Unofficial Portkey Archive

Chapter 3: Back to the Burrow Again

Hermione sat on the floral covers of her oversized bed, expertly checking the items she was to bring with her to the Burrow. Two weeks had passed since September the first and it was now only the night before she'd being going to see Ginny. It was also only another two days before her 26th birthday. She was more than ready for some time off from work having had her hands full and her head aching with meetings with the same O'Connor, Gerlantes, Wells, and Wiles that tried to skirt bylaws enforced by Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She perused some of the letters that she received from everyone before she went to bed.

Ginny and Draco wrote the first one together.

The writing had changed and Hermione laughed as she read on.

The writing changed again.

Hermione smiled and then set down their letter on her bedside table at the left of her bed. Then she went on to read Ron's letter.

Lastly, Hermione opened Harry's letter.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the line.

Hermione felt the warm feeling of happiness spread throughout her as she set down both Harry and Ron's letters on the bedside stand. After one final check of her things she shut her suitcase and with a swish and flick she levitated it to the other side of the room. She then scooted into her large bed, pulling the covers to her chest and darkened the room with her wand. A calmness took over her and she drifted to sleep with ease.

She awoke early the next morning to shower and get ready before she Apparated to the Burrow. Before leaving she successfully conjured up a cup of strong coffee to liven her up. Soon after she was ready to go and she dashed back to her bedroom where she picked up her small suitcase. Then with a loud pop she Apparated to the Burrow.

A smile curled up the corners of her lips as she found herself standing in front of the door to the Weasley's home. Hermione then put her hand up and knocked on the door. She heard loud footsteps racing down the stairs and then the door swung open. Ginny came dashing at her with her fiery red hair flying behind her. Hermione found herself in a great hug with the youngest child and only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

"Hermione!" shouted Ginny with glee. "Oh, I'm so happy to see you!"
"I'm happy to see you too!" said Hermione with as much excitement as Ginny.

Ginny took a hold of Hermione's arm and led her inside her home. Hermione smiled and breathed deeply, taking in the sweet familiar smells of the Weasley house. She watched with a nostalgic smile as she glanced at a pot washing itself in the sink and as bewitched knitting needles were making a red jumper. Her eyes drifted to the old clock that showed whereabouts of the each member of the Weasley family. The hands on the clock bore the faces of each family member. Ginny was home, Mrs. Weasley: home, Mr. Weasley: work, Bill, Charlie, Percy were also pointed to work, while Ron's hand was pointed to home like his mother and Ginny. Hermione smile thinking that Harry had been right: the place was very capable of making everyone feel at home.

"Mum, Ron...come down, come down!" said Ginny in delight. "Look who's just arrived!"

Ginny turned back to Hermione with a bright smile just as Mrs. Weasley came downstairs. Hermione had only to glance at her once to see that her eyes were inviting and warm as she moved towards her to wrap her in a motherly hug. Hermione squeezed back, relieved to see that Mrs. Weasley did not appear to still be upset at the fact that she and Ron were still not together.

"Ohh, dear Hermione, it's so good to see you!" said Mrs. Weasley.

At that same moment, slower footsteps sounded from the stairs. When Hermione looked up she saw Ron slowly making his way down the stairs. He was as tall and as lanky as ever and he had to hunch over a little so his head wouldn't hit the ceiling that started before the stairs finished. Hermione took a deep breath and then smiled at Ron who reciprocated with his own smile. Ron stepped toward her tentatively and then moved his arms slightly. Hermione, to his relief, understood and took him in a hug.

"Hi, Ron," she said fondly, as she let him go.

"Hey Herm--mione," said Ron, not sure if he should call her by the nickname he'd given her.

Hermione began to giggle at his fumble and then squeezed his arm gently. After putting her suitcase in Ginny's room, where she was to be sleeping, she made her way downstairs again and headed straight to the kitchen to see if Mrs. Weasley needed help with breakfast.

"No dear," said Mrs. Weasley in a cheery voice, "you go on with Ginny now, I'm sure she has a lot of questions about the wedding."

Hermione noticed a sort of shine in Mrs. Weasley's eyes as she spoke her daughter's name. She was almost sure that she was on the verge of tears.

"Mrs. Weasley," Hermione began in concern, "are you sure that you're OK with this---a Muggle wedding?"

Mrs. Weasley squeezed her eyes tightly so that fine lines appeared at their corners. It was as though she was stopping tears. She opened her eyes and then looked back at Hermione, her expression soft.

"As long as Ginny's happy," said Mrs. Weasley softly before she rushed Hermione out of the kitchen.

Hermione walked outside holding a hand above her forehead, shadowing her eyes from the morning sun that was gliding over the grassy fields outside the Weasley house. She saw Ron grabbing and tossing a few gnomes out into the fields. Ginny sat at a wooden dinner table that the Weasley's often used to have meals when there were just too many people to fit inside. Hermione joined Ginny at the table.

"How have you been Ginny?" asked Hermione, noticing the spectacular glow around her that she knew was not being supplied by magic.

"I'm wonderful," said Ginny dreamily, "absolutely wonderful!"

Ginny pushed her long red hair out of her face as the wind danced through the air along with high-pitched squeals from the gnomes as he tossed them into the sky. As the squeals increased in frequency Hermione rolled her eyes and tugged on her ears uncomfortably.

"Ginny, what made you want to have a Muggle wedding?" asked Hermione, thinking back to Mrs. Weasley.

"Oh, I don't know," said Ginny. "I've always rather liked Muggles and their customs you know, but---"

Ginny paused and then gave Hermione a quizzical smile.

"But it was Draco who brought it up."

"'Draco?!" exclaimed Hermione. "Really?"

Ginny nodded happily.

"That's what I thought," Ginny said with a laugh taking note of Hermione's surprised expression, "but he said all this stuff about how it was time to break the mold, set an example, because their are still some wizards out there who think pure-bloods are better."

Hermione stared back at Ginny, dumbstruck and then giggled.

"And you're sure Draco said this?" teased Hermione.

Ginny laughed with her, but their mirth was interrupted by two quick pops from behind them. Ginny and Hermione turned to see two identical, stocky red-headed bodies standing before them. Ron had been so surprised that he stopped in mid-spin and flung a gnome he was holding in the wrong direction, flying quickly to one of the identical men's head.

"OUCH!" Fred shouted, yanking the gnome from his face while his twin brother, George keeled over in laughter.

"Oops, sorry 'bout that," said Ron, but speaking so plainly that it sounded like he wasn't.

"Fred, George!" Ginny exclaimed as she stood up and walked over to her brothers.

"Hey---there---Gin---ny," Fred grunted as he spun around and around, hurtling the gnome into the distance.

George gave a long, impressed whistle and watched as the gnome disappeared. The two of them then turned their attention to their little sister patting her on the head and struggling to pull away as she attempted to wrap them in bone crushing hugs.

"Hey little brother," George said, slapping Ron squarely on the back. "Hey Hermione."

Hermione waved back and soon all of them had congregated into the house. Fred and George entered stealthily and just as Mrs. Weasley turned around they set off mini-fireworks all around her.

"FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY!" their mother yelled. "JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE GROWN UP AND RUN A SUCCESSFUL JOKE SHOP DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU CAN DISREGARD THE RULES IN MY HOUSE!"

"Hello to you too, Mum," Fred said, grinning.

"Look, Mum, relax, " George laughed, pointing to the floor. "They turn into rose petals."

Mrs. Weasley looked down at the floor which was now strewn with dainty pink rose petals. She gave a weak grin, indicating that she may have liked to see them another time and not in surprise while she was cooking breakfast. Fred approached his mother, kissed her on the cheek and then reached over to grab a biscuit. However, he was stopped by a quick slap of his mother's hand.

"Aw, Mum, why not?" Fred groaned. "How often do you get to see your favorite sons?"

"Because," Mrs. Weasley said sharply, "not everyone is here yet."

Fred and George turned their eyes to Ginny who had somehow managed to sneak a biscuit and was waving it temptingly in front of them.

"When's everyone coming?" George asked.

"Who's everyone?" Fred followed, joining George in a nod.

"Well," Ginny began, turning to the clock, "Dad's travelling, probably to home, Harry is stopping at Draco's then they're coming here, Ron is obviously here. He got the week off---" she paused and eyed Fred and George with scrutiny, "and Bill, Charlie and Percy are not here for obvious dutiful and important reasons."

Ginny smiled coyly at her brothers, who were feigning looks of shock.

"Yes," Hermione said in an accusatory tone, "why aren't you two at work?"

Fred and George grinned triumphantly.

"Lee's covering for us," Fred informed everyone.
"Yeah," George continued, "and the since we own the store we always have people in the store working for us."

"Plus," Fred added eagerly, "most of the work George and I do is with clients in different countries who want some of our products, but, alas, we do not have a business meeting this week."

As the twins began to laugh, Hermione rolled her, eyes rather unimpressed, though Fred and George were making a fortune with their joke shop. Mrs. Weasley also smirked at this though all of them noticed a smile curl her mouth upwards. She was actually very pleased that her sons were doing so well for themselves.

"Well, if we can't have breakfast yet," George said as he hoisted his bag on his shoulder, "me and Fred'll just go up to our old room for a bit."

Mrs. Weasley nodded and then went back to her cooking. Ginny, becoming increasingly antsy, stood up and began to help her mother with the cooking. Hermione caught Ron looking at her from the corner of his eye.

"Hey," Ron said, standing up, "wanna go for a walk?"

Hermione nodded and then stood up to walk outside the house again. As they rounded the path around the house, the air around them was filled with silence.

"How've you been?" asked Ron, ruffling his hair nervously.

"Pretty well," answered Hermione. "Works going well, it's a little stressful. I'm having particular trouble with these O'Connor and Gerlantes women. They think that they can just wave the law and do magic in the non-magical world. It's quite dangerous really! But I like my job and I'm moving up fast."

"That figures," said Ron with a chuckle. "You like to move up so you can boss people around."

"Ah, well, of course," said Hermione with glee and then straightened her face in deep thought. "You know it's a little strange being back here after so long."

"Yeah," said Ron in an agreeing nod, "especially for me since I grew up in this house, but---"

"But it hasn't changed a bit, has it?" said Hermione with a kind smile.

"Yeah, lots of things stay the same no matter what," Ron said slowly.

"Hmm, true," agreed Hermione wistfully, "except that we're not children anymore."

Ron frowned a little at the comment and then shook his head in disagreement. He was not surprised to see Hermione raising her eyebrows at him as though expecting a thorough explanation as to what he meant.

"Speak for yourself," said Ron happily, "Harry and I both agreed in Hogwarts that we'd be kids forever."

"Oh, yes, of course you would," Hermione said in a seething tone.

Ron shook with laughter and then said, "See, like I said, something's never change."

"Ron!" Hermione said firmly, just prompting more laughs from him.

As they came around again, two pops reached their ears along with two voices that were springing from the front of the house. Ron and Hermione began to dash around to the front of the house. Whoever it was, they were already inside. As they entered, Hermione felt a quick and nervous pounding in her chest. She thought for a moment, furrowing her brow in consternation. Oh my, I'm in terrible shape! She thought to herself as loud and excited voices came out of the house.

"Ohh, Draco, hello," Mrs. Weasley greeted sweetly, kissing her future son-in-law on the cheeks.

"Hi, Mum," Ron and Hermione heard Draco say in a happy voice and they shared a confused looks, "where's Virginia?"

"Oh she's just upstairs," Mrs. Weasley grinned. "Ohhhh, Harry, dear, it's so wonderful to see you."

"Hi Mrs. Weasley," they heard him say, "Are Ron and Hermione up there too?"

Ron's ears perked and Hermione put her hand to her chest as though she had been running hard. Their best friend, Harry Potter, rounded the corner. His spectacularly green eyes had been inquisitive, but they suddenly turned bright and full of pure happiness. He came running at Ron and Hermione and they wrapped each other in the largest of hugs.

"Hey, mate!" Ron exclaimed, hardly able to contain his excitement as he kept his arms around Harry and Hermione. "It's really, really, great to see you again!!!"

"It's been way too long, Ron!" said Harry with a satisfied look on his face as though he had just finished a long journey. "Look, it's the three of us again!"

In the middle of the embrace, Hermione had her hands clapped over her face and tears flowed from her eyes. As far as Harry and Ron could tell, she showed no signs of stopping.

"'Mione," said Harry, bewildered. "Don't start crying now. There's nothing to cry about."

"Yeah, it's really not becoming on you at all," Ron said, grinning at Harry.

"Ron's right you know," said Harry. "Your face, it gets all splotchy."

"And red," Ron added pointing his finger in the air as he fought off laughs with Harry. "Don't forget red."

"Oh, stop the both of you!!" Hermione pleaded through her tears. "It's just been so long since the three of us have been together."

"That's true," said Harry softly, squeezing Hermione's shoulder. "But we're together now."

Hermione nodded wiping her tears away with her fingertips. Soon footsteps came down the stairs. Draco, who had gone upstairs to find Ginny was now walking downstairs behind her. They were followed closely by Fred and George whose faces drooped from hunger.

"Granger," Draco said in a drawling tone.

"Malfoy," Hermione replied in a serious face, paused, and then let out a small laugh. "How are you?"

"I'm wonderful," he said and then he turned his eyes to Ron "Hey Weasley."

Draco held out his hand to Ron who took it in a firm but friendly grip. They grinned at each other and Draco patted him on the back in a jovial way. At the same time, Fred and George had slumped on the kitchen table.

"Mum can we---," Fred began.

"Not until your father comes home!" said Mrs. Weasley firmly.

Then, with perfect timing, the front door swung open. Mr Weasley bustled in carrying a brown briefcase and wearing an olive green jacket over his tweed suit.

"Molly, I'm home!" said Mr. Weasley brightly and then jumped in shock when he saw all the faces in his kitchen. "By Merlin, I thought all our children had already moved out."

"They're visiting, remember Arthur?" Mrs. Weasley reminded him as he kissed her on the cheek. "And not all of them are our children."

Mrs. Weasley gestured towards Harry, Hermione, and Draco. Mr. Weasley squinted his eyes through his horn-rimmed glasses as though inspecting the three of them. Then he turned away and gave a small shrug, saying, "They may as well be."

Harry, Hermione and Draco beamed and suddenly the twins sat up staring eagerly at their mother. She turned with a smile and their faces glowed in relief as they were finally able to eat. Everyone gathered around the table: Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, then Fred and George, Draco and Ginny, while Hermione was sandwiched between Harry and Ron.

Mrs. Weasley made a decadent breakfast that consisted of several types of omelettes including vegetable, cheese, and ham. There was also crisp bacon and hotcakes. Most important, though, were her homemade biscuits that were piled high on a platter at the centre of the table. When everyone was done, they slouched back into their chairs and, still, there was plenty left over on the table.

"Well, that was lovely Mum," Draco beamed and then stood up. "I'll do the dishes."

"Oh, I'll help," said Harry, his eyes turning gratefully towards Mrs. Weasley.

"Well, me too then," said Hermione, reaching over to start grabbing plates.

Soon everyone was clamoring around, cooperating in cleaning the dishes and the kitchen. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley smiled with grateful surprise and took the moment to just sit with each other. With everyone else's cooperation the dishes and the kitchen sparkled with cleanliness. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley laughed in glee, thankful for everyone's help.

Then an owl came for Fred and George with several papers about their business and they hurried upstairs to look over them. Draco and Ginny sat closely with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in the living room with more conversations that centred around their upcoming wedding. Harry, Ron, and Hermione took the time to go outside and walk around the property.

Hermione beamed at both her best friends, hooking an arm though each of theirs. With both of them by her side, the air was suddenly lighter, the sky clearer and the wind calmer and cooler. She couldn't remember the last time she was so happy. She couldn't remember the last time she saw Ron and Harry so happy.

"So, been all right, Ron?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, really good, actually," said Ron. "Still with Gringotts, of course."

"Yeah?" said Harry. "Bill still there too?"

"Yeah, but he's taken on a permanent desk job now," said Ron with a chuckle. "It's more 'family-friendly' he says, you know, for Fleur and the baby."

"That baby will grow up to be gorgeous!" murmured Hermione.

"Yeah, because Fleur's really pretty," Harry and Ron both said with rather dreamy looks on their faces.

Hermione tugged on their arms with great force. The look in her eyes was so penetrating that it made them feel as though they had just drunk a tank of shrinking juice.

"Who was talking about Fleur?" Hermione said, "I meant that the baby will be gorgeous because of Bill."

Her words caused them to stand paralyzed in their places while she walked on a few steps ahead. They looked at each other with a shrug before they caught up with her again.

"What about you Harry?" Ron began again. "How's life?"

"Ah well, you know, I'm still a lowly Auror," Harry joked.

"Because you're acting lazy," said Hermione in a stern voice.

"Well," Harry said and paused in thought, "yes, yes I am."

Ron let out a burst of laughter to which Hermione gave him a sharp glare.

"You could move up if you wanted to," suggested Hermione. "You're really good at what you do, Harry."
"Yes, well I don't think I'm much a person to sit behind a desk," said Harry, looking intently at Hermione, "like some other people I know."

"Herm, you were always one to move up the job ladder," Ron added in response to Harry's comment. "Harry just likes where he is."

"I know!" Hermione snapped, feeling her cheeks grow warm in indignation. "I'm just making a point."

"Well...if you must know," Harry started in mock exasperation, "I am actually trying for Chief Auror, that way I'll still be able to do fieldwork and move up and make more at the same time."

Hermione turned to him in surprise. In all this time she had thought Harry had absolutely no intention of moving up.

"I---I didn't know you wanted to be Chief Auror," said Hermione, her voice faltering a little. "Well that's good."
And dangerous. She added as an afterthought to herself.

It was one of the best jobs in the Ministry but one that was only to be accepted by someone who was skilled enough and crazy enough to do it. Hermione clenched her fist for a moment nervously, thinking that Harry was definitely both of those things.

"Let's not talk about work, though," Harry supplied.

"Well, then," said Ron thoughtfully with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, "seeing as Harry and I were both in madly in love with the same woman at one point or another, then I say we talk about your love life, Hermione."
Hermione's jaw dropped in shock. Ron and Harry, though, seemed to be watching her with the same amusement one would obtain from watching a comedy.

"Yeah," Harry murmured, "still wrapping Seamus around your little finger?"

"Oh, how both of you know me so well," said Hermione airily.

Ron laughed and then turned to Harry, "How about you, Harry? How many gorgeous women are throwing themselves at you these days?"

"Er---well," Harry began hesitantly, "some people from work set me up on a date with some girl a few nights ago."

"Oh really?" Hermione asked in interest.

"And gorgeous like always, eh Harry?" said Ron.

"I guess," responded Harry, " 'gorgeous' is a very relative word."

There was a comfortable silence between them and they continued to walk around the house. When the sun became higher over the sky, they settled back into the house. Hours had slipped passed them since morning and the household still seemed busy. Mrs. Weasley was in the kitchen again making sandwiches for their lunch, while Mr. Weasley was heavily engrossed in a conversation with Ginny and Draco in a final effort to convince them that sparkplugs was the trendy way to go for their wedding decor. Fred and George still passed the time upstairs sorting out their business affairs.

When Mrs. Weasley was done with the sandwiches, everyone congregated around the table again to eat. Fortunately, the sandwiches were small and they did not feel nearly as full as they had in the morning. When they were done Draco hurried out to the shed and then came in again, holding in his arms several brooms. He was sporting a playful smile on his face.

"Anyone up for a game of Quidditch?" he asked.

Harry, Ron, and Fred and George lit up, giving each other excited grins and eagerly grabbed brooms from Draco. They filed outside ahead of Draco who looked back at Ginny and Hermione.

"Virginia," said Draco holding two spare brooms out to her and Hermione, "do you and Hermione want to play?"

Ginny glanced at Hermione to see her opinion. Hermione shook her head, her bushy hair whipping around her shoulders.

"Sorry Malfoy," said Hermione with a shrug, "I'm not very good at flying."

"I think I'll stay with Hermione, Draco," said Ginny. "We've got to discuss the wedding stuff anyway, but we'll go out and watch you play."

Hermione nodded in agreement and then Draco headed outside to join the rest of the players outside. After gathering the wedding books that she brought with her, Hermione and Ginny walked outside to see Harry, Ron, Draco, Fred and George zooming through the sky, their brooms making whooshing sounds as they passed. While they hooted and laughed jovially in the air, Hermione and Ginny sat on a bench on the Weasleys' porch. They laid the book on a round wooden table before them and began flipping through the pages while lifting their eyes every once and a while to watch the progress of the game.

"Wow, look at all these dresses!" exclaimed Ginny, her eyes growing wider as she flipped through the pages. "They're all beautiful but they must be expensive."

"Hmm, yes that's true," said Hermione with a slight frown. "But I'm sure we'll find something nice."
The two of them continued to marvel at the decorations in the books. Hermione was surprised with herself about how excited she was becoming about Ginny's wedding. Ginny seemed more excited than she was ( and rightly so since it was her wedding) but as Hermione read on, she couldn't help but sink into a mixture of further excitement and confusion as she read on about bouquets, cakes and dresses.

Ginny, confused in her own way, turned to Hermione for explanations. To the best of her ability, Hermione tried to explain all the elements of a Muggle wedding to Ginny. It was difficult for her to describe because she had never been married and had never been to a wedding. The wheels inside her mind turned as she began to remember details from several movies she'd seen that had featured weddings in them. Through her explanation Ginny would ask questions like "Why does it take so long to plan a Muggle wedding?" to which Hermione answered uncertainly, "Well, it takes a really long time to obtain all the decorations and get a place to hold the ceremony." and another question, "What's the purpose of having one frilly garter up the bride's leg?" which Hermione was unable to answer clearly.

"Well, maybe my wedding will be easier and faster to do if we use magic to get some of these things," said Ginny.

"Yes, probably," agreed Hermione. "But promise me you won't conjure your dress, I'd like to help you look for it."

Ginny smiled and nodded. The two of them then turned back to shuffling through the wedding books. As they read on, Hermione found it increasingly difficult to keep her attention on the books but instead kept turning it to Harry and Ron as they played Quidditch. She had one hand under her chin as she watched them. Then a small white envelope appeared before her with a loud pop. She let out a gasp and jumped away from it as though she were receiving a Howler. Ginny stared at Hermione and then clapped her hands over her mouth as she fought to keep from laughing. Hermione frowned at her and then took her wand out.

"Ignorare," she said hastily, jabbing her wand at the envelope.

She sighed and then returned to sit next to Ginny. Ginny continued to stare at the Apparating letter with interest and watched as it blinked with the words: Vocal message from Seamus Finnegan. After a few moments it changed to: 1 Missed Message. At that the Apparating message stopped floating and fluttered to the tabletop.

"Why is Seamus Finnegan sending you Apparating messages?" said Ginny, still fighting back laughter. "More importantly, why are you avoiding them?"
"I---I," stammered Hermione, "I haven't been out with him for months, you'd think he'd get the picture by now."

Hermione placed a hand to her right temple and shook her head in exasperation. Ginny patted her gently on the shoulder, still holding an amused smile on her lips. Hermione smiled back and looked at the continuing Quidditch game, her eyes darted from Harry to Ron and she felt something tie itself in her stomach as she did so.

"Hermione," said Ginny, also watching the game, "is it possible that you're still in love with both of your ex-boyfriends?"

"What?" gasped Hermione. "I---I'm not still in love with my ex-boyfriends, I'm---I'm over them. I'm over... I'm over…both of them."

"Whatever you say," said Ginny and then focused her attention back to the game.

Hermione sat back in thought, clasping her hands together while she continued to watch Harry and Ron laughing and giving each other high fives throughout the game. Confusion filled her head like water flooding into a dam.

I can't possibly still be in love with both Harry and Ron. Can I? She thought to herself. No, that can't be possible. I know it's not.

Hermione attempted to free herself from the thought and tried to go back to discussing wedding plans with Ginny. Yet when she tried to grab Ginny's attention again, she gave out a little grunt followed by several more as she became more engrossed in the game. Hermione gave up with a little laugh and finished watching the game with her.

The five men had been playing for a good two hours before they decided to stop. Quickly, they lowered themselves to the ground and dismounted their brooms. Hermione noticed Ron pushing his hair back trying to make it look neat while Harry chose to keep it wind blown and messy, knowing that even if he tried to flatten it, it would still look as dishevelled as ever. They all marched back into the house, Draco putting away the brooms with Ginny and Fred and George heading upstairs to take a nap. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed in the kitchen sitting together at the table.

"You two never tire of that game," said Hermione with a smile.

"That's right," Ron confirmed.

"And we're still as good as we used to be!" said Harry with a grin.

"You think so?" Hermione questioned with her eyes squinted in pessimism. "From where I was sitting, it seemed that age is starting to catch up with you."

Harry's eyes widened in shock while Ron rose up form his chair grabbing a jug of juice on the counter, threatening to dump it on her head. Harry gave Ron a quick wink and Ron grinned back. Quicker than sparks coming from wands, Harry grabbed Hermione, locking his arms around her while Ron hovered over her holding the jug only inches above her head.

"What did you say again Hermione?" said Harry, laughing as she squirmed to get free of his hold.

"Ok, ok, stop. Stop!" she squealed with a hint of laughter. "Sorry---sorry!"
Harry set her down and Ron returned the juice to the counter. However, they were mistaken in thinking they'd escape Hermione's glare. They stared at her for a while in silence until they saw a smile beginning to crack the straight shape on her lips.

Just as Harry, Ron, and Hermione burst out in laughter, Draco and Ginny came downstairs. They shared a bewildered look and then sat at the table with them. Ginny glanced at Hermione, giving her a knowing look, tilting her head subtly in Harry and Ron's direction. Hermione looked back at her, tightening her lips again and then turned away for a moment, feeling her heart begin to pound again.

Her heart began to calm when Mr. and Mrs. Weasley shuffled into the

kitchen. Mrs. Weasley beamed, her smile making her cheeks more rosy than they already were. She had her hands on the back of Ginny's chair.

"So what are your plans this evening?" asked Mrs. Weasley, looking around the table.

"Mum," Draco said, looking up at Mrs. Weasley, "you don't mind if I borrow everyone for a little while. I'd like to treat them to dinner at my home."

Ginny turned to her future-husband and then to her mother, her eyes twinkling hopefully.

"Oh, of course I don't mind, dear," said Mrs. Weasley, gently gripping Draco at his shoulders.

"Thanks, Mum," said Draco, pushing up his sleeve to look at his watch. "Maybe I should just go now so I can get the place tidy and to prepare dinner."

Ginny's eyes widened and she looked at Draco in disbelief, "You're going to prepare dinner?"

"Well, yeah," replied Draco with a firm nod. "Why?"

Ginny smiled at everyone and placed a consoling hand on Draco's arm. She looked at him closely, her lips twitching into a small frown and then opened she her mouth to speak again, "It's just, Draco, are you sure that you can actually prepare dinner?"

Draco's jaw dropped a little and he turned to Ginny who only smiled weakly while giving him a small shrug. She bit her lip apprehensively, the more Draco stared at her.

"Well, if you don't think I can do it," began Draco, "why don't you come over and help me out."

"You mean do it for you?" said Ginny in an earnest voice.

Laughter travelled around the room and Ginny turned to her parents.

"Clearly, he needs me, Mum," Ginny said simply.

"I understand, dear," said Mrs. Weasley, her eyes shifting to her husband. "I understand, completely."
Ginny and Draco laughed as they got up from the table. Mr. Weasley was looking at his wife with a surprised expression that resembled Draco's when Ginny implied that he couldn't cook. But it quickly warmed and he beamed at his wife, squeezing her hand in his.

"I just don't work without you, Molly," Mr. Weasley said in a strong and kind voice that was enough to bring tears to his wife's eyes.

Draco and Ginny turned to Harry.
"Coming along, Potter?" asked Draco and then he gestured towards Ron and Hermione, "Or would you rather stay here with Ron and Hermione for a little while."

Harry thought for a moment and pressed his hand to the chest of his shirt. It was damp with perspiration and he scrunched his nose with slight displeasure.

"I think I'll come along," replied Harry, frowning, "I'm a little sweaty from playing Quidditch out in the sun today; I can get washed up at your house."

"All right then," said Draco. "We better go now, though."

Ginny and Harry nodded. The youngest Weasley child smiled and kissed both of her parents on the cheek.

"Be home a little late tonight," said Ginny. "Don't worry though."
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley nodded then turned to Draco and Harry. Mr. Weasley shook Draco's and Harry's hands firmly while Mrs. Weasley place her hands on their faces and kissed both of them on the cheek. Harry turned to Ron and Hermione with a sideways grin.

"I'll see you in a little while, then, mate," said Harry, slapping Ron on the back. "Oh and bring your Wizard Chess pieces. I want a match!"

"You're a glutton for punishment, mate," gloated Ron, quite aware that he was far superior to Harry at Wizard's Chess.

"I'll see you later too, 'Mione," said Harry, kissing her on the cheek and wrapping her in a hug. "I guess just bring yourself...oh...and don't forget to bring Ron."

"Right, easy enough," answered Hermione.

Draco, Ginny and Harry then stood together side by side ready to leave. Ginny and Draco left at the same time, setting off two loud simultaneous pops as they Disapparated. Harry, on the other hand, waited a moment and waved, turning his eyes to Ron and Hermione. They were standing there, close together, and as he Disapparated he felt that the sigh he gave off was much louder than the pop that everyone else heard.