Harry arrived a couple of days later to check up on them. He brought the requested food and ingredients. "Hermione?" He called out for her friend while putting it on a kitchen counter.
Jimin peeked from his room. "She's taking a bath."
Harry nodded. "Ron asked me to bring Korean spices."
"Thanks. Are you staying? I'll cook for everyone." Jimin walked to him.
"Sure. I've come to replenish your meat stocks and bring you this." Harry took out a phone from his pocket.
"I thought we couldn't use phones." Jimin took the phone.
"There's no sim there. J-Hope was adamant that you be able to rehearse. They've recorded themselves dancing."
"Thank you." Jimin swiped through the gallery and saw a lot of videos. He was reassured that his members was okay.
"It's good that you can cook. I thought I'd just replenish cup noodles." Harry tried to create conversation.
"Ron said, she couldn't cook." Jimin looked to him. "I think, she just haven't tried it yet."
"I guess. If she really wanted to learn she'd be good at it."
"I did notice that she didn't seem interested when I cooked."
Harry chuckled. "You should see her when she was studying. She's hungry to learn. She was the girl who was focused on her grades and didn't want to break rules."
"Was?"
"We broke that rule abiding crap out of her."
"Sure, I adapted after all the bullying I got from you." Hermione got out of the bath wrapped in a towel glaring at her best friend. There was only one shower room and it was located next to her room. "Let me get dressed and we'll have a run down of what really happened in Hogwarts."
Harry cleared his throat. "Oh, Hermione? She is the best witch I've ever met. If she wasn't bound by the rules, she'd have all of us bowed at her feet." Harry shouted so she could hear him. He glanced at Jimin who looked like he was ready to devour her.
Jimin felt his gaze and averted his eye. "Oh, I believe that. She could be really scary sometimes." Jimin chimed in.
"She hits, did you know that?"
"Is that true only for Ron or is it for everyone?"
"What do you mean?" Harry was surprised by the insinuation.
"She kept hitting Ron when he visited." Jimin clarified.
Harry howled in laughter. "That's her love language."
Hermione stormed from her room, now fully dressed. She started handing out slaps starting with Jimin and then Harry who she additionally pinched hard.
"Glad that you two are bonding at my expense." She glared at them.
Jimin smiled. "I'll start cooking. I'll be busy later with the choreography."
Hermione smiled. "Thanks."
"He seems like a normal guy." Harry thought he'd be a high maintenance type of celebrity.
"I guess." Hermione motioned towards the sofa and sat next to each other. "What's happening."
"We've been drawing out low level mercenaries but we feel like they're dwindling in attempts. We haven't seen a high level mercenary, not like the ones you've encountered. So this plan will end soon."
"Like tomorrow soon?"
"I can't make that promise."
"Even when the plan ends, when we go back out in public there will be sleeper mercenaries waiting for us."
"I know and I have no choice but to have Ron involved."
"But I'm lead." She said matter of factly.
"Yes, of course."
"We need multiple areas for rehearsals that we go randomly."
"I'll make it happen."
"Additional vehicle, no other member will ride with Jimin. He's too hot of a target."
"Okay."
"I've no consequences for using magic in public."
"Whatever kind of magic?"
"Yeah."
"You know a lot more spells than I do and I can't decide..."
"It's what I need."
"As long as its without malice, I'd probably be able to talk you out of trouble."
"Okay."
"I never thought this would be a negotiation." Ran his hands through his hair.
"How's my team?"
"They're fine. I'm managing them and Ron's team."
"Ron said he broke up with the girl."
"You know I don't follow that."
Hermione sighed and stood to get a pot of dying plant. "I need you to bring this to Neville. I think we were too harsh with it. See if he could heal it." She clicked her tongue, "He's going to get mad at us."
Harry frowned. "Who got hurt?" He examined his friend for any sign of wound.
"I'm fine now. Jimin ravaged this plant." She caught Jimin's attention and winked.
"Where did you get hurt?" Harry grabbed her and turn her around to find the wound. He tried to lift up her shirt.
"Stop it. I told you I'm fine." Hermione pointed at the spot on her back. "It's here."
Harry peeked at her shirt and saw a tiny scar. "Why didn't you use the button?"
"I'm alive aren't I?"
"Jimin!" Harry walked towards the kitchen area.
Jimin's eyes widened as Harry approached him.
"Next time, you call for help." Harry hugged him. "Thank you for helping her."
Jimin smiled. "She saved my life twice. It's the least that I could do."
"Stop interrupting him. He's going to rehearse later." She pulled Harry away.
Jimin smiled inwardly at having Harry's favor. "Hermione, I'll be done soon, would you mind helping with setting the table?"
Harry pulled out his wand and set the table himself.
Hermione went to Jimin's side and pulled out some serving dishes. "I hope you didn't make it too good or he'll be coming over more often."
"The store owner told me that the spices I bought were really spicy. I hope you didn't use too much." Harry watched Hermione interact with Jimin.
"I don't know what is too much for you." Jimin stared at the pot worriedly. He took a spoonful and served it to Hermione to get her opinion.
Hermione stared at the spoon then turned to Jimin's worried expression. She wet her lips as if putting a barrier. She held his hand to guide the spoon into her mouth. She stared into his eyes as she took in the taste of the stew. Her face turned red. She pursed her lips and used her hand to fan them.
Jimin snorted trying to contain his laugh. His hand raised to her face with his thumb wiping the liquid that escaped her mouth. He then brought his finger in his mouth to taste the level of spiciness she couldn't handle.
"Are you okay?" Harry frowned at how familiar Jimin acted.
Jimin went to the fridge and took out a carton of milk and poured it into a glass. "Here, drink this." He handed the glass to Hermione.
Hermione gulped the milk down. "Did you not taste it?" She accused him.
"I did. Honestly, I toned it down." He looked at the stew and started adding into it. "This might take a few more minutes."
Hermione turned to Harry. "The Korean restaurants we've gone to are definitely not that authentic."
Harry raised an eyebrow at her.
"What's that judgmental look for?"
He nodded to Jimin's direction. "Is there anything you want to say?"
"I've been cooped up alone with him in this cottage for two days without access to the outside world. Of course we'd become close."
"Just, be careful." Harry warned.
"He says he's in a relationship."
He frowned not believing her words.
"He has so much respect for me he wouldn't even dare hug me." She assured him.
"I think I've toned the heat down." He put the stew on a serving bowl." He returned to the pot and added spices. "I like mine hot." He smiled at the two friends who were already seated at the table. Harry was at the head of the table with Hermione on his right.
He carefully placed both servings of the stew on the table making sure his portion was in front of his plate which was across Hermione.
"I hope you find the food good enough." Jimin started scooping out some meat on Harry's plate before moving to Hermione's.
Hermione warily took a small bite. "It taste a bit different."
"I had to neutralise the spiciness." He explained.
Harry took a bite and found it tasty. "Can I taste your portion? I might have a higher tolerance for spiciness."
Jimin offered his portion.
Harry started tearing up when he took a bite. "I might need some of that milk."
Hermione smiled obnoxiously.
Jimin stood to get a glass of milk.
When Harry recovered, he started interviewing Jimin. "I heard you're in a relationship. Are there scorned lovers that might retaliate from a break up with you?"
Jimin lowered his voice, "The few women." He paused to look at Hermione. "The few women I've been with are all harmless. They're all really nice."
"Usually, these threats are personal. Maybe you can think of someone you've hurt intentionally or unintentionally." Harry pried.
"I hope I haven't hurt anyone that much."
Harry sighed and leaned back on his chair.
"Why don't we make the conversation light?" Hermione smiled at them.
"Okay. Are you going to tell me about your phone pal?" Harry asked while looking at Jimin's expression.
Hermione groaned. "There's nothing to tell."
"You've been so engrossed with talking with this person for a long time now." He pressed.
"What are you getting at?"
"I'm just curious how it worked." Harry winked at her. "What do you think Jimin?"
"About what?"
"Hermione having relationships only through phone." Harry held her gaze all through out.
"Has she met this person?" Jimin wanted to learn more about her.
"I don't think so." Harry checked on her if he got it right.
"Is this a serious relationship?" Jimin asked.
"No. Why are we even discussing this?" Hermione asked defensively. "He's just a friend."
"Good. Because there are things that only in life person are able to do versus someone who is hiding behind a phone." Harry tested the waters. "For instance, Jimin here, he can wrap his arms around you and kiss you."
Jimin's face grew pale. "Excuse me."
Hermione kicked Harry under the table.
"What? It was only hypothetical. It can't be me, cause that's disgusting." Harry explained.
"I apologise for Harry. He's not that subtle."
"It's not healthy to have an online relationship. If you only look around, there are men that you might find suitable for yourself."
"Not Jimin though. He's in a relationship." Hermione argued.
Harry frowned he studied Jimin's face. "Sure he is." He looked to Hermione who looked embarrassed. "So you two are telling me if you both admit to being attracted to each other, you wouldn't kiss?"
Jimin caught her eyes and held it for a long time.
"So?" Harry broke their staring match.
Jimin sighed. "I'm a man, and if a beautiful woman told me she's attracted to me, I'd probably jump on the chance to kiss her."
"This is stupid." Hermione stood from her chair and started clearing the table. "For your information, we have kissed. It was not amazing or magical as you'd want to imagine."
Harry chuckled and turned to Jimin. "You kissed her?"
"She wouldn't drink the root extract. I did everything to get her to drink it."
"By kissing her?" Harry snorted.
"It wasn't like that." Jimin whispered.
"Sure." Harry cleared his throat. "Official business, if any of you feel uncomfortable with each other and would be distracted with each other, I would have to change the assigned Auror for you."
"I'm not distracted and like I said I only feel safe with her." Jimin answered quickly.
"If he's not distracted, then there's no problem." Hermione seconded. "I've never let personal stuff affect my job."
"Okay." Harry fetched the plant and motioned for Hermione to follow her. "You need some fun. Maybe he's the one to get you to move on from Ron." He whispered to her. "As a guy, it's obvious that he likes you."
"I don't date clients."
"Who said anything about dating?" He winked at her.
"Ginny put you up to this?"
Harry zipped his lips. He held the pot and disapparated.
...
The living area was cleared so that Jimin can use the space to rehearse. Hermione cast a spell to project the screen from the phone as well as a real time mirror image of Jimin.
Jimin took his shirt off. He also danced on his feet. Everytime he missed a step he'd stomp or scream to release his frustrations.
Hermione sat and watched him, ogling how his body moved. She couldn't take her eyes off his moon tattoo.
Jimin roared full of exasperation.
Hermione stood and went to his side. "We don't have your patches. Maybe you shouldn't rehearse so hard."
"The video clearly shows the members already know the choreography. I have to catch up."
"Jimin, I've watched the video and you multiple times already. In my opinion, you out performed almost everyone in the video."
He sighed in defeat. He rolled his shoulder which felt tight.
"I'll get a hot compress."
Jimin grasped her hand. "Can you try massaging my back instead?"
Hermione followed him to the sofa. "I might be bad. If only you'd let me heal you through magic."
She sat behind him. She rubbed her hand to warm them up. "You have to tell me what works and how I can improve."
He nodded.
She placed her hands at the back of his neck. She put pressure on her fingertips as she ran them on his neck.
Jimin turned his head to the right asking to give the left side more attention.
Hermione complied. She ran his fingers on the offered neck. She heard him groan. She moved her hand to his shoulders. She tried to give pressure but easily felt heavy. "I think there is a reason why massages are done lying down."
"I'll lie down." Jimin turned to her.
Hermione stood and let him lie on his stomach. She sat next to him and and put her hands back on his shoulder. However, her arms was too short and was easily strained. "I'm going to straddle you." She didn't wait for his answer and positioned herself comfortably.
She continued rubbing his shoulders. She moved her hands up and down his back. She noticed tightness on his left side and she focused on it.
Jimin moaned. "Harder."
Hermione moved up but felt his back stiffen altogether. "Should I get off of you?"
He grabbed her leg. "Don't stop."
She sighed and focused again on his back. She moved down and rembered his lower back also needed attention. She tugged his pants lower to have better access. She ran her hands slowly but firmly in circles. She felt him move underneath her. "Tell me if I'm doing it wrong."
"Don't stop." He moaned.
Hermione bit her lower lip. She couldn't understand how his moans could elicit desire within her.
"Hermione?" He whispered.
She stopped and smiled at hearing her name. "Yes?"
"Could you massage my legs as well?"
"Okay." She stood up and heard him groan in protest. She smiled.but moved to his feet. She lifted them and dropped them on her lap.
"Would it be easier for you if I removed my pants?" Jimin asked innocently.
Hermione couldn't stop smiling. "I can work with it."
"Okay."
Hermione applied pressure on his legs and thighs. When she went a little higher up his thigh, he turned his body to look at her.
"That's not very relaxing."
"I'm sorry." She removed her hands on him.
"Maybe we should end it right here." Jimin didn't dare turn around.
"Okay, I'll try harder next time." Hermione stood and sat on the floor next to his head. "Do you need me to help you up?"
Jimin smirked at her. "I need to stay put for a few minutes."
She tucked his hair behind his ears. "I'll get you the hot compress. Shout if you want anything."
He took her hand before she could go. He stared into her eyes, "Thank you."
"I told you to stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?" He thought his eyes were apprciative.
"You know, all flirty and smouldering."
Jimin winked at her.
Hermione clicked her tongue and moved away from him.
...
The next day, Hermione woke up early and decided to brew coffee and boil some eggs. 'How can anyone mess up boiling eggs?' She thought to herself.
While waiting for things to boil, she decided to have a quick shower. She summoned her things and measured the water temperature. She got in and locked the door.
As the warm water fall on her, her mind drifter to last night. She rembered how his back was perfectly sculpted. It wasn't overly muscular but the definition was so satisfying. She wanted to know if touching his chest would be so gratifying as well. One of her dismay was that she didn't see his face. She wasn't sure whether he liked it the same way she did.
She shook her head and poured a fruity shampoo on her hair which was immediately washed down by the shower. She then used her lavender body wash.
She closed her eyes as the water wash the suds away. She could still smell his natural scent even with all the soap she used. She remembered how hard she fought by not leaving a trail of kisses on his moon tattoos.
She shook her head again and her mind focused on his face, the way he stared intently into her eyes always makes her heart skip a beat. His eyes that could make her knees weak. His eyes that make her want to kiss him. She knew he knows his effect on her and it bothered her how much power he has on her.
Her eyes opened when she heard Jimin call her name.
"Hermione?"
"I'm in the shower."
"Were you cooking?"
Hermione cursed, remembering her eggs. "I'm coming." She turned off the shower and quickly wrapped herself in a towel. She let her hair drip all over, trying to reach her eggs immediately.
She left the shower room and directly went to the kitchen.
Jimin was smiling smugly at her. When she reached his side, his eyes shifted to reflect his hunger.
Hermione flustered, did not notice his gaze and saw the water had dried up leaving the eggs blackened at the bottom.
"How long since you started boiling them?" Jimin looked at the eggs.
"I don't remember." She turned to face him. Suddenly, she realized she was only in a towel and was standing so close to him.
He became aware of this as well. He held her gaze before lowering it on her chest. He dampen his lower lip admiring his view.
His hand travelled up her arm to a clump of wet wavy strands of hair resting on her chest. He lifted them to put it behind her shoulder, inadvertently wafted the smell of her shampoo to him.
He gulped and saw Hermione's lips drop open.
He cleared his throat, "You're supposed to wear hairnet when cooking."
Hermione lowered her head and snickered. "You're only worried about the hair?"
"Well, as long as the towel holds."
She frowned at him while collecting her hair to the back and started twisting it into a messy bun. Raising her arms, the quickly tied knot started to come undone.
Jimin pulled her to him to stop the towel from falling. "Hermione, get out of the kitchen. Cooking naked is unsanitary." He scolded playfully.
Hermione dropped her hand from her hair and fixed the knot in the towel. She hit him hard, pushing him back. "I was trying to cook for you."
"Leave it to me. I like being able to feed you." He looked her up and down trying to memorize her image. "Get changed now or I might do something I'd regret." He ordered.
"You caught me off guard this time. I'll get back at you soon." She threatened.
"Looking forward to it." He grinned like an adorably little boy.
Hermione couldn't understand the duality of this man.
...
As Hermione cleaned up the dinner table and the kitchen counter, Jimin decided to shower mostly to cool off and remove the image before breakfast.
He went into the shower room and turned it on. He had it hot to soothe his tired muscles. He didn't give Hermione too much instructions or reviews to encourage her for future massages.
He closed his eyes as the pressure of the hot water hit his sore spots. 'I'll ask her to focus on my left shoulder.' He took note in his mind.
He grabbed whatever was available in the area and put it in his hair. He let the suds down in his body. He couldn't reach all of his back with his left side sore. He dripped liquid soap on his back, hoping they slide down to his whole back. 'Her hands would be so perfect for running soap all over his body.' His mind easily drifted back to last night. Her soft hands moving all over his back. He gulped when he imagined how she looked straddling him on his back. It took all of his resolve not to turn around underneath her and pull her down to him. Her thighs felt soft and firm on his sides. He wondered if it was the same for every part of her body.
'Her body, damn.' He had a glimpse of her cleavage as the towel started to loosen up during this morning's activity. He remember holding her close with just a towel. He wanted to hold her tighter to feel her breast on his chest but restrained himself. He was also proud that his hand did not travel further down than her lower back.
He suddenly turned the shower to cold water. He started picturing J-Hope judging him for not getting the choreography right and it brought him back to the present.
After the cold shower, he wrapped his towel around the waist figuring he would tease her the same way she did him.
He left the room and scanned outside where she was. When he couldn't find her, he knocked on her room. "Hey?"
Hermione turned to find him in a towel. She made a quick look up and down enjoying the sight of him. "Did you want something?" She could see the smug look on his face.
"It's been so long without my skin care products. Was wondering if you have some you can share?" He thought of an excuse to barge in on her.
"Mine's not the expensive type. It might give you breakouts."
"My face feels so dry." He walked in and took her hand, guiding it to his face to caress it.
The moment her hand touched his face, he captured her eyes and she realized she was trapped.
Jimin gently rubbed her hands on his cheek. "Do you feel it?" He didn't release his eyes off hers.
Hermione's ears could hear the pounding of her heart. She didn't dare speak afraid of stuttering.
"The dryness I meant." He pressed her palm on his cheek. "I think..." He guided her hand lower letting her index finger touch his lips. "... Even my lips feel dry." He helped her finger trace his lower lip. He slowly moved his mouth open and tenderly sucked her finger.
This broke her trance and pulled away her hand and stepped backward. "Drink lots of water. That should help with the dryness."
Jimin smirked triumphantly. "I'll do that." He turned around and left for his room.
Hermione dropped on her bed deciding if she should go after him.
...
Jimin focused on rehearsing all day. He would stop only for meals which he prepared in the morning to be heated up within the day.
Hermione watched and admired his graceful movements. 'I definitely need to watch their concert.' She wondered if it was easier for him to dance without a shirt and barefoot.
In one of the rare times that Jimin felt satisfied with his movement, he sat down beside Hermione. "What did you think about that last section?"
"I am easy to please, so yeah, I like it."
"Are you easy to please for everything?"
She looked at him sternly. "In general, you have to work hard to get what you want. So if you think you can easily please me, you're wrong."
He tried to capture her gaze but she looked down on the floor. "Look at me."
Hermione sighed and looked at him. "Stop staring at me."
"Just answer this question for me. Are you attracted to me?"
"There is a downside to being the biggest flirt. You can't differentiate what is real attraction."
"So you're not attracted to me?"
"Figure it out." She winked at him.
"Hermione, I think..."
"Jimin, you're only thinking about that because of Harry. He planted those thoughts yesterday."
"Planted?"
"Suggested might be the proper word."
He took his eyes off her and leaned on the sofa. "What I said to him was true."
"Which was?"
"I will kiss you if you just admit that you like me."
She rolled her eyes. "I told you, you only feel this way because of Harry's suggestion."
"Pity, I thought if we kissed, we'd be good together." He turned his head to face her.
"Honestly, I do wonder how you would taste." Hermione admitted.
"I know how you taste. Bitter." He grinned at her.
Hermione hit him and moved to straddle him. "Let me prove otherwise."
Jimin held her close and stared up at her. "I dare you."
She cursed and leaned down at him, her lips a heartbeat away from his.
"Hermione! I brought you a slice of cake." Ron's voice boomed from the kitchen.
Hermione quickly stood away from Jimin. She heard him curse.
Ron entered the living room area. "Good news. You're back in play. Jimin can join his members again."
"Any update on who's funding these mercenaries?" She crossed her arms on her chest.
"We've contacted our international counterparts for help." Ron informed her. "Where's your shirt?" He posed the question to Jimin.
"I was rehearsing."
Ron studied him and then Hermione. "Sure. Just pack up and we'll leave in a few minutes."
