Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters I just take inspiration from them and ask them to kindly play in my imagination.
Chapter 1 Welcome Home?
They were gathered again at number 12 for a welcome back party. Dumbledore and Snape's portraits had even been brought over from Hogwarts for the occasion. Hermione was due to arrive tonight after leaving for Australia to search for her parents. Harry had gotten word she was getting in tonight and would he meet her at the international portkey arrival hall. Harry of course ecstatic that she was coming home had arranged for the order to throw a welcome back party in her honour. The plan was to get everything ready and whilst Harry went to pick up Hermione the others could put the last minute touches to the festivities.
Gathering in the sitting room drinks in hand the portraits and Marauders plus Ron were making small talk drinks in hand. The talk turned to Hermione. "Insufferable little know it all" Snape's portrait muttered. Ron snickered and pompously added "Yeah, Hermione is a know it all it's a wonder she gets anything done at all with her nose in a book as often as it is. Still that will change once we get married, she simply won't have the time what with the children and all."
Remus looked surprised "Oh, I didn't know you two were dating Ron." Ron smirked "Were not, but lets face it who else will marry the bossy thing? Harry?" Sirius (whom Hermione brought back from the veil) barked out "God I hope not can you imagine a great guy like Harry with a bookish nightmare like her?" "I don't know about nightmare Pads but she is intense at times" Remus diplomatically added.
Albus' painted eyes sparkled as he watched the men in the room derided the witch they owed so much too whilst she was standing frozen in the doorway with an equally frozen Harry. This will be interesting he murmured they have no idea the price she paid for the war to be won. Other order members entered the room and looked at the men as the words they were speaking filtered through the crowded room.
Whilst the men continued with their laughter and character assassination an ice cold sarcastic voice was heard "Oh please don't hold back on my account why don't you tell the class what you really think Professor." The three men turned toward the voice ready to make a remark when the saw her standing in the doorway and aureole of power encompassing her body. The other order members took a strategic step back from the three idiots. They didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.
Remus' mouth went dry as he made eye contact with the young women they were insulting just moments before and shivered at the power the young witch was projecting. She was sparking literally with anger. 'Shit' he thought 'we're for it now'. Ron never good at spotting danger condescendingly spoke up "Now Herms none of that why don't you come over here and give us a kiss love." Opening his arms and fully expecting Hermione just to obey, after all he is a war hero and witches love that. Ron was conveniently forgetting that Hermione was also considered a war hero.
"Herms? Love? Do you honestly believe that I would have any romantic feelings towards someone to thick he makes porridge look runny. I wouldn't marry or be in any kind of a relationship with you if you were the last man on earth and the survival of the human race depended on it. As for that God awful nick name you called me let's just say repeat it again and you will have problems getting little Ron make anyone pregnant." Hermione stated in a deadpanned voice that had even the portraits shivering. Ron started going red in the face like he was about to allow his famous Wesley temper to get the better of him when he was hit by a silencing spell from his father. Arthur shook his head at his son's stupidity. He knew that his wife was hoping that Hermione and Harry would miraculously fall in love with their youngest two, but a blind man could see Harry loved Hermione and she loved him. He then turned his wand on his wife and daughter and discretely silenced them too before they could detonate what was turning out to be a volatile situation.
Hermione noted all this and then turned her icy gaze back on Remus "Well Remus I'm waiting, tell us what you really think. I mean I can understand Ron he's an idiot, but you?" She trailed off. Remus was feeling guilty and couldn't reply he hung his head unable to keep maintaining eye contact with the young women. Sirius was frozen; his tongue was sticking to the roof of his mouth. He never thought Hermione would have arrived yet. His eyes took in the scene. The hurt in his godson's eye cut him, 'I've really screwed everything up by being a prat again.' He thought.
Harry was so angry and hurt that the two men he looked up to the most could treat the women he loves so poorly and at her welcome back party too. Ron well he wasn't known for thinking before speaking but the arrogance he displayed at believing Hermione would just marry him and give up all her dreams because he says so. Ignoring the men Harry turns to his sparking secret fiancé and wraps his arms around her. Everyone one in the room at this point was holding their breath even the portraits. As her magic recognised his, the aureole surrounding her allowed him to touch her and then encircled the both of them. "Mione lets go. You don't have to deal with these pricks now. Let's get you home so you can rest you have had a long day. We can deal with this lot later" He finished venomously.
Guiding her out of the room and front door the assembled order members heard a double crack of apparition then silence.