Never the Twain Shall Meet
As they walked through the outdoor terminal, Marcus found himself scowling more than usual. The unsuspecting little witch in front of him garnered more lustful stares from the men she passed than he had ever been witness. He was feeling the overarching urge to snarl at these dolts casting sideways glances at his… her. He corrected in his mind.
She's oblivious. He realized with a slight shock.
She hasn't met one glance or acknowledged anyone except him since they met here; not one coy expression, not one smirk, not even a blush – nothing.
"How was your train ride?" he asked breaking the silence with polite conversation.
She smiled at his attempt, "It was good thank you." she said.
She was being stand offish, not rude, but definitely keeping her distance. After she complimented him wantonly, she realized it mattered to her what he thought of her; and if she kept acting like a harlot around him, he would think her a harlot.
"Hermione?" he asked stopping.
She turned and paled a little at the serious expression he was wearing. Fearing the worst she took a deep breath and answered, "Yes?" she said, though it came out more like a squeak.
"Is something wrong? Are you uncomfortable because of… well, my father?" he asked softly, but assertively.
She immediately felt guilty, here he was trying to make amends, being a better man and she was thinking of herself and her feelings – selfish, "No, not at all, but Marcus, we had phone sex… I've never done that before and…" she hesitated not sure how honest she should be. When he prompted her the words came tumbling out.
"…and?" he prompted.
"I don't know how to act. I'm torn between embarrassed that I enjoyed it and want to do it again to ashamed that I enjoyed it and want to do it again. From our brief encounters, I know that I like you and now that I've seen you, I find myself attracted to you physically, which is just confusing because Blaise and I shared a really nice kiss… if I keep acting liking a harlot or worse a silly little girl, I fear you will think negatively of my character… ugh and now I've said too much!" she huffed and gave him a pained expression.
He really didn't know what to do or say; it was a lot of information. He just looked at her for a second and then tried addressing one concern at a time, "I had hoped that we could get past the awkward phase fairly quickly. I don't want you to be embarrassed. I enjoyed it as well… more than I should actually." He paused to gather his thoughts, his heart beating abnormally fast at her intense gaze.
"I like you too and I find you incredibly attractive, but I know Blaise has feelings for you and if you shared a kiss, then it would be wrong for me to try to win you over. So why don't we take this … whatever this is, one day at a time and get to know each other, yeah?
If nothing else, I would be honored to call you my friend." He said looking down at her.
Somewhere during his speech either she had moved closer to him or he had moved closer to her, but they were standing very near each other.
He could smell a hint of Jasmine coming off her person when she moved or the breeze blew.
She could feel the heat from his body and inhaled the fresh scent of Sage and something else that screamed masculinity.
As she was staring into his dark eyes trying to focus on what exactly he was saying, she wondered dumbly when her bones turned to jelly.
Her appraisal/ mock attention to what he was saying moved downward to his lips. She had a clear view of his full bottom lip and how perfectly balanced his top lip was, slightly thinner, but not nonexistent like so many others. A rich pink in color, they looked soft and at that moment she wanted nothing more than to pull him down for a kiss.
His lips stopped moving.
After a second of silence, her senses came rushing back to her with a jolt, "Friends, right." she said mildly disappointed and offered him one of her reassuring smiles.
He furrowed his brows at her attempt at aloof behavior; has she not heard a word I said? He asked himself. All she heard was friends?
He sighed and ran his hands through his hair, an action Hermione thought endearing, "So how do you like dentistry so far?" she asked wanting to end the tension and feeling a little insecure, so she attempted to bring them back to solid ground.
"I like it. "I've never studied so much in my life." He said smiling. She returned it and he felt his breath catch at how lovely she was.
"What are you going to do after Hogwarts?" he asked wondering/ hoping she was planning to join her family's practice.
No such luck.
"I don't know, I was thinking either curse-breaking or Potions Mistress. I'm leaning towards curse-breaking though." She said both hands planted firmly in her back pockets.
Marcus was having trouble keeping his eyes straight ahead instead of her soft and round looking breasts jutting out slightly.
He swallowed and mentally scolded himself for acting like a 14 year old looking at his first pair of tits.
He nodded.
The weekend went by fairly quickly; they had dinner with her parents, her mother making a show of verbally expressing how well they got along and how nice they looked together etc.
Whenever Janey would make a comment Marcus and Hermione would smirk or share an exasperated, but amused smile which only fueled Janey's fire for bringing them together.
Saturday they went shopping for a while, had lunch and returned to study for a bit before dinner.
Hermione found out that Marcus practically lived in the Granger household and that her mother couldn't be happier, yet another person to care for… so indicative of Janey Granger, David would tease her mercilessly about taking in strays when Hermione was a child.
Janey and David fairly exploded with delight at dinner on Saturday when they found out that Marcus was a wizard and had also attended Hogwarts, though neither Hermione nor Marcus shared the long part of the 'Slytherin-blood purity-death eater parent vs. Gryffindor-reckless courage–send children out to fight against experienced dark wizards' story. Some things are better left unsaid.
Later that night, Marcus and Hermione sat outside on the swing enjoying the anonymity the darkness allowed. It was a bit chilly, but once Marcus cast a warming spell, it was quite nice. They weren't touching, but they were both sitting towards the middle of the swing and his arm was stretched across the back of the swing; he could feel her hair and the heat from her neck on his arm.
All weekend he had carefully avoided the topic of her love life, but curiosity was killing him. He was surprised by this, normally he didn't give in to his curiosity nor did he express much emotion about anything, preferring to instead remain stoic.
He thought with growing concern that this little chit was making him lose control… and he liked it. He hadn't laughed or enjoyed himself this much since he was captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team his first seventh year.
"So… you kissed Zabini, huh?" he teased.
She hesitated, but then nodded her head not sure if he was actually teasing or if his question was of a darker nature, "yes." she said softly and then made a decision to just say what's on her mind, so throwing caution to the wind, "I blame you though."
His eyebrows shot up in surprise, "You blame me for you kissing Blaise at Hogwarts four years post Marcus Flint?"
She sniffed haughtily, "correct." She said.
He snorted, "Enlighten me princess." He retorted.
"Viktor was the last person I kissed. I haven't had any interest in the opposite sex since Ronald Weasley and that ended fifth year. No one has even been remotely attracted to me and now, you and I ... uh share an intimate moment on the phone and suddenly I'm Mya the sex kitten, watch out boys, here I come! I mean I would never had allowed Blaise to kiss me much less pick me up and push me against the wall while wrapping my legs around his waist… too much information?" she asked after she realized what she was saying.
Marcus shifted slightly thanking the Gods above that there were no street lights and it was very dark.
He chuckled at her theatrics, "I'm failing to understand how I'm to blame for your completely normal reaction to Zabini is my fault."
"Well that's just it, it's not normal for me and I feel like you triggered some dark sex driven switch inside me." she complained.
He sighed slipping into big brother mode, which made him extremely uncomfortable because that is so not what he wanted to be to her, "In order to help you understand that this line of thinking will only serve to drive you crazy I feel the need to ask you a few questions." He started out.
Intrigued by his business manner she answered, "Ok."
"Since our… intimate moment, how many wizards and muggles have you ravished?"
She was slightly affronted, "NONE!"
"Ok, how many men have you snogged senseless?" he asked
"ummm one, but he wasn't senseless." She said.
"mmm hmmm. And how many men have you had dirty conversations with since our dirty conversation?"
"None – only you." she added.
"I see and now here's an important question, so pay attention." He paused for effect.
She sat up straighter, "Are you a virgin?"
She didn't respond at first – it wasn't that she was ashamed exactly, but she had long since looked at her pure state as reminder of her less than appealing appearance coupled with a bossy nature.
He waited and she sighed, "Yes."
She jumped a little when he 'ah ha'd' loudly, "You can't be harlot and a virgin; in fact you aren't even a tease and being a tease is worse in my opinion."
She giggled, "Thanks Marcus. This is so weird though. When I got to know Harry and Ron I started envisioning me in a sweet relationship with a sweet boy…"
He interrupted, "If sweet's what you want I think I have a copy of the Hufflepuff alumni list." He joked.
She laughed softly, "No, not anymore. What about you Marcus, do you have a girlfriend or many?"
"No girlfriend, the last sexual encounter I had, was with you… over the phone… in my office." He said rather pathetically.
She couldn't help her reaction it just came out, peals of laughter at his mock misery.
"It's not funny, wizards have needs!" he said starting to laugh as well.
After their mirth died down, she could feel him watching her, "What Marcus?" she asked turning her face in his direction.
She gasped quietly when he spoke and she realized his lips were moments away from hers, his warm breath settling over her cheek in puffs, "I want to kiss you, Hermione. I want to feel your soft lips welcome mine." He whispered his chest rumbling with the baritone in his voice.
Her breathing just got ten times more difficult, "I… I …" she stumbled wishing he would just kiss her instead of giving her the choice.
"I know." He said and pressed his cheek against hers; she leaned into it and closed her eyes.
This was heaven she thought and then he stood, "come on, time to go to bed. You leave tomorrow."
She sighed and stood up. He bent down and kissed her cheek, "good night princess. See you tomorrow." He said his voice deep and velvety. Hermione felt it caress every inch of her skin before she heard the pop of apparition and the subsequent chill of the night as his magic left with him.
She slept in the next morning only to wake up to her phone ringing, "'Lo?" she asked in a deep sleepy voice.
"Princess? It's time to wake up; I'll be over in 30 minutes. Okay?"
"Marcus." She sighed not realizing her voice sounded husky and sexy.
He groaned in response to his name rolling off her tongue, "Princess." He said more firmly.
"What? Oh, Yes, Yes. I'm awake." She said, "30 minutes, I'll be ready."
Right on time Marcus knocked on the door and didn't wait for her to answer instead stepping into the foyer and calling her name, "Hermione?"
She walked out of the kitchen like a fresh summer breeze (he thought) and gave him the warmest smile he'd ever seen, "Hey, can we take my Honda. It's fun, you'll love it." She said not waiting for an answer and walking to the garage.
He sighed not wanting to argue with her and not knowing what a Honda was, "Can we stop by my flat I forgot one of my books?" he asked.
She mumbled something in the affirmative from the garage and he accepted that as a yes.
He heard clanking and shuffling so he went to investigate, she was turning around with a black helmet in her hands, "here you go, that should fit."
He looked around and spotted a grey scooter thing, "Please tell me that's not …"
"yep. Get on."
He didn't move, so she resorted to playing dirty, "I'm really quick with my wand and won't hesitate to lock you up in a petrificus totalus."
He doubted she could best him, but he liked her fire – fearless indeed.
He got on the back, told her where he lived and off they went. He quickly made the decision that he was going to start living life if he lived through this. Her speed and weaving in and out of traffic was scaring the shit out of him.
He held on with one arm tightly wrapped around her waist and the other had a death grip on the handles by his seat.
The positive thing was that he had completely forgotten his misgivings about being seen riding on the back of scooter.
After what seemed like an eternity, the scooter stopped and he was able to dismount. The urge to fall to his knees and kiss the ground thanking Merlin he still was among the living was hard to control, but he did it.
They walked in to Draco, Greg and Pucey. They all focused on a rather frazzled looking Marcus holding the door for a smiling Hermione.
"Granger?" Draco said.
"Hey!" she greeted.
He raised his eyebrows in question, "I'll tell you later." She said giving him a look.
He nodded and glanced at the still pale Marcus, "She gave you a ride on her scooter, didn't she?" Draco asked knowingly.
"Yes."
"Yeah, we don't do that anymore." Draco said as if imparting some vital piece of wisdom.
Marcus nodded in sage agreement.
Pucey cleared his throat turning Marcus' attention to propriety, "Adrian Pucey this is Hermione Granger. I work for her parents." He added the last to bring home the severity of the situation.
The only surprise Adrian registered was the slight widening of his eyes as he realized the dilemma and raked his eyes over her pretty petite figure, skinny low rise dark wash jeans, blue satin ballet flats and a long sleeve t-shirt that read:
It's not that I'm not a 'people person' it's that I'm not a 'stupid people person'
Adrian snorted after he read it and then blushed at what must have looked like him staring at her boobs.
She held her hand out to him in introduction, "It's nice to meet you Mr. Pucey." She said watching him blush and wanting to giggle.
He recovered and bowed to kiss her hand, "it's a pleasure. Please call me Adrian."
"I just need to get a book and then we can go, yeah?" Marcus said, "Have a seat."
Adrian, Draco and Greg followed him to the back and she sat on a chair in the living area.
When she sat she heard a crinkle and reached under the cushion to find a magazine: Playwitch. She rolled her eyes, "figures." She said quietly scanned the cover; her eyes paused on a small title on the bottom right of the magazine:
How to Get Her Hooked: Learn the 'Secret Psychology' You Need to Attract Any Woman You Want.
Hermione snorted and quickly turned to the page, bypassing the glossed and dog eared pages of naked women with pouty lips and lidded eyes.
Inner Wuss
Most men make the same mistake over and over by admitting they feel strongly about a woman or that they want to spend a lot of time with her. But my question always is: Why admit anything at all?
I know, your Inner Wuss longs to express itself, especially with a woman you describe as a "9 in looks" and "as smart as you." But get with the program. This woman knows that every guy in the world wants her. She walks through the world assuming so.
When you admit you're interested in her, you're becoming just like every other guy. So, stop trying to let women know that you're interested; they already know that. Focus on creating attraction by being Cocky & Funny, flirty, unpredictable and charming, and she'll feel more drawn to you.
Hermione snorted again and turned to the next one.
Recognition
How do you recognize it when a woman is doing something that says "I like you"? It's important to remember that women are usually far more subtle than men. If a man's interested, you can read it all over his face. But women do small things; the little touch, the sly smile, a flirty comment.
But here's the thing: The signals often disappear as fast as they arrive. Women may act unsure, making guys respond the wrong way. So rule No. 1 is: When she says "I like you" or "You're cute," don't diffuse the situation by saying something lame like "You're cute, too," or "I like you, too." This kind of thing takes the glimmer of attraction and instantly kills it.
Here's my favorite example of the right way to handle this type of situation. Once upon a time, there was a scene in a movie that I think perfectly illustrated this concept. Remember the end of The Empire Strikes Back, when they were about to put Han Solo into the deep freeze? Leia said "I love you." Remember what Han said? He said: "I know."
Perfect. That's called creating "sexual tension," which is also known as "chemistry" or "attraction." It happens when you tease a woman, make her laugh, play hard to get, or act unpredictably. And remember to keep it up. That's what made her respond in the first place.
"Rubbish!" Hermione snapped and moved her eyes to the next one, but stopped when she heard distinctly masculine chuckling.
She lowered the magazine and met a various assortments of amused smirks, twinkling eyes, and red faced hilarity from Pucey, Marcus, Draco and Greg.
"Granger what are you reading?" Draco asked holding back laughter.
She looked at the cover and flushed with embarrassment at being caught, "I know what it looks like, but I was reading an advice article… and it's rubbish. Does this crap actually work?" she asked holding the title up for them to see.
Draco lost it, Pucey was close and Marcus wanted to suck that pouty bottom lip of hers, "We should go." Marcus said chuckling at her.
She harrumphed and gave Draco and Greg a kiss good bye with a promise to see them later.
"Oi! Granger, what about me?" Pucey asked pointing to his cheek.
She smirked and walked towards him. She stopped and pulled him down to her level (like she did with Draco and Greg) kissing him on the cheek.
As she walked out the door, "Oh and Granger?" Adrian asked
She turned, "Yes, it does work. That was part of the Inner Wuss: don't be afraid to tell her what you want, series." He said humorously.
Laughter.
She giggled and they left.
He refused the scooter so she had to shrink it and together they apperated to the train station.
She had to remind herself, vigorously, that she couldn't stay in his embrace after she side-along apparated.
He let her go reluctantly, "bye princess." He said and bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye Marcus."
She waved good bye from her window and let her eyes drift closed dreaming of warm arms and soft kisses.
