DISCLAIMER; I do not own the characters of this story! They belong to J. K. Rowling, sole creator of Harry Potter. I am but a humble lover of her works and I have therefore attempted to do her amazing characters justice!

" Aren't you taking this a little bit fast? I mean, your last boyfriend was killed in November. It's only been 2 months Hermione. I think that is a little bit too soon to bounce back into the dating game. Especially when it was my brother and we hardly know who this O'Connor guy is. It isn't right and it isn't good. " Ginny said as Hermione was getting ready for her date with Micheal. The red-head felt like her best friend and sister was betraying her in some way.

Hermione sighed, " Ginny, listen to me. It isn't like I am going to hop into bed with this guy. We're going out to a little place in town. You and Harry are welcome to come if you can be spared from the wedding plans. I told you that. Micheal and I, we're just going to be friends. I'm never falling in love again. I got hurt twice, by the same man, and now nothing is bright anymore. So, relax okay? " she asked with a smile and hugged the younger girl as she sat down on the bed. As soon as she spoke those words, for the hundredth time that day, she let Ginny do her make up for the occasion and stood up when she was finished. A simple black dress with flats. Not too much and not to little. Smiling quietly, she turned for the youngest Weasley and smiled at her. " I'm all ready. " she said with a smile and hugged her once more. " Thank you Ginny. "

As the two walked down the stairs, Charlie let out a wolf-whistle at the girl and laughed afterwards. " You clean up nice after all this time. I mean, Christmas was one thing, but you on a date is something else. " he teased with a smile and nudged the girl as Teddy and Victorie ran over and hugged her legs happily. Ruffling the kids hair, she watched as they were both peeled off of her and held by someone who loved them. " I'll be back later. I wont be out too late. " she said with a smile and grabbed her bag and her wand. With a smile, she walked from the room and pulled her coat on at the door. With a smile looked at the snow and couldn't help but smile at the snowman that stood proudly, now decorated with a number of items from around the house.

As she stood a hand slipped into her own and she jumped, ready to hex the person. As she looked at the person, her wand lowered. " You scared me Micheal. " she said quietly and looked at him, " You don't make noise when you walk on snow? " she teased as the older boy chuckled and handed her a single rose. " For you. " he said with a smile and gave a little mock bow before taking her hand once more and walking with her slowly. Hermione blushed and smelled the flower, " The middle of winter and you still flatter me with roses. " she whispered. " My boyfriend...he used to be able to do stuff like that too. I never understood why. "

Micheal looked at her softly and squeezed her hand " He was a lucky guy Hermione Granger. " he said quietly and looked at her softly. " You don't like to talk about him. Every time you do, something seems to anger you or upset you. I didn't know him so I can't tell what it is. " he said quietly and walked with her. As they reached the boundaries of the property he apparated them to a much busier area. Moving from the alleyway with her he smiled softly and lightly walked with her to the place he had picked. "Dinner? " he asked gently, " And maybe a bit of dancing later if you like. Or a muggle film? " he added with a grin as she blushed.

Hermione felt her cheeks flame as she looked at the boy and the size of the restaurant. " I feel under-dressed. " she whispered, " You didn't tell me we were coming someplace this fancy. " Micheal smiled softly and shook his hand, " You are beautiful. " he said gently and moved some curls from her face, tucking them behind her ear, " You should really stop putting yourself down. " he whispered and took her hand once more, bringing her into the room. He spoke with the waiter who brought them over to a table, slightly more excluded than the others in the room. With a smile, he pulled her chair out for her and then sat down next to her once more.

Hermione blushed at all the sweet little gestures and comments. As she sat down and looked around the room Hermione couldn't help but feel a little bit out of place. People were dressed in long gowns and looked like they were going to an awards ceremony or something special like that. As the waitor came around, she watched as Micheal ordered them a bottle of wine and water. With a small smile the young woman looked around the quietly and simply tried to learn about what she was supposed to do. As a hand rested on her knee, she looked at Micheal softly. Normally, she would have slapped someone for being so forward with her, but the smile on his face assured he that there was nothing he wanted from her but her happiness. " I love it here, " she whispered as their food came, " It is really special. I-I never had anything like this before. " she whispered.

Micheal gave her a smile and nodded his head, " It's a place that my family used to own. My Grandparents created it, but they sold it a few years back. But they still treat us like one of the family. " he added with a nod of his head and looked at her " Your boyfriend never took you out like this? That is terrible. I'm sure that there must have been something on his mind all the time. And that doesn't seem right. You are a wonderful young woman. " he whispered and patted her knee as he took his food from the waiter and started to eat. Upon finishing, he ordered them dessert and a small cake was brought out, little sugar roses placed on top. He gave a smile and looked at her, " I was going to buy you a dozen roses, but those would have been awkward to carry around. So I bought you one and hand made you eleven more. "

Hermione looked at the beautiful cake with a smile, " You made these. They are beautiful! They look just like real flowers. " she whispered, her face lighting up. As she cut a small piece from it and he did the same she blinked a little bit. Vanilla cake with a marziapan. How the heck had he known her favourite kind of cake. Looking at him the young man simply smiled and kept eating the cake quietly. Shaking her head, staking it up to just an odd guess she smiled quietly and ate it happily. When they were finished he took his wand out and tapped the cake, watching as it disappeared slowly. " You'll find it in your room probably. Or someplace in the house. " he said quietly and stood up, taking her hand as he put down money. Standing, she walked with him.

The time difference had changed rapidly since the beginning of the night and she pulled her coat closer aorund her body. Micheal looked at her softly and lightly pulled her closer, " Do you want to go someplace else, or should we find something inside to do? " he whispered to her and smiled gently. He would do anything for the young woman but it was really her choice. He cared about everything that she wanted done. Clearing his throat, he looked ahead of them and listened to her voice. Go back to his place? Bloody hell, he should have cleaned up a bit. Nodding his head he smiled and apparted them there. "Well, it isn't much but it's home."

Hermione had nothing in mind with going into his house but to relax and learn more about him that way. As they arrived in the small flat, she looked around a little bit and grinned. It was a place that screamed batchlor pad. Looking around, she listened to him putting her coat away and getting something in other rooms. As she moved through the pictures she smiled happily. There were pictures of him as a child, laughing and playing with parents. All the things were moving and the images showed a lot about him. As she looked at one, something that almost seemed out of place. He was in Gryffindor in that picture. But she didn't remember someone like that. Was he a lot older then her then? That he had left the school before she got there? Frowning the young man came up behind her. "That was my seventh year. " he said quietly and looked down at her " You would have been in your fourth year. " he said quietly, " I wasn't well known. " he said and shrugged a little bit. As Hermione nodded, she turned and looked up at him.

Micheal took her hand and brought her to the couch and waved his wand. Cups of coffee came and a movie went into the television he had in the room. Curling up slightly, Hermione sat on the couch and smiled as a blanket draped over the two of them. Shifting, she leaned against Micheal and looked at the telly. As Hermione moved closer to him, his arm moved around to hold onto her protectively. As he looked down at her quietly and simply took in the smell of her hair. He breathed into it his lungs and smiled at her softly. It was amazing to feel the small body of another person, and the warmth that came from her. With a grin, he smoothed his hand up and down her arm a little bit and shifted to hold her better. As the movie went on and later ended he looked down at the sleeping girl. Standing up, he put an arm under her legs and the other around her back and shoulders. Shifting her to have her head upon his shoulder he apparated her to the Burrow and walked into the kitchen quietly with her. Molly looked over and motioned for him to follow. As they went up, the Weasley's in the house looked over oddly and just watched. With a smile, he brought her to her room and covered her up. Leaning down he smiled and kissed her softly. " Sleep well Hermione Granger. Someone out there loves you. " he whispered and walked from the room and waved to those in the room before apparating out once again.

So there is the latest chapter! Sorry it took so long to put up! I was so busy with school and all of that. But I hope that it was worth it. Drama is running wild now isn't it? Another man in Hermione's life? And so soon after her boyfriend's death? Is that really what the young woman needs? Who knows? xD Reviews are always welcome :)