Hermione woke with a start, her gasp startling a bird that chirped undisturbed the whole morning at the window box. She looked about her madly, taking in the sight her bleary eyes could. She was overwhelmed, and unbelieving, as she took in the comforting, book cluttered room in her apartment flat. She was home. How could this be. The night before.

Looking about her, she saw the dress she had warn from the night at the theater.

"Hermione, are you alright?"

Hermione jumped at the voice that intruded her thoughts. Who was that? Hermione whirled around, letting out a sudden gasp. It couldn't be possible. Looking deep into the pair of soft eyes, her body began to quake. Her mouth fell agape in surprise as a single word slipped from her lips.

"Ron."

Hermione looked at Ron, her eyes large. What could have happened? It couldn't have possibly been a dream. But then again, a beautiful man claiming to be the god of mischief. Hermione groaned. She wished desperately it wasnt a dream.

"You look horrible, Hermione. Did you drink too much last night?"

She turned on Ron. His very presence baffling her even further. How on earth could he have possible gotten into her apartment. She had a lock spell put on it so no one but her could enter. Unless...Hermione pushed the thought from her head. It couldn't possibly be that. Sure, they had a thing back at Hogwarts, but after a few years, it faded.

"How did you get in here?" she barely squeezed out. Ron scoffed. Oh no, Hermione screamed internally, Had we?

"You disappeared pretty quickly from Harry and Ginny's party. I stopped by after. To make sure you were alright. You answered the door, raving about a Loki, whatever that is, and something about dessert. Are you sure you didn't drink too much?"

Hermione sighed, relieved. Her skin cooling as she thought it over. She hadn't slept with Ron. She only left their best friends party early and met...hold on.

"Did you say Loki?" She asked suddenly. Ron nodded. "Loki isn't a what, Ron, he's a who. And I met him last night."

Hermione leapt from the bed. Ron averting his gaze from her nearly nude frame as she slipped quickly into a silk robe. Her gaze fervent when she headed eagerly from the room, headed toward the kitchen. Ron undoubtedly followed. His undone necktie loose from his unbuttoned dress shirt and his black trouser pants cuffed at the hem. He roamed around in his socks, with his hair disheveled. As Hermione looked at the kitchen, she nearly jumped at the clean sink and cleared off counter. Automatically, she rounded on Ron.

"What did you do to my kitchen?" she could hardly contain the smile as he smirked, his hands delved deep into his pockets. His eyes gleaming.

"Well, after you fell asleep, I looked around, saw your dishes needed doing and your counters- I cleaned."

Hermione pulled a full pot of steaming coffee from the small black machine on the counter. Turning to Ron, her eyebrows rose. Ron laughed, he had almost forgot.

"And you made coffee."

Before Ron could speak, a loud, penetrating knock clanked on the front door. Both Ron and Hermione looked at it, then Hermione looked at Ron.

"You aren't expecting anyone, are you?" Ron asked, making a b line to the door. Hermione straight on his heels.

"It could just be Harry...or Ginny. They might have been-"

Hermione came up short. Her eyes looking straight into ice blue pools. Ron stood aside the open door, agape. Looking up at the taller man in confusement. The man, in equal confusement, looked from Ron to Hermione, then back to Ron.

"I'm sorry, have I come at a wrong time?" the sultry, deep voice asked. His eyes grazing past Ron, and laying devilishly on Hermione. Her cheeks burned hot.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Ron suddenly asked, breaking the eye contact.

The man locked eyes with Ron, before entering the apartment at a silken pace. Hermione could hardly suppress the smile at the edge of her lips.

"Ron...this is Loki. Loki, this is Ron." Hermione stammered. Her eyes still unwavering from the tall mans gaze.

"This is Loki? The Loki you met last night? How does he know where you live?" Ron asked, the door clicking shut behind him. Hermione tore her gaze from Loki just long enough to see Ron's jealous gaze.

"I was the one who drove her home." Loki smiled, his words simple but his meaning quite annoyed. Hermione stepped between them. She could feel the hostile tension building by the second. She didn't want to clean up the mess.

"Ron, thank you so much for coming to check on me. I am quite alright now. Right as rain." Hermione shot Ron a stern glare as she quickly opened the door. Her gaze pleading as Ron looked alarmed.

Finally, he gave. Walking from the door, he turned to say his adieu, but Hermione slammed the door in his face.

Hermione quickly turned on Loki. Her eyes ablaze. His stance strong, he looked down at her passionately.

"You've been naughty." Loki smirked. His arms folding before his chest. His dark clothing drowning out his pale cheeks. His long dark hair polished. Hermione blushed. She knew he spoke of Ron, and she knew what it must seem to him.

"Ron is nothing. Just a friend. But you...you are real."

Loki let out a sturdy laugh. Single and abrupt. Hermione recoiled.

"Yes. Hermione Granger. I am real. What we had last night, it too was real."

Hermione took in a deeper breath. Her bones beginning to shake. She grew hot. Flushed. Instantly Loki was close. A hand caressing her disheveled hair.

"Did you mean it?" Hermione suddenly asked, as Loki's mouth came inches from hers. He paused, hinting a smile of annoyance and confusion, he inched back.

"Did I mean what, dearest flower?" he asked softly.

"When you told me that you love me? Did you mean it?"

Loki leaned back, their eyes locked. Hermione waited, her chest heaving. Her eyes clear. Her cheeks no longer flushed. Loki loved her this way. Serene, beautiful. Touching her soft cheek, Loki smiled. Inching closer.

"Yes. Hermione Granger. I love you deeply."