Coffee Guy (Hermione/Michael, PG-13)
Title: Coffee Guy
Author/Artist:
Pairing: Hermione Granger/Michael Corner
Characters: Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Michael Corner, Original Male Character, Rolf Scamander
Prompt number: 103
Word Count: ~3,750
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Mild Language
Summary: A chance meeting, a blind date, and perceptive friends help two people down on their luck in love move forward.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, or anyone, recognizable from the Harry Potter world. I'm just playing in JK's sandbox and not making any money off this work. However, I do own the Snitch and Cauldron Coffee Shop and The Aethonan names.
Author’s Notes: Many, many thanks go to my Alpha, J, and my Beta, also J, for their help with this tale. While I love working with rare pairs and characters, I've never worked with Michael before, so this was a new experience for me. Thank you for that opportunity, prompter. Lots of thanks go to the mods for hosting this year! Now, without further ado, please enjoy!
"Gin, I don't know about this," Hermione whispered as she stared at her reflection.
She tugged on the hem of the dress that Ginny had practically forced her into minutes ago. Hermione was torn because the dress was beautiful and honestly it didn't reveal too much, but she was much more comfortable in her work robes. She bit her lower lip as she thought about the wizard she had met the other day.. 'And how do you tell your best friend you've met someone when you've not even gone on a proper date yet?'
Ginny waved her hand over her shoulder as she rooted through her closet searching for shoes to go with the dress Hermione was currently wearing. "You look fantastic, Mia."
Hermione practically whined. "It's too short and revealing."
Ginny's head poked out of her closet. "It is not. That dress is almost to your knees and you can't even see your tits." Her vibrant red hair disappeared as she continued her search. "Which are fantastic by the way."
Hermione's eyes widened as her jaw dropped. "Ginevra!"
Her head reappeared and she raised an eyebrow. "What? Just because I'm married and pregnant doesn't mean I can't appreciate a beautiful witch when I see one."
The brunette witch wrinkled her nose. "You don't have to be so crude about it."
Ginny laughed and shook her head. "Oh, Mia, that was tame in comparison to what I heard, and said for that matter, during my time with the Harpies. Now, there's a crude bunch of witches."
Hermione held up her hand as she watched Ginny disappear once again. "I don't even want to know what you lot got up to when you played for them. The Harpies are worse than a bunch of the guys."
"That is so true," Ginny's voice responded from the small room. "Ah ha! Finally found the shoes I was looking for."
Hermione waited for her to re-emerge to see what torture devices she was going to try and force her into. Her eyes widened as she realised that what her friend pulled out was not a pair of high-heeled torture devices, but rather a pair of flat gladiator sandals in nude.
Ginny laughed. "You thought I was going to give you a pair of my pumps, didn't you?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Would it have been such a surprise?"
Shrugging a shoulder, Ginny sat down on the edge of her bed. "No, but I know you prefer flats to heels and you're already nervous enough as it is, so why make you more uncomfortable?" She patted the space next to her on the bed. "Come here."
"Thank you." Hermione padded her way over from the full length mirror and sat down next to her friend.
"I know you, Hermione. You'd much rather be at home with a book, a glass of wine, and Crooks, but you need to get out every once in awhile." She handed over one of the shoes. "You deserve to be happy."
Hermione accepted the shoe, but then looked at her friend. "But I am happy. I'm happy with how my life is going. I don't need a man to make me happy."
Ginny nodded her head in acceptance. "You're right, you don't need a man to make you happy, but what about someone to take care of you? Be there for you when you want someone to talk to?" She winked at her. "Especially when I'm not around."
Hermione chuckled and shook her head. "What's wrong with talking to Crooks? That's what I do when you're not around and I can't talk to you."
Ginny laughed. "Mia, talking with your Kneazle is okay for a while, but you need human interaction!"
Hermione finally slid the shoe in her hands onto her foot and bent over to lace the leather up her leg. "Pfft! I get enough human interaction at work. Probably more than I should in the MLE."
"That is not the kind of human interaction I was talking about and you know it."
"I know, Gin," she sat back up and glanced at her friend, an uncertain look upon her face. "I think I'm just nervous, especially because I don't know who you've paired me up with for tonight."
Ginny smiled softly and reached across to grasp her friend's hand. "I promise that he's a good guy. He's been in a similar position as you. He was in a long time relationship that ended in disaster when his fiancée left him for someone else. You both deserve a chance at happiness with someone new. And if you two don't get along tonight then that's fine, but I have a feeling that you two will hit things off."
Hermione frowned. "I wouldn't wish what I went through with Draco on anyone. I'm just glad that you all were there for me, especially you, Harry, and Ron."
"Oh, Mia, of course, we were going to be there for you. You're family to all of us, even if you aren't blood. We may not have been happy that you were dating him in the first place, but he fooled all of us. He played his part so well for so long that when he finally capitulated to his parents' demands to marry Astoria we were shocked."
"It didn't help that he made it very clear that he never loved me and had only been with me to help his family's image."
Ginny pulled her into a hug. "Mia, you know he was lying through his teeth when he said that. Honestly, I think he was trying to cover up how much he was hurting when he left."
Hermione wrapped her arms around Ginny's waist and buried her head in the crook of her shoulder trying to hide the tears threatening to fall. "Then why did he leave? Why did he give in?"
Reaching up with her free hand, she gently carded her fingers through Hermione's hair. "I'm not sure. He could have been given an ultimatum from his parents. Then again, I could be completely wrong and he really is an asshole."
The two witches fell silent for a few moments as they both remembered the downfall of Hermione's almost seven year relationship with Draco Malfoy. It had come from nowhere and left her confused and heartbroken. Now, over two years later as she remembered everything that happened, she started to realise that him breaking things off with her was the best thing that could have happened to her. She had been blinded by her love for him and never noticed how wrong she was. It was never anything big, but rather little things he said or did during their time together that now led her to believe that even if he did have feelings for her, they never went beyond what she could do for him and his family.
"That bastard," Hermione growled as she pulled away from Ginny's arms.
She didn't even have to think about who Hermione was talking about. "What about him?"
Hermione stood up from the bed and began pacing. "He was using me the whole time."
"What makes you say that?"
"The most obvious is that any time we went out it was always somewhere very public and very much in the Wizarding world. We almost never ventured into the Muggle world or went somewhere quiet, even though I asked him multiple times." She stopped and turned to face Ginny with her hands on her hips. "Hell, there were even a couple times where I had made reservations somewhere quiet, and out of the way, and he went behind my back and changed my plans. And this is just the beginning. There's so much more that I could say, but we'd be here all night long."
Ginny stood up and held out the other shoe to Hermione. "And you, my dear, do not have all night to tell me how much of a bastard your ex is. You have a date to get to."
"Oh Merlin, you're right!" She grabbed the shoe and hurried to sit back on the bed to put it on. "What time is it?"
Ginny pulled out her wand and flicked it, whispering, "Tempus. You have less than ten minutes to get to the restaurant."
"Shit," Hermione cursed as she fumbled with the leather strings. "I'm going to be late."
"No, you won't. Once I cast a refreshening charm on you, you will be ready to go and since you know where you're meeting him, you can apparate."
Hermione finished tying her borrowed shoes and sat up straight. "You're right, Gin. I've just never done something like this. And if all goes well then I won't have to worry about trying to set up a date with the wizard I met the other day..."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Wait. You met someone? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Yes, I did." Hermione shrugged. "We ran into each other at the Snitch and Cauldron Coffee Shop and ended up sitting down and talking while we finished our drinks. When I got up to leave to go back to work, he gave me his mobile number saying that he hoped I would like to go out with him some time."
"Well, I'm happy for you and if who Luna and I have set you up with tonight doesn't work out, then you have coffee guy to fall back on." Ginny stepped forward and placed her hands on Hermione's shoulders. "And remember, you are a brilliant witch and just because your ex is an arse doesn't mean that all men are. Go have fun tonight and if you two don't hit it off then that's fine, you at least tried. Just take a deep breath."
She did what Ginny suggested and breathed deeply. "Thank you, Gin. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Spend the night talking with your Kneazle." Ginny winked.
"Har har."
"Before making that call to coffee guy. Now, let me cast that refresher charm on you and then off you go." Ginny pulled her wand hand back and swished the twelve and three quarter inches of yew wood. She watched as Hermione's flushed face from her anger earlier cleared and her friends bright smiling face looked back at her. "There you go. Your wand, purse, and jacket are where you left them on the couch. Grab them and then leave and meet your mystery date."
Ginny stepped back as Hermione stood up. She kissed Ginny's cheek before leaving the bedroom. As she walked through the doorway, she called over her shoulder, "How do you know I'll actually go meet him?"
The redhead smirked as she followed her friend. "Because Luna will be there to introduce the two of you."
Hermione hesitated as she walked down the hallway. "Luna? Luna knows him too?"
Ginny waited until Hermione reached her belongings before she replied, "Of course she knows him. They were in the same house at Hogwarts."
Hermione's head shot up as she processed what Ginny said.'It couldn't be who I met the other day, could it?' "Who is it?"
"Ah ah," Ginny admonished a grin twisting her lips. "I'm not telling you. Just apparate your cute arse out of here and go find out for yourself."
"Harumph." Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're no help."
Ginny laughed. "Thank you. I know. Now, go."
"I'm going, I'm going." She checked to make sure she had her wand, before she disappeared with a soft whoosh.
Harry stepped out from the nursery with a wide awake James cooing in his arms. "Do you really think they will hit it off?"
Ginny turned around and smiled at her boys. "Of course I do. They're both wicked smart, a great friend, they both have had some bad luck in the relationship department and deserve to be a part of a good, healthy relationship. You definitely know that he doesn't give a damn that she's Muggleborn."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Well, I would hope he didn't since he's a halfblood."
"True," Ginny replied. "They're also two people that you don't want to cross so I can only imagine what they would do to the press if anything negative came out about them."
"You're going to enjoy that when it happens, aren't you?"
Ginny stood up on her toes to kiss Harry before she lowered back down. She gave him a devilish grin. "Oh, very much so. Now, let's have some dinner ourselves. How's that sound, Jamie?"
He fidgeted with his tie for the fifth time in as many minutes.
Luna reached forward and pulled his hands away and moved them down to his sides. She smiled softly at him. "Stop messing with your tie; it is fine."
He blushed. "I know, I just…" He trailed off as he reached up to push a strand of black hair out of his eyes. "What am I going to say to her? What am I going to do? I don't even know who she is!" He turned around to pace across his living room floor as he twisted his fingers together in agitation. "Why did I let you talk me into going on a blind date?"
Luna stepped in his path across his carpet and grasped his hands when he stopped in front of her. She looked into his dark brown eyes. "Just be yourself and everything will be fine. Take a few deep breaths and then I'll apparate you to the restaurant."
His eyes widened a fraction. "It's time to go already?"
She squeezed his hands. "Yes."
He nodded his head and took a couple deep breaths. He closed his eyes and let her calming presence wash over him. "Okay, I'm ready, Luna. We'll have to step outside because I need to ward my flat first."
"Okay," Luna replied as she followed him out of his flat into the quiet hallway of his building and waited as he set a series of complex wards over his home. She smiled sadly. "It's sad that we are almost fifteen years away from the war and we all still feel the need to ward our homes so securely."
When he was done, he turned around and returned her sad smile. "Do you ever think any of us will ever feel safe enough to not ward our homes like this?"
Luna's eyes glazed over as she was pulled back to her time spent in Malfoy Manor all those years.
Seeing her far away gaze, he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Luna?"
Shaking her head to clear the old memories, she looked up at him. "I'm fine. Thank you." She grasped his hand on her shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "Ready?"
"As much as I'll ever be," he muttered.
Luna nodded her head and closed her eyes. Once she had their destination in her mind, she pulled out her wand and the two of them disappeared, leaving the hallway in silence once more.
Moments later, they both appeared in the Apparition Receiving Room of The Aethonan. They left the small room and entered the entrance room where the maître d' was waiting quietly.
"Welcome to The Aethonan. May I have your reservation name, please?"
"Potter for two," Luna replied.
Confused, the maître d' raised a dark eyebrow. "Neither of you are Mr or Mrs Potter."
"Oh, yes, I know." Luna smiled brightly. "Ginny and I set this up for our friends. You are welcome to Floo her if you would like to confirm."
A voice called out before he could reply, "Luna!"
All three of them turned around at the sound of the voice.
The bright blue eyes of the maître d' widened at who was approaching them. "Miss Granger! I'm so sorry, I don't have an open table for you."
"Oh, she's here for the Potter reservation," Luna explained.
The maître d' frowned. "Miss Granger?"
Hermione tore her gaze from the wizard standing next to her blonde friend. "Uh… wha-" she stumbled over her words. A look of shock upon her face.
"Are you here for the Potter reservation?"
"Oh, yes, I'm here for the Potter reservation." A blush spread across her cheeks. "Ginny and Luna set this up for us."
"Okay," the maître d' replied. "If you will give me a moment, I will make sure your table is ready."
"Thank you," the three of them replied.
The maître d' disappeared into the interior of the restaurant, leaving the trio alone.
Luna smiled and stepped forward. "Hermione, I don't know if you remember him, but this is Michael Corner. Michael, Hermione Granger."
The dark haired wizard stepped forward and took her small hand in his own. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he shot her a wink, "again, Miss Granger." He bowed his head and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles.
Hermione looked at Luna with wide eyes who shot her a sly smile. She glanced at him as he slowly stood back up. "It's good to see you again, Mr Corner." She tightened her fingers against his as a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Call me Michael, please." He slowly released her hand.
"Your table is ready now," the maître d' said as he returned to the entrance room.
Luna stepped forward. She kissed Hermione's cheek and placed a hand on Michael's shoulder. "Both of you enjoy yourselves."
The blonde witch then turned around and disappeared into the Apparition Room.
Hermione turned to look at her date. "Well, it looks like it's just you and me now."
"So it does." He held out an elbow for Hermione to take. "Shall we go?"
She hesitated for only a moment before she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. "We shall."
The couple turned and followed the maître d' through the restaurant.
Thirteen Months Later
Ginny stared at the couple before her in surprise. "Wait a minute, Hermione. You mean to tell me that he's coffee guy?"
Michael raised an eyebrow before he turned to look at Hermione. "Coffee guy?"
Hermione laughed. "Ginny's words not mine. So, when I was getting ready to meet with you for our blind date, I told her about the wizard I had met at the Snitch and Cauldron and she dubbed him coffee guy."
"Why didn't you tell me who it was?"
The brunette witch shrugged her shoulder. "You never asked."
Ginny frowned. "Yes, I did."
Hermione shook her head. "No, you asked why I didn't tell you and I answered that question."
The younger witch thought about their conversation from over a year ago on the night the couple had started dating and realised that Hermione was right. "Well damn."
Harry stepped up next to them a smirk threatening to break out over his face.
Ginny saw this and frowned. "What, Mr Potter?"
"You were right though."
"What do you mean?"
He shot her a proud grin. "You said that they would hit it off and they did."
Ginny preened at his comment. "Well, of course I'm right. I just would've liked to have known about this little piece of information," she paused for a moment, "oh, a year ago."
Hermione laughed at her friend's antics. "Well, now you know."
"True," she agreed as she tilted her head to the side and cocked a bright red eyebrow for a moment.
Luna skipped up to the two couples, her new husband following behind her a couple steps. "Thank you all for being with us today." She grasped Ginny and Hermione's hands. "Especially the both of you."
"We were both more than happy to stand up with you," Hermione replied. "Thank you for asking us."
"Well, I can't thank you enough for not picking hideous dresses for us to wear," Ginny added as she gestured to the dark purple dresses they were wearing.
"Ginny!" Hermione hissed as she frowned at her friend.
The redheaded witch shrugged. "What?"
Luna squeezed their hands and laughed. "It's okay, Hermione. I know my style is not for everyone, but I knew both of you would look lovely in purple. It was just a matter of finding a style that suited you both."
Michael wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist and grinned. "Well, I happen to love this dress on Hermione." He winked at his girlfriend. "She looks tasty enough to eat."
A light blush tinted Hermione's cheeks before a smirk twisted her lips. She wrapped her free arm around Michael's waist. "Oh really?"
"Yes, really," he confirmed before pressing a kiss to her lips.
"Get a room, you two," Harry groused, but the grin on his lips softened his words.
Luna sighed wistfully. "Now, it's Hermione and Michael's turn."
The couple in question broke their kiss to turn and stare at Luna for a moment before looking back at each other. They quickly glanced away as twin blushes spread across their faces.
"Luna," Hermione whispered, "we've only been together just over a year."
The blonde witch tilted her head to the side as she looked at her friend. "Time means nothing if a couple are destined to be together." She released Ginny and Hermione's hands before she stepped to her left and kissed Hermione and Michael's cheeks. "I have a feeling that by the end of next year, we will be celebrating the two of you." Luna then turned to Ginny and Harry, both of whom were sporting equally shocked faces as Hermione and Michael. She kissed their cheeks also. "I'm so glad you all could celebrate with us tonight." She then waltzed off to speak with more guests.
Rolf turned and watched his wife walk away. After a moment, he shook his head and then turned back to the others. He grinned sheepishly. "I'd apologise for Luna, but while she might seem odd to outsiders, we all know how perceptive she really is when it comes to, well, pretty much everything."
Ginny snorted out a laugh.
All eyes turned to her.
"He's right." She looked at Hermione and raised an eyebrow. "I better be Matron of Honor, missy."
Hermione snuggled further into Michael's arms. "Of course you will, but only when we're ready."
Michael pressed a kiss to her forehead as he wrapped his other arm around her shoulder. He glanced at Ginny and Harry both of whom were still watching them and smiled. He knew that Hermione wasn't quite ready yet, but there was a small dark blue velvet box sitting in his Gringotts vault for when she was ready.
End Author's Note: The Aethonan is named after Aethonans. Aethonans are Chestnut coloured, winged horses that can be found in Britain and Ireland.
Author/Artist:
Pairing: Hermione Granger/Michael Corner
Characters: Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Michael Corner, Original Male Character, Rolf Scamander
Prompt number: 103
Word Count: ~3,750
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Mild Language
Summary: A chance meeting, a blind date, and perceptive friends help two people down on their luck in love move forward.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, or anyone, recognizable from the Harry Potter world. I'm just playing in JK's sandbox and not making any money off this work. However, I do own the Snitch and Cauldron Coffee Shop and The Aethonan names.
Author’s Notes: Many, many thanks go to my Alpha, J, and my Beta, also J, for their help with this tale. While I love working with rare pairs and characters, I've never worked with Michael before, so this was a new experience for me. Thank you for that opportunity, prompter. Lots of thanks go to the mods for hosting this year! Now, without further ado, please enjoy!
"Gin, I don't know about this," Hermione whispered as she stared at her reflection.
She tugged on the hem of the dress that Ginny had practically forced her into minutes ago. Hermione was torn because the dress was beautiful and honestly it didn't reveal too much, but she was much more comfortable in her work robes. She bit her lower lip as she thought about the wizard she had met the other day.. 'And how do you tell your best friend you've met someone when you've not even gone on a proper date yet?'
Ginny waved her hand over her shoulder as she rooted through her closet searching for shoes to go with the dress Hermione was currently wearing. "You look fantastic, Mia."
Hermione practically whined. "It's too short and revealing."
Ginny's head poked out of her closet. "It is not. That dress is almost to your knees and you can't even see your tits." Her vibrant red hair disappeared as she continued her search. "Which are fantastic by the way."
Hermione's eyes widened as her jaw dropped. "Ginevra!"
Her head reappeared and she raised an eyebrow. "What? Just because I'm married and pregnant doesn't mean I can't appreciate a beautiful witch when I see one."
The brunette witch wrinkled her nose. "You don't have to be so crude about it."
Ginny laughed and shook her head. "Oh, Mia, that was tame in comparison to what I heard, and said for that matter, during my time with the Harpies. Now, there's a crude bunch of witches."
Hermione held up her hand as she watched Ginny disappear once again. "I don't even want to know what you lot got up to when you played for them. The Harpies are worse than a bunch of the guys."
"That is so true," Ginny's voice responded from the small room. "Ah ha! Finally found the shoes I was looking for."
Hermione waited for her to re-emerge to see what torture devices she was going to try and force her into. Her eyes widened as she realised that what her friend pulled out was not a pair of high-heeled torture devices, but rather a pair of flat gladiator sandals in nude.
Ginny laughed. "You thought I was going to give you a pair of my pumps, didn't you?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Would it have been such a surprise?"
Shrugging a shoulder, Ginny sat down on the edge of her bed. "No, but I know you prefer flats to heels and you're already nervous enough as it is, so why make you more uncomfortable?" She patted the space next to her on the bed. "Come here."
"Thank you." Hermione padded her way over from the full length mirror and sat down next to her friend.
"I know you, Hermione. You'd much rather be at home with a book, a glass of wine, and Crooks, but you need to get out every once in awhile." She handed over one of the shoes. "You deserve to be happy."
Hermione accepted the shoe, but then looked at her friend. "But I am happy. I'm happy with how my life is going. I don't need a man to make me happy."
Ginny nodded her head in acceptance. "You're right, you don't need a man to make you happy, but what about someone to take care of you? Be there for you when you want someone to talk to?" She winked at her. "Especially when I'm not around."
Hermione chuckled and shook her head. "What's wrong with talking to Crooks? That's what I do when you're not around and I can't talk to you."
Ginny laughed. "Mia, talking with your Kneazle is okay for a while, but you need human interaction!"
Hermione finally slid the shoe in her hands onto her foot and bent over to lace the leather up her leg. "Pfft! I get enough human interaction at work. Probably more than I should in the MLE."
"That is not the kind of human interaction I was talking about and you know it."
"I know, Gin," she sat back up and glanced at her friend, an uncertain look upon her face. "I think I'm just nervous, especially because I don't know who you've paired me up with for tonight."
Ginny smiled softly and reached across to grasp her friend's hand. "I promise that he's a good guy. He's been in a similar position as you. He was in a long time relationship that ended in disaster when his fiancée left him for someone else. You both deserve a chance at happiness with someone new. And if you two don't get along tonight then that's fine, but I have a feeling that you two will hit things off."
Hermione frowned. "I wouldn't wish what I went through with Draco on anyone. I'm just glad that you all were there for me, especially you, Harry, and Ron."
"Oh, Mia, of course, we were going to be there for you. You're family to all of us, even if you aren't blood. We may not have been happy that you were dating him in the first place, but he fooled all of us. He played his part so well for so long that when he finally capitulated to his parents' demands to marry Astoria we were shocked."
"It didn't help that he made it very clear that he never loved me and had only been with me to help his family's image."
Ginny pulled her into a hug. "Mia, you know he was lying through his teeth when he said that. Honestly, I think he was trying to cover up how much he was hurting when he left."
Hermione wrapped her arms around Ginny's waist and buried her head in the crook of her shoulder trying to hide the tears threatening to fall. "Then why did he leave? Why did he give in?"
Reaching up with her free hand, she gently carded her fingers through Hermione's hair. "I'm not sure. He could have been given an ultimatum from his parents. Then again, I could be completely wrong and he really is an asshole."
The two witches fell silent for a few moments as they both remembered the downfall of Hermione's almost seven year relationship with Draco Malfoy. It had come from nowhere and left her confused and heartbroken. Now, over two years later as she remembered everything that happened, she started to realise that him breaking things off with her was the best thing that could have happened to her. She had been blinded by her love for him and never noticed how wrong she was. It was never anything big, but rather little things he said or did during their time together that now led her to believe that even if he did have feelings for her, they never went beyond what she could do for him and his family.
"That bastard," Hermione growled as she pulled away from Ginny's arms.
She didn't even have to think about who Hermione was talking about. "What about him?"
Hermione stood up from the bed and began pacing. "He was using me the whole time."
"What makes you say that?"
"The most obvious is that any time we went out it was always somewhere very public and very much in the Wizarding world. We almost never ventured into the Muggle world or went somewhere quiet, even though I asked him multiple times." She stopped and turned to face Ginny with her hands on her hips. "Hell, there were even a couple times where I had made reservations somewhere quiet, and out of the way, and he went behind my back and changed my plans. And this is just the beginning. There's so much more that I could say, but we'd be here all night long."
Ginny stood up and held out the other shoe to Hermione. "And you, my dear, do not have all night to tell me how much of a bastard your ex is. You have a date to get to."
"Oh Merlin, you're right!" She grabbed the shoe and hurried to sit back on the bed to put it on. "What time is it?"
Ginny pulled out her wand and flicked it, whispering, "Tempus. You have less than ten minutes to get to the restaurant."
"Shit," Hermione cursed as she fumbled with the leather strings. "I'm going to be late."
"No, you won't. Once I cast a refreshening charm on you, you will be ready to go and since you know where you're meeting him, you can apparate."
Hermione finished tying her borrowed shoes and sat up straight. "You're right, Gin. I've just never done something like this. And if all goes well then I won't have to worry about trying to set up a date with the wizard I met the other day..."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Wait. You met someone? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Yes, I did." Hermione shrugged. "We ran into each other at the Snitch and Cauldron Coffee Shop and ended up sitting down and talking while we finished our drinks. When I got up to leave to go back to work, he gave me his mobile number saying that he hoped I would like to go out with him some time."
"Well, I'm happy for you and if who Luna and I have set you up with tonight doesn't work out, then you have coffee guy to fall back on." Ginny stepped forward and placed her hands on Hermione's shoulders. "And remember, you are a brilliant witch and just because your ex is an arse doesn't mean that all men are. Go have fun tonight and if you two don't hit it off then that's fine, you at least tried. Just take a deep breath."
She did what Ginny suggested and breathed deeply. "Thank you, Gin. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Spend the night talking with your Kneazle." Ginny winked.
"Har har."
"Before making that call to coffee guy. Now, let me cast that refresher charm on you and then off you go." Ginny pulled her wand hand back and swished the twelve and three quarter inches of yew wood. She watched as Hermione's flushed face from her anger earlier cleared and her friends bright smiling face looked back at her. "There you go. Your wand, purse, and jacket are where you left them on the couch. Grab them and then leave and meet your mystery date."
Ginny stepped back as Hermione stood up. She kissed Ginny's cheek before leaving the bedroom. As she walked through the doorway, she called over her shoulder, "How do you know I'll actually go meet him?"
The redhead smirked as she followed her friend. "Because Luna will be there to introduce the two of you."
Hermione hesitated as she walked down the hallway. "Luna? Luna knows him too?"
Ginny waited until Hermione reached her belongings before she replied, "Of course she knows him. They were in the same house at Hogwarts."
Hermione's head shot up as she processed what Ginny said.'It couldn't be who I met the other day, could it?' "Who is it?"
"Ah ah," Ginny admonished a grin twisting her lips. "I'm not telling you. Just apparate your cute arse out of here and go find out for yourself."
"Harumph." Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're no help."
Ginny laughed. "Thank you. I know. Now, go."
"I'm going, I'm going." She checked to make sure she had her wand, before she disappeared with a soft whoosh.
Harry stepped out from the nursery with a wide awake James cooing in his arms. "Do you really think they will hit it off?"
Ginny turned around and smiled at her boys. "Of course I do. They're both wicked smart, a great friend, they both have had some bad luck in the relationship department and deserve to be a part of a good, healthy relationship. You definitely know that he doesn't give a damn that she's Muggleborn."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Well, I would hope he didn't since he's a halfblood."
"True," Ginny replied. "They're also two people that you don't want to cross so I can only imagine what they would do to the press if anything negative came out about them."
"You're going to enjoy that when it happens, aren't you?"
Ginny stood up on her toes to kiss Harry before she lowered back down. She gave him a devilish grin. "Oh, very much so. Now, let's have some dinner ourselves. How's that sound, Jamie?"
He fidgeted with his tie for the fifth time in as many minutes.
Luna reached forward and pulled his hands away and moved them down to his sides. She smiled softly at him. "Stop messing with your tie; it is fine."
He blushed. "I know, I just…" He trailed off as he reached up to push a strand of black hair out of his eyes. "What am I going to say to her? What am I going to do? I don't even know who she is!" He turned around to pace across his living room floor as he twisted his fingers together in agitation. "Why did I let you talk me into going on a blind date?"
Luna stepped in his path across his carpet and grasped his hands when he stopped in front of her. She looked into his dark brown eyes. "Just be yourself and everything will be fine. Take a few deep breaths and then I'll apparate you to the restaurant."
His eyes widened a fraction. "It's time to go already?"
She squeezed his hands. "Yes."
He nodded his head and took a couple deep breaths. He closed his eyes and let her calming presence wash over him. "Okay, I'm ready, Luna. We'll have to step outside because I need to ward my flat first."
"Okay," Luna replied as she followed him out of his flat into the quiet hallway of his building and waited as he set a series of complex wards over his home. She smiled sadly. "It's sad that we are almost fifteen years away from the war and we all still feel the need to ward our homes so securely."
When he was done, he turned around and returned her sad smile. "Do you ever think any of us will ever feel safe enough to not ward our homes like this?"
Luna's eyes glazed over as she was pulled back to her time spent in Malfoy Manor all those years.
Seeing her far away gaze, he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Luna?"
Shaking her head to clear the old memories, she looked up at him. "I'm fine. Thank you." She grasped his hand on her shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "Ready?"
"As much as I'll ever be," he muttered.
Luna nodded her head and closed her eyes. Once she had their destination in her mind, she pulled out her wand and the two of them disappeared, leaving the hallway in silence once more.
Moments later, they both appeared in the Apparition Receiving Room of The Aethonan. They left the small room and entered the entrance room where the maître d' was waiting quietly.
"Welcome to The Aethonan. May I have your reservation name, please?"
"Potter for two," Luna replied.
Confused, the maître d' raised a dark eyebrow. "Neither of you are Mr or Mrs Potter."
"Oh, yes, I know." Luna smiled brightly. "Ginny and I set this up for our friends. You are welcome to Floo her if you would like to confirm."
A voice called out before he could reply, "Luna!"
All three of them turned around at the sound of the voice.
The bright blue eyes of the maître d' widened at who was approaching them. "Miss Granger! I'm so sorry, I don't have an open table for you."
"Oh, she's here for the Potter reservation," Luna explained.
The maître d' frowned. "Miss Granger?"
Hermione tore her gaze from the wizard standing next to her blonde friend. "Uh… wha-" she stumbled over her words. A look of shock upon her face.
"Are you here for the Potter reservation?"
"Oh, yes, I'm here for the Potter reservation." A blush spread across her cheeks. "Ginny and Luna set this up for us."
"Okay," the maître d' replied. "If you will give me a moment, I will make sure your table is ready."
"Thank you," the three of them replied.
The maître d' disappeared into the interior of the restaurant, leaving the trio alone.
Luna smiled and stepped forward. "Hermione, I don't know if you remember him, but this is Michael Corner. Michael, Hermione Granger."
The dark haired wizard stepped forward and took her small hand in his own. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he shot her a wink, "again, Miss Granger." He bowed his head and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles.
Hermione looked at Luna with wide eyes who shot her a sly smile. She glanced at him as he slowly stood back up. "It's good to see you again, Mr Corner." She tightened her fingers against his as a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Call me Michael, please." He slowly released her hand.
"Your table is ready now," the maître d' said as he returned to the entrance room.
Luna stepped forward. She kissed Hermione's cheek and placed a hand on Michael's shoulder. "Both of you enjoy yourselves."
The blonde witch then turned around and disappeared into the Apparition Room.
Hermione turned to look at her date. "Well, it looks like it's just you and me now."
"So it does." He held out an elbow for Hermione to take. "Shall we go?"
She hesitated for only a moment before she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. "We shall."
The couple turned and followed the maître d' through the restaurant.
Thirteen Months Later
Ginny stared at the couple before her in surprise. "Wait a minute, Hermione. You mean to tell me that he's coffee guy?"
Michael raised an eyebrow before he turned to look at Hermione. "Coffee guy?"
Hermione laughed. "Ginny's words not mine. So, when I was getting ready to meet with you for our blind date, I told her about the wizard I had met at the Snitch and Cauldron and she dubbed him coffee guy."
"Why didn't you tell me who it was?"
The brunette witch shrugged her shoulder. "You never asked."
Ginny frowned. "Yes, I did."
Hermione shook her head. "No, you asked why I didn't tell you and I answered that question."
The younger witch thought about their conversation from over a year ago on the night the couple had started dating and realised that Hermione was right. "Well damn."
Harry stepped up next to them a smirk threatening to break out over his face.
Ginny saw this and frowned. "What, Mr Potter?"
"You were right though."
"What do you mean?"
He shot her a proud grin. "You said that they would hit it off and they did."
Ginny preened at his comment. "Well, of course I'm right. I just would've liked to have known about this little piece of information," she paused for a moment, "oh, a year ago."
Hermione laughed at her friend's antics. "Well, now you know."
"True," she agreed as she tilted her head to the side and cocked a bright red eyebrow for a moment.
Luna skipped up to the two couples, her new husband following behind her a couple steps. "Thank you all for being with us today." She grasped Ginny and Hermione's hands. "Especially the both of you."
"We were both more than happy to stand up with you," Hermione replied. "Thank you for asking us."
"Well, I can't thank you enough for not picking hideous dresses for us to wear," Ginny added as she gestured to the dark purple dresses they were wearing.
"Ginny!" Hermione hissed as she frowned at her friend.
The redheaded witch shrugged. "What?"
Luna squeezed their hands and laughed. "It's okay, Hermione. I know my style is not for everyone, but I knew both of you would look lovely in purple. It was just a matter of finding a style that suited you both."
Michael wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist and grinned. "Well, I happen to love this dress on Hermione." He winked at his girlfriend. "She looks tasty enough to eat."
A light blush tinted Hermione's cheeks before a smirk twisted her lips. She wrapped her free arm around Michael's waist. "Oh really?"
"Yes, really," he confirmed before pressing a kiss to her lips.
"Get a room, you two," Harry groused, but the grin on his lips softened his words.
Luna sighed wistfully. "Now, it's Hermione and Michael's turn."
The couple in question broke their kiss to turn and stare at Luna for a moment before looking back at each other. They quickly glanced away as twin blushes spread across their faces.
"Luna," Hermione whispered, "we've only been together just over a year."
The blonde witch tilted her head to the side as she looked at her friend. "Time means nothing if a couple are destined to be together." She released Ginny and Hermione's hands before she stepped to her left and kissed Hermione and Michael's cheeks. "I have a feeling that by the end of next year, we will be celebrating the two of you." Luna then turned to Ginny and Harry, both of whom were sporting equally shocked faces as Hermione and Michael. She kissed their cheeks also. "I'm so glad you all could celebrate with us tonight." She then waltzed off to speak with more guests.
Rolf turned and watched his wife walk away. After a moment, he shook his head and then turned back to the others. He grinned sheepishly. "I'd apologise for Luna, but while she might seem odd to outsiders, we all know how perceptive she really is when it comes to, well, pretty much everything."
Ginny snorted out a laugh.
All eyes turned to her.
"He's right." She looked at Hermione and raised an eyebrow. "I better be Matron of Honor, missy."
Hermione snuggled further into Michael's arms. "Of course you will, but only when we're ready."
Michael pressed a kiss to her forehead as he wrapped his other arm around her shoulder. He glanced at Ginny and Harry both of whom were still watching them and smiled. He knew that Hermione wasn't quite ready yet, but there was a small dark blue velvet box sitting in his Gringotts vault for when she was ready.
End Author's Note: The Aethonan is named after Aethonans. Aethonans are Chestnut coloured, winged horses that can be found in Britain and Ireland.