A Quick Bite

Hermione laughed and took another bite of curry as Michael did the same. They were sitting in a quiet corner of a somewhat-local Indian restaurant. Given the late hour, there weren’t any other patrons. The only sounds around the couple were the loud rustles and clinks of busboys clearing tables and hushed talking as waitresses compared tips.

Taking a sip of water, Hermione held up a hand. “You’re telling me that you were one of the students that got caught trying to cross the Age Line?”

Michael chuckled. “And I paid for it dearly. I was stuck in the Hospital Wing for a week with a beard that would have put Dumbledore’s to shame. I wouldn’t laugh too hard, Hermione. I seem to remember a certain Gryffindor hidden away with a cat’s tail.”

Groaning, Hermione attempted to hide her increasingly red face behind her napkin. “How did you know?”

Raising an eyebrow, Michael shook his head. “Gossip traveled fast at Hogwarts. When the Gryffindor know-it-all disappeared, people noticed. I was just impressed that you were able to brew Polyjuice that young. If you were that advanced in Potions, why didn’t you stay with it?”

Hermione shrugged. “After Hogwarts, I was just so tired of everything. The stares, the rumors. I just wanted to take a break. That’s why I’m still at Flourish and Blott’s. It’s quiet, and I have the means to complete some of my own research, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. There are so many theories I’ve read about over the past few years. I’d be hard-pressed to pick just one,” she said with a self-deprecating laugh.

As Hermione spoke, her cheeks became flushed and her eyes sparkled. Her passion for Potions was evident, and that evidence made Michael shiver. He’d never felt that intensely about anything.

“Anyway,” Hermione continued. “After chasing Harry around for so many years, making sure he didn’t get into even more trouble, it’s nice to have some quiet time. Even if it looks like things won’t stay quiet for long.”

Michael nodded at the last comment, the mood at the table subtly shifting. “The boomslangs. Hermione, is this the first time…” Not knowing how to finish his thought, Michael trailed off, looking at Hermione with worry in his eyes.

Hermione shifted in her seat, playing with the embroidered edges of the tablecloth. “No, far from it, actually,” she replied wearily. “After Voldemort was defeated, I was attacked every few weeks or so. It got so bad that I had a full escort for a few months. Harry and Ron got off easier. It seems that the Death Eaters took my part in the war much more… personally.”

“Because you’re a Muggle-born,” Michael replied softly. Slowly, he reached across the table, startling Hermione by taking her much smaller hand in his. Absentmindedly stroking her palm, he thought for a moment, not noticing Hermione’s widened eyes and red cheeks. “We have to go to the Aurors with this.”

Hermione shook her head emphatically. “No. Michael, we can’t,” she pleaded. “If Harry hears about this, he’ll never let me out of his sight. I’ll be under lock and key with a full guard before we can even explain the situation.”

Michael groaned and ran this hand through his hair, mussing it thoroughly. “Even if Potter did react that way, he’d be right. Hermione, if this person was able to attack you at work, they most likely know where you live. It’s not safe for you to go home.”

Hermione pursed her lips at this. “Michael Summers, if you think for one moment that I am going to stay away from my own flat just because some mad Death Eater wants to kill me, you’re sadly mistaken.”

Michael raised an eyebrow at her outburst, deciding not to point out the ridiculousness of her statement. “I’m not suggesting you flee the country and change your name. I’m just saying that until we figure out who is behind this, it might be a good idea to stay somewhere else. With a friend.”

Hermione snapped her mouth shut, swallowing the tirade she had been building up. Accustomed to years of Harry and Ron rashly jumping into things, she hadn’t expected Michael to remain so level-headed. Taking a bite of her now-cold food to cover her moment of hesitation, she grimaced slightly.

“I know that you’re right, but I don’t have to like it,” Hermione said, a small smile on her face.

Michael smirked, wiping his mouth with the small linen napkin. “Do you have someone you can stay with?”

Hermione bit her lip, eyes lowered. “I would ask Harry, but with Ginny due any day now, I don’t want to worry them. Ron’s off on tour with the Cannons, and Luna and Neville are on an expedition somewhere in Iceland.”

Michael frowned and scratched his eyebrow in thought. “I know this is a crazy suggestion, and we don’t really know each other that well outside of work, but you could stay with me, at least until we can guarantee your flat is safe.” Glancing up at Hermione through lowered lids, Michael noted the thoughtful look on her face. He sighed in relief, glad to know that she was at least considering the suggestion.

Hermione pursed her lips. “Are you sure, Michael? I don’t want you to feel as if you’re obligated to help me.” The questioning, earnest look on her face made Michael’s heart skip a beat.

“Hermione, I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t serious,” Michael said, gently taking Hermione’s hand. “I don’t feel obligated. I realize you’re in an unwanted situation and staying with me for a week or so is a viable solution, at least temporarily.”

Hermione looked down at her hand, engulfed by Michael’s. She smiled at the sight. She’d never thought of herself as small or dainty, but seeing his hand wrapped around hers made her heart flutter in a way she couldn’t explain. Hermione looked up at Michael through her lashes. He was looking at her with a concerned expression on his face. Oddly enough, it wasn’t nearly as irritating as when Harry worried about her.

Sighing, she nodded. “Alright. I’ll do it.”

AN: I know, I know. It was short, but that just means that I'll be able to crank out another chapter within the next week or so. Think of this as sort of an exposition/transition chapter. Thank you to the people that have been reading and reviewing, as well as my wonderful beta, froggiebecky.