Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Hey guys. I know its been so long since I last updated but I just had no time to finish the chapter and I didn't want to write something that you wouldn't enjoy. So I hope the wait was worth it and that you like the chapter. Please let me know what you think of it. Hopefully I shall have the next few chapters completer and up soon. Enjoy!
Cheers :)
"Hey guys. I'd like to introduce you to my childhood best friend Max. Max these are my friends from Hogwarts that I told you about" said Hermione when she reached them. She then introduced everyone in the group to Max.
"It's so nice to meet you all. And to meet you again Ginny, Luna" said Max.
Seeing the boys not answer, Ginny elbowed Draco before replying, "You too Max. So what is this surprise we've been hearing about?"
Giving Ginny a wounded look, Draco asked "Surprise? What sort?"
"You'll all know it in good time. I just need to arrange some things before I say anything" said Max.
"Hello dears. How are you? I see you have met Max" said Mrs. Granger. She looked at Draco saying "You must be Draco I have heard a lot about you from Hermione and Ginny."
"Yes ma'am. I hope it was good stuff" said a polite Draco.
Mrs. Granger gave a short laugh before saying "Not so in the beginning. I think the words bastard and annoying prick were used in connection with you, among others. But may be the opinion has changed since then."
"Not everyone's that's for sure" said Bill as he joined the group.
"Well I hope that can change soon. I came to call you all for dinner. We're eating in the backyard so you can make your way there now" said Mrs. Granger as she moved to inform another group. Everyone made their way out.
"Really Bill, I thought you liked Draco or was that a lie?" asked Ginny as they made their way out.
"Umm….Not really" said Bill as he looked around for help from the others. Seeing the look on Ginny's face, he continued "I like Draco but as my little sister's boyfriend I have to dislike him as well."
"So what you mean is that if we weren't a couple you'd like Draco more. Typical men" she said at Bill's nod.
Meanwhile Harry had ended up walking with Max and to say things were awkward would be an understatement. Although, Max did not notice any awkwardness between them and peppered Harry with questions. Questions Harry did not know how to answer leading him to hope someone would rescue him. But no one did.
"So Harry, tell me how long have you liked Hermione for?" Hearing the question from Max almost had Harry chocking on his drink.
"Wha….What makes you think that I like Hermione?" Said Harry as Max laughed at the look on his face.
"Well apart from the obvious: you didn't answer my question. I could feel the jealousy off you every time Hermione and I were together tonight. So going to answer my question or not?"
Sighing Harry said, "I've liked since I've known her but I only realised my feelings for her. And I…"
"And you haven't told her about them! Why? I would suggest you getting off your ass and making a move quickly before it's too late. I imagine that Mr. Granger has already given you the if-you-hurt-my-girl talk so you're good to go on all accounts" saying that Max moved off to talk with a few other acquaintances present.
Thinking that was the strangest conversation he had, Harry shook it off. Deciding to think it over later when Bill caught his eye and signalled for help. By the time they arrived in the backyard, they had managed to get Ginny so peeved that she refused to talk to them but did promise retribution on Draco's behalf.
Outside, everyone mingled and enjoyed the food. Mrs. Weasley along with Mrs. Granger and a few other ladies talked about their families and anything and everything related to them. Some of them dropped not too subtle hints on marriage any time one of their child came to chat with them. The older men stood at the end of the food table talking and making jokes. The young adults stood in their group laugh at each other and the twins antics, all the while moving between the other groups. Although they avoided spending too much time with the older ladies.
All too soon it was time for Max to leave, saying he had to work in the morning. Before leaving he pulled Hermione, "Walk me to the door?" She nodded and excused herself.
"Ok what's wrong? You've been acting strange all night especially after you talked to Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Nothing's wrong. Okay well I didn't expect to like Harry especially since you like him (and he likes you, he silently added). But he's a nice bloke and well…" This was the part that Max hated. He didn't want to break Hermione's heart but she needed to know the truth. "Well if he doesn't make a move soon you should move on. I know you love him but haven't you pinned away enough for him and has he looked at you. Like really looked at you and not as a friend?"
Hermione levelled a look at him before replying, "I know you're just looking after me but I think things are changing. He might just have noticed me as something more than a friend."
"Good cause if not I would have gladly knocked it into his head with a hammer." They laughed and Max was glad to see his best friend so happy. They reached the front door and said their goodbyes. Hermione stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek as he opened the door and waved him out. Closing the door, she turned and saw Harry on the other side of the room.
"Sorry I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just came to refill the jugs with water" said Harry. He had felt jealous when he saw Hermione kiss Max. He was sure it was a feeling that he definitely did not like. Unaware that his thoughts had clearly shown on his face he turned to leave.
"Harry wait. Look there's nothing going on between Max and me. We're just best friends, I think it would be better to call us brother and sister. That's what our parents say" Harry looked at her, trying to figure out why she had said that. "I guess we should go join the others before they wonder what happened."
Hermione decided that Harry should know the relationship between her and Max to clear any misconceptions he had. Once outside Hermione joined Luna and Ginny at the drinks table to finalise their plans for the weekend.
"Ok I've booked our rooms and everything else is done. So all we have to do it show up at the hotel" said Ginny, "I can't wait."
"You can't wait for what? Not that you have a lot of patience" said Charlie as he joined the group.
"We'll just say that it's for us to know and you too…well not know" said Luna as Charlie avoided getting a smack from Ginny for his comment. The others joined the group and the interrupted conversation was soon forgotten. All too soon, in Harry's case, they were leaving. Hermione was going to come over on Friday; she wanted to spend a week with her family and Max. Harry couldn't help feeling it was going to be a very long week.
