Hermione heard a knock at her door. Stiff from sitting on the couch all day, she pulled herself up and walked to the door. After a brief glance through the peephole, she opened the door.
"You're not even dressed," the redheaded witch said. She looked up and down at Hermione, who was clad in Ron's Cannons shirt, sleeping shorts, and thick wooly socks. Her hair was messily put up in what very few people would consider a bun. Her mascara from yesterday was still smudged on her eyes.
Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes. Ginny had been writing letters all week reminding Hermione about today's dinner. It was Sunday dinner and the Burrow, something that Hermione and Ron loved to go to together before he had left seven months before. For the first few months, Hermione had dutifully shown up to the dinners. Molly attempted to cheer her up by practically shoving food into her mouth, but Hermione felt alone surrounded by the other couples. All of the Weasley children had significant others to boast about and seeing them together made Hermione feel isolated, and she missed Ron all the more. She had stopped going to the dinners, much to Molly and Ginny's chagrin.
But this week was special. George and Angelina had just had a baby boy. Molly had pulled out all the stops and expected every family member to be there. Yet, half an hour before she was supposed to be at the Burrow, Hermione was still lazing about in her flat.
When Ginny saw that Hermione was not planning on getting ready, she scoffed. "Hermione, you are a member of this family. Stop bloody sulking and get a grip on yourself," she snapped. She closed the door behind her and made her way into the bedroom. "I'm picking out an outfit for you. You're going to put it on and pretend to be happy for a few hours. Now, get in the shower and clean yourself up. Mum will be furious if we're late."
Hermione complied. As she showered, Ginny chose an oversized maroon sweater, a new-looking pair of jeans, and some boots for Hermione to wear. Once Hermione was out of the shower, she put them on, noting that the sweater was actually one of Ron's old Christmas sweaters.
"Oh now, really," Ginny said, noticing the bold 'R' that stood out on Hermione's chest. "That's just pitiful. Put this one on instead. Don't you wear anything that used to belong to my brother?" Ginny tossed her a lightweight green sweater with a moderate v-neck. Hermione put it on and proceeded to do her makeup. When she was finally ready, she went to the living room to see Ginny cooing at Pigwidgeon, Crookshanks swirling around her feet as though he'd like to climb up Ginny in order to get to Pig. Ginny looked up at Hermione with a smile.
"Do I look acceptable?" Hermione asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"Better than you did in that old Cannons tee," Ginny responded. "Remind me to burn it someday soon." Hermione looked scandalized. Before she could respond, Ginny was on her feet, grabbing Floo Powder from the vase next to the fireplace.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione followed suit and traveled together to the Burrow.
Hermione stepped out of the low fireplace and was immediately hit with the smell of Molly's home cooking. She heard voices from the kitchen and more voices wafted in from the front yard. Following Ginny, Hermione made her way into the kitchen to greet Molly.
"'Lo Mum," Ginny said, giving her mum a kiss on the cheek.
"Oh, Hermione!" Molly said. With a flick of her wrist, the spoon she had been using to mix ingredients in a bowl began to twirl itself. Molly turned to Hermione and gave her an overwhelming hug. Hermione returned it, albeit a bit more reservedly. "It's lovely to see you again, dear. We've missed you so! Arthur says you've been doing such a good job at the Ministry. You're the Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement now!"
Hermione gave her a shy smile. "Yes, well I've had a lot of time to do work lately and it really was time to move up," she responded. Since Ron left, she had done practically nothing but work, pine for Ron, and read the books that she had read many times before in the chances that Ron had left her another note.
"Well we are so proud of you, dear," Molly said, returning to her cooking. "Now, will you lot bring some of this food outside? I'll be out in a mo'!"
Hermione and Ginny picked up a few plates of food and brought it out to the table Molly had set up for large family occasions in the front yard, all the while listening to Ginny grumble about how her mum always greeted Harry and Hermione with much more vigor than any of her biological children. It seemed the whole family was already present. A few of the men zoomed overhead on brooms, playing a pick up game of Quidditch. Bill talked with Fleur, who bounced baby Dominique on her lap, while Teddy and Victoire played a game that Hermione didn't recognize next to them. Percy was talking to his wife, Audrey, who sported a small baby bump. She rubbed it unconsciously while nodding along to whatever Percy was saying. Charlie, George, and Harry were flying above the group, passing a Quaffle between the three of them. At the head of the table, Hermione noted Angelina cooing over a baby sitting in Arthur's lap.
Harry noticed Hermione and Ginny and swooped down to land in front of them as they placed the food down on the table. He embraced Ginny and gave her a sweet kiss before turning to Hermione.
He enveloped her in a hug. "Done brooding, are we?" he laughed. Hermione gave him an unamused look. "We've missed you Hermione."
"I missed you too, Harry," Hermione said. "And all of the Weasleys." They shared an unspoken look and both of them knew they missed one Weasley in particular.
"I haven't heard anything, before you ask," Harry said. "I assumed you would have heard before me, anyhow."
"No, nothing," Hermione said glumly. They stood in silence, watching the party develop before them.
Ginny broke the silence. "Why don't we liven up a bit?" she suggested. Suddenly, a bottle of Firewhiskey appeared on the table before them next to three glasses. She eagerly reached for a glass, followed by Harry, and finally Hermione. Ginny toasted and the three drank their glasses in one go. Hermione felt a warmth spread in her stomach and coughed. Ginny grinned at her.
"Can't hold your liquor, I see," she commented with a smile.
"Some things never changed," Harry chimed in, also smiling.
Molly came bustling out of the house at that moment. "Alright, dinner is ready!" she called. Everyone broke out of their conversations and found a seat at the table. Charlie and George swooped down and threw their broomsticks into the yard. George joined Angelina and his father, picking his son up and cradling him. Angelina joined him, kissing him on the side of his face, near to his missing ear. George grinned before sitting down with his small family next to Arthur.
Molly sat on Arthur's other side and sighed happily. "Oh, it's so wonderful to see the family here," she said. "Charlie even tore himself away from his dragons for this."
"Right good of you, mate," George said. "Someone had to pull you away from that nonsense. I'm just glad that it's my son." He beamed proudly when he said 'son.'
As soon as the plates were handed out, each family member began to devour their food. Hermione had been surviving, for the most part, on her own subpar cooking and take away for the past few months. It was a treat to finally be eating good food.
"How are the Harpies looking this season, Gin?" asked Bill, who was sitting across from the trio.
Ginny smiled. "We just got a new Chaser - Beatrice Young - and she looks promising," she said. The two of them began an in-depth conversation about Quidditch that Hermione elected to opt out of.
Fleur turned to Hermione. "Hermione! I was zo excited when Molly told us you would be joining us!" she said. "We have all truly missed you."
Hermione had not been fond of Fleur for most of the time she had known her, but over the past few years the French woman had grown on her. She had gotten some of her best makeup tips from Fleur, as well as new spells they only taught at Beauxbatons.
"Thanks. I've missed you guys too," Hermione said. "It's just hard to be here without Ron."
"I understand," Fleur said, patting Hermione's outstretched hand. "But we are your family, too. Now what is zis I hear about your new job at ze Ministry?" Hermione began to tell her about her work in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as they ate. Conversations flowed around them and Hermione realized she had missed spending time with these people more than she knew.
After everyone was finished with dinner, Molly sent Arthur and George into the kitchen to get the cake. They set it in front of Angelina and the baby and Arthur returned to his seat. George stayed standing.
"Tonight has been great," George said. "Really great. I wish Fred was here to see us all together celebrating my son, but I know he's proud wherever he is. As you guys know, us Weasley have a tradition of telling the whole family our new baby's name after their born. Angie, d'ya want to do the honors?"
Angelina stood up with the pudgy baby in her arms. The baby cooed sleepily before looking out, unfocused, at the Weasley family gathered in front of him.
With a look at George, Angelina addressed the family. "We've decided to name our son after someone very important to us," she said. "While we may have lost one Fred five years ago, just the other we found another one. Weasleys, please meet Fred Weasley, the second."
A chorus of 'aw's and gasps ran throughout the table. Molly blotted her eyes and even Hermione felt her heart strings pull. George looked at his family with a sad smile and Arthur stood up and enveloped him in a hug.
"Yes, well, it was a family name," George joked. When Arthur released him, he cried out, "Let's eat!"
The family passed the cake down the table, each taking a piece. Ginny, Harry, and Hermione toasted to George, Angeline, and Fred and took another shot of Firewhiskey. They noticed George and Angelina doing the same, clearly taking the celebration literally. For every one drink Angelina took, George took two, becoming louder and merrier by the drink. Angelina just rolled her eyes.
"I guess I'm taking care of two boys tonight," she said with a sigh. There was a twinkle in her eye, though, that suggested she did not quite mind seeing her husband celebrating.
Hermione felt herself losing her inhibitions too. It had been some time since she had gotten drunk, much less tipsy, but this was a party after all. She took another swig before Ginny forced her out of her chair.
"Come on, we're dancing!" the redhead said. She flicked her wand and music began playing from the house. She twirled Hermione around laughing. Hermione laughed with her and the rest of the family began to dance and sing too.
Charlie, Harry, and George began belting the lyrics while Angelina rocked the baby back and forth. Molly leaned her head on Arthur as they waltzed. Bill danced with Victoire and Fleur with Teddy. Percy stepped on Audrey's toes as they danced, but Audrey did not seem to mind much. Hermione and Ginny waltzed throughout the yard, laughing with each other as they each tried to outdo the other woman's dancing.
Two hours later, Hermione settled into bed still smiling. She fell asleep quickly after that.