The characters of the Harry Potter universe belong to Ms. Rowlings. I'm borrowing them for my own imagination.
Chapter 29 - Party Time
"I wish Luna could have made the party." Hermione said as she sat within Harry and George's flat with Ron, Harry, Ginny, Neville and his date Hannah Abbott. Everyone had been surprised when Neville had walked in with Hannah. He explained that he and Luna had run into Hannah at The Leaky Cauldron on her last visit and Luna had played matchmaker. Hannah was working there as assistant manager.
"Yes, but she has been working so hard on the research of the animals in Africa." Neville said.
"Anyway, George claims he is bringing a date this year, so you would just be spending your time consoling Luna, instead of on snogging with me." Ron said earning a smack on the arm from his wife.
"Won-Won, so lovely to see you here." They all heard, Hermione feeling Ron shiver beside her.
"Lavender, I didn't know you would be here." Hannah said as she greeted her co-worker.
"Yes, Georgie here invited me as his date." Lavender gushed hanging onto George's arm.
"I'm gonna strangle him." Ron muttered quietly to Hermione.
"Not if I get my hands on him first." Hermione whispered back.
"Ginny, what a lovely locket you have on." Lavender gushed.
"Thank you. Harry gave it to me." Ginny responded with a tight smile.
"You this is a party, people should be dancing. Come on, Sis." Ron said as he grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her out onto the makeshift dance floor in the living room.
"That sounds like a good idea. You up for it, Harry?" Hermione asked not giving him a chance to responded as she pulled him out on the dance floor as well.
"Yeah, sure. I would love to dance." Harry stated sarcastically.
"I was not letting Ron abandon with Lavender Brown." Hermione stated.
"I am glad I could be of service." Harry stated, "But no complaining about my dancing."
"If you let me lead, we will be fine." Hermione stated.
"Lead away." Harry assured her. "So does Ginny hate the locket?"
"No." Hermione said. "It really is beautiful."
"She just doesn't seem to be to happy with it." Harry stated.
"You know that she was hoping for something else when she heard that you had been to a jewelry store." Hermione stated.
"But she also said that she agreed with me that we should wait until I am done with training." Harry stated confused as to the working of women.
"Doesn't mean she wasn't silently hoping that you would surprise her." Hermione said.
"I have one ordered. I was planning on waiting until initiation ceremony in June." Harry said.
"You have." Hermione said surprised.
"Yeah, Ron went with me. I was also wanted to talk to Mr. Weasley first. I have that planned for June as well. Don't want Mrs. Weasley giving it away." Harry told her.
"Well, your secret is safe with me." Hermione promised.
"I know." Harry said as he accepted Hermione's hug before they began to dance again.
"Ginny, what is wrong?" Ron asked as they danced.
"Nothing." Ginny asked.
"I know that is not true. Is there something wrong with you and Harry? Did you not like the locket he got you?" Ron asked.
"Of course I like it. It is beautiful." Ginny replied defiantly.
"But you were hoping for a different piece of jewelry." Ron prompted.
"When George said Harry brought home a sack from a jewelry store, I was kind if hoping that Harry was going to surprise me." Ginny confided.
"But, I thought you agreed with him about waiting until he is done with training?" Ron said.
"I did. I mean I do. I was just. I don't know. I kind of let my hopes get up." Ginny said.
"I will never understand women." Ron said and Ginny just grinned.
"Good thing you have Hermione." Ginny said.
"Yes, I am one lucky wizard." Ron agreed. "And Harry is lucky to have you as well and he knows it."
"Thank you." Ginny said as she hugged her brother as the song ended.
"You're welcome." He said as they made their way back to where Harry was sitting with Oliver, Alicia, Lee, Angelina and Katie. Hermione, Charlie, Hannah, Neville, Lavender, George, Percy and Penny were all on the dance floor.
Ginny went and sat on Harry's lap, while Ron took a seat next to his sister-in-law. Harry gave Ron a grateful look, and Ron just shrugged. Ron saw Hermione switch partners from Charlie to George, and as he was watching his wife, didn't notice Charlie and Lavender making their way back toward them.
"Won-Won, isn't this such a great party. You have such a wonderful family." Lavender said as she squeezed on the couch between Ron and Katie.
"Thanks, Lavender. I'm glad you are having a good time." Ron said and then jumped up when Lavender placed a hand on his knee. "Come, Katie. I want to dance with my favorite sister-in-law." Hearing Lavender huff as he pulled Katie on the dance floor.
"Am I really your favorite or were just trying to escape for Lav-Lav?" Katie asked as they started to dance.
"Both." Ron said, "I love all three of you, but you are so much easier to talk to."
"It's because I love Quidditch almost as much as you do. Penny loves it as well, but as a spectator, you and I are more the athletes." Katie commented, then giggled as Ron spun her expertly.
"He's good, isn't he?" Hermione commented, as she and George danced past them. "God bless, Professor Mogonagall."
Katie laughed remembering the dance class well.
"Hey everyone, it is almost midnight. Grab your sweetheart and prepare to pucker up." George called and Ron kissed Katie's cheek before she went to rejoin Charlie. As Ron headed toward where Hermione stood with George, he felt Lavender clamp a hold on his arm. He shot Hermione a help me looked and saw her put on a forced smile as she made her way over to Ron, pulling George with her.
"Lavender, mind letting go of my husband." Hermione gritted out.
"Oh, sorry. We were just having such a good time earlier that I forgot you two were married." Lavender said batting her eyes innocently.
"Why you . . . " Hermione started, but was drowned when everyone started the count down to midnight. Ron jerked his arm away from Lavender, reaching for his wife started kissing her even though the countdown was still at five. Hermione wrapped her arms around Ron's neck and felt him lift her off her feet.
That is one thing this man had been doing for years, sweeping her off her feet.
TBC
