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Harry Potter always loved aeroplanes, loved flying them even more. Something that rubbed off on him from his father James, who is a retired RAF fighter pilot. And like his father and grandfather before him, Harry is serving in Her Majesty's Armed Forces as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force.
In just seven years, he has become one of the best pilots the United Kingdom has ever seen. He's done his mum and dad proud, and greatly endeared himself to his squadron mates. They are stationed at RAF Marham and fly Eurofighter Typhoons. As of now, they are on leave.
It is 2005, on the late afternoon of July 30th, tomorrow is Harry’s 25th birthday. He is currently driving down the streets of London, looking for a bookstore. He was told just the other evening by his godfather and Dad's best friend Sirius Black, that he heard about a book on World War Two fighter pilots that was recently published, in which there is a whole two pages talking about Harry's granddad. And so, Harry wants to try and find it.
He eventually finds a little bookstore on a street corner near Trafalgar Square that looks promising:
Hermione's Book Nook
Harry parks his car, and heads inside.
He's greeted by the tinkling of a bell as he walks through the door, and hears a girl's cheerful voice call out: "Hi, welcome in! Let me know if you have any questions." Harry nods and gives a little wave in the general direction of the girl's voice, but he doesn't actually look her way.
After browsing the shelves for a bit, he eventually walks into the Military History section where he's sure he'll find the book he's looking for. But then he realizes that he has a bit of a problem: Sirius never gave him the name of the book.
After a few minutes of flitting about the shelves, looking through titles on the World Wars, the Falklands and more, he's about ready to give his godfather a call to get a name for the book. However, he's about to get another form of help.
“Need help finding anything?” The girl’s voice came from his left. Harry was currently crouched down in front of a low bookshelf when he turned his head in her direction.
“Yeah, er-“ Harry stopped midsentence at the sight of the young woman before her. She had long curly brown hair that fell to her waist and looked about a year or two older than him and stood at about 5’5.
She was gingerly leaning against a bookshelf, gripping her left hand high up on it to brace herself, causing her snug-fitting periwinkle blue shirt to ride up a bit, and she had her right hand on her hip. Her lips were quirked into a little half grin that made Harry take a sharp intake of breath when he noticed it. ‘Er-“ He rubbed the back of his head as he shyly averted his gaze.
The girl hid her face in her hands to hide her blush as she giggled when she realized the affect she was having on him. “Er… er… I take it you must… be Hermione?” Harry stammered, still not fully making eye contact with her as he blushed himself.
“That’s right, Hermione Granger.” She said smiling brightly at him. This nice boy just made her day. Ever since she opened her bookstore’s doors last year, she had had several boys who walked through her doors that would openly flirt with her. It was during Secondary School when she went from looking decidedly plain, to absolutely stunning. If any of her customers were to ever try anything, they would find out real fast just like a few at school did that she’s more than just a pretty face. If she wanted to lay you out, she absolutely would.
But something about this boy was different, none of the others ever got as shy around her as this boy was getting. And she found it absolutely adorable. It also helped that he looked quite fanciable too. But he also looked familiar, she felt like she had seen him somewhere recently.
“Yeah, I guess I could use a bit of help.” Harry managed. “I’m looking for a book that was recently published on World War Two fighter pilots.”
“I think I know which one you’re talking about.” Hermione said. “If it’s the one I think you’re talking about, I hadn’t gotten the chance to put out copies of it yet, they’ll still be in the back room. What was its name?”
“I don’t know, I’m sorry. All I have to go on is that two whole pages in it talk about my granddad. You see, my dad said that my granddad flew a Spitfire in the Battle of Britain and was credited with shooting down quite the number of Heinkel 111s and Junkers 87s. AND almost twice the number of Messerschmitt Bf 109s. Single-handedly. I also know his older brother Fleamont was at Dunkirk and later Normandy, serving in the Army. I have a relative on the American side of my family who was also at Normandy with the Marine Corps. There was another who fought in the Pacific as a Navy pilot. He was at the Coral Sea, Midway, Santa Cruz, the naval action off of Guadalcanal, the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot, and Leyte. Another was was with the Marine Corps at Guadalcanal, the Solomons, Tarawa, Saipan, Manila, the tail end of Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. I have many family members who’ve served going back hundreds of years. In Britain, America, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. I guess you could say we’re a family of warriors.”
“Wow.” Hermione stared at that. “So what was your granddad’s name?”
“Charlus Potter.”
Hermione let out a soft gasp. “I thought I recognized you!” She exclaimed calmly. “You were on the news yesterday evening. You’re Harry Potter, right? One of the best ace pilots the RAF has ever seen.”
“Er… yep that’s me.” Harry chuckled shyly. “I take it you’ve read that book, then?”
“Mmhmm, I read a copy of every book I ever sell here." Hermione answered proudly. "And I remember you mentioning your granddad in that interview you gave. Let me go get that book for you, its called World War Two Flying Aces.”
Harry stood up and watched her walk to the check-out counter and through an open door behind it. He walked to where he could see her, just in time to see her get up onto a ladder and reach for a book on a high shelf. This movement caused her shirt to get pulled taut and ride up a good few inches past her bellybutton. As she secured her grip on the book she was reaching for and started to climb back down, Harry quickly turned his gaze away so that she wouldn’t catch him checking her out.
“And here we are.” Hermione said as she set the book down on the counter and started to ring Harry up.
“Been busy today?” Harry asked.
“Oh, busy enough.” Hermione said. “Enough to keep me in my flat, and to keep myself and my cat Crookshanks fed, and a few other things. You’re lucky to have gotten here when you did, because I’m locking the doors at Six.”
Harry glanced at the clock on the wall behind the counter and saw that it was Five to Six, he was really cutting it close. He heard a really loud growling noise and looked back to Hermione to see her silently laughing into one hand with the other hand over her stomach. “And I am ready for Dinner!” She laughed.
“I’ll say. I thought that was your cat noticing another one through the window.” Harry joked. This earned him a fit of giggles from Hermione. “You’re too much.” She said. Harry smiled goofily and looked off to the side.
“So, you live ‘round here?” He eventually said looking back to her.
“Yeah, I walk here.” Hermione answered as Harry finished paying her. “My flat’s just a few blocks away.”
“Mine too.” Harry said. “Ah, now you’ve got me thinking about Dinner, too.” He chuckled. This got Hermione to smile. Harry blushed and averted his gaze.
“You know…” Hermione said slowly. Harry looked back to her and saw that little half grin on her face again, causing his stomach to do somersaults. “There’s this Italian place which I go to every Sunday that has, as far as I’m concerned, the best Spag Bol in the world, along with several other things.” Harry couldn’t believe what he was hearing, is this beautiful bookworm about to ask him out on a date?
“This place is sort of a guilty pleasure for me.” Hermione continued. “When I first found the place last year, I went there so much that first two weeks that I had to have put on a whole stone before I was able to reign in control of myself.” She laughed guiltily, Harry laughed along with her.
“I think that tells me this place really is something to write home about.” Harry said. “I just might have to check it out myself.” At that, Hermione smiled that little half grin again and placed her hands on the counter and leaned forward, causing Harry to blush and avert his gaze. He heard her giggle again, which he had come to think was adorable, and he wondered if she could hear his heart hammering away in his chest.
“You know… maybe we could go there together.” Hermione said in a flirty voice. Harry looked back to her to see that little half grin still on her face. She also had titled her head so that her mane of long curly brown hair fell across part of her face in a way that looked really cute. She was also leaning close enough to him that he could almost count the freckles on her face as he gazed into her chocolate brown eyes and chanced a glance at her lips. His heart was beating so fast that it could probably burst right now, and if he saw himself in a mirror, he would see that he was blushing beet red.
“And that way, you can tell me all about your family of warriors and your RAF mates.” She continued.
Harry smiled. “I’d like that.” He said in a small voice. Hermione beamed at him.
“Great! Let me just cash out the till and we can go eat.” She said giddily. Her stomach growled loudly again. “Oh hush, you! Dinner’s coming!” She muttered to herself. “Should really start bringing some snacks with me here to quiet this beast down.” Harry chuckled at this, causing Hermione to dip her head in embarrassment as she blushed and smiled.
Hermione met him outside at his car a few minutes later. “Ready to go?” Harry said. Hermione nodded excitedly. Harry opened the door for her and let herself get strapped in before he went around and got in himself.
“Trust me, you’re going to love this place.” Hermione said.
“I bet I will.” Harry said confidently. “Just show me the way.”
“Oohh, I think we overdid it with that cheesy garlic bread, but that side of marinara makes it taste so much better.” Hermione moaned. “Once our entrees arrived, I was already starting to feel full.”
“Yeah, I feel the same way.” Harry chuckled.
“Can’t believe I still managed to eat all of that, I look pregnant now.” Hermione continued as she gently rubbed her visibly bulging belly, which stuck out from under her shirt a bit. “I’m gonna have to unbutton my jeans or something once I get back to my flat.”
“Yeah, I reckon I could change into some looser-fitting trousers too.” Harry laughed. Hermione giggled.
“We’re in it together.” She said. “Good call switching to fizzy drink before we had too much wine, by the way.” For a moment, neither of them said anything. “Can you drive me home? I’ll show you the way.”
“Of course, Hermione.” Harry said softly. Hermione smiled and placed her hand over Harry’s, causing him to blush.
As Harry drove, and the closer they got to Hermione’s flat, culminating at him driving into the car park of the unit Hermione pointed out, Harry had developed a sense of déjà vu. “Will you walk with me up to my flat?” Hermione said in a small voice.
“Of course I will.” Harry said. He got out of his car and stuck the book he bought at Hermione’s Book Nook in the pocket of his jacket, walked around and opened Hermione’s door for her as he held a hand out for her and hoisted her to her feet. Harry noticed that Hermione didn’t drop his hand and rather tightened her grip on it as she lead the way.
She led him inside the building and to the lift. They got out on the second floor and Hermione led Harry just a little down the hallway to flat #117. She stopped in front of her door and turned to face Harry and took both of his hands into hers.
“I had a great time tonight, you made my evening so much better.” Hermione said softly. “I hope we can do this again sometime soon.”
“Me too, I really want to.” Harry responded in an equally soft voice. Hermione beamed at him and let out a little giggle. They didn’t know who made the first move, but the next thing they knew was that they were leaning in towards each other. It started as a soft brush of each other’s lips. It just... felt right. They didn’t know who first made the next move, but they didn’t care as they deepened their kiss and were pulled flush against each other.
Harry slowly snaked his arms around Hermione’s waist, she shivered in delight at the feeling, as she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck. Before too long, their lips had parted as their tongues began exploring each other’s mouths and fought each other for dominance. Hermione’s tongue eventually got the better of Harry’s.
As they came up for breath after a minute or two, they were both panting and could feel each other’s hearts hammering away against the other. “How was dessert?” Harry asked softly.
“Very good.” Hermione answered breathily. “Can we have seconds?”
“We shouldn’t, but I can’t resist.” Harry responded. Harry pulled Hermione back in for round two as their lips locked together again. This time Harry’s tongue got the better of Hermione’s and she involuntarily let out a little moan at this as her left foot raised up into the air.
As they came up for air again, they were somehow breathing even harder and their hearts beating even faster against each other’s. “We shouldn’t get too excited just yet.” Hermione said slyly, referring to the fact that certain parts of Harry’s body had risen to the occasion from the scale of their affection just now.
“Yeah.” Harry responded simply, blushing madly, Hermione was looking just as red as he was. They just stood there for a moment in each other’s arms to catch their breath. After a good minute, they were both breathing normally again. “Does your base have an opening for the position of Harry’s Girlfriend?” Hermione asked softly.
“That depends.” Harry responded. Do you have an opening at your store for the position of Hermione’s Boyfriend?”
“I do, yes.”
“That settles it, then. Will you be my girlfriend?”
Hermione sniffled. “Yes! Oh my gosh, yes! Yes, I will!” She exclaimed before tightening her hold on Harry with a bone-crushing hug, surprising him as he returned her hug with equal fervor. Hermione sighed contently as they stood there in each other’s embrace. The height difference between them meant that Hermione only came up to Harry’s chest and he was resting his head on top of hers. She listened to the gentle, rhythmic thumping of Harry’s heart as he slowly rocked her back and forth.
“Do you know that you’re my first boyfriend?” Hermione asked softly.
“Do you know that you’re my first girlfriend?” Harry countered.
“Really?” Hermione asked, sounding surprised.
“Really.” Harry said.
Neither of them knew how long they stood there in each other’s embrace before Hermione softly broke the silence again.
“Hey, Harry?”
“Yes, Hermione?”
“I was wondering where your flat is.”
Harry abruptly stopped rocking Hermione back and forth and stood up straight, wide-eyed. Exploring these new feelings he had for this beautiful young woman in front of the door to her flat had made him completely forget about the sense of déjà vu he had developed on the way here.
Harry glanced at the number next to Hermione’s door again: #117. He craned his neck around behind him, and the sudden feeling of Hermione shifting in their embrace to her right; Harry’s left, told Harry she was following his gaze. His gaze stopped on Door #118.
“Er… right across the hall from you.” Harry said awkwardly. “I moved in here literally just this afternoon. Almost everything’s still in their boxes.”
They stood there in absolute silence for a moment before they burst out laughing. Harry’s family, friends, squadron mates and their CO would also get a good laugh from the irony of this.
“Oh, before I forget, tomorrow’s my twenty-fifth birthday.” Harry said.
“Happy Early Birthday!” Hermione exclaimed happily. “I turn twenty-six on September Nineteenth. Would… would it be alright if you could meet my parents then?”
“Only if its alright with you meeting my friends and family tomorrow.” Harry said.
“It absolutely is.” Hermione smiled. “Who all will be there?”
“Well, there’ll be my mum and dad.” Harry began. “My godfather, Sirius, one of Dad’s best friends, he’s the one who told me about this book. Remus, Dad’s other best friend. Amelia and Dora, Sirius and Remus’ wives. Teddy, Remus and Dora’s little boy and my godson.”
“Aww.”
“And my squadron mates.” Harry continued. “Katie, Angelina and Alicia; Spearhead, Rocket and Whiplash. Fred and George; Slammer and Saint.”
Hermione chuckled. “George is Saint? Really?”
“It was only fitting.” Harry laughed. “And our squadron leader, Oliver; Boss. Oh! Dad, Sirius and Remus have nicknames too. Dad is Prongs, Sirius is Padfoot and Remus is Moony.”
“What’s your nickname?” Hermione asked with that little half grin.
Harry gave a big lopsided grin in return. “Monarch.”
It wasn’t even Harry Potter’s birthday yet, but as far as Great Britain’s Flying Ace was concerned, it already was.