BET ME!

The First…Um…Date?

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AN: OMG, these reviews! Thank you so very much and I will try to update very often. Some people have a problem with Hermione being fat. Okay, first of all, her mother's a deranged woman who doesn't know that being a size two isn't really normal. Second of all, Hermione isn't fat. She's just slightly plump. Slightly being the operative word. It isn't obvious. Now enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: Fine! Here! (hands paper back to lawyer) I was so close! (grumbles) Stupid policemen chasing me and arresting me. I'll have revenge!

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Harry Potter entered his small office next morning. It had been a long night for him. Trying to charm a very complicated lady and walking her home could really take a lot out of you. Especially if you're not used to it. After saying good-night to Hermione he had to walk to his home and finish the paperwork that was due the next day.

He put down his briefcase and immediately sat down at his desk. He smiled as his body adjusted to the comfy chair. This is much more like it. He thought as he closed his eyes. The paperwork took a lot out of him. He had finally finished around two in the morning and he hadn't been able to get much sleep.

"Hey, Harry, you get her in bed yet?" Ron's voice forced Harry to open his eyes. There was the tall redhead, standing infront of him grinning like any idiot would. Harry grinned and closed his eyes again.

"No, not yet. I have plenty of time." He yawned. "Viktor gave me six months."

"Yeah, and before you know it, the six months will be up." Ron warned. "So, you think she's okay?" Harry opened his eyes and shrugged his shoulders.

"She's…complicated." Harry said. "I don't know how to explain her. It's like she's hiding something from me and wants me to figure it out but at the same time, trying to look innocent as if nothing is kept a secret between us." Harry contemplated. "Does that make sense?"

Ron shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. By the way you say it, she does sound complicated." He then grinned. "Thank God her friends aren't." Harry rolled his eyes and leaned in. Somehow, sleep was long forgotten. "Luna's great. I mean, I know I only talked to her for a night but she's amazing. I've never met anyone like her. Do you think…she's the one?"

Harry suddenly became uneasy once that question was asked. Harry was never the one for commitment. If anything, he would be the one running out if the relationship became too serious. Thus, the reasonhe's been running away from Cho. She wanted marriage. He didn't. Frankly, he thought marriage was for the bored. The people who had nothing else to do with their lives other finding love and getting married. People who didn't look beyond love as living. And he was always trying to be the opposite.

Face it.

It was better his way.

"I don't know Ron." Harry replied. "You know I'm not the one you should be asking. Maybe a therapist?" Harry joked. Ron frowned as Harry laughed.

"Finding the one isn't wrong, Harry." Ron defended. "Finding love is…"

"Beautiful, amazing? Tell me, Ron. I want to know." Harry said sarcastically. Before Ron could make a comeback, in walks Seamus. He had a foolish grin on his face. Harry grinned and leaned back in his chair. "Got some last night?" He asked Seamus. Seamus's grin becomes wider, proving Harry's claim. "So, who was the…uh… unlucky girl?" Seamus gave a look sending Harry into fits of laughter.

"If you must know, it was Lavender." Harry stopped laughing and froze. Ron's jaw dropped and it was Seamus's turn to laugh, "Oh, gosh, look at those faces…"

"Seamus…please tell me it's a joke." Harry said, cutting Seamus off.

"It's not." Seamus simply replied. Harry raised an eyebrow at his friend. He wasn't surprised that Seamus had a one night stand. He was surprised that he had a one night stand with Lavender.

"But, she didn't want to walk with you." Ron spoke up.

"Well, people change, Ron." Seamus said. He took out a piece of paper. And I've got her number." He added proudly. Ron shook his head at his friend.

Harry's head snapped up. Crap. Crap, Crap, Crap! He forgot to ask for Hermione's number. There was one thing Harry never forgot to do when with a girl: ask for her number. So why did he forget? Was it because he wanted to get out of that house as soon as possible? Or was he distracted at how beautiful Hermione was….

"Harry, you finish the paperwork? I need to carry it over to Mr. Harris." Harry's thoughts were disturbed by Ron's voice. He took up the small project and gave it to Ron. "So, are you going to see Hermione tonight again?" Ron asked.

Harry wasn't sure.

He didn't even have her number.

……………………………………………

Hermione put the empty mug on her desk and proceeded to type. But everytime she finished a sentence, he would be in her mind again. His smile, his charm, and his gentlemanly ways: they were perfect, simply perfect…

Argh! Stop thinking about him, Hermione!

He's a player. He's a cheater. He breaks women's hearts. He's nothing but scum. Low down scum and he deserves to lose this bet. Just to deflate his already oversized ego. Hermione smiled and turned to her work. The fantasies of Harry Potter were long gone now. She could finally finish her work.

Ring! Hermione glanced at her work phone ringing away. She was surprised that someone was calling her so early in the morning. Hermione suddenly gasped.

She knew who was calling.

Harry. He was calling to see if she was doing okay. Her heart began to beat a little faster. He was calling on her to see if she had had a restful night. The drumming was so loud she was almost sure her secretary was hearing it. He was calling on her to see if they could have dinner. Hermione smiled. He was so sweet.

Ring!

"Hello?" Hermione said. No! Too eager! She cleared her throat. Next time, try to be a little bit more subtle of your feelings. "Harry," she said smoothly, "is that…"

"Harry? Who's Harry?" Her mother's high pitched voice boomed over the other line. Hermione's eyes opened wide in surprise. Mother! She cleared her throat again. She needed to be calm. "Mother. What is it?" She ignored her mother's question.

"Darling, have you found a date for the wedding yet?"

"Uh…"

"I want to ask him if he'll have chicken or fish." Her mother added. Hermione inwardly groaned. What was she going to tell her mother? "Hermione, are you still there? You do remember we have a fitting appointment in two days. I'm sure you've put it in your planner." Silence. "Hermione! answer when I'm talking to you!" Her mother snapped at her. Hermione jumped in her seat once she heard her mother's high-pitched shout.

"Mother. I haven't really found someone yet…" It was better to tell her the truth. What would be the point of lying when she knew her mother would find out the truth? Mama Granger always found out the truth.

"What do you mean…? Have you been following your diet?" Her mother inquired. Hermione sighed. Her mother had suggested (but with Mama Granger it was more instilled than anything else) that she use one of her diets. Hermione had chosen the most humane one. And God, how she detested that diet! The diet consisted of no bread, no fatty foods…basically, no carbs…at all! Not even her beloved, delectable Krispy Cream Donuts. It pained her terribly to not have her donuts.

"Of course I've been following my diet. But, mother, my weight doesn't really matter…"

"Of course it does!" Her mother shrieked. Hermione rolled her eyes. Was the point of arguing with her? "Darling, you have to take action. How about you go to one of those dating services…?"

"No! Absolutely not!"

"Hermione, don't let your pride get in the way!" Her mother snapped. "You're unbearable!" Thoughtful silence and then, "Hermione, I'm giving you a month. One month. No more." And with that, she hung up the phone.

…………………………………………..

Harry had been staring at the phone number for a long time. Lavender, after a long argument as to why he forgot to ask for Hermione's number, reluctantly gave it to him. Should he call her now or not? Should he wait for a day to pass? Maybe he should wait a week. He wasn't so sure. He generally didn't have a problem with calling women and setting up dates with them but this wasn't any ordinary woman.

This woman was special. Special to the point that it became slightly scary.

Maybe he should call in a week.

No. He had made a bet to get her. And he always got what he wanted. This woman was just an ordinary woman who was probably dying for him to call. Harry took up the receiver and dialed the number.

The phone rang.

"Hello?" Hermione's voice sounded through his receiver.

"Hello, Hermione." Harry heard a sharp intake of breath.

"Hello, Harry." Hermione smoothly replied. Harry grinned. Was she nervous? "Why did you call? Did you leave something at my place?" Harry chuckled at her respond. And she was trying to make it seem as if nothing in particular was happening.

"No." Harry replied. "Aren't you happy I called?" Or surprised?

"Not really. Should I be happy?" Harry chuckled again. She was too good.

"Well, since I'm asking you out on a date, it's expected." Another sharp intake of breath followed by a gasp. Harry grinned. He had done it.

"Hm. I guess I should be." Hermione said smoothly without flaw. "When?"

"Tonight."

"What?" That seemed to catch Hermione off guard. Her flawlessly smooth tone had been replaced by a nervous outcry. "Uh…you mean…now?"

"If you can make it."

"But…" Click. Hermione's jaw dropped.

He had hung up.

…………………………………………….

Nervous? Nervous! Stop being nervous! Hermione scolded herself. Harry had picked her up in half an hour. She didn't know what to wear to this…date. He hadn't given her any clue of the dress code. So she had to make a hard decision between an elegant evening dress and a sweater suit. It wasn't until she saw him walking towards her house in causal jeans and a shirt that she knew she should wear the sweater suit.

Now, here they were driving towards a group of tiny shops. Hermione furrowed her brows. Where the hell was he taking her? He parked the car infront of the last shop and stopped the engine. He came out and opened the passenger door for Hermione. Hermione looked up at the slightly shadowed sign, Bella. "Hermione?" Hermione looked at Harry, who was waiting for her to come.

"It's closed." Hermione said, gazing at the sign. Harry smiled.

"No it isn't." Hermione looked at him incredulously as he knocked on the glass door. "Neville!" He shouted. "Neville!"
"He's obviously not here…" Hermione started. But she was immediately cut off the by the sound of keys opening the door. The door opens and a man, probably in his the same age as Harry smiles widely at him

"Harry Potter! My favourite customer!" He exclaimed. "Come in." Harry leads a silently stunned Hermione inside. "Ah, and who is this lovely lady?"

"Hermione, this is Neville Longbottom. He was my old roommate from college." Hermione holds out her hand for him to shake but instead, he kisses it. Hermione smiles and Harry rolls his eyes. "And Hermione, even from college until now, his charms towards a woman are still cheesy."

"Hey, my wife loves my cheesy charming self." Neville defended himself while Hermione laughed. Harry grinned and showed Hermione to the table next to the window. He hands them their menus and leaves them to decide. After he's gone, Hermione looks up from her menu.

"Nice attempt to a romantic dinner, Harry." Hermione remarked. Harry looked up at the woman before him. "I feel like Lady in Lady and the Tramp. Are we going to share a dish of spaghetti and meatballs? Eventually, we'll be chewing on the same spaghetti and our lips will touch?" Hermione smiled at him triumphantly. She had just proven to him that this date was anything but romantic.

It could hardly even be called a date.

Harry tried to become serious but a smile was tugging on his lips. "We could try that." Harry laughed as Hermione rolled her eyes. Her eyes then shifted to the bread basket infront of her.

Remember Hermione, no bread…but it looked so good…you're on a diet. Don't you want to be slimmer? Hermione sighed and shook her head. Her mother was even in her head! "Hermione?" She looked up at Harry. He was looking at her, concerned. "Are you alright?" Hermione forced a smile on her face and nodded. Harry raised a brow. "Are you sure?"

Hermione's eyes shifted back to the bread basket. "Yeah, sure." She said distractedly. Harry followed her gaze and smiled.

"You can eat it, Hermione. It's not plastic." He joked.

"No, I can't." She replied. She never broke her stare of the bread basket.

"Why not?" Harry asked. Hermione's head shot up.

"I'm…I'm on a diet." She replied uneasily. "I can't eat any bread. Too much calories…" Harry pushed the bread basket closer to her. "What are you doing?"

"Offering you some bread." Harry replied casually. Hermione couldn't believe she was hearing. In fact, did this man even hear her? "You're not fat, Hermione." Harry stated.

"Yes, well, I know I'm not huge but I'm still plump." Hermione tried to defend her diet. Something she promised herself she would never do. She looked at the bread basket once more and sighed. This was too hard.

Harry leaned in, making Hermione's eyes shift to him. "You're not plump either." He whispered. Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "Now, take the breadstick." Harry added. "You know you want to."

Hermione licked her lips. She hesitantly reached out for the basket. She broke a small piece of the breadstick. She shouldn't be doing this. She really shouldn't be. She could hear her mother's high-pitched voice screaming at her now. Hermione! Hermione, what are you doing! Put down that bread right now! Put it down! She bit a smaller piece of her already small piece and chewed it slowly.

She hadn't any bread in a month and she knew she was going crazy without it. But as soon as the bread was in her mouth, she knew nothing ever tasted that good. She closed her eyes and allowed the bread to melt in her mouth and give her the amazing satisfaction she desired.

Harry swallowed hard as another moan of pleasure emitted from Hermione's mouth. He had been watching her for while: her eyes closed as she ate the small piece of bread, the way her mouth made slow movements to take in all the food had to offer, licking her lips after every swallow to make sure she didn't miss a thing….it was amazing at how those lips could move…he wanted to kiss those lips. And he envied the breadstick. He envied it greatly.

"Are you guys ready to order?" Neville's voice took them both out of their deep trances. Hermione dropped the breadstick piece immediately, as if she was committing a crime. She looked at Harry. He looked confused as to why she dropped the breadstick.

Wasn't she enjoying it?

"Yes, we are." Hermione said. Great. She would never live this down. It was his entire fault. He knew she would feel guilty but he did to her anyway. He was cold-hearted, evil and breaks women's hearts…

………………………………….

"Harry, I had a great time tonight." She plastered a smile on her face. Of course Harry could see through it. Anyone with common sense could see that she wasn't at all happy with him. He had forced her to do someone she really wouldn't want to do…or did she want to? She loved food. That wasn't a crime.

Thoughtful silence.

"Well, I should go inside." Hermione said, trying to break the silence. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to work. Harry was just…staring at her. "Bye." She turned to go when Harry grabbed her wrist and turned her to him. Hermione's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Harry, what are you…?"

He leaned closer to her. This made her shut up immediately. Brown eyes met deep emerald ones. They're so beautiful…Hermione thought, slightly dazed by them. He smiled at her amazement. "Bye, Hermione." He whispered. And before she knew it, he had left her.

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AN: Blech, crappy. Okay, okay, not my best chapter but, please, work with me on this, okay? Writer's block was killing me. Please review!