AgiVega: I am not American, but a New Zealander. Thanks for the tip – I'll try to keep an eye on the colloquialisms.
Sic-itur-ad-astra: You'll just have to wait and see. I'm glad my review made you smile. Ditto, you deserve more too. Thanks so much.
Chapter 10During the rest of his visit, Hermione was pleased to see that Harry was spending quite a bit of time alone with Daphne.
Hermione took Daphne aside on the day before her and Harry were due to leave for the Burrow. Hermione got straight to the point.
'So, what've you and Harry been doing while you were alone?
'Oh nothing much. Just hanging out, chatting and laughing and stuff.' Daphne answered with a smile. She sighed. 'But he's going away tomorrow.'
'Don't worry Daf,' Hermione hugged her friend. 'I'm sure you'll see him again.'
That night, the group of six went out to dinner, as a farewell outing for Harry and Hermione. They chatted and laughed merrily, having a great time.
Far too soon, the dinner was over and they were heading out to the carpark. Hermione tearfully hugged three of her reunited friends goodbye. Harry shook Jeff's hand and gave Isabel a quick hug. He then came to Daphne and felt a pang as he saw a solitary tear glisten on her cheek. He gently wiped it away and lifted her face so they were eye to eye.
'Don't worry Daf,' he whispered. 'We'll be together again soon.' And with that, he leant down and kissed her. He gave her a heartwarming smile and walked off to Eric's car where he and Hermione were waiting, grins plastered on both their faces.
'What?' Harry asked innocently as he got into the car. He looked out the window and waved goodbye to Daphne as the car drove off.
When they got home, Harry quickly got out and headed inside to give the couple some privacy to say their goodbyes.
Eric walked round the car, opened Hermione's door and held out his hand to help her out.
'Promise me you'll write?'
'Of course. Send it to my house and I'll get my parents to send it on.'
'Okay. I'm really gonna miss you.'
'I'll miss you too!'
'I love you Hermione.'
'Oh, Eric,' she threw her arms around his neck. 'I love you too.' She pulled him in and engaged him in their most passionate kiss yet. When they broke apart, Hermione smiled, despite the tear running down her cheek (which she hurriedly wiped away) and walked inside.
Harry was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. Wordlessly, he held out his arms. She ran into his hug and sobbed on his shoulder.
Hermione woke the next morning to her mum loudly banging on her door. With a jump, she saw that the time was 9:00. Ron was coming to pick them up at 10. She quickly went and showered, came back to her room to dress and double-checked she had packed everything. She dragged her trunk downstairs and put it next to Harry's. She entered the kitchen and found her parents and Harry sitting around the table. She joined them and ate her breakfast. As she downed the last dregs of her orange juice, an almighty roar and a shout, came from the living room, followed by a shout.
'Hermione, you there?' They heard Ron's voice echo from the next room. Hermione ran to the source of the noise, Harry at her heels.
'Good morning.' Said Ron, smiling.
Another roar halted Ron's greeting, and out of the fire came Fred, soon followed by his twin, George, and then their older brother Charlie.
'Ready to go?' asked Charlie.
'Yip, we'll just get our trunks.' Answered Hermione, shaking slightly from their shocking entrance. Her and Harry came back a minute later dragging their trunks behind them. Harry shook Mr. Granger's hand and attempted the same to Mrs. Granger, who, instead, hugged him tightly. He expressed his gratitude and thanks to them for letting him stay but they would have none of it.
'Don't be ridiculous, you're always welcome.' She gave him another hug and ushered him into the fire.
Fred helped Harry get his trunk into the fireplace and followed him through, carrying Hedwig in her cage.
Hermione hugged her parents, bid them goodbye, and flooed to the burrow. George took her trunk through. Ron went next, taking Crookshanks in his basket and was followed by Charlie.
As soon as Hermione arrived in the Weasley's kitchen, Mrs. Weasley, who had just let go of Harry, enveloped her in a tight, motherly hug.
'Hermione, how are you?' a concerned Mrs. Weasley asked.
'Oh, I'm fine, Mrs. Weasley, thanks.'
'Well, it's lovely to have you two back. Now, go and get settled upstairs – I'll call you when dinners ready.'
Half an hour later, Hermione had settled into Ginny's room and the two girls were sitting in Ron's room with him and Harry, chatting about their summers so far.
'Aw Herm, it's great that you've got a boyfriend' said Ginny when Hermione had told them about her and Eric. 'He sounds really nice. I knew it must have been a boy that made you act all weird last term.'
'Well, as long as he's better than Krum.' Interjected Ron.
'Don't worry Ron, I gave him a talking to.' Harry informed Ron.
'Oh Gin, you should have seen it. It was hilarious. Harry definitely needs to work on his big brother skills.' Hermione giggled.
'Well make sure he doesn't get lessons from Ron – that could get embarrassing.' Ginny replied.
What is that supposed to mean?' cried an indignant Ron. Ginny rolled her eyes.
'Oi! You lot. Dinners ready.' They heard Mrs. Weasley's voice echo up the stairs.
After an enjoyable dinner with the Weasley family minus Bill (who was working) and Percy (who, though he had apologized to his family, was not as close to them as he used to be.) the Weasley children plus Harry and Hermione, were getting some well deserved rest after a long day.
Harry awoke in a good mood. He and Hermione had spent three days at the Weasley house and as usual, were enjoying their stay immensely.
After getting dressed, Harry made his way downstairs to find Mrs. Weasley filling the house with the smells of bacon and sausages. Sitting at the table was Charlie, Mr. Weasley and Hermione. Harry sat down and was helping himself to some breakfast as the twins meandered into the kitchen, blinking the sleep out of their eyes. A yawning Ron followed them. The three youngest Weasley boys were never morning people. (And neither was their sister, who was still soundly asleep in her bed.)
Harry was halfway through his second helping of sausages when a screech owl tapped on the window.
'My goodness! It's Hermes.' Pronounced a shocked Mrs. Weasley as she made her way over to the window, let in Hermes, removed the letter, opened it and read. As she read further down the letter, her eyes widened and she let out a squeal of excitement.
'Percy is getting married.' She announced with a large grin on her face. 'And we're invited.'
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