The day of the wedding finally arrived and Fury showed up at the Tower at the agreed-upon time since their plans were to portkey together to her cottage, get ready there, and then apparate over to the ceremony. Hermione was more nervous than just going to a wedding with a colleague would suggest, and it did not help that the other members of the team had gathered around in order to leer at them suggestively before they left.
Therefore, Hermione just sighed and smiled gratefully as Fury gave all of them a narrow-eyed warning look while he chivalrously took her garment bag and threw it over his shoulder - along with his own. Hers held the strapless and attractive, but also surprisingly simple and conservative dress that she planned to wear to the ceremony. Nat had helped her to pick it out because the agent had a feeling that Fury would probably appreciate seeing her pretty friend in something classy. Hermione then held out her hand, on which the simple international portkey ring was located, and Fury (who was used to magical travel) enveloped it with his own larger one without hesitation – despite the catcalls from one onlooker in particular.
"Stuff it, Stark!" Fury managed to growl just before they both whirled away, hand in hand, away from the Tower and its nosy inhabitants.
...
Upon arrival at the cottage, Hermione and Fury stood there, still holding hands, for a moment while he adjusted. Unfortunately, being used to magical travel did not make it any easier on his nonmagical body - as Fury was forcefully reminded every single time. Still, the feeling of Hermione's thumb gently stroking his hand to comfort him while he pulled himself together began to make him feel other things instead of the travel-induced nausea. Therefore, he cleared his throat and quickly informed her that he was fine.
Hermione extracted her hand from his larger one then and immediately found that she missed its warmth. She also tried not to think about how nice it would feel to have that big, strong, warm hand and fingers hold and stroke other parts of her body, as well. Instead, she just heaved an internal sigh and showed him the guest suite that was just down the hall from her own room. She then left him to get ready while she did the same.
They agreed to meet in the lounge afterwards, and Fury got there first, of course. However, since Hermione used magic to speed the process along, he did not have to wait for her long. As he unfolded himself from the sofa and stood at her entrance into the room, Hermione's first thought was that he looked both dangerous and delicious in his dark suit and long leather coat that would not stand out very much in the wizarding world…and that his matching eyepatch just completed the look.
Fury's first thought was very similar to hers when he noticed that her silver dress and upswept hair left both her shoulders and long delicate neck on display…and he could not help but to wonder how all of that creamy skin would taste under his lips. Damn! This is such a bad idea! he berated himself. He had a lot of self-control, but he had a feeling that it would be sorely tested by this woman…and again he wondered why he had agreed…even volunteered himself up…to this exquisite kind of torture anyway. However, he had promised to accompany her and now he had to follow through – not matter how painful the self-denial would be…and it was bound to be very painful with the way that she looked at that moment.
At any rate, while he had been waiting, he thought about her reasons for needing to bring him to this occasion in the first place. After all, weddings were not his usual venue of choice - even if his inner history and culture buff-self did not actually hate the idea of learning more about how the wizarding world operated. However, she obviously needed a romantic attachment…or at least the appearance of one… to get the vultures of the wizarding-side of her world off of her back. Therefore, after they had exchanged a few mutually admiring compliments, he had a question to put to her.
"So…Granger," he asked. "Are we dating?" The question, which was meant to sound casual, came out perhaps a bit more sharply than he intended – especially since the idea appealed to him much more than it should have.
Regardless of the tone, the question caught Hermione completely by surprise. "W…what?" was all that she could say as she tried to process exactly what he meant by that. Could he actually want to…?
Fury saw her panic…or at least that is what he thought he saw. Well, there goes that idea! he thought bitterly. However, he made sure that no trace of that emotion showed as he clarified his statement. "It just occurred to me that if the people whom we are going to see today thought we were in a serious relationship…that I was your lover…" here his voice deepened a bit as he paused. Both the tone and the idea sent a delicious shiver down her spine, as well, before he continued. "It would probably deflect some of that negative attention that you wanted to avoid."
"Oh…yes...right." Hermione answered haltingly since she could not fault his logic, even though for a moment she had foolishly hoped for a different motive behind his question. "Yes, that is an excellent idea!" she suddenly answered with renewed confidence and enthusiasm as it occurred to her that she would be able to be closer to him, touch him, and maybe even kiss him…her heart almost skipped a beat at such a thrilling thought…at the wedding if people thought that they were really together rather than just work colleagues.
The bright smile that she sent his way then made similar ideas run through the man's brain. His lips turned up, as well, as he suddenly wondered just how many liberties he would be able to take, with Hermione as his girlfriend, before they had to return to reality.
They apparated to the ceremony, where Fury found to his surprise that the magical form of travel had not bothered him at all. He attributed that saving grace to the fact that he had been completely distracted by the feeling of finally having his arms completely wrapped around Hermione, and vice versa, for the journey. In fact, it had been her idea to hold each other so closely. Not only did it make side-apparation much easier for them both, but as she also tentatively told him, it also had the added advantage of making them look like the close couple that they were going to pretend to be for this occasion.
Whatever the reason, though, Fury was not going to complain about getting to hold the soft curvy little witch. He only regretted that the trip had not been longer.
...
They had arrived at the designated apparation point right outside of Bones Manor, which Susan, as the last surviving member of the family, had inherited. Just like Neville, Susan had a gift for Herbology and had cultivated the gardens herself. Therefore, she insisted that the wedding be held there…and Molly, as her future mother-in-law, was more than happy to oblige – especially since she already thought of the young woman as another one of her own red-headed children.
Ginny was the first to greet them since Harry was with Ron in the groom's room. After shaking Fury's hand and pulling Hermione in for a tight hug, she whispered shamelessly in her friend's ear, "I can't wait to hear this story. Merlin, I bet that man's a beast in bed!"
Even though her face flamed at the idea, Hermione was saved from having to respond to the remark. By that time, the majority of the remaining guests had realized just who had arrived - and everyone rushed to see the remaining member of the Golden Trio – especially since she had gained even more fame when she had become a world-wide hero as an Avenger after that unpleasant business in New York. Fortunately, however, the sight of the intimidating man by her side discouraged all but the closest of her friends from actually approaching and speaking to them.
Therefore, they were soon surrounded by those with whom Hermione felt the most comfortable: most of the Weasleys, Neville, Luna, and their spouses. She introduced her companion to them all simply as Nick. Even though she never actually said they were together, it was soon evident to everyone present that they were a couple - just from the way that he stood over her protectively and from the adoring smiles she sent his way.
For his part, Fury could tell that even though they were all very friendly…and that it was a joyful occasion for them…the entire group had the same inner steel that his Hermione possessed. He could see it in their eyes. It was the same look that his Agents and the Avengers wore. They were all warriors. On a lighter note, he also noticed that while the plump, redheaded woman named Molly greeted Hermione warmly, she actually looked askance when she saw him. She soon hurried off, though, no doubt to inform whatever poor lad that she had planned to set Hermione up with that he was on his own for the evening.
At least that part of the plan worked, he thought with some satisfaction. Hermione may not really be his, but he had no intention of allowing anyone to make unwanted advances towards her, either!
It was not until Kingsley approached, however, that the Hermione's date let down his guard dog act enough to actually speak in more than just monosyllables. After all, he had met extensively with the Minister of Magic after Hermione had joined the team in order to verify that she was exactly who she said she was...and not a dangerous security risk. She had very few public records…and Fury felt that he could not be too careful after the whole Loki fiasco. During that time, however, a friendship of sorts, born from mutual respect and a bottle of Scotland's finest Firewhiskey, sprang up between the two important men.
For his part, Kingsley was obviously surprised to see the SHIELD Director there. However, after looking between Fury and Hermione, he smiled. Oh, it's like that, is it? he said to himself. Well, good for them! After that pleasant observation, he made the point of bringing Fury into his conversations and introducing him to some of the other wizarding officials there who also had extensive dealings with the Muggle world.
Fury's favorite part of the pre-wedding mingle, however, had to be when Malfoy, after hearing that Granger had arrived at the wedding with a Muggle date, headed in that direction to welcome them both with some of his usual insults. However, one look at the tall, dark, and intimidating man with the eyepatch stopped him right in his tracks.
That's right, you little shit! thought Fury, who knew exactly who the blond wizard was – especially since Banner had pulled him aside and warned him beforehand that the man...Hermione's nemesis since childhood...might try something underhanded towards their favorite witch.
Then, just to make sure that he got his point across for Hermione to be left alone, Fury pulled his leather coat to the side slightly – just enough that his sidearm could be easily seen. Malfoy's eyes widened comically at the sight. After all, even though a gun is easily recognizable, most wizards did not have any experience with fighting against Muggle weaponry. Therefore, the wizard was quick-witted enough to realize then that if he provoked this man, the odds were not in his favor…and he stepped back. Fury just gave him a meaningful nod before he turned back to Hermione and drew her close to his side – while giving the wizard time to flee with at least some of his dignity intact.
"You shouldn't have done that," his lovely date murmured in mild admonishment.
"Perhaps not…but it was fun!" he replied.
Then he grinned down at her so cheerfully for a moment that she could not help but to answer the unexpectedly pleasant sight with one of her own. That and the warm kiss that she leaned up to place on his cheek in thanks proved that she was not really upset with him. Therefore, he decided to push his luck a little as he gave his girlfriend a gentle kiss on her still-upturned forehead. He then grinned again at the small squeak of surprise that escaped her at the unexpected gesture.
However, neither that, nor the lovely flush that crept up her neck, stopped her from grabbing his hand and holding it all the way to their seats. Once they were seated, though, he made sure that he could keep Malfoy in his sights, and even made eye-contact with the wizard. He watched with pleasure as the man paled even more than normal when Fury narrowed his one good eye at him in another nonverbal warning. Satisfied that he had made his point, he then casually threw his arm over the back of Hermione's chair and focused his attention back on her.
He realized that he could not resist the temptation to daringly let his fingers on the hand that was closest to her shoulder lightly caress the bare skin there. At that point, his manly pride was stoked by both the sudden appearance of gooseflesh and by her sharp intake of breath at the unexpected contact. As she turned to look at him over her shoulder with a playful little smile, he could not help but to wonder what kind of reaction he would get if he was able to stroke other parts of her lovely body.
That more-than-appealing thought was interrupted by the start of the ceremony. Despite his usual bachelor-typical avoidance of such occasions, Fury had to admit that he was intrigued by the wizarding hand-fasting ritual instead of the religious ceremonies that were so prevalent in the nonmagical world. Even he, the Muggle, could feel the swirl of magic that surrounded the couple at the end of the ceremony – especially when it blasted outwards over the seated guests. A feeling of what could only be called pure heat, desire, and longing for the woman next to him infused his very being at that moment and he looked at Hermione with an eye glazed with emotion and confusion.
"Oh!" she whispered breathily in surprise…and he knew that she felt it, too. "Don't worry, it's not harmful…just old Earth magic…ancient fertility magic, actually. The feeling will pass in just a moment." She nervously stumbled a bit over the rest of her murmured explanation. "I would have warned you...but it doesn't usually happen…and I never…I mean…Wow!...it usually only affects…the true couples…the lovers. Look!"
Fury pulled his heated gaze away from her long enough to see that all of the couples in the red-headed family, who were Hermione's particular friends, were sharing fond looks, embraces, or even passionate kisses. Another quick look around showed many other couples in the audience were doing the same. Malfoy and his wife, however, were not. Interesting. Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the feeling passed and Fury had control of his own emotions again…even though he suddenly realized that he was clutching both of her hands tightly…even though he had no memory of reaching for them in the first place.
Only then did he notice that the other guests were starting to file out…and a few even sent amused glances his way. It was as if they knew and understood what had just happened to him…and that he was some kind of green rookie again. When it came to things of a wizarding nature, though, he guessed that he really was. However, since there was no danger, he forced himself to relax and he looked around again. This time he noticed that the newlyweds had disappeared completely. He looked over at Hermione questioningly. She nodded, still a bit embarrassed, but now with a large smile on her face, as well.
"They were the source of that magic…those feelings," she explained. "It's considered to be very good luck for a marriage when such a manifestation occurs. They will show back up for the reception…later."
"I see," Fury replied knowingly…and that seemed to be all that needed to be said. It had been a fascinating experience, but it was over now…even though the memory of such feelings continued to try and provoke a reaction from him. However, he did notice that their hands were still clasped together. He did not mention it…but he did tighten his grip on hers as they made their way to the reception.
...
The party was held inside the Manor house in the large double parlor and the adjoining rooms. Fury noticed that the gathering was much more casual than the few nonmagical ones that he had attended. There was no sit down dinner or speeches – which made sense if the newlyweds usually made a habit of disappearing right after the ceremony. However, there was a light buffet and bar. Everybody nibbled, sipped, and mingled. It was all very civilized.
Hermione introduced him to her best friend, Harry, whom he knew about from his talks with Kingsley. She then chatted with the darkheaded man, his redheaded wife, and a few of their other friends while sipping a glass of elf-made wine. Meanwhile, Fury just watched over her with admiration…but his main objective was for Hermione to be free to relax and enjoy herself. He insured that she did not have to be on guard by handling that job himself. In fact, he noted with satisfaction that Malfoy did not even dare to come over to their side of the room. He also glowered menacingly at anyone who came near his date if their body language even suggested "reporter" to him.
Hermione noticed…and appreciated…his dedication to the cause. She thanked him sweetly and when he just brushed off her gratitude with a shrug, she smiled and asked him to dance, instead. To her surprise, he accepted. To her even greater surprise, he was also quite good at it. In fact, the way he held her close while they swayed to the music thrilled her…and she felt a rush of desire very much akin to that of the magical blast that they had received during the ceremony. She thought about the way that his dark eye had looked at her then…and felt the pool of heat that was already at her core expand enough to threaten to take over her entire being. After all, she had wanted him for too long not to be affected by such physical closeness.
Fury, meanwhile was also trying not to react to the feeling of her soft body up against his as he reflected on the music instead. It was fine for a wedding…mainly classical and instrumental…but with very little variety or imagination. He remembered that Hermione had mentioned that there were very few magical musicians. As he looked down to discuss the topic with her further, though, he suddenly saw the darkened look in her eyes…and his body reacted instantly to what he thought that meant. Hermione gasped as she felt him stir against her, but before either of them could say or do anything about the increasingly intimate situation, they were interrupted by a cheer that went up through the crowd. The newlyweds had returned to their ceremony!
After goodnaturedly accepting the cheers and catcalls from some of the more boisterous guests, Ron performed his first dance with his new bride. He then left Susan with a group of her giggling friends and made a beeline to Hermione – whom he had not had a chance to see, yet. After being introduced to the man he proceeded to call her "bloody impressive bloke," he asked for a dance. Hermione glanced at Fury, still wondering about their interrupted moment, but he just shrugged his acquiescence. After all, the moment had passed, and he was now quite sure that it could not have meant what he thought it had. Therefore, even though he was disappointed, he still kept his date in his sight as he moved towards Kingsley – who held what looked suspiciously like a tumbler of Firewhiskey in his hand.
Kingsley chuckled as he approached, and in a blink of an eye, had another tumbler ready to hand to Fury. "So you and Granger, huh?" he asked curiously as Fury gratefully took the drink. He did not wait for an answer, though, as he turned his attention to the young woman who laughed while she danced with one of her oldest friends…the man who had also been her first love.
"Those two were never right for each other, you know. They fought like cats and dogs most of the time, actually. I really think that they were only ever together because other people," here he paused to nod significantly at Molly who was clucking like a mother hen over her new daughter-in-law, "wanted them to be. However, on the other hand, I always wanted her to end up with Harry." Fury looked at him with a quirked eyebrow. "It's true," Kingsley shrugged. "However, I don't think that would have been good for her, either. From the stories I have heard, she's been taking care of those boys practically from the moment they met. Therefore, I'm glad that she has finally found someone who can take care of her for a change. She's exactly where she needs to be…even if she doesn't quite realize it, yet." He gave Fury another significant look…and then a refill.
Fury tossed the drink back while he watched Hermione twirl in the arms of one friend after another for the rest of the evening. He found that he could not stop thinking about Kingsley's words, his own heated response to the magic (and to her!) during the ceremony, how flustered she had become then also, and of the way she had looked at him during their own dance. In addition to all of that, he noticed how often her eyes were still turned towards him -and how she would smile and shrug apologetically at him whenever she was claimed for another dance. Surprisingly, he was even approached a few times himself. However, he gruffly declined all offers in order to watch her as he continued to lean up against the bar – even after Kingsley had disappeared to join those on the dance floor himself.
Fury could only shake his head in confusion, however, when the ethereal blonde named Luna, whom he had met at the very beginning, came up to him. She dreamily touched his forehead and murmured something about "wrackspurts." What the hell are those? Fury thought.
Before she slipped back off into the crowd, however, she looked him straight in the eyes and clearly told him, "Don't doubt her. She definitely feels the same way."
He did not have much time to think about that puzzling encounter, however, because Hermione finally returned to him then. She had danced her way through the entire redheaded clan and a few others that she had designated early on as her good friends…and then insisted on returning to her date. Fury noticed that the exercise had left another lovely flush on her cheeks as she apologized profusely for allowing her friends to keep her away for so long.
"Nonsense…I enjoyed watching you have fun," he replied and he realized that he actually meant it – especially when her flush deepened attractively again. Regardless of her embarrassment, she still pulled him back out to dance one more time before they left. To his surprise, a mellow jazzy tune filled the air just as he gathered her into his arms. She smiled up at him and then laid her head on his shoulder. He felt her melt into his embrace then as he held her as close as decency would allow.
Several songs later, she was still there, and she stayed in his arms until the music stopped completely for the night. When she finally pulled away, his arms suddenly felt cold and empty. However, she had a contented dreamy look in her eyes that he could not immediately identify…but he liked it…and he had a suspicion that the same look might be reflected in his own. He also liked the fact that she grabbed his hand and did not let go…not even while hugging her friends good-bye. In fact, she only released it to wrap her arms around him in order to apparate back to the cottage. He returned the favor…and they departed much in the same way that they had arrived.