Chapter 5

Ginny stood at the front door of the Burrow, clenching Draco's hand. Breathing deeply and feeling like she was about to throw up, she laid her hand of the door knob of the Dutch door. She clenched her eyes shut and slowly opened it.

Arthur Weasley stood at the sink, flicking dishes around with his wand. Molly Weasley peeled potatoes into the dry sink. She was watching Bill and Charlie set up a table in the garden. Ginny could see Harry sitting on the garden wall with a pretty, young girl of about 19. Fleur Delacour stood nearby looking as high-maintenance as ever.

Ron and Hermione emerged from a side corridor. Ron's eyes fell upon Ginny and then slid down to the hand that gripped Draco's. The smile slid off his face as he looked in to Ginny's eyes. "Hullo, Ginny!" he said, trying to sound cheerful, but failing. Molly and Arthur whirled around, as they had not noticed them enter.

Mrs Weasley grinned widely before she noticed who stood next to her. Her gaze drifting toward him, the beam fell to a straight face. The response was the same with her father.

Molly tried to be brave and not assume the worst about the situation, although it was obvious it was hard for her. "Well, erm, dinner will be in the garden tonight..." Rather awkwardly, she half-pointed to the back door. Ginny understood. She led Draco out the door towards the garden. As they left the kitchen, Ginny heard Ron trying to comfort her silent, nearly hysterical mother. She felt horrible. Springing such a shocking picture on them must be a big surprise. Draco saw her rather stressed and slightly queasy look and took that moment to gather her into his arms and giver her a mighty hug, rubbing her back gently. Feeling like she should cry, she didn't. Instead, she inhaled deeply, trying to prepare herself for a very difficult evening.

Harry had come up behind Draco. Ginny, whose face was hidden in his shoulder, didn't see him. "Ginny?" She looked up and saw his concerned and worried features. His deeply furrowed brows cast heavy wrinkles in his forehead. Riddled with fret, his crystal green eyes begged to be of help.

"Harry!" Ginny flew from Draco's arms and into Harry's. He gathered her into his embrace, stroking her glowing hair with his finger tips. It had been so long...so long indeed. Draco stepped back a few steps, running a nervous hand through his hair. He felt very awkward. Feeling a small need to say some thing, he started a few times, but never found it in him self to make a move.

Harry lifted Ginny's chin and looked into her eyes. "It is so good to see you again." He gazed into her eyes. Ginny looked back into them.

"I missed your eyes," Ginny threw her arms around his neck and squeezed. Suffocated, Harry gasped for breath, and then pulled her off of his neck. He glanced rather guiltily at Draco. He still despised him, but if Ginny was dating him...

"Are you two," Harry moved a finger between Ginny and Draco, "...dating?"

Ginny nodded as did Draco. Harry looked rather like words had failed him. He looked from one face to another, appearing to be attempting to find some thing appropriate to say.

Fortunately, Molly appeared at that point with a platter piled high with fried chicken. Ginny was suddenly struck by the realisation that there were fewer chickens in the front yard.

The family sat down at the tables Bill and Charlie had set up. Arthur sat at the head, with Molly next to him. Charlie sat across from his mother. Pulling out the chair next to Charlie, Bill helped Fleur into a seat and then helped him self to a remaining chair next to her. Ron and Hermione walked hand in hand to seats next to Molly. Harry and his little girl friend sat next to them. Ginny looked around her to see Fred and George appear from the alley way in their signature dragon-hide vests. They must have been testing some thing...again, she thought. Laughing and playfully punching each other, they grabbed the two seats next to Harry, Fred sitting in his backwards.

There were no other options left for Ginny and Draco. With out a word, they seated them selves at the opposite end of the table, feeling very much like all eyes were upon them. Silently, the family spooned out potatoes and chicken, vegetables and fruit. For minutes upon minutes, Ginny sat in a haze, not listening in the slightest to Fred and George talk about their booming business. As always, they never seemed to notice when no one was paying attention, or when some thing more weighing on the family's minds.

The twins finally fell silent. It seemed they had caught on at last. Ginny reached around for Draco's hand. Trembling slightly, she gripped until the tips of his fingers turned white. She felt like she might throw up every thing right there at the dinner table. "Dad, Mum, every body, I'd like you to meet," she took a deep breath and pulled her self together. "Draco. We are, uh, dating." Ginny stopped. Looking from face to face, she awaited the explosion.

When in didn't come, she started to release Draco's hand. Her back, which had been straight and stiff, started to slacken and hunch. Draco's perfect hair seemed to slump. Strands slid down over his forehead. They were both wondering: how bad would the shouting be?