Quite the Catch

MarcusxHermione; DracoxLuna

Rated T

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

Quite the Catch

Chapter 16

Hermione couldn't believe Ron was giving her an ultimatum. She just couldn't believe that he was making her choose between her friends and her boyfriend. Or rather, him and Marcus. Why did it always have to come to this with him? Why did he always have to make her choose, as if she couldn't have both and could only have or do one? He had done it during their Fourth Year, and he had done it when he decided to leave when they had been hunting Horcruxes with Harry. And neither time she had said anything, but she had chosen nonetheless. However, that was between her two friends. It was different this time, and it was just as frustrating, especially with Ron having shown his whole arse about Marcus already.

Tears filling her eyes, Hermione shook her head and asked, "Why are you doing this, Ron? Why must you always do this? Give me an ultimatum when there isn't any need for one? Why?"

Ron seemed confused by her tears, but still glared and held his ground saying, "I only give you one when you need to make the right choice when you're wrong about something. And choosing this Slytherin troll as your boyfriend is wrong. He's just using you!"

"Oh? Just like how you claimed Viktor was with no proof?"

"There was proof, you just didn't see it. It was obvious to everyone that he was using you, just like it's obvious to everyone that Flint is using you, too!"

"How dare you?!"

"Hermione, make a choice now. It's either me or him."

Marcus scoffed and glared at the redhead saying, "You are unbelievable, Weasley. You call yourself Hermione's friend when you haven't had the right to do that for a long time. And why she still allows herself to be your friend is beyond me. But it is clear to me that you aren't her friend, at least not a real friend."

Bristling, Ron turned his gaze to Marcus. "And just what is that supposed to mean, Flint?"

"What I mean is that if you really were Hermione's friend, you wouldn't make her choose between her friends and the person she decides to date. You shouldn't be putting her in a position to make a choice, no matter how you felt. A really true friend would do that rather than back her into a corner about the situation. And her wanting to date me was her decision to make, and if she wants to break up with me in the future, it won't be because you "influenced" her to do so."

"You butt out of this, troll!"

"You're only telling me to because you know I'm right."

Harry, wanting to diffuse the situation before it got any worse—Ron had already attempted to hit Flint, after all—moved in between Ron and the couple. Putting his hands up in a calming manner, he said, "Hey, let's just calm down about this, yeah? We can all talk about this in a civilized manner."

"There's nothing to talk about, Harry!" Ron shouted. "And whose side are you on anyway?"

"Ron, you're being a right prat about this," Ginny said, glaring at her brother with her arms crossed. "Just leave Hermione and Marcus be."

"No!" Ron, seeing that even his own sister wasn't going to back him up, turned back to Hermione. "Last chance, Hermione. Make a choice. Choose me and be happy, or choose him and a life of misery that comes with being with him."

Hermione's tears spilled from her eyes and down her cheeks. "Marcus does make me happy, Ron. And if you would only get to know him, you'd see-"

"I am not going to get to know that troll! Me or him, Hermione! ME OR HIM!"

"HIM!" Hermione screamed, her feeling of being ganged up on by him lashing out. Her magic crackled in her hair and caused the cups on the table to shatter. Scowling at the redhead she said quieter, "I choose Marcus."

Marcus, angry that Weasley had upset his girlfriend but not willing to upset her any more by punching the daylights out of the redhead, wrapped his arms around her and held her close, whispering soothing words in her ear as she cried. Ron on the other hand, while shocked at the brunette's outburst, soon became angry with her decision and spat out, "Well, I hope you're happy with your decision. It's a bad one and you know it."

Hermione shook her head and replied, "The only bad decision I made was believing that you were really my friend."

"Come on Hermione, let's get out of here," Marcus murmured to her, gently leading her out of the Leaky Cauldron and leaving the other three behind.

Once they were outside, Hermione held tightly to Marcus and cried into his chest, him rubbing her back and kissing the top of her head in a soothing manner to calm her down. After two minutes of this, Hermione sniffled and looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Take me away from here. Please, Marcus."

Marcus simply nodded, knowing he would have done anything Hermione would have asked of him right now, so long as it made her feel better. Holding her tightly to him, he Disapparated away from Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron where the visit had turned sour.

The moment Hermione and Marcus had left, Harry whirled around on Ron, green eyes glaring hotly into blue ones. "What the hell, Ron? Why did you have to ruin this for Hermione?"

"Ruin? I didn't ruin anything! I was trying to fix it! Hermione is the one that ruined it by bringing that Slytherin troll Flint!" Ron shouted.

"Ron, you knew Hermione wanted us all to meet here to meet Flint."

"No, she said to meet her new boyfriend, not Flint."

"But he is her new boyfriend," Ginny chimed in, looking at her brother like he was stupid. And to be frank, he was in her opinion.

"Okay, but I didn't think she was serious," Ron replied like it was obvious. "I thought perhaps this was her announcement of wanting us to get back together."

Harry clenched his fists in anger. "She doesn't want to be with you like that, Ron! Not after the way you've treated her over the years! And you had the nerve to cheat on her while you two dated for two weeks with people that she knew! And you think you have the right to still tell her that you two belong together and should be together?"

"And let's not forget the fact that you think it's okay to date whoever you want to make Hermione jealous, but when she starts to move on or already has, you get your knickers in a twist because that person is someone that isn't you," Ginny added.

Ron glared at his sister and hissed, "Shut up, Ginny."

Ginny looked at her brother defiantly. "Why? Because you know I'm right? Well, guess what? I'm not going to just to take my foot off your already fragile ego."

"Ron, you were out of line with what you did, and you know it," Harry said. "And despite how things ended between you two, you guys friends first and foremost. And you throw it all away just because you don't like the fact that she's dating Flint and giving her an ultimatum concerning him and you? Flint it right, real friends don't do what you've just did."

"I was just trying to make her open her eyes and see their relationship for what it really was!" Ron defended himself.

"Wrong! You just wanted to hurt Hermione and beat her down a couple of notches like you always do just to make yourself feel better! She may never forgive you for this, Ron. And to be honest, I won't blame her if she doesn't! You are a terrible friend, and I'm ashamed to call you my best friend!"

Standing up, Harry went to leave the table and the Leaky Cauldron altogether, but stopped momentarily and turned back to the two redheads at the table, though only looking at the male. "Don't talk to either me or Hermione until you can get your act together Ron. Or at least accept the fact that Hermione is happy with Flint. They have history that we know nothing about and if that history brought them together, then so be it. But it is not our place to have a say in Hermione's life when there isn't anything to be done."

Not waiting for a response, Harry left the Leaky Cauldron, ignoring all the looks from the other patrons that had witnessed the conversation; luckily the privacy ward had still been up before he left, so all they could see was the actions of what was happening. Walking out into Diagon Alley, Harry Disapparated from his spot on the cobblestone walkway street and back to Grimmauld Place. Entering his home, he called out Hermione's name, ignoring Walburga Black's portrait as she hissed profanities at him.

Climbing the stairs, he made his way to the brunette's room. Gently knocking on the door, he called out, "Hermione? Hermione, are you there? I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

He received no answer, making him concerned. Hermione must be taking this extremely hard to not answer him. Slowly turning the doorknob, Harry pushed it open and stepped inside, expecting to see his best friend on her bed. However, she wasn't there, and he had already checked the library. Wondering where she could be, Harry suddenly realized that the reason for her not being present in Grimmauld Place was because she was still with Flint.

With a small smile, Harry made his way to his own bedroom, knowing Hermione was in good hands.

Marcus walked into his home, holding his girlfriend close as he did. He led her to his family library, the room full of shelves of books being her preferred room. Walking into the library, Marcus led Hermione over to the loveseat and sat down, gently pulling her into his lap and holding her close. He rocked her slowly, murmuring comforting words in her ear until she completely calmed down. Once she was, Hermione sniffled and whispered, "I can't believe he made me choose."

"I'm sorry about that, too," Marcus replied, his head resting on the brunette's while her own was resting on his shoulder. "But it's better that you see his true colors now that later."

"I think those may have always been his true colors concerning me. I just…I just always overlooked them because his friendship was more important to me than how abysmal he made me feel. Not having any friends when I first arrived at Hogwarts, not even having any before I even knew I was a witch…I guess I was just afraid to lose him as a friend. Even before I made more after him and Harry, it was those two I would have done anything to keep by my side so I wouldn't have to be alone again. I know it sounds pathetic, but it's true. And their opinions matter a lot to me because they're my best friends. But I just…I just wish that when it came to my love life, Ron wouldn't be so against my having one less it is with him."

Holding her closer, Marcus murmured, "Well, after this disastrous meeting, even if he did think there was a chance you would go back to him again, he has killed it."

The brunette sighed and hugged her boyfriend tighter, wanting to feel closer to him as he continued to comfort her. "I don't want to talk about Ron anymore."

"That's fine, I don't like talking or thinking about that tosser with you anyway. Dealing with Weasley gives me headache dating back to the stuck up one."

Marcus smiled at hearing Hermione giggle a bit following his statement, glad that he was able to make her laugh a bit. They continued to sit in a comfortable silence for a moment before he opened his mouth to speak again. Getting her attention, Marcus looked into her mocha brown, his heart beating faster in his chest at the look of adoration she had for him, something he still couldn't believe she held for him and seemed to always have. Clearing his throat, he began saying, "But there is one thing I want you to know. And you may even already know it, but I just want to say it to reassure you."

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"I know what Weasley said to you about me means nothing, but in case it still is ringing around in your head, I just want to tell you that he's an idiot and wrong. I care deeply for you, Hermione. I always have, even before realizing I did. And despite what he thinks, there isn't any way that I would ever toss you aside. I really like you Hermione, and all I want is you. I…" His cheeks and ears turned pink, a bashful look coming over his face. "…I even love you."

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise, a soft gasp leaving her lips. "Really?"

Nodding, Marcus answered, "Yes, really. I love you, Hermione. I know it might seem a bit early seeing as we've only been dating for a few months, but considering all the history we have and my feelings growing for you, I thought I'd just come out and say it. I understand if you don't feel the same way about me yet, if at all, but I-"

His words were cut off when the brunette wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a sweet, love-filled kiss. There was so much emotion and passion within it, there was no way that Marcus could have mistaken Hermione's feelings for him in that kiss for anything else. Even so, he pulled away and looked at her, just to be sure.

Looking into dark grey eyes, happy tears stood in Hermione's as she replied, "I love you too, Marcus. I had questioned myself once about whether I was falling in love with you or not but was afraid of the answer I would get. But now, I can't deny that I love you, too."

Marcus stared at his girlfriend in disbelief before a happy grin spread on his face. Holding Hermione closer, he took her sweet lips into another kiss before pulling away again. Pressing his forehead against hers, he softly said, "I love you, Granger."

Hermione giggled and hugged the older wizard, replying just as softly, "I love you too, Flint."

And she really did, just like he really did her. With a firm grip on her, Marcus stood up with the witch in his arms, the movement surprising her a little. Turning to walk out of the library, Marcus asked, "Is it too much to presume I can take you to my bedroom?"

She blinked at him a bit before shaking her head with a smile. "No, I'd like that very much, actually."

Grinning, Marcus quickly made his way up the stairs to his bedroom, ready to love and worship Hermione the way she deserved to be, just like the queen that she was and saw her to be. And Hermione was willing to share herself with him, and knew that there would be no other for her but Marcus."

Author's Note: This story will be ending soon, probably within the next two chapters. I want to thank you all for coming along with this story of Marcus and Hermione. I really appreciate your support and feedback. Next chapter will contain more Draco and Luna and will be set maybe a few months to a year later. Thank you and stay tuned for more. Love, SehunsBae37.