Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
A/N: Thanks to ObsessedRHShipper, who is beta-ing this story.
Chapter Eight
Lake House
"So, what do you want to do next?" Ron asked and then smirked at her, "or maybe the question is where do you want to do it next?"
She rolled her eyes at him, but had to admit he had a valid point. After they had fucked on Ron's table, she had gone to use his restroom; when she was about to exit, she met up with him and they ended up fucking in his shower. When they got out, she realized that he had cleaned his living room so they could spend some time there and before long he was eating her out on the couch before fucking her on it. At least it started on the couch, but when she tried to roll him over so she could be on top; they had landed on the floor where she continued where she left off until he was screaming her name.
That was where they were now, laying naked on his floor, both breathing heavily. He was stroking her hair as she played with his chest hairs. "I don't know … what do you want to do?"
"Well, seeing as all I had to eat today was breakfast and you," he started and felt her roll her eyes at that. "I was thinking that we could go out for dinner, if that's alright with you."
"That sounds nice. I just have to go to my place to get some clothes," Hermione said.
"I supposed it was too much to hope for you to wear my jersey to a restaurant," Ron chuckled.
"So, where were you thinking about going?" Hermione asked.
"Well, there are a few places in Diagon Alley that I would like to go to … or … well, Harry did say we could meet him at his house. He was talking about this restaurant by the river over there that was supposed to be really nice."
"Oh," Hermione said, trying to weigh her options. Both of them suddenly sounded like something you would be doing on a date. She looked at Ron. He seemed to be looking at her hopefully and she knew which one he wanted to do. "You really want to go to Harry's, don't you?"
"Well," he said rubbing the back of his head at being caught. "It would be nice for me to be able to get the full experience of the place instead of just having to tag along with my best friend and his girlfriend. Besides, I think Harry really liked you. He doesn't often invite people to any of his houses."
"I'm sure that he just invited me because I'm with you," Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I don't think so," Ron shook his head. "Harry's private. Seeing as how famous he is, he can't stand people around him that just see him as the Boy Who Lived. You don't do that."
"There's more to him than that," Hermione shrugged. "Fine, owl Harry and ask if we can join them for dinner. I'll get ready. Should I bring extra clothes or are we coming back here?"
"I wouldn't mind staying there if you're up for it," Ron smiled.
"Okay, I'll pack accordingly. I should be back in about an hour," Hermione smiled at him, kissing him one more time before putting on her torn clothes and using the Floo to go to her house. She came back right on time, wearing a pretty, red dress that made Ron's mouth drop.
"Is this okay? I wasn't sure where we were going to dinner?" she asked and he nodded his head.
"Yeah, it's okay," Ron said moving closer to her. "Though it kind of makes me wish that we weren't leaving right now."
"If you think this looks good, you should see what I've packed," Hermione teased, "but I would assume we have to get going soon right?"
"Yes, we need to get to Harry's pretty soon. We have reservations in half an hour," Ron sighed.
"How are we going to get there?" Hermione asked.
"We're going to Floo. Harry opened the connection for us," Ron said leading her back to the fireplace and seconds later they were standing in a charming-looking living room. Harry and a beautiful red-haired girl were there to greet them.
"Hello," Harry said, smiling at both of them, "I'm glad you've decided to join us. I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Ginny."
"It's nice to meet you," Hermione smiled at her before she turned to Ron. "Are you two related?"
"Yeah, Gin's my little sister," Ron chuckled. "I'm surprised you didn't hear me and Harry talk about this before you came out for breakfast."
"I don't spend my time eavesdropping on people," Hermione rolled her eyes.
"That's not something any of the rest of us could say," Ginny chuckled. "I think Harry had a special knack of hearing all sort of things that he wasn't supposed to."
"We probably should be going or we're going to be late," Harry said before Ginny could say anymore. They all left and walked to the restaurant. It was about a fifteen-minute walk along the lake; with the sun starting to set, it really was a lovely time. Ron held her hand as they walked behind Harry and Ginny, who seemed to being enjoying themselves very much. She had to admit that she did feel a little self-conscious being here with not only Ron's best friend but also his little sister. It probably was a mistake coming here; he could be getting the impression that things were getting more serious than she wanted.
"What are you thinking about?" Ron asked softly, wearing an expression that showed he knew she was worried about something.
"I'll tell you about it later," Hermione smiled at him, "Let's enjoy dinner."
"Hmm … you know that's not really going to help me enjoy dinner, right?" Ron frowned.
"It's nothing Ron, I swear," Hermione tried to persuade him, but he stopped and let the others move on.
"Tell me what you're thinking," Ron insisted.
Hermione sighed but knew that Ron wasn't going to let her go until she told him. "I'm just worried. This seems like a lot more than just calling you up casually. Now I'm meeting your family and …"
"You're not meeting my family," Ron said. "You're meeting my best mate's girlfriend, who just happens to be my little sister; none of this would have happened if Harry didn't come to my flat so early."
"So, you're telling me that you don't have feelings for me," Hermione said biting her lip.
"Of course I have feelings for you," Ron rolled his eyes and Hermione bowed her head, but he lifted her chin up so that she would look into his eyes. "I don't think we would have left that pub the first time if I didn't have feelings for you. And I won't lie, I get happy whenever I see you, but I know this isn't serious," he kissed her then so she wouldn't see how sad he was by that fact. She was already too suspicious about his growing feelings for her as it was.
"Okay," Hermione said smiling as they pulled apart. She felt slightly uncomfortable about his reassurance for a reason she couldn't really understand, but let him lead her toward the restaurant.
"Where were you?" Harry asked, with a smirk.
"I just needed a few minutes," Ron glared at him. "Is our table ready?"
As he asked the question, a waiter came to seat them at a table looking onto the water, where the sun was still setting. Ron wrapped his arm around her and she leaned into his chest as she noticed Harry and Ginny doing the same. They ordered some wine and appetizers at first, and while they waited, they just enjoyed the scenery. Even after the sun had sunk into the water, the water looked beautiful as the lights of the small town reflected into it. They eventually did order something for dinner and started up a conversation.
"So, Hermione, I was just wondering how old are you?" Ginny asked in the middle of their dinner.
"That's an interesting question," Hermione said, caught a little off-guard. "I'm twenty-three."
"Not to mention rude," Ron added glaring at his sister.
"I had a reason for asking," Ginny said to Ron before turning back to Hermione. "So, you're the same age as Ron and Harry. I was just wondering why we never saw you at Hogwarts."
"Oh, that," Hermione said. "I actually went to Beauxbatons."
"Why?" Ginny asked making a face.
"Don't be a snob, Gin," Ron practically growled at her.
"Come on, Ron, you know you feel the same way," Ginny rolled her eyes. "I'm just wondering why Hermione would want to go to Beauxbatons. I mean you're obviously English. Why wouldn't you go to Hogwarts?"
"I'm a Muggle-born," Hermione answered, trying not to look at Harry. "When my parents heard about what had been happening the decade before … well they didn't feel comfortable with me going to Hogwarts. They were talking about not letting me go to any wizarding school at all, but when I asked one of the professors at Hogwarts for advice, she suggested that I go to Beauxbatons."
"Well, that was probably a good decision on your parents' part," Harry said, his eyes had grown quite sad as he tried not to think about the past. Ginny was rubbing his arm, looking guilty about asking a question that would bring up this topic. Hermione could also feel Ron's arms tighten around her and when she looked into his eyes, she could see that he was glad that she hadn't been there.
"I know. Though at the time, I thought they were overreacting," Hermione said trying to sound casual. She tried to change the subject but didn't know how. She realized that Harry wasn't the only one that was looking down; the two Weasleys' expressions had grown grave as well. She couldn't think of anything to say or any new subject to move on to. So, she decided to do just the opposite; she pressed on in this manner. "I know you probably don't want to hear this. I know that Ron clams up even when I get close to this subject, but seeing as it's probably already too late …"
"Hermione," Ron said in warning, but she didn't pay attention.
"I just wanted to thank you, Harry," she went on. "I probably would have had to stay in France if it wasn't for what had happened."
"Don't mention it," Harry said in a way that made it clear that he didn't want this subject to go further.
"I won't ever again, but I figured I had to say it once," Hermione sighed, looking away from the others. No one said anything for a while after. Eventually, Ron changed the subject, talking to Ginny about what she thought was going to happen next season for the Harpies, the Quidditch team for which Ginny played. She wasn't surprised when Harry didn't say anything for the rest of dinner and the walk home was rather quiet.
