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Hermione had the feeling that Marcus was really something special. She hadn't had a serious relationship in quite some time and any dates she had been on were just lackluster. As were the one night stands. She just hadn't found whatever it was that she was looking for. It was hard not to have her hopes up after seeing him over the past two days.
Just as she was opening the package, it started glowing.
Hermione and Marcus continued chatting until the wee hours when Hermione finally needed to go to bed and get up for work in the morning.
To her surprise, Marcus was waiting on the sidewalk near her office.
"I brought you a coffee since its kind of my fault you were up late." He said as he handed her a large cup from a local shop. Her favorite in fact. She had no doubt that it would be prepared exactly as she liked. She also had no doubt that Luna was involved.
Marcus didn't stay or even come inside. According to his standards, they weren't to be behind closed doors together until after ten dates. She was already attracted to him after only two days. She wasn't sure how she would last.
Later that afternoon, Harry dropped by with lunch, knowing she never scheduled appointments at noon.
"Well, what do you think?" Hermione asked him.
"I don't know what you're talking about" He replied, his face turning pink. Harry Potter may be one of the highest ranking Auror's in Britain, but he was still rubbish at hiding his emotions.
"I know Luna must have told you about my date. And I also know you must have been there."
"Right. Well. Marcus Flint. I did some digging and he seems decent. Not like when he was in school anyway."
"People grow up. He is decent."
"Lu wouldn't have set you up with anyone who wasn't. I trust her judgment."
Marcus was precisely on time, waiting outside wearing what looked to be Quidditch pants.
"Please tell me we aren't going flying" Hermione groaned.
"Well we weren't, but with that reaction, I might have to change my mind" he said, smirking. His eyes ran up her body, taking in her clothes. He said comfortable, so she went to trainers, leggings, and a hooded sweatshirt.
"I didn't know what we were doing. Am I dressed appropriately?" Hermione asked, biting her lip nervously
"Perfect" Marcus replied as he held out his arm to take her side a long.
They landed near a trail at the bottom of a mountain.
"Where are we?" Hermione asked, looking around at the beautiful scenery
"This is Mount Snowdon. In Wales. I like to hike." Marcus said as he took her hand and led her to the trail entrance. "Being outdoors and physically active helps me clear my thoughts."
It was a more challenging hike than Hermione originally thought, Marcus helping her through a particularly rocky section. They passed some stone ruins and near the peak, there was a clearing which was apparently Marcus' ultimate destination.
He brought out a blanket and picnic hamper from a backpack that Hermione hadn't even noticed he was wearing. Magic had to be involved to keep the beautifully arranged cheese board intact during a hike. Marcus held a blackberry dipped in honey to her lips. Her tongue darted out to catch a stray drip before wrapping her lips around the fruit and his finger. He pulled his finger back slowly before he crashed his lips into her, the taste of blackberry juice between them. His tongue begged entrance against her lips, which she gladly granted. It had been too long since Hermione had a good old fashioned snog. The sexual tension between them was electrifying. How they were going to wait until the end of the tenth date was a mystery.
A week after their hiking trip, Hermione and Marcus had gone out on public dates almost every night. It had been, by Hermione's count, nine dates. The tenth had to be special, because she sure as hell knew that after was going to be amazing.
