I have discovered the issue that was causing difficulties with . They have been resolved. Since those poor readers were left hanging for several days, I present an extra chapter. Which also works because some drama is started this chapter and doesn't resolve until the next, so those of you that hate cliffies of any kind need not suffer long. And if you will indulge my soapbox for a moment, but a review on another story annoyed me. The reviewer complained the story wasn't what they wanted. "Is it too much to ask..." Apparently. You get what you pay for. This is a hobby, one done for free for obvious reasons. If a story isn't what you want- write the story YOU want. I'm not saying I haven't been inspired by suggestions from readers, heck, this story is the result of a request for an Oliver/Hermione story. But, this isn't want I wanted neither helps nor inspires the writer. Okay, I'm done. For those of you still here because you enjoy the story- I hope you enjoy chapter.

Chapter 6 Hermione Goes Out

She stood in her front hall putting on her earrings when the doorbell rang. A flick of her wand revealed Oliver to be waiting on the other side. A second opened the door. She turned to greet him. His jaw dropped at the sight of her. The silky slip dress hugged her curves. The scooped collar gathered just above the swell of her cleavage. Two slits divided the straight skirt allowing for increased ease of movement. They ended just above her knees. Gold chains wrapped over her shoulders and criss-crossed over her open back. She wore glittery gold heels with peep toes showing off her red toenails. The simple gold jewelry gleamed in the light. "Wow. Ye look pure dead brilliant."

"Thank you. You look handsome. I like the blue," she complimented. The tailored blue suit and black tie suited Oliver's broad frame. "The girls of London are going to wonder where I found you and if you have brothers."

"Aye, Ah do, but they donnae want him."

She glanced at the clock, "I would invite you into ravish you, but the teams arranged for a car for several of us to share."

"So, ravishing later, or in the car?" he leered playfully.

She smacked him on the arm, "The shared car? Maybe later, if you play your cards right."

"They aren't here, yet, so there's time for a little ravishing." Hands on her hips, he pulled her close. He pressed his lips to her forehead, then lowered his face and captured her lips in a searing kiss. She responded by wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him. HONK! Hearing the car horn, Hermione yanked back.

"That's our ride!" she grabbed a red glittering handbag. She locked her front door and took his hand. "Off we pop." She started down the garden path. "And if there is a god that loves me we are first," she mumbled. The driver hurried around to open the door for her. She sighed in relief when she found an empty backseat. "Oh, thank Merlin." She climbed in and slid over to make room for Oliver.

Once the door closed behind him, he turned towards her, "Are ye embarrassed to be seen kissing me?" He hoped he hid how much the idea hurt.

"Gods, no! But being caught snogging at my front door by my teammates is similar to being found on a broom closet by the Weasley twins."

He winced, "Noted, location not action."

"To be fair, I would take the piss, too, if the roles were reversed. Hypocritical I know."

The limo pulled up to a row of buildings, Ryan and Grant strolled to the curb. "Oliver, you came!" cried Ryan. He clapped the other man on the shoulder. "Still putting up with this one?"

Grant laughed, "Glutton for punishment you are."

Hermione began laughing, causing both men to stare at her, "Oh, you two have no idea. I used to be a bossy know-it-all."

"Used to be?" joked Oliver.

"No one has exams that they expect me to drag them through anymore. I am much calmer now, thank you very much."

He nodded twice, "Ye are more relaxed these days."

As the limo pulled back into traffic, Ryan spoke up, "I meant to ask the other day, what was Granger like at school?"

"Shorter."

"Seriously," pushed Ryan.

"She was shorter. And manic about her grades, and the grades of others. Because that is her love language. Honestly, Ah knew of her more than knew her. She was four years behind me."

"We had mutual friends, but really weren't friends ourselves," explained Hermione.

Eventually the driver collected the remaining three passengers and headed into London proper. Daniela immediately inquired about eligible siblings or cousins. Zaryn asked for an invite to her next reunion, two out of two former schoolmates were fit as hell, she liked the odds. Daisy attempted to interrogate Oliver. Hermione swiftly shut that down. The striker glared at her. Hermione chuckled, "I'm sorry, is that look suppose to frighten me? I think my bunny slippers shivered. I've stared down far scarier things than you and didn't break." The others laughed until they saw Oliver's horrified expression. "What?"

"That psychopath tortured ye, Hermione. How can ye joke about it?"

"Laugh or cry. I'm still here. I may have nightmares from time to time, but I'm alive and sane. And she's worm food."

Oliver gave her a pained look, "Bill said ye looked dead."

She rolled her eyes, "Bill exaggerates."

"He was agreeing with Harry."

Again she rolled her eyes, "The original drama llama himself. Look, I know it was bad. I was there. But I survived. And I refuse to let that night overshadow the rest of my life. The monsters responsible are dead or in prison. I am alive and free."

Oliver took her hands, "Ah understand and apologize. It was a shock to hear ye be so flippant about it." He looked over, "Ah think ye traumatized yer mates."

"They'll get over it," she shrugged, "eventually."

They stared at her with big eyes until Grant broke the silence, "You were tortured for real? Like beaten and threatened and shite?"

"Um, yeah, while I was in the Army. Terrorists captured my unit and an insane bitch kept shocking me and offered to carve me up for information." She sat up primly, "Which I did not divulge." She tilted her chin up and pointed to the thin white line under her chin. "That's where this scar came from."

"This scar?" asked Daisy in a shrill voice. "As in more than one scar?"

"You don't see combat and not have some scars. This is the worst. Relax. We're about to arrive and most of us need to be ready. There will be reporters and cameras. Get your game faces on." She looked at Oliver, "The other leagues attend to flesh out attendance and keep the bidding going."

Ryan saluted, "That's us."

The limo pulled up the front. "Ready for this?" asked Hermione. "No shame in bailing out the other door and heading for the hills."

"Never, Gryffindors forever." She giggled at the inside joke. He squeezed her hand and exited the car last. Out of habit he smiled for the fans and cameras. An assistant directed him and the other lads to one side. The girls joined a short queue to be photographed. He watched proudly as she smirked and smoldered at the camera. Finished she joined him and the six of them entered the ballroom.

They loosened their grouping, preparing to break apart as needed. Daniela and Daisy stopped to talk to the lucky few reporters allowed inside. An elegant older couple approached. "You all look lovely," the woman complimented.

"As do you, Mrs. Vanderman," responded Ryan. "Sir, have you met Zaryn Barasa? Or the spectacular Hermione Granger?"

Keith Vanderman shook hands, "We know our lovely Arsenal ladies. Georgina will never admit it, but she's an Arsenal ultra. She just hides it better than most." His wife swatted him playfully.

Georgina Vanderman addressed Oliver, "And you are young man?"

"Oliver Wood, ma'am. Miss Granger's escort for the evening." He took her hand and bent over slightly to press a dry kiss on the back of her hand. She giggled.

"Keep to your own lady," Vanderman mock growled, further amusing his wife. The group laughed. "Now to the real question of the moment, most of you looked a little spooked when you arrived, traffic issues?"

"No,sir" replied Zaryn, "Granger and Wood discussed an incident during her military days. A bit more than we ever expected. Left us with a better appreciation for soldiers and the lot."

Before either could respond Hermione spoke up, "And since it is not polite public talk we shouldn't discuss it any further."

"Fair enough. We hope you all enjoy the evening. Good luck raising money."

"Thank you," Hermione dimpled as they moved on to mingle. She noticed Graves Sr keeping his son right next to him at all times. She looked away before Donovan could notice her watching. If he accused her of leading him on neither the cops nor the aurors would ever find his body. Oliver remained at her side as well as she made her rounds, a light hand on the small of her back. The lights overhead flickered to signal the beginning of the festivities.

They took their seats. As the organizers gave speeches about the intended uses for the money raised that evening, Hermione entertained herself by tracing shapes on Oliver's thigh under the table. He struggled to keep a straight face, while Hermione appeared to be giving the speakers her full, and rapt, attention. Finally the auction portion began.

The master of ceremonies began with Arsenal and Gary Aston, who offered an evening at the symphony complete with dinner. Then Zaryn and her offer of a day at the London Zoo. Georgina and Keith Vanderman entertained themselves and the crowd by trying to outbid one another. Then came Hermione's turn. She smiled at Oliver and Daisy as she stood before strutting to the stage. "Arsenal's lioness promises an adrenaline filled adventure to match her fiery energy. Spend the day riding roller coasters and other thrill rides together at Thorpe Park. Shall we start the bidding at £200. What do I hear for this lady in red?" The bids began to instantly. Oliver made sure to always be last in each flurry of paddles. The price rose to £2000 before it ended. "Two thousand pounds from the gentleman who came with our lovely Miss Granger. You know, lad, she's probably have gone for free."

"But then how would the orphans get new bunks?" yelled back Oliver.

"You got me there, fair enough," the MC continued on as Hermione returned to him and the event workers collected Oliver's cheque and gave him the information he needed to collect the tickets and food vouchers.

"Two hundred galleons for a date. Yer expensive."

She kissed his cheek, "And worth every knut," she breathed in his ear.

"Aye, ye are," he kissed her temple. They sat back and watch the remainder of auction. The evening ended with dancing. Oliver noticed Donovan watching them. He pulled Hermione in for a searing, toe-tingling kiss. When she noticed him glaring at the end of the kiss, she pulled back and stepped away. She held up a finger asking for a minute.

She crossed the dance floor, pulling out an envelope far too large to have been in her handbag without creasing is anyone noticed. Donovan smirked at her, "I knew you'd be back."

She ignored him and handed the envelope to Graves Sr, "Creepy stares and innuendos in the corridors invalidates our agreement. This is formal complaint number two." She glanced at Donovan. "Please explain to your son I can and have killed to defend myself. He needs to pretend I don't exist. I am not interested. And I am beyond done with his little games."

Graves Sr glared at his son before responding to her, "It seems my son has too much time on his hands. We will be discussing this. My apologies, Miss Granger."

"I appreciate the sentiment. But I don't need your apology. I need to be left alone."

"Noted." She nodded to the other owners and returned to Oliver.

She smiled up at him, "Where were we?"

He pulled her back into his arms, "Right about here." They resumed dancing. "Do we have to take the car home?"

"No, getting home is on us," she answered. "Why?"

"Naughty suggestion: spend the weekend with me. Lazy Saturday spent however, then lunch with the Weasleys Sunday."

"Where?"

He shrugged, "Me flat in Dorset."

She nibbled on her bottom lip, "After the sweet things you said, I'm not sure I'm ready to."

He cut her off, "None of that. Ah want to hold ye while we

sleep. Ah want to fall asleep next to you and wake up to the glorious mess Ah ken that hair will be."

"That sounds heavenly. We can leave as soon as the league commissioner does."

"Do ye need a change of clothes?" he asked.

She jingled her handbag, "All in here, along with years of junk. I need to clean it out."

"Is that?" he asked eyeing it with awe.

"Yep, haven't quite managed to break the habit of being ready to run."

"Understandable really."

"Thanks, Ron says I'm mental, while taking advantage of the obsession."

"Sound about right for him, too," replied Oliver.

He side-alonged her into his living room. "Be it ever so humble," he gestured illuminating the room. The living room merged with the kitchen. A bar with three stools for eating divided the areas. Someone decorated it in deep earthy tones of goldenrod, charcoal, and navy. She liked the effect. "Like you, Ah downplay me wealth. Makes me one of the lads."

"I like it," she smiled trailing her hand along the back of the couch. "Is the bedroom decorated as nicely?"

"Aye, me mother demanded to do it. She didn't want me to scare away prospective daughter-in-laws."

"She wasn't worried about jersey chasers or gold diggers?" Hermione questioned lightly.

He pressed his hand to his heart in fake outrage, "Her darling baby boy would never slag around."

She giggled, "And you haven't."

"Correct."

"Does she know how proud she should be?"

"No idea. Not asking her either." He glanced around, "Want the grand tour?"

"I suppose."

"Not much to it, living room, kitchen, bar instead of a table." He pointed to each in turn. He crossed to the two closed doors. "Bathroom, bedroom." Hermione followed him into the bedroom. "Would ye like to get changed for bed in here? Ah can change in the bathroom."

She kicked off her shoes, "Yes. Even with cushioning charms these things get uncomfortable."

Hermione expected to feel awkward when they first climbed into bed, but everything felt natural. She rested her head on his chest, he wrapped an arm around her. They spoke of nothing serious and fell asleep snuggled together. The shrill tweeting of her mobile ripped Hermione from pleasant dreams. She checked the caller id, groaning to see it was her parents. "Hello," she answered.

"Hermione Jean! How can you be photographed leaving an event with an unknown man!" demanded her father. "You should be focusing on your forms."

"Good morning to you, too," she muttered. Louder, "Dad, stop. Just stop. First, what I do with my life is my business. Full stop, end of conversation. Second, just because the papers don't know him does not mean I don't. Oliver is a school friend, we've know each other for years."

"That isn't what the papers are saying."

"Oh, because those rags are such reliable sources of information. Will he be having Prince Harry's baby?" she snapped sarcastically.

"You watch your tone, young lady?"

"Or what? You'll ground me? I don't live with you anymore. I am not a child."

"If you focused more on your game, maybe..."

She interrupted, "If the next words out of your mouth are I would be a midfielder they will be the last words you ever say to me." She heard her mother in the background and realized she was on speakerphone. "Is your little ambush into my failures as a child over or shall we continue on about how Hermione isn't the child you wanted?"

Her mother cut in, "Perhaps we should have approached this differently."

"Perhaps someone should accept he can't live vicariously through people and dictate every step. I am so sorry I'm not a boy, not a midfielder, and not a regular child who could go to the schools you wanted."

"You used to be an obedient child," he groused.

"I used to be terrified you would take away Hogwarts and my happiness." She glanced over to see Oliver awake and watching her with a horrified expression. "And while he may not be able to hear your side, Oliver is right here listening to mine. So maybe we should stop."

Moriah sighed, "It might be time to clear the air and have an adult conversation. Dinner at Harold's?"

"No, come to mine and we'll get something around here. We're doing this on my turf, so to speak."

Her mother chuckled, "Are we going to rumble like the Sharks and the Jets?"

"I hope not," Hermione answered. "My place at five?"

"We'll be there."

Hermione hung up, "So much for lazy Saturday. Sorry about that."

"Nothing to apologize for," he said softly, running a hand up and down her leg. "Do ye need to talk about it?"

"Not yet, I need to make a call." She dialed a number. "Hey, Jackie, Hermione. I haven't seen it, but how bad is the photo?" She held her breath expecting someone to have caught them kissing or something. She tried to review the evening mentally.

"What bad photo? You and yummy? I wish every player behaved as well as you do at events. He's smiling like a besotted fool, you're looking the other way oblivious. It's adorable. I'm working on getting you a print. Why?"

"My parents called losing the plot about me going home with a stranger according to the papers."

"Oh, honey, ignore that fuss."

"Thanks, Jackie." She hung up. "Okay, nothing horrible. We looked cute apparently. Want to go for a run? I need to calm down."

"Sure. Do ye have proper clothes?"

"I am not even going to dignify that with a response," she sniffed. "You may go find an old quidditch jersey for afterwards." He laughed.

He allowed her silence while they ran and through the rest of the morning. He realized she was processing a lot and gearing up for a difficult fight. But the closer to five o'clock they got, the tenser Hermione became. "Alright, lass, Ah was prepared to wait ye out, but yer about tae climb the walls. Talk tae me."

"Long story short, my dad was on track to play professional footie after uni. A torn ALC ended those dreams. Now he tries to live them out through me. And doesn't like when something deviates from his grand plans. If I didn't enjoy it more than he annoys me, I would quit. I also can't ever shake the feeling that he thinks if I was a boy that I wouldn't have been a witch and would be better at the position he wants me to play."

"Ah assume he's trying to micromanage yer career?"

"In some ways. He likes having a pro footie player in the family more than he hates my being a goalie. But he still thinks if I focus harder and put in more effort I could change positions."

"Like no matter what ye accomplish it'll never be enough?"

"Exactly."

"Do ye want me tae come for support?" he asked softly.

"Yes, please. If you don't mind."

"Done. I just need to find something muggle enough."

"Or let me take you shopping for something completely muggle," she suggested.

"Even better idea." His brilliant smiled twisted her stomach in best way. She peppered his face with kisses to show how much she appreciated the gestures.