Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Across the Universe	By : Marionne25 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 5055 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and Marvel and am not making any money from this story.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Chapter VI
The Invitation

The next occurrence happened so fast that Hermione thought Harry had done some nonverbal magic.
He had bent over so fast that she could swear he nearly pushed Loki to give him a reason to pay them even more attention and say something about it.
“Thanks.” Harry said quickly pocketing the hair band and pushing Hermione at the other side of the door while he backed away to keep her presence from being felt by Loki.
He was looking up at Harry with a suspicious gaze and had turned his eyes once more to the direction where Hermione was standing.
Harry could swear that he could see through Invisibility Cloaks.
Harry nodded at him before the elevator doors closed and he could just see his eyes moving from Hermione then back at his direction.
The doors closed and the lift moved upwards once more.
“That’s him.” Hermione whispered as he followed her voice nearing the exit of the Ministry.
“That’s who?” Harry whispered back as they quickly moved and stepped out of the building and out into the fresh air.
“Loki.” Hermione said as they stepped a few blocks away from the Ministry and she removed the cloak at a sidestreet.
“The Lafy-guy?”
“Laufeyson.” Hermione corrected him with an annoyed expression over her face.
“Why was he-“
“Obviously.” Hermione said folding the cloak and handing it back to him to keep inside his Auror uniform.
“So he sent you those flowers?” Harry asked pocketing it and keeping it out of sight.
“Yes.” Hermione answered looking around if they were followed.
“You’re paranoid.” Harry pointed out. “Where are we going?”
“I don’t know.” Hermione replied. “Let’s go back to the apartment. I’m not feeling so well into going back at work today.”
“I’ve got a meeting.” Harry said. “But I can accompany you.”
“No, you go back.” Hermione told him. “You find out what he wants.”
“Didn’t the roses spell out the obvious?” Harry shot back at her.
Hermione folded her arms and shook her head.
“Completely idiotic.” Hermione said. “I’m not even going to answer that.”
And without another word, they both stalked and walked out of the Ministry of Magic building.
But Harry could have sworn that Hermione’s lips had curled and swerved to the smallest hint of a smile and a blush growing at both sides of her cheeks.

“Hermione?” Harry called out knocking over her bedroom door.
They spent the rest of the day in her apartment where she eventually decided to sleep while Harry went out for some grocery shopping to make dinner for both of them that night.
It was half –past five in the afternoon.
“Harry?” Hermione murmured as Harry knocked several more times before opening the door.
She was squished in comfortably under the pillows and blankets of her bed and was looking around her slightly dark room.
“What time is it?” she yawned as Harry lit the room with his wand. “Almost night time. Your assistant came by and brought in some of the flowers from Lafy guy.”
Hermione groaned and tossed over the bed and hid herself under the blankets.
She felt Harry walk to the bedside to her.
“Hermione.” Harry said and she felt her bed move as Harry sat at the end of it with the sounds of the packaged flowers being placed next to her. “Get up. Come on.”
“I don’t want to see that.”
“Oh come on. Be a sport about this.” Harry said obviously amused. “The guy just has some crush on you.”
“Crush on me?” Hermione’s voice came from under the sheets. “Did you see how many flowers he’s got delivered at my office?”
“I haven’t counted.”
“I’m not even joking about this.” Hermione muffled voice spat back at him.
Harry chuckled and climb the bed to move closer to her.
“Come on. It’s not like you’d actually say yes to him.” Harry said pulling over the bunch of roses from the end of the bed and opening the card on it. “A dinner at seven tonight at the Café Rameau. I shall await for you as the clock chimes right.”
Harry’s eyes narrowed but he didn’t say anything.
Instead, he pulled the card away from the bunch of roses after reading it to her and folding it away over the bedside table.
“You have more than an hour to prepare.”
“I’m not bloody going.” Hermione said. “Are you seriously pushing me to this?”
“No.” Harry said. “But you can go down there and settle things with him and tell him that you aren’t interested.”
A momentary silence from Hermione.
And then there was a shift on the bed as she moved and she put herself out from under the sheets with her hair all over her face.
“Do you think that will work?” she seriously asked Harry as she considered.
“Think so.” Harry said. “I mean, guys would really like to date girls who doesn’t say yes nor say no to them. You’re playing the hard to get if you don’t give him a straight answer.”
Hermione stared back at him, considering his point.
“You’ll accompany me?” she asked him biting her lower lip.
Harry pulled her closer and kissed her over the forehead.
“Ofcourse.. not.” Harry said with a chuckle. “You can do this on your own. If I come with you, he’ll think I gnalled you into it and he will most likely not take your rejection seriously. I’ll wait here and finish up the dinner.”
Hermione gave him a sad and angry look over the face.
“Are you sure this will work?” she asked him.
“If there’s anything I’ve realized is that girls would want a straight answer in things and boys don’t really differ, ‘Mione.” Harry said. “Besides, he looks intelligent enough to accept a rejection if he receives one. So get up, get yourself dressed and get down at that café and break his heart.”
Harry moved over the bed again as Hermione pulled the card from the bedside and read through.
“I’m not dressing in anything fancy, alright?” she said as Harry pulled her up from the bed and helped her back on her feet over the carpeted floor.
“Nothing fancy.” Harry had said. “Now come on, you need to look nice when you break someone’s heart.”

But Hermione vastly regretted dressing herself down the moment she entered the café and inquired at the entrance of the café.
It wasn’t just some café.
It was a very large, expensive, elite and exclusive looking place.
The man by the lobby was nice and had inquired if she had any reservations.
She had dressed herself into a short black dress and had a large thin layered scarf draped over her shoulders while everyone else who entered were in tux and cocktail dresses or gowns.
She was furiously blushing but the old man by the entrance took no notice and was pleasant to her.
“I’m actually.. invited.” Hermione said unsure of what to tell the man. “Is there any reservation under the name of a Mr. Laufeyson?”
The man opened the large book by the table and turned the pages while Hermione waited nervously around her.
She kept her head down and felt like a complete idiot dressing this way.
She should have inquired to him where they were going but then again, she had no means of contact with the man.
Hermione expected to break things with the man and tell him straight off that she wasn’t interested about anything else but with this kind of effort and the way she had brought herself tonight, she felt that she was the one who was going to get the wrong end of the bargain tonight.
“Yes, Miss Granger?” the man asked. “Mr. Laufeyson has been here for about an hour ago. Come miss, I’ll have someone assist you to the area.”
“Oh, that’s nice.. alright.. thanks.” Hermione reluctantly said as she stared at the double doors where the main entrance was.
Hermione was assisted then by a younger waiter who looked excited at the prospect of her.
It was either she was this way with her job or she recognized her.
But she didn’t have time to really decide as the double doors opened and she was immediately greeted by the grandeur of the restaurant.
High ceiling with chandeliers, elaborately designed with interior that shoved elegance and money right at her face and everything else that spelled out expensive.
The floors were intricately designed and had the same expensive looking carpets while the walls were paneled by either paintings or other lavish interior.
Round tables were placed everywhere and the elite were dining at their will with laughs and cheers and the casual sounds of the wine glasses around and about.
“Miss Granger, here if you please.” the young waitress said leading her straight up at the end of the room where another double doors were waiting.
“Wait where are we-“
“You are reserved at the exclusive room with Mr. Laufeyson.” she explained as she excitedly led Hermione down the room. “The man seems to like his privacy.”
Her eyebrows arched up at the mention of it as she looked around the room.

Some people especially women were gazing up at her as if striking her by glares of why she was there and why she was wearing what she was wearing.
Finally, they reached a darkened door and the waiter knocked twice.
“Come in.” Loki’s familiar voice answered and the door was opened for Hermione.
Hermione nodded at the waitress as she entered the room.
It was a smaller room and if privacy was what the man wanted, he was really going to get it.
She felt chills around her as if telling her that if something happens in this room, she could scream all she want and not a soul in the world would hear her.
“Mr. Laufeyson, we’ll have your order prepared in a few minutes.”
“Yes, thank you.” Loki said. “I would like a menu left here incase Miss Granger would like something else.”
Hermione watched the waitress nod and give her an excited look before leaving them alone.
The moment the door closed, Hermione felt her heart beat fast.
She looked around at Loki who was silent yet fast on his heels.
He had moved right next to her and had pulled up a chair for her from the good table for two in the room.
But she had no interest at the moment to take the chair.
Her eyes roamed around the extravagant yet classy and Victorian looking exclusive room for the two of them.
“Do you like it?” he asked seeing her eyes roam around the small interior of a bookshelf placed at the end of the room. “I’ve thought you would rather like something as this place than out there where you could hear everyone babble. I am not very fond of.. a boisterous crowd.”
“I’d agree.” Hermione muttered half-heartedly as mostly her attention was at the nice view of the room.
Hermione’s heart was racing.

She loved the room.

And she couldn’t help but gape around and be excited at what she was seeing.
She was seriously slowly regretting her venture here tonight and knew that she was slowly going to forget why she was there in the first place.
“It’s.. it’s a nice place.” Hermione said unable to stop herself. “It’s a nice.. yes, I’m sorry. This is a nice place.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Loki said with a proud tone. “I’ve expected that you were this type.”
Hermione stopped walking around the room as her bubble of thoughts quickly exploded at the comment on her.
Hermione turned to him and saw him excitedly smiling back at her as he waited for her to take the seat he has pulled up for her.
She looked back at the chair and the nice table that was prepared with gold platter and utensils and a nice candle lit.
She heavily sighed and knew that she had to begin telling him the reason why she was there in the first place.
“Mr. Laufeyson-“
“Loki.” he corrected her immediately with a slightly firm tone. “We’ve talked about it, yes?”
“Yes.” Hermione said nodding at him. “I apologize. I was just…”
“Come have a seat.” he said with a nice and inviting smile. “Please, Hermione. If you love the interior of this place you would absolutely be joyous with their offered feast.”
Hermione bit her lip.

It was so obvious that she so wanted to take the seat but she was also very reluctant.
“Come on now.” Loki said with a mischievous grin at her. “I don’t bite.”
Hermione blushed and she nodded at him and slowly walked to his side of the room and took the seat.
He waited until she was comfortable enough and then she moved at the other side of the table and settled on his seat and handed her the menu.
“Not yet anyway.” Loki suddenly said with another gleeful smile.
Hermione gave a chuckle but it was so obvious that she either felt nervous or scared by that notion.
She watched him out of the corner of her eyes as she pretended to check the menu while he settled himself at the other side of the table.
By his movements and the way his elegant long fingers moved, she could tell that he knew his manners and seemed very used into this kind of lifestyle.
She wondered then suddenly if he was somewhat related to Draco Malfoy because the way he was living his life, he seemed to be accustomed to what old-gold lifestyle was like.
“Anything else for your acquired taste?” he asked her as he smiled at her direction.
“Ah, no, not really.” Hermione said quickly realizing there was nothing in the menu she wanted.
They all looked expensive as hell.
“Did you like the flowers?” he asked her straightforward as he took the menu from her and placed it over the next empty chair.
“Ah – the – “
“The flowers I sent you.” Loki pressed on clearly. “I have sent you –“
“I’ve received them.” Hermione said her eyes lit up at the notion of it. “All of them.”
His forehead knitted a little which told her that he caught her sarcasm just at the right point.
Loki smiled back at her in acknowledgement but she could tell that there was something else behind those eyes.
He looked very handsome and extremely clean and elegant in his black suit and newly and slightly cut black hair.
“You’ve had a haircut.” Hermione said unable to say anything else to make a short conversation with him.
“Yes.” Loki said. “I find it that my manner of wearing it is slightly off-course of this place.”
Hermione nodded at him but deep inside, was incredulously thinking how off-course he was also in manner of talking.
He spoke differently in certain terms and his accent was also in different accept and slightly poetic, almost not from this time.
“I’ve come from a long old lineage.” Loki suddenly said as if he could read her mind. “We lived differently from where I come from.”
“I could tell.” Hermione said. “And I do respect your way of living.”
“As I do with yours.” Loki replied with a nod as he began to open up the bottle of wine in front of them. “I find it quite a little behind of the time but nevertheless, something that could be managed through time.”
Hermione’s eyebrow raised at the comment but she quickly brushed it aside.
“Here, let me.” Loki said reaching forward for her glass but she immediately shook her head at him.
He looked slightly displeased.
“Not tonight.” Hermione said quickly making sure that she was in her right state of mind as they go through this. “I have work tomorrow morning.”
“Come now, my dear.” Loki said as he gave another engaging smile at her as he grabbed her glass and graciously poured wine onto it. “Just a little for tonight. One glass is all it would take.”
Hermione looked ready to protest but for some reason, his way of smiling at her and moving around her seems to spell out a lot of other inviting things she couldn’t say no to.
“One glass.” Hermione replied with a smile as she nodded and thanked him and took the glass filled wine from across the table.
He looked very pleased as he went for his goblet and refilled his own glass with it.
His beautiful eyes didn’t move away from Hermione as she took the goblet to her lips and inhaled the delicate smelling wine from the glass.
“To beginnings.” Loki quietly said as he took his glass to his lips and watched Hermione gulp in the first few sips.
She quickly choked at his words to her.
This wasn’t meant to be some sort of beginning, it was in fact, the other way around.
“I’m sorry.” Hermione said quickly grabbing the napkin and putting the glass down. “Beginnings?”
“Yes.” Loki said as he inhaled the wine himself and took a long draw from it. “Isn’t that refreshing?”
Hermione wasn’t sure if it was the wine or her head or both but she nodded at him in agreement.
Her eyes quickly moved back to the half-glass filled wine and back at him.
How the hell was she supposed to begin telling him off at that moment?
“Where did you get it?” she asked him knowing the label of the bottle wasn’t something she was familiar with around London.
“From our distillery.” he proudly answered her as he took another swig from his own glass. “I take it that you like it?”

Hermione’s eyes widened.
“You have your own distillery?” she asked staring back at the bottle, grabbing it and reading through the label from which the writing she couldn’t really understand.
“Yes.” Loki answered with another big smile. “My mother ensured that my… my brother and I have every bit of comfort and needs tended to back in our place.”
He looked very pleased with her reactions knowing that she did like the wine even without saying so.
“She must be a very generous woman.” Hermione said. “To come up with your wills and wants all on a golden platter.”
“She’s the most generous woman you would ever meet.” Loki said draining his glass and refilling it. “Sadly, you wouldn’t get to meet her anymore as she had passed on..”
Hermione looked up at him and for a split moment, something dark and very sad passed his face.
It was a mixture of such emotions and expressions that she hasn’t seen from him before.
“I’m sorry to hear about that.” Hermione quietly said. “No man should ever suffer the loss of a parent, let alone.. a mother.”
He didn’t say anything but his expression quickly changed again and returned to what Hermione thought was a façade of constrained glee.
He waited for Hermione to take another sip from the wine before moving across the table to refill her half drank glass of wine.
“Oh no, you shouldn’t really – I’m not going to take – “
“But we have a dinner we’re both waiting for, yes?” he offered gallantly. “Come now. We both know that one glass wasn’t really enough to let… the taste sip through, yes?”
He smiled expectantly at her and Hermione could only nod at him.
Her head was getting lighter by the moment and she knew that the wine was strong and that sooner or later, she should stop consuming it before she loses her head.
Loki toasted her over and moved the platter of cheese forward her and before she could say no, there was a knock and the doors opened and soon enough two pairs of waiters entered pushing in two grand carts of food trays for their orders.
She was already feeling the strong wine in her head when they entered because she was grinning back at Loki who was explaining something to her about the dishes that was to be served for them.
“Ordinarily served but the taste would just be the same as that if you were with me back at our place.” Loki had been saying as the entrée and appetizers were first served for them.
Hermione felt hazy by this point that the moment these were served she immediately grabbed a few of the appetizers and sent it straight to her mouth.
She had realized how hungry she was then and had completely forgotten that Harry was cooking dinner for them back at home.
Loki looked back at her with growing interested.
Normally, he would be annoyed by people without any manners, but tonight he could tell that the Asgardian wine was overpowering her senses.
The Asgardian wine was ten times faster and stronger than the usual Mid-gard wine and he could already feel her toes tipping under the table over her side and her head flying all over the place.
“Everything that would pass your palate tonight are certain dishes that are most loved to where I came from.”
“Sounds pleasing to me.” Hermione said with hazy eyes and a big smile. “I have a notion that you’ve come from a really good royal place? Something like Denmark? Prague?”
Loki only smiled and gave her a small chuckle.
She knew she shouldn’t have said that and she shouldn’t be giving him that look but she could no longer control herself from the third refilled glass this time around.
At the back of her head, she knew she was sorely going to regret this night.
But there was an air about him that was seemingly both enticing and luring that she just couldn’t resist his presence and advances.
“You sound like you really have a great place back there.” Hermione commented without a right thought in the world as she placed her pursed over the other empty chair and sat comfortably before him. “Tell me where you’re from? Is it beautiful there?”
She was beginning to slur on her words and Loki looked pleased than ever.
He knew that she had been restraining herself by manners and other reservations but now that she had been served by a wine she wasn’t physically ready for, he knew that he had her down at all ends and sides.
“I wouldn’t know your standards for what is beautiful, my lady.” Loki began with an intent to entice with his tone. “But from where I come from, you can have the best view of the stars, of the universe.”
A twinkle passed Hermione’s eyes as she raised her glass to him.
“That sounds lovely.” she was able to say properly despite her spinning head. “A view of the stars.. That, I have never heard of.”
There was a twinkle in her eye and a hint in her chuckle that told him that she was actually enjoying her time with him.
He smiled back at her, pleased with himself and the way the night was going.
“Then you should come with me some time.” Loki said and Hermione already knew that this man was the kind that gets what he wanted every time and wasn’t afraid to show his intentions.
Hermione only smiled at him.
“I’ll take that as a yes?” he said with some finality in his tone that Hermione didn’t miss.
She swallowed hard on that last sip she had taken and tried to focus her mind into her task at hand.
She knew that she wasn’t going to last any longer and that her wits would soon go flying out of the window as fast as a snitch could escape a player’s clutches.
And as much as she was still trying to hold herself back, Loki looked and sounded different.
He seemed to have no problem nor reluctance into inviting people or saying what was on his mind.
He was obviously interested in her and despite that he didn’t say in straight on at that very moment, his body language and the way his eyes strayed around Hermione’s curves revealed everything already.
This wasn’t what they were supposed to be talking about and right now, the wine in her head were making all the buzz it could to distract her from her real reason for being there.
Hermione inhaled and tried to gather her thoughts together because he started saying something again that she began chuckling and laughing on despite that she really didn’t get it.
“Mr. Laufeyson-“
“Loki.” he firmly reminded her. “You were saying?”
“Yes, Loki.” Hermione agreed shaking her head and trying to blink her eyes several times as she was beginning to have blurred visions. “Listen.. this is really nice and everything.. but I do need to talk to you about something.”
“Really?” he said with a faint attempt of surprise. “Well, by the gods of the nine realms, I’ve actually invited you here as well for a very good reason that I am sure you would like and not say no to.”
Her mind lagged for a moment until it repeated the thought back in her head again.
Her eyes narrowed and she suddenly felt slightly offended by his assuming state.
“Not say no to?” she repeated with obvious sarcasm over her tone.

The wine was suddenly slowly wearing off from her as her emotions began taking over.
If there was anything that Hermione seemed very off about was being judged or quickly assumed over by things.
And Loki was fast in learning a lesson when it came to women.
“Hear out my proposition my darling.” Loki said with another of his big smile as he moved forward to refill her glass again but Hermione moved her glass away and was staring back at him with a sudden change of mood.
“I’m here because I wanted to talk to you about something.” Hermione determinedly said. “I would prefer if you hear me out first.”
She didn’t like that he assumed that through fancy dinner and good wine, he can just say that she would love whatever it was that he had to say after his invitation for the night.
She hated men who had an ego bigger than their dicks.
Loki stared at her then he nodded at her and inhaled and exhaled as he settled himself back over his chair.
“I apologize then.” Loki said in good manners as he opened his hands to her. “Do let me hear what you have to say.”
Hermione opened her mouth at his quick resignation but the doors opened again.
Soups and salad came next to be served over their table.
Her brows crossed as the waiters began serving and Loki was just staring at her, patiently waiting.
The look over his face told her that he was restraining his amusement at that very moment.
The waiters were serving and organizing their table that he could tell that Hermione was losing her patience to their pace.
“Thank you.” Hermione said as she let the waiters leave giving them an angry glare for moving quite slow and delicate in manner that was interrupting their conversation.
“Please my lady.” Loki offered seeing her reluctant to start over her second course. “No need to have reservations with me. Do feel comfortable and enjoy yourself in my company.”
“Like you?” Hermione spat out unable to stop herself. “I could quite tell that you’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?”
She was cold but it seemed to just make Loki even more delighted and turned on.

“You’re feisty.” Loki excitedly commented with a smile over his face. “And I really, really do like that. And yes, I’m quite enjoying myself. Aren’t you?”
Her lips pursed as she watched him begin over the newly served dishes.
Hermione’s eyes narrowed and she shook her head.
“Alright that’s it.” Hermione now openly spat at him. “I’m here for a purpose so you’re going to sit there and hear me out.”
He only smirked and laughed at her.
The more angry she got the more turned on he seemed to be.

“But we are all burdened with a purpose.” Loki said gesturing his hands towards her. “By all means, do tell me why you have willingly come to my invitation with that certain intention.”
He could sense her emotions rising and could just sense her tone getting the better of her.
But he could also greatly sense her curiosity towards him because she wouldn’t have accepted his invitation if she was really thinking that he was so full of himself.
And before Hermione could even begin, the doors opened again.
This time, the main courses were to be served.
She cursed despite herself as they were obviously going to be interrupted longer this time.
The main course were brought in and Hermione was served with a large turkey, an array and cuts of some other meat and a large platter of freshly caught seafood.
“What is this?” Hermione incredulously asked eyes wide at the freshly cooked seafood in front of her. “You also have an ocean park or something?”
She meant to be sarcastic but Loki only laughed at her and gestured for the waiters to continue serving the rest of the dishes.
Her eyes were wide in shock at the grandeur of the dinner as if this was some sort of private buffet party.
“No, my lady.” Loki said. “This is just our custom and tradition when we invite women for dinner into the palace.”
Hermione looked up at him.
Did he say Dallas or palace?
She was sure she heard some place being said but to assume it was the latter made her feel really stupid.
He kept the food coming in as the wine glass was also refilled after another without her being able to stop him this time around.
He may have a large ego, but he was a gentleman.
He moved across the table and began serving her dishes over her plate with elegance and certainty.
Hermione didn’t say no to anything he served her but instead she watched him quietly as he explained to her each dish and if they had any relevance to their own culture and tradition.
By these little gestures, her head was then spun into another direction and she slowly forgot her annoyance and had slightly relaxed then and adjusted her thoughts again.
Maybe he wasn’t that bad.
Maybe he really just was that kind of man who was straightforward and who acted his thoughts out.
And maybe, she could just delay her telling him off after dinner.

He obviously made such an effort and he was obviously not restraining himself from showing what he had to offer her.
From food to culture and traditions, the conversations stirred back to books and history.
Soon, Hermione found that the man had really good substance in his head and he really knew things.
He knew himself too well and seemed to know what Hermione was fond of.
Despite his use of what Hermione presumed old English language, the man was obviously a wide reader and he knew what he was talking about and had real thoughts and opinions on things.
And halfway through the main course and fourth glass of wine Hermione knew that he might have a large ego, but he does have a large and substantial brain to match it with.
“I’m sorry about my manners.” Hermione said after a while, wiping napkin at the sides of her lips as she collected herself. “But thank you for this. I would suggest I listen to you first after all, you’ve kindly invited me here. And yes, I think my head is ready to listen to what you have to say.”
He observed her momentarily as he nodded checking if her head was clearer this time and that her cold emotions had slowly gone away.
Hermione’s head slowly cleared as the wine settled and she felt slightly relaxed and calmer.
“As you would have noticed by now, I had a few business in town.” Loki began with a notably serious tone this time around. “And I’ve been looking for places to invest on.”
“Go on.” Hermione said with a nod at her. “I will be honest with you that I work for the Ministry of Magic and not in any line of business at all but I am listening.”
He nodded and smiled at her as he straightened himself back over his chair and watch her gently cut the slices of seafood over her plate.
“Which is exactly why it is you that I need.” Loki said. “You have the perfect position for me to be able to put my money into good use.”
“Me?” Hermione repeated. “What’s my job got to do with this?”
“I’ve had a couple of research and I found out that there are certain departments at your government that needed funding.” Loki said and Hermione had immediately stopped eating.
She looked up at him with suspicion in her eyes as she tried to see any corruption from his eyes.
There were none she found.
“You seem surprised.” Loki noted at her.
“What you’ve researched is quite correct.” Hermione began as she placed her utensils down and sat straighter over her own chair across the table. “There are indeed certain departments at the Ministry of Magic that needed funding.”
“Does your own department needs funding?” he asked straightforward.
Hermione didn’t need to answer him for he already knew the answer.
“I need something clarified before we continue this conversation.” Hermione said in a business-like manner. “There are only two reason for which the departments are usually offered funds by private sectors. One is the funds to be ‘donated’ are in exchange for something like an ex-deal of some sort.”
“Ex-deal?”
“For example.” Hermione began. “Some private sectors would be donating to departments and in exchange, would be given certain things in return like better road constructions at their part of the city, better services at a certain aspect-“
“And the next one?” Loki interrupted her. “The other reason?”
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
“Favors.” Hermione answered with a cold tone. “Some government employees before for example donated through their private accounts – thus, putting them in the line of private sectors – and because of this, they were able to pull in favors here and there even until today. And these certain favors doesn’t have limit – meaning they could be as corrupted as those who had donated in the departments.”
Loki didn’t say anything, he watched with quite observant eyes at how she related and explained things to him.
She was obviously not the type of person easily corrupted or rather corrupted at all.
“I understand.” Loki thoughtfully said and he could sense Hermione was observing closely & quietly as if checking any hint of corruption and deceit from him.
“Tell me, are you planning to donate?” she asked him with an almost snappy tone.
He looked back at her reading her thoughts by her facial expression.
“Yes.” Loki honestly answered her.
A look of certainly and satisfaction from Hermione’s face passed as if she already knew that this would come to this kind of conversation.
Ofcourse someone rich as he was, foreign to their place would definitely want to put a couple of things here and there in order to enable him some favors.
“Well that’s not surprising at all.” Hermione said and this time there was no restraint in her cold tone.
“Really?” Loki said with a delightful expression. “You mean to tell me that you’ve guessed that my mother wants to donate to your sectors?”
Hermione opened her mouth for a prepared retort but what he said was obviously not what she had been expecting.
Her face changed and she looked back at him as if she had turned deaf for a moment and didn’t catch what he had just said.
“Your mother, what?” she asked with an upturned expression. “Your mother is donating?”
“As I’ve said, she’s passed on already.” Loki patiently explained to her as he casually straightened up himself over his chair. “And in her will and testament, she wanted to donate a certain amount of her fortune onto a sector or government department that needed fund, some orphanage, library and etc, etc. I’m sure you get what I’m trying to look for here.”
Hermione blinked and tried to avoid his gaze for a moment.

She was obviously ashamed of her front accusations towards the man.
She bit her lip considering and Loki already knew this mannerism so well.
He had her memorized from the moment they first really encountered one another.
“Was your mother born here at London?” she asked unable to find the right words to put out to him. “I mean, why would she do this?”
“She’s not from here as I am.” Loki answered her truthfully. “But she always had a heart for – let’s say giving. You know, charity of sorts?”
Hermione looked back at him and there was something in his eyes that told her that there was something relevant he remembered but would not want to discuss at the moment.
“She likes doing charitable work?” Hermione repeated. “You mean, for others? Like doing something for the good and benefit of others?”
Loki looked back at her and for the first time, Hermione saw what looked like uncertainty and secrecy in his eyes.
It was like he was ashamed about something for a while.
“Yes.” Loki simply answered then. “If that is how we may call it.”
“But why not do it in your place? Your town?” she asked him. “I mean, I’m quite sure-“
“Our place has already received more than enough kindness and generosity from my mother. And she specified in her will that the fortune be taken elsewhere.”
She looked back at him, considering the facts and putting things together.
He could sense how smart she was and how fast her mind was working around this statement of his.
“Is this why you’re here at London then?” Hermione asked unable to restrain herself. “For this? I’m sorry, I don’t mean to pry but that seemed-“
“Yes and no.” Loki disrupted her gently. “Yes, partly as I found myself convinced that perhaps this is the place to do that. I could have done it anywhere else but here, I seem to have some reason to do it and I am assured that it would be handled with certain professionalism and caution and assurance that it would go to where it’s supposed to be.”
Hermione blushed as he sat back after gesturing his hand towards her.
“And no because?” she curiously asked.
This time, he only stared at her as if contemplating if he should answer it.
“I have another business, reason to be here.” Loki said. “And that, I couldn’t really discuss tonight.”
He had added it as Hermione’s eyes widened a little as she obviously wanted to ask about it.

Loki kept their conversations from books to coffee to dishes and their distillery back at his home and other things they’ve already talked about.
Hermione was too drank to recognize they were halfway onto the next bottle of wine and that they were mostly talking about her and not really more of him.
She had completely forgotten why she was there in the first place and it was Loki who seemed ready at the moment to listen what she had to say.
“You were saying?” he asked as the other dishes were taken away and they were served with a dessert that Hermione have never seen nor tasted in her whole life but that looked extremely delectable and sweet enough to earn.
“What? I’m sorry.” Hermione said blinking away from the food that has been served before them.
Two tall and large glasses of what looked like icecream and pudding with jelly altogether and something glittery were spread all over the dessert with colours of vanilla, chocolate and cherry.
“This is a specialty as well.” Loki said and before he could even continue, Hermione went for it.
She had always been conscious of her meals especially she came from two dentists but at that very moment, she didn’t have a care in the world if it destroyed her almost perfect teeth fixed out of magic.
He looked pleased as Hermione took two spoonful of it.
The waft of coffee and chocolate came from the dessert.
He didn’t touch his but he watched Hermione with ecstatic and hungry eyes.
“I’m sorry. This is terribly great..I mean..” Hermione said unable to moan at the taste of it. “I mean.. I’m sure you know what I’m trying to say.”
Loki looked happiest at that very moment as he saw Hermione’s genuine pleasure at what she was eating.
He smiled at her but he was a gentleman and he was patient.
It took Hermione another moment to finish what was in her mouth and quickly wiped whatever remained around her lips.
“Yes, sorry. It’s very rare I get to taste sweet things.”
“You will love other sweet things back at my mother’s place.”
She only smiled.
She wasn’t sure if he meant well or if there was anything else in the words he had just said.
“So I was saying.” Hermione said quickly changing the topic. “About..”

But she paused with a slight curl in her brow.
Now how was she supposed to tell him off into talking to her or seeing her at all when he actually had some good intention in him that could actually help her own department at the Ministry of Magic.
God knows how desperate they were for some funding in the department.
“Yes?” Loki gently said placing his elbows over the table and leaning forward as he rested his fine chin over his hands. “About..?”
Her eyes strayed back at him for a moment, quietly mesmerized into his physique and handsome expression.
Truth be told, he was indeed handsome and he had a good built as well.
Her mind worked hard for a split moment to find an excuse out of whatever it was she was really supposed to say anyway.
“About the Gala.” Hermione quickly said. “You were the man who bought the Desiderata, yes?”
His eyes lit up but he nodded at her after a split moment too of contemplation.
“Yes, that was me.” Loki answered her with the same passive smile and expression. “You remember.”
“Who wouldn’t?” Hermione said with a knowing smile. “You’ve pulled quite an amount there.”
“I don’t mean to sound rude, Hermione.” Loki said with a slightly serious tone. “But I’ve been going to such places and if you didn’t mention the jewel itself I would hardly remember which gala you are talking about. This is not something of a big deal. We get invitations from a daily basis. It’s only ever so rare I get to sit-down like this and have some free time.”
“And the time I saw you at the café.” Hermione pointed out quickly remembering. “So you’re telling me that these are the itinerary and things you do while you’re in town?”
He gave her a wide smile and his hands moved gently around the table.
“You’re smart.” Loki said although he meant it as a compliment. “Very smart. Putting things two and two together?”
“I like solving things.” Hermione said.
“But I am not a mystery to be solved, Hermione.” Loki brightly said with that bit of air that annoyed Hermione from time to time. “I am as you see me but I do like your being feisty as I’ve said already.”
“I’m sure you do.” Hermione said haughtily. “And I’m sure you are as I see you.”
“But by all means.” Loki said leaning closer her towards the table and edging his hands towards her. “Ask me anything you want – absolutely anything – and I will answer you with all the truth and valor you would like to hear.”
Hermione stared back at him, completely enthralled by his way of speaking and manners but she had enough for the night.
The wine was taking its toll in her head and she was feeling heady already.
“That’s lovely, but it’s getting a little late.” Hermione had said with a nod in her head. “Thank you for this, I really appreciate it.”
She began to push her chair from the table but Loki was quick.
He moved forward and helped her out of her seat as she half swayed from all the drinking and the sudden shift of position.
“You alright?” he asked her as he held her in his arms.

Hermione inhaled heavily as she could smell his scent from their close proximity and could tell how desirable his scent is .
She closed her eyes, trying to put her thoughts together before she does or say something inappropriate.
“Yes, but you see I need some space.” Hermione said quickly moving herself away from his arms.
Loki nodded and quickly let a few inches from him although he was still standing on guard incase she loses her balance.
He smiled back at her.
“You’re still uncomfortable around me, yes?” he asked her straightforward.
“Yes.” Hermione said knowing that the wine was the one speaking with such honesty. “I don’t mean to be rude but yes. One dinner wouldn’t really remove that feeling, you know?” she said.
She had meant it to throw him off but it only seemed to feed more of his ego.
He gave her a wide smile.
“Perhaps some lunch? Brunch?” he asked her. “I could free any day this week for you-“
“That’s not what I meant-“ Hermione said panic rising inside her again. “This was – this had been nice but I’m not really-“
“Look, Hermione.” Loki said standing straighter her and staring back at her with utmost look of admiration and glad. “I don’t mean to be farfetched into weaving something out of thin air but I would tell you that this isn’t the first nor last time we’d be doing this.”
“I’m sorry?” Hermione asked him trying to focus her mind again and raising an eyebrow at his words. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“We’ll be working together, yes?” Loki reminded her. “I’d sooner or later be going to your office and we’d work on the documents and whatever there is for the donation my mother would like to be put into good use. I don’t really see myself talking for hours standing at some grand lobby of your government establishment, yes? I mean, sooner or later, we would get to sitdown again and talk, yes”
She looked back at him, trying to bite out some words to say but she didn’t have any at the moment.
As much as he sounded conceited and using all these as an opportunity to get to her she knew that he was right.
Business deals and important meetings were either held at lunch or dinner conferences at Kingsley’s main conference room back at the Ministry or outside the premises but at establishments such as large restaurants.
That certainly wasn’t the first and last time they were going to dine together if she was up to getting some funds for her office department.
And she had to be honest with herself that she didn’t tell him the real reason she wanted to meet because she had already decided herself to sacrifice some things in order to gain something for her department and the people who needed the fund that a certain Mr. Loki Laufeyson was offering her willingly.
“Right.” Hermione said nodding at him just for the sake of agreeing to his airy self. “Got a point there. I’m not even going to argue anymore.”
He quietly watched her move back to her chair to grab her small purse and then look up at him with beady eyes.
“It was nice time.” she said with another friendly nod. “I guess I’ll see you around?”
And before he could even react, she had waved herself a goodbye to him and began to walk away from the table with a slight sway in her pace.
He watched her back as she struggled to keep herself steady as she walked towards the double doors.
A smile was forming in his cheeky handsome face as he waited for her to stop walking.
And she did.
Hermione rolled her eyes and slowly turned back to him with a sharp inhale.
She knew she couldn’t make it out of the restaurant without hitting the wall or hitting some waiter with a tray.
“Actually..” Hermione whispered slowly turning back to him. “I was just-“
“I was just thinking the very same thing.” Loki’s voice came to her head. “How about let’s make it sooner than later?”
He had been quick to counter her movement as he had already been right behind her with all of him ready to assist her out of the restaurant.
Hermione looked up at her with a slightly open mouth and question in her eyes.
“Do you know any good coffee to steady yourself right back up?” he asked her with a mischievous grin over his face.
Whatever argument Hermione had in her heart was swept away by his looks and voice.
The way he looked at her, it was almost like he was already undressing her right then and there and because of the wine, she had no care in the world.
Up that close, he was indeed handsome alright, she was going to give him that.
But that thought will never escape her soul – ever.
“Actually, I do.” Hermione said turning her gaze from him and back to the door. “I know a perfect place to get that coffee.”
Loki smiled at her.
“Lead the way, my lady.” Loki said with a large grin as he held her in his arms and with her slightly drunken self, Hermione let him touch her around the arms to lead and guide her out of the restaurant and into a place she has only ever been once with Harry who at the moment, was still waiting for her back at home.
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Across the Universe