Chapter Ten
Finding Allies

Author's Note: HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH! You guys friggin' rock! I was having the worst day imaginable and then I read all those reviews and it was all better! Lol I wanna especially thank Sheilalein because you're review had me rolling on the floor laughing! Thanks to everyone for reading! I love you guys! Here's chapter ten! Hope you like it!

You kicked the stripper out? Lavendar asked.

She nodded.

You kicked the stripper out? Luna echoed.

Hermione laughed,

Lavendar stared, glassy eyed at Hermione, Can I be you?

Hermione laughed again, thinking, You don't want to be me, I'm friggin' stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I mean first you see the naked men, then you kick the stripper out, she shook her head. You never cease to amaze me!

Hermione clenched her teeth together, Lavendar, if I have to tell you one more bloody time that those men were not in anyway improperly dressed I will smash you in the face. Lavendar said.

After a few minutes of silence she spoke again.

So did they have rock-solid abs or what?

And Hermione reached for the nearest object to smack into Lavendar's face.

...

Ron, Neville, and Harry all sat on Harry's couch. Everyone had left the party and they sat, not even thinking about the mess all around them.

She threw out the stripper, Ron said, staring blankly in a daze.

I know, Harry replied, staring absently too.

She threw out the stripper! Ron shouted this time, still not looking at anything in particular. Are you comprehending this? he finally looked at Harry.

he answered.

So why aren't you mad! he demanded.

Because, Hermione was jealous, he grinned stupidly.

Ron groaned.

...

he said shakily.

She turned around, her hand still on the door handle, What is it?Do you realize where we are? he asked looking up at the big pink letters that sat above the entrance.

Of course I do, she shook her head as if he was being absurd.

He sighed.

She opened the door and walked in, Harry slowly following. Hermione walked up to a small desk, off to the side of everything else that a young, cheerful looking red haired woman sat behind.

Good morning, the woman greeted brightly. Welcome to Cindy's Nail Salon, how may I help you? she asked, flashing them a smile.

(A/N: Thanks Kell and... Cindy...)

Hermione began. How much does it cost for two manicures?

The woman's eyes looked from Harry to Hermione, her smile didn't falter, Two manicures should be about £16, she replied pleasantly.

Okay, could we have two now? she asked.

Harry looked at her as if she had twelve heads.

she stood up. Follow me, she said, beginning to walk into the salon more.

Hermione followed her closely, but Harry was a bit hesitant, yet he followed all the same.

Hey, Michelle, Jack? the woman called to a man and a woman sitting behind to small tables with nail supplies on them. I have some clients for you two. a woman with blonde hair pulled up in a messy bun, smiled at them.

I'll leave you at it then, and with one last smile she walked away.

Hi, I'm Michelle, the woman with the blonde hair extended her hand out for Hermione.

Hermione, nice to meet you, she said, shaking it.

Michelle looked at Harry who was still a little dazed but stretched out his hand, H-Harry, good to meet you.

She nodded at him.

Hello, I'm Jack, the man cut in, he was tall, wiry, and had dark hair.

was all Hermione said and shook his hand as well.

Then Jack reached out his hand for Harry, who took it slowly.

After everyone was introduced they sat down, and Harry unfortunately had to get his nails done by Jack.

Oh you're a handsome one aren't you, Jack trilled as he began filing Harry's nails.

Harry's eyes widened, And modest, that's just adorable!

Hermione pressed her lips firmly together as she intently listened to the conversation.

I guess... Uh Jack, Harry said helplessly.

Oh sweetie, call me Jackie, all my friends do, he smile.

Right, er, whatever you say, he smiled nervously.

I'll get through this for Hermione, I'll get through this for Hermione, she was jealous, she's hot, she was jealous... He kept telling himself.

Oh bugger! Michelle said and Hermione looked at her.

What's wrong? she asked.

I've just remembered all of my nail supplies are being replaced, we'll have to move to Jenny's table, she's not here anyway, she stood up.

Oh ok, Hermione nodded and stood up as well.

And they moved to a table all the way across the room.

Oh shit.

Was all Harry was thinking.

...

About fifteen minutes later Harry and Jack were sitting there in an awkward silence while Michelle and Hermione chatted away.

Well this is awkward, Jack joked and gave a little laugh.

Harry smiled politely.

Currently Jack was fixing up Harry's cuticles and he continued talking.

You have such soft hands.

Oh boy.

Such nice nails.

God help me.

Such strong, big hands.That's it! Harry stood up.

No, no, no, now calm down, he said and Harry sat back down.

Apparently you're a little on edge right now, you want a back rub, it's free-Alright. Why don't you tell me about you and her, he nodded towards Hermione. What's your guys' story?

Harry sighed.

We met a few days ago, nine days to be exact, and Ron and Neville were all Oh you can't hold onto women' and then the bet- Jack interrupted.

Shit, oh shit. I wasn't supposed to say anything about that, do you think she heard? he swiftly turned to see Hermione and luckily she was still listening to Michelle twittering on.

Don't worry, sweetie, if you spilled your troubles out right here I wouldn't say a word.

And so Harry did.

...

So is that your boyfriend? Michelle asked Hermione.

Who Harry? she turned her head a little to catch a glimpse of him having what looked like a heated conversation with Jack. I don't know...You don't know? she questioned.

Hermione sighed, she needed to talk to someone, finding Lavendar and Luna unworthy candidates she asked Michelle, If I tell you something will you promise not to mention it while Harry's here? she put her hand up, to reveal she hadn't crossed any fingers.

So Hermione told her everything, from meeting at the bar, to the the Men's Club, right down kicking the stripper out.

When she had finished she said, And I need to finish off this bet and prove to Luna that she's a beautiful person and that I can lose a guy even if I act like a moron, ass, bitch.Why don't you just call off the bet, you obviously like him, £50 isn't that important, she said knowingly.

I don't like him! she shouted, but not loud enough for Harry to hear.

Stop lying to yourself!I'm not!Riiiight! You're falling for the guy, and if he's stuck around this long then apparently he likes you too.

Hermione laughed, But I don't like him.Uh huh, whatever.So even though she's acted like a weirdo I just can't go away, even though part of me desperately wants to call this off, Harry finished.

What's keeping you with her? Jack asked.

The fact that I want the Greene case, and the fact that I know there's a normal Hermione in there somewhere, I've seen that side the first night I met her, I know it's there. Even if she is a little weird, I still kind of like her... he smiled.

That's so cute! Jack squealed.

...

Hermione and Harry stood at the front desk after paying for their manicures, saying good-bye to Jack and Michelle.

Thank you, for everything, Hermione said.

Michelle smiled at Hermione and said. Come back soon!Oh we definitely will! she smiled.

Yes don't be strangers! Jack added.

Hermione looked at him warmly, We wont, thanks again.Yes, thank you, Harry cut in.

Anytime, luv, Jack told him.

Hermione was about to say good-bye and turn around but instead she heard someone shout her name.

Hermione, dear!

With knotted eyebrows and turned to the front door of the nail salon.

she gulped. Darling, what are you doing here? she came up to Hermione and gave her a hug.

I'm here with my... friend, Harry, when her mother released her, they both looked at Harry.

Oh isn't that lovely, her mother said. Hello Harry, dear, I'm Hermione's mother, Joanne Granger, she extended her hand out to Harry.

Harry Potter, nice to meet you, he said, shaking her hand.

Hermione's mother gave Harry an appraising look.

Oh Hermione dear, I've been meaning to call you, we're having a family reunion this Saturday, why don't you bring Harry along? she smiled proudly.

Oh it'll be fun, besides you haven't seen any of your cousins in so long, she pouted slightly.

Hermione tried not to groan.

her mother smiled broadly.

See you later Mum, and she hurried out of the salon before her mother could say another thing.

Once they were outside Hermione turned to Harry.

You really don't have to go if you don't want to, she said.

he smiled. It'll be fun.

Oh great, Hermione thought.

Author's Note: Kinda short, hoped you liked it. Next chapter, Harry's gonna meet the Grangers. YEY! Lol. Thanks for reading! Love always, pottersweetie