Hello, darlings. This has been a week. I am ready for this week to be over. I need to find a suitcase full of money. Or win the lottery. Or at least space out the disasters. But enough complaining. There is a small lemon alert for this chapter. So enjoy. Legal disclaimer once again: I don't own this. I am not going to ever make money on this. Please don't try to make money off of it either. Thank you.

Chapter 10 Hermione and Oliver Get Physical

They fell into an easy rhythm over the next weeks. They trained and spent the evenings together. Despite feeling the mounting tension, neither made the move beyond snogging and heavy petting. Hermione, finally, decided to broach the subject, "Oliver, I think we're doing ourselves a disservice." He observed her silently before nodding for her to continue. "We both wanted our first time together to be special. But at this point it feels like the chances of it happening spontaneously are fast dwindling."

He considering the matter, "Yer not wrong. Did ye have a suggestion?"

"Three, actually, one, we throw the idea out the window and just fall into bed. Two, we plan a romantic evening and end it by falling into bed. Or, three, we wait until our wedding night, whenever that may be."

Again he considered it, "Do I lose gentleman points if I say I favor option two?"

"Thank fuck, no. I, also, favor option two. Though I would have been fine with the other two options as well."

"So, one decision down. Next, when and where?"

"I have tomorrow off from training," she started, twisting her hands, "I thought I could cook us a romantic dinner at home."

"Would ye like to dress for dinner?"

"That sounds nice actually," she answered.

"Ah'll be here around six-thirty then."

She kissed him, "Sounds dead brilliant."

Hermione spent the afternoon cooking and baking. Her mother told her once that her great-grandmother's Beef Wellington was the key to gaining and keeping a paramour's heart. Her blueberry apple pie would gain you their eternal devotion. "The woman buried three husbands, she must have known something on the matter." She finished the roasted potatoes and carrots before going to shower and dress.

Oliver knocked on the front door, again holding a bouquet of wild flowers. "Beautiful blossoms fer me beautiful petal."

She snickered, "Cheesy, but I appreciate the sentiment." She kissed him and stepped back. "Come in, dinner's ready."

She put the flowers in the crystal vase on the table. Silver candlesticks flanked the new centerpiece. China plates and silverware graced the the beige linen covered table. "Smells sensational," he praised.

"Thank you. It's an old family recipe." With a flick of her wand the food appeared. "Let's eat." Over dinner they discussed each other's seasons and the approaching holiday break. "I suppose we needs to decide if the holidays should be the first time we met each other's immediate family. And by that I mean your family, you've met my parents."

"Me parents want to have dinner this weekend. Ma suggested neutral ground, the new restaurant in Hogemeade."

"Saturday?" she asked. "This is a free week for me."

"Me, too. Sounds like the plan," he smiled, "around five, miss the dinner rush?"

"I'll see if Hannah can get us a table. It's her new venture. Trying something beyond the Leaky."

"Let me know," he smiled at her.

After dinner they settled in front of the telly, not that Hermione intended for them to be there long. She slipped her shoes off and pulled her legs under her. She curled into his side. Oliver wrapped his arm her shoulder. Slowly, she ran her hand over his chest, caressing. He brushed the shell of her ear. A thrill of lust ran through her. She shivered and snuggled closer. Oliver tugged her into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck. They kissed, tongues tangled in a battle for dominance.

He caressed her back and buttocks, squeezing and massaging the latter. She moaned in response and gripped his hair. She shifted to straddle him, grinding down against him. Keeping one hand on her back, he moved the other to caress her breast. She keened, arching, her back, and throwing her head back. He nibbled at her exposed throat. He trailed his lips up to suck on her earlobe before running his tongue along the shell of her ear. "Ahh," she squirmed at the delightful sensations he stirred. "Oh!"

"Would ye like to move this upstairs?" he asked in a thick voice.

"Yes, please," she leapt to her feet. She shimmied out of her skirt. Dropping it to the floor she began making her way to the stairs. She left a trail of clothing behind her. Oliver hurried behind her, eagerly stripping off his clothing. He caught up with her in front of the bed. Ignoring the flash of uncertainty on her face, he resumed kissing her.

She kissed him back passionately. She pulled back and sank to her knees. Gently, she licked up and down his shift before taking the head into her mouth. She relaxed her throat and leaned forward to swallow him down her throat before pulling back. Rocking back and forth she sucked and twisted her tongue around the hard member. She felt the skin tighten further under her ministrations. She applied more suction and rubbed his testicles. His sharp hiss of breath gave her enough warning to prepare to swallow as he finished in her mouth.

Oliver roughly pulled her up along his body, "That was, yeah. Yer astonishing, leannan. As soon as me brain kicks back in Ah'll have better words."

She kissed him, "We can't have that, now can we?"

With a growl he tossed her on the bed and crawled up it. He paused to kiss various spots. Reaching her chest, he laved at each nibble in turn while pinching the other. She arched her back pushing the tender flesh into his hand and mouth. As he lavished her breasts with attention, he pressed the tip of his cock against the tender nerves at the slit of her opening, occasionally brushing her clit. Hermione felt the tingling tease of an orgasm she just couldn't reach. She whined deep in her throat. Oliver pulled back to regard her before smirking and resuming his actions.

Growing frustrated, Hermione tucked her feet behind his thighs and pulled. His erect cock slid into her slick folds. She cried out at the burst of sensations. She urged him to increase his pace with her hips. "Fuck me," she demanded.

He pulled out almost completely, then sank back in. She moaned. He repeated the movement. Again. And again. Slowly increasing in speed. The pleasurable sensations wove themselves through her body, tightening. A litany of curse words spewed from her mouth before becoming a chant of his name. She screamed incoherently as she came. His rhythm grew erratic as he chased his own. She leaned up to nibble on his ear. "Come for me, mo ghaol." His release triggered a second for her. He collapsed to the bed next to her. "Glorious," she praised, taking deep breaths to smooth out her breathing.

"Yes, ye are," he responded, stroking her hair.

"I meant the sex, prat."

"Oh, that, too. Ye speak Gaelic?"

"Some, enough to know you call me sweetheart."

"Ah do, ye are me sweetheart."

She snuggled into his chest, wrapping her arm around him, "Stay. Sleep now."

"As ye wish." He pulled her close. "Good night, leannan." Her response was a small sleepy sigh of contentment.

Hermione met Oliver before their reservations so she didn't have to arrive alone. She tried not to be nervous, but couldn't stop the emotion. "It'll be grand, Ah promise." He pecked her cheek, "They'll adore ye."

She instantly recognized Cameron and Aileen Wood. Their son greatly resembled both of them. "So nice to finally meet you, Hermione," Aileen greeted her warmly.

"Likewise," smiled Hermione.

"Oliver's told us so much about ye, lass, we feel like we know ye," Cameron told her.

"I'm sorry to say he hasn't returned the favor," she shot him a stern look.

He smiled sheepishly, "Ah was excited about ye. Ah know them." His mother swatted him.

Hermione shook her head, laughing, "Shall we?" They approached the hostess stand. "Four for Wood." She made a mental note to commend the staff to Hannah. The girl's eyes widened at the sight of Hermione and Oliver, but she remained silent. She escorted them to a table along the edges of the dining room. Their waiter arrived promptly and again pretended not to recognize Hermione or Oliver.

The four made the usual inquires about jobs, family, and lives. The topic came around to the upcoming holidays. "We get together Boxing Day," Aileen said, "we would love for you to join us for lunch."

"I would be delighted, thank you," Hermione accepted. "My mother's family gets together on a weekend before the holiday. And my father's Christmas Day. Oliver is invited. Though I cautioned him to run while he could, he claims he wants to come."

"He's a tenth generation Gryffindor," joked his father.

"All the foolish bravery that come with it," quipped Oliver.

"Just don't say I didn't warn you."

"Ah would never insult yer honor that way, me lady."

Aileen addressed her husband and son, "Emily said Stephan would be accompanying her and Posy this year."

Hermione looked to Oliver for clarification. "Stephan Clearwater, Emily's husband. He usually goes to his family's gatherings. Emily and Posy aren't welcome. Something about about Mum moving on from her loveless abusive marriage to an arse three times her age being an insult to a fifth cousin or something."

"Oliver Quinn," Aileen admonished Aileen. Cameron laughed.

Hermione nodded sagely, "But still demand Stephan's presence despite the insult to his family. And he goes because of years of familial training and hopes of inheritance."

"Ye disapprove?" asked Cameron.

"If my family cannot pull on 'pureblood'" she made air quotes with her fingers, "manners and fake civility for a few hours at the least, they are not my family and I'll have nothing to do with them."

"You make it sound so easy," said Aileen sadly.

"I know it isn't. That statement comes from a place of hard won confidence and determination to make myself happy first and others second. But not at the expense of their general happiness." She took a drink, "But if my husband and children aren't welcome I am not going. I can make my own money and any property from such people would be tainted by their hate."

Cameron grinned, "Ah like her. Let's keep her." He looked at his son, "Don't screw this up."

"Ah don't plan on it," he promised.

"Oh, I just remembered, Molly invited you to Christmas Eve."

Oliver smiled, "Ah will be there." They finished eating. Oliver bid his parents farewell and escorted Hermione home.

"I would love to invite you in, but you have an earlier morning than I do."

"Ye aren't wrong," he kissed her. "Good night, leannan."

She returned his kiss eagerly, "Good night." They stood kissing for a few minutes as she fumbled to open the door. A few minutes later she groaned and tried to pull away.

He pulled her back to him, "Sleep is overrated, invite me in."

"Won't you come in?" she murmured against his lips. He swept her into his arms, stepped inside, kicked the door shut, and carried her upstairs.

The beginning of November Ginny unexpectedly popped in for a visit. She flopped dramatically on the couch face down. "Well, hello, drama llama. What's up?"

Ginny raised her face slightly, "I met my soulmate." She dropped her face back onto the cushion. She mumbled something.

"Come again?" Ginny mumbled into the couch again. "Ginerva Molly Weasley, I do not speak mumble. Sit up and enunciate," Hermione snapped.

Ginny shot upright, her eyes wide, "My soulmate is Adrian Pucey."

Hermione considered the matter before speaking. The Pucey she remembered was quite fit. She hadn't had much interactions being a year younger, but he was the "nice Slytherin." He's remained neutral in the war, he left Britain to play quidditch on the Continent. "Are we pleased with this turn of events or displeased?"

"I don't know. When he didn't recoil in horror I suggested doing what you did: take our time getting to know one another. With that little oath there's no deadline. He agreed."

"So what caused this existential crisis on my couch?" asked Hermione.

"I don't know. There isn't a problem, and maybe that's the problem," wailed Ginny.

"That is possible. You've been stressing about everything that could go wrong, that you're in shock with how it went right."

Ginny nodded, "I knew you would know. He just decided to retire from active playing and moving into coaching or another support role."

"So he'll understand your schedule."

Ginny nodded, "He will. You'll come on double dates, right?"

"Of course, darling," soothed Hermione. "I'm sure others will agree, too. And if Ron forgets we've moved past school day issues, I will hex him for you."

Ginny laughed, "Thanks, Hermione." She stood and hugged her.

"Any time."

"Okay, I'm getting out of your hair. Mum's waiting on me. I just needed to let that all out. She'd try to understand, but I don't think she really can."

"Let me know when you're bringing him to the Burrow.

"Sure," Ginny reached the fireplace as a devastated, pale Oliver stumbled out. Ginny caught him, "Whoa there, mate."

Hermione rushed over to assist them to the couch, "Oliver, what's wrong?"

"Reed," he started before stopping, his voice thick with emotion.

Hermione felt her heart stutter, "What happened to Reed?"

He shook his head, "Not Reed, Donna, his wife." He took a deep ragged breath. "She found her soulmate. She told him she was happily married and would stay that way. He wasn't happy, but accepted it." He trailed off

"But?" coached Ginny ignoring the look Hermione shot her.

"The soulmate still decided to break things off with his fiancee after they settled the bond issue. She attacked Donna for wrecking her relationship."

"Is she okay?" asked Hermione, horrified for the family.

"She'll survive, but will be months in recovery. Reed is retiring to care for her and the kids." Oliver scrubbed his face with his hands.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" asked Hermione's

"Ah don't know. Donna made him leave once they knew she was out of danger. Their kids at home need him. He came by the stadium to tell us and retire."

"Do you want to go over together to check on them?"

"Do ye mind?" he asked hopefully.

"I offered, and I am rarely one to offer things I will not do." She grabbed her handbag, "Let's go."

Ginny stood, "I'll go collect food from Mum to get them through at least dinner."

"Good thinking. A stasis charm can keep it for tomorrow if they don't need it tonight."

"The public floo address is 44 Oak Lane," Oliver told her. She nodded and swiftly departed.

"How old are the kids?" Hermione asked.

"Uh, Ah think the youngest two are around 4 and 9. The eldest is 12, she's at school right now. Why?"

"This is traumatic for them, too. We should get them something special." They ran to the local gift shop and picked up three stuffies and journals.

They flooed into utter chaos. Players stood or sat around everywhere. No one seemed to be doing anything other than talking excitedly. A small redheaded child looked about confused and on the verge of tears. Hermione looked around and nodded to herself, "Right." She crouched down in front of the child, "Hello, angel. My name is Hermione. What's yours?"

The small one pulled her finger out of her mouth. "Hannah," she whispered.

"Do you know Oliver?" she pointed to her boyfriend. The girl nodded. "Good, can you show him where Daddy is, please?" Again she nodded and held up her hand to Oliver.

"Ah'll go round Reed up, shall Ah?"

"Yes, please and thank you." She turned to the others, "All right you have time to lean, you have time to clean." In rapid succession she assigned chores. When someone grumbled she raised a questioning eyebrow at them, "You're here to be a help. Getting the house in order for your captain is helping."

"What are you going to do?" asked one.

"Organize. Now move," she barked. The complainer tried to stare her down. "Are you seriously trying to intimidate me?" She put her hands on her hips and shifted her weight onto her back foot.

"Just because you're Oliver's bird doesn't mean you can boss us around."

Sure, but how about I can because no one was doing anything constructive? Or because no one else stepped up and took charge? It is never a question of who is going to let me and always who's going to stop me. Delores Umbridge didn't. Antonin Dolohov didn't. Bellatrix Lestrange didn't. Fenrir Greyback didn't. So, I have no fucking clue who it will be."

"But we're all pretty sure it won't be you," called out Paulie. "Hermione's right, let's get to work." The team dispersed to complete their assigned tasks.

Hermione turned her attention to the kitchen. She set the dishes to cleaning themselves and started an inventory of available food. Happily, it seemed someone had recently shopped. She was finishing up when Ginny popped in carrying a large wicker basket. "Right, here's a week worth of meals that just need heating up." She and Hermione unpacked the dishes. Ginny left as Oliver, Reed, and the children entered the kitchen.

"What's all this?" asked Reed studying them.

"Ginny Weasley was over when Oliver arrived. She mention what happened to her mother, Molly. Molly cooked. Just follow her instructions to heat."

Oliver grinned at the kids, "Looks like ye won't have to brave yer da's cooking. Mrs. Weasley is the best cook."

Hermione turned to Reed, "We got the kids a stuffie and journal each. They can talk to them or write about their feelings. This can be scary. If they, or you, need to talk to someone I know a great therapist."

"Thank you for all of this."

"You're welcome. And please, if you need more help, just ask."

"I will."