450A/N: I am SO sorry I made ya'll wait so long for this next update. I promise it'll be completed within the next few weeks! 3
Chapter Thirteen
"Hello," Hermione greeted Bill and Charlie as she took a seat next to them on the couch. "What were you two whispering about?" She inquired, looking back and forth between them both.
"Nothing important," Bill said, leaning forward to greet her with a kiss. "How was your day at the shoppe?"
"Good," Hermione replied with a smile. "It's unlike anything I could have dreamed it would be. There's so much to learn, but I love it."
"I'm pleased to hear that," Charlie said, grinning at her.
"I can't believe that it will all be mine after the New Year." Hermione flushed. Her heart still raced excitedly as she thought about it. She had been apprenticing with Mr. Flourish for a little over a month now, and it still felt like it was her first day every time she stepped in the shoppe. The excitement had yet to wear off.
"I can't think of anyone better to run that shoppe than you." Bill smiled at her.
Hermione's insides squirmed with delight. It truly seemed that with every passing day, things were falling more and more into place. She loved them both dearly, and every day was a blessing.
"So," she began, smiling innocently at them both. "I was wondering if I could take you both on a date to the Muggle world."
Charlie's eyes widened with excitement. "Really? A date in the Muggle world?"
Hermione nodded. "I was thinking we could go see a film at the cinema."
"With fizzy pop?" Charlie asked. He was grinning like a little boy who had just found out he was getting an early Christmas present. His smile was contagious.
She beamed. "Of course! We can get popcorn as well. So does that sound all right?" She looked at them both.
"Sounds great to me," Charlie said, standing up. "I'm ready to go right now." He tucked his wand into his back pocket. "See? All ready."
"Bill?" Hermione asked. "You've been kind of quiet about this. Do you not want to go?" She frowned when she saw the worry lines on his forehead.
"I do, but it just seems like the Muggle world may not be accepting." Bill seemed hesitant about something, but she wasn't sure what.
Hermione scrunched her brow in confusion. "What do you mean, Bill?"
"I just..." He sighed, reaching up and rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm just cautious about us going on a date in the Muggle world. People may judge us, and I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. "
Hermione was touched by his words. "Bill, you don't have to worry about other people. I love you and Charlie, regardless of what other people say. If they want to stare, let them stare. I'm not ashamed of either of you."
Bill stood and walked towards her. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "I just don't want you to be hurt."
Hermione peered up at him. She stood on her tip-toes and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. "I love you, Bill. No one can hurt me when I have you two by my side. I survived Rita Skeeter's article, and I can handle anything else thrown at me." She kissed him once more.
"So we're going?" Charlie asked eagerly. "How will we get there?"
"That's part of the date," Hermione said, an excited look on her face. "We'll Apparate to my parents' home and then I'll drive us there in my dad's car."
Charlie's smile disappeared. "You're going to drive us?" He looked at her nervously.
"I am," Hermione beamed. "Don't worry, I have my license. I'm a perfectly safe driver."
"We're doomed," Charlie said dramatically. "I'm not so sure this is a good idea now."
"Relax," Hermione said, laughing. "Like I said, I'm a perfectly safe driver. When you two are ready, we can head out."
Bill and Charlie stared apprehensively at the car. It was red and shiny, and to the wizards, it was a tiny death-trap.
"What is it?" Bill asked, eyeing it distastefully.
"It's a BMW of some sort," Hermione replied, unlocking it. "I'm not sure which model." She opened the back door and the passenger door. "One of you can sit in the front with me. The other will have to ride in the back." When neither of them moved, Hermione huffed. "Bill, get in the front seat." She heard them grumble as she walked around the car to get in on the driver's side. Once inside, she showed them how to buckle in. "It's not much different from the Ministry cars we rode in once. Just smaller."
"It's safe?" Bill clarified.
She gave him a look. "Yes, Bill, we'll be fine. You two need to relax. The movie theatre is only a five minute drive from here, so we'll be there soon. Just sit there and be quiet. Listen to the radio." She turned the dial up so that some pop song was playing in the background.
Hermione carefully maneuvered the car out of her parents' garage and towards the theatre. Luckily there was no traffic, so it didn't take them very long to get there. The entire way there, however, she could hear their deep breathing. They were both far too nervous and it slightly irritated her. Don't they trust me? She mentally sighed, reminding herself that this was a new and frightening experience for them. She'd have to be patient with introducing them to Muggle things.
"We're here," she announced, pulling the car into a parking place. "See? Alive and well."
Charlie let out a loud sigh of relief. "That was both terrifying and exhilarating. Were we going very fast?"
Hermione stifled a laugh. "No, not really."
"It felt like it," Bill said, looking a little green in the face.
She frowned. "I hope I didn't get you car sick."
"I'll be fine in a moment," Bill assured her. "I just need a few moments in the fresh air." He breathed in deeply, before smiling at her. "See? All better. Now, where do we go for the fizzy pop?"
"This way," Hermione motioned. Bill and Charlie followed her, watching with wide eyes as Hermione ordered them three tickets and purchased them all fizzy pop and popcorn. She explained bits and pieces of the theatre as they walked along.
Hermione handed their tickets to a man, who ripped them in half.
"Oi," Charlie said angrily, about to say something to the worker.
Hermione quickly grasped his hand and pulled him forward. "Shhh," she said, hushing him. "That's his job. He's supposed to rip our tickets in half," Hermione explained as they walked towards their room. "It's so he knows that he's already checked us in."
"Oh," Charlie said, feeling a bit foolish. "I'm sorry," he apologised.
"It's all right," Hermione replied, smiling at him. "You didn't know." She paused. "All right. This is our cinema. We'll go inside and find some seats. I'll explain a bit more when we get in there."
Bill and Charlie nodded, following her inside. The room was large, and very poorly lit. They followed Hermione up the stairs and into a row of chairs. They each took a seat on her side.
"So this is it?" Bill asked, looking around. "They play the film on the large screen, right?"
Hermione nodded. "It'll be a bit loud at first, but you'll adjust. They also darken the room when it's time for the film to play."
"It's dark enough now," Charlie protested.
"It's dark now to help our eyes transition to them darkening it even more," Hermione explained. "At least, I think that's why it's already dark. I'm not positive, though."
"Something our Hermione isn't sure of?" Bill teased. He kissed her cheek before taking her hand. "Thank you for taking us on a date."
"You don't have to thank me," Hermione replied, blushing. It seemed that both Bill and Charlie had the ability to make her blush the entire time she was around them. Her stomach did a small flip when she saw the smouldering look in his eyes. "Bill," she whispered, desperately wishing they weren't in public space.
He grinned. "Later, Hermione." He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand before taking a handful of popcorn.
"So what is this film about?" Charlie asked.
"It's supposed to be a romantic comedy," Hermione explained. "Typical boy and girl fall in love with one another, but deny it for as long as possible as there are too many 'differences' setting them apart."
Charlie noisily slurped at his drink. "This is delicious," he said, taking another sip. He reached over and grabbed a handful of popcorn. He chewed it, a happy expression on his face. "So good," he muttered, reaching for another handful.
The theatre darkened. "Shhh, it's about to start. Just sit back and relax. No talking."
Hermione smiled when Charlie reached over and held her hand in the dark. Moments later, Bill rested his hand on her upper thigh. I'm certainly one lucky witch.
The trio walked back to the car, both Bill and Charlie animatedly talking about the film. "I did not see that car chase scene coming!" Charlie said excitedly. "That was amazing."
Bill nodded in agreement. "The film was funny. A good balance between romance and comedy, and the slight bit of action made it pleasing for men."
"Some women like action too," Hermione reminded him.
"Of course," Bill said quickly, not wanting to invoke the wrath of feminist Hermione. He smiled at her, holding her hand as they walked. "Thank you again for taking us."
"Thanks," Charlie said. "I really enjoyed myself. Can we do it again some time?"
"Of course," Hermione responded. "When we move in together, I plan on hooking up a Muggle TV and DVD player so we can watch movies like that at home."
"That's possible?" Charlie asked excitedly. "Oh, man, we definitely need one of those things."
"Done," Hermione said. She paused. "We still need to figure out where we'll live." She nibbled her lower lip nervously.
"What is it?" Bill asked, noticing the slight frown on her face. "Hermione?"
"Would you two be opposed to living in a Muggle neighborhood?"
"Of course not," Bill said. "We live near a Muggle neighborhood now."
"But like… We'd be neighbors with Muggles, so no doing magic outside." Hermione waited nervously for their reactions.
"I don't think I would mind that," Charlie said. "We can start looking for homes if you'd like."
"I agree," Bill said. "I think I'd like the peace and quiet that would come with Muggle neighbors."
Hermione let out a sigh of relief. "I was afraid that you two would be opposed."
"Nah," Charlie said, shrugging her shoulders. He stopped beside the car. "It doesn't matter where the home is, so long as you're inside of it." He frowned. "That sounded less awkward in my mind."
Hermione laughed. "I understand what you meant." She unlocked the car and they all got in. "We'll start looking next week."
Bill nodded. "That sounds fine. We can work out the details later." He now sat in the back, allowing Charlie a turn to ride in the front. "I still can't believe Ginny and Harry are getting married in two days."
"I know," Hermione said, frowning. "Luna planned the bachelorette party, so Merlin knows how that's going to go."
"No naked men," Bill growled possessively.
Hermione laughed. "Don't worry, Bill. I've only got eyes for you and Charlie." She laughed. "We'll probably look for Nargles or something."
Charlie laughed. "She's an odd duck, that one, but she seems nice. Who did she get paired with?"
"Neville," Hermione said. "The two of them are two peas in a pod." She smiled. "They're quite adorable together." Checking that everyone was buckled in, she drove them back to her parents' home.
When they finally made their way back to the Burrow, Hermione looked up at them. "Thanks for a wonderful evening," she murmured. Standing on her tiptoes, she snogged Charlie for a moment before turning her attention to Bill. "Goodnight, handsome." She kissed him as well.
"Am I not handsome?" Charlie pouted.
Hermione laughed. "Of course you are, it's just that your ego is already big enough." She smirked when his eyes widened in surprise. "Goodnight, Bill, Charlie." She left them and entered into her own room. She smiled, closing the door softly behind her.
Walking towards her bed, Hermione pulled out a small green notebook. After not finding her other notebook, Hermione just ended up purchasing another one. She missed writing and the outlet it provided her. She made certain every day that the book wouldn't get lost like her last one.
She didn't think she could go through the embarrassment and nerves of losing another collection of smutty writings.