Chapter-4: Dinner and talks

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. But I own the plot and I hope everybody likes it.

Hermione finished setting up the table for dinner and charmed the foods to keep them warm until the guests were here. The incident from earlier this afternoon about the stranger was simply forgotten by that time. She quickly went to her bedroom, showered and wore a new set of clothes. She wore an ocean blue dress. It was knee length and two strap formal dress. She looked at the clock to see it was 6:20. That means she only had ten minutes before the Weasleys and Harry arrive. She took her brush from the dressing table to comb her hair. At exactly 6:30, her doorbell rang and she hurriedly went to open the door. Opening the door, she was greeted by a overwhelmed Harry who quickly and quite urgently pulled her in a warm hug. Hermione hugged him back with same enthusiasm.

When they pulled away Harry said, "You look great, Hermione, than the last time I visited you." Hermione blushed slightly and muttered a 'thank you'. Hermione looked up into his eyes that held a somber expression. The air around them was suddenly thick. The tension was almost palpable. Hermione tried to smile it off but couldn't hold it on her face for long giving herself away to Harry. The last time Harry visited Hermione which was one and half month ago as he was abroad for some Auror business, he found her crying on her drawing room floor.

He'd been worried the whole time he was out of the country for her. Initially, after 'the incident' as he liked to call it, he didn't want to leave and travel out of the country for more than a month but Hermione being herself convinced him to go and he grudgingly gave in. Of course, he'd been in touch with her via owls but not being able to see how she coped up with the situation made him extremely anxious about seeing her today. However, seeing her in a better shape was more than enough to relive his troubled mind.

"How have you been, Hermione?" Harry asked after a moment of staring at her. "Er...I..I've been... managing slowly...And how was your trip? Found anything on the case?" Hermione asked as she pulled Harry inside the house. They sat on the red couch as Harry replied. "Not much but enough for you to work on." Hermione sometimes helped Harry with his investigations. "Ok. Let's see what you got." They talked for some times more before the sound of bell ringing interrupted them.

Hermione opened the door to find the Weasley clan beaming at her. She smiled at them and gestured them inside. They entered the house. Molly, Ginny and Fleur hugged her. Mr. Weasley, Bill, Percy and George shook hands with her. Little Victoire bounced towards her and Hermione picked her up as she launched herself at her. She laughed as Hermione swung her around. Hermione kissed her forehead and let her down who ran towards her mother. She turned to the door and saw Ron standing there uneasily.

Hermione looked at him for a moment before turning away from the doors and heading towards the gathering sitting on the sofas. Ron stood there for sometime before entering. Ron entered and quickly sat beside Harry, who gave him a questioning look which Ron simply ignored.

They all sitting in the drawing room talked and laughed until it was time for dinner. At precisely 7:30, everyone sat on the dining table helping themselves to the delicious meal. Extra chairs were fitted beneath the table for more guests and fortunately they all fitted around the table of six. On one side sitting in the head chair was Mr Weasley. On his left were Bill and Fleur with little Victoire beside them. Beside Victoire sat Ron. On the other end sat Harry. On Mr Weasley's right were sat George, Mrs Weasley, Ginny and Hermione.

Conversation went on normally as foods were being passed around the table. Harry still pondering about the little incident earlier at the arrival of the Weasleys asked, "So, Ron, what's up with you two?" The whole table become silent at this question. Everyone looked more and more uncomfortable as more silent minutes passed. But before Harry could come to a conclusion, Hermione broke the silent with only one sentence. "We broke up." Harry's eyes went wide with this revelation. "Why?" was the only word that came out of his shocked mouth.

Hermione answered with a soft, yet cold tone as she looked almost accusingly his other best friend though her eyes held the hurt she tried to hide behind the accusatory look. "Ask him," was the only reply Hermione gave him. Harry seeing that he wouldn't be able to get anything out of Hermione's mouth, turned to Ron for explanation. Ron seemed unwilling more than anything. Feeling uncomfortable situation and huffing in discomfort, Ginny was the one to answer Harry. "Harry, listen. You know what a prat of a person my dear brother is." At this Ron glared at Ginny who smirked at him in return.

"After that incident, Hermione told that she wanted some space from their relationship but not actually 'breakup with him'. Like, not dating for a while until she recovers. Ron, the greatest idiot I ever had the displeasure of knowing, being hothead as he is thought that Hermione wanted to breakup with him. So, he started shouting and accusing her and called her a 'bitch' and 'slug'. He realized his mistakes a second too late. Apologies were denied. Hermione actually broke up with him then. Nice story, isn't it?" Ginny added the last part sarcastically.

Harry was gaping at Ron's stupidity and volatile temper. While Harry was busy doing this, Ron was the colour of his hair in face from embarrassment and Hermione was glaring daggers at him. Ginny turned to Hermione and asked, "So, Hermione found anyone interesting?" At being talked to, Hermione faced Ginny. "Well...something happened today before you guys arrived." Hermione replied slowly and quietly while warily eyeing the mischievous gleam in Ginny's eyes. "Tell me." Ginny practically ordered and Hermione knowing it was a lost cause to fight Ginny, gave in and told her about the guy who called her by mistake that afternoon.

After dinner they all gathered in the living room and talked heartily. Ron apologized to Hermione again in front of everyone. Hermione forgave him but told him that she couldn't get into another relationship with him as it hurt much last time. But also told him that she could be friends with him again. Ron looked relieved if not a little disappointed. At around 11 o'clock, the redheads and Harry left Hermione's house.

Sighing happily as the dinner went quite well, more than she expected, she made her way to the bathroom singing her favourite song. Hermione brushed her teeth and changed into pajamas and got to bed. Feeling very tired she fell asleep forgetting all about calling someone who was waiting for her call all night long.

So, the fourth chapter is complete. I was a little late I know. Sorry for that. I have been busy.

So, enjoy and review, guys...

Until next time...