Prompt: You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
"So we steal her accountant?" Hermione asked. She eyed the glass of Old Fashioned sitting in front of Tom, praying he wouldn't drink it.
"We steal her accountant," Tom confirmed.
Hermione gave a brisk nod and then stood to get ready to manipulate Cormac McLaggen - the best accountant in Chiswick - to provide a written signature on falsified documents.
As she stepped away from the bar, she felt a hand on her forearm pulling her lightly into Tom. "Are you sure you're up for this? Taking down Dolores Umbridge is personal for you."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "If you knew me at all, you would know that I'm better at this when its personal."
He smirked at her. "I know you."
Despite wanting to step even closer into his space so there could be none between them, Hermione leaned back from him. They were standing too close together. "Maybe we had our shot once upon a time … but now it's all business."
"Are you sure about that, Hermione?" Goodness, when he used that tone on her. But, no. She couldn't give into him, not if he had a glass in hand. Her eyes darted to his full glass.
"Every time you have a drop, you can't stop. I walked away once. I'm only here because it's Umbridge." Hermione's eyes were now casing the bar to see if anyone had noticed them. But eyes slid right off.
"Why would I need a drop when I have you?" He stood and twisted so her back was against the bar and their fronts were pressed together. His hand slid the drink down the bar away from him.
Hermione breathed in his scent - a mix of pine, citrus and amber - letting her eyes shut. It had been so long since they'd been this close.
"I've never been enough for you, not when you have your own heaven in bottle," Hermione muttered bitterly.
"You don't get it. You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever get …" He leaned his head down to whisper in her ear. "Stay with me after this job."
Hermione wanted to give in. "When's the last time you had a drink?"
"I wish I could say the day you left … but I've only been sober for a year." He raised a hand to rest on the side of her neck.
"Why'd you order the Old Fashioned?"
"I could tell you that I've been sober for a year, but I thought it better to show you my control now."