Novelty
Something Different
By: Paramour Party

The smell of fresh bread woke Hermione from sleep. She sat up confused and slightly disoriented by the sounds coming from her kitchen; as far as she knew, she'd had no guests last night and she doubted a thief would come in and make her a thank you breakfast. Besides, she knew her wards would take care of any unwanted intruders.

Slipping out of bed and pulling on a jumper, she peeked out into her hall, wand in hand as she verified her protection and safety spells. The familiar smell of berries and the runes floating within her specially modified wards made her sigh in relief; when she turned the corner she saw Luna sitting on her counter watching her bread rise in the oven.

"Good Morning, Hermione."

"Morning, Luna," Hermione replied. "I didn't know you were here… or even coming over."

Luna looked away from the oven with a dreamy smile. "Harry forgot to inform you of my visit so I decided to just wait until you woke. I left a letter on your pillow though."

Hermione just nodded sleep still hazing her senses but when it came to Luna, she rarely questioned her motives anymore, the woman did what she wanted whenever she wanted—time never really meant much to the blonde woman. A cup of coffee was set in front of her and Hermione gave her friend a thankful smile.

"What brings you over?" Hermione finally asked once they each had a cup of their morning elixir of choice. "Oh! Actually, now that you're here, I had a few questions I wanted to ask you about runes!" She was halfway out of her seat to fetch her notes before her friend rested a hand on top of hers.

Luna tilted her head to the side as she glanced up not necessarily in thought but as though she saw something only she could see. With a hum she replied, "Several things really." Seemingly out of nowhere, Luna pulled out a book on Fire runes.

"I think I tabbed off the pages that might interest you in your current project," she said as she set the book on the table, "but what I'm really here for is to ask you about your lion." Luna blinked and turned her attention back to her bookish friend.

Hermione settled back into her chair skimming through the pages of the books. "Sometimes I wonder how…" she trailed of at Luna's smirk. "Thanks, I owe you one!"

"You're avoiding the question about your lion," Luna noted.

Hermione nodded. "And you're talking riddles again. I don't have a cat anymore."

There was a beat and Luna hummed to herself staring at Hermione like she could see into her soul; and she probably could Hermione thought to herself. "You're right… and I supposed you're more of a dog person now." At that Luna looked up again at whatever it was she saw hanging around her living room ceiling (or she assumed Luna was looking towards that side of her apartment).

"By Lion, I mean your inner Gryffindor. I've been having nightmares about you losing her, but now that I'm here, I can clearly see I interpreted incorrectly… it's more like you're leaving her behind."

"I still don't know what you're talking about."

Luna levelled a stare at Hermione. "I'm talking about denial and bravery, Hermione. For someone of your stature I've never seen you hesitate for much and yet…" she swept her hand out towards where Hermione left her mobile phone the night before just as it buzzed.

Hermione felt a blush rush to her cheeks when she glanced at the screen and noticed it was a message from Derek.

"I'm not sure I understand what you're implying," Hermione mumbled as she reached for the mobile and read the text.

"I'm not implying."

"Are we really going to talk about men right now? It isn't like that…"

Luna just frowned. "Well, I doubt you'd talk about it with Harry or Ron. And if you want to get technical, I didn't come here to talk about men with you… rather, I'm trying to get you out of this denial slump you've managed to get wrapped up in. Besides. I'm not telling you to start something serious right away. Obviously you like this man. He likes you. I don't see any harm in having fun…" she paused her eyes sweeping across the room and then settled once more on her friend eyes glazing ever so slightly. Luna smiled. "Maybe I should appeal to your curiosity? I bet he's great in bed."

"Luna!"

The Ravenclaw just waved her hand in dismissal. "Oh shush," she said as she pointed towards the mobile. "Go on. Message him back. Have some fun and if something comes out of it, then be happy, Hermione."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I don't need a man to make me happy."

"No. You don't. But that doesn't mean he doesn't make you happy… stop arguing to argue. I already know I managed to push you to make your decision. Just be pleased that it's me here and not knocking on Mr. Morgan's door. Or worse, me telling Harry and the subsequent call which I'm sure will be equally as embarrassing as it will be frustrating."

The two shook their heads at the thought of their Boy-Who-Lived. "Honestly, I don't understand Harry sometimes," said Hermione.

Luna laughed. "I don't think the man understands himself sometimes. He'll warm up to the idea of you dating American men eventually."

Hermione huffed in disbelief. "What do you keep staring at anyway?" she asked while turning in her seat to see if she was worthy enough to catch a glimpse of what Luna was so interested in. When she didn't get a response she looked back at her friend only to see a small smirk that was so out of place on her friend's face. It was a mischievous expression Hermione thought George or Ginny donned on more often than not.

"Oh. Nothing."

Hermione's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Luna hummed and smiled brightly.

Hermione G 11:13am
Would you like to have lunch at the diner today?

Derek M 11:20am
You read my mind. Is noon okay?

Hermione smiled to herself and felt a little silly for doing so. She glanced around the diner she and Derek frequented hoping no one noticed her grinning. It was strange how there were these small moments where Derek made her feel like a teenaged Lavender Brown. He didn't even have to be in the room! She wasn't stupid, it took her a little while, but she knew what the flutters and secret smiles meant and that scared her. If this was the 'normal' reaction to the people one was interested in, well… she could completely understand Lavender and Parvati's boy-crazy tendencies during their school days (she on the other hand had other things to think about while at Hogwarts and her crush and subsequent relationship with Ron was more filled with "sexual tension" than these happy-nervous bubbles she was currently experiencing).

She felt like blushing every time she admitted her attraction to Derek to herself and sometimes let a tiny daydream break the quiet routine of her research filled days. Hermione knew something was changing between herself and her friend. Slowly but surely the attraction and allure that had sparked their friendship was becoming clearer between them everyday; that line separating the "Just Friends" category from the "Something More" was fading oh-so-gradually. With that train of thought though, brought the dreaded "What if"s and "But"s.

Hermione shook those thoughts away; dwelling on them would just make her nerves act up. Luna was right. Nothing serious had to come out of it right away if at all. She's had her share of flings so this shouldn't be much different… Hermione wanted to grip her hair and pull it out in frustration. It shouldn't be too different from any other fling she'd had at all! She's always said, whatever happens, happens… but this was Derek. Her friend, possibly her best friend- well after Harry and Ron- But still! And who's to say he'd even want to venture down that path of sexy fun or more? What if he was content in being "just friends". Dear Merlin, she utterly failed at keeping away from those horrible thoughts of what-ifs and buts.

The bell hanging above the entrance door jingled as it opened and in strode Derek with his confident gait. There were slight bags under his eyes that weren't visible the last time she'd seen him, but she knew it came from the last case he and his team had worked on. The air around him was all wound up and tense with stress and Hermione had to stop herself from frowning in worry. Derek surveyed the diner and when his eyes landed on her, the tension in his shoulders eased just a little and he grinned. Hermione smiled back ignoring the flutter in her heart that rose.

She stood from her seat and hugged him, pushing just a tiny bit of positive energy to relieve some of the more negative air surrounding him. "Derek!" His arms wrapped around her and squeezed tight and felt the rest of his tension leave his body. He pulled back just enough to see her face and his smile brightened.

"I really needed that, thank you," he said before he pulled away with just a lingering touch of his hand brushing back some of her unruly curls from her face.

They both took their seats across from each other in their usual booth. "Oh honestly, Derek. You never have to thank me for giving you hugs." Conversation carried on as it usually did, their usual orders placed in front of them in no time, and they dug in. Even so, Hermione could still see the lingering stress in Derek's eyes.

Their conversation lulled slightly as they worked on finishing their meals. Hermione hesitantly reached out and put her hand over one of his. "Derek, are you alright? It's just, you seem a bit more stressed out than usual. I mean. I understand your job in general is stressful but…" she trailed off unsure of what to say.

He sighed. "I'm sorry if I'm a little out of it. Cases with kids always get to me." That was all he offered and Hermione nodded and gave him what she hoped was a reassuring squeeze of his hand.

"Maybe… Maybe you could think of a way to help you clear some of those thoughts when they become a little overwhelming?" she asked.

Derek thought for a moment. "You mean like smoking?"

Hermione wrinkled her nose at that. "I'd never encourage the habit. And don't suggest drinking next. That's all good and fun in a social setting, but it's not conductive for clear thinking."

Derek leaned forward on the table resting his head on one hand. "Well… I'm afraid I'm out of ideas then." He couldn't help but watch her as she tapped her chin in thought. "What do you do? Besides biting the ends of almost all your pens or brushing your hair into a pretty impressive afro."

She huffed and pouted. "I don't bite my pens."

Derek hummed in a way that suggested he didn't believe her but was agreeing anyway.

"I don't."

He chuckled and noticed she didn't deny that her hair seemed to always expand around her whenever she was stressed. There were times when he's witnessed it that he thought she reminded him of a lion. "Okay. You don't bite the ends of your pens. You bite the caps. Either way, what do you do when you need a moment to clear your thoughts?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, but a slight tinge of pink rose on her cheeks. "Well, if you really want to know… I fold paper cranes…" she admitted.

Derek blinked in surprise. That was not what he expected. "Really?"

Hermione nodded, opening her purse, pulling out a notebook and ripping out a page. "It's a habit I started back in school. I focus on the task of folding a paper crane and I let no other thoughts bother me while I do it."

He watched her cut a square out of the rectangular sheet before proceeding to make crease after crease and fold after fold and in no time, a white paper crane sat between them and their dishes. Derek glanced up at Hermione and took in her small smile and couldn't help but smile back.

"See?" she said as she presented it to him.

"It's cute but I don't think I can fold one myself."

Hermione laughed. "Well, I wasn't exactly suggesting you take up the hobby of folding paper cranes. I'm sure you'll think of something that could help you clear your thoughts." She had pulled out a pen from her bag and started doodling on the crane's wings.

Derek continued to watch his friend and took in the peaceful look on her face. His thoughts were interrupted though when his phone buzzed and a message from work had him sighing.

"I'm sorry I can't hang around," he said as they both stood to pay.

"Oh stop that nonsense, Derek," she said, "I do understand that a lunch break is only a lunch break and I definitely don't encourage skiving off work."

They stepped out of the diner and she walked him to his car. "Take care of yourself okay? Try not to stress out too much. Oh. And maybe, if you're not on a case this weekend we can do something? It's been a while since we've done something outside of eating," Hermione laughed. She pulled him in for a hug and Derek reciprocated whole-heartedly.

"I'll keep you posted for this weekend then," he said as he held her close.

"I'm looking forward to it," she replied.

She was slow when she pulled away from the hug and Derek thought he saw something flicker on her expression. Before he could really see it though she was coming close again, her lips pressing against his cheek. The unexpected action nearly froze him in his spot but she was pulling away again, her smile never failing. She was saying something that didn't quite register in his head before Hermione was waving and heading off in the opposite direction.

Derek slipped into his car his mind up in the air. He'd known early on in his friendship with Hermione that she was a tactile person. She easily gave in to hugs, a touch here and there to convey whichever emotion she was feeling (a reassuring squeeze or an annoyed punch usually), sometimes leaning against his shoulder was something she was comfortable with, or even a few times, tucking into his side when they sat on his or her couch watching a movie. But never, had she ever kissed his cheek before.

He couldn't deny that he was attracted to Hermione. Hell, that attraction to her was what prompted him to go talk to her almost a year ago anyway. But when that encounter blossomed into an unexpected friendship instead of the initial fling he thought it would, he found himself okay with that. It'd been a while since he found a friend outside of the BAU and Hermione was a breath of fresh air especially when he didn't want to be haunted by what they saw nearly day in and day out. She seemed to always know exactly what to say and when to say it to relieve some of his stress and she'd never know how much he appreciated her presence in his life.

But this… This simple tiny kiss on his cheek sent his thoughts spiralling back to the kinds of thoughts that went passed friendship. Was this her way of saying she was interested in something beyond friendship? He wished he'd been paying better attention. He blinked. He'd have to start paying better attention, especially since he found himself pulling into his work parking lot without even realizing he left the diner.

He knew he had a large grin on his face and he tried to contain it knowing his team would be more than suspicious about the sudden change in mood. He didn't want to deal with their teasing just yet. As he made his way into the bull pen he composed himself and nodded when Hotch said they were going to have a quick (and that probably meant not-so-quick and much-more-gruelling) meeting in thirty minutes.

Prentiss rose her brow at him as he settled at his desk. "Good lunch?"

"Yeah, pretty good. Ever been to Gio's Diner?"

The woman's lip twitched as she glanced back at Reid. "Can't say that I have."

Derek's phone buzzed and he reached into his pocket and paused slightly confused. Pulling out his cell phone, he reached in again for the paper he knew wasn't in his pocket before. When he opened his hand, Hermione's paper crane, slightly bent from the travel, rested on his palm.

"Is that an origami crane?" Reid asked.

Derek nodded as he looked at all doodles on the wings. There were a few generic hearts and tiny flowers and vines on one wing. The other though, had words written in neat cursive script. Noli Vinci A Malo Sed Vince In Bono Malum.

He could feel Reid peeking over his shoulder at the paper crane. "Is that Latin?" The Boy Genius tilted his head slightly trying to get a better read of the words. Latin bringing curiosity out in Prentiss brought her over to Reid's side.

"Hey, hey, hey. What ever happened to a thing called privacy?" Asked Derek as he tried to hide the crane.

Prentiss scoffed. "There's no such thing as privacy amongst profilers. We just play pretend," She said while Reid looked a little sheepish for invading Derek's space. "Come on, we just want to see."

With a roll of his eyes, Derek held out his hand and Prentiss plucked the crane out of it. She was gentle though, knowing that it seemed to bring some peace to her friend.

"Interesting choice in the quote," said Reid in a tone that Derek recognized as the beginning of an impromptu fact spiel. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. It's a part of quote from the bible. Hmmm… Saint Paul's Epistle to the Romans, if I'm not mistaken."

Derek tuned out his friend for a moment to glance at the message on his phone. He couldn't contain the grin he held in anymore.

Hermione G 1:22pm
Don't forget to think about your own Paper Crane habit!

Hermione G 1:23pm
But remember, I don't actually mean picking up origami.

He chuckled to himself missing the knowing looks shared between Reid and Prentiss. He could definitely think of a couple of things that could prove helpful in clearing his head of negative thoughts. Most of them involved Hermione.

FIRST: Happy belated New Year! Thank you to all my patient followers and readers who wait for my infrequent updates. I really appreciate all the reviews and messages I've received (And for those who wished me luck on my midterms, thank you again! They went very well)! I feel terrible that I'm not one of those frequent updaters, and I wish I had the time and energy to just pump out content as well as others do. But I'm trying my best! So thank you for putting up with it!

This update was a little difficult to write because I went through a break-up just before the holidays and writing fluff or budding romance of any kind just wasn't working out very well. I'm definitely doing much better though! I just hope my break-up didn't affect the writing/emotion of this piece too much.

Things to address:

- A few of you have expressed interest in Hermione's job! It's a mix of a few things that I don't really want to get into just yet because it may or may not come up in a later piece anyway. :) Hermione and Derek's job won't clash in Novelty.

-A few of you also expressed an interest in when the BAU and Hermione are actually going to meet. I mean, as you've read from this chapter, almost a year has passed since Derek and Hermione first met, but the BAU still haven't met her. Don't worry. It will be soon! And by soon, I don't mean the next piece… If the characters cooperate with my muse the way I want them too, I'm hoping some of the BAU will meet Hermione after two or three chapters more chapters. I can't guarantee that though, I mean, I hadn't planned on Luna showing up this soon but she insisted on visiting Hermione… so I let her.