He What…

Disclaimer: Ii do not own any of the characters in this story. That all belongs to J.K. Rowling.

'I'll be with you in a moment.' a voice from the back of the store rang out.

'That's fine, I'll be looking around.'

'Oh, sorry for the wait just trying to finish a glued edge.'

'Granger?'

'Nott? Good to see you again and it's Hermione.'

'Theo, I was wondering if you could repair this?' as he pulled a book out of a bag.

'Oh.' as she grabbed it and placed it in a glass case. 'Sorry it is infested with Papuris Shredaris, I need to get them off first.' as she tapped her wand on the case and a small cyclone appeared. She then attached a vial to collect the dust. 'Calissa, can you take this to Luna please?' as and owl appeared, Hermione removed the vial and tied it to the owls leg. 'Where did you find that book?'

'In my attic, why?'

'Well luckily, it's not been in your library, you have an infestation. Luna will be contacting you to get them taken care of.' as she pulled the bug free book from the case. 'Oh, it is, or was a beautiful book. I can fix this right up for you.' as she flipped the pages.

'And the rest of the poor mates in the attic?' Theo smiled.

'I can do them as well. So how have you been since Hogwarts?'

'Fine, I'm the new coach for the Chudley Cannons.'

'Oh, well you have your work cut out for you. I've heard they are the worse team in the league.'

'Yea, that's why they hired me. I kick arse and fire the ones failing.'

'So, Ron might be off team soon?'

'Oh, is that going to ruin the chance of me getting my books repaired, firing your boyfriend?'

'Boyfriend? Oh merlins no. We are just friends. I just have the pleasure of hearing him harp on about quidditch statistics. So, your repairs will be done in a timely manner.' Hermione grinned.

'Oh, to hear him talk you two are getting married this summer?'

'He wishes and his mum has tried to plan our wedding for years now.'

'Are you dating anyone?'

'Um.' as she blushed. 'No, I try to keep out of the limelight.'

'Well, I would like to take you out to dinner, and I will pick a quite out of the way place.' he grinned. 'What don't want to be seen with a Slytherin?' as he grinned again.

'No, you know better than that. I'm just wondering why?'

'Why what? Why would I ask you out? Well, you are intelligent, can hold a decent conversation and beautiful when you're flustered.'

'Fine, what works for you? You're the one with a schedule.'

'How about tonight?'

~o~

'So where are we?' Hermione asked as they apparated to a small town.

'Windermere, there is a small family restaurant I like to frequent.' as he opened the front door.

'Theodore, it's about time. I haven't seen you in a month.' as a small lady bustled over to them.

'Nana, this is my friend Hermione Granger.'

'Oh, the Hermione Granger? That help kill the bastard.' she grinned.

'Yes Nana, she helped.' as he grinned.

'Miss. You will eat for free.'

'Nana, I always eat for free.'

'No, you silly boy, she will always eat here for free, with or without you.' as she playfully slapped his arm. 'Please follow me Miss. Only the best table for you.' as she toddled to a table in the corner, as they sat down. 'I will give you a minute to look at the menu.' she turned and closed the curtains.

'Wow, you got the private table. As you can tell Nana adores you. So, whatever you want you can have.' Theo grinned.

'So how has life been since the war?' Theo asked.

'Well, I went back to Hogwarts and helped rebuild by helping Ms. Pince repair the books in the library and when they opened back up I got my NEWTS.'

'Of course.' he grinned, they paused long enough to give the waitress their order.

'Then I started in the ministry, worked on elf, werewolf and centaur regulations. During that time Ron and I had the final blow up after I caught him and Lavender shagging. So, I moved out of the Burrow. Mr. Carthage said since I was helping out at Read Me Books I might as well live there, so I moved into the apartment over the book shop.'

'So worked at the ministry and a book shop?' Theo said as their food was delivered.

'I was in there one day and someone had come in needing a book repaired and Mr. Carthage didn't offer that service, so I offered to do the repair. So that is how that started but as my work at the ministry came to a close, I started to help out at the shop more and more, so Mr. Carthage hired me full time. When he passed, he left the shop and building to me. So I'm the proud owner of Read Me Books.'

'How is business with Flourish and Blots down the street?'

'Well lucky for me I'm muggle born… I brought in muggle books, romance and how to books. My biggest patron is Mr. Weasley of course, he can spend hours in there reading and then I have a lot of pureblood wives too.'

'Really how?' he asked.

'Romance novels.' as she pulled a small paperback book out of her bag, a half-naked man donned the cover. Theo opened the book and started to read out loud.

'She backed into him impaling herself.' he sputtered as a blush creeped up his face. 'They read this…?'

'Well, when you have an arranged marriage and most likely not getting any… yea I have quite a following, I started a take a book home program, as having a room of flushed ladies sitting around is not …'

'Appropriate?'

'Yea, hey maybe you can help me… pick out some sport books?'

'Sports?'

'Basketball, baseball, football all muggle sports but I think they might be another game for the non-flying kids to get into.'

'Yea, sure, oh Mags I didn't know you were working tonight?' as he introduced the lady to his side. 'This is my aunt Maggie.'

'Oh, Nana called me in saying you have brought a lady in and you never bring in….'

'Oi, Hermione has offered to fix all of those books in the attic.' Theo huffed. 'Well, I'll ask you, would you read this?' as he handed the book over to his aunt. She opened it and started to read.

'Oh,' as she flipped some pages. 'Oh. Yes, where do I find these?' as she looked up to Hermione. 'Nana come here a minute.' as she flipped some more pages.

'Mags! Nana does not read that kind of stuff…' Theo huffed.

'What stuff?' as Nana came up to the table and grabbed the book.

'Oh.' as she blushed. 'And where did you find this?' Nana asked the table.

'I'm sorry I carry them at my shop.' Hermione whispered.

'And where is this shop?' Nana asked.

'Read Me Books in Diagon Ally.'

'When will you be open again?'

'Oi Nana? You like the book?' Theo blushed.

'Oi I might be old but I'm not dead. We will be over sometime this week to buy some books.' Nan spoke getting a nod from Mags.

'Oh, you don't have to buy them Hermione has a borrow program.' he huffed

'Oh, even better a reason to visit more often. Oh, sweetheart what do you want for dessert? I have a homemade vanilla cake with fresh strawberries over it?'

'That does sound nice and keep the book and trade it in when you come in.' Hermione blushed at the look on Theo's face, as the two women bustled off. 'Well now that I have thoroughly embarrassed you. How has life gone for you since the war?'

'Well, I ended up playing quidditch for the Falmouth Falcons. I somehow figured out I was not enjoying playing the game so I started to help the coach and found my calling. I was just signed on to get the Chudley Cannons up to snuff. I have been running them thru drills, I don't know what the last coach did but this team needs help and lots of it, some of them are a little too star struck or want to be the star to work together.'

'Let me guess… Ron?' Hermione asked.

'He showboats more than necessary especially when the female fans are around.' Theo scowled. 'He would do better if he…'

'Just put his mind to the job at hand?' she grinned.

'But if you can get his focus on the game he will do well, he tends to get distracted easily.'

'That is what I'm trying, I have closed the practice to visitors. The rest of them just need more structure. I'm sorry I shouldn't be harping on about quidditch.'

'Oh no it's fine you talk about the game and your job, Ron just harped on about stats and the wonky faint.' Theo burst out laughing.

'Sorry I shouldn't laugh but wonky faint, I love it.' as he got his laughter under control.

'Well, that is all I ever heard how many… but he never could describe it correctly for me to really care.' Hermione grinned.'

'Well, it is where the player pretends to see the snitch down low to the ground and dives for it, hoping that the opposing team's seeker sees him and follows. At the last minute he pulls up and if the other seeker is not watching close enough, he crashes into the ground. The Wronski Feint.' Theo grinned.

'Well see if you can describe it correctly, I'm interested. You talk about the team and what you are doing to help them, not stats I do not need to know how many catches Krum did, just that he successively preformed the wonky faint.'

'Well, I will promise not to talk about stats.' Theo smiled. 'If I promise, can I see you again?'

'Well, you will be seeing me again when you drop off and pick up your books.' Hermione grinned.

'I meant a second date?' he flustered.

'Oh, yes I would like that' Hermione blushed as Mags brought a large piece of cake in, Hermione took a bite. 'Oh, Mags please tell Nana this is…absolutely divine.' Mags smiled and left. 'Oh, here try it.' as she held a bite out. Theo leaned forward and took the offering.

'Um, yes very good. Not sure if it is because it is good or that a beautiful witch is feeding it to me.' Theo wiggled his eyebrows. Hermione blushed at this comment.

~o~

'Hey, Miya, Sorry I just seems to fit.' Mags blushed.

'I like it, Miya.' Theo spoke up.

'Well, it's way better than Mione, so I will allow it.' she said with a grin. 'Glad to see you and Nana here.'

'Oi what about me?' Theo sputtered.

'Well as I saw you yesterday and will be seeing you tonight. Over here ladies,' as she showed them the romance section. 'When you bring a book back just run your finger down the spine and whenever you come back you will be able to see the books you have already read.' as she waved her hand over the shelf in front of them and most of the books glowed.

'You have read all of those?' Nana spoke with awe.

'Yes, when I have down time, I grab a book. Well then have fun and grab a few books each.'

'So where do you want to go for dinner tonight?' Theo asked as she turned towards him.

'Well … I was thinking about making spaghetti tonight and I always make too much.'

'Oh yes, I will be there just tell me when?' he smiled.

'Well, I was going to ask you if you would go thru these books and pick the best ones to carry in the shop.' as she lifted a stack of books onto the counter.

'Oh, making me work for my dinner?' Theo frowned.

'And you will do it with a smile Theo.' Nana said with a smile as she placed a stack of books on the counter.

'If she is offering to cook you dinner the least you can do is work for it.' Mags added as Theo started to flip thru the books.

~o~

'Oi, what are you doing here?' Ron bellowed as he entered the shop.

'Reading, it is a book shop.' Theo grinned.

'And what are you doing behind the counter.'

'That is where I put him.' Hermione yelled as she came in from the back room.

'And…he's a death eater…' Ron sputtered.

'No, I'm not and never was.' as Theo pulled up his sleeve to show a clean forearm.

'I needed his help picking out some books for me to carry.'

'But I could have done that for you.' Ron whined.

'Well, I couldn't wait any longer. Since I haven't seen you in the past six months and you only come in when you need something, so what do you need?' as she rounded the counter.

'I just saw you…' trying to remember the last time he'd seen Hermione.

'Yea, Harry's birthday at the Three Broom Sticks. So, what do you need?' she huffed.

'Well dad wanted me to bring these back and get some new ones.' as he placed a stack of books on the counter.

"Fine, Theo can you go over to the Muggle Help section and pick out five books for Mr. Weasley.' as she muttered a spell and book spines started glow red. 'He has read all of the red ones.' Theo nodded and left them standing at the counter.

'Is that it?' as she flipped thru the book in front of her.

'Well mum wanted to remind you that my birthday dinner is this weekend, so can you come?' Ron looked hopeful.

'Well Ron I already have plans and I would have thought you would like to have Lavender there not me.'

'But Mione I love you.' Ron whined.

'No, you don't, you would never have gone out with Lavender if you did.' she snarled at him as Theo came up behind her, his hand found her waist, to stop her from backing into him, he put the books on the counter.

'Oh, I see it now you're fucking my coach. You whore!' Ron yelped as a stinging jinx hit him.

'Oh no this is mine.' as she pushed Theo's wand down. 'Ronald Weasley you are the most ignorant wizard I know, I think Greggory Goyle has more brain cells then you. Go home and never come back in here… Do not contact me again… You see me in the street turn around and go the other way…' she punctuated each with a sting jinx. 'My name passes your lips and you will be sorry.' as she mumbled something. 'Here are your father's books.' as she push the bag towards Ron. 'George or Ginny can come in and swap them out if your dad can't come in.' Ron snatched up the bag and left.

'Whore!' was heard as he left the shop, then they heard a yelp.

'What was that?' Theo asked as he looked out the door.

'He said something against me.' Hermione giggled. 'So, I used a shrinking charm, every time he says anything about me it will shrink and stay that way for a day and adds a day with every comment.'

'Oh, so he could go days without…'

'The way he goes on it might be weeks. He will need a straw to pee.' They both started to laugh.

'I'm sorry I didn't know he would blow up from…'

'Oh no that is the normal for him… he is very possessive.' she huffed.

'Oh, the way he talks you two are getting married this summer.'

'He wishes, his mum has been harping on about how I would be the best choice for a wife.' she huffed.

'I'm sorry, I didn't want to ruin a friendship.' as he put a hand on her shoulder.

'You didn't. I needed that to finalize the issues between us.' as she put her arms around his waist. A little surprised he snaked his arms around her, after a few minutes to relax. 'So did you get thru the books?'

~o~

'Dinner was delicious.'

'Thank you and thank you for sorting thru the books.'

'That football game looks like it could be fun.'

'Yes, it is, kind of like quidditch in trying to score but just one ball and the whole team participates. I was going to get some balls and take them up to Hogwarts and see if we can get a league up and running.'

'I can help you with that if you want? I can get the team playing and invite others to join us.'

'But…'

'It looks like a lot of running and I think that will help them. So, they will do it.' he smiled.

~o~

'Morning team, I have something new for you today. We need to build up your stamina, so you will be learning to play football.'

'Yea, the cheating whores' idea?' Ron spat and then yelped.

'Um, no I decided.' he smirked at Ron's yelp. 'This might be something for us to do to get fit.' He turned to see two people come on the pitch. 'Ah, our guests have arrived.' They heard Ron yelp again. Hermione and Harry giggled. 'So, you know about the charm?' Theo asked.

'Yup, and he deserves it.' Harry quipped.

'Well, if you all don't know, we have Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, they have graciously offered to show us how to play.' They spent the afternoon playing, well all but Ron, he begged off sick, they could hear yelps every so often.

'This is fun.' one of the players announced, getting nods from the other players.

'Well, I was hoping you would say that, I would like to start a football league and we will be going over to Hogwarts and teach the students. I think the non-flying students might enjoy a sport to get behind.' Hermione spoke to the crowd, all but Ron agreed.

'Ron, I think you should get with the program, or I will have to cut you from the team. I know you aren't sick I saw you flying just fine before Miya got here.' Theo said as he rounded to Ron.

'Miya? You don't get to call her Miya its Hermione.' Ron bellowed, he yelped again.

'Ronald Weasley, I told you not to say my name, but you will never learn.' as she walked up behind Theo. 'I know you are thick, but I think a troll would have figured it out by now.'

'Ron, every time you say something against Hermione or her name it shrinks right? And stays that way for a day with each slur?' Harry smirked, as Ron looked up in surprise.

'Oh, really didn't put two and two together. He probably thought it was some STD he got from one of the fan girls he's bedded.' Theo said as Hermione started to giggle.

~o~

'So chinese and a movie sound, ok?'

'Yes, I get to spend time with you.' as his eyebrows wiggled. They found seats in the back, as they got comfortable Hermione placed Theo's arm around her shoulders. His eyebrow shot up.

'Normal muggle date night, if you don't like it, I can sit over here.' as she shifted to the other side of her seat.

'Oh no you won't you're sitting right here as he pulled her back under his arm.' She placed a kiss on the inside of his wrist as the movie started.

~o~

'Wow, that was… when can we go again?' as they walked out of the theatre.

'Well, I don't know as your schedule is going to get busy with the new season.'

'Piss on them, I want to grope you instead.' as he pulled her into a hug. 'Miya, can I ask you something?' getting a nod from Hermione he continued. 'Can I court you?'

'Oh, like be your girlfriend?'

'Um, yea, well in the pureblood world courting normally is the prequel to marriage. Girlfriend is just a … for now kind of thing and I shouldn't be saying this, but I think I'm starting to fall in love with you. I've never felt like this before, I love going out on dates with you, just staying in and helping you cook dinner. Just being with you makes me feel…'

'Yes, because I feel it too.' Hermione was pulled into a hug.

'This is what you call a promise ring?' as he pulled a ruby ring from his pocket. 'A sign of my devotion to you until you decide to wear an engagement ring?' as he put it on her right-hand finger.

'Yes, I will wear it.' as she danced in place.

~o~

'What are you doing up here? This is for friends and family only.' Ron snarled. 'And last I heard you didn't want to marry me.'

'If you must know I was invited.' Hermione snarled back.

'By who?'

'Weasley, back off, she is with me.' Theo growled back.

'Oh, you're still seeing the whore?' Thump! as Hermione's knee found Ron's crotch.

'Don't call my girlfriend a whore. You will be off the team before you can say Chudley Cannons. The only reason you are still on the team is because of her so I would advise you to go apologize before she kicks you off the team.' Theo snarled back to a doubled over Ron.

'You know Ron I'm done trying to keep your spot. If the team wants you off, then off you go.' as the team members cheered at her proclamation.

'Team vote Ron stays or goes?' Theo asked the room.

'Well to be fair one last chance.' professed a team member. 'But if he can't straighten up he's a goner?' getting more cheers from the crowd.

'Fine, lucky you, one last chance.' Theo said as he turned his attention back to Hermione. 'Good shot I think the whole team flinched at that flagrant contact foul.' as he smiled. 'Well guys I'm taking my slugger out for dinner, party on but don't get so sloshed you can't ride a broom tomorrow.' They left to cheers.

~o~

'Sorry about that.' as they apparated back to her apartment.

'No that felt good. It was wrong but… I needed that.' Hermione smiled. 'So, what is the penalty for a flagrant contact foul?'

'Um let's see… I could pin you to the wall and…' as he pushed her up against the wall.

'Or pin me to the bed?' as she apparated them to the bedroom.

'Oh, naughty girl…'