The Burrow was filled with the aroma of sandwiches, soup and freshly baked cookies. Ginny was helping Molly set the table when Ron appeared.

"Oh, come on, Ron, wash your hands. Lunch is ready. Where is George?", asked Molly.

"The usual rush you know. He's busy with the customers. Will come in a few minutes", replied Ron.

"Mum I need to talk to you", said Ron in a low voice.

Ginny looked at him suspiciously.

"Alone", said Ron eyeing Ginny.

"Whatever it is you want to tell her, tell her in front of me. Just because I'm getting married doesn't mean I'm not a part of the family anymore. Spit out whatever it is", said Ginny icily.

Ron furrowed his brows. Before he could speak anything Molly intervened. "Both of you keep quiet. No need to fight during lunch. Ginny go inside the kitchen and dip the cookies in chocolate syrup", ordered Molly.

"But mum-", Ginny protested but was cut off by Molly.

"Now", said Molly pointing her index finger in the direction of the kitchen.

Ginny let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine", she shouted and strode away.

Molly looked at Ron compassionately. "Tell me dear. What is it that you want to talk to me about? Is it about Hermione?", asked Molly. At the mention of Hermione, Ron looked up at his mother with a nervous expression on his face. His ears had turned red.

Molly noticed this and squealed excitedly. "Oh, dear Ronnie! You're thinking of getting married, aren't you? I knew it. Planning about your baby sister and best friend's wedding would make you think about it as well. I'm so happy. All my kids are going to be settled. Oh Merlin! There's so much work to do -"

Ron felt the situation getting out of hand and immediately cut her off mid sentence.

"Mum actually Hermione and I er, we've broken up."

Molly's face fell on hearing the news.

"What? Ron if this is some kind of joke then let me tell you-"

"No mum. Why would I joke about something like this? I'm serious. We broke up the day before Harry and Ginny's wedding was announced. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Umm let's have lunch mum. I'll wash my hands and wait for George", said Ron and immediately went to his room. He didn't want to discuss the topic anymore.

Ginny, who was inside the kitchen, had heard everything. She was sad. A shocked Molly went inside the kitchen.

It's been a week and they both didn't bother to tell me. That girl, Hermione, I talked to her about her and Ron's wedding and her wedding dress at the shop. She smiled. She could have told me but she didn't. How easily she lied to me on my face. At least my Ronnie was feeling sad, feeling embarrassed but that girl has been behaving as if everything is normal. Nothing's changed."Mum", said Ginny shaking Molly's hand. "Mum are you alright? I heard everything. Ron will be fine. You know Ron and Hermione keep bickering all the time. This is just another fight. I'm sure they will patch up."

Just then Harry and Hermione flooed in. "Ah! cookies", said Harry with a huge smile on his face.

"Too many calories are not good for an auror", Hermione said teasingly.

"Didn't know people in DMLE cared so much about the aurors. Or is there a particular person in the DMLE who notices and admires me?" asked Harry. He smirked.

Just then Ginny came out. She wanted to talk to Hermione but Molly came out and exclaimed, "Harry, my dear! I'm chuffed you came for lunch. Ron's upstairs. George is at the shop and will be here in a minute. Go wash your hands now."

"Harry is excited to have the cookies, Mrs. Weasley", said Hermione. She was smiling.

"Hmm"

"I know you and Ron love chocolate cookies. I suggest you better have some of them now before Ron gets his hands on them", said Molly, pushing Harry towards the table.

Hermione frowned. Harry too noticed Molly's odd behaviour.

Molly went inside the kitchen and Hermione followed her.

Ginny and Harry trailed behind Hermione.

"Mrs. Weasley-" , said Hermione hesitantly but she was cut short by Molly.

"When were you planning to tell us the truth about your and Ron's relationship?"

Hermione was shocked. She opened her mouth to speak but Molly didn't let her explain.

"No don't. I had asked you about your wedding when we were shopping for Ginny's dress and you kept mum. You smiled. You gave me hope. You acted as if you were in a relationship with my son and quite happy with it. You've been lying through your teeth."

"Hermione wanted to tell everyone but Ron didn't want to because he thought it might upset you all and asked Hermione to stay quiet about it. It's not her fault", said Harry defensively. "It's not Ron's fault either", he quickly added. "He didn't want to spoil your mood. He wanted everyone to enjoy the wedding that's it."

Ginny looked pointedly at Harry. "You knew about it? About them?"

Harry nodded.

"Then why didn't you tell me?" asked a furious Ginny.

"I didn't tell you because it's not my business. Ron and Hermione were in a relationship. They broke up. It was their business to deal with. I don't have the right to talk about their relationship to anyone", said Harry exasperatedly.

"Anyone? Harry I'm your wife and you ought to tell me such things. You ought to share everything you know with me", Ginny yelled.

"You are not my wife. You're my fiancé. And I am not bound to give you every single detail of my life. As far as Ron and Hermione are concerned, they're my best friends and if they confide in me I'll make sure to keep their faith intact in me. I wouldn't reveal their secrets to anyone. I'm an auror, Ginny. We go on dangerous missions regularly and we aren't allowed to share anything about the mission with anyone. Not even family. So if you're not-"

Molly started panicking. She decided to change the subject. She didn't let Harry finish the sentence. She knew it would lead to more arguments between her daughter and her future son-in-law.

"Harry, Ginny, Hermione go and start having lunch. Ginny bring soup from the kitchen. I'll call Ron. Merlin knows what's taking him so much time."

Ron hurried down the stairs and George apparated inside the Burrow.

"Hey you both came late and started having lunch without me. That's not fair!" cried Ron.

"My dear Ronniekins they started having lunch without you because they are familiar with your appetite", said George and grinned.

Everyone started laughing. Ron rolled his eyes.

"Can't you ever praise me?" asked Ron.

"For that you need to do something praiseworthy", said George.

"I helped Harry defeat You-Know-Who", said Ron as a matter of factly.

"Ron! Your sister's going to get married in less than a month and you're discussing him? No one will say his name or discuss him and that's final", Molly shouted.

George grinned. Ron lowered his face and stuffed the cookies in his mouth.

Ginny went inside the kitchen to keep her plate in the sink.

"I liked the cookies mum. You know Harry loves them. I'll miss your lunch and your cookies."

Molly looked at her with her tear-filled eyes. "Ginny dear, why do you think you wouldn't have them after marriage? I'll make sure to visit you daily and bring you lots of cookies and food. It's not that you're leaving Britain. I'll just floo or apparate to your place. Just because you're marrying Harry doesn't mean that you wouldn't be a Weasley anymore. In fact you're kids will be more Weasley than Potter. I'm sure they will all have red hair and freckles", said Molly with a bright smile on her face.

"Mum! We haven't even got married yet and you've started talking about kids. Don't say anything to Harry about this. He'll become paranoid", said Ginny and then started laughing.

They exited the kitchen and entered the hall. Molly kept talking about the preparations to be done. Ginny stopped in her tracks. Molly noticed it and stood beside her. She followed her gaze. Harry and Hermione were sitting on the floor, Hermione's hand on Harry's leg and Harry's hand covering Hermione's.

Molly looked at Ginny. Her face was blank but Molly knew her daughter well. She knew her daughter wasn't amused by the sight of Harry and Hermione sitting close to each other.

"Ginny, why don't you and Harry go outside? You still have half an hour left. Go have a walk in the garden. The weather is good. Feels like spring if you ask me", said Molly and smiled at her daughter.

Ginny looked at her mum and smiled. "You're right, mum."

Molly went upstairs to find Ron and George. Harry was telling Hermione about a case he was working on when suddenly Ginny sat in front him, cupped his cheeks gently in her hands and kissed him. Hermione shifted a little and looked away.

"Ginny!", said Harry uncomfortably.

"What?", Ginny asked.

Harry looked at Hermione who was still looking away and stared back at Ginny.

"Oh, come on", said Ginny rolling her eyes, " Hermione doesn't have any problem. In fact she doesn't even have to look away. We're getting married Harry. We can kiss each other without getting embarrassed and this is Hermione. Your best friend!"

Hermione looked at them and gave them a weak smile. "Of course, Gin! You-"

Just then Molly came in along with Ron who looked frightened and George who's expression couldn't be deciphered.

Ginny looked at them and raised an eyebrow. "What were you two doing upstairs?"

"Nothing", Ron and George replied in unison.

"Leave them dear. What are you doing? Are you planning to do something?" , asked Molly. She gave Ginny and Harry a tight smile.

Ginny took her mother's hint and locked her arms with Harry's. "We don't have any plans but I was thinking of spending some time with Harry. We can sit in the garden. What say Harry?"

"That's excellent! You'll enjoy the weather and I have de-gnomed the garden. I'll bring you some juice-" , Molly was unable to finish her sentence since Hermione interrupted her.

"I have so much work pending. I think I should be going and finish my work."

Molly's face brightened instantly. "Of course my dear. Work is important and I know how your seniors burden you with lots of cases. Go, go. And yes, Hermione, you have to come at dinner tonight. Just because you and Ron have broken up doesn't mean you're not welcome here anymore. You're still a part of this family. I don't want to hear any excuses. You are coming, ok?"

"Yes Mrs. Weasley and thank you so much for inviting me", said Hermione. She smiled at her.

"Don't mention, dear" , said Molly.

"Come Harry", said Ginny but Harry slipped his hand away from hers.

"Er...Ginny, I have to go. There's a case I've been working on. If I don't go and submit the report now, I'll have to skip the dinner."

Ginny frowned. " Ok, go then. I wouldn't stop you. I don't want you to miss dinner tonight."

Harry smiled and walked outside with Hermione. He took her hand and said, "I'll apparate."

Hermione nodded.

"Harry! This is not the Ministry", said Hermione.

"It isn't? I thought the Ministry got renovated", said Harry.

Hermione glared at him.

"Come on, Hermione." Harry grabbed her wrist and started walking.

"Where are we going, Harry?"

"You'll see it, Hermione."

They stopped in front of an ice cream shop.

Hermione read the name of the shop.

"Amore Gelato."

She looked at Harry. He was grinning.

"You want to have ice cream?" , asked Hermione.

"No. I came here to jog. Good place to burn out calories-"

"Ow"

Hermione hit his arm.

"Isn't it obvious? I came here so that we both can have ice cream."

"But Harry you told Ginny you have work. That report you have to send-"

"Can we just order first?"

"Ok"

Harry grinned.

"It's so good, Harry", said Hermione taking a bite into her ice cream.

"Yeah. I'm glad you liked it", said Harry.

"I came here a few days back. I saw this place and thought of coming here with you."

"You thought of coming here with me? Have you taken Ginny here before?", asked Hermione hesitantly.

"No. I told you I wanted to come here with you. This is my first visit. Now that we both love their ice creams, there'll be more visits to this place." He winked at her.

"But Harry-"

"What Hermione? Is it a crime to want to have ice cream with your best friend?" , asked Harry.

"No Harry. I didn't mean that. You lied to Ginny about work and then apparated here." Hermione looked at Harry, waiting for his response.

"I didn't lie to her, Hermione. I told her I have a report to submit. The only thing left is my signature. I'll sign it and submit it. So you can't call me a liar because I have to submit the report. I never said that my report is unfinished, did I?"

"I would have taken you to Diagon Alley but someone would have caught us. Even worse, getting caught by Ron."

"Caught? We're not committing a crime, Harry? What will we be caught for?", asked Hermione.

Harry smirked.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"So you don't want anyone to know about this? About us having ice cream in Surrey? You know we can call Ron-"

Harry grabbed her arm and turned her so that she faced him. He placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Hermione, I want to spend time with you. Just you, no one else. Is it too much to ask for? No Ron, no Ginny. When I saw that ice cream parlor, the first thought that came to my mind was that I should be there with you. Just you and I. This is our little secret, ok?"

They kept looking at each other for a long time. Then Hermione finally spoke.

"Yeah", was all she could manage to say.

Harry smiled at her. He cupped her right cheek with his left hand. Hermione stopped breathing.

"Thanks", Harry breathed, looking intently into her eyes.

Hermione's lips parted slightly out of their own accord. She looked down and Harry removed his hand from her face. She turned straight and started walking.

"Thanks Harry. I love ice cream, you know?" She tried to lighten up the mood.

Harry looked at the brunette on his right

"And I love spending time with you."