A/N: Next instalment finally here. This again is a development in their relationship and things start to happen. I have written ahead I kinda went a bit nuts because it is getting exciting. Well I hope you guys think so too! I have planned the story out completely now so it will be about 25/26 chapters in its entirety. I am sorry if I have missed any mistakes as this was edited really quick.
CONFRONTING EXPECTATIONS
8th December 2013 Sunday Lunch at the Burrow
I had no plans with Christian today, although I found myself missing his company. Since he had entered my life three weeks ago everything has been turned upside down.
"Hermione, how lovely to see you dear. You look rather glowing, is there something I don't know about?", she looked hopeful for something, I frowned in confusion not fully comprehending what it is she meant.
"Mum, leave Hermione alone. You may want to go check in the kitchen, I think Fred and George have set something on fire", thank god for Ginny that I didn't have to endure the rest of that awkward conversation.
"Those boys and their silly experiments always causing havoc", Molly says mumbling as she walks towards the kitchen.
"Thank you for saving me from that, what was she talking about?", Ginny took pity on my bewildered state and threw an arm around my shoulders.
"Well you are looking happier and more content lately. I didn't so much notice last night but now I do. Did you get laid and not tell me?", I raised my eyebrows and dropped my jaw in surprise.
"N-no..no I did not!", I spluttered out, nearly choking on my own saliva. I tried to go for indignant but failed miserably.
"What did we hear-", one twin.
"About dearest Hermione-", the other twin
"Getting laid?", both twins together.
I tried an icy glare knowing full well my cheeks must be burning red in embarrassment, which negates it. Instead I come across like a sullen child, stamping their foot after being told no.
"Come on you can tell us-", George said followed by Fred grinning evilly. "Who is the lucky fella?"
"There is no 'lucky fella' as you say. I haven't been with anyone since Ron", I crossed my arms in a huff, annoyed that they have to bring up my pathetic lack thereof sex life.
"Well that's just depressing", Ginny said pityingly.
"What no flings or one-night stands?", the twins asked in unison.
"Can we stop talking about this, my sex life is not up for discussion". As I said that Ron, Arthur and Bill came through the floo. Oh, wonderful now the entire Weasley clan knows my private business. I sigh loudly and turn to head towards the kitchen.
"Sorry Hermione-"
"You know you-"
"can tell us anything", the twins said in a sickeningly sing-song voice as they followed close behind me.
"Tell you what?", It was Ron's voice now.
"Oh, we are trying to get out of Hermione who the lucky fella is that has caught her attention-"
"In between the sheets if you know what we mean", the twins said waggling and wiggling their eyebrows in unison. I would have laughed if the attention wasn't on me. I think my cheeks were permanently inflamed.
"Fred! George! That is not appropriate dinner table talk. Stop it this instant", Molly scolded as she brought in a plate of food.
"Sorry mum", they said together.
"I told you there is no one so drop it please. Harry will be here shortly", I try my best to divert the conversation to Harry, hoping to distract everyone with a change of topic, especially since I could see the look on Ron's face.
"We all know that is a lie!", Ron said loudly halting everyone's conversations and the room going silent. You could hear a pin drop.
"What are you talking about Ron I don't think Hermione would lie", Bill said thoroughly confused as to why his younger brother would reprimand Hermione in front of the whole family.
"I've seen her with a muggle man", he looked smug like he had caught me in a lie, only I'm not lying. While I would like to be with Christian, it is too soon for anything. So...we are colleagues, yes working colleagues.
"Who said he was a muggle Ron or is that just another one of your assumptions?", he faltered slightly realising this wasn't going the way he had thought.
"So, you admit you've been with a mystery man?", everyone was looking at me unsure of what was going on. Am I not allowed to have any other friends outside my circle of friends?
"Yes", I was not backing down without a fight. Ron looked triumphant.
"Hermione, why didn't you say anything? Although looking at what is going on at the moment, I can see why you would hesitate", Ginny looked a little sad and disappointed. It made me pissed off that they would immediately doubt me and believe Ron. I stood up cross my arms defensively.
"It's not what you are all thinking. Yes, I am talking to another man, god forbid that isn't Harry or Ronald. But he is a colleague from the American Ministry. He is helping me with something. That is all Ronald", everyone turned to look at Ron waiting for his response. But Ginny piped up first.
"Ron you can't just go making up stuff because Hermione hasn't taken you back, that is not fair". Ron's face was as red as a tomato on the verge of turning a purple shade.
"She kissed him I saw it! And they meet up at a hotel- 'slattern'." He points at me. What were we in the 1600s? Was there a group of villagers with pitch forks outside I don't know about? Then my brain fully processes what he said. I narrow my eyes in anger, I could feel my magic crackling around me. I'm surprised he even has that word in his vocabulary, but how dare he call me a slattern when I haven't even done anything with Christian not that it is his or anyone else's business. Arthur sensing the fight that is about the ensue tries to calm everyone down.
"Dad there is no point, maybe this needs happen to clear the air", Bill says ever the voice of reason.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, have you been following me? Christian thought there was someone following me, and he was concerned for my safety. Do I need to be concerned? He is staying at the hotel Ron, as far as I'm aware there is no wizarding hotels in England"
"What is he too posh to stay at the Leaky Cauldron or the Three Broomsticks?", is he insinuating what I think he is insinuating.
"No but they are a bit of a dump. He is a half-blood so yes he prefers to stay in the muggle world when he travels"
"So, you have had a taste of the rich life and now you're not looking back", I was confused now as to what he was going on about.
"Ron, Christian is a colleague and he is quite wealthy. He can do what he wants with his own wealth, it's his prerogative and you can't hold that against him. And no before you even dare say that I am only hanging around him because of his money, then you don't really know me at all", I am really disappointed in Ron even after we've shared, he stills doubts me now.
"He is older than you Hermione by at least ten years, he is taking advantage of a young woman. You need to stop seeing him Hermione or let us talk to him", seriously?
" Why would I do that for Ron? He is a colleague, whom I enjoy spending time with. He can keep up with me academically"
"Ron, see Hermione is not doing anything wrong, you're just getting jealous because she is trying to move on. Just let it go", Ginny said chastising her older brother.
"No, I will not let it go. He is taking advantage of her! She needs to pick him or me!", I have never seen Ron like this even when he was wearing Slytherins locket. I could feel tears pick at my eyes. This was unfair and he shouldn't make me choose. A good friend wouldn't make me choose between friends.
"Well Ron, you've made my choice easy", I answered shakily. I moved out of the dining area headed towards the front door. I tried not to let the tears fall until I got home.
Once I made it home, I fell face first onto my bed and sobbed into my blankets. I felt Crookshanks leap up onto the bed only to curl up on my back which made me laugh/sob. He was trying to be comforting. I was glad no one was here to see me cry. I just can't believe Ron was so willing to throw away our friendship because he was jealous. A small part of me thought I should have just given in, but then were does it end if he thinks he can just walk all over me all the time? I know I did the right thing, but it hurts. Maybe he just needs some time to calm down.
I look at my wall clock and it is only 2:25 pm in the afternoon. I could indulge in a long bath again before having an early dinner and a night reading in bed.
Tom POV
A little time later 4:15pm
I'm bored out of mind.
I have been in my hotel room all day, too lazy to go anywhere or do anything really. I've re-read all the notes on the tablet and have started to pre-plan some ideas of how we are actually going to break into the museum. I downloaded the floor plan of the museum and had a closer look. However, some of the finer details will have to be worked out when we do another walk through, like security cameras and weighted sensors.
I don't want it to, but my mind starts to wander to Hermione and what she is doing right now. I haven't heard from her all day which is unusual. I very reluctantly admit to myself that I am worried. What if the Weasel has done something? While she is a very capable witch, she wouldn't be expecting an attack from her close friend. Maybe I should just go check on her? At that question my stomach rumbles. I amend that statement, I'll drop by with dinner. It's early enough that she may not have thought about dinner yet.
Forty-five minutes later, I'm standing out the front of her house with some fried rice, Chow Mein and spicy beef, with a bottle of red wine. I felt ridiculous, this was one social norm I never participated in as a teenager, dating or wooing a woman. Was this what I was doing at not realising it? I could nearly shoot my own self from this pathetic attempt. I knock anyway I hope I don't make a fool of myself. Seconds or minutes really tick by and finally the door opens.
She stands there stunned for a moment and I find myself a little shocked as well, but for a different reason. She is standing there in a pale pink bathrobe, with pink fuzzy slippers and a towel wrapped around her head. Even though she looked slightly silly I still find myself a little dazzled by her understated beauty. Then I noticed the slight puffiness of her eyes and they look bloodshot. Has she been crying?
"You've been crying?", I could nearly smack myself for being so blunt.
She ushers me in but remains silent. Her cat which I think was called Crookshanks comes bolting out of nowhere, like a small fireball and starts rubbing up against my legs purring loudly. She laughs which is a good sign.
"He's missed you", I look back up and her eyes are filled with unshed tears, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the crying. I walk over to the dining table and place the food and the wine down, secretly glad I brought it now. I turn around and stare at her for a moment. This feels awkward, why out of all our interactions does it feel awkward? Then I realise because this time she is emotionally vulnerable. Her walls are down, she is exposed to me. Lots of people have been vulnerable to me in a variety of ways, but never this specific type of vulnerable. She does not fear me. I think of what I am supposed to do in this situation, is the social convention hugging?
"Come here", I widen my arms for her to step into. There is no hesitation as she almost runs into my arms from her position by the front door. Her head towel nearly hits me in the face as her momentum almost knocks me off my feet. I stumbled backwards slightly and hit the edge of the dining table. She squeezes me tightly, like I am her anchor in a storm. A protection, preventing her from being swept away. I feel like perhaps I should ask what is wrong.
"Hermione, dear what is wrong?", her grip around me tightens, she answers. Her voice muffled by my jacket, where her face is currently buried.
"Roht ndjj sjdjdk", I could not make out a word she said. When I didn't answer, she pulls back and looks up at me with pain filled eyes and those unshed tears from earlier now freely falling down her reddened cheeks. My hand of its own accord comes up and cups her cheek. My thumb gently swiping across halting the tears from their predetermined path. I drag my eyes away from my thumb and find her gaze. It appears as if time stands still. The tension is stifling. I decide to divert our metaphorical ships to safer waters.
"I couldn't hear you before, what did you say?", she sighs, the previous tension now broken. She steps back away from my grasp. She turns away walking over to the kettle and flicking it on. Then turns around leaning against the bench. I take her all in from her innocent pink painted toes, her toned calf muscle a creamy thigh...I gulp not used to having a school boy reaction. She is a temptress grating on my self-control. What makes it more enticing is that she doesn't realise she is doing it.
" Maybe you should put some clothes on and then we'll talk", I say it coming out huskier than I intended betraying my state of mind. She winks and then walks away. Maybe she does know what she is doing. How Slytherin of her.
While I'm waiting, I find some plates, cutlery, wine glasses and place mats. I set the table and unscrew the wine bottle, Crookshanks however is determined to gain my attention. The animal is feeling left out. I bend down to give him a scratch behind the ears, and instead he tries jumping on my lap. I relent and pick him up, instantly he begins nuzzling and purring.
"See I told you he missed you", I look up as I hear her voice. Her hair is now dried, and, in a braid, she is wearing black leggings and soft looking long knitted cardigan and a white t shirt underneath while her feet still bare. Her face is still a little puffy but not as bad as before. She is smiling which is a good indicator and comes over and takes the cat out of my hands and goes and places him on his pet bed by the fire. The cat doesn't look happy but remains where it is watching us unblinkingly. Which is kind of creepy if I admit. Like if he blinks then we will disappear.
"I didn't want to be presumptuous, so I haven't poured you a glass", I want to knock myself out of this awkward behaviour I am displaying it is so unlike me.
"No that's fine, I would love a glass or three after the afternoon I've had. It would be nice to talk to someone who isn't connected to the Weasley's", Hermione said slumping down in the dining chair opposite the chair I elected to sit in. So, it did have to with that red-headed imbecile. The thought of him hurting her sets me on edge, my magic flaring minimally.
"Was he following you?", the question came out harder than I wanted. I revealed too much. She looks up biting her bottom lip and I can't stop myself from watching the action. She releases the lip, as she contemplates the answer.
"Yes, he has been. He didn't directly confirm it but some of the things he said he could have only known about if he was following me. He had the audacity to call me a 'slattern', if I wasn't so upset at the time, I would have laughed that he even knew the word. He saw us together and assumed a whole bunch of things, like because of your fancy clothes and hotel that I am only hanging around you for your money", I narrowed my eyes and clenched my jaw, my anger was rising. I gripped the fork so hard that it bent under the strain. I flicked my wrist and it returned to its normal state.
"You don't think that do you?", she whispered out. Does this girl she herself at all? Or is she a twisted mess of insecurity?
"I do not think that Hermione. I wouldn't be here right now or spent any time with you over this last week if that were the case. Please tell me you stood up for yourself and not let him walk all over you?", I would explode in a fit of anger, if she didn't put that red head fool in his place for dragging her down with him into his pit of self-hatred and lack of esteem. Seeing my anger clearly displayed on my face she sat up straighter and spoke up, obviously offended.
"Yes, of I did! I wasn't going to let me speak to me like that especially in front of his entire family. I have done nothing wrong, by spending time with you. He wanted me to choose between you and him and I chose you", she blushed at that last part, but didn't back down, was she challenging me? To what, prove she made the right choice? Or to prove her wrong?
Instead of immediately answering her, I started opening the takeaway dishes and spooning some rice on to her plate and mine. I left her to choose which other option she wanted.
"Hermione, I don't know a lot about relationships", wasn't that an understatement. "But someone once mentioned to me that the most important things you can give your partner is your mind, heart, attention, respect, protection and most of all loyalty. I feel those to be true. Can you honestly tell me that Weasley gave you those, honestly?", I wasn't going to make this easy for her, I had to appeal to her logical mind. I know enough about her from my previous self that she was the mind behind the three, but she was the one who sacrificed the most in order for them to succeed. She martyrs herself to her friends, which isn't healthy. How is she supposed to be truly happy? I couldn't believe I just thought that, I only ever believed in my own happiness, self-fish I know but that is who I am. She completely brings out another side of me which I don't even like.
"Yes, he has we have been friends for since we were eleven", I raised an eyebrow not believing her for a second.
"Really? Clearly, he has your loyalty and respect. Would you make your friends choose between you and a new friend they had made because you were jealous?", I could see her face falling. I didn't want to upset her, but she had to face facts. He didn't respect her.
"I…no I wouldn't." she answered shaking her head. "Maybe I should have tried harder…", she moved her fork around in the friend rice making patterns.
"What? Tried harder to be in a relationship that you made you unhappy? Were crushed by their expectations that you didn't want? Where your opinions were made to feel selfish and they got everything they wanted? That's not a relationship Hermione, that's a toxic situation. No matter how you sugar coat it. Don't go making excuses for someone who doesn't respect you enough to understand your mind and needs, now eat your rice stop playing with it like a child", I snapped, I couldn't take it any longer. It enraged me, if I had to listen to her pathetic excuses for that piece of scum that fails to see what is right in front of him, I will crack and murder someone. Maybe I will afterwards anyway, I sense this is going to be a stressful evening. I stand up and reach for my glass of wine. I just need to get away from her for a minute or two. I wander over to the lounge and sit down, Crookshanks is up in a second, lying down at my feet. A few minutes later she gets up and follows me over to the lounge. She hesitates and sits three seat cushions away. I roll my eyes, she is insecure about dynamic now.
"Hermione, come here", I pat the space next to me. She slowly moves over, posture stiff and unsure. I curl my arm around her shoulders and gently nudge her to cuddle into my side. She relaxes and lays her head on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry I snapped. I care but I was insensitive about it", I said as I swirled the wine in my glass with my spare hand. It was nice sitting here in front of the fire. It felt, domestic, normal, what normal people did.
"I'm sorry too. You were right…." she tilts her head up to look at me and I look down at her. Her whisky coloured eyes shining with an emotion I wasn't familiar with. "I was going to make excuses because it was reflex to do so. I've been making excuses for so long, that I started to believe my own lies. He doesn't respect me as much as it pains me to say that. I don't want to lose his friendship, he is hurting and just needs time to understand that I… want something else" Her eyes flick to my lips and I am frozen with what to do. I gulp. Fucking Salazar. I feel her arm snake around the back of my head and nudges me to lean forward a little. The feel of her lips on my mine, makes my mind go blank. It's sweet and chaste. As I feel her tongue run across my bottom lip, tentatively asking for entrance, I hear a throat clear loudly.
We both freeze.
Hermione reluctantly pulls back and mouths 'sorry', I nod. She turns to see who has entered her apartment, although by her slow reaction I guess she already knows who it is.
"Harry", I groan internally. Harry fucking Potter, just great. Well I guess I'll know sooner rather than later whether he recognises me.