DON'T PRETEND YOU LOVE ME
CHAPTER 12
THE DINNER
The table was already prepared when Ron came in with Neville. They were surprised by how beautiful the Burrow looked with all the decorations the girls made. The Christmas tree had a miniature angel hovering on top. The stockings by the fireplace looked crowded as all the Weasley's names were displayed along with Harry, Hermione's and the rest of the guest. The aroma of heavenly Molly cuisine seemed to attract everyone's noses to the kitchen where Mrs. Weasley was cooking.
"Are they cooking more food?" Neville asked Ron.
"Yeah, it's kind of an essential to have a back up plan. Because if you're growing up with a house with nine people in it if you didn't eat fast then you didn't eat at all." said Ron.
"There you are!" called Hermione she walked over to them with a fat book and couple of Christmas decors in her hands. "We've been working hard all day while you've been gallivanting outside."
Ron glared at her, "I tried to help with the tree but you literally kicked me out of the way."
"Well you either do it right or not do it at all." Hermione snapped at him.
The two glared at each other for a couple of seconds.
"Right, I'm going over to Luna and ask her not to burn that candy cane." said Neville before leaving abruptly.
"Anyway, where are Harry and Draco?" Hermione asked Ron.
Ron shrugged, "I don't know, bonding I guess." Ron told her before marching to the kitchen once again.
At that exact moment, Harry and Draco came inside all bloodied and bruised up. Their robes torn, stained with dirt and mud.
"What happened to both of you?" said Hermione.
"A drifter came by and tried to lure Harry aboard his broomstick with candy. Good thing I was there." Draco lied.
Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to Harry "Harry, what happened?" she asked.
"Same thing, only vice versa. And in my version, Draco actually takes the candy." Harry replied.
"First of all, I think Draco would definitely take the candy. Second, if you don't want to tell me, fine! I don't care." Hermione stormed off.
"Oh come on Granger, have a sense of humor. You're acting like a mad woman." called Draco.
Suddenly, a blur of thick brown object struck Draco on the face, sending him to his knees in pain. Hermione then came rushing towards them with a look of pure regret in her face.
"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I lost control, I promise not to do it again." she apologized.
At first, Harry thought she was talking to Draco, but he was wrong because she appeared to be talking to the book that she hurled on Draco. She picked it up gently and brushed the dirt on it before leaving. Ironically, he noticed the title of the book was 'WHAT HURTS THE MOST by Alan Rickman.
"By the way," Harry told Draco placing a hand on his shoulder, "She doesn't like being called crazy. I should've told you that earlier, sorry."
"Oh shut up, bloody tosser." said Draco.
"You both look awful." came Luna's voice.
"Angel!" called Draco.
He was just about to hug Luna when Harry grabbed his collar and pulled him back.
"Why are you two bleeding?" she asked.
"Err…" was the only thing Harry could say.
"I went outside and slaughtered a bear for you, my love." Draco told her. "Oh, and Potter helped a little."
"Uh, okay. If he was really mean then I guess he deserved it. By the way, thought I think the look is very devil-may-care, I think the rest will be uncomfortable with your appearances. I know a spell that can set you right. Here, let me do you, Harry." said Luna.
"The hell you are." said Draco shoving Harry aside upon the words 'let me do you, Harry' from Luna.
With her eyes still wide, Luna shrugged and waved her wand at Draco. In an instant, his cuts and bruises disappeared.
"Neat trick." said Harry as he got back to his feet. He saw Draco wiping his tears from joy.
Luna did the same spell again on Harry. A couple of seconds later, he looked decent again.
"The spell only creates the illusion of your wounds not being there. It will wear off in about six hours." she said before leaving.
"My girlfriend is amazing, isn't she?" Draco told Harry.
"She's not your girlfriend, Draco." said Harry.
"Like your opinion matters." said Draco dismissing Harry.
"Guess we better change our clothes." said Harry.
"Be gay in your own time, Potter." said Draco.
Harry just heaved a sigh.
A couple of minutes later, Harry returned to the Burrow living room with fresh new clothes. When he got there, he noticed that everyone was absent except for Hermione who was sitting pleasantly on a couch reading her book. She saw him and smiled.
"Where's the others?" he asked.
"I think they're Mrs. Weasley asked them to help out setting up the table." she replied.
Her rage from early on seemed to have been diminished
"Guess we better join them, I'm starving." said Harry but Hermione stopped him. "What's the matter?" he asked her.
"Your glasses are broken." said Hermione. She pointed her wand at his glasses and said "Reparo." his broken glass had now regained its brand new look.
"Thanks." said Harry.
"You never take care of them." she told kindly.
Harry laughed. "I'll try to remember that."
They didn't notice it, but the whole room seemed to have a change in atmosphere. A devious tension had snuck up on them. It was a strange feeling of warmth to Harry, a feeling that came deep inside of him. He knew Hermione's eyes were hazel brown… but he never knew how it felt being looked intensely by them. To be the object it gazed upon. He felt like drowning in her stare, but he suddenly pulled himself together and avoided them.
"What's wrong, Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Nothing." said Harry still trying to avoid her eyes. "I'm just hungry that's all."
"You've been acting weird since this morning, is anything bothering you?" she asked him worriedly.
"It's nothing really." said Harry. "Nothing but the fact that I'm in love you." said his mind. "Stop it!" said Harry in his mind.
He finally shook his mind right, but then found Hermione's beautiful face only inches to him. Then suddenly, it was if his body had a mind of its own. He slowly leaned towards Hermione. Just as their lips were about to touch, a DEAD MAN suddenly barged in.
"Oi! There you are, mum says dinner is ready. So get your butts in here." said Ron with a piece of bread on his mouth.
It was almost like being poured with freezing water. He and Hermione quickly separated with their faces completely red in embarrassment. Hermione marched quickly to the dining area past Ron who looked confused.
"What's wrong with her?" asked Harry clueless friend.
Deep within Harry's mind, he was picturing Ron's face as he strangled him.
"I love you, Ron. You're my best friend." said Harry.
Ron smiled proudly.
"-But don't think I don't have what it takes to rip your head off." he muttered as he passed Ron.
Ron took another bite off of his bread.
"What? I didn't hear you, mate."
Harry walked in the dining room to joining the others. He saw everyone was now seated and chatting with one another. Hermione and Ginny were in a conversation about something but he couldn't hear what about. Luna was observing the Weasley's clock from her seat, Neville was smelling the sweet aroma of the meal in front of him while Ron was shooing Draco from the food because he can't resist the sweet meal in front of him causing Draco to threaten Ron's life with his fork.
"I'm home!" came a man's voice.
"Oh Arthur, finally you're home" said Mrs. Weasley.
"Wow, it seems that we have a full party tonight." said Mr. Weasley spotting the party around the table.
"I better get you out of your clothes." said Mrs. Weasley helping her husband with his coat.
Ron grimaced, "Add that to the things I don't want my mother to say."
Mr. Weasley gave her a kiss on the cheek before apparating upstairs. Mrs. Weasley was about to close the door when someone held the door back.
"Hey Mum, I thought when people invite someone for dinner, they would usually let those people inside." came Fred Weasley's voice.
"Fred! George! I thought you couldn't make it!" said Mrs. Weasley.
Fred and George walked inside. "It's alright Mum. Whoa, what a crowd." said George.
"Hey Fred, hey George." greeted Harry, but they didn't answer him.
Instead, the twins' attention directed towards Neville who was sitting opposite Harry. They then shot him with the look of needles and daggers causing a sweat to trickle down Neville's forehead.
"Neville." George said darkly.
"Upstairs now you two, you'll have to change in to fresher clothes if you want to eat." said Mrs. Weasley.
Fred and George glared at Neville before apparating. "Well I think that's everyone." said Mrs. Weasley "Alright, all of you move away from the table for just a second. I'm going to make room for the new arrivals." said Mrs. Weasley.
All of them stood up and pulled their chairs while Mrs. Weasley pointed her wand at the table and said a spell to make the table wider, enough for more people to join in. after Mrs. Weasley was done, they all returned to their original places.
After a while, Mr. Weasley and the twins went down to the kitchen to join them. Fred and George who were usually noisy with company were too quite causing Neville more fright. Well, probably because they were busy glaring at him and muttering things that a person who's allergic to pain wouldn't want to hear.
A few minutes passed when someone had knocked at the door again, the person who knocked at the door didn't wait for someone to open the door for him. He opened the door and came in.
"Percy!" said a surprised Mrs. Weasley
"Hello Mother, Father, everyone." said Percy who seems to be carrying two large briefcases which has clothes coming out of them
"What brings you here, Percy? I thought you said you were going to spend the holiday with Penelope" said Mr. Weasley
"Well I told her that I would rather spend my Holiday with my beloved family." said Percy.
"So she kicked you out, hah?" said Fred.
"What did you have a fight or something?" asked George
Percy suddenly appeared to be on the verge of tears. Mrs. Weasley told him to go and change which he hurriedly did. Percy was about to go up the stairs when suddenly two people have suddenly apparated in front of him.
"Don't you two use doors?" snarled Percy
"Ooohh, aren't we touchy today," cooed the one of the two.
"Leave him alone Charlie, he had a fight with Penelope." Mrs. Weasley bellowed.
"What are you two doing here?" asked Ron.
"Well, I kind of got kicked out of my apartment." said Bill.
"What?" asked Ginny.
"Why?" asked Hermione.
"The land lord got upset with me." said Bill.
"Why would anybody be upset with you? Out of all my children you're the easiest to love." asked Mr. Weasley sounding worried.
"Thanks dad." said Charlie looking hurt.
"It's nothing Dad, it's just that his daughter wanted to marry me and I sort of said no. You can figure out the rest." said Bill removing his jacket.
"What about you Charlie? Mum told me you have that new Dragon to take care of." said Ginny.
Charlie laughed "Well I rather stay here than to deal with that thing, I've never seen a Dragon as sick as that before. tricky little bastard, tried to die on me five times already this week, but I showed him." said Charlie taking a seat at the dinner table.
"You mean you left it like that?" asked Hermione.
"Of course not, I'm not that evil," said Charlie.
Draco who was not paying any attention suddenly looked up at them "Oh sorry, did anyone call me?" asked Draco.
"Not every conversation is about you Malfoy. And in case you wanna know, the world doesn't revolve around you." said Harry.
"Hey! Are you calling my mother a liar?" said Draco.
"It's exhausting talking to you." sighed Harry.
"I left him with those trainees we have at the Guild, don't worry about it." said Charlie.
"Oh, you work with Dragon then?" Luna said, "In ancient times, dragons are fun loving creatures of the mountains who loved to sing and dance. Too bad their diet changed through the years."
Charlie stared at her for a few seconds. He then turned to Harry.
"Who's the weird kid?" Charlie asked.
"Ron, why don't you introduce us to your new guests." said Bill.
Ron helped out his older brother. "The guy with an attitude is Draco Malfoy. That girl that he was staring at is Luna Lovegood. This is (Ron blushed) Parvati Patil."
Parvati let out a weird laughter.
"I'm so glad to meet you. Your family looks great. Now I know where Ron got his good looks from." said Parvati.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, the twin and Ginny stared at her thinking that she was some kind of crazy woman.
"And this," said Ron loudly, "is Neville Longbottom." said Ron pointing at Neville.
Bill and Charlie glared at him.
"So, you're Neville huh, Ron told me everything about you." Charlie said darkly as he took out a letter from his pocket.
Harry could only guess but it might be a letter from Ron.
Neville reached out his hand. "Ah, nice to meet you..." (Charlie's glare grew more darker)
"Wow Mum! This turkey tastes great!" said Ginny-trying to avert the subject.
"Why thank you Dear, but I want to hear more about your boyfriend Neville here." said Mrs. Weasley.
All of Ginny's brothers gave her an insulting smile of triumph.
"Wow! Is it me or did it just got hot all of the sudden," said Neville nervously
"I'd say that it's you." said Percy grabbing a seat on around the table.
"So Neville, when did this whole thing with you and Ginny started?" asked Bill calmly.
"Ah, - err, the Yule Ball." said Neville shaking in his seat.
"Neville asked me to the Yule Ball and then you can put two and two together and there you have it." said Ginny quickly, trying to save Neville from the awful Weasley brothers.
"Ron told us that you quite a wiz in Herbology, Neville." said Charlie.
"Oh what a surprise Ron has told you all about that." Ginny said sarcastically as she glared at Ron.
"Are you good at anything else? Potions perhaps." said Percy.
Neville was trying hard thinking of something good to say, good thing Ginny was there to save him.
"Neville isn't good in Potions alright is that what you want to hear?" yelled Ginny.
Percy ignored his sister and looked at the sweaty nervous Longbottom in front of him. "So, that would mean that you're a failure then." said Percy.
"Well, well, well, I never thought this family could be interesting." said Draco quietly so that only Harry could hear.
"Shh," said Harry.
"What job are you planning to take when you graduate at Hogwarts?" asked Mr. Weasley.
"Yeah good question, Dad" said Bill.
Ginny didn't complain this time; she had never asked him that question before.
"Well, I was planning on going to Auror academy since my parents were former Aurors." said Neville wiping sweat from his face.
"Ah yes, they were the best Aurors Mad Eye trained. Such a pity they wanted to retire their selves from service." said Mr. Weasley.
"Harry here is going to be an Auror too." said Mrs. Weasley, Harry blushed.
"Want to become an Auror ha? Tell us, are you any good?" said Charlie.
Ginny finally stood up "This is ridiculous! You're a big jerk Charlie. Stop laughing Percy, because you're a jerk too!" yelled Ginny
"Yep, really interesting." said Draco.
"I can't believe you guys! This whole interrogation makes me sick! And you Bill, you're encouraging them (Bill ignored her) and you two are awful!" she shouted at Fred and George.
"Hey, we didn't do anything," said Fred.
"Well, not yet anyway," said George grinning at Neville
"Ginny, what was that suppose to mean?" Neville asked quickly
"It means were done eating." said Ginny irritably, she grabbed Neville's hand and dragged him upstairs.
"That door better stay open, missy." Percy yelled at her.
"That was more entertaining than watching your security torture a poor trespasser at dinner." said Draco lively.
A few minutes later, everyone was done with their plates. The girls decided to go upstairs and chat, In Draco's dismay they invited Luna but they didn't invite him. Mr. Weasley returned the table to its original size.
(Yawn) "I'm tired, I'm going to go to sleep," said George.
"Yeah me too," said Fred.
"God knows how much hell you're going to think of to putting Ginny's boyfriend through tomorrow." said Bill, the twins just smiled at him and disapparated upstairs.
"Well boys, it's been a long time since we have a time like this." said Mr. Weasley with a bottle of wine in his hands
"For heaven's sake dad, not the talk." said Bill.
Harry leaned towards Ron and whispered "The talk?" he asked.
Ron whispered back "It's when Dad gets all the boys down here and plays counselor. Bill hates it, I wouldn't blame him though. He was the eldest so he suffered the tradition the longest.
"Oh," said Harry.
"Daaaaad," whined Charlie.
"C'mon boys, sit down and have a glass with me." said Mr. Weasley.
"Forget it, I'm leaving," said Bill as he stood up from his chair.
"Sit down Bill," said Mr. Weasley seriously.
Bill was forced to sit down out of his own will "Here goes another night of drinking, and I have to go to work tomorrow with a hang over." muttered Bill.
Before Mr. Weasley could speak, they heard Draco's voice.
"Weasley, what kind of bathroom do you have? It wouldn't let me out unless I piss on the freaking toilet," complained Draco.
"That's how Mum got us all Potty trained. She couldn't take the spell off though, so she gave up and left it like that." said Ron
"Really?" said Draco "My father used to shoot spells on me unless I went on the-I'm not going to continue this conversation. Talking about toilets are just really wrong."
Harry, Ron and Draco chuckled.
"There's an extra bathroom down left, just in case you have the urge again." said Bill who was listening.
"Okay now, let's get started, let's start with you Percy." said Mr. Weasley.
"Give him your best shot, Daddy's pet." whispered Charlie
"Oh shut up!" snapped Percy. "Dad I really think I can solve my problem with Penelope." said Percy quickly.
"Father, he's trying to talk back. Punish him!" said Charlie trying to imitate Percy talk.
"I told you to shut it, Dragon's dung!" said Percy.
"Oooohhhh, he called you a Dragon's dung. C'mon, you're not going to take that from him, are you?" said Draco trying to start a fight.
"I certainly won't!" said Charlie. "Perce, are you sure Penelope didn't kick you out because you were too boring? Or is it because you were a know-it-all and she got sick of it?" said Charlie. Everyone laughed except Percy who glared at his brother.
"Just because you spoon with dragons means you can make fun of my dilemma. At least I have a love life." said Percy.
"A sorry excuse for one." Ron whispered to Harry.
"At least my dragons show me respect. Doesn't belittle me. Doesn't tell everyone how ashamed they were to be with me. Doesn't humiliate me in public. Doesn't use my dignity to wipe any shred of manhood I have left." said Charlie.
"If Dragons love you so much then what does that time you went home with a burnt arm meant? That it has an issue with his mother and it decided to lash it at you by breathing fire at your arm." said Percy.
"At least everytime my dragons feels something they lash it out, not like your old girlfriend who's too overcame with self loathing." said Charlie.
"Oh, speaking of beating, now I understand why you're like this. Those times that you get hit by Bludgers while playing Quidditch must have whacked you're brain so hard you can't think like a normal person." said Percy
"Everybody here's normal Perce, except you." said Charlie.
Percy saw Bill laughed at what Charlie had said, so he decided to lash out on him as well.
"Laugh it all out Bill, you think you're so perfect and all." said Percy.
"Hey, don't you two include me in to this, I'm not in the mood for kicking your asses." said Bill lazily taking a sip on his glass of wine.
"Kick our Asses? Cheers for Bill the amazing, so amazing in fact that he came home one time smelling like he just went from the world's Skunks and corpses convention." said Charlie.
"How was I supposed to know that tomb has a trigger curse? It wasn't my fault because it's my first day on the job!" said Bill.
"Oh," said an embarrassed Charlie.
Bill took his wand from his left pocket and pointed it on the two "CISSIO!" said Bill. In an instant, Charlie and Percy became slugs.
"Bill, turn your brothers back" said Mr. Weasley as he concentrated opening another bottle of wine.
"FINITE INCANTATUM!" said Bill, the two turned back to normal, looking pale. "So, you guys want to settle for round two?" said Bill smiling at them.
Charlie and Percy exchanged looks then shook their head at Bill looking frightened.
"I'm starting to love this family." said Draco.
"So none of you has anything to ask me? None at all?" asked Mr. Weasley
"No Dad," said Bill, Charlie and Percy in unison.
"I've got one." said Ron.
"I have to go, I still have those papers to work on tomorrow." said Percy standing up.
"I have to go and read some stuff." said Charlie (A/N Yeah right Charlie, who are you kidding)
"(Yawn) me, I just want to go to bed." said Bill.
"What is it Ron?" asked Mr. Weasley.
"I was wondering if I could have some advice." said Ron.
"On what Ron?" asked Mr. Weasley.
"You see, there's this girl" started Ron.
All of the sudden, the three returned back to their seats.
"Those interns can take care of those paper work." said Percy.
"There's nothing interesting to read today anyway." said Charlie.
"I'm not that sleepy," said Bill.
"Well there's this girl that I like very much but she's in a different House. But then she has a twin who's in my own House who I think has a thing for me, and now I just found out that I'm starting to have feelings for this girl. And now I don't know what to do." said Ron.
"Go Ron" cheered Charlie.
"Don't make me turn you back into a slug" said Bill.
"Sorry, got carried away." said Charlie.
"Well Ron, I can't blame you for being in that situation. You got from your old man. I'm not bragging but I was quite the ladies man back then." said Mr. Weasley.
"Ewww!" said Bill, Charlie, Percy and Ron in unison.
"My father said that you were a poor man that women loved to hate." said Draco.
"Well your father was a liar and a murderer. Look where he is now," said Mr. Weasley, and then he realized he said that out loud, he looked at Draco nervously.
"I guess you're right, serves the bastard right." said Draco who helped himself with some wine.
Mr. Weasley gave a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness" he muttered.
"So Dad, how did you fish Mum from the sea of women you were talking about?" asked Charlie.
"Charlie! Were talking about Mum here!" yelled Percy, Charlie just ignored him.
"Well I met your Mom our first day in Hogwarts. To make the long story short and to leave those extra details behind, she and I became friends, the best of friends if I might say." said Mr. Weasley.
Harry saw all of them listening to Mr. Weasley's story. He even saw Draco with his eyes closed but he was listening intently. He listened to Mr. Weasley's story and suddenly it came to him, what if he and Hermione end up the same way? What if Hermione felt the same way about him?
"-Then I started to have feelings for your Mom, it really gave me quite a headache that year. Then one day I decided to tell her what I felt about her then I was surprised when she feels exactly the same to me; that she loved me too. Made me the happiest man alive, that day. After we graduated, I proposed to her and she said yes." said Mr. Weasley.
"You must have been really close back when you were friends." said Harry
"Why yes Harry, in fact she used to tell off Lucius Malfoy from bullying me." said Mr. Weasley.
"Yeah, he likes bullying people doesn't he." said Draco shaking his head.
"Got any pick up lines Dad?' asked Ron.
"I do have a couple-What's a fine Witch like you doing in a place like this- Is it me or did the room just got hot when you entered." said Mr. Weasley.
Charlie, Percy and Ron quickly took out booklets and wrote them down through Bill's annoyance.
"Mum told me once that you use to write her poems." said Ron.
"Could you give us one?" asked Charlie.
Mr. Weasley cleared his throat "It goes something a little like this-
What is this I'm feeling whenever you're nearby?
My heart beats faster and I don't know why,
Is this a fact or the truth every time I get near you?
Then I suddenly realized that I'm falling in love with you,"
"This is great, give us one more, Dad" said Charlie who was writing rapidly on his booklet.
"Every time I see your reflection, my heart falls in a deep affection" said Mr. Weasley.
Charlie stopped writing and showed his booklet to Bill.
"Affection, double F." said Bill, Charlie quickly wrote it down.
"Oh my, look at the time boys! It's late, we all probably should go back to sleep." said Mr. Weasley, all of them went upstairs, leaving Harry and Bill behind.
"What are you still doing here Harry?" asked Bill.
"I dropped my locket while I was listening to your Dad, Bill," Harry replied "Ah there it is, thank goodness, Hermione gave this to me you know." said Harry
Bill narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Harry then suddenly they heard someone was knocking outside the door. They went ahead to see who it was.
"Who could this be so late in the evening?" said Bill.
He opened the door and saw a girl smiling at him.
"Wotcher Harry." greeted Tonks.
"Tonks?" said Harry
"What are you doing here?" said Bill sounding a bit irritated.
"I just came to tell you that I wouldn't be able to go to next weeks meeting," said Tonks.
"Bill you're a Curse Breaker at Gringgots, and Tonks is an Auror. How could you two be working with each other?" asked Harry.
"You see there was a break in at Gringgots last week and they assigned Tonks with someone who works at the bank to talk about solving the crime." said Bill.
"Oh." Was all that Harry could say.
"Believe me, Harry. It's no picnic working with her. She kept on stumbling at the bank's displays." said Bill.
"Ha Ha Bill." said Tonks sarcastically.
"Okay, so I'll see you at Thursday then?" said Bill.
"Okay, I'll meet you then." said Tonks before Disapparating.
After that, Bill and Harry went to bed. While Harry closed his eyes, he thought about everything that happened today-made up with Malfoy-had the talk with the Weasleys-and a possible attraction between Bill and Tonks- whoa where did that came from? Then, with out knowing it, Harry had fallen asleep.
Proudtobetheatherkid- really sorry about the typos, I try to fix them but some got by me in my spell checks. If you you're wondering how Draco got invited you'll have to read the Chapter Back to the Burrow again, it's in there. As for Draco, it seems like it's way past crush.
-thanks man.
Hedwig466-if you love what I did in the last chapter, this chapter you'll really love because the whole Weasley clan is present.
Namtero- thanks!
Wolfgirl666- no, I think you're awesome!