Chapter 7
Emily doesn't own Harry Potter, that's copyrighted to JKR. Dur.
A/N Okay...please…don't throw anything at me. I really do apologize for the delay. I got…sidetracked? But the point is…Here I am…back…still have no idea how to let this thing go...but we'll see!
Hermione woke up to a taping on her window. She looked over groggily to find a snow white owl perched on her windowsill. Stretching, she rose from her bed and opened the window. Hedwig hopped onto her out stretched arm and hooted. Taking the letter from her beak she sat the bird down and opened the letter.
Dear Hermione,
Join me for dinner tonight? I have something I need to discuss with you! It's kind of important. But it's a nice restaurant. I'll have to meet you there, I've made reservations, and it's under "Hermes." It's at The Waiter. Very high class. Reservations are at 7 pm.
Always,
Harry P.
Hermione had to read through the letter again. She looked over at her bedside calendar. I go in at 8 and get off at 4…Should be enough time to get ready. Scribbling a note of acceptance, she sent Hedwig back off to Harry and made her way sleepily to the bathroom.
Dressing in her form fitting, pin stripped pants, and a white collared shirt she looked at herself in the mirror. She sighed. Her hair was every where. She would defiantly have to check in with George about that potion. Pouring some Sleakeazy's potion in her hair she began to work her fingers through her hair until it became magically straight. Picking up her purse she walked out the front door, locked it, and apparated into Diagon Alley. Stepping into the phone booth that would take her to work the teller came on.
"Hello, please state your name and business here at the ministry."
"Hermione Granger, I'm here for work." Clinking metal was heard and a small badge was dropped into the coin return slot.
"Thank, enjoy your time at the ministry." The booth began to sink beneath the ground and soon Hermione found herself among the hustle and bustle of work. Sitting behind her desk, Hermione found herself flipping through magazines. It was a particularly slow day, and Hermione's mind kept drifting to her date later with Harry. If it was going to be classy, Hermione wanted to order something from the Witches Which Mag. She turned the page again and yawned.
Glancing at her watch, she was shocked to see it was 2:30 already. It seemed that she had only been there for a few minutes, and even then she had been bored! Putting the magazine in her desk she buzzed Mr. Weasley.
"Arthur, I'm headed to get some lunch, would you like something?"
"Oh Hermione, dear girl. Just a Mocha from the café?" He told her. Hermione stood and picked her things up. She walked to the elevator and headed down another 3 floors to the ministry cafeteria. There were only a few people scattered about the tables which confused Hermione.
"Heya Dean, where is everyone?" she asked walking up to the line.
"Oh, wouldn't you know it. Took their lunches about an hour ago." Dean rolled his eyes. "High executives and what not. How was your weekend Granger?"
"Oh you know, the usual." Hermione said picking up a tray and smiling.
"Oh I know that smile! Hermione you tart!" Dean said playfully.
"Oh come off it, will you? Anyways, can you hand me a Mocha?" After getting herself a tea she took the hot beverage back up to Arthur's office and once again seated herself behind her desk and began flipping through her magazine again.
Harry sat with his head resting in his hand. He was sitting in on one of Ron's classes and was positively bored. He had loved Defense against the Dark Arts back in his school days. He wasn't quite sure what had happened. He listened to Ron drone on and on about the Patronus Charm for the 5th time that day. He yawned openly and a few kids snickered. Snapping his head up at the sound of his name he stood.
"Right, so the Patronus Charm. Like your dear teacher here was saying…I think…You have to concentrate on your single most, happiest moment of your life. The happier the better. Then, you wave your wand and say the incantation, like so."
"Expecto Patronum!" Harry waved his wand and a brilliant white stag came shooting from his wand and cantered around the class several times, causing the students to "Ooh" and "Ahh." Ron assigned them all homework and dismissed class.
"Well done Harry, that was the brightest one all day. What were you thinking about?" Ron asked, pushing chairs under the tables.
Harry stared out the window. "Actually I was thinking about the first time me and Hermione sl-" Harry stopped, he almost blew his cover. It was known that Harry and Hermione were now a couple, but no one knew they had slept together. "The first time Hermione and I slipped out for coffee. Wonderful time" Harry finished.
"Honestly Harry, you have the worst idea for dates mate. Coffee?" Ron shook his head and stacked the class books.
"Oh sod off, it was nice alright?" Harry defended himself, retrieving the homework the kids had left behind. Harry and Ron talked a bit more about the quidditch scores and Harry decided he had better leave.
"I've got things to do, and you know Luna's home with the baby, better get back to her." Using the fireplace in Ron's office, Harry floo-ed back to his own house. Now…to get ready for tonight. He jogged back to his bathroom and turned the shower on.
Hermione almost ran to the elevator after work. She wanted to get home as quickly as possible so she could get ready. Once out of the booth, Hermione apparated to her flat and hurriedly unlocked the door. Pinning her hair up on her way to the bathroom, Hermione turned the faucet on and let the water run until it was hot. Sliding out of her pants and unbuttoning her shirt, Hermione stepped into her bath. She took extra care in shaving her legs, the last thing she needed was a line of tiny nicks. Finishing in the tub, she donned her rob and entered her bedroom. Pulling her magazine from her rack she sat on her bed and opened it. She went through the magazine three times before she finally found what she wanted. She turned to the ordering page and found a quill to write with.
Writing in her sizes and the color she wanted and he account number, she put a check in the box labeled "Finished." The ink began to sink into the paper and disappeared. Hermione held her breath and watched as the dress materialized in front of her. She gasped. It was breathtaking in person. The dress was in black chiffon. The one shoulder evening gown was made with a fitted skirt and a trumpet bottom and a slight rain. There was silver and black beading on the bodice of the dress. Hermione smiled. She loved the dress. Putting on her black strapless bra and matching unders, Hermione stepped into the dress. Adjusting it, she was almost too afraid to look at herself in the mirror.
She was amazed at how the dress fit. Exactly right in all the right places. It accentuated her figure. Hermione loved it. She went back to her bathroom and began to heat her rollers. She flicked her wand at her stereo system and hummed to the song that came out. With the rollers in place she waved her wand at them, a simple trick to ensure that each curl came out just right. She brushed her teeth and applied a light layer of foundation and powder to her face. After finishing her look with neutral eye shadow, black eye liner and lip stick, Hermione took her rollers out. She smiled at the result.
Spiral curls bounced around her head as she shook them out. She pinned most of them to the back and let a few bounce forward. Picking up her clutch, she went to her closet for her shoes. Leaving the flat she smiled. She had to admit that she had never looked as good as she did tonight.
She apperated to Diagon Alley and walked the rest of the way to the restaurant. She took a deep breath and walked up to the host and waited.
"Can I help you ma'am?" she asked politely.
"Um, yes actually. I have reservations for 7 o clock. They're under Hermes" Hermione grinned at the name.
"Oh yes, right this way please?" Hermione was led through the dining area and couldn't stop fidgeting as she noticed everyone staring at her. Before she seated herself she stopped the host.
"May I ask you something?" She asked nervously.
"Of course ma'am."
"Is…This is going to sound odd, but…Do I look alright?" Hermione asked blushing. The host smiled.
"Ma'am…You look lovely." The host walked away and Hermione sat down. She tapped her fingers and went through the wine list twice before looking at her watch. After twenty minutes, Harry still hadn't shown up. Hermione began to fidget again. She had been stood up before, but she didn't actually think Harry would do it. She felt shivers go down her back as she heard his voice in her ear.
"You look beautiful Hermione Jane Granger."
