You beautiful humans. Thank you so much for the love =)

Heads up, I have no experience with children whatsoever. I've never even held one. So if you see anything in this chapter that sounds weird or unrealistic, please let me know. I'm always trying to improve. =)

Enjoy! =)

Stride of Pride

She woke up the next day to an annoying tapping sound. She tried to ignore it because she felt so sleepy but it just wouldn't stop. With a loud groan, she threw a pillow in the general direction of the tapping sound. Still didn't stop.

She opened her eyes and rolled onto her back. Slowly she searched her bedroom for the source. It came from the window.

"Maira?" She grumbled confused, spotting the owl.

She was perched on the ledge in front of her window and looked at her impatiently.

She wasn't awake enough for wandless magic so she fumbled around under her remaining pillow for her wand and waved it to open the window.

Maira flew in and hooted annoyed. She let the letter drop on Hermione, nearly hitting her in the eye and flew off again.

Well, so much for being patient and well behaved.

"Sorry," she murmured with an eye roll and closed the window again with another wave.

She slowly blinked to get a little more alert.

Last night had been…surprising. She hadn't expected him to be so…so welcoming. She had just shown up without any form of warning. Then again, she herself hadn't had any warning that she was going to do that. But it had been great.

Talking with him. Just being with him had felt so very good. He made her feel like herself. She hadn't had the urge to explain her thought process or talk more slowly or even dumb herself down to put it plainly. Which she had almost always had to do with previous partners.

She could just let her brain run wild and he had been able to keep up with her. Even challenge her once or twice. It made her happy. Especially considering the fact that she would never have guessed he could be so clever. She had to admit, though that she had never given him the chance to show that before.

Even after their talks about work and Transfiguration, being able to get to know him a little better felt special. She got the feeling that he kept to himself most of the time which again someone wouldn't expect looking at him. He seemed like the outgoing type. Like someone who liked to be the centre of attention and bragged about his accomplishments and abilities. Well, he had been like that in school. But the man she had got to know yesterday was a far cry from that boy from the past.

She sighed contently. She would just enjoy what she had with him and see where it went.

Her hand was absentmindedly feeling around for the letter somewhere on her bed. She wondered what Cormac could want considering they would see each other later today.

Finally locating the note she opened it smiling at his almost illegible scrawl. It fit him well, a little careless, a little annoying, a little endearing and a little out there.

Hermione

I realized we never agreed on a time for today.

I'll pick you up at one o'clock.

I'm looking forward to seeing you.

Cormac

Her smile dimmed a little.

His letter sounded kind of…cold, didn't it? Although, he did say he was looking forward to the date. He didn't even ask her if she got home okay or if she slept well. Maybe he had been more annoyed by her showing up than he had let on.

She shook her head in thought. No, he had been genuine. She had seen it in his eyes. He had even told her she was welcome anytime and she was sure he had meant it. He had even said so.

Good Godric, why was she so bloody insecure? It was a perfectly normal note.

Should she write back, though? She wasn't sure what she should write. It wasn't like he had asked her a question and just writing 'okay' felt weird. He probably didn't expect a reply, right? She didn't even have an owl so it was irrelevant anyway.

She was just overthinking. So much for staying calm and not driving herself crazy. She sighed again and put the letter on her nightstand.

It was half-past eleven. She had slept for almost nine straight hours, a new record. Apparently, Ginny, Harry, and Sloan had been right. She had overworked herself and had needed rest. She still felt kind of sluggish but that was probably because her body wasn't used to sleeping this long. And because she was still lying in her bed. She needed to get up and get moving. Which she did.

After she had showered, fixed her hair and eaten something, she stood in front of her wardrobe trying to decide on what to wear.

She had no idea what they would be doing. Would they be inside or outside? Was it practical to wear a skirt? A dress? Would she be overdressed in high heeled boots? Were flats too causal? Were jeans too casual? Why was she a woman? Men surely didn't have that much trouble choosing clothes.

She groaned and dropped her head back. Her brain just wouldn't stop overthinking. So much for staying calm and casual.

She should've found an owl and written him back to ask for more details.

She sat on her bed staring at her open closet as if it had personally wronged her…which it kind of had. There were forty-five minutes left before he would be there to pick her up. She spotted her favourite jumper and decided to just go with comfortable.

She had just put on her jeans when she heard the floo activate and Ginny's voice calling for her. She quickly pulled on her jumper and entered the living room.

"Hey Ginny," she greeted her friend and knelt in front of the fireplace.

"Hey…so listen. I know it's last minute but Harry just surprised me with tickets to the Kestral - Tornados game. So, I wanted to ask if it were possible for you to take James for the day? Angelina took Albus but James was just too much to handle for her. George had to work in the shop today. There was something about a wrong delivery so she's alone with little Fred and you know how crazy it gets with him and James in the same room. I know you have the hearing tomorrow but maybe James will distract you a little from your worries about it. Mum can't take him she's helping Daphne and Ron with something at the house."

Hermione knew how little time Harry could spare for Ginny the past few weeks. He'd had all the work of catching the felon and it had taken a lot. She'd coordinated parts of it but his free time had been the thing that suffered. Now it was her turn to bring the case home so to speak, starting tomorrow. She knew she wouldn't say no to her friend.

"Of course, I'll watch him, Ginny. I just have to owl Cormac to cancel our date. You can go get him ready."

"Wait, what?! You've got a date with, Cormac? Don't cancel that! Are you crazy?"

She didn't want to cancel but she knew she had to because Ginny and Harry were more important. They were family. Additionally, it had been too long since she had seen either of the little ones.

"Ginny, it's not a big deal. You won't find anyone else last minute to watch him and I'm happy to do it. It's really no trouble, I promise."

"Hermione!" Ginny groaned.

"Stop it." She shook her head. "I'll need to borrow your owl, though. Step back, I'm coming through."

Ginny nodded with a pinched face and vanished.

When Hermione emerged at Grimmauld Place Ginny was waiting for her, tapping her foot.

"You're not really going to cancel, are you? I'll find somebody else…" she tried to sound convincing but failed.

Hermione just shook her head and looked at her friend expectantly. It only took a couple of seconds for Ginny to drop her head and sigh.

"Fine, you're right. I won't find anybody else. But…I can't expect you to cancel a very necessary date with Cormac!" She threw her arms up.

"Necessary?" Hermione frowned.

Ginny nodded vigorously.

"Absolutely. You need that date. You two hit it off and it would be a shame to not follow up on it."

Hermione wanted to look insulted but Ginny was right. She was looking forward to the date and was reluctant to cancel it. But what could she do? Her godson came first, no question. She voiced that to Ginny.

"Hm…maybe-…" Ginny started but was interrupted by her son bursting into the room.

"Auntie Mi!" James yelled, running straight at Hermione, who knelt down quickly and opened her arms to embrace him.

"Hey, James!" Hermione echoed his shriek with a laugh and hugged him close.

Not surprisingly he had had trouble pronouncing her full name from the beginning so they'd started out with a shorter version that had been even more shortened by the little boy and Auntie Mi just stuck. She was sure she would be called that forever, but she loved it.

"Oh, I could squeeze you forever."

Looking up over James' shoulder, she caught Harry's eye who had followed his energetic son into the room and was standing close to Ginny.

"No, Mi! We need to go play!" James exclaimed and pushed out of the embrace to bounce around the three adults talking non-stop.

She laughed watching him run around the room.

"Hermione, you are an angel," Harry said over the noise. "I can't thank you enough. I know it's last minute and I should've made sure to have a sitter before getting the tickets but it was a time sensitive offer and Ginny and I just didn't-…"

"Shut it, Harry. You're rambling," she embraced him with a chuckle. "You know I adore those kids and I'm happy to take them any time I can."

"Thanks again, though." He added for good measure.

She stepped back and waved him off.

"I need to write a letter and borrow Tilly to send it, please."

Harry had waited a long time to get a new owl after Hedwig. Tilly had joined them half a year ago and was adored by James who seemed to love every single animal on the planet.

"Of course." He responded and motioned for Hermione to follow him but Ginny stopped him.

"I'll go, you can get our son into his shoes."

Harry swallowed and looked almost miserably to his son who hadn't stopped moving for a second.

Hermione pressed her lips together to keep the laugh inside.

"Come on," Ginny told her and they left Harry to his fate.

She followed her to the study where Ginny summoned paper and pen.

"Now, before you start writing, I have an idea." Checking to see she had her attention, Ginny continued. "Why don't you ask Cormac to come over anyway and help you watch James?"

"What? Why would you-…?" But she was interrupted by Ginny holding up a hand.

"Listen, that poor boy has been waiting long enough to hear from you and he finally got his second date. I'm not letting Harry's poor planning skills ruin this for you both. You said it yourself, you felt great in his presence and wanted to see him again."

Hermione narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, considering what her friend had said. It would be a good solution. She would be able to help out her friends, see her godson and spend time with Cormac.

She knew Ginny had been coughing up this idea the moment she'd stepped through the floo earlier. But could she actually do it? Was it fair to James or even Cormac?

"I don't know Ginny. Are you really comfortable with a stranger watching your child?"

"He's not a stranger." Ginny waved her off. "We know him from school and he's been working with Angelina for a while. I've actually seen him occasionally when I visit her in the Ministry. You wouldn't have because you never seem to leave your office except to go to the Auror office or courtrooms….well, and home occasionally." She teased her.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Angelina usually came to her office because she wasn't working as much as Hermione. There was never really any reason to visit the Department of Magical Games and Sports…maybe that would change, now.

"What about James? He doesn't know him at all."

"So? You are there with him and you know Cormac. James didn't know Daphne before Ron introduced her to him and that was very early in their relationship. I'm happy for him to have more people in his life. Something tells me Cormac will be great with kids." She threw Hermione a meaningful look that she deliberately ignored.

"Well…what about Harry?"

"What about him?"

"Don't you think he has an opinion about who should be watching his children?"

"He probably does, but who said it's relevant?" Ginny winked at her and they both laughed.

Harry might be the saviour of the Wizarding World and a successful Auror but he had quickly learned that if Ginny wanted something to happen she would make it so.

Just then they heard a particularly loud squeal from James followed by a suspicious thump. They shared a look.

"I think, I'll go check on Harry. Tilly is upstairs. Think about it, Hermione."

She left the room and Hermione tried to think of what to write. It was really a bummer. She had been excited about seeing him.

Should she ask him to come anyway? She wasn't sure if she wanted to. It was a lot to ask, wasn't it? It was also way too early to introduce him to a child who would get attached to him…and what if it didn't work out?

Making up her mind she started writing.

Cormac,

I'm so sorry to do this but I have to cancel our date. Ginny needs me to watch James today. She can't find anyone else on such short notice.

I'm really very sorry, Cormac. I was looking forward to today, too.

Hermione

She read through the short note again and paused. She felt bad about cancelling on him but it felt like too much to ask him to come anyway. She was disappointed about not being able to see him but watching her godson wasn't a consolation prize. Time with people you loved, especially kids was the price. She hoped he would be able to understand it, and maybe he'd be open to rescheduling the date.

Having sent off the letter with Tilly from the third floor, Hermione joined Harry and Ginny downstairs again where her two friends still tried to get James to put his other shoe on. Well, Ginny tried. Harry was trying not to laugh at his son's shenanigans. So he had survived whatever his son had tried to do and his wife had taken over.

"Hey, did you send your letter?" He greeted her when she entered.

"Yes, I just hope it'll arrive in time," Hermione replied turning to James. "Are you ready to go, James?"

"All done!" He exclaimed and jumped up as soon as Ginny had his second shoe on. He hugged Hermione's legs and she put her hand on his head to ruffle his hair.

"Okay, here is James's bag. He's already eaten." Ginny told her while getting up, too and holding out the bag for her.

She took it from her trying not to hit James with it who didn't want to move from his position hugging her legs.

"Thank you so so much, Hermione. You're a life saver. And I'm really sorry about Cormac." She said guiltily.

Harry raised one eyebrow.

"So that's who you sent the letter to. I'm not as sorry as Gin is for ruining your plans but…I am sorry." He tried to sound serious but couldn't quite manage.

Hermione bit back her own smile.

"I appreciate it, Harry."

Ginny hit him and he laughed rubbing the spot.

"You know, you could change your mind, I'm sure he'd be happy to help you with James," Ginny repeated her earlier suggestion.

Hermione hesitated. Harry looked at his wife indignantly.

"Are you seriou-…Ow!" He started but Ginny stumped on his foot and he yelped.

Hermione bit back a laugh then hesitated before answering. She could change her mind…she'd have to figure out how to send a letter, though, since Tilly had already left. But it was too early in their…whatever they had, wasn't it?

"I'll think about it." She responded finally. "Now, you two go have fun. Maybe have a nice dinner after the game. Let's go, James."

The little boy released her and grabbed the hand she offered him.

"Bye, honey. Have fun with Auntie Mi." Ginny knelt down and gave her son a kiss on the cheek. "You have the start of the trial tomorrow. We won't pick him up too late, I promise." Ginny replied when she'd stood up again.

Hermione nodded and returned Harry's wave with the hand she was holding James's which made the little boy laugh. Then she secured him against her and stepped into the floo to her home.

She had James quickly occupied with helping her build a fortress out of cushions, pillows, and blankets and couldn't help laughing with him when it was done and he was checking out all the secret hiding places she had put in magically. That would occupy him for a little while.

She took the chance and let her gaze drift through her living room coming to rest on the vase on the side table next to the front door. She had put the rose Cormac had given her under a stasis charm in it. She looked back to the fortress and the happy squeals and non-stop talking that came from the depths of it. She had time to quickly look up the meaning of the rose.

'Orange roses evoke energy and indicate enthusiasm, desire, and excitement. Giving orange roses symbolizes a passionate romance and shares your excitement of the relationship with your loved one.'

She put the book back on the shelf and found herself smiling. It was very endearing and she understood the meaningful glances Angelina and Ginny had shared because of it, now. Knowing his intentions or at least the meaning behind his gift made her feel happy. He wanted a relationship.

She looked at her watch. It was almost one o'clock…should she write to him to help her, after all? She got the feeling that she could trust the meaning of the rose, otherwise, he wouldn't have picked the colour like this. Orange wasn't a common colour to give someone on a first date, at least not for a rose.

They had talked about many things the night before but neither of them had broached the subject of what they wanted out of this. Which was completely fine because it would be too early. What if she gave to much meaning to the rose?

She was doing it again. Overthinking everything. Why was it so difficult to shut her brain off?

She wanted to see him. The reasons she had used to talk herself out of asking him over anyway, sounded irrelevant in her head now. Even Ginny thought it was a good idea. Maybe she should listen to her friend.

But how to write to him? Tilly was probably already back at Grimmauld Place. She didn't have the option to travel to the post office in Diagon Alley because of James and she didn't want to interrupt his adventure tour inside the fortress.

Maybe he would write back, asking for a new date? Then she could answer him by inviting him over immediately.

"Auntie Mi!" James shouted from inside the fortress.

"Yes?"

"Come in and play!"

"I'll be right there, sweetie." She called back.

Before she could move towards him, though there was a knock on the door. She frowned. Was that her neighbour who always complained when James visited her? He hadn't been that loud, yet.

Preparing herself to put him in his place she opened the door only to come face to face with Cormac.

He was looking kind of…nervous? Didn't he get her note? Tilly should've had enough time to deliver it duly.

"Cormac? Didn't you get my note?" She asked slowly, although she was happy to see him.

"No, I did…but I uh…I decided to come anyway and check if you needed any help. I have heard stories of James from Angelina." Cormac looked uncomfortable. He was rubbing his neck and couldn't quite meet her eyes.

"So you just assumed I would be unable to handle a toddler and be okay with you meeting my godchild and watching him?" Hermione asked him incredulously.

He was blushing now. It was a completely new look on him. She was kind of enjoying torturing him a little. It was presumptions of him to just show up and expect her to invite him in. She had wanted to ask him just that in her second note, but still. He didn't know she had already talked to Ginny about it. Well, more like had been told by Ginny to invite him and help her with James.

Also, she'd been the presumptuous one the night before by just showing up unannounced at his door. It was only fair.

"I'm sorry. You're absolutely right. It was awfully presumptuous of me. I uh…I'll go." He mumbled still rubbing his neck.

She decided to put him out of his misery. She didn't want him to leave.

"You know," she started when he had almost turned around. "It was indeed very presumptuous of you…But I did actually want to ask you if you'd like to come over anyway and maybe help me watch James. I don't have an owl so I was hoping I would get a reply so that I could use Maira…or Tilly to send it off. So…would you like to come in?" She grinned at him.

Cormac swivelled back around and let his arm drop to his side. He stared at her not sure how to reply. He was about to say something when a cannonball ran into Hermione and she almost fell face first into him.

James had decided that it was prudent for him to learn who was talking to his Auntie Mi this long. He was standing beside her now staring up at Cormac with curious eyes.

"Hello." He said to him.

"Hello," Cormac replied with an awkward wave. "You must be James, right?"

"Yes. Who are you?"

"My name is Cormac. I work with your aunt Angelina. She told me a lot about you, little man."

James looked him over.

"Why are you here?"

Hermione couldn't help a grin.

"I am a friend of Hermione's," He looked at her for guidance and she motioned him to go on. "I just wanted to visit her because I knew you were here and I wanted to meet you."

James examined him then suddenly grinned.

"Auntie Mi was going to play with me. Want to come?" James eagerly asked him.

Cormac flicked his eyes up to her again quickly then looked back down to James.

"Of course. Lead the way."

Hermione watched the interaction warily. Cormac seemed uncomfortable again. She hadn't even thought about whether he had any experience handling children. She assumed he had interacted with them before but it almost seemed like he had no idea what to do. It was adorable.

"Alright, James. You want to show Cormac what we wanted to do?" She asked.

He nodded eagerly and took Cormac's hand. Before the tall man could say anything he was pulled inside the apartment with a surprising force. Hermione watched them proceed to the fortress in the living room. It was half covering her couch and the entrance was opposite the door to her kitchen.

She was curious to see how he would handle James's energy.

o.O.o.

She was in the kitchen getting them all something to drink when she heard a loud laugh followed by a squeal from James and a very deep muffled groan.

She had to bite back a laugh when she entered the living room again.

Cormac was breathing heavily lying sprawled out on the floor. He looked exhausted, already. James was busy jumping up and down on cushions, crawling under an archway made out of pillows and running around the table. They had played inside the fortress for about fifteen minutes when James had decided that it would be more fun to jump over all the cushions and pillows, so she had arranged all of it into an obstacle course.

"What happened?" She asked Cormac when she had put the drinks down and sat next to him.

"I think he accidentally missed a cushion and landed on me instead." He wheezed dramatically.

This time she couldn't hold back the laugh.

"I'm sorry to tell you but that wasn't an accident. I'm pretty sure he just wanted to jump on you."

Cormac's eyes widened fearfully and she had to laugh again.

"Don't worry, He won't kill you. We all survived it somehow." She nudged him playfully. "How are you holding up?" She whispered with her grin still in place.

Cormac groaned as silently as he could so as not to invite James to use him as a trampoline again.

"I know Angelina told me about him, but man! This kid does not tire."

"Try watching him a whole day. You've only been at it for an hour. Where's your stamina gone?" She looked at him challengingly.

He choked on a breath and had to cough before looking at her bewildered.

"Don't say something like that in front of him!" He whispered with wide eyes.

"Oh please. He's three. He doesn't know there's more than one interpretation for the word. Not sure he knows what it means at all." She padded his arm reassuringly still not managing to hide her grin.

"You haven't got that much experience with kids, have you?" She asked him after a short pause where they were both just watching the toddler play.

He sat up slowly.

"No, hardly any. I'm sorry, I should've told you before."

She waved him off.

"Rubbish. I guessed as much. You have to start somewhere and you're doing a very good job so far." She encouraged him which earned her a smile. "Are you having fun?"

"I am actually. I get to see you and meet a part of your family." He responded his hand reaching out to her. He stopped himself though when she shot a meaningful look to James.

She smiled at him fighting down the urge to kiss him. She needed to control that impulse. It was one thing for her to introduce Cormac to the kid. It was another thing entirely for that kid to see her kissing the guy he had just met. She didn't want to have to explain their relationship…because that was just way too soon. And were they even in one? Again, too soon to tell. Always with the overthinking.

This was their second date if one could call it that.

"So, what do you say to a little trip?"

"Right now?" He wanted to know. His eyes had been lingering on her lips.

She nodded.

"James loves animals. So I thought we could go to the zoo today. It's nice outside despite it being February which also means there won't be that many people going."

Cormac looked at James who was still jumping all over the room. He smiled.

"Actually, that sounds great." He told her.

"James!" She called the bouncing boy.

He ran to her. She noticed Cormac flinch, probably scared about being jumped again. She turned her smile to James.

"Do you want to go to the zoo?"

He squealed loudly and jumped the short distance between them. She tumbled back against Cormac holding the little boy while they all laughed.

"Can we see the lions?" He asked her excitedly ignoring Cormac completely.

"Of course, sweetie." She cupped his little face and smiled.

He squealed again, hugged her and then jumped back up and ran through the obstacle course again.

"Someone's excited," Cormac commented. She could feel his body against hers. His warmth through her jumper. His breath at her neck.

She pulled away from him a little and turned around. She had the urge to kiss him again.

"Thanks for coming over." She said instead, her voice quiet.

"My pleasure." He murmured back.

She smiled and got up to get James ready for the cold. It was indeed a very nice day but it was still cold outside. She wasn't sure how many animals they would be able to see but she knew James would enjoy it anyway.

While she helped James put on his jacket and shoes she thought about Cormac. He had indeed been great with James. She had been slightly surprised considering his lack of experience but he seemed to have a natural talent. Just like Ginny had guessed. It might just be because James was a boy and Cormac as much as he had grown up still had a little boy inside himself.

Her traitorous mind had already run ahead and pictured him with another little boy with her eyes and his hair. Which was absurd. Sometimes the things her brain conjured up were just ridiculous. They had barely gone out, had sex once and had talked twice in the past week. Today was more about keeping James occupied which had worked very well, so far.

She wanted to know more about him. They had talked a lot last night but there was so much more she wanted to learn. So many more details she wanted to memorize. Little things no one else knew or noticed.

She caught his eyes above James's head and saw him wink. She shook her head with a smile.

"Are you warm?" She returned her attention back to the kid she was kneeling in front of.

James nodded quickly.

"Is he coming, too, Auntie Mi?" He asked her looking over his shoulder to Cormac.

"Why don't you ask him?" She replied.

James eyed her then turned around fully and marched to the tall wizard who was standing next to the couch.

"We are going to see lions. Are you coming, too?"

Cormac kneeled down in front of James and looked at him thoughtfully.

"Lions are my favourite type of animal. So I have to come and see them with you."

James grabbed his hand and pulled him with him again.

"Auntie Mi, he likes lions, too!"

"Does he, now? That's great, James." She told him with a smile.

Cormac and Hermione put on their own jackets and left the apartment.

On their way to the zoo, James was walking between them each holding a hand. He hadn't stopped talking since they'd left her apartment. Asking many questions about lions and tigers and birds. She loved answering them. She'd also decided not to notice how the three of them looked together.

The zoo wasn't far away from her apartment complex and she didn't want to apparate with a toddler, especially not in the muggle neighbourhood. She had packed the few snacks Ginny had put in James' bag and something to drink so he would be fine when he wanted something. She also checked if he was warm enough almost a little too often.

Occasionally, she would meet Cormac's gaze and every single time there was a warmth spreading through her. She didn't question it. She just enjoyed it. That was what she had wanted. Enjoying their moments together and seeing where they were headed.

James would ask Cormac questions, too and it was hilarious how he sometimes struggled to come up with the answers. More than once his eyes begged her to help him but she had learned that you needed to come up with your own way of handling James Sirius Potter. If he wanted to become a part of her life he needed to learn sooner rather than later.

Woah….where had that come from? She had just thought about how she wanted to take it slow and now she was thinking about him being a permanent fixture in her life, again? Why did her brain do this to her? Was every woman like this? Or was it just her?

She looked at him again.

But really…was it so wrong to think like that?

o.O.o.

They had been very lucky. James had seen many of the animals. Although nothing could beat the lions. If that boy didn't end up in Gryffindor she would eat a lion.

After spending more than an hour inside the zoo they decided to leave and go for some ice cream, despite the chilly day. James was eager for something sweet and so they had found themselves inside the little ice cream parlour Cormac had taken her to on their first date.

Marie greeted them warmly and immediately gushed over James. Hermione was wondering how long it would take the little troublemaker to work his magic.

Turned out he had taken her thoughts literal and levitated a scoop of ice cream into his bowl when he didn't want to accept 'no' for a second helping.

Hermione was almost beside herself with panic, already seeing the headlines and having to deal with the obliviators and James's parents. But Cormac had just laughed and Marie came around the counter to have a stern word with James.

Apparently, the old woman who owned the ice cream Parlor was a witch.

"I handle the ice cream mostly without magic, it messes with the flavour. I usually don't use magic at all when I'm at work." Marie had explained after catching Hermione's shocked look.

Then she had proceeded to give her another scoop, too. Cormac had winked at her and she couldn't help but stick out her tongue which had promptly invited James to do the same.

It was a little weird to be there with Cormac again after their date because now they had a little kid with them. Hermione couldn't help but just enjoy their moment together and if they seemed like a young family she wasn't complaining for once.

o.O.o.

On their way back Cormac told her that it had taken him two years to figure out that Marie was a witch. That made her feel a little better, at least. She was slightly distracted, though because James had been tired from the zoo before and Cormac was carrying the little boy in his arms.

The picture of the two like this did funny things to her stomach and heart.

When they arrived back at her apartment James had discovered his second wind and captured Cormac's attention completely. The two of them had started a scavenger hunt for coloured items. Hermione was waiting for James to tire out again and it didn't take him long. All the excitement from the day and the cold air outside took its toll on him, finally.

Half an hour later, Cormac was sitting in front of the sofa on one of the pillows telling a story to James. Hermione was leaning against the door frame of the kitchen holding a cup of tea and watching the two with a fond smile.

This day had been amazing. She felt so much better about…well, everything. She wasn't worried about the start of the trial tomorrow. Instead, she felt confident about it and just knew she would nail it.

She wasn't worried about Cormac, either. She felt happy around him and calm. Like he took away all the worries and she could just…be. She had never felt anything like it before. Especially, not this early. She didn't want to question it either. Usually, she was sceptical about such things, didn't believe in them but somehow she knew it was just as it should be.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the fireplace changing to green flames and the next moment Harry stepped through. His eyes immediately found hers and his brow wrinkled. She nodded to the couch before he could ask and he spotted Cormac with his son.

Hermione braced herself for his comment. But there came none. Cormac hadn't noticed Harry yet, neither had James. He was engrossed in the story Cormac was telling him, although he had trouble keeping his eyes open.

Harry joined her silently, keeping his eyes peeled on Cormac.

"You want a cup?" She asked him quietly holding up her own tea.

He nodded and she turned around to the kitchen.

"Come. We can talk in here without disturbing them." He hesitated. "And you can still see them", she added knowingly.

Harry looked reluctant at first but he trusted her so he followed.

It didn't take long for the tea to be done and they both sat down at the small table.

"I know you're worried but you don't have to be. James adores him." She had noticed his gaze hadn't left his son.

She understood why he was worried. She had been, too at first. But James did indeed enjoy Cormac's company. It was like he couldn't say anything wrong. She had the feeling Ron had just received competition for the position of the favourite uncle.

Uncle?! She needed to stop.

"I can see that," Harry murmured. "I'm surprised. I've seen Cormac occasionally over the years. It's kind of weird seeing him sitting in your living room with my son right now."

"I know what you mean." She drifted off.

Harry eyed her with a knowing smile.

"You really like him, don't you?"

"What? I-…," she wanted to deny it because it was too soon to say it, but Harry had become way more observant in the past years and he was still her best friend.

"Yeah, I do."

He didn't comment further. Neither did she.

"How was the game? And didn't Ginny want to come through, too?" Hermione asked.

"It was really great. We had a lot of fun. Thank you again for this, Hermione. We needed it."

Hermione eyed him waiting for the rest of his answer and she detected a hint of pink in his cheeks.

"Ginny is…uh, she'll be here in a moment." He stumbled over his words.

Hermione smirked.

"You had sex and she is freshening up."

Harry didn't meet her eyes but the pink intensified and she laughed.

"Oh Harry, you make it so easy." She padded his arm.

They watched Cormac and James for a few minutes before the fireplace turned green again and Ginny stepped out. She spotted the two in front of the couch immediately and smiled.

Harry and Hermione got up from the kitchen and joined the others in the living room. Cormac looked up when Hermione entered and gave her a smile before noticing Harry. His smile faltered a little and he looked slightly guarded not knowing how Harry would react. Hermione had only told him Ginny had agreed, he didn't know how Harry would react.

James, on the other hand, was sleepy. It was past six. His bedtime.

Cormac nudged him to look up and his eyes lit up when he spotted his dad. He reached out for him and Harry immediately stepped forward and took the little boy from Cormac.

There was a look passing between the two men and Harry nodded.

Ginny had been silent this entire time just watching the interaction between the two men and her son. Hermione and she exchanged a look which promised an extensive talk very soon when none of the boys was around.

"Thank you for watching him, Hermione. You, too Cormac."

"It was my pleasure," Cormac replied while getting up and stepping closer to Hermione.

Hermione stayed silent. She had caught a whiff of Cormac's delicious cologne again and seeing as they were about to be alone for the first time today she tried to control the urge to jump him.

Ginny seemed to sense that because she moved closer to Harry and gave James a kiss on his head.

"Let's go, champ."

James nodded and put his arms around Harry's neck tightly.

"Say goodnight to Auntie Mi and her friend," Harry said to his son.

"Night Mi. Night Mac." The little boy murmured half asleep.

"What did you guys do to him?" Ginny chuckled.

"We went to the zoo and had ice cream. The lions were out." Hermione shrugged and Ginny nodded knowingly.

"That'll do it. Thanks again, guys." Harry responded and waved to Hermione and Cormac then stepped through the fireplace to Grimmauld.

Ginny followed him but stopped again before leaving.

"Have a nice night you two." She said suggestively and wiggled her eyebrows before stepping through, too.

Hermione's protest met silence. Well, almost. Cormac was chuckling beside her. She threw him a look and got caught in his eyes. He stepped even closer and grabbed her waist, turning her towards him. She automatically put her arms around his neck.

"Today turned out different than I'd imagined it when I asked you on a date, " he started. "But…the whole point of this day was to relax you and distract you from your anxiety about tomorrow and I think that worked out well, anyway." He continued.

"It really did," she agreed readily. "I don't feel worried anymore. You did a great job with James, today. He adores you."

"He does? He's a great kid, exhausting but really great."

She chuckled.

"You're not worried about tomorrow, at all?" He asked her, making sure.

She shook her head.

"Not one bit, Mac." She teased him.

He chuckled at the name James had given him.

"I'm glad to hear it…but that name sounded cuter coming from a three-year-old." He said and she pouted.

He examined her face lingering on her lips.

"I wanted to kiss you all day, you know." He murmured and immediately the mood changed into something different. Something thrilling.

Her tongue darted out subconsciously and she saw his pupils dilating slightly. There was a delicious clenching sensation inside her stomach.

"Nothing's stopping you, now," she whispered drawing circles at the nape of his neck.

His eyes snapped back to hers and her breath hitched because of the intensity.

Then he moved and covered her mouth with his in a delicious kiss, immediately drawing his tongue along her lips. She opened gladly and welcomed his tongue into her mouth. Both of them eager to taste the other.

He moved her back till she hit the doorframe. Her fingers now playing with the hairs at his neck. His hands travelling up and down her body. Gripping her waist, the small of her back, her arse.

They put every pent-up feeling of last night and this day into the kiss. Their tongues caressing the other. Their lips moving in synch. He felt hard and powerful against her. Her own hands gripping his shoulders and trailing down his tense bicep then back up to his hair and neck. All the while devouring each other.

She felt hot and dizzy. He was taking her breath away and not just with his kiss. His entire presence felt overwhelming. She relished in it. Taking everything he offered her and responding with just as much fervour.

She couldn't take the lack of oxygen any longer and had to break the kiss to draw in some much-needed air. He was breathing just as heavily.

She had her eyes still shut holding him close. Their foreheads pressed together.

He nudged her with his nose and she opened her eyes.

"This is only the beginning of what I have planned for you." He rasped his voice sounding rougher than usual.

"Show me" Her own voice wasn't fairing much better.

He smirked and she pulled him with her along the hallway into her bedroom.