Two Worlds of Magic, ch. 10-11
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Of the all of his ideas this one seemed to be less idiotic. But what else could he do? Tell her something like “Look, I think I have an idiotic crush on you like some stupid teenage boy, and I really hate myself for that but I can’t help it. So, would ya like to drink a cup of coffee with me?” That was pathetic. Besides every time he saw Wilson, the oncologist had that annoying smug smirk on his face and House did want to thrust his cane into Wilson’s self-satisfied ass.
It felt awful. He was pissed off by that terrible need of seeing her near him. He felt crazy and he’d kick her ass if she wasn’t so wonderful. He didn’t want to begin any kind of relationship after Stacey. It was safe that way. He was pleased with his life the way as it was. Nobody in his bed - no pain, no stress.
But sometimes when he woke up in the middle of the night, he would be overcome with sadness and loneliness. He would think in such moments about Wilson’s words. What if he really could be happy? What if his relationship would just… work? He would toss and turn in his bed until he pops some Vicodin. Then in the daytime he would think of the stupidity of the idea of having a relationship.
But what was happening to him now was just inexplicably. It would be much better if he had a crush on Cuddy at least. He would accept it then because he had been friends with the woman for the half of his life, they were almost the same age. But Hermione? Miss Secrecy and Seriousness? For God’s sake - even Cameron would be not so bad!
House didn’t know her at all. She had just appeared in his life. Of course, being House he tried to find some information about her illegally but he failed. There was nothing. As if she just didn’t exist. He even paid Lukas to follow her and find out everything he could. But no! Lukas couldn’t do this. He remembered their last conversation.
“You know,” Lukas then told him on coming to his office. “That’s impossible!” he exclaimed sitting on the chair in front of House.
“Because?” House questioned confused.
“That’s why!” Lukas replied putting on the table several tiny microphones. House quirked an eyebrow. “I placed five different microphones on her clothes! Two of them the day before yesterday, two yesterday, and today the last one.”
“And what’s the problem? You lost your ability of hearing? Or you became all noble at once?” House said.
“The thing is” Lukas replied mysteriously. “I follow and intercept her all the time until she enters some store or café and that’s it!”
“What?”
“She disappears then! I wait for her for about an hour but she didn’t show up. I searched for the places where she had been but there was simply nowhere to hide! Yesterday she went to the ladies' room and didn’t come back. The café was on the third floor! She couldn’t escape through the window” Lukas finished shaking his head. “When I check for the microphones next morning they are all there but… broken!” He added.
House stretched his long legs under the table forcing Lukas to cross his own. “And what about her place?” He asked the investigator. “Did you find where she live?”
“And here comes another problem, House!” Lukas said excitedly. “She lied to you apparently. There is no such apartment. I found a flat №168 and a flat №170 but there is just no 169th flat! She obviously thought this over very well.” He finished.
That was all Lukas could find out. Now House was lost in conjectures. Why the heck did she need to be all that confidential?!
He suddenly caught himself on taking his Vicodin for the third time for the last hour. Dammit, was she at least worth it? But one thing he knew for sure was that he definitely was much sexier that her Blondy.
He heard the door open and watched as Hermione walk in. Without looking at him she took some book from the shelf and started reading. They sat in silence while House was thinking about the best way of asking her about a... not a date, but walk.
“Wilson’s birthday is tomorrow.” He suddenly said as if they were in the middle of discussion.
“I know that.” Hermione answered not looking up from her book.
“Have an idea of what I should give him?” He asked her.
“Give him a cake in the form of a coffin,” she said darkly. “At least that’s your style.”
House sighed. She definitely wasn’t going to make it any easier to for him.
“I’m going to some shops this evening” he started sounding hesitant even for himself. Hermione noticed that too, because she finally looked at him. Her gaze made him even more nervous. He never had a problem of asking somebody out, because he usually didn’t care about the response. He always made women look forward to seeing him again. But now it was Hermione and he did care about her response. “May be you can go with me and help me to choose him a present?” He said very quickly looking anywhere but her eyes. What’s the hell matter with him?!
“You mean - go with you?” she repeated stupidly.
“That’s exactly what I just said, isn’t it?” He said irritated.
“Um, Dr House, you have been buying James present for God knows how many years. Why do you need me this time?” She asked him reasonably. It really unnerved him that she always called him ‘Dr’ as all the team does. Once she even called him a Professor accidently. It made him feel older.
“Well,” House said taking out a lollipop and unwrapping it. “Not that I usually give him something…”
“Are you saying that you never buy him a present?” Hermione exclaimed shocked. “You are best friends! James does everything for you and you never give him a present?! Wow.”
“After I gave him myself on his 36th birthday when he was planning was spending it with his wife he didn’t seem all that happy!” House stated.
A minute passed in silence.
“So what happened this time?” Hermione asked him suddenly. He looked at her questing. “I mean, why do you wanna buy something this year?”
“Well, that’s simple. I stole his good mood, his money and his best moments in life, so I figured I should give him a gift in return” He said smiling. She shook her head, a tiny grin on her face.
“I guess you can pick me at 6.30 then. Lucky you I have a day off today.” She said.
House was pleased. At least she agreed to go with him. Everything’s not that bad.
He sucked for his strawberry lollipop with a loud smack. Hermione shot him a reproachful look.
“Aw, I can see your pleading eyes, Dr Granger. No lollipop for you, they are too unhealthy for your teeth.” He said watching her roll her eyes. “See, I do care about your tooth. I am not that bad, you know.”
Hermione chuckled quietly. “Well, when you start being all nice and fuzzy I’ll be worried.”
Now the silence wasn’t uncomfortable but pleasant, almost friendly. House enjoyed talking to her so much it scarred him. She was just an interesting person, that’s all.
She glanced at her watch. “I should go now. It’s five to six o’clock. See you later.” She smiled and left the room. He grabbed his iPod and left too. He was to pick her up in half an hour.
There would be a really interesting evening today.
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Chapter Eleven.
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Hermione apparated straight to her drawing-room. It was six o’clock. She was to tidy herself up after today surgery. Not that she considered the evening with House as a date, but still she must look properly.
Just when she was putting off her shirt, she heard a voice from the fireplace.
“You know, really like the color of your bra. So sexy.” Ron’s head said archly from the fire. Hermione started and tried to cover herself with her cloth.
“Ronald Weasley!” She growled, her face deeply red. “Don’t you dare make comments like this ever again! I thought I’ve asked you to call me when you’re going to me! What if I was naked?!”
“Then I would be extremely lucky!” Ron joked. Hermione sniffed.
“Can I help you?” she asked him dryly, finally putting on the shirt again.
“Actually, I just wanna ask how you are.” Ron replied, becoming serious. “Harry and I have a day off today so may be we meet this evening? It was so long since we just sat together and… talked. Like in old times.”
“I can’t, Ron” Hermione answered, feeling sad. He was right - they hadn’t just talked to each other too long. Everything had changed. “I’m going to… somewhere else today” She said awkwardly looking away. She didn’t know why she couldn’t tell Ron. It just slipped.
“Where?” Ron asked her curiously.
“That is none of your business.” She told him, annoyed.
“See?” Ron said with a sad smile on his face. “Here’s what I’m talking about. What happened to us, our friendship? You’ve always told me about your plans, but now…” He didn’t finish, but it was clear. She felt guilty because she knew he was absolutely right.
“Well, let’s meet at Burrow on this Sunday.” She said softly. “Or may be I’ll even agree to go to the Quidditch match with you…” she added with a great effort.
“Really?” Ron exclaimed delightfully. “That’s great! I’ll ask Topkin - he’ll help us get the tickets to England - Bulgaria match! That’s great!” he added to himself again.
Hermione smiled at his puppy-like happiness. He was such a boy, doesn’t matter how old he was!
“Then I guess, I’ll talk to you later?” He said excitedly.
“Yeah. Bye, Ron.” She smiled at him.
“Bye!” He returned the grin, and with a soft pop his head disappeared.
Hermione sighed. It was 6:13 already. She turned to leave the room and take the shower, but heard Ron’s voice again.
“Hey, Hermione!” he called her. She turned to him, annoyed that he didn’t let her take a shower. “Do you remember to take off a Muggle Repelling charm?” He reminded her.
“Of course, not, Ron!” Hermione said crossly, smacking herself mentally for completely forgetting it. House wouldn’t find her apartment then. But damn her if she would admit it to Ron.
“Ok, then” Ron said and disappeared again, letting Hermione take a shower already.
Of course she knew about Lukas. She caught him when he was following her second day in a row. She then approached him and said.
“Hi, I’m Hermione Granger, but you know it already because you illegally meddle with my life.” She said sweetly, watching him become nervous.
“So, you caught me.” He stated.
“Yes I did” She confirmed. “Was it House who hired you?” she asked him.
“Err, I can’t actually tell you about my employer…”
“I’ll pay more the House does, if you agree to play up to me.” She said with a grin.
“Not that House actually paid me anything.” Lukas murmured.
“Then deal, I guess?” Hermione said, extending a hand.
“Yup” Lukas smiled a bit nervously but shook it.
She smiled at the memory. Lukas was a good guy. Antsy a bit, but nevertheless he agreed to lie to House. She felt a little smug. She always loved a feeling of control, especially of her own life. Now when Voldemort was finally dead, she could concern herself with her personal life. She had Malfoy of course before and during the war, but they broke up…
And speaking of Malfoy… She was really shocked to see him again especially there in the hospital. How could Ron tell him? Oh, and she forgot to swear at Ron for that when she just spoke to him! Anywhere, she didn’t know what to do. She definitively should keep away from Malfoy to prevent from getting hurt again. It wouldn’t be that difficult this time because she understood she had some feelings for House. It made things even worse. She was smart enough to know that it would eventually end in tears. House was not the person she needed. He had feeling, of course, deep inside, but she wasn’t the one who could dig them up. He didn’t have any morals when she had a lot.
But anyway it was pleasant to spend her time with him. He was intelligent enough for her, she even had to admit with a great effort that may be even more intelligent than her. But she so damn afraid of getting hurt again, after the war, Voldemort, death of her Mom, friends. She just won’t be able to deal with pain again.
She stepped out of the shower and dried her hair with a spell. On getting her clothes she quickly put off the Muggle Repelling charm for House.
But after thinking this trough she decided she should better go downstairs to meet House to avoid unwanted problems.
It was 6:40 and Hermione was getting cold already, when House finally showed up… on his motorcycle.
“No way!” Hermione exclaimed when he gave her a helmet with a smug smirk. “I can’t believe you didn’t take a car!
“Hell no!” House said. “How am I supposed to be hugged by you during the ride then? Love the feeling of power, you know.”
Hermione shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere on this!” She said sternly.
“Why don’t we take my car then?” Hermione said reasonably.
“I’ve drunk an alcohol.” He said immediately.
“I can drive” She tried again.
“Oh c’mon! What’s wrong with you, woman?!” House exclaimed with fake misunderstanding. “Didn’t you hear what I just said? You’ll get an ability to hug me!” House stated. “Women usually have to beg me for it!”
“And I thought you paid them for it” Hermione said, smirking.
“And here Dirty-Hermione goes,” House said contentedly. “I finally have an ability to see your little dirty side!”
Hermione sighed. He was incredible! But she was getting really cold, and since he didn’t have a car, so arguing was pointless, she decided to agree.
“Let’s go already! I’m getting cold.” House whined. “Let’s go!”
“Stop whining!” Hermione scolded.
“Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s-“
“Ok, STOP IT!!” Hermione groaned. “You behave like a five-year-old, honestly! Promise you will be as accurate as you can!” she ordered, frowning.
“You are no fun!” House said with mock disappointment. Hermione was trying to put on the helmet.
“Let me” He suddenly said with unusual softness and helped her to fasten the helmet. He paused for a moment and she could see his brilliant blue eyes in front of hers. It felt as if she was trying some drug - dangerous, with bad after effect, but she still wanted to try it. Adrenalin rushed to her head, but the next moment he was far again.
“Let’s go then.” He said somewhat hesitant, awkwardness could be felt in the air. He sat on his bike, and she climbed behind him.
Hermione placed her arms on his shoulders, but he replaced them over his waist. She didn’t see his face, but she could guess that he had his smug expression.
Sometimes he was so like Malfoy, and it unnerved her. There were somewhat intimate moments, only theirs, that warm feeling in her chest and butterflies in her stomach just like with Ron when she was a girl, and she didn’t want to think about Malfoy now.
There were only Hermione, House and wind in her ears.
This evening was going to be very unusual.