Chapter XVII: flirting

"That was a lovely dinner," Hermione said as she and Jäger walked slowly over London Bridge. The city at night was breathtaking but it was not the city that took the hunter's breath away.

It was the sight of a fairy in front of him gleefully looking at the stars.

An image that would be etched in his memory forever.

Looking at the river, Hermione smiled as she leant on the stone railing. The light of the moon seemed to heighten her beauty tenfold. And he knew that it was impossible to add to perfection.

"Beautiful," she whispered as she looked at the moon.

"It certainly is," he said as he watched her. Feeling his gaze, she looked at him and saw a pleasant smile on his face. She realized he was talking about her. She let it pass but admitted inwardly that she was pleased with his comment. She tried to conceal her pleasure by reminding her that she could not let her heart be hurt again. But it was trying to do so.

"How's the hand?" she asked as she looked at his left gloved hand. She knew that it would take a surgeon to repair the nerves in his hand but he was already grasping his spoon with it, though a few times he dropped his spoon. The salve must have worked but it would take weeks to completely repair his hand.

"Can't write yet, but it's healing nicely," he said as he flexed his hand. But she saw an amused aura in his soul that told her he was exaggerating. But that aura vanished as he gazed his gloved hand.

Hermione saw an aura of sadness and she knew he was not different from any other man.

But immediately, she realized an important fact.

She could see the aura of a person.

She couldn't see it before so why has it emerged? And how?

Suddenly, Jäger's aura vanished as she looked at her intently. It was like he knew she was watching him and erected defenses.

"I'm a hunter, my lady," he answered her unspoken question. "I could tell if I'm being surveyed by any and all kinds of probes. And counter them if necessary."

"It just happened," Hermione said as she looked at the moon. "And I don't know exactly how it happened."

"People could see auras are rare. About one each generation and always by the same family," Jäger sighed as he watched her contemplate.

"I've heard of them but I never thought I was one of them," Hermione looked troubled as she gazed into the river.

"You're not," Jäger said with dead certainly that made Hermione stare at him incredulously.

"Why not?" she asked rather hurt. Why couldn't he believe that she had a rare gift?

"We're not related," he said as he sat on the railing. "But if the gift is in your blood, then you have the gift."

"You speak in riddles sometimes," Hermione smiled sadly. "Wait a minute... you mean you..?" He nodded and smiled.

"The last of my kind," he said staring into space. "My clan was always trusted and made advisor to most nobility. We could see if a person is plotting against our masters and could act quickly. No one ever suspected that we were the aura seers. Not even after the forces of the dark killed my clan off did they know."

"How were they killed?" Hermione said almost cringing at the look he gave her. But it became calm as he smiled.

"One of us had an enemy who decided that the best revenge was to kill us all in one swift strike. They controlled five dragons and decimated the whole village. Then they sent vampires to kill my family."

"Can you not see their auras?"

"Seeing them and feeling them are two different things," Jäger said as he looked at her. "I shall teach you the difference. It may save your life."

"But how, if I am not related to you, did I acquire such a gift?" she asked. But the Hunter smirked and looked at the moon.

"Such mysteries are better left to their own," he said. "The answer will come to you without you searching for it. Patience."

Hermione sighed at the word but heeded his advice. To be rash is to become careless. A hard lesson she learned that almost cost her soul.

"At least tell me how to turn it off..." Jäger waved a hand in front of her and her vision cleared. Blinking in surprise, she smiled and looked at him in jest. "Is there anything you can't do?" He looked in the sky in thought and smiled when he had an answer.

"Had a hell of a time learning the bagpipes," with this, Hermione laughed.

"I had this image of you in a kilt," she giggled as she turned away from him.

"Don't," he warned. "It's not a pleasant sight."

"Let me be the judge of that," she said as she started to walk. "The night is young. I want to know everything about you."

"Another time, perhaps," he said as he followed her.

"You don't trust me?" she asked as she glanced at him.

"Oh, I trust you. I don't trust myself," he said making her stop.

"To do what?" she asked but he was quiet. Sighing her frustration, she smirked as she looked at him. "Coward."

"Probably," Jäger said in jest. "I'm just afraid you'd find me repulsive after you knew all about me."

"Something tells me that that is not just it," Hermione said accusingly making him laugh. It was such a melodious sound that she wished to hear it often.

"As usual, you are right," he said but then his voice had gotten softer. "I'm afraid that you'll never believe me." Hermione thought about it before answering. She must be careful on how to respond. If she responded immediately, then he would know it was an answer of courtesy.

"You could try me," she said sincerely. "I promise I'd believe you." Jäger looked at her warily. He was torn between believing her and believing in her. He opted for both.

"Okay," he sighed. "I believe you but..."

"You yourself are not ready," Hermione said for him. Letting our a breath of relief, he smiled thankfully at her.

"It's hard opening up," he said. "I am in a business that I am forced to mistrust everyone."

"Surely not Harry?" Hermione asked.

"As I said, everyone," he pressed. But then she smiled sheepishly at her. "Well. Not exactly everyone. I'm starting to trust you."

"Why not take it one step at a time?" she suggested. "Or something that would make it easier for you."

"Another time perhaps?" he asked politely making Hermione sigh in frustration.

"Perhaps," she said. "Not even if I offered an incentive?" Jäger straightened in intrigue.

"What kind of incentive?" he asked. Hermione could see the mischief in his eyes and blushed. What was he thinking off?

"Stop those amorous thoughts," she commanded softly but he simply smirked. "When was the last time you... you know?"

"That's a personal question," he answered. "Does that mean our relationship have become personal?" Laughing, Hermione shook her head in disbelief.

"You are a very dangerous man, Li," she smiled as she wrapped her arms around herself. "And I don't know if I wanted to flirt with danger so soon."

"But your not flirting with danger," he said almost huskily.

"Oh?" she seemed amused. "Is that so?"

Jäger gave her a trusting serene smile that affected her in a way she never felt before. She felt treasured and the only time she felt treasured was a brief time before...

Before Ron was committed.

"Well, sir Hunter. To whom am I flirting with?" she asked jovially and his answer caused her to smile in mirth.

"You, my Lady, are flirting with death."