Hermione was sitting at the table, fidgeting when Harry returned. He nodded at Ron and sat down in his seat next to Pansy. Conversation struck up around her, but Hermione simply stared at the kitchen door, waiting for it to open.

As soon as the door opened and three house elves walked out balancing trays laden down with food, Hermione was already on her feet, putting her coat back on.

One of the house-elves looked up at her curiously and she said breathlessly, "I need to take my food to go please."

The house elf bowed courteously and said, "Anything Gertie can do for you miss." Gertie then turned and headed back to the kitchen. Hermione had a pained expression on her face as she watched the house elves' retreating form, but it disappeared when Gertie returned with the bag of Hermione's food. Hermione accepted it and tried to slip a mitten into the elves tiny hand, but the elf didn't notice.

Hermione stood up and was just about to apparate back to her flat, when Ginny stood up and flung herself on Hermione. She had tears running down her freckled face.

"Gin? Are you alright?" Hermione asked with concern.

"Noth- Nothing is wrong! I'm just so happy for you!" she sobbed.

Hermione pat her on the head awkwardly, looking questioningly at Ron, who was having a difficult time holding back his gales of laughter.

Ginny let go of Hermione and slid back into the booth next to Neville. "He's so sweet. You should take a lesson from him," she whispered. Neville just looked confused.

"Gin, if you're sure that you're okay, I'm going to leave. Is that alright?"

"Fine, it's fine," Ginny sniffed.

Harry grabbed Hermione into a hug. Ron came behind her and hugged her as well.

"Uh, guys? Is everything okay?"

"Everything is perfect," Harry said sincerely.

"We love you, Hermione," Ron said thickly.

"Um, okay. Maybe we shouldn't eat here anymore. I'm going to go. You guys are kind of freaking me out," Hermione said uncertainly.

"Ok," Harry said, but showed no signs of letting her go.

"You have to let me go so I can leave," Hermione reminded the boys.

"Oh, right," Ron said, stepping back. "Congratulations."

"Umm, ok. Bye. Thanks for dinner." Before anyone could say or do anything else, Hermione had apparated out of the Kettle Ho and to the front door of her flat.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out her key and opened the door.

~*~*~*~*~

Author Note: Please read and review!

Moony2187