Chapter 14
After dinner Hermione said her thanks to Mrs. Weasley before making her way into the living room and towards the fireplace. She really wanted to spend time with everyone but she just didn't feel like being under everyone's watchful eye all night knowing that she would already be checked on several times within the next twenty-four hours.
Back at her flat she wasted no time changing out of her jeans and throwing on a long t-shirt before climbing into her bed. It was uncomfortable without her human body pillow but she would survive one night, and she really did need to be alone right now. While sleep didn't take over for a few more hours Hermione knew that dwelling on her crazy ex-boyfriend would not help any situation and instead started thinking about Oliver and their upcoming date.
The next morning at work Oliver walked up to the counter. "So when are you free for our date?"
To say Hermione was surprised was a slight understatement. She had expected him to come towards her asking if she was alright and if she needed to talk about the incident, at least that's what the twins would have done. "I'm free tomorrow if you are." Smiling the girl boldly leaned toward the boy.
"Hey Mia," George walked out from the back room not noticing how Oliver and Hermione had sprang apart from each other. "Could you run over these numbers quickly, I think I made a mistake."
The rest of the day went without a hitch, Hermione and Oliver hadn't been caught staring at each other but were sure to only take quick glances while the twins were around.
"Alright lads, I'm off." Oliver waved as he left the shop noticing that one of the twins locked the door behind him.
"Spill Mia," George stood in front of her with his arms crossed, Fred stood behind her in the same fashion. "We know something's going on."
The brunette had become a very convincing liar during the war and hadn't lost her touch since. The only person who knew she was lying for the most part was Ginny. "What is it you want me to talk about boys? I haven't kept anything from you." She responded innocently.
"Granger we know there's something going on between you and our newest hire and we want to know what exactly it is." The mischievous look on the boy's faces showed that she had obviously been figured out.
"We're going on a date tomorrow night, happy?" Sighing she closed the register and threw the deposit bag at the nearest twin.
Fred blocked her way. "But what about the looks you've been giving each other for the past few weeks?"
"Since he took you home from the club to be exact."
Hermione set her hands on the hips that had stuck out from under her t-shirt. "So we've been looking at each other, is that so bad? You two have been trying to do everything in your power to set us up anyway."
"But we didn't think it would actually happen!" One of them cried. "We thought you would fight it and be disgusted and then yell at us for it."
"So what you're telling me is that you tried to set Oliver and I up together covertly and what you really wanted was for me to reject him and get angry with you?" The confusion could not be masked in her voice, those boys were tireless sometimes.
"That's how it always goes!"
Hermione shrugged, "Sorry."
This caused the twins to look at each other, "How serious is it?"
"Oh, uhm, well tomorrow is our first official date but we've had dinner with each other before and we've been spending a lot of time together." The question had thrown Hermione completely off and after the words came out she already knew the damage was done. "Don't go off and do what you always do, please."
"But we have to, especially to our dear old friend." The twins grinned and apparated out of the store, leaving Hermione all alone.
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Oliver heard two simultaneous pops in his living room, and knowing that it could only be the twins he sighed.
"What can I do for you?" He asked sarcastically walking towards the couch.
"You can sit and answer our questions."
"Questions?" The twins nodded pushing him into the corner of the couch. "About what?"
"Firstly we would like to ask what your intentions are with Hermione."
Oliver was confused How could they know? "I'm not entirely sure right now guys, it's not even like we've gone on an official date yet."
"That's tomorrow night, correct?" Oliver nodded. "And what do you think is going to happen after dinner?"
The brown-haired boy sighed. "I hadn't thought that far. Maybe come back to one of our flats and have a drink or two." All he got were two sets of eyes staring into his soul. "I'm not going to take advantage of her if that's what you mean."
"Good, secondly: you know Bill and Charlie will have a more in depth interrogation after they hear about this. They treat her like they treat Ginny, and they are very protective of their sisters."
Oliver gulper, he hadn't been expecting the oldest Weasley's to be so protective of Hermione or even to interrogate their old friend. "Let's not tell them until we're sure Hermione and I actually have something serious going on."
The boys nodded and apparated out of the flat. This is going to be a disaster.
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At work the next day Hermione and Oliver were kept separated by doing different tasks all day, after the shop had closed for the night the pair walked hand-in-hand towards their flats.
"So what time are you picking me up?" Hermione asked as they reached her building.
Brushing some hair away from her face Oliver kept his hand on her smooth cheek. "Reservation is at eight, so seven-thirty?"
Nodding Hermione leaned forward and captured the man's lips with her own. "See you then."
After the door closed behind her Hermione ran through her flat tearing clothes off the hanger and picking an outfit. She had meant to do that last night but fell asleep reading a book instead. After choosing a navy blue dress with strappy white heels she jumped in the shower, she had decided that her hair would be wavy and her make-up would be minimal. Ginny had always said that the natural look was always the way to go. Just as Hermione was applying her lip gloss she heard the distinct popping noise of apparation.
"Charlie?" She asked walking into the living room. "What are you doing here?"
The older Weasley stood frozen in the spot. "I was here to see if you wanted to come get a drink with Bill and I but it seems as though you've already got plans." Looking at the way she was dressed Charlie crossed his arms. "You're going on a date." He said critically. "Who is it?"
"Charlie, stop. Yes I'm going on a date but it's nothing you should be worried about. Honestly, I'm a grown woman." Watching as Charlie's ears turned red Hermione smiled. "He'll be here any moment. Go have fun with Bill I'll see you at dinner tomorrow."
"You look great Hermione." And With a hug Charlie apparated away leaving the living room empty, not long after there was a knock at the door.
"Ready to go?" Beamed Oliver as the door was opened for him. "Ah, these are for you." He held out half a dozen lilies.
Hermione's smile got wider. "Oliver, you shouldn't have." Conjuring up a vase and water Hermione set them in the middle of her table. "And don't you look handsome. It's like you're going on a date or something." She had closed the distance between them and gave the Scot a soft kiss on the lips.
"And you look marvelous as well." The husky voice and hot breath that reached Hermione's ear made her shiver with delight. "We should be going though, don't want to keep you hungry." The pair apparated away, not noticing the pair of eyes peeking out through the guest bedroom.
When they finally left Diagon Alley Oliver led them towards a small restaurant a few blocks down from the Leaky Cauldron. It seemed quaint but when you walked inside the atmosphere was wonderful, the smells coming from the kitchen made your mouth water, the lights were dimmed above the tables to set the mood, and there was some music playing.
"Do you have a reservation?" The hostess asked smiling politely.
"Yes, for two. It should be under Oliver Wood." The aforementioned man squeezed Hermione's hand lightly and winked before being led to their table. "So, tell me something I don't already know about you." Oliver said picking up the menu.
Smiling devilishly, Hermione continued to scan the menu. "In my fourth year I dated Viktor Krum." She knew that by mentioning that she knew Viktor, Oliver would be jealous. And he was.
"You mean you got to meet The Viktor Krum? The Bulgarian seeker?" Hermione nodded. "And you dated him?" She nodded again. "Granger I never thought that you had a type, it seems I'm just a passing fling. You have met my team mates after all." Winking again at her Oliver hoped she knew he was only kidding.
"Oh, how did you know? I was truly only trying to put a notch in my wand with you Oliver, next up that Felix fellow for the Arrows."
The night went on like that, joking with each other and enjoying the food. After they had finished the meal Oliver paid the bill and they left.
"What do you say we go back to my place and have a few glasses of wine?" Hermione offered smirking up at Oliver.
A/N: Well, there it is! Their first date is officially over with and it seems as though it went well. Hope you enjoyed!