Chapter Three – Dinner

After their quick race (Harry lost) Hermione and Harry sat at the table waiting for dinner. Harry had to stop himself from drooling when Mrs. Granger set down a plate of pork chops on the table with a bowl of salad and bread.

"Eat up Harry," Mr. Granger said as he licked his lips.

Harry ate like he'd never eaten before. He had seconds, thirds and was the only one who seemed to like the bread. There was one pork chop left and he was still surprisingly hungry. He reached over for the fork but Mr. Granger had grabbed it.

Not thinking clearly, Harry grabbed the fork out of Mr. Granger's hand. Hermione giggled as Mrs. Granger watched with amusement.

"Let go," Harry grunted as he yanked back the fork again.

"Gimme," Mr. Granger replied

"Mine."

"Mine!"

"Mine!"

"Mine!"

They were so busy arguing they hadn't noticed that Hermione had reached over and took the last pork chop.

"Ha!" Harry said triumphantly but Mr. Granger had grabbed the fork again. "Oh fine, I'm not so hungry now anyway."

Mr. Granger licked his lips again and went to take the last pork chop… only it was gone.

"Wha—But—Aw," Mr. Granger sighed.

Everyone laughed but stopped short when Hermione let out a rather loud burp. Harry, who was drinking water at the time, forgot he had water in his mouth and sprayed it all over the table. He was choking and laughing at the same time.

"Hermione," her mother frowned.

Hermione smiled faintly. "Sorry mum."

After dinner, Harry was shooed away from the kitchen when he offered to help clean up.

"Really Mrs. Granger, I—"

"Nonsense Harry!" she said for the third time. "Why don't you go ask Hermione where you'll be sleeping?"

Surrendering, Harry went upstairs to Hermione's room. This time there was a rather small bed right beside hers and she was putting a pillow and blanket on it. She looked up at him. She immediately lost her balance.

Harry quickly lunged forward, catching her just in time.

"You alright?" he asked. Hermione stared at him for a moment. She tried not to blush.

"Yes, I'm alright," she said in a whisper. "I know that this might be a little… Weird, but the extra room is packed and mum has a thing with people sleeping on the sofa. I—"

"I don't mind," Harry said quickly.

"Right then."

They stood facing each other, not quite sure what to do next.

"Want to er…" Hermione looked at her socks. "Sit on the porch swing for a while?" she was getting redder and redder.

Harry blinked. "Sure."

As he'd hoped, Hermione took his hand again and led him out onto the deck.