: I don't own HP whatsoever,

the idea for Ashley's dress: i00. .

Idea for Hermione's Dress: .uk/images/strapless_fuschia_purple_evening_prom_b ridesmaid_long_dress_

Chapter 9: Birthday Bliss with a Kiss

It was a few days before Hermione's birthday about 7pm and Ashley sat there in her office thinking of what to do but nothing came to her mind. She conjured up two tiger patronuses and sent it toward Luke along with Fleur. While she waited she went to her kitchen got a can of coke and sat there until she saw two people out of breath at her doorstep.

Ashley laughed, "Y'all didn't have to run here, but thank you for coming sit down while I get y'all drinks."

Both of her friends sat down and Ashley handed them cokes. Fleur started off, " So if you planning to swoop Hermione off her feet, you have to take her to a romantic restaurant."

Luke added, " Her favorite food is Italian and if the restaurant has a view of the water would be an added plus about an hour before sunset."

Fleur smiling, " Luke, your wife is so lucky to snatch up a romantic like you. So Ashley I know a few places that fit his description. So we have the setting in place, what about a gift?"

Ashley thinking for a few seconds beamed, " I have the perfect thing trust me, I don't want to spoil it. I am glad I asked y'all for assistance otherwise I would of just given her the gift and all that. Now, Plan Birthday Bliss with a Kiss underway."

Luke and Fleur shaking their heads laughing putting together plan BBK. Writing every single detail on a piece of paper. Hours went by and the clock on the wall chimed 11 times and all knocked them out of their planning daze.

Ashley smiled with a worried look on her face said, "Now to get her to go along with it." Fleur put a hand on Ashley's shoulder, "Trust she'll say yes if not I'll just make her some way or another." Ashley and Luke laughed at their friend.

Ashley with a big smile on her face practically screamed, " Thanks again, you two probably should head back to your dorms." They both left, then Ashley went to her room quickly changed and dreamed of the Plan BBK.

Wednesday September 19, 2019 about 8am

Ashley and Fleur were discussing the last minute details of the plan. They stopped when they saw a certain brunette who took her seat next to Ashley. Ashley and Fleur roared, "Happy Birthday!"

Hermione smiled, "Thank you, you two are something else."

Fleur nudged Ashley silent suggesting get on with it. Ashley a bit nervous blurted out, "Hermione will you have dinner with me around 6? If yes please meet me in front of the Great Hall at 5:45."

Hermione cheeks reddening speechless just nodded her head. Ashley was doing a mini happy dance and stopped when she got stares from her students. Fleur smiled thinking 'Finally she's making a move. Hermione needs someone who can make her speechless, happy and have intellectual conversations with.'

The day couldn't go any slower for these two witches who couldn't wait for the dinner ahead. Ashley was ecstatic when her last class ended at 3:30 and once the students were gone she flew up to her room. Once there she went through her closet throwing out the bad choices after about thirty minutes later she found her never worn Terani Teal Dress that had a strap on the right shoulder with silver sparkles going down the side of the breast stopped a few inches below, more silver sparkles on the left abdominal side, the top part that would hug her figure with the bottom flowing loosely down to the ankles.

Ashley content with her choice hopped into the shower and washed her hair using her good hair care products. Once out she summoned her dress putting her dress on and looked herself in the mirror jumping up and down. 'Now what to do with my hair? Put it up, half up? Keep it curly or straighten it? Oh most of it up with on strand of hair on the right side and keeping it curly, nice.' She brushed her hair in the style she wanted and added some of her scrunch stuff throughout her hair to emphasize the curls with no frizz. Done with the scrunch stuff she quickly dried her hair. Summoned her tan hair tie and parted one strand of hair then took the rest of it putting it into bun. Put temporary sticking charm on her bun so it didn't fall out easily.

Now with earrings, she walked back to her room and found her silver drop earrings with a turquoise stone in the middle. She put both of the earrings in and found her silver two-inch heels. Threw them on and put on some blush and teal eye shadow. Sprayed Victoria Secret's Heavenly Angel on the appropriate places. It was 5:30 and rushed grabbing her wand along with her silver handbag with gift inside.

Ashley ran down the hallways and stairs making it at the Great Hall at 5:40. She stopped and mouth wide opened staring at the brunette beauty in front of her with hair down looking like silk wearing a fuchsia purple strapless silk dress that hugged the top part of her figure loosing up toward the bottom with black heels.

Ashley got back her composure exclaimed, "Hermione you're the most stunning witch I have had the honor to lay my eyes on." She then took Hermione's left hand and put a gentle kiss on it.

Hermione blushing grabbed the extended hand and asked, "Should we get going?"

Ashley nodded dragging Hermione to outside the gates squeezing Hermione's hand tightly apparated them into an alley a block away from the restaurant. Hand in hand, they walked out of the alley and to their left was the Adriatic Sea. Ashley dragged her to the restaurant on the end called L'amore per il mare. They entered the restaurant and Ashley said to the hostess, "Two under Williamson."

The Hostess nodded said, "Two seats outside with a view of the sea. Follow me please."

Hermione still speechless followed the hostess with Ashley right beside her. The hostess led them to a table for two that had the most amazing view of the sea. Ashley pulled out Hermione's chair and then Ashley took hers.

Hermione couldn't contain the excitement babbled, "How, who, why? "

Ashley grinned leaning over the table; "Well to answer the how and who I had assistance by two of our lovely friends. How they got these reservations is a question I don't know the answer to be honest. Why wouldn't I treat one of my dearest, loveliest, and most beautiful friends out for a fancy dinner on their birthday?"

Hermione blushed and took the menu to see what dishes caught her eye. A minute later an Italian waiter came to their table and asked, "I am Antonio and I'll be your server, so what will you two ladies like to drink this evening?"

Hermione still looking over the menu, Ashley answered, " Two glasses of Pinot Grigio accompanied by water please." Antonio nodded and left them with their menus.

Ashley took her menu and started to read over the selection. She found what she wanted to eat and Hermione is being awkwardly silent. Ashley questioned, "What food has caught your beautiful eye?"

No answer still coming from Hermione, which was quite odd for her to be quiet for this long. Ashley was about to ask her what's wrong but four glasses appeared in front of them.

Antonio asked, " Have you beautiful ladies decided what you want?"

Hermione finally opened her mouth said, "I would like the Ravioli with beef and cheese. Also can we get a thing of Bruschetta please."

Ashley replied, " I would love the Chicken Fettuccine."

Antonio took their menus and left them in awkward silence. Hermione broke the ice spoke, "Ashley this is so sweet of you, and it's been so long since I went on a date with anyone. Out of all the dates I have been on, I would say this is one of the best ones I have been on."

Ashley smelled the Pinot and sip it responded, " Well, it's been years since I have been on a date also and I am trying to get back into the swings into things. Hmm.. I will make sure this date is the best one you've ever had."

Bruschetta appeared and Hermione continued lifting her glass, " I propose a toast to a fun night." Ashley lifted hers, "Cheers." "Cheers " Each took a sip and Ashley started to eat the bruschetta and moaned.

Hermione took a piece of Bruschetta and was in heaven exclaimed, "This Bruschetta is so delicious and many other things." A tomato landed on her exposed chest and Hermione didn't realize it.

Ashley was bewildered at the sight in front of her and couldn't resist leaning over the table picking up the piece of tomato then eating it. Their faces were mere inches from another and both were still for a long moment but Ashley chickened out sat back down blushing.

Their food arrived and both ate their own dishes in peace. Hermione looked over at Ashley's Chicken Fettuccine and swirled her fork to get a bite. Ashley raised her right eyebrow laughing and decided to take a bite of Hermione's Ravioli.

Ashley chuckled, " Hermione, so how is my Fettuccine?" Hermione grinned, "Very good, so how was my Ravioli?" Ashley grinned, "You Ms. Granger have amazing taste."

Hermione really curious asked, " Ashley why are you interested in someone like me? There must be much better looking men and women who would love to be with you."

Ashley confessed, "Well, believe or not you're the most beautiful, smartest, sweetest, stubborn, and most protective witch I have ever met. So what if loads of want me to be with them, I would never yes to anyone else but a certain brunette who has a knack for making me smile without even trying. Does that answer your question?"

Hermione's cheeks redden along with a few tears of joys said, "Yes it does, yes it does."

Antonio came back to their table and collected their plates, insisted "The desserts here are the best in Northeastern Italy especially the Zuppa Inglese."

Ashley questioned Hermione, " Do you want to try this dessert?" Hermione nodded smiling. Ashley told Antonio, "We'll try this Zuppa Inglese." Antonio grinned and left.

Ashley and Hermione just sat there looking at one another enjoying each other's company. A few minutes later the Zuppa arrived and they were left in peace. Hermione took her fork about to grab a piece of the dessert but was stopped by a hand.

Ashley requested, " As much as I want to eat this dessert, please wait. I need to ask you, I don't know how to ask this, and I have never done this before, so I am going to bite the bullet, Hermione Jean Granger will you be my girlfriend? I know we've only known each other a month but.. " She was interrupted with a pink lips shutting her up for a few seconds. Ashley was really enjoying the honey taste but groaned when they left with the Italian sunset over the sea.

Hermione all knowingly asked, " Does that answer your question Ashley Grace Williamson?" Ashley grinning like an idiot nodded.

Ashley got some of her composure back smiled, " Well, I was so worried you would say no besides the point. Since you said yes I have a present for you." She opened her silver handbag taking out a navy blue square box about the size of her palm with an attached piece of paper. Ashley gave Hermione the box. Hermione saw a folded piece of paper on top and unfolded it revealing:

To my Dearest Lioness,

I know we haven't known each other for long but it feels like I have known you my whole life. I know that sounds cliché but its true. Before opening this box you must know that I will never treat you wrong and if I ever do, I'll probably be killed or hunted down by one of your friends or you. So I will try my best to stay on your good side because I love seeing your smile it always brightens up my day no matter what mood I am in.

So what I am trying to say is that if I didn't personally ask you (I have been known to get really nervous even though I might not show it often) will you Hermione Jean Granger do me the honor of being my girlfriend?

Love your Sweetest Tiger.

Hermione cried yet smiling continued and opened the box. What lay inside of the box was the most stunning 18 karat gold/white gold necklace and she held up seeing there was a tiger (in white gold) standing over protecting a lioness underneath. Hermione amazed by all that happened in the past five minutes from pecking Ashley on the lips to telling her yes to be given such a thoughtful gift.

Ashley got up and went behind Hermione taking the necklace while Hermione lifted her hair. Ashley gently placed the necklace around Hermione's neck and once attached Ashley placed a light kiss that lingered on the back of Hermione's neck. Hermione gotten shivers down her spine and felt her body turned 100 degrees warmer. Ashley went back to her seat and Hermione's body went back to normal temperature for now anyways.

After that sweet yet intense moment both of them ate the dessert in silence resisting the urge to touch the other and by the time they finished the sun was set and night was creeping in. Ashley called for Antonio and gave him the money for the meal plus extra.

Both of them could see the other had fire in their eyes and Ashley quickly took Hermione's hand practically running back to the alley they came to. They quickly apprated back near the Hogwarts gate and Ashley still with a death grip on Hermione's hand dragged her all the way to inside of her dormitory.

Once there everything just stopped and Ashley loosened her grip on Hermione's hand. Hermione turned looking at the sweaty, glistening beauty and put her left hand on Ashley's cheek. Ashley put her right hand over Hermione's left and moved it over her lips gently kissing it then she put Hermione's hand on her right shoulder. Ashley lifted her hand off of Hermione's and brushed back Hermione's hair behind the left ear taking her time and finally brushing back behind the right.

Ashley only a few inches taller started leaning in toward Hermione's lips getting closer and closer. With an inch left Ashley grabbed Hermione's waist and went in for the kiss. Hermione put her both of her hands in Ashley's hair quickly taking out the bun. Once Ashley's hair was down she deepen the kiss. Ashley nipped Hermione's lip and Hermione moaned. They each fought for dominance and after what seemed like forever taking in air.

Ashley and Hermione's foreheads touching their lips about an inch or two apart each swollen. Both of them panting and they looked at one another thinking this is just the beginning.

Note: My first actual cliffhanger yay! Was this chapter good? Yes, no maybe so? Reviews, Criticisms would be nice. If you want to be my beta just pm, or leave a review or however else you get in contact with someone on this site.

Note 2: There's more to come hehe.. Translation: L'amore per il mare = Love by the Sea= L'amour de la mer.