Hello, my freaky darlings. It feels like it has been forever, but I finally managed to get this typed. I own nothing here, just playing with the toys of others. Thank you all for reading and reviewing, and liking. I appreciate all of you bunches.

Chapter 12 Movies and Matches

Thursday morning Hermione checked the local cinema for listings. While she doubted Hannah would understand or appreciate the action or horror films, Hermione wanted to see Shaun of the Dead and Hell Boy. She also thought Girl Next Door looked fun. She would be suggesting Ella Enchanted for Neville's date. It would be the easiest for two purebloods to follow. She owled Neville to meet her at Grimmauld Place around five for a 7:30 show.
She and Katie aired out the Diagon Alley office, then opened it. Not expecting anyone, Hermione took the opportunity to write up the last round of rituals, making notations about the areas and what they needed and had done. She then organized her research notes and wrote lengthy letters to both Sigurd and Nevena about her findings, thoughts, and the latest events of life in general.
Arriving home, she found Neville waiting for her and Harry pouting. She glanced at her watch, concerned, "Am I late?"
"No, I'm excited, so I'm early," Neville admitted with a shrug.
"You're going to the movies without me," Harry sulked.
"Yes, because I have a monopoly on movies and no one can go without me. Oh, wait, no I don't. Go to the movies if you want, git."
"No one wants to go to the movies alone unless they have to," Harry whined.
"Do you have a date tonight?"
"No."
"Then ask Neville if he cares if you invade our date."
"Please, he hasn't stopped talking about Hannah. And you're halfway back in love with Krum."
"That doesn't mean we want a third wheel," she teased.
"Honestly, while I would love to string Harry along, maybe get him to beg a little, I need all the help I can get with this," Neville responded.
"See, Neville needs me." Harry threw his arms open.
"Fine. While I go change, you take him to Gringott's and teach him how to exchange galleons for pounds."
"Yes, ma'am." Harry gave her a military salute. "C'mon, Nev. Mione, met at the Leaky?"
"Sounds like a plan."
Quickly, she showered and changed her clothes, making sure her muggle wallet was in her beaded bag. She flooed into the taproom of the Leaky Cauldron. Noticing Hannah behind the bar, she waved. "Would you let Harry know I will meet him outside, please?"
"Sure, Hermione."
"Thanks." She exited onto the muggle streets of London, moving away from the abandoned storefront muggles saw.
"Why are you out here?" Harry asked when they joined her.
"I didn't want Hannah to associate myself and Neville. It might make her doubt his interest. Also, this entire fiasco is hard enough without making us compare ourselves to others."
Harry laughed, "Conceited much?"
"No, just comfortable with who I am. And self-aware enough to acknowledge people who don't really know me might be tempted to put me into neat little boxes with labels like 'war heroine,' 'famous,' or 'powerful.'"
"Okay, point taken." Hermione made sure to point out the signs directing them to the Tube station before Harry spoke back up. "You guys plan on doing this every week, right?"
"No, Harry," Hermione stated flatly.
"Uh, Hermione, I thought that was the plan?" Neville said, confused.
"Of course it is, Neville. The no was that Harry is not invited every week."
"Why not?" Harry demanded.
"How can I complain or gossip about you if you are here?"
"You would gossip about me?" Harry huffed.
"Uh, yeah."
"You're upset about the gossip, but not the complaining?" Neville asked, looking back at forth between the other two.
"No, I know she's going to complain at some point. We've been friends far too long for her not to. I complain about her."
"And Ron," she agreed.
"And sometimes it can't be to Hermione or Ron."
"We need a neutral party. They won't feel obligated to choose sides, or defend the other person."
"Well, I'm happy to be of service." Neville dryly.
"We do willingly return the favor." Harry grinned.
Hermione smiled, "Very true." She stopped at the entrance of the Tube. "Now begins the lesson. This, as you can read, is the Underground, also known as the Tube. We go down the stairs." She led the way. "Today we will get you an oyster card. You can use it for the Underground, buses, trains, and some boats." She showed him how to feed the pound notes into the machine and select the option he wanted. "You keep the card, it is refillable. If you want you can borrow my card for Hannah instead of buying her a card."
"Thanks, Hermione. It might be better not to overwhelm her with too much in one night."
"Now, the trains." She showed him the map and which line they wanted. "Mind the gap." She pointed to the space between the platform and the open doors of the train. Harry stepped onboard, Hermione swiftly following, pulling Neville with her. "Don't dawdle, that's important. The train does not wait for long. Know which one you want, and where you want to get off. When the train arrives at the station, get on or off promptly." She squeezed his hand. "If you want next week we can ride around on the trains practicing. It will also help you learn to navigate London."
"That would be brilliant, thanks."
Harry grabbed the pole in front of him. "You should go to the movies during the week, late afternoon, early evening." Hermione nodded in agreement. "Fewer people means you'll be more likely to get a seat."
Hermione sat on the bench and patted next to her. "You should sit your first ride, especially with Hannah. I don't expect she has much experience outside the wizarding world."
"Next to none." Neville grimaced. "Not that I have room to talk. Whole world out there I have no idea about."
"We're going to change that for future generations. Kings got the board of governors to revamp Muggle Studies."
"And they are adding Wizard Studies for students just now entering it." Harry smiled, "That would have been damned useful."
"Right?" Hermione agreed.

Hermione showed Neville which notes to use to purchase two tickets, making Harry pay for his own separately. Harry then demonstrated how to order popcorn and other refreshments. "If she's not sure what she wants, keep it simple: popcorn and a drink." A teenage usher directed them to their theater. Harry demonstrated how to lower the seat part of the chair.
Those raised in the muggle world laughed throughout the misadventures of Shaun and company as they navigated the zombie outbreak. Neville spent most of it confused, even when the other two tried to explain the jokes.
"Ella Enchanted is the one you should see. Of all the upcoming movies, I think, you'll enjoy that one the most."
Harry looked around at the posters. "Do you want to see Hell Boy next week, Mione?"
"I do. Neville?"
He gave them a shaky grin. "I need the practice regardless of whether I understand it completely." He started towards the Underground. "What exactly is a Hell Boy, anyway?"

Late Saturday morning Hermione popped over to Viktor's flat to collect the last minute match notes for Ron. "Always the romantic." He beamed at her, "Will cost you." He held the folder above her reach.
"Is that so?" she tried to keep from returning his smile.
"It is."
"How much?"
"Three kisses."
"Agreed." He places the folder in her hand. He places the folder in her hand. "Sucker. I would have gone as high as five kisses."
"Shall have to drive a harder bargain next time."
"You really should." She rose on her tiptoes, pressing her lips against his cheek. " You also should have been specific where you wanted those kisses. That's one." She took his hand, kissing his palm, "two," then pressed her lips to the inside of his wrist, "three." She stepped back laughing.
Viktor pretended to pout, "Cruel woman."
"I really am. But I will be wearing your jersey today, so there's that."
"Lucky day for me."
"It is, isn't." She twinkled up at him.
"May I have a proper kiss for luck?"
"No," he wilted slightly, "you may have an improper kiss for luck."
Improper kiss?"
"On the lips, involving tongues and hands, just short of a shag."
He placed his hands on her hips. She revealed in the shiver of pleasure when she noticed how much of her they covered. He pulled her closer. "I like the sound of improper kisses." He whispered against her lips. He swiped his tongue along her bottom lip. Eagerly, she returned his embrace, deepening the kiss. Viktor tightened his grip on her hips, grounding her against him, before picking her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and her legs around his waist. Slowly, Hermione explored his mouth. He pulled back after several minutes, only to lean back in to peck her lips once, twice, then a third time. "Must stop. You have family to meet, I need cold shower before reporting for match."
She pressed her lips against his one last time before unwrapping her legs and dropping to the floor. "Good luck."'
"Tank you, mila."
Groups of fans collected around the stadium. Vendors hawked merchandise supporting both Puddlemere United and the Appleby Arrows. Hermione grinned at the number of fans wearing Krum and Wood jerseys, marking both men as clear fan favorites. She waved at a few familiar faces as she made her way through the crowds. Recognizing Romanov attempting to his way to her through the throng, she hurried to the VIP boxes entrance knowing he could not follow.
"Hermione, you're going to have to turn in your Gryffindor card after that cowardly display," tsked Ron.
Hermione looked at something over his shoulder and waved, "Oh, hello, Lisa! How are you?"
"What? Where?" Ron jumped and began to look around wildly. "Hide me."
"Relax, she isn't here. But I think my Gryffindor card is safe from you."
"Fair enough."
"Your notes, good sir." She flourished the folder.
"My thanks, fair maiden."
"How was breakfast?" She began moving towards the box Ron obtained for the Weasleys.
"Good, really, really good."
"I'm glad. Well, break a leg, I suppose."
Ron scrunched his face, confused, "You want me to break my leg?"
"In

muggle theater, it is considered bad luck to wish someone good luck, so they say break a leg. By wishing you something bad to happen, they will cause something good to happen."
"Muggles are mental."
"Uh-huh, go break your leg." She gave him a tiny shove towards the announcer box.
"Uh, thanks, I suppose. Enjoy the match."
Hermione entered the box to loud greetings and a round of hugs. She skimmed the group, noting absences. Ginny noticed, "Charlie wanted everyone to meet Bea at the same time. They'll be there at Sunday dinner tomorrow."
"Foolish man, bringing her into our place of power for a first impression. There will be no escaping there."
"That was my thoughts, but he wouldn't listen. Harry isn't here, yet."
"Happily, I am not his keeper. How are you doing?"
"Not too bad. Though my previous social life did not prepare me for this. Training all day dates four nights a week, matches twice a week. So grateful the season has ended."
"Gin, you get like three weeks off before the training picks right back up."
"Yes, three weeks with only dates, horrible boring dates with gross slobbering men."
Hermione cringed, "Are they all that bad? Even Dennis?"
"No, he stammers or talks constantly about some bird named Sarah. Adorable really, other than the stammering. Surprisingly, Nott has been the best of the lot. I expected him to take me to some posh place and throw around money on our first day, but he took me on a picnic outside of Hogesmeade. Said he wanted us to be able to get to know one another without the press or anyone else inserting themselves, or shoving cameras in our faces."
"Good for him."
"He's been grand."
Fred bounced over, "Who's grand."
"You are. Now shove off." Ginny told him. "Girl talk time."
George plopped down on the other side of Hermione. "We can be girls."
"You can also go away." Ginny insisted.
"Unless you can contribute to a discussion about pain cessation during the female menses," Hermione told them. The twins looked at her in confusion, "Period pain." She patted his cheek as confusion morphed into horror. "You were saying?"
"We're leaving," George told her.
Fred leapt to his feet, holding his hands up in surrender, "We know when we're beat."
They began backing away, "We're needed far, far away from this conversation."
Ginny chuckled, "Evil, so evil."
"They earned it, maybe not today, but at some point they had, or will have, that coming." She settled in her seat, "So, Theo is grand?"
"Stuff it." Ginny shoved her playfully.
"No, that's good. We got to be friendly eighth year. And he sounded like he really wanted to make a good impression."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I suggested something lowkey and intimate, rather than fancy."
"But, I like fancy. I can do fancy."
"Sure, later on, when it is to spoil you, not possible overwhelm you."
"But, you like him?" Ginny asked nervously.
"I do." Hermione bumped shoulders with the redhead.
"But you never really seemed to like Slytherins at school, even in your eighth year."
Hermione nodded, "It started slow. Nott and I had a project in Arithmancy together. By the time we finished, we realized how great the other was as a study partner. It started as a study group of two, then Daphne Greengrass and Blaise Zabini joined us. Draco started the year with an apology for the years of crap. He joined only when he really needed the help. We weren't anything near comfortable until some time after Christmas. It was graduation before we were anything resembling friendly."
"Only you and the Slytherins?"
"No, Neville joined us sometimes, and a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. We were never very social. Nott and I kept in touch while I was in Sweden."
"If you're barely friendly with Malfoy, why are you having lunch with him Tuesday?"
"Networking, and showing we have to set aside old prejudices. Can't just talk the talk, got to walk the walk sometimes. Notice, lunch, not dinner, and nowhere super posh."
"Fair enough, I've had those moments with quidditch."
"I want you to know, if Nott is your choice, I promise to help set the others straight about him."
"Thanks." Ginny bumped her shoulder this time. Ron's voice boomed from the announcer's box. "I'm so excited for him, getting to commentate the series final. Britain is hosting some of the lead up matches for the World Cup next year. This is great exposure for him."
They joined the rest of the family along the rail to watch the players zoom about during the introductions, cheering loudly for Viktor and Oliver as Ron yelled their names. The action began instantly, remaining fast paced for the first hour. During the second hour, scoring slowed down, while Viktor and the Arrow's seeker, Vanessa Givens, played follow the leader, each taking turns being the leader. This lasted until Viktor abruptly broke off the merry chase, streaking across the pitch. "And Krum speeds across the pitch, the snitch in sight. Givens hot on his tail. Can she overtake Krum before he can catch the golden treasure?"
"C'mon, Viktor!" yelled Ginny.
"Almost there, you can do it," Hermione screamed. They leaned over the rail watching as his fingers curled around the small winged ball before raising his closed fist over his head. "Yes!"
"Krum caught the snitch! Puddlemere wins 350 to 150!" Ron cried. The girls hugged one another celebrating. Viktor winked at Hermione, tossing Harry the snitch when the team flew by during the victory lap.
Harry caught it easily. "Somehow, I doubt this is for me." He held it out to his best friend.
"It would make our next date rather awkward. And I don't think I could live with you anymore." She took the gold globe from him. "Sweet of him."
"And doing it so the reporters don't see and go crazy." Fred grinned, "saving Hermione from hate mail."
"The wards on all of my places of residence and business block anything dangerous: plant substances, howlers, muggle bombs, stuff like that?"
"Are you really afraid someone will send you a muggle bomb by owl post?" questioned George.
"No," Hermione shrugged, "but better safe than sorry. Would you like similar wards?"
"No more howlers from Hogwarts," started Fred.
"Or mum," George mentioned.
"Yes, please," they finished together.
Molly placed an arm around each of her twin sons, "That just means I'll have to yell at you in person when I need to."
Both twins briefly paled, then kissed their mother on the cheek in unison. "Why would you ever," said Fred.
"Need to yell at us, Mother dear?" asked George.
"With you two, one never knows." The family laughed as they began making their way to the public floo banks, joking and discussing the match.