Unofficial Portkey Archive

Author's note: Sorry for the long wait, guys. I originally intended for you to see Sirius and Eva in this chapter, but they are going to have to wait until next chapter, I believe. As will Ron…I have something planned for him …mwhahahhahhahaha….

Anyhoo---I hope you like this chapter---complete H/Hr…

Chapter 20
She's Got a Way---Billy Joel

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
She s got a way of pleasin'
I don't know what it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason anyway
She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way of talkin'
I don't know why it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin' anywhere

Harry Potter had been back for a week...Seven whole days.

His name and stock photos were splattered on the front page of every wizarding world publication while reporters speculated his whereabouts. Despite the lone sighting at Hogwarts none had neither seen nor heard from him since. Well, nobody who'd blab to the newspapers.

Hermione and Harry spent most of their time in Muggle London enjoying trips to the cinema and various restaurants for clandestine dinners. Harry masked his scar with a concealment charm and covered his trademarked mop of messy hair with a baseball cap. It seemed what they were doing was working since nobody was any wiser to where he was.

The more time Harry spent with Hermione, the more he knew that his decision to return to England-to home-and to teach at Hogwarts had been correct. He and Hermione walked around the flat with goofy grins on their faces and on more than one occasion Lavender teased them that their sweetness had been giving her toothaches.

Yet they were still in that "can't keep their hands off of each other" stage.

At the moment, this was making the simple task of getting ready for dinner far more complicated than either had intended. For one thing, this wasn't just any ordinary dinner. Tonight, Harry was going to meet Hermione's parents for the first time. He tried to deny his apprehensive feelings about this rendezvous but he was rather transparent and Hermione could see right through him.

"Okay, so maybe I am a little nervous," Harry finally admitted while Hermione helped him with his tie after he'd become flustered when he couldn't get it straight. Hermione had taken pity on him after watching him grumble and fuss in front of the mirror for the past fifteen minutes before offering her assistance.

Hermione laughed. "You have no reason to be nervous, Harry. My parents are going to love you."

"You sure are sure of yourself," Harry said as she looped her arms around his neck.

"I am," she said with a smug grin before pressing her lips to his. "Because I know I'm right."

Harry kissed her again, thinking he would like nothing more than to carry her back to bed and forget about dinner with her parents.

"We"-Hermione said in between kisses-"really shouldn't start something that we aren't going to be able to finish..."

Harry nodded and reluctantly released her. "Yeah, probably wouldn't be a good idea to be late to meet your mum and dad."

They both resumed their previous task so Hermione touched up her makeup and Harry attempted to tame his hair yet again.

"This is a lost cause," he said, throwing the comb back in the basin.

"You could borrow some of Lav's Sleekeasy's if you want," Hermione said as she opened the medicine cabinet. Harry gaped at the overflowing shelves that were overflowing with loads of different bottles and jars of varying sizes, shapes, and colors.

"What's all this?" Harry asked.

"I'm not entirely sure," Hermione said with a laugh. "And this isn't all of it! What you see here is just a tiny fraction of what you'd find if you went into her bedroom. Then you'd see her vanity covered with so much gunk: hair gel, makeup, lotion and these strange gadgets for plucking, straightening..."

"Sounds painful," Harry commented dryly.

"According to Lavender, beauty is pain," Hermione said, shutting the cabinet. She walked out of the bathroom and down the hall toward her bedroom. They weren't running that late and all she only needed to get dressed. Normally, she wouldn't make such a fuss over her appearance but she wanted to make a good impression for both the man she loved and her parents. She was sure that her parents would love Harry as much as she did. They'd told her time and again that all they wanted was for her to be happy. Harry made her happy and that should be enough for her parents to see what a great man he was.

Harry followed her into the bedroom and grabbed his jacket from the bed and put it on while under Hermione's watchful gaze.

"Has anyone told you how great you look in a suit?" she asked, wrinkling her eyebrows suggestively at him.

Harry laughed. "You're the first."

"That's a crying shame," she called over her shoulder as she went into the closet to put on her dress.

"So," he said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your father in "Scary"? One the complete pushover and ten the Voldemort clone..." From the closet, he could hear Hermione's muffled laughter. "I'm serious, Hermione," Harry called out. "It's always good to know what you're up against before you go into battle."

"Battle?" Hermione asked. "Harry, you make it sound like you're going to a duel instead of a nice, quiet dinner with my parents." She slipped into her dress. "Honestly, Harry, he's like any other father. Surely, you've met your girlfriends' fathers before, right?"

Harry was getting tired of yelling his conversation with her so he got up and walked to the closet. Any answer he'd been about to give her floated out of his head when he saw her in the dress she'd chosen.

She was wearing a floral print black dress with a plunging neckline that would turn any man's imagination towards more naughty thoughts. Her long, brown hair was curled and pulled into a messy bun with curly tendrils framing her face. Hermione looked up to see Harry staring at her and she smiled.

"What? Do I look that bad?" she asked.

Harry shook his head and stepped behind her where he placed his hands on her waist. "Miss Granger, you're breathtaking."

"Yeah, right," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Take a compliment," he said softly. She leaned against him as he planted kisses on her neck and shoulder.

"I love you," he whispered, his breath warm on her skin.

"Mmmm," she murmured, giving serious thought to skiving off dinner with her parents.

As if sensing her thoughts, Harry gave a little laugh. "I know. I know." He chanced one last kiss on her shoulder. "We have to stop."

"Yes," Hermione said weakly. "We have to stop. But we'll continue this when we get back..."

"Tonight then," he promised with a smile and leaned against the closet door. "So, back to my original question, Hermione..."

"About my parents?"

"Yes," he said feeling somewhat foolish. "More specifically your father."

Hermione laughed while she pulled a cardigan over her bare shoulders. "He's fine, Harry, honestly. He's not a raving lunatic who thinks that you're only after one thing, knows that I have good judgment, and if you're good enough for me, you're going to be good enough for my parents."

"Really?"

For the first time, Hermione realized how nervous he really was. "Come on, Harry. It's not as if this is the first time you've ever met your girlfriend's parents. It-"

Harry suddenly became very interested in the pattern on the carpeting.

"You've never-"

He shook his head. "Most of the girls I dated on the island were tourists and they didn't bring their folks with them. I-I've just never been so serious about someone that I've gotten this far..."

Hermione smiled. "Well, I'm glad that I'm the first."

"First, last, and only," he said, reaching for her hand.

She beamed at him before hugging him tightly. This was a mistake, however, because Harry soon began planting kisses on her neck again.

"I thought we... um... agreed..." Hermione whispered as she leaned against him. "Mmmmmm..."

With his free hand, he reached around and opened the front door. "Okay, okay..."

"Hello, Harry."

Harry and Hermione both froze and looked up to see Molly Weasley standing just outside the door. They both turned every shade of red imaginable as they let go of each other. For what seemed like an eternity, no one spoke. No one smiled. They just stared everywhere but at each other.

"Mrs. Weasley," Harry finally managed to say. "What...what are you doing here?"

Molly answered with a slight smile. "I suppose I should be asking you that question..."

Hermione covered her face with her hands. "Mrs. Weasley, we can explain."

Molly shook her head. "You don't owe me an explanation, Hermione. Ronald told me everything."

Both Harry and Hermione exchanged a look. This couldn't be good. Both of them wondered what sort of spin Ron could have put on this. No doubt, he would have left his part out in all of this, Harry thought bitterly.

"Won't you come in?" Hermione said, forcing a smile.

"You look as if you were on your way out," Molly said, "I wouldn't want to intrude…."

"You're not, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said. "We were just going out for dinner with my parents."

"How are Robert and Karen these days?" Molly asked politely.

Harry hadn't given much thought to Ron's relationship with Hermione's parents. He wondered what they'd thought about Ron. Had they liked him? He'd not asked Hermione about this. Suddenly, he began to wonder if they'd compare him with Ron throughout the meal. Say what you wanted to about Ron, he could be quite charming and funny when he wanted to be. Her parents probably loved him.

"They're fine," Hermione answered. "They're taking a cruise in a couple of weeks and they're both looking forward to it."

"I'm sure they are," Molly said. "I wish Arthur and I could do something like that, but he's so busy these days."

Hermione nodded and looked at Harry, both of them wondering what would be the right thing to say or to do. Molly wasn't being outwardly mean or unfriendly. But there wasn't something very businesslike to her tone.

For his part, Harry was happy to see her. She was the closest thing to a mother that he had and the least thing he wanted was for her to hate him; for any of the Weasleys to hate him. But they had every right in the world to do so. Ron was their brother and Weasleys stood by each other---always had and always would. Even Percy was welcomed back into the fold when he'd broken off ties with them.

"Mrs. Weasley…" Harry heard himself say. He knew she was going to believe what she wanted, but he didn't want her to go without hearing his explanation.

To his surprise, Molly took a few tentative steps toward him and then smiled at him before giving him a big bear hug. He was so in shock by what she'd just done that at first, he didn't hug her back. He wasn't expecting this. For an awful moment when she'd been approaching him, he'd thought that she was going to hit him upside the head with her bag.

"We missed you so much," Molly said as tears flowed down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said hugging her back. "For everything."

Molly pulled away and looked appraisingly at him. "You're much too thin, Harry. Haven't you been eating?"

Harry laughed. "I have. You've always thought I was too thin."

Hugging him again, Molly chuckled. "I hate what has happened to you and Ronald. The two of you shouldn't be fighting like this not over…"

"…me," Hermione interjected. "They shouldn't be fighting over me, you mean."

Molly turned around and looked at Hermione, but didn't say anything. Hermione nodded and walked over to the sofa to retrieve her bag.

"I'm going to go," Hermione said.

"Hermione-" Harry said grabbing her hand.

"It's okay," Hermione said forcing a smile. "You should stay and talk to Mrs. Weasley. I don't want to keep my parents waiting."

With that, she disapparated.

Harry stared at the space where his girlfriend had stood just seconds before.

"I didn't mean for her to leave, Harry," Molly began.

Harry held up his hand. "I need to say something, Mrs. Weasley. I know you heard Ron's side of things, but you didn't hear ours."

Molly stepped further into the room and sat down on the sofa. She'd come here for answers, Harry was going to give them to her.

So he started telling her about Hermione's arrival on the island. How Hermione had sussed out who he and Sirius really were almost from the beginning. He told her how they'd started to spend time with each other and that an attraction had grown.

"She fought it," Harry told her. "She didn't want to betray Ron. And then when I found out who she was, I tried to fight it too. But it was too late. She wanted to go home and maybe I should have let her, but I couldn't."

"Ronald loves her too, Harry," Molly said in defense of her son. "They've had some rows, but they had a good relationship…"

Harry just shook his head as he imagined what version of events Ron had shared with his mother. He collected his thoughts before he said anything else.

"Mrs. Weasley," Harry said cautiously. "You know Hermione. Arthur knows Hermione. She's really good friends with your daughter. Does that girl---the same one you welcomed into your home and treated like one of your own---sound like someone who would do something like that?"

Molly looked thoughtfully at him. "No, but…"

"But nothing," Harry said sitting down beside her on the sofa. "Mrs. Weasley-there's two sides to this story. And I'm not saying anyone is completely innocent in this---far from it. But, I think Ron didn't tell you the whole story."

"What didn't he tell me, Harry?" Molly implored of him.

"I think you should ask him what he's holding back," Harry told her. "It's not my place to tell you what he's done or hasn't done. That's not going to get any of us anywhere."

Molly nodded. "He's on a road trip with the team. I guess he and I have plenty to talk about when he gets back."

"How is he?" Harry asked.

Molly shrugged. "As well as can be expected. "

Harry didn't know what to say to this. Thankfully, Molly didn't give him much time to think about it.

"I should go," Molly said, getting to her feet. "You don't want to be late."

"I already am," Harry said with a slight smile. "Not the best way to make a first impression."

Molly gave him one last hug. "Good luck, Harry."

"Thank you," he said hugging her back. "I think I'm going to need it."

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione exhaled as she entered the Cesca's, the restaurant where she was meeting her parents for dinner. She'd been here loads of times, but could never remember feeling so nervous. This place held so many happy memories for her family.

Cesca's was the place they always went to for celebrations---her father winning that golf tournament a couple of years back; her mother's article being published in a dental journal; Hermione's graduation from Beauxbatons and subsequent hiring at the Ministry. Tonight was supposed to be another celebration, but Hermione didn't feel much like celebrating.

The entire way over here, she'd berated herself for running out of her own flat like she had.

Any why did I do that? That's right. I couldn't take the fact that not everyone was going to be thrilled about Harry and me. So, instead of walking in here on the arm of the man I love, I'm walking in here alone. And it's my own damn fault!

"Buonasera, Hermione!"

She looked up to see Lorenzo, Cesca's owner smiling broadly at he came over to welcome her.

"Hello, Lorenzo."

"Robert and Karen are waiting for you," Lorenzo said giving her a hug. "They told me you were bringing your new bloke."

Hermione blushed.

"And they told me not to embarrass you, of course," Lorenzo said putting an arm around her as he led her to her parents' table. "Well, is your young man parking the car?"

Hermione opened her mouth to respond to him, but nothing came out.

"Here she is!" Robert said getting to his feet as he saw his daughter. "You look beautiful, sweetheart."

"You do," Karen agreed pecking her on the cheek.

Lorenzo excused himself to go and check on something in the kitchen, leaving Hermione alone with her parents.

"Is Harry parking the car?" Karen asked as they all sat down.

Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Hermione?" Karen asked exchanging a look with her husband. "Harry is coming, isn't he?"

I wish I knew, Mum. You see the truth is…my ex-boyfriend's mum stopped by unexpectedly and she was about to read me the riot act for throwing her son over for his best mate. I couldn't take the pressure so I bailed. So, in answer to your question, Mum…I have no bloody idea if Harry's coming.

As she looked at her parents' expectant faces, she couldn't very well tell them that exactly. But, she knew she needed to come up with something to explain Harry's absence.

Sick? Family emergency? Nervousness?

They'd never buy any of that because I am the worst liar. Great at everything else, but telling a lie…I can't do that.

Hermione took another deep breath and looked at her mother. "Well, you see the truth is…."

"Sorry I'm late," a familiar voice said behind her. Hermione turned around to see Harry standing with Lorenzo who was practically beaming at them. Just seeing him here, Hermione wanted to jump up and throw her arms around him.

Shakily, Hermione got to her feet and pecked him on the cheek instead. Harry squeezed her hand and gave her a reassuring look as her parents walked around the table for a proper introduction.

"Mum, Dad," Hermione said smiling at them. "And Lorenzo, of course…I'd like you to meet Harry Potter."

"The pleasure's mine," Harry said shaking first Robert's and then Karen's hands. "I really apologize for being late."

"Nonsense," Karen said waving a hand at him. "It's okay. We only just arrived ourselves."

Hermione smiled. She knew very well her parents had been here for quite some time.

"Why don't you all sit down?" Lorenzo asked them. "I'll bring you a bottle of my best Sangiovese."

"That would be lovely," Karen said sitting back down. "Thank you, Lorenzo."

Lorenzo left them and Hermione wished she could steal Harry away to find out what exactly he'd spoken about with Molly, but she knew he'd tell her when they were alone.

Please let my parents like him as much as I do.

"So, Hermione tells us you're going to start teaching in the fall," Robert began.

Harry nodded. "I'm looking forward to it."

"At your alma mater, right?" Robert asked.

"Yes sir," Harry replied with a smile. "That's probably one of the reasons I'm most looking forward to it. It will be nice to be back there after all this time."

Hermione wondered if now would be a good time to mention to her parents her Hogwarts interview tomorrow. She still couldn't believe she was actually considering it herself. Her parents had been so proud of her job at the Ministry. She just hoped that they'd be just as happy that she was pursuing something she really wanted to do.

"Mum, Dad," Hermione said nervously. "There's something you should know…"

Robert and Karen looked at her and Hermione felt as if she was going to be sick. She'd never wanted to disappoint them. Harry squeezed her hand under the table and Hermione smiled gratefully at him.

"There's a chance that I might be joining Harry at Hogwarts," she heard herself say.

"What?"

"I-I have an interview tomorrow afternoon with the headmaster," Hermione replied. "They're looking for a Charms professor…."

"But you're job at the Ministry…" Robert interjected.

"I've learned so much there," Hermione continued. "But I think that teaching is where my heart lies, Dad. I've always wanted to do that. In fact, that was probably what I was going to do if I hadn't been offered the Ministry job."

"I see," Robert said quietly.

Hermione wished she could read the expression on his face, but he wasn't giving anything away.

"This might all be for naught," she continued. "I haven't even had the interview yet. The headmaster might think I'm not qualified or something. I just---I just wanted you to know what my plans were. And I really hope you'll be happy for me."

Lorenzo brought out the wine just then and he poured them each a glass. Hermione was grateful for the momentary distraction. Lorenzo signaled for a waiter to take their orders as well and the two couples looked over the menu quickly before deciding on their entrees.

Once they were alone again, Hermione looked hopefully at her father. "So what do you think, Dad?"

Robert considered her question as he leaned back in the chair. Hermione knew that she was going to pursue this with or without his blessings, but it would mean the world to her if he gave her support on this.

"You're not just doing this to follow---"

Hermione shook her head, becoming angry that he thought the only reason she was considering this was to be close to Harry.

"Dad," she said trying to stay calm. "Harry being at Hogwarts with me would be a plus, of course, but it certainly isn't the reason I'm deciding to uproot my life and career. This is something I want for me. I hope you know that."

Robert nodded. "You want to know what I really think?"

Hermione said that she did, not sure if she was ready to hear it.

"I think you'd be an excellent professor," Robert said smiling at his daughter.

"You do?" Hermione asked in surprise.

"I do," Robert said with a laugh. "I think Hogwarts…and Harry…are very lucky to have you."

"Here, here," Harry agreed putting an arm around her. "I agree wholeheartedly with that, Dr. Granger."

"Thank you, Daddy."

Robert beamed at her. "You're welcome, sweetheart. You know that I only want you to be happy."

"I am," Hermione said looking over at Harry. "Very happy."

"That's all that matters," Robert said raising his glass.

~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The meal was a great success. Harry got along famously with her parents and her father even invited him to play golf, a sport that Harry confessed he'd never played before in his life. This, of course, led to some gentle ribbing from Robert. Karen Granger had told Hermione in a whispered aside that Harry was quite charming and that she thought her daughter had met her match.

It had gone better than either of them had expected. And now they were walking back to her flat, enjoying the warm, late summer night.

"Not bad for a first-timer," Hermione teased. ""My folks are officially in love with you now."

"How do you reckon that?"

"Well, my father has never invited any of my boyfriends to play golf, for one thing," she replied.

"He probably just wants to embarrass me," Harry said. "I have been golfing a few times, but I never actually had the chance to play. My Uncle Vernon had me go as his caddie. I lugged around his heavy golf bag and would have to go running after drinks and snacks for him and my cousin."

''Doesn't sound like much fun," Hermione said softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

"On the contrary," Harry said with a smile. "My uncle and cousin were really terrible at it. In fact, they were both too lazy to actually finish the full 18 holes. They usually gave up around seven and would go back to the clubhouse and stuff their faces…"

"I'm sure you'll have more fun with my dad," Hermione said.

"I'm sure I will."

They walked in silence for awhile, just enjoying the walk and being in each other's company. It was Hermione who spoke first.

"I'm sorry for running out on you like I did," she said quietly. "I just know Mrs. Weasley hates me now. And for good reason. From her perspective…"

Harry took her hand and led her over to a bench. "Listen, Hermione. She doesn't know everything that happened. All that she knows is Ron's side of the story. We both know what he must have told her."

"I know," Hermione said looking at him.

"She's been like a mother to me," Harry said. "She's protective of me and she's very protective of her children. She doesn't want to see them hurt."

"She thinks I'm going to hurt you."

"She doesn't," Harry reassured her. "Hermione, I love you. Nothing or no one else is going to change that. You believe me, don't you?"

She nodded. Harry leaned in and kissed her softly.

"I should get you home," he whispered when they pulled apart. "You have a very big day ahead of you tomorrow."

Hermione grinned. "Yes, I do."

"I cannot wait to show you Hogwarts," he said standing up and offering her his hand. "And introduce you to Hagrid…"

"And take me walking down by the lake?" she asked taking his hand.

"Most definitely," he said. "A romantic, long walk down by the lake."

He had a mischievous glint in his eyes and Hermione wondered if there was something he wasn't telling her.

"You're planning something, aren't you?" she asked him.

He pulled his most innocent face and looked at her. "Who me?"

"What are you planning?"

He just shook his head and laughed. "I don't have anything planned, Hermione. Trust me. Nothing at all planned except showing my best girl around my old school. Nothing more, nothing less…"

"Uh-huh," she said not convinced. Perhaps it was a nice picnic down by the lake, she thought to herself. If he meant to surprise her, she wasn't going to spoil it by guessing what it was. She'd just find out tomorrow.

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