A/N: Sorry, it took a bit for me to update. But the chapter is long, I hope that makes up for the wait. I'm always up for feedback, so please let me know what you think in the reviews.

PS: There is a problem with posting new content at the moment and it took me a while to find a workaround...

Disclaimer: Almost everything belongs to JKR. Yes, really.

Chapter Five - The Date

The days until Friday dragged on. Hermione had enough to do at work to keep her busy, but every time she stopped to take a little breather she felt a weird combination of happy anticipation and missing Ginny terribly. Evenings were the worst, so she tried to keep busy at work for as long as possible, but falling asleep alone knowing that she could have Ginny close, killed her. No scratch that. Waking up in the morning to a cold and empty double-bed was even worse. She wanted nothing more than to see Ginny's silky red hair on the other pillow, buryied underneath it Ginny's freckled face.
Friday turned out to be a whole new level of a challenge. Hermione woke early, as always, got dressed, downed a quick cup of coffee (thankfully Valerie was a late riser and Hermione could brew her coffee magically) and was off to work. All within half an hour.

It turned out to be a very slow Friday and Hermione even took to reorganising her whole office, just to keep her mind off Ginny. To no avail. Ginny was everywhere Hermione went. When Hermione saw Ginny's face in an empty cup of tea she knew her case was hopeless. Divination was not something Hermione was prepared to change her mind about.
She wrote a quick note to Ginny letting her know to pick her up at around 7 p.m. since that was a realistic time to be ready at.
She sent a Ministry owl on the way and when she couldn't find anything to do anymore she took out her mobile phone and called Valerie.
"Hello?" she picked up.
"Hi Val, this is Hermione. I just wanted to know if you're already home or if you could pick up the stuff on the kitchen list on your way there?"
"I'm still at the studio and yes I will get everything. You just go home and get ready for your date. That's really all I want you to worry about."
"Thank you! I appreciate that."
"I'll be home at around 6.30 p.m. I guess. See you there!"
"Bye."
Hermione smiled. That meant she could floo home and didn't have to worry about Valerie sitting in front of the fireplace. She looked at her watch and shrugged. She really had worked enough this week.

Five minutes later Hermione stepped out of her fireplace in her living room. She had about an hour before Valerie would get home to help her pick out an outfit. Hermione went into her room and laid out a selection of potential clothing items on the bed. She went to the bathroom and turned on the shower. While she waited for the water to heat up to her preferred temperature she got undressed and looked at herself in the mirror. Hermione wasn't completely unhappy with what she saw, but not exactly satisfied either. Being naked always made her feel vulnerable and uneasy. She thought of Ginny and how she imagined her to look. She usually wore these boyish jeans and an old ragged t-shirt but made it look sexy somehow.
Hermione stepped into the shower and contemplated turning off the warm tap. It would get her mind out of the gutter instantly, but she knew that sadly no long term successes could be achieved with a cold shower. As soon as she'd take one step out of the shower her thoughts would be back, so she went with the hot water and enjoyed the feeling on her skin.

She toweled off quickly and used a drying and styling spell on her hair. With a towel wrapped tightly around her body she went to her room and scanned the drawers of her dresser for a special pair of underwear. Satisfied with what she found she put them on and got her bathrobe to wear until Valerie was home to help her with her outfit.
She heard the key turn and soon enough Valerie was rattling around in the kitchen, putting away what she had bought.
"Val, I need your fashion advice!" Hermione called out and her flat mate appeared to browse Hermione's picks.
"Hermione, is that all you have in terms of date clothes? Let me see the rest of your stuff," Valerie said and without waiting for Hermione to protest she opened the drawers of her dresser.
"Oh and, please, tell me you're wearing something nice underneath?" Valerie said. Hermione blushed and nodded.
"It's your luck that you blushed just now. Tells me you are telling the truth, otherwise I would have had to check, you know." Valerie gave her a cheeky grin and then went back to growing increasingly frustrated with what she found in Hermione's dresser.
"She said to wear something fancy. Those were her words. I don't even know what that means. Should I wear a dress or just some nice trousers and a blouse?" Hermione let herself fall on her bed.
Valerie shrieked, "No! Get up, we might still need those clothes, you can't lie on them and wrinkle them completely. But you know what, come with me!" Valerie rushed out of the room and into her own. When Hermione walked in after her she was already throwing out stuff from her cupboard, mumbling no's and maybe's, "Hah, that's it!" Valerie said and held up a tasteful pale blue halter neck dress, just above knee length. "Try it on, come on. You'll look gorgeous!"
"But..." Hermione tried to protest, knowing that wearing a dress with such a low cut back would mean no bra and she wasn't sure about that.
Valerie was already tugging on her bathrobe, "Come on, Ginny is a punctual person, she'll be here in five minutes."
"Give me the dress, I'll change in my room." Hermione interjected, feeling uneasy about her body again.
"Hermione don't be an idiot, I have seen women naked before. I will not jump you, promised. Get on with it, there is no time." Valerie urged.
Hermione stepped out of her bath robe and threw it at Valerie's face after seeing her sly smile, "Nice abs, Miss Granger. When did you get those?" Valerie teased.
"I work out. Thank you very much!" Hermione pouted while stepping into the dress, "Zip me up, will you."
"Not much to zip," Valerie kept teasing her. She took a step back to look at her friend and seemed content, "Look in the mirror. Ginny will walk you as far as your room and food will be forgotten."
Hermione smiled when she saw herself in the mirror. She did clean up quite nicely. Happy with her looks she went to get her purse from her room, when suddenly the door bell rang.

"I'll get it!" Valerie chimed and rushed to the door.
Ginny was in a cream coloured sundress that accentuated her curves perfectly.
"Come in. Hermione will be out in a second. If I may say so, you both look absolutely gorgeous," Valerie said with a sigh and looked like a proud parent before her daughter's first date.
Hermione joined them and Ginny completely forgot about her surroundings. Her jaw dropped. Hermione put her hand on Ginny's chin to close her mouth and said, "Let's get going, shall we?" She wondered about her own self-confidence and saw Valerie giving her a goofy grin and a thumbs up when she closed the door after Ginny.

"Where are we going?" Hermione asked holding onto Ginny's arm, while they stepped into the lift.
"It's a surprise. Hold on tight. I'll apparate us." Ginny answered. A second later, when the lift came to a halt on the bottom floor, the opening doors only revealed a bit of empty space.
Ginny and Hermione arrived in a dark cul-de-sac. "Quite dodgy, Miss Weasley!", Hermione joked.
"Patience, love. We'll be right there and trust me, there is nothing dodgy about the restaurant." Ginny couldn't take her eyes off Hermione who in turn enjoyed the attention.
Ginny stopped in front of a door next to a single window. Hermione looked in and saw the tiniest of restaurants. It was tastefully decorated and only had 4 tables. When they entered she saw little pieces of knick knack on the shelves, the light was dim and very flattering.

"Reservation in the name of Weasley," Ginny told the waiter that approached them. They were led into a tiny room in the back of the restaurant that was decorated much like the main room and lit with equally flattering lights. Everything looked very Art Deco. The pictures on the walls showed old advertisements.
"This place is fantastic!" Hermione said, her eyes soaking up all the little details as she sat down.
"I'm glad you like it. I have to warn you though, it's not entirely muggle. I met the owner at a Quidditch game. Lloyd is a squib from Bangor and always felt more at home in the Muggle world but is still very much a Harpies fan and comes to as many games as he can. I sometimes ate here when I had a fight with Harry and needed to get out of the house, that's how I know that Lloyd's chef is truly brilliant." Ginny explained.
Hermione reached over the table to take Ginny's hand, it felt soft and warm to her touch.
"Now who do we have here," a middle aged man interrupted them, "My favourite Chaser and this time she brought a date. It's an honour to have you here."
"Hermione, this is Lloyd. Lloyd you might know Hermione Granger." Ginny introduced them. Lloyds eyes grew wider, "You mean THE Hermione Granger? Finally, I get to meet you."
Hermione knew the drill. At first they were honoured to meet her and then they would start asking questions about how she helped defeat Voldemort.
Lloyd continued, "Ginny has told me so much about you. Actually, she never shut up about you. One might start to think you were the celebrity crush of a teenage girl. Next thing she'll be selling Hermione Granger merchandise."
Ginny blushed a deep red, "Lloyd, that really is enough. Do you want to scare her away?"
Lloyd smiled guiltily and handed them the menu, "If you want something that is not on the menu, just let me know." And with that he was gone and the two witches were alone once more.
"You know, he really has no idea who you are." Ginny said, seeing that Hermione didn't look entirely comfortable.
"But he..."
"He doesn't read the Prophet and his only contact with the wizarding world are the Quidditch games he attends. He really only knows you from what I told him." Ginny cut her off.
Hermione visibly relaxed and got back into date mode, "So, do you already know what to eat?"
Ginny decided on a chicken dish and Hermione settled on Risotto.

They fell into conversation very easily and Hermione had more fun than she had had in a long time.
"Would you like some dessert?" Ginny asked a while after they had finished their main course, "They have this chocolate surprise thing, that is something dipped in dark chocolate. It can be strawberry ice cream it can be nuts or fruits or something much more elaborate. Do you want to try it?"
Hermione nodded, she was feeling adventurous. It turned out to be fresh strawberries covered in cream then dipped in dark chocolate and rolled in almond slivers.
"I don't think I've ever tasted anything more sinful than this," Hermione commented while putting the last bit of a strawberry into her mouth.
Ginny raised one eyebrow, took Hermione's hand and put one of her fingers into her mouth, slowly licking it clean. She drank in Hermione's lewd look. Hermione felt shivers run down her spine and tried hard not to show Ginny how much power she had over her. All evening long she had been distracted by various parts of Ginny's appearance, The way she flicked her hair back behind her shoulders, the way she smiled and laughed, how she nervously shifted in her chair and the way she moved her lips and tongue over her finger.
They fell back into their previous conversation, talking about Quidditch.
"Coach says, I have a chance of making Captain next season. If I keep up working hard and scoring, of course."
"That's fantastic news, Ginny. I'm so proud of you. Wait, that means Gwenog is retiring as Captain?" Hermione said excitedly.
"Yes, she is not going to play next season, but she said she might be back as assistant coach after a break." explained Ginny.
Hermione tried to stifle a yawn, but Ginny noticed and said, "You bored by my Quidditch stories?"
"No, not at all, trust me. But I was up very early and all the fun in the world is not going to keep me awake for long." Hermione replied quickly. In no way did she want Ginny to think she wasn't enjoying herself.
Ginny took Hermione's hands into her own and said, "How about I go all gentleman on you and walk you back home?"
"I'd like that very much. But can we apparate the distance, I don't think I want to walk through half of London." Hermione smiled.

Ginny squired Hermione to the door to her flat, "This is the part where we say good night and I give you an earth shattering kiss to make sure you don't forget our first date. Ever."
"Good night, then", Hermione whispered quickly before drawing Ginny's face closer and softly putting her lips on hers. Ginny started kissing her back instantly and ran her fingers through Hermione's soft hair. She let her hands travel down Hermione's bare back and stopped herself before travelling too low. Hermione's knees felt like jelly. She held on to Ginny's shoulders and neck, never breaking their kiss. They had to come up for air at some point and Hermione grinned foolishly, "Earth shattering enough for you?"
"Mmhhmm,", Ginny mumbled, licking her lips before leaning in for another kiss. She pushed Hermione back against her door with a loud thud and let her hands rest on her waist. Hermione breathed heavily, her skin was burning with desire, but she was still convinced she didn't want to rush into things.
"Erm...I'd ask you in, but I believe we shouldn't jump the gun here. At least not before Sunday," Hermione admitted, blushing a little.
"Are you implying that I had anything other than decent intentions when I asked if I could walk you home?" Ginny said, pouting playfully.
"I'm just making sure that you know I'm a respectable woman!" Hermione played along.
"Well, then Miss Granger. I wish you a wonderful night and sweet dreams." said Ginny bowing deeply in front of Hermione. Hermione curtsied and laughed, "Good luck for tomorrow's game and for Sunday's family dinner, Miss Weasley."

They exchanged the chastest of kisses and Hermione disappeared behind the door, grinning goofily. Still smiling she went to her room, putting away the clothes that still lay on her bed.
She stepped out of her dress and carefully put it back on a coat hook. "What a shame," Valerie said, standing in the open door.
"Valerie! Don't sneak up on me like that," Hermione jumped and scrambled to find her bathrobe to hide in.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. I just noticed that it's really a shame that you're wearing this enticing underwear and Ginny didn't even get to see it." Valerie said in her usual flirty way.
Hermione, feeling less naked now in her bathrobe, smirked, "You really can't help yourself, can you?" Secretly, she liked Valerie's flirtiness. It brought her out of her shell a bit and usually made her smile.
"Get dressed and tell me everything. I want to hear a detailed minute by minute report. I'll get the wine and wait by the fireplace, " Valerie disappeared from the room.

Hermione found a pair of comfortable grey sweat pants and a blue t-shirt with an old faded university seal printed on it. She had bought it on holiday in Paris. After finishing getting dressed, she heard a blood curdling scream from the living room. She quickly grabbed wand, put it in her pocket and rushed to the living room. When she entered the room she almost bumped into Ron. He looked rushed and had an urgent expression on his face. She looked over his shoulder and saw Valerie, deeply shocked, still screaming and staring at Ron until finally focusing on Hermione.
"What happened here? Ron? Did you floo in?" Hermione said angrily. She pushed past Ron and rushed to Valerie, hugged her tightly and rocked her to calm her down, "It's ok. Everything's fine. It's just Ron. You remember Ron, Ginny's brother?" She glinted dangerously at Ron.
"Hermione, there is not time for that now. Lucius Malfoy is on the loose and I believe he's on his way here," Ron blurted. Instantly, Hermione was on high alert. Hermione was there when they had put away Lucius. It had been her doing that he had spent his days in Azkaban waiting for his trial to start. He probably still had enough influence to find out where she lived.
"Hermione, we have to go!" Ron pressed and got ready to perform a memory charm on Valerie.
"NO!" Hermione jumped between Ron and Valerie, who had stopped screaming and was now looking at the scene unfolding in front of her, understanding nothing and unable to process Ron's appearance. "No memory charms!" Hermione ordered. She turned around to Valerie and put her hands on her shoulders, "Val, I know this is hard to process and there is no time to explain anything right now. We have to leave, and fast. Do you trust me?" Hermione stared into Valerie's eyes for a sign of comprehension. Slowly, Valerie nodded.
"Good. Do as I say and when I say it without thinking about it too much," Hermione waited for Valerie to nod again. She turned to Ron and he just said, "Grimmauld Place. It's probably safest." and with a loud crack he was gone. Valerie's eyes widened again, then she turned her head to Hermione. She pulled her to her feet, "Hold on and don't let go, no matter what."
She turned on the spot and not a moment too soon Hermione and Valerie were gone too.

The door burst open and in walked a tall man. He looked scruffy but there was a faint memory of better times. He was unshaven and had long, blond, grimy hair and piercing grey eyes. He stormed into the living room, frantically looking for someone or something. When he didn't find what his heart desired he disapparated looking murderously angry.