The next morning, Hermione headed downstairs early, relishing that she no longer had to wait on another person before having to leave for work. Although, she supposed it would only be polite to wait for Harry.
"Wotcher," Tonks said brightly, the only other one in the kitchen.
"How's things?" Hermione asked, starting to make a cup of tea.
"You will not believe it, Ron was out of here at 5.30am this morning!" Tonks answered, "So a wild start to the morning so far. How about you? Any interesting plans for flexing your newly regained freedom?"
"Well I am going out after work," Hermione said, quite pleased with herself. Tonks looked surprised.
"You? Where are you going?! The library?" Tonks said, flabbergasted.
"On a date, actually," Hermione said, revelling in the fact she was shedding Tonks' previous notions of her.
"Man or woman?" Tonks asked, clasping both her hands around her coffee mug with interest.
"A man, obviously," Hermione said forcefully.
"Mmn, not that obvious really. Could have been with Fleur," Tonks elaborated.
"We don't like each other," Hermione said flatly.
"And yet you keep making out," Tonks remarked. Hermione tensed and quickly whipped around to check nobody else was around.
"Stop talking about that," Hermione hissed.
"I don't know why you're both so cagey about it," Tonks said, rolling her eyes, "Its clear you both want each other."
"No." Hermione said sternly raising her pointing finger at Tonks and still speaking in a hushed tone, "There is a very clear difference between experiencing a strange unexplained attraction and actually liking someone. Fleur and I do not. Like. Each. Other."
"I beg to differ," Tonks said with a smirk.
"What makes you think that?! We are always arguing and bugging each other!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I think only two people that deep down really like each other could manage to get under each other's skin like that," Tonks said.
"Or two people that deep down really hate each other," Hermione countered. Tonks cocked her head to one side in thought, before reluctantly nodding.
"You won't know if you don't try though," Tonks said with a smile. Hermione shook her head.
"If you're that interested, you ask her out," Hermione said. Tonks raised her eyebrows.
"I'm going to work," Hermione added flatly, grabbing a banana before stalking out of the kitchen.
Hermione got to work early, relishing the freedom of taking herself to work. To her surprise, Blaise was already in the office, going through some work. The auror office space that branched off from the common was set up much like a bullpen, a mess of desks scattered around the room.
"So, uh, Ginny…" Hermione began awkwardly, dropping her satchel down and taking a desk by Blaise.
"Roped us into a date?" Blaise said easily with a smile, "Don't worry, I figured she had pushed you into it. Lets just have some no pressure fun out tonight, yeah? Besides, you'll love the friend I've picked for Ginny," he said with a devilish smile. Hermione grinned back.
"I look forward to it," Hermione smirked.
"So, I was thinking, are the Order of the Phoenix recruiting?" Blaise said, leaning back in his chair and stretching. Hermione quirked an eyebrow.
"Well, there's a lot of work to cover, so yeah," Hermione said, intrigued.
"Maybe you and Harry could put in a good word for me?" he said.
"Well, I suppose Ginny might not want to depending on your choice of date," Hermione joked.
"So will you?" Blaise pressed with an intensity in his eyes. Hermione was taken aback by his forcefulness.
"Erm, well I'd have to talk to Harry about it, but sure," Hermione said awkwardly. Blaise broke into a handsome smile.
"Excellent," he said, "Just excellent."
Hermione began to unpack her things, pulling out a large piece of parchment in which to start fleshing out her plans for researching Death Eater connections.
"So, I applied for the fast-track training programme," Blaise said as he scribbled some notes down.
"Yeah? That's great. Me and Harry did too," Hermione smiled.
"Brilliant, hopefully we all get it," Blaise replied. Hermione felt at ease again and settled into her drafting.
The day slid past quite quickly, with Hermione actually quite looking forward to her double date excursion by the time the working day was coming to an end. Blaise had been teasing her with hints as to who the mystery man could be for Ginny's date, leading to constant fits of laughter in the office as she wildly speculated as to who it could be.
Finally, Hermione was gathering up her belongings in her satchel, joking with Blaise. Harry approached them, scratching at the back of his neck.
"So Ron, the prat, has decided he's going to work late tonight… something about broomstick cleaning rules. D'you guys want to grab a drink or something?" Harry said. Blaise looked a little uncomfortable.
"Oh." Hermione said awkwardly, "Its just, we have plans."
"And I can't join?" Harry asked, baffled. Never in their friendship had Hermione ever gone on a date, so Hermione guessed she couldn't blame him for not guessing.
"Its, erm, it's a date, so…" Hermione said awkwardly. When she had her brief fling with Ron, and her brief relationship with Viktor, she hadn't really talked to Harry about it at all. Or to anyone at all. She had always been exceptionally private when it had come to her personal life.
"Oh! Well, er, I'll um leave you to it then," Harry said back, just as awkwardly. He shuffled a little bit before waving abruptly waving and turning on his heel. No sooner had Harry left when Ginny bowled in.
"Well, well, look at you two chatting cosily," Ginny said with a smile.
"Hey, well that will be you soon. Your date is meeting us there." Blaise said with a wink to Hermione. Hermione stifled a giggle.
"I hope this isn't some elaborate ploy to set me up as a third wheel," Ginny asked "Shall we go then?"
The bar they went to was not far from the Ministry, and it did not take long for them to reach it. They settled into a dimly lit booth, with Blaise and Hermione on one side, Ginny on the other. Ginny had just begun to joke about it being stood up when Blaise jumped to his feet.
"Ah, here we go!" he grinned, getting to his feet and going over to the entrance of the bar. Hermione's view was blocked by people so she still had to bear with the suspense. She wondered who it could be. For a wild second she considered Millicent Bulstrode and had to suppress another bout of giggles.
Soon Blaise appeared, two drinks in his hand, he stepped to one side to reveal the person standing behind him, also clutching two drinks.
"Ginny Weasley, Gregory Goyle," Blaise introduced with a too-wide smile, "Gregory Goyle, Ginny Weasley."
Ginny's eyes went as wide as saucers and her jaw dropped. Gregory Goyle had decidedly not improved with age since Hogwarts. He was still built thickly. He barely appeared to have a neck. He had a choppily cut fringe that looked as if he had cut it himself, in the dark. His hair similarly short all over, until it reached the base of his neck where, to Hermione's great amusement, it emerged into a rough mullet.
"A Death Eater? Really?" Ginny exclaimed, appalled.
"Nah, nah, me dad's one, but not me," Goyle grunted, before sliding heavily into the booth beside Ginny.
"He's harmless, I swear," Blaise assured with a grin. He sat down beside Hermione and shot her a wink. Hermione, settled now the Death Eater question had been resolved, was now thoroughly enjoying watching Ginny's horrified face as she found herself on a date with Goyle.
"Think we're even with her now," Hermione said with a smirk and Blaise laughed. They watched Goyle clunkily try to hold a conversation with Ginny about the beer he had selected for them for a while before turning to each other to engage in some playful banter.
Hermione was amazed by how well she clicked with Blaise. He had a way of bringing out the playful side of her, which usually took people a while to master with Hermione. She was so much at ease with him that she was surprised when Ginny announced the end of the date with an exaggerated stretch. How had four hours passed so fast?
The foursome walked outside onto the street, which was dimly lit by streetlights.
"Shall we accompany you ladies home?" Blaise said with a smile.
"You know you can't," Hermione gently reminded with a smile. Blaise grinned back and rubbed the back of his neck.
"So…" Goyle grunted, shuffling from foot to foot nervously as he turned to Ginny.
"Yes," Ginny said shortly.
Goyle abruptly dove in for a kiss which was hastily swerved by Ginny with Quidditch-like precision. Goyle pulled back again as Ginny presented him stiffly with her hand, which he shook awkwardly.
Blaise stepped away to hide a fit of giggles and Hermione joined him.
"A great date," he said, regaining composure.
"A great date indeed," Hermione agreed.
Blaise was moving closer to her now, and she could see the fresh stubble on his face in the evening light. He really was quite handsome, in a conventional way, she supposed. Blaise kissed her chastely on the lips before stepping back again.
"See you at work?" he said brightly. Hermione nodded, touching her lips with her fingertips as Blaise turned and flung an arm around Goyle's shoulder.
"See ya!" Ginny called out to the boys as they ambled off. The two apparated back to Grimmauld Place immediately, eager to get out of the cold night air.
"How was the date?" Harry asked from his perch on the couch. He was sat in the living room with Tonks and Fleur nursing a glass of wine.
"Well Ginny had a stunning date with none other than Gregory Goyle," Hermione said with a giggle. Harry exploded into laughter.
"While I'm not about to let you off the hook for that nightmare," Ginny interrupted, "It was at least worth it to see your date go well."
"It went well?" Fleur asked, her tone carefully neutral and face unreadable. Tonks smirked into her glass of wine.
"Yep, so well she even got a snog at the end," Ginny said with a grin.
"No!" Harry exclaimed, "No offense Hermione, but I just never saw you with Blaise."
"Me neither," Hermione admitted, before shaking her head and excusing herself for bed. Ginny nodded, satisfied that she had at least got Hermione out on a date, before sitting beside Harry on the couch and pouring herself a wine.
Hermione walked into her room, confused.
While Blaise was undoubtedly handsome, and got along famously with Hermione, there was something… lacking. She couldn't figure it out. She loved spending time with Blaise and speaking to him. Logically, it made sense for her to be interested in him. But try as she might, she just could not find him attractive. She sighed and started preparing for bed. She hadn't even felt anything when he kissed her.
Not like Fleur… She sighed again as she climbed into her bed. It seemed quite unfair that the person she desired was someone that just did not make sense to her. She put the lights out and rolled onto her side, fluttering her eyes shut. It had been quite enjoyable watching Fleur's displeasure at her date.
There was a quiet snapping noise as the door shut. Hermione decided to pretend to be asleep. She had a feeling that Fleur might want to start another petty argument. She heard Fleur sigh as she moved about the room, rustling in the dark. Eventually the mattress descended slightly as Fleur climbed into bed.
Hermione had a sharp intake of breath as Fleur moved over to encircle Hermione in her arms from behind.
"I know you're awake," Fleur said softly.
"Yeah?" Hermione replied, similarly quietly.
"I was jealous," Fleur confessed softly.
Hermione rolled over to face Fleur and put her arms around her too, gasping as she realised that Fleur was entirely naked.
"Fleur?"
"I like you desiring me," Fleur said in a sultry tone. Hermione felt the familiar thrill of arousal coursing through her. She let her hands roam freely over Fleur's body in the safety of the dark. It felt incredible.
Soon Fleur's lips were on her own and her tongue was dancing at her lips for entry. Hermione let out a low moan as the kiss deepened. Fleur's hands began to work frantically at getting Hermione out of her clothes.
For once Hermione had shut off her thinking and was lost in the moment, letting Fleur strip her. Fleur moved and began kissing her neck as her hands ran down Hermione's body.
"You feel so good," Fleur purred, before sucking and nipping at her earlobe. Hermione let out another moan. Fleur's hand made its way down to settle between Hermione's legs.
"Fleur…" Hermione said breathily as the blonde's fingers began to work. She let out a louder moan. Her back began to arch as Fleur began to kiss her way down her, pausing to nip at her collarbone. With a sudden shudder, she had finished, a little surprised that she had done so so quickly.
"Mmn, did you like that?" Fleur said sexily in her ear. Hermione didn't reply instead fiercely kissing Fleur in the dark as her hands began to mirror what Fleur had done to her. She had never done this with a woman before, but if Hermione was anything, it was a quick learner. She felt another deep burn of arousal as Fleur threw her head back and moaned. Hermione felt bolstered by this and decided to boldly try out something else that had crossed her mind. She paused for a quick second in her rubbing before moving and plunging two fingers deeply inside of Fleur.
"Ah," Fleur arched her back with approval and Hermione was encouraged, beginning to move them in and out.
"Does that feel good?" she murmured huskily into Fleur's ear.
"Mmnn, 'arder," Fleur moaned, her accent momentarily thickened in the heat of the moment. Hermione obliged, feeling an intoxicating euphoria in pleasuring the Frenchwoman. It didn't take long before Fleur climaxed, moaning Hermione's name.
They lay in each other's arms, panting in the dark, faces close.
"What now?" Fleur asked, and although Hermione knew she was referring to the relationship between the two of them, but she was too distracted by how hot it had been to see Fleur writhe and finish while calling her name.
"We could do it again?" Hermione suggested, and all further discussion ceased.
The sun streamed into the room and hit Hermione's face as her eyes fluttered open. Had it all been a dream?
Sore muscles and the feeling of nakedness under the covers confirmed it most definitely had not been. Hermione smiled at the memory. She sat up to see Fleur across the room, fixing her hair in the mirror before inspecting herself closer.
"Merde, Hermione, you had to give me hickeys," Fleur said crossly, pulling her wand out to remedy the small trail of bruises along her neck.
"If I recall, you weren't exactly expressing disapproval at the time," Hermione said smugly, Fleur turned and scowled at her.
"It makes me look like some horny thirteen-year-old!" she exclaimed. Hermione scoffed and lay back down on the bed again.
"Do you regret it?" Hermione asked, looking up at the ceiling.
"Do you?" Fleur countered.
But it was daylight. The sanctuary of the night-time and their confessions was gone and they were back to their carefully guarded boundaries. The two had always been naturally competitive, and it appeared that this was going to extend to who was to admit first that they had no regrets about what happened. Hermione got up and began to get changed, letting the silence extend.
The two of them descended down to the breakfast table where Ron and Ginny were eating.
"Morning," Ron grunted through a mouthful of cereal. The others greeted him back.
"So when's your next date with Blaise going to be?" Ginny asked. Hermione paused, she had completely forgotten about Blaise in the excitement of the latter part of her evening.
"Blaise?" Ron said thickly before swallowing, "As in Zabini? You know he's a Slytherin, 'Mione," he said with deep disapproval.
"Contrary to popular belief, Ronald, school does end when you graduate," Hermione said waspishly.
"Yeah, Ron," Ginny chimed in, "He's a great guy. Besides, there are worse people Hermione could be snogging."
Hermione averted her gaze at the veiled reference to the Fleur kiss Ginny knew about. She wondered what the redheaded woman would make of her sleeping with Fleur. She didn't like to think of it. Ginny's disapproval of people could know no bounds. As she turned to look away from Ginny, she caught Fleur with an unguarded expression of annoyance.
"Does that bother you?" Hermione asked Fleur under her breath so the Weasleys couldn't hear. Fleur looked uncomfortable at Hermione seeing her reaction.
"Non," she replied quietly in an irritated tone, "Why would that bother me?"
"Really?" Hermione replied, challenging Fleur.
"Really." Fleur muttered firmly. She was obviously quite put out but Hermione was not going to rest until she admitted to it.
"I think I'll have to book in another date with Blaise soon," Hermione said too-cheerfully in a loud voice, turning back to face the Weasleys. Ron scrunched up his face and Ginny looked excited.
Hermione didn't look at Fleur. If they were going to keep playing this game of avoiding admitting that they had enjoyed the sex, Hermione was going make damn sure she won.
