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Harry tapped his finger on the table while waiting for Hermione to arrive. It had been a few years since they had graduated, and while both knew it would be unlikely to get a job at the same place, neither of them wanted to lose their friendship to something like distance.

That started this weekly meetup where they would catch up on what happened in their lives. Most of the time was spent talking about nonsense since there was only so much that could happen in a week. That didn't matter since Harry missed Hermione something fierce and always looked forward to the next time they could meet.

It wasn't like when they were in boarding school and they saw each other every time they woke up. They both had their own lives now, and the past just wasn't possible to go back to… no matter how much Harry wanted to. That was what he kept telling himself since Hermione seemed happy with how everything seemed going. Harry definitely wouldn't drop everything and move to where she lived if she asked. Nope, definitely wouldn't.

Harry was brought out of his denial when the pub's door opened, ringing the little bell on top. He looked up to see Hermione standing at the entrance with cheeks flushed red from the cold as she rubbed her hands together to warm herself. Harry was also highly aware that it wasn't only his eyes that were locked onto his closest female friend. It had become common to see other men, and sometimes women, notice Hermione when she walked in.

Harry understood them. Hermione was stunningly beautiful in his eyes, so it made sense others felt the same. Harry waved his arm to get her attention and only stopped after a brilliant smile appeared on Hermione's lips.

Harry moved out of the booth to stand up and give Hermione a warm hug after she had walked over and said, "I missed you, Hermione."

"You say that every time Harry!" Hermione said while rolling her eyes, "Honestly, it's only been a week."

Harry sat back down after Hermione had taken a seat. "It's the truth. Still feels odd that we don't see each other every day."

Hermione couldn't help but smile sweetly and avoid his eyes, "Yeah. I miss that too."

It's been an often brought-up topic between them, usually by Harry. It was one of his ways of telling Hermione that he was there for her, as a friend or otherwise. Though, it seemed to have been lost on Hermione.

Sometimes Harry cursed the ones that made Hermione so insecure in herself. Being known as the bossy know-it-all and the brainiac that was the teacher's pet took a toll on Hermione's confidence. Most of the students in the school came to Hermione looking for help with classwork, and as shameful as it was for Harry to admit it, he was one of them,

Sure, Harry might not have realized what he was unintentionally telling Hermione when he did that, but that didn't change that he was part of the problem. The problem being Hermione started to believe that people only wanted to be around her for her smarts. Harry was honestly just going to Hermione because they were friends… and because he thought she liked helping others with homework.

The dangers of being an oblivious teenager…

Before Harry realized it, Hermione fell into a false belief that became the root of her insecurity. That if it wasn't for her brain, nobody would bother being friends with her. Harry eventually realized that the silly girl even applied that to him.

He guessed that was why Hermione never responded to the times he flirted with her. Harry frowned at the thought of Hermione thinking he was playing with her feelings whenever he tried to show his interest in her.

"So what new riveting tales do you have to tell me?"

That was an innocent question, but to Harry's surprise, Hermione launched into a rant about her boss. No matter how interested Harry was in Hermione, his eyes still glazed over the overload of info.

"… AND he did it! Now he spends all his time standing over my shoulder like I can't be trusted to do my work! He even asked me to stay late for no reason! Ugh, I can't believe I have to deal with this now."

Harry's eyes sharpened at that. He knew a couple of people that acted like that at his work. When it involved an attractive woman and their direct superior, it usually ended in something that wasn't family-friendly.

Hermione noticed Harry staring daggers at her and frowned in confusion, "Harry?"

"Say, Hermione, this boss of yours… Does he do this with anyone else?"

Hermione wrinkled her nose as she tried to think about it. Some colleagues of hers could use supervision, but they were all left alone.

Hermione sighed and thought she got what Harry was hinting, "No… it's only me. I'm not sure why Michael doesn't like me. We got along just fine at the start. I even thought we were beginning to be friends."

"Oh, I'm sure he would love to be friends with you."

Hermione completely missed Harry's sarcasm, "He does? I guess Michael does try and talk to me often."

Harry was thankful Hermione was as oblivious as always. It might be frustrating as hell that his hints weren't being registered, but at least that meant others had even less of a chance of getting through. But this actually gave Harry the kick that was needed. Harry would need to take drastic steps if he didn't want to lose Hermione to an unworthy man who couldn't cherish her like he could.

"I can help you with your boss Hermione."

"You can?"

Harry gave her a confident smile, "Trust me. By this time next week, he'll leave you alone."

Hermione wasn't sure what Harry's plan was, but she chose to believe him anyway. He usually bumbled his way into getting what he wanted.


Hermione fought the urge to roll her eyes when Michael, her boss, walked up to her. It had been becoming a far too common occurrence, so much so that Hermione was starting to doubt the quality of her work. Which was complete nonsense.

If Hermione knew one thing, it was how to do her job well. That meant the extra attention her boss gave her was unwelcome, but Hermione had to act as if she was happy with his presence.

"Did you find any gems today, Hermione?"

Hermione was in the middle of a manuscript with some potential but was it a 'gem?' No.

"This one's decent, but not exactly what I would call mind-blowing."

Micheal hummed and peered over her shoulder, much to Hermione's annoyance. Luckily she had taken to buttoning her shirt all the way to the top in preparation for this visit. Hermione hadn't wanted to give her boss a good look down her top while he was commenting on her work.

"It's been weeks since you gave me something top-notch. That's unlike you!"

Hermione didn't stop herself from rolling her eyes this time. As if that was in her control. It all depended on what was submitted to the company.

"Listen, I feel like you need a little more time to go through these… and a little more help too. How about you and I stay late after work? I'd be glad to give you some help."

Hermione pursed her lips in annoyance. This was the third time he offered to help her. It was alright if her boss asked her to stay late after work, but Hermione couldn't accept that she needed help to do her job. She wasn't incompetent.

"Micheal," Hermione said with barely hidden frustration, "I already said I don't need help."

As if a higher power swooped in to save her, an intern nervously interrupted them. "Umm, Hermione? There's a delivery for you."

Hermione took the chance and stood up to get away, "Really? Thank you, Jane."

"Oh, you don't have to get up. He's going to come to your desk." Jane scurried away to get away from the tense situation.

Michael cleared his throat, "That was just an offer, Hermione. I was going to be staying after work anyway."

Hermione sighed, "Thank you, Michael, but no, I'm fine by myself."

"Hermione Granger?"

Hermione shifted her eyes to the person who called out her name and gasped and what was in his hands. A stunning bouquet of roses and tulips and a teddy bear with a small red bow around its neck.

"That's for me?" Hermione could hear the disbelief in her voice.

The delivery man gently placed the vase on her desk before setting the stuffed bear beside it. He pulled out a letter and motioned for Hermione to take it, "This was sent to Hermione Granger, so if that's you, then yes, it's for you."

Hermione took the letter with a confused look before looking at who it was from.

"Harry?"

"Harry?" Micheal repeated behind her.

Hermione absentmindedly answered him while reading the letter, "Harry's one of my closest friends. We've known each other since we were kids."

"So," Micheal asked with hope, "Just a friend then?"

Hermione scoffed, "He's much more than just a friend."

Harry had been in her life for almost a decade now. In Hermione's opinion, that meant he was much more than a mere friend. Maybe Harry could be better described as someone similar to a family member… or maybe not. Hermione had thoughts about him that were decidedly un-familial. She spent most of her schooling years mooning after him while he chased the pretty girl.

Hermione noticed Micheal leaving when she started smiling at what Harry had written.

Hermione,

I hope this fixed your day. You-Know-Who should be leaving you alone right about now.

Always,

Harry

Like Hermione predicted, Harry got what he wanted. She just wasn't sure why this made Micheal leave her alone.

Every day after that, Hermione received ever so slightly elaborate bouquets than the last.


Being in a flower garden was nice, but only when Hermione intended to visit one. Not at her workplace.

Hermione might have a blind spot when it involves someone attracted to her. Still, even an absolute dunderhead would realize what was happening. The bouquets she was receiving signified love of a romantic nature. That was something Hermione dismissed initially since it came from Harry, but after almost a week of flowers, she had to reconsider. All the moments when Harry flirted with her replayed in her mind. Hermione had thought he was feeling pity since no other boy showed interest, but maybe it was genuine. She also realized that Micheal was interested in her romantically, which made much more sense. Hermione knew that her work was flawless.

That didn't matter, though. Micheal kept making sounds that indicated he was annoyed whenever he passed a bouquet on her desk, but he was honestly the last thing on her mind. Hermione was entirely focused on Harry.

Mostly agonizing if she imagined things that she wished were true. Hermione had the biggest crush on Harry since their teen years. She had never been bold enough to do anything about it since Harry had always been chasing girls far prettier than her in school.

That led to years of pining that even Hermione thought was quite pathetic. Now with the new information that Harry might actually be interested in her romantically, Hermione couldn't help but wonder how many opportunities she had missed.

"Umm, Hermione?"

Hermione's lips twitched when she saw Jane. The intern had become a forewarning of sorts to the colorful addition about to be added to her desk.

"Jane," Hermione sighed, "Another one?"

"Well, I guess?" Jane had a blush on her face for some reason.

"Let him in then," Hermione added, "I really should call Harry and tell him to stop."

"Well, that just hurts. I went through all this effort and find you so unappreciative."

Hermione snapped her head to the voice to see Harry smirking down at her. She had forgotten how good he looked in a white dress shirt and form-fitting blue dress pants, and from the look on Jane's face, the intern agreed.

"Harry?! What're you doing here?"

Jane scurried away while glancing back at them, but Hermione didn't pay her much attention. Her whole being focused on Harry looming over her while she was seated in the chair.

"I decided to stop by and see if you've been getting my gifts." Harry looked pointedly at the vase on her desk and continued, "I see you are. So now I'm wondering… why haven't you talked to me yet about it?"

Hermione looked away from Harry's questioning gaze and bit her lip. What was she supposed to say? That the thought of him being interested in that way was almost unbelievable to her? That was too self-defeating.

Harry stunned Hermione by kneeling before her to be on the same eye level. He raised Hermione's face with a finger under her chin and asked, "Do you really want me to spell out what I'm trying to ask you, Hermione?"

Hermione's first reaction was to blush and hide her face, but then she realized that this might be the chance for her to get what she always wanted.

"I might have figured it out," Hermione's voice shook, "But I want you to ask me right now. If you don't, we can just forget about all this and stay as friends."

Harry wondered if this was Hermione's way to give him an out. He was going to shower her with compliments when she was finally his. Harry would make her realize just how beautiful she was.

"Hermione Granger, I've liked you for a long time," Harry said bluntly, "For years, in fact. I would ask you on a date, but we already know everything we need to know about each other. Will you agree to be my girlfriend?"

Hermione blinked, still stuck on Harry admitting he liked her. The raven-haired man must have known that Hermione would have trouble speaking because the next thing he did rebooted her mind.

Hermione's eyes fluttered closed when she felt soft lips against hers, moving leisurely before a tongue licked her bottom lip, asking for entrance. Hermione didn't deny Harry and parted her mouth before meeting his tongue with hers. The moan she let out involuntarily would have been embarrassing if Hermione was still aware that she was at work.

They would have gone on kissing if not for being interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Hermione gasped and pulled away from Harry's lips to see Jane fidgeting with a fire-red face.

"Micheal's coming back," Jane whispered, "Thought you should know since… since you know, kissing and everything."

Hermione smoothed her hair and stuttered, "T-Thank you, Jane."

Harry waited for Jane to leave before saying, "This is the boss that's hitting you, correct?"

Hermione felt the need to defend herself, "I didn't even know he was."

"I have no doubt about that. Do you know how long I've been flirting with you? You always brushed it away, so I thought you were rejecting me gently. I would be insulted if you knew your boss was hitting on you."

Hermione wanted to give her past self a proper kick in the arse.

"You made public gestures when you went after Cho and Ginny. I thought that's how you like to confess to the girls you like."

Harry looked at her blankly for a few seconds before rubbing his face. "THAT'S why you thought I was joking with you? Hermione, think about how you would feel if I asked you for a date in front of the entire school."

Hermione shivered, immediately saying, "I'd hate it."

"Why would I do something you'd hate?"

Hermione really wanted to smack her past self silly. "Oh…"

"Well, it doesn't matter now. You're finally mine, and all I needed to make this happen was your boss."

"Micheal?" Hermione said with confusion, "Where does he come into this?"

"I was terrified that I might lose you to another man," Harry admitted, "I don't think I could handle losing you."

Being a woman that was proud to be independent, Harry saying that she belonged to him should have rankled her. Instead, Hermione shifted in her seat to distract from the arousal between her legs. Besides, if she belonged to Harry, the reverse was also true. Harry was hers.

Hermione surprised herself by pulling Harry into another mind-melting kiss. They had to make up for all the years they wasted, and Hermione intended to kiss Harry at every opportunity.

"Hermione! This is a workplace! Not your bedroom!"

Hermione squeaked in surprise and pulled away from Harry to see Michael glaring at them. She had thoroughly forgotten about Jane's warning and was beyond embarrassed.

Harry, however, had an apologetic smile on his face, "That's my fault. I was just saying goodbye and got too carried away."

Michael's eyes twitched in irritation and nodded briskly before going into his office. He knew Hermione was taken, but he'd prefer not to see her french kiss her boyfriend if possible. Micheal felt that he had been played with since Hermione never told him to back off whenever he hinted at wanting to be more.

Harry raised an eyebrow at the closed door of Michael's office and said, "He wasn't as horrible as I thought. I'm glad I found my balls before he had a chance, Hermione."

Hermione smiled sweetly and looked around before giving Harry a quick peck on the lips.