Disclaimer: I don't own anything in potterverse except the plot of this fan fiction.
A/N: Sorry guys and gals for the delay. Life had been crazy for the past month. We had a function in the college in which I was participating so all the practices exhausted me (By the way, the function was a blast.). Then we had tests also. And when I finally had the time to update the story, my Net subscription expired. And I finally got my hands on the Sixth Book. Now at last I got the opportunity to update. SORRY! Please Review.
On with the story…
CHAPTER 5Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny. Today I was to have lunch with Harry but there was a problem. Every Sunday, all my brothers come to the Burrow in the afternoon. And my mother would never allow me to miss it. But Harry was of highest priority at the moment so I would just have to make some excuse. Hence since morning I had been racking my brains to come up with something that would be convince Mum. And I could come to a single conclusion.
"Mum, I won't be home for lunch today." I called.
"Why dear? You do remember that your brothers are coming, right?" replied Mum.
"Yes Mum, but I have to go. Its important."
"But where?" She asked turning from her cooking.
"Mum I have a date and I like this guy."
"Then why don't you invite him here. Your brothers and I can meet him then. I would
like to know who my daughter is dating."
"No Mum! I can't do that you know the boys. They will tease him and scare him off.
Come on, I really like him."
"Please, pretty please." I begged.
"Ok but I want you home before everyone goes back."
"Thank you! I'll be here."
And I rushed to get ready. It was already 11 am. I opened my closet to find something appropriate, nothing too dressy or too casual. Finally I decided on pale blue jeans and a shoulder-less maroon (Ron's favorite colour ;-)) top. I put on some make up, as I had to keep up the appearances of a date. After brushing my hair straight and a few final touches I was ready to leave. It was now 11:55 am.
"Mum I'm leaving." I said and on hearing her answer disapparated to Harry's house.
"Hello Harry." I called on apparating in his living room.
"Hi Gin. You are looking wonderful. Lunch will be ready in a jiffy." Said Harry emerging from the kitchen.
"Thank you. You are looking handsome yourself." I said with my eyebrows arched.
He laughed and invited me to sit down.
Actually he was looking good in dark blue jeans and white high collar T-shirt framing his broad shoulders and accentuating his well defined muscles. I shook my head to clear the naughty thoughts.
"So how did you manage to convince your mum to let you come here?" asked Harry bringing me to come back to present.
"I told her that I was going on a date with someone special and won't cancel it for anything." I answered simply.
Harry was stunned, I could see.
"Oh don't worry. It was the only way I could escape. Besides right now you are my highest priority."
Harry was still staring at me when a beep came from the kitchen.
"Lunch is ready. Come on." Harry announced getting up. I followed him into the kitchen.
"The food looks delicious " I said heading towards the bowl containing Pasta.
"Don't. I will take care of everything. After all you are on a date." He admonished.
"Fine." I consented taking a seat on the dining table.
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"The food was wonderful. When did you learn to cook so well?"
"You are forgetting that I had ten years of training."
"Sorry that wasn't very thoughtful. But seriously any girl you choose would be very happy. A boyfriend who is rich, handsome, famous, good person plus a first class cook."
"Really!" Harry said getting up.
"Don't. I'll do the dishes. It will be faster." I admonished and proceeded to take the dishes.
"That reminds me. What were you that day when we met?"
"Oh, I was picking up a ring."
"What! You are getting married." Harry nearly shouted.
I turned around to find him staring at me in shock. I just couldn't suppress my laughter. Finally when I managed to calm down I replied.
"Not me idiot. It's for Ron. He is thinking of proposing to Hermione one of these days."
"Oh! But I thought that they would be married with a few kids by now seeing that Ron is a Weasley."
"So did we but he decided to wait."
"Wait for what?"
"Wait for his best mate to return and take his place as his best man." I elaborated.
"I …" he trailed off sinking into the nearby couch.
I sat beside him. His face was inscrutable. I couldn't read him so I opted for the straightforward way.
"What are you feeling?" I asked.
"I am feeling a lot of emotions. I am angry and sorry for myself. Happy and sorry for Ron, sorry to have left him. Privileged to know both of them and honored that they think that I am worthy of their friendship after all those troubles I brought on them. " He replied, his voice breaking near the end.
"Oh Harry!" I pulled him into a hug and we stayed like that for a long time .
Finally I released him and looked at him in the eyes.
"Harry, they are waiting for you and I think they have given you enough space and time till now. Now its time for you to return to your family, to us."
With that I started to get up to leave but Harry pulled me back and said earnestly. "I want to come back. When should I?"
I pulled him into another hug and kissed him on his cheek. We both looked at each other grinning.
"I want to surprise them so I'll let you know when to come. Ok?"
Harry nodded.
"Now I have to go, so bye." I said before Disapparating.