Author's Note: So, I know this chapter took way too long for me to post (way to long being a big understatement). I apologize. Life just got away from me, and I just didn't have the time to devote to writing this story or my others that I wanted :( But, I'm back and hopefully it won't take years before the next, though I won't lead anyone one and say that I'll have chapters up super quickly all the time.
Anyways, I hope you all forgive what a long time in coming this chapter was and enjoy!
Disclaimer: As always, I must say that Harry Potter is not mine, it's all J.K. Rowling's. I just enjoy having fun with her characters.
Chapter 12
Hermione was sitting at her desk, trying to focus on her work when the door to her office flew open. Startled, she nearly fell back in her chair as she sent the paperwork she had been holding flying.
She shot a nasty glare up at Luna, the surprise visitor, as she put a hand to her chest, as if this motion would help steady her rapidly beating heart.
"Merlin Luna, haven't you heard of knocking? I thought you were one or all of the Weasleys coming here to off me!"
Luna laughed, though her features remained in their usual dreamy expression that they rarely veered from.
"So, now that you've taken a few years off my life Luna, what was it you needed?"
Luna leisurely took a seat in the chair in front of Hermione's desk and leaned over to sniff the plant that Hermione had on desk. She sat back up and proceeded to gaze at it thoughtful for a few moments.
"You know, I think your plant may have an infestation of Speckled Glibberts. I'll take care of them for you because they really can cause all sorts of problems," Luna told her, seeming to not of even heard her friend's question.
Hermione sighed deeply and tried not to roll her eyes as Luna plucked off a leaf at examined it closely.
"Um, thanks Luna. Not to rude or anything but I really am quite busy, so what were you in such a rush to see me about?"
Luna's face took on a semi-solemn expression as she leaned over and whispered, "I just had to know. How good is he?"
"How good is who Luna? Do you have a question about a new employee or something because I know you can't possible asking about Harry and his abilities in the bedroom, right?" Hermione replied trying to sound unperturbed, though she knew her face was horribly betraying her as her cheeks were beginning to feel quite warm. She hoped that she was keeping her voice low as she realized the door to her office was still ajar. She most definitely did not want any of her co-workers overhearing this conversation.
Luna's already large eyes widened slightly. "That good huh? Well, that's what I guessed," she commented frankly.
At that moment Hermione was incredibly grateful that she was not eating or drinking anything because she felt vaguely like she was choking anyway.
"Luna, please. We can talk about this at lunch later," she leaned over hear desk and finished in a whisper, "Besides we haven't been together yet, so I wouldn't know the answer. You know what, I actually prefer we never talk about this."
"Hmmm, that seems silly. Oh, well I can give you some pointers if you would like, if you're nervous or something. You know you can learn a lot from the mating habits of the - "she began, but Hermione stopped her, frowning and waving her hands around while making a face of disgust to stop Luna before she gave her information that she'd want to erase from her mind immediately after hearing.
"Oh, Merlin no! I most definitely do not want to hear about any creature, real or otherwise, and its mating habits!" Hermione exclaimed, covering her ears in case Luna didn't listen to her protestations.
Luna was still staring at her unnervingly with her large silvery eyes when she looked back up at her.
Shrugging her shoulders, Luna stood up from her chair. "Okay, Hermione if you say so. I'm sure you'll change your mind at some point. I must be off, but I'll see you at lunch."
Hermione nodded weakly not certain if she had it in her to have any more conversations with Luna today.
After Luna left, she put her hands in her face and rubbed her aching temples. If only Luna knew how much she wished that had something to report to her at last, as much as she had been trying to deny it to herself. After all it seemed pretty bloody obvious to all of her friends that she was attracted to Harry in a very non platonic way.
Getting on the floor she crawled around under her desk, picking up the papers that she had dropped in reaction to Luna's surprise visit. Sitting back down in her chair, she set about putting them back in order when her mobile phone rang.
Groaning softly to herself, she picked it up after letting it ring two more times. This was becoming a pattern. She clearly was never going to get any work done any time in the near future.
"Hello," she answered, trying not to sound as irritated as she felt.
"Hermione?"
She frowned to herself in confusion, surprised to hear Harry's voice on the line.
"Harry, is everything okay? How did you remember my number?" she asked quickly.
Harry chuckled.
"Hermione, I may not remember much, but I wasn't robbed of my ability to remember how to work a phone, and you're in my phone list, one of the few names in it I recognized."
"Oops, sorry Harry. Did you need something?" Like you want me to come home right now so that you can kiss me senseless, her mind added oh so helpfully.
"Um, yeah, I just wanted to let you know that I wouldn't be there when you get home from work. I'm going out to dinner with Winnie. There are some things we have to talk through. She called me crying and wailing like a banshee this afternoon, so I told her I'd go," he replied, sounding less than pleased about the prospect of said dinner.
Hermione suppressed a giggle. "Do you mean Ginny, Harry?"
"Oh, yeah, wish I could remember that girl's name, stupid dodgy memory."
"Um, well good luck then," Hermione said, trying to ignore the knot of jealousy that was twisting in the pit of her stomach despite the fact that Harry didn't sound any happier to be going to see Ginny than she was for him to be going.
"I'm sure going to need it. I hope I'm all in one piece when I get home. You might need to wait up for me, in case I need prompt medical attention," he told her.
She laughed.
"Sure Harry, I'll brush up on my healing spells."
"Good, well I'll let you go, I'm sure you're busy."
"I'll see you later tonight than, Harry. Have good time."
"Oh, yes it will be jolly good fun for one and all," he replied with a heavy sigh. "Bye, Hermione."
"Bye, Harry."
She sighed and put it back down on her desk and felt the knot is her gut twist a little tighter. It felt so silly to so nervous about Harry and Ginny's dinner, after all the Harry without his memory couldn't stand the girl, but the spell Ginny had once had over him was not to be underestimated, even now.
Harry stood in front of the mirror, trying in vain to get his tie straight. He hoped that once he got his memory back he would be a little more debonair than he was at this moment. Then again maybe his preparations for tonight's dinner just weren't going well because he really, really didn't want to go anywhere with that crazy redhead.
Grimacing at this reflection he lifted his dark bangs and closely examined his forehead. He gently traced the lightening shape scar on his forehead with one finger. He'd noticed it after looking in a mirror for the first time after getting out of St. Mungo's, but had figured it was a result of whatever spell had caused him to lose his memory. Lately though he wasn't so sure. It was such a peculiar shape. Perhaps Hermione would know.
Hermione…
He took out his wallet and gently ran his fingers over the picture of himself and Hermione that he had carried around.
Merlin grant him strength for dinner with the horrifying redhead.
"Why's he going out with Ginny?!?" Luna demanded after Hermione had filled her in on the conversation she'd had with Harry.
Hermione shrugged and looked down at her plate, moving the bit of her untouched salad around with her fork.
"Now Hermione, you've really got to listen to my advice, you really just need to shag Harry to sort out your feelings," Luna advised her in a serious tone.
"Not this again, Luna. That doesn't solve anything, it just complicates things."
"Hmmm, sometimes yes, but it clears things up other times. Like with me and Neville."
Hermione gazed at Luna with thinly disguised horror. She really didn't want to be hearing any of the details about this. It was like a train wreck though, she just had to ask and find out more.
"Err, what do you mean by that?"
"Well, I kind of fancied him, and so we'd just do it and it really cleared up our feelings. I just didn't really have attraction or chemistry like I thought."
"But you look so…innocent," was all Hermione could manage, Luna's words kind of made sense though.
Luna smiled knowingly.
"So, was it like that with you and Ron?" Luna inquired.
Hermione frowned and shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"Um, I can't believe I'm actually telling you this, but it was really awkward with him the few times we've slept together," Hermione admitted, talking as softly as possible.
Luna gave her a puzzled look for a moment before asking, in a voice a bit too loudly for Hermione's liking, "You mean you haven't shagged him in years?"
Hermione flushed bright scarlet. "Yeah, it was just awful the first time, and I gave it a few more chances but it was horrible, so I told him that I felt guilty about doing because we weren't married, and he dropped it after that. It was really bad."
"Hmmm, I always thought Ron would be amazing in bed," Luna commented nonchalantly. "I say give Harry a go and you'll be really surprised."
"Bloody hell," was all Hermione could manage in response.
Hermione was wondering if her head was more messed up that Harry's hexed one. Especially since she was becoming sorely tempted to follow Luna's very bad advice.