This is being cross-posted from Ao3. It was originally posted on 21 June 2022.
Huge thank you to GaeilgeRua for allowing me the use of her Grammarly subscription to read this over. Any other mistakes are definitely my own.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling, Bloomsbury, and Warner Bros. Marvel belongs to Disney. No copyright infringement is intended.
Prompt: While working in the Ministry Archives, Hermione comes across a book that transports her to Paradise. (Location of your choosing) There she meets a man who both thrills and infuriates her. The only problem? She's sworn off dating since Ron broke her heart. Sassy banter, Strong Hermione, Demanding male lead, Harry/Draco, Weasley Bashing, sarcasm
#HHBingo22 Square O5: Dancing
#MMFBIngo22 Square B2: Monaco
#CastTheDice22 - Threes: Magical Accident
#TropesAndFandoms22 - Ladder: Holiday
#HPCrossoverBingo22 Square N4: Fave Pairing
Today was certainly not going Hermione's way. Everything had gone wrong from the start when she'd run into her ex-boyfriend in the Atrium to now as she stood on the wobbly stool trying to reach the top shelf. Of course, Ron had been kind to her, but that was only because Harry was around them. If they'd been alone, he probably would have asked if she'd stopped missing him like he'd done the last time she'd bumped into him unexpectedly.
Their break-up had been public and messy, to say the least. Ron had wanted to explore other aspects of his life, he'd told her loudly at dinner one night. Everyone had overheard at their favourite restaurant of all places. As it had come out of the blue, Hermione burst into tears and fled, only to find her photo plastered all over the papers the following day. Do you know what else was in the papers that morning? Ron's new girlfriend. The first of a string of many to come. He'd wasted no time before falling into bed with one witch after another…
Huffing as she tried to wiggle the box she needed closer to the edge of the top shelf, Hermione thought over the past few months. While Ron flounced around shagging everyone willing to drop their knickers, Hermione had thrown herself into work. As usual. She found solace in her job, which allowed her a way to escape from the public's prying eyes. Hell, even their friends wanted to constantly talk about everything about her personal life…
Working alone on her cases made her feel at ease.
"Yes!" Hermione shouted as she finally managed to grab hold of the cutout handle on the box.
She pulled it down and stepped off the old stool. This box was supposed to have the exact files she needed to finalize her case. After setting the box on the table and dusting off the top, Hermione glanced around the Ministry Archives. No one ever came down here aside from Hermione, and for that, she was grateful. The silence allowed her the peace she needed to work, and no one would bother her about Ron.
Pushing thoughts of Ron aside, Hermione opened the box. On top of everything was a book she had never seen before. She picked it up and set it aside but changed her mind. It didn't appear as worn as the parchment and files in the box. In fact, it looked practically new despite a few dented spots around the corners. She flipped it over and then looked at the margin but found no title or words.
Thinking it was the strangest book she'd seen in a while, Hermione opened it despite knowing better. The front few pages were empty, and then she found where the first chapter should start. A single sentence was written on that page, and Hermione decided to read it aloud.
"If escape from life is what you seek, turn the page and take a peek," Hermione read aloud, tracing the words with the tip of her finger. "What?" Frowning, she wet the end of her pointer finger and then turned the page, needing to know more.
In an instant, everything around Hermione changed. The dark and dreary surroundings of the Ministry Archies disappeared. Her whole world tipped and twisted until suddenly it stopped. Gone was the grungy basement of the Ministry Archives. Instead, Hermione found herself standing someplace else entirely. It was warm and beautiful with the scent of the sea on the wind.
"A portkey," Hermione groaned as her body tried to get used to its new surroundings. "It was a damn portkey." Desperately, she flipped the book open again, hoping to reactivate the portkey. Unfortunately, the book remained just a book.
Now that her head had stopped spinning, Hermione could take in her surroundings. She'd landed on a side street that overlooked a harbour of sorts. There were boats out in the water and docked on peers. All around her, people wandered around, speaking many different languages. The longer she stood there, Hermione noticed that most were speaking French.
Curious, she held fast to the book and began to walk, looking for street signs and anything else that might tell her where she may be. After a few minutes, Hermione came across a few characters and smiled. "Monaco," she mumbled to herself. She stared down at the boat-filled sea. "This is the Port of Monaco!"
In her hands, the book warmed to her touch. She quickly stared down at the cover, surprised to find that words were now inscribed there. Welcome to Paradise. Hermione frowned and flipped the book open. Unfortunately, it was still empty inside aside from the phrase that had clearly activated the portkey earlier. Reluctantly, Hermione had to admit that Monaco was rather beautiful with its old architecture and picturesque views.
Fishing her mobile from the pocket of her slacks, she quickly dialled Harry's number. He picked up after the second ring. "Harry, I activated a portkey in the Ministry Archives by accident and wound up in Monaco. You'll have to go to Kinglsey and tell him what happened."
"Well, hello to you too, Hermione," Harry said across the line. "I'm doing well. Thank you."
"This isn't funny," Hermione snapped, staring into the Port and watching the ships. "I travelled here illegally and have no clue where the Wizarding sector is. You must get Kinglsey to pardon me and get a new portkey for me so I can come home." She paused and thought for a moment. "You can also see if I can get access to an international apparition point."
"So you're really in Monaco then?" Harry asked, his voice full of mirth. "That sounds nice. I bet it's lovely this time of year."
"Harry, are you even listening to me?" Hermione asked, turning her back on the Port and practically stomping over to a bench. She plopped down and held the mobile tightly to her ear. "I need your help."
"I can't really just drop everything for this, 'Mione," Harry replied. He sounded distracted now, and Hermione could hear papers shuffling around and his briefcase closing. "I'm about to head home to Draco."
"Are you bloody serious?" Hermione closed her eyes and tried to breathe evenly. "I'm asking you to help get me home. I shouldn't be here."
"I've got that dinner with Draco," Harry all but whined over the line. "He'll be upset if we have to reschedule again. Can't you just get a hotel room and stay there for a few days? It wouldn't hurt for you to take a holiday."
"Harry, I'm not sure if you've realized, but I travelled by illegal portkey to Monaco," Hermione said slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I don't have any clothes or belongings. Not to mention, I certainly don't have my passport. I could get thrown into prison!"
"It's going to be fine," Harry said, and Hermione could hear the smile in his voice. "You worry way too much. Find a nice hotel nearby, use your credit card, and book a room for a few nights. I'll take care of things here at the Ministry for you."
Hermione's hand touched her waist where she had tied her shrunken purse. Never knowing what she might need, Hermione always carried it with her into the Ministry Archives. Inside, she knew there was a change of clothes, her swimsuit, and plenty of muggle and wizard money. Her credit card was also there, as well as a bunch of toiletries and other necessities. Travelling looking for the Horcruxes had taught her to always be prepared.
"Do you promise to go to Kingsley first thing in the morning?" Hermione asked, her anxiety still high.
"Sure," Harry agreed. "I'll be sure to let him know you've decided to take a little holiday and then call you with more details."
"Wait, what?" Hermione quickly asked, but Harry didn't give her a chance to say anything further.
"I've got to go, but I'll text and let you know when I've got everything sorted with Kingsley. Enjoy yourself! Bye!" And then the line went dead as Harry hung up on Hermione.
Staring at the mobile in disbelief, Hermione had no idea what to do now. She did, but she couldn't believe Harry was leaving her stranded in Monaco. A part of her remembered a conversation from the week prior where Harry and Draco insisted she take a holiday, and she told them there was no time. Glancing around at the sunny coast of Monaco, Hermione wondered if it wasn't a bit of a coincidence that she'd ended up here now.
Whether a coincidence or not, Hermione had to make due, so she walked along the winding street until she found a hotel that seemed to her style. "Boutique Hotel Miramar," she read from the sign, smiling. "I hope they have some rooms available." Once inside the lobby, Hermione wandered to the desk and spoke to the concierge. "Hello, I was wondering if you had a room available?"
Within ten minutes, Hermione had a room for three nights and details of all the best local restaurants and hangout spots. She wasn't planning this trip, but now that she was here, Hermione intended to enjoy herself. So, with her packet of information and room keys, she made her way to the elevators, intent on settling into her room, taking a shower, and then finding someplace to eat dinner.
As Hermione stepped from the elevator on her floor, she bumped into someone who was clearly not paying attention. She stumbled backwards, nearly dropping her room key. "Oh!" she exclaimed, thankful that the elevator door had closed and she could press her back into it to stop falling.
"Someone seems a bit distracted," said the man Hermione had bumped into as he crossed his arms. "You should watch where you're going."
Hermione frowned and then glared up at the tall, dark-haired man. "Or perhaps you shouldn't stand so close to the elevator doors if someone tries to get off of it."
The man laughed and shook his head. Hermione noticed he was dressed in a lovely black suit as he smoothed his hands over the coat. He said, "I'll try and remember that. Have a good evening." He nodded and then disappeared down the stairwell.
Hermione stood watching the door for a moment before shaking herself and heading off to find her room. The stranger seemed familiar in a way, but Hermione couldn't place him. This impromptu holiday was already starting out to be an exciting ordeal.
"Is this seat taken?"
Hermione glanced up from her book and frowned. "You again." She was surprised to find yesterday's man from the lifts standing beside her outside table at Caffè Milano. "This is turning out to be quite a small town."
"Yes," Loki said, smirking. "It appears you, and I have similar tastes."
"I'm not sure if that is a good thing or bad," Hermione mused, placing her finger in her book so she wouldn't lose her place. She looked around the cafe and noticed that it was rather full and she was sitting here taking up a table. Then, lifting her gaze to Loki, she said, "You may join me if you'd like."
"Thank you," Loki told her as he pulled out the chair and joined her at the small table. He set his cup of coffee down and crossed a leg over his knee. "It can be rather busy here this time of day, and since I recognized you, I thought I might try and get to know you better."
"I'm Hermione, in case you were curious about who you were sitting with," Hermione said with a coy smile. "I suppose I should feel bad for not introducing myself sooner."
The man chuckled and said, "I plan on asking your name eventually. I'm Loki." He arched an eyebrow when she inhaled sharply. "I take it you know who I am."
"I thought you looked familiar last night, but now I know your name…." Hermione trailed off, closing her book and setting it aside. "I'm quite curious what you're doing here of all places."
Loki sighed and rolled his eyes. "I'm avoiding my brother, who I am sure you have also heard of. He doesn't like to leave me to my own devices, but he had to learn to let me live my life," Loki explained before taking a sip of his coffee. "What brings you here? A witch amongst the ordinary."
"How do you know I'm a witch?" Hermione hissed in inquiry, leaning forward so no one would overhear.
"I can sense the magic flowing through you," Loki said as if it was apparent.
"I can get into a lot of trouble for sharing my magical abilities with others," Hermione said, looking around nervously as she sat back in her chair.
"You're sitting here with me," Loki pointed out as he continued to enjoy his drink. "I think people will already assume there's something a bit off about you, don't you think?"
Narrowing her eyes, Hermione chose not to reply. Instead, she lifted her drink to her lips and took a long sip. Then, when she set her cup back down, she decided to answer his question. "I accidentally touched a portkey, a travel device, and ended up stranded until my friend can secure my travel back home."
"Sounds like a rather enjoyable accident, wouldn't you say?" Loki asked, smirking.
"It certainly was an accident," Hermione said, then glanced around at the beautiful place she'd wound up. "I'll have to see if it will be enjoyable." Here, Hermione returned her attention to Loki, who was staring intently back at her.
"This may be a bit forward of me," Loki began, "but would you like to join me for dinner tonight?"
Hermione went her lips and stared at Loki for a spell before sighing. "Why the hell not?"
Later that night, Hermione found herself at the Restaurant du Métropole Monte-Carlo in a dress she'd hastily bought earlier that afternoon. "This is a date," Hermione said as she waited for Loki to arrive. Her heart pounded erratically in her chest when she saw him walk in the doors. When he'd spotted her, he flashed her a brilliant grin and immediately hurried to where she was sitting.
"I thought you were going to wait for me at the hotel," Loki said as he slid into his seat across from her.
Biting her lip, Hermione said, "I know I should have waited, but I had tried getting in touch with my friend Harry again about a way home."
"Any luck?" Loki ordered them some wine, but his full attention was on Hermione.
She shook her head. "No, Harry and Draco still won't answer my floo calls. So it's looking for and more likely that I'll be stuck here more than a few days like I originally thought."
Their waiter had returned and took their order before Loki spoke again. "Tell me about you. I want to know everything about your life, Hermione," Loki said in a low voice. "I assume you know all about me, but you're an enigma to me." He reached out and took her hand, squeezing gently before letting it go.
His hand was cool to the touch, a fact that surprised her even though it shouldn't. Hermione battled with herself over whether or not to tell Loki precisely who she was and where she'd come from, but he already knew of her magic and that she was here alone. And despite her better judgment, Hermione opened up to Loki.
Hermione told him all about Hogwarts, the wizarding War and her time on the run. He found her work to get magical creatures' rights particularly fascinating. When she explained her goal to become Minister sometime in the next few years, Loki seemed more than impressed with her passion and ambition to move upward in the Ministry of Magic.
Nearly exhausted with talking of herself, Hermione did detail the demise of her relationship with Ron. Loki seemed unsurprised to learn that she threw herself into work as a way to escape the pain of the separation. Hermione found it interesting how his eyes flashed red when she explained how Ron hadn't mourned the loss of their relationship and began serial dating the next day.
"This bloke sounds like an ass," Loki said, sipping from his wine glass as Hermione finished her story.
Hermione opened her mouth to defend her ex but then changed her mind. Reaching for her own glass, she said, "You know what? He was." Taking a long sip, she added, "He is."
"Then you should be glad to be rid of him." Loki set aside his glass and leaned forward. "Would you care to dance while we wait for our dessert? I'm not sure what this song is, but it seems like the type of music that should be danced to." He stood and extended a hand to Hermione.
Nervously, Hermione bit her lip as she slowly set her wine aside. She stared at Loki's hand for a long moment and then thought, "Ron is an arse, and I'm glad to be free of him. I'm here in this beautiful place, and a handsome man is asking me to dance. I'd be crazy to not accept."
Smiling, she placed her hand in Loki's offered one. "I'd love to."
Loki led them to the dancefloor, where he immediately pulled Hermione close and began a slow waltz. Hermione was highly thankful for the dance lessons they had once upon a time back at Hogwarts because it was clear Loki was a skilled dancer compared to her. Thankfully, Loki subtly corrected her without saying a word if she made a mistake and soon, they were moving together in perfect harmony.
"Should I be worried about you?" Hermione asked as they moved gracefully across the floor. Loki's hand felt comforting at the small of her back as he guided her around another dancing couple.
"What do you mean?" Loki asked, tilting his head and fixing her with a pointed stare.
"Oh, I think you know what I mean," Hermione said, smiling. "You are rather well known for causing chaos from time to time."
Loki frowned and slowed their dancing to a crawl. "I am not that person any longer," he murmured, voice quiet and steady. "I'll admit I may cause a bit of mischief now and then, but the days of wreaking havoc for no reason are far behind me."
"I just wanted to be sure," Hermione murmured, a sling playing on her lips as Loki dipped her. He righted her, and they continued dancing around the floor. People were looking their way, but Hermione only had eyes for Loki.
He fascinated her, and she wondered if, after tonight, she would return to London and never see him again. That was if she could get in touch with Harry or the Ministry… As if reading her mind, Loki asked the most perfect question as the song grew to a close.
"I'm not sure how much longer you plan to stay in Monaco, but I'd like to spend some more time with you," Loki said as he twirled her around the edge of the dancefloor. The song ended, and the evening would be over after they ate their dessert. "If you don't mind."
The song ended, and Hermione found herself pressed tightly against Loki's body. Her chest heaved with the breathlessness of dancing and something else entirely. She wet her lips and then swallowed back her fear from earlier. Loki's piercing emerald eyes observed her as he clearly waited for her to respond to his request to see her again.
"Let's go back to my room," Hermione said, taking Loki by surprise. His eyes went wide, and he opened his mouth to say something that was probably a warning, but he decided against it.
He nodded and then rushed her back to the table, where they quickly paid and had their dessert boxed up for later. The pair hurried from Restaurant du Métropole Monte-Carlo and back to Boutique Hotel Miramar hand in hand and laughing. The fifteen-minute walk went quickly because whenever there was a perfect moment, Loki would press Hermione against the sun-warmed stone building and kiss her until she was breathless.
By the time they reached Hermione's room, Loki and Hermione were more than ready to fall into bed. Loki unzipped her dress and watched as it pooled at their feet. Hermione stepped out of it and made quick work of Loki's tuxedo. He carded his fingers through her loose curls and tipped her head back before kissing her slowly once more. Hermione shuddered with anticipation and walked them back to the bed. Together they crawled upon it and were lost to their desires for the rest of the night.
The following day, Hermione quietly crawled from her bed, wrapping a sheet around her naked body. She tiptoed into the main room of her hotel suite and found the pen and paper by the door. Quickly, she scribbled a note to Harry and put it in an envelope. Then, quietly to avoid waking Loki, she opened the door to the balcony and whistled for an owl. It took a few moments, but one arrived, and she secured the letter to its leg before watching it take off again.
Afterwards, Hermione slipped back into bed and allowed Loki to wrap his arms around her body. He kissed her neck, and she sighed into the embrace. As her eyes closed and sleep returned to her, Hermione couldn't help but smile at this unexpected paradise her friends had forced her to find. Hermione hadn't asked for this holiday, but now that she was here, there wasn't anywhere she would rather be. Loki was precisely what she'd been looking for without even knowing it.
Harry,
I've decided to stay in Monaco for a week. Possibly longer. Please, let Draco know that I'm thankful for the trip to paradise. You two are incorrigible, but I adore you. See you when I get back!
Love, Hermione