A/N: Hey you guys, it's Lauren here. I'm so sorry it took me so long to get this up, but things got so hectic, what with play rehearsal and softball tryouts, and tech and homework…wow, I never knew one's schedule could get so full! Anyway, this chapter's not so great, or eventful, but the next one will be, cause I set it up for Heather…speaking of which, assuming Heather's internet is down, I'll be sending this chapter to her so she can write the next one, so it may take a little while to get it up cause she has to send her chapter back to me and…crazy, I know. But we can do it! Teamwork! All right, enough of my chattering, enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: If I were J.K., I wouldn't even be in this country. No, I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter twenty-three
Verecund Visitor
The month of October passed more quickly than anyone could have imagined, especially with Ron at work all day and Hermione working nonstop to get everything ready for the wedding. As the date had crept closer and closer, she had realized that she had a lot more work than she thought. There were the flowers, the music, the location, the dresses and suits, the lighting, the food…sure, they had down some heavy-duty shopping at Hogsmeade that weekend, but that was nothing compared to what was left to do, and with Ron working and Ginny at school, it was basically all up to her. There was Mrs. Weasley, but she wasn't always available anyway. Fred and George had needed some help organizing things for the shop, so even she was preoccupied. Hermione couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by it all, and she couldn't wait to get it all over with. Not only to finally be done with the work, but she was having trouble waiting for the actual wedding. She wanted to be Mrs. Hermione Weasley so very badly. She was spending so much time planning her own wedding that she barely had time to actually enjoy their engagement. But she knew that, soon enough, the day would come, and it would be the best day of her life.
It was on a perfectly breezy November afternoon that Hermione was paid an unexpected visitor. She was on the phone, calling god knows how many florists, trying to find someone with pink roses (honestly, was it really that hard to carry pink roses? Not like she was asking for blue or rainbow…) when suddenly, she heard a knock on the door. Surprised, knowing that Ron, first of all, wouldn't have to knock to get into his own flat, and secondly, wouldn't be coming home that early, she hung up on Bob, possibly the only florist in town who didn't carry roses, placed the phone on the table, and walked over to the door to look through the peephole. The person standing there, however, was someone she hadn't expected to see.
"Harry! Holy crickets, what are you doing here?" she asked, a feeling of sudden of nostalgia washing over her. Sheesh, it's not like it's been that long since I saw him…
She leaned over and embraced him tightly, pulling him into their flat before he even had a chance to say hello. Finally, she let him go, and he was able to get a good look of the place, from the perfectly clean kitchen to the absolutely spotless carpet, and let himself think how exactly like Hermione it was. His eyes finished roaming the room and rested on Hermione's smiling face.
"Harry, it's so good to see you. What brings you here?" she asked, walking over to the sofa to sit down, motioning him to follow her.
"Well, we're playing a match here in a couple of days, so I thought I'd stop by and see my best friends. I assume Ron is at work-"
"What if, when he gets back, we all go out? It could be like old times," she said, becoming excited. Wow, it really seems like it's been that long, doesn't it… But she noticed Harry's face fall.
"Harry, what is it?" she asked quietly.
"Well, do you really think it's best if we wait for Ron?" he asked nervously. Hermione looked at him questioningly.
"Well, why not, I mean, what's wrong?"
"I just, um, well…last time we spoke, it didn't really end on good terms…he seemed really upset that I had, you know, started seeing someone else…"
Hermione furrowed he brow, fighting back laughter as she silently found amusement in the childishness of the situation. Why, it was almost like their fourth year, when Harry's name was pulled out of the goblet of fire…
"And I was also thinking that, well, you should meet her."
"Oh! Well, that sounds great, I 'd love to meet her!" she said, a little uncomfortable, but trying to show Harry she supported whatever he decided. Harry looked at her, worry in his eyes.
"Harry, he's gotten over that, it's time for you guys to reconcile anyway. He just has to accept that maybe you're not meant to be together…" she said, reading his expression. But even as she was saying this, she felt something icy settle over her heart, because she knew she was lying through her teeth. Harry, unaware of this, shook his head, seemingly agreeing with her.
"Yeah, I guess you're right…still, he could bloody well pummel me into the ground, but you know that well enough already. Okay, I guess we'll wait for him. And if he's still mad…well, at least I got to see you!" he said, with a nervous chuckle. But at least he was cheering up. Now, if only Ron would be so sensible…
Three hours and ten chess games later (Ron had insisted on setting up his old chess set on the table, even though Hermione heartily argued against it till they were both blue in the face; Hermione found it far less frustrating now though, since she was playing against Harry instead of the undefeatable Ron), Ron finally emerged through the front door, dropping his
Keys onto the counter with a heavy sigh. Hermione shifted in her seat, sitting up straight, while Harry did just the opposite, shrinking into his chair. Ron, who had expected to see Hermione standing at the door of the kitchen, where she had always previously greeted him, walked into the living room, looking slightly ruffled. And then he saw Harry. Hermione eyed him carefully, and looked into Ron's eyes sternly. Ron took a breath, walked over to Harry's chair, and, quite unexpectedly, pulled Harry out of said chair. There was a moment of silent tension in the air, until…
"Harry, what the hell are you doing here?" Ron asked, laughing and pulling Harry into a hug to rival Hermione's. Harry was so glad that Ron wasn't angry, he didn't seem to mind the fact that he couldn't breathe. Hermione sat at the table, very, very relieved. Finally, Ron moved back, and they both sat down at the table.
"Well, like I told Hermione, we're playing a match here in a couple days, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to see you guys," Harry said, getting back to Ron's question.
"Oh, a match? Well, why don't we go watch? What do you think Hermione?" Ron asked, a grin spreading over his face.
Hermione smiled. "Of course, that would be great! How bout it Harry. Mind if we come watch?"
But Harry looked less than ecstatic. If Ron was going to meet his girlfriend tonight, he wouldn't expect Ron to want to see his match, especially since she would be there…playing quidditch. He wondered whether Ron remembered this.
"Er, sure, why not? That sounds wonderful," he said finally. They all nodded in agreement, and Harry told them he would bring their tickets by on the day of the match. Then he shifted uncomfortably, because he wasn't sure if he wanted Hermione to bring up going out, it might have been a bad idea after all.
"So Ron, what do you say we all go out, like old times?"
Oh great, she did it…"Yeah, that sounds great! Leaky Cauldron?"
None of them could know just how eventful the night would turn out to be…
Now, would you all be so kind as to review? Please? Yay!
