Thank you for the reviews, you guys! They make me so happy! As do all the people who favourited and followed this story. Thank You! =)
Turns out building a world in a story is tough work and takes time. Who'd've thought? *eye roll*
I don't know anything about British Law or anything related to it. Everything you find here has been looked at through the lens of Mr Google and my meagre knowledge of German law plus my imagination. So I'm sorry, please don't sue me…pun intended.
Anyway, I'm pretty proud of how this turned out.
So enjoy! =)
Stride of Pride
She let the door fall shut behind her leaning her head against it.
Blissful silence. Blissful darkness.
Her day had started out great. She had kicked Pucey's arse and got the settlement for her client. She had tackled the mountain of paperwork that had been waiting on her desk after that and even managed to squeeze in lunch with Harry.
She had given him the short version of how her date had been. Turned out he hadn't been aware of who it would be, which meant that Ginny either hadn't known or hadn't told him.
At first, he hadn't been happy about it but after he had listened to her he seemed more or less reassured.
She had returned to her office very satisfied with how her morning had gone.
Unfortunately, it was downhill from then on.
Someone had screwed up the documents of her last case and she had to work through all the testimonies again. Then there had been an incident in courtroom three which had required her expertise in damage control and mediation. That had ended in her almost being punched, regardless. Following that, she stumbled on the stairs while avoiding the crowded elevator and cut her hand on the tea mug she broke in the process. It hadn't been a bad cut but it was annoying, to say the least. And to top it all off since she had bruised Pucey's ego this morning…twice actually, he had decided to screw her over the only way he could think of. By going home early and carting off Daniel Sinclair on her.
Daniel was their general dogsbody. Unfortunately, he was rubbish at it. Hermione wasn't sure how he had got the job but somebody must have seen something in him. Though, for the life of her, she couldn't think of what.
In the beginning, she had felt guilty about having such a bad opinion about him because he was young, fresh out of Hogwarts and he needed time to learn the ropes. She quickly changed her mind after a few weeks. He was just…untalented, in pretty much everything. And on top of that really annoying.
It seemed he was aware of his deficiencies and tried his hardest to make up for them, which usually made it worse. She had taken to just not give him any work but that tactic was rather transparent. Also, it usually ended with him harassing her about giving him work.
She often gave in but not tonight. Tonight she had been frustrated because of how the day had gone and the fact she had to stay longer to take care of all the crap that had happened after lunch. So, she had sent him home…with a scathing lecture on how to not annoy your boss. He had looked ready to cry. And that boy was supposed to be a Gryffindor.
Now being at home in her dark apartment she felt a little bad for how she had treated him. She sighed.
She just wanted something to eat. She wanted to put that day behind her. She wanted to sleep. She wanted a bath and a glass of wine…not necessarily in that order. She pushed off the door and moved through her apartment.
She still lived fairly muggle. Never having lost the love for her upbringing and relishing in the nostalgic feelings doing something manually brought up in her. It had taken her a while to find the balance between magic and muggle life but now she had it down to a tee. She was particularly proud of how she had managed to make her electrical appliances work.
Ron had always complained about how little magic she actually used at home. She had stopped trying to explain it to him but in the end, it hadn't been a huge deal. His complaints had mostly been teasing.
She was proud of how they had managed to stay friends even after their relationship had run its course. It had been painful at first, they had after all been dating for three years. After a little time apart though, they both had been relieved to learn their friendship could still function, was in fact even closer because they now understood each other better.
Which was why she was the only one, besides Harry, who wasn't surprised when he started dating none other than Daphne Greengrass a year later. The petite brunette had been exactly the person Ron needed in his life and vice versa. Daphne hadn't been very present during their school years. She had kept her head down and very rarely participated in the bullying.
Everyone had asked if Ron was under some kind of curse because he had always been the loudest to complain about Slytherins. After having spent all those years close to the redhead and three years dating him, however, Hermione knew that he and Daphne made sense.
Ron wanted someone who would take care of him at home and who would let him be the man and saviour so to speak. Hermione was as far away from that as it could get but Daphne loved to be treated like a princess. And there was nothing wrong with that.
Everyone else had just seen the haughty Slytherin in her but Ron hadn't. He fell head over heels for her and they had married last year.
Daphne worked in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes as an Obliviator. Due to her position, she frequently had to work with the Aurors and subsequently with Ron.
Hermione, as a prosecutor, had to work with the Auror office, too. So she occasionally got to see the Obliviators. She'd got to know Daphne a little better and actually liked her. She wasn't part of her close friendship with Ginny and Angelina but they did get along quite well. However, there was a little strain between them due to the shared past between her and Ron but she couldn't blame Daphne for that.
She was lost in thought, sitting on the edge of her bathtub watching the water fill up when she heard the swish of the floo, followed by her name being called.
She closed her eyes in annoyance. Why today?
"Hermione? Are you home? Hello?"
It was Angelina. As much as she wanted to ignore her she knew she couldn't…and shouldn't. So she sighed, closed the water tap and put a stasis on the bathtub. Maybe she could get in later.
"I'm coming!" She called on her way to the living room.
Angelina's face was staring up at her from the fireplace. Even surrounded by green flames Hermione could make out the excitement in her eyes. This was going to be a long talk. She threw a longing look towards her bathroom.
"There you are! I'm coming through."
And she did…followed by Ginny. Hermione crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
She loved these two but today was just one of those days.
"What's with the disapproving eyebrow? Wasn't your night satisfying?" Ginny teased her with a knowing look.
That made her roll her eyes and she embraced her friends. However, before she could open her mouth to respond, she was bombarded with more questions.
"How was it?"
"You have to tell us everything!"
"Was he good?"
"I don't thi-…" she tried to interject.
"What did you do?"
"Just-…" she started.
"What did he say?"
"What did you say?"
"Shut it!", Hermione yelled and covered both their mouths with her hands.
"I will tell you everything, promise. Just let me get the wine first. I need it."
Without waiting for the new onslaught of questions she turned around and vanished into the kitchen.
When she returned with three glasses…and two bottles, Ginny and Angelina had taken their usual spots on her couch beside each other and Hermione made herself comfortable in the corner of it.
"Now spill."
She took a very liberal sip of her wine and leaned back.
"You know you don't look like someone who had a steamy Valentine's date. More like…frustrated, like he started, but then pulled out again in the middle of the act…you know?" Ginny teased her.
Hermione threw her a scathing look for bringing that unfortunate event from her past back up.
"Still not over that one, eh?" Ginny continued. Angelina shoved her.
"Okay, sorry." She sipped her wine.
"I thought we agreed never to mention that…ever again," Hermione told her annoyed.
"Yes?" Ginny said formulating it like a question.
There was a short pause.
"You know…I still don't understand it, though…I mean, he was already in there, why pull out again?"
"Ginny!" Angelina shouted looking at her accusingly.
"Alright, sorry. I'm done." She held up her hands.
Hermione eyed her suspiciously but decided to let it go for now.
"So, why do you look so disgruntled?" Angelina prompted.
"It's not about the date. It was just…today was beyond frustrating. Everything started out fine thanks to you two. You really saved my arse this morning, so thank you again."
They both waved her off and Hermione smiled her first smile since her lunch break.
"Did Pucey give you a hard time?" Ginny wanted to know.
"He tried to." She smirked. "But no. It was after lunch that everything went to the dogs. It was just a frustrating day and after the great night, I had it just feels even more like a punch to the gut. Hence, the wine." She toasted her glass to them and took another large sip.
"But now…about last night." Hermione began and turned to Angelina.
"Angelina Kalan Weasley! What the hell were you thinking? Setting me up with McLaggen?!"
Angelina who was in the process of taking a sip from her own glass was taken aback and almost choked on the liquid. She threw a nervous glance at Ginny.
"I-…I thought…uh, you would have fun?…I, uh…didn't you?"
Hermione held up the act a few seconds longer with a withering stare then smiled.
"You are so lucky it turned out great, otherwise you would be on the floor nursing your wounds right now."
Ginny snorted and Angelina looked relieved. Then they laughed.
"I knew you two would match. I know you have a bad history with him but I also know that he has changed considerably since then…and I was right. Second chances do turn out good once in a while." She winked and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, it was actually quite a shock when I recognized him. For him, too. I was this close to leaving…or rather telling him to leave. But I thought why not give him a shot?" She nipped at her wine. "I have to confess, though, a large part of that was thanks to how he looked. I mean, he was already good-looking in school but now? He looked so damn handsome and the next thing I knew I had told him to sit down and had accepted his rose."
"He brought you a rose?" Angelina asked with a dreamy grin while Ginny rolled her eyes.
Angelina was a hopelessly romantic lunatic. Ginny and Hermione, on the other hand, were happy with the occasional small romantic gesture.
"Yes, it was a beautiful shade of orange. Now that I think about it, it should be here somewhere. I sent it home when we left the restaurant." She needed to remember to put it in water later.
At the word, orange both Weasley woman had shared a look but Hermione ignored it. She hadn't forgotten Cormac's question about the meaning of the colour and she planned to find out about it, without any help from her friends.
"He paid for the food-…"
"Well, of course, he did!"
"I would've hit him if he hadn't."
"Right, well…after that, he took me outside and I was sure he was going to kiss me but instead he pulled back and I have to say…I was actually disappointed." Angelina grinned as if Christmas had come early. "Then, he took me to his favourite ice cream parlour. It was a truly beautiful place and the ice cream was beyond delicious." Another sip.
"When we were outside again…it just…it felt good, you know? Even before the ice cream, it kind of…just…felt right. I can't really explain it, it was just a feeling. Anyway, he finally kissed me, in the middle of the street. And let me tell you…that man can kiss." She sighed, remembering that perfect moment.
Angelina and Ginny looked at her knowingly but stayed silent waiting for more.
"We both didn't want the evening to end after that kiss…even before that, to be honest. Well, I didn't at least. I don't know why but even during dinner, it felt so good to talk to him."
"What did you talk about?" Ginny wanted to know.
"A lot." Hermione chuckled. "He actually apologized for his behaviour in school and he was sincere, I think. It felt right to forgive him for it." She looked up and found both of them nodding in agreement.
"Then we talked about our jobs and my Transfiguration article. He's really knowledgable and had some good points about it. I was really impressed, honestly. " She decided not to tell them about his desire to teach. It felt wrong to share it with them, yet. He had seemed so insecure about it. She didn't want to betray his trust in her.
"Conversation just flowed from then on, honestly. It felt so good, guys. He listened, he was attentive. It was…unfortunately, kind of perfect."
"Unfortunately?"Angelina furrowed her brows.
"Well, I haven't really had time to think about last night because of the day I had, but I already feel the need to see him again. I just can't get the fact that he's Cormac McLaggen out of my head."
"I get it," Angelina said, nodding. "I remember him from school, too. Although, I know him better now, because of our work. He was a year behind me and he had a certain reputation with girls. He was just sleeping around a lot back then. But he was also very funny. I remember one year he had a prank war with the twins. I'm not sure if you two noticed the extent of it but it got really intense. I mean, you know how Fred and George would get…how George still gets. It was hilarious how Cormac tried to match their ideas."
"I remember it. It was in my second year, I think. I just got wind of it because one of my roommates got caught in the crossfire of one prank gone wrong. It was beyond funny." Ginny said smiling. "God, I miss Fred."
"We all do, Gin," Hermione said and took her hand, Angelina joined in and the three of them sat in silence for a few minutes remembering Fred.
"Speaking of George. How did his big plan turn out?" Hermione said when they had all drunk from their wine and she had poured them another glass.
"Nuh uh, girl. We are so not done with you yet." Ginny retorted. "You haven't even talked about the juicy stuff!"
Hermione rolled her eyes but obliged and filled them in on a few details of her hot night.
"Oh, I knew he was ripped! Haven't seen him without a shirt since school but I just knew he would keep that up."
Ginny and Hermione both stared at their friend.
"What?" Angelina blinked. "Oh, don't look at me like that! I told you he had a reputation."
"Are you telling me I had your sloppy seconds last night?" Hermione said. She actually felt kind of hurt.
"What?! Godric, no!" Angelina waved her hands around wildly. "Alicia slept with him! Not me. I think it was more than twelve years ago now. She told me she was really disappointed. Apparently, he wasn't very skilled back then. I don't think she was his first, but she was one of his early conquests, " She said with air quotes. "Plus, I saw him plenty of times without a shirt in the locker room. Quidditch, remember? He used to train after us with a few of his friends."
Hermione relaxed slightly. Why was she reacting so intensely? Even if it had been Angelina, she had no claim to Cormac…yet. But the thought of his past conquests, as Angelina had put it, did give her an uncomfortable feeling. She knew she was a hypocrite. Everyone had a past, including her. But being confronted with it and having it concern someone she knew was another matter entirely.
She also hadn't realized that Angelina had been working with Cormac. It made sense, though because she too was part of the Department of Magical Sports and Games.
Angelina had started out as Chaser for Puddlemere United but after a bad injury, she'd decided to retire and go into commentating. A few months later she had confided in her two best friends that they wanted to start trying for a baby.
It had taken her a while to fall pregnant and she had been desperate at times worrying about the possibility of never having children of her own. So she had been beyond ecstatic when she was able to tell her two best friends she was having a boy.
He was two years old now and honoured his namesake Fred, already. They had made Ginny and Harry his godparents.
She had a feeling that Angelina wanted more kids but she'd have to wait if her hunch would turn out right.
"Anyway, I'm going to take a wild guess and say he has improved his technique drastically since then." Ginny broke the weird mood with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
"Well, obviously," Angelina said with a laugh. "It takes practice. It took George a while to get me off more than once."
"Angelina! That's my brother! Now, I have to disinfect my brain." Ginny exclaimed in mock outrage covering her ears for emphasis.
"Oh, please, if we can live through the details of your sex life, you can handle ours," Angelina stated while padding Ginny's back.
"And let's not forget that your sex life includes Harry, who is like my brother," Hermione added with a snort and soon all three of them were laughing.
They continued to talk for another two hours and by the time Angelina and Ginny had left it was close to midnight and Hermione had to begrudgingly empty the bathtub and content herself with a shower before falling into bed exhausted.
o.o.O.O.O.o.o.
The next two days she was busier than she would have thought possible because there had been a breakthrough in a case Hermione in conjunction with the Auror Office had been working on for months. They finally had the suspect in custody and because of the severity of his crimes the hearing was moved up to ensure he would be dealt with quickly.
As Deputy Head of the Law Office, she had the task of constructing an airtight case against him. So she was only home for a few hours to sleep and shower before she returned to the Ministry to continue her work.
She was busy with her opening statement for the trial when she heard a knock at her office door and looked up.
"Hey, stranger! You got time for a quick lunch?"
"Hey, Ginny. Sorry, I don't think I do. I really have to finish this. The trial starts on Monday." She gave her friend a quick smile and returned to her work.
"I know. I just visited Harry. He's waist deep in paperwork…just like you have been the last two days." When she didn't receive an answer she continued. "Hermione, I think you need a break…and definitely something to eat." Again no answer. "Or maybe…you need a distraction. Have you talked to Cormac again?"
Hermione looked up and frowned at her friend.
"Ah, so that got your attention. We are due for a talk, young lady." Ginny marched around the desk and held out her hand.
"Gin, I really can't. There's only one day left to prepare and-…"
"…and that day is called Sunday. I know you, Hermione. I'm almost certain that you have everything you need already done and are obsessing about things that are already perfect."
But-…" she looked down to her documents. They were pretty much done…
"No buts. The kids are with mum and I'm going to damn well enjoy my little break. Now, get up!"
Hermione groaned but got up. "Fine, you incessant woman. I'm coming."
Ginny grinned triumphantly. "You know this was easier than I thought. I couldn't get Harry to leave his work but he isn't as diligent about it as you are so he's definitely lagging behind."
Hermione waved her off, knowing full well that the redhead was right. "Where are we going?"
"Just the Leaky. I wanted to get you out of your office but I do know about the magnitude of this case so it is going to be a quick lunch." She winked.
Hermione felt relieved. Although Ginny had been right, she still had to put the finishing touches on her opening statement and she was sure she would spend tomorrow in her office, too. Just to be sure she had thought of everything.
"I appreciate it, Ginny." She said sincerely and squeezed her hand.
o.o.O.O.O.o.o.
When they had sat down and ordered, Ginny apparently couldn't wait any longer.
"Okay, so…have you talked to Cormac, yet?"
Hermione grimaced. She had honestly pushed him to the back of her mind. She hadn't been able to think about him that much because when she got home she was usually beyond exhausted…plus she wanted to avoid it.
Oh, who was she kidding?
Of course, thoughts of him had crept into her memory. She'd been replaying little moments of their time together in her head. She'd wanted to write him but had held back using work as an excuse. She was a little unsure about his intentions.
They had had an amazing time on their date. But it had just been one night. She conveniently ignored the connection she had felt to him or his looks.
She did want to see him again, however, uncertainty be damned. She had wanted to wait until she had most of her work done and felt comfortable about the hearing on Monday but she hadn't reached that point, yet. Or so she'd told herself.
"Well, looking at your face right now I'm guessing that's a no. Hermione…I know that this trial is very important and keeps you really busy but from what you told us, you stormed out of his apartment without so much as a proper goodbye and that was three days ago. I mean…that poor man is probably going out of his mind asking himself what he did wrong."
"Don't be so dramatic. It's still Cormac. I don't think I made such a big impression on him. But-…" she held up her hand to stop Ginny from lecturing her. "I will write to him tonight." And she meant it.
"You better. You forget that I saw you the morning after. He definitely made an impression on you. I'm also pretty sure he is desperate to see you again." Ginny declared with a knowing smile.
"I doubt that he's desperate but, well…it was a great night." She thought of his face above her and fought the blush. It wasn't just the thoughts about the sex. She was embarrassed because her brain had decided to start thinking about the possibility of more.
Her last relationship had ended two years ago and she had convinced herself she didn't need a man in her life. She had her friends and work and she was happy.
Looking into his eyes that night and especially that look after…well, it made her question that conviction.
Their food arrived and she changed the topic to Ginny's past few days. She knew that Harry had been just as busy as herself with the case so her friend was pretty much alone with managing the kids and her training schedule.
Ginny had just returned to work two weeks earlier after having been at home with Albus, their newest addition to the family. Hermione knew how much her friend had missed Quidditch.
Ginny had been accepted to the Holyhead Harpies right after finishing Hogwarts. She'd been playing very successfully for three years making starter after the first. But there had been a falling out between two team members and the resulting tension had affected the whole team. Ginny had received an offer from the Montrose Magpies even before the altercation and decided to take it.
She hadn't been playing long for them when she had to take time off because she'd been pregnant with little James.
"How is training going?" She asked.
"We play the Bats on Tuesday. I don't think I'll be playing though since I just started again. So training is excruciating but also very satisfying. Especially because Harry is a little absent these last few days. You know, you're not the only one who doesn't know when to come home."
Hermione smirked.
"So you're comparing your training to sex with Harry…and you're satisfied?"
"Well…that and the little toy I purchased last month. You were right…Muggles do know how to create magic…without magic." Ginny laughed and gave her a wink which made Hermione snort.
"How do you manage with the kids? I imagine Harry isn't a big help right now." She wanted to know.
James Sirius Potter was Satan himself, according to his parents. Naming him after two Marauders had been asking for it and Hermione had told them that right from the start.
He had turned three in December and together with Fred he was keeping the whole family on their toes.
"It involves a lot of planning and asking for help." Ginny groaned. "I'd never imagined a three-year-old would be this exhausting. Not to mention the fact that Albus is just six months old. I don't know what I would do without mum, you or Angelina. It'll get better when this case is over and Harry can go back to his normal schedule."
"He'll be back to that in no time. I just need his testimony and all the paperwork done. I know I don't have that much free time but I'll watch the kids whenever I can." Hermione assured her and Ginny smiled at her gratefully. They both returned to their food.
"You know, you don't have to be worried about Monday. You're brilliant at your job." Ginny said seriously after they had eaten in silence for a few minutes.
Hermione looked up at her friend. She loved that woman. Somehow she always knew what to say, even if she didn't know she needed to hear it.
"Thank you, Ginny."
"Anytime."
When she got back to her office she felt better about the hearing on Monday and the work she had already accomplished.
Ginny had been right. She had needed a break and something to eat. Now, she felt reenergized to get back to work.
o.o.O.O.O.o.o.
It was a few hours later when another knock on her door disturbed her again. This time it was the other Potter.
"I've been sent to make sure you go home at a decent hour today."
"I guessed as much. Your wife is very thorough. Are you done with your paperwork?"
Harry grimaced and moved to the chair in front of her desk to sit down.
"Paperwork isn't everything." He pulled up his hands immediately to halt her rant before she could start. "I know how important this is and I can assure you I am prepared for Monday…as are you. So go home."
"You're not the boss of me." She grumbled.
"No, but I am." The voice of her actual boss and mentor came from the doorway.
Jimmy Sloan had been the head of the Law Office long before the first Wizarding War. He was an institution around here. He had managed to survive and keep his position without aligning himself outright with Voldemort or compromising his integrity which was something Hermione was in equal measure confused and awed by. He was the embodiment of slippery, having been a Slytherin in school. Which also made him a damn good prosecutor.
Hermione had been beyond thrilled when she managed to snag a position inside his office and subsequently rose to his Deputy a year ago. The years spent learning from him had been tough and difficult but she wouldn't trade them for anything.
"Granger, I'm ordering you to go home…and don't even think about coming in tomorrow. You've done more than enough for the trial. We're ready. You're ready. Go home."
"But, Sir-…"
"No, Granger. Go home. I'm sick of seeing your face here all the time. I can only stomach it again on Monday." He smirked. "Plus, I have Pucey here and I feel like he could use a little more…paperwork. I think Daniel would be delighted to help him, don't you agree?"
Hermione bit her lip to stop a laugh from escaping but couldn't help the grin on her face.
"I think I completely agree, Sir." She managed as a response.
"That's what I thought. Have a nice weekend, Granger. Potter." He nodded at Harry and left her office.
"You know, you're right. Your boss is a Slytherin one could get along with." Harry stated.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Still with the houses."
"It'll haunt us forever." He shrugged. "You ready to leave?" He said while getting up.
She threw a long look at her desk which was in fact completely organized and ready for the hearing on Monday. They were right.
"Yeah, fine. You win. I'll go home." She finally relented and took the coat Harry was handing her.
"Now, treat yourself to a nice meal, a large glass of wine and a warm bath."
Hermione looked at him funny. That didn't sound like him.
"Ginny's words…verbatim." He ran his hand through his hair nervously.
"There's more." Hermione declared. "Spill."
"Why do they do this to me." He whispered staring at the ceiling.
"Harry, outside voice please."
"Ugh…okay fine. I didn't want to know or even think about this but…she told me you should get your man candy to…ugh…relax you." He looked like he was in pain. Oh, he had definitely rephrased that.
There was silence for a few seconds. Then Hermione snorted and got a laughing fit.
"Sorry…sorry…whoo," she took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Harry. I needed a laugh. Don't worry about it. I don't need a man to relax me. There's a perfectly good vibr-…"
"Naaah! Stop! I don't want to know!"
"If you knew what I knew about you and Ginny…"
His eyes widened comically.
"Yeah, your wife loves sharing. I think I know more about your sex life than I did about Ron's back when we were still together."
"Can we…can we just stop talking…for like…for like, forever?"
She laughed again.
"How about you tell me about what's been going on at your end of the office. I'm not up to date with the Auror gossip." She told him and linked her arm with his steering him out of her office.
Harry had really grown into the role of Auror, husband and father. There had been whispers about him being promoted to Head Auror and they were getting rather loud. She was very proud of him.
They parted ways at the floos and she travelled home.
Stepping out of her fireplace she was greeted by a dark and silent living room.
She usually liked the silence but something about it unnerved her today. She hurried with turning on the lights and telly. She needed to fill the silence.
Since she hadn't been able to enjoy a bath for the last few days, what with Angelina and Ginny crashing her plans on Thursday, and her busy schedule the last two days, she wanted to spoil herself now.
While the tub was filling she went to the kitchen to get herself a glass of wine. She had a charm set over the tub to alert her when the water reached the desired height. Until then she stood against the kitchen counter lost in thought swirling the liquid inside her glass.
Cormac. She wanted to see him again and she regretted how little time she had taken the last few days to consciously think about him.
Their date had surpassed her dreams by far. She had been on a few since her last relationship had ended but they had been either mind-numbingly boring or downright horrible.
She loved her work so she didn't take off time that often, especially for dates. Her friends always fit in, she made sure of that, but love or the possibility of love seemed to take a backseat.
That last minute Valentine's Date, which she'd almost cancelled multiple times in the few hours leading up to it, had been the best she could remember. She still couldn't believe Cormac McLaggen had managed to impress her like this. Treat her like she had wished he would've done back in school and made her feel cherished.
And the sex. Merlin…even the thought of it sparked a pleasurable pull deep inside her abdomen.
She took a sip of her wine and moved toward the bathroom. The tub was ready and she put the glass down to undress and sink into the glorious water. This was what she'd needed. She felt her muscles relax thanks to the warmth and she rested her head back.
Closing her eyes she recalled his touches, his voice and his scent. Her hand automatically wandered down between her legs.
That man had provoked reactions and feelings inside her she'd only ever read about in trashy romance novels…or heard from her two best friends.
That made her eyes snap open and stop her motions against her clit.
Why was she always so far ahead in her brain? She'd shared one night with the guy and already she was thinking about the depth of her feelings and even comparing them to Angelina and Ginny's relationships. Although, she was still focused on the sex…wasn't she?
Godric, it was so much easier to keep feelings and sex separate when the sex wasn't this good. One night, dammit. How could one night be this confusing?
She reached for her wine and took a large sip. She needed to stop analyzing and just enjoy the memories.
With renewed desire, she resumed her movements and gave herself over to her imagination and her practised fingers.
She savoured the build-up and let out a quiet moan when she reached her climax.
That had felt good. Her body relaxed even further in the warm water.
When she was clean, dry, had eaten a nice dinner and finished the bottle of wine, it was half-past nine. She was about to turn on another movie when she heard a tapping at her window.
It was a little late for someone to write to her. Her friends usually just floo-called and they knew she would enjoy an evening alone to relax.
"Please, don't let it be work." She murmured.
She waved her hand to open the window and let the owl in. She didn't recognize it. It dropped off the letter and waited, staring up at her from the small table in front of her.
"Hey, beautiful. Who do you belong to?" She asked reaching out a hand to stroke its dark feathers.
The owl hooted and shook its wings stretching its head toward her hand. Hermione smiled. She loved animals. Unfortunately, she hadn't wanted to replace Crookshanks, yet. She wasn't home often enough to take care of an animal properly.
"You're instructed to wait for a reply, aren't you? " She stated knowingly when the owl made no attempts to move from its position. It hooted again to emphasize that.
Hermione reached for the letter. It had just her name written on it in a…well, frankly…in a dreadful scrawl. She snorted and opened it to read.
Hermione,
I'm not sure if this is appropriate…or very manly but I needed to write to you. I know you said you'd owl me but I couldn't wait anymore.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about our evening…and night.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about you.
I heard about the big case making waves inside the Auror and Law offices so I know you probably have your hands full.
However, if you want to take your mind off of work and spent a day or evening with me I would very much like to take you out again.
Tomorrow is Sunday and I'd love to spend some time with you.
Think about it. Maira will wait as long as you need to reply.
Still thinking of you,
Cormac
She read it again and again and again for good measure and put it down.
Her first thought was disbelief about his impatience. But was he really? Hadn't she made him wait long enough? Wasn't she feeling the same? Hadn't she already thought about seeing him again multiple times? Regardless, if she had admitted it to herself or not.
It was actually very sweet. The thought of him writing the letter made her blush.
He had been thinking about her…about their night together. Just like herself. And he wanted to see her again. And not just for a quick romp in the sheets. He wanted to actually spend time with her. Just like she had imagined when they had been walking down the street.
Maybe they could go to a park or just walk through the city talking, holding hands.
Wow, …she was mushy. It was almost nauseating how romantic her brain had become in the span of a few days.
But didn't she deserve to be? She was a woman having to appear strong all the time. Having to find the perfect balance between detached and empathetic. Couldn't she divulge in imagining a simple romantic stroll?
She believed him, didn't she? She had no reason not to. There was just this tiny uncertainty if he really was sincere about his intentions. Which she could only guess.
There was this possibility that he just wanted to get into her knickers again. Like so many before him. She could usually sniff them out prior to engaging them at all but Cormac had just been…attentive and genuine. She wanted that again.
Before she could think better of it she summoned a piece of paper and a pen and wrote him a reply.
Cormac,
You do not need to doubt your manliness, I can attest to that. And it's not inappropriate, it's actually really sweet…in a completely manly way, I promise.
That big case is actually the reason I haven't owled you, yet. But you haven't been far from my mind either.
I had a really great time on Wednesday.
I'll take you up on the offer of a date tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it.
Hermione
Satisfied with her response as much as she could be without overthinking it, she summoned the owl treats she kept in the kitchen and rewarded the owl…Maira for her patience before attaching her reply to her leg. She persuaded her to get on her arm and got up to carry her to the window.
"Take this back to Cormac, please. And thank you for being patient." She told the owl before sending her off into the night.
She felt giddy and couldn't help the smile. She was excited about tomorrow. She didn't even feel that guilty about not working on the case. Sloan had told her to stay out of the office tomorrow and she felt mostly confident about her opening statement. She could always make some last minute changes on Monday morning before the trial started.
Wondering what he would plan she sat back down on the sofa and returned to the telly.
She couldn't focus on it though. Her mind kept drifting off to Cormac. Fantasizing about the next day was so much more appealing than watching a movie with a man, who looked remarkably like Snape with salt-and-pepper hair, trying to protect his daughter from a serial killer in Paris.
She remembered Cormac's hand in hers. His eyes staring into her own. His lips on hers. The look in his eyes after the sex. She wanted to see him again.
In fact, the more she thought about it the more she wanted to see him right now.
Before she'd made a conscious decision she was dressed in jeans and a shirt and had her jacket in hand on her way to the door. Summoning her wand she left her apartment and remembered where he lived before turning on the spot and apparating exactly there.
She was already stepping onto his floor when her brain caught up to her body.
What the hell was she doing?! It was-
"Hermione?"
She lifted her head and met Cormac's eyes. He was wearing tracksuit bottoms and a shirt and he looked relaxed…and bloody good. His hair was slightly tousled and free of any product as far as she could tell and she wanted to run her hands through it.
He was just entering his apartment with one foot already across the threshold. He was surprised to see her…obviously, and she could've hit herself for her stupidity. Why didn't she stop and think before doing something? This wasn't usually like her. It seemed her brain wasn't able to function properly when it came to Cormac McLaggen.
The wine didn't help, either.
She needed to leave. This had been an unbelievably bad idea. Showing up at his apartment after not a sound from her for three days. It was ridiculous. She was ridiculous.
"Uh, hi," she said lamely." …uh, you see. I…uh…I'm so sorry. It's late and I don't know what I was thinking. It's unbelievably rude and presumptuous to just swing by without announcing myself or asking you or I don't know…actually thinking about what I was doing. I am so so sorry. Just ignore that I was here."
She rambled on and turned around to make a hasty retreat.
He was faster. He grabbed her arm before she could spin around completely.
"Don't go. Don't announce. Never announce. Always show up." He smiled at her. "Would you like to come in? I was just about to open a bottle of wine. Fancy a glass?
"Uh…sure…no, wait." She held up a hand. "I've already had enough for tonight, I think. How about a coffee?"
"Of course." And with that, he guided her inside.
This time she actually took a look around his flat.
It wasn't very big. In fact, it was decidedly smaller than her own but felt homey nonetheless.
"Make yourself at home. I'll get the coffee." He squeezed her hand, which he hadn't let go of when they'd entered and disappeared towards the kitchen, she guessed.
She let her gaze sweep through the living room. There weren't a lot of pictures on the walls and he didn't have a telly but that wasn't surprising. There was a very comfortable looking sofa in the middle of the room and a matching armchair.
She stepped towards the bookcase to her left and examined the shelves. Her eyes widened a little when she read the titles.
Most of them were about Transfiguration. But that shouldn't surprise her. He had told her how much he liked the subject and he was well versed in it.
However, she grimaced when she noticed that they were absolutely not organized at all. There were a few Quidditch magazines in between his Transfiguration books and random fiction works.
She got a nostalgic feeling when she spotted a copy of Beedle the Bard. There was still a lingering ache when she thought about that book and what it had all meant back then.
"Of course, I would find you by the bookshelf." She heard his teasing voice from behind her.
She turned around. He was floating the coffee towards the table in front of the sofa and held out his hand to her. She stepped toward him and took it.
"How do you take your coffee?" He asked her.
"With a spot of milk, thank you." She noticed that he had brought two cups, no wine.
They sat down and he fixed her coffee before passing it to her.
"I-…"
He shook his head and motioned for her to drink.
"Take a sip, enjoy and relax." He told her in his deep voice.
She instantly felt calmer and less impudent and rude for dropping by unannounced.
He was quiet for a few moments while they drank their coffee in silence.
She put hers back on the table and turned to him.
"Again, I'm really sorry for dropping by like this."
He waved her off.
"I told you, I don't mind in the least. I'm happy to see you. I meant it when I said don't owl just come by."
She blushed but ignored her reaction.
"Speaking of owls. Did-…"
She was interrupted by a tapping on the window and there Maira was delivering her response to his letter. She had actually beat the bird to him.
He threw her an amused glance.
"I'm guessing this is your reply?"
She nodded sheepishly and he laughed.
He let his owl in and took the letter from her. "I refilled your bowl, Maira. You can rest, now girl." He told her and held out his hand to let her nuzzle it before she flew through an open door to the right.
"She's beautiful."
"She is. She was a gift from my mum. She was annoyed that I wouldn't reply to her letters in a timely fashion, her words not mine." He said with mirth and joined her again.
Hermione smiled at him.
"So am I allowed to read it in front of you?"
She blushed again but nodded and watched while he did just that.
She took the time to really look at him. His hair wasn't as dark as she had first thought. It was a mix of dark and light brown which made it look…enticing. Again, she wanted to run her hands through it but refrained…for now.
She could see his neck clearly and his Adam's apple moving when he swallowed. It did funny things to her lower abdomen.
She let her gaze travel down his broad shoulders, down his arms. She had only guessed his muscles and felt the outline of them underneath her fingers. She had been slightly distracted by his abs…and other body parts when they'd slept together.
She had felt his strength when he'd been moving above her but now she could see it. There was something about forearms that she had always found very appealing, and his were so very well formed.
He had them placed on his legs and was leaning slightly forward holding her letter in his hands.
She was close to him. Close enough that their legs were touching slightly. Close enough to subtly inhale his delicious scent. If she just reached out her hand she could touch his neck, weaving her fingers up through the roots of his hair…
"Sweet in a manly way, am I?" He turned his head toward her while he put the letter down. His mouth formed into a smirk when he noticed her eyeing him up. That same cocky smirk from their night together.
She breathed a little faster.
"Hermione?" His low murmur drew her gaze to his mouth. She wanted to feel his lips again.
When she met his eyes. He looked just as hungry as she felt.
He moved his face closer and closer until they were a mere inch apart. His breath was warm and inviting. His eyes so deep. She wanted him. He wanted her.
She closed the gap and pressed her lips to his in a demanding kiss. He immediately opened his mouth to welcome her tongue against his. He was dominating the kiss and she let him because it felt amazing.
Her hands buried in his hair and she savoured the feel of it. He pushed her back a little and they stretched out on the couch with him on top of her. His weight on her body reminded her of their night together and she felt heat pool in her lower abdomen.
He used one arm to prop himself up and his free hand was spread over her waist, gripping her tightly.
She moved her hands to the hem of his shirt pulling it halfway up when he slowed the kiss and finally broke it.
"I am not that sweet." He breathed against her mouth.
He sat back up and pulled her with him. She felt a little dizzy from the movement…and his kiss.
"What-…?" She started confused.
"You said you had wine before you came here?"
She nodded not getting what he was trying to tell her.
"I want you. You have no idea how incredibly attractive and enticing you are to me but I will not take advantage of you like this."
She opened her mouth to protest but closed it again quickly. She didn't feel that drunk but she had emptied that bottle of wine all on her own. Maybe her judgment was a little off.
She sighed. And everyone thought chivalry was dead.
She was glad he was this aware of the situation but she kind of wished he had ignored it and just taken her on his couch.
She couldn't hide her disappointment and he noticed.
He reached up with his hand and pushed her hair behind her ear before stroking her cheek gently.
"I'm very glad you're spending the day with me tomorrow."
He was moving closer again.
"I'm also very glad you came to see me tonight." He murmured just before he kissed her again, softly this time.
She closed her eyes and responded to his tender kiss. It was just as sweet and captivating as their first one had been three days ago. His hand was now at her neck with his fingertips sinking into her curls.
She played with the hair above his ear and just enjoyed the feeling of him against her.
Time seemed to stop and she had no clue how long it was before he pulled back again and smiled at her with a spark in his eyes. This kiss had somehow been more intense than the one before.
"I'm glad, too." She said with a grin and a blush recalling his previous statement.
He pulled back a little and made himself comfortable against the back of the couch. Then he motioned for her to lean against him. She scooted closer and fit her head on his shoulder while he put an arm around her. She pushed off her shoes and pulled her legs up on the sofa leaning more of her weight against him.
Merlin, this was comfortable. He felt so good against her. His warmth spread through her. She could feel his heartbeat against her hand on his chest. His fingers were stroking up and down her side and she felt content.
"Tell me about your big case. The news travelled all the way to my Department." He prompted her after a few moments of silence.
"Aside from the fact that it was the reason I didn't write to you? " She teased him. She actually felt really guilty about how long she had left him hanging.
He chuckled and gave her a kiss on her hair.
"It's one of the biggest cases I've ever worked on." She started. "Sloan, my boss, gave me free rein during the whole process, from the beginning. He's been the best mentor anyone's ever had."
She smiled at his laugh. "What do you know about the case?"
"I followed the articles in the Prophet but other than that I haven't really heard much aside from gossip." He replied.
"Yeah, the Ministry is a very gossipy place." She sighed then she began explaining the case to him. The things she could tell him at least. There was a lot that had to be kept secret from the public.
He listened attentively and didn't interrupt her once. He seemed to get the fact that she couldn't tell him too many details so he didn't ask for more.
"Are you nervous about your opening statement?" He wanted to know after they'd been silent again for a while.
"Honestly? I feel like a basket case. Ginny, Harry and Sloan all assured me I was ready but…I don't know, it's just different this time. I have it ready to go and I know it's good…there's just this sliver of doubt. The fear that something unpredictable will throw me and I'll botch it up."
He sat up and pushed her back a little to look at her properly.
"Hermione Granger. You are a force of nature. Nothing can throw you that much. You'll be brilliant. From what I already know about you and all the things I heard, you do your best work under pressure. So embrace it, work with it." He stared at her intensely.
She was confused. His pep talk made her feel confident about her preparation and she couldn't believe she actually wasn't worried about not working tomorrow. Neither Ginny nor Harry had made her feel this calm about it.
She tried to think of something to break the intense eye contact.
"You know what I just remembered? I never gave you my address. How did you get it for the letter?" She asked suddenly.
He frowned, thrown at her sudden change of topic. Then he rubbed his neck and looked down.
"I might've bugged Angelina until she finally relented and gave it to me."
She couldn't even be mad. She understood his desire to talk to her. She had had the same, although she hadn't acted on it. Why hadn't she again?
That was the reason Ginny had been so smug about knowing he was desperate to see her again. She snorted and he looked up questioningly. She shook her head and put it back on his shoulder.
They made themselves comfortable again. Occasionally talking about random things. She learned about his favourite foods, places and hobbies, aside from Quidditch. She in return told him about her extended family, the Weasleys and all the shenanigans the kids got into already. She told him about her favourite books, music and her desire for another pet.
She didn't know how long they'd been sitting like this. They hadn't talked for a while just enjoying the presence of the other but she was getting more and more sleepy. His warmth and his quiet voice had a very relaxing effect on her and she almost drifted off.
She grumbled a little when she felt him shake her gently.
"It's almost two in the morning, " he said quietly. His voice sounded a little rough, like he had been asleep already. "As much as I like having you here with me, I also want to take you on a proper date tomorrow. For that we both need sleep."
She pouted…she actually pouted. What the hell was that man doing to her? She didn't want to leave. But she knew she had to.
She cleared her throat and gave him a small smile.
"I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
"So am I." He caressed her cheek and she closed her eyes. She was glad she hadn't slept with him tonight. Talking with him had been so much better. Just being close to him, getting to know him.
She covered his hand with hers and leaned into it. Then she got up and pulled him with her.
They walked to the door in silence. She put on her shoes and jacket and looked up at him.
"Are you okay to apparate home? I can take you side-along if you're too tired." He asked her carefully.
She shook her head and waved him off.
"I can manage, don't worry."
His eyes roamed her face and he nodded.
"Thanks for the coffee." She smiled at him.
"Anytime." He opened the door for her. "And I mean that."
She blushed but stood up on her tiptoes to give him one last lingering kiss. Then she turned around and left the building to return home.
When she fell into her bed exhausted, her last thought was his face and his eyes.
o.o.O.O.O.o.o.
Props to whoever got the reference to the movie Hermione wanted to watch. Still one of my favourite ones.
