Chapter 7
They should have asked Ron to stay an extra day so that he could help them out with the rest of the Weasleys. Harry knew it was going to be a long night. They should have put off the invitation for dinner at the burrow, but he knew that the Weasleys were family and could not be put off any longer. The three days they'd waited after Hermione was found was already enough and he knew that they would figure out a way to have their visit. Ron had brought them home the news of her safety, but they'd all insisted that they needed to see for themselves. They'd probably never seen Ron and his scary side until that moment.
He was a sight to behold. Mrs. Weasley recounted the day where she found new respect for her youngest son. They were all talking at the same time trying to get Ron's permission for them to visit Hermione at her flat after she was let go. He'd explained that no one except Harry, Hermione and he were allowed near the flat unless they were invited by either one of them. So they hounded him almost hourly except when he was practicing quidditch.
It was true enough that no one could get there without permission, but Harry had set up security in a way that Weasley blood relatives would be allowed as well as the Grangers. He didn't tell them that part. He just made it sound as if no one could get through the security, period. So Ron reached his limit after a day of unending questions.
"Listen, you lot! Hermione can't have too much visitors! She's been hurt and the healers said she needs rest. How the bloody hell is she going to rest with the lot of you badgering her all the time! If you don't stop asking me questions, I'll curse the lot of you to Hades and back if I have to, but she NEEDS REST!"
The rest of the Weasley clan stood open mouthed. They were used to Ron's whining, but they'd never seen him stand his ground on anything before. He was usually easily swayed to agree to something with enough badgering. Needless to say they never bothered him again about visiting Hermione after that.
So they tried Harry. They sent him owl after owl. They learned how well the auror training paid off when nothing worked to persuade him. So they gave up on him. They finally figured out the only way they would actually visit Hermione was to ask Hermione herself. That worked. Although she had been a bit frightened, she didn't like being rude.
Still, Harry thought she could have been rude for at least once in her life. He didn't like to see her so agitated among other things. He wanted to keep her all to himself for as long as he could, but he also knew that in order to catch the culprit, they needed to expose Hermione to people. Merlin, couldn't he stop wanting her every time he saw her. She'd become as essential as oxygen to him.
He knew he had to get a hold of his emotions for Hermione. He needed to clear his head in order to help her find out what happened to her and who was responsible. He knew how her mind worked. It would eat at her that she can't readily find the solution.
"So, Hermione, are you feeling better dear?" asked Molly.
"Much better, thank you Mrs. Weasley." She smiled weakly and hoped she didn't ask questions that she expected to know the answer to, particularly the last year.
"That's great, dear. We were all worried about you, you know. And Ron, well, he told us that you couldn't have visitors. I'm so glad you're here." She pulled Hermione into another bone crushing hug.
Molly had hoped that Hermione would one day become her daughter-in-law, but she knew before Ron, Hermione and Harry did that it wasn't meant to be. She'd watched them closely when they were growing up and had seen the ever growing closeness between Harry and Hermione. Of course, the closeness wasn't physical that others might see as well, but she saw their heart grew closer. She was able to tell by the way they talked about each other, certain body language when they were near each other and the aura they emitted when they were together. Just like James and Lily. She knew she shouldn't compare, but she had seen it in Harry's parents and although Harry and Hermione's relationship was slightly different because it started out with friendship, she knew that their souls were intertwined just as fate had written when they were born.
Not really a fan of divination, but she never discounted the essence of fate. If it wasn't for fate, she'd never have found Arthur. If it wasn't for fate she wouldn't have lovely, intelligent children. She knew that fate had a hand in Harry and Hermione's joining.
"Mum, you're crushing her!" Ginny exclaimed. "Besides, it's my turn to give her a hug."
"Ginny, I'm so glad to see you."
"Believe me, not as happy as I am. I've been dying to tell you some news." She looked around to make sure no one was nearby to hear them. "Christian has been asking for you. Can you believe it? I think he's definitely taken with you Hermione."
"Really? But I thought we'd agreed we were just going to be friends?"
"I don't know about you, but he doesn't seem to think you're only friends. He said he even tried to apparate to you flat, but got kicked out. So I explained to him about the security measures Harry and Ron had taken in order for you to get some rest. He looked terribly disappointed. He told me that surely you should have extended him an invitation to visit by now. That sounds to me that you're more than friends."
Hermione's heart sank with the news. She was sure that he was nothing more than a friend. She would know, shouldn't she? Merlin, what a mess! Hermione scowled and chanced a look at Harry. They made eye contact and she forced a smile, but it was too late. Harry already saw the scowl.
Ginny didn't miss anything. She saw the quick exchange between the two. The worried look that Harry now held practically mirrored the one on Hermione's face. She knew then that Christian didn't have a chance.
"Hermione?" I don't mean to pry, but I'm going to. Are you and Harry, you know?"
"Still friends? Yes."
"Hermione, you know what I mean!" Ginny looked hurt. Hermione knew that they'd become good friends even after Ginny had accused her of messing up hers and Harry's relationship after their sixth year.
"If you promise me that you won't tell, then I will let you in on a little secret."
"I promise on Dumbledore's soul." That had become one of their favorite expressions of loyalty in memory of their beloved Headmaster.
"Okay, well, Harry and I… Harry and I have come to an understanding about our relationship."
"Hermione, I can't believe you're going to talk to me in that practical voice of explanation you use when you're presenting your findings. I'm one of your closest friends, remember? I'm not going to be mad if that's what you're worried about. I'm way over Harry and very happily married to my soul mate. Are you going to tell me?"
"Okay, but you have to promise you won't tell anyone, not yet anyway."
"I promise!"
"Harry and I are dating, so to speak since we haven't really gone out on an official date." Ginny squealed and all heads turned toward them. So much for trying not to get attention, Hermione thought. She smiled sheepishly and shrugged her shoulder to indicate she didn't really understand why Ginny squealed.
"Sorry…" Ginny sputtered. "I thought I saw a spider." Her brothers snorted. They knew Ron wasn't the only one afraid of spiders. That was why they loved teasing Ginny and Ron with spiders when they were younger.
But Harry looked at Hermione intently, and then raised a brow in question. Hermione mouthed, "I'll tell you later" and tried to get back into conversation with Ginny. Too late, their private conversation was joined by Molly.
"You know dear, if you and Harry won't stop looking at each other the way you're looking at each other, everyone will guess how close you really are." Hermione turned crimson. She must match the colors of Gryffindor, she thought. Ginny was also shocked. Her mouth was still hanging open.
"Mrs. Weasley.."
"Close your mouth Ginny. I may be old, but I'm not blind you know."
"Er.."
"No need to explain anything Hermione. I knew you'd find out sooner or later how you felt about each other. I say it's about bloody time. Excuse my language my dear. You and Ron were really not suited for each other. I was surprised you even started dating."
"Mum, how could you know? And what about when Harry dated me?"
"He was probably overwhelmed with the strong crush you had on him. It had to happen you know. You had to find out for yourselves that you weren't meant to be, just like Ron and Hermione. But don't tell your brother that. He still thinks I haven't gotten over the prospect of having Hermione as my daughter-in-law." She chuckled as the two young women looked on her with admiration. "It's not a total loss really. Hermione and Harry will get married and I will still have her as a daughter-in-law."
"Mrs. Weasley, Harry and I…"
"You young people think you can hide things from us, but we know a thing or two yet. I know he'll ask you. And since he is like my son, you will be my daughter-in-law." Her eye misted and she wiped the corners of it with her apron. "Oh, dear, I'd better see if what the little twins are up to." She ran to make sure she still had a parlor. Percy's and Penelope's twins give Fred and George a run for their money. It was a wonder that two such conservative and rule following people could give birth to two little hooligans, Mrs. Weasley thought. How she loved her grandchildren.
"Do you think your mum heard us talking?"
"No. I think she's just more observant than me. She's right you know. Now that I look at you and then
look at Harry, you both wear your emotions on your sleeves right now. It's a wonder the burrow hadn't caught
fire yet with the heat you two are giving off."
"Ginny!"
"Well, it's true. Poor Christian will have to find someone else. I don't think anything will keep you and Harry apart now that you're together."
I hope not, Hermione told herself. She was worried that what she didn't know about her and Christian's relationship may end up tearing them apart. She saw Harry moving towards them.
"Hey, you two? You two must be having some intense conversation, eh?" He moved to put his arm around Hermione's waist and then stopped and looked at Ginny.
"She knows. That's why she squealed a moment ago."
"All right then. What else should I know?"
"Mum knows too!" Ginny blurted out. Harry looked down at Hermione.
"Don't look at me. She guessed."
"Mum said something about the way you two were looking at each other; it was obvious that you were shagging each other."
"Ginny!" Hermione reprimanded. "She didn't say that." Harry smiled. Ginny was never one to mince words.
"It's just as well. Maybe we should just let everyone know. It might help us. What were you two talking about anyway, besides our sex life?" Hermione blushed when Harry took her hand and brought it up to his lips.
Ginny sighed for Hermione. A romantic at heart, she couldn't miss the meaning of the gesture. He was letting Hermione know how much he'd missed her already. Of course Fred and George happened to be passing by when Harry did that.
"Oy, George. Did you see that?" Fred asked not very quietly which earned them a huge audience, all which is what he intended all along. "Harry kissed Hermione's hand. Could it mean?"
"Unfortunately, it would mean that Fred."
"What are you two talking about?" Bill asked.
"Harry and Hermione are a couple, what else?" All eyes shifted at the two of them hands still joined. The din came at once. Men thumped Harry on the back, with comments like `'bout time mate', or `knew it all along." The women hugged Hermione and told her almost the same things but in a more quiet and easy manner. It was as if they'd just gotten married and they were receiving congratulatory hugs and shakes.
A/N: Thank you for reading. Again I apologize for the length of time in between chapters. School, work and everything else tend to take priority.
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