Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, Marvel or the characters therein. Nor, sadly, do I make any moneys from the posting of this fanfiction.

Another day, another one shot. Enjoy!

…

The Dancer

Tony was throwing a party, though Merlin only knew why. The only thing that confused Hermione more was her own invitation to the same said gathering. Oh well, it had been a time and a half since the last time she had gone out to a celebration. And frankly, she didn't count the anniversary parties for the war at all.

"Why is he throwing a party?" Hermione asked Natasha.

"He's trying to get the band back together, if you will," the ex-Russian spy told her. "Now stop dragging your heels and come out so I can see how you look."

Hermione stepped out the master bedroom, smoothing down the red bandage dress with sleeves that covered both arms but still managed to look as if they weren't attached to the dress. The thigh length dress showed off her legs that were extenuated by a pair of four-inch platform F.M.P.'s that rounded out the look. Her hair was pinned up in a sloppy bun and her makeup was minimal, but flawless.

"Well?" Hermione asked, nervously smoothing her hands down the dress.

"If I did girls, you'd be on my list," Nat assured her, making the other woman laugh.

Grabbing her wrap, she said, "Let's go before I chicken out or change my mind."

…

From the moment Hermione arrived, she was on the dance floor. It was a freeing experience, as she allowed herself the one thing she hadn't in an age—thoughtlessness. She moved her body to the music, not thinking about who was there with her. But rather just felt the rhythm, listened to the heavy bass at times, and completely checked out mentally. It wasn't until the music took a swift turn towards a slower pace that she stopped dancing. She was about to leave when she was pulled up hard against a muscular body—a body she was very familiar with.

"James," she sighed, turning to face him and looked up into his dark blue eyes. "I didn't know you were going to be here." She slipped one arm around his neck. "I would have worn my five-inch platforms if I would have known."

"I think you're dangerous enough in these things you're wearing. I think you broke a few guys feet out here, sweetheart."

"I love dancing," she sighed, a light pink alighting her cheeks as she went on with, "Doesn't mean I'm any good at it."

He chuckled, as he moved her around the dance floor effortlessly. "Steve brought me here. He even got me a blind date."

She was silent a moment. "Okay, I know what I'll be asking will have you laughing, but it must be inquired into. I want to make certain I'm getting it right."

"Ask."

"A blind date as in a woman you've never met before with whom you have been set up on a social outing and not an actual blind woman?"

Chuckling, he answered, "The first one."

She let out a relieved breath. "It's been a very long week, James. Not knowing that it would just add another log to the pyre of my already craptastic week."

"Craptastic?"

"It's a word."

"Not according to Webster's," James commented.

"It's in several Urban dictionaries," she pointed out to him. "Meaning that it's in the modern everyday vernacular to the point that it's being used by the majority of the youth in a mass populous of multiple city centers." When he just stared at her, she added with a grin, "It's my sister's definition of how words get into the Urban dictionaries."

He smiled at that, as he reached over and finger combed a strand of hair that had fallen into her face. His hand went on to caress her cheek.

"I've missed you," he murmured, as his hand slid back into place on the small of her spine. "I don't think we've ever been apart for longer than a month since we met."

"I know, but this wasn't my idea. It was yours."

Rolling his eyes heavenward, he muttered, "I know, but…" He went silent and his posture stiffened slightly. "Stark."

Hermione let out a small sigh, as she stopped dancing. Turning to face the multibillionaire, she forced herself to relax.

"You've been taking up this woman's dances, Buckster. Don't you think it's about time to allow some of the other folk a chance to see if we can charm Mary Poppins?"

"No thank you. I've had a long day," Hermione said. "Now if you will please excuse me, gentlemen, I'm going to be on my way." Stepping around the two men, she went over to where her sister was with her friends.

"Holy cow! Do you know who you were speaking with?" Darcy asked, looking shocked.

"Tony Stark and James Barnes," she answered. "Seeing as you work with one of them, I would have thought you knew at least that much."

"Hermione…" A small nearly unnoticeable smile flickered on her older sister's face. "Oh you!"

Hermione's smile fell away when she looked over to see the two men arguing. "I'm going to get going." She looked to her sister. "I've had enough dancing." She kissed both her sister's cheeks. "Call me if you need a ride. I'll send a taxi or Lyft or whatever they call those rideshare cars."

"Not to worry," Darcy assured her. "We're staying in the building in one of the guest suites." Frowning, she asked, "Where are you staying? I know you don't live in the building."

"I'll be ordering a car," she assured her sister. "I may not have been drinking, but I'm not foolish enough to think everyone here abstained from such."

Hermione left the party and soon was waiting at the lift to take her down to the lobby. Someone stepped up next to her. Turning her head slightly, she saw that it was Bucky. Rocking on his feet, he was looking at the increasing numbers on the lift indicator.

"I have a suite here," he told her. "There's a large television with anything and everything you may want to watch, room service that serves meals fit for the fanciest of restaurants, and a bed that should been deemed sinfully comfortable as you may not want to leave it." His eyes looked over to her. "Will you join me tonight?"

Moving closer to him, she murmured, "I, uh, I can't have sex tonight. Well, I can, but it would be messy and uncomfortable given my menses started this morning." She blushed as she had told him about her period.

His hand pressed to the small of her back, as he leaned down and whispered, "There's a jet tub, chocolate and a heating pad up there too."

"Oh James, that sounds perfect," she sighed, leaning into him. "You always know what I need."

Kissing her temple, he said softly, "Always, sweetheart."

TBC…

…

And there's another oneshot off into the world of the interwebs. Take care everyone! And may the awesomeness be with you all.