Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. J. K. Rowling does.
Warning: I do believe my story might end up being a wee bit dark.
A/N: I apologize for not updating sooner, but my beloved grandmother was diagnosed with cancer recently, and as a result I haven't felt like writing lately, until today. I actually wrote most of this chapter in the hospital food court, so it might not be too great. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter! Review!
Chapter ten
Edric couldn't believe his girlfriend's best friend was the same witch that he had been trying to locate. He knew his extremely affluent employer was busy lately, but he also knew that his health depended on the petite witch, despite the fact that Draco didn't like whenever the complicated and delicate issue was brought up.
He had tried many times to find out information about the nameless witch, but without his irritable blond friend's cooperation it was impossible. For the last couple of months Edric had listened to Luna describe and talk about her friend in length, but he never made the connection. He inwardly shook his head in disbelief.
After successfully regaining his composure on the outside, he smiled at his girlfriend. The extroverted blonde gave him a dazzling smile in return as he rose to his feet to greet her with a chaste kiss.
After the kiss, she encircled her arms around his neck for a brief moment. He took the opportunity to exchange a quick glance with the brunette. He noticed the recognition in her enormous eyes right before she averted her gaze.
Hermione stood in barely concealed shock, unable to momentarily breathe. She didn't like the way the wizard had looked at her abdomen. Had her brief loss of concentration ruined her glamour spell? As the young man's violet eyes locked with hers, she swiftly looked away. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying in vain to block out the reality of her misfortune.
Dread welled up inside her. She desperately wanted to believe she was still in her apartment, and that she was simply having another nightmare like she did every night. It seemed unreal to her.
How could her first time returning to the wizarding world lead her to the personal healer of a wizard that struck fear in her heart?
She had spent the last few months in the muggle world attempting to move on, and forget about what happened to her, yet right in front of her, and under her blouse were two physical reminders of her rape.
"Edric, let me introduce you to Hermione Granger. One of my dearest friends. Hermione, this is my boyfriend, Edric Fitzgerald," said Luna after she gently pulled away from the healer's warm embrace.
She was oblivious of the rising tension around her.
Before Edric could respond, the petite brunette stuck out her hand, gave him a very nervous look, and softly said, "It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard wonderful things about you."
He subtly cleared his throat, shook her small hand, and privately wondered why she was pretending as if they had never met before. He raised an eyebrow in inquiry at her, but the pleading look in her expressive eyes convinced him to play along.
"Likewise," he replied with a polite smile.
After they settled down in their table, and looked over the menu, the shocked wizard couldn't stop directing his attention towards the small witch. She never looked at him as he openly stared at her.
He concluded that the dark circles under her eyes, and the lines of exhaustion stamped on her face were most likely caused by insomnia. He knew that if the child she carried was a boy, then he was going to inherit the Malfoy disease, and that her pregnancy would be very difficult.
He gave her a look filled with pity as the waitress returned to the table.
"Mr. Vestvik, I see your friends are finally here," she pointed out in a sultry voice. If the freckled healer weren't so caught up in his thoughts, he would have noticed the flirtatious tilt of her eyebrows, and the way she briefly set her disapproving blue gaze on Luna.
"Indeed," was his noncommittal reply.
Pressing her lips in indignation, Luna made her irritation known as she corrected the tall witch. "I'm his girlfriend," she pointedly clarified.
The waitress made a contemptuous facial expression at the animated blonde. It was obvious to Luna that the waitress was a fan of Edric's writing since she addressed him by his well-known pen name.
Every so often, when they went out as a couple, female fans of his would treat her with extreme dislike simply because they were jealous. She understood that her boyfriend's success as a fantasy author earned him popularity among many individuals, but she still didn't like how a lot of questionable women had the audacity to flirt with him, especially in front of her.
The fan simply turned her back to Luna, ignored the comment, and instead introduced herself to Hermione. She then suggested a beverage to the self-effacing brunette.
"Would you like to try our signature wine?" asked the waitress in a sweet voice.
Being too immersed in her troubled thoughts, Hermione didn't immediately respond, until the waitress began repeating the question.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that. I'd like some iced water, please," requested Hermione with an apologetic smile, looking directly at the seemingly kind waitress in an effort to avoid meeting the healer's gaze, again.
Luna's eyes narrowed to slits as she noticed the deceptive attitude of the two-faced waitress.
"Water? Nonsense, this is your first day back. We should celebrate the proper way. We'll both have your best and strongest Firewhiskey," protested Luna, forcing her voice to sound light and buoyant, even though her mood was quickly darkening.
Apprehension flickered in Hermione's gaze, and her smile faded when she heard Luna's objection. Calculating violet eyes noticed the shift in her fatigued face.
"My love," interrupted Edric, addressing his girlfriend in a slightly condescending voice. Dark blue eyes looked over at him in concern. "It's a bit too early for alcohol," he chastised.
"Hmm, I suppose you're right, "she agreed with a small hint of displeasure evident in her frown.
He chuckled, a pleasing sound that sent delicious shivers down her spine. "Aren't I always right?" he teased with a smirk.
It made her genuinely smile and mirth return into her glittering eyes, just as he hoped it would. It also made the eavesdropping waitress giggle.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself," apologized the tall waitress with a suggestive smile directed at Edric.
Luna's turbulent eyes glared at her for a moment. Edric, on the other hand, completely dismissed the flirtatious attempt and merely accepted the insincere apology with a slight nod.
Meaningless flirtation tactics never affected him, but he always kept a wary eye on his volatile and jealous partner. Unlike him, she had a strong tendency of being affected by simple gestures.
Irritated once again at the lack of respect, Luna slightly opened her perfectly painted lips to deliver a scathing retort to the waitress, but a sharp look directed at her by Edric made her promptly close her mouth, and ultimately remain silent.
Her boyfriend had told her multiple times to keep her temper restrained because he reassured her that he only loved her, but she couldn't help the jealousy that engulfed her whenever questionable women shamelessly threw themselves at him. Tearing her gaze away, she heaved an exasperated sigh and began thinking about serene snow, icy water, and other arctic images in hopes of cooling down.
An unsuspected, yet pleasant pressure on her lips made her eyes slightly widen.
"You're the only witch I'll ever love," said Edric. She blushed, and he lightly grazed her cheek before pulling away.
He was right, Luna thought with a sudden feeling of happiness. In the end Edric was hers, and she was his.
Edric paused to gauge her reaction, but when he noticed the threat of overwhelming anger dissolve from her eyes, he grinned at his girlfriend's accomplishment.
"Don't worry, we'll celebrate, and drink later on. I heard this place has a fantastic nightclub," said Luna to Hermione with a wink.
Hermione forced a smile at her friend's enthusiasm, while she mentally thanked the wizard for his timely intervention.
As they were ordering their entrées, Edric decidedly concluded that his girlfriend was completely unaware of her friend's condition. Although, he couldn't truly blame her. If it weren't for the fact that he had briefly seen through Hermione's elaborate glamour spell, and was an observant individual that was attentive to detail, he would have never suspected the small witch to be with child.
Once the displeased waitress retreated with all of their orders, Luna began talking to fill in the awkward silence. She went on about the success of her shop that sold potions for health ailments, until Hermione abruptly excused herself to go to the ladies' room.
Concerned eyes gazed at the retreating form disappearing into the general direction of the restrooms. Luna hadn't seen Hermione in months ever since the death of her muggle grandmother caused her to abruptly leave.
She was glad that her shy friend had finally decided to come back to visit her, but she felt terrible for not being able to cheer her up. Luna had tried distracting the petite brunette by taking her shopping, and dolling her up, yet nothing seemed to lessen the sadness that clung to her.
"Is something amiss?" asked her boyfriend in a concerned voice as he saw that her pretty face, for once, was filled with worry.
"No," she lied, looking down. He lightly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him as he searched her eyes.
"Luna, do not lie to me. You can tell me," he whispered.
His husky voice clouded her judgment and made her feel lightheaded. "Hermione has me worried," she admitted, despite her efforts to keep her thoughts to herself.
He slowly released her chin.
"Why does she have you worried?" he inquired, reaching out and lightly squeezing her hand in reassurance.
"Do you remember how I told you that her muggle grandmother passed away nearly five months ago? she asked.
He nodded in affirmation.
"Nothing I do seems to cheer her up. I know she's trying to put on a happy facade for my sake, but I see right through it. I just want her to enjoy her weekend here at the resort," she explained.
"She's only staying for the weekend?" asked Edric in an uneasy voice. He couldn't risk her disappearing again when Draco's health depended on her, and vice versa. If they didn't come in physical contact soon, they could possibly die. All three of them.
"Yes," she confirmed in a defeated voice.
"Is she staying with you?" he asked in a curious voice.
Luna arched her eyebrow. "Why?" she asked.
Edric shook his head at her suspicion, and discreetly put his hand on her thigh. "Well, if I'm going back to your room..." he began.
"Edric! We're in public," she murmured as a blush stained her cheeks.
His hand kept moving upwards under the table.
She gave him a sharp look as he gave her an innocent smile. Edric was quite attractive. Tall, well-spoken, and professional, but he had a side to him that only a few knew about, a side that Luna absolutely loved.
"Tell me," he seductively whispered into her ear.
Feeling incredibly bold, she gave him a sly smile, and returned in a voice that didn't seem to belong to her, "She's staying in a different suite than mine."
Edric's eyes widened at her brazen remark, and then they quickly darkened with desire.
"In that case, we'll finish this tonight," he said as he removed his hand from her body.
"Maybe," Luna said firmly.
"Why maybe?" demanded the freckled wizard.
She laughed softly at his impatient tone. "Because I'm going out for drinks at the nightclub with Hermione," she responded.
"Oh? Is this a girl's only night or what?" he questioned.
"Yes... Actually, I have a better plan," she said as she gave him a look that he was very familiar with.
"I know that look. It means you have something up your sleeve," replied Edric in a cautious voice.
"Yes, I do, and I'm going to need your help," she confirmed with a wicked smile.
. . .
Draco Malfoy muttered a curse as he paused in front of the intricately carved wooden door. The nagging pain that had finally led him to track down his healer had greatly decreased once he had apparated to his current location, and now he felt rather foolish entering his most lavish restaurant without a clear reason.
He wanted to leave, but there was something beckoning him to enter. He decided that going inside to finally meet Edric's girlfriend wouldn't hurt.