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Chapter 4
Adrian was ready. He had gone to the gym, got a haircut, shaved and groomed, showered, polished his dress shoes, ironed his suit, and sprayed on some light cologne. He gave himself a look over in the mirror and smiled. Had he been a gay man, he would have flirted with himself. He looked good. He put his wand in his suit jacket and left his apartment. He walked the block to Hermione's flat, picking up a bouquet of assorted flowers on the way. Roses seemed too cliché. He stopped in front of her building.
"Good evening Tim. I'm here for Hermione," Adrian said pleasantly.
"Ah. Mr. Pucey. Come on in. She told me to let you up when you arrived," Tim said as he opened the door for Adrian.
Before heading toward the elevator Adrian paused. "Would you mind calling a taxi for us? We should be down in a few minutes," he said as he handed Tim some money.
"Mr. Pucey, you pay the taxi not me," Tim laughed.
"Oh I know. This is for you," Adrian said.
Tim tried to give him back the money. "Mr. Pucey, this is too much."
"No, please I insist. Tim, I'm trying to make a good impression here. Take it," Adrian said with a smile.
Tim's neck flushed as he thanked him profusely.
Adrian called the elevator and pressed the sixth floor button. After a short ride that seemed like forever, he made his way to apartment 603. He looked at his watch and realized that he was three minutes early. He decided to wait outside until seven, not wanting to seem too eager. He heard a conversation through her door but couldn't make out the words. It sounded like several people. His watch chimed, signaling the hour and with that he knocked on her door.
The conversation appeared to halt and it sounded like someone said, "leave" but another responded with "no". Footsteps came towards the door and then paused. He smiled. She was probably fluffing her appearance. The door opened and to his surprise it was not Hermione.
"Pucey," an irritated Ron Weasley welcomed...rather unwelcomed him.
"Weasley. I'm here for Hermione," Adrian said calmly.
"She's not ready yet," Ron responded, slamming the door loudly in his face.
Well that was rude, Adrian thought.
"Honestly Ronald. Let him in!" Hermione shouted loud enough that her voice carried clearly through the closed door.
The door opened again, revealing an entirely different Weasley. This one was very female and very pregnant.
"Sorry about him, Adrian. He's rather stupid. Fallen on his head a few times, actually," Ginny said.
"I have not Ginny!" Ron retorted.
"Come in," Ginny said with a strained smile.
"Thank you," Adrian said as Ginny held the door open for him.
He walked into Hermione's living room. He might have missed the memo, but there appeared to be a small Gryffindor reunion going on. Besides the two Weasley's, the chosen one, Harry Potter was in attendance.
Harry stood up from the armchair he was seated in and stuck out his hand towards Adrian. "Long time no see, Pucey," Harry said pleasantly.
"You too Potter," Adrian said as he returned the handshake and hoped it wasn't obvious that he was uncomfortable.
"OK I'm ready," Hermione said from somewhere behind Adrian.
Adrian turned around and was met with a stunning vision. Hermione had curled her hair into ringlets and was wearing a very form fitting navy dress that curved in just the right places.
"You look breathtaking," Adrian said without hesitation.
Hermione blushed but shot someone a dirty look behind him. He heard a snort but he didn't care. She looked ravishing. He took the few steps towards her and kissed her cheek. She smelled just as incredible as she looked. A hint of vanilla invaded his senses. He handed her the bouquet he'd been carrying. "These are for you," he said as he looked into her eyes.
"How lovely. Thank you!" Hermione said. "They smell amazing. Let me just put them in water before we go."
Adrian was going to wait but decided to follow her into the kitchen. He didn't want to wait with all those Gryffindors.
"Were you having a get together with your friends tonight?" Adrian asked.
Hermione placed the flower in a vase and added water. "No," Hermione said as she looked up at Adrian. "I mentioned to Ginny that you and I had a date tonight. She told Harry, who told Ron, who tried to ruin it by turning up with the gang." She turned the water off before continuing, "Can you believe he said it would be rude for me to leave, even though he knew I had plans? The nerve of him."
"He can deal with it. I plan on taking you out tonight regardless, of what Weasley wants," Adrian said and was rewarded with a timid smile. "Speaking of," he continued, "we should get going. The taxi is waiting for us."
Adrian let her lead the way back through her militia of friends. He placed a hand on the small of her back, hoping to get a rise out of Ron. He did not disappoint. The moment they walked out together, Ron's eyes narrowed.
"You guys are welcome to stay if you like. Sorry again about the mix up, but Adrian and I had this planned," Hermione said as she addressed Ginny, the only one she could count on to pick up the hint.
"No worries Hermione. You guys enjoy yourself," Ginny said as she absently rubbed her belly. "I doubt I would be much fun anyway."
"You're plenty fun love," Harry said with a kiss to his wife's cheek. "We did show up unexpectedly, so go," he said as he hugged Hermione. "Have fun, you too," he added and stuck out his hand. "Pucey," Harry said pleasantly.
Adrian returned the gesture, "Potter."
He was caught off guard when Ginny pulled him into a hug. He awkwardly embraced her in return.
"If you hurt her, I'll kill you," she whispered in his ear.
Laughing politely, he nodded in accordance.
Hermione didn't say bye to Ron.
Adrian opened the door for Hermione. As he was about to close it behind them, Ginny said to have Hermione home by ten. He looked back at the pregnant redhead and her pouting brother. He shook his head, winked, and closed the door.
"You really do look lovely," he told Hermione as they rode the elevator down.
"Thank you," Hermione responded as a pink tint graced her cheeks.
Tim greeted them in the lobby. "Your taxi is right here, Mr. Pucey," he said pleasantly.
Adrian thanked him as Tim helped them out of the building and opened the back door of the cab for them. Adrian let her in first and then slid in next to her.
"Where to?" The driver asked.
"King and Garrick, please. Clos Maggiore," Adrian answered.
"You know. It surprised me when you said there was a taxi waiting for us. I assumed we would have gone someplace in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade."
"I thought about it, but if word got out you were seen on a date, people would not stop bothering you. I'm sure you wouldn't want to see your face in the paper tomorrow morning," Adrian said.
"Too right you are," Hermione answered. She was no fan of the press and celebrity she had received after the war.
The rest of the ride was a comfortable journey. They made small talk until they reached the restaurant. Adrian paid for the cab and led them inside. He told the hostess their name and she took them to their reserved table by the open fireplace. While Hermione browsed the menu, Adrian ordered them some wine.
"This place is so elegant and beautiful. I feel underdressed," Hermione said.
"I disagree. This place hardly compares to you," Adrian said, admiring her again.
"Now you're just joking. You're just using that Slytherin charm."
"Is it working?" Adrian asked, giving her the cheesiest smile he could muster.
"I'll let you know at the end of the night," she winked.
A waiter came by with their wine and to take their order. Promptly their appetizers came out.
"Tell me, how does a pureblood like you know so much about Muggle culture?" Hermione asked as she took a sip of her wine.
"I happen to be very open minded," Adrian said.
"Doubtful," Hermione retorted.
"You wound me Hermione," he said as he dramatically placed his hand over his heart. "In all honesty, I chose this. I lived in the wizarding world, but when I played Quidditch, I'd venture out in the Muggle world occasionally. At the time the war was just beginning and everyone was so particular with whom they were seen with. I didn't want to be involved so instead of going out for a drink in Diagon Alley, I went to London."
Their food arrived, halting the conversation briefly. Adrian had ordered the sea bass and Hermione the crusted chicken breast. He took a bite of his food. It took a minute to chew. He was slightly disappointed in his choice.
"How's your dish?" she asked.
He cut off a piece and reached over the table to let her try it. Hermione didn't want to be fed like a child. Ron had tried that numerous times and it was usually to give her something that tasted awful or to smear it on her face. She decided to give him the benefit of not being Ron, so she leaned over and took a bite. It was just to her liking. Perfectly seasoned and seared.
"That's very good. Would you like to try the chicken?" she asked. She cut him a sample and handed him the fork.
"You're not going to feed me?" Adrian asked with a laugh.
"You're a grown man and perfectly capable of feeding yourself. No need to make a spectacle of ourselves."
With a huff he took the fork and tasted the food. He closed his eyes and savored the taste.
"I think I like yours better than mine," Adrian said.
"Really? I thought the same thing," Hermione answered.
"Would you like to switch?" Adrian suggested.
"Yes please!" Hermione almost squeaked in excitement.
They switched entrees, each enjoying their new plate with more gusto.
"You never finished telling me about how you came to know so much about Muggle London," Hermione said between bites.
"Right. Well after visiting a few times, I decided to take one of those trolley tours. I learned so much in those two hours that I wanted to know more. There was an exhibition on technology at one of the stops so I went back a few weeks later. It was overwhelming," Adrian said.
Hermione couldn't help but feel excited with him as he recanted his tales of learning about Muggle medicine, telecommunication, the Internet, vehicles, and his favorite, airplanes.
"It must have been magic, I thought. How else could they get that metal death trap to fly in the air? Not just glide, mind you, but fly over all the world's countries and oceans nonstop. The Muggles are brilliant!" Adrian said excitedly.
"Don't let the other purebloods hear you," she teased.
"You know,' he said, "they have a certain right fearing Muggles."
She frowned, "How so?"
"Well, they're more advanced in science and war. Muggles can send a bomb or a missile right from their couch. To send an important message, they can use telephones and cellular phones. In an instant, a text is sent. Witches and wizards need to wait for a ruddy owl and the paper in the morning and evening. In a way, I can see how they'd view Muggles as a threat. Not that it's true, but with enough misinformation and fear, I could see why."
"Do you think they feel inferior to Muggles?" Hermione asked.
"Actually, the contrary. I believe they feel superior for having this special gift of magic, but are intimidated that they're outnumbered."
"What do you think now that you understand Muggles more?" she asked.
Adrian thought about his answer carefully. "I believe that both worlds will never fully unite. Muggles fear the unknown and wizards are too proud to deem themselves normal. I know it won't be in our lifetime, but I hope the wizarding world would adopt some of the finer things that Muggles have to offer."
Hermione was silent. She had thought about the union of both worlds. It was great in theory, but would remain just that: theory. She had come to that realization a while ago, but kept the thoughts to herself.
The waiter came and removed their plates and brought out dessert. Adrian had rice pudding and Hermione had sorbet. She ate hers silently, not really paying attention. A hand waving in front of her face brought her back.
"I'm sorry, what?" she said.
"I asked if you wanted to try the pudding but you were gone. Are you ok?" Adrian asked.
"I'm ok. I just never really met someone that shared the same thoughts on the future as me. It makes the future seem bleak and depressing. Like the war meant absolutely nothing and the losses we endured were for naught."
Adrian scooped up some of his pudding and brought it to her lips. She smiled thankfully at him and took the bite. It was really good.
"Of course it was worth it. You, Weasley, and Potter stopped a crazy man from ruining the wizarding world. He was a power hungry psychopath who would have turned on everyone just so he remained on top. Hermione," he said as he reached for her hand, "if it weren't for your brains and courage, you would be dead. The happy future where everyone sings and bakes cookies is not going to happen, but with some time and people like you and I, the tolerance and acceptance will evolve."
"Do all the other Slytherins know you're such a sap?" she leaned forward scooping some more of the pudding.
"Of course they don't. If they did they'd have me prancing around in a tutu wooing Potter," Adrian said, leaning forward and wiping a small smudge of pudding off her lip.
"I think you'd look pretty good in a tutu," Hermione said as she leaned closer towards Adrian.
Adrian was close enough to see the sprinkle of freckles on her nose. Her cheeks were rosy from the wine and if he didn't know any better, her eyes were dark with lust. He hovered off his chair and closed the space between them. Her lips were warm and soft. She kissed him back lightly at first, pressing firmer after the initial contact.
A cleared throat made them separate. Adrian looked over to an embarrassed looking waiter. He cleared the half eaten desserts and left the bill. Hermione reached for it first and saw the amount. Her eyes almost bulged from her head. Adrian snatched the bill from her and placed a Muggle credit card inside. He handed it to the first waiter that passed by.
"You're going to let me help you pay for that," Hermione said firmly as she reached for her purse.
"Absolutely not. I chose this place, I pay," Adrian responded.
"Adrian, that was too much."
"It's done," he answered, waving his hand in the air ceremoniously.
She frowned at his dismissal. The waiter came back and dropped off the receipts. Adrian signed on the appropriate areas and stood to leave. Once out of the restaurant, he hailed a cab for them. He gave the driver Hermione's address as they climbed in. He hadn't planned an activity for after dinner and felt nervous about just taking her home. Doubt was settling in for Adrian. Should he put his arm around her? He shifted uncomfortably and she seemed to sense his discomfort. He was surprised when she took his hand and laced their fingers. Hermione rested her head on his shoulder as they rode in silence.
Adrian had closed his eyes momentarily, taking in the scent of her hair as he rested his head on top of hers. It made him feel serene and warm. What had felt like only a second surprised him when the cab driver shook his leg that they had arrived. He looked down and Hermione seemed to have dozed off as well. He shifted his shoulder carefully, enough to rouse her from sleep.
"We're here," he said as he handed the driver the money and helped her step out of the cab. Together they walked into the building and took the ride up to the sixth floor. Hermione unlocked her door but didn't step in. She turned to face Adrian, a look of apprehension on her face.
"Would you like to come inside for a glass of wine or some tea?"
"Some tea would be nice," he said.
A little cliffhanger! Haha! Show the love!
-steph
