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Where Things Lead This Time	By : ronsmistress Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 14642 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter world, I make no money from this posting

Chapter List
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Ginny watched the rest of the ballet on the edge of her seat. When the curtain came down, Hermione let out a gasp. “Ginny!”

“He died.” She whispered as a tear slid down her cheek.

“Most ballets end in a tragedy.” Severus said, standing and helping Hermione to her feet.

“It was beautiful, but sad.” She was so caught up in the ending of the ballet that she didn’t notice Lucius had taken her hand and helped her stand.

“Well, ladies, we have reservations at Maggiano’s.” Hermione smiled. Ginny loved Italian food, maybe the evening wouldn’t be a total loss after all.

They walked to the entrance hall and waited for their cloaks. Ginny was feeling slightly better from the brilliance of the ballet. She even let Lucius assist her with her cloak.

The restaurant was fabulous, and the girls soaked in the atmosphere. Ginny had never been in a setting of this class and was getting excited. A steward came and took their cloaks, and a host came to escort them to their table.

Ginny noticed she was getting looks as they walked past several diners. Hermione saw it as well, and knew that they were curious as to who the widower Malfoy was dining with.

They were brought past the main dance floor and for a moment the girls thought they were going to be seated on the second level of dining space but they were shown to a table in what looked like a separate room. Ginny looked to both sides and notice they were private dining spaces, with jacquard curtains on each side. Some of the spaces were closed, others were left open so the diners would be able to see the dancing.

Hermione was impressed. It was far enough away from the other diners that they could talk in peace, but she loved dancing and she would have a fabulous view of it from where they were seated. Ginny was thinking along the same lines until Lucius pulled the curtain closed. She was still on a wave of happiness from the ballet, so she tried not to let her disappointment show.

She had to smile though when Lucius pulled out a chair for her. It was a chivalrous gesture and one she appreciated. The gesture was completely shot to shit when a waiter appeared. Lucius and Severus went to him and spoke for a moment then returned.

“He didn’t leave menus?” Hermione asked.

“We’ve ordered. Lucius and I know the menu by heart.” Severus told her.

“Ginny and I don’t know the menu here.” Hermione informed him, growing angry. She hated it when men ordered for her as if she didn’t know what she wanted. Now it was her turn to be pissed off.

“We ordered something fabulous for you two. You’ll love it.” Lucius said smiling. The smile faded when Hermione and Ginny exchanged a look. He looked over at Severus, but didn’t need occlumency to know that he agreed with the state of the imminent disaster.

The waiter appeared, with four glasses, setting one down before each person. “Excuse me?” Ginny said, getting the waiters attention. “You can take this back.” She told him gesturing to the dark wine.

“Is it not what you wished madam?” The waited asked wondering if he had gotten the order wrong.

“I’m not partial to merlots, I prefer Chablis.” She told him.

“I’ll bring you one immediately.” He said then looked to Hermione. “Is yours to order madam? I hope I didn’t get it wrong as well.” He was humble and Hermione felt bad for him. He was obviously taking the blame for the men. He probably knew a fuck up when he saw one.

“No, no you didn’t get it wrong, we just forgot to tell our dates that we prefer white wines as opposed to darks.”

“We have a nice Chardonnay.” He offered.

“That would be lovely.” The waiter was off.

“Hermione forgive me, I didn’t think to ask.” Severus said. Hermione smiled brushing it off.

“Ginny I apologize as well, I should have asked if you drank dark.” Seeing Hermione’s grace under pressure she smiled as well.

“How did you ladies enjoy the ballet?” Severus asked, trying to get back to something they had enjoyed. Lucius was glad Severus was around. If he had made the mistake of a solo date, it would have been a silent evening.

“Aside from the ending?” Ginny asked. They shared a chuckle, and the conversation lightened the mood. Hermione loved the ballet and was in awe at seeing a Nureyev performance even if it wasn’t in person. The charms made it seem live and that was good enough for her.

The waiter interrupted with a floating tray. Plates were set before the girls and Ginny looked at her plate. Lobster and tortellini with a vegetable medley. She raised her eyebrows in surprise. She had never had lobster before. She loved pasta of any kind and the tortellini looked as if it was made from scratch, she was well aware of Lucius staring at her, wondering if, like the wine, he had made another mistake, so she let him sweat for a minute, then looked at him and smiled. His face brightened up immediately.

“I’ve never had lobster before.” She told him.

“If you ever have it again it will pale in comparison. The chefs here are gods in the kitchen.” She kept her smile then looked at Hermione who was looking at her own plate. Ginny looked at the waiter who was holding the tray and quickly looked at Hermione’s plate and back at him. He understood the signal immediately and held back.

Hermione had been served lasagna and beef strips in marinara sauce. It looked fabulous to Ginny but Hermione was a vegetarian and was looking blankly at the plate of death she had been served. Ginny glanced up at Severus and could see the worried look on his face.

Hermione looked up at the waiter. “Do you have vegetarian lasagna?” She asked. Severus shut his eyes for a moment. A slightly long moment, but a moment none the less.

“Yes we do and it’s ready now, it won’t take me a moment.” He took her plate and vanished quickly.

“Hermione, I….” Severus started.

“Don’t worry about it, you had no way of knowing I didn’t eat meat.” She said with a smile. Hermione was genuine in her words. People rarely knew about her diet until she went out with them, that was another reason she ordered her own meals. “Really Severus, it’s ok.” She reached out and took his hand giving it a squeeze.

She hadn’t taken her hand back for a second when the waiter arrived with a plate. Ginny had a feeling since the man knew their dates had fouled up drinks and one order that his tip would be increased if he helped them make an effort to placate the ladies.

“Wow, you are fast.” She said smiling at him. He gave her a bow, and made sure their wine and water was filled then left them to eat.

Dinner passed pleasant enough with Ginny laughing at herself as she tried to follow Lucius example of cracking lobster claws. The food couldn’t have been better if they had gone to Palermo themselves. Everything was wonderful and Hermione was glad to see Ginny laughing. It was good to see the evening was a total disaster, even if the first part was less than stellar.

Dishes were soon cleared away and the waiter brought in a desert tray. Ginny, like her brother, had a sweet tooth. Her eyes nearly flew out of her head, and she practically salivated in her seat. The waiter saw the signal a mile away. He moved over to her first and held the tray before her. “Which desert would you like madam?” He asked her.

Lucius having learned his lesson said nothing and let her chose first. Ginny’s eyes roamed over the tray and she was tempted to ask for it all but controlled herself. She was drawn however to the chocolate mousse and the strawberry cheesecake. Her eyes shifted back and forth between the two.

Lucius reached out and took them both. “I don’t think she can make up her mind, so she’ll take both.” She smiled at the two small slices in front of her. Lucius took a raspberry tart for himself.

The waiter moved to Hermione and Severus and held the tray before Hermione. While not too much into sweets like the Weasley clan, Hermione did enjoy a nice desert and opted for the crème brulee. Severus took a chocolate cake.

“Wait,” Luicus said, “we must have a romantic moment.” He moved his chair closer, and took up her desert spoon. Taking some of the cheesecake, making sure to get a strawberry, he lifted the fork. Ginny took her bite and her eyes rolled back. It was perfection and the sweetness absorbed into her whole mouth. She let out a groan. “That sounds familiar.” Lucius said.

She let out a shriek and held her napkin over her mouth as she tried to be ladylike while laughing with a mouthful of cheesecake. Severus and Hermione had joined in the laughter.

While she laughed, Ginny rested her hand on his where he was holding the arm of her chair. He felt his pulse race at the contact. He had managed to overcome the idiocy of ordering for her. Silently thanking the cheesecake gods he fed her a slice of the mousse. She let her head roll back. “Oh yes.” She let out with a louder moan.

“Makes me which I chose the mousse.” Hermione said.

“Me too.” Severus added, sending the whole table into hysterics. Ginny’s face was as bright as her hair as she again laughed into her napkin.

They hadn’t taken more than a few bites of desert when they heard the band beginning again after their break. Severus stood immediately and held out a hand, while Lucius followed suit and they left for the dance floor.

Ginny loved being in his arms. She wondered where this attentive gentleman had been the first part of the evening, but decided not to dwell on it. She loved dancing, and for the moment, gave herself over to her strong partner on the dance floor.

Ginny was aware of several people watching her. She wondered if Lucius would tell anyone she was here. They knew the name Weasley by reputation, and would know who she was if she was introduced. ‘If’ being the important word. If Lucius was serious about continuing what they had started, then he had to be comfortable with who she was and with being with her. Trying to hide anything they engaged in wasn’t alright with her. She wasn’t someone to be ashamed of and she wouldn’t let him treat her that way. She had pride if nothing else.

All too soon the dance ended and they walked slowly back to the table. Ginny watched Hermione lean onto Severus as they walked ahead of them. It was easy to see they were as ease with each other and Ginny was glad. To have an intelligent man appreciate her friend was wonderful and she knew Hermione was happy. She hoped it worked out.

“Lucius?” They stopped as Lucius was approached by a tall older gentleman. She would put him around twenty years older than Lucius.

“Mr. Rumbold, how are you?” He shook hands with the man and Ginny waited patiently to be introduced, but neither man paid her any attention. They spoke briefly about a man who would be returning to England after being away for two or three years.

Ginny just kept her arm on Lucius’s and said nothing. She felt like a insect just hanging on to him and being ignored. She felt her heart breaking, but she wasn’t about to interrupt and make him do what he promised. It was his duty to introduce her and he wasn’t. This evening was supposed to be a test after all.

They spoke for nearly ten minutes, the whole time, Ginny was just standing there being ignored and saying nothing. She felt like crying. She didn’t even need a greeting, and she felt worthless. Lucius didn’t even notice the woman on his arm. She wanted to go home, she needed to leave. She had too much honor and pride to let a man treat her like this. Lucius, in her mind, had failed this test.

After a moment both men said their goodbyes and Lucius led her to the table. The cheesecake and chocolate mousse had lost their appeal. Hermione and Severus were still standing, smiling as they talked. Hermione’s face fell when she saw Ginny’s expression.

Ginny released his arm the moment she was at the table and went to her seat, picking up her purse. Hermione, who understood easily, picked up her purse as well. Ginny was close to losing it, she recognized the look in her eyes. She had to get the redhead out of here.

“What a lovely evening this has been.” Hermione said to Severus.

Lucius and Severus looked back and forth from one another. Ginny stayed next to Hermione and averted her eyes, refusing to look at him. Lucius knew the signs and yet again wondered what he had done wrong. He thought things were finally looking up tonight.

“We thought you might like a walk along village gardens, they are in full bloom right now.” Severus said, but Hermione just smiled. She had to get Ginny out of her before she lost her composure.

“Oh that’s not necessary; we’ve had a lovely time. Ginny, we should get our cloaks.” The two girls walked arm in arm, to the front.

“What happened?” Severus demanded, wanting to throttle Lucius for whatever fuck up he committed.

“Fuck if I know!” Lucius shouted in a whisper, just as confused. The waiter showed up to clear their table, and Lucius paid the bill leaving the man a huge tip for his efforts. The waiter had seen the small talk the man had while he ignored the pretty woman he was here with. He shouldn’t have let her stand there while he socialized, but it wasn’t his life. He was just a waiter after all.

They approached the house and Hermione unwarded the door. Ginny gave Lucius a half smile and a polite, “Thank you for the ballet and dinner Lucius, it was a lovely evening.” Before Lucius could say a word, she hurried into the house.

“Thank you for tonight Severus, it was wonderful.” She kissed his cheek, and gave him a smile. He understood why she didn’t say more. She wanted to check on Ginny.

“I’ll owl you soon.” He said, Hermione nodded and went inside, warding the house and hurrying down the hall. Ginny had thrown herself on her bed and was in a flood of tears. Her eyes were soaked, she was clutching her pillow in her fists and her body shook as she heaved and cried.

Hermione climbed in the bed and leaned down hugging her friend. “Oh Ginny,” she held onto the redhead as she cried, “Ginny I’m sorry.” She felt her own tears well up. Ginny felt strongly about Lucius, it was obvious and for the evening to go as badly as it did was a curse on her heart. Hermione wished she had never convinced her to accept the date. Maybe just refusing was the better option.

Ginny let her tears out the rest of the night, crying until she fell asleep, with a tear stained face and pillow. She hadn’t even changed out of her gown. Hermione used her wand and got Ginny into her pajamas and under the covers. A few more charms and her face was clean of make up and her hair free of any pins.

Walking to her own room she changed and went to bed. She would talk to Ginny in the morning and figure out what happened. Damn Luicus for whatever he did.
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Where Things Lead This Time