The Hidden Soul
Author Note: Sorry it's been such a long time since I updated, no, I haven't abandoned this story. I've just been busy. Anyway, here is the new chapter. Bit of a filler-inner if you know what I mean. To save time, I haven't had this chapter beta-ed, therefore any mistakes are all my own.
Hope you enjoy it, please leave me a review!
Chapter 5.
The heavily cobwebbed lids creaked ominously open. Black robes billowed from the dark interiors, the group of figures met together in a black pool for a moment, emitted a loud, shrieking cry, and in a swoop were away, flitting horribly, shadowlike.
- - - -
Hermione span a full circle in front of her mirror. She's chosen a light cream skirt of a floaty silk material that fitted perfectly to her hips before flaring out slightly and hanging an inch or so above her knees. Accompanied by a close fitting black top, that fastened across the back by a crisscross of thin satin ribbons.
She pulled open the wardrobe in search of shoes and took out her comfy leather flip-flops and slipped one on, then her eyes fell onto the black heels she'd worn out the first night dancing. A memory of Bill's lingering stare and choked compliment flashed through her mind. She grinned and kicked off the flip-flop and leisurely laced the thick satin ribbons around her ankles.
Straightening up she tossed her hair over her shoulders, then grabbing a handful of grips, she scooped it away from her face and off her neck, haphazardly pinning it up, a number of curls tumbling free. Humming to herself, she stuffed a wad of notes into a purse, and left the room.
Harry and Ron were now on the sofas, drinking cocktails. A large glass complete with straw and wedge of grapefruit sat untouched. Hermione headed over and slid onto the leather, she eyed the drink.
"Is that for me?" she asked. Harry nodded, and she picked it up taking a long sip.
"Mmm... it's nice..." she licked her lips; the cocktail was fruity and had the sharp tang of grapefruit. They sat in silence for a few moments, demolishing the drinks. Eventually Hermione drained her glass noisily through her straw, a habit that irritated Harry and Ron to no extent. She snickered at the looks on their faces and stood up.
"I better go, I'm meeting Bill downstairs." Ron's look of revulsion stayed in place and he nodded mutely, Harry's face dropped into a grin and he stood up.
"Okay, have fun." He said, planting a kiss on her forehead, "We'll meet you at Narino's at midnight. Yes?"
"Yes," Hermione nodded, she glanced at Ron's glum expression and rolled her eyes, "Bye Ron."
Ron took a deep breath and got up to join them.
"Bye. Have a good night... Don't let Bill try anything." He added sharply, Hermione grinned at him.
"Wouldn't dream of it. See you in a bit," she said, giving him a quick hug and heading for the door. She twisted the handle, then paused and looked back cautiously.
"Do I – uh – look alright?" she asked, casting a critical eye over her outfit. Harry nodded and kissed his fingers like a chef, making her chuckle.
"Ron?" Hermione asked tentatively. He glanced at her, his eyes settled at her feet.
"Those bloody shoes," he muttered grumpily. Hermione's eyes twinkled and she pulled open the door.
"Thanks! See you!" she called, closing it behind her and walking into the lift.
Bill was waiting in the lobby, a broad grin spread across his face when the lift doors parted and Hermione sauntered out. She spotted him, flashed him a mischievous grin and teasingly sashayed over, stopping before him to twirl.
"Good evening," she greeted him. Bill nodded and took her hand, kissing the knuckles lightly before replying,
"Good evening,"
He curled his fingers around the hand he'd captured and led her down the hotel steps. They walked a few steps before he slanted a glance at her,
"You look gorgeous," he said earnestly, Hermione smiled feeling her cheeks heat a little.
"So do you," she replied, eyeing his classic black suit, the jacket hooked casually through his finger and swung over his shoulder, displaying a dazzling white shirt which exhibited his tan in sharp contrast. "Where are we heading?" she asked, glancing about her, trying to distinguish the street in the dim light.
"Merosha." Bill answered, crossing the street, and turning a corner. He paused outside a large building with two wide windows above which was a sign on which in curling script was written 'Merosha'. It looked suspiciously shut to Hermione but she chose not to comment. Bill dropped her hand and peered through one of the heavily draped windows. After a minute he drew back and tried the door handle. It didn't open. Hermione bit her lip, and Bill swore under his breath. His knocked loudly on the door, but there was no answer.
Hermione glanced to the side, where the menu was encased in a glass fronted cover. She skimmed it; at the bottom were the opening hours. She reached out and took Bill's hand, tugged it slightly and directed his attention to the notice. He read it, groaned and banged his head against the door.
"Oh... I'm sorry..." he said, shaking his head making his hair fall into his face. "I always come here, I swear they're usually open... No one makes reservations in Eygpt." Hermione looked at him, his eyes were twinkling but had a downcast air, she reached up and pushed a fiery gold curl out of the way, then kissed him.
Bill kissed her back, his hands moving down her body and wrapping around it, pulling it tighter, closer to his. Eventually he pulled away and smiled at her,
"I have an idea." He said, rummaging in his trouser pocket and withdrawing his wand. "Let's go back to mine."
Hermione raised her eyebrows at him,
"No innuendo intended." He grinned, and snaked an arm around her waist. There was a crack and they apparated.
- - - -
"Wow, Gringotts don't skimp on keeping their curse breakers happy and comfortable do they?" Hermione commented, looking around the living room into which Bill had apparated. It was large, and plushly furnished, and immediately on entering extolled a very homily, cosy feel. A true Weasley dwelling, she thought, smiling to herself.
"Not their favourites." Bill replied, grinning and crossing the room to the kitchen. "Sit down, make yourself at home, I'll be ten minutes." He called over his shoulder to her. "Oh, and this is Archimedes..." he said, scooping up, a large but lithe tomcat from the floor. Hermione blinked,
"Archimedes?"
"Was the name of my old owl... this is his... uh... predecessor," Bill said setting the cat back down, and looking meaningfully at Hermione, who winced sympathetically remembering some of Crookshanks' feathered sacrifices. "He's good company, pretty independent, but also very protective..." Bill trailed off, and then bent to pick up the animal again, "I'll just shut him in my room, he's not so good with visitors..."
"No, it's alright." Hermione said, stepping over, "I'm okay with animals."
Bill looked dubious but shrugged and set down Archimedes who eyed Hermione for a long minute then stalked off to the armchairs.
"Right – dinner. I'll be back," Bill said, dropping a kiss to her cheek bone and walking into the kitchen to the right of them.
Hermione dropped onto the very squashy sofa and gazed around, Archimedes was eyeing her insolently from his perch on the armchair opposite. She stared back at the unblinking yellow eyes for a while, then continued looking about, a series of thick, ruby bound volumes caught her attention. They sat on the bottom of a modest bookshelf, which held mainly hardbacks entitled; 'A Curse Breakers Guide to Breaking Curses' and numerous variations. She skipped these and pulled one of the intriguing thick books from the bottom shelf. The front cover was blank and unmarked. She carried it back to the sofa and set it on her knees, before flipping the cover open.
She had been expecting a page full of minute, complex type which she'd have to use her expert skim reading technique on, however what her eyes met was entirely different.
A multitude of familiar faces were smiling up at her from a large wizarding photo that covered the entire front page. It was a Weasley family photo album, she established after flipping through a few pages. There were numerous photographs of Molly and Arthur Weasley, sometimes accompanied by one or more of their children. Several redheads she didn't recognise, who she assumed were cousins, or other relations.
Hermione flicked the page and snorted in laughter, the double spread page was covered in a number of photos of a teenage Bill, dressed in a completely odd ensemble of clothes that fused rock concert – biker – warlock styles into one mismatched set of outfits. His hair longer than its current style, the fang earring still present, and by the way the photograph Bill kept tucking his hair behind his ear and fiddling with it, Hermione assumed they had been taken when it was a new addition. Grinning from beside him were similarly dressed and aged wizards, friends from Hogwarts she supposed.
"What are you – !"
Bill had emerged from the kitchen and seeing the open book on Hermione's knees sprinted across the room, it was too late however, the damage had been done. Hermione's eyes were twinkling with laughter and to his horror he saw she'd stopped at the photos of his foolish adolescence rebellious stage.
"You'll never find me attractive now," he complained, frowning at the amused look on Hermione's face. She let out a peal of laughter then bit her lip, feigning seriousness.
"Actually dragon leather is really my thing," she said teasingly. Bill scowled playfully. "I'm joking... anyway you're wrong." She commented closing the book and putting it onto the coffee table.
"About what?"
"About me never finding you attractive..." Hermione said softly, leaning over and hovering millimetres from his lips.
"Oh really?" Bill breathed, raising his eyebrows and staring into her eyes.
"Really." Hermione said staring back defiantly, Bill grinned, and moved in, catching her lips with his. Hermione melted into the kiss. She'd been craving this feeling, his lips against hers ever since that last lingering brush at the hotel door the other night. Bill's hands were lacing through her hair, fingers tugging on the curls, guiding her head backwards, down onto the cushions. Hermione's hands looped behind his neck, pulling him closer to her, feeling his body cover hers on the wide couch. Bill's teeth grazed her bottom lip, his tongue sweeping. Hermione let a purr unfurl from the base of her throat. Bill felt his mind reel from the tiny husky growl which was infinitely sexy. He felt his body react, and reluctantly pulled his mouth from hers. Hermione looked up at him, through half lidded eyes, breathing heavily, a tiny crease between her eyebrows.
"Dinner –," Bill croaked, getting off the sofa and taking her hand. Hermione let him pull her up and lead her into the kitchen, Archimedes jumped from his vantage point on the chair and followed them. She sank onto the seat that he pulled out from the table for her, Bill turned away from her and extracted a tray from the oven.
"Lasagne," he said, plonking it down on the sideboard, and grinning sheepishly. "Only thing I can cook – not counting toast."
Hermione smiled, and pushed a few strands of hair that had escaped the pins away from her eyes. "It smells delicious," she commented truthfully, the hot steam escaping the portion he had placed before her was mouth-wateringly aromatic. Bill was behind the breakfast bar, wrestling the cork out of a bottle of wine, Hermione watched the way his hands were clasped around the deep green glass, how his shirt sleeves had been casually rolled up to the elbows, her eyes travelled to his face, the golden red waves falling into his eyes as he struggled with the corkscrew. Finally he freed the cork and tossed it aside where Archimedes instantly pounced on it. His oversized claws attacking it like a particularly defenceless and bouncy rodent.
Bill carried the bottle over, swinging a pair of wineglasses loosely between the fingers of his other hand. He set them on the table and filled them, then handed one to Hermione.
She took a mouthful of it, bright, vivid almost ruby red; the taste was intoxicating to say the least. She felt it coat her mouth and tongue, slide down her throat and pool in her stomach. The powerful fruity flavour was combined with a musky element and about a million other additions, she might have been able to have identified if she'd been a professional taster. As it was, she wasn't. The deep and rich liquid and its assault on her taste buds went straight, almost disarmingly to her head.
"Do you like it?" Bill asked, having set down his glass after taking a long sip himself. Hermione nodded, placing her glass down,
"It's delicious, where did you get it?" It seemed the obvious question, it wasn't the kind of taste Supermarket, or when in Egypt, plain Market wine could create. Bill chuckled,
"Italy, well I didn't get it. I've got a friend who owns a Vineyard which has been run by his family since Merlin knows when, and he keeps me stocked up with the stuff. This is one of my favourites; 'Conte di Panzano Chianti'."
Hermione took another sip, letting the flavours wash over her again, then picked up her fork and took a bite of the lasagne. That too was delicious it melted in her mouth, and tasted decidedly Egyptian, Hermione thought this might be due to the large array of spice pots now scattering Bill's working counter.
They ate their way through two portions each of lasagne all the while the conversation flowing smoothly, running into such random areas Hermione knew neither of them would ever be able to trace their way back to the sources of the subjects. As the amount of Chianti in the bottle dwindled, Hermione's warmth and fizzing feeling increased.
Under the table, her bare foot came into contact with Bill's sock covered one and she felt a jolt start at the bottom of her spine followed by a train of tingling that ran first up to the nape of her neck then down to the base of her back again. Her smile stretched and Bill's eyes twinkled at her across the pale wooden table top. She ripped a piece of bread from the steaming loaf of ciabetta-esque dough he'd placed in between them and ran it round her plate, collecting the remnants of the herby-tomatoey sauce and popped it into her mouth.
Bill was up and standing beside her,
"Finished?"
She nodded,
"Thank you. That was delicious." She beamed, getting up holding the half empty glass of wine in her hand. They moved to the sofas and finished the bottle, collapsing into laughter as the sight of teenage-photo Bill glared moodily up at them in his leathers. Archimedes was curled on Hermione's lap, purring loudly and defensively and was resisting all of Bill's attempts to push him off by swiping lazily, but lethally at his owner with a sharp-taloned claw.
"Bloody cat." Bill grumbled, snatching his hand away quickly as Archimedes aimed a incisive bite. "I really want to kiss you right now, but I don't fancy being castrated by my cat at the same time."
Hermione laughed at him, and ran a hand along the tomcat's back, which arched and signalled a definite increase in the octave of purring. She took the opportunity to gently tip him off her lap onto the floor. Archimedes looked severely disappointed and stalked off in a sulky manner towards the kitchen. Hermione straightened up and Bill's hand was cupping her face when she caught sight of his tiny, Muggle LCD display clock. 00:07 was blinking up at her.
"Oh shit," she said, dodging Bill's lips. "I said I'd meet Harry and Ron at midnight. For drinks and maybe you could show us another club or something?"
Bill's eyes were fixed on her mouth as she spoke,
"Bill. Bill?" she said, tugging lightly on a strand of his hair. He nodded.
"Sorry, yeah okay. Just empathising with Archimedes for a moment. Being interrupted with you is horrible." He said seriously. Hermione laughed and leant in brush her lips across his.
"I'm sorry – I totally forgot. We can pick up from here later," She said wiggling her eyebrows at him making him laugh. She grabbed her shoes from the floor and began to lace them quickly around her ankles. Bill felt his mouth go dry as the thick black ribbons slipped through her fingers and wrapped around her creamy skin of her legs. "Ready? I said Narino's, do you know somewhere nearby we can apparate to?"
Author Note: Sorry it's not such a good place to leave off but I wanted to get this chapter up cause I haven't updated in ages! The next chapter is almost half done already, so it shouldn't be such a long wait.
Please read and then REVIEW! I really appreciate your comments.