Best Deal Ever

haljordan

Rating: PG
Genres: Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 06/03/2006
Last Updated: 06/03/2006
Status: completed

My first foray into the challenges, this is a response to the "Blind Date" challenge by zemog3782. Harry manages to actually buy a car for a mere 20 pounds, but there's a catch. What's the catch? Find out in the first, last, and only installment of "Best Deal Ever".

Chapters

1. Best Deal Ever

1. Best Deal Ever

Best Deal Ever

Author’s Note: This is a bit of a departure from my usual modus operandi, considering I’ve never responded to a challenge before, but this one just seemed like so much fun, I couldn’t resist. This is a response to the “Blind Date” challenge put up by zemog3782. This is a one-shot, single chapter, non-updated story. I really don’t know how else I can say it. Please don’t ask me when I’m going to be updating this story, or posting more chapters. This is the only one.

******************************

Who knew a piece of plastic could make you feel so good? Harry grinned widely as he examined his brand-new driver’s license. Sure he’d had to sneak around to get it, paying for everything on his own, getting the occasional lesson from Mrs. Figg next door, who apparently knew a great deal more about muggle society and life than most of the wizarding world. But in the end, the fact that he had more than gotten away with it only made the actual achievement that much more satisfying.

His 17th birthday was at the end of the summer, and he’d soon be gone from the Dursleys’ home forever. Besides, knowing that he was months away from being able to do magic on his own had rather mollified the family at 4 Privet Drive, as the prospect that an adult Harry Potter might have very recent memories to draw upon for inspiration for the magic he would be allowed to do, well, it just didn’t hold a good outlook for them if they decided to get nasty.

It was even better that he had managed to pass it on his first go, while Dudley had barely managed to pass on his third try.

Harry was reclining on his bed in 4 Privet Drive, happily taking in the sight of his driver’s license, when he heard a roar from downstairs with his name on it.

“Boy, get down here!” He sighed. Even mollified, they couldn’t be bothered to use his real name.

“Coming, Uncle Vernon!” He rolled out of bed and headed downstairs, wondering what fresh stress his uncle had found to put on his overworked and underpaid heart.

When he got downstairs, Harry saw Dudley proudly showing off his new driver’s license to nobody in particular.

“We are going to get Dudley a new car,” huffed Vernon. “He passed his driver’s test, and we reward such success in this family.”

“Excellent,” said Harry, smiling. He could see the utter confusion this set upon the rest of the occupants of the house, as any noise that was coming out of anybody’s mouth suddenly ceased. “Does this mean you’re getting me one too?”

“What?” Vernon sputtered. “Of course not, boy! Why on Earth would I do that?”

“Only because I’ve got my license too.” Harry pulled the small piece of plastic out of his pocket and showed his uncle. For a brief moment, Vernon’s face turned so purple, Harry was almost afraid he was going to explode. He had actually managed to trick his uncle into having said he’d buy him a car. He’d get a beat-up junk heap for sure, but at least it would be a car.

“Fine,” said Vernon, shoving the license back at Harry.

The drive to the car dealership was filled with a tense silence. Harry felt perfectly content to remain quiet, partially because his silence would do less to aggravate his uncle, but mostly because he had no real desire to speak to his relatives if he could avoid it.

When they arrived at the dealership, Vernon parked across the street, and, after having pried himself out of the car, put his arm around Dudley.

“Now, we are on a bit of a budget,” he said gruffly. “But if we can afford it, you can have any car you want, Dudley.” He turned to Harry, and pulled out his wallet. “And as for you, boy,” he said, ruffling through the notes he kept meticulously crisp in his wallet. “See if you can find something in your price range.” He handed Harry a single 20-pound note, the most crumpled one he could find.

“Uh-huh,” said Harry, looking down at the pathetic-looking piece of paper.

“You’ll not be getting any more than that, boy, and threats’ll do you no good.”

“Fine,” said Harry, stalking away. He was absolutely furious. Not with his uncle, mind you, he was certainly used to being treated worse. No, he was furious with himself for actually believing he had managed to convince his uncle to buy him a car. He sighed.

“Guess I’ll have a look around, at least.” He figured it would be a good idea to at least take a look at what was available. In a few weeks, he’d have access to his broom, and wouldn’t need a car anyway. But it would be nice to see the cars they had in the lot.

As he wandered the aisles, looking at some really terrific cars, he felt something drawing him to the sell-back area. When he got there, there was only one customer, who looked like she had been kept waiting for quite awhile. She looked quite prepared to take her business elsewhere, when she noticed Harry.

“Young man, what do you think of this car,” she asked, beckoning him over. He was wary of strangers, but he had his wand with him, and he felt confident that he had little to worry about in full public view anyway.

“It’s neat,” he replied, and indeed it was. It was an incredible shade of emerald green, which he could just imagine being told brought out his eyes. It was a BMW convertible, and it looked brand-new. “Why are you selling it back?”

“My stupid sodding git of a husband left me for some tart on the continent, and had the gall to ask me to sell his precious car,” she motioned towards the car, “and send him the money.” She huffed. “It’s a wonderful car, dear,” she said, smiling. “It was barely ever driven, he was too afraid to scratch it. It has excellent mileage, and it’s even a gas-electric hybrid. Would you like it?”

“I’d love it, but all I’ve got is a 20-pound note.” Harry took out the note as if to show her he was broke.

“Perfect,” she said, with a slightly mischievous smile that Harry couldn’t help but think was familiar. He couldn’t place it, though, and anyway, he was too surprised by what she had said to even try to place it. “Can you imagine the look on his face when I send him 20 pounds for his precious baby?”

“You are kidding me, right?” Harry couldn’t even fathom the possibility of her actually giving him the car for 20 pounds.

“I assure you, I’m quite serious.” Again, the expression on her face was very familiar, somehow, but Harry was still too shocked to take any real notice of it.

“I’d love it,” he said numbly.

“Excellent.” She smiled. “I’ll go and get us a contract. You just stay right here.” She walked into the dealership, and emerged a few minutes later with some paperwork.

They filled out everything that was required, and the woman shook Harry’s hand.

“Congratulations, Harry,” she said, looking at the contract for his name. “You’ve just made the best car deal in the history of great car deals.”

“Thanks,” he said, grinning widely. He couldn’t imagine the look on his uncle’s face when he saw what Harry had managed to buy with that 20-pound note.

“Harry, you seem like quite a nice young man, and quite handsome to boot.”

“Thanks,” he said, blushing.

“I have a niece who is about your age, and I imagine she would quite like you. She’s been pining for a boy at her school for a number of years, and I think it would do her quite a bit of good if you were to take her out on a date. Pining for one boy for that long simply can’t be healthy. What do you say?”

“I dunno.” Harry looked down at his feet. He wasn’t really interested in being set up for a blind date. He was in love with Hermione, and really had no interest in other girls. He was still hoping she’d realize she had feelings for him, and they could be together. “Y’see, there’s this girl I fancy at school.”

“Is she your girlfriend?”

“No.” Harry ran his fingers through his hair.

“Then this will be perfect for both of you. Please, Harry, she could really use a good date, and I’m sure you could too.”

“Well, I suppose,” he said reluctantly.

“Excellent!” She smiled, and took out a piece of paper and a pen. “This is her address. Pick her up at…let’s see…eight o’clock Thursday evening, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good luck, Harry,” she said, winking. She handed him the paper with the girl’s address.

When Dudley was finished, Harry had already been waiting, with his car parked by the Dursleys’ car, for about half an hour. He stood by Vernon’s car, the keys to his in his pocket, trying to look like he had had no luck, which wasn’t hard, because they were going to believe he had no luck anyway.

“I still want the green,” grumbled Dudley.

“Now, now, Dudley,” said Vernon. “You bought an excellent car. We can always get it repainted in just the color you want.” He stopped when he saw Harry’s car next to his. “Now this here was quite a good purchase,” he said, looking over the car. “I wonder who bought this car. This is really top of the line.”

Harry fought hard to keep quiet. It wasn’t easy, and what was even harder was preventing himself from smiling.

“I’d like that 20-pound note back, boy,” he said, turning to Harry.

“I can’t give it to you,” said Harry, shrugging.

“Oh, and why not?” Vernon crossed his arms and looked quite irritated.

“I spent it.”

“That money was only for a car, boy! What did you spend it on?”

Harry pointed to his car.

“What?! Don’t be absurd, boy! Who would sell a car like that for twenty pounds?”

Harry shrugged, and pulled the keys out of his pocket.

Vernon sputtered, and Dudley whined.

“Make him give it back, Dad!”

Harry simply looked at Vernon, with an eyebrow cocked.

“You’re not parking that in our driveway, boy, and there are regulations against parking in the street!”

“That’s fine,” said Harry, shrugging. “I already asked Mrs. Figg next door, and she said I could use her driveway. She doesn’t have a car.”

Vernon turned purple again, but said nothing. There was, after all, nothing he could do. Harry had bought the car legally, and it was his.

******************************

Meanwhile, the woman who had sold Harry the car, walked up to her sister’s house to tell her niece about the wonderful young man who would be taking her out on a date that Thursday.

“Amy, welcome,” said her brother-in-law, who opened the door. “Sold Fred’s car?”

“Oh yes,” said Amy. “To an absolutely wonderful young man for 20 pounds.”

“Oh, he’s going to flip when he hears about this,” he said, chuckling.

“I’m counting on it,” she said, grinning mischievously. “Is my niece here?”

“Yes, she’s upstairs, just let me go get her.” He called upstairs for his daughter.

“Aunt Amy!” She came down the stairs at a run, and hugged her aunt close.

“How are you, dear?”

“I’m excellent,” she replied, smiling.

“Let me tell you what I did today,” said Amy as her niece sat down in the chair across from her. “Today, I sold your former uncle Fred’s precious BMW convertible to a nice young boy for twenty pounds.”

“Aunt Amy, you’re horrible,” she said, laughing. “Absolutely horrid.”

“That’s not all,” continued Amy. “This young man was about your age, and he was very nice, and, if I might say so, quite handsome.”

“Aunt Amy…”

“Now, I know you’ve been pining for a boy in your school for who knows how long, and that’s just not healthy for a young girl like yourself. You’re quite pretty, you’re the smartest girl in your class, and you deserve better than just sitting around waiting for this boy to ask you out on a date.”

“Please tell me you didn’t set me up on a date,” she said, putting her head in her hands.

“Thursday night, eight o’clock.”

“Aunt Amy!” She groaned. “I’m quite capable of getting my own dates. Yes, I do fancy a boy at school, but what’s wrong with that? You fancied a boy in your school for ages, why can’t I?”

“You must remember, though, dear, I was miserable because he wasn’t asking me out. I know how it feels, and I don’t want you to be miserable too.” She reached across the coffee table and took her niece’s hand. “Please, dear, do it for me.”

“Okay,” she sighed. “I suppose I could go on one date.” She held her finger up. “But this is it, okay? You never try to set me up again.”

“I promise,” said Amy with a smile. “You’re going to love him, dear. I just know you will.” She stood up. “I really must be going now. I’ll see you on Thursday. Tell your parents I had to get back home, will you?”

“Of course.” She stood up as well. “Have a good night, Aunt Amy, and don’t stay away, okay?”

“Of course not,” she replied. “Now give me a hug.” She brought her niece into her arms and held her close.

“I love you, Aunt Amy,” she said softly.

“I love you too, Hermione,” replied Amy.

******************************

“How the heck am I supposed to dress for this thing?” It was Thursday, getting on late afternoon, and Harry was actually getting nervous. He had next to nothing that didn’t look like it had been eaten by rats. All he had that looked presentable was his uniform from Hogwarts. “Well, she’s not going to be a witch, she won’t know the difference.” He dressed in his Hogwarts uniform, minus the robes, of course, and headed out to his car.

After awhile on the road, Harry began to feel better. He was driving on his own, and in his own car. Even better, it was that rare event in England, a clear night. He decided to take the nice weather as a good omen, and finally really began to relax, and consider that he might even have a good time. He was not expecting this girl to come even close to living up to the standard of Hermione, but he wasn’t going to let that bother him. It really wouldn’t be fair to expect any girl to live up to Hermione’s level, and Harry resolved not to judge the poor girl against the girl with whom he was in love.

******************************

Meanwhile, Hermione, for reasons quite unkown to her, was panicking rather badly. She was frantically going through her closet for something she could wear, anything that wouldn’t make her look like the ultimate girlgeek or a complete slut. She had very few articles of clothing which could even approach the latter, but she had very little in the way of clothing that would fit her that could fit the bill of dressing up for a date. She hadn’t needed to get dressed up outside of Hogwarts since, well, before Hogwarts, and she seriously doubted dress robes would be any kind of appropriate, since the boy her Aunt Amy had set her up with was, most likely, a muggle, and would have serious issues with dress robes from Hogwarts. As much as Hermione was not looking forward to the date, she didn’t want to look like a complete idiot in public.

“Oh, gods,” she said wearily, sitting down hard on her bed and holding her head in her hands. “I am going to humiliate myself. I just know it.” Sighing, she stood and walked to her closet. “Okay, Hermione. You’re the brightest witch to attend Hogwarts in ages. You’ve been dorming with the two girls who have the best fashion sense in the school for six years. Surely you can put together a simple outfit for a date.” She closed her eyes and tried desperately to remember anything she may have heard Lavender or Parvati say that could be any kind of helpful. Finally, she settled on simplicity. She selected a good pair of blue jeans, probably the best-looking thing she owned outside of her dress robes. She also picked a light pink top, and a denim jacket. She examined herself in the mirror, a rare activity for her, and decided she probably looked as good as she was going to.

“It’s not like it really matters,” she muttered. “I’m probably never going to see this guy again. It’s not like I’m going on a date with Harry.” She sighed. “I wish.”

******************************

Harry pulled up to the house, checked the address against the paper he had, and turned the car off.

“Okay, Harry, get a grip,” he said, clutching the steering wheel. He chuckled in spite of himself, and checked his watch. It was nearly eight. This was it. He had no way of backing out, and the deadline was rapidly approaching. He was going to have to take this girl out on a date. “Here goes nothing,” he said, getting out of the car. He had done his best to tame his hair, but, of course, nothing worked. He had to settle for it staying mostly down, and hope his date wouldn’t think he was a slob.

He reached the door, and rang the doorbell. Amy, the woman who had sold him the car, opened the door, and smiled.

“Ah, Harry, welcome,” she said warmly. She turned into the house. “Hermione! Your date is here!”

Harry shook his head. She couldn’t have said Hermione. He had to have imagined it. It just didn’t make any sense. But when he saw her coming down the stairs, and he realized Amy’s niece was the girl he was in love with, and who had been his best friend for six years, the great and mighty Harry Potter very nearly fainted dead away. She came to the door, and her mouth dropped open.

“Harry?” She almost squeaked. She looked at her aunt, who simply smiled.

“Go out and have a good time, you two,” said Amy with a smile, shooing Hermione out the door and closing it behind her.

“Hermione?” Harry was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that the girl he was taking out on a date was indeed the brown-haired adorable bookworm he had been going to school with for six years.

“This is really strange,” she said, looking back at the closed door of her house. “What are the odds you’d be the guy she sold the car to for twenty pounds?” Harry shrugged.

“You look really nice,” he said softly, almost as if he wasn’t sure he wanted her to hear him.

“Thanks.” She blushed bright red, although it was nearly undetectable in the darkening evening. She looked Harry up and down. “You’re wearing your Hogwarts uniform?”

“Yeah.” Harry ran his fingers through his hair. “It was all I had that looked decent.”

“You look good, Harry,” she said, smiling.

“Thanks.”

“So, what are we going to do tonight?”

“Well, I know about a nice place to eat that’s not too far from here. I thought I’d take you there.”

“That sounds nice.”

“Shall we?” Harry motioned to the car.

“We shall,” replied Hermione, and walked to Harry’s car.

Harry opened the car door for Hermione, and she smiled.

“You’re quite the gentleman, Harry,” she said as she got into the car.

“I figure I should be on a date,” he said, getting into the driver’s seat.

Hermione held her tongue. She briefly considered telling Harry he didn’t have to consider this a date, but she wanted it to be a date, and if he was going to call it a date, and act like it was one, she was going to play along.

The drive to the restaurant was rather quiet. Harry and Hermione had kept in fairly regular contact via Hedwig, so there wasn’t much they had missed in each other’s lives.

They were seated at the restaurant almost immediately. It was a relatively unknown restaurant, getting enough patronage to stay in business rather comfortably, but not so much that it was crowded.

“This is a really nice place,” said Hermione as she opened the menu. “Are you sure you can afford this?”

“I sent Hedwig to Gringotts and withdrew some money,” he said, examining the menu himself. “Don’t worry about it.”

After they ordered, Harry and Hermione sat at their table in silence. There was something, however, that had been bugging Harry since he had first talked to Hermione’s aunt.

“So I suppose you fancy Ron, then?” He remembered Amy had said she had been pining after a boy at Hogwarts, and considering it really had to be either Harry or Ron, he had to know.

“What? No!” Hermione looked shocked. “Where did you get that idea?”

“Your aunt told me that you fancied a boy at school. I guess I figured you only really hang out with Ron and I.” He blushed. “Does that mean…?”

Hermione blushed a bright red and looked down at her lap.

“I’m gonna kill Aunt Amy,” she muttered.

“Hermione?”

“It’s not Ron, Harry,” she said softly. “I…oh gods, I never thought this would happen.” She held her head in her hands. “I…I’ve fancied you for a long time, Harry.” She looked up at him, her cheeks bright red, tears threatening to form in her eyes.

Harry felt like his heart was going to explode in his chest, it was beating so hard. He had just been given the opportunity he had been hoping for for years.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that,” said Harry, reaching across the table and taking Hermione’s hand.

“What?” Hermione was, for once, completely dumbfounded.

“I’ve been in love with you for…for…for I don’t even know how long.” He squeezed her hand softly.

“Are you serious?”

“I’ve never been more serious in my entire life,” said Harry softly. “I love you, Hermione.”

“I love you too, Harry,” said Hermione, taking Harry’s other hand. “I’ve had dreams about this for so long,” she said, laughing softly to herself. “I never thought it would actually happen.”

“This isn’t a dream,” said Harry, smiling. “I promise.”

Just then, of course, was the perfect time for Harry to have gotten up, gone around the table, and kissed Hermione, so, that was, of course, when the food came.

“This is absolutely delicious, Harry,” said Hermione after she took her first bite. “I’m very impressed. You sure know how to show a girl a good time.” She blushed. “I can’t believe I just said that.”

“It’s okay, you can say things like that now,” he said, grinning.

“I know,” she replied, smiling. “I like it.”

“Me too.” Harry felt happier than he had in ages. He beamed at Hermione.

“What?” Hermione paused halfway bringing her fork up to her mouth.

“I’m just happy,” replied Harry. “This is perfect, being here with you like this. I can’t remember the last time I was happy that didn’t have something to do with magic.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Hermione, reaching over and putting her hand on his. “I think this is pretty magical.” Harry had a hard time arguing with that.

“Wow,” he said, taking her hand. “I never thought that could happen.”

“What?”

“Your touch,” he said softly. “When you touched my hand, I just had this feeling, like everything was going to be okay, that no matter what I go through, as long as I go through it with you, it’ll all work out in the end.”

“I really hope so,” she said softly. “You deserve it, Harry. And I’ll do anything for you, you know that, right?”

“I know, and I-”

“I know, Harry. You don’t have to say it. I know it’s not the easiest thing for guys to say.”

“I love you, Hermione,” he continued anyway. “I’d do anything to protect you, and anything to make sure you’re happy.”

“I’ll be happy as long as I’m with you, Harry.”

After the meal was over, and Harry had paid the bill, they walked out of the restaurant together.

“There’s a nice park a couple blocks away if you’d like to go for a walk,” said Harry.

“I’d love to.” She smiled up at him, glad that he didn’t want the evening to end yet either.

In about five minutes, they reached the park.

“Hermione?”

“Yes, Harry?”

“I’d like to hold your hand.”

“I’d like that too.”

Harry slipped his hand into Hermione’s, and laced his fingers through hers.

“It’s really beautiful tonight,” said Hermione, looking up at the stars.

“Not as beautiful as you,” replied Harry softly.

Hermione smiled shyly and looked down at her feet.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“You are, you know,” persisted Harry.

“There are loads of girls prettier than me,” insisted Hermione, and Harry could see her cheeks were tinged a brilliant red.

Harry stopped, and turned to face Hermione.

“Do any of those girls have an adorable line of freckles across their nose?” Harry brushed his fingers across Hermione’s nose. Hermione shook her head slowly. “Do they have the most charmingly untamable hair, whch, by the way, brings out your eyes?” He touched her hair, and she shook her head again. “Do a single one of those girls have the softest, most caring, and beautifully expressive brown eyes?” Hermione smiled slightly, and shook her head again. “Then they can’t hold a candle to you, Hermione.” He took both her hands. “You are the single most beautiful girl I’ve ever met. I suppose other girls have a couple of things going for them, but none of them can ever hope to even come close to being as wonderful as you on their best day. Not only are you beautiful on the outside, you’re the most caring, tender girl in the world. You’re the first girl who ever cared for me, and the only one who will ever have my heart.”

Hermione looked like she was about to start crying. She took her hands from Harry’s, and threw her arms around him, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“You’re a wonderful person, Harry,” she said softly. “You’re more than I had ever hoped for in my wildest dreams. You’re the one who taught me what it really means to be a good friend. I’m so lucky to have you in my life at all, I never thought I’d actually be lucky enough to have you fall in love with me. Before you, I’ve never known what it felt like to be truly in love with somebody, and I want to learn with you everything there is to know about being in love with somebody. I love you so much.”

They stood together in silence for quite awhile, Harry holding onto Hermione as if she would disappear if he were to let her go.

Hermione’s watch beeped.

“It’s getting kinda late,” she said, pulling away reluctantly. “I don’t want my parents to worry. Besides, they told me I had to be home by eleven.”

“It’s ten-thirty,” said Harry, looking at his own watch. He sighed. “I guess I’d better get you home then.”

“I guess so.”

They headed back to Harry’s car, and Harry once again opened the door for Hermione.

“Quite the gentleman, Harry,” she said, smiling. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, getting into the car. He reached to start the car, but stopped, and turned to Hermione.

“What’s wrong, Harry?”

“I was just wondering if you’d like to go out again on Saturday.”

“I’d love to,” she said with a smile.

“Pick you up at eight?”

“Make it seven?”

Harry grinned widely.

“Seven it is,” he said, starting the car.

Before they knew it, they had pulled up to Hermione’s house. Harry got out of the car and let Hermione out. She took his hand, and he walked her to her door.

“I had a really great time tonight, Harry,” said Hermione softly, taking Harry’s other hand.

“So did I,” he replied. “Hermione?”

“Yes, Harry?”

“I was wondering if you’d let me kiss you.”

Hermione smiled warmly at Harry.

“I might even kiss you back,” she whispered.

Harry leaned in close to Hermione, and brushed his lips against hers softly. Before he could even make a move anything like pulling away, however, Hermione let go of his hands, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips to his insistently. Harry saw no possible reason to resist, and put his arms around Hermione’s waist.

“We should stop,” whispered Hermione.

“We should,” replied Harry. “It’s getting late.”

“Just one more,” she said, and pulled him back down.

Finally, they pulled apart.

“I don’t really want to stop,” said Harry softly.

“Me neither,” sighed Hermione. “But I’m sure my parents know we’re here, and my dad is probably going to come out soon if I don’t come in.” She gave him a final quick peck on the lips. “We can continue this on Saturday.”

Neither moved.

Hermione sighed.

“We’re not making this very easy,” she said softly with a smile.

“I know, but I really don’t want to leave.”

“I don’t think my parents would be too thrilled about having my new boyfriend stay over, Harry.”

“Your new boyfriend.” He smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

“Me too.” She pulled him down again and gave him another quick kiss on the lips. “Good night, Harry.”

“Good night, Hermione.”

Hermione opened the door, and gave Harry’s hand a quick squeeze before she left him on the doorstep.

As the door clicked shut, Harry smiled in spite of himself. Even though he had to return to 4 Privet Drive, now he had even more to look forward to. As he got into his car, he reflected on how none of it would have happened if he hadn’t bought the car.

“Best deal ever,” he said as he turned the car on, and drove away.

******************************

Author’s Note 2: I really hope you enjoyed this story. Like I said, challenges are not really my thing for the most part, but this one just looked like loads of fun, so I thought I’d give it a shot. As it turns out, it really ended up being just as much fun as I thought it would be. If you had as much fun reading it as I did writing it, let me say that I’m very glad, and I’d love to hear you say so. If not, I’m sorry, and please let me know what I can do to make my stories better. I’m always on the lookout for improvement. Thanks all!