Everlasting

Written by: ~Starlett~

Genere: Romance/Action/Adventure

Pairing: Harry/Hermione

Rating: PG-13

Chapter 3: Realizations

Hours after the trio's joyful reunion, Harry was standing in the front hall of Hermione's flat, trying to flatten his hair, but was failing dismally. Luna Lovegood had moved into Ron's apartment last week, so they had no room. Hermione had graciously let Harry stay with her. Now Hermione came in wearing a stunning scarlet dress that showed off her new curvacious figure. It was off the shoulder and came down to her knees. Hermione's hair was curled elegantly and had pinned into a bun neatly at the base of her neck, but letting some curls hang loosley in the front.

"Wow Herm, I mean, really, wow!" Harry said breathlessly, gaping at her. Hermione's cheeks turned the color of her dress.

"You don't look half bad yourself," she said. She had taken Harry shopping that afternoon for some proper Muggle clothes, as his were ragged and filthy. He now wore a crisp white collared shirt and black slacks.

"My hair still isn't flat," Harry moaned. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Of course it isn't silly. If it hasn't flattened by now, it never will," she told him. Harry said, knowing Hermione was right. As usual.

"All right Herm," he said, sighing. He adjusted his new smaller spectacles that he and Hermione picked out that day as well. Hermione thought secretly it made him even more attractive than he already was, but she had just said they made him look mature. Harry held out his arm.

"May I have the honor of being your escort?" he asked her. Hermione giggled and took his arm.

"Of course Mr. Potter," she said. With a pop! the pair Apparated to just outside the restaurant. Hermione sighed.

"I cannot believe we actually risked Apparating here," she hissed. Harry put his arm around her.

"Nobody saw us" he pointed out, noting the empty alleyway. Hermione opened her mouth, but the Look Harry gave her made her shut it again. They walked into the restaurant.

"Harry! Hermione!" Ron yelled. He was sitting at a table with Luna, Ginny and Neville. Luna gave him a bemused look.

"Ron, you're attracting attention of others to our table," she told him gently. Ron's ears turned red as the two made their way over.

"Hey Luna, you look wonderful" Hermione said warmly. She and Luna hadn't liked each other much when they first met, but eventually Hermione warmed to Luna, and vice versa. Hermione hadn't seen her in a years, but she had changed. Luna now wore her hair at shoulder length and was elegantly wavy instead of a mess. Her round eyes sparkled more, especially around Ron.

"Neville, Ginny, Luna, great to see you all again," Harry said, shaking their hands. Ginny smiled at him.

"You've changed Harry, you actually look mature" she joked. Neville grinned.

"Don't mind her Harry, she's taken after her brothers," he told him. Harry smiled.

"Another Weasley prankster eh?" he said. Luna nodded.

"That end of the year prank in seventh year was wonderful Ginny," she said, smiling at the memory.

"Ginny had set off so many of Fred and George's fireworks it took them weeks to clean it all up," she informed the rest of them. They all laughed while Ginny just smiled sheepishly. The waitress came up to their table.

"May I take your orders?" she asked, sounding bored. Ginny suddenly had a mischevious glint in her eye.

"What would you say is the best type of water: regular or diet, or maybe one calorie? Perhaps Caffiene free? Maybe Water Blue, or Code Red?" she asked the waitress. The waitress, whose nametag read Marisa looked dumbfounded. Neville hid a laugh by turning it into a cough.

"I, er...umm...." Marisa sputtered. Hermione turned pink from trying not to laugh; Harry was shaking with laughter.

"I know, I'll have a Pepsi please," Ginny said. Marisa looked angry at them.

"Margarita on the rocks," Hermione was able to manage out.

"Samuel Adams beer" Harry sputtered.

"Pinot Grighio" Luna said, still smiling.

"Same as Harry over there" Ron said, still grinning.

"Bloody Mary" Neville said. Marisa spun on her heel and marched away and the table finally burst out laughing.

"Bloody...brilliant Ginny" Ron choked. Ginny stood up and took a bow.

"Thank you, thank you" she said. They applauded her quietly as she sat back down.

"This'll be eventful" Harry muttered to Hermione, who nodded.

And it was. In the entire evening, Ginny managed to confuse the waitress about her order (Mozzerella Sticks, but hold the cheese), her order (hamburger, but hold the burger), and even the desert (LowFat Cheese Cake, but hold the Lowfat). They left feeling as they had laughed themselves out.

"Ginny's quite a character now," Harry told Hermione as they went back to the alleyway to Apparate. Hermione nodded.

"She's a firecracker all right. I'm surprised she hasn't gone into business with Fred and George yet," she said. Harry laughed. It was a laugh Hermione knew and loved. With a small pop! They were home.

Harry turned to face Hermione.

"Night Herm" he said. He kissed her on the cheek and went to his bedroom.

"Night Harry," she whispered, mainly to herself. She shuffled to her bathroom and undressed. She put on her nightgown and snuggled under the covers.

"Did that mean he only likes me as a friend? He only kissed me on the cheek? Oh why am I thinking this?" Hermione thought to herself as she turned over. She fell asleep, thoughts only on Harry.