Okay here is another short little chapter, but I wanted to go ahead and post it before the weekend, because I will not have time to write anymore. But, hopefully after reading this chapter you can tell that the tension between Harry and Hermione are slowly beginning to form. I'll do my best in updating the next one asap, because it's going to be a good one!
Chapter 14
After Hermione bid goodnight to the last customer, she closed and locked the door, activated the sign from Open to Close, and then collapsed against the door with a tired, but dazed smile on her face. She looked up to see Harry standing in the middle of the store smiling brightly at her antics and for awhile she just smiled back.
She then let out a laugh as she ran to him and leapt up into his arms wrapping her legs around his waist. Harry laughed at her excitement as he caught her, loving the moment of pure happiness both of them were sharing together.
"Happy?" he finally asked softly in her ear.
Hermione pressed her cheek against his. "Ecstatic."
"Good," he said putting her down on her feet. "I like you that way."
Hermione beamed. "How's the other side?"
"Running smoothly. All closed down. Everyone has apparrated home for the day."
"I just need to close down the register and I'll be ready," she said walking to the counter.
"Well, let's hurry up, because we've got some celebrating to do," he said following her to the counter, but staying on the other side while she slipped behind it.
"Oh, that's right," she said as she shut down the register. "What's the plan?"
"Owled a few of our close friends, we'll see who shows up. Were are in VIP and have our own area reserved."
"Wow," she said smiling. "Going all out are we?"
"You're worth it," he said leaning over the counter. "Tonight is all about you."
Hermione couldn't help but blush. "You're spoiling me, Harry."
"And I'm enjoying it," he said with a wink.
A knock on the door interrupted them and they turned to see Maggie standing outside waving excitedly at them. They both laughed as they walked over to let her in. "Hey!" she exclaimed as she slipped inside. "I've been shopping near by and I wanted to stop by."
"I'm so glad," Hermione said. "Are you coming tonight?"
"I wouldn't miss it!"
"I have a feeling I'm going to have to keep an eye on both of you tonight," Harry teased.
"Harry, after I'm done with Hermione, you won't be able to keep your eye off her."
"Huh?" Hermione asked confused. "Maggie, what are you up to?"
"Trust me," She said grabbing her hand. "Harry, can you finish up here?"
Harry grinned. "Sure, we just need to lock up, you two go ahead. I'll take care of it Hermione."
"Oh all right," she sighed giving up. "But don't forget to lock up behind you."
"Relax," Harry assured her. "Go on, and get ready for tonight. I'll meet you downstairs in the den a few minutes before nine."
"Good, great," Maggie said dragging her out. "Let's go get beautified."
Harry walked out soon after locking the door and then turned to leave but stopped short when he nearly ran into Ginny Weasley. "Oh, sorry," he said with a laugh. "Didn't mean to nearly run you over."
"No, it's my fault," she said shyly as she stepped away.
"Er…How are you?" Harry asked.
"Oh, I'm fine," she said. "Working at the store for the summer. How about you?"
"Good," he said smiling. "Got a house with Hermione…and Ron when he wakes up."
"Yeah, I heard about that," she said with a slight smile. "That's great.
"Yeah," he said shoving his hands in his pockets. "It's been keeping us busy, plus Hermione's store."
"I'm sure she's loving it."
"I've never seen her so happy," he said practically beaming. "I planned a night to celebrate her opening day. It's at the Blue Moon."
"The new club down the way?" The twins had told her about that club and said it was almost impossible to get in. It wasn't much of a surprise that Harry Potter easily got reservations.
"Yeah, a bunch of us our going. If you're not busy you should stop by."
"Oh, well…that's nice of you.…but I kind of have a…date tonight."
Harry's brows lifted. "Really?"
The truth was, she ran into Draco during her lunch break and found herself being pinned behind a building, getting the snog of her life. He had then whispered in her ear to meet him at his house tonight to finish what they started before walking off. "Yeah, something like that"
"That's great, Gin," Harry said sincerely. "I'm happy for you." And Harry realized that he really was happy for her. True, he knew that his feelings towards her had changed, but he could have still gotten jealous. He was relieved to know that he didn't feel anything of the sorts. He still cared for her and if anyone hurt her he would probably kill them, but it was only because he still thought of her as his friend. He took care of his friends.
"Thanks, Harry."
"Sure. Well, I better go…you have fun tonight."
Oh, I will. "You too, Harry. Tell Hermione I said congratulations and that I'll come by her store for my Hogwarts books."
"I'll do that," he said thrilled that they both survived their first awkward encounter. "See you around, Ginny."
XXX
An hour later, Harry was dressed and waiting impatiently for Maggie and Hermione to come downstairs. "How long can two girls need to get ready?" Harry asked Daisy who was lying next to him on the couch. "I mean really."
"Oh, stop complaining," Maggie said as she walked into the den.
Harry stood up and smiled. "Looking good, Mags."
Maggie twirled around to show off her short electric blue dress that shimmered when she moved. "Thanks cute," she said kissing his cheek. "You look handsome, too. It's a shame we don't' have any sexual chemistry."
Harry couldn't help but laugh. "Merlin help the guy that does." Harry looked passed her shoulder. "Where's Hermione?"
"She'll be along in a second," she said with a mischievous grin. "Wait till you see her, you are going to freak."
"Come on, Mags, you know Hermione and I are just friends." Although lately he had been noticing certain thinks he never paid attention to. Like how she seemed to go back and forth between two different scents. Sometimes she smelled of lavender, which he liked very much, then other times he caught a hint of that Irish spring shampoo he had used that day in her shower. He was also getting very accustomed to hugging her, something he never made a habit of doing. Now it seemed like he always tried to find an excuse to pull her in his arms
"You're thinking awfully hard, Harry," Maggie said bringing him out of his thoughts. "Sure you just think of her as a friend?"
Harry let out a laugh. "Please. That would be insane. I mean, she's Hermione, I've known her forever and I'm not going to flip out over a pretty dress and a little make up. Underneath it all she's still my…." Harry trailed off when she heard the click of heels walking on the hardwood floor and turned his head to see his best friend standing there. "….Mione," he finished in a whisper as the sight before him made his knees go weak.
It only took a second to take her all in and he liked everything he saw. Her face was flawless and her crazy wild hair was pinned up on one side while the rest flowed down in elegant curls. The dress was vibrant red and a long narrow slit started up from between her breast and grew wider as it traveled up. Satin strands covered just enough for the imagination and then circled up around her slender neck where it was securely tied.
"Give us a turn, Hermione," Maggie said next to him.
She did and Harry got an eye full of her exposed shoulders all the way down to the small of her back. The length was also short, showing of her legs that seemed to go on forever.
"You were saying, Harry?" Maggie whispered to him loud enough for only him to hear.
He replied by giving her a quick jab in the rips with an elbow, before finally finding the voice to say something. Er…wow…"
Nice one, Harry.
"Do I look all right, Harry?" She asked looking down at herself. "I feel so naked."
Oh dear Merlin, he thought as he fought back a groan. "You look fine…beautiful."
"Don't forget sexy."
Harry turned sharply at her. "Mags, why don't you head onto the club," he said loudly as he stared her down. "We'll be right behind you."
She grinned. Sure…You two take your time."
Once she was gone, Harry shook his head. "That one is quite a handful."
"Yeah," Hermione said laughing softly.
"Er…you do look really pretty, Hermione," he said shyly as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "I mean…wow."
Hermione blushed. "That's very sweet of you to say, Harry," she said as she started to walk a little closer to him. "But I know I must look awkward in this dress and…" Hermione all of the sudden let out a yelp as she stumbled on her heels pitching herself forward.
Harry quickly swooped in time to grab her and held her tightly against him to help her with her balance. Bad mistake. His hands was on her warm naked back, so he now knew how incredibly soft her skin was. Plus, the heels that she wore made her body fit perfectly with his and she now felt that Harry was not just being sweet….it was obvious that he indeed enjoyed how she looked. The evidence was hard and firmly pressed against her pelvic bone.
"You okay?" he finally asked as he looked down at her.
"Y-yeah," she said shakily as she held onto his arms. "Sorry, I'm still working on walking on these ice picks."
Harry gave her a smile. "I'm sure it's very challenging," he said as he made himself step away from away. "Are you ready to go?"
"Ready as ever," she said as she tried hard to sound normal, while on the insides her nerves were shaking. This was Harry, she reminded herself. She didn't need to be responding this way to him. That wasn't suppose to happen. It was her and Ron. It had always been her and Ron, that's what everyone assumed. Even herself. Even Harry.
Determined to put these disturbing thoughts out of her mind, she took a deep breath and gave him a smile. "Let's go have some fun."