A/N: Hello everybody! Sorry it's been a little longer than I thought on an update. I've had a butt-load of work and a bit of writer's block. Oops. Hopefully you'll forgive me though, cause here's chapter 6: Meeting Harry's Mates! Please R&R! OH, and thanks to all of those faithful readers who read this every time and review! It's much appreciated! *Hug * LittleKatieBug
P.S. Sorry about one of Hermione's slang terms, but I just had to put in there! *wink, wink *
Disclaimer: None of this is mine, etc, etc, etc!
Chapter 6
The next day, Harry arrived at Hermione's apartment promptly at five o' clock. When she opened the door for him, the scent of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies graced his nostrils.
"Smells like someone's been cooking!" He said as Hermione gave him a huge hug.
"I was in a wonderful mood, and I felt like baking cookies for tonight's dinner. Cooking's what I do when I'm really cheery."
Harry smiled and softly pulled a strand of hair away from her face. "You didn't need to cook anything for tonight, but I'm sure it will be splendid, the best cookies ever." She gave a little blush before pulling away and going to the kitchen. She grabbed a plate of cookies, got her coat on with Harry's assistance, and took his hand in hers. He led her out the door and into the blustering cold. After a few moments of awkward silence, Harry's heart pounded with dread, realizing he had to tell her in advance.
As they got into his car, Harry looked at her for a moment. These were the last few moments of her innocence and naivety. He just hoped she wouldn't change like all the other girls when they found out his secret.
Hermione, feeling Harry's eyes on her, turned and looked into his piercing green eyes.
"Why, Harry! Whatever is wrong?"
He gave a little sigh. "Hermione, may I ask you something?" She nodded without speaking, concern in her eyes. "Okay, why are you going out with me?"
Surprised by his question, she fumbled for words. "W-well, I, well, I'm going out with you because you're-different from all the other guys in the world, and you're the sweetest most amazing person I've ever met."
"So, if I told you something you didn't know about me, would your opinion of me change?"
"Probably not."
He let out another sigh. "Okay, Hermione. I've got to tell you know, before we get to my house. The truth is Hermione, well, I'm, well I'm not bragging, but I'm a millionaire."
She stared at him, mouth agape.
"I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. I didn't want to tell you immediately, because I've discovered that people are desperate for money and will go to any extreme to gain it." She continued to stare, her eyes resembling a frog's. "Hermione, please say something, anything!"
"You freakin' retard!" Okay that's not the response I expected to get!
"What?"
"Oh, my gosh! I would never treat you differently because of who-or what-you are! I guess I'm just a little flabbergasted right now. I mean, you don't seem like the millionaire type."
Harry grinned. "I try my hardest not to."
Hermione took his hand. "Thanks for warning me before I saw your house. I promise you, I will never treat you any differently because of your wealth. To me, you'll always be you, despite your riches or fame." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek as he turned red. He put the car into gear and quickly pressed the brakes.
"Oh, Harry! What's wrong?"
"I forgot to warn you of something else."
"What?"
"My dear, drunk friend Ron will be there, sober this time."
She shrugged. "So what's the big deal? We discovered last time that I can handle him myself."
"Yeah," he grinned, "But if you put those cookies down in the presence of Ron, they'll be gone in ten seconds flat, and I really want one." She gave a little humph and bopped him on the shoulder before slowly placing a soft, gooey cookie in his open mouth.
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Hermione couldn't help but stare in amazement as they drove down Harry's long, tan gravel driveway. It did help that Harry had warned her of his wealth before hand, but nothing could have really prepared her for all that she saw.
To her right, there were well-kept green acres as far as she could see. Trees were scattered everywhere in little clusters, and there was a crystal clear lily pond with flowers floating on the water. To the left, there were more lush, rolling hills with a small sculpture garden. She knew Harry was watching her to see her responses, but she didn't care. She was too busy looking around, turning her head like she was at a three-ring circus.
At the end of the circular driveway, Hermione saw a huge grey-stone castle. It had at least seven turrets and more stained glass windows than she could count. There were two wooden doors that looked almost medieval with their black chains hanging off of them like loose-fitting clothing. She couldn't help but smile; everything around her was surreal and fairy-tale-like.
Harry pulled up in front of the house and cut the ignition. He turned to her and gave a little bashful grin. "So, what do you think?"
She grinned back. "Well, you weren't lying when you said you were rich." They both laughed before Harry got out of his seat and came around to open her door. He extended his arm and she took it gently. They walked up the stone steps hand in hand as their footsteps echoed in the still evening air. Harry escaped from her hold just long enough to open the door. He led her inside the dim corridor and turned the lights on slowly for effect. When she gasped at the sight before her, Harry couldn't help but laugh. He was having the time of his life watchign her behave like a little girl who always dreams of being a princess.
The main hall was splendid to behold. The floor was made of polished 14-century tiles, the ceiling arched upward in refined cedar wood, and an ancient metallic chandelier hung down gracefully. Although Harry had hidden parts of his house from magic, he had kept the adornments on the main hall's walls. The right wall contained artifacts and trinkets from Hufflepuff's and Slytherin's houses; the left wall contained artifacts from Gryffindor's and Ravenclaw's houses. Between each house's displays stood suits of armor, polished and gleaming in the fluorescent lights. Harry knew that it might be risky leaving Hogwarts items in plain sight, but he could not bring himself to hide them.
"Harry, this is beautiful! But, well, what are all these items on your walls?"
Harry coughed nervously. "Well, those are just, uh, things I picked up at antique stores and estate sales. I think they kinda give the place an old world touch." He held his breath, hoping she wouldn't pick up on his phony lie.
"Oh, yeah, you're right. They do make it feel all old-ish in here. Hey, when are your friends arriving?"
Harry exhaled sharply, silently thanking Merlin that Hermione had bought his lie. "They should be here any minute now. Ron and Luna are bringing some steak for us to eat, and Ginny and Neville are bringing some vegetables and Seamus and Lavender are bringing bread and pasta."
"And what, pray tell, are you contributing to this feast."
"Well, I happen to be a world-class cheesecake chef."
Hermione laughed. "Really?"
"Oh, yeah. I make a very scrumptious cherry cheesecake. You want to try a little bit before hand?"
"Well, alright. If you don't mind, that is."
"Not at all!" He took her hand again and led her to a door right behind the wooden staircase at the far side of the hall. He pushed it open and revealed a medium sized stone kitchen with a long wooden table.
"Is everything in your home wooden or stone?"
Harry smiled. "Well, not everything. Wooden underwear is just so uncomfortable." He went through a swinging door quickly, leaving Hermione to laugh alone. He returned seconds later with a large portion of cheesecake on a blue china tea plate.
"For you, madam." She thanked him, choosing to ignore his phony French accent. She took a little sample and placed it in her mouth and chewed in silence. After a moment, she looked at him and smiled.
"You're absolutely right! This is the best cheesecake I've ever eaten!" Harry smiled at her, feigning humility. "Would you like some of your own cheesecake, Monsieur Harry?" He smiled again and nodded.
"Are you germophobic, or can I just use your fork?"
Hermione just nodded and scooped up a little piece on her fork. Harry opened his mouth and she slowly slid the fork in. After he ate the bit in his mouth, he took the fork and placed some in her mouth. They continued in this fashion, acting like two love sick teenagers, until the piece of cheesecake was gone. As Hermione swallowed the last bit, they heard a knock at the door. Harry took Hermione's hand and held her close to him.
"That will be my friends now."
"Let's go greet them, I suppose." They walked briskly down the great hallway, still holding hands. Harry felt Hermione's heart quicken as she stood so close to him.
"Don't be scared, `Mione," he whispered in her ear. He opened the door slowly, and, with a gust of wind, six people stepped into the main hall. They seemed to ignore Harry's presence and began to swarm Hermione.
"Oh, my! You must be Hermione!"
"So nice to meet you!"
"Hopefully, under better circumstances this time, eh Ron?"
"Don't mention that again!"
"Oh, do shut-up all of you! You're scaring the poor girl!" The last speaker was a petite blond with deep blue, starry eyes. "Hi, Hermione. I'm Luna Lovegood, Ron's girlfriend. I've heard that you've already met him." She gestured towards Ron.
"Hey, Hermione. Nice meeting you again."
"Uhh, likewise."
A small, pixie-like woman with long red hair the same shade as Ron's continued the introductions. "Nice to meet you, Hermione. I'm Ginny Weasley. This is my boyfriend, Neville Longbottom, and these two lovebirds are Seamus Finnegan and Lavender Brown soon-to-be Finnegan. We are all very pleased to meet you. Please forgive us for frightening you."
"Oh, it's quite all right. Nice to meet you all, too."
Harry cleared his throat. "Alright, then! Let's go to the kitchen and eat all this great food you guys have brought." They grabbed the food that they had placed on the ground and followed as he led them to the kitchen, his hand still glued to Hermione's. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous as she felt all eyes on her back. Harry sensed her fear and squeezed her hand a tighter.
They entered the kitchen and situated themselves appropriately around the table. Hermione felt her nerves calming slightly as Harry pulled the chair out for her and sat beside her. Ginny got some plates from Harry's kitchen and distributed them to everybody. They piled their plates high and ate in silence for a few moments until Harry spoke up.
"Okay, I'm just going to make some more formal introductions than we had in the main hall. Everybody, this is my girlfriend, Hermione Granger." All eyes blinked a few times before huge smiles broke out all around. Ron spoke first. "Hermione, I know you've already met me, but I hope you will give me a second chance. I've gone to school with Harry and been best mates with him ever since, and I just want to say that I am very glad that you are now a part of his life."
Harry laughed. "Thanks, Ron. All of these guys went to school with me in my year, except for Ginny and Luna who were a year below us."
Hermione cleared her throat and placed her fork down. "That's really cool that you guys have known each other so long."
Lavender spoke up next. "So, Hermione? What do you do for a living?"
"Well, I'm a waitress at the Bison Witch Café in London."
Neville coughed. "Did you say witch?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"No reason," he mumbled as he took a large bite of steak.
"What do all of you guys do?"
Ginny smiled and flipped her hair. "I'm an independent fashion designer. I design and model my own line of clothing"
"That's really neat. I've never met anyone in the modeling business."
"Lavender works with me, helping me to actually make my clothes."
Ron took the floor. "Neville, Seamus, and I all work for, uh, the government."
"And," piped up Luna, "I work for the Quibbler as a scout for interesting stories about crumple horned snorkaks and nargles the world over!"
Harry groaned and put his hand to his forehead. Please, Hermione! Don't ask any questions!
"What exactly are crumple horned snorkaks and nargles?"
"Well, nargles are nasty little creatures that infest plants. They especially like to infest trees that are chopped down to make wands, often making the wood useless for spells."
Ron saw Harry's horrified expression and quickly covered for him. "What Luna's trying to say is that she is an author of mystical children's books."
Hermione didn't quite buy that, but she just nodded. Trying to avoid another close call, Harry made politely forced conversation until the end of the meal. After they cleared the table, the men went into Harry's library while the girls kept Hermione in the kitchen for a little chat. Ginny went into the kitchen and conjured four steaming mugs of peppermint hot chocolate while Luna, Lavender, and Hermione got situated in more comfortable places at the table. When Ginny emerged a few moments later with four mugs, Hermione looked at her quizzically.
"That didn't take long for you to get four cups of hot chocolate. How did you manage to make it that fast?"
"Oh, well, trick of the trade." Ginny felt her ears turning slightly pink. She handed Hermione a mug and she sipped it gratefully.
"Wow, Ginny. This is really good. Much better than the cocoa we make at the Bison Witch."
Luna placed her mug on a coaster that had seemed to appear from thin air. "So, Hermione, tell us more about yourself, starting with the Bison Witch."
"Well, um, The Bison Witch Café is run by my adopted mother and best friend, Melba Anders. My mum died after I graduated, and Melba took me in and gave me a job. Right now I'm the only waitress because our other waitress quit."
Luna patted Hermione's hand. "I'm sorry that your mum died; I feel your pain. My mum died when I was a little girl and I still miss her sometimes."
"That's good at least that you have someone to talk to, Hermione." Lavender said while batting her lashless eyes. "And now that you're practically a part of our extended family, I hope you can learn to trust us, too."
Hermione looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean I'm part of your extended family?"
Ginny smiled, revealing her perfectly straight white teeth. She leaned forward and patted Hermione's hand. "Harry was practically adopted by mine and Ron's mum."
"I figured you two were related."
Luna smiled and finished for Ginny. "And Harry's practically a brother and best friend to all of us. I know you may have technically only been seeing you for a short time, but he cares deeply for you."
Lavender spoke quietly. "Harry's not one to go partially in to something. If he cares for someone, he doesn't just slightly fancy someone. If he cares for you, he goes all the way, loving you with so much of his heart that it's fit to burst."
"He's never been kissed." Hermione couldn't help but see the sad look that crossed Ginny's face as she said this. Hermione sighed happily.
"He told me that already. I know that will probably lead to some disappointment or other, but that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard. It's just like something out of a book. Because of his pureness and sweetness, well, I think that's the main reason I was able to open up and trust him."
Luna sighed dreamily. "Harry's a keeper. If I were you, I would hold him tight and never let him go. I love Ron to death, but he has his many flaws. Harry, though…" She let the thought trail in the air as silence settled over them.
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"Are you absolutely insane?!" Ron shouted, jumping slightly.
"Ron's got a point, mate." Seamus ran his fingers through his sandy hair. "She is a muggle, and although she's very nice and easy on the eyes, are you sure you want to?"
Harry nodded. "I know it's crazy, but I love her so much that it hurts to think about it. Although she's technically only been my girlfriend for a while, but I love her."
They all sighed, knowing that Harry never went halfway on anything.
Neville sighed. "If you want to do it, mate, we support you. But please be careful."
They all gave Harry encouraging smiles as he tried to give a brave little smile.
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An hour later, the couples left with an array of good-byes, leaving Harry and Hermione alone. As they waved at their friends from the doorway, Harry looked at Hermione softly.
"Hermione, would you like to go for a walk?"
"Certainly, Harry." They grabbed their coats and headed for the door hand in hand. Harry entwined his fingers in hers and blushed when she smiled.
"So, what did you think of my crew?"
"I liked them. I didn't really have an opportunity to speak much with the guys, but I really got to know the girls. I hope they liked me."
"Oh, I'm sure they did! How could they not?" They stopped where they were and Harry looked down at Hermione. All time froze as they looked into each other's eyes, and for a moment, Hermione thought he was going to kiss her.
After a moment, he broke away and they continued to walk in silence. He led her to the lily pond where a blanket had been laid on the grass. "Here, Hermione. Let's sit here to talk." She sat down on the blanket and he sat behind her, holding her in his arms. They sat for a moment, looking at the stars, enjoying each other's presence.
"Hermione, if you could have one wish, what would it be?"
Hermione thought for a moment. "Promise you won't laugh?"
"Promise."
"Alright. I want to go back to school and get my degree. Then after that, I would take some alternate classes to learn all I possibly could."
"Why is that your wish?"
She sighed. "I would like to be able to prove to the world that I wasn't just some dumb waitress and that if I had an opportunity I could get a job doing something important for others."
"You'll never be a dumb waitress to me." He softly played with her hair with his fingers. "What would you do if you could?"
"I'm not really sure. I'd like to be a medical researcher and find the cure for cancer, but…"
"But what?"
She shrugged. "I don't really know how to explain it. Sometimes, I just know there is something else out there. I don't mean other options, but things behind what we mere humans can see. I know it's crazy, but my mother would always tell me these wonderful stories about magical Healers and real witch professors, and I, well, I know it's not real, but that's what I would really like to discover, after I get my degree, that is."
Harry looked at her, trying to keep the surprise from showing on his face. "Trust me, Hermione. Never give up on your dream, because I promise you there is more out there than the naked eye can see."
"I'm sure."
"No, really! Magic is everywhere, in everything you see and feel. There are very few who can actually detect it, but I bet you're one of those who can."
"Well, thanks."
"May I ask you one more thing?"
"Go ahead."
"Why have you never gone back to school if that's your dream?"
"Oh, Harry, it's just that, well, entrance fees are so high, and the tests are so hard. I don't think I could get in even if I tried."
"I believe in you. And if you ever have an opportunity to go back to school, take it, for me."
She nodded and gazed at the lily pond. "How do you keep it unfrozen in this cold?"
"Uh, special heaters. This lily pond is a very special place for me. It shares my mother's name, and I've found that I can always think best when I'm here."
"I bet your mother was amazing."
"Oh, she was. Well, actually I don't know that, cause I don't really remember her, but she sacrificed her life for me, and I know she loved me more than anyone else."
"Maybe that's why you love with all your heart or hate with all you have." Her words settled over them quietly. "How did she die, Har?"
"She and my dad were both murdered. The man who murdered them tried to kill me, and that's how I have this." He took his hand away from hers and slowly traced his lightning bolt-shaped scar. She turned around and faced him. She took his hand in hers and the two of them traced his scar slowly. She placed her hand on his chest.
"I'm so glad you lived, so glad you have this scar to prove where you have come from. I know this sounds crazy, Harry, but do you believe in fate?"
"Sometimes."
"I think fate brought us together, and I really think you lived and I've survived all my horrible experiences for this moment here, together."
Harry held her close to him and squeezed her hands in his.
"Earlier I asked you what your one wish was."
"What is yours, in this moment and time?"
"The courage to do this." He leaned down and softly kissed her lips. Although the kiss wasn't passionate or fiery, it was pure and full of love, and Hermione had never experienced something so close to heaven.
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A/N: Awwww…. Harry's given Hermione his first kiss! How incredibly sweet!
Hopefully the next chapter will be up soon!
KaTiEbUg09
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