Valentines
Saturday the 14th of February 1976
“Has she named it yet?”
“Yes, Parsley.”
“Like the herb?”
Hermione let out a sigh as she jumped over a rather large puddle, turning back to face Zach as he copied her, frown on his face and his hand reaching out for hers. “Like something she used to watch before she came to Hogwarts.”
“Do you mean – The Adventures of Parsley?” He asked with a grin as Hermione stared at him blankly, allowing him to continue to pull her down the path many other students were walking.
“I don’t – how do you know that?”
“I saw it a couple of times – Halfblood, remember?” He pointed to himself, swinging their hands back and forth between them and giving her a rather cheeky grin that had her cheeks tingling and her own smiled threatening to break out.
“Still...I barely see Crookshanks any more, he spends most of his time with Parsley.” Hermione pouted as Zach let out a little chuckle moving forwards to rest his hands on her waist instead, sending her heart racing through the roof and her mouth drying slightly as she stared into those kind eyes.
“Aw – come here.”
“It’s not funny.”
“Of course not.”
“Stop it.” She couldn’t help laugh as he tried to pull her forward again, her head tilting up as he placed a soft kiss on her nose, making her face scrunch up and her cheeks turn red. “I’m sorry, this is probably not the romantic conversation you were hoping for.”
He let go of her waist slightly and narrowed his eyes as Hermione cringed. He had asked her to Hogsmeade, on Valentines day, had spoken about getting a date outside of the castle together and simply enjoying their time together, one that Hermione couldn’t help but think would fleeting in the next few months when the weight of exams hit them.
Or when school finally finished and they would probably end up going their separate ways.
“Hermione, we can talk about whatever you want – I don’t care, as long as we are together, which we are, and on our way to Hogsmeade for our date, which we are.” Zach hands were suddenly gently cradling her face, bending down to look in her eyes. “For me, I just enjoy spending time with you.” Her heart broke slightly and her whole body seemed to heat up.
“Me too.” The words were whispered as though she was scared the students passing them by would hear. “As long as we aren’t heading to Madam Puddifoot’s.” She grinned after as his eyes twinkled with amusement.
“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t even dream of taking you there.”
…
Rain began not an hour after arriving, mixing with the slush of old snow and leaving the ground wet in a way that would probably ice over before long, and meaning that students had taken advantage of the warm stores, or in the case of Madam Puddifoot’s, couples had taken refugee to eat each others face where everyone could see.
Hermione instead had taken a seat under one the closed shops, watching as the rain drops fell from the awning, herself perfectly safe and dry with Zach by her side.
“So I was thinking.”
“Don’t hurt yourself.”
“Shut up you – I was thinking that – well this is going really well for the both of us, or I hope it is and well – I would like it continue going well, so – do you...do you want to...maybe go out with me?” His words rushed out of him like he couldn’t quite stop himself. His own eyes wide as Hermione turned to face him with a small smile.
“Zach...are you asking me to be your girlfriend?” She asked, though the smile on her face offered some calm, her heart raced inside and her brain twisted with anxiety and a flash of silver eyes.
It wasn’t fair, she wanted this – she wanted Zach and everything he had to offer. She wanted the calm and someone who wanted her, she wanted kind brown eyes and soft sweeping hair – kind smiles and honest filled words. She didn’t want to feel as though there was a part of her craving someone else, she wanted to move on from him – to live her life without him taking up her thoughts.
“Yes?”
“Yes?”
“Yes I am.”
“You are what?” Hermione frowned, fully breaking away from her thoughts to focus on the man before her, the one giving her his softest smile that melted all the doubt away.
“Asking you to be my girlfriend.” He whispered the words and reached forward to push away a curl falling on her face. It was sweet and made her heart ache just a bit more, even as she offered him a nervous and slightly tense smile. “Will you be my girlfriend?” His voice clenched at the end, almost as if he knew.
Her tongue moved around her dry mouth and her smile eased into something more genuine. “Of course.” She whispered the words as he grinned back at her. “Now, boyfriend, how about we go have a butterbeer to celebrate the mushiness that is you asking me out on the cheesiest day of the year.” It felt easy to tease.
“I knew it would be too romantic for you.” Zach sighed as he stood up, reaching for her hand and pulling her to stand beside him so he throw an arm around her shoulders.
“Of course it was, but it was still sweet – though I will now be expecting flowers and chocolate otherwise this whole Valentines day will not be have been living up to the girly expectations in my head.” Hermione mumbled into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing him tight, hiding the frown that marred her face.
…
The Three Broomsticks remained packed, as usual, students, teachers and random people alike squished into seats or standing by their friends as laughter ran through the pub and drinks splashed over tables. It was both too much and comforting at the same time as Hermione stood before Zach, eyes scanning all of the tables.
A redhead sat between messy black hair and mousy brown that held a couple of greys, easy to spot amongst everyone. Though strange to see as James and Lily laughed at something the very tired Remus said, bags under his eyes and the symptoms of a day away from the moon showed.
Quickly she looked around for Marlene, though the girl was either not here or mixed among the crowds, instead she found Sirius, his arm around some familiar girl whose name escaped Hermione’s tongue, a vicious smirk on his face as he said something to Snape as he passed, the boy stopping for a second to send a look to Sirius.
Whatever was happening there, she wasn’t going to get involved, though it didn’t mean her throat didn’t clench up when those silver eyes flashed her way. Her hand reached for Zach’s, her head turning to face him instead. A calm in the storm of emotions that ran through her veins.
“HEY MI’! ZACH!” Zach let out a chuckle as James’ voice carried through the pub, a few people turning to look at the couple stood by the door.
“Seems we’ve been spotted, would you like to sit with them?” Zach asked, his hand reaching out to rub her arm and his face turning sympathetic, like he knew was plagued her. Maybe he did, maybe she had made it obvious – or maybe he just knew something bothered her.
“Would you?” Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow, sending a quick look to her brother who was staring at them both expectantly. “I mean...we are on a date and I understand if you would rather have a bit more privacy.” She whispered the last words as he flashed her a toothy grin.
“We can have privacy later, I want to see what your friends are like.” Hermione allowed herself to be pulled along, a small smile on her face as Zach eagerly dragged her towards her friends, like he couldn’t wait to sit with them, grabbing extra chairs and sitting them down between James and Remus with a grin.
“Don’t you both look lovely.” James grinned, leaning onto one hand and pressing a finger to Hermione’s red nose.
“Are you drunk?” She whispered to him, grabbing his drink to take a small sip and frowning when she realised it was just butterbeer, weak in alcohol and not very good at giving anyone more than a light buzz if they drank over ten of them.
“No, just enjoying the loving atmosphere.” He whispered back, letting out a sigh and sending Lily a pleading look, though the auburn haired girl pretended not to notice it. “And hoping that next year I won’t be celebrating alone.” He took his drink back and took a big sip before placing it back in her hand.
“Alright lover boy.” She muttered, taking a sip as Zach raised his eyebrows and frowned down.
“You do realise our drinks are on their way, right?” She shrugged her shoulders and took another sip. It was just a weird habit the siblings seemed to have, passing drinks and sweets between themselves without a care, then refusing to share with other people.
“What do you mean alone, me and Lily have been with you since this morning?” Remus asked suddenly, cutting off James where he was muttering to himself. The werewolf groaned, leaning slightly onto Lily as Hermione tensed her jaw. She need to figure out Wolfsbane or buy it the moment it came out.
“And I’m hoping next year you won’t be here.”
“I’m ignoring that since we have a guest – how has your date been so far?” Lily asked, red cheeked and turning towards the pair. Zach frowned and looked away from Remus to focus on Lily as Hermione let out a small chuckle.
“Overly romantic and mushy.” Hermione teased, the table seeming to freeze, narrowed eyes on Hermione and Zach.
“Are you ok?” Lily whispered across the table as Rosemerta placed the drinks, Hermione reached for hers with a roll of her eyes and Zach looked bemused.
“Did you put a spell on her or something?” James asked Zach with wide eyes, letting out a cry as he pressed a hand to Hermione’s forehead, holding her there as she glared at him. “See, my sister...well I’m convinced she isn’t a girl, not a normal one – she hates mushy things...she even despises the colour pink.” He whispered across the table as Hermione slapped his hand away.
“You’re so dramatic.”
“So please, Zach, tell us what you did to make her behave like a blushing maiden.” James spoke with a wicked grin as he fanned Hermione’s face, ignoring her slapping hands.
“I just asked her to be my girlfriend.” Zach spoke unsure, looking around at all the faces. Remus looked half tired but smiled quickly, Lily was in awe and James just looked like he couldn’t quite figure out how that was something to be considered mushy.
“Wait...what?”
“To be fair...he did it on Valentines day with his hand up my -” Hermione laughed loudly as James slapped a hand over her mouth and pulled on a couple of her curls.
“You’re supposed to be a young lady!” James shouted back as she pushed him away, laughing again when he tried to reach for her, sending her backwards into Zach who held her there and gave James a pointed look that had the hazel eyed boy smirking.
“Why are the Potter’s wrestling?” The whole table seemed to stop, tension seeming to settle over all of them as Hermione looked up to see him, silver eyes and black waves staring down at her, his eyes flickering to how Zach was holding her.
“Zach asked Hermione out, she’s teasing James about how it happened.” Lily explained as Hermione looked away and back to her friend who was watching her with worried eyes. “Sorry Zach, I’m so happy for you both – we all are, aren’t we Remus...Sirius!” If she hadn’t have known better then she wouldn’t see how Lily shifted slightly and Remus jumped.
“Ow – yes we are, mate.”
“Fucking chuffed - congrats.” Sirius mumbled and Hermione gulped slightly, her stomach twisting with unease as the boy sat himself down between Remus and Lily, eyes hard and focused on Hermione. Everyone at the table seemed to wait, watching between them like something might happen.
And how much had she wanted something to happen? She couldn’t exactly say, but whatever hopes she had of maybe starting something were crushed months ago – and Hermione Potter wasn’t one to wait around on a boy who didn’t know what he wanted or where he would be sticking his dick next time. She was done with all of that.
And Sirius needed to be done with it too.
Silver eyes blinked at her, head slightly tilted to the side like a dog, once she would have melted to whatever he wanted but instead she remained cold in the face of his unheard question and offered a tense smile. “Thank you.”
Her grin broadened as she turned to face Zach, his hand resting on the back of her chair and his fingers playing with her curls. Any annoyance eased away and was filled with the fluttering butterflies of a first romance.
“I needed to pick up some things from Tomes and Scrolls – fancy coming with me?” Hermione asked him, his face scrunched up in slight humour as turned to pick up his drink, downing it in a few seconds, turning to grin at her as he wiped the froth moustache with the back of his hand.
“Fine but only if you come to Zonkos -” Hermione pushed down James before he could stand up, his eyes brighter than a child on Christmas. “- and Honeydukes afterwards.” Zach finished, eyes glinting as Hermione smiled.
“What would Valentines be without being cheesily asked out and some chocolate.” Hermione commented dryly though she smiled and reached to grab his hand, larger fingers wrapping between her own. “And yes Remus, I will get you some.”
…
The Common Room had never looked as appealing as it did now, warm and cosy, empty of students as many stayed in Hogsmeade or made their way to have a warm dinner. Hermione would have joined them but she couldn’t quite pull herself away from the man stood before her, looking far more appetising than the food downstairs.
Zach stood before her, shaking off his cloak to reveal the slightly water plastered t-shirt underneath, shaking out his hair with his fingers, back muscles and biceps stretching to accommodate him, light brown eyes watching her and eyebrows frowned as her cheeks heated up and her fingers dug into the fabric of her own coat.
“Are you ok?” Zach asked suddenly, standing up straighter and walking towards her, bending down to look at her face. “You’re not getting sick, are you?” A single drop rolled down his forehead, passing by his lips and dripping off his chin, her eyes following it’s journey.
Was she sick? She certainly felt hot, like her body had been thrown in the most delicious fire and it was consumed her body with lust. But no, she wasn’t sick, she was being thrown smack dab in the middle of teenage hormones and horniness for the man before her.
Small hands reached to curl around the front of his t-shirt, pulling down his face and placing her lips against his own, a small moan leaving her mouth as his hands rested on her hips. The fire inside her burning hotter than ever with a need to continue what had barely even been started.
“I think we should go to your room.”
“Ok – why?”
“Well we can’t go to mine, you can’t get up the stairs.” She mumbled against his lips, feeling confusion and perhaps something else as her hands moved to grip the bottom of his top, small fingers reaching to touch the skin underneath.
“Oh –“ The sound tumbled out of his lips, eyes going slightly wide as he pulled back, her fingers drifting over his stomach. Hermione frowned, pulling back slightly, the heat lowering and her focus coming back.
“We don’t have to if you don’t want to, and we don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to – I guess I jut wanted to take advantage of any alone time we might have had – I’m sorry.” Part of her brain screamed that she shouldn’t be apologising, and instead jumping on him, the part clouded by lust and want it seemed.
Zach eyed her with his own frown, his mouth falling open and curving towards one side. “I – you don’t have to be sorry – I – I wanted to make sure you were sure and that I wasn’t forcing you into anything.” He chuckled at the end and placed another kiss on her lips.
“No at all.” Hermione whispered against his lips, trying to fight the lust side of her brain from returning in full form and ruining this moment. “So did you want to -”
“Come on.” He chuckled, holding out his hand for her to take, a goofy smile appearing on her face as followed behind him, leaving her coat and Remus’ chocolate on the chair with a part of her hoping that no one would take them, but she doubted her friends would be far behind.
The thought left her mind in an instant as Zach led the way past the boys dorms, stopping outside of one and sending her a quick smile as he pushed open the door.
It was much the same as her brothers, though instead of three beds and more space, there were six and a bit more mess, Muggle posters hung on the wall and a pile of shoes beside the door. Zach stared around embarrassed, his cheeks turning pink and his free hand reaching up to rub the back of his neck as Hermione stared on amused.
“Sorry, things kind of get left around with six boys crammed in here.”
Hermione let out a chuckle, moving towards the bed she could only figure was his by the family photo on the bedside table. It bounced under her weight. “Well they’re not here now.”
Something that sounded like a breathy laugh and sigh left his mouth, tongue coming out to wet his lips as he moved towards her, sitting beside her and rubbing his hands down his jeans. Adorable and nervous, it made Hermione smile.
She opened her mouth to speak, to tell him they didn’t have to do anything he didn’t want or feel ready for when he reached over to place a soft kiss on her lips, mouthing opening slightly, making all of Hermione’s thought leave her mind with a single moan.
His hands moved to hold her waist as she pulled him closer, toeing off her shoes and edging him further on the bed, hoping he would get the message which he seemed to as his own shoes clattered on the floor, and he laid down beside her before he pulled back with a frown.
“Is everything -”
“We’re not having sex.”
“Is that because you don’t want to or…” Her words trailed off, cheeks flushing as she laid all but half on top of his, doubting her own words as she was pretty sure she could feel whether he was interested or not...and she was leaning towards the latter.
He moved, gently pushing her off of him and leaning half over her with a frown and an amused smile. “No, it’s because I think you deserve than a rushed job half an hour before dinner finishes.”
“Confident in your abilities?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Does that mean we can’t do anything?” Hermione asked, teasingly, raising an eyebrow as he coughed out a laugh, running a hand down her side and giving her that kind smile that made her heart race just a bit faster.
Her smile dropped and her breathing picked up faster as he ran his hand further down her side and pressed a harder and much more intense kiss to her lips. She let her own hands drift down, pulling at the hem of his t-shirt and grinning when he caught her meaning and pulled back to get rid of the offensive material between them.
The grin stayed on her face as his lips moved down her neck and her fingers scratched up his chest, loving the groan that left his throat and the way his hands moved on her waist and upper thighs.
…
Her feet didn’t seem to want to cooperate when she made her way down to the Common Room half an hour later, legs feeling like jelly and her eyes slightly unfocused. She couldn’t stop the grin on her face or the giggle that left her lips as Zach’s hand brushed against her back, a softer smile on his face but his cheeks brighter than her own.
“Hermione?” She turned, slightly shocked at where her friends sat around the fire, Remus huddled under her coat with his chocolate on his lap and James watching her with narrowed eyes. “What happened to your hair?”
If her cheeks weren’t red before then they sure were now as she reached up to touch her hair, feeling the curls large and frizzy under her fingers, her mouth opening to try and find an explanation as Marlene chuckled behind her hand and Lily rolled her eyes.
“Pretty sure her shirt is on back to front too, Prongs.” Sirius muttered, eyes still hard but lips curling into a small smirk as he shook his head and looked away. James’ eyes drifted downwards and his mouth opened as Hermione let her head drop, a small chuckle leaving her throat as Zach coughed beside her.
“Oh for – you know what I don’t need to know.” James’ voice was strained, his head turning away as Hermione let out another laugh.