A/N: I'd like to apologize because this chapter is shorter than previous ones!
True to her word, Ginny Weasley-Potter spoke to the rest of the Weasley clan. The majority of the brood was glad they could freely accept Hermione back, after being told to cut her off.
Fred and George, for example, couldn't wait to see their friend again, to hear her dismiss their latest creation as 'dangerous' or 'childish'.
It was arranged the Weasleys would meet Hermione once again, now with welcoming open arms, at the Burrow; Hermione had insisted Draco had to accompany her because he needed to become familiar with the Weasleys now they were back in Hermione's life and most likely to pop into the Manor spontaneously. He half-heartedly agreed to her logic; at least she indicated she'd be sticking around a little longer.
Tightening Draco's black silk tie, Hermione smiled; if the Weasleys wouldn't accept Draco they wouldn't accept her back either. If she had to choose between her 'friends' and Draco; Draco would win hands down. After the great betrayal of the Weasleys and Harry, Draco picked her up again and made her feel like a person again; like someone would mind if she ended her life, which she had contemplated.
"What if they attack me at sight, Hermione?" Draco whined, it was quite the possibility considering their track record against Draco.
"If they do, I'll save your arse of course; then never speak to them again." Hermione countered, a sly smirk on her face. It unnerved and relaxed Draco all at once; it unnerved him because it looked so natural on her face, like it was like any other smile, and it relaxed him because he understood she cared enough to risk all this for him but that kind of made him feel guilty in case he did screw up. Which tended to be the norm. He, of course would have liked Hermione all to himself, being the spoilt child he once was; but he wouldn't be able to make her completely happy, without closure with her friends, and Draco was willing to share, just this once, for the hope of something more with Hermione.
"O-okay," he smiled faintly, he was certain he'd screw up in some way, shape or form.
"Let's go, Draco!" Hermione beamed, pulling him to the fireplace. Grabbing a handful of emerald powder, Hermione pulled Draco into the fireplace next to her; there was no way he was escaping her! Throwing down the powder and a shout of 'The Burrow', they hurtled into the Weasley's living room; it was surprisingly full of the clan plus Harry, like they were waiting for her on tenterhooks. Seeing Draco though brought a scowls around the room, albeit Arthur.
Draco panicked and tried to pace backwards into the fireplace, but Hermione grabbed his hand fiercely and pulled him to stand next to her. Awkwardness filled the air, Hermione scanned the room; everyone was there except Ron, that was expected though. She knew she'd never have him back after that, although it saddened her at least the others were willing to accept her back!
"Um, h-hi everyone!" Hermione half-whispered, not expecting much of a responce. Her grasp on Draco's hand tightened as Arthur rose from his seat. Draco gave her a reassuring squeeze.
"Welcome back, Hermione," Arthur murmured, resulting in Hermione breaking out in a beaming smile, and Draco relaxing slightly, "and welcome to our home, Draco." This caused Draco to smile in return; at least the Weasley patriarch didn't seem to want his guts!
The twins grinned from ear to ear, and bounded in the duo's direction knocking Hermione down in a huge bear hug. As the clambered off her, after many breathless and giggly demands and requests, Draco squatted down and helped Hermione haul herself back up onto her feet.
"Are you okay, Hermione? Did they hurt you?" Draco whispered worriedly; he was still extremely over-protective of Hermione.
"I'm fine, don't worry so much Draco; I'm not a china doll anymore, you helped fix that! You'll make yourself ill with all the worrying and stressing you do!" Hermione snapped playfully, a small grin forming on her pretty face. Draco sighed, a smile playing on his lips at her outburst and her worry over his health. It's only because you're like her best friend, don't get your hopes up! , his conscience was right; he shouldn't get his hopes up, she doesn't love him like that.
"Well; supper is ready." proclaimed, breaking the awkward silence for her family after watching Hermione's and Draco's antics. The Weasleys dispersed toward the kitchen, leaving Draco and Hermione still stood in the middle of the room.
"Should we get going?" Draco asked timidly, he didn't want to go in there but he was taking it like a man; and basically ripping the bandaid off fast instead of prolonging the pain. Hermione cocked an eyebrow in a questioning manner before grabbing his hand and pulling him through to the dining table.
A sea of red-heads swivelled to greet Hermione and Draco to the table, Harry scowled noticing Hermione's grip on Draco's hand. Draco expected her to drop it like it was scaulding to the touch, but on the contrary her grip tightened. Now all eyes were on their entwined hands, some faces held scowls such as Harry and Ginny and ; whilst others held knowing looks like the twins and Bill and , the rest just didn't know where to put themselves in such an awkward situation.
Hermione guided Draco to the two remaining seats opposite the twins, this was a relief to Draco because they seemed rather neutral towards him. Food was passed around the table and everybody took far too much to actually consume, it was quite a shock to Draco at how much food was actually prepared.
"So," started Fred.
"how long?" George finished with an identical smirk to his identical brother.
"Wh-what d'you mean?" Hermione rebounded, confused; that was such an open question!
"How long?" the pair repeated waggling fingers between her and Draco. Draco nearly choked on a piece of meat and had to down nearly a pint of pumpkin juice to stop.
"We aren't!" the accused pair exclaimed, blushes creeping on both of their cheeks.
The twins turned and looked at each other, exchanging glances before returning to face the pair, as if to say we know something you don't know! It was rather unnerving to say the least, Draco thought.
After supper , Harry and Ginny left with blunt goodbyes, whilst , the twins, Bill and Charlie all bid warm farewells with hugs and handshakes. Hermione, for the second time that day dragged Draco into the fireplace and with a final wave goodbye flooed them home to the Manor.
Wiping down their clothes, Hermione turned to Draco and asked with a grin,
"Was that so bad?"