Prompt – " You dared me to try a yoga class and it was buy one get one free so guess who now has a free yoga lesson? We're in this together, sucker!"
Muggle AU, footballer Ginny.
"No," said Hermione, firmly, "absolutely not!"
"Oh come on. You dared me to try a yoga class and Luna gave me twofree passes so guess who now has a free yoga lesson? We're in this together, sucker! Besides, we'll be supporting Luna in her new profession as an instructor."
Ginny bit her lip at her last statement; Hermione and Luna were only friends because of her. They were as different as chalk and cheese. Her childhood friend Luna had embraced the whimsical and mystical even as a young girl, while Hermione relied on facts and answers from her beloved books. Their differences sometimes caused clashes between the two, but they mostly got along for Ginny's sake.
"Fine," huffed Hermione, " but only because I want to see you try it for myself."
" Luna's done it for years, and some of my team mates swear by it. They say it really keeps them flexible and helps with recovery after a match," insisted Ginny. "I think it will be fun."
" Funny, I had another f word in mind," grinned Hermione, " but I guess I'll see you Saturday morning."
" Bright and early, class starts at eight," reminded Ginny, " pick me up at seven thirty."
Hermione was at hers by seven, so they stopped on the way to grab some takeaway coffees and catch up on family gossip; Hermione was dating Ginny's brother Ron.
"Oh, there it is, I see the signs," pointed Ginny, nearly spilling her coffee.
"I see it, I see it," grumbled Hermione, deftly pulling her car into a park.
"Geez, control your excitement, Hermione," drawled Ginny.
" I really don't want to do this," revealed Hermione. " It's just not for me."
" Come on, you have to give it a try. Personally, I'm so excited to try it, especially if it helps with my game," replied Ginny. She scanned the car park. " I don't see Luna's volkswagon...but hey, check out that cool motorbike."
She was still drooling over the bike as she climbed out of Hermione's sedan.
" Let's go, we can find Luna and get a good spot in the back if we're early," suggested Hermione.
"Fine," said Ginny, giving the bike one last look. She followed Hermione inside, not telling her friend she had no intention of being in the back corner. No, she wanted to be up at the front.
They went inside the nondescript building and to the reception desk. They handed over their vouchers and each filled out a form, citing personal details and any injuries and pains they might have.
" Ooh look, there's a class now," said Ginny, nudging Hermione and gesturing to a room opposite.
" They're doing bikram yoga, or hot yoga as some people call it. The room is heated to over a hundred degrees fahrenheit, with a very high humidity, as the class run through the traditonal yoga poses," explained the receptionist.
" Ew, imagine all those sweaty bodies," grimaced Ginny.
" Don't knock it till you've tried it."
Hermione and Ginny turned as one to see a man dressed in workout gear like them, showcasing his very fit body. He had messy black hair and piercing green eyes, and was a similar age to them.
" You've done that?" asked Ginny.
He smiled. "I teach that," he told her. "Are you Ginny?"
"Yes," said a surprised Ginny, " how did you know?"
" Luna told me all about you," he laughed, " asked me to look out for you today. I'm afraid she won't be taking her class today."
" Oh, what a shame," sighed Hermione, in obvious relief, " we'll have to go home."
" It's all right, I'll be taking your class today. Allow me to introduce myself." He clasped his hands together and bowed slightly. " Namaste, I am Harry."
" And clearly not Indian," scoffed Hermione, eyeing him up and down.
Ginny was doing the same thing but for different reasons. She totally liked this guy, and was horrified Hermione was being rude.
Harry merely smiled. "Namaste has many meanings. In this instance, I am bowing in respect that you are friends of Luna's, and welcoming you both as new clients to our establishment."
" That's so nice," smiled Ginny. She copied his movements. "Namaste, Harry."
" My apologies if I offended you, Harry. Namaste," said Hermione, her face flushed slightly.
Harry took it in his stride and smiled.
" It's only a small class today, as Luna has just started as an instructor, so I shall be able to offer you any help if you need it," he told them. " Please, go inside and find your spots, unroll your mats and do some stretches. I shall read over your forms and be along soon."
The class got started ten minutes later. As Harry had said, it was a small group of six. The other four were both disappointed Luna wasn't teaching, and excited that Harry was.
"He's very good, he usually takes the advanced group, not the beginners," a large lady next to Ginny whispered. " Isn't he handsome? I'd do downward dog for him anyday," she giggled.
Harry turned those green eyes in their direction, making the large lady – Patricia – blush. Ginny shrugged slightly when those eyes fell on her and grinned; thrilled when he grinned back, as if they were sharing a private joke.
He was a very good teacher, explaining the poses, showing them and walking around to help them. Ginny was surprised at how well she was doing and proud that she could hold the plank the longest out of their class, earning Harry's praise.
She liked the movements, the way they flowed into each other, and could understand Luna liking this. Harry praised her warrior pose, his hands resting on her outstretched arms.
" It's my favourite pose so far," she told him.
"Breathe out," he instructed the class, " and transition to Warrior Two."
She wondered if it was her imagination that Harry seemed to linger around her as he walked the room. She was the one to need the least help, poor Hermione was suffering in the back, her face getting redder and her hair getting bushier by the minute, even as they went into their cool down routine.
"And we are done." Harry's voice was calm and peaceful. "You've all done really well, especially those here for your first time. Thank you for allowing me to lead you in practice today, and I'm sure Luna will be back next week."
" Thank you Harry," called Mary, in the too tight leotard, clapping.
"Yes, thank you Harry," agreed Patricia, " you make it look so easy."
Harry chatted easily with the older women, but his eyes met Ginny's over their heads, sparkling with amusement.
Hermione walked over to her. "Ready to go?" she asked, breathing hard.
"Just a sec," said Ginny, taking her time to get her jacket on and grab her bag.
"What do you – oh my god, you like him," hissed Hermione, looking back and forth between Harry and Ginny.
"What's not to like? He's easy on the eye, with those killer eyes and I bet he can get that hot body into lots of interesting postions," teased Ginny.
"Ginny!" cried Hermione in shock, her eyes widening as she looked beyond Ginny. "He's coming over!"
Harry approached the two ladies. "So, what did you think?" he asked.
The two spoke in unison.
"Never again."
"Loved it."
" You did very well," Harry told Ginny. "It's easy to see your athletic. Luna told me you play football? That's amazing!"
" I think I'll go wait in the car. It was nice to meet you, Harry," said Hermione.
"You too...er..."
"Hermione," she said cooly before leaving.
"Sorry about her," apologised Ginny. "This really isn't her thing, I kind of dragged her here with me against her will."
" It's fine, yoga isn't for everyone. Do you think you'd come back?" he asked.
" If I can find the time, I will. My team is heading for finals," replied Ginny proudly, "but it would be a great chance to catch up with Luna more regularly."
He nodded his agreement.
"And I'd really like the chance to know how you got into this lifestyle," she quickly added.
"Well I'd like to know about the world of women's football, and how you made it to your league. Perhaps we could get together for coffee sometime?" he asked hopefully.
Luna had told him a lot about her best friend, and he agreed, she sounded ideal. Meeting her today had been a blessing and he would love to find out more about her.
"Most definitely," agreed Ginny, and the two exchanged phone numbers before Harry had to get ready for his next class.
"What kept you?" asked Hermione, as Ginny slid into the passenger seat of her car.
" Oh, I don't know, just making plans to meet up with Harry sometime for coffee," shrugged Ginny nonchalantly.
"No way!" squealed Hermione.
"Yep," said Ginny excitedly, "we swapped phone numbers and hope to catch up during the week."
" I could see him watching you in class," confirmed Hermione.
"I told him I'm very bendy. He said he liked that in a girl," joked Ginny.
"You did not!" gasped Hermione.
"Okay, I didn't," conceded Ginny, with a wink, " but it will be a great conversation starter when we catch up, don't you think?"