Normally, I don't stray from the Dramione fics. But I recently started reading Marcus/Hermione, and I'm kind of in love with the pairing. So, here's my hand at it. The story takes place in Rome, and my entire knowledge of what the city might look like comes from the Kristen Bell movie, "When in Rome." Don't hold it against me.
I own nothing.
Chapter 1 - The Beginning
Some would call it fate.
Hermione Granger, on the other hand, thought it something more akin to a nosy, interfering, indigo-eyed Italian's unnecessary attempt at matchmaking. There was so much her friend just didn't know. Seated between Blaise Zabini and Adrian Pucey, she felt trapped when a new member joined their party. Her eyes narrowed dangerously as Draco Malfoy lowered himself into the seat across from her and smirked.
"Slumming it a bit, aren't you?" he commented, selecting a slice of pizza from the pedestaled tray. Had they not been surrounded by muggles, he was sure her wand would soon be drawn. "Don't get your knickers in a twist, Granger. I was referring to you associating with these two. Shouldn't Flint be around somewhere?"
"He's at practice, Mr. Team Owner," Blaise retorted. "And being with us isn't 'slumming it'."
Hermione smiled in a show of silent solidarity as Adrian wrapped his arm around the back of her chair. She could pinpoint the exact moment her unlikely friendship had started with the former Slytherins. Blaise, Adrian, and Marcus Flint had come to support Draco as he stood trial for crimes committed as a Death Eater. Hermione had been among those called to testify on his behalf. She remembered the tears that blurred her vision as she described the traumatizing events of Malfoy Manor. When she was dismissed from the stand, she took her seat and felt someone nudge her arm. Beside her sat Blaise; an extended handkerchief a silent offer of a truce. Gratefully, she accepted it and the pair sat together as the trial concluded.
Blaise unconsciously grabbed her hand when the verdict was read and his best friend was cleared of the charges. Pink highlighted his olive-toned cheekbones when he let it go, murmuring an apology. When she dismissed it, he smiled and invited her to join them for a celebratory drink. Glancing to her right where her friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, had sat, she found them gone. Turning back to her left, she smiled and nodded.
Both had taken jobs at Diagon Alley. Hermione opened a new bookstore after Flourish and Blotts decided not to rebuild following the war. Blaise and Adrian partnered up to introduce Italian cuisine to the shopping center. La Cucina was two doors down from her store, The Enchanted Word, and they often crossed paths.
When he suggested a trip to Italy, Hermione jumped at the chance to go. They arrived in Rome and were soon joined by Adrian and Marcus. Malfoy's presence was, in Hermione's opinion, an unexpected and unwanted surprise. He was the owner of the Falmouth Falcons, the team for which Marcus played Chaser. They were in Rome for a few weeks to play an exhibition series against a local team.
"You never are happy to see me, are you, Granger," Draco remarked, finishing his slice before reaching for another.
"I never thought I'd see the day when Draco Malfoy eats with his hands," she replied, choosing to ignore his comment. "How undignified."
Setting down his slice on the plate in front of him, he turned his gaze to her and met her smile with one of his own. "When in Rome, Granger," he quipped.
"Would the two of you just shag and get it over with?" Blaise grumbled, pulling a glob of cheese off of his pizza.
Draco wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "What do you say? Up for it, Granger?" he asked.
Toying with a bit of uneaten pizza crust, she replied, "Not on your life." Then she threw the crust at his forehead. A victorious smirk crossed her face when it hit her intended target.
The door to the pizzeria opened and Marcus Flint entered. He strode tiredly to the table, kissed the top of Hermione's head, and moved back around it to sit beside Draco. Dark eyes remained trained on the only female seated at the table, and Hermione met his gaze with a small smile. He spoke to no one as he ate the last slice of pizza.
It was Draco who broke the peaceful silence. "Don't tell me you and Granger are an item," he laughed.
Marcus opened his mouth to tell Draco it was none of his business, but Hermione was quicker. "Jealous, Draco, that I might fancy someone who isn't you?"
Beside her, Adrian snorted. "It's me she wants anyhow," he teased, moving his arm from the chair back to drape around her shoulders. It wasn't until Marcus glared angrily at his friend that the arm dropped back to his side.
Dropping a few paper bills on the table, Blaise rose and offered Hermione a hand to stand as well. "Let's all be gentlemen," he proposed before escorting Hermione out to the market.
Leaning back in his seat, Draco smirked. "Well, in the spirit of chivalry, I propose a gentlemanly bet," he stated. "La Fontana di Amore is said to be magical. Just as the sun sets, it's said that a couple who kisses in the fountain will be bound for life."
"That's not what chivalry means," Adrian pointed out, though he moved closer to the table to hear the wager.
Draco dismissed him and continued. "It has to be a kiss of true love though. Whoever makes that kiss happen wins."
"We're not betting on Granger," Marcus declared, angrily rising from his seat to leave the shop.
The two remaining friends could see Blaise, Hermione, and now Marcus from the front window. While the Italian still had her hand tucked around his elbow, it was Marcus who held her attention. A smile, an honest to goodness smile, quirked up the corners of his mouth when she pulled away from Blaise to take the other man's hand.
"Why bother denying it if they're just going to flaunt it in public?" Draco groused.
Adrian shook his head, laughed, and stood. "You have a lot to learn about Hermione if you want to be her friend," he stated before he too left the pizzeria.
All alone now, he watched the small group congregate in the sunny outdoor market. A pang of jealousy caused his stomach to flip-flop. How had he come to regard his former enemy as a friend? Even more, why did he want to be the one to win?