Chapter 4
Fate was not on Harry's side today. Harry opened the trunk of his car, pulled out the shopping bags and looked at the house.
Hermione Granger.Who would have thought?
Of all women in the world, Harry is stranded with Hermione Granger. The irony almost made him laugh. When Albus Dumbledore called and asked for his help, Harry was expecting a few months of peace and tranquility in Devon; a big difference from his normal life. Frankly, Harry was happy to accept the offer, when he heard how small this community was and of the remoteness of this house, Harry imagine it as a personal deserted island where he could relax.
Harry walked up the steps and presses the doorbell. The problem was Hermione Granger is certainly not in accordance with Harry's picture of women on a deserted island. Apparently being stranded with Hermione is going to be an annoying experience and probably uncomfortable.
This is really weird, Harry wondered while waiting for Hermione opened the door. Usually he had a good reputation with the woman. In fact, keep them at a distance is usually his only problem; but not with Hermione. Hermione is one of the few women he had ever met, who was really not interested in him as a man. In fact, she never seemed interested in any man. Since the day Harry first met Hermione in medical school, she had buried herself in a book.
Realizing that Hermione wasn't going to let in, Harry gritted his teeth and stepped back, looking up at the windows.
'Either she's playing around with me or the woman is in the shower...or may be she's a sleep?' Harry thought. She looked really tired, hardly surprising considering her lifestyle. Hermione Granger is a workaholic.
Muttering a swear word, Harry set the shopping bags in the gravel and walked around the house to find another entrance.
"Harry?"
Hear his name being called, Harry turned and stepped off the gravel road toward the front door. Hermione was in the open door, wear a long bathrobe, her hair wrapped in towels. Clearly, she had just gotten out of the bathroom and strangely enough she looks very fragile to Harry. She had the front of her robe clutched in her little fist, and the dark shadows under her eyes seen were even more defined by her pale skin.
She looked different and Harry frowned slightly, trying to find the reason. 'Her eyes are brown.Honey brown.Why I did not realize this before?' Harry thought.
'Because,' Harry concluded, 'I'm usually so busy being irritated at her to notice her carefully.'
"I'm sorry. I forgot to give you the key."
Hermione suddenly realized Harry was meticulously observation and stepped back, clutching her robe tighter; afraid that Harry would snatch it from her.
"I've bought our dinner."
Without allowing time for Hermione to debate, Harry stepped past her into the hall and went straight to the kitchen.
Deliberately turned his attention to dinner, quickly Harry began sauteing the chicken with ginger and fresh garlic, then add some vegetables and noodles.
"I don't know you could cook."
Hermione had to replace the robe with a blue t-shirt and faded jeans covering her long, slender thighs. Until then, Harry had never noticed Hermione's body, but he now could see that Hermione was more petite and refined than he realized.
After successfully mastering himself again, Harry lift pan from stove and serve it on two plates, then watched in amazement at how quickly Hermione ate her part.
"You want more?" Harry could not hide the amusement in his voice and Hermione lifted her chin a little to defend herself.
"I was hungry. And the food was really delicious."
"Then eat- I suspect you're making up for the lack of food during the week." Harry said loudly, standing fetch big pile more food on Hermione plate. "Refrigerator is full, so no more excuses for you fainting in my arms again."
Hermione glare at Harry, her fork stopped halfway to her mouth. "I didn't faint in your arms-"
"Hermione, you're exhausted." Harry said flatly. "And it's not at all surprising. You carry the workload for two general practitioners and obviously you have not been eating properly. You almost fainted."
Hermione's eyes shot daggers at Harry, then suddenly her shoulders slumped. "You're probably right." She murmured. "And I guess I owe you a thanks for shopping and cooking."
"Well, it was the first." Harry leaned back in his chair, a smile playing on his mouth. "Hermione Granger thanking me for something."
"Yeah, yeah, don't get used to it," Hermione said awkwardly. "I have not slept enough for four nights. I'm not myself."
Harry could see that Hermione had not slept. She looks tired. And beautiful.
That thought shook Harry a little. 'Hermione Granger is really beautiful.Why I did not realize it before?' Harry thought.
Because,Hermione usually hid herself behind the uninteresting clothing. Harry was suddenly curious. "See Hermione, you almost fell asleep on the table," Harry swore softly. She was really tired.
"You have to sleep." Harry stood up, his chair creaking on the kitchen floor. "Tell me where my room is and then you can rest."
The drowsiness was gone in a flash and Hermione's brown eyes open wide. "Where your room is?" her voice shrill in horror. "I don't know where you're going to sleep, Dr. Potter, but it is certainly not here."
Harry count to ten slowly.
"Listen, Albus said I can stay at the practice's place." Harry said, emphasizing his words carefully so that no misunderstanding may occur. "And you know it's not unreasonable. This place is huge. There are a lot of rooms for two people here."
A long silence followed, and Hermione's gaze shifted from Harry. "Maybe you're right." Hermione finally gave up, "but obviously I don't know what Dr. Dumbledore sees in you."
Harry gritted his teeth. Hermione may be more beautiful than Harry though, but she was still annoying!
"Just show me the empty room, Hermione." Harry growled, his patience beginning to wear out. He had never known a woman, who could irritate him, so like she could! "I'm stay here and that's the final decision. And if you're worried about your safety, don't. I think we both know that there is no possible way we could be attracted to each other. The best thing we can do, is try for a friendly working relationship."
She stared; not quite believing what she heard. Obviously, she thought it highly unlikely that they would have a good relationship.
And maybe Hermione was right.
If there is fragility in Hermione - and Harry guessed that were was -Hermione had buried it very well.
"Alright." Hermione finally said, but her expression was reluctant. "You can stay, but before that there are several house rules."
Harry closed his eyes and sighed. Now what?
"I'm one who really appreciates privacy. I would really appreciate it if you stay on the side of the house that is yours and not come to my side."
Really,what's on in the mind of this woman?That he will attack her at night?If that's true,then she was very lucky!
"I'll try to remember it." Harry said dryly. "There are other rules that should I know?"
"I set the alarm before going to bed." Hermione's eyes suddenly shifted from Harry. "If you go out late, you'll need to turn it off and turn it back on."
So,Hermione was nervous about living in this big house alone.Well,well,obviously she has a fragile side.
"I'm sure I can do that."
"Good." Hermione continued. "About the night visits ..."
"Hermione, we are not going to make a visit tonight," said Harry, smoothly cutting Hermione off. " I've set up a replacement for tonight and for several weeks ahead."
Hermione gasped angrily. "How dare you? I'm not-"
"You're tired, Hermione." said Harry, Hermione's protest cut off, before it could even start. "And I don't know this area well. Now, we're both just going to be a burden if we try to make a visit tonight. So, when Albus gets back, you can do whatever you want, but until then, we will take the help we can get. Now, go to sleep before you pass out again."
Hermione shifted uncomfortably. "I told you, I did not passed out earlier."
Harry gave her a warning look. "You can either go to sleep voluntarily within ten seconds," Harry said with exaggerated patience, "or I'll carry you back to your bed."
Hermione quickly stood up, knowing he would carry out his threat. "I'm going to sleep," she said with a faint pride, "because I was too tired to argue with you-"
"Hallelujah," Harry murmured, and Hermione lifted her chin and walk towards the door, glanced over her shoulder when she jerked the door open.
"Don't think this issue is over. You do not have the right to change the schedule of the night visits without first discussing it with me. This is my practice and from this moment on, I make the decisions."
With that last comment, Hermione walked through the door and walked up the stairs, slamming her door hard.
TBC
