While she loved Christmas and enjoyed the get togethers and increase in goodwill, it was also tiring. It had been several days of extra parties and getting dressed up. She had made appearances instead of actually attending most and this had been the last one. It was two days after Christmas and she entered her dark home from the ministry staff get together she had just attended. Having received a dozen invitations to come, she had caved but now just wanted people to leave her alone. The large but intimate meal had been lovely and now she had at least a week before anything other than her usual work was on the schedule. Thank Merlin.
She kicked off her shoes and then but her lip. Dropping her bag on the floor she turned to the floo and called out the name of Rabastan's cabin before stepping in. It wasn't late. The living room was empty but she called out anyways.
"Finn?" Incase he was sleeping or something she kept her voice down. His voice came from his room and she walked to the slightly open door. He was stretched out on his bed, wearing only lounge pants and looking up at her over the top of the Tornadoes magazine.
"All done then? You look gorgeous." His eyes roamed her dress clad form and paused at her bare feet before meeting her eyes and she blushed slightly at the appreciation clear for her to see.
"Thank you. I can go." She offered and he scoffed at her. She smiled slightly and watched him offer a hand to her before making her way to him. A pull dragged her on top of him and for a minute she just lay on his hard warm chest. Letting her day fade away and closing her eyes in enjoyment. His hands gently swept up and down her back.
"Did you have a good time?" He asked.
"Mmmm. It was good to see everyone, the food was good." She offered and then peeked up at his face.
"Come here witch." He ordered her softly and she wriggled up until she could kiss him and then she was. Being kissed by him and challenging him for dominance. As if they had done it a hundred times their bodies fit together and when she felt his hands creep under her dress she pulled away and looked at him. Asking with her eyes. His flared and then after a moment he nodded and pulled his wand. Wards and charms went up, sealing them in his room.
Then he met her eyes again for a long second and she knew, this was it and her whole body flushed in anticipation. When her dress came off she smiled softly at the concentrated look on his face and then couldn't pay any real attention when his fingers parted her folds and then she was on her back beneath him. Her hands roved over his chest and into his hair.
"Little witch. Tell me this is what you want." His voice was low and tight but his eyes were clear and intent on her.
"Please Finn. I want to be yours." She would have been embarrassed if right then he hadn't lined himself up and pushed into her. The hot tight stretch was so good and moans broke from both of them. For minutes they were lost in the feelings of being together this way. After waiting and wanting.
Hermione could feel every ridge on him and when he added a finger on her sensitive spot in just the way he knew she liked her orgasm rolled over her and she heard his muttered curse as he gave in to her body milking his. Together they lay there and came back to earth slowly.
"Little witch?" His voice was relaxed and she smiled into his shoulder.
"I'm fine. Better than. Thank you." He snorted and she laughed lightly at the display of manners. Feeling her eyes begin to close she just curled tighter into him and let herself begin to fall asleep.
"Mine." His whisper was the last thing she heard.
The usual buzzing of a wand alarm woke her and she groaned. Feeling around for the wand she hadn't thought of since arriving. Then she felt the slight tenderness between her legs and she couldn't help the grin. Her eyes came open and she was a bit surprised to see his eyes open and alert, focused on her.
"That smile says your okay." His words didn't imply the question she knew was there. Leaning over, she kissed him then smiled honestly at him. With all the certainty and relief she felt. It had been easy, and neither of them seemed disappointed.
"You too?" She didn't think he was upset but wanted the same reassurance he did. A nod and then one of his bright grins.
"Little witch." The tone was soft and as usual when he was so gentle with her, she felt herself fall a little bit more for him.
"Shower?" She asked him. Feeling lazy and wondering if she should go home.
"We can do that here. Or go to yours." So he wanted to stay together, she did too. Maybe it was that they had sex finally or just that she had missed him in the hectic holiday rush. Her shrug indicated whatever he wanted.
"Lets go to yours. Your conditioner is there and I know you need it after a run of styling like that." His tone was light and she could hear the teasing. The up dos made her hair a disaster if she wasn't careful and she pouted at his teasing.
Then she looked around for something other than her dress to wear and chose a t shirt of his on the ground before putting it on. Like a huge dress, it hung to her knees and elbows. She felt ridiculous and his chuckle didn't help. Her scowl was in good humour but still she felt like she was playing dress up.
Opening the door, wandlessly she had taken down his wards, she was a bit surprised to see rabastan at the kitchen table.
"So you aren't avoiding this particular dwelling. It's lovely to see you so early and disheveled Hermione." His tone wasn't rude or anything and she smiled back easily despite her blush.
"Good Morning. I would be more put together before facing your lordship but I haven't the appropriate potions to accomplish that in this particular dwelling." Her tone was prim and she tilted her nose up. Both laughed then and she could see the happiness he had for her and his friend. It made her a bit sad. Luna and him were both unhappy and she didn't know what to do about it. Luna had been avoiding her and that was clear sign something was wrong. Now that the holidays were over she would start the quest to get her friend to speak about it.
"Ready?" Thorfinn asked her, coming up behind her. She nodded and they exchanged goodbyes before flooing to hers.
"I'm worried about him. Them." Her meaningful glance told him she too knew something was going on between their friends. Something that wasn't going well or they didn't quite understand. A nod. Neither was ready to share what they knew but both would think on it.
"Did you have plans this afternoon?" The shower was steamy and she felt so good.
"No. You?" He asked her and then moved so she could rinse her endless curls. It was easier with his help, then he picked up her hair potion and switched places with her. Slowly he began spreading it through her hair, letting her body stay in the water but keeping it out of her long hair.
"I wanted to see Blaise." She mused with her eyes closed.
"Any reason other than the usual?" He sounded curious but not defensive and she hummed.
"He is fun and suave but I want to ask him what he plans to do now. I have some ideas and he is just the right kind of Slytherin for this occupation." He made a sound of disbelief and then turned off the shower.
"When you say things like that it's so hot that I can barely make myself actually think through what you might be scheming." She laughed and began sponging the excess from her hair.
"He was at mine so this was easier." With a grin Theo smiled and headed back toward the floo. Gone before she could invite him.
"I think he has plans, seemed a bit to ready to escort me to you." Both of them shared a curious and speculative look before she smiled at the Italian wizard and got a charming grin back. She didn't know him as well as Theo or Draco but that was because he had been finishing his promised service to his mother's family. They had an extensive hotel business.
"I've made dinner, if your interested." She offered and he just looked at her for a moment and then nodded.
"Who might be here that Theo didn't mention but made Draco pout." She rolled her eyes at him and they began walking toward her kitchen.
"Rowle." She answered and then at his wiggled brows she grinned contendly. He was easy to just be a witch with. Enjoyed them in a way that no one else she had met did. Appreciated them for their nuances and didn't think them wrong for having pursuits or enjoyments.
"Finally taken my advice then?" He sounded impressed and curious. He had told her ever since right after the war, that she needed to embrace her feminine side. She wasn't a wizard, but a witch and he had done his best to bolster her confidence. Taken her shopping and didn't blush or squirm at the mention of periods or body hair. He was a gem. Under appreciated too, his suave and charming facade overwhelming the passionate man underneath. Witches swooned but not for the right reasons.
"Yes. Sort of. I finally found one I wanted and then hoped for the best." Her tone was solemn and he laughed at her.
"Rowle. Tell me she marched up to you and demanded you treat her like the queen she is?" Blaise had a mock serious expression and Finn laughed and shook his head.
"I could lie. It's what she should have done though." The men shared a look and then in their strange manly way they shook hands and seemed to agree on something. Then it was as if they had all spent time together before and the curry consumed with gusto and some excellent red wine.
"Tell me what idea it is that you would like to discuss with me?" Blaise asked into a natural pause.
"First. What are your plans? For a career or distraction as you phrase it?" He could tell this wasn't an idle question and looked her over.
"Nothing. Just free of Mama. Draco wants me to run a potions business and Theo to come and work with him." She could tell that both would be acceptable to him and wondered if she shouldn't speak. Then decided that her thought that not only would he be good at it but enjoy it prompted her.
"Before my apprenticeship I was doing things. Many and varied things for people and businesses. Some were totally above board like recruiting employees from here and overseas or sourcing apprenticeships and things like that. Some were less so but those were more interesting. The war left some lines and some lies that need go betweens. I also have some things that I need done. Projects that I had taken on outside of my official or academic interests." She stopped speaking and didn't grin at the gleam that was steadily growing in the dark man's eyes. They were a dark and faceted shade of brown that Hermione enjoyed. Few had brown eyes in the Wizarding world and she thought his very nice. It made her feel better about her own.
"Projects." Rowle put in with similar interest.
"There are some people who need looking after and some who just need help. Some need to remain hidden or want to and some need legislation before being willing to come out." She didn't want to divulge anything to Blaise until she had his agreement, under contract. It wasn't usual for her to demand such things but these were secrets that she had promised to protect. Whether she personally thought they needed to be or not.
"What exactly are you suggesting?" His mind was whirring and she could see that it hadn't all come together.
"I thought we might put you in an opulent office on Diagon with a discreet sign that just said something like Zabini Inc. Label you a consultant and have a few other more discreet locations. I have some, if your properties are more easily located or grandiose." Her grin was devious now and she let him see some of her bigger ideas.
"Consultant." He tried the word out. Maybe it wasn't a Wizarding thing. She nodded.
"So you intend him to do things for people, including yourself, that they might not want known about or perhaps to be anonymous, while outwardly being a go between for business and personal affairs." Finn thought this out as he spoke and she beamed at him. Exactly. That was it.
"You'll be my first client then? Walk in to my gorgeous office on the Main Street?" Blaise was smiling genuinely now and she imperiously nodded.
"I'll even wear a Narcissa approved tea dress and heals." She threw in and they all laughed but he nodded seriously at her. Accepting the deal.
