Dinner Plans
"Harry, leave the dough alone." Hermione slapped his hand as he reached around to touch the dough she rolled out for the apple pie that she was attempting to make-- from scratch. She left a powdered hand print on the back of his hand.
"I'm supposed to help, you know, this is something we should be doing together, so give me something to do." Harry leaned against the table watching Hermione roll out the dough.
"Fine, you can cut the apples." She said shortly, not happy with the way things were going. Being brought up with Muggles, she wanted to do this dinner their way, but it was slowly becoming not so fun.
"Need me to help?" Ron asked from the doorway, in the middle of gathering his items from around the house.
"No. Go away," Hermione ordered. Harry shrugged at Ron who rolled his eyes and went back upstairs to continue packing.
"That was a bit rude, don't you think?"
Harry ducked as Hermione threw a piece of dough at him.
"That too." Harry retorted, flicking an apple peel at her.
She turned to him as it hit her on the cheek. He grinned at her, a grin of pure innocence and she used a wandless spell to flick some more pieces at him.
"That's it!" he roared in good spirits. "You are way too stressed." Harry marched over, grabbed a handful of flour and dumped it on her head.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER!" she screamed and a moment later Ron was at the door again, laughing hysterically, until dough hit him in the eye.
Soon, the place was covered with dough, flour and apples and many screams of laughter. Ron went to reach for the almost empty bag of flour, slipped on an apple peel and knocked Harry and Hermione down onto the floor with him.
All three were clutching their sides with laughter, rolling around trying to stand but not being able to on the messy floor. Soon, all three were leaning against the cabinets, Hermione in the middle, picking dough off their clothes.
"Oh, God…that was fun," Hermione giggled, trying to catch her breath.
"See, told you you were stressed," Harry said, picking an apple peel out of her hair.
"Me thinks that someone will need to go out and buy a pie. Or, we can just concentrate on your mum's pudding she is making." Ron tried to stand up, and fell back, falling into Hermione's lap, pushing her into Harry. Hysterical laughter ensued again, filling the kitchen.
"Ok, we have to clean up now. They will be here in two hours," Hermione said breathlessly, pushing Ron off of her.
"Ok…let's see if I can get up without hurting myself." Ron used the table for leverage and managed to get into the chair, then stood carefully, holding out a hand to Hermione.
Harry tugged her arm gently and Hermione understood the meaning and making like she was getting up she pulled Ron back down so he collapsed on top of them. Laughing made it all the harder to push him off and now, weak with laughter they lay on their backs on the kitchen.
"Ok, that didn't go as planned." Harry felt Hermione's head lying on his arm as the three of them stared up at the ceiling.
"You know…," Ron started in a sly voice and waggled his eyebrows suggestively while untangling his legs from Hermione's. He propped himself up on his elbow and gazed down at two very messy friends.
"STOP!" they both shouted and he laughed at them.
"Let's NOT go there with all three of us." Harry struggled to sit up, Hermione helping him carefully.
"Just kidding, mate. I guess we really should clean this up." Ron sat back, arms supporting him taking in the kitchen in front of him.
"And I still need to pack."
"Go." Hermione pushed him in the direction of the door. "We can clean this up; you need to clean yourself up and pack." Slowly all three made their way to their feet and with a few well placed spells, Harry and Hermione got the kitchen back to normal. Scourging Charms helped clean them up and both decided that her mum's pudding would have to do.
Hermione checked the roast she had in the oven and saw that it was coming along nicely.
"Well, now I have a whole 45 minutes free since the pie is ruined." Hermione stood looking at the counter with her hands on her hips, hearing Ron thumping loudly above.
Harry wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. "We can do a lot in 45 minutes."
"Harry," Hermione protested as she turned to scold him, but found her lips captured by his. He knew exactly what he needed to do to render her helpless.
"The roast can wait. I'm not as patient." Harry apparated themselves to their room and quickly placed a Locking and Silencing Charm on his bedroom door.
Kissing Hermione all the way, he walked her back to the bed.
"What brought this on?" Hermione asked breathlessly as he tugged at her top and she helped him off with it.
"You." He kissed her neck, feeling her grab his shirt and tug it up over his head, making that little "mmmhmmm" noise she always did when she saw him without a shirt.
Then he added, "All floury and doughy, all domesticated," which was muffled as she captured his lips and pulled him down on top of her.
"So, are we having our dessert before dinner?" Hermione gasped as he pulled her pants off in one movement.
"We?" Harry grinned wickedly as he sat up, his thumbs hooked into her knickers. Hermione brought her head off the pillow to look at him, and saw him slowly pull them down her legs.
"What?" she squeaked, and he moved up and gave her a kiss on her mouth.
"I think it's time that we take our relationship to the next level." Harry whispered in her ear. She moved her head, trying to find his lips.
"What?" she asked again, arching back as his tongue, flicked her ear lobe and slowly worked its way down. He didn't answer her and as he got closer to her stomach it dawned on her what he was about to do.
That was one thing they hadn't done yet; she had expressed doubts about doing THAT and he brushed it off, figuring sooner or later it would happen.
His hands lay gently on her thighs and she involuntarily acquiesced to his touch, moving her legs apart.
"Harry…wait…," she moaned as she felt something so gentle down there, she wasn't sure she actually felt it. She grabbed a handful of sheets as Harry did something with his tongue that made her arch herself off the bed. His fingers and tongue were working together and she never thought that a few movements and a bit of pressure would make her feel like THIS.
"Keep…going…," she panted and soon felt her hips pinned in place with his hands as she pushed against him, yelling his name, feeling that rubber band in her snap and send intense pulsating pleasure through her entire body. It could have been seconds, minutes or hours that she felt herself flying, but slowly she grabbed onto reality, taking in her surroundings.
Before she knew it, his mouth was on her stomach, tracing her belly button and working its way up. He laid his head on her shoulder and kissed her on the neck, not quite sure if he should kiss her on her mouth after what he had just done. Smiling to himself, he listened to her steadying her breathing and felt her hand come up to his hair.
"You…," was all she could get out. Harry laughed softly, running his fingers down her ribcage, around her chest and up her neck.
"I think maybe we should check dinner." Harry pushed up and met her gaze. She stared at him wordlessly for a minute, clutching the sheet to her.
"I can't believe you just did that; before my parents are supposed to arrive!" she said in a voice that didn't sound mad but more awed at least, to Harry's ears. He stood up, grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head.
"I'll go check dinner and let you get dressed." He kissed her forehead and left the room, quickly shutting the door behind him as he saw Ron coming out of his room down the hall.
"Good lord, Harry." Ron's eyes went wide, knowing exactly what happened. "Before dinner?"
Harry just gave him a secretive smile and ran downstairs to check on the food in the oven. Ron pulled his trunk down behind him, not bothering with a levitating charm.
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Mark and Jane Granger pulled up outside what was really Grimmauld Place and Hermione jogged down the sidewalk to meet them. Samantha clamored out of the back, giving her cousin a hug. Her parents begged off dinner citing tiredness from their flight.
Hugs were exchanged and Hermione led them quickly through the door, which immediately welcomed them into the foyer of Grimmauld Place.
"It smells wonderful!" Jane hung up her coat on the rack inside the door, looking around at the pictures on the walls.
"Thanks. I'll take your pudding and put it in the kitchen for you." Hermione carefully took it and directed her parents to the living room where Harry was setting up drinks.
Ron was in the kitchen, tossing a salad which Hermione knew even he couldn't mess up. Neither he nor Samantha knew that the other was here for dinner. Hermione had gently suggested Ron change into something other than his jeans and t-shirt, citing that if he was to be Harry's best man, he had to look a little better. She was happy to see him come down a few minutes ago in tan pants and a royal blue polo shirt, which even Hermione had to admit looked nice on him. She pushed her way through the door into the kitchen, blocking Samantha's view of Ron for a minute.
"How long am I supposed to toss this for? Looks tossed to me." Ron asked and jumped as he heard someone yell his name. He dropped the salad spoons on the counter and spun around barely in time to catch Samantha as she launched herself at him. Hermione grinned to herself as she placed the pudding in the refrigerator. She turned around and found them locked in each other's arms, Ron's face buried in her hair. He looked up slightly and smiled at her, Hermione smiled back and quietly left the kitchen.
"Ok, I think they will be tossing salad for a bit." Hermione laughed and sat down next to Harry, thanking him for the glass of wine he poured her.
"Are you two ready for school?" Mark asked, his brown eyes resting on Harry who nodded.
"We have our big exams coming up, so I'm sure I'll be in the library when I am not in class or playing Quidditch."
"As will Hermione I'm sure." Jane smiled and patted her daughter's leg.
"So, I have an idea about a date for the wedding." Hermione nestled into the crook of Harry's arm.
"When?" her parents and even Harry asked, causing them to laugh.
"I think Harry's birthday." Hermione glanced at her parents who probably didn't know exactly when his birthday was. "July 31st."
"My birthday? Why then?" Harry pulled away a bit, thoroughly confused.
"When was the last time you had something fun, or a party on your birthday? After all the years you didn't get any acknowledgement that it was your birthday, now, if we get married that day, no one will forget it." Hermione said softly.
"I don't know…," Harry said hesitantly. "Just seems like I'm being greedy or something."
"No, I think her reasoning is wonderful," Jane said, setting her glass down.
"Well, the date doesn't REALLY matter to me, so if that is what you want then that is ok by me." Harry settled back into the sofa.
"Gives us a few weeks to recover from Bill and Fleur's wedding," Hermione added.
"Have you two talked about a honeymoon yet?" Her father asked.
"No," the couple said in unison.
"We do know, no skiing!" Hermione laughed with her parents, as Harry smiled and shook his head. They continued talking about where to have the wedding, whether Muggle or Wizard…both? Hermione eventually got up and got a piece of paper and began taking notes. She decided her bridesmaid's would be Luna and Ginny; Samantha would be maid of honor. Harry had said he would like Ron as his best man, which worked out perfectly; maybe another Weasley brother, and most likely Neville as one of the groomsmen.
As wedding talk ensued, Ron and Samantha made their way out of the kitchen, both looking very happy to be in each other's arms, and soon they were drawn into the conversation, giving their input here and there.
Harry excused himself to go check on dinner, having done it many times in the Dursely's home; he was accustomed to preparing food and getting dinner ready. Hermione followed him and quietly shut the door.
"Harry." She said quietly as he opened to over door and stuck a meat thermometer in to the roast.
"Hmm?" he was busy and didn't really pay attention to the look on her face.
"I don't think we should tell them," she said quietly. Harry let the oven door close with a snap as he turned to her.
"Why?" he wiped his hands on a towel and leaned back to look at her. She looked very confused, a 180 degree turn from the excitement about the wedding to worrying about the miscarriage.
"They are so happy about all this. Dad was even suggesting places to go on a honeymoon, and is usually so laid back he doesn't care what happens. What do you think?" she nibbled on the tip of her pointer finger and looked up at him worriedly. Harry drew her into a hug, collecting his thoughts.
"I want you to do what you feel is right. Maybe you could tell them later; but they aren't my parents and it's not really my decision."
"You were there, Harry, I want your thoughts."
"Truthfully? I feel like they would hate me because we didn't take precautions. But I can deal with that; I just don't want them to think any less of you; then again, you are their only daughter and if you feel they have a right to know, then go ahead and tell them." Harry felt her pull away and looked up at him.
"It's not all your fault. How many times have I told you?"
"Many, but it doesn't change how I feel. I'm supposed to remember those things, but when I let my control go, things don't go always as planned."
"This is ME Harry. You can let your control down and I told you I would never hurt you. This has nothing to do
with that. We did that together remember?" Hermione said a bit angrily.
"Alright, alright. I will follow your lead, Hermione whether you tell them or not." Harry dropped his arms, reached back and set the timer for another 15 minutes for the roast.
"Are you mad?" she asked before they walked through the door to the living room. He hesitated.
"No, I'm confused Hermione. First, you're all gung ho on telling your parents, then backing off. I figured it might be easier to back off and let you take the lead on this one." Harry found himself being pushed back towards their small kitchen table, her hand planted firmly on his chest.
"I'm sorry if I'm not being perfect here. I didn't think I had to be, with you."
"You don't, and I…," he began.
"Harry!" she began in an angry voice but he overrode her.
"Let me finish! Now, I am getting mixed signals on what to tell your parents." Harry gripped her arms, his green eyes peering into hers. "I love you, but if you are having some type of…crisis…or have a problem with me, tell me."
"I don't!" she said forcefully. "A lot is changing and I am trying to absorb it all. Marriage, Draco and Ginny, Molly is working after how many years? Ron is going to be an uncle, Draco is now head boy since Neville needs Grandmother is ill and he stepped down…I told you that right?"
Harry nodded and Hermione plugged on.
"You know how I hate change."
"Like me, I know. But I wish you would talk to me about it instead of confusing me about it, if that makes sense." Harry let her go and watched her run a hand through her hair.
"Not really, but I understand what you're trying to say. Talk to Ron about the big talk we had and you'll find he feels better about the miscarriage as do I, but still...as for my parents, I guess I will just see if the moment presents itself."
"Fine." Harry agreed. She glanced at him skeptically.
"Are you mad?"
"No, not mad, Hermione. Just concerned about you." He kissed the tip of her nose and when she didn't respond to that, he knew that she must be dealing with more than he thought. He followed her out to the living room.
"How long does it take to check a roast?" Ron kidded from his spot on the sofa.
"Ronald…let them be," Samantha said lightly and Hermione blushed.
"We were just talking," she said, sitting at the end of the sofa from Ron and Samantha. Samantha nodded knowingly and elbowed Ron in the stomach as she lounged against him.
Harry took the chair across from her parents.
"Dinner should be ready in about fifteen minutes," he said and Hermione could tell from the tone of his voice he was still bothered by their talk in the kitchen. Ron raised an eyebrow in his direction, but Harry ignored it.
"Do you want me to go get the salad and potatoes ready?" Ron asked.
"Sure, I'll visit with my parents. That would be great." Hermione looked a bit relieved and Ron told Samantha to just relax as he headed towards the kitchen, calling for Harry to help him. Harry walked over and joined him in the kitchen, knowing very well that he could get salad and bread ready by himself.
"What's wrong?" Ron turned to him, a hand on the counter. Harry was tempted to say "Nothing" but knew that it wouldn't fly with Ron.
"Seems to be almost everything." Harry took of his glasses and rubbed them on his new red shirt.
"What do you mean? Is this about her and me talking…?" Ron and Harry looked at him.
"Partly, but mostly she tells me she doesn't want to talk to her parents, and then she is not sure what to make of your sister and Draco."
"Who does? Listen Harry, I'm sorry somehow I ended up getting all emotional on Hermione and I'm sure that probably contributed to her…being confused. I guess I should have talked earlier about it…maybe to you…I don't know…," Ron shifted his feet and looked at the floor.
"I know." Harry said resignedly. "I know you care for her so I know you wouldn't hurt her."
"Or you. Truth is…," Ron began, clearly uncomfortable and Harry stayed quiet, arms crossed across his chest, almost relishing in the unease that Ron was feeling.
"I told her that back in November when I first saw her in her bed, I thought someone had hurt her and I was ready to grab you and go AK the person; and then I was told it was…you know."
Ron sat down heavily in the chair and hid his face in his hands.
"I felt helpless, you felt helpless and it was the thought that Voldemort had nothing to do with this; that this is LIFE and shit happens. I told her the whole AK thing and I think she finally realized how much she is cared for." Ron looked up at Harry who was looking at him evenly. "I do care for her, love her in a sister like way, not like I love Samantha. I realize I could have let her know how upset I had been in another way or even earlier in winter, but when have you known me to do anything normally anyway?" Ron grumbled and saw Harry crack a smile.
"Maybe Hermione is right that there are many changes with the end of school, us getting older and almost on our own. Her indecisiveness could be a phase, I hope." Harry reached into the fridge and pulled out the salad, handing it to Ron. He set it on the counter, paused a moment then turned back to Harry.
"You are my best mate and so is she." Harry felt the unease float off his shoulders, realizing that he didn't need to worry about it any longer. "So, we are good then?"
Harry held out his hand. Ron grabbed it and held tight for a moment.
"Yeah." He let go and they began preparing dinner…using magic to cut the meat into even pieces.
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"Dinner turned out wonderful!" Jane praised, helping the girls take the dessert plates back into the kitchen.
"Thanks, Harry is a much better cook than I am." Hermione admitted. "I tried apple pie, but we ended up having a food fight." Hermione smiled, then flushed as she remembered what came after it.
"Well, good to see you will eat well then," Samantha joked. "I don't think I have ever seen Ron do any cooking," she mused.
"I saw him make a ham sandwich and he did that fine," Hermione reassured her, as her mother laughed. Samantha loaded the last dish into the dishwasher, poured in soap and turned it on.
"Do you mind if I go take a walk with Ron?" Samantha asked, knowing her aunt and uncle would be leaving in an hour or so.
"Go ahead." Jane smiled as she scrubbed the roasting pan and Hermione sipped on coffee, being scolded for
trying to help with the dishes. Samantha ran out and Hermione and her mom sat in companionable silence with Hermione
mulling over in her mind about how to broach a certain touchy subject.
"Does Harry have any idea what he wants to do after school?" her mom turned towards her, wiping her hands.
"He was thinking about working for the Ministry or entertaining the idea of trying out for a Quidditch team."
"Would that mean traveling a lot, like the English football teams do?" Jane asked, her knowledge of magical sports very limited. Hermione nodded and sipped her coffee.
"I think he would love it; travel, doing what he loves and getting paid for it nonetheless. He isn't sure
though. I know I'll be learning medicine, but Harry and Ron are still up in the air."
"Something will come to him. It's not like he needs to work to make payments right away," Jane was fully aware of how wealthy Harry was, though Hermione never told her how much he actually did have. She wasn't even sure herself, having never been to his vault.
"True. I think he wants to do a bit of traveling and he said he would like to visit Beauxbatons and Durmstrang if he can get approval. I don't start training until early September, so we have time." She followed her mother's path to the chair, hearing laughter from the other room where Harry and her father were playing Chess, and probably talking about similar things.
"What about this house? Will you stay here?"
Hermione shrugged. "For a bit. I am realizing what a pain it is to live in an unplottable house, so I would love to move into a regular flat or house somewhere. Definitely when we have children I want them to be able to play with their friends."
"So, you plan on having them?" Her mom gave a slight smile at the flush that hit her daughter's face.
"Yes." Hermione was sure her mother could see her thoughts running through her head…should I tell her now?
"Why did you only have one child?" Hermione asked quietly, never really asking before. Whenever she would ask for a little brother or sister, her parents would say they had their hands full with her. Which was so true, back then.
"Well," her mother twirled her coffee around, similar to what Harry did when he was thinking hard. "It was very hard just to get pregnant with you."
Hermione's eyebrow's shot up.
"We tried for three years until finally, after a lot of praying and doctor's visits, I did get pregnant with you. About two years after you were born, I had two miscarriages and we decided that it wasn't just meant to be. Each time was harder than the last when I would think I was pregnant and I wasn't, or lose the baby." Hermione didn't realize she was nodding in agreement, which her mother took for her to go on. "I'm really happy that you'll make us grandparents one day and I promise I won't be one of those that ask and ask when it will happen."
Hermione felt tears beginning to prick her eyes and she reached up to wipe them away. She felt her mom's hand on hers and heard, through the roar of blood to her ears, asking what was wrong. Keeping her eyes on the table she let it all out, thankful Harry wasn't there to see her breaking down.
"I was mum. I got pregnant back in late summer; I didn't mean for it to happen." She looked up seeing her mother staring at her, eyes wide, her hand still on Hermione's.
"I was so scared but Harry was great. We were going to tell you at Christmas, but I lost it in early November. I'm so sorry…I was so stupid in forgetting the spell, I know you are probably so disappointed right now and I was so scared to tell you but I've been wanting to…then Harry thought you would hate him because he feels it's his fault…," Hermione's breath hitched and she suddenly felt her mother's arms around her.
"Hermione, you would never disappoint me. Ever. I just wish I could've been there for you, I know you and Harry have something special and I knew that you would act on it sooner or later. But tell me…," she pulled away, her eyes teary too, "What spell?"
"Contraceptive Spell. I learned it at the end of my second year at school. Either the guy or girl says it, points the wand at the girl's abdomen, or if you are really good you don't need a wand and can do it just by waving your hand over your stomach." Hermione gave a small a laugh at the surprised look on her mother's face. "I guess that would be something you DIDN'T know."
"But," Hermione held both her mom's hands. "I'm ok. My friends were so awesome, especially Ron who took me to the hospital wing and stayed with me, and helped Harry get through it too. Please don't be mad at Harry, you can be mad at me for being irresponsible, but not him. He has gone through so much…," Hermione put a hand to her mouth to try and stop from crying. Her mom gathered her in her arms, on her knees in front of her chair similar to the way Harry had consoled Hermione in the spring last year.
"Sweetheart, I'm not mad, just surprised but still, I'm very glad you told me. I just wish it wasn't something you had to experience." She patted her daughter's back, listening to her sob, slowly coming to the reality that her daughter was a grown woman and she couldn't protect her from everything out there in the real world.
"Don't tell dad, not yet anyway." Hermione whispered, catching her breath and wiping her nose and eyes with a tissue, pulling away from her mother. "I'm ok." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, hearing the door squeak open, and finding Harry there, looking concerned. Her mother stood up and turned looking at this six foot tall, dark haired MAN standing in front of her.
"Hermione, you ok?" he glanced at her then Jane and realization hit him.
"I told her; it was the right moment," Hermione whispered, wiping her eyes again. Harry looked very uncomfortable with his future mother in law looking at him.
"Mrs. Granger…," he started and she held up her hand, coming over and taking his hand.
"It's Jane and don't apologize. I know you truly love my daughter and that's all that matters now," hesitating, she stepped forward and gave Harry a hug. He clumsily put his arms around her then pulled away, feeling Hermione come and stand next to him. Jane looked at the young couple in front of her and saw the worry on Harry's face as he looked down at Hermione.
"I'm going to use the loo, and then go see when your father would like to leave. You two take your time in here." She squeezed her daughter's hand, turned and went across the hall.
Harry didn't say anything, he wrapped his arms around Hermione, feeling her shaking and feeling how tight her grip was on him. Maybe he should have realized how hard it was to keep this bottled up inside her; he wished he knew how to be more supportive and as if she could read his mind, Hermione pulled away and cupped his face in her hands.
"I'm very lucky to have you." She reached up and kissed him on the lips, very slow, very sweet and loving the way his hands automatically grabbed her waist and pulled her closer, as if he wanted to be one with her.
"Do you feel better?" Harry whispered, their noses touching.
"I do." She whispered back and kissed his lips, feeling his tongue lightly touch hers, making her weak in the
knees like usual. It was in this position that Jane happened to see as she came out of the loo, the kitchen door being
open and her daughter wrapped in her lovers embrace, clearly in love and devoted. Slowly, Jane walked into the living
room, meeting her husband's gaze as he looked up from the TV.
"Everything ok?" he asked, his eyes met hers.
"Very much so." She gave a small smile. "Samantha back yet?"
"No, probably still snogging…," Mark started.
"Mark!" Jane laughed.
"Well, it's what teenagers do isn't it? They are outside in the dark, in the cold and in a garden," he winked at her remembering their early dates.
"Well, I wouldn't classify Ron, Hermione or Harry as normal given their abilities." Jane reached over and flipped off the TV, bringing a sigh from her husband.
Harry and Hermione emerged from the kitchen, looking calm and collected.
"Another game of Chess, Mr. Granger? Maybe you'll win this time." Harry kidded and they began setting up the board.
"Call me Mark, Harry."
And for the next hour, Jane and Hermione circled back to wedding talk, discussing places to look for gowns, churches to
look at and people to invite. The evening ended perfectly normal, with a few tears from Samantha as she kissed Ron
goodbye out on the sidewalk when he walked her to the car. Their next semester was about to begin, and they all hoped
it would be as uneventful as anything at Hogwarts could possibly be.