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Luna silently handed Hermione a long piece of parchment.
Luna had created a very successful business in matchmaking. Her ability to read auras and, as much as she denied it, her seer abilities had been creating lasting relationships for almost a decade.
"This is your match" she said with finality.
"Luna, I don't care a bit about Quidditch. Why would I be matched with a retired player?"
"You don't like Quidditch, but it's no secret that you like Quidditch players."
It was true. Hermione had dated her fair share of Quidditch players over the years. Their focus and determination on the pitch translated into the bedroom. And as a healer, she appreciated the fine specimen of an athletic body. For professional reasons, of course.
"He also mentioned starting a youth Quidditch league" Luna continued, pointing out the last box on her questionnaire. "Haven't you been complaining for years that the wizarding world doesn't put enough emphasis on physical fitness in children?"
She had a point. As a pediatric healer, Hermione had seen more than her fair share of injuries and ailments in children due to more sedentary lifestyles and rich foods. She had had to meet with many a house elf to explain that biscuits and candy shouldn't be staples for a child's diet.
"Alright. Set it up. What's the worst that could happen?" Hermione sighed
"You should be asking 'What's the best that could happen?'" Luna responded with a knowing grin.
Luna set up the first meeting at The Leaky Cauldron that Friday evening. She closed her office at 5pm on Fridays, so it gave her plenty of time to get ready. In all actuality, it gave her time to worry over what to wear. Standing in front of her wardrobe in a dressing gown with her hair wrapped in a towel, Hermione ran her fingers over each hanger trying to make a decision. The Leaky wasn't a place to wear dress robes or even a dress, so that eliminated about a third of her options.
Good, Granger. Let's keep narrowing it down so we don't show up in our fluffy bathrobe.
Not that it wasn't a nice bathrobe. It was very plush and she absolutely loved how it felt on her skin after a shower, but certainly not first date material.
Pulling out a royal blue cashmere jumper, a bit of an extravagant purchase after a breakup two years ago, she had finally settled on what she was going to wear.
Her hair was much simpler than it had been in her youth. Her bushy mane was surprisingly more tame the longer it was. With her mother no longer attacking her with scissors every summer, the weight pulled her tresses down to a soft wave, gently brushing the top of her backside. Come to find out, one of Harry's ancestors had invented Sleekeazy's Hair Potion and she had access to a lifetime supply.
Just the thought of Harry made her smile. Her pseudo-brother was rather protective and she would bet every last galleon in her vault that he would be there tonight, watching from afar. Not that he didn't trust Luna. She was the one who found his 'soul mate' in Susan Bones. Not that she believed in such nonsense.
The clock on her mantle told her she had five minutes to apparate to Diagon Alley. Punctuality was important to her and hopefully to her date as well.
She walked through the door at The Leaky Cauldron exactly two minutes before seven.
Luna said to look for the guy with a radish…
Hermione looked around, ready to fly into a tirade if this guy was even one minute late, however she saw a pair of broad shoulders that connected to the most glorious biceps Hermione had ever seen. In his left hand, he held a long, leafy stem with a red bulbous root.
Good Godric. I've never been so happy to see a root vegetable before!
Hermione tapped Mr. Brachioradialis Delectamentum on his bicep that she had been admiring. He turned around in what felt like slow motion. Hermione quickly recognized Marcus Flint. Former Chaser for the Ballycastle Bats and Witch Weekly's most eligible athlete three years in a row who mysteriously was rumored never to have had a serious relationship. Not that Hermione was keeping track.
"Hello" Hermione said. Smooth Granger. "Luna told me to look out for radishes." She gestured toward the vegetables clutched in his hand.
"Oh. Here" he thrust the plant toward her chest. "I'm supposed to give you this."
"Thanks" she replied, taking the plant, root and all. At least it's not covered in dirt.
Marcus gestured toward a small table in a more secluded corner.
"I'm not going to lie, I'm surprised to see 'The Brightest Witch of Her Age' here with me." He flashed her a smile.
"I really hate that nickname." Hermione replied. "I see you got your teeth fixed." Oh for the love of Merlin, why would you say that.
"Yeah. I got hit in the face with a bludger in my first professional match. The team healer who grew them back made some adjustments."
"I'm sorry. Let's start over." Hermione said, determined to turn around the awkward conversation.
"Agreed. First off, what do you want to eat and drink. I'll just run up and get an order in."
"Oh. Right." Hermione said. She hadn't had time to pre-eat a meal before meeting Marcus so just a simple salad wasn't going to cut it. "The Shepherd's Pie is good here so I'll take that. Ooh and chips… with gravy. And a butter beer. Please."
Marcus left to put in an order with Tom, the barman who had owned The Leaky Cauldron since the beginning of time, it seemed.
A few moments later, Marcus came back, levitating two tray that had more food than two people should ever need.
"Thanks" Hermione blushed, thankful for the dim lighting. "I didn't have time for lunch today…"
"No need to apologize" Marcus grinned. "I like a woman with an appetite. If you had ordered a salad, I would have walked straight out."
"Really?"
"Well, no probably not, but I'm glad I'm not going to be the only one actually eating." Marcus said as he dug into his plate.
The conversation flowed easily between the two as they talked about their careers, their friends, and what they wanted out of a potential partner.
Marcus preferred to follow a few of the old pureblood courtship rules, including no kissing on the first date. In fact, the reason he had been able to stay out of the gossip rags was simply because his personal life was so boring. He took his career too seriously to spend many late nights out. The first ten dates with any witch were to be in public places and he never brought a witch home or went to her place during that time, which discouraged most of the Quidditch groupies.
Hermione had been less discriminating over the years. Before opening her own office, her hours were not conducive to dating, but over the last year she had developed a better work and life balance. Taking the time to get to know someone and develop a solid foundation before muddying the waters with sex sounded like a good plan.
Don't get ahead of yourself, Granger. Who knows if he even wants a second date.
By 9:00, the other bar patrons had gone home, leaving only Hermione and Marcus still talking and laughing at their corner table.
"I think Tom wants to close up" Hermione said quietly. Tom had, in fact put up all the other chair and was glaring at them, holding his dirty dishcloth to wipe down their table when they left.
Marcus held her jacket out for her to put on and they walked out to the sidewalk.
"I'd like to do this again. Soon" Marcus said quickly, almost nervously.
"I would love that"
"Well, I am having a scrimmage game at Shacklebolt Park. I have two teams of kids I've been working with. Do you want to come and watch? Afterwards we can have lunch."
"That sounds lovely" Hermione replied. As much as she didn't enjoy Quidditch, watching children enjoying the fresh air and exercise would be fun.
"Until tomorrow" Marcus took her hand, lightly brushing her lips across the back and apparated away.
Hermione decided to walk for a few blocks before going back to her cottage and wrap her head around her date. With Marcus Flint. And how much she enjoyed it.
As soon as she was home, she scribbled a quick note to Luna.
Luna,
I guess you aren't going to lose your success streak yet.
Love,
Hermione