11

Friends and Family

It was Sunday and Hermione currently found herself seated next Ron at the large dinner table of Grimmauld Place opposite Harry and his fiancé Ginny. Ginny, who admitted she hadn't inherited her mother's skills in the kitchen, had asked Kreacher for his assistance in preparing the meal. What this had resulted in was a lavish feast which Hermione was sure was probably more the work of the house Elf than Ginny. Hermione's highlight of the night by far had been when Kreacher actually referred to her as Miss Granger, a far cry from the days she was simply known as Mudblood.

Ginny was speaking now of how she hoped to break into the Holyhead Harpies first team by the end of the year, their empty desert plates flying lazily towards the kitchen sink.

Hermione had been worried that the current awkward arrangement between herself and Ron would spill over into the gathering. While this had been true to start with, there had been a lot of nervous pauses in conversation during the starters, things had quickly improved by the time the second bottle of wine had been finished off by the four friends and a third was on the way. The slightly intoxicated Ron seemed to let go off all the doubt and worry that had been plaguing him for the last week, affectionately caressing Hermione's hand under the table. Hermione was sure her own liberal drinking that night had led to her improved mood, finally being able to forget all about Vampires and just laugh with her friends. The wall between her and Ron had finally crumbled and, spurred on by the alcohol in her system, Hermione felt courageous enough to finally set things right tonight. Not wanting to spend another day on awkward terms with the love of her life.

The opportunity to set things right presented itself at around nine o'clock when Ginny insisted that Harry help her retrieve some more wine from the cellar. He dually obliged, leaving Hermione and Ron alone at the table.

He continued to rub her hand affectionately, flashing Hermione a lop-sided grin – his cheeks the brightest of reds from the wine. Hermione smiled back shyly, her own cheeks going a deeper shade of red.

'Hey' he stated simply.

'Hey' Hermione smiled back.

'Have I told you how much I love you recently?'

'You haven't actually.'

'Well, I love you – more than anything else' Ron said as he pulled Hermione out of her chair and into his lap. She placed her arms around him, snuggling in close and burying her head into his chest.

'More than the Chudley Canons?' she asked.

'Well, let's not go too far' Ron offered back playfully, laughing as Hermione aimed a soft punch at his right arm.

He began to stroke her hair, sending shivers down Hermione's spine.

'I've missed this' she half moaned, half sighed.

'Me too.'

Ron kissed the top of her head.

'I'm sorry I've been such an idiot lately' Hermione said softly.

'It's my fault' Ron replied immediately. 'I shouldn't have got so worked up. You're my girlfriend and I should be able to trust you, even if you can't tell me something.

'It's my fault too' Hermione said as she pulled away slightly so she could look him in the eyes. 'I've handled this terribly. I've just got so sucked in at the Ministry, I've completely lost sight of everything.'

'I know right now you can't tell me what's going on because of some stupid Ministry rule. But you know I'm always here for you right?'

Hermione felt her cheeks go a deeper shade of red, cursing the wine for turning her into a giddy schoolgirl.

'I know.'

She planted a soft kiss on his lips.

'But no more. I'm not going to let the Ministry take over my life' she said in between kisses. 'From now on I'm giving you all the attention you deserve.'

'I like the sound of that…'

Ron pulled Hermione into a deep kiss. They carried on until a nervous cough announced the return of Harry and Ginny. Hermione jumped from Ron's lap, embarrassed and flustered. Ron merely laughed as Harry sent a cheeky wink his way.

'We're out of wine' Ginny announced, a tinge of laughter to her voice. 'Harry's just going to pop to the shop to get some more.'

'I'll go!' Hermione offered, looking for any excuse to get away from her embarrassment.

'Sure, you're looking a little rosy cheeked' Harry said coyly. 'Bit of cold air might do you good.'

Hermione blushed as she grabbed her bag.

'I'll come with you' Ron said as he drunkenly stumbled to his feet.

'You'll stay exactly where you are' Hermione said, mock sternly. 'I wouldn't trust you to walk down the front steps. The shops only a few minutes away, I'll be fine.'

Moments later Hermione exited Grimmauld Place, appreciating the feel of the cold night air on her hot skin. She laughed to herself as she walked down the steps and began to make her way down the road, feeling happier and more energized than she had since the day Kingsley had called her into his office. Things were finally back to normal.

This feeling of happiness lasted approximately three minutes, until Hermione Granger realized she was being followed.