Chapter Ten: Welcome Back

Hearing the nock at the door, Harry and Hermione got up and walked over to it. Hermione opened the door to be blinded by hundreds of cameras. Seeing Hermione in distress, Harry shut the door quickly. "Hermione, are you all right?", Harry asked very concerned.

"Ya, just startled," Hermione said, sitting down on the couch.

"Well, I guess a nice quiet day is out of the question." Harry didn't get the chance to answer because the phone rang. Hermione sprang from the couch and answered the phone.

"Hello."

"Hermione, it's mom."

"Hi, mom."

"Is it true, Hermione?"

"Is what true, Mom?"

"About Harry being home?"

"Yes. But how did you know?"

"Don't you remember? We get the profit every morning."

"Oh, yes."

"Hermione, if Harry's up to it, come over."

"Hold on, let me ask him."

"Harry, want to go visit my parents?"

"Sure."

"Ok, mom we'll be right over."

"See you soon, honey." "Bye, Mom"

After Hermione got dressed, the two apparated over to the Grangers home. Hermione walked in to find her parents watching the television. Judy sprang up from her seat and gave Harry a big hug. Mike gave Harry a handshake and welcomed him back. Hermione smiled at her family accepting the man she loved.

After the warm greeting, everyone sat down and started to talk. Mike wanted to ask Harry about the last 7 months but decided against it. Instead, Mike asked about the Quittich. Judy and Hermione talked about Harry. Hermione explained what happened last night when Harry came home.

After some time, they sat down for lunch. During lunch, Hermione told her parents that she and Harry were to receive the honor of Merlin. Judy and Mike were thrilled at this news. After that shock had warn down, Hermione told her parents about the party the Weasleys were throwing. Judy and Mike were pleased that they liked the idea of the party, because they helped to organize it.

Around two o'clock Judy, Mike, Hermione, and Harry departed from the Granger residence to the Burrow. Since Judy and Mike could not use magic, they had to take the muggle way of transportation. Harry and Hermione took the back seat of the Granger's Merceds Benz, while Judy and Mike, the front. Hermione made herself comfortable in Harry's arms and gave him a kiss. The ride was long and uneventful, so it seemed like it was longer than it really was. Judy and Mike had their own conversation while Harry and Hermione enjoyed comfortable silence. At some point along the ride, Harry and Hermione had fallen asleep.

Around six, Mike pulled up to the Burrow and got out. Judy however, had the task of waking Harry and Hemione up. She gently shook Hermione and told her to get up. Hermione's eyes shuttered open and she mumbled "All right mom, be out in a sec." Judy left the car and went inside. Hermione sat up and looked at Harry. She gently shook him and he gingerly opened his eyes to see Hermione staring at him. He sat up and gave her a kiss.

"That was nice." Hermione said.

"Ya, it was. Want to have another go?" Harry asked giving Hermione another kiss.

"Well, Harry as much as I would love to continue this, and believe me I do, we do have to go inside."

"Ya, we do," he said giving her another kiss.

Harry and Hermione got out of the car and walked into the Burrow. When Harry opened the door, a very loud "WELCOME HOME!" was heard for miles. Immediately Harry was bombarded with his friends. He and Ron shared a hug, he gave Lavender a kiss on the check, and Mrs. Weasley attacked him with kisses. Everyone was thrilled the war was over and Harry was back virtually unscathed.

No one could have asked for a better party. There was enough laughter and joy to last a lifetime. After things quieted down a bit Harry, asked Ron if he could change into some normal cloths. Ron laughed and led him into his room. He showed Harry his trunk and he quickly found something to wear.

As seven o'clock rolled around, everyone gathered round the huge dinner table. Everyone sat down and enjoyed the excellent food. After everyone was done, Ron clanked his goblet and stood up. "I would just like to say thank you to Harry for his great deed. It took a lot of courage to do what he did, and I'm proud to say he's my best friend. Thank You, Har."

Everyone chorused "Thank You, Harry" and clanked their glasses together.

When things quieted down a bit, Harry stood up. "I can't thank you all enough for this great party. But I, I mean, we [pulling Hermione up], have something to tell you."

"Har, we all know you're engaged," Ron said with a chuckle.

"Something else; Mione, wanna tell them?"

"Sure. Well, this morning Harry and I received a letter from the Minister. In his letter he told us that Harry and I were to receive the Honor of Merlin!" Cheers louder than before were heard miles away.