Chapter 4

"OK Miss Granger, Hermione, would you please, do me the honour of referring to me as Harry and not Mr Potter, I keep looking for my dad" Hermione giggled and Harry found it so endearing, this girl was something else.

"OK, if you would like me to call you Harry, I would be happy too." They talked mostly about work and the different functions that were coming up.

Harry told Hermione that she could finish up her work tomorrow, but for now it was time to head home.

"OK tomorrow, you can start at 9am, and also, just to let you know that in six weeks time on the Saturday night, we have a fund-raising dinner for St Mungos. My mother is on the Board of Directors, so it is important we all attend."

"Ok, Harry, are you sure Pa's have to attend?"

"Yes, you do, will that be a problem?"

"No, of course not, I will organise any details that need to be done" Hermione was feeling a bit stressed, but since she had six weeks, she was confident she would find something to wear.

"Hermione, would you like a lift home?" Harry stood and was reaching inside his pocket to get his keys out, when the office door opened,

"Hi Hermione, are you ready to go home yet?" Jake walked in and interrupted their conversation.

"Hi Jake, yes I will be ready soon" Harry looked at Hermione and she said sorry to him.

"Jake asked me at breakfast, sorry Harry, I will see you in the morning at 9" Hermione was collecting her belongings and then walked out with Jake. Jake nodded to his brother and he escorted Hermione to the car. Harry stood by his window and watched them get into the car.

"What do you two talk about?"

Hermione ran inside, grabbed her clothes and darted into the shower. Jake had organised another night with his friends from the team and they all asked if she was coming. So, since he assured her it wouldn't be a late night, she agreed to go for a few drinks and dinner. In half an hour, Hermione was dressed in black pants and a white, silvery shirt with black boots.

"You always look so beautiful when your dressed casual Hermione" Hermione blushed and thanked him. They walked out to the car and went down to the Mexican restaurant they had chosen to meet everyone at.

They had a few laughs in the car as Jake told her about practise that day and how Alicia flattened Mike, the beater, since he nearly hit her with the bludger.

Once they arrived at the restaurant, the conversation flowed and everyone was having a good time. Jake was sitting with his arm around the back of Hermione's chair and Mike noticed someone come in through the front door.

"Hey Jake, its your brother Harry, HARRY mate" Mike called out to him and Harry walked over to say hi. He led his date over with him and Jake was watching Hermione closely. Jake went to take his arm down and Hermione looked at him.

"It's fine Jake" Jake nodded and smiled, "He's just my boss and what I do out of hours is none of his business." Jake knew he was being cheeky and his timing had to be perfect. As Harry arrived at the table, Jake leant in and kissed Hermione on the cheek. Of course, knowing Hermione, she blushed and Harry noticed immediately.

Jake had nothing against his brother at all, he loved him, but he had to admit it was nice to watch him come down a few pegs. Harry had always had the girls and all the fame, not that Jake minded, but in his eyes Hermione was absolutely beautiful and he knew his brother knew it too, so it was nice to be the one getting the attention from the beautiful girl for once. He would never do anything to hurt Hermione and if he knew she had feelings for Harry, he would have backed off immediately, but they seemed to be getting on really well so why not see where it takes him.

"Hello, Hermione, Jake" Harry nodded curtly and Jake leant in closer to Hermione.

"Hi bro, why don't you and your date join us?" Jake looked at the latest bimbo Harry had on his arm.

"No"

"OK" said the Bimbo, obviously recognising all the well known Quidditch players.

"Well, it's settled then, Harry mate grab another chair and let...."

"Desire" The bimbo has a name, what type of a name is Desire anyway?, Hermione thought.

Jake leant into Hermione's ear and voiced her exact thoughts, "Who names their kid Desire?, hey maybe its her 'professional' name?" Hermione laughed and smacked Jake on the arm, she turned to look him in the face and mouthed to him to stop it.

"Hey love birds, that's enough" Alicia was being a brat.

There were a few snickers around the table and Mike showed Desire her chair, Harry rolled his eyes and took the chair from the next table and placed it between Desire and Mike. So that left Jake, then Hermione, Desire, then Harry. Jake signalled to the waiter to add two more plates to their table and then told Harry they had ordered a buffet. It was enough for 12 people so they had plenty of food since there were only 10 of them in total now, seven from the team and Harry, his date and Hermione.

The conversation was a bit strained at first, but once the food arrived everyone relaxed.

"So Desire, that's an unusual name, where is it from?" Todd, the keeper for the team, asked,

"It's from Desiree, but I prefer Desire" she giggled, thinking it was somehow funny.

"Desiree is a nice name, you should use that instead" Hermione said.

"Nah, you see I am such a desire to people, so people like calling me that" Hermione's eyebrows locked together, and decided her IQ was lower than room temperature and she wasn't worth it. Harry looked uncomfortable but turned to Penny, the Seeker, to talk about different tactics. The dinner was progressing along nicely. Harry shot a few glances at Hermione but she pretended not to notice.

Jake got up to get some drinks as it was his shout, and he looked at Hermione and put his hand out for her to go with him. She took it and followed him up to the bar.

"Well, what do I say about my brother?" Jake ordered the drinks and was waiting for them to be ready.

"He's a grown man Jake, you don't need to say anything,"

"Yeah, but Hermione he could do so much better than 'that'. Look at her, she is only after a one night stand and if she can get more, I am sure she will." Hermione looked at Jake and was pleasantly surprised. He really cared about his brother's welfare and it was touching.

"Oh Jake, your so sweet" She leant in and gave him a hug. He was so tall that her body was enveloped by his.

"What was that for?" He didn't want to let go of her just yet.

"For being a wonderful human being, that's what" Hermione leant back into him for another hug, "You're going to make someone very happy one day, Mr Potter"

"Care to see if that someone is you, Miss Granger?" Hermione looked deep into his eyes and looked over his face. He was such a good looking man and he could have any girl he wanted, but living in the shadow of a famous brother must be very hard.

Hermione reached up and brushed his hair away from his face, and sighed. She was starting to see that Jake was developing real feelings for her, but she just couldn't feel anything too deeply for him.

Maybe she needed to give herself some time. It had only been a couple of weeks, maybe in time things could develop nicely for her and Jake.

Back at the table, Mike elbowed Todd and nodded towards the bar, Alicia and Penny followed their line of sight. They then elbowed Josh and Marcus to look towards the bar and Harry noticed what they were doing and also looked over.

"Looks like our little Jakie has finally got a girlfriend" Marcus said in a sing song voice.

Harry saw Hermione hugging his brother, and then she said something and hugged him again. Then he leant in closer to her and said something else which made her look deeply at him, she was studying his face and Harry felt his temper rising and something deep inside of him turn. She brushed his hair away from his face and Harry nearly snapped, he was about to get up and walk over there when the bar tender returned with the trays of drinks. Jake let go of her and she helped carry one tray and Jake got the other one. Harry watched them walk back to the table and couldn't understand his feelings. When he spoke to her, he annoyed her to the point of an argument. They could hardly have one day where they weren't fighting and then with Jake, it was driving Harry insane. He just couldn't pinpoint it and it was becoming really annoying.

"This conversation isn't over, Miss Granger" Hermione laughed and nudged him with her shoulder. They walked over to the table and noticed everyone was staring at them, "What?" she asked,

"So, any news you would like to share with us, my friend?" Josh was looking at Jake and Jake looked around the table, he stopped on his brothers face and was surprised to see anger.

He looked at Hermione and realised everyone must have seen the little exchange at the bar,

"For us to know and for you to find out" Jake laughed and Hermione smiled. She didn't dare look at Harry, she didn't need to, she could feel the heat of his stare from where she stood. Conversations picked up again and the two girls were dying to get Hermione alone so they could grill her about Jake, but of course Jake didn't leave her side for one minute. Dinner and dessert was finished and Penny suggested they go for drinks at the pub, Hermione looked at Jake and screwed up her nose, he knew she wanted an early night so they said their goodbyes.

"Bye, Alicia, Penny, good luck on the tour" Hermione was hugging the girls and then said bye to the boys. She turned to say bye to Harry and Desire but was stuck for words.

"Bye Harry, bye Desiree"

"Oh bye Hermione, it was nice to meet you" Desire said with her nasally voice, "Likewise"

"Harry, see you at work tomorrow."

"Yeah" Harry spat out, and he knew he was being rude but he was completely out of sorts tonight. Jake heard the exchange and pulled Hermione close to his side while he was talking to Josh about the morning's training program.

"Bye Harry" Hermione didn't wait for a reply and she turned into Jake's embrace and said bye to Josh.

Hermione was very quiet in the car ride on the way home. "Another penny Miss Granger?"

"No, Jake sorry, I seem to do that to you a lot, don't I?" Hermione looked at Jake again and thought that maybe it might be worth it to try and see if a relationship would work with Jake. He was certainly very reliable, he was kind and he showed an interest in her.

"Hermione, I did not study Legilimency so you will have to tell me or I will torture it out of you." Hermione laughed, "No, just thinking about what you said earlier tonight at the bar" She waited for his response but only saw a small smile creep onto his face.

She offered him a coffee and he accepted and again they sat and talked for ages. It was getting close to midnight and Jake said goodnight. He leant forward to give her a kiss on the cheek, but stopped close to her face and then touched her lips ever so softly. Hermione didn't really respond but she didn't pull away either. Jake smiled at her and brushed her hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear.

"Goodnight, Hermione"

"Goodnight Jake, sleep well"

"Oh, I will" he laughed and so did Hermione, he told her he would see her in the morning and Hermione closed the door feeling slightly dazzled. It was quite a while before sleep came over her, she thought about Jake and his wonderful nature but she couldn't get a certain man's green eyes out of her head.

***********

Harry was in the dining room waiting for his parents to come in for breakfast. To say he was in a bad mood didn't even come close. He had waken early and went to speak to his brother about his intentions with his Pa. He had not thought it through and was really running on adrenaline. He looked at his watch and it read 7.15am, so he knocked on his door.

There was no answer.

He opened the door to find his bed had not been slept in. He looked around to see if he was in his bathroom, but it was also empty.

He stalked downstairs and when he saw the house elf, he asked where his brother was, but the house elf said he hadn't come home last night. Harry stalked back into the dining room which is where he was waiting for his parents.

"Good morning son" James entered the room followed by lily

"Morning darling." Harry stood and kissed his mum and nodded to his dad. The two parents looked at each other as they knew something was wrong.

"How are you today Harry?" Lily was spreading honey on her toast and James was pouring her a cup of tea.

"Been better Mum, do you know where Jake is"

"Umm no, he didn't come home last night, he went out for dinner with the guys from his team as far as I know" James was looking at the Daily Prophet.

"Yeah, he did and Hermione went too."

"Oh did she really? How nice, it would be good if he settled down" James received a quick kick to the ankle under the table and he looked at his wife with a questioning look.

At that precise moment, who should walk in but the very man in question.

"Good Morning family, how are you all this fine day?" Jake was leaning in and giving his mum a kiss and patted his dad's shoulder, then looked over to Harry.

"Hey Bro, enjoy dinner last night?" Lily looked at Harry and Jake and she was starting to get a little worried. She knew Hermione was the right one for Harry, but was she too late. Jake had not been this happy in ages, yet, Harry had not been so miserable either. This was a complex situation.

"I went looking for you this morning, you weren't in your room" Harry's tone was cutting and Jake knew he had pushed a few buttons.

"Really, and what could the great Harry Potter possibly require of little old me?"

Harry stood out of his chair swiftly looking for a fight. James stepped in quickly,

"Boys enough of this, sort yourselves out" James was stern and the boys backed down quickly.

"I have nothing to say to you Harry, I have done nothing wrong, I just don't understand what has got you so hot under the collar over her, she's not your girlfriend, she's your employee." Jake sat down and proceeded to butter his toast.

If things could possibly get any worse today then it just did.

"Morning Mr and Mrs Potter, Harry, Jake" Hermione walked in like she was on cloud nine. She looked tired but still happy. Jake looked up to her as she had stopped behind him with one hand on his shoulder.

"Like some breakfast sweetie" Jake bit the inside of his lip to stop from smirking.

Hermione looked at him when he said the pet name but she ignored him and only asked for a cup of tea. She could feel the tension in the room and when she looked at Harry, he was staring at her.

"Have a nice night Hermione?" Harry's voice was bitter and Hermione had no idea as to why.

"Yes, we did thank you, and what about you and Desire?" Lily raised her eyebrow at her son and at least he had the decency to look embarrassed.

"I think it is time to start work" Harry looked at Hermione and she quickly finished her tea. Jake leant over and kissed her on her cheek.

"Have a nice day darling and good luck," then he whispered "You're going to need it with MR-I-got-out-of-the-wrong-side-of-the-bed-Potter" Hermione laughed.

Well if the morning was anything to go by, Hermione was in for a rough day.

She wasn't wrong. Harry abused everyone on the phone and hung up on some officials. He argued with every booking she made and she couldn't get a straight answer out of him at all. It was becoming ridiculous, Hermione didn't stop for lunch, she just wanted this day to end.

It was a nightmare.