A/N: Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. Just So You Know (J.S.Y.K.) the italicized words are thoughts-usually Hermione's. You probably guessed as much, but I thought you'd like to know. Again I own nothing but my purple, writing blanky and the plot. Please enjoy Chapter two.

As soon as Hermione returned home, her mother's advice was forgotten- well seeing as Hermione remembers everything it was more like she ignored the advice- and started working on her current legislation for magical creatures.

Soon it was past midnight and Hermione decided to go to bed. When she got into bed, she was startled by Crookshanks who had crawled under the covers to the foot of the bed. Hermione bade Crookshanks goodnight, patted him softly on his head, and immediately fell asleep.

Hermione woke with a start. Something was tapping her window. It was Hedwig with a note from Ginny.

Hermione,

Good morning. I really need to talk to you before you go to work. Do you think you could stop by the coffee shop in Diagon Alley before work? It won't take long; I just really need to talk to someone.

Hermione dressed quickly and disapparated. She walked straight up to the coffee shop. A handsome young wizard opened the door and smiled politely as she walked into the shop. She looked around and saw Ginny at their usual table crying.

"Ginny, what's wrong?" Hermione asked solemnly.

Ginny looked up from her coffee. "It's Harry. We had a row. It wasn't anything big, but it's just with the baby coming and all…" Hermione's reverie interrupted Ginny's words. Even my two best friends are married and having children and I'm still alone… "Well maybe he should help just a little, and make a few decisions. He said it was a woman's job and that he wouldn't know what to do. You'd think he would want to help. It's his child too. I wanted us to decorate the baby's room together and …"

But she cut herself off when she spotted Harry entering the shop clearly looking for her. He knew that Hermione and Ginny often met here before work. He walked over and apologized, but Ginny turned away from him. He tired again. "Ginny, I just didn't want to do anything to mess it up. I know you have everything you want in mind. And I know you'll end up having it just that way. I should have been a little more thoughtful and helped decide something, but I knew you'd do a perfect job on everything. I'm sorry. Can we continue this discussion later? Let's go." And like that they were gone, and Hermione was all alone again.

Hermione turned back to her coffee. That's when she noticed that the handsome wizard that opened the door for her earlier was staring amusedly at her with a half smile on his face. She smiled back and made to leave, but as she walked to the door she felt someone tap her on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, miss," he said. It was the same wizard as before. He was holding something. "I believe you left your book on the table, and I thought I should bring it to you."

She was slightly stunned. This man was, well for lack a better word, gorgeous. There was something about his eyes, and his Irish accent sounded a little odd. Hermione finally answered him. "Oh, erm thank you. It's my favorite book; I don't know how I could have forgotten it. Thank you Mr... erm?" Hermione paused when she remembered she didn't know his name.

The young wizard answered. "Sorry. My mum named me Declan, but I like to go by Rhys."(A/N: J.S.Y.K. Rhys is pronounced Reese)

Hermione smiled kindly at Rhys. "Thanks again. Bye and have a good day." And she left. I know it's a bit childish but Phwoar! He was hot, and those eyes. There is just something about those eyes… Oh no, I didn't even tell him my name. A wizard seems genuinely interested and I don't tell him my name…GREAT!!!

The rest of the day at work, Hermione was very busy. She hardly had time to think and she didn't even have time to take a five minute break. When she finally was able to leave, she decided that she needed a while to just relax before she went home. She summoned her favorite book and disapparated to the coffee shop in Diagon Alley.

She was so pleased when she got there and she noticed that even tough the shop was extremely busy, her favorite spot in an armchair near the back was empty. As Hermione settled into the chair, her favorite iced coffee appeared before her. She took her book out, sighed, and began to read.

Hermione was soon interrupted much to her displeasure- that is until she saw that it was the wizard from earlier that morning. He was smiling down at her- he was quite tall- and he asked "Do you mind if I sit here. All of the other places are taken." Pointing to a chair across form Hermione.

She looked at him and said "No, I don't mind." and went back to her reading.

The wizard- Rhys I think his name was- sat down and took a sip of his drink. "Thank you Hermione" he said.

When she heard him say her name she was a little concerned. She hadn't told him her name this morning, so the fact that he knew she was Hermione was weird. She looked at him questioningly. "How did you know my name?" she asked feeling slightly afraid of his answer.

Rhys was quick to answer. "It was inside your book. I looked in there this morning before I gave it to you."

Hermione looked a bit relieved. I thought he may have been stalking me. I have got to stop watching all those made for TV dramas. There warping my brain and making me have weird thoughts. Why would someone be stalking me? I could protect myself anyways. I am quite an accomplished witch.

"What book is it by the way?" Rhys' words brought Hermione out of her reverie.

"Huh… oh it's about one of my favorite muggle writers, Voltaire. He was a French philosopher over two-hundred years ago. He was very outspoken and was exiled for his beliefs, but he stood for something. I like that. He always wanted to learn more about what he did not know." Hermione stopped when she realized she was practically gushing over a dead guy- a very wise and courageous but none-the-less dead guy. Sheepishly she looked at Rhys, a small smile playing on his lips.

"I didn't know that, but then I don't know much about muggles. Have you always been so fascinated with muggles?" he asked politely.

"I wouldn't really call it a fascination; I'm muggle-born so I still do many muggle things. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with when I need to be muggle and when I need to be magical." Hermione replied with a hint of embarrassment.

"Well, I would have never guessed that you were muggle-born. From what I've heard you are really quite a gifted witch." Rhys countered.

"Oh, I worked hard to be able to do what I am able to do. I read a lot of books and I enjoy doing my work. My friends and family think I'm weird, but I have always been this way." She said nonchalantly.

Rhys laughed quietly. "Right when I first saw you I knew you were different, but I didn't know you would be such an interesting person. What other things do you like?"

"I like to help other magical creatures who can't help themselves. It's my job actually. I also enjoy being outdoors; my granddad used to take me fishing and camping when I was younger. I'm tired of talking about me. What do you like to do?"

Rhys thinks for a moment then answers "I enjoy many things; my job, I'm an Auror so I get to travel to many different places. I follow quidditch most of the time. I really like to be able to take things easy and not be so serious sometimes. Currently I like sitting here listening to you."

She blushed a little. Get a grip. He's probably just being nice, but maybe he really does like you. "You said you were an Auror. I have two friends, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter, who were Aurors, but they both quit; Harry because he got married and Ron because he didn't want to be there without Harry. Did you know them?" she questioned.

"Yes but then again who didn't." he paused and looked deep in thought. "You mean you're THE Hermione Granger?!" Rhys asked incredulously. Then his magical watch started beeping and he stood up. "Whoa. We've been talking for nearly an hour. I've got to go but would you want to go to dinner sometime?"

Hermione thought hard but not very long at all. How could I resist such an offer? "Yes, I would enjoy going out. How's Saturday? Say seven-thirty?" she asked while trying not to sound too excited about the prospects of a date and with someone she liked for once.

"Sounds great. I'll pick you up…"

"Here." Hermione said. "We can meet here."

Rhys smiled his wonderful smile, which could put Gilderoy Lockheart's smile to shame any day. "Okay. See you then."

It took a minute or two for it to hit Hermione that she was actually going on a date with someone who would listen, talk back, or even just admonish her presence. Saturday won't come soon enough she thought

For the next two days, Hermione thought about her upcoming date with Rhys no matter what task she was doing. Somehow she still managed to do fantastic work. After all she was Hermione Jane Granger multi-tasker extraordinaire.

Saturday rolled around. Hermione did her usual Saturday routine. First thing she woke up, ate breakfast, and tidied up her apartment. Then she dressed and went to a muggle grocer down the street. She finished the rest of her shopping in Diagon Alley. Finally, she apparated to her parents house and went out to lunch with her mother.

"Hermione, what have you been up to sweetie?" asked Mrs. Granger.

Hermione swallowed her food and answered. "Work, mostly." Her mum looked up at her with much trepidation. Hermione saw her mother's face and quickly added "But I do have a date tonight."

Katherine Granger looked skeptically at her daughter. "Oh. With whom?" she asked sounding much more like Ginny than Hermione's mum.

"His name is Rhys. I met him at the coffee shop in Diagon Alley, and we talked for an hour. He asked me out, and I said yes." Hermione responded without sounding too excited but still quite eager.

Her mother smiled. "See I told you someone would come along. He sounds nice. And you deserve to have some fun and not be working all the time. I want to hear every detail tomorrow." She added.

After lunch Hermione went home, finished cleaning her apartment, flooed Ginny for advice on what to wear, and began getting ready for her date. She and Ginny had decided that she should wear her flirty, knee-length white skirt with the yellow floral print and a cute light-yellow blouse. Dressing this way always made her feel like such a girl, which felt different for someone whose best friends were two guys. She wasn't used to being treated like a girl, but she did like when she was.

She was completely ready by seven o'clock. Her hair was perfectly curled with no sign of frizz. She had it halfway pulled back so you could see her face entirely. Her make-up was light and natural the way she liked it. She told Crookshanks to be good and she left.

Hermione arrived at the coffee shop in Diagon Alley. She didn't have to wait long before Rhys arrived. He looked so good. He was dressed in all black; his shirt looked like it was somewhat fitted to his muscular body. My how I love wizard clothes she thought. His light brown hair looked as though it had been charmed to stay in place. His eyes shown brightly in all of their turquoise glory. I've thought it once and I'll think it again 'PHWOAR'.

Hermione was surprised when Rhys told her that she would have to do side-along apparation to get where they were going.

There was a loud 'Crack' and they were gone.

They were somewhere she had never been before, but she had seen many pictures.

"Italy" she said breathlessly.

"Not just Italy; Venice. I know this quaint little restaurant near the river. I thought you might enjoy some authentic Italian food." Rhys said as he led her to Café DeLuca. "I love this place; the food, the atmosphere, the people. I hope it hasn't changed too much since the last time I was here." He said with a nostalgic look on his face.

And here I thought Ron was the only person who could be so enthusiastic about food.

They were seated at a cozy little corner table. "You look very beautiful tonight." Rhys said as Hermione began to blush.

"Thank you."

A plump Italian waiter made his way over to their table. "Scuse, Signor y Signora, What may I bring for you this evening?"

"I'll have…hmm…the penne with artichoke and shrimp." Hermione answered.

The waiter looked to Rhys. "I'll have the same and we'd like a bottle of red wine." The waiter smiled and walked away.

"So where all have you traveled to?" Hermione asked.

"Oh well just about everywhere I suppose." He stopped to take a bite of his bread stick. "There are a few places I haven't been. When I was in America I was told I should see Texas but I didn't get the chance. I haven't been to many places in Africa either mostly just Egypt."

Hermione looked awestruck. "Really, you've been all over the world. Where was your favorite place?" She was always so interested in learning new things.

"I enjoyed China very much. There is just so much to see, and the wizards and witches there were so much a part of the muggle world too. They all worked together to Build the Great Wall. You can feel the magic that is still there." Rhys reflected.

They continued talking all throughout the meal. Near the end Rhys excused himself when his watch went off. When he came back, they finished their meal. After they had both finished their meal, Rhys announced that there was one more place to go and that she would have to apparate with him again. They left the restaurant and went to a deserted alley. There was a loud 'Crack'.

Hermione noticed they were on a beach; the waves were gently washing upon the shore. The moon was waning in the night sky. It was beautiful. They walked along the beach and talked about everything that they hadn't at dinner.

After a short walk on the beach, they disapparted back to Diagon Alley. Rhys lightly kissed Hermione on the cheek and she lightly kissed him back only a little closer to his lips but still not quite on his lips.

Hermione smiled and said "Thank you for the lovely evening. I enjoyed it very much. I can't think of when I've had a better time."

"Thank you for coming out with me. I can't think of anyone I would have rather had with me. Can I see you again?" he sounded very hopeful when he asked.

"I'd love that!"

He gave a little chuckle and said "Great." Then he looked at his watch and said "I have to leave I'll see you later then." and he left.

Hermione apparated home. The whole time she was thinking about Rhys. There was something so familiar about him the way he laughs and jokes. I wonder why he always has to leave so quickly. I only hope it doesn't have to do with me.

She didn't let his awkward behavior at the end of the night bother her too much. That night as she slept she dreamed of a handsome young wizard with golden brown hair and the most amazing turquoise eyes.