Title: Cake? Check. Date? Double Check.
Summary: While running an errand for Fleur, Hermione meets someone she hasn't seen in a long time.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Everything else can be claimed by J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Forgive me but I really can't write Fleur or Viktor's accents very well so for the purposes of the story we'll have to pretend they're now more fluent in English.
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"Mmm something smells wonderful," came a voice she had dearly missed. The witch closed the oven and turned to her friend with a big smile. "Cherie, you made it!" she said happily, moving in for a hug. "Of course I made it Fleur, I wouldn't miss it for the world," Hermione replied, her smile lighting up her face, "And I came early too just in case you needed help with anything." Fleur waved her away, "You can help by keeping me company while I wait for zis pie to bake."
Fleur and Bill were throwing a party to celebrate Victoire's first bout of accidental magic. The six year old had had them worried for a while since most children born to wizarding families usually show signs of magic much earlier. Of course, they would have loved her with or without magic, but there always was the fear of their child feeling like an outcast for not having magic like the rest of the family. At six, she had already begun able to notice that something was different. Luckily, after an accident involving Ron's broom, a machete, and some glitter glue (the outcome of which could have been much, much worse had the child not managed to heal herself) there was no doubt that she'd have magic after all. So really the party was as much about the relief of their child still being alive as it was about the relief that she did magic.
"Company? That I can do," she said, laughing. "Well I'm glad," said Fleur, "You're always so busy. We rarely get to see you anymore, especially since you broke up with Ronald." Her English had improved so much you could only hear a slight French lilt when she spoke. Mostly, she sounded similar to Bill, who helped her learn in the first place. Although Hermione figured you couldn't live so long with someone and not start to sound like them a little as well.
"I know Fleur, things have been so hectic at work lately with the new Equal Opportunities Act the Minister's trying to pass. Once Kingsley gets approval things will settle down a bit," she said.
Fleur accepted the excuse, but didn't let her get off so easily. "So I take it zat means zhere is no one special you're seeing zat's keeping you busy then?" she said with a sly grin.
Hermione coloured slightly. "No, there isn't," she said and sighed. Everyone had taken to asking her that lately. She was only in her early twenties, there was plenty of time to find someone special. It's not like she didn't have options either, but Hermione was never the type to simply date for the sake of it. After she and Ron figured out they were better as friends, she just didn't find anyone she thought would be seriously interested in. Hermione was a long term type of girl. She knew what she wanted out of her life. Most guys her age weren't looking for commitment, or at least, not the ones she met. And while she didn't mind settling down, she most certainly wasn't going to settle. She knew what she was worth and wouldn't accept anything less.
Then there was the whole Golden Trio thing. That made finding a life partner infinitely more difficult. There were many guys who just wanted to say they were dating the Hermione Granger, if only for the popularity and respect they'd automatically gain. Everyone was interested in the trio. Harry and Ginny were happy together though, and Ron had recently rekindled his relationship with Lavender who had matured from her experiences during the war. That meant the focus was on her, the only single one left. The gossip magazines like Witch Weekly sold tons of copies just speculating about her and her relationships or lack thereof.
A sharp gasp and a panicked 'Oh no' made her come out of her thoughts and focus on Fleur.
"What's wrong? Did the food burn?" she asked Fleur, worried.
"No nothing like zat, it's just, I made a really stupid mistake," Fleur replied, looking forlorn.
"Well what is it and how can I help?" Hermione asked, already in assistant mode.
"I forgot, but Harry told me Teddy is allergic to bell peppers. It completely slipped my mind and I cooked with zem. I'll have to try and find something to make now so he can eat but we're so short on time. I don't want to have to ask you to run any errands though, you were supposed to come and relax and have fun," she said, clearly very upset.
"Oh nonsense, it's fine. I told you I came early so I could help you out anyway, what is it that you need?" Hermione said, waving her concerns away.
She hesitated but still made a request, "Well I was going to make dessert next but I don't think I'll have time to. Do you think you could go pick up a cake for me and maybe some ice cream? I won't have time to get it myself and make something for Teddy to eat."
"Sure I can, don't worry about it, everything will be fine," Hermione said, trying to reassure her panicked hostess.
Fleur gave her a grateful smile. "You're a lifesaver Hermione, I owe you one," she said.
And with that Hermione took her leave from Shell Cottage and apparated to her parents' house. Since their time in Australia the dentists had, ironically enough, gained quite a sweet tooth. They'd be able to give her some good bakery recommendations.
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"Sweetheart Bakery hmmm," she murmured to herself, while looking out for the shop. Her mother had recommended a bakery not too far from their house. Hermione had borrowed their car since she didn't know the exact location of the store and couldn't risk apparating where someone could see her. It was a muggle bakery after all. "Oh there it is," she said as she spotted the bubblegum pink store, decorated with decals of dessert. She pulled into a park and sat there for a moment, checking her purse to make sure she had enough muggle money. She'd have to pay back her mother, who graciously lent her some, when she got a chance to change some galleons to pounds.
Entering the store her nose picked up the most delicious aromas. It had been too long since Hermione had a nice slice of cake. She was so busy lately she didn't even get time to indulge herself a little. But she didn't have time to browse everything today either, Fleur was counting on her, so she made her way over to the ready-made cakes.
Hmm, might have to get two, she thought. After all, the Weasleys were a huge family, and some of them could eat a lot *cough* Ron *cough*
She decided to get one chocolate and one sponge. Carefully stacking the two cakes on top of each other she turned to go cash, but accidentally bumped into someone who had been trying to pass behind her. The top box slipped but with swift reflexes the man managed to hold it in place before it could fall.
"I am so sorry," he said, "Are you okay?"
That voice she thought, it couldn't be. She tore her gaze away from the cakes and her eyes met his, widening slightly.
"Viktor?" she said incredulously.
"Hermoninny?" he said, just as shocked.
She hadn't seen Viktor since Fleur's wedding. They'd kept in contact after the Triwizard Tournament but as the years went by it slowly dwindled to annual New Year's greetings. So she had no idea he was even in England, much less what he was doing here in a muggle bakery. At least some things never changed though, she thought, when she heard him butcher her name.
"Vhat are you doing here?" he asked, before she could ask the same.
"Uh, buying cake," she said with a sheepish grin.
Her statement made him realise that they were just standing there in the middle of the shop, with her precariously holding onto two cakes.
"Let me help you vith that," he said, and took them from her. Normally she'd protest but after the near miss earlier she let him take it without a word.
"Thank you," she smiled, while waiting in line, "I was just going to cash and take them back to the car. We can talk some more outside when you're done yeah?"
"Of course. That would be great," he said.
But when she paid and made to leave with the cakes he just stubbornly held onto them and told her he'd take them to the car for her. "But you didn't get anything!" she protested.
"I got more than I expected," he said, smiling almost shyly at her, "I vas only looking around anyvay."
That reminded her that she really didn't know what he was doing there, so she took him at his word and let him follow her to the car.
Securing the cakes to the back seat with a surreptitious sticking charm she invited him to sit in the passenger seat so they could talk in the comfort of AC, that most wonderful of muggle inventions.
"How have you been? It's been a while since we last spoke," she began.
His face fell slightly. "I've been better. I am...retired now," he said.
"Why? What happened? Did you get hurt?" she asked, scanning him over, suddenly alarmed. This came as a big surprise. He was still young and didn't look injured. Looks could be deceiving though.
"No nothing like that. I am okay," he said quickly, to assuage her fears, "It's just..."
"Just what?" she prompted gently.
"Ve lost. Badly. The last game I played that is. The Egyptian seeker, Zhagloul...she played vell. But that meant ve lost the 424th World Cup. If only I had been faster ve vould have von. I had no choice but to retire after that disgraceful performance," he said, his face clearly showing his shame and regret.
She patted his shoulder lightly in commiseration. "I'm sorry to hear it," she said, "I am sure they were sad to see you go. You were an asset to the team. One loss wouldn't change the many victories they gained with you as seeker." His smile did not reach his eyes but he told her he appreciated her confidence in him anyway. Of course she didn't think any less of him, but she knew he felt like it was his fault and his pride had taken a hit.
"Anyway, I was really surprised to see you in a muggle bakery of all places. Not that it isn't nice to see you but what made you choose here?" she said, in an effort to change the topic to something probably not as depressing for her companion.
He brightened up slightly, "My cousin got married to a British vizard and they moved here. She invited me to visit for a month and here I am. She thought it vould cheer me up. I vas valking around the neighbourhood to give them some alone time today though. I vent into the bakery just to look around. And then I bumped into you." He seemed pleased at that. "Vhat are you doing here Hermoninny? Do you live nearby?" he asked.
"No, my parents do actually. This is their car as well. I'm about to return it to them and head back to Fleur's. She sent me for the cake," she said, then paused, she was forgetting something wasn't she?
"Oh! The ice-cream. She also wanted ice-cream," she said, then she had a great idea, "Do you want to come with me since you're not busy? I'll get the ice-cream and then we can go to Shell Cottage. I'm sure Fleur and Harry would be delighted to see you!"
"I vould love to," he replied, feeling happier than he had in a while. His cousin was right after all. He did feel better getting away from Bulgaria for a bit.
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