That Went Well
"Are you sure you don't mind?" Hermione asked Ginny on Friday night as she changed for the millionth time. She and Harry were going out that night for dinner and dancing - their first real date. Ginny had volunteered herself and Daniel to watch James and Lily while Harry and Hermione were gone.
"Of course I don't mind Hermione; it'll be good practice for Daniel and I." Ginny said from her position on Hermione's bed.
"Good practice for nine years from now?"
"Basically; Hermione you've tried that one on before." Ginny said as Hermione came out of her closet wearing a skintight red dress.
"I know I was thinking of actually wearing it."
"Well it looks great on you - I wish I could wear something that looked that good on me."
"Ginny, your beautiful and you have a husband who loves you and thinks you look amazing in whatever you wear - what more do you want?"
"To have a flat stomach again."
"You'll have one again soon enough."
"I know, but I just feel huge."
"Well you don't look huge," Daniel said softly from the doorway.
"I couldn't have put it better myself." Hermione said.
"Hey no double teaming me you two."
"Okay Gin, you're fat and ugly - are you happy now." Daniel said walking over to his wife and helping her off the bed.
"Well no, but I'd expect as much coming from you."
"You married him." Hermione said turning to face the two of them. "Do I really look alright?"
"You look great Hermione."
"Not nearly as great as Ginny, but great none the less." Daniel said smoothly pulling Ginny into his arms.
"Nice save, babe." Ginny said kissing her husband softly.
"You have an audience," Hermione said nodding towards the door. James and Lily were standing in the doorway with their mouths wide in shock.
"Have they never seen anyone kiss before?" Ginny asked softly as her face turned a bit red from embarrassment.
"Not like that." Hermione said trying not to laugh, her kids had never seen anyone kiss -as far as she knew - and the looks on their faces were priceless.
"Mum, why are you so dressed up?" Lily asked getting over her shock.
"Your father and I are going out."
"You mean on a date?" James asked in disbelief walking across the room to where his mother was standing.
"Is it so hard to believe that someone would want to go out with your Mum?"
"So you are going out on a date?"
"Listen you two," Hermione said kneeling down slightly so she could look them in the eyes. "Your father and I are going out to dinner, for right now that's all you two need to know."
"They are going out on a date." Lily whispered to her brother and he nodded.
"They're just as nosey as you, Harry, and Ron were."
"And just as good at inference," Hermione said straitening up. Ginny nodded.
"Not that this mystery was hard to deduce."
"True."
"Mum, what's inference?"
"It means to figure things out; something your father, our friend Ron, and I were known for being a bit too good at."
"You three were always getting into things that didn't concern you." Ginny whispered and Hermione laughed; that was certainly true.
"Alright, I think I'm ready." Hermione said looking at herself in the mirror one last time. "Just promise me something," Hermione said turning back to James and Lily. "Promise you'll behave for Ginny and Daniel and no magic."
"We promise." James and Lily said, though Hermione could tell they didn't mean it.
"I'm serious you two, I want you to behave - if I get a bad report from them there will be no flying for a month."
"Alright, we promise." James and Lily said this time much more convincingly.
"Good, go on downstairs, your father should have dinner ready for you by now."
"Okay." They said in tandem and disappeared.
"You have to keep an eye on them; they are always up to something. They're always running around together and whispering."
"It's great that they're so close though isn't it."
"Yeah that's great, but they've got a wild streak in them, they are going to cause so much trouble at Hogwarts."
"That should make Harry happy."
"It'll definitely make him proud."
"Are you ready Hermione?" Harry's voice called from down the hall.
"Yeah just a second." Hermione called back. She quickly grabbed her purse and shawl before heading out into the hall, Ginny and Daniel right behind her. Harry was standing at the top of the stairs, wearing a fitted black sweater and black pants, his mouth hanging open slightly.
"You look beautiful." Harry said softly as Hermione reached him.
"You look great yourself."
"Ginny, Dan," Harry said speaking over Hermione's shoulder at them. "Lily and James are down in the kitchen eating."
"Alright."
"Just get them in bed by nine, they'll protest, but that's life." Hermione added as Harry took her hand and started leading her down the stairs.
"Okay, have fun you two." Ginny called after them.
"We will." Harry called back.
"So where are we going?" Hermione asked as they stepped out the front door into the cool night air.
"There's this great little restaurant down the road, they've got good food and enough room to dance."
"Do you take all your dates here?"
"None actually, Ron and I found the place when he was living with me, about two months after you left. I go there all the time on my own, but I never took dates there because it's kind of a special place."
"For special people."
"Exactly. So Hermione -"
"Yeah Harry?"
"Does this feel weird to you?" Harry asked nervously thought Hermione had a feeling that wasn't what he wanted to say.
"No, not at all." She said squeezing the hand that held hers. "Is it weird to you?"
"Maybe a little, thinking about our past and what we've been through - what we have together, it's just a little weird that we're just going out now."
"I guess that is a little weird."
"I want to tell you that you have done an amazing job raising James and Lily. They're smart, funny, and amazingly clever. They've turned out well."
"Though they could do with an attitude adjustment."
"No they're great kids and for the most part they've got good attitudes."
"I really am sorry that -"
"Stop apologizing Hermione."
"But I am sorry."
"And I whish you had felt that you could tell me."
"It's not that I -"
"Hermione I love them, but let's not make this about them. This night is just about you and me. What happened in the past with James and Lily is in the past, the important thing is that we are all together now."
"I guess you're right. Oh I forgot to ask, is this place we're going a muggle restaurant?"
"Yeah, I didn't think you'd mind."
"I don't I just wanted to be sure." They walked the rest of the way to the restaurant in relative silence; just enjoying walking down the street hand in hand.
The came to the restaurant, Anduril, rather quickly as it was just down the road like Harry said. It was a small, hole-in-the-wall kind of place. A large dance floor and stage area where a talented band was playing occupied the main floor manly. Most of the tables were up on a balcony that could be accessed by a spiral metal staircase. It looked like a great place.
"Hey Harry." The Hostess said as Harry entered after having held the door open for Hermione.
"Hi, Jenna."
"You here with Ron?"
"No," Harry said linking Hermione's arm through his and pulling her closer. "I'm here on a date."
"Oh really? So who is this?"
"This is Hermione Granger."
"Well it's nice to meet you Hermione Granger, Harry's in here all the time, but he never brings dates - you must be something special." Hermione smiled weakly.
"Oh yeah and Hermione this is Jenna Johnson, she's been working here as long as I've been eating here."
"Hi, Jenna."
"So would you like your normal table or -"
"No I think upstairs would be better tonight." Jenna nodded, grabbed two menus and started to lead them towards the stairs. "When Ron and I come here we normally sit down by the stage, but I think being away from the music will be nice so that we can talk." Harry explained as they fallowed Jenna through the restaurant.
"That sounds good."
"Will this be good for you?" Jenna asked putting their menus down on a table towards the back of the balcony.
"This'll be perfect."
"Well I'll let Harry pull your chair out for you." Jenna said stepping out of Harry's way.
"Oh sure put pressure on me." Harry said pulling out Hermione's chair.
"So Geoff will be your waiter and he should be right up."
"Thanks Jenna."
"No problem Harry - it's my job. Watch him Hermione, he's quite the -"
"Don't you have work to do?" Harry said cutting her off.
"Yes, I do and so you know, I was going to say charmer." Harry laughed as Jenna disappeared back down the stairs.
"So you weren't kidding when you said you came here a lot."
"No, it's my favorite place to eat, except maybe the Burrow."
"Harry - was that the Jenna you dated for seven months?"
"No, the Jenna I dated was like you and me, the Jenna who seated us is a Muggle."
"Oh alright, if she is then that's fine."
"No if she was I would tell you, she's not."
"Okay."
"Harry, you haven't been here in a while." A thin, gangly man with long brown hair and blue eyes came striding towards their table - this must be Geoff.
"Hey Geoff, things have kind of come up."
"But you're here now."
"Yeah I am."
"And with a beautiful women - jeez Harry how did you ever land a woman like her."
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, not liking the idea of being landed.
"Geoff, this is Hermione Granger. Hermione this is the smart-ass waiter Geoff Caren. He puts his foot in his mouth all the time - don't pay any attention to him." Geoff seemed to cotton on to what he had said that was so wrong.
"Oh sorry about that, I was just giving Harry a hard time I guess I didn't think."
"I guess you didn't."
"I really am sorry."
"Listen why don't we just order our drinks?" Harry said trying to ease the tension.
"That sounds like a good idea." Geoff said liking the change of topic. They both ordered a drink and Geoff walked off feeling as if he had gotten off rather easy.
"Don't pay attention to him - I don't think of you like that. Geoff can be a complete ass and he never thinks before he speaks."
"It's alright Harry I'll get over it."
"Just know that I think I'm lucky to be out on a date with you." Hermione couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face; that was one of the sweetest things she had ever heard. Geoff returned five minutes later with their drinks; he apologized to Hermione again, took their orders, and disappeared again while they started to talk.
Their conversation was relaxed and genuine. Even after seventeen years of friendship, eighteen on Halloween, they found stuff to talk about. Hermione's writing, Harry's carrier and prospects for the future, and dreams they had that they had never shared were just a few topics. The twins were the only topic they didn't broach, which was big for them because James and Lily seemed to be the only thing they could talk about as of late. On the whole it was the perfect date - that is until the dancing.
Now Harry had never been much for dancing. He wasn't the best at it, but over the years he had grown to enjoy attempting it and he loved the band that was playing. So being impetuous he reached out his hand for Hermione and led her down to the dance floor. They weren't the only ones venturing out onto the floor; the music was up beat and lively, so neither of them felt to embarrassed.
No inhabitations were an issue and honestly Hermione was impressed. She could remember the awkward fourteen-year-old Harry who didn't want to dance at the Ball - in fact he only danced the first dance and that was because he was obligated to. He wasn't all that bad either and she liked the way he reached out and grabbed her hips; guiding her so that the two of them were moving together to a particularly rousing song.
Then the song was over and the tempo changed. It was a slow song now. Harry looked to Hermione and she nodded, signaling that they should keep dancing. He smiled and pulled her body closer to his. Harry's arms slid around her waist, Hermione linked her arms behind his neck and her head settled on his chest.
"This is so nice." Hermione whispered up to him.
"Yeah it is." Harry said moving one hand from her waist and stroked her cheek softly. He pointed her face up towards him and started to lean down for the kiss. That was when it all went wrong. Hermione wasn't even sure how it happened. All she knew was that one-minute she was about to kiss Harry and the next she was on the floor. Harry was kneeling over her; apparently he had caught his balance just in time.
"Oh God Hermione I'm sorry I don't know what happened." Harry said stepping back and offering her his hand.
"It's alright Harry." Hermione said generously, it wasn't all right, but it wasn't his fault. Hermione took his hand and let him pull her up. Apparently when Harry stepped back he didn't step back far enough because his foot caught the hem of her dress and as he pulled her up there was a great ripping noise. The worst part about it all was that almost everyone in the restaurant was already staring at them and now they had quite a view.
"Sorry, Hermione, sorry." Harry said stepping back even further.
"Do you think we could get out of here now?" Hermione asked trying to gather up her skirt enough so that is covered her.
"Alright Hermione I'll just go get our stuff and pay the bill." And he rushed up the stairs to do just that. Hermione was left in the middle of the dance floor, smiling nervously around her. People were still staring at her and she could feel her face growing reader by the second. Harry came back down the stairs just as Hermione felt she was going to burst. He wrapped her shawl around her waist, affectively covering her up, and ushered her out of the restaurant.
"Come over here." Harry said pulling her into a side ally. He pulled out his wand, muttered a quick spell, and her dress was repaired.
"Oh God Harry, I'm so embarrassed." Hermione said slumping her head against his chest and starting to laugh. He tried hard not to laugh too, but in the end couldn't stop himself.
"I'm so sorry, I have no idea how that happened."
"It's alright Harry, no permanent damage. Hey, I'm even laughing about it. I just don't think we'll be going back there anytime soon."
"No I don't think we will."
"So should we go home now?"
"Yeah." Harry took Hermione's hand and, with both of them still laughing slightly, they started to walk back to number twelve.
"Hermione, that Jenna back at the restaurant -"
"Yeah?"
"I have to tell you something about her."
"You lied to me and she is the Jenna you dated."
"Well, no I didn't lie to you, she isn't the Jenna I dated for seven months, but I did date her. I just never told you about her."
"Why ever not?" Hermione said offhandedly, so he had dated her that wasn't a big deal.
"Because I almost married her." It was a much bigger deal then she had thought.
"What?" Hermione said pulling her hand out of his and stopping dead in her tracks.
"Listen its not a big deal." Harry said taking her hand again, but Hermione pulled away - what was he saying?
"It is a big deal Harry. How could you not tell me something like that?"
"It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. We went on a few dates and I felt like I wanted to settle down, so I proposed."
"How could you keep that from me, Harry you told me about every relationship you ever had, every one night thing, practically every kiss, I don't understand how you kept this from me."
"God, Hermione it's not like you didn't keep a couple things from me," Harry said his temper and his voice raising. She was blowing this way out of proportion. "Or are you forgetting that we have nine-year-old twin children at home that I've known about for what, less than two months!"
"So we're back to that."
"Yeah we are since you brought up keeping things from you like I had committed some kind of sin. If I'm guilty because of it you sure as hell are!"
"That's different!"
"How, how is it different?"
"Well, um -"
"You see you can't think of anything because it isn't different!"
"Yes it is Harry. I kept James and Lily from you so that you could have a life! You were keeping your life from me! I thought I was your best friend!"
"And I thought I was the father of your children!"
"Oh this was a bad idea! I'm going back to number twelve now." She turned her back on him and started to walk away. Luckily for Hermione she had a great sense of direction and would have no trouble finding her way back without him.
"That's great she knows she's wrong and she storms away, but she's storming away to my house!" Harry yelled after her.
"We could change that! I could take the twins and the three of us could just get out of your hair so that you and Jenna can be happy together!" Hermione yelled back without turning around.
"Don't you dare! If you take them out of my life again -"
"Oh what will you do?"
"I'll follow you around the world if I have to - I won't let you take them away again!" Harry called after her as she rounded a corner and disappeared. Harry stood in the street fuming.
"Who the hell does she think she is getting mad at me like that? It's not like she didn't keep secrets from me. Hell, the secret I kept from her didn't even have anything to do with her." Harry muttered to himself. He started to turn back to the restaurant, maybe he should just go back and get Jenna - they had been great together. "No that's not what I want. I want Hermione." So he turned back towards Grimmauld Place and started the trek home.
It took Hermione no time at all to reach number twelve. She was so angry with Harry. How could he not tell her that? You kept something bigger from him, you completely over reacted a reasonable voice said in the back of her head. Hermione shook it off; she wasn't about to admit, even to herself, that she had over reacted. Not wanting to think about it any more Hermione stormed into the house and, completely by passing Dan and Ginny in the sitting room, marched up the stairs. She tried to be as quite as she could, not wanting to wake the twins, as she got to her room and mentally slammed the door. Really she closed it quietly, but in her mind she slammed it closed and let out a loud scream of frustration. Hermione continued to fume as she walked into her closet and changed into her pajamas.
"Hermione, are you alright?" It was Ginny. Hermione walked back into her room and found Ginny standing in her doorway.
"No Ginny I'm not alright." Hermione said flopping face down onto her bed. Ginny walked into the room and closed the door.
"What happened? Did the date go bad?"
"The date went well, Ginny. It went so well," Hermione said turning over, "but then -"
"But then what?"
"But then we got into this huge fight."
"Oh no."
"Oh yes."
"Why don't you tell me what happened."
"Okay. Like I said it went well, at first. We went to Anduril, this really great restaurant, and we had great conversation. We talked about everything. Then we started dancing and that went well too, until Harry tripped and ripped my dress."
"Oh is it ruined."
"No it's fine, it was just very embarrassing. So anyway we left right after that. Harry pulled me in a side ally and fixed my dress and then we started walking home. That's when it happened."
"The fight?"
"Yep, Harry picked that moment to tell me he'd been engaged."
"So he told you about Jenna?"
"Yeah." Hermione said realization washing over her; of course Ginny would know about Harry's engagement - she had been around when it happened.
"Well?"
"Well I started yelling at him for keeping that from me."
"Don't you think you over reacted a bit?" Ginny asked sitting down next to Hermione.
"You sound just like Harry."
"Well, Hermione - you did keep the twins from him."
"But this was him keeping his life from me - like I wasn't worth trusting."
"Now you know how he felt when he found out about James and Lily."
"Whose side are you on?"
"I am on nobodies side - you're both my best friends."
"You're not acting like it."
"Hermione, I see where you're coming from, I really - really do, but you have to see the similarities." Before Hermione could respond they heard a soft knock on the door.
"Gin are you in here?"
"Yeah I am love."
"Can I come in?" Ginny looked to Hermione.
"Come in Dan." Hermione called.
"Listen Hermione I don't mean to be rude, but Gin and I need to leave."
"Why?" Ginny and Hermione asked together.
"Because Harry just got home and he's really upset and I don't think we should get in the middle of this."
"Oh Dan's right, Ginny, you two should leave, at least till Harry calms down a bit."
"Okay," Ginny said as Daniel helped her off Hermione's bed.
"Thanks for taking care of James and Lily, they weren't too bad were they?"
"No, they were perfectly well behaved - honestly."
"Goodnight you two." Hermione said softly as she crawled under her covers.
"Goodnight Hermione." Ginny whispered back as she closed the door behind she and Daniel.
"Is she sleeping?" Harry asked from down the hall. Ginny could hear the anger still resonating in his voice.
"Not yet. Listen, Harry, leave her alone for tonight - she's upset, just like you were." Harry nodded - he could give her time if that was what she needed. "So the kids are in bed and I guess we'll be leaving now."
"Okay, thanks guys." They smiled before disappearing down the stairs. Harry stepped further down the hall; he heard the front door click open and then closed again as he reached Hermione's door: he didn't open it, go in, and set her straight, like he greatly wanted to. He stood there, one hand resting against it. That had not gone well.
AN: You guys are more then welcome to rant at me about Hermione over reacting as long as you keep in mind and that she and are aware of it even though she's not ready to admit it just yet.
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