Hi Guys

back again, I know I am updating fast and furious but it's nice to have time to let my story flow without worrying about essay due dates. Anyway hope you like this one.

Disclaimer: Not J., never will be, she is too clever...

Sirius xoxo

CHAPTER 9

When her eyes opened, she knew that Harry had left. She didn't need to check, she just knew it. She arrived at work at her normal time to find Harry was not in his office where he normally was. She started work, but when the phone calls were coming in and she had a list of 6 people for Harry to return calls to, she decided to investigate.

She went out to the kitchen to ask the house elves if they had given Harry breakfast yet. He had not been seen at all that morning and Hermione knew why. She asked if they could show her to his room and they were happy to oblige. Hermione knocked on the door but there wasn't any answer. She opened it and quickly looked around and when she saw the room was empty she went back to work.

Her phone was ringing so she rushed to her desk hoping it was Harry. She took another message for him and then sat down at her desk. A couple of minutes later she heard Harry's office door open, he walked out as if he had been all morning.

"Harry, you're here!"

"Yes, Miss Granger, it is Monday, I am sure you are well aware of our starting time." Hermione looked at him completely confused. What was going on with him today? The rest of the day went by quickly and quietly. He made no conversation with her except for work. He told her on Saturday he would be leaving to go to Paris for work but she was to remain here and he would notify her what files he required.

The rest of the week progressed the same way and the only bit of excitement in the house was when Jake came home on Wednesday. They had a family dinner together and it was uncomfortable to say the least. It was probably worse that Jake was the centre of attention and kept saying things like, glad to be spending more time at home with you Hermione and what are we doing on the weekend?

It was quite clear that he wanted more from her and he wasn't giving her an opportunity to reject him.

It was Friday night and Hermione was very glad to see the end of this week. Harry had been less than sociable all week and knowing he was going away next week made her feel worse. She really wanted to speak to him about last weekend. She decided she was going to talk to him whether he like it or not, so she walked into his office and found he was on the phone.

"Of course, I will be there"

"Yes just make sure the bookings are done"

"I know I miss you too sweetheart" Hermione stopped in her stride when she realised the phone call was personal not business.

"Its only two more days to wait and we can do anything you want."

"Love you Jen, bye"

Hermione turned around and walked out holding her stomach, willing it with all her might not to throw up. She couldn't believe it, everything that had happened was a joke. She ended up being another one of those conquests the great Harry Potter gets. She felt stupid and angry but most of all hurt. She had finally realised her feelings and it was all for nothing.

She sat down and decided to leave, she called him on the intercom and said she was off and to have a safe trip. Before he could respond she was out of the office and out the door, heading down the footpath to the large gates. Lily was working in the garden and saw Hermione leaving.

"Bye Hermione, have a nice weekend."

"You too Mrs Potter, bye" she continued walking until she was out on the street. She apparated home and spent a lonely evening watching movies and shedding quite a few tears.

************

Jake tried to get Hermione to go out a few times but she always refused making up one excuse after the other. Three weeks after Harry had left, she was home alone when she heard a knock at the door. She took of her cleaning gloves and went to open the door.

"Hey Hermione,"

"Hi Jake, what are you doing here?" Hermione was surprised to see him but she was also a little anxious.

"Just wanted to pop over so you wouldn't have time to think of an excuse when I ask you out tonight." Jake had that gorgeous crooked smile on his face and Hermione found herself laughing.

"OK Jake, no excuses, where are we going?" Jake punched the air with his fist and Hermione moved over so he could come in.

She offered him a drink and they sat down to chat. It was all set for that night, the whole team had to return to training since Jake was well enough to go back with them. They were all meeting at the local pub and it was set for 7pm. Hermione bid Jake farewell and he told her he would be back to pick her up.

Jake arrived at 6.30pm and looked absolutely irresistible. He had a navy blue shirt on with navy blue pants. It wasn't anything fancy, but they fit him well and he had a great body. All the swimming and exercise had definitely paid off. Hermione was wearing a short red crop top with black pants. Jake was very impressed and let his pleasure known.

"Wow you are beautiful, Hermione." Jake walked in and very slowly placed his hand on her white exposed skin on her waist. She didn't pull away so he felt brave enough to lean into her. He pulled her closer and placed his other hand on her neck with his thumb caressing her cheek. He leant in and pressed his lips to hers. He waited, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to but then he felt her small hands reaching behind his neck to lock on to him. He deepened the kiss and held her very tightly to his masculine body. Hermione melted into his embrace and let herself feel for once. She has been feeling so many different emotions lately so it was nice to just let go. Once the kiss ended, the smile on Jake's face could light up a room in complete darkness.

"Hermione, I …."

"Jake, please don't say it, I can't say it back to you yet, and I don't want you to feel bad, could you just give me some time?" Hermione had placed her finger on his lips and after she spoke he kissed them.

"OK, but I want you to know how I feel OK, I really have strong feelings for you Hermione and I understand how you feel, you must have been hurt in the past, but you also need to know you can trust me Hermione I would never hurt you."

"I know that Jake, and I don't want to ever hurt you either." Jake leant in and kissed her again and this time the kiss was a little more passionate than the last one. After a while, they decided they had better go or else they would be there all night.

They met the team at the pub and after a pub dinner and lots of drinks they headed over to the section where people where 'trying' to do karaoke. Hermione could not remember the last time she laughed so much, everyone was in stitches by the time the night was over. Alicia and Hermione were deep in conversation yet again, while the guys were attempting to improve their singing skills.

"So Hermione, what's happening between you and Jake?" Alicia raised her eyebrows making Hermione laugh.

"I don't know, I think we are going out together, I think?"

"What I think is, you're drunk" Hermione laughed and then stopped dead. Alicia waited.

"Alicia, I don't know, I care about him, I care a lot, but do I love him, I can't say." Alicia looked at her new friend, "Hermione, sweetie, love grows, it isn't something that is immediately there, you can't really say that love is something you feel for someone before you know them. Give yourself some time and don't be so hard on yourself, you two make a great couple." Alicia hugged her but Hermione couldn't get her words out of her head. She has felt love immediately, she knows what it is like to love someone before you really got to know them and she also knows it will never ever work with him. He has moved on and it's time she did too.

"Hermione, anything else on your mind mate?" Alicia was watching the conflicting thoughts running over her face.

"No, Alicia, just thinking that's all."

The boys came back laughing and everyone was teasing Jake for the hopeless rendition he did of under the board walk. Jake sat down next to Hermione and he put his arm around the back of her chair, "What's up Jake?"

"Oh they're just teasing me." Jake gave Todd and Mike a one finger salute and the rest of the team burst out laughing. Since the pub was closing and they had to leave on Monday, they decided to call it a night. Jake and Hermione said goodnight to everyone and she wished them well on the remanding part of their tour.

Jake had had quite a bit to drink so Hermione decided he was not driving home and he asked if he could stay at her place. She didn't deny him.

Hermione walked in and turned on the lights and Jake made his way in to the lounge room. He put his jacket down and took Hermione's hand and pulled her into him. He kissed her and she returned it with just as much passion.

*************

The next morning, the sun was shining brightly in the sky. She turned over and felt the suns warm rays on her face. She thought about Jake in the next room. He was wonderful and caring so he deserved a girlfriend who gave her 100%. She got up and had a warm shower, then started on breakfast. As she was cooking Ginny flooed her and asked if she could come over to catch up. Ginny arrived a few seconds later and the girls were catching up when Jake walked in.

"Hi Ginny." Jake walked over to Hermione and gave her a kiss and Ginny's eyebrows shot up into her hairline.

"Umm Morning Jake, I didn't know you were here." Ginny raised her eyebrow at Hermione and she laughed.

"I was going to tell you but you only just got here." Hermione finished serving out the breakfast she had made and the three of them caught up. It was obvious Ginny was busting to talk to Hermione so Jake excused himself so he could go home and pack for his tour tomorrow. He planned on meeting them later that afternoon. As he was leaving, Ginny remembered the reason she had come over,

"Hermione, Mum wants you to come for dinner tonight, she's winging she hasn't seen you for so long."

"OK Jake can come too can't he?"

"Yeah of course, Merlin you know mum, if she doesn't cook for an army, she's not cooking at all." Jake smiled and gave her a hearty kiss then left.

"OK Buddy, spill the beans, when did all this happen?" Hermione laughed at the way Ginny sounded like her mum.

"Well actually only yesterday, last night to be precise." Ginny sat down on the couch and waited for the rest.

"AND..."

"Well, you know what Gin, I am not waiting for anyone anymore, I am sick of being left behind so I decided I am going to give it a shot with Jake."

"OH MERLIN, you're in love with Harry Potter, aren't you?" Ginny had this uncanny way of uncovering the truth where Hermione was concerned.

" I did not say that !!!"

"You didn't have too, I know you Hermione, I know you better than you know yourself, Oh Merlin you are in love with Harry!" Hermione sat there and was too embarrassed to even look at her best friend. Ginny stood up and sat down on the floor in front of her.

"Sweetie, you can't do this to Jake, it's not fair, he has real feelings for you."

"I know Ginny, but Harry has a girlfriend in Paris and I haven't even seen him for a month. For all I know, he could be married by now."

"Hermione you are being silly, and you know it."

" I can't do it Ginny, I am going to try with Jake, he is wonderful and I can learn to love him." Ginny fell back onto her bottom, "WHAT, can you even hear yourself, you can not learn to love someone, it has to be there from the start, come on Hermione, you know that." Ginny was completely shocked that her best friend was acting so irrational. This was so out of character for her, Ginny started to wonder if someone had cursed her.

"Ginny, Jake is my boyfriend and I plan to make the best of this situation..."

"You made this situation Hermione!!!"

"I plan to make the best of this situation and I will give Jake 100%. End Of Story."

"OK, but can I ask a question. What happens when Harry comes back?" Hermione tried hard not to show Ginny her reaction, but Ginny didn't miss it.

"Well?"

"It doesn't matter, I am Jake's girlfriend and I will give him 100%."

"You keep telling yourself that matey, one day YOU might believe it." Ginny knew there was no use continuing this with Hermione, she was very stubborn when she wanted to be, so Ginny stayed for a little bit longer then she left to help her mum prepare dinner.

It was only an hour later that Jake came back. He was all packed and ready to leave and since he knew he wouldn't see her for a couple of weeks, he wanted to spend as much time together as possible. They decided to stay in and watch a few movies. The weather outside was really bad so it was a perfect day to stay in. The time came for dinner and the couple apparated over to the Burrow.

"Hermione, Jake, how are you two going?" Ron's red hair popped out from the kitchen, obviously trying to sneak some food from his mother. Molly Weasley came around the corner to meet her guests and was so pleased to see Hermione had found someone so wonderful. Jake was a complete hit at the family dinner. Ginny kept shooting glances at Hermione unbeknown to anyone else. The guys talked Quidditch all night which was good as it involved Ginny too. Jake gave her some pointers for her business, teaching the kids Quidditch. They talked for ages. Hermione bailed out of the conversation once Quidditch had started for the third time and at this time she was helping Mrs Weasley in the kitchen.

"Hermione, Jake is so lovely." Hermione knew it was coming, but she couldn't really get out of it.

"Thanks Mrs Weasley, I work for his brother."

"Oh really, you work for Harry Potter." Man did everyone had to mention his name...

"Yes, so how's Mr Weasley and all the other Weasley's?" It didn't work.

"Good dear, but do tell me about Jake, he seems like he really likes you, are there wedding bells on the horizon? You know I would be happy to have the wedding here, dear, it would be no trouble at all. I did Fleur and Charlie's wedding and it went off fantastic..."

"Woooo Mrs Weasley, we only started going out together this week, gees there's no wedding bells yet. At all actually."

"Yes dear, of course not, but you keep my offer in mind, you're not getting any younger you know."

Hermione continued packing up the dishes and shook her head of all the chatter Mrs Weasley was still doing. Man that woman is relentless.

When Hermione walked back into dining room the conversation was still on Quidditch. She sat and waited, and waited. It was close to midnight and Hermione thought she had better get going. Jake said goodnight to everyone and was still talking to Ginny about her business when they were walking to the fireplace.

"Anyway Ginny, I am sure Jake would love to stay and talk your ear off but we have to go, love ya, catch you later." Hermione stepped into the floo and Jake followed.

"Oh man, what a fantastic night, thank you so much for taking me, Mione," Jake looked like a child on Christmas morning.

"Yeah they are such a great family, I love them." Jake gave her a big kiss and said goodnight. He promised to owl her when he could and she said not to stress and to look after himself.

"Love you Mione." Jake leant in and gave her another kiss.

"Jake..."

"It's OK, I just wanted you to know." Jake gave her another peck and then went down to his car and jumped in. He had promised to floo her when he got home so she wouldn't worry.

"Mione are you there?"

"Hermione ran to the floo, she had just finished a quick shower.

"Sorry Jake, I had a quick shower, you home safely?"

"Yep sweetheart, you have a good sleep and I will talk soon."

"Thanks please be careful on tour, you're still not 100%"

"Don't worry, I will be fine, I am tough you know." Hermione laughed and then Jake did.

"Love you sweetheart, Good night."

"Goodnight Jake be safe OK" Hermione pulled back and scolded herself for not trying to tell him she loved him. Jake pulled back and to his shock, he noticed Harry sitting on the couch behind him.

"Hey, out of hospital I see."

"Yeah, Harry, back from Paris hey, how was it?"

"Not bad, how are you feeling?"
"Good actually I couldn't be better, umm Hermione and I are going out together now." Jake waited to see his brothers reaction but Harry hid it well.

"That's good, happy for you mate."

"Harry listen, you are my brother and I love you mate, but please tell me if this is going to be a problem between us." Harry looked at him for a minute and then walked over and gave him a one armed hug, "No problem mate, none at all." Harry nodded, turned and then walked up to his room and Jake smiled, he knew his brother, he would have made his point clear if there was a problem, so he was happy to see he had the go ahead from him. The only thing now was to get Hermione to relax around him. He felt she was so stiff and worried all the time, she just couldn't relax. Anyway it was late and he had a busy day ahead, so he decided to hit the sack.

OK So that's it for this one, poor Hermione needs to get her act together and I feel it will be a little harder with Harry back.

As always review if you like!!

Sirius xoxo

PS thanks for the awesome reviews too guys you're wonderful.