made to defend the left and middle, and before he knew it, Hermione had scored.
Before Hermione had the chance to be proud of herself, there was applause. Puzzled, she turned to look at where the sound was coming from, and saw about five people on their feet on one side of the bleachers, clapping enthusiastically. Hermione grinned and looked at Harry, to see him smiling as well.
"Come on", he motioned and flew up to the stand, with Hermione in tow. As they got closer, Hermione noticed Adam amongst them and blushed as he winked at her again.
Harry and Hermione dismounted, and Harry started the introductions.
"Hermione, this is Ron Weasley, Oliver Wood, and the blonde right there is Draco Malfoy"-the three shook hands with Hermione-"And you know Adam and Jess, of course. Guys, meet our new Chaser, Hermione Granger."
Hermione looked at him in astonishment. "I am?"
"You are", he grinned, and grasped her hand firmly. "Welcome to the team."
"Well, this is our humble home", Harry smiled.
"Humble?" Hermione asked in disbelief, her eyes almost popping out of their sockets as she eyed the mansion.
The rest of them laughed.
"I know, right? Our Harry is modest to no end." Jess shook her head. "We'll leave it up to you to give her a tour, Potter."
And they filed into the house, waving.
"Well, come on", Harry motioned for Hermione to follow him, and took her around the back of the house. There was a huge swimming pool, along with a nice big backyard.
As Harry led her to the door at the back of the house, which obviously led to the basement and switched on the lights, Hermione gasped. It was a fully equipped muggle gym with everything from treadmills to weight lifters. The gym was in the middle of the basement, although quite large, and on either side, there were partitions. One side had showers, saunas, hot tubs you name it. The other had billiards, carom-boards, poker-tables, board games, like Monopoly and Scrabble. Hermione thought it was amazing.
But she didn't see the house itself yet.
As they walked through the front door, just across, Hermione could see a billboard stuck with parchment with notes and stuff. There were a few she was highly amused with.
HOUSE RULES!
1. About the first-floor toilet: Ladies, if you want us to put the toilet seat down after we finish, then you better put it back up when YOU'RE done. -Adam.
2. Clean up after yourself. No one is responsible for the mess YOU make, except yourself. Especially stuff like laundry. If you know what I mean. -Jess.
3. No one touch my Chudley Cannons mug. NO ONE. If you were found doing it, you will die a slow painful death. However if no one saw you and you fessed up to it later, I guess I'll bloody well just make yoar death quick and painless. And yes, I'm still a fan. Oh and no ferrets allowed. -snicker.- One is more than enough, right Ferret Boy? -Ron.
4. Kindly make use of Silencing Charms when any of you, er…bring someone home. PLEASE. We all need our beauty sleep. -Oliver.
5. Absolutely no mudblo-Ow. -scowl.- Can't take a joke, Weasel? Potter, why are weasels allowed on the team? You Gryffindorks are so freakin' nice. -Draco.
6. I agree with Oliver, although he and Jess sometimes forget the Silencing Charm. Hem. Also, we don't need hordes of babies running all over the house, either so…you know. Ugh, what the hell. And don't be late for practice either. Or you get to do extra push-ups. `Kay? `Kay. -Harry.
7.
She laughed, glancing at Harry, who was grinning. "Yeah, we're messed up people", he said, laughing.
"I can see that", she teased, then tilted her head at the parchment. "Ferret Boy?"
"Yeah, this teacher once turned Draco into a ferret back in school", he explained, snorting. "Ron claims it was the best moment of his life. We used to hate Draco. But we're friends now."
"Oh, okay", she laughed, her eyes scanning the rest of the clippings.
Practice time:
Weekdays: 8.30 AM-12 PM
4 PM-6 PM
Saturday: 10 AM-12 PM
-Harry.
Turns for dishwashing are as follows:
Monday: Harry (since you're the boss and all, pal.) Tuesday: Jess. Wednesday: Ollie. Thursday: Hermione (Welcome! Haha.) Friday: Me. Saturday: Adam. Sunday: Drum roll, please. It's Ferret Boy!
-Ron.
"Well that was fast", she said eyeing her name there.
"Looks like he put in your name the moment e walked in the door." Harry shook his head.
The ground floor consisted of the lobby, a large kitchen, a dining room next to it, a toilet, and a home entertainment system room thingy. Hermione wished right then she had ten eyes. There were rows and rows of DVD's, a large screen TV, camcorders, computers…it even had a bloody popcorn and soft-drink machine. And to think she was actually being paid for all this.
Hermione gulped as she was led upstairs to the bedrooms, not knowing now what to expect.
There were seven bedrooms (there was seven everything, really. Almost. Hermione couldn't help but think of The Seven Dwarves). Harry took Hermione right to hers, which she knew was the one the former chaser occupied. Harry opened the door, and handed her the key.
"It's pretty plain right now, but I'm sure you can apply some of your touches", he smiled and waved a hand as she stepped in. It was quite big. A queen-sized four-poster bed, dresser, closet, full-length mirror, a desk and chair. The wallpaper and bed-sheets were white, but that could easily be fixed.
Hermione opened the door leading to the bathroom and stuck her head in.
"Well?" Harry asked.
She smiled. "It's perfect."
"I sincerely hope you'll feel comfortable here", he said, and Hermione almost giggled at the formality. "Oh and about your luggage…You'll go pack right? And then you can just contact me, and I'll send someone to bring it over or something."
"Oh no. Shrinking spells come quite handy. I'll be fine, thank you."
"Great", he grinned, and Hermione thought she saw an impressed glint in his eyes as he leaned against the doorframe. "Well, stay for lunch. And you can go back tomorrow to get your stuff. If you want to, that is."
Hermione looked doubtful. "But I need to shower…and I have no clothes."
"Oh. Right", he looked sheepish. "You can borrow some from Jess, but I understand if you're more comfortable…you know." He shrugged.
Hermione nodded. "I'll be back tomorrow."
"You won't stay for lunch?"
"Thank you", she declined politely, smiling. "Thanks for everything…" She suddenly didn't know what she was supposed to call him, but after a pause continued, "Mr. Potter."
Harry laughed and hugged her, ignoring her out-stretched hand. Hermione blinked and hugged him back reluctantly. "Harry", he corrected, pulling back. "No one calls me Mr. Potter here, and you are no exception."
She laughed. "Okay. Harry."
"See you tomorrow", he smiled and left.
"Bye", she countered, Disapparating.
R&R!
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