Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
When Hermione arrived at the kitchen, the rest of the order were already there, waiting. Nobody was asking how her mission had gone, so she was sure Ron had told them. She doubted it was accurate though. He would have twisted it to make her look bad. The feud between the two of them had lasted over six years, to the point where Hermione hardly remembered how it started. Somedays she thought it could be different, that perhaps today would be the day they'd get along. But then, he always found a way to do something stupid.
She snapped out of her thoughts when she saw her best friend, waving her over. Smiling, she went over and took a seat beside him. He raised an eyebrow. "You were spying on them, weren't you?" He accused.
Hermione bit her lip. "Technically." She sighed, glancing at the doorway. "They should be here any minute now."
Seconds after she'd spoken, the room fell silent. Hermione watched as Sirius and Harry entered. Looking at the other order members, she saw their eyes wander to the lightning shaped scar on Harry's forehead.
Sirius didn't seem to have noticed, and he started to drag Harry around the room to meet the other members of the order.
Neville crossed his arms over his chest. "I still don't think he should be here. It's too dangerous."
Hermione sighed. "Honestly? I agree. But Dumbledore asked me to do this. Merlin, it was his dying wish." The two turned, watching Harry as he was introduced to the Weasley family. "Maybe he'll surprise us."
Hermione's eyes widened. "I almost forgot!" She retrieved the pouch from inside her cloak, and reached in. She pulled out a miniature firebolt broomstick, and handed it to Neville.
Neville chuckled. "It's actually in one piece."
Hermione smacked him in the shoulder. "Of course it is."
The two of them turned at the sound of Sirius clearing his throat. "Am I interrupting something?"
Hermione shook her head. "Not at all."
Sirius smiled, and gestured to Neville. "Harry, this is Neville Longbottom." Neville and Harry shook hands. "And you've already met Hermione Granger." Hermione smiled and shook hands with Harry as well.
"Hermione, do you mind helping me set the table?" Mrs. Weasley asked from across the room.
Hermione excused herself and joined Mrs. Weasley. The woman smiled and handed her a stack of clean plates. Hermione sighed and began placing the plates on the table, Mrs. Weasley following with the silverware.
The mother of seven shook her head. "Honestly, what was Dumbledore thinking." Hermione turned to see the woman's attention on Harry. "This world is far too dangerous for a boy like him."
"Maybe that's why." Hermione replied, setting down her last plate. "Grimmauld place is protected with various enchantments. Right now, it's safer than Hogwarts."
"I won't argue with that, dear." Mrs. Weasley sighed. "I sense a war coming, and I'm not sure I want to bring that boy into it."
"We'll all keep an eye out for him."
Mrs. Weasley smiled. "I don't doubt that."
After setting down the last of the silverware, Mrs. Weasley went to retrieve the food, after a giving a quick shout to alert the order members that dinner was ready.
Everyone found a seat at the long, thin table, and Hermione realized Harry was wedged between her and Ronald. For the sake of Harry, she would try not to argue with the Weasley. Just this once.
Soon the food was passed around. Roast beef, boiled potatoes, roast chicken, peas and carrots. Mrs. Weasley had really outdone herself.
"Would you like a butterbeer, Harry?" Hermione asked, holding a bottle out to him.
"Butterbeer?" Harry asked, and Hermione realized he'd probably never had one. Having had no contact with the wizarding world for almost seventeen years.
Hermione smiled. "Here, just try it." She said, handing him the bottle.
"So, Harry. Can you tell me, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?" Mr. Weasley questioned. "I've been asking Hermione muggle questions for years, and she's simply ignored me."
"Uh... what exactly is a muggle?" Harry asked.
"A muggle is what we call non magical folk." Remus explained.
"Okay then... Um... A rubber duck is merely for a child's enjoyment whilst in a bathtub?" Harry explained. Hermione laughed, and gave Harry a small smile. She knew how uncomfortable he must be. After all, she had felt the same way six years ago.
"That's simply fascinating. " Mr. Weasley said, before having a bite of roast beef. "Now can you tell me..."
"Honestly Arthur, that's enough about muggles. Surely we can talk about something else." Mrs. Weasley suggested.
Harry sighed in relief, mouthing a quick 'thank you,' to Mrs. Weasley. She replied with her own mouthed 'welcome.'
"How did you change your hair color?" Harry asked, looking at Tonks.
She smirked, changing her nose into a beak, then changing it back. "It's not just my hair, I can change pretty much any part of my appearance. I'm a metamorphmagus, it allows me to change my appearance at will."
"That's really neat," Harry commented.
She smiled. "Thanks."
"What is that smell?" Minerva interrupted, scrunching up her nose in disgust.
Soon everyone was able to smell it, and was plugging their noses. Ronald smirked. "Nice one!" He cried, high fiving Fred and George.
All plans of staying quiet for Harry's sake were chucked out of Hermione's head. "Nice? You three are so immature." Hermione shrieked. "Honestly, was a dungbomb really necessary?"
"Why of course..." Fred smirked.
"We had to find some way to welcome Harry." George finished.
"This is not a welcoming! This is a complete embarrassment!" Hermione shrieked.
"Says you 'mione. Everyone else is fine with it." Ron said, standing up.
Hermione followed in suit. "No, everyone is not alright with it! Why can't you all act your age?"
"I'll have you know we're as mature as it gets." Ron argued.
"Mature? Ronald, you don't know the meaning of mature!"
"Sure I do!"
"No you do not!"
"Yeah I do!"
"Enough!" Sirius yelled. "This is ridiculous. Would the two of you please sit down!" Hermione and Ron quickly sat back down, unaware they had stood up in the first place. "You've done a bloody good job of showing Harry your immaturity. Yes, I'm talking about you too, Hermione. We all know it wasn't necessary for Fred and George to set off a dungbomb, but honestly, do you have to start an argument with Ron every time something doesn't go according to plan?" He shook his head. "I suggest we get some rest. I think we all need it. Ron, you have an extra bed in your room. Correct?" Ron nodded. "Good, would you mind sharing with Harry, that would be appreciated. You'll have to show him to the room."
"Okay," He agreed.
"Hermione?"
"Yes Sirius?"
"No more spying tonight, all right?"
Hermione felt her cheeks redden with embarrassment. So Sirius had noticed after all...
"Spying? Well Hermione, I didn't think you were so into the bloke. Should we be expecting a happy announcement by the end of the week?"
"Shut up Ronald, or I'll hex you so bad you won't be able to get your fat arse off the floor!" Hermione shrieked.
"Enough, both of you. If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times. Stop the bickering." Sirius pleaded.
"Come on Harry, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping." Ron said, shooting a dirty look at Hermione.
The two of them got up from their seats, and Ron led Harry out of the kitchen. The members of the order all cringed when a loud shriek rang out. Followed by a shout of, "sorry!" from Ronald.
Sirius shook his head.
"Checkmate."
Hermione blinked. "Whaa- no!" She looked up at Neville, an expression of disbelief across her face. Neville chuckled as the pieces realigned themselves on the Wizard's Chess board.
"Looks like I've beat the great Hermione Granger." Neville gloated, a grin plastered to his smug face.
Hermione yawned, and rubbed her eyes. "No, I'm just tired."
"Or maybe I've just gotten better."
Hermione slapped her friend on the arm. "I don't think so." She glanced at her wristwatch. "It's after midnight."
"Then maybe you should be going back to your room." Neville pointed out.
"You know," Hermione said quickly. "It wouldn't hurt to play one more game…"
Neville gave her a knowing look. Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "I hate it when you give me that look."
"I'm only mirroring you."
She smacked him again. "One more game?" She asked, her eyes pleading.
"Alright." Neville gave in.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, follows and favorites!
Revised: 4/23/2014