Hermione was awakened early Sunday morning by the flapping of wings of more than one owl at the bay window of her bedroom. At any other time, she wouldn't have minded the sight of the owls on the perch, but it was six in the morning on a Sunday! She retrieved The Daily Prophet from the post box, perused the front page and came to an abrupt halt at the article at the bottom left corner of said front page.
MAGIC IN MANCHESTER
At yesterday's thrilling English League Quidditch match between the Manchester Mages and Chudley Cannons, war heroine and Order of Merlin honoree Hermione Granger was spotted in the VIP area with none other than international quidditch star Viktor Krum.
Krum, Manchester's reserve seeker, kept company with Miss Granger during most of the match, a 230-50 win for the Mages. After the match, the two reportedly shared an intimate lunch at a local eatery. Is one of the most eligible young witches in England off the market? Only time will tell.
This was why she considered The Daily Prophet more of a gossip rag than serious journalism. It also would explain the parliament of owls with waiting messages. She opened the bedroom window, took the letters from the owls, and gave them each a treat before they flew away. Yes… Harry, Ron, Ginny, Parvarti? 12 letters in all. I'm going back to bed, these can be read later.
During a lovely dream of wandering the summertime countryside, she became aware of thumping on the front door. Whoever was on the other side of the door would be facing the business end of her wand. She threw back the bed covers, snatched her wand from the bed side table and marched to the front door. She threw open the door and pointed her wand before seeing who it was. When she saw who it was, she rolled her eyes and dropped her arm.
"Ginny, I cherish my sleep," she quipped and waved her inside.
"Hogsmeade weekend for third years and up? Remember? Can they come in too?" she asked of the three others behind her. Luna, Cassie Cooper, and Lainey Hathaway waved and looked at her from head to toe. Hermione nodded and ushered them inside to the dining room table.
"Nice sleepwear," Ginny giggled.
Hermione looked down at herself, sporting one of her sexy black nighties that she bought once things got going hot and heavy with Brent.
"Help yourself to the kitchen," she said and returned to the bedroom.
Minutes later, she returned wearing sweatpants and her new Manchester Mages jersey, courtesy of Viktor.
"I never thought I would see you wear something like that," Ginny said and passed her a cup of tea. "Strong, the way you like it."
Hermione took a sip, nodded in approval and added some milk. They talked about their classes, and about how summoning objects unseen from a distance, wandlessly, and without words was giving most students problems.
Hermione looked over her shoulder, focused on the cupboard, and it opened. Next, a small jar of honey floated out to her waiting hand.
"That was easy, because we could see what I wanted, it was expected, and it was nearby," Hermione explained.
She rose and returned the honey to the cupboard. "Now you three try. Remember what you learned in class."
Of course, the impromptu magic lesson drifted into discussion of her Manchester adventure. Cassie and Lainey listened to the sisterly-type chat between Hermione and Ginny. During the summer, they read of the wartime exploits of Harry, Ron and Hermione and their Order of Merlin medals. The three seemed larger than life, and many students couldn't wait to see her walking the corridors of Hogwarts. Now that they were coming to know her, it was obvious she was different from the other students. She had a spark in her eyes, a way she moved and spoke that set her apart from the students. She was unfailingly friendly and helpful, especially with the younger ones. She usually had a real-life experience to illustrate a practical point in any of her classes, and the personal advice she discretely gave to any girl who asked made her a popular choice when female problems emerged. All this made many wonder why in the world she returned to school.
Hermione could barely get through classes Friday and nearly cheered out loud when the last class dismissed. She almost ran back to her cottage and slipped in her newest dress and did the best she could with her hair. dinner. At the appointed time, knocks on her front door revealed Viktor with a single rose and charming kiss to her hand.
"Thank you for coming to dinner vith me, you are beautiful, I am lucky wizard."
They left the cottage, arriving at Finnegans, the newest, trendiest restaurant in Diagon Alley. Unless you made reservations weeks ahead of time, a good table on a Friday or Saturday night was impossible. Seamus Finnegan, the owner, was so pleased to see Hermione and Viktor that he showed them to their table himself. They talked of more personal matters through the appetizers, main course and enjoyed a dessert with brandy on the restaurant veranda after dinner. Seamus joined them and gave Hermione a friendly hug.
"So, what do ya think me 'umble establishment?" he asked in his familiar brogue.
"It's fantastic, your chef is to be congratulated," Hermione said.
"It is very fine place to eat, I vish to return," Viktor said.
"Careful, all that praise is bound t' go to me head," he said. "However, just send me an owl whenever you want t' return, I'll save a table for you."
They left the restaurant and looked at the night sky and felt the cool air. "It is still early, is there any place you wish to go?"
"Yes, but I'm not sure it's your cup of tea," she said.
Mentally storing another one of her expressions, but not sure what it meant, he said, "Pretty one, I take any cup of tea you have, now tell me."
"It's a muggle club in London. Sometimes I like to go where no one knows who I am, where what I won't end up in the paper," she admitted.
"I understand. I'm not familiar with London, so you take lead."
They left Diagon Alley and Hermione hailed a taxi. Viktor had been in a car exactly twice in his life, but Hermione seemed totally at ease as the car made its way swiftly along the streets of London. They arrived at Mallards, where twenty to thirty people waited in line to gain entrance.
"Look at the line, no way," she said, took his hand and went to the front of the line. She handed the doorman fifty pounds, raised an eyebrow, and he ushered them inside. The people in line shot the doorman evil looks when he allowed them entrance. Inside, Viktor felt as if he was suddenly on another planet. He felt her squeeze his hand.
"We can leave if you want," she offered.
"No, it's just different," he said.
"They play all kinds of music and the drinks are fantastic," she said. "Come on, let's find a spot at the bar."
Harry had a rare Friday night off and invited Ron, Dean, Neville and the newest edition to the circle of friends, Ernie Macmillan, to have a fun club night at his and Hermione's favorite place, Mallards. He couldn't wait to take Ginny.
"Look who just walked in," Dean said.
They all turned and saw Hermione and Viktor make their way to a place at the bar.
"Wow, she looks great," Ernie said.
Hermione and Viktor tapped shot glasses together and tossed back the shots. When pulsing music started, Hermione nodded toward the dance floor. Viktor gave a quick shake of his head, but Hermione joined the throng of dancers. As he watched her dance, he knew then and there that she was his match. The one for him. The tingle of attraction had been there those years ago, but it would have been indecent to pursue a 15-year-old girl, but good heavens had she grown up.
As a wealthy, famous quidditch player many fabulous witches had thrown themselves at him over the years, but none interested him. Where was a witch who held all the qualities he yearned for? Looks, intelligence, and personality were all in a pretty five-foot six-inch package currently on the dance floor. The word delicious came to mind at the way she swiveled her hips.
"Barkeep, another shot," he requested.
When she returned, a glass of wine was waiting for her.
"Thanks, that was fun," she said and patted her face with a napkin. Music started again; slow, soulful music that urged couples to the floor.
"Would you care to dance again?" he asked. "I do better with slower music."
They joined the dozen or so couples dancing close, enjoying the feeling of closeness. He felt his affection for her swell when she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. He loved the feel of her lithe, shapely body in his arms; the sweet, subtle fragrance from her hair; the soft, warm skin of her arms. His fingers itched to feel other warm, soft places on her body.
Hermione's brain became happily muddled when one of his hands briefly massaged her back and rested on the small of her back. The other worked its way to the back of her neck, slowly inched its way up and started a gentle, almost tickling massage. She enjoyed this covetous kind of hold. She felt lips brush her ear, eliciting a shudder.
"You enchant me, pretty one," he whispered and placed a soft kiss under her ear. That was her favorite spot on the neck to be kissed. The music, buzz from the drinks, and the feel of him was pleasantly dizzying, so she exposed a bit more of her neck for him to place lips on.
Across the club, the boys watched the scene. "Who ever knew she could be so hot?" Ernie asked.
Harry and Ron looked pointedly at each other. We knew.
Viktor gently raised her chin for her mouth to meet his. What joy it was to have her soft lips against his. Her tongue swiping his lips was his undoing. When their song ended the trance was broken.
"Let's find a good spot to sit," she suggested. "We can continue our conversation."
Luckily, they could claim a plum corner spot recently vacated by a local football celebrity and his entourage. Love seats and plush arm chairs throughout the club beckoned patrons to relax and extend their club stay longer, thus increasing the profit potential. An attendant was soon on the scene to inquire about drink orders.
"I enjoy this," he said, kissed her hand and drew her closer. "It's different from places I usually go to relax."
She leaned close and patted his arm. "Thank you for coming here, I wasn't sure if you would enjoy a muggle place."
"In my country, ve don't have so much... conflict vith matters of blood. You are powervul, you vould be velcomed at home vith that alone."
She nodded, took a swig of her drink and peered over his shoulder. A smile graced her pretty face and she waved. Viktor turned to see who she was waving at.
"Potter is here as well? Shall we invite him to join us?" he asked.
"You don't mind?" she asked.
"Potter is famous in Europe as well. He vas kind to me at Hogvarts those years ago."
Hermione waved Harry over. He gestured to his group and she nodded. Viktor rose and held his hand to the group of wizards who looked in awe of Viktor. Ernie winked at Hermione, who subtly moved closer to Viktor.
"Potter, an honor," Viktor said.
"Good to see you again," Harry said and returned the handshake.
The group sat and talked about their jobs, their romances, their almost-romances, and memories of school.
"In my sleep, I still see golden eggs and dragons coming after me," Viktor said with a grin.
If you only knew what I see coming after me! Hermione thought.
"So, are you two seeing each other?" Neville asked.
Viktor thought about his question and was puzzled. "Vell, yes I see her, she is right here," he said, glancing at her. Hermione whispered in his ear. "Oh, that kind of seeing. Yes, I see her."
The rest of the night passed quickly with talking, laughing, and drinking. A voice announced the last dance of the evening and Neville politely asked Hermione for a dance. The others paired off, leaving Viktor and Harry in the corner.
"Ask your question Potter," Viktor said.
"Is this a just a fling with her or do you want more?" Harry asked.
"More. I wish to make her mine."
"Does she know? You'll have some competition, you know."
Viktor chuckled, his tone tinged with confidence. "Competition has never been a problem vith me. She is vorth it, and I do not intend to lose."
"Fair enough. All I want is for her to be happy and loved," Harry said.
"As do I, Potter."