Disclaimer: The wonderful world of Harry Potter and the canon characters belong to J.K Rowling and I am only borrowing them to write for my and other people's enjoyment, without any intention of profiting from it. I thank this creative lady for blessing us with such a rich ground to build up our creativity on!
Hermione pressed her index and middle fingers against her temple, to softly rub the area, hoping it would soothe her throbbing headache. This was not the brightest of her ideas, but it was a necessary measure. It was best to get this over with sooner, rather than later.
She glanced at her companions and sighed. It was unlikely that they would see eye to eye, but her blooming business needed their support, all of their support to make it work. She needed her business partners and best friends to put aside their differences, and act like mature adults. Then again, that was probably too much to ask for, considering the people sitting at her table in the chic new Wizarding Restaurant were Daphne Greengrass, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, and the Potters.
Hermione Granger owned a small Potions Company, where she was the Head of the Research Department, which was a thrilling and fitting occupation for her, as she could do what she did best: read, plan, organize, tweak, and let her analytical mind soar. She had her sights on enhancing the effects of already existing potions, and using her creativity, she had her heart set on inventing brand new concoctions that would aid their society with Healing, Enchanting, Alchemy, and even land a hand to Curse-Breakers. She owned fifty percent of the stocks, as the rest went to her investors: Greengrass, Zabini, Nott and the Potters.
They all agreed that while they wanted to be a part of this endeavor and help their friend with the start-up capital, it was her intellectual property, and they would be heavily relying on her bright mind to take them into the next century with her ground-breaking innovations.
Daphne Greengrass was a brilliant Potions Mistress, who finished up with her Mastery even faster than Hermione did, and her skills with a cauldron landed her with quite a name, even though she was still very much in her youth. She was the Head of their Brewing Department, and she had complete control over the quality of their products. Nothing was allowed to leave the Laboratories without her permission, as her keen eye for the fine art of Potion Brewing did not miss anything. She owned ten percent of their stocks, and her salary was the same as Hermione's, as her skills were as important to the collective, as hers was.
Blaise Zabini was one of the most calculating people that Hermione had ever met, which paired with his affinity to numbers, made for a fine Financial Advisor. He handled the company's accounting, keeping their books clean, paying attention to their taxes, and keeping an eye on everything that possibly needed legal aid. This did not take up too much of his time however, so he spent his days split between his role in the company, and traveling the world, looking for good investment opportunities to further the Zabini fortune that he was the sole benefactor of. He also owned ten percent of the business.
Theodore Nott was a very quiet and private person. He never talked too much, which was why his words usually carried a lot of weight. The dark-haired wizard was very observant, and instantly knew a good opportunity when he saw one. He easily had the most connections out of his colleagues, and he put them to good use to help the company with acquiring the best equipment, the best quality ingredients, all of their required reading material, and various odds and ends that they needed. He was the Head of Acquisition, furthermore he quietly supplied Hermione with under the radar research material, that would be heavily frowned upon if it ever came to light, but it could not be helped, as the two of them had a thirst for forgotten knowledge. Theo was the perfect sounding board for her ideas, so he was also her research partner when she needed one. As he was quite sweet on the brunette witch, he had put more galleons into the company than it was public knowledge among the partners, satisfied with his ten percent ownership.
Harry and Ginevra Potter owned the last twenty percent of the business, much to the chagrin of their best friend, as she insisted on them having majority ownership, as Harry funded most of the money in her stead, which made her feel uncomfortable, even though she was rather well off herself. The Boy-Who-Conquered simply stared at her with soulful emerald eyes, and explained that this was a gift to the best sister he could ever have, for all her devotion and loyalty and friendship over the years, not to mention finishing up her double Masteries in Potions and Charms. It took a lot of coaxing and cajoling, but eventually she let her stubbornness slide, and embraced the messy haired wizard with tears in her eyes for supporting her dream, and always being there for her.
Harry did not have an active role in the company, other than making sure his best friend did not lose herself in her work, like she was prone to. He often had to force her to eat and sleep, and have some time for herself, but he was happy to make sure she did not work herself to death, when he was not focusing his attention on his own Broom Manufacturing Company, or his growing family.
Ginny on the other hand was the true creative mind in the company. She actually ventured out into the non-magical world for an education in Fine Art and Design, as the magical world did not put a lot of focus into art, other than creating magical portraits and jewelery. She was responsible for the look and feel of their finished products. She had free control over packaging designs, and the aesthetics of their advertising booklets. Their company insignia was also her handiwork.
She worked closely with Luna Lovegood, whom Hermione employed as their Advertising Manager.
"Is this really necessary?" Blaise drawled. "I need to be in Paris in a few hours." He brought it up as an excuse, as he really did not want to spend more time than necessary in the Golden Boy's company, even if his wife did look delectable.
Daphne raised an eyebrow at the Italian wizard, and her lips curved into a sly smirk. "Can't you come up with a better excuse than that, Blaise? You just came back from France yesterday." She said in a silky tone, that was slightly mocking. "Are you sure that you were in Slytherin? You are not very subtle."
Theodore's eyes were alight with amusement, as he looked at the indignant expression of his best friend. He looked like he just swallowed a lemon. He stayed quiet however, glancing at Hermione, who looked like she was already regretting her initiative to hold this meeting.
"I assumed that my girlfriend would be on my side." Blaise pouted, looking at Daphne with betrayal in his almond shaped eyes, which just further amused the beautiful blonde.
"There is business, and then there is pleasure." She winked. "I happen to agree with Hermione. It was high time we all had a meeting to try to put our differences to the side to focus on the collective goal we have, which is to have a thriving business venture." She nodded, sipping her wine, that just appeared in front of her a few moments ago with the rest of their drinks.
"Thanks, Daph." Hermione smiled softly. "We don't all have to become best friends all of a sudden, but a modicum of decorum while we discuss business would be beneficial."
"Like I would ever become best friends with a Gryffindor." Blaise said with a disgusted expression, and missed the hurt look on Hermione's face, before she schooled her features into an air of indifference.
"Glad to know where we stand." She said dryly, and Theo smacked his bronze skinned mate on his arm to draw attention to his faux pas.
Zabini really put his foot in his mouth, as he had developed a friendship with the Gryffindor witch in their Eighth Year, and they had lunch together at least twice a month since then. He looked into her light brown eyes and frowned slightly, because even though she was trying to hide it, he could tell that he upset her.
He leaned over Theo, to softly grasp her pale hand and draw it to his lips, kissing it lightly. "Scusi. Ti voglio un mondo di bene!" He whispered, so only she and Theo heard.
Hermione's eyes softened, and a small smile ghosted on her lips. "Grazie, you big clown." She chuckled, and pulled her hand back with a soft blush, which left Theodore frowning slightly. He disliked it when she blushed, unless he was the reason that her cheeks filled with a delicious scarlet colour.
Harry and Ginny watched the scene with unmasked interest, and shared a look when they noticed their quiet colleague's frown deepen. It was not a secret in the Potter household that they noticed that the introverted Slytherin had feelings for their oblivious best friend, but they decided not to become involved, as there was no love lost between the Potters and Hermione's Slytherin friends.
"Perhaps we should ditch the restaurant, and go out and have some fun. A dinner meeting is way too formal to bury the hatchet." Harry suggested thoughtfully.
"That's a very good idea." Ginny exclaimed, her face lit up with excitement. "It's been a while since we went out."
"The hat-what?" Theodore asked, speaking for the first time since they arrived.
"The hatchet." Hermione echoed, turning towards the wizard and giving him a small smile. "It's a muggle phrase. It means 'to make peace'."
"Oh." He hummed.
"Do you even know how to have fun, Potter?" Greengrass asked in a teasing manner.
"I assure you, he does." Ginny grinned, and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Ginny!" Harry and Hermione exclaimed together, mortified.
"What?" She blinked innocently, and then turned back to the blonde witch. "How do you think I got pregnant?" She teased her back, caressing her bulging belly.
"Oh my god..." Hermione whispered, burying her face in her hands, embarrassed, while Harry gaped at his wife.
To their surprise, Daphne let out a light-hearted laugh. "Who knew that you had a sense of humour, Red." She grinned at her, and looked at Harry and Hermione. "Come on, lighten up, this is not the dark ages, where talking about sex was taboo."
"Glad to be acknowledged, Blondie." She laughed, and pulled her husband up for a sweet kiss. "Don't be a prude, love."
"I am not a prude!" He huffed, and as if to prove a point, he swept the feisty redhead into his arms and kissed her passionately. His hands dipped into the silky tendrils of her hair, pulling her closer, while their tongues fought for dominance, only parting when they needed to come up for air.
Blaise smirked. "Well, our Boy Wonder is not as timid as I thought, huh."
"Like you can do better!" Harry shot back with a grin, still holding his wife flush against him.
"Is that a challenge?" He raised an eyebrow, and pulled Daphne on his lap, gently caressing her hair back from her beautiful face, and slowly capturing her lips for a sensuous kiss, that left the blonde moaning softly into the kiss, without the slightest sliver of shame.
"Well, wow." Ginny whispered wistfully, staring at the kissing couple, her eyes misting with lust, because the sight of the handsome wizard and gorgeous witch was turning her pregnancy hormone induced self on.
Hermione flushed scarlet at the sight of her friends' very public display of affection, and the sounds they were making. This was not how she imagined the meeting go. She was not supposed to witness a kiss-off competition between two horny couples. Her eyes widened when Ginny pulled Harry closer, grabbing his tie, and kissing him feverishly.
"Theo..." Hermione whispered, and looked at her amused friend. "I am going to leave now. This is beyond uncomfortable."
The tall wizard glanced at the brunette's flushed face, and wished that he was the reason her pale skin was so deliciously heated, and sighed. "I will go with you, I don't think that our inappropriate friends will even notice that we are gone." He said softly.
"I agree, they are ridiculous." She shook her head, and placed some galleons on the table for the drinks they had consumed. She stood up, reaching for her coat, but Theodore stopped her.
"Let me." He said with a soft compelling tone, and held out her coat to the flustered woman.
"T-thank you." Hermione mumbled, blushing at the sweet gesture.
"My pleasure." He said sincerely, and gave her a small smile, leaving a few coins on the table himself, guiding her out of the restaurant.
"This is not how I thought the meeting would go." His company sighed, as she shook her hair a little, letting her wild locks fall freely down her back.
"Funny. This is exactly how I imagined it would go." He teased her.
"What?!" She gaped and looked at him, realizing that he was having her on, when she saw his amused expression. "Seriously, Theo!" She huffed.
"You are easy to tease." He laughed lowly.
As they walked up to the apparation point, neither of them noticed their friends staring at them through the window of the restaurant, mischievous smiles plastered on some of their faces, while concern was apparent on others.
"Are you sure that this was a good idea?" Harry asked, feeling uneasy about the situation, as he and Gin agreed not to get involved in match-making their best friend with Theodore Nott.
"Of course! Those two are so enamored with each other, that even a blind wizard could see that!" Blaise exclaimed. "When he is around her, his eyes almost never leave her. It's pathetic!"
"We share the same Lab, and whenever Theo stops by, Hermione lights up like a Christmas tree adorned by fairy lights." Daphne chuckled.
"Yes, we noticed all that, that is not our concern." Ginny chimed in. "Was it really a good idea to use our newly improved undetectable Veritaserum formula on them? They are going to be pissed."
"Where is your Gryffindor bravery, Red?" Daphne asked, raising an eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes. "Shut it, Blondie!" She mock glared at her.
Harry sighed. "We might as well enjoy some food while we are here."
"You don't have to sound so dejected, Potter." Blaise smirked. "Our company happens to be first-class, if you were not aware of that yet."
"Wow, your ego knows no bounds." Harry drawled, and sipped his wine.
Daphne and Ginny shared a look and shook their heads in tandem. They were both aware that Hermione called this meeting because their significant others were morons, who clung to their childish Hogwarts rivalry like a second skin.
"I am not the one who shows up in the press every other day, flaunting my happy life." Blaise frowned. "You are so annoying with your crazy wealth, your successful Broom Manufacturing business that you are constantly expanding world-wide, not to mention your gorgeous wife, and the status you hold in our society..." He ranted with a sour look.
"Oh my god!" Harry gaped, and then suddenly he laughed out loud. "I can't believe this. Blaise Zabini is jealous of my life!" He grinned.
"Well, yes." Blaise said, before he could really think about it. His eyes widened, as he put his hand in front of his mouth.
"Wait, what?" Ginny asked, surprised he admitted to such, while her husband was hysterical beside her by the knowledge that the Italian wizard was envious. He found it hilarious.
Blaise looked over to his girlfriend, whom did not even have the decency to hide her smug smirk. "Daph, what the hell did you do?" He hissed at her, embarrassed.
The blonde bombshell grinned at his discomfort and spilled the beans. "Well, for the sake of amusement, I might have 'accidentally' poured our improved truth serum into all of our drinks. I figured it would make things more interesting, and Merlin was I right." Laughter bubbled out of her. "I cannot believe you have an inferiority complex, babe."
Ginny laughed boisterously. "Oh, Merlin! I like you more and more, Blondie!"
"Glad to be of service, Red." Daphne winked at the redhead cheekily, and turned back to her boyfriend. "Aw, come on, don't be such a baby, and wipe that frown off your beautiful face!" She shook her head, and leaned in to coax him out of his deflated mood with a searing kiss.
"I am so glad you dragged me out tonight, Gin. This is priceless!" Harry laughed, as he watched Blaise stew in his discomfort.
"See, I always know what's best for you, and don't you forget it!" She teased her husband, kissing his cheek.
"I shall properly reward you for your insight once we get home." He said louder than intended, and Ginny blushed something fierce.
"I can't wait." She whispered in response, and descended on Harry's lips with fervor.
Blaise looked amused. "Daph, did you also pour a Lust Potion into the Potters' drinks? They are almost going at it at our table." He teased.
She laughed. "No, that is all genuine Potter horniness, I'm afraid. Who would have thought, hm."
He grinned, and then hummed thoughtfully. "Do you think Theo spilled his attraction yet?"
"I bet you a thousend galleons that they end up between the sheets together tonight, engaging in some acrobatic motions to chase satisfaction." Daph replied with a smirk.
"I don't think so, Blondie!" Ginny said, pulling back from kissing her husband. "I bet you the same thousend galleons, plus a spa weekend that they only talk about their feelings for each other, and maybe share a kiss or two. Hermione is way too demure to do anything more than that."
Daphne grinned. "You are on, Red! She might be demure, but she has the hots for Theo, and she won't be able to resist his charms tonight."
Blaise chuckled. "You do realize that when they learn about this bet, they are going to either hex the both of you, or plot some revenge? Theo can be really sneaky, and Hermione is really vindictive at times."
"Oh yeah, she is all short and tiny, but when pissed she can pack a punch." Harry chimed in.
"Speaking of punching, I still cannot believe that prim and proper Hermione Granger punched Draco sodding Malfoy in our third year." The Italian wizard laughed lowly. "She broke his nose, and he was so humiliated, he refused to come out from the dorm rooms for a week."
"I remember that. Pansy could not stop whining about how her precious Dray was wronged, and we should do something about it." Daph said with a chuckle. "No one was really willing to move against her for the rest of the term though."
"My best friend can be really scary, that's for sure, but I wouldn't have it any other way." Ginny laughed.
"Alright, enough of the lovebirds. Let's order some food and eat. I am starving." Blaise drawled, and they quieted down to decide what to have for dinner, and ended up having a fun time together, the males completely forgetting their bickering for the moment.
~oo~oOo~oo~
Just as the quartet got ready to eat, Theodore and Hermione arrived in front of her apartment building, as the quiet Slytherin had insisted on making sure that she arrived home safely.
"Well, this is me." She gestured to the three story building, that was painted an unassuming grey, with small windows and a huge door dotting the front. "Thank you for accompanying me, even though it was unnecessary." She chuckled.
"My pleasure." Theo repeated his earlier sentiment. "Au contraire, anything could have happened, and I prefer to know that you are safe at all times." He said softly.
Hermione looked up at his defined face, and blushed slightly. "That's sweet of you, Theodore, thank you." She said, and bit her lower lip, which drew the wizard's attention. "Would you like to come up for a cup of tea and some sandwiches? We did not have dinner after all." She offered, hoping he would accept.
Theodore's eyes were trained on her full lips, and he wished that he could have a taste, to see if they were as soft as he always imagined they were. He sighed softly, and looked up into her eyes, when she invited him inside.
"I don't think that's a good idea." He blurted out of nowhere, and his eyes widened.
"What, why?" Hermione asked with a hurt voice. She did not think he would refuse to come inside.
"Because I would not be able to keep my hands to myself, Hermione." He answered without thought once more, and his eyes widened further.
Hermione's eyes widened as well, and her cheeks flushed. "Your attention would not be unwelcome at all." She replied, and her hands flew to her mouth in surprise. "Oh my god, did I say that out loud?"
Theo's eyes were comically wide by now, as he stared at the beautiful creature in front of him. "Are you saying that you are as attracted to me, as I am to you?" He asked, holding his breath for her answer.
"Theo, I have had a crush on you since our Eighth year." She admitted, her blush deepening, as she fiddled with the hem of her coat nervously.
He let out the breath he was holding, just to draw in another one in his surprise. "That was five years ago..." He whispered, his eyes softening, as he stepped closer to embrace the tiny witch carefully. "I have been crushing on you since third year. Punching Draco Malfoy opened my eyes to the fact that you were not only intelligent and brave, but had a bit of an impulsive recklessness that I found really hot." He chuckled.
Hermione laughed at his admission, and snaked her arms around his lower back. "Punching the ferret is one of my best memories, that is for sure." She grinned, and gazed up at the tall wizard tenderly. "I am glad that my crush that developed into feelings over the years is not unrequited." She said, before she could stop herself.
Theo's eyes shined with adoration. "Not only are your feelings not unrequited, but I can say with absolute certainty that I have fallen in love with you, you wonderfully frustrating witch." He blabbered without filter, blushing slightly, as he had no intention of sharing his feelings so openly just yet.
Hermione's eyes were misty with unshed tears. "I never dared imagine that you returned my feelings, Theodore." She whispered, and caressed his cheek lovingly with the back of her right hand.
Theo smiled, and trailed his arms up on her back, gently caressing her through the layers of fabric that covered her body, eventually cupping her cheeks tenderly and leaning down to finally taste the lips he had been dreaming of since he was a teenager. He sighed contently, as he pressed soft tiny kisses on her lips, carefully caressing her lower lip with his tongue, seeking entrance.
Hermione granted him easy access, and she moaned softly as their tongues met for a sensual waltz. Her heartbeats quickened as Theodore deepened the kiss, making her feel completely weak in the knees, as a surge of heat and electricity rushed through her body, making her pull back slightly for air.
"Wow." She whispered.
"That was really hot." Theo grinned, feeling quite aroused.
"It really was." She agreed. "So, would you like to come upstairs?" She asked flirtatiously.
"It would be my pleasure." He answered cheekily, making her laugh.
Hermione pulled him inside the building, and they walked up the stairs to the third floor, where she abruptly paused in front of her door, and gasped.
"What's wrong?" Theo asked, looking at her shocked face with concern.
"Those conniving, meddling, sneaky little idiots!" Hermione exclaimed, fuming. "As happy as I am right now, I could not help analyzing our sudden rush of confessing attraction, and thinking our night over, I just realized that they dosed our drinks with our new potion." She stated.
The dark-haired wizard stared at her, and his jaw tightened as he thought back over the events that had transpired and had to agree with her. "Those bastards!" He swore. "We need to get back at them, and I know just the way how." He said, mischief reflected in his eyes.
The muggleborn witch turned her key in the lock, and they entered her apartment. She threw her coat on the back of a chair and looked at her company, prompting him to share his plan.
Hermione's sweet laughter could be heard long into the morning, as she let her amusement bubble forth, as her handsome Slytherin shared his plan. Those meddling friends of theirs would not know what hit them.
A/N: Just a little something that did not leave me for a few days now. This might be just a stand alone piece, unless you guys are curious of Theo's plan, and want to see the meddling troublemakers get their comeuppance. I had tons of fun writing this, I hope you enjoyed it as much, as I enjoyed writing it! :)
Foreign vocabulary:
Ti voglio un mondo di bene! - I think the world of you!
Grazie. - Thank you!