"No, thank you, Mrs. Weasley, I've already had seven servings," Jacob said, placing a hand on his stomach. "I don't think I could fit another bite in here."

Mrs. Weasley was buzzing. "You're the best eater I've ever had!" She exclaimed and giggled like a little girl. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Anytime you've got extra food, send it to us," Hermione said. "I don't know how he affords his eating habits."

Mrs. Weasley giggled again and patted Hermione on the shoulder before taking the rest of the food she'd offered Jacob into the kitchen. Hermione stood and picked up a few dishes in order to help Mrs. Weasley with the dishes, but Jacob grabbed her wrist and pulled her head down near his. "You can't leave me alone. I think every redhead in here wants to murder me."

Hermione laughed out loud. "Don't be ridiculous." She addressed everyone. "I want everyone to get acquainted with Jacob. We haven't visited since the wedding and now Jacob's going to be living with us so I want us all to be very friendly." She looked pointedly at Ron. "Okay?"

He raised his hands in casual defense, and Hermione nodded, taking her stack of plates into the kitchen.

Jacob avoided eye contact for a few moments, playing with his glass of wine, before he finally looked up at all of the red headed boys, the red headed girl, and the only boy he was comfortable with - Harry Potter. (The French girl seemed nice, but she was so freaking gorgeous that she made Jacob nervous, anyway.)

"So how about them Chudley Cannons?" Jacob said. Though he obviously couldn't play, he'd been listening to the games on the radio, and though they were by far his least favorite team, he knew he'd score with Ron by saying this.

"Are you sleeping with her?" demanded one of the boys - one of the twins. He couldn't keep the older ones' names straight, let alone twins.

"What? No." Jacob shook his head. "Of course not. You guys know Hermione better than that."

"True," said the other twin, "But she's never been the type to accept a marriage proposal after only a few months of dating."

Jacob shrugged. "What can I say. I'm a real charmer."

"Do you really like the Chudley Cannons?" Ron asked cautiously, and everyone groaned.

"Of course he doesn't like the Cannons, Ron, no one does!" Charlie said. "He only said it so you'd stop threatening to kill him every time you see him."

"Yeah, I think I'm going to go and find Hermione," Jacob said, standing. "It was really nice talking to all of you, though."

"Oh, Jacob, don't go!" Ginny exclaimed. "They didn't mean to scare you off. They're just really protective."

"Yes," said Fleur. "'Ermione eez like zer leetle seester. Zey care very much about 'er."

Jacob sat back down. "You guys don't have to worry. You all know it's literally not possible for me to purposefully hurt her."

"Jacob, could you please meet me in our room?" Hermione called from the kitchen. "I need to talk to you."

Everyone looked at each other and Jacob stood and nodded at them. "Nice chat," he said, heading up the stairs to the room he and Hermione had been sharing. Somehow Hermione had managed to get there before him. She moved like lightning and her lips were on his.

"Thanks for trying," she whispered, but Jacob was barely paying attention. He kissed her this time, harder.

She laughed. "Hold on, there, buddy," she said. "I really do have to talk to you."

He groaned when Hermione pushed him away and sat on the bed. Jacob sat next to her and pulled her close against him and she leaned into his chest as she began to speak.

"So because I got transferred back to my old position at the ministry, I was able to pull a few strings and get us both in to see the Wizengamot tomorrow afternoon," she began. "I'm not sure what we'll be able to accomplish, but perhaps, if we can't strike a deal with them based on facts, we can get them to budge from emotion. While that's doubtful, I think it's definitely worth a shot. Okay?"

"Definitely," Jacob said, moving Hermione around so they were facing each other. "Can I kiss you now?"

She laughed and rolled her eyes. "If you feel you must."

Jacob winked. "Great."

...

The next morning the two ate breakfast, this time with just Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, as all of those who had been over the night before had their own homes and stopped by every Sunday night for supper. Jacob ate nine servings, much to Mrs. Weasley's excitement, and then Hermione dressed up very nice and found something of Harry's that she managed to enlarge enough that it would fit her giant boyfriend (since he couldn't scrounge up any nice clothes), and she took his hand and they apparated to the entrance to the ministry.

It took even more string pulling for them to let a muggle in in the first place. Once in, however, they weren't interrupted with protesting. They were greeted only with excitement that Hermione was back from America and that she had a fiance.

They were early to see the Wizengamot. When they were finally called in, they each took a deep breath, held hands, and entered the big room that would ultimately decide their future.