Chapter 19
Does it get any better than this? Viktor thought, watching his new bride atop him, enthusiastically riding to a glorious climax. Her head was thrown back, chest heaving, and her nails were digging into his chest. Panting, she looked to where their bodies joined.
"You're still hard," she whispered.
"Indeed," he murmured, drew her close and kissed her breathless.
He laid her on her back, put her legs over his arms and thrust deep into her. He shuddered and cursed in Bulgarian when her hips rose to meet his.
"Harder," she gasped.
He suckled her breasts for a few moments, placed her legs around his hips, and plunged in to the hilt.
"Yes," she moaned.
He grunted his agreement and listened to sounds of their bodies slapping together, her moans and cries of pleasure were music to his ears as he felt his release build.
Does it get any better than this? she thought when she looked to where their bodies joined and felt another climax approach. He had let go of her hips and support himself with his forearms. She looked into his eyes, captivated by the expression of lust, love and excitement.
"You like to watch my cock work you?" he whispered and slowed to give her long, slow thrusts. She nodded wordlessly with half-lidded eyes.
"You like to feel my cock work you?" he asked. Again, she wordlessly nodded.
"I love you, my Hermynee," he whispered.
As they came together, so focused on each other, they didn't notice the burst of uncontrolled magic that shook objects around the room.
June 28
Evie was reviewing one of her patient's files when she was startled by the telephone.
"Dr. Granger," she answered.
"Mum! Are you busy?"
"Not too busy to talk to you. Welcome back, how was the honeymoon?"
"Fabulous! Florida was magical!"
"Well, you fit right in then. I'm glad you called; a letter came for you."
"I'll send my owl later tonight, okay? I just wanted to let you know we're back."
"Come for dinner soon."
"Okay mum, bye! Love you!"
John poked his head in the door as Evie hung up the phone, a plaster tooth mold in his hand.
"Was that the delivery service? We better get a discount, that x-ray film is four days overdue."
"No, it was Hermione."
"She's back?"
"Yes and she sounded deliriously happy."
And she indeed was, until she opened the Ministry letter after dinner.
"Bugger," she mumbled and handed the letter to Viktor. "It's sooner than I expected, but it's better to get it out of the way before I start work."
The next day, she and Viktor waited in the corridor for her ten-a.m. hearing. At five minutes before ten, she was called into a room with a magistrate, his clerk, a Hit Wizard (in case any of the hearings got heated) and the owner of the damaged pub.
The magistrate spoke. "I am Ministry Magistrate Rowley, and you are the accused, Hermione Granger?"
"Hermione Krum, Master Rowley."
"Ah, Mrs. Krum, my mistake. We are here this morning to decide the matter of Corning vs. Krum on charges of destruction of private property. Is this correct, Mr. Corning?"
"Yes sir, it is."
"I see from the parchment that you allege just over three hundred galleons of damage to your establishment, The Copper Goblet, in Diagon Alley?"
"I do sir."
Hermione thought the amount a bit inflated, but she had no intention of arguing the matter. She could afford it and just wanted the whole matter over.
"I've seen the photographs from the case in question, and statements taken from seven witnesses, to include the Hit Wizards who arrived on scene. How do you plead Mrs. Krum?"
"Guilty, sir."
"Very well, let it be noted that the accused, Hermione Krum, pleads guilty to the charge of destruction of private property. Have you anything to add, Mrs. Krum?
"Yes, I do."
She faced Mr. Corning. "Sir, I deeply regret my actions that night. My only intention that evening was to have a good time with my friends. I am truly sorry for the damages, and I am willing to pay an additional three hundred galleons on top of the damages, for your trouble. Again, I am truly sorry."
She faced the magistrate. "That's all, sir."
The magistrate looked at Mr. Corning, who was surprised about the sum Hermione just pledged. It was completely unexpected. "Mr. Corning? Is that acceptable?"
Mr. Corning nodded quickly. "Yes sir, absolutely. Very acceptable."
"Very well, Mrs. Krum, your admission of guilt and financial restitution is noted. By noon today, you will make payable the amount of six hundred fifty one galleons to Henry Corning, proprietor of The Copper Goblet, Diagon Alley. See my clerk before you leave to ensure the parchment is correct. That concludes this hearing. Good day."
I wish more young people were as agreeable, the magistrate thought as he left the room.
On Thursday the 30th, she started at The Mage Guild. Viktor had a team meeting and interview with Quidditch Monthly, so his day would be full too. They agreed that whichever one of them arrived at home first that evening would get dinner started. After a heated goodbye kiss, Hermione wondered if her desire for him would wane. How long do newlyweds feel this way?
She arrived at the Mage Guild and performed the magic to unlock the doors. She removed the instructions from her pocket and re-read it, and tried again. She failed the second tries but was successful on the third. My first day and I can't even do a proper ward charm to get in the door! In the foyer, she was met by a witch named Miranda Travers, the Charms mistress she would be apprenticing under for next two years.
"I'm sorry, I'd forgotten the how intricate the wards might be. It's been seven years since we've had a new mage here."
"I have to learn sometime, no time like the present."
"Indeed. Come this way, I want to introduce you to the Charms team and get you settled."
In the McKiernan Corridor, the Charms team in the lab all stopped what they were doing and looked at the new arrival in interest. One of the younger wizards nudged the wizard next to him and gave Hermione an appreciative appraisal. She introduced herself with a shy smile.
Miranda spoke. "This warded lab is where most of the Charm development happens, for safety's sake. We do the research in the library, which is through those back doors," she said and pointed to set of beige double doors at the back of the lab. "Let's go to the administrative office to get you officially on the rolls."
She started her employee file, read and signed her apprenticeship agreement, arranged to have her stipend deposited to her account at Gringotts. She given the guild cloaks, formal robes for special occasions, and started her file with the guild mediwitch.
"I hear that you're a newlywed, congratulations," the nurse said warmly.
"Thanks, Madame Hornsby."
"Please, call me Janie. I know this is a personal question, and feel free from answering, but are you planning on having children soon?"
"As a matter of fact, we're working on it."
She knew she blushed when a memory from last night's dining room escapade flashed in her mind. It took forever to get the honey out of her hair, and her new husband was only too happy to help her with that in the shower.
"That's wonderful! Well, when you do find out that you're pregnant, let me know as soon as possible. The guild will need to be made aware of your condition."
"Will pregnancy be a problem?"
"Good heavens no! After the war, there's a need to increase our world's birthrate. It's been on the decline, you know. It's just that there's certain areas of the premises, specifically the potions lab and menagerie that you'll need to make adjustments for."
"I see." I think.
While Janie was asking about the anti-depressant elixir she took, Miranda returned. "All finished here Janie?" she asked. "She needs to get settled in her workspace."
They chatted about Florida until they arrived at a large office that had a desk and small bookshelf in each corner, arranged to the personal preference of each occupant. Miranda pointed to the left far corner that had a bare desk and bookshelf.
"That's yours."
"I get my own desk?" Hermione asked.
Miranda laughed. "Are you surprised?"
"Harry Potter, the hero of the age, doesn't even have his own desk. He shares a desk in a cubicle with three other blokes," Hermione returned.
"Welcome to the Mage Guild," Miranda said.
—
Hermione arrived home first in the late afternoon and put a chicken in the oven to roast. Crookshanks and Zoya had scattered some clutter here and there, so she half-heartedly fussed the two as she cleaned up. She took the garment bag containing her new robes and cloaks and went to the bedroom.
She wondered when Viktor would be home when he announced his arrival. "Luff, are you home?"
"In here," she called out.
Seconds later, he strolled through the bedroom door and tossed his cloak on the bed.
"New robes?" he asked.
"Yes, for work," she said and held them up. "Dinner's in the oven, by the way."
"You haff good day?" he asked.
She sauntered to him and ran a finger up and down his chest. "Yes, it was good, but better now that you're here. I missed you."
Later, she placed a pitcher of milk on the table when she heard Viktor grumbling from the living room. She went to investigate and grinned at Viktor's adorable frown. He looked intently at a telly guide and frowned at the remote control. He never watched a telly before he met Hermione, now he looked forward to sporting events and animal documentaries. He just hadn't got the hang of the channel guide and remote control.
"Supper's ready," she said.
"Smells very good," he said and tossed the remote aside. "You can show me after supper?" he asked and held up the channel guide.
"Of course, there's a good football match showing tonight," she said.
"But for now, chicken smells good."
During dinner, she talked about her first day at The Mage Guild. Viktor loved to listen to her talk- she was descriptive and excited as she talked and even used her fork to accentuate a point. When she saw Viktor put his fork on his empty plate, she quieted.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have monopolized the entire conversation," she said.
"Don't be, you had full, exciting day."
"Well, what about your day?" she asked.
"The team met with uniform makers. It seems the owner wants us to have all new uniforms, says we look too much like the Ballycastle team," he said.
"Really? I never noticed that. Are you finished eating? I want to look through that big Quidditch book of yours."
On the couch, they flipped through his large book of quidditch teams. "Your team's kits do look like theirs!" she said.
"Quidditch Monthly wants me to write a regular column about Seekers."
She dropped the book in surprise and threw her arms around him, thrilled for him. "That's wonderful! Will you do it?" she asked. "To think, you would be published!"