Hermione woke up to the sound of boiling water. She stood from the sofa with her wand drawn. She scanned the room and saw Jimin with his hands up in surrender. "Put your wand down."
Hermione smirked. "Why are you up so early?" She took a couple of steps towards him and added, "You are so light on your feet. I didn't hear you walk around."
"I am a dancer." He walked to the kettle to make tea.
"You should still be resting." She watched him intently. "Don't make me force you back to bed."
"No force necessary from you." He continued steeping tea leaves. "I like watching the sun rise." He pointed to the window.
Hermione walked towards the window and glanced at what he was describing. "There's this place that has a better view, I'll take all of you if we neutralize all the threats."
"That sounds good." He poured tea on one mug. "Do you want some?" He offered.
"I read some studies that protein can help with muscle stiffness. I'll be ordering you steak everyday."
Jimin found it cute that she spent time to research for him. "That's sweet of you to consider but I just need to properly warm up and cool down."
"It wouldn't hurt if you intake more protein, omega 3..."
"Hermione, you don't have to worry about me." Jimin caught her gaze and smiled.
"I told you not to look at me like that." Hermione glared then turned away.
"What did I do?" He feigned innocence.
"Your flirty eyes, reserve those for your fans. It's not going to work on me." Hermione avoided looking at him.
Jimin turned his head to the side innocently. "What do you mean?"
She rolled her eyes. "The whole lot of you are flirts. I pity your girlfriends or would be girlfriends."
"I would like to think that they'd be pampered." He argued.
"Pampered but at a cost."
"You speak like there's not a line vying for your attention." He brought her a cup of tea.
"There's no line whatsoever."
"Great. I can be first in line." He smiled playfully.
"I thought you're in a relationship?" She drew the cup to her lips.
"Where did you hear that?"
"Everyone, but mostly Jungkook." She blew on her cup.
"He's the real flirt."
"Sure, but you're the one who has a girlfriend and still flirts with another."
"The girlfriend thing, it's a work in progress." He looked down as a wave of embarrassment rushed through him.
"Okay." She didn't believe him. She looked out the window and stared at the view. "Maybe we shouldn't be so informal with each other anymore. It's raising eyebrows with the other members."
"But you're doing a great job on protecting me, they wouldn't care if we got close." He shrugged.
Hermione sighed. "Imagine if Paul is still assigned to you? You'd die of boredom."
"Definitely not as amusing as you. I'd probably won't be bossed around so much." He mused.
Hermione hit his arm.
"Ow. You forgot about all the patches you put on me last night?"
"I didn't like what you were insinuating."
Jimin put down his cup and massaged his arm. "I'll keep in mind to not get you upset."
She frowned, put down her cup and stood up. "I'll freshen up and get changed. You should do the same. It's almost time for breakfast."
"Okay." Jimin watched as she walked out of his room. Why does the idea of Hermione knowing he was in a kind of relationship bother him so much?
...
Hermione brought RM and Taehyung into Jimin's room. "Jimin? Are you done?" She called out.
"I'm coming." Jimin walked out with a pack of patches. "Taehyungie, help me?"
Taehyung immediately came to his side. "Usual spots?"
"Yeah."
RM walked to them and joined Taehyung in putting patches all over Jimin.
Hermione memorized where they placed the patches.
"Did you know, Hermione is now one of the people who saw his moon tattoos?" Taehyung informed RM.
RM, shocked, turned to face her. "I do apologise for how forward these two are. Sometimes you need to whoop them up to behave."
"It's not a big deal."
"He hasn't shown his moon tattoo in public." RM explained.
"So I'm one of the lucky ones?" She grinned and looked at her watch. "We're running a little late."
"That's normal for Jimin." Taehyung placed another patch on his neck.
Before Jimin could react RM chimed in, "We use his name to say you're late."
"You do have a weakness." Hermione grinned at Jimin.
"Enough, let's go for breakfast." Jimin shooed his members away.
Hermione pulled him discreetly aside, "You sure you're up for today?"
"Yeah. Will put in more stretches."
"There's going to be a masseuse onsite." She informed him.
"When did you get the time to talk with them?"
"I'll talk to them at breakfast." She was pleased to have a reason to mingle with the staff. She then led him out of the door.
...
Hermione took out her phone and search for her last conversation with JM.
H: JM?
She was about to put away her phone expecting a delayed reply. However, her phone buzzed.
JM: Yes?
H: I was wondering if we find time today, what would you be wearing today?
Hermione smiled at how quick he messaged her.
JM: Hmm. I can change clothes. Though I am a bit busy today and I don't think I have time to meet up.
Hermione's phone buzzed again. Jimin noticed. "Are you expecting an important message?"
"Not really." She turned her attention back to her phone.
H: Pity. I heard the artists are going back to rehearse. Was going to dropby if you were going to be there.
She sighed disappointed at his reply.
JM: If that's the case, I'll make something up and come with the rest of the artists.
Hermione's phone buzzed again. She bowed to apologise for having the phone interrupt the silence.
H: Message me the time.
H: And what you're wearing.
JM: Message me what you're wearing.
I can wear something yellow on my wrist.
JM: Why are you suddenly willing to meet me?
H: I feel confused. I need some clarity.
JM: Okay. I'll see when I can leave. Tell me what you'll be wearing.
H: I'll blend in. Jeggings, yellow tank, and side pony.
JM: Interesting. I'll message you the time.
Hermione smiled and put her phone inside her pocket.
Jimin watched her mood changed to a little bit brighter. "Did you get good news?"
"I guess." The elevator doors opened and she held it open for them. She then led them to the room before sitting with Ginny.
"You look perky." Ginny noticed a sparkle in her eye.
Hermione frowned. "Right, I have to find the masseuse to join us." She immediately stood up and went around the room. She already knew who the masseuse was she just wanted to see anyone with yellow wrist or sweatband.
She was careful to look at everyone's wrist be it male or female. She made sure that the last person she approached was the masseuse. To her dismay, she did not see anyone wearing yellow wrist band.
She went back to her table noting the feeling that someone was watching her. She turned to find Jimin was following her every movement. She raised an eyebrow questioningly.
Jimin shook his head and turned his focus to his members.
Hermione returned to her table and reminded her team about precautions and exit strategies.
...
The members reached the same studio a few minutes later than the previous day. The members dropped their things in one corner except for Jimin who wasn't sure where to leave his things.
Hermione came to his side and took his things. She also passed him an extra hair tie in case he wanted one.
"Thank you." He nodded slightly to avoid attention from the others.
"I'll be in my corner. I've set up the masseuse on the other room." She informed him.
Jimin nodded and went to the center of the room. He started stretching on his own to prevent the muscle stiffness similar from yesterday's rehearsal.
Hermione took out her phone and placed it on her lap to ensure that she wouldn't miss any messages or notifications. She turned her gaze back to the members as one by one they followed Jimin with stretches.
She smiled as she saw Taehyung try to stretch to the same extent of Jimin. Jungkook came close but it didn't happen without some trembling. The hyungs stretched to their abilities and didn't over exert themselves.
Hermione was curious how the members will be able to sing and dance. Just by watching them rehearse, she could already feel fatigued with dancing alone.
The next couple of hours was uneventful. The members were putting so much effort and were focused on the choreography. They didn't realize the changes happening within the room.
Hermione had a strange feeling and asked to trade places with Ginny. She drew out her wand. She gave knowing glances to Paul and Ginny and focused her attention on the door. She steadied her breathing to calm the pounding of her heart. She heard her phone vibrate, she didn't get to read the message it received. She stood in front of the door and shouted. "Back! Everyone, back up." She cast the protego totalum just as the doors burst open.
A formidable wizard tried to break the spell.
"Gin! There's more than one."
"I got this." She went to Jimin's side and instructed, "Go to her."
Jimin looked at her confused.
She gave him a little push, "Go."
Jimin looked to his members who were just as confused.
"Jimin, stay behind me." Hermione urged him closer.
Jimin followed the instruction. He turned to see Ginny cast her own spell, enveloping her, the other members and the staff.
"Hold on to me." Hermione said with gritted teeth.
Jimin put his hand on her shoulder.
Hermione put force on the spell which pushed the wizard out of balance. She quickly turned around, pulled Jimin close and disapparated together but not before another wizard arrived who casts a spell.
Hermione felt a pinch on her back. She apparated to a small dark store. She grabbed Jimin's hand and walked out of the store to a cafe. They went to the back and disapparated. They appeared in a toilette of a mall. Hermione led the disoriented Jimin to a shoe store and went to their changing stalls. She pulled out a piece of paper which she had him read before destroying it. Then they disapparated once again.
They apparated finally at a dark cottage. Hermione dropped on the floor. She laid on her back heaving from exhaustion. She turned to Jimin. "Are you okay?"
Jimin looked pale and felt even worse but he nodded. "I don't think I'm hurt."
Hermione nodded and closed her eyes. "Did you bring your phone?"
Jimin nodded and showed it to her.
Hermione took hers out. "Take out both battery and sim."
"I have electronic sim and the battery can't be taken out."
Hermione sat up and cast a spell to open both their phones and took out the batteries. She put her wand down, confused why she was so exhausted. She'd done more jumps and spells before.
"This is a safe house for Aurors. You don't need to worry about anything." She reassured him.
Jimin nodded. "How about the other members?"
"You were the main cause of threat. I took you away from them. They should be okay." She smirked. She felt numbness spreading from her back. "Jimin, can you check if there's a wound on my back?"
"There's a red spot on your shirt." He described.
Hermione took off her shirt revealing a yellow tank top. "Can you see more clearly?"
Jimin carefully pulled the tank down. "There's a spot which looked like a prick from an injection. There's swelling around it."
"Is there puss or any substance coming out aside from blood?"
"I don't think so."
"Jimin, at the rate I'm in, I'm going to pass out soon. I need you to go down there's a door leading to food crops. At the end of that room there's another door. It will lead you to our medicinal plants." Hermione took deep breaths as she felt the beginnings of migraine.
"Hermione? Are you feeling alright?" Jimin moved to face her.
"There's a plant at the farthest side with blue leaves." She paused to let the pounding in her head pass.
Jimin collected her in his arms. "Just point and I'll get the plant."
Hermione didn't have the strength to argue.
Jimin followed her earlier instruction. He went down into a room and then proceeded to the medicinal plants. Hermione stayed quiet in his arms as he searched for the plant with the blue leaves." Is this it? " He turned so she could clearly see the plant.
Hermione nodded. "Leaves and roots." She was able to communicate.
Jimin nodded. He momentarily put her down and navigated her so that she draped on his back. He grabbed the pot with the plant and made it back up. He placed the pot at a table and put Hermione softly on a sofa. Her eyes were closed, a soft groan escaped her lips.
"I'll make paste out of the leaves and steep the roots?" He was hopeful that she could give him directions.
Hermione nodded slightly. "Boil... root... two hours."
"Got it."
"Jimin." She called before he left her side. "If I don't wake up in 24hours, I have a button in my back pocket, press it."
"Why not do it now?" He tried to reach her pocket.
"No one should know where you are. Please."
"Okay." He said reluctantly. He left her side and followed her instructions. He brought the plant to the kitchen area and placed a couple of cleaned roots in a pot to boil. He didn't wear a watch and remembered that she had one on.
He went to her and carefully removed her watch. "Will use this to time the root. He explained. He was really worried, the color drained from her face.
He quickly worked on the paste by grinding the leaves with a mortar and pestle. When he was satisfied at the thickness, he went to Hermione. He moved her so he could see her wound. He placed a generous amount on her wound and the swelling around it.
He never felt so useless. He wished Harry or Ron was here to help her. This was the second time she got hurt for him. He didn't like seeing her hurt.
He paced back and forth to the sofa and the kitchen. Hoping that things improve. He had no way of contacting anyone and was scared he made things worse for Hermione.
At the last couple of minutes to the end of the second hour, he stood in front of the pot. He turned the stove off at exactly two hours. He searched for a cup and poured a small portion in it.
He carefully brought it to Hermione who had beads of sweat on her forehead. He placed the cup on the floor. He helped her sit up, her back on his chest. "Hermione." He called her name to get her to open her eyes. "I have the root extract." She moaned but didn't open her eyes. "You have to drink it, please." He begged. He reached for the cup and placed it on her lips. "Hermione, please." He tried to force her mouth open but she resisted. He placed the cup back on the floor and let her slide back down on the sofa.
He quickly went back to the kitchen looking for a straw but only saw a spoon. He went back to the sofa and pulled her to a sitting position, this time leaning on the sofa. He scooped up some liquid into the spoon and offered it to Hermione. "Just a little bit, please." He caressed her face to wake her up.
She groaned and turned away from him.
Jimin attempted a few more times but she didn't budge. He was desperate. He took the cup and poured the liquid in his mouth. He grimaced at the taste. He placed his hand on her jaw, trying to open her mouth. When she didn't move, his hand moved down to her arms, gently caressing them. Her head move, her chin turned up making her lips protrude. He moved his face closer to hers. He breathed in her fragrance letting his nose touch her skin. She gasped subconsciously. Jimin took this opportunity and placed his lips on hers. She opened her mouth for him, when she tasted something bitter. Her eyes flew open and saw Jimin's face. She felt his tongue entering her mouth. A moan escaped her lips, a little from the pain and more from the electricity she felt from the kiss.
Jimin felt her respond and quickly debated whether to continue or give her more of the extract. He then felt her hand gently pushing him. He broke the kiss and stared at her. "You wouldn't drink the extract." He explained.
Hermione was a little flushed. "Where's the rest?" She forced herself awake.
"Finish this cup and I'll get some more in the kitchen." He looked at her warily not trusting her to drink the extract on her own.
"I'll wait for you. I swear." Hermione saw the doubt in his eyes.
"If you won't, I'll use the button." He threatened.
Hermione smiled.
He rushed to the kitchen to grab a new cup. He poured the liquid carefully to the cup and made long strands back to her side. "Here you go."
"Jimin, I don't know what type of poison was placed in me. Tonight's going to be rough. I'll lock myself in a room. There's food here that you can cook. There's instant noodles as well if you can't cook." She tried to stand on her own.
"Hold on. If you lock yourself, how do I get to your button? What about cleaning your wound and putting fresh paste. Also, what about the root extract?"
"I'll manage." She insisted.
"Don't lock yourself in. I'll bring food too." He offered his arm for support. "Luckily I can cook."
"You don't have to take care of me. It should be the other way around."
"I'm doing this for selfish reasons. Who will protect me when you're locked up in a room?" He reasoned.
"Fine. I don't want you to make a fuss." Her knees buckled luckily he caught her.
He lifted her into her arms. "Tell me where to go."
She pointed to a room across the kitchen. He brought her to the room and placed her carefully on the bed.
"Thank you." She smiled genuinely. "I'll rest for a bit."
Jimin nodded and decided to explore the cottage. He promised to cook for her and wanted to see what ingredients was available.
...
Hermione woke up with a manageable headache. She let her eyes adjust to the sunlight. She was about to stretch her arms when she felt an arm around her.
She glanced back to see who was hugging her. She was shocked to see Jimin, sleeping soundly at her back. She tried to move out of his embrace without waking him but failed miserably.
Jimin woke and saw her looking intently at him. He withdraw his hand and sat up.
"You're naked?" Her eyes widened in shock.
Jimin stood up and reached for his shirt on the floor. "I'm not naked naked." He put his shirt on.
"What were you even doing in my bed?"
"You were so cold to the touch last night. If you didn't breathe or moaned, I'd have used your button." He sat back down on the bed. "I piled on all the blankets I found, but it wasn't helping. I remembered someone telling me that shared body heat can keep each other warm." He watched her deciding whether to believe him. "You stopped shivering. I slipped out of your bed but you started trembling. I decided to stay and explain in the morning."
They were in silence for a few minutes when Hermione sighed. "Have you eaten at all?"
"I made soup. I tried feeding you but you didn't want to eat."
"Good thing you didn't kiss me again to force feed me."
Jimin's face turned crimson. "You said you were poisoned. I wanted to make sure you drink the extract."
"I'm only teasing you." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "Thank you for last night. Good thing you didn't think about having sex, that generally gives out more heat."
"You're still teasing me right?" Jimin looked away from her.
"You're adorable." She captured his gaze. "I'm feeling better now. I'm really no good with cooking."
"I can make some porridge."
"Can you make pancakes instead?" She smiled at him.
"I can do that." He stood from the bed and left for the kitchen.
Hermione searched for her wand to fix up her bedding and folded the extra blankets. She then turned to another room. She went to a cabinet and took a shirt and pants that looked like would fit him the best. She summoned new packs of underwear and laid it with clothes on the bed. "Jimin, can you come here?"
Jimin came to the room with a bowl. He was busy whisking the pancake batter. He leaned on the door frame. "Did you want something?"
"You can stay in this room while we're in hiding." She gave him the pile of clothes. "You can wear these temporarily."
Jimin put the bowl on a dresser and unfolded a shirt. "These are more oversized than I'm used to."
Hermione grinned in agreement. "Hold on. I think I might have something." She left the room with Jimin close behind her. They went back to her room and reached for a box under the bed. She rummaged through the box and found a shirt tucked in a clothes bag. "Here. This should fit you better." She gave the bag to him without opening it.
Jimin took the the clothing out of the bag and measure it across his chest. It was a shirt with the logo of Chudley Cannons. "You've kept it safe in a bag. It must be special for you?" He asked.
"It's old. That's why it's in a bag." She didn't want to explain further.
"Okay. I'll take good care of it. Thank you."
...
Later that day, Hermione sat on the sofa. Without a distraction, she was forced to think about what happened the other day.
She remember feeling dizzy and the next moment she woke up to someone pressing their lips on her. She rembered how her lips moved instinctively and allowed his tongue inside her mouth. She could remember the bitter taste of the root extract but it was immediately washed over by the soft yet purposeful movement of his tongue. She rembered opening her eyes and seeing his almost closed eyes. She could remember how musky his scent had been, his one hand slowly and expertly moved up and down her arm and the other was planted firmly at her back.
Hermione shook her head. 'Stop it. He didn't mean anything of it. He only wanted to give you the extract.'
Feeling frustrated, she sighed and laid on the sofa. "It's also been long since I've been intimate with someone." She didn't mean to say it out loud.
"Is that an invitation?" Jimin joined her in the living area, drying his hair fresh from a shower in the shirt she lent him.
"Maybe." She said coyly. "Pity I have a rule against dating clients."
Jimin frowned, "Pity I'm in a relationship." He sat next to her.
She rolled her eyes. "The arrogance of this man."
"I'm confident not arrogant." He stared enticingly.
"If that kiss was the reason for your confidence, it wasn't much of an accomplishment. I was unwell."
"Now you're challenging me." He gazed into her eyes.
"Stop staring at me that way." She hit him playfully.
Suddenly, Ron apparated with a bag of clothes. "Harry sent me..." He went silent from what he saw.
Hermione stood with her wand drawn. "Ron?"
"I brought change of clothes." He turned to Jimin and his face turned red. "What is that?" He posed the question at Hermione.
"Ron..." She walked to him and pushed him to her room.
"Why is he wearing that?" Ron's voice boomed from the room.
Hermione pushed him on the bed. "Ron, what's wrong?"
"I gave that shirt to you." His eyes was full of hurt.
"I couldn't keep it. It's full of memories." Her eyes started to tear up.
"So you give it to another man!?!" He shouted, unable to contain his anger.
"I lent it to him. It was the only thing that fit him properly. I was going to return it to you."
"Return? It doesn't even fit me anymore."
"I couldn't just throw it away."
"It's the first item we shared. How could you even think of throwing it away?"
"Was I supposed to put it in a shrine? A reminder of what I lost?" She turned around trying to hide her tears.
He moved in front of her and lifted her chin so that they were staring at each other. "I lost you too." He gently wiped away her tears.
Hermione buried her face on his chest.
Ron ran his hand in her hair to calm her down. He kissed the top of her head inhaling her familiar scent. "I think I scared him out of his wits."
She chuckled in his arms.
"Keep the shirt. You might want to use it again in the future." He whispered.
"I never meant to hurt you with the shirt."
"I know. I don't think I'll survive seeing you with another man."
"You will. I am... barely, but surviving." She finally looked up to him.
"I broke up with her."
She frowned.
"I told you, I'd deal with it." He smiled down at her. "Now that I'm without a partner, the least you can do is, you know?" He winked at her then nodded towards the bed.
She pushed him away.
"What?" He chuckled. "Don't you think I should be compensated?"
"I didn't ask you to dump her."
"You didn't have to." He smiled genuinely. "If you do find another man, tell me immediately so I can get her back." He teased.
"Ass." She glared at him. "Shall we?" She didn't wait for his response, she went back to living area where Jimin was rummaging through the bag without a shirt on. He had taken off the shirt which was placed neatly on the sofa.
Hermione frowned at Ron. He exhaled loudly and took the Chudley Cannons shirt and threw it at Jimin. "Just wash it after."
Jimin turned to Hermione who urged him to wear it. He put the shirt back on. "I didn't mean to get in between you two."
"You just saw a preview oh how toxic our relationship has become." She winked at Ron who just raised an eyebrow.
"Anyway, we've apprehended three wizards from yesterday's encounter. So far, we found out that there is a hit put out on Jimin. We haven't found out the reason or who put the hit."
"Did you give Veritaserum?"
"So far, they're all professionals who were able to prevent themselves from releasing any information, even permanently."
Jimin listened attentively and couldn't believe there's someone who'd want to hurt him so much that they'd hire professional mercenaries.
Hermione motioned for Ron to stop. "Jimin, I'll finish the conversation with Ron." She told him softly.
"No. I need to hear everything." Jimin focused his attention at Ron.
"I'm actually here to get some hair strands from both of you."
"Who's going to pose as me?" Hermione realized they were planning to use polyjuice.
"Me." He tried to contain his laughter.
She looked daggers at him.
"What? Would you rather let someone take your image? What if they defiled themselves."
She summoned an umbrella to hit Ron on the head.
"Hey!"
"I don't think I understand?" Jimin asked.
"They're going to bait themselves as us to draw out the mercenaries." Hermione explained.
"How many do you think there are out there?"
"We'll find out soon enough." Ron answered. "For now, you'll have to stay here. You have good company." He winked at her.
"Can you bring some desserts next time?" Hermione's sweet tooth was showing.
"If I get the time. But I'll pass it along to Harry." He looked at the couple. "What are you eating? Hermione cannot cook to save her life."
She glared at him. "You should talk."
"I can cook." Jimin interjected.
"I thought you had a personal chef or something." Ron sounded impressed.
"Maybe with the desserts, you can bring some Korean spices or pastes."
"Will mention to Harry as well." He went to Hermione's side. "Do you want me to pull strands from you or do you want to do it?"
Hermione pulled from the back and gave it to Ron.
Jimin followed suite and gave his hair to Ron.
"You two, behave. I'll be back unannounced." He nodded his farewell to them and disapparated.
Hermione smiled awkwardly at Jimin, embarrassed for seeing her lose her cool twice.
...