A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Edited: Proofed, edited and adjusted for consistency. 30 Apr 2022

-oOo-

Chapter 6

-oOo-

July 28, 1996

St. Peter Port, Guernsey, UK

Harry went through the floo first and was able to catch Hermione on the other side. She was in the same white dress she wore that night her parents and her had come to his house. He really liked how it looked on her, and the way her curls had been tied back, showing much of her neck and shoulders.

"Thank you," she said, taking his hand and not letting it go. If this was a 'not friend' thing to do, he liked it.

"It's only four and our reservations are at six," he told her.

Her eyebrows rose. "Reservations? What kind of place are you taking me to?" she asked.

He shrugged. It was not going to be cheap tonight, probably setting him back a week or two, but a girl, or more specifically this girl, was worth more than a broom.

They walked out onto the road. "Which way?" she asked.

He pulled her to the left. "Bailiwick bookstore is this way. I can give you an hour," he said with a smirk.

She mock pouted. "Only an hour?" she whinged.

"Unless you want to find a small cafe for dinner instead," he offered.

"An hour will do," she enthused with a smile.

She picked up two new books, and he only one. He followed her around the store this time, enjoying the way she took a book, browsed it quickly and usually put it back as quickly. About every seven or eight books she would spend more time on one.

"What are you smirking at?" she put to him while crouching down and looking up at him. He was enjoying her legs as her dress pulled up just a little.

"You have put back more books by some of the leading authorities I know of in Arithmancy and Transfiguration than the ones you actually read," he said.

"Most of them are blowhards that hide their true research. Half the stuff in those books are just barely NEWT level," she said. "Why do so many wizards hoard their knowledge? If they truly wanted to do research, their findings should be published and reviewed."

He had to laugh.

"You think I'm wrong," she asked standing up with her hands on her hips.

"No. You just sound like my aunt. Not that we are any better with our family magic. Maybe you have a point," he told her.

She looked a little mollified. "Why do so many witches and wizards horde their knowledge?" she questioned, reaching for his hand. He took it, pulled her up and they walked to the counter, hand in hand.

He took a few minutes to think about her question as they paid for their books. Walking out, she acted as though she was still waiting for him to answer. "I don't know all my family magic yet. Aunt Bel says I need to be seventeen before I can get into my older vaults in Gringotts."

"Are you saying you don't want to share what knowledge your family has?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I am unsure what is there, but many old wizarding families tend to have some very powerful magic that should not end up in the wrong hands. Many families also have some dark things they don't want others to know about. That type of magic is usually dangerous, many times blood related and most often deadly or highly illegal. Would you want that type of knowledge to be easily searchable or taught?"

She wove her fingers into his. He liked the feel. It was about a fifteen-minute walk to the restaurant, and they were still a little early. They walked in silence for a few.

"There is a reason magic was hidden from the muggles. The more I talk with you the last few weeks, the more I understand. Some of the old legends and stories of gods fighting or other fantastical feats were magic? Weren't they?" Hermione looked at him.

He sighed. "What I know is that much of that old magic was just as destructive as modern weaponry. Cities could be reduced to rubble in seconds. Those were usually ritual magic. There has just been more muggles than wizards, and many times the bad wizards would be brought down, and the good ones with them. The fear many muggles had for magic when the Statue of Secrecy was penned was well founded," he told her. "The fear of Muggles was as well."

"Harry?" she asked and he looked at her. "Why didn't you get an Outstanding in History of Magic?"

"I couldn't spit out the lies the British Ministry perpetuates. I answered the questions in the way they should have been answered," he told her.

"You really are brilliant, aren't you?" she asked, looking at him with eyes that made him want to kiss her. It was too early. He was supposed to at least take her to dinner first.

"Not as brilliant as you," he told her.

She shook her head. "I know what Hogwarts and the Ministry wants us to know. You, my aunt, your aunt, you all know stuff I never thought of or knew possible."

He shrugged. "My Aunt taught me before Hogwarts and she never fell into their lies. I really did consider Beauxbatons, or Ilvermorny."

"Why did you go to Hogwarts?" she asked.

"My parents went there," he told her. "Uncle Remus had just been offered the job as Defense Teacher, so I knew I would have at least one good Professor."

"You mentioned it a few times. Professor Lupin is your uncle?"

"Yeah. He was one of the best friends of my parents. Aunt Bel always made sure I knew him. We would usually get with him once a month before I went to Hogwarts," he told her. "I just wish he wasn't sacked."

She stopped and pulled him short. "Professor Lupin isn't going to be teaching anymore? He has been a phenomenal teacher."

He sighed. "Do you really not know about his affliction?" he enquired. He was surprised how many hadn't figured it out.

"You mean he's a werewolf," she replied.

"I figured you would know. When did you figure it out?" he asked.

"Summer before second year after I read the second yearbook," she told him. "I just needed the first moon of the semester to prove it."

He chuckled. "Who's the brilliant one?"

"You," she said and they started walking again.

He chuckled again. "Why do you say you aren't that bright?"

Even with the conversation, he felt she liked his company and was pleased. Now she withdrew into herself, like she usually did at Hogwarts.

"Is it because of those that make fun of you?" he questioned, his anger rising some.

"Can we not talk of it tonight? I am enjoying this," she said, squeezing his hand.

He sighed. "Will you talk of it another time?"

"Maybe."

The restaurant came into view. Her eyes widened to see an obviously magical store front made of glass and a sea serpent swimming inside of it. "Oh my! Is that real," she asked.

"Yes. This is the Saucy Serpent. Do you like seafood?" he enquired.

"I love it. Is it going to break out?" she queried as the giant sea serpent swam very close to the glass.

"It's been here for decades. I think it's safe," Harry assured her.

He didn't miss how she moved a little closer to him. "If it eats me, I'm coming back to haunt you."

"If it eats you, I'm sure I'll be right next to you," he comforted.

She eyed him. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, someone has to avenge you," he said with a smirk. "And I'm not sure I'm skilled enough to take on one that big."

She smiled. "Well, if you're willing to avenge me, I won't haunt you that much."

He laughed again. "I'll make it a big show then."

They walked up to the doors, which opened silently before he could touch them. Inside, it was busy with many witches and wizards. It was split into two levels. A large main floor with a dance floor and a mezzanine that wrapped three quarters of the way around the restaurant. The serpent swam overhead, and the place just had a feel of magic to it.

"This is beautiful," she said, looking around the room. It had a sea motive and the smell of the food made his stomach grumble. After going swimming close to noon, he hadn't felt hungry at all with the nerves of tonight. He had never asked a girl on a date, and here he was with a beautiful girl with her hand in his.

A rather attractive woman with a few grey spots in her hair greeted them, walking right past the Maître d'. "Hello, Mr. Potter."

"Good evening, Ms. Blake. You don't need to call me Mr. Potter."

"I know, Harry," she said with a smile. "But tonight isn't a normal night, is it?"

Harry felt his face flush a little. "No, ma'am. Can I introduce Hermione Granger?"

The woman looked at Hermione, him and then Hermione again before bowing a little. "Ms. Granger, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Harry has told us much about you," she said.

"Thank you, Ms. Blake. It seems I am already well known everywhere I go with Harry," she said, raising an eyebrow at him.

His face flushed more. It was hard holding her eyes, as embarrassed as he was feeling, but he did. Gryffindors didn't back down.

Ms. Blake laughed. "My darling, your name has been on his lips since the first Christmas he came back from Hogwarts."

Her eyebrows rose more.

"It wasn't anything bad though. He would just complain about this brilliant witch at school that he could never get ahead of. Personally, I think he had a crush on you even then," Ms. Blake said with a wink. "He wouldn't talk about anyone else."

Harry felt like he was on fire. After a moment, Hermione smiled. "I guess he wasn't the only one," the brown-eyed girl said, now looking a little abashed herself.

Ms. Blake chuckled. "Would you like your normal table?" she asked Harry.

He looked at Hermione. "You alright being closer to the sea serpent?"

"You promise to keep it from getting me?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said. She nodded. "Please, Ms. Blake."

The woman was smiling at them. "This way. Shelton, I'm closing down table two and four. Have Michael take them away for the night," she said to the man at the podium in a very businesslike tone.

"Yes, Ms. Blake," the man said before signaling to someone.

Harry had learned a long time ago not to question this woman. Hermione moved closer to him. "Another family friend?" she queried.

"A friend of my aunt. We have invested in this place and a few other enterprises Ms. Blake heads," he whispered back to her.

"How many others am I going to meet that already know about me?" she questioned with a little smirk.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't know. A few," he told her.

Ms. Blake shook her head with a smile on her face. "Ms. Granger, it was actually cute to watch him get all worked up over you. He is quite passionate about his studies and I don't think he was counting on you."

They had walked up a spiral staircase and a single table was before them. The next closest table was a good fifteen feet away and behind a blind. "Ms. Blake, you don't have to do this," Hermione said.

"It is not a bother, Ms. Granger. I reserve the tables on this side for special guests, and Harry is one of my favorites."

Harry held the chair out for Hermione and she sat, running her hands under her dress as she did. "Thank you," she told Harry.

"Would you like your usual, or actual menus tonight," Ms. Blake asked them.

"Menus," he told her.

"What is your usual," Hermione asked.

"Henry, the head chef, makes a wonderful muscle dish in a wine sauce with some handmade linguine," Ms. Blake said. "He gets it more often than not."

Hermione smiled. "That sounds delicious," she said.

"Two then?"

He looked at Hermione, who nodded. "Please."

"Excellent. I'll have Margaret up in a moment. Anything you would like from the bar?"

"Just some Coke for me," Harry said.

Hermione looked at him. "You serve muggle drinks?" she asked.

"We do, Ms. Granger. Many of my clientele have married muggles, and we get some squibs. Personally, I am not a fan of those terms, but when in Rome," she said, her hands held a little apart. "What would you like?"

Hermione seemed to consider for a moment. "A Coke is fine."

"You can have anything you want," he told her.

"I'm good with a coke," she told him.

"I'll tell Margaret. You two enjoy. I'll check on you later." Ms. Blake winked at him before she left.

"So, anything else you would like to tell me before I get ambushed by another of your family friends?" Hermione asked with a smirk and a little amusement.

"Margaret is one of my aunt's friends from school," he told her.

She teased, "So, I get to see you blush again?"

He tried to keep his face passive. Merlin, he hoped not. "Margaret is usually more discrete," he said. "She doesn't usually wait on anyone anymore, being the Manager, but she usually does when my aunt or I come."

"Ms. Blake isn't the manager?"

"She's the owner. She owns three restaurants. One here, one in Cherbourg and another in Paris. Like my aunt, she usually avoids Britain," he said.

Hermione didn't take her eyes off him. "I am starting to wonder if I should move out here, or someplace like it. What do you think?"

Harry's heart fluttered. He would like it if she was closer. "Maybe," he said.

"Just maybe," she asked.

"I won't say I don't like the idea. If you became a researcher for the ICW, you could do that anywhere," he said.

She smiled and looked up as the sea serpent swam overhead. This time, she didn't look as scared

"It is actually quite elegant," she commented.

"Ms. Blake saved it when she was young. The Council let her nurse it back to health. When she couldn't release it, the Council let her keep it," a woman said. She was tall, blond and with a broad smile. Another waiter accompanied her.

"Good evening, Margaret," he said.

"Good evening, Harry. And who is this charming young lady?" she asked.

"Hermione Granger, ma'am," Hermione said to her.

The woman smiled. "So, you finally came to your senses." She motioned to the waiter, and he put the Cokes on the table in nice glasses. "Thank you, Frank."

The man nodded and walked away.

Margaret pulled out a chair. Harry liked Margaret, she usually sat with his aunt and him, but he wanted it to be just him and Hermione. "I won't bug you for long. I just wanted to get to know the girl you have raved about for the last five years," she said.

"I have heard I am quite popular around here," Hermione teased him.

He knew he was blushing again.

"I would say so. It seems you have given Harry quite a run for his galleons. Should I ask who made top of class again?"

"Hermione," he grumbled.

Margaret laughed. "How close was it this time?"

"If Harry had done better in Astronomy and History, he would have been top this year," Hermione told her.

Margaret turned to Harry. "Are you saying you didn't give your best?" she questioned.

"You know I don't like those subjects, and I can't stomach half of what Binns teaches us," he said.

"I don't think Harry will have that issue for the future," Hermione said, eyeing him.

"I like this girl," Margaret said to him. "You keep him inline."

They talked for a little bit about Hogwarts before Frank brought out a tray with some appetizers. "On the house tonight," Margaret said.

She stood up and shook Hermione's hand. "Very nice to meet you, Hermione. Keep challenging him," she said. "If you need anything, just call on Frank or myself."

Hermione looked at him as they both took some salad. "I get the sense your aunt and you are very popular. I just thought it was because Sark was such a small island."

He shrugged. "We get around. It's mostly my aunt. She is very reclusive, but when she wants to go out, she makes friends."

"I doubt Ms. Blake and Margaret look at you as just friends," she said. "It felt more like they were your aunts too."

"Probably."

Hermione seemed just as famished as he was when some appetizers were brought out to them. It was quiet for a bit. When the sea serpent glided by, almost touching the glass, he saw her flinch. Reaching out, he held her hand for a moment.

As dinner went on, they talked more. Harry had never felt so free to talk about anything at all, nor had it been so easy. Hermione wasn't shy either about her opinions, or stories about vacations with her parents.

She had a radiant smile, and for once, he didn't feel as though she was lonely.

He didn't feel like he was lonely either.

By the time they just about polished off the main dish, he was feeling full.

"Would you like any dessert?" Margaret asked.

"I think I may be full," he said.

"Could we have some tea or coffee?" Hermione asked. "Unless you have another plan?"

"I have something else I wanted to show you, but it can wait, or we can skip it," he said, rather enjoying it here with her.

She reached out and took his hand. He liked the warmth of it. "We can leave."

"How about some tea," he offered. "It isn't going anywhere, and it's still a little bit before its dark," he told her.

"Coffee for me," Hermione said.

"We have cappuccino, expresso or normal brew."

"Normal brew, please."

"I didn't know you like coffee," he said.

"I've had a craving for it since we came. My father drinks it every morning. I miss it at Hogwarts."

He figured he would have to fix that. "So, I do have a plan for after this, but we can do something else."

She smiled. He liked the way her eyes lit up. "You haven't disappointed so far. I think I can trust you."

He returned her smile.

"Would you mind if I go to the restroom?" she queried.

"No. It's down the stairs and to your left," Margaret informed her.

He watched her leave, enjoying her legs below her dress. He was thinking they would need to go swimming again tomorrow.

Margaret sat when she disappeared.

"She is a beauty. Why didn't you ever tell us that," she asked.

He tried not to flush. "She is cute," he agreed.

"If no one else has said so, don't let her go. It looks to be going well tonight," Margaret commented.

"I hope so," he said looking back at the stairs.

Margaret put a hand over his in a maternal way. "Trust me. She is totally smitten with you. Don't worry about the bill tonight. Belvina made sure to set up a draft to Gringotts for you. Should I bring up some desert in a short bit?"

"Maybe some chocolate cake with her coffee," he told her. This was the first time his Aunt had given him a draft line to his vaults. He would have to talk with her tomorrow. "I was planning on taking her over to Reserve Park. Do you think that a good idea?"

She smiled. "I think that brilliant. She will like it. I'll go tell Frank to add the cake. You want the House pudding tonight."

He felt full, but he loved the pudding made here. "I guess I could be convinced."

When Hermione came back, her coffee and cake were on the table. "What is this?" she asked.

"I noticed how you liked chocolatey desserts at Hogwarts. Thought you may like that," he said.

Her eyes were surprised. "You watched me like that at Hogwarts?"

"Well, you know, I wasn't trying to be creepy about it," he told her.

"I watched you too," she said a little lowly.

He smiled. "Guess I'm not the only creep."

"Harry Potter!" she said lowly and tapped his arm.

"Hermione Granger," he snarked.

"You're incorrigible," she said with a laugh.

"I've heard that from time to time," he replied.

She laughed again before taking a bite of her cake.

Ms. Blake and Margaret were at the door as they left.

"Ms. Granger, please don't be a stranger," Ms. Blake said.

Margaret looked at them. "I like seeing Harry so happy. You two have fun."

"Thank you, Ms. Blake and Margaret," she said.

"Should we come back next week?" Harry asked.

"I would like that," Hermione said.

He took her hand and said their goodbyes before walking out. It was just about dark now. Somehow they managed to spend almost three hours in there, and he thought it had gone by in a blink of an eye.

"Where to now?" she asked.

"You mind walking some more?" he queried.

"If it is with you, I'll walk anywhere," she told him.

They walked very close together and she took his arm. "Where are we going?"

"Reserve Park," he told her.

"What's Reserve Park?"

"A large wizard botanical garden. It's run by the Council. I think you will like it."

"Why go this late in the evening? It's going to be dark in an hour."

"Can you just let me surprise you?" he requested. "It's better at night."

She fell into silence. It was a nice silence. Ten minutes later, they walked to the wrought iron gates, and he let her in. It was a few acres on the edge of town that had a collection of magical plants that would rival the old Royal Garden in France.

"Harry, this is beautiful," she said with some wonder as they walked the rows. He noticed another couple or two, but, on the whole, they were alone.

"Just wait until it gets dark," he said cryptically.

"Looking at this, how can you not want to study herbology?" she probed, letting him go and spinning around. Her dress flared and Hermione smiled. He hadn't seen her like this and enjoyed it. His smile matched hers.

"I know what I need. Except for growing the wheat for the sheep, I don't really plan on doing anything else with magical plants," he walked over to a bush with flowers the size of his head. They were closed. Inside, he heard the tinkling of something. He smiled. They hadn't dealt with real fairies in Care of Magical Creatures.

"What's in there?" she asked coming up to him.

"Part of the show. Just don't get to close to that bush," he told her.

"Why?"

"There is a snake in it. They don't hurt people, but it might give you a scare," he warned her.

She pulled back and put her back against his chest. "How do you know that?"

"There is this rumor I talk with snakes," he said.

"I thought that just rumor and people upset with you," she said.

He reached for her hand. "I'm a parselmouth. There are some beautiful horned serpents here. The last ones in Europe, I've been told."

Her eyes widened.

"I could ask if it would like to come out," he offered. Only Ron and Neville knew he could talk to snakes. To everyone else it was a rumor.

"You really can talk to snakes, can't you?" she asked. Her other hand sought for his free hand.

Beautiful snake. Would you let us look on you?

She didn't flinch or stiffen, instead threading her fingers into his.

A snake talker. I know you, the snake answered.

Great snake. Yassa. I bring one I like. Would you show yourself? I promise to give you safe passage.

"What are you talking about?" she asked curiously. She didn't seem afraid of him.

"I was asking her if she would show herself."

A second later, she pushed herself further back into him, clenching his hands. A large black snake with blue eyes and a blue gem in its head and horns moved out and looked at them.

"She won't hurt you," he told her. She had stiffened but relaxed at his words.

"She is magnificent," Hermione said.

The snake slithered its approval. "Thank you," it said.

"Oh," she started and instinctively he pulled his arms up to wrap around her waist. She didn't let go of his hands.

Harry smiled. "She is magnificent. Thank you, Yassa," he said.

The serpent raised up, bowed its head and went back into its hiding place.

"Why don't you stop the rumors?" she asked, still against him and holding his arms tight around her midsection.

He just stood there, enjoying how she felt against him, like when they went swimming earlier.

"Harry?" she caught his attention when he didn't answer.

"It keeps people guessing and the bullies away. Most in Slytherin don't bug me anymore. They shouldn't bother you either," he told her.

She squeezed his arms into her midsection before letting him go. "Harry, was that you that put Malfoy, Nott and Crabbe into the hospital wing in April?"

He met her eyes as she stepped back and looked at him.

"I got hurt too," he told her.

She looked at him for a few minutes. "Who flung the first spell?"

"Draco called you, you know. I warned him not too then went to walk away. I'm not sure who hit me with the cutting curse," he said. "They almost cost me playing in the last game saying I started it before a sixth year Hufflepuff came forward."

"Are you telling me they got you with your back turned!" she said angrily.

"I snapped Draco's wand before I passed out," he told her.

"We all thought they were just ambushing you to keep you out of the match. You really dueled them?" Hermione demanded.

"Until Goyle punched me. I think Professor McGonagall was the one to find us as I dropped."

"And you did that for me?"

He shrugged. "I don't think of you as a know-it-all or a mudblood or bossy. I have seen how passionate you are and it drives you. You only act bossy because you care."

She smiled before hitting his chest. "You moron, Harry Potter. You went up alone against four others for me."

"Six," he told her.

She stood there stunned. "Six?"

"Parkinson and Zabini were there also."

She closed her eyes. "Why would I be that important? We haven't been friends or even talked until this year."

He wanted to shrug, but didn't. "To tell you the truth, that wasn't the first fight or duel I got in over you."

"What?" she demanded.

"That wasn't the first fight."

She gave him a discerning look. "I can handle myself."

"I never said you can't," he told her.

"Then why would you do that?" she shrieked.

"Because you were my only competition," he yelled at her.

She hit his chest again. "You berk! That is the lamest excuse I have ever heard."

"I didn't like seeing you hurt or those times you cried, alright? You looked like you needed someone to protect you," he responded.

He let her hit him again. "I'm not some damsel in distress."

"Of course, you aren't. I've seen the way you level most people in DADA."

"Then why," she pressed.

"Because," he said, not ready to tell her.

"Why, Harry Potter? You barely said anything to me for four and a half years, then you sit with me one day, ask to study, and then what? I am just to take your word you did all that just because! Now you have barely left my side for weeks and ask me out on a date. A date I have enjoyed. Why! Why would you change like this?"

"Because I have liked you since first year and was to chicken to even talk to you until Ron dared me to talk to the girl I liked," he blurted. It had been a stupid dare for him to talk to Susan. Everyone thought he liked her. He took the bet to talk with the one he liked, and sat at the desk in the library where she usually sat alone. Everyone thought he had chickened out again.

Ron, Dean, Seamus, Lavender and Parvati, they all thought him a chicken when it came to this.

Little did they know he was not, and he was going to prove them wrong.

She stood there stunned for a moment before suddenly reaching her hands out to his face and pulling him in. Her lips met his and he returned the kiss right away. It was his first kiss, and it was messy and sloppy and he felt breathless when she finally pulled away.

There was a tear on her eye lashes and a large smile on her face.

"I thought I was the only one," she told him.

He smiled back. "Maybe the only creep," he said and she scoffed.

Harry took her hands and pulled her in. She didn't resist. He wasn't sure how long they stood there, kissing, pecking or just putting their heads together. She started when a blue light drifted by them. "What is that?" she started, looking around.

"A fairy," he said. Dozens of colorful lights were floating or flitting here and there. The flowers had opened and the fairies had come out.

"They're beautiful," she said looking around. "What are those lights in the trees?"

"Clapperts. It is known as Reserve Park, but all the locals call it Parc de la Lumière des Fées."

She smiled. "Fitting."

"We can go back whenever you want," he told her.

She walked up to him, a heat in her eyes. "I am not ready to go back."

He smiled and pulled her to him this time. His heart beat hard against his chest as he kissed her.

-oOo-

Parc de la Lumière des Fées = Park of the Fairy Lights