Chapter 14: Orion

A/N: Disclaimer in first few chapters!

***THE NEXT DAY***

Hermione hummed to herself as she wandered the streets of Diagon Alley, a couple of leather covered novels safe under her arm. The young woman was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't look at where she was going, causing her to crash into a young man heading in the opposite direction.

"Oh my gosh!" Hermione apologized. " I'm so sorry! I was just so lost I'm my thoughts! I can't tell you how sorry I am!"

"It's alright, Miss Granger," the light brown haired male chuckled, a light and breezy sound. "Not nearly as entrancing as Draco's laugh," the brunette thought to herself. She immediately banished that thought. "He only sees me as a friend anyway," she mused sadly, in her mind.

Out loud, she said sarcastically to the young man standing opposite her,

"Don't tell me that you are another one of my starstruck followers that is looking for my autograph," Warm chocolate eyes rolled towards the heavens as she spoke. This time the male laughed outright startling her with the sudden noise.

"I can firmly assure you, Miss Granger," he finally wheezed. "that I am NOT one of your faithful fans, just someone who knows about your background."

"Ah! Good!" she beamed. "And...please...call me Hermione. What's your name?" she asked, while sticking her hand out to shake his.

"Oh, golly!" he exclaimed. "How rude of me! I'm Orion!" he introduced himself while bringing out his own hand to shake hers.

"Nice to meet you,Orion!" Hermione smiled at her new acquaintance.

"Want to go grab a coffee?" he questioned. "We could get to know one another better,"

"Sure, why not? I have nothing else to do anyway," she shrugged, looking him straight in the eyes.

"Shall we?" he enquired, holding his arm out to her. She took it and then promptly burst into a fit of giggles, having to clutch at his arm for support. Her laughter was so infectious that he had to join in. Soon, the two were heaving, trying to look for air.

"Phew!" the brightest witch of her age panted. "Now we can go,"

"Alrighto," came the responding heave for oxygen.

The made their way to The Wizard Hut and, once they were inside, a waitress led them towards a table for two. When they sat down, neither looked at the menu.

"You know what you're having?" Orion asked the pretty brunette.

"Yup!" she grinned, popping the 'p'.

The waitress came over to their table to take their order. When she saw Hermione, a starstruck look entered her eyes.

"Oh! Miss Granger!" the woman gushed. "Anything you want is on the house!"

"No, I would prefer to pay for it myself," Hermione protested.

"Oh, no!" the waitress had a shocked look upon her face. "We have to do this for a famous war patron!

"Seriously?!" she groaned. "Well...at least put his on the house as well," she pointed a slender finger in her companion's direction. He shook his head as if to say "please don't get me involved".

"Is he someone famous?" the waitress questioned, squinting at the male sitting opposite the young woman.

"No," Hermione said, exasperation clear in her tone. "But he is my friend so please... do as I ask!"

"O-oo-kk" the poor waitress stuttered, obviously quite frightened.

"I'll have a cappuccino," they both ordered at the same time.

"I'll be right back," the waitress muttered, already scuttling away

"Sorry about that," the gorgeous brunette moaned as if she was in pain. Her face was red with mortification and she hid it in her hands to save further embarrasment.

Orion chuckled and patted her head consoling.

This was an event they would never forget.

A/N: Right! This is my last chapter before I head off on my travels. I shall write again in five weeks! Love you guys! Toodles!