Chapter 10

The Once a Month Sunday dinners at The Burrow were one of the constants in Harry's life that he continued to be excited about. Who would not be excited at the thought of Molly Weasley's mouth-watering beef pot roast and strawberry shortcake? Besides, Harry had always looked forward to seeing the Weasleys and catch up with them. After all, the Weasleys were the only true family he had ever known and kept. They had never failed to make him feel like the seventh Weasley sibling, providing him with a sense of belongingness and closeness that he had craved in his childhood.

Tonight was different, however. If Harry had a choice, he wouldn't have joined his adopted family tonight. But Molly had sent him a message to tell him that everyone was expecting him, and that they knew that he was back in Britain since Ron was back as well. If he didn't love and respect the Weasley Clan so much, he would have been able to make up an excuse to skip the dinner and avoid the discussion that he was sure would rule the dinner table.

It was the first time they were all gathering after the Gala, and he was sure that the main topic of conversation tonight would be Hermione Granger's re-appearance in the Wizarding World. A topic he had been so successful in avoiding during the weeks that followed the Gala. He and Ron had not even discussed it, each of them lost in their own thoughts and feelings about seeing their bestfriend again. Harry had a feeling that Ron somehow resented him for Hermione's disappearance. After all, she admitted to them that one of the main reasons she left all of them was because Harry Potter broke her heart. A voice in his mind argued that he was simply projecting his own guilt at Ron, and that Ron really didn't feel that way about him. But another voice countered that it was possible that Ron blamed him, after all, Ron had always had the penchant for making the harshest judgments on his friends. He had believed Harry to have been guilty of putting his name in the Goblet of Fire in their 4th year, and just a few weeks ago, Ron had accused Hermione of shagging Draco Malfoy just so she could prove to everyone that there was more to her than her brains. Harry still couldn't quite believe that Ron had yelled that at her, that he could be that judgmental, petty and insensitive towards someone he had shared so much with. Harry, as hurt as he was to see Hermione all friendly and nice with Malfoy, had had to fight the urge to deck Ron for his accusations.

Harry and Ron had just come back from a successful mission in Spain, where they had spent more than two weeks constantly in each other's company. At first, Harry had dreaded Ron bringing up Hermione and badgering Harry for answers and explanations. But it seemed that Ron was just as reluctant to discuss things with him, and so while they had worked and lived together in Spain everyday, they had both carefully avoided that sore topic.

Ginny, surprisingly, was also keeping mum about it. He and Ron had left for Spain the morning after the Gala so she had not had the chance to confront him or Ron about Hermione. But he knew Ginny, and she had never let geographical distance keep her from discussing things with him when she wanted to in the past. Besides, he had been back in Britain for a few days now and he had yet to see a glimpse of her. Harry suspected that she wanted to avoid the topic as much as he and Ron did, so he did not seek her out.

His two closest friends, however, were the least of his concerns. The bulk of his conflicting thoughts had to do with his other bestfriend, the one who disappeared on him. Harry may have successfully avoided talking about her with anyone after the Gala, true, but he had not been able to keep his thoughts away from her and her confession. To say that he was stunned by the final piece in her confession would be a huge understatement. He had no idea that she felt that way about him way back then. He had always known that he was special to Hermione, just as she had always been special to her. He accepted that knowledge because he believed that they were special to each other because of the roles they played in the battle against Voldemort. She had no choice but to treat him special because he was The Boy Who Lived, and he, in turn, had to distinguish her from the rest of his peers and comrades in arms because she was The Brains Behind the Operation. Never, in all their years together, had he imagined that his specialness to her had romantic dimensions.

She was right. To him, she had always just been his loyal bestfriend and the Voice of Reason. He had failed to see beyond the role she had played in the war, and in doing so, he broke her heart and made her question her worth as a woman worthy of being loved. He wanted so much to rush after her when she finally left the antechamber and apologise from the bottom of his stupid, clueless heart for the pain he had caused her. Right there and then, he had forgiven her for leaving without explanation. All his anger and feelings of betrayal could not compare to the overwhelming guilt he felt for hurting her so much that she believed she had no choice but to leave their world.

What kept him from running after her, and from contacting her after Dumbledore sent him information on how to reach her, was his uncertainty about what her confession implied: Had she forgiven him for his callousness and insensitivity? Or did she still harbour bitter feelings towards him for failing to love her the way she wanted to be loved by him? Did she still harbour the same feelings for him? If she did, then would she expect him to finally reciprocate those feelings? If he failed to reciprocate again, would she hate him for good?

All those questions had been running across his mind for the past few weeks with no answers. But the main question that stuck and refused to budge was: How did he feel about her right now?

Hermione had always told them in school that bringing out the crux of the matter by unearthing the real questions was the key to figuring things out. She had once tried to show him and Ron how she was able to figure things out by making lists of questions, answers and other factors, eagerly launching into an impromptu lecture on what she swore was an effective way of organising one's thoughts. Instead of listening, he and Ron had continued their Exploding Snap game and laughingly told her that they didn't need to learn how to do it because she could always do it for them and just give them the answers. He had seen a fleeting hurt look on her face when they rejected her eager offer, but she covered it up by huffily walking out on them. He realised now that that was one of many instances in their school life that they had hurt her feelings with their insensitivity and their confidence that she would always be there for them. Little hurts that had confirmed her worst fears about her identity and chipped away at her self-esteem. He would always be sorry for that.

He was doubly sorry now because had he paid attention to her that night, he would now have had the skill to organise his thoughts to arrive at answers to the questions that were threatening to make his head burst.

~~~~

One bite of Molly Weasley's beef pot roast and Harry almost kicked himself for entertaining the idea of skipping the Weasley's Once a Month Sunday dinner. Besides, no one had brought up the topic he was hell-bent on avoiding. He suspected that Molly and Arthur had something to do with the Weasley children's uncharacteristic tact on the matter of Hermione. The Weasley couple were wise enough to know, even without any confirmation, that Hermione Granger's re-appearance was not something that Harry, Ron and Ginny had taken lightly. Just as Molly was wise enough to warn all of them against confronting Hermione publicly and immediately after seeing her in the Gala.

His gratitude for the Weasleys' consideration and sensitivity was dashed when the youngest Weasley, who was probably the only one of the siblings who had enough backbone and gall to go against their parents, decided that enough was enough and opened her mouth.

"I went shopping with Hermione yesterday at Diagon Alley. She bought the most beautiful dress at Madame Malkins. I think she's going to wear it for some art exhibit opening that she has to attend next week. Did you know that Madame Malkine's latest collection is Muggle-inspired? I wonder if it will be a hit with wizards and witches." Ginny said casually, with her chin tilted as if to dare anyone to challenge her for mentioning the one name they had avoided all night. She glanced quickly at her parents, signalling them to stay out of it. Molly and Arthur nodded.

Only Fleur had enough grace and panache to respond to Ginny as the rest of the members of the family widened their eyes and dropped their jaws.

"Oui, Geeeny. I have zeen zat Madame Malkin's new dresses. Zey are tres magnifique! What did 'Ermione buy?"

"Oh she got this beautiful black evening gown that was enchanted to be warm when the weather was cold and to be cool when the weather was too hot. It's floor-length and finely detailed, and made from Chinese silk. It came with a deep red shawl that has temperature charms as well. Oh you should have seen Hermione in it, Fleur, she looked quite stunning. Much better than the way she looked at the Yule Ball during the Tri-Wizard Tournament, do you remember, Fleur?" Ginny said enthusiastically, ignoring the other people in the table who were either glaring at her or looking at her as if she'd lost her mind.

"Oh oui, I remember zat. Zat Veeektor Krum was a bit ... how do you say... enamored? weez 'Ermione zat night, yes?"

Ginny laughed and Serena, who had never met Hermione and so was finding the reaction of most of the Weasley Clan quite silly, finally joined the conversation. "Oh I remember that time. There were a few articles on her in several newspapers and magazines. I was living in Bulgaria at that time and talk about Hermione Granger was everywhere. After all, she was dating THE Viktor Krum."

After a few more tense minutes, which the three ignored as they continued talking about the new collection at Madam Malkins, Ginny's shopping trip with Hermione, and rumours about Hermione and Krum's relationship years ago, Harry finally spoke up. "What do you mean you went shopping with her, Ginny?"

"I went shopping with her. I went to her house a week before that for afternoon tea, and then we made plans to go shopping the following Saturday. We're going out again next week, if our schedules allow it." Ginny responded.

"You went to her house?" Ron asked quietly, looking at his sister with something akin to awe. "But she lives with Muggles!"

"No, not really, Ron. She lives in this nice apartment all by herself."

"But her neighbours must be Muggles!" Ron said.

"Need I remind you, Ron, that Hermione is Muggleborn? She's used to living around Muggles. She had a Muggle childhood--"

"That's not what I meant. I meant... you went out into a Muggle area? On your own?"

"Yes, I'm a big girl, Ron. Besides, I was curious about Hermione's current life to brave going out into Muggle London. But I must admit that for a while, I was bit daunted and thought that I had gotten lost because Hermione's apartment looked just like the pictures they showed us in Muggle Studies class. I thought that I was in the wrong house, because I couldn't imagine a witch like Hermione living in such... a normal place. But luckily, Draco showed up before I lost my nerve." Ginny said as off-handly as possible, bracing herself for the outbursts at the mention of Draco's name. Oh well, they all had to accept sooner or later that Draco was not budging from Hermione's life, nor did Hermione want him to.

"Malfoy?!?!" That was George.

"What was tin Merlin's name was he doing there?!?!" That was Fred.

"Are they bloody living together?" George again.

"Were the rumours at the Gala true? They're married?" Fred this time.

Ginny sighed to keep from grinning at the predictability of her brothers before answering calmly.

"Well, I think that afternoon I ran into Draco outside of Hermione's house, he had just come home from a jog. He was all sweaty and stuff--"

"Probably all yummy, too, eh, Ginny? I saw him at the Gala. Delish." Serena giggled, thoroughly enjoying the looks on the other Weasleys' faces.

"Hey! I'm here? Remember?" Charlie protested good-naturedly. He had decided to sit back and enjoy the show.

"Delish indeed" Ginny continued. "So anyway, he told me that I was in the right place and led me inside the apartment."

"So they're living together?!?" This time, it was Ron.

"No, no. I told you, she lives by herself. Draco lives next door."

"What?!?!?" That was George, Fred, Ron, Harry all together. Bill and Charlie had burst out laughing at their younger brothers.

"That prat is her neighbour?!?" George again.

"That Pure Blood git is living with Muggles?" Fred this time.

"Yes, he's been living in the Muggle world for the past eight years." Ginny said.

"Why?" Bill asked.

"I don't know. I didn't ask him. But he did say that he has a Muggle job with some art gallery or something like that. Oh, and Muggle college degree, too."

Her brothers stared at her in shock for a few seconds before Arthur finally spoke up. "People can change, you know. I spoke to Malfoy at the Gala and he didn't seem at all like the spoiled boy he was when you lot were in school."

"Sure, dad, but prats are prats." George answered back.

"I would like to hear more about Hermione though." Molly, taking her husband's cue, decided to finally join the discussion. "I didn't get the chance to talk to for long during the Gala. I am curious about her life now, Ginny."

"Well, she's a professor in a Muggle university, teaching sociology and medieval history. But you all know she also does wizarding work. The book, remember? And she seems happy, mother. Quite happy." Ginny said with a smile, her pride at her friend evident in her face.

"What is she like now, Ginny? Is she the same Hermione Granger we knew long ago?" Bill asked.

"Well... in some ways, yes. In some ways, no. She's still as intelligent as ever. But you know what? She's funnier now. It's like she's more relaxed and laidback. I've never considered Hermione as a funny person, but now, she makes me laugh. Still as warm as she has always been though. But she's also more confident now... I mean, she was confident when we were in school... but it was more like bravado than real confidence, you know... Now she seems very self-assured. But she's still as kind. Still a good girl." Ginny said.

The people at the table smiled at that, relieved that the witch they had loved and respect all these years had managed to retain traits that were uniquely Hermione while aquiring new ones that improved her.

"Do you think she'll welcome other wizarding people back in her life?" Ron said shyly, looking down and refusing to meet anyone's eye.

"You did receive Professor Dumbledore's message, right, Ron? I think that means that she would be happy to see anyone of her old friends who wanted to see her." Ginny smiled at her brother. "But, Ron, before you go rushing to Hermione's place, please be aware that there might be some aspects to her life that you would not like. I hope you don't expect her to give those things up just because you yelled at her to give them up."

"You're talking about Malfoy, aren't you." Ron said.

"Yes, mainly, I am talking about Draco. They are not romantically together BUT they are good friends, Ron. Very good friends. I've seen the two of them together and everything I've witnessed tells me that they are genuine friends. I know that Hermione does not expect any of you to be friends with Draco or to believe that he truly has changed, but I think she has the right to expect you to respect her friendship with him." Ginny looked at everyone at the table, trying to make sure that everyone completely understood what she said.

"Hell, if the last Malfoy in the face of our world can live as a Muggle for the past eight years, I'd definitely believe that that same Malfoy could be friends with Hermione." Bill said, firmly.

~~~~

Harry had kept quiet for most of the dinner conversation, letting the other Weasleys interrogate Ginny on news about Hermione. He had thought Ginny crazy and tactless for bringing up Hermione's name so casually over dinner, but he soon realised that Ginny knew exactly what she was doing. She was breaking the ice that had surrounded Hermione's name for the past seven years. She was assuring everyone that Hermione was fine and that her absence for the past seven years had not turned her into a monster. She had calmly and rationally confronted the Malfoy issue by focusing on the common respect and love everyone had for Hermione and using those to let them open their minds about Hermione and Malfoy's friendship.

Harry had gotten more than an eyeful of Hermione and Malfoy's closeness at the Gala, watching them as he did that night. And if that wasn't enough to convince him, Hermione's passionate response to Ron for "cheapening my friendship with Draco Malfoy" was glaring proof that those two were indeed friends. Yet, he was still surprised when Ginny announced that the two were neighbours, implying that they were practically living together. He had not missed that detail in Ginny's story of Malfoy opening Hermione's apartment to let Ginny in. It meant that Malfoy had access to Hermione's home. It implied that Hermione trusted Malfoy completely.

There were still remnants of his hurt at Hermione's willingness to be friends with Malfoy, who had done nothing but hurt and insult her for most of their adolescent years, and her seven-year rejection of her friendship with Harry, who had been nothing but a true friend and companion to her. Yet, Ginny's words reverberated in Harry's head and heart. He didn't have to be friends with Malfoy. He only needed to accept that Malfoy was Hermione's friend, and respect her enough to respect that friendship.

He still had so many questions though. Not only about his relationship with Hermione, but about Hermione's current life. He wanted to know how she ended up friends with Malfoy. He wanted to know how she ended up teaching sociology and Medieval history, he was so sure she would be a doctor or a lawyer in the Muggle world. He wanted to know how she had managed to live both in the Muggle and Wizarding worlds. He wanted to know about her seven years away from him. He wanted to know everything about the Hermione Granger that emerged from his bookish, bossy, bushy-haired childhood friend.

And he knew that that only way he would know all that was by seeing her again.