You Don't Know Me

Chapter Twenty-Four

Harry smiled as he entered the familiar and comforting atmosphere of The Burrow. The smells wafting through from the kitchen, the noise levels, the talking and laughing which seemed to always be present in the house reminded him why The Burrow would always be home to him in some way. Taking a quick look around him he saw Hermione and Ron bickering over goodness knows what, amidst the rest of the Weasley’s. He headed into the kitchen and found Molly. She paused from her furious wand movements when she saw him enter, turning and wiping her hands on her apron she smiled and held her arms out to hug her surrogate son.

“Well done today Harry. I was listening on the Wizarding Wireless as always, sounds like you excelled yourself today.” She told him as she resumed her furious cooking while chatting.

“Thanks Mum, It was a good game today.” Harry said, as he stole a roast parsnip from the tray on top of the cooker with a mischievous grin. Molly shook her head as she saw him stuff the parsnip in his mouth, smiling as she did so.

“I can’t compete against those seekers reflexes.” She laughed.

“And what’s this I hear about you having a girlfriend. Am I so out of the loop now I have to hear it in the Wireless news?” Molly asked indignantly.

Harry blushed.

“Its on the Wireless already? Sorry about that Mum, I wanted to tell you about it today.”

“So…tell me! Who is she, and when do we get to meet her? If you’ve told the press it must be serious Harry. You do seem happy…”

Harry laughed at Molly’s enthusiasm.

“Well actually I’ve brought her with me to lunch today, I didn’t think you’d mind.” Harry said with a cheeky grin. Molly made a little noise of excitement and put down her wand.

“Well, where is she? Oh Harry dear I hope you warned her about Fred and George, I do wish you’d told me dear, I would have tidied up a little more…” Molly continued chattering as she whizzed around the kitchen excitedly. Harry chuckled under his breath as he went in search of Hermione.

Hermione was busy chatting to Angelina when Harry appeared behind her, resting his chin on the top of her head.

“Hey Harry.”

“Good to see you Angel, do you mind if I steal ‘Mione away for a minute?” Angelina grinned at two of them and shook her head.

Harry grabbed Hermione’s hand, oblivious to the curious looks and whispers spreading through the house.

“Where are we off to then?” Hermione asked, glancing around and taking in the curious glances as the Weasley’s caught up on the latest gossip.

“Well, Mum wants to meet my new girlfriend. I’ve got a hunch that she’ll like you, she’s very friendly really…” Harry said very seriously, earning him a little giggle from Hermione.

Molly was in the small pantry when they entered the kitchen.

“Is that you Harry? I’ll be out in just a moment.” Molly called through the open doorway.

“Mum, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend.” Harry said as Molly walked through the door.

Molly, holding several boxes, couldn’t see above them, as she spoke.

“Oh it’s so lovely to meet you dear, I’ll just pop these boxes down and then we can get properly acquainted…you must be special, Harry never brings his girlfriends home for dinner…” Molly turned and looked at Harry and Hermione in confusion, before squealing and throwing her arms around Hermione in a tight hug. She quickly pulled Harry into the hug as well, beaming from ear to ear when she finally released them both, her eyes a little damp.

“I knew you’d figure it out eventually.” Molly said nodding once decisively as she resumed her cooking, glancing over her shoulder at them happily. Harry and Hermione exchanged a bemused glance before the rest of the Weasley family swamped them.

“I believe you all owe me 2 sickles”, Ginny said with a grin as the rest of the group groaned. Hermione looked at them all before comprehension dawned.

“You all had bets on us?” She asked incredulously.

“Sorry Hermione, you know what this family is like!” Ginny answered with a smile as everyone gave in and placed their money in her hand.

Harry laughed and Hermione rolled her eyes, before slipping an arm around Harry’s waist.

“Aw look George, Iccle Harry-kins got himself a girlfriend.” Fred teased. Hermione glared at the twins for a moment before a twitch of a smile at the corner of her mouth gave away her amusement.

“Come on, out of my kitchen everyone, and bring a dish with you, dinner’s almost ready…”

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There was a moment of silence as Harry shut the front door of the house behind himself and Hermione, when he had absolutely no idea what to say or how to act. Hanging his jacket up he made his way through to the kitchen where Hermione was standing; leaning with her elbows on the kitchen counter, chin in hands.

“Well…”

“Well…” They both started, overlapping each other. Hermione laughed a little nervously.

“This is odd.” Harry stated the obvious, Hermione nodded with a smile, before moving across the kitchen and removing a bottle of white wine from the fridge.

“Glass of wine?” She asked.

Harry nodded with a smile and retrieved two glasses from the cupboard, and they both moved through to the living room where they settled into the sofa, drinks in front of them.

Thankfully the awkwardness of the situation diffused slightly as they sat curled up next to one another, Hermione’s head nestled on Harry’s shoulder, her arms snaking around his waist, as his arm rested around the back of her shoulders.

“Well, this has been an odd first date.” Harry said softly, looking down at Hermione.

“Definitely not a usual first date, we already know everything about each other.” Hermione commented.

“You think so?”

“Don’t you?”

“Well, we definitely know nearly everything about each other, but considering we’ve been friends for so long and not realised how we felt about each other, I’m willing to bet there are things we’ve never talked about, and I know of a few things you don’t know about me.” Harry said thoughtfully.

“Ok then, Twenty Questions is the game Mr. Potter.”

“You’re on Miss. Granger.”

…

“First crush?”

“Professor Lockhart”

“I knew it!”

“Don’t gloat”

“Don’t tickle, you really are a pain in the arse Harry Potter.”

“You love me really…”

“Well…”

“Mione!”

“Alright, I love you really.”

Harry grinned down at his best friend and kissed her gently on the end of the nose.

“That’s all I get?” Hermione pouted, batting her eyelashes teasingly before giving in to the giggles. Harry laughed and kissed her again.

“Much better.”

“Are you going to your parents for lunch tomorrow?” Harry asked Hermione once they finished watching the Wizarding and muggle news.

“Oh, I’d almost forgotten tomorrow was Sunday. Yes I am going down for lunch.” She paused as if to continue, but then stopped.

“Can I come with you?” Harry asked softly. Hermione looked up and beamed at him.

“I’d like that. They’re going to be pleased when we tell them.” Hermione said happily, snuggling closer into Harry’s side.