Who's curious to see what's the deal with Theo? Are we going to see him again? (Of course we are, it's a theomione after all). Hermione is ready for another date, and what do you think is going to happen on this date? Tell me what you thought about this chapter!
Hermione didn't know if she should regret or thank Ginny for helping her choose her outfit for the date of the day. She was already nervous without having to worry about what she would wear.
"You know I always want an excuse to choose your outfit," Ginny said after Hermione thanked her for the fifth time. "And stop fidgeting! I don't know why you are so nervous. It isn't your first date."
"Technically, it is my first date. I've never gone out with this Michael before," Hermione stated. "And I asked you to help me because you're the one who chose him."
"I have a good feeling about this one," Ginny said with a small smile. "He's going to take you to dinner at one of your favourite restaurants, so he has already started in a very good place."
Hermione rolled her eyes, not wanting to say to Ginny that she had chosen the place. She tried not to get her hopes up or have high expectations, but something in her gut told her that this would be better than her previous first date.
"Maybe you're right. I just need to stop overthinking things and enjoy the date." Hermione glared when Ginny chuckled at what she had said. "Something funny, Ginevra?"
"You saying that you're trying not to overthink things is funny since that's all you do!" Tears of mirth swam in Ginny's eyes, and Hermione glared at her harder. "And don't even try to deny it. You know it's true."
Hermione sighed before agreeing reluctantly. "Fine, you're right, but that doesn't mean anything. I'll try to have fun today—without overthinking every little interaction."
"That's my girl!" Ginny clapped, and Hermione laughed at her enthusiasm. "Come on, go change! You need to look dazzling today, so Michael won't know what hit him."
Hermione decided not to argue with Ginny. The dress Ginny had chosen for her was dark-blue and reached her knees. It had a halter neckline and an open back. Hermione always felt pretty and confident when she wear it. She hoped the feelings would keep her going when she got to the restaurant.
"Look at my masterpiece! A little makeup and you're good to go," Ginny said, her hands clasped to her chest, looking like a proud mother. "Look at my baby, all grown up. I'm so proud."
"Shut up, Ginny." Hermione laughed at her friend's antics, but she couldn't help but feel a wave of affection for her. "Thank you for your help, I hope that it doesn't go to waste."
"Are you kidding? Your date better tell you how pretty you look, or I'm going to have some words with him." Ginny crossed her arms protectively, and it made Hermione feel even warm and loved.
"What are you going to do while I'm on my date? I know we usually spend Thursday nights together, but it was the only free day that Michael had," Hermione said, starting to apply her makeup.
"I'll go home and watch some Netflix or I could go visit Blaise," Ginny said. She picked at her nails, trying to sound indifferent, but Hermione wasn't buying her nonchalant act.
"No Draco?" Hermione asked, sounding innocent.
"Draco has a date," Ginny said between gritted teeth. "You aren't the only one going out tonight."
Hermione hummed, trying to think of a way to help her two stubborn friends. She might have to talk to Blaise about a plan. But this would have to stay on the back burner for now since it was time for her date.
"All right, how do I look?" Hermione asked, standing up and giving a twirl. "Do you think I'm okay?"
"Okay? You're gorgeous, Mi! He won't know what hit him and it's better that he knows that," Ginny said with a small smile on her face. "Coffee at Coffeetopia tomorrow after work for you to tell me how your date went?"
"It's a date!" Hermione said, laughing a little. She grabbed her purse and walked alongside Ginny towards the front door. "I have a good feeling about tonight, you know? Maybe this could be the one."
Hermione hoped she was right in her assessment. Giving Ginny a final hug, she walked towards her car in the direction of the restaurant and date number two.
"Do you want to look it over the menu before your date arrives?" the waiter asked Hermione one more time while she wished that a hole would open in the earth and she could disappear.
"I think I'll wait, thank you," Hermione said between gritted teeth, trying not to show how annoyed she was. "But I would like a glass of Pinot Noir, please."
"Coming right up, miss." The waiter left her alone with her thoughts, which Hermione didn't know was a good idea or not.
Having arrived at Myrtle Restaurant on time, the maitre d' had taken her to the table Michael had reserved. But she had found out that her date hadn't arrived yet. Trying not to let it upset her too much, she had sat down and waited for Michael to arrive. Twenty minutes had already passed and she was getting a little impatient.
It took all her self-control to not shoot Ginny a text. Hermione decided she would wait for only ten more minutes before she walked away.
"Hermione?" a voice came from her right, and Hermione turned to see a man walking towards her with a sheepish smile on his face. "I'm sorry, I know that I'm terribly late. I got caught up at the hospital and couldn't get out sooner."
"Oh, it's all right. I didn't wait for that long," Hermione said with a smile. 'Liar,' her inner voice said, but Hermione paid it no mind. "You said you got caught up at the hospital?"
"Yeah, I'm in my second year of residency and I couldn't leave until my boss let me," Michael said while he sat down in front of her. "I'm aiming to be a surgeon, so I need to be in my boss' good graces."
Hermione felt entranced by Michael, by his manner of speaking and how he was so passionate about his work, the same way she was about her own. She could even forgive his tardiness, seeing how he was stuck in his job; she was having a good feeling about this again.
"Your wine, ma'am," the same waiter from earlier placed her drink in front of her. He seemed delighted her date was finally there. "Can I bring the menus out now?"
"Yes, please, Noah," Hermione replied, smiling at the waiter, who winked at her.
"You drink?" Michael asked, looking at her wine glass like he wanted to light the thing on fire. "And did you already know the waiter?"
Hermione didn't like his tone of voice, but she let it go for the time being. "He introduced himself when he showed me the table, and yes, I like to drink a glass of wine from time to time. According to research, a small amount is good for your health."
Michael grunted and said something under his breath that Hermione didn't hear. Noah chose that moment to return and hand them their menus before making himself scarce.
"Do you know what you're going to order?" Michael asked and didn't give Hermione time to answer. "I'll have the hot smoked Goatsbridge trout to begin with and the silverhill Irish Duck for my main. I'll call the waiter now."
Michael motioned for Noah, and Hermione blinked, thinking about what was happening. She didn't hear Michael give his order, but she heard Noah talking to her.
"And what are you going to order, miss?" Noah asked, looking at her with a small smile.
"I didn't finish looking over the menu, but I'll have the pork brawn croquette, and for my main, I'll have the roasted beef fillet." Hermione didn't know if it was a good choice or not, but she wasn't going to take it back. "And another glass of Pinot Noir for my main, please."
"Excellent choice, miss! And you, sir, do you want to look at our carte of wines to decide?" Noah asked, and Michael frowned at him.
"No, thank you. I don't drink alcohol. A glass of water for me, please," Michael said in a matter-of-fact tone, dismissing Noah. Hermione felt there was something weird about the whole interaction.
"I'll bring your entrées soon enough." Noah took the menus and left.
Hermione tried not to let the silence between them make her sweat, but it was becoming too hard for her not to say anything. "You don't drink alcohol because you work at the hospital or for another reason?"
"I don't think I need alcohol to have fun or have it intoxicate my body and make me do things I could regret later." Michael glared at the glass Hermione had been drinking before he had arrived. "I don't need my mind to get all fuzzy."
Hermione almost regretted saying something. Michael watched her with a hawk-like gaze while she took a sip of her wine. As she was used to how Blaise always commented on her looks, she didn't let his gaze deter her.
"Are you enjoying your residency? What made you choose to study medicine?" Hermione asked, trying to make some conversation.
"My entire family are doctors, so it wasn't a choice." Michael didn't say anything else, and Hermione was almost regretting having asked something. "I'm the first one to decide to become a surgeon, but my parents fully support my decision."
"That's nice," Hermione said in a small voice, thinking if it would be too cowardly of her to excuse herself to the loo and leave Michael at the restaurant. "And what made you decide to—"
"Here are your entries," Noah interrupted Hermione with their dishes. She almost hugged the waiter in relief. "Hot smoked Goatsbridge trout for you, sir, and a pork brawn croquette for you, miss. Enjoy your food!"
Hermione didn't need to be told twice. She started eating her dish; she was famished, and the pork smelt so good that she couldn't help herself. It was only after the third bite that she realised Michael hadn't started eating. Swallowing before she said something, she asked him what was wrong.
"Nothing's wrong. I was just saying my prayers before I started eating," Michael said before picking up his fork. "It's tradition to say prayers before eating, no matter where I am."
Hermione didn't know what to say, so she continued eating, not wanting to start a debate about beliefs. There was no way she was going on a second date with Michael. Hermione couldn't know that her night was going to take another turn soon.
After having eaten their entrées and getting their mains, Hermione thought that the dinner was finally back on track. Michael was being kind and attentive, and she felt that maybe she had judged him too soon. They were looking at the menus to decide what to order for dessert when Michael lost all the colour in his face.
"Michael? Are you alright?" Hermione asked, a frown marring her face. "You seem like you saw a ghost."
"You can say that," Michael replied in a clipped tone. "I just saw my ex enter the restaurant with her fiancé."
Hermione didn't know how to react to that, but curiosity got the better of her. She turned to see where Michael was staring and found a gorgeous blonde entering the restaurant. Hermione suddenly felt underdressed.
"I'm sorry, Hermione, I don't think I can be in the same restaurant as her—not when she's with that guy," Michael said, sarcasm dripping from his tone. He stood up and dropped some notes on the table. "This was lovely, but I really need to go."
Without waiting for an answer, Michael bolted from the restaurant, leaving a bewildered Hermione behind.
"What the fuck just happened here?" Hermione asked the empty table, unable to wrap her mind around what had happened.
"Are you ready to order dessert?" Noah asked, appearing by her side. Hermione didn't know if she wanted to laugh or cry.
"You know what, Noah? I'm ready to order dessert," Hermione said, shaking her head.
It didn't matter that her date had abandoned her at the restaurant; it wasn't anything that chocolate—and some more wine—couldn't solve.