-oo0oo-
Chapter 5.- Surprise, Theo has a heart.
The edited version of the 'romantic dinner' went viral. The world now knew how to rub steaks and make an audience blush, how to look sexy preparing a salad, how to have a dog take the spotlight not once but twice in the same episode, and finally, how to have the chef's parents making the host feel just like a kid caught with his hand in the biscuit tin, before closing the session.
Harry became the object of media news revealing to the world that he was currently dating the elusive CEO of HJP's beauty brand. Everyone felt the genuine love and kindness glowing through. Everyone except Theodore Nott. The lawyer in question was on a mission now, he had to serve a notice.
As the elevator doors closed, he turned when he heard someone's voice ending a call. "Look Mack, I'm done with the adjustments here, for Merlin's sake, the firefighters were animals. I mean they ripped the elevator doors not once but twice. Yeah, I know, this is the last trial, see you later."
Theo noticed the voice belonged to a woman, she was in a maintenance uniform, was a foot smaller than him, had an ash blond ponytail, a grease stain on her cheek, and to his surprise, she was an exquisite thing. The female in question also looked like the type that could break his arm in one move. Her stitched name read. S. A. Perks Supervisor.
"You're Sal?" Asked Theo.
Sal turned and replied. "Yeah, I'm Sal, short for Sally."
"I've heard of you, you're the problem fixer everyone turns to, uh, for help. What happened to the elevator doors?"
Sally raised her eyebrows in disbelief, she sighed and carefully inquired. "Um, you don't get out much, do you?" She answered, then she shook her head and added, "I know who you are, you're counselor Theodore Nott?"
"Yeah, I mean yes." Then he sensed it, something odd was happening, his magic started reacting. 'Was the temperature rising?' He wondered in silence.
Sally turned and began feeling the effects of the temperature rise. Magic meeting compatible magic crystallized, followed by a cascade effect, the electricity drained and the elevator panel failed, stopping the lift from reaching the landing and locking her with the most infamous git in the building, Theodore Nott.
"Shit!" she sighed and added, "I think I know what happened."
"What?" asked Theo as he noticed the lights went out after he fell on his arse. He hated dark small places. "Where are you?" He asked from the floor.
"I'm right here, are you okay?" Asked Sal.
"N-Yes, um, we, I mean, should we call for help?" Said Theo with a small voice.
Sal smiled and added. "Relax counselor, I'm already here, and I'll think of something." She sighed and picked up her walkie-talkie. "Mack?"
"Yes, boss?" Answered a disembodied voice.
"The power is out, and the elevator is not moving, could you please engage the alternative keyhole, so the doors can open?"
"Right on it, boss."
Theo began trembling and rocking himself in a back-and-forth motion. Sally realized the man beside her was a special case. She noticed the signs of a panic attack on a person, and as a former woman of arms, her discipline kicked in. Sal had to keep her cool.
Magic was thrumming under her skin. Magic, an elusive force of nature since the beginning of time. An even rarer phenomenon nowadays manifested in a small compartment and make a miracle.
Compatible magical coupling, just like finding a pegasus on a crowded shopping mall, or the closest thing to winning the lottery. She was aware of the phenomenon because, according to her mother's diary, compatible magic was the very thing that created her. Her parents met and that night they began their relationship. Still, magical compatibility had a cost. If you ignored it, magic cursed you, until you repented, and penance, sometimes, became a nightmare.
Never in her wildest dreams did Sal believe that this overdressed fashion mannequin and object of so much antagonism, would be so frail, or for all that, her magical mate.
While observing him, Sally had a revelation, everything about Theo was a perfectly designed act, a daily mask. She took a seat next to him and quietly asked, "So, are you afraid of the dark counselor?"
For a moment it threw Theo into a loop. His brain recalled his family history. The Nott wizarding family back in Britain was infamous for their relationship with Dark Lords. Nott and dark were synonyms. However, after the wizarding war of the 40s ended, Nott Sr. survived instead of dying for his ideals, and he left England with his heir.
Theo knew that in fact there was a hit contract on his grandfather. The head of the family then took action and sent his offspring away, hiding him in plain sight, he hid the teen in the muggle world.
Theo's father abhorred the change and turned to addiction, and after getting a muggle girl pregnant, he outdid himself in regaling a miserable childhood to Theo, his only son, the one he called the 'half-blood freak'.
Theo's father formed a lasting impression on his child, and Theo made a promise, he would be patient, he would study and after obtaining his degree he would build himself a reputation, he would gain respect, and once on top of the food chain, he would return the favor to his old man. Theo prevailed, and his moment of triumph arrived. Counselor Nott came across a sad case. A homeless man that required help to be taken off the streets. Not one person involved in the case suspected nor seemed to care about the relation between the two men. To the world the exchange was a favor to the community, the outcome had a nameless man being transferred to a clinic, the best, the most exclusive, and cold center that money could buy. Theo however, made sure that his father did not forget. Nowadays Theo's father experienced a crisis, every time his sponsor, -Counselor Nott- sent him a holiday greeting card, reminding him how fortune reverses on everyone and his regards.
Still, one of his traumas lingered, Nott senior loved to enforce violence on his son by locking him in a dark broom closet. Theo hated closed dark spaces, and for a second he forgot himself and began trembling, so, when Sal inquired if he hated the dark he felt like killing, but he noticed, the woman wasn't standing, but next to him. She wasn't even touching him, she just was there. The emergency lights came on and Theo realized she was sitting so close he could feel her magic.
"Does your brain know how to stop thinking?" Asked Sal.
"What are you talking about?" Asked Theo.
She smiled mysteriously. "Once upon a time, I was a dreamer, I believed in princes, kind words, and being a damsel in distress, but then, life happened, reality hit, and my dreams had to be put in stasis, while I turned to something different from my daddy's little princess. I began working with machines, got to learn about tattoos, bodybuilding, self-defense, and becoming my own person. After a while, I brought my dreams out into the light, and ultimately, I became happy in my skin."
"Why are you telling me this?" Asked Theo.
"Because if you listen to me, you stop panicking, I thought I might as well try it." Said the maintenance supervisor.
Theo looked at himself and then the woman next to him and wondered if the exchange was real or a dream. She was kind and unnervingly beautiful.
He felt something like being close to a level XXXX class magical beast, and yet the Sphinx kept purring. Sal, however, kept herself at bay. Not once had she said a mean word.
Oh, the professional in him recognized this move, basic seduction, and this woman was not using her guile nor wit, she was only sitting using her voice, in the most alluring soft tones and gently calming him.
'How did she do it, how did she make him stop his own crisis? He was a master at his trade yet Sal was the one with the power? When did that happen?' Theo rationalized in silence.
Sally smiled at Theo's blush. He was very handsome, but she figured that for Theo, looks meant weapons. As for Sally, looks meant responsibility.
Theo was no longer trembling, the handywoman wondered where Mack was. She brought her walkie-talkie out and dialed. "Mack, how are you doing with the alternative solution?" "Um, they jam the keyhole, Sal," Replied her assistant. "Okay Mack, give it a rest, I'll see if I can open the hatch and get an idea on what level we are on, talk to you later."
Sal turned to Theo and said, in a sultry tone of voice, "Want to lend a hand to a working chick, counselor?" Theo blinked at the question, he knew what she asked, but the playful twinkle in her aquamarine eyes made him feel exactly like an over hormonal teen in less than two point three seconds. Theo began sweating, and he pressed his lips in one line and nodded yes, not trusting his voice.
Sal smiled and Theo forgot why he was afraid, previous to the dazzling smile he thought she was beautiful, after the smile she was a goddess, hell, he would be her labor mule, if it helped make her feel better, and with that train of thought he rose and waited for more instructions.
"Um, okay, um, can you lift me to the lever above, mind you, I think you should take your jacket off, since I have a big grease stain on my butt, and, uh, I don't want to ruin your expensive suit."
Theo realized something was wrong with him, but, for some unknown reason, he couldn't pinpoint it. Only then did he recall he was wearing clothes, instead, he nodded yes, and took his jacket off.
To Sal, Theo's unexpected submissiveness blew a fuse on her neural wiring, because she realized she had boots, and the boots had stepped on an oil stain. The logical thing to do was lose some of her clothing too, starting with her feet.
Sal took the boots off and opened her arms to be picked up, and he did, slowly lifting her to the hatch opening. His body temperature shocked her. He was warm, so warm, and she softly leaned her face to his head and scented his hair. Why? who knew really, but it was the natural thing to do. A moment later she tried twisting the hatch and realized it remained stuck as well. She lowered her left hand and softly caressed his head. Theo realized she was giving him a simple order, to put her down, still, he needed to feel her skin.
He felt her body slowly slither down, in a soft caress. Theo knew it was pointless, he couldn't keep his body's reaction to having the exotic creature in his arms. Sally felt it too.
"I'm sorry Sal, I tried keeping my reaction at bay, but I can't help it, you're amazing and I can't, I ..." said Theo.
"Let's make one thing clear here," Interrupted Sally, as she lowered the zipper and stood in her sports bra and boxers, displaying a perfect copy of the Venus De Milo with a pulse, plus limbs adorned with geometrical and rune tattoos in a pattern all over her lovely body. "The feeling is mutual." She got his hand under her knickers. Which made Theo almost pass out.
After two hours the firefighters arrived, ripped the elevator doors open, and found a semi-nude Theo, lovingly caressing Sally's face as his jacket fully dressed and covered her like a blanket, resting her head on his shoulder, slumbering.
After both got dispatched home, Sally pulled Theo next to a wall and asked, "So, counselor, are you going home now, or are you ready for round two?"
"Can I get a kiss first and the promise that you will be my girl or not?"
"Oh, you silver tongue thief, of course, you get a girlfriend, but I get a sex slave slash boyfriend too, so yes, on the kiss… You were so brave, back there, and so good at redressing me with magic, that, of course, you're getting a kiss."
"Oh Merlin, I will not stand a chance right, it's all or nothing?" asked Theo. As Sally took his hand and side Apparated them to her place.
"Yeah, you've said it, compatible magic doesn't make mistakes, Theo," said Sally.
"All hail mother Magic," said Theo.
"One thing though, if we are together, I don't like sharing, you're mine and that's it. If you, however, if you ever get to the point of feeling nothing for me, then please let me know, so we peacefully go our separate ways. I don't enjoy fighting, that doesn't mean I will not fight. I have a lifestyle and will not apologize for being possessive and territorial, but I'll strive for your happiness. If you take me with everything." Said Sally as she closed her promise with a kiss.
Theo began shedding tears, and said, "Yeah, everything, warts and all. I'm not perfect, but if you have me, I will keep you next to my heart. I too am possessive and territorial, but I do like showing off that I got my perfect magical mate Sal." Said Theo as he caressed Sally's face with the tips of his fingers.
-oo0oo-
Hermione and Neville coincided on a visit to Theo's office because as of late the man had been under the weather. Finally, on a Wednesday, both got an early appointment. As they arrived the two were to wait. After five minutes, Hermione got fed up, and quietly sent a stunner and a mild Confundus at the secretary. She opened the door to Theo's office and found Theo being used as a chair, by a woman wearing a black and flower print dress, and boots.
The issue was not that she was using him as a chair, as he too, was holding her as if for life, and her stylish hairdo was about two seconds away from being ripped, he began laughing, and Hermione and Neville became witnesses to the woman being picked and placed on the desk while making a mess of the laptop and paperwork on top of said desk. Theo brought his wand, and she took it and placed it on the side, as she flicked her wrist and vanished the mess.
"Don't brag Mrs. Nott, remember, Magic is a secret."
"Says the man who brought his wand out, it's all in the wrist Theo. Too bad your old man is an extreme arsehole and a bigot, we excelled in magical studies here in Oz, wand-less casting is necessary to blend in, with the locals,"
Neville cleared his throat, and the couple stopped. Theo raised his killer sight and then noticed he had visitors. "Oh, sorry about that, Sal, we have visitors."
Neville couldn't believe this. "Son of a bitch, he bagged Sal? the hot maintenance chick," thought Neville to himself.
"Um, care to fill me in on this?" Said Hermione as she walked and noticed the woman, only then did he place her face on her memory. "Sally Anne, oh, my God, you look amazing! What the hell, the last time I saw you, you were getting into the Navy wagon, before swearing you would turn into a pilot, what happened?" Said Hermione as she hugged her.
"I became a pilot, but mechanical engineering caught my eye and I met Mack, and we started a business, everyone knows me as Sal, but, I just recently met Theo, and um, well, he was showing me his office," Sally replied with a big smile and a blush.
"You called her Mrs. Nott?" Asked Neville with disbelief.
"Um, yes, he called me Mrs. Nott, the counselor here is such a romantic, he proposed after a lovely beach walk. That, plus a long list of gestures convinced me that sex and law practice were not the only capabilities. He really wanted me to marry him, and, uh, we are magically compatible, all it took was a ride in the elevator if you can believe that." Said Sally.
"Oh, wow, the elevator, I believe you, I met Harry riding the elevator." Said Hermione.
"Yeah, I too connected with Daphne," Said Neville.
"So, the elevator is the thing that's making compatibility happen?" Asked Sal.
"It seems that way," Answered Theo.
"Wow," Exclaimed Neville.
Sal smiled and added, "So, Herms, you finally got down and dirty with someone worth a damn, Harry. Harry who?"
"Listen, Miss, I swear I won't ever kiss another frog in my life, I, uh did, fall prey to a gorgeous wizard who coincidentally was done having his ear chewed up by your new hubby here, and, well, we, we got trapped in the elevator and Merlin all mighty, compatibility knocked us," Hermione blushed.
"Don't tell me, you had a panic attack?" Asked Sal, while Neville and Theo remained quiet wondering what the question meant.
"I began having a panic attack, you remembered I'm claustrophobic." Nodded Hermione in acceptance.
Both Neville and Theo remained quiet at the revelation.
"How can I forget Herms, I was the one that brought you out of the broom closet while your significant other 'at the time' received an array of hexes in return for his stunt?"
"His name is Harry, Harry Potter."
"Oh, my goodness you lucky 'witch!' The rolling van chef? Oh, his recipe for chocolate waffles melted my panties,"
"He just melted my panties, and that was before I knew he could cook." Added Hermione with no hint of modesty.
Both Neville and Theo shook their heads and tip-toed out. Leaving the friends in deep conversation.
Theo and Neville tried after a while to see if the ladies were done with their chat. Both stepped up to the frame of the door and heard.
"Oh mighty Aphrodite, could you please cut it out, I'm just a mortal and after three years, undoubtedly horny. To which I realized, he wasn't letting go, and damn, the man was toned, gorgeous, sweating, and pleading, and I, well I had an epiphany. Life made no sense unless I was on top of the wild creature, HELL YES!"
Both Neville and Theo realized the women turned loony riding the elevator. Both males blushed tomato red. Sal started laughing like a little girl.
"Tell me about it Herms, I mean I had this gorgeous guy wearing a suit next to me, and even though everyone hates him, all I could see was just a man that was trying to keep a level head through a problem. Anyway, there I was, covered in grease stains, the damn elevator not moving, and I asked him if he could help me reach out the hatch.
He nods and before the maneuver happens; I place a hand in front of him, stopping him, I ask him to take the jacket off so at least the grease on my uniform, hands, and face avoid a new pattern on his clothes. He nods, and, after he takes off the piece of clothing in question, I realize I'm screwed.
It makes no sense, the exchange felt like a bear taking his winter coat to please his mistress he picks me up gently, and all I know is that he's in my arms, the big lug just defanged me, and he doesn't realize the power he has over me, while my libido is going off the charts and declaring 'It's open season on bears.' Seriously, what was I supposed to do, not jump him?"
Both girls began laughing themselves silly.
"I think we should retreat?" Asked Neville.
"Smart man," Theo nodded in fake defeat.
"I think I'm pregnant," said Hermione.
"I know I'm pregnant too," said Sal.
The last tidbits of the conversation crystallized in Theo's consciousness and he blinked stupidly for seconds.
"Magical compatibility does that Hermione, plus, we have a magical elevator, that pairs up couples who are too idiotic to see otherwise." Said Sal before Theo's powerful arms pulled her out of the chair.
"I don't believe this, you're pregnant?" He asked and then kissed her. Sal could only nod her answer.
Neville and Hermione smiled and tiptoed out, leaving the newlyweds to enjoy the fresh development in their lives. Hermione smiled and knew she had to share some information.
Neville too had to get to Daphne; he was curious about the elevator and its side effects. In particular, if there was any truth to Sal's comment that magical babies got conceived as a first encounter, or maybe after working hard at conception?
The two appeared by magic close to their mates and found them sitting down looking into animal print patterns on wallpaper. Daphne said to Harry, "I'll take the bears and you take the bunnies, I just know the pattern is right and again, thank you for preparing dinner for Nev and me," Daphne hugged Harry and he answered, "I'm glad it worked for you and Neville, Daph, you deserve happiness,"
Neville walked in and said, "Mr. Potter, Miss Greengrass good afternoon,"
Daphne opened her eyes and smiled welcoming Neville. "Neville, hi, I've got something important to tell you, but first, good afternoon Miss Puckle, your boyfriend is an amazing friend, congratulations on your coupling, I have to leave, I have a very important meeting with my Neville,"
Daphne hugged Hermione, which made Harry's and Neville's jaws drop to the ground.
Afterward, she pulled Neville next to her and shifted away.
"Harry, what was that about?" Asked Hermione.
"Good things, nothing but good things for them, so, how's the counselor?"
"He's actually glowing with happiness if you can believe it." Answered Hermione.
"Why is that?" Asked Harry.
"His new wife, a gorgeous former pilot, and mechanic, jumped him on the elevator and they're happy about getting a new family, magic is scary," answered Hermione.
"So Nott, tied the knot?" Asked Harry, to which Hermione just nodded in response. "Wow,"
"Harry?" Asked Hermione.
"What?" Answered Harry.
"You have five children, five gorgeous babies and I'm sure that you and I did not use any contraception spell even the first time we met. Plus, you've not given me any alcoholic beverage ever since you began cooking for me. I too have used no contraception since I've met you. I've done some research, and I found out that magical babies have been few in between, ever since the last war of the 1940s, and magical compatibility is happening all over the world… I guess, I just never thought I would have a typical life, meet a wonderful man, who would be as good as you are for me, and I'm scared... I'm a pragmatist, dreams don't come true, and what if I fail at being a suitable mate and mother? What if you wake up tomorrow and realize this is not what you wanted…"
"Hermione, stop, just stop. First, you're right, I too figured that there was something odd about us, from the start. I don't get it, but I knew, I have known ever since I laid eyes on you I was screwed. Because you felt different, exactly like the first time when I was being fitted for a magic wand, you pulled me to you like a magnet and in your embrace, I felt I was finally home. It scared the shite out of me, but it was a good scare. I've always had a semblance of control, no matter how fucked up things became, I adapted and continued. But, when you took that control out of the equation by pulling me into your life, it was like breathing again. I felt like my soul breathed again and you were the oxygen. I know you're scared, but you're quite brave too, you took a chance on me and I would be fucked, if I miss this chance for us. Give yourself a little credit love, I think you're going to be a great mum, not just my mate, because, from where I'm standing Hermione J Puckle doesn't do small, no, she goes big or goes home," said Harry as his eyes shed tears and embraced Hermione.
"What is it about you? That just as I think you couldn't surprise me more, you say these things, I love you."
"I love you too, and these babies too." Said Harry as he caressed her still flat belly.
"Babies? wait, I thought it was just one?" asked Hermione with a hint of panic.
Harry nodded and brought up his wand and traced a rune near her navel and two tiny magical cores connected to the rune, he raised his eyes and pointed to the dual lights emanating from Hermione. "See, twins."
"Oh my God, I know nothing about raising one baby, let alone two, how?" Asked Hermione.
It was then that Emma Granger and Lily Potter, future grandmas, came in and noticed the scene, the two yelled in joy and rushed to give the couple a group hug.
"Oh, Hermione dear, I'm so happy for you, don't worry dear, you're joining the mommy club, and, yes, I promise, I'll show you the 'secret handshake," said Emma.
Lily laughed merrily and added, "Oh, Emma, how do you come up with these silly thoughts? Anyway, Hermione dear, with five children and two on the way, it's time Harry thinks about a vasectomy," added Lily.
"Oh, dear, Lily, you're right," said Emma Granger.
"Mom, Mrs. Potter, thank you, but no one will touch my Harry's nether's but me, now, Harry, twins? You also don't do things halfway, do you? Twins!"
"Oh, look at this Emma, Harry already selected the proper wallpaper for the nursery, its bunnies," Said Lily. After a moment she added. "Oh God, bunnies, such a lovely shape, I knew my late daughter-in-law had once said that her Patronus would protect her loved ones, a bunny, now I understand, it was a sign… I, personally, I always wanted to have more babies, but Harry, Harry made the dream come true, his late wife was a joy and I know Hermione will be a lovely addition to our huge, noisy, loving family," said the Potter Matriarch.
"She's right Hermione, my Lily said it, we are a big noisy bunch, and as you have figured out, you will never be alone. You may have your space and intimacy, but if you need help, we will be there." Said James, revealing he had been listening at the door.
"I don't, I mean, thank you," said Hermione in a whisper.
"Silly girl, you don't have to thank us, just give us space to spoil our grandkids," said James as he hugged Hermione.
"Smart man, now if you don't mind Potter, I would like to punch Harry Potter for making me a grandfather at the tender age of sixty," added Daniel Granger.
"Um, before you do that Doctor Granger, do you mind if I ask Hermione something first?" Said, Harry.
"Oh, alright," answered Daniel.
"I, Hermione, I know this has been a crazy ride ever since we met at the elevator, and just so you know, I suck at romance, but," Harry got on one knee, "Will you marry me?"
"Oh my God, what a beautiful ring, you said I was your oxygen and your home. To me, you're proof that dreams come true, I'm not saying no, but Harry, can I think about this?"
"Of course," said Harry, he closed the jewelry box and stepped out.
The Potters nodded and stepped out too, leaving the Grangers and Hermione alone. Hermione noticed her mother's face and sighed, then said. "Mom, I need some time alone, this is big, and I need time to think it over." Hermione walked out and disappeared and reappeared next to her bed, she took her shoes off and decided to go for a shower. After she put on pajamas and went to sleep.