Title: Toxin
Disclaimer: Simply borrowing...
Summary: The Golden Trio have graduated from Hogwarts. As an Auror, Harry meets Oliana Kalipso, a colleague. Harry falls for her, but Hermione and Ron sense that something isn't right. However, they've got problems of their own to deal with. What will happen when Harry devotes his heart to Oliana and Ron and Hermione aren't there to help him?
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Chapter: Two - Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis
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goldenstarz – Thank you for reviewing!
A/N: The translation for the previous chapter was "Everything has a small beginning". Goldenstarz, I must say you're wrong, even if you don't believe me (. This seems to be about all I have to say for now, so enjoy the story and please review!
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That evening, the three friends got together at their favorite restaurant to celebrate their return to work. It was a quaint little place; a muggle restaurant quite fittingly called Serendipity. Harry, Ron and Hermione had stumbled upon the place one stormy afternoon. In fact, they even considered it their own little Room of Requirement. The menu changed daily, each day featured another culture.
As they stepped into the restaurant, a captivating smell brushed their noises. Ron turned to Harry grinning.
"Smells like its Russia today."
They were shown to their usual table in front of the fireplace and three filled champagne flutes were placed on the table, as well as a bottle of '85 champagne.
Harry picked up his glass.
"The times change, and we change with them," Harry said wisely.
"Hear hear," Ron cheerfully agreed.
"Do you remember our first year?" Hermione asked, smiling softly, not really expecting an answer.
All three tipped their glasses and reminisced the few days when their deepest concerns lay among finishing Snape's homework and winning the Quidditch Cup.
They were already in deep conversation about random nonsense when their food was brought.
Harry was busy on his blinchiki, Ron was just about finished with his cherry-filled pirozhki, and Hermione was biting into her pryniki when someone spotted them, or rather, spotted Harry.
"Harry!" sounded a feminine voice.
Harry looked up to see an acquainted face. He unconsciously noted how the dim lights reflected off her claret-colored hair. He took in the way her pale green, a color that reminded Harry of a leaf they had once used in a potion that was supposed to accelerate the heart in case it stopped, suit accentuated her bust and hips. He recognized the same garnet lips that had made his stomach flip just earlier that day.
"Oliana," Harry said softly, rising to greet her. Ron and Hermione exchanged looks.
"What a surprise to see you here," Harry continued.
"Oh, a few of my muggle friends decided to drag me out. I protested by saying I was too tired, but they persuaded me," she explained.
Harry ran his tongue over his dry lips.
"Oh, this is Ron and Hermione," Harry introduced his friends.
"Pleasure to meet you," she said kindly.
Ron waved and Hermione nodded.
"Erm, well, I'll see you tomorrow then, right?" Harry slowly lost his confidence as he felt the stares of his friends baring into his back.
"Yes, yes. Definitely," she smiled.
Harry watched her walk away then turned around and walked back to his table.
"Seems like Harry's got himself a girlfriend," Ron teased. He was immediately silenced by a glare from Hermione.
"She's just a colleague," Harry pointlessly denied the assertion.
"She's very pretty," Hermione told Harry. Harry grinned as if to say "Isn't she?"
They finished their desserts and the moment Harry rose to the restroom, Ron leaned toward Hermione.
"I don't like her."
"You felt it too?" Hermione replied sadly.
Ron nodded his head.
"Why do you think he fancies her?" Ron asked, somewhat foolishly.
"The same reason you sleep in the nude, Ron."
Ron blushed and picked up his champagne flute once more, choosing to examine it rather than think of a retort.
"And don't you dare take another mickey at him," she warned in a hushed tone as Harry approached the table.
"So, are we ready to go?" Harry asked.
Ron stuffed another pirozhok into his mouth, and nodded. Hermione sent Ron a glare.
"Yes Harry. We're ready," Hermione said curtly, signalling their waiter for the check. Harry paid for dinner and they walked out of the restaurant, content and full of smiles.
Harry simply couldn't get Oliana out of his mind.
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"You think it worked?"
"I'm sure."
"And it's still happening?"
"Just look! Obviously!"
"Good. Because I know this is right."
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They apparated to the house as soon as they turned into the alley outside of Serendipity.
As they walked through the hallway to the sitting area, Hermione spoke up.
"You know what would look lovely here? A long mirror stretching the entire length of the hallway, about three feet in height and hung at eye level. Don't you think?" she suggested to the men.
"Hermione, we've agreed. The house is yours to decorate. If we don't like something, we'll tell you," Harry assured her.
"Not like we care," muttered Ron inaudibly to the female.
However, Harry noticed the Ron's expression softened ever so slightly when he looked up at Hermione. Harry could even swear that he saw the corners of Ron's mouth lift and form into a misshapen grin as the red-head studied the woman while she weighed her idea. It disappeared as soon as Hermione moved. Harry released a little sigh.
They moved on into the large sitting area. The walls were painted a silvery gray which matched Malfoy's eyes perfectly. However, the trio simply refused to acknowledge this factor. There were two fairly large, dark gray, cotton couches on either side of a large, white marble table. To one side was fireplace, painted the same color as the walls. To the other, several silver metal framed barstools that lined up against a white marble bar. The room seemed cold, unfriendly, and frigidity without any occupants, but once a fire was lit and a couple drinks passed around, it easily became one of the favorite rooms in the home.
They took their seats on the couch and, after observing the clock on top of the mantle, Hermione pulled out her wand.
"Convenus," she muttered, moving her wand in a small circle via her wrist.
A few moments later, Ginny and Londelius (better known as "Deli") appeared with two large "snaps" and settled in comfortably on the carpeted floor, Luna and Neville appeared through the fireplace and arranged themselves on the couch opposite the homeowners, Fred and Angelina apparated right behind the bar, and George literally shimmered in.
"Hello all," the latter said happily. "Just testing our new transportation merchandise," he explained, sitting down on one of the barstools, directly in front of Angelina.
He winked at the tall black girl and turned to those sitting on the couch and floor.
"Whaddya think? Conveya-Shimmer," he said proudly. "Apparate in style!"
The others applauded and laughed.
"Fred, Angie, drinks!" he commanded. The couple got busy preparing everyone's favorite drinks while small chit-chat developed amongst the rest.
Deli, Ginny's boyfriend and fellow Quidditch player for Britain's National Team, told them about their last match.
"Britain's hosting the next Quidditch match!" Ron exploded.
"Oh yeah, today was the first day back at work for you three, wasn't it?" Luna piped in, taking a sip of her cognac-butterbeer. "How'd it go?" she asked.
"Better than I expected," Harry answered cheerily. George raised his eyebrow and let out a loud whistle.
"What's her name?" he grinned from ear to ear.
"Why is it necessarily about a woman?" Harry defended himself.
"Are you saying it's a man?" George laughed.
"Oliana. Oliana Kalipso," Harry gave in.
"Kalipso? Greek, right?" Neville asked.
"Yeah," Harry said. "How'd you know?"
"Well, it's a bit of a long story. Heard of the Oleander flower?" Neville asked.
"Oleander? Poisonous evergreen bush with red and white flowers native to the Mediterranean region?" Hermione replied for Harry.
Neville nodded.
"For a long time, that flower has been associated with their family. The children are always pale with red hair and dark green eyes. There are so many coincidences between the two that some swear that a wizard once transformed an Oleander flower into the first Kalipso. It's not only a physical resemblance," Neville's voice trailed off, after a nervous glance at Harry. Harry, unfortunatly, didn't notice this. He was too involved in his thoughts.
Ginny, in an effort to lighten the mood, joked, "Seems Harry can never get away from red-heads, eh?"
Everyone in the room laughed. The conversation quickly changed topics and before any of the large group noticed, it was past midnight.
Pair by pair, they flooed back home (apparating after drinking was frowned upon) until only George was left.
Ron and Hermione were in the kitchen, cleaning.
George came up to Harry.
"Keep an eye out okay? Be careful mate," George warned light-heartedly.
Harry didn't heed much to the caution, mostly because neither he nor George were fully sober.
Finally, the home was returned to its earlier, cleaner state, and all three of its tenants fell into a deep slumber.
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