Things Don't Always Go as Planned
Chapter Five: Welcome Dinner
AN: Hi. I just want to thank you for all your reviews. They are the reason why I lock myself in my room and write a new chapter. Again, apologizes for grammar/spelling errors. Enjoy and don't forget to REVIEW!
Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his hard chest.
"Just promise me that you'll never leave me again."
"I promise, Hermione."
It broke Harry's heart seeing how much he hurt Hermione while he was gone. I never want to see her hurt again.
Harry kissed Hermione on her forehead before they pulled apart. Hermione wiped her tears. Then hugging onto Harry's arm and resting her head on his shoulder. They walked around like this until they decided to call it a day and head back to the Burrow for dinner.
If we continue this, it's going to be harder not to fall deeper in love with her than I already am.
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Harry and Hermione finally arrived back at The Burrow just before dinner like they promised Mrs. Weasley.
"Harry? Hermione? Is that you?" Mrs. Weasley called out from the kitchen.
"Yes, Molly." Hermione yelled out as Harry took her cloak and his and placed it in the closet. "Thanks Harry."
Harry and Hermione made it over to the lounge. Both of them sat next to each other on the couch in front of the fire place. They sat in awkward silence as they watch the red hot fire flames dance around. Both of them feeling the warmth from the fire caress their skins.
"Molly, do you need help?" Hermione asked as she shot up from the couch. Harry eyes moved away from the fire and followed Hermione as she got up.
"No, Hermione dear. Just keep Harry company while the others arrive." Mrs. Weasley shouted out.
Hermione sighed in defeat before sitting back down right next to Harry resting her hands on her knees. She turned her head at Harry, who was now gazing the flames again. Just before Hermione was going to say something she was interrupted by someone trying to enter the door.
Ginny entered through the door looking pale and her face was flushed from the snow. Ginny place her cloak in the closet before throwing her broom on the floor and cursing at it.
"Hello, Ginny." Harry greeted looking at Ginny concerned.
"Hello Hermione, Harry." Ginny greeted back flatly.
It must be practice again. "Hi Gin. Rough day at practice?" Hermione asked looking at the broom on the floor.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You have no idea. This stupid broom kept acting up again at practice. If I don't get a new broom, coach will make me sit out in the next game." Ginny grumbled, before kicking the broom letting out her frustration.
"Sorry to hear that." Hermione looked at her sincerely. You should buy yourself a new one, but you want to save up so you and Draco can buy a flat together.
Ginny shot Hermione a knowing glare, as if she were reading Hermione's mind. Then she finally let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm going to shower." Harry and Hermione watched Ginny picked up her broom before irritably going upstairs.
"I never knew Ginny plays professional quidditch." Harry told Hermione as they walk back to the lounge.
"I guess I forgot to mention it in the letters." Hermione said as they sit back to the same positions as they were before they were interrupted. "Right after her seventh year, the Holyhead Harpies offered her a position to be Center Chaser. But she declined the offer to help George get back up on his feet since Fred died. After a year she finally decided to go to the Holyhead Harpies if they were still up for the offer. She's been playing ever since."
"That's nice, I always knew she wanted to play professional.", Harry said with a smile.
"Me too." Hermione smiled back.
They were soon interrupted again by Mr. Weasley. "Why hello, you too." Mr. Weasley greeted.
"Hello.", Harry and Hermione said insyncly.
"Well, pardon me while I greet my wife." Mr. Weasley excused himself before making way to the kitchen.
Just as Mr. Weasley left the room, George and Ron entered the house. "Hello, Hello, Hello." George greeted happily as he handed his cloak to Ron to put in the closet.
"We are in the lounge." Hermione called out.
Ron entered the lounge first before taking a seat next to Hermione. "Hello, Hermione. Harry." Ron greeted as he gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat as Harry turned his head away. George came shortly after, sitting in a chair next to Harry.
"So, George how was business today?" Harry asked.
"Well, since students are back in Hogwarts it's not as busy." George answered.
Mrs. Weasley entered the room. "Oh good, Ron and George you're just in time for dinner. Dinner will be ready in five minutes. George, please go get your sister."
"Why can't-"
"George.", Mrs. Weasley warned with a low dangerous voice.
"Ginny!" George called out while making his way upstairs quickly. Harry, Hermione, and Ron couldn't help, but snicker how fast George reacted to Mrs. Weasley threat.
"That's what I thought." Mrs. Weasley said to herself as she walked toward the kitchen.
"I'm going to help." Hermione proclaimed then followed Mrs. Weasley to the kitchen.
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"It's good to have you back, Harry." Ron said while getting off from the couch.
"It's good to be back." Harry said as he got off the couch and entered the dining room.
Mrs. Weasley went all out for dinner. She tossed a fresh salad for appetizer. Then Mrs. Weasley made roasted turkey with mash potatoes and gravy as the main entre and steam corn, string beans, and peas on the side.
As Harry enters the kitchen he could hear his stomach growl. Even after that wonderful big lunch with Hermione, I still seem to be hungry.
Ron's eyes went big as he took the seat next to Hermione's. "This looks great, mum. I can't wait to dig in."
Harry took the seat across from Hermione, next to Mrs. Weasley. "I always missed your cooking, Molly. That's the reason why I came home." Harry joked as he filled his plate with salad.
Mrs. Weasley blushed, "Oh stop it, Harry." All of them laughed as they too began to fill their plates with salad.
"What's the special occasion?" Ginny asked before taking a bite of her salad.
"Nothing, really just a welcome home dinner for Harry since we didn't get the chance to last night because of his wonderful surprise." Mrs. Weasley answered as she finished her salad.
Harry's eyes grew. For me? "You didn't have to Molly; I'm just back nothing really special."
"Phish posh, Harry! You're finally back after five years; it's certainly something we have to celebrate. We all really did miss you. I speak for all of us when I say we thought you'll never come back." Mrs. Weasley protested as she began to fill her plate with turkey, mash potatoes with gravy, and steam vegetables. Harry sighed in defeat as he too began to fill his plate with the main entre.
"So, Harry what America is like?" Ron asked after swallowing down a huge spoonful of mash potatoes.
"Well, it's huge. It's certainly bigger than here. There is so much diversity, I can't really describe it. They do everything opposite from us, yet still there are many things so similar." Harry answered trying to find the perfect words to describe America as he played with this vegetables with his fork. "Enough about me. What have you guys been up to when I was gone?"
Mr. Weasley cleared his throat. "I've just been doing the usual. Going to work, raids, coming home to my lovely family." Mr. Weasley answered before eating a piece of turkey. Suddenly his eyes grew open. "Oh, Hermione showed me what a wooden pencil does. Wait here, I'll show you Harry." Mr. Weasley got up from his seat and placed his table cloth on the table.
"Sit. Down. Arthur." Mrs. Weasley said in a low dangerous voice while give Mr. Weasley a cold glare.
Harry tired to hold back his laugh, but failed terribly when Mr. Weasley sat back down in his chair. "It's alright, Arthur. I already know what a wooden pencil does."
"So George, where is Angelina?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"She is with her parents tonight, Mum." George answered while refilling his plate with mash potatoes.
Angelina? Fred's Angelina? "You and Angelina?" Harry asked curiously.
George turned a little red. "Yes. We are…" George coughed before continuing, "kind of seeing each other."
"That's nice." Harry flashed a gentle smile at George.
Nobody notice Mrs. Weasley leave the room until she came back with pan of pumpkin pie.
"I know this is your favorite, Harry. Let's just hope Ron doesn't eat it all before you get a chance to taste it.", Mrs. Weasley teased as she began to cut the pie.
"Mum!" Ron exclaimed while grabbing two slices for himself.
Everyone just laughed and shook their heads as they began to eat their pumpkin pie.
Harry took a bite of his pie before asking, "Ginny, I heard from Hermione you play for the Holyhead Harpies."
Ginny smiled, "Yes. Besides my broom and the harsh practices, I love it."
"It's great to hear that you're living your dream." I remember when we were dating she said she always wanted to play for the Holyhead Harpies.
"Harry, Hermione how was planning the wedding go?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she placed another slice on Harry's plate.
Hermione coughed on her pumpkin pie before answering. "It was good. We ate a big lunch as promised then walked around London a bit." Hermione answered.
Ron looked surprised. He glanced back and forth from Harry to Hermione. "You too spent the day together?"
"Yes, just did a little catching up with each other." Harry said.
"We would have asked you to come, but you were working." Hermione reassured Ron as she touched his arm gently. Ron smiled and unexpectedly kissed Hermione gently on the lips.
This is killing me. Harry's heart tightens at the sight. Harry turned his head avoided looking at the couple and trying to hide the hurt he felt. His desire to eat another slice suddenly disappeared.
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After finishing their desserts they all entered the lounge sitting around the fire place. Everyone sat in silence, relaxing after filling their stomachs until Ron opened his mouth. "So Harry, what were the American girls like?" Ron said winking at Harry, then putting his arm around Hermione and pulling her closer to him.
"Ugh, er- I don't know." Harry searched for words while awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "I haven't dated around much when I was there." Hermione couldn't help but smile from his answer. "Well, there was Helena. Before you guys get any ideas we only went on a few dates, nothing serious. She was a niece of Angelo, a dear friend of mines." George and Ron snickered in the background.
Hermione's smile slowly faded. Jealously ran through her veins. Why am I getting upset for? Harry is my friend, no my best friend. He can do whatever he wants, he doesn't belong to me. If he wants to snog this beautiful American girl, then so be it. Besides, I'm engaged. Hermione sat there sulking, not understand what has gotten into her.
"Speaking of Angelo, I'll be right back." Harry exclaimed before heading upstairs immediately.
"Before you guys get any ideas we only went on a few dates, nothing serious." Ron mocked while George laughed harder. "Nothing serious, my arse!"
Hermione hit him square in the face. George laughing even harder, he was basically tearing up. "Well, I believe Harry. Harry wouldn't lie." Hermione said while glaring at Ron. I hope Harry isn't lying. Ugh, again with this!
Shortly after, Harry arrived with presents in his hands. "Sorry your Christmas presents were a little late, but I wanted to give them to you guys in person."
"Oh, Harry you didn't have to." Mrs. Weasley said as Harry handed her a red present wrapped in purple ribbon.
"I insist." Harry said as he watch Mrs. Weasley open her present.
Mrs. Weasley was holding a knitting book with knitting needles engraved 'Molly Weasley'. "I absolutely love it.", Mrs. Weasley chocked out before breaking into tears and pulling Harry into a tight motherly hug.
After Molly finally let him breathe, He handed Mr. Weasley a small blue box with a red ribbon. Mr. Weasley smiled at Harry before opening his present.
"Thank you Harry, but what is it?" Mr. Weasley asked curiously as he examines the box.
"It's called a mobile phone, but American's call it a cell phone. It's used to call or text others. Like a floo call or sending an owl, but without the need of an owl or fireplace. You can play games; take muggle pictures, or videos." Harry explained. "There is a lot more you can do, just read the manual." Harry pointed at the little book in the box.
Mr. Weasley eyes grew wide, "That's amazing! I can't wait to try it out!" Mrs. Weasley just rolled her eyes.
Harry turned to Ron and handed him an orange present with a red bow.
"Oh, what did you get me?" Ron asked eagerly while shaking the box. Harry just shrugged his shoulders while Ron ripped opened his present impatiently.
Ron screamed like a girl when he spotted a Chudley Cannon Jersey with his name on it and all the Chudley Cannon players' signatures. "No way! How did you get this?"
"I knew someone who owed me a favor." Harry answered as if it was nothing.
"Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou! The best gift ever! You're the best, mate." Ron thanked as he gave Harry a manly hug. Hermione couldn't help but smile at the sight.
Harry turned around and handed Ginny a long package. "Here you go, Ginny."
"Harry, this can't be what I think it is.", Ginny whispered as her eyes grew big when her eye laid on the latest Frostbite 3000.
"Bloody hell, Harry. She got a new broom, and I got a piece of clothing?" Ron moped as Hermione glared at him angrily.
Ginny ignored his comment. "But- why-what-how did you know I needed one?" Ginny stumbled to find her words.
Harry just shrugged his shoulders. "I always knew you wanted to become a professional quidditch player and besides you can't show you're real talent if you use that old broom of yours. Finding out you needed a new broom today is just icing on the cake."
Everybody else looked at Hermione confused. Hermione just sighed and rolled her eyes. "It's a muggle saying meaning making a situation better than it already is."
"Oh.", they all mouthed.
"Thank you." Ginny said while giving Harry a friendly hug.
Harry walked up to Hermione and handed her a big, heavy green box with a brown bow. "Here you go, Hermione."
Hermione flashed him a gentle smile. "Seriously, Harry you didn't have to get me anything. You finally being home means the world to me."
Harry smiled back. "Go on, don't just stand there open it!"
Hermione shook her head and opened the box full of books. "Harry these are remarkable I've never seen these kinds of books before."
"Well, they are all from Angelo's book shop. According to Angelo, those five novels over there are top romance novels from an American author Nicholas Sparks. The other two are about America's history. I've read them myself. It's quite interesting for such a young country to experience a lot of history." Harry explain.
"I love it, Harry. Notebook, A Walk to Remember, Message in a Bottle, The Rescue, and A Bend in the Road. I can't wait to read them all. Thank you." Hermione place the books back into the box before giving Harry a tight hug and kissing him on the cheek. Harry turned a little red. He always knew what to get me.
"Last, but not least here you go George." Harry said as he handed George a rolled up piece of parchment.
George just stood there with his mouth open in shock. "Wait a minute. Dad gets this cool muggle invention, Ron get's a signed jersey of the Chudley Cannons, and Ginny gets a new broom. Mum gets a knitting book and needles while Hermione gets books. Come on, Harry I would of rather get Hermione's bloody romance books than this."
"Hey!" Hermione shouted as Harry continued to laugh.
"George open it.", Harry pushed.
"George open it.", George mocked as he began to read the parchment. George mouth opened in shock as he began to take in what he was reading. "Harry- this is unbelievable! I can't believe you did this. Thanks!"
"No pro-", Harry tried to finished before George dropped the parchment and hugged Harry tightly and kissed him on the cheek.
"I love it, Harry." George mocked Hermione. "I can't believe you bought us a place to expand the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to America!!" George exclaimed as Harry wiped off the salvia off his cheeks.
"Well, I got to go and tell Angelina the great news. Thanks again Harry. Bye everyone!" George said before he apparated out of The Burrow.
"Well, let's call it night. Goodnight everyone." Mrs. Weasley greeted as she and Mr. Weasley headed upstairs to bed.
"I better be calling it a night too, I got practice at the crack of dawn. Goodnight." Ginny said while picking up her new broom and following Mr. & Mrs. Weasley upstairs.
"You coming?" Ron asked Hermione and Harry as he began to head up the stairs.
"I think I'm just going to stay here a while." Harry said as he sat on the couch and watch the fireplace again.
"I'm just going to stay here with Harry for a while then head up to shower before I get into bed." Hermione explained.
"Well, alright. Goodnight." Ron said unsurely before giving Hermione a goodnight kiss on the lips and heading upstairs.
Hermione waited till Ron was up in his room before talking. "I just want to thank you again, Harry."
"You don't have to." Harry said as he looked into her eyes.
Hermione stare back into those lovely emerald eyes. "I know, but the gifts you gave everyone was absolutely wonderful." Hermione smiled before the tore her eyes away from Harry. "I guess I'm going to shower before I head to bed. Goodnight Harry." Hermione leaned in and gave Harry another kiss on the cheek before walking upstairs.
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Harry eyes followed Hermione as she ascended upstairs. Harry turned his eyes back into the fireplace leaving himself alone thinking about Hermione.
After all the hugs she gave me today, really showed me how much I missed her hugs while I was gone. Don't get me started how soft her lips felt on my cheek. I had such a wonderful time with her today. I wish today would never end.
Shortly after a few more minutes by the fire, Harry too decided it was time for bed. As he was walking toward his bedroom, he bumped into someone.
"Sorry.", they both apologized at the same time.
"Hermione?" Harry asked as she looked up at him. Her was still wet and dripping from her shower. She was wearing a large Gryffindor t-shirt with long pajama pants.
"Harry. I'm sorry I should have looked where I was going while I was trying to dry my hair." Hermione explained.
"That's alright. You shouldn't have to apologize. I'm the one should be apologizing. Wait is that my old Gryffindor t-shirt?"
Hermione blushed, "Yes. I found it while washing clothes one day. I'm sorry, I'll give it back."
Harry put his hand out to protest. "No, it's alright. You can keep it.", Harry said taking no for an answer.
Hermione gave Harry a sweet smile. "Thanks Harry." She said before turning to the room she shared with Ginny.
"And Harry." Hermione cried out before entering her room.
"Yes."
"I had a great time today. I hope we can do it again sometime."
"Definitely."
"Goodnight, Harry."
"Goodnight, Hermione."
Harry watched as the brown hair witched walked into her room before heading into his room himself.
Harry lay in his bed staring at the window. She is wearing my t-shirt. Harry took in a deep breath inhaling his pillow. The scent of jasmine filled his nostrils. It smells just like her.
Harry let his mind replay the today's events replay over and over again in his mind before slowly drifting soundly asleep as he began dreaming about a specific brown bushy hair witch. Unaware that same brown bushy hair witch, in the room right across the hall, is doing the exact same thing about a particular jet black messy hair wizard.
AN: I don't own Harry Potter, Nicholas Sparks books, or anything. I'll be going back to school tomorrow, so please forgive me if it takes a while to update. If only I went to Hogwarts that would the only time I would be excited to go to school. Please review and I hope to be updating soon.