Author's note: All information concerning 'St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries' was taken from the Harry Potter Lexicon © 2001-2006 (http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizworld/places/mungos.html).
Chapter two - Deux
Hermione trudged down to the kitchen the next morning, hoping that she wouldn't have to encounter Harry. She was greeted that morning by the sounds of someone retching in the loo, and although it was quite sickening, she couldn't help but be concerned for whoever it was. She hesitantly pressed her ear to the door and listened as someone let out an echoing cough before flushing the toilet and closing the lid. Well, it definitely wasn't one of the boys. Hermione knew that much. Neither of them ever put the seat down, and it annoyed her and Luna to death.
She could only assume that it was Luna in the bathroom, so she waited patiently while she heard the water in the sink running and a gentle splash echoing around the room. The water shut off and muffled footsteps began to approach the door. The knob turned and a red faced, exhausted looking Luna Weasley emerged.
"Luna?" Hermione asked, coming to stand in front of her. "Are you alright?" she asked.
Luna coughed gently into her hand and nodded through her coughing fit. "Fine," she stammered, making her way towards the steps and descending to the kitchen. Hermione followed close behind, concerned for her friend. The young witch sauntered lazily into the kitchen and slumped down into one of the kitchen chairs, resting her forehead on the table. Hermione walked over to her and sat down next to her, resting a hand lightly on her back and gently running it up and down her spine trying to soothe her aching muscles.
"You're sure that you're alright?" Hermione asked. She looked expectantly at Luna who merely nodded her head against the table and sighed heavily.
"Well…" Hermione tried, "could you maybe be sick? I'm sure that we could floo Molly and get something for your stomach," Hermione tried.
Luna chuckled into the table, lifting her head to look at Hermione with bright eyes. "Trust me, Hermione. I'm far from sick."
"But, Luna…" she started, pondering what she meant, then Hermione gazed at her with her mouth hanging open. "You're not," Hermione stated, a broad grin spreading across her face. Luna merely grinned and sat up a little straighter in her chair. "You are!" Hermione squealed, leaning over and giving Luna a huge hug around the shoulders. Luna laughed out loud as Hermione refused to let her friend go.
"A bit excited, aren't we?" Luna asked with a chuckle.
Hermione drew back and smiled at her. "You're going to have a baby!" she exclaimed. "How can I not be excited?" Hermione asked. She took a deep breath to calm herself. "Have you told Ron yet?"
Luna scoffed. "I only found out for sure a few days ago, Hermione. And Ron has been so busy with everything I just didn't want to trouble him."
"Trouble him? I've never heard of anything so preposterous in my entire life! Ron doesn't want anything more than he wants a family with you." Hermione said.
"I know, but I guess I just don't want to give him a heart attack is all. I was planning on telling him tonight. Actually, I was going to announce it tonight at Cho and Harry's celebration dinner."
Hermione's mouth hung open in surprise. "Cho and Harry's what?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, gracious, of course you wouldn't know. I didn't get a chance to tell you last night," Luna said. "You just ran right on past me. I meant to tell you that Harry stopped me last night as I came home and said that Cho was planning a small gathering tonight at her flat of the families so that they could announce it properly, although with all of the publicity it probably got, I doubt that anyone in the wizarding world doesn't know by now."
Hermione scoffed. "I don't doubt that."
Later that afternoon, as Luna sat on the edge of Hermione's bed and watched as Hermione flung clothing at her, she couldn't help but laugh at the scene that was unfolding in front of her. Hermione turned and looked at her. "What?" she asked with a smile.
"You love him," Luna stated matter-of-factly.
"And why do you say that?" Hermione asked, holding a black cocktail dress up to herself and looking at herself in the mirror that hung on the back of her closet door. She then tossed it onto her bed on top of the large pile of rejected clothing that was forming.
"You want to impress him tonight," Luna explained. "I understand, Hermione. If I were you I would do that same thing."
Hermione looked at Luna, ready to deny her accusations, but then reconsidered. She sighed. "I know. I'm pathetic."
"Not at all! Look, why don't we go into London and look in some shops there? I need a new dress as well. All of mine are a bit, well, snug."
They both laughed and Hermione smiled at her, agreeing. Together they apparated into London and walked to their favorite little boutique where they both entered, instantly finding comfort in the racks, shelves, and piles of colorful clothing that surrounded them. Luna found a flowing peasant dress that was a light yellow, very complimentary of her light hair. Hermione searched and came up with many possibilities, her favorite of which being a dark plum colored dress, which was strapless, and tea-length. They made their purchases and walked out of the boutique, dress bags in hand.
As they rounded a corner on their way to grab coffee from their favorite café, someone bumped into Hermione and spilled coffee all down the front of her fitted white tee shirt and dark denim jeans.
"Oh, drat," she said, wiping at the front of her shirt. Luna took her bag from her as the person who had bumped into her handed her his handkerchief. Hermione looked up and stopped. The man standing before her, a slight smile on his face, was gorgeous. His dark brown hair and tanned skin complimented his icy blue eyes. His lips curved into a smile as he obviously took a good look at the slightly disheveled woman in front of him. Her long straight hair was falling in her face and the offensive brown stain running down her front tarnished her perfect appearance.
"I am so sorry," he said, trying to hide his smile.
"Oh, no, it's fine," she tried to reassure him, attempting to hide her impending smile.
"Hermione," Luna said. "I'm heading home. Ron's calling my mobile and I'm guessing he needs me to pick out his clothes for tonight." They both chuckled.
"It's ok. I'll bring you a French vanilla," Hermione answered. Luna thanked her, turned and began walking towards the apparation point in the back alley around the corner. The man in front of Hermione cleared his throat and she turned and smiled at him.
"Well, since I'm out of coffee, I'm headed back to the café. Could I buy for you? It's the least I can do."
She smiled at him. "Sure," she responded, walking with him the short distance to the small café.
"I'm Marc," he said to her as they sat at an outside table with their steaming cups.
"Hermione," she responded, shaking his hand. They made eye contact and smiled shyly at each other.
Marc cleared his throat again and tentatively said, "So, um, I was wondering if I could possibly get your number…"
Hermione returned home that evening humming and swinging her purse back and forth. Luna was in her and Ron's room, telling Ron to tuck in his black dress shirt as she looked in the mirror and adjusted the clips in her hair. He did as he was told immediately and Hermione chuckled. Luna turned and smiled excitedly at her.
"Oh, Hermione, how did things go with your clumsy bloke?" Luna asked quickly.
Hermione smiled. "He took my number and said he would call me about going out to dinner or something."
"Oh, how wonderful. He was quite fit."
"Hey!" Ron exclaimed from behind her.
"Oh, love, if you had seen him," she said, turning to him and laughing.
"Well, as long as he's a nice bloke, then the best of luck to you, Hermione."
"Thanks." Luna retrieved Hermione's bag from beside her and Ron's bed.
"Cho said people are going to start coming at seven."
"I'll be ready," Hermione said, turning and walking down the corridor towards her room.
After her shower Hermione slipped on her new dress, admiring herself in her full-length mahogany mirror. Her hair was dried and straightened and a small amount of makeup was added to her face. She chose white gold and diamond stud earrings and a white gold necklace with a simple white gold heart charm hanging from it. She also put on her black strappy heels with the open toe. After adding a little perfume she retrieved her small black leather clutch and continued on to the living room where she was supposed to meet Ron and Luna. They told her that Harry had been at Cho's already for the better part of the day. Great, Hermione thought sarcastically.
They apparated together to the front door of Cho's large flat that was located in the center of London. Ron knocked heavily and they were greeted with the excited face of Cho's mother. She was a short woman with long, silky hair. She led them into the flat where they were immediately introduced to Cho's father, a much taller, incredibly skinny man wearing thick glasses. They began to mingle and Hermione immediately located Harry, in the corner, talking with Ginny. Hermione approached, smiling at them both.
"Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed, hugging her friend to her tightly. "It feels like I haven't seen you in ages! How have you been? You look fabulous!"
"Thank you. I've been well. How was the honeymoon?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, well, the most amazing thing I think is that Draco got a tan. I am absolutely amazed. I didn't think it was possible." They all laughed as Harry looked to Hermione.
"So, how was your day?" he asked tentatively, hoping she was cooled down from the night before.
"It was actually rather smashing," she replied.
"Luna mentioned to me that you ran into someone at the café," Ginny said, giggling.
"Oh, it was smashing! He was such a gentleman. We sat and talked and we're planning on going out some time soon."
"Well, good for you, Hermione. You haven't been out and about with any blokes for a while. Well, aside from Harry," Ginny giggled, looking over Hermione's shoulder slightly. "Oh, there's Draco. Excuse me you two."
Hermione watched as Ginny walked over and gave a hug to her husband. Hermione smiled at them and turned back to Harry who had been watching her intently.
"So, you met a bloke?" Harry asked, now looking at his shoes.
"Yeah," Hermione replied. "He's really nice."
"Well, I hope everything works out with him."
Hermione smiled sadly at him. "Thanks."
An awkward silence fell upon them. "I'm…" they both said at once.
"You go first," Hermione said sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, about yesterday," Harry continued. "I shouldn't have acted the way I did."
"It's okay. I'm sorry, too. I was being right nippy come to think of it," Hermione admitted.
"You? Nippy? Never!" Harry exclaimed sarcastically.
"Oh, stop it!" Hermione said, smiling as she swatted at his arm.
He smiled back at her as their laughter died down. "So, this new bloke, you fancy him?" Harry asked.
"I mean, he's nice enough. We'll see how it goes I guess."
"Is he a wizard?" Harry asked as they wandered towards the dining room where dinner was soon to be served.
"I don't know," Hermione answered. "I met him in muggle London, so I wouldn't know for sure."
"Just be careful," Harry advised as he pulled out her chair for her and she sat down.
"Don't worry, Harry," she responded. "I know how to look after myself. We're just going to go out and see how things go."
Harry looked down at her. "I know," he said. "I just worry about you is all."
She smiled. "And that's why I adore you."
The rest of the family assembled around the large dining table and Cho and her mother brought the food out. It was the first time that evening that Hermione had seen Cho. She looked absolutely gorgeous. She wore a red cocktail dress that was spaghetti-strapped and fanned out at the bottom and came to just above her knees. Her heels were black and had a pointed toe, accentuating her defined calf muscles and the dark complexion of her legs. She smiled at Hermione as she set the wine on the table and took a seat next to him near the head of the table, across from Hermione who was seated next to Ginny. As Cho leaned over and spoke quietly to Harry, Hermione took the opportunity to admire Cho's true beauty. Her delicate yet sharp facial features brought out her thin, rosy lips and her rounded face was accentuated by her dark hair which was gently curled and hanging about her face in a casual, yet sophisticated manner. Her icy blue eyes turned and caught Hermione's gaze, who quickly turned to her left and began to talk to Ginny about the amount of work she and Draco were going to have to endure this coming week at the hospital.
Hermione and Draco had been healers at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for close to three years. Ginny was a reporter for the Daily Prophet. Hermione and Draco both worked on the fourth floor, Spell Damage. They took care of those who were afflicted with unliftable jinxes and hexes and incorrectly cast charms. Ginny was always incredibly interested in the goings on at the hospital so it made a perfect option for Hermione when caught staring at Cho.
"So," Ginny said, "have you given any thought to my suggestions about the robes?"
"Gin," Hermione said, laughing, "there is nothing we can do about the robes. They've been that way since the 1500s."
"Which is precisely why they should update them! I mean, that green color is simply ghastly."
Hermione chuckled. "I'll see what I can do."
"Excuse me," Harry said, standing and holding up his wine glass. "I would just like to thank everyone for being here tonight so that me and Cho could share this marvelous news with our families and friends." He looked down at Cho who took his hand and smiled lovingly at him. "I'd just like to give a toast to Cho's parents, who have been incredibly supportive throughout the past few years, and to the Weasleys," Harry continued, looking to Molly and Arthur, "who have really been my only true family."
As Harry sat everyone clapped and Cho's mother began to serve the food with the help of Mrs Weasley and Cho's older sister, Lin, who was tall and thin, dressed in form fitting black slacks and a white button-up shirt. Hermione couldn't help but be jealous of the sisters' impeccable beauty and perfect bodies. It almost made her want to be sick right there on the table. No wonder Harry loves her, Hermione though sadly as Harry poured her a glass of white wine and smiled at her. She's perfect.
Luna and Ron then stood and politely called for the attention of the room. Everyone turned and looked expectantly at them. Luna was smiling from ear to ear and Ron had his arm wrapped around her waist protectively.
"Thank you, everyone; and congratulations, Harry, to you and Cho," he said as he raised his glass to them. "I wanted to take this opportunity to inform everyone that me and Luna," he paused then, for dramatic effect Hermione guessed, smiling, "are going to have a baby," Ron finished as the room broke into thunderous applause and Mrs Weasley ran up to her son and daughter-in-law and grabbed each of them in a crushing hug.
"Oh, another Weasley baby!" she exclaimed, tears brimming in her eyes. "What a wonderful evening this has turned out to be," she said, smiling at everyone.
Yeah, Hermione though, finally realizing that she was going to be the fifth wheel in all of this, just swell.
A little more than a week later, Hermione stood in front of her mirror once again, examining herself before her first date with Marc. She wore a pair of dark denim jeans and a gray sweatshirt with a dark khaki blazer over it. He had told her to dress casually, so she did. She grabbed her trainers from the floor of her closet and slipped them on her feet before slipping her keys and her mobile into her blazer pocket. Just as she threw her hair into a straight ponytail there was a knock at the front door. She walked quickly down to the front corridor where Ron was opening the door. She smiled as she heard Ron welcome Marc inside and tell him Hermione wouldn't be long. She turned the corner at just that moment and caught Marc's gaze with hers. He was looking dashing in dark jeans and a fitted white tee shirt with a blue zip up sweater on over it. He smiled at her and held his arm out to her. She took it happily and he led her out of the front door after bidding Ron a good night.
"So, where are you taking me?" Hermione asked as Marc helped her into the passenger seat of his car.
"Well, I figured the festival would be a lovely place to start."
"Oh, sounds smashing," Hermione said with glee as Marc started the car and they sped off.
As Hermione awoke the next morning, her head pounding and feeling slightly dizzy, she felt the onsets of a hangover.
Oh, shite, she though as she clutched her mouth, stood quickly and ran for a bathroom.