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Chapter 20

"Hermione, are you sure this is a good idea?" It was Wednesday, and Hermione found herself at the Potter's for her weekly dinner. She had to admit, as annoyed as she was when her presence was requested at dinner three times a week, she did enjoy the time she was forced to put aside for these dinners. It had been so long since the four of them had spent time together, Hermione soon realized it was something she missed.

"No, I'm not sure, Ginny. But the thought of getting back on that broom is unnerving. Besides, it's just one dinner." Hermione placed a plate on the table, arranging the silverware around it.

"Technically, this would be your second dinner, third if you count the team dinner. You do you know what's expected of you on a third date don't you Hermione?" Hermione's jaw dropped a bit as Ginny set the main course on the table.
"It's not a date Ginny!" Ginny just smiled.

"Who's got a date?" At the smell of a cooked meal, Ron appeared in the doorway, reaching towards the plated pot roast only to have his hand slapped away by Ginny.
"You can wait until we're all seated, Ron. Honestly." She gave a huff and called for Harry, before taking her seat. "Hermione has a date."

"It's not a date, Gin!" The brunette had taken her seat and was placing her napkin in her lap with more force then necessary.

"A date with who?" Ron eyed the pot roast, earning a stern look from Ginny.

"It's not a date. I'm just going to dinner. It's nothing."

"Who's going to dinner?" Harry had just entered, planting a kiss on Ginny's cheek before taking a seat next to Ron.

"'Mione's got a dinner date." Ginny sang as she too, took her place. Reaching for the pot roast, Ginny cut it up, passing the platter around the table.

"It's not a date!" Hermione looked up to the ceiling in frustration.

"Who's the lucky bloke?" Ron's meat hardly touched his plate before the first piece found it's way into his mouth.

"For the last time. IT'S NOT A DATE. It's just dinner. With someone I know from work." Ginny couldn't help the smile growing on her face. Hermione looked towards her, silently begging her not to mention who her dinner companion was.

"Ugh, you're not seeing Krum again are you? I don't think my stomach could handle that." Ron stuck his tongue out in disgust, pulling a face.

"No, Ron. I haven't seen Victor in years."

"Who is it then Hermione?" She pushed her carrots around her plate, trying to avoid Harry's question.

"DracoMalfoy." Her voice was quiet and his name ran together. Harry leaned closer to her, straining to hear her.

"Who?" She once again said his name fast and low, not being heard over the sound of Ron chewing.

"Ron, chew with your mouth closed. Hermione, repeat the name for me again. I can't hear you." Her face turned pink and she looked down to the napkin in her lap. Ginny huffed, blowing her bangs out of her face.

"Oh for Godrics sake. She has a date with Malfoy!" Hermione turned looked at the red head and glared. She heard the clattering of Ron's fork as it hit his plate and he choked on his food. Harry's face had lost all color, his fork in hand suspended in midair. Her blush deepened. She could hear Ron still struggling with the food in his mouth. She gave him a hard pat on the back, apparently clearing the way for him to be able to swallow the large mouthful down.

"Hermione, are you out of your bloody mind? You can't go on a date with Malfoy! He's a git!" His arms were waving wildly in the air. She scoffed. And he thought she was the crazy one.

"Ron, it's not a date. We're just having dinner instead of flying lessons. That's all." Ron's face grew redder with rage by the minute.

"Flying lessons?! What do you need flying lessons for, especially from the likes of him? Harry and I could have taught you!" Hermione cursed under her breath. She knew there was a reason she had only told Ginny bout her arrangement with Draco.

"It's in his contract. He wouldn't sign unless I agreed." She pushed her plate away; dinner was obviously spoilt at this point.

"I'll kill that ferret. Wring his bloody neck." Ron had gotten up from the table and was pacing the floor, muttering under his breath. Hermione put her elbows on the table, leaning forward to rest her head in her hands.

"It's not a big deal Ron. Seriously," she sighed.

"Not a big deal? Not a big DEAL? Hermione, he's taking advantage of you. How could you let this happen?" Her expression changed from annoyed to furious. Lifting her head, she yanked her elbows from the table, pushed her chair back hard and jumped to her feet poking her finger into his chest with each word.

"Now you listen to me Ronald Weasley. I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions and living my own life. You do not have any say in the matter as I do not answer to you. As a friend, I will listen to your concerns and do what I feel is appropriate regarding MY life. If you have an issue with that, then I suggest you find another friend!" His angered expression melted as his eyes were cast on the wooden floor beneath his feet.

"Thank you all for dinner this evening. I think I'll be heading home now." She did not stop at their protests as they yelled after her, but instead made her way to the floo without another word. She arrived home and sunk into her couch, willing the tears not to fall. Crookshanks meowed at her from the floor before jumping up to join her. She allowed the half-Kneazle to rest in her lap as she absentmindedly ran her hand down his back.

"Harry and Ron can't even accept me having dinner with him Crook. What are they going to do when they find out I'm attracted to him?" The cat stared up at her with his orange eyes. He let out what she hoped was a reassuring meow.

"Maybe, just maybe," she sighed.