Ambivalent → Hermione Granger [3] ✔

I 04 I Alliance

~*~

When he rounded the corner, the three stood opposite the Magical Menagerie, just as Alexander had left them.

Helen's kiss still lingered in his mind as his cheek burned. He had a terrible urge to rest his hand against the spot, but thankfully resisted. It seemed as if everyone was staring at him with knowing looks. To maintain a neutral expression, he schooled his features as his friends turned their attention to him.

Hermione reacted first, before he could get close. There came a loud squeal, causing a few heads to turn in their direction as she lunged forward. Alexander had just a split second to notice her wide, shining smile until he caught her in his arms and an uncontrollable, bushy mass of hair engulfed his face. A breathless 'uff' escaped his mouth as he stepped back from the force of her passionate hug.

"Woah," he grinned into her hair, holding her closer to him as she buried her face in his shoulder. "Steady on, Hermione."

"Sorry, I missed you," Hermione said as she leaned back, warmly smiling at him, running her soulful brown eyes over his face as though searching for something, and hugging him once again.

It was enough to soothe the worry that gripped his chest earlier, and he felt his muscles relax at her touch. As he breathed in her fragrant vanilla and lavender scent, he smiled radiantly.

Loud purring noise and what felt like sharp claws against his chest broke his attention. He leaned back and squished between the two of them was an orange cat clamped in Hermione's arms.

"What is that?" he stared. "Is it yours?"

The cat's ginger fur was thick and fluffy, and its face looked grumpy. The cat purred in Hermione's arms as it peered up at Alexander with a curious look, paws still resting on his chest.

"Yes, he's gorgeous, isn't he?" gushed Hermione, glowing. "His name's Crookshanks."

"Hiya, Alex. Good to see you, mate," came Ron's voice as he approached, with Harry in tow. He shook his head at Hermione. "You'd think they haven't seen Alex for years, Hermione. You didn't hug us like that earlier."

"Don't be silly, Ronald," retorted Hermione calmly, though Alexander noticed a light pink dusting on her cheeks.

"Hello, Ron, Harry," greeted Alexander.

"When did you get back?" asked Harry.

"Yesterday," Alexander replied slowly, waiting to see if Harry was going to reveal anything, but he kept silent.

"She brought that monster. Can you believe it?" The cat caught Ron's attention as he threw it a disgusted look, his lips curling. "It tried to scalp me twice."

Alexander smiled in amusement at Ron's wary face.

"Oh, honestly," huffed Hermione, "Crookshanks did no such thing. Did you, my little handsome boy?" The cat preened at her attention.