Hermione couldn't help but fidget nervously as she waited. She continued to try to straighten up around the small room, putting other's things into some semblance of order. She was startled by a knock on the door. She looked up and her heart almost stopped at the sight of Harry. He was even better looking in the day light Hermione concluded. And...in one hand he held a bouquet of flowers and the other a paper sack of deli food.
"Harry..." she said, breaking out into a grin. His own smile reflected hers.
For a second they just stood there, grinning at each other.
Harry finally found his voice. "I wanted to surprise you, so I took a chance that maybe you hadn't eaten yet and we could have lunch together. I ...I really had to see you again."
"Really?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded and was rewarded with a shy smile.
Again they both just sort of stood there, staring at each other, neither one moving. Again they both just sort of stood there, staring at each other, neither one moving.
The sound of a door slamming somewhere down the hall startled them both and Harry stepped fully into the office. He offered her the bouquet of flowers with a flourish. Hermione took them gratefully and, offering him a brilliant smile, brought the white roses to her face to take in the scent.
Harry watched, momentarily transfixed by the sight of her.
"So..." he started to speak at the same time Hermione started to say something.
"You first," Harry told her.
Hermione bit her lip a smiled. " I was just going to say Thank You. White Roses are my favorite. And...I'm glad you came by because I ...I was thinking about you earlier," she admitted even as a slight blush tinted her cheeks.
"Yes...me too....I mean, I was thinking about you earlier and..." Harry paused and took a breath before he could fumble his words anymore. " Are you hungry? I wasn't sure what you'd like so I thought we could share a couple of things, although I only have an hour"
"I'm famished. Tell me what you brought."
So Harry went to work setting up their little picnic lunch on Hermiones's desk.
Karen, being the deprived person that she was, decided to see what exactly Hermione and her Adonis were up to. She walked casually by the office, trying to get a peak through the door which was slightly ajar. She could make out laughter from the inside along with some hushed talking and then more laughter. She wasn't able to make out what was being said but it was obviously Harry making Hermione laugh. He was funny, romantic and handsome.....she hadn't thought there were any wizards like that left in the world. Her curiosity got the better of her and she tried to get a peak at the couple to see what they were doing. She could see them sitting across from each other, leaning forward, both talking earnestly. Hermione was currently saying something and Harry was listening with rapt attention. He interjected a comment and Hermione started to laugh. As she did so she was leaning forward slightly. Harry started to lean forward as well.
Feeling a little like a voyeur, Karen quickly walked away, not wanting to intrude on their private moment.
Harry hadn't been able to resist. Hermione had been laughing, her face all lit up and then she'd leaned
forward, almost extending an invitation. One that he was more than happy to respond to.
He brought his hands up, gently framing her face, as he pressed his mouth to hers. There was no hesitancy as Hermione eagerly responded. The kiss was slow and deliberate as both Hermione and Harry took the opportunity to get to know the taste and feel of each other. When it finally became necessary to draw breath, the two broke apart, both gasping for air. Harry leaned his forehead against Hermione's, his fingers gently caressed the sides of her face.
"See what you do to me," he said with a soft chuckle.
Hermione bit her lip gently, fighting the urge to kiss him again. Couldn't he see was he was doing to her?
"Harry..." her voice pleaded softly and then his lips were on hers again.
It was a very reluctant Harry leaving the office fifteen minutes later. He could have stayed there all day just kissing her and looking at her. But he knew she had work to get done. The only consolation for him was that she had agreed to let him take her on another date that same night. He was happy to conclude that lunch was a success.
Hermione sat at her desk after he left and stared at the empty chair across the way. She couldn't help the sigh
that escaped her lips. She'd wanted nothing more than for Harry to say, but she had work to do and he would
definitely be a distraction. Hermione smiled and giggled to herself. He was a very good distraction though. Very, very
good.
****
Hermione walked around on cloud nine the rest of the day. She left the lab and all her papers behind early to go get ready for her date with Harry. Upon arrival at her apartment, she ran into Luna who also just getting back from the ministry.
"So..Mione, what do you say to you, me, a pint of butterbeer, and a night of girl talk? I want to hear all about last night. From the way you're still smiling I'd say it must have gone well," Luna said with a bright smile.
"Oh, Luna...you know that I would love to, but I've sort of already have other plans. Harry is taking me
somewhere."
"Wow. He moves fast. Did he call you at work or something?" Luna was beyond curious about the previous evening now. It must have been pretty good. Not only had Harry given back all of the money but he'd already called for another date.
"Actually, he asked, yes," Hermione said with a dreamy sigh as her thoughts wandered back several hours. "He came to the lab today and he brought lunch and white roses. We talked and made plans for tonight," Hermione said, leaving out the more personal details.
Luna wasn't sure how to respond. She followed Hermione to her bedroom while she thought about things. She could hardly believe this was happing. She knew that Hermione had been struck by cupid's arrow. That much had been clear by the look on her face when she'd first seen Harry. She just hadn't realized how deep that arrow had stuck and how it was obviously the same for Harry.