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CHAPTER 42.
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Ginny gulped.
Of all days possible, this Romanian female dragon tamer had chosen today to surprise Charlie with a visit.
Ginny had full confidence in Charlie when he was against a dragon. He was way too good at his job. And never had a dragon won against him.
So Ginny had never feared much for the safety of her brother. But today, she feared, for the first time for Charlie.
The blaze that she could see in Nikita's eyes would put any dragon's firebreath to shame.
And Charlie visibly shrunk in front of her poisonous look.
"Nikita!" he barely managed to squeak.
"Hello Charles." She said icily.
Her icy demeanor probably came off as sexy indifference to those present in the room. So no one seemed perturbed by it.
But Charlie and Ginny instantly flinched at the sound. And Charlie knew well that when Nikita called him Charles, it meant that bad things happened.
"Fancy seeing you here." Charlie said, trying hard to seem normal.
"Won't you introduce us to your friend, Charlie?" Ron asked, still not knowing who she really was.
"Let me introduce myself", she said with fake enthusiasm. "I am Nikita Trahlen. I work with Charlie in Romania. He is my ex-boyfriend." She said the last part rather pleasantly, looking at Charlie directly.
The room went silent when she said that, she seemed to have picked the awkward mood and said, " but we are still good friends, aren't we Charles? He's told me so much about you all. It's a pleasure to finally meet you all."
Everyone seemed to relax after that and Bill asked her, "it's great to meet you too Nikita. Charlie did not tell us that you were coming."
"Oh that's because he didn't know." She said looking coolly towards Charlie who was still in Hermione's clutches. "I meant to surprise him, but looks like I got surprised rather well myself."
Ginny and Charlie shifted uncomfortably in their places, reading between her lines.
"Ron said you were looking Charlie, didn't you have the address?" George asked.
"Actually no. I never thought I should have asked him. But he's told all about the joke shop in Diagon Alley and I was keen to check it out. So I thought I could look around and then ask for Charlie. That's where I met Ron and he kindly offered to bring me here." Nikita answered.
"Come on then! We'll introduce ourselves to you since Charlie seems to be a rubbish host to his friend." Percy said, frowning at Charlie.
Charlie continued to look distressed and Hermione whispered, "So? She's very pretty."
Charlie just nodded and looked on as everyone tried to talk to the newcomer.
Percy had taken it upon himself to formally introduce everyone to her.
And as he came toward Ginny, Ginny almost had to force herself to smile, although it looked like she was swallowing her teeth.
"Nice to meet you." She managed rather unconvincingly.
Percy gave her a chiding look.
"And this is Harry Potter! He is Ginny's husband." Percy said.
Nikita's expression changed to one of wonder and respect and she looked at Harry silently, sizing him up through her intense grey eyes.
Ginny almost thought that she was checking her husband out. But she was so used to people gawking at Harry, that she instantly dismissed her doubts.
"Harry Potter. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Of course I've heard of you. I just never thought that the pleasure of meeting you would exceed normal expectations." She said huskily.
Harry blushed under her watchful, unrelenting gaze.
He was never good with attention. He absolutely hated being at the receiving end of attention.
"Likewise Nikita. Charlie doesn't bring home people from work much. It sure is nice to meet some of his friends." Harry said politely.
Percy touched Nikita's elbow, gesturing that they should complete the round of introductions before settling to make conversation.
"I would love to chat more Harry. I'll be looking for you once Percy is done with the introductions. Or maybe you could find your way to me. That would be nice, no?" She said simply but very bluntly as if there would be nothing that would deter her from talking to him at length later.
"Uh... Sure Nikita." Harry said a little taken aback by her piercing gaze.
Then to Ginny's horror and Harry and Percy's shock, she slowly came very close to Harry's ear, kissed his cheek next to the ear and kissed his other cheek too close to his lips before leaving to be introduced to Fred.
Harry looked a bit embarrassed and Ginny was rooted to the floor.
That did not just happen. That was definitely not normal fan behavior. Fans seem to fluster and giggle around Harry. They did not ooze confidence and hold their own in front of the war hero. And they most certainly did not kiss a married man and insinuate that they had interest in him.
Ginny was so shocked that Charlie's girlfriend would behave this way, that anger also could not find its way through her shock.
Her normally sharp mind was reduced to an angry jealous one that usually prevented her from thinking rationally.
Else she would have without a doubt questioned the coincidence of Charlie's girlfriend being present here since she had never ventured here before, even with Charlie.
Percy finally reached Charlie, after finishing his round of introductions.
"And this is Hermione Granger. She is Harry and Ron's best friend." Percy said.
Percy wondered how else he should introduce Hermione. Because she was perched on Charlie's arm throughout the evening, but they had not announced anything yet. So he left it at that and graciously excused himself, saying that Charlie could take it from here.
Charlie so did not want to take it from here. Nikita had introduced himself as his ex-girlfriend. That was her way of telling Charlie that things were over between them. He grimaced at the thought of re-introducing Hermione to her.
But turned out that he really need not have bothered. Before he could say anything, Hermione had extended her free arm to Nikita and said, "Hey Nikita. As Percy said, I'm Hermione. Charlie's present girlfriend." She laughed, thinking it was funny.
Nikita laughed too, but it lacked any humor.
Merlin kill me now. Charlie thought.
"Nice to meet you. I know now why Charles decided to stay at home for a while longer. He never takes leave otherwise." Nikita mentioned, looking pointedly at Charlie.
"Is that so?" Hermione said, her eyes widening in excitement. "Charlie! You did not tell me. Were you planning all this ever since you came back?"
Charlie just looked on, not trusting himself to say anything.
Hermione continued, "Oh. That's so sweet. He has been extremely thoughtful. He took me to Paris for our first date! "
"Really?" Nikita asked, glaring at Charlie. "Funny. That seems to be his favourite first date place. Let me guess. La Beau Monde?"
Hermione's eyes widened more, "How did you know?"
"Been there done that." Nikita shrugged.
Hermione's eyes returned to her normal size and she nodded.
Charlie was getting way too uncomfortable by now. He was not wearing a tie but he may as well be wearing one that was slowly choking him to death.
"Um ladies, would you like something to drink?" Charlie asked, desperate for some reprieve.
"Oh thank you Charlie. I would love some gooseberry juice." Hermione answered.
"I'd like firewhiskey." Nikita said.
Charlie gulped. The inevitable row that would happen later held no excitement for him. But now with Nikita shooting firewhiskey into her system, it held even less of an appeal. She was a fighter after a few glasses of firewhiskey. If his experience had taught him anything, it was that never ever argue with Nikita when she was having alcohol.
"Sure", he said unsettlingly.
As he tried to pry his hand away from that of Hermione's, Hermione leaned forward and pressed her body against his, and gave him a long kiss along his jaw.
He stiffened immediately, not at all enjoying this like any normal male would. But then again which normal male would enjoy a kiss from his pretend girlfriend when his real girlfriend was standing barely a feet away and glaring daggers at you?
"Come soon." Hermione whispered, loud enough for Nikita to hear as well.
He looked between his old and new girlfriends, sighing and wanting to do anything but come soon!
"So", Hermione turned towards Nikita, smiling at her. "Charlie has not told me anything about you. In fact, besides his dragons he barely talks about anything else."
"I'm sure he doesn't." Nikita retorted.
Ginny looked at Hermione and Nikita talking to each other. It had been a couple of minutes since Charlie had left and she doubted he would be joining them again anytime soon.
She decided to go and join them, partly because she wanted to assess the damage caused and partly because she wanted to figure out what kind of person Nikita was.
She was surprised to see that Nikita and Hermione were actually having a civil conversation and actually managed a laugh or two in between also.
"Does he absentmindedly twirl your hair too when he's thinking about something deeply?" Nikita asked Hermione.
Hermione laughed, "Yes he so does that. I hit him the first few times and forbade him from doing that. My hair is nasty as it is. I don't need him twirling it to make it more unmanageable for me."
What? When did Charlie get a chance to twirl Hermione's hair? This was getting ridiculous. Charlie's lead women were actually discussing him and his mannerisms together like they were discussing a movie.
"But I love it when he runs his hands through my hair purposely. So soothing." Hermione said.
"Hmmm. You're right. I usually blackmail him to massage my scalp soon after." Nikita chuckled.
Ginny turned a sick shade of green for the second time in the evening. It was bad enough that her best friend was discussing her brother with her. But it was simply mortifying to be standing here with Charlie's ex and present girlfriend while they exchanged notes about Charlie.
"Hi Ginny! We were just discussing how similar Charlie is with his women." Nikita said pleasantly.
Ginny looked gob smacked. "Umm. Great. I gather that you'll are enjoying the comparison then."
"Very much. Though Charlie's learnt some new moves since me." Nikita offered.
Eew. Too much information. Ginny cringed.
Hermione almost let out a chuckle. She didn't know how much more she would be able to control.
Luckily Luna arrived and the awkwardness of the moment dissipated only to raise more awkwardness since this was Luna after all.
"Hermione! I'm so glad to hear about you and Charlie. Sorry about the other Fred though. But looks like you and Charlie have gotten close." Luna said dreamily.
Ginny shuffled on her feet, cursing her decision to join this group and wanting to be anywhere but here.
"Yes Lu. Thanks a lot. I realized how sweet Charlie can be and decided why not? Even Nikita here tells me that dating Charlie can be quite fun. He was amazing to her while it lasted." Hermione said.
Nikita nodded in agreement. "Yes. And soon you'll realize all other aspects in which he's amazing too, Hermione."
Ginny gagged and Luna looked undisturbed. Barely anything rattled that blonde.
Hermione blushed and said softly, "I know Nikita. I'm quite lucky to have him. I'm thinking of taking up his offer to visit Romania during the vacation."
Ginny wanted to hit someone! What a mess! What in the world was wrong with Hermione? Firstly she breaks up with Fred. And then gets on with Charlie. Now she's having a civil and pleasant conversation with her so called new boyfriend's ex and also discussing her love life and her physical love life too with her and gushing over the similarities in their relationship. And that too in front of his sister!
She really needed to talk to Charlie. But first she needed to talk some sense into Hermione.
Nikita excused herself to go fetch her own drink since Charlie obviously had forgotten and Luna was whisked away by Fleur and Angelina who wanted to hear about her honeymoon.
"Hermione are you mad? What has gotten into you?" Ginny yelled.
Hermione gave her an odd look and asked, "What do you mean?"
"That's Charlie's girlfriend for Merlin's sake." Ginny sighed.
"Ex-girlfriend Ginny, ex being the operative word." Hermione retorted, looking not at all bothered by Ginny's slip.
"Um yeah. But still. What is up with you? I've never seen you so comfortable with any guy before let alone in the presence of his ex-girlfriend!" Ginny chastised.
Hermione brought a dreamy look onto her and said, "What can I say? Charlie is beyond wonderful!"
Ginny blanched at her statement, thinking it was best to leave before Hermione started her rants about Charlie again. Sure, they were friends and had girly chats, but really, Charlie was her brother after all. And she had had her quota of discomfort for the day.
She shook her head in disgust and Hermione bit her tongue to keep herself from laughing till Ginny left in a huff.
Ginny was really beginning to wonder if Hermione had in fact lost her mind. She wasn't the types to jump into a new relationship the moment an old one was over. Let alone allow Ginny to set her up. And her tryst with Charlie seemed so... So... Weird, for lack of a better word.
The Hermione she knew would fight and fight before she would decide that she in fact wanted a boyfriend. So this unusual display of affection towards Charlie and prompt acceptance of the relationship had left Ginny wondering.
Also, meeting his ex girlfriend should have been an embarrassing and guilty experience for Hermione. But here she was, chirping away happily as if nothing in the world could go wrong.
It seemed so surreal. Actually on second thoughts it seemed completely unreal. Ginny wondered for a moment if she was being pranked or under the imperius or something. She immediately dismissed these disturbing thoughts out of her mind.
She couldn't grasp the fact that Hermione was acting so strangely. Something was definitely wrong and she was up to something. Her head still hurting from all this nonsensical drama the evening had brought along with it, she decided to give herself a break and observe Fred, Hermione and Charlie a bit more after dinner.
She decided to look for Harry instead. She turned around and found him chatting with none other than Nikita.
She bristled when she remembered the tone and all that she has insinuated from it when she had been introduced to Harry.
Ginny narrowed her eyes to get a closer look at her husband and the shrew.
Nikita was undeniably close to Harry, clearly disregarding his personal space from the look of discomfort that Harry had etched on his face.
Gathering her resolve and slow mounting anger, she marched towards her husband and the shrew but not before she seductively laughed and whispered something in Harry's ear with her hand daintily circling the opposite side of his neck and gathering its way into his messy black locks.
Forgetting everything about how weird and fishy the evening had turned out to be, Ginny's eyes flashed angrily at the scene unfolding in front of her. What added fuel to the fire was that Harry himself was laughing with her now.
Raging ahead like a horse with blinders on, she failed to notice Charlie charge ahead toward them as well.
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Who likes Nikita?
I bet Ginny doesn't. Hahaha
looks like the borther-sister duo are jealous! serves them right?
Poor Harry! Savior of the wizarding world being exploited like that!
And how genius of the twins to use the fact that if ginny got jealous, she would stop thinking coherantly!
coz otherwise, hermione's behaviour would be a dead give away!
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter too!
And thanks to all you wonderful readers and reviewers of mine!
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p.s. - if you're reading this story even after its complete, reviews would be more than welcome!
they help me to write better and i frankly just love hearing from my readers!
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