What I Always Wanted
Chapter 10: Jealous Women and Photographs
Harry and Hermione arrived in Athens, Greece a scant twelve hours after the Ministry had given them leave. Ever the planner, Hermione, having guessed what Melbourne was up to and knowing how Harry would react had taken it upon herself to begin scheduling their "holiday" immediately. That was what she had been up to with Daphne when Harry came raging into her office. In the slight three quarters of an hour that it had taken for the newly wedded Potters to report to work and be dismissed from it Hermione had managed to plan and book a full month's worth of activities in Greece. When Harry inquired as to how she had managed such a feat Hermione informed him that while she had wanted to go to Greece for quite sometime and so she naturally had some basic idea of what they would and could do most of it was thanks to him. It seemed that saying the name Harry Potter could get you nearly anything in the wizarding world.
And so it was that the happy couple was off to Greece for a month-long holiday in seemingly no time. As they were both high profile Ministry of Magic employees it was standard procedure that they submit a timetable of their planned trip in the event that they should be needed. Harry took great pleasure in the look of annoyance on Melbourne's face when he saw where Harry and Hermione were off to. Harry made sure to say to the entire auror division in very loud tones how much he was looking forward to going back to Greece. Consequently, after firmly shaking Melbourne's hand as he thanked him for giving him the time off, he had exited the offices with a huge grin on his face.
Harry and Hermione elected to let everyone think they would only be off honeymooning. They thought that fewer people, who knew what they were up to the better. They knew that Hermione's parents and Molly would only worry if they knew what the two were really up to. But they had told Ron because they needed someone they could relay information to without it looking suspicious. Since Ron had been their best friend since the age of eleven it was a certainty that no one would find it strange his receiving correspondence from them, to the contrary it would be expected that they would send occasional letters to him telling of their trip. There was no danger of any correspondence they sent being interpreted as the three had long ago devised a code for writing each other seemingly innocuous letters that could only be decoded by one of the three of them. They often amused themselves by speaking in their coded language whenever they wanted to discuss people and events when others were attempting to listen. It was immensely funny to watch the confused faces of eavesdroppers as they struggled to guess what the threesome could be talking about. Beyond having an excuse to resurrect their code there was of course the added bonus that having once been an auror himself Ron would be able to come to their aid should they have need of him and Harry rather liked having Ron's gifted strategic mind at the ready. So with their plan firmly in place the newlyweds set off for Greece.
Upon arriving in Athens Harry and Hermione had checked into the Grand Athenaeum Exarcheion Hotel's Andromeda Suite and not come back out for three full days. When Hermione had questioned Harry about his overtly amorous attentions, though she was careful to make it clear that she was not complaining; Harry had explained that he was merely keeping with their cover story of the trip just being a honeymoon. They emerged on the fourth day and acted the part of a young couple in love enjoying the sites of a foreign city, taking a walking tour of Central Athens, Kerameikos and Psirri. According to the guide books the tour was supposed to last only three hours but Hermione's penchant for knowing far more about any subject than was practically necessary meant their tour drug on for an additional two hours. They made it back to the hotel just in time for a quick shower and change before they headed off for a night of dancing and clubbing in Psirri.
The remainder of that week and the first half of their second week were spent in much the same way. Their days were filled with sightseeing and tours of both the Muggle and Wizarding varieties and lounging on the pristine beaches surrounding the hotel. They went out dancing or to posh restaurants. And they spent untold hours shopping for their friends and family. One entire afternoon was spent in a dusty old wizarding bookshop that caught Hermione's eye. She bought so many books that Harry made her swear to buying no more books of any kind owing to the fact that they'd have to rent out another suite just to accommodate them. On several occasions they even jetted off to some of the more secluded Greek Isles for a bit of time away from the prying eyes of the wizarding press and if Harry's guess was right, Melbourne's spies.
The next week and a half was spent in much the same fashion as its predecessor. Or so it appeared. Outwardly, the newlyweds seemed to be enjoying their honeymoon quite a bit. No one could have guessed that the two were actually more or less only playing the part of the happy newlyweds enjoying their respite from their day to day lives. In addition to the grand time, they were having Harry, Hermione were also doing quite a bit of intelligence gathering, and spying interspersed with their other activities.
Their days in the Order of the Phoenix and during their search for Voldemort's horcruxes had allowed Harry and Hermione to amass quite an assortment of magical methods of information gathering. Additionally, Hermione's contacts through Europe often proved to be quite useful in discreet circumstances. Add in Harry's profession as an auror through which he had accrued a collection of somewhat insalubrious associates who would be quite capable of getting him any information he needed and some he probably didn't. Before they had left London, Harry had made certain to contact several of his varied acquaintances to call in some owed favors.
And so it was on the Thursday morning of the second week of their "honeymoon" over a breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, rolled sliced ham, croissants, cheese filled pastries, tea and coffee that Harry received an owl. After reading the note and scrawling a quick reply, Harry announced.
"Ron's made contact with that old informant of ours, Kazimir Volta, you remember the Russian bloke, seems he works in the commerce department with the Bulgarian Ministry now…"
Harry paused and waited for Hermione to nod her head in recollection before he continued.
"Well looks like he knows a mutual friend of mine and Ron's, who happens to be in Yugoslavia's auror division and is willing to get a copy of the original reports about this case that prompted the Yugoslavian ministry to contact us. Ron set up a meeting with them this afternoon for lunch in the hotel café."
Harry finished his sentence and picking up a pastry took a huge bite just as Hermione asked.
"Who's this mutual friend that you, Ron and this Volta, did you say his name was have in common?"
In what he hoped was an offhand tone Harry answered.
"Aleksandra."
Following the enunciation of the name Harry dropped his gazed back to the food before him and began to chew his pastry, eggs and ham vigorously. Hermione stopped in mid sip and lowered her cup of tea back to its saucer as she inquired further.
"Did you say Aleksandra, as in Aleksandra Cernunnos?"
Harry nodded and said in a would be casual tone.
"Yeah, Aleksandra Cernunnos, you remember her don't you, from the auror exchange program."
Hermione nodded, she remembered Ms. Cernunnos quite well, quite well indeed. It was hard to forget a witch like that. Not long after Harry and Ron had become aurors, the British Ministry of Magic in conjunction with several other European Ministries had instituted the Auror Exchange Program where wizards could be sent to train and work in other countries. Aleksandra Cernunnos had been one of the first applicants. The buxomly statuesque dark haired, gray-eyed Bulgarian witch made quite a splash when she waltzed into the Ministry. She caught the eye of every wizard she walked past although Hermione surmised that was mostly to do with the fact that she looked as though she had poured herself into everything she wore. That combined with the dark liner she wore to accentuate her smoky gray eyes, the blood red lipstick she slathered across her full pouty lips and the stiletto heels she wore with everything made for quite the eye-catching combination.
A new recruit with a notable degree of talent in the area of defense against the dark arts Aleksandra was placed in the same unit alongside Harry and Ron. She immediately set her sights on Harry using her ample womanly attributes to garner his interest and as Harry was at the time quite agreeable to such distractions of the type that Aleksandra provided, the two became an item in a relatively short time. Aleksandra and Ron got on quite well. Maybe it was because they were in the same auror's unit or that they shared several common interests outside of work. Although Hermione also supposed that it was more likely that it was because Ron was male and thus subject to Aleksandra's dubious charms. Aleksandra had never got on with Hermione well at all. It seemed that the two always found themselves at opposing ends of everything. Aleksandra never fully understood the closeness of the friendship that existed between the threesome thus she thought Hermione too involved in Harry and Ron's lives. For her part, Hermione never liked Aleksandra in the least. She thought she was an oversexed slag whose only true interest in Harry lay in his celebrity and between his legs. So Hermione was more than pleased to see Aleksandra back off to Bulgaria and out of Harry's life. Although she would later learn that Harry and Aleksandra had seen each other off and on over the next year or so following Aleksandra's departure from London to appease their appetites for one another.
Harry eyed his wife carefully as she sat half frowning, half-scowling at the cup of tea she had been drinking from. Knowing she had never been fond of Aleksandra Harry wondered if the news of his ex (so to speak) turning up had upset her. Harry asked.
"Everything alright love?"
Hermione looked up and pasted on a smile before answering.
"I'm fine sweetie, why do you ask?"
Harry shrugged.
"Well, I know you've never exactly been friendly with Aleksandra…and…well…I thought you might be…be….not too keen on seeing her."
Hermione quirked an eyebrow and replied.
"Well no, she is not on my list of people who I simply must catch up with but she's nothing for me to be fussed about either."
Harry smiled and nodded a look of relief flooding his face. Hermione returned the smile and patted Harry's hand. Feeling the situation was resolved Harry returned to his breakfast. Hermione retrieved her cup and sipped her tea, as Harry, now engrossed in the latest headlines of the local wizarding paper failed to see the look of annoyance marring his wife's face.
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Harry was sitting quietly at the hotel bar sipping on a bit of Slyfaeen Algerian brandy when a sultry, throaty voice called out to him.
"My darling Harry you are looking vonderful as alvays."
Sitting his drink down Harry turned and saw Alexandra Cernunnos standing a foot away. Her voluptuous curves were enveloped in a tightly sculpted red halter dress that clung to her body like a second skin. Her smoky gray eyes were outlined in thick black liner that made them appear darker and more intriguing than they were naturally, and as ever her full and pouty lips were colored a deep blood red. Aleksandra's lips curved upwards into a smile as she sexily slunk across the short distance separating her from Harry and throwing her arms about his neck and hugged him in such a manner that every inch of their bodies were touching. Aleksandra whispered in Harry's ear.
"It's so very good to see you Harry."
Harry replied.
"It's nice to see you again as well Alek."
Aleksandra flashed a bright smile before leaning in to give Harry a kiss. Harry turned his head so that Aleksandra's kiss landed on his cheek instead of her intended target, his lips. As the peck ended, a male voice sounded from behind them.
"Ah, Aleksandra there you are…"
Aleksandra stepped out of her embrace with Harry and walked over to a stocky dark haired wizard with beady black eyes, thin pale lips and an exceedingly prominent nose. Aleksandra grabbed the wizard by the hand and said.
"Kazimir, come, you are acquainted with Harry, yes."
Kazimir Volta drew himself up as if someone had just placed a rod down his back and took Harry's extended hand. Shaking it firmly he said.
"It is a pleasure to see you again Harry. I was unaware that you and Aleksandra knew each other so intimately…she speaks very highly of you and your…ah…hem…wandsmanship."
Aleksandra smiled seductively as she let go of Volta's hand. She took two quick steps over to Harry and wrapped her arms snugly around his waist; molding her body to his She nuzzled his cheek affectionately and said in her husky timbre.
"Hmmm…Harry has alvays been most talented."
As the words left Aleksandra's mouth, her lips turned up in a seductive smile. Just then, Hermione's voice floated across the room.
"Yes, Harry is extraordinarily talented with a wand."
Harry, Aleksandra and Kazimir all directed their attention to Hermione. Harry immediately set about disentangling himself from Aleksandra's grasp; not wanting Hermione to think he was a willing participant in Aleksandra's overly friendly embrace. Though she hadn't said anything directly Harry knew that Hermione despised Aleksandra and he didn't his wife thinking he wanted the attentions of any woman other than her. Harry shook off Aleksandra and started towards his wife but Kazimir with an appraising smile on his face rushed forward and grasped Hermione's hand brought him up short as he said in what can only be described as a seductive whisper of a tone.
"Ahh…you must be Her-my-oh-nee."
Kazimir lifted Hermione's hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. Aleksandra answered.
"Yes Kazimir, this is Hermione Granger, Harry's…"
Hermione cut in halting Aleksandra's words though her response was directed towards Volta.
"Potter…Hermione Potter…"
Pausing for effect Hermione raised her gaze to the woman's who had moments before been wrapped around her husband and finished off.
"Harry and I are married."
Kazimir Volta smiled in open appreciation as he took in Hermione's curvaceous figure. The blue wrap around dress she'd donned for lunch while loose and free flowing somehow managed to cling to her curves nonetheless. Not to mention the fact that it showed what Harry believed to be her two best assets, her full firm breasts and her long shapely legs, to their fullest advantage. Volta spoke, his admiration of Hermione evident in his voice.
"I am enchanted to make your acquaintance Mrs. Potter."
Once again, Volta kissed the back of Hermione's hand. Hermione smiled easily and replied.
"The pleasure is mine Mr. Volta."
"Please call me Kazimir."
Volta squeezed Hermione's hand as he made his entreaty, to which she nodded and smiled in acquiescence to before slipping her hand from his and strutting enticingly over to Harry. Hermione slipped into Harry's arms with ease, wrapping her own arms around his neck she pressed her body fully against his and drew his lips down to her own. As their lips met, Harry lost track of everything around him save the feel of Hermione's soft lips and nimble tongue dancing against his own. The kiss barely lasted long enough for Harry to take in the fact that Hermione Jane Granger-Potter of the "Public displays of affection are the height of bad taste" school of thought had just snogged him quite thoroughly in a very public place.
As they drew apart, Harry was aware of the flicker of camera flashes exploding like fireworks around them. Hermione smiled up at him and asked.
"Miss me love?"
Not trusting himself to speak at that moment Harry responded by wrapping his arms tightly about her waist and pulling her flush against him as he nodded impassively. A wicked smile crept across Hermione's face as she felt Harry's apparently instant arousal lying against her abdomen. Leaning up she kissed him softly and in carrying whisper said "Later". She then turned and greeted Aleksandra.
"Aleksandra, you're looking well."
Aleksandra's mouth dropped open as her words seemingly tripped over her tongue in her haste to get them out.
"You and Harry are married?"
Hermione nodded as an excited giggle burst from her as she held out the stonking diamond and emerald engagement ring and matching band that adorned the fourth finger of her left hand and answered in a giddy voice.
"Yes, this is our honeymoon."
Kazimir walked over, slipping an arm around Aleksandra's waist, and cried in a booming voice.
"Congratulations! This calls for a celebration, come I know just the thing!"
With that, said Kazimir ushered Harry, Hermione and Aleksandra through the lobby and out the doors of the hotel.
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Harry sat around the table that occupied a corner of the small kitchen of Kazimir Volta's Greek flat. He pinched the bridge of his nose beneath his glasses and squeezed his eyes shut as he fought of the beginnings of a headache. For the past five hours, he'd been relentlessly pouring over all of his notes journals and files from the case that Melbourne had booted him off of, along with copies of all the original files from the scenes of the disturbances in Transylvania, Romania and Yugoslavia. Aleksandra and Kazimir had discreetly used their various contacts to obtain copies of the originals at Harry's request. And as he had expected huge gaps of information about the goings-on were removed from the files before they'd been passed along to Harry and the other aurors. The only person who'd had access to the files had been Melbourne. This was proof that Melbourne was hiding something. The question was what. What was he so bent on keeping secret that he'd jeopardize innocent lives? What was more important than the oath he'd taken to protect the wizarding world? Harry stared at the piles of documents before and emitted a frustrated groan as he in chorus reached up and snatched off his glasses tossing them onto the report lying in front of him. Unexpectedly he felt a pair of feminine hands grasp his shoulders and began to massage the tension out of his tense and knotted shoulders. Aleksandra's voice drifted to his ears.
"You are, as you say, vinding yourself up."
Harry knew that Alek was smiling, it was evident in her voice and though he appreciated the spirit of the gesture, he thought it unwise to allow such contact between him and a woman he knew so personally to continue with Hermione just across the room. Reaching up Harry removed Aleksandra's hands from his shoulders. Aleksandra took up the vacant seat next to Harry and with a frown said.
"So how long have you and Hermione been a couple?"
Harry picked up his square framed glasses and slipped them back on as he replied.
"Nearly a year, give or take two or three months."
Aleksandra quirked an eyebrow.
"I had alvays suspected that Hermione had more than friendly feelings for you but I never guessed that you felt the same…"
She allowed her voice to trail off then added.
"I suppose it should have been expected, being that you vere friends for so long…"
Aleksandra glanced quickly across the room to where Hermione and Kazimir sat working on translating runes before she spoke again.
"Happiness looks good on you Harry."
With that, Aleksandra leaned forward and softly brushed a kiss across lips. She then reached for one of the files lying on the kitchen table and asked.
"So, vhat have you found so far?"
As Harry and Aleksandra resumed their examination of the files, Hermione narrowed her eyes in consternation over the exchange she'd just witnessed between Harry and Aleksandra it was just like that trollop to throw herself at a married man. Harry was poring over the file intently when suddenly Aleksandra reached out and laid her hand in his lap. Hermione never heard the question Kazimir was asking her nor could she recall crossing the room, the only thing she was conscious of was standing beside Harry's chair glaring over at Aleksandra whose arm Harry was holding at the wrist. In her hand was clasped what appeared to be a photograph. Harry plucked the picture from Aleksandra's fingertips and studied it briefly before turning towards Hermione and saying.
"Love, can you make out what's in this picture? It's a touch blurry and I'm not too certain exactly what this is…does that look like a person to you?"
Harry rose from his seat and handed the picture to Hermione who set aside her anger momentarily and considered the photo Harry had just given her. Harry peered down at the picture as well concentrating hard on the blurred image before him. Kazimir and Aleksandra joined them and the quartet spent several unsuccessful minutes taping it with their wands in an effort to get a clearer image of the shadowy figure moving about the frame. Finally, Hermione called everything to a halt by saying.
"It's no use trying any spell that won't help…"
Hermione paused as three pairs of eyes met hers questioningly. After a beat, she continued on.
"Whatever is obscuring the individual in that picture's face is a part of the picture. I'm guessing that whoever took the picture did so without a flash for obvious reason and I suspect that considering that level of dark magic going on some sort of spell or enchantment was being performed so undoubtedly there was smoke of some kind. Thus the only way to see what's really in that picture is to use specialist equipment."
Aleksandra frowned and asked.
"Specialist equipment…what do you mean specialist equipment?
Hermione rolled her eyes and wondered how in the name of Merlin's ghost such a twit had become an auror. Sighing she answered.
"I mean that we should consult a photographer."
Kazimir smiled broadly, as he exclaimed.
"But of course, a photographer will have potions that can make the images in the picture clear…"
Hermione nodded as Kazimir turned to Harry and said.
"Your wife is as brilliant as she is beautiful comrade!"
Harry smiled proudly.
"I know."
Following those pronouncements Hermione suggested that they send the picture off to Ron who would be able to get Colin Creevey, who worked as a photographer for Luna and her father at the Quibbler to take a shifty at it and see what could be done to straighten it out, everyone agree. Given the lateness of the hour, Harry thought it best that he and Hermione head back to their hotel. Hermione transfigured all the files and journals into a small compact and slipped into her purse while Harry made arrangements for he and Hermione to meet with Kazimir and Aleksandra in two days to discuss what they'd found out. The two then said their good nights and apparated back to their hotel.
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Hermione emerged from the bath dressed in a white silk chemise to find her husband nestled beneath the covers of their bed hands behind his head staring at the ceiling in apparent deep contemplation. Wondering what he was thinking about, she called his name.
"Harry."
At the sound of Hermione's voice Harry immediately directed his gaze to her he smiled as his eyes skimmed her beautifully rounded figure just visible beneath her loose chemise. He wondered if she was completely naked underneath. A leering smirk rose upon his countenance. Hermione saw the look and asked.
"Harry James Potter, why in heavens name are you staring at me like that?"
When she received no answer she called to him again.
"Harry?"
It was only after she called his name a second time that Harry realized that Hermione had in fact been asking him a question. Harry answered her question with a question.
"What's that love?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and repeated her question.
"Well I was going to ask what you'd been thinking of so intently but when you looked at me just now I got the impression that your thoughts had gotten rather lurid so I asked why you were staring at me like that."
Harry nodded and replied with a simple "Oh". He waited for several minutes before saying anything else.
"My thoughts were rather lurid just now…seeing you in that…"
Harry gestured towards Hermione's chemise.
"Got me wondering whether you were wearing knickers."
Harry waggled his eyebrows at Hermione who was settling into bed next to him. She grabbed the nearest pillow and smacked him in the face with it. Harry quickly retaliated by rolling over on top of Hermione and pinning her underneath him where upon he began tickling her pitilessly. He continued his torture until Hermione breathlessly pleaded for mercy. Looking down at her flush face with her chemise bunched up around her upper thighs between which he was snugly nestled, Harry relented. Remembering there kiss earlier that day down in the hotel lobby Harry lowered his head and brought his lips to Hermione's in a slow passionate kiss.
As they kissed, they allowed their hands to roam across the familiar curves and peaks of each others bodies. When they drew apart both were breathing heavily. Hermione closed her eyes and exhaled slowly as if to steady herself. Harry smiled, rolled off her and said.
"I suppose we're even now."
Hermione opened her eyes bereft at the loss of his warm body next to hers and quizzically asked.
"Even…what do you mean by that?"
Harry shrugged.
"Just that this kiss makes us even after that little stunt you pulled in the lobby today."
Feigning innocence Hermione said.
"What stunt?"
Harry put on a simpering expression and in a voice that was vaguely reminiscence of her own he said.
"Yes, Harry is extraordinarily talented with a wand."
Harry paused then added.
"And then you who avoid public displays at all costs presses that delectable body of yours against mine and snogs me so thoroughly that I very nearly hauled your arse back up here for shag!"
It was Hermione's turn to shrug and say in an off hand manner.
"What I can't miss you?!"
Harry snorted and rolled his eyes.
"Bollocks…it wasn't missing me that got you carrying on…you were jealous."
Hermione's eyes widen as she exclaimed.
"Jealous! What in Morganna's name would I have to be jealous of?"
"Aleksandra."
Hermione sat bolt upright in bed and yelled.
"Me, jealous of that trampy twit, honestly!"
Harry raised an eyebrow and shrugged as Hermione continued her rant.
"I mean really what am I to be jealous over exactly, her overly made up face, or her tart-like attire or perhaps its her penchant for hanging all over married men and grabbing their crotches!"
Harry interjected coolly.
"She wasn't grabbing my crotch she was picking up the picture that fell out of the file."
Hermione frowned and said.
"Like bloody hell she was…probably magicked the bloody thing there in the first place."
Harry let out a shout of laughter.
"Love I think you're protesting too much."
Hermione flumped back against her pillows and folded her arms.
"Alright so I was jealous but its hard not to be when I look at her and realize what you two once had..."
Harry cut in.
"Sex."
Hermione frowned and muttered.
"What?"
Harry replied.
"You said you were jealous of what Aleksandra and I once had and I'm telling you it was sex…admittedly quite a lot of sex but nothing more than that."
Hermione eyed him curiously as he went on.
"With Aleksandra it was only ever physical we never seemed to get any deeper than the shagging. To be honest she was always jealous of how close we were…"
Harry reached over and pulled hermione into his arms and whispered.
"You're the only woman who's ever owned me heart, mind, body and soul."
Their lips met in a tender kiss that quickly turned passionate. Harry dropped his lips to Hermione neck and began kissing her ardently. His left hand cupped her right breast as he thumbed her nipple to a hardened peak. Hermione let out a moan of pleasure as she guided Harry's right hand down over her hips and between her legs. She leaned down and whispered in a husky voice "I'm not wearing any knickers" as she plunged Harry's fingers into her wet center. Hermione allowed the rest of the world to fade away as she lost herself to Harry's touch.
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