"Ready to go?", Harry asked Hermione who was running her quill furiously over a sky blue parchment.
She looked up at him exhausted. "Oh, Harry! I-"
"Forgot", Harry finished for her, grinning.
"I knew that the head of DMLE would be busy as a bee and would naturally forget about the dinner at the Weasleys. So here I am to escort you to the royal dinner. I, Harry James Potter, Head Auror, have come to your office to take you, Hermione Jean Granger, Head of DMLE, to come with me and grace the Burrow with your divine presence."
He offered her his hand.
She looked at him with shock and amusement.
The corners of her mouth began to twitch.
She bit her lip.
"Harry, you seem to be excited about the dinner tonight."
"Not dinner. I'm excited about going to the Burrow together and having dinner with you tonight." Harry's eyes were bright and he grinned at her.
Hermione cogitated on what Harry had said.
Excited about going together.. Having dinner with you...Nah! That's Harry. He doesn't even know what he's saying. He's just being friendly. Merlin, Hermione! He's going to get married to Ginny. He loves Ginny."God, Hermione, my hand's tired. Just take it and let's go", said Harry. He pouted.
This brought Hermione out of her reverie.
"What?"
"Take my hand, Hermione", Harry breathed.
"Y-Your hand? Y-You're asking for my hand?", asked Hermione. Her breath hitched.
"Of course I'm asking for your hand, Hermione. I want. No, I need your hand so that we can apparate to the Burrow."
He flashed her his brightest smile. His hand still suspended in air, waiting for Hermione to hold it.
"Oh, dinner. Yeah, that's what you came here for", Hermione said, immediately looking down at her desk. She picked up a folder and her quill ready to resume her work.
"I'm sorry Harry but I wouldn't be able to attend the dinner. As you're seeing by yourself, I have a lot of work to do. I have an important meeting with Kingsley tomorrow and have to prepare for it", she said without looking at him.
"What? Hermione, you promised you'd come. Now I'd be alone", said Harry, frustrated.
"Promise? I never made any kind of promise to anyone, Harry. And alone? Weasleys and alone can't be in the same line", said Hermione. She laughed.
Harry looked at her seriously.
"Fine. I'll have dessert, ok? I'll come late so dinner's obviously cancelled but I'll come at dessert time. I hope that's fine with you Mr. Potter?", asked Hermione beaming at him.
Harry was not chuffed by her response but felt better that she would come even if it meant skipping dinner.
"Fine", he mumbled. "But what about you? You'll have dinner at your home, right?"
"I'll have dinner only after I finish work and I wouldn't be able to finish my work if you keep sulking in my office."
"I'm not sulking!", Harry shouted. "Try to come early."
And with that he left her cabin.
"I've had so many helpings! It was delicious", said Harry.
"Thank you. I enjoyed making it", said Molly, flashing Harry her brightest smile.
"You'll have to make some space for dessert in there", Molly said, nudging Harry.
Harry smiled.
Just as Molly started entering the kitchen, she turned around slightly and gave Ginny a look. Ginny nodded.
"Let's go outside Harry. We can't have dessert without Hermione. So let's just take a walk. I saw how you were giving Ron competition in stuffing your mouth with food. So better walk before your belly becomes a pot", Ginny said, with a blazing look in her eyes.
"Hey! I didn't stuff my mouth with food. And it's not my fault that your mum is a brilliant cook. Merlin, the Weasley ladies really are something. Mother has a problem when I don't eat anything and daughter has a problem when I actually eat something."
Ginny smacked his arm. "Stop whining. Come now." She took his hand in hers and left for the garden.
Molly looked at their joined hands and sighed contently.
Finally my munchkin got alone time with Harry. The more the wedding is nearing, the less the time they're spending. Can't blame them. Their jobs are demanding. But why today? What's different? Hermione! Hermione's not here. I wanted her to be here but thank Merlin she didn't come. Harry and Ginny wouldn't have got time spend if she'd been here.
'But why is it so?', her brain questioned. 'They can spend time with each other even in the presence of Hermione. She's just a friend after all.'
She shook her head. Why am I thinking about Hermione right now? The poor girl doesn't even have time to have dinner. I'll pack food and give it to her when she'll arrive for dessert.
"Come here, Rony Pony and have a gander at what they're doing", said George with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Don't call me by that bloody name!", cried Ron.
"Ronald!" , shouted Molly.
"Sorry mum", Ron apologised.
"Ron didn't someone teach you any manners?", asked George, before whispering to him, "You're behaving just like the Malfoys."
Ron's ears turned red. But before he could say anything, Molly starting speaking.
"Ron did something happen at the Ministry? Harry seems to be a bit... different. He's not as happy as he usually is. Did he tell you something?" , asked Molly in a concerned tone.
"He looks fine, mum. You just have the habit of worrying about us all", said Ron. "Because you love us", he quickly added.
I love you all and it's because I know you all, I know that something's bothering him. Harry is like my own child and I can see that his smile is not reaching his eyes. He is physically present here but mentally, he's somewhere else. I know he wouldn't tell me anything..Hope everything is fine.
"Come Ron. Let's go outside", said George. He winked at him.
"And where exactly are you two going? Listen, Harry and Ginny hardly get time to spend with each other. You better not-"
"Mum", said George cutting her mid-sentence.
"Gin will get married and Merlin knows when we'll see her. We just want to spend the last few days with her. With Ginny Weasley."
Ron scrunched his nose. Molly started crying. "Of course, of course! Go you two. I know how much you love your baby sister. My Ginny will get married and have her own kids", said Molly, crying and leaving for the kitchen.
"Blimey, I didn't know you love Ginny so much, George!", said Ron.
"I love Gin but that act was only for mum. That was the only way she would allow us to go outside, you know? Now come and have some fun", George said, grinning mischievously.
"You're wicked", said Ron and smirked.
"Says a Malfoy", replied George.
Ron rolled his eyes.
They both went to the garden to talk to Harry and Ginny.
Just then Hermione flooed in.
"Hermione dear, there you are! You're so late! Look at your eyes. You have dark circles", said Molly, cupping her face, looking worried.
"Oh, it's alright Mrs. Weasley. The law I'm working on is very important and it's worth the dark circles", Hermione said and started laughing.
Just then they heard Ginny scream. George and Ron came running into the house, laughing hysterically.
"Hi Hermione", they said in unison and started laughing again.
"Nothing to worry mum", said Ron, still unable to control his laughter.
"Yeah, mum. Ron's right. Just thought of giving Ginny a bridal shower", said George.
Ron fell on the couch, laughing uncontrollably.
Molly glared at her sons.
Hermione was perplexed.
Just then Ginny entered the room followed by Harry. They both were drenched in water. Molly gasped and Hermione's eyes widened.
"How was the bridal shower sister?" , asked George, laughing.
"The shower was good but you forgot to take your presents my dear brothers", said Ginny icily and took our her wand.
George conjured two towels and threw one at Molly and gave the other to Hermione.
"Mum why don't you take Ginny with you and help her out", said George as he ran towards the stairs. Ron followed him.
"You-", shouted Ginny and started chasing them. Molly sighed and started following her daughter.
"Ginerva! George! Ron! Stop running!", Molly was shouting.
"And stop hexing each other!" "Merlin!"
Her voice could be heard downstairs.
Harry and Hermione were left alone in the room.
Hermione was staring at Harry. 'Look away. What are you doing? Look away ', her brain kept saying but she couldn't take her eyes off him.
Harry looked at Hermione shyly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Erm... you've come finally", he said.
Hermione's eyes flickered. She smiled and said, "Yeah, I had promised someone that I'll come and have dessert and I am a woman of my words, you know?"
Harry walked towards her leaving a small distance between them. Hermione's mouth opened a little. Harry looked at her and smirked.
"Promise, huh?"
"Yes", she whispered.
"I think the towel is for me", said Harry in a low, husky voice.
"Huh?", was all Hermione could manage to say.
"The towel that George gave you Hermione. Don't you think I need it more than you, Hermione."
"T-towel. Yeah. The towel", said Hermione, trying to comprehend what he just said.
She took two steps back. She handed him the towel and said, " You would need a towel if you were a muggle."
Harry gave her a confused look. Hermione smirked. She raised her wand at him and said, "Siccumo!"
Harry was shocked as his body and his clothes dried. He looked at her questioningly.
Hermione gave him a smug look. "Padma Patil. She's one of the best healers in Britain currently. I met her at St. Mungo's and saw her using the spell."
"You remember her, right?", asked Hermione teasingly. "The Yule Ball-"
"Shut up! Don't remind me that", said Harry.
Hermione started laughing.
"Did you have dinner?" Harry asked her.
Hermione stopped laughing. All of a sudden she found her shoes very interesting.
"I knew it", said Harry. He grabbed Hermione's hand and took her to the kitchen. He took a piece of pie and placed it in a bowl. He took it in a spoon and raised it to her mouth to feed her.
Hermione tried taking the spoon from Harry's hand and said, "I'll have it, Harry. Give me the spoon."
Harry didn't reply. He grabbed her wrist and fed her the pie.
Harry smiled. "Good girl", he said.
"Harry, you know I can have it on my own. You don't have to-"
Harry fed her another piece and said, "You can but you may not."
Molly had been standing outside the kitchen, peeping inside. She felt terrible. She was scared. She was angry. She felt so many emotions at once but kept quite. She silently witnessed the whole scene. After Harry had fed Hermione the last piece of the pie, Molly decided to go inside the kitchen. She had shown enough patience and even she was shocked by it. Patience was a virtue that Molly never possessed.
Don't panic. Just look calm. I don't want Harry to get annoyed again. Merlin, help me! Just look normal, Molly.
"Hey, you both! Harry, you look delighted. I noticed you were a bit lost throughout the dinner. Any good news?", asked Molly, noticing the change in Harry's behaviour.
"I'm very happy Mrs. Weasley because Hermione has arrived. I missed her during dinner", said Harry, beaming at Hermione.
Hermione started blushing so hard, she could feel the heat rise in her cheeks.
"You're so funny, Harry. You meet Hermione every single day. How could you miss her when you see her everyday?", asked Molly sweetly, trying to hide her irritation.
"No matter how much I see Hermione", Harry said looking at his muggleborn friend, "It's not enough, Mrs. Weasley."
He then looked Mrs. Weasley and smiled. "The dinner was excellent, Mrs. Weasley."
"Thank you, Harry dear", Molly said. She smiled.
"Let me serve you dessert now", said Molly, eyeing Hermione.
"Er.. we've already had the pie, Mrs. Weasley. It was delicious", said Harry.
"What? Oh dear, when did you have it? I haven't even served it yet", Molly said, trying to look shocked.
"When you were giving them", said Harry, pointing his finger towards the roof, "a bollocking-"
"Harry!", cried Hermione.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley. I didn't, I mean-" Harry was cut off by Molly.
"Don't dear. I guess Ron has spoilt you as well. Just don't use this word again, okay?"
"Yes Mrs. Weasley. I'm sorry once again", said Harry. He felt ashamed of himself.
"Oh dear, stop apologizing now."
"Come and join everyone and have more pie-"
"Mrs. Weasley, Hermione and I have to reach the Ministry early tomorrow. So we'll have to leave now. Thanks for the dinner. It was lovely", said Harry.
"Oh, thank you, dear", said Molly but before she could stop them, they disappeared with a pop.
"Harry, where are we going? What are we doing in muggle London? How do you know I have to reach early tomorrow?", asked Hermione hurriedly.
"We're going to Rules. You must have heard of it, Hermione", Harry said excitedly.
"We're going there so that you can have dinner. As for how I know about your meeting tomorrow, you had told me a week before about it."
"You remember it?", asked Hermione. She was shocked.
Harry nodded.
"Harry I just had pie. Sorry, I mean, you had just fed me that pie. I'm stuffed. I don't want to have dinner. Let's go home."
"No, Hermione. I know how hard you're working to make sure that law gets passed. I also know that you're neglecting your health in doing so. So you're having dinner now. I'm not giving you a choice. It's an order", said Harry.
"Head of The Department Of Magical Law Enforcement doesn't take orders from Head Auror. It's the other way round actually", said Hermione crossing her arms. She tried hard not to smile.
"Who are you talking about? I'm Harry Potter and I'm giving order to my best friend who, also happens to be the brightest, kindest and the prettiest witch I know, to have dinner for her own good." Harry flashed her his brightest smile.
He thinks I'm pretty. No, prettiest. No, Hermione. He doesn't mean it. He just said it to cheer you up and to make you agree to have dinner that's it. He's marrying Ginny. He finds her pretty which she undoubtedly is!
They ordered food.
"Have you been here before?", asked Hermione. "I've heard of it, of course, but had never been here. It's one of the oldest restaurants in London, Harry!" Hermione's excitement was evident from her tone.
Harry grinned at her.
"I had never been to a restaurant. You know why", said Harry, shrugging his shoulders.
Hermione frowned. She reached for his hand across the table and squeezed it. "I'm sorry Harry."
"It's okay."
"I missed you so much, Hermione", Harry said.
"What? Harry, we-"
"I know. We had met in the evening but I felt alone at the Burrow. Don't get me wrong, Hermione. You know I love the Weasleys and they treat me like their family. I love them very much and I'm grateful to have them. But the time spent with the Weasleys is not same as the time spent with you."
Hermione was confused and Harry understood that.
He put his hand on her hand. The same hand that was covering his other hand.
Hermione's left hand was sandwiched between Harry's and she realised that she liked it. His hands were large and warm in contrast to her small and cold hands.
"The thing is that even when I'm at the Burrow with all the Weasleys, I don't feel complete. They are warm and loving but without you, I feel lonely. I feel alone in that crowd of loving and caring people because they're not you. With you, Hermione, I feel like home."
Hermione was gobsmacked. She didn't know what to say. The waiter chose that very moment to serve them food. Hermione thanked the waiter mentally.
"I'll have Sticky Toffee pudding", Harry declared.
"Harry! We just had Banoffee pie!", Hermione said.
"You had that pie, Hermione. I didn't. I had fed you the pie. I didn't get the chance to have it. I wouldn't lie to you. I didn't have it because I wanted to try dessert here."
"So you planned this dinner, huh?", asked Hermione. She tried to look serious but failed miserably. She was smiling.
"I don't plan, Hermione. That's your department. I knew that you would skip dinner and I, Harry Potter, savior of the wizarding world, took upon me, the responsibility to save the Head of DMLE, by making her have dinner tonight. By doing so, I did a favor to the wizarding world."
"Don't be so overdramatic", Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
"You don't have to worry about me, Harry."
"I don't worry about you, Hermione. I care for you", said Harry.
And I will care for you till the very end he said to himself.