Force It On A Girl Why Don't You
Chapter Eleven: Italian Vogue, Egotistical Chasers and a bit of Harry on the Side
Entering through the threshold of the restaurant I wondered briefly who the hell in their right mind would agree to meet someone they didn't know and trust Ginny of all people to find that someone. Then I realized that I, myself, was at that very same restaurant and that Ginny could be very persuasive when she wanted to be. The room was dimly lit, casting shadows everywhere as the candles on each table flickered when the breeze blew in from the open terrace doors.
"Pardon me," I mumbled to the maître' d who glanced at me briefly before continuing to nod into the phone. Maybe he hadn't heard me. "Pardon me."
The man looked up and rolled his eyes before saying, "Could you please hold on a second ma'am? Thank you," Smiling gratefully at the man he eyed me expectantly. "Yes?"
"I'm here for the reservation under the name Weasley," I informed him primly. The man rose his eyebrows and glanced at my dress and me before staring at the open book before him. Apparently I was inappropriately dressed. Pulling at the hem, somewhat discretely I hoped, the man ran his long finger down the list, stopping at last, near the bottom.
"Ah, yes, Weasley, right this way," As he led me through the restaurant he stopped a nearby waitress telling her to get the call he left before carrying me out onto the terrace. I caught him staring at my dress more than once which made me more and more uncomfortable.
"It's not my dress," I explained, feeling the need to. "My friend made me wear it."
"Mhmm," the maitre' d replied patiently, picking up his pace slightly, so I continued.
"I know it's simply inappropriate but…" I trailed off, not knowing what else to say. The man scanned the room with his blue eyes. Seeming to find who he was looking for he turned direction suddenly.
"It's not inappropriate," The man informed me calmly which caused my eyebrows to furrow. Why on earth was he looking at me like that? "It's just…does Weasley mean you happen to be related to Ginny Weasley, the cover girl for Italian Vogue April last year?"
At first I was shocked. How did this muggle know Ginny? I had always assumed that Ginny did strictly Witch Wonder's modeling campaigns and other various wizard clothing lines but I never knew she dabbled in muggle fashion as well. I shouldn't have been surprised, Ginny had always been one to diversify herself.
He man eyed me again before shaking his head as if disapprovingly. I frowned. What? I didn't look worthy enough to be related to Ginny Weasley? I found myself quickly saying, "Yes, we've been best friends since we were children, she's currently visiting London right now, actually."
"I suppose," The man murmured, clearly not believing me still. "I did read that somewhere in the rags yesterday…Well, here's your table."
I raised my gaze to meet one of the most gorgeous men I have ever seen. Including Oliver Wood, and I had been crazy for Oliver Wood back in the day. Of course Ginny would know the most gorgeous men, but to go as far as to put him through the torture of one date with me. My God, I was forever in her debt.
"Hermione Granger?" The man asked, standing up slightly as he realized my presence. I smiled and nodded and the maitre' d glanced between the two of us before briskly walking away, shaking his head and no doubt wondering what I had done to meet a bloke like this. I, too, was wondering that same thing myself. "I'm Gregory Fitch, the-"
"Youngest Chaser to join Puddlemere," I finished, now recognizing the face. How could I have not noticed it before? His face had been plastered on every magazine and poster for months when the team first endorsed him. Lavender would be so jealous.
"Yes," He nodded, smiling sheepishly. "I guess everyone knows that by now. Would you like me to…"
He pulled out the chair for me and gently pushed it in once I was seated like a true gentleman. Yes, I would forever be in Ginny's debt. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," He replied casually, taking his own seat as a waitress came and placed two menus in front of us. She glanced at him slightly longer than necessary and I felt the need to smirk at her, my eyes screaming 'Ha-he's mine so there!' even though that was rather ridiculous since I knew this would probably be the only date I would ever score with a bloke like him.
"Would you like to order something to drink?" The girl asked, her lips forming the perfect pout, one which she practiced in the mirror, no doubt.
"Um, would you like wine?" Gregory asked me.
"Yes, let's do get some," I agreed, scanning the wine list before giving it to him. All a bunch of gibberish to me really, I had never been much of a drinker, after all.
"A bottle of Merlot please," Gregory finally decided, glancing at me. "If that's OK with you, of course."
"Perfect," I smiled, settling back into my chair as the woman sauntered away, wiggling her hips a little too much. I was proud to note that Gregory barely even glanced in her direction.
"So Ginny tells me you're a Medi-witch, a successful one at that," Gregory stated, clasping his hands and leaning forward, looking interested. I bit my lip. Had she really?
"I guess you could say that," I smiled. "I only just started a few years ago really-"
"But you're already on the board for Mungos? That's practically unheard of," He replied enthusiastically. "If I hadn't had a knack for catching quaffles I would have gone into that sort of thing myself, you know."
"Really?" I replied, shocked at this tidbit.
"Always wanted to be a healer," Gregory nodded. As the woman came back and poured our wine, leaning in closely to ask if we were ready to order I noticed a mop of familiar black hair from the corner of my eye. This couldn't be happening!
"Give us a few minutes, would you?" Gregory asked the lady who nodded and rushed off, the same direction as the Boy Who Seemed To Be Everywhere who was currently looking in my direction. "So, where were we?"
"I believe we were-"
"Ah yes, we were talking about how I wanted to be a healer," Gregory interrupted and I glanced at him shocked.
"Well, yes, I guess so," I agreed, deciding that maybe he was just very passionate on the subject. As he continued on, talking about himself and his marvelous journey to becoming chaser I realized that he was most certainly not as perfect as he seemed so when the waitress came back I ordered quickly, opting to get out of there as fast as possible.
I also noted that the reason he hardly looked at the other women flashing sultry looks in his direction was probably because he was far too focused on himself. Sighing I picked up my glass of wine, nodding and interjecting casual grunts at the right moments but never really listening. The person whom I swore was Harry had disappeared so I just brushed it off as coincidence. Right now, though, even he would be better than listening to Gregory run commentary on another one of his 'amazing passes'.
"Excuse me," Someone called from behind, causing me to look up, distracted. "Mind if we join you, our table seems to have been taken."
My eyes narrowed. It was the Boy Who Was Going To Die The Second Time Around.
A/n Yes, twice in one day, I'm trying to get as much out as possible! So review if you love Harry and Hermione!!