Hello, my darlings. My muse exploded and I have a rough draft for the next one to two chapters. Yay! Now, just to find the time to convert the handwritten draft onto the computer. Boo! Thanks for reading, and all your support. For those curious, I have received the second vaccine. Had the really rare hypothermic reaction (instead of a fever, my body temp plummeted.) But I am better and ready to be snowed in this next week. (Southeast Missouri is about to get 9-15 inches of snow. We average maybe three total all winter.)But thanks for your patience, and now, enjoy:
Chapter 10 The First Date Everyone Cares About
The fifth time she read the same paragraph only to realize she hadn't comprehended a single thing caused Hermione to shove her chair back in disgust. She decided to call it a day. "Your attention, please. Mark your calendars, this may never happen again. My brain is full. I am going home to let it empty back out."
Amazing what years of nonstop research will do to you," Cassius joked. "Or a certain quidditch player distracting your thoughts today?"
Katie sighed, "I wish I was looking forward to tonight. My list is complete strangers and Adrian Puce y."
"Oi," objected Cassius, "and just what is wrong with Adrian?"
"Probably nothing, being in Gryffindor and Slytherin during school we barely interacted. And those interactions were rarely positive. But, if you promise he's a good guy, I will do my best to keep an open mind."
"We used to call Ades the Sweet Slytherin. He refused to tolerate the blood prejudice crap. He let Malfoy have it every time he did that stuff. And he disowned his family rather than join the Death Eaters. Hell, I'd marry him, but I'm not his type."
"That's rather the endorsement." Katie said, "Should I let him know you'd be interested, just in case?"
"He's not my type either."
"Huh, I hadn't thought about that." Hermione rubbed her chin.
"What?" asked Katie.
"What the law meant for homosexuals."
Cassius shrugged, "Not exactly friendly, but neither is our society."
"Neither are muggles," Hermione admitted.
"Without the law, they would remain single, or be miserable in an arranged marriage. I assume this is why the relationships don't have to be permanent, just tragic."
"Hmm, add in vitro fertilization to the topics we need to look at. That could be an answer to lots of problems. Or impossible. I'll pick up some more books and contact some healers for collaboration.
"And she's back, ladies and gentlemen." Katie teased. Hermione waved dismissively behind herself on the way to the floo.
She popped over to Oxford's bookstores again. She collected books about artificial insemination, both in the veterinary field and the medical field. She checked to make sure at least one included instructional steps. Magic may not be able to copy the procedure, but she wanted to ensure she had all the information they might need.
Once home, she decided to dip into the topic briefly. The chiming of the grandfather clock in the front parlor broke her research bubble. Five o'clock meant she had two hours to get ready for her date. She marked her place and closed the book.
After a quick shower, Hermione used her wand to dry her hair. She pulled on a teal colored asymmetrical top with one ¾ sleeve. The black leather pants Ginny and Katie talked her into were softer and more comfortable than Hermione thought they would be. With an eye on the clock, she applied her makeup and pulled her hair up into a french braid. She clasped a necklace around her neck and slipped on glittery spiral earrings. She took a moment to appraise her appearance, then headed downstairs to wait for Viktor.
Harry joined her on the second landing. "Don't we look dashing?"
He looked down at his green button-down and black slacks. "I tried." He gave her the once over. "You look snazzy. Viktor tonight, right?"
"Yeah. Who are you seeing tonight?"
"Burgess."
"Good luck," she smiled.
"Thanks."
Ever the gentleman, Viktor insisted on picking her up for their date, instead of meeting her at the restaurant. Verdant flames announced his arrival. He flourished a bouquet of eleven roses. "The rest of your first dozen beauties."
"Thank you." She summoned the vase holding the preserved rose. She added the others. "Shall we?"
"Side-a-long, book bug?" He offered her his arm. She took hold of it and he apparated them to Wareham.
"You know I could have met you here, kind of pointless in my opinion."
"Good impressions."
"Neville is the only other one who can, kind of cheating."
"Not my fault they didn't know before."
She shook her head laughing, "You're incorrigible."
"If that means dashingly handsome and charming, then, yes, I am."
She grinned, "You're lucky I like you."
He took her hand, I like you, too. Always have." He locked eyes with her, the mood growing serious and heated. She ducked her head, suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of intense emotion. Sensing it, Viktor took her hand, "Come, dinner waits." Grateful for the distraction, she let him lead her inside.
The hostess beamed when she saw them. She escorted them to a table on the edge of the dining room towards the back, "Is this what you had in mind, sir?"
"Da, thank you." He pulled out the chair with its back to the wall, "Hermione."
She sat, allowing him to push in the chair. "Thank you."
"You are most welcome." He seated himself next to her, instead of across from her. They took a moment to look over the menu. "Team came here a few months ago, the Chicken Kiev is quite good."
"I'll try it then. You remembered me mentioning how much I liked it?"
"I did."
The waiter smiled brightly when taking their order. He offered them a complimentary bottle of wine. "Viktor, does the wait staff know we're on a date by any chance?"
"Why would you tink that?"
"They seem to be hovering and extra excited."
"I may have mentioned when making reservation that date needed to be impressing."
"You don't have to impress me."
"Do I not? Your other three suitors have vanished into smoke? Ministry no longer demanding you choose in two months? Very much need to impress you, book bug."
She reached out and took his hand, "You impressed me in my fourth year when you noticed the bushy haired girl trying to study, rather than all the prettier girls chasing after you."
"No one prettier. And she saw Viktor, not Krum, international star."
"She still does. Just like you see Hermione, not Granger, Potter's muggleborn sidekick." She squeezed his hand. "So, let's enjoy ourselves. How goes training?"
"Good, coach tinks we are ready for Saturday. You are still coming?"
"Yes. Ron managed to snag a VIP box for his entire family. Probably helps that they are all war heroes."
"Speak of families, how are your parents?"
"Coming back next month. Then they'll be home for a while." She played with her wine glass stem. "I haven't told them about the marriage law." Viktor raised an eyebrow. "Arranged marriages fell out of fashion for most muggles quite some time ago. And the government has never dreamed of telling people they had to get married and have children. They have no cultural framework for any of this."
"Part of why so many muggleborns pick one world over the other."
"Possibly. My parents worked really hard to be supportive. They hated agreeing to erase their memories and go to Australia during the war."
"Always meant to ask how you were able to return memories so easy."
"I found a ritual in the restricted section at Hogwarts. My success with it, in both casting it and reversing it, started me looking at possible careers using them. Which led to Nevena Mihov. Wanting to combine them with runes led to Sigurd Holgersson.
"What do you miss most about Sweden?"
"No one cared what I wore or who I went out with. No one glancing at my scars then away quickly."
Viktor looked at the start of her scar from Dolohov. "You dislike the pity?"
"It isn't just pity. They make some people feel guilty. But the thing is, I feel like I earned these scars. I fought for them, bled for them, and they are proof that I was stronger than the other guy because I'm still standing. I don't need or want, their pity. And it isn't my responsibility to assuage their guilt. They didn't feel shame when they cowered and let mad people take over twice."
"It can be nice not to be recognized everywhere you go."
"At least you get recognized for being skilled."
"Mila, you helped defeat a megalomaniac at eighteen. You are famous for what you did. So is Harry, same with Ron. The three of you have this odd perception you are only famous because he is Harry and you are his friends. You are famous because you avoid capture for a year on some secret mission. You broke out of Gringott's on a dragon. You rallied Hogwarts's defenses and led the charge to fight. That is what you are famous for." He smiled at her. "Always wanted to ask, what were you doing for that year?"
"Collecting and destroying dark artifacts that enhanced Tom Riddle's ability to cheat death."
"Tom Riddle?"
"Voldie's real name. He thought Lord Voldemort better suited a wizard of his stature." She shrugged, "When the taboo on his name started during the war I started referring to him as Riddle in my head."
Viktor nodded, "You do not hate scars?"
Hermione shrugged, "I did once, but a wise woman once said her husband's scars only prove how brave he is. If that's true for him, it has to be true for me."
The waiter gave them a worried look as she delivered their food. Hermione smiled at her, "When friends take a step towards things something more things can get serious fast." The young woman brightened.
"Can I get you anything else?"
"No, tank you." He looked at Hermione. "Perhaps we should leave such heavy talk for second date?"
"Probably for the best. On to lighter topics, how is your family?"
"Mama and Tate are good. Mama expressed concern about marriage law, but she did that when Bulgaria enacted one. Anton and Viera are expecting first child. Tate might be more excited than Mama for first grandchild. Britta is finishing her sixth year."
"Will she be expected to get married after graduation?"
"We don't know, yet," Viktor looked down, "despite marriages birthrates aren't as high as they hoped."
"And needing more than just an heir no one wants to use fertility rites." Hermione finished. "No pressure, just hurry up and save the world again."
"Has anyone said that to you?"
"No, or at least, not yet. It is just the way I feel. I am self aware enough to acknowledge
Harry isn't the only one with a hero complex." She chuckled, "Though my background influences my research. The more prejudiced purebloods will have to remember, beggars, can't be choosers."
"You solve the problem, I tink they overlook muggle methods. If they cannot, they can find their own solutions."
"That could be true."
"My best friend from Drumstang, Sasha, he writes that he and his wife have troubles. They take any solution. You tell them to color skin green, they would want to know what shade."
"I'll keep them in mind if we ever get to human trials. I'll have you ask."
"They would be honoured."
"Why? I'm brand new to the field?"
"You are famously brilliant Hermione Granger. Do not be silly." She blushed, "And you are youngest double master in centuries. Most people do one, then other. Not both at same time."
"That last part has been mentioned to me once or twice." She giggled, "Sigurd called me an overachieving swot, who needs to have more fun, on a regular basis. Right before he would steal all my papers."
"Next date we do something extra fun."
"I could plan it. There is something I've been wanting to do for a while."
"Do I get to know what?"
"I think I want to surprise you. Just make sure to wear casual muggle clothes."
"I have some t-shirts and jeans, will that work?"
"And wear trainers, we're going to be walking."
"What day are you going?"
"Um, does Thursday work?"
"Da, Thursday is good."
Great, I'll meet you at your apartment at nine am."
"I am intrigued."
"Good."
After dinner they strolled hand in hand through Wareham, wandering with no destination in mind. Despite the ease of their postures, Hermione felt hyper-aware of Viktor rubbing circles on the back of her hand with his thumb, and the effect it had on her. Eventually, their feet carried them to Viktor's flat. "Would you like to floo home from my fireplace?"
"That would be nice, thank you."
They stood in front of the fire staring at one another. Somehow they ended up holding both hands. "Hermione, may I kiss you?" he whispered softly.
"Yes, please," she breathed. The kiss began as a gentle brush of lips, growing into a battle of dominance between tongues. Hermione wove her fingers into his hair, while Viktor's hands caressed down her back. When they started to slip under the hem of her shirt, Hermione pulled back, "Um, wow."
"Da," Viktor rested his forehead against hers. Butterflies danced about her stomach, while bundles of nerves tingled just below, firing signals that cause a pleasurable tightening, tempting her to throw caution to the wind and go for it. Viktor groaned, "Have to remind myself, I am a gentleman. And this is first date again."
"You're right." She patted his chest. "First date and all that. Good luck Saturday if I don't see you again before then."
"Tank you. Sweet dreams, book bug."
"Good night, Viktor." She kissed his cheek and flooed home before things could heat up again.
One cold shower later, she prepared to climb into bed only to be interrupted by a tapping on the window. She quickly collects the note from Viktor's owl, Joy. 'H- Counting the minutes until I see you again, even if only from the pitch. -V.' Grinning foolishly, she quickly pens a response and gives the owl a treat. 'Agreed. Sweet dreams.' She watched Joy wing her way through the darkness. She drifted to sleep with happy thoughts of Viktor.
Wednesday morning she woke with a smile on her face. With no date scheduled that evening, the entire day belonged to her and work. She hummed as she dressed for the day. She bounced down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Morning," she pecked Harry on the cheek as she sank into the chair beside him.
"Good morning. Have a good night, did we?"
"We did. Hell of a good night snog, even if he insisted on ending it like a gentleman."
"Glad to hear it. Both Chang and Burgess pounced on me like cuttlefish. Tried to suck my soul out."
"Poor Harry."
"Damn straight, poor Harry. First real dementors keep coming after me, then they start masquerading as women to try and finish the job."
Hermione patted him on the shoulder, "You want platitudes and tough love?"
"Platitudes, please."
"There, there, one of these girls will be lovely and not a soul sucking monster. Trust your magic, you called for the kind of partner you wanted, she'll be one of these girls, you'll see."
"Thank you."
"Anytime."
"Promise you really believe that last part?"
"I promise. I do."
Kreacher placed two plates in front of them. "Tea, Mistress Hermy?" After numerous attempts that was the closest Hermione could get to having the elf call her by her name.
"Yes, thank you, Kreacher." She turned to Harry, "We're still on for Saturday?"
"Yes. Saved me from being dragged home to meet the family by the harpies. Arthur says they plan on getting there about an hour early in hopes of avoiding the crowds."
"Sounds like a good plan to me."
"Well, that's settled. What's on the agenda for you today?"
She sipped her tea. "First to Nott Tower to cleanse it, then Flint Lodge to look over the property. And finally, if I can, to Malfoy Manor to consult there."
"Are you sure?"
"That that's the plan? Yes. That I can actually walk in there? No bloody clue."
"I'm coming with you."
"You don't have to do that. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself. And I won't be alone."
"Nope, I'm coming. I'm telling Ron and there is nothing you can do to stop me. No arguments."
She held up her hands, "I surrender. You win, you're coming. I'll have Cassius floo the Malfoys."
"And Nott and the Flints."
"Why?"
"I don't trust you to let me know it's time to go to the Manor. You'll just claim you forgot or were running behind."
"I would not," she retorted hotly.
"Yes, you would," he laughed, "and I know that because it is what I would do to spare you."
"Fine. Be ready to leave by nine." She headed to the parlor to let Cassius know about the changes.
