Never the Twain Shall Meet
The next week passed by smoothly, Adrian, Marcus and Hermione sat down and worked out the 'next steps' for Cornerstone. Hermione continued to help her parents pack up the house; Marcus continued to help the Grangers with the practice until it was ready for them to leave. They cut back his hours and all agreed that he would assist with easier and not so 'gross' procedures.
On the Friday before she returned to school she met her parents and Marcus at their office.
She walked in quietly to see a little girl no older than seven or eight walking out of the back room sniffling.
Marcus, unaware that he was being watched, turned towards her and held a lollipop out to her like he was a suitor holding out a bouquet of flowers on their first date. When she looked up he placed his finger to his lips and winked. She giggled and put the lollipop in her pocket, "thank you Mr. Flint," she said.
He smiled at her, "you're welcome, sweetness."
The little girl beamed up at him.
Hermione cleared her throat and tilted her head at him, "Are you… flirting, Marcus?" she asked in mock affront.
The little girl jutted her chin out and folded her arms across her chest, "you just leave him alone," she snapped narrowing her eyes at Hermione.
Hermione's lips twitched and her eyebrows shot up into her hairline, "Why should I? He's flirting with another woman," she replied, "I'll have to tell his..." Hermione stopped for a moment. They hadn't discussed such things yet.
The little girl ended Hermione's struggle, "girlfriend?"
"Okay," Hermione said, slowly looking at Marcus. He grinned and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Mr. Flint, you have a girlfriend?" the little girl asked, clearly disappointed.
Hermione held back her laughter.
Marcus kneeled down, he had to, the girl was getting whiplash from having her head tilted at a 90 degree angle for so long.
"Yes, but, she's quite fussy, has a horrible temper and you know she tried to poison me?" he asked the little girl with shock and peril in his tone.
Hermione rolled her eyes again and the little girl gasped and gave Hermione a side-ways glance, "I would never try to poison you, Mr. Flint," she promised.
"No?"
The little girl shook her head adamantly, "and would you smile at me anytime I wanted?" he asked.
She nodded… adamantly.
"What else?" he asked, but his eyes were on Hermione.
The little girl surprised both of them when she whispered, "kisses… anytime you want," in the next moment the little girls face had gone from pale to pink to scarlet.
Marcus smiled at her and scooted an inch closer pointing to his cheek.
The little girl leaned forward slowly and then super quick-like pecked him on the cheek.
He gave her the best smile and said, "thank you sweetness. I'll never wash this cheek again."
"Marcus, are you flirting with the clients again?" Janey asked smiling while walking with the little girls smiling mother.
"Again?" Hermione asked looking at him.
Janey snickered.
"Bye Mr. Flint." The little girl said and walked away with a smile.
"Bye sweetness," he said
"Ready for dinner, then?" Janey asked.
They both nodded.
Later that night, Marcus and Hermione walked through the door of his flat and straight into his bedroom.
He had been watching her, smelling her all night and now wanted to hold her, but when he stepped forward she quickly stepped away.
He frowned, "What?"
"Flirting Marcus?" she asked hiding her smirk at his surprise.
"She was eight, Hermione," he said, annoyed. He couldn't believe she was angry over that!
She shrugged, "Still… you've been a very naughty boy; on your knees, Marcus," she commanded quietly.
His eyes darkened and his jaw clenched slightly as the blood in his head rushed downward, "yes ma'am," he replied and fell to his knees gracefully.
His bed resided on a raised platform; it was two steps up; so when he knelt his face was level with the apex of her thighs.
He looked up waiting for instruction, his erection pushing painfully against the hard planes of his denims.
She waved her wand dimming the lights and binding his hands behind his back, she smirked when he inhaled sharply, "everything all right, Marcus?" she asked in the same sultry and dark voice.
He was so turned on, he wasn't sure if he could answer coherently so he nodded.
He licked suddenly dry lips and tried to control his breathing, he felt like he would come if she even touched his shoulder, he was so sensitive to her right now.
"Good," she purred pulling her hair out of its pony tail and shaking it out, "we were talking about you… flirting… with other girls." She chirped and turned her back to him to pull of her shirt. Half way off, she turned her head to watch him for a moment, "I don't like it when you flirt, Marcus. It upsets me." she quipped.
He nodded and watched her discarded shirt fall to the floor. His breathing just got more difficult.
"What should I do with you, hmmm?"
He tried to speak, but it came out a croak instead so he cleared his throat and tried again, "let me show you how sorry I am," he said, equally as seductive.
She kissed him, a soft chaste kiss. He leaned forward for more, to deepen it, but was unable to; he didn't want to topple over.
He was mildly annoyed that he couldn't use his hands, but couldn't deny the appeal of his witch taking control. He mentally shuddered, she was definitely a keeper, he thought.
He was in his own little world for a moment and didn't notice her take her jeans off; when he looked back she was sitting on the bed, her knees open and her eyes gazing into his, "I want you to make me come, Marcus."
He smiled. He would make her scream.
*** back at school
Harry walked into the Great Hall wearing a grin reaching from ear to ear. He sat down next to Hermione and grabbed for juice and toast. It was obvious he was in his own little world as he hadn't said a word in greeting and he couldn't seem to stop smiling.
"Harry?" she asked.
He looked at her, blankly at first and then he blushed.
She smiled in recognition and looked over to the Slytherin table, Pansy was smiling as well and when the two girls made eye contact Pansy's face colored as well. Hermione giggled and drank her juice.
Dumbledor stood and tapped his wand to get the students' attention, "Good Morning and welcome back. Seventh years please remember to take fresh parchment and quills to the 'Transitioning to Wizarding Society' preparation class as per required by the Ministry. Please note that it is a two-week course with all 30 seventh year students.
That is all. Enjoy the rest of your day," he finished.
They all looked at each other and stood to get to their first day of 'transition' class. Hermione thought it was silly, it's not like they had a choice, they couldn't stay at Hogwarts unless they failed and they could only repeat a year once before they were expelled.
She walked in to find most of the front seats taken by eager Ravenclaws; so she looked around and sat on the end of the table with Daphne and Pansy.
They smiled at her and she smiled back.
Harry, Draco and Blaise plopped down at the table right behind the girls just before the bell rang signaling the start of session.
Professor Bins floated through the wall and Hermione groaned. She just knew this would be the most boring class she would ever participate in save for the other class he taught – history of magic.
She felt the paper hit the back of her head twenty minutes into his lecture; it fluttered around after disentangling itself from her hair and landed in front of her. It was a folded piece of paper resembling a bird. She opened it and read the note.
I missed you. -B
She smiled and wrote back, why'd you leave the club? And why didn't you return my owl? -H
He sighed, I needed some time, you know? –B
You know what you need? –H, she smirked as her plan materialized.
No, what? –B
Chocolate Cheesecake. It happens to be my specialty… well, I go down to the kitchen at night and the elves have it for me. Care to join me? –H
Tonight? –B
I'll meet you outside our common room around 10. –H
His mood just got ten times better, I'll be there. –B
She smiled and then paused, she wondered if she was leading him on. She knew he had deep feeling for her and her feelings were now focused on Marcus, but she still loved Blaise as a dear friend. He needed her and she would be there for him, but she would also make sure that Marcus was aware of her intentions.
She pulled out parchment and quill as quietly as she could and scribbled a short note to Marcus.
"Oh Good Miss Granger, I'm happy to see you taking notes." Professor Bins commented from the front of the class room.
She smiled, feeling a little guilty, "yes professor, and please don't stop on my account."
She felt another note land in her lap.
Is Blaise all right? –DM
I think so. I'm treating him to Boppy's chocolate cheesecake tonight. – Mya
He paused, Is that a good idea? Maybe I should come too –DM
I'm owling Marcus right after class and no, you'll hog all of it! – Mya
You're mean. –DM
She turned around and stuck her tongue out at him. He responded in kind and blushed slightly at their childish behavior when Harry and Blaise both looked at him strangely.
Marcus,
I'm taking Blaise for chocolate cheesecake tonight. He needs a friend.
All my love,
Mya
She owled it as soon as they left for lunch.
The rest of the day was uneventful, they were assigned to sketch out five-year plan and the steps needed to achieve their goals. Hermione just needed to tweak hers; she had six feet of parchment detailing her ten-year plan.
Dinner had been fun, Harry and her had sat at the Slytherin table. Everyone seemed to be in an unusually good mood. Hermione looked around more than once checking for dilated eyes and slurring.
Pansy and Harry were playing footsy and laughing at whatever Draco was teasing Goyle about. Astoria was sitting firmly at his side with his hand resting on her thigh under the table. Blaise and Hermione had tried to rescue Greg a few times, but Daphne had instead picked up where Draco left off and made the table laugh even harder with her quips on Gregs unfortunate clumsy childhood.
Hermione had taken pity on her friend and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and sending a mean face to the others.
They all walked back to the heads common room to study. An owl was waiting for her at the window when she walked in.
Mya,
Chocolate cheesecake? Really?
Will you give him a message for me? Tell him to stop being such a pussy. (That was from Adrian)… I agree. Talk later princess, MF
She smirked and shook her head; she would most certainly not be calling him names.
"What'd he say?" Draco asked, suddenly standing right behind her.
She handed him the parchment and he snorted. He was about to yell, but Hermione slapped her hand across his mouth and glared at him.
His eyes widened and he leaned back a little realizing that she didn't want to convey that particular message, he sighed into her hand and nodded disappointed he wouldn't be able to tease.
***10pm
"Blaise?" she whispered loudly in the hallway.
"Here love," he answered, stepping out of the shadows.
She smiled and tilted her head in the direction they were heading. Five minutes later they arrived at the portrait of fruit and tickled the pear. It made a squeaky giggling sound and the door opened.
She stepped inside and looked around. Blaise closed the door and waited for her.
The little house elf popped in, "Missy Mya, chocolate cheesecake for yous and master Zabini?" Bobby asked ears perked up.
"Yes, please, Boppy."
They sat at the counter in comfortable silence, "So… come here often?" he asked, teasing her.
She snickered and turned towards him, "We're with you Blaise," she said suddenly serious and then added, "I'm with you," she stressed the 'I'm'.
He nodded, "I… I don't want to be a bint about this, but I'm just having trouble wrapping my brain around the fact that she actually did this on purpose. I thought I would be able to …" he didn't know the words.
She helped him with verbalizing his thoughts, "…bed anything with two legs and a pretty smile?"
He snorted and nodded. He wasn't going to say that, but since she obviously felt more comfortable making him out to be a man-whore, he was fine with that too. Afterall, his sexual reputation didn't just materialize out of thin air.
He was going to say that he thought he would be able to enjoy his time memorizing every inch of Hermione's body. He had envisioned them having a small, but lavish wedding with friends and family; her being ripe with child.
Now, he didn't have any of that to look forward to.
"Blaise?" she asked sensing him coming back around.
He looked at her and smiled sheepishly, "sorry," he said.
She smiled at him, forgiving him instantly. She picked up a forkful of cheesecake and looked at him mischievously, "Now, open wide. You are about to taste heaven," she said and gently pushed the chocolate dessert into his open mouth.
The figure in the corner watched Hermione feed Blaise seductively. She had walked in to see the couple staring heatedly at each other. After a moment Hermione whispered his name like a lover.
He mumbled something back and then that's when she fed him the cheesecake. Ginny fumed from the shadows. Blaise was her husband!
Then the vindictive red-head had a thought and rushed back to Gryffindor tower. She, of course missed the last part of the conversation.
Blaise opened his mouth mid-way through swallowing, "wow this is really good," he said, laughing at the face she made at his deplorable table manners.
He finished swallowing, "Hey a little leeway here, I am going to be a father you know!"
She shook her head and took a bite for herself.
They ate the rest chatting quietly and laughing at whatever, their close friendship being reinforced every moment they share. There was no tension or awkward silences, only camaraderie and strength.
***the message
Ginny made it up to the common room in record time. She sat down and scratched a message.
Flint,
You're girlfriend is fucking Blaise Zabini.
A friend
Ten minutes later… Ringing. Dialing.
"Heya," she answered mouthing Marcus to Blaise. Blaise nodded and scraped the plate for any remaining cheesecake.
"I just got an owl that said you were fucking Blaise." He snapped.
She frowned, "No, we're in the kitchens eating chocolate cheesecake talking. Would you like to speak with an elf or will you take my word for it?" she snapped back.
Blaise stopped mid bite and raised his eyebrows.
Silence on the other end of the phone.
"I'm not questioning you, Mya. I only wanted you to know; plus I don't like thinking about it," He mumbled.
She smiled and relaxed, which made Blaise relax. She turned away and whispered, "You're the only one for me Marcus. Did you like getting punished?" she asked.
He groaned at the memory, "yes," he whispered.
"I love your hot tongue on me, Marcus. Love your hands on my breasts. The feel of your lips against mine," she said still whispering.
"Hermione, don't," he warned growling his discontent at her being away from him.
"Don't what? Touch myself?" he groaned again and she giggled.
"I have to go Marcus, I'll talk to you later, okay?" she said and before he could object she hung up the phone and turned towards a very flushed Blaise.
She grimaced embarrassed, "you heard that huh?" she asked.
He took a deep breath, "yeah," he said and opened the door for her.
