RP: Comfort Food

[shh_roger]

Date: February 18, 2005
Character(s): Roger Davies, Hermione Granger
Location: Roger's place, Grocery store in Exeter
Status: Private
Summary: Worried about Cedric, Hermione drops by Roger's place and they go grocery shopping.
Completion: Complete

Roger had a lot of work ahead of him. This morning, he'd officially claimed the building on Lovegood Lane

Comments

[shh_hermione]

"I'm rather hungry, too," she said. Her bowl of cereal was long forgotten, and it had been a rather stressful morning. She still had to go to Cambridge to send the owl to Cedric's parents, but that wouldn't take too long. They decided on sandwiches, and she also ordered a bag of crisps for them to share.

When they reached a spot to Apparate home, she smiled and moved closer to Roger. The shopping had been a nice distraction, so she was in a better mental place than she'd been when they first left his house. This time, she subtly smelled him as they went back home.

"I'll put these things away and then pop over to Cambridge to send the owl to Cedric's parents," she told him. "I'll be at your house in shortly, and we can play with Lucy and have lunch. Does that sound okay?"

[shh_roger]

He smiled and kissed her cheek lightly. "Okay. Be careful. Lucy and I will be waiting."

Back at his house, Roger put his food away, which didn't take long. He ate alot usually, as he needed alot of energy for work, but it was still only him to buy for, so his load was appreciably lighter than Hermione's, who was feeding two hungry men and herself. After he had his things put away, he went to the shed behind the shop for his bike and, checking that it had enough fuel, and wheeled it outside and to the back of his house.

He leaned against the bike, keys jingling in hand, as he waited for Hermione to return. He was happy that she'd suggested this as he'd not been on his bike in some time, and they could both use this time to get away.

[shh_hermione]

"I'll be careful," she said, smiling as she kissed his jaw. "I'll also hurry, so you and Lucy don't have to wait too long."

She took the bag inside and went about unshrunking everything. It didn't take too long to put everything away, as she'd not buy milk and such until she went to the dairy or local market. Once it was all put away, she wrote a note to the boys, letting them know she'd gone out with Roger and would be back later. She then wrote a brief letter to Cedric's parents letting them know he'd had fallen but was doing well, mostly because she knew he kept in touch with them and didn't want them worried if he didn't owl for awhile.

A quick Apparation to Cambridge resulted in paying for an international owl post to Canada. That done, she focused and soon arrived at Roger's cottage. She found him leaning against the motorbike and smiled. "Ready for that ride?"

[shh_roger]

"Ready if you are." He put protection charms on both their heads, then straddled the bike. Gesturing for her to get on behind him, he revved the engine and it came to life under him with a satisfying roar.

Roger waited for her to get settled in comfortably behind him. "Hold on tight," he said. One of these days, they'd need to take both their bikes out-- and race a bit-- but there were certain inarguable benefits to riding together. He smiled and started to accelerate, driving to the street and speeding up without warning down the road. They would know when to stop and eat when the time was right.

[shh_hermione]

She waited until he was on the bike before she straddled it behind him. She scooted closer and wrapped her arms around his waist. "This tight enough?" she asked, leaning against his ear and speaking softly. She kissed his neck and rested her cheek against his shoulderblade as he started Lucy.

He took them out onto the road, and she tightened her grip as he began to drive. She closed her eyes and sighed, just enjoying the wind on her face and the speed as he drove them to wherever they ended up.

[shh_roger]

Roger shivered slightly and unexpectedly as she got close to his ear and breathed into it. He turned his head and just brushed the corner of her mouth with his lips before she pulled back. "Perfect," he whispered, his belly quivering as she kissed his neck. Merlin, if she was doing this to him without even trying...

He shook his head. He needed to focus; he was driving. Increasing his speed more, he welcomed the wind as it blew cold on his face and whipped through his hair. They drove for twenty miles at least. Roger liked this particular roadway, because it wasn't ever crowded and wasn't full of curves and turns so he never had to slow down.

They reached a hilly field just past some farmland that was pretty deserted. He slowed and stopped, turning off the bike and looking back at her. "How about here? We can eat under that oak tree just on the other side of that hill; see?"

[shh_hermione]

They drove for awhile, able to go fast as no one seemed to be out on this particular road that afternoon. She was glad because she liked being able to just hold Roger and feel the wind in her hair. He sped up, and she laughed softly, moving closer to him.

When he began to slow down, she raised her head from his shoulder and looked around. "Oh, it's lovely," she said when she saw the hill and tree. It was a beautiful spot for a picnic, and it wasn't so cold that they'd be uncomfortable even with a warming charm.

She got off the bike and stretched, running her fingers through her now messy hair and scanning the area. "It's perfect."

[shh_roger]

Roger got off the bike and smiled when he saw that she liked the spot; he'd found he liked picking out the perfect places to go with her and just take in the scenery. Once it got warmer, they could do it even more often.

Standing and watching her, he gave in to the urge to step forward, take her by the waist mid-stretch, and quickly kiss her lips. "Glad you like it."

When they reached the spot, he took the bag of food and fished out a napkin, transfiguring it into a blanket then setting out their casual meal of sandwiches, crisps and drinks. He plopped down and held up a hand to her.

[shh_hermione]

She was surprised when she felt Roger's hand on her waist and looked up at him as he lowered his head. She smiled when he kissed her, just a light kiss that didn't last long. She reached up and caught him, leaning in to kiss him lightly before she let go and followed him to the tree.

"I do like it, Roger. It's a lovely spot for a picnic and conversation," she decided. He fixed a blanket and set things out before holding out his hand to her. She took it and sat down, sighing as she looked up at the sky and closed her eyes. She really hoped that Cedric was okay, and knew she'd go see him tomorrow at the clinic to find out.

"Thank you," she said, opening her eyes and looking at Roger. "I needed to do something today that required no thinking and good company."

[shh_roger]

"It is a good spot," he agreed, smiling when she joined him. He leaned back against the tree trunk, and handed her a bottle of juice before untwisting the cap on his own.

"Thank you, for coming over today. There aren't many things better than seeing you without expecting to." He watched her as they began to eat. He knew that he would think about their earlier, more serious conversation again. Worry about it. But right now, he found it hard to worry or to think too much. It was easy, almost too easy, just to be with her.

He knew that she was worried about Cedric and needed a distraction, and he was happy to give it to her. She gave him a distraction from a great many things after all, and had for quite some time. At her words, he reached over and squeezed her hand in a gesture of reassurance then met her eyes, his voice quiet when he spoke.

"Not thinking has its benefits. He'll be fine," he added in an even more quiet voice before he sat back and looked out across the field.