Chapter 9
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything else you recognize. I just wish.
Harry watched Hermione race upstairs to freshen up, grinning. She was such an awesome person. He couldn't believe someone like her would want him for a boyfriend, but it was definitely true. She had positively glowed with happiness all day, an utmost joy he had never seen in her before. He was himself giddy with love and elated in their relationship.
He went to the pantry, looking inside for potential ingredients. She had done so much for him so far this summer, having him here, cooking breakfast and lunch everyday. He was going to make her a romantic dinner. It wouldn't be dark enough for the fireworks for a couple of hours.
Hermione walked downstairs, unsuspecting, about an hour later. Harry met her in the hall and offered his arm formally. She slipped her arm into his, wondering what was going on. Hermione made for the kitchen, but Harry directed her into the formal dining room. The small heirloom dining room table was set for two. Candlelight spread from two tall silver candlesticks Harry had obviously dug up somewhere in the china closet. By the soft light of the two simple white candles, Hermione saw two of her mother's favorite china dishes, gold-rimmed; silverware set in exactly the right place, and two crystal glasses. In the center stood a small bouquet of vines and one single red rose in a delicate bud vase.
Hermione gasped. The scene was perfect. Harry pulled out her chair for her in a chivalrous way, allowing her to sit. Her face was lit by the candlelight and an awestruck look flitted across her face. She glanced up at Harry, delighted and shocked, a slight smile gracing her lips. "You did all this for me?" she breathed, her voice as soft as a breeze.
Harry smiled, "Of course. Wait here for just a moment," he whispered, trying not to ruin the moment. He disappeared into the kitchen.
Hermione gazed about her in wonder. The polished furniture and silver and gold pieces decorating the cabinets glinted in the light of the candles and she saw other candles set upon smaller candlesticks giving off their own light on the cabinets and in the antique chandelier that had never been converted to electricity.
Harry returned, bearing several small bowls of the same china, each holding something different and delicious-looking that gave off a scent that made Hermione's mouth water. He disappeared into the kitchen again and emerged, almost as soon as he was gone, with an enormous platter of roast beef smothered in cream of mushroom soup, which was Hermione's favorite. Her jaw dropped.
"Dinner is served," he grinned and reached over, closing Hermione's mouth gently. "Surprised?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
Hermione mouthed silently for a minute, trying to find words to describe her amazement at this unrevealed skill. "Surprised?" she finally choked out. "I didn't even know you could cook."
"Well, considering I've been the Dursleys' personal servant and cook all these years… had some use, didn't it?" he laughed heartily.
"Well, I suppose we should start eating, though it'd be a shame to ruin the gorgeous presentation," she commented, staring at the roast beef. Only the chefs you saw on TV knew how to present something so pleasing to the eye.
"Here," Harry lifted the finest piece of beef off of the platter and placed it on her plate, making sure to include some of the delicious sauce, the base of which had been canned cream of mushroom soup. He had enhanced it with spices and fresh mushrooms, making it infinitely better.
He began to pass other bowls of food to her, telling her what they were. "Mashed potatoes with garlic, asparagus roasted asparagus with lemon, almond mandarin salad, and some bread I picked up on the way to the store to buy most of these ingredients," he offered each to her in turn.
Hermione took a little bit of each, afraid she wouldn't be able to eat some of everything. She cut her beef into small pieces, savoring each tender, flavorful piece. The mashed potatoes were delicious, just enough garlic. She had never had roasted asparagus before, but it quickly became one of her favorites. At last she ate some of the almond mandarin salad, which had a roasted flavor from the almonds, but also tasted of citrus because of the mandarin oranges, an interesting combination. The bread was wonderfully soft and warm with some creamy butter. She enjoyed every bite of her dinner and they conversed about many things.
The ambience was impeccable, the candles making Harry's brilliantly green eyes sparkle and lighting up his face. It was all very romantic.
As Hermione was about to get up, Harry bade her wait once again as he rushed into the kitchen. He came back out carrying a cake. "I didn't make this one. Pastries are beyond me, but I got it at the bakery, so it should be good," he set it down carefully on the table.
Hermione cut herself a slice of the chocolate iced chocolate cake and took a bite, letting the delicious chocolate slide down her throat. "Yum," she murmured reverently. "You have to taste this," she declared, cutting a bite of it off of her slice with her fork and holding it tantalizingly in front of him, just out of his reach. As he leaned forward slightly, mouth open, obviously intending to snatch the slice of cake, she pulled it back again, still slightly out of his reach.
He glared at the cake and then, going into his reflexive Quidditch mode, leaned forward quickly, catching the cake. He chewed it slowly and swallowed. "Yes, I'd have to agree. Yum," he agreed.
They finished the piece of cake, playing the same little game, which Harry got steadily worse at as Hermione added more tricks.
She cut herself another piece of cake, licking it sensually off of the fork. Harry eyes couldn't leave her movements, but he felt himself turning scarlet.
"Hermione, you awful tease!" he exclaimed, his face burning.
They carried on in such a way until it was time to go to the fireworks.
AN: Sorry, everyone. I think I said this chapter would be the fireworks, but then I got wrapped up in this idea. I'll update with the fireworks in a few days (possibly even tomorrow), but only if you review.
