Harmione One Shots

Front desk Flirtations

Summary: Law intern Hermione Granger is caught just a bit off guard by the person who just came into the office.

Ship: HarryPotterxHermioneGranger

All credit goes to MackFraizer on Ao3

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Hermione would later blame it on the caffeine not kicking in, that she didn't notice the glint in Margaret's eyes as Margaret took her morning break. Instead depositing herself in the exceedingly comfortable chair behind the secretary's desk, chai latte in hand. Only grumbling a little after she heard the back door click and knowing Margaret would not hear her.

She had been interning at the law office for a little over a week now, and she was still galled at being asked to take over the secretary's tasks while she stepped out on break. Fortunately she had the presence of mind not to complain, even the first time she had been asked, a feat she was sure she would have failed at when she was a younger girl.

Plus, much to her chagrin, she had learned that many of the tasks that Margaret undertook were vital to the running of the office. So Hermione supposed that even acting as a secretary had valuable learning experiences, even if it still miffed,a bit.

Watching the desk phone wouldn't be too bad, especially this early in the morning when the office had not been open all that long. Which meant that Hermione was slightly surprised when the bell above the door sounded, signaling the presence of someone.

Hermione looked up from her notebook, ready to greet whoever in the best cheery voice she could muster. Given the blasted caffeine boost still had not graced her, she did not expect much from her efforts. As her eyes made contact and her mouth opened to deliver a greeting she froze.

"Hello there. Where's Margaret?" a man with the most piercing green eyes Hermione had ever seen asked. Before she could reply or even close her mouth, which she was internally mortified to think likely looked like a gape, the man continued. Either not noticing her befuddled expression, polite enough to ignore it, or hoping that she didn't look as ridiculous as she imagined. "Must be the new intern. Mr. Stephenson had mentioned he was like to have another one before I got back from holiday."

Then to Hermione's further stupor, the man grimaced. Running a hand through his hair in a sheepish expression. Hair that Hermione noted looked delightfully windswept and was dark as a moonless sky. It also looked incredibly soft and she wondered what it would be like to run her fingers through it?

That embarassing thought finally snapped her out of her thoughts and the inability to close her mouth. Hoping against hope that she wore a perfectly polite expression and her cheeks were not in fact the color of tomatoes.

"Where are my manners? I'm Harry, the regular bicycle courier." the man offered politely, extending out his hand.

Hermione's eyes flicked to his chest, his rather broad and fit, spotting the familiar red and gold sporty polo of the courier service that the office used. Sure enough the name Harry stitched in elegant gold lettering over his right pectoral.

She internally cursed the failing of her wits on the ineffective latte. Debating whether she would ever go back to the corner cafe for the betrayal? She absently remembered overhearing a conversation between Kingsley, the courier that been delivering to them, that their regular would be back on Monday. A detail she was usually like to remember and so shouldn't be caught so off guard by Harry's presence. She told her mind firmly that the fact that Harry was very handsome, that he wore that athletic polo exceptionally well, had absolutely nothing to do with it. Not at all, thank you very much.

Finally Hermione realized that she had probably been staring too long, and quickly moved her eyes back to his face and those eyes. Again Hermione was wondering if she was too in her own head or if Harry was being really polite in her continued silence? If this continued any further he would probably think she was mute.

Gathering herself and trying for a welcoming smile, she took his hand in her own in a polite shake. His hand was warm and slightly calloused, but to Hermione's further embarrassment it also felt welcoming and she found herself reluctant to let go.

"Hermione" she offered back, in a softer voice she wasn't even sure came from her, "a pleasure to meet you Harry."

If Hermione had thought that this meeting could not get anymore embarrassing for her, she was wrong. For after offering Harry her name, he gave a crooked grin that made his eyes seem even brighter and his cheeks move in a way that made her itch to cup that well defined cheek with her hand.

"That's a pretty name," Harry said continuing to smile at her. Surly she was imagining his voice getting a bit deeper as he said it? Harry opened his mouth again to say something else, but a beeping sounded and Hermione traced it to Harry's wrist where there was a sporty looking watch. Harry looked from the watch to her apologetically.

"Looks like I got get moving. I'm setting my watch to sound after a few minutes at every stop, for a few days at least. Figured things might be a bit rough after my holiday and all." Harry offered to her as an explanation and, what she was sure her mind playing tricks on her, an apology.

Then her lips moved before her brain could catch up, "You look like you will be able to manage well enough." Flicking her eyes briefly to his fit chest and well toned arms, before meeting his eyes again. Internally screaming inside asking herself what in the world had come over her? She could already hear Sally Anne cackling in delight at the sushi place they were supposed to meet at tonight.

Harry only offered her that wicked grin of his again as he handed the office's correspondence to her. "Until next time Hermione. Would like to ask you about your name next time. Seems familiar from somewhere, but can't quite place it." Giving her a little wave, he turned towards the door.

She blamed the yellow bicycle helmet lightly bouncing from the clip on his sinfully snug khaki shorts, for why her eyes glanced down from his solid looking shoulders to his bum. Absolutely not because she didn't possess the willpower to keep herself from ogling him.

Hermione felt her throat working, and in that moment thanked every god ever worshipped on Earth for the small mercy of him not turning around and catching her stare. If he had she was sure she would hide under her desk for the rest of her internship to avoid the mortification.

Not even a minute later, Margaret came back from her break. Hermione lost in her own world, thinking about the interaction with Harry. Trying to not think about how tongue tied she had been, but instead of those mesmerizing green eyes and that smile that would give any woman trouble.

Margaret cleared her throat, and Hermione's daze broke only to see merriment in Margaret's expression. "I see you have met Harry. He is a dear isn't he?"

"You planned that?!" Hermione spluttered in disbelief.

Margaret's smile only grew wider, "He's a very handsome young man isn't he? Well mannered as well. Always asks me how my garden or grandchildren are doing. Though I will say I didn't expect to see you this out of sorts Hermione."

Hermione steadfastly decided to not acknowledge that last sentence. "Why did you do that?

She had the audacity to merely shrug, looking unrepentant. "Us old ladies got to get our joys where we can get them. If you're truly that upset about it, I can make sure to take my breaks later in the morning. Wouldn't be any trouble at all." Margaret offered with a knowing smile.

Hermione looked at Margaret for a half a second, trying to maintain her composure and not give anything away. "That won't be necessary. Happy to help whenever." She gathered her notebook and latte. Though of course now the caffeine wasn't necessary. She was halfway to her desk when her Margaret spoke and turned to meet the still pleased with herself older woman.

"Just in case you're curious. I happen to know Harry is single." Margaret offered in what Hermione thought was the most victorious face she had ever seen.

"I have know idea what you are getting at," Hermione said, trying to sound dignified and unaffected, though her blushing cheeks betrayed her, as she turned and fled back to her desk.