Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Disclaimer: It’s JKR’s not mine. If it was JKR’s it would be devoid of a sense of humor because writing this would be seriously delusional.

To say the year following Voldemort’s downfall had been difficult for Molly Weasley, would be putting things lightly. She had such big plans for her children and she was just certain that two weddings would have already been planned and carried through. But, that all went out the window when the groom for one wedding and bride for another had mysteriously disappeared following their release from the hospital.

That fact alone wouldn’t have been so bad, but in the absence of their two crushes her youngest children had regressed, or at least in her opinion they had. Ronald had declined at the opportunity to return to Hogwarts to complete his seventh year, and with an order of Merlin to his credit Molly hadn’t protested as much as she normally would have.

Ginny on the other hand had returned to Hogwarts but had fallen into the wrong crowd from all appearances. Without Harry’s presence Ginny had begun to date the exonerated Draco Malfoy and although she assured her mother she was happy, Molly was certain that it was all an act to cover up the hurt from not having Harry in her life.

Dinner at the Burrow had become almost a painful time for her youngest two children as Molly constantly was asking them if they had heard any word from either Harry or Hermione, and every week the answer was the same. In fact, even the eternal optimist Molly Weasley feared that her children might not get their wish after all.

It had come as quite a shock when the daily prophet announced the appointment of two new professors at Hogwarts, Harry as the defense professor and Hermione as the transfiguration professor. As they both such celebrities in the magical world they had taken on personas as single named celebrities. Harry as the one whom had finally vanquished Voldemort, and Hermione as the girl who had single handedly watched his flank. Ron had been injured in the quest for the final horcrux and was left behind so that he could heal.

With the realization that the pair had returned, Molly sent out a pair of messages via owl to invite them to the weekly Weasley family dinner. It came as quite a surprise when the owl returned both replies in just over two hours. They were short acceptances of her offer and hope sprung in her heart once again.

Mrs. Weasley,

I’d be happy to come for your family dinner on Sunday. I’m sorry I hadn’t written earlier but I was overseas finding a lot out about myself. Needless to say a visit from Fawkes bearing a letter from Minerva offering me the defense position was enough to bring me home, and I have no desire to do anything other than stay here now that I’m back and settle down.

Harry

Mrs. Weasley,

I was very surprised to receive your letter following what happened to Ron during the war. I admit there isn’t a day I don’t regret what happened and coming to your family dinner would be an excellent opportunity to apologize properly. As you may have already ascertained, I will be staying in Britain now that I’m back from my journey of self discovery. Simply because I received a letter offering the position of Transfiguration instructor at Hogwarts and I accepted. It took some convincing but I managed to reach Harry enough to get him to take the N.E.W.T.S with me so that we’d have the option when we each returned. In hindsight I’m glad it worked because I am able to come back to the place I love so much and start my life.

Hermione

To say Molly was thrilled by the message in the letters and the message between the lines in each letter would be putting things far too lightly. First, Harry mentioned settling down and she was sure he meant with Ginny. Hermione wanted to apologize to Ron, and Molly was certain that the apology would be the beginning of their path to marriage. Both had taken their N.E.W.T. exams and had procured employment meaning that they could each provide a stable household for her children; life was not only good it was wonderful.

Upon receiving the best news she had gotten in a long while, Molly set about preparing her most extensive feast of the year in hopes that finally her dream of one big Weasley family would finally occur. After she finished her preparations Molly went to the FLOO and called her husband. Upon seeing Arthur’s head in the fire she said, “Arthur, I have wonderful news dear.”

Arthur simply asked, “What is it sweetheart?”

Molly beamed and said, “Harry and Hermione both said they were going to be able to make it to our family dinner this week. Know that they’re back we can finally be one big happy family.”

Arthur frowned and said, “I’m not aware of what you’ve heard dear, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up about that.”

Molly sternly asked, “What do you mean Arthur?”

Arthur sighed and said, “Just don’t get your hopes up with Harry and Hermione. I imagine they’ll have some more news when we see them on Sunday.”

Molly nodded and after wishing her husband a goodbye she began to think on what he had said. After a few minutes of thoughts she dismissed her husband’s words after rereading the letters convinced that she knew what was going to happen on Sunday after all.

Meanwhile at the completely refurbished building once known as Black Manor, Harry Potter and his fiancé Hermione Granger received their separate and respective owls from Molly Weasley. Somewhat confused by how pleased Molly was with their letters they collectively shrugged and Harry said, “I expected Molly would be a bit more upset considering how Ron told us she wanted the big happy Weasley family.”

Hermione nodded, “Well they do say absence makes the heart grow fonder sweetheart.” Hermione grew plaintive and asked Harry, “Do you think Ron will accept my apology?”

Harry arched his eyebrow and asked, “Do you mean after turning down his proposal because you said that you loved me and not him?” Hermione nodded and he smiled and replied, “He certainly seemed to understand in our letters to him, and if his letters back are any indication things might start getting a little serious with Luna after all.”

Hermione sighed and said, “I suppose you’re right.” Then her eyes softened and she seductively asked, “Care to rechristen the bed upstairs again Harry?” Harry smirked as he scooped Hermione into his arms to show her just how much he cared for the idea.

Finally, Sunday evening had come and it was time for the Weasleys’ family dinner and Molly was in her element expecting the meal and news of the evening to be some of the best of her life. Ron and Ginny had tried to talk to their mother and explain the situation but she wasn’t in the mood to listen to anything that could ruin her day and had dismissed her children summarily to the den where they were playing a game of chess.

A couple of soft almost indiscernible pops were heard outside of the front door and Molly bustled over realizing who it must be. Molly opened the door to fine Hermione with a container of cookies and Harry with a nice bottle of wine. Molly squealed and pulled both into a hug before she fussed and said, “Oh look at the two of you, so tan and happy. Of course you both do look a little thin, but nothing some home cooking won’t take care of.” Her eyes twinkled as Harry took Hermione’s cloak along with his own and hung them up on the hooks just inside the front door. Molly smiled softly and said, “I’m sure you both have some catching up to do with Ron and Ginny, they’re in the den dears.” Harry and Hermione smiled their thanks as they walked into the burrow. Molly hid a smile at how perfect the evening was going so far, and called out to the rest of her children indicating that dinner would be ready in about five minutes.

Harry and Hermione found Ron and Ginny in the den as Molly had indicated and the four old friends shared hugs before Hermione softly said, “Listen Ron, I just wanted to apologize.”

Ron cut her off with a smile and said, “No need to apologize Herms. Looking back I don’t know if I liked the idea of us or that my mum wanted me to like the idea of us. You’re my best friend, but even I see now it wouldn’t have worked. But, I am glad that Harry is the guy if any of them had to be. Reckon it would have been hard to call you Mrs. Krum.”

Hermione huffed good naturedly before she smiled genuinely and said, “Thank you Ron, you have no idea how good I feel to actually hear you say that instead of reading it.”

Harry joined in and cheekily asked, “What’s with the beard mate?”

Ron smiled as he stroked his beard and said, “Luna said she likes it so it stays until she says so.”

Ginny joined in the conversation and supplied with a smirk, “Yes the future Mr. Lovegood wouldn’t want to anger the missus, would he?”

Ron chuckled and shrugged before Hermione turned towards Ginny and asked, “How are things with Draco?”

Ginny smiled and replied, “Well, considering I’m helping him put his life together after the war, we’re taking it real slow and it’s nice.”

Hermione smiled genuinely and said, “I’m happy for you.”

Ginny hugged her friend, and was about to ask Harry when he was going to pop the question to Hermione when Molly’s voice echoed throughout the house, “Dinner’s ready.”

The four Gryffindors entered the dinning room to find four seats available at the end of the table. Harry and Hermione sat in the middle with Ron on the other side of Hermione and Ginny on the other side of Harry. Molly smiled at all of her assembled children when Harry stood up and raised his glass in a toast before he said, “Everyone, before we dig in to this amazing feast that Mrs. Weasley has made for us, I’d like to make an announcement.”

Everyone smiled encouragingly as Molly prepared for news of the engagement of Harry to her only daughter. She stifled those thoughts so she could hear the actual words and Harry continued, “So, I’d like to announce that Hermione and I have gotten engaged.”

Molly gaped for a moment as she frantically thought on what Harry said and she asked, “Harry, dear I’m afraid I must have misheard you. You said you’re getting engaged to Ginny right?”

Harry looked decidedly uncomfortable and replied, “Um no, Mrs. Weasley. I’m actually engaged to Hermione. We’re getting married next summer and of course you’re all invited.”

Molly’s face was a combination of confusion and disbelief as the rest of the family shared hugs and handshakes with the happy couple before returning to their seats. Finally she vocalized her feelings and asked, “But you said you were ready to settle down?”

Harry arched his eyebrow but replied, “I am ready to settle down, with Hermione. We’ve fixed up Grimmauld and connected the FLOO directly to Hogwarts so we can commute to work.”

Molly nodded dumbly still reeling from the announcement before she turned to Hermione and asked, “You said you needed to apologize to Ronald about something, what was it if it wasn’t to beg for his forgiveness?”

Ron decided to step in for his friends and said, “She apologized for turning me down when I proposed in the hospital following my injuries. Of course I told her in a letter that she needn’t apologize for falling in love with Harry. I’m very happy with Luna now mum, so please just let it rest.”

Arthur broke his wife from her near to a catatonic state and whispered into her ear, “Molly, you’ve blinded yourself to this, but Harry and Hermione went off after the war together and were already dating when they left. You need to accept this and be happy for them.”

Molly shook her head and with a soft smile finally accepted the new reality and said, “Well congratulations you two. Of course I still expect you to visit as often as you can.”

Harry and Hermione shared a relieved look before also sharing a kiss. Molly watched the scene for the first time with a detached perspective and upon seeing the love present between the couple, her little picture of one big Weasley family shifted into something different but no less wonderful. For the first time everyone had truly come home.

A/N: There it is my attempt at a little different story from me. If you liked it review and tell me why; if you didn’t review and tell me why not? In other words, please review.