The Harry Potter universe and all the characters in it belong to J. K. Rowling. I get nothing out of this except enjoyment.
Thanks to Old Crow and Dee (mrs. vanblundht) for prereading this and the next chapter. It was originally one chapter, but as a result of their input it nearly doubled the length, so I split it into two.
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Chapter 11, Return to the Burrow
Friday, July 11
With a soft pop, Harry and Hermione appeared just outside the anti-apparation wards at the Burrow and started walking up the lane toward the house. Just for fun, they had worn their muggle disguises and clothing.
"It will be so good to see everyone again," said Hermione excitedly.
"Remember, we need to get out of these disguises before anyone but the Weasleys see us." Harry cautioned. After a moment he added, "Probably shouldn't even let Percy see us."
Molly was in her kitchen and happened to notice two teens dressed in muggle clothing approaching the house. "That's strange, I wonder what they're doing here?" The notice-me-not charms on the house usually prevented any muggles from coming this close.
Ron, who had been expecting them, called out, "Ginny and I will go check them out."
As Ron and Ginny approached the pair, the unknown girl stopped and put her hand on her hip, appearing to be impatient. Ginny thought that the gesture seemed awfully familiar. She turned her attention to the blonde-haired boy. He looked familiar as well. Then she noticed his green eyes, which were flashing his amusement. Suddenly it hit her. "Harry!" she screamed and launched herself into his arms. Quickly her mouth found his and the rest of the world was tuned out for a while.
After he recovered his senses, Harry glanced over at Ron, surprised to see him staring open-mouthed at Hermione, who had a very satisfied look on her face. That was strange, he thought, Ron knew we were coming this morning. Then he took a better look at Hermione. She was dressed in her muggle summer clothing, which he recalled was considerably more revealing that what she normally wore at the Weasleys. She had on a pair of short shorts and a tight thin-strapped tank top that showed her figure off very nicely. She had acquired a nice tan, which was emphasized by her currently long blonde hair. Over the past month, he had become so used to seeing Hermione dressed like this that he didn't notice any more but now that he thought about it again, she looked really good!
With an evil smirk, Harry leaned over to Hermione and whispered, "All you need now is a padded bra and you're all set."
"Ouch!" Hermione's elbow had found his ribs, and she glared at him, but it slowly changed into a smirk of her own. Impulsively, he reached out and put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a quick hug.
Ron's open-mouthed stare had now changed into a look of curiosity. "What's with you two?"
Hermione saw her chance to tease Ron a little. "Well, we have been living together for a month." She was rewarded with another open-mouthed stare from Ron, but then noticed a look of panic appear on Ginny's face. "Oh honestly, I'm just kidding!" She straightened up and motioned for Harry to do likewise. "Ron, Ginny, I'd like to introduce you to my brother, Harry Potter."
Harry picked it up smoothly, "And I'd like to introduce you to my sister, Hermione Granger."
The looks on Ron and Ginny's faces were replaced with ones of confusion. "What on earth are you two going on about?"
Harry and Hermione quickly explained about how they had resolved their feelings for each other and declared their brother/sister relationship. Hermione gave Ron and Ginny hugs (Harry noticed that Ron held his a little longer than normal), then Harry and Ron slapped each other on the back. "Good to see you, mate!"
Harry put his arm around Ginny and held her close as they walked the rest of the way up to the house. Leaning in he said in a low voice, "You know, we can't do this when people are around."
"I know," she replied glumly.
All of a sudden they heard, "GINEVRA WEASLEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
They jumped apart quickly, then they all looked at each other. "Do you suppose I should introduce Mom to my cute new blonde muggle boyfriend?" Ginny said with a sly look on her face.
The four of them laughed as they hurried into the house to re-introduce Harry and Hermione to Mrs. Weasley. While they were talking, Winky appeared. After hesitating for a moment, she gathered up her courage and approached Harry, thanking him profusely in her squeaky voice for putting her with the Weasley family. Harry knelt down and gave her a hug, and Hermione did also. Harry snuck a nervous glance over at Hermione to see how she was taking it, and was relieved to see her give him a small smile. She had apparently resigned herself to having Winky working for the Weasleys.
"And so," Harry concluded a short time later, "We've been living in a house in London disguised as muggles. We'll be able to use it as a safe hideaway this summer. But if you excuse us, we need to wash out our hair color and get back to normal. The fewer people see us like this, the safer we'll be."
"You can use the shower," he said to Hermione as they climbed the stairs. "I'll wash mine out in the sink."
"OK." Hermione said as she disappeared into Ginny's room. She reappeared shortly wearing a robe. Harry ducked into Ron's room and took off his shirt, then headed towards the bathroom a little later.
"Harry?" Harry turned to find Ron staring at him again. "You can't go in there while Hermione's in the shower!"
Harry mimicked Hermione's earlier answer. "Well, we have been living together for a month." Ron's stare turned into a glare. "Ron," he sighed, "we told you, we think of each other as brother and sister. With all the kids in your family, and only one bathroom, don't tell me you've never seen Ginny in a towel, or in her underwear?"
"It better be at least a towel." Ron muttered as Harry knocked on the door. Hearing from Hermione that she was safely in the shower, he entered the bathroom and went to the sink. Carefully peeling off the makeup from his scar, he soaped up his hair, then used his wand to direct a stream of water all over it, rinsing out the coloring. Finishing with a drying charm, he called to Hermione that the bathroom was all hers again and returned to Ron's room to finish changing.
Eventually Hermione, looking her normal self, and Ginny joined them and they sat down to talk about their how their summer had gone so far. Ron and Ginny were absolutely loving the story of Hermione's encounter with the Dursleys when Hermione suddenly got a gleam in her eye that Harry now recognized. A prank was coming. Hermoine stood up and said, with an exaggerated old English accent. "And then, I turned him into a newt." Harry figured it out immediately, but Ron and Ginny had puzzled looks on their faces. Hermione and he had just watched 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' the night before.
Harry stood up and answered, "Well, he got better." Then he started shouting and pointing at Hermione. "She's a witch, she's a witch! Burn her! Burn her!" At that point the two of them doubled over laughing and collapsed on the beds, Harry beside Ginny and Hermione beside Ron. Their attempted explanations just resulted in Ron and Ginny shaking their heads. Hermione finally just asserted that she and Harry would have to introduce them to more muggle culture and let it go at that.
Then Ron and Ginny took turns telling about what they had been doing. Hermione at first rolled her eyes as Ron began to tell her about the brooms he had bought, but at a scolding look from Harry she began to listen politely, if not enthusiastically as he described her new broom. At Ginny's wistful look Harry felt guilty and decided that they would buy a broom for her too. Next, Ginny was telling about her OWL's when Hedwig suddenly appeared and began to nip at Harry excitedly. "I've missed you too, girl," Harry laughed as he got out some treats.
"How's Crookshanks been?" asked Hermione.
Ginny frowned. "He was OK for a while, but he's been acting real strange lately. We thought maybe he was missing you." At that moment, Crookshanks darted into the room. Instead of settling down in Hermione's lap, he continued to prowl agitatedly around the room.
"Well, I guess that wasn't it." Hermione observed dryly. She reached for her cat, but he dashed away again.
"You know," mused Ron. "I haven't seen him act like this since third year. You know, when he was trying to kill Scabbers?"
"Ron!" Hermione retorted, "He wasn't trying to kill Scabbers, he was just…" she broke off, her eyes wide as she quickly turned to Harry.
"Wormtail!" they both shouted. "Crookshanks, where is he?"
Crookshanks raced from the room and Harry, Ron, and Hermione dashed after him. Ginny, who had been sitting on the bed enjoying being next to Harry, suddenly found herself alone in the room. "Those three never tell me anything," she growled, then leapt to her feet and ran after them.
Crookshanks led them outside and along the side of the house. Suddenly, he swerved out into the yard. They caught a glimpse of a rat speeding toward the edge of the property. "He's trying to get outside the anti-apparation wards," Ron shouted. But Crookshanks was too fast for the rat in the open field and pounced on it snarling. Suddenly, in a process they remembered all too well from the Shrieking Shack, the rat started changing into a man.
"Stupefy!" "Stupefy!" "Petrificus Totalus!" three voices rang out and Pettigrew fell, rigid and unconscious. Harry turned and gave Hermione a quick smirk. "You always have to be different, don't you?" She stuck her tongue out at him and his smirk turned into a smile. Quickly getting serious he shouted, "Ron, get to the floo and call Remus! Tell him to bring Tonks over right away! Ron dashed away. "Hermione, levitate him back to the house. I'll keep my wand on him and make sure he stays stunned." As the two of them moved away, they didn't notice Ginny who had run up behind them and was now standing there watching them wistfully. She gathered up Crookshanks and followed them back into the house.
Soon Remus and Tonks arrived amid general bedlam. Uncharacteristically, Remus was extremely agitated and had trouble deciding what to do. Suddenly he went over and started kicking the unconscious Pettigrew, shouting incoherently. "Trusted you … James and Lily … Betrayed … Harry … Saved your life … Should have killed you …" Finally, Harry and Ron managed to pull him away and he collapsed on the floor shaking.
On the other hand, Tonks was calm and collected. Taking prisoners into custody was what she was trained to do. Making a smart remark about Remus and the extra paperwork he was causing her, she methodically put antiapparation manacles on Pettigrew, made sure he was still stunned, and took him away to the ministry. She was sure that she would make quite a stir at work today.
Eventually Remus calmed down, and he, Bill, and Arthur sat down with the teens to consider the ramifications of the capture of Pettigrew. Molly had gone off on a long rant, frantic about how this incident would affect the wedding, and had had to be given a calming draught. While everyone had hoped differently, they knew that the wedding of a prominent supporter of the light side would make a tempting target. Now they knew beyond a doubt that something was up. They decided that Voldemort undoubtedly knew the day and time of the ceremony, but that Pettigrew's timely capture meant that he didn't know that Harry was there, or what other guests would be attending. They had already put up the anti-apparation wards, and had several strengthening charms on the house, including an impervious charm to resist reduction blasts and a flame suppressing charm. They decided that, although it was a difficult spell that required a lot of magic, they would add an impediment jinx to the wards. This would mean that upon apparating outside the wards, attacking Death Eaters would be slowed down while struggling to get through, which would make them sitting ducks for a counterattack. With all of them working together combining their magic, they managed to add this reinforcement. Arthur and Bill then went to visit the Ministry to see about getting Auror support. Remus left to check up on Tonks and Pettigrew, and the four teens went back inside to help Mrs. Weasley.
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That afternoon Ginny was still working in the kitchen and the other three were resting on the front porch, still talking about Pettigrew. Suddenly the conversation came to a halt, and everyone was staring toward the front yard. Viktor Krum was walking up the lane toward the Burrow.
"Viktor!" Hermione ran down the lane to greet him. Harry smiled as he watched her give her friend a quick hug, then begin talking animatedly with him. Then he noticed that Ron had a deep scowl on his face.
Making a quick decision Harry called out, "Hermione, you catch up with Viktor for a while; Ron and I will finish up." Viktor and Hermione looked up as Harry gave a wave and grabbed Ron and dragged him back inside.
"What are you doing?" snapped Ron. "Finish up what?"
"We're going to talk," growled Harry. "Now!" Harry forced Ron up the stairs and into their room and slammed the door.
"Dammit Ron, do you want Hermione or not?"
"What!"
"Are you attracted to Hermione?" Harry demanded. Ron simply sputtered. Harry continued, "Do you want her for a girlfriend?"
"Are you mad? I told you before, she's just a friend!"
"Then why do you get so bloody jealous about Viktor? You get angry every time his name comes up."
Ron stood gaping. His mouth opened and closed several times but no sound came out. Finally he found his voice. "She's…she's…she's just Hermione. She's supposed to be with us."
Harry stared at Ron for a minute, digesting this statement. "You think if she had a boyfriend she wouldn't be friends with us anymore?" Harry said disbelievingly.
"Well, no, but she wouldn't hang around with us as much, would she? She wouldn't be able to help us as much," Ron mumbled as he stared at his shoes.
Harry was enraged. "You had a girlfriend! I've had girlfriends! How is that any different?" Her continued to glare at Ron, but Ron wouldn't meet his eyes. "You weren't hanging around with us very much while you were snogging Lavender. You can't have it both ways, Ron."
Ron continued to study his shoes in silence. Harry decided to take the plunge and said in a low voice, "You know she fancied you, don't you?"
Ron's head snapped up at this, but he still wouldn't meet Harry's eyes. "I sorta guessed that she did, especially when she asked me to Slughorn's party, but I was trying to pretend she didn't. She's just not what I envision when I think of a girlfriend."
Harry thought about his conversation with Hermione. "Let me guess. You picture a pretty girl with blonde hair, blue eyes … and a great figure."
Ron nodded. "It's that obvious?"
"Well, given what Lavender looks like, and the way you drool around Fleur, it was a pretty easy guess. And I noticed the way you perked up when Hermione showed up this morning with long blonde hair."
"I do not drool around Fleur!"
Harry thought some more. He had also described Luna, but it would probably not be a good idea to bring that up. He then decided to try another approach. "Looks aren't everything though, right? I mean, my dream girl would be pretty and slender with long black hair. Cho was all that, and look at what a disaster that relationship turned out to be."
Ron looked startled. "I thought you were attracted to redheads."
"Why would you think that?"
"Well, your mom had red hair, and Ginny has red hair."
"Ginny has lots of attractive qualities other than her hair. I mean, think about it. She's had red hair for as long as I've known her, but I wasn't attracted to her until this year as I really got to know what she's like." Harry paused, then added, "And you thought I'd be attracted to a girl just because she looks like my mom? Anyone who would think that would be important is delusional!"
Harry thought some more. "You know, Hermione's a lot more like my mom than Ginny is."
"How do you figure?"
"Well, think about it, Ron. They're both muggle borns. They were both the smartest witch in their year. According to Slughorn, my mom excelled in all her classes like Hermione does. My mom was head girl and you know Hermione's going to be head girl. And my mom was constantly nagging my dad and Sirius to behave, like Hermione does with us."
"But your mom was really pretty."
"You don't think Hermione's pretty?"
"She's just sort of average looking. She's just Hermione. She never wears makeup and her hair's kind of a mess. I mean, that's OK I guess if that's what she wants to look like. That's just the way she is." Ron finished by saying, "I like her a lot, though. She's my best friend besides you."
Harry was silent as he thought about his friend. Maybe some day Ron would be able to look past superficial things about girls. He wasn't sure Hermione would be willing to wait that long.
Harry thought back to the event that had brought them up here and decided to deal with one more topic while they were talking.
"Ron, there's one more thing. You've got to get over being jealous so often."
Ron was instantly on the defensive. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Harry chose his words carefully. "Ron, you're a great guy and I love you like a brother. And I'm telling you this because you're my friend. You have a real problem with jealousy."
Ron was silent at first. Then his shoulders slumped and he said in a low voice, "It's not that bad, is it?"
"Ron, you're jealous every time you see Krum. You're jealous of your brothers; you're jealous of Ginny. You're jealous when good things happen to me or to Hermione. It's so bad that we're are almost afraid to tell you when we have good news." He took a deep breath. "Every one is different, Ron. Hermione's brilliant and she studies a lot harder than we do. We can't feel bad when she gets recognized in class or when she gets O's in all her OWL's. We're happy for her because she's our friend. Fred and George make people laugh, but you got more OWL's than the two of them combined. Bill and Percy were Head Boys, but you can't possibly be jealous of Percy the way he's turned out." Here Ron snorted. Harry continued, "Ginny's really popular at school, but what about all those years that she was ignored by her brothers? Charlie won a Quidditch Cup and I won a Quidditch Cup. Now you've won two Quidditch Cups. I'm a good seeker, but I couldn't keep goal to save my life."
Harry paused, gathering himself for the next part. This had always bothered him and he could feel himself start to become emotional. He decided for this once not to hold back. "Hermione and I are only children. That's one of the things that led to us calling ourselves brother and sister. We've never had what you've had all your life. Do you have any idea how much we envy you for having grown up with brothers and a sister?"
Harry was on the verge of losing it, but didn't care now. "You're jealous that I'm rich and famous. Haven't you seen that I HATE being famous? Bloody hell, Ron, I'm famous because my parents died and I somehow lived when I was a baby! DON'T YOU THINK I'D GIVE ALL THE MONEY I HAVE IF I COULD JUST HAVE MY PARENTS BACK?" Harry couldn't take it any more. All the pressure that had been accumulating and the feelings he had been suppressing for the last month broke loose and came crashing down on him. Embarrassed now, he hid his head in his hands and began sobbing, trying desperately to regain control.
What happened next stunned Harry. Ron came forward and grabbed Harry in a great bear hug, with Harry's head resting on his shoulder. As Harry fought to regain control, he felt a soft pair of hands hug him from behind, then another. Tenderly, Hermione and Ginny peeled him away from Ron and led him into their room where they sat him on a bed between them and continued to comfort him. For a change, he ignored his instinct to pull away and withdraw into himself, instead relaxing into their arms.
As the girls led Harry out of the room, Ron stood face to face with Viktor Krum. He gulped and put out his hand. "Hello Viktor. I'm Ron Weasley."
Krum had an unreadable expression on his face. "I know who you are. I'm honored to shake your hand."
"What? Why?"
"Were you not one of the five Hogwarts students who fought with Harry Potter at the Department of Mysteries in your Ministry of Magic? That was the most inspiring victory for the light side in this war! Six students held off twelve veteran Death Eaters! Surely you must be used to being honored for this heroic feat? You must have received medals from your ministry."
"B-but you're an international quidditch hero!"
"Bah! Playing a sport does not make one a hero. Risking your life against overwhelming odds for a cause you believe in, that is what makes you a hero!"
Ron stood with a stunned expression on his face for another moment, then extended his hand again and shook hands with the most famous quidditch player in the world, who had just called him a hero.
Harry was feeling better, not surprisingly since two pretty girls were hugging him, when he heard Ron and Viktor approaching the room. Hermione got up to let them in and he heard Viktor saying, "I would also like to meet the other three students."
"Well," Ron said proudly as they entered the bedroom, "one of them is right here. My sister, Ginny Weasley." With a confused expression Ginny rose from where she was still hugging Harry, and Viktor repeated the same things he had just told Ron. A flushed Ginny sat back down by Harry in a daze. He smiled and put his arm around her to give her a congratulatory hug as Hermione beamed at Viktor. Harry noticed with satisfaction that Ron did not scowl this time.
Then Viktor turned to Harry. "And Harry Potter. I must thank you for changing my life. Because of your example I made a decision that has given my life meaning. I have quit playing silly games and have dedicated myself to fighting Voldemort. I would be honored to be allowed to fight by your side."
Harry nodded. He had felt a bond with the dour Bulgarian ever since the tournament. "And I would be honored as well." He stood and shook Viktor's hand, then clasped him on the shoulder. As he did he could hear Ron muttering, "Silly game? Quidditch? Silly game?" and was unable to suppress a smile.
Eventually Hermione asked, "So, Viktor, you are here for Bill and Fleur's wedding?"
"Of course, Fleur is one of my best friends."
There was a look of astonishment on three faces, but Harry just nodded. Viktor noticed the astonished looks and raised an eyebrow. Hermione recovered first. "It-it's just that you seem so different. You're so serious and she's …"
"Such a ditz," said Ginny before she could stop herself.
Viktor's familiar scowl returned at this. "Fleur was a Tri-wizard champion, just as were Harry and myself."
"And Cedric." Harry interrupted.
"Thank you. And Cedric. When people share an experience such as that a bond is formed. I believe, Hermy-own-nee, that you told me a frightening experience with a troll brought the three of you together. On the surface, you would not seem to have much in common with Harry and Ron. Fleur is one of the bravest witches I know."
The other three looked abashed at that revelation. Harry then spoke in a low voice. "I'm quite disappointed in the three of you with your attitudes toward Fleur. Especially you Hermione. I wouldn't expect you to make a judgment on someone from surface appearances. You all go on about how brave I was facing that dragon, or going into the lake. Remember, there were three others who faced a dragon that day, three others who went down into that lake to rescue their loved ones. Four people entered that maze and only three came out alive."
Ron swallowed hard, and there were tears in the eyes of Hermione and Ginny. It was hard to know who felt worse, Hermione that she had failed to live up to Harry's opinion of her, or Ginny that Harry expected more from Hermione than he did from her. Viktor nodded to Harry with satisfaction on his face. As he had expected, there was clearly a bond between him and Harry as well, and he suspected that Harry felt similarly toward Fleur.
The room was silent for some time. Finally Harry said, "OK let's put this behind us. We all make mistakes. Merlin knows I've made plenty. Ron and Ginny, why don't you go see what's happening downstairs. I think Hermione and I need to talk to Viktor some more."
"Oh, and Ginny?" Ginny turned to look at him. "Remember, we're just friends now." Ginny turned away sadly, fighting to keep tears from her eyes. Ron put his arm around her and they walked off together.
Harry led Hermione and Viktor into his room and cast a privacy charm on the door and window. He looked at Hermione for a moment and she nodded, then he turned to Viktor. "There are some things going on that I can't tell you about. I mean, some of this we haven't even told Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," he said apologetically.
Victor just nodded. "I understand. I will do whatever I can to help."
Harry continued, "Hermione and I have basically disappeared. We're here for the wedding because people would be even more suspicious if I didn't come to this, but after the wedding we disappear again. Actually, officially Hermione isn't even here either. No one was supposed to see her. She'll be under an invisibility cloak at the wedding. We didn't expect anyone to come until later."
"I'm supposed to be out of the country with my parents, "Hermione added.
"And I messed it up by coming a day early," responded Viktor. "I'm sorry, but I wanted to talk to you alone."
"That's OK, I appreciate your offer and I have something that I think you can do for us. I'm just telling you that so that you don't give her away tomorrow." Harry continued, outlining his plan to use the Department of Underage Magic to hunt down Death Eaters. "So I need someone in the Ministry that I can trust to work on this," he finished. "I just wish I could think of a way to persuade the Ministry to take you in."
Viktor had an amused expression on his face. Harry was somewhat startled. He wasn't sure he had ever seen Viktor smile. Viktor just said, "Harry Potter!"
Harry was confused. "Really Viktor, please just call me Harry."
"No," Viktor said, "you do not understand. I am Viktor Krum. You are Harry Potter. I can walk into the Ministry of Magic in any country in Europe and they would give me any job I asked for! You could do the same."
Hermione was smiling at Harry as he finally realized how fame could sometimes be useful, and he broke into a smile as well. "That's great! You and I will go see the Minister as soon as the wedding is over. I only wish we could figure out a way to get Hermione in there as well."
Viktor thought a minute. "Some sort of disguise?"
Harry replied, "We've thought of that, and she does have a pretty good disguise – even fooled Ginny for a while this morning – but it would look suspicious if I showed up at the Ministry with a stranger."
Viktor suggested, "Perhaps a distant relative?"
Harry pondered this suggestion a moment, then a smile slowly appeared on his face and he turned to Hermione. "Do you speak French?"
Hermione looked at him curiously, then grinned. "Mais oui!"
Harry looked puzzled. "May we what?" Hermione and Viktor broke out into laughter.
"Harry, that's French for 'of course'. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Harry nodded. "How about English with a French accent?"
Hermione laughed again. "I think Fleur has a cousin she doesn't know about yet." She clapped her hands together excitedly. "Now I won't have to wear that invisibility cloak to the wedding!"
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That evening Fleur arrived with her family to introduce them to the Weasleys. Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Viktor were waiting to greet them.
Fleur first went up to Harry to reintroduce him to her sister Gabrielle. Harry couldn't believe how mature Gabrielle looked! Hadn't this been a little girl just two years ago? Looking over at the others, he noticed Ron with a familiar dazed look on his face and Ginny trying to hide a scowl. He turned to greet Fleur and Gabrielle.
"Arry, this is my sister Gabrielle. She has been looking forward so much to meeting you again." Gabrielle gave Harry a dazzling smile and he was proud that he was able to keep himself under control.
"It's good to see you again Gabrielle. You've certainly grown up since I saw you last."
Gabrielle was disappointed that she didn't seem to be having any effect on Harry. "I'll be starting my third year at Beauxbatons in the fall. I'm so glad to see you again." She lowered her voice suggestively, "I wanted to thank you again for saving me, perhaps a little more personally."
Harry continued to maintain a calm, polite manner. "You're certainly welcome. I'm glad to see you're doing so well." He turned toward Ron. "Do you remember Ron Weasley? He was also in the lake that day, and he helped me rescue you." Gabrielle turned to Ron and saw that he, at least, was not immune to her. She gave one last sad glance back at Harry, then decided to turn her efforts elsewhere for the time being.
As Gabrielle began to talk with Ron, who looked like he wouldn't be able to think coherently for a while, Harry looked around at the others. Fleur had greeted Viktor enthusiastically, and he had whispered something to her and moved her slightly away from the others to hurriedly inform her of their plan. Harry saw her nod and move away. He was impressed by how quickly she had caught on. As the group walked up toward the house, she smoothly moved among her relatives and had a brief word with each. This was a very capable witch! He was glad they had her on their side. Harry turned to where he knew Hermione was waiting under the invisibility cloak and nodded. As he turned back to the group Ginny moved up alongside of him.
"Pretty impressive Mr. Potter. How is it that you were unaffected by that little tart while my drooling brother can't string five words together?"
"Perhaps because I have someone else I'm thinking of." Harry responded with a sly look.
Ginny rewarded him with the brightest smile he had seen yet, and he couldn't resist grabbing her for a quick hug.
When the party had reached the house Molly came out and asked, "Is this everyone, then?"
"No, Fleur replied smoothly, my cousin Janelle will be here shortly." At this Hermione appeared with a small pop outside the apparition wards in long blonde hair and dark glasses, and hurried up to join the rest.
Harry grabbed Ginny's arm to hold her back briefly. "In case she looks familiar, that's Hermione," he said with a wink. "She's going to disguise herself as Fleur's cousin when we visit the ministry next week and we thought we'd try out the disguise on Fred and George first."
Harry noticed that he and Ginny were the only ones remaining outside and had an idea that perhaps they needed to check that some nearby bushes were trimmed properly. Ginny was delighted with that idea. Fortunately, no one noticed when they finally entered the house fifteen minutes later that Ginny's hair was considerably messier than it had been, or that she was happier than she had been all summer.
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The rest of the evening was an enjoyable time for everyone. Harry was able to spend time near Ginny, and Ginny was able to restrain herself from glaring at Gabrielle when the French girl attempted to engage Harry in a very friendly conversation before giving up and sulking away. Hermione performed beautifully as a Delacour. She was vivacious and charming and knew enough about France and French culture to pull it off. Fred and George were stumbling over each other to spend time with her and even Ron tried to hit on her before he remembered who she was. Harry decided that even more than the different hair, what made Hermione difficult for those who knew her to recognize was her attitude. No one expected Hermione to be having so much fun! Eventually Hermione attached herself to Viktor to discourage the twins' attention, and she and Viktor finished the evening talking with Harry and Ginny.
Harry had asked earlier where everyone was going to stay. Ron had replied that some of Fleur's relatives were going to stay at the Lovegoods or the Diggorys, but that all of the Weasley relatives would just apparate in on the day of the wedding. Charlie would be staying with Bill, and the twins already had their own place above their shop. Harry was startled briefly by the mention of the Diggorys. Now that he thought of it, he knew that they lived nearby because they had accompanied the Weasleys to the Quidditch World Cup. Picking up on what Harry was thinking, Arthur mentioned that Amos Diggory had never really recovered from the loss of his son. He had been one of the best managers at the Ministry and had been on track to eventually become Minister of Magic, but since that night he had just been going through the motions. Harry and Viktor decided that they would pay Amos a visit.
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A/N I always thought Fleur was treated unfairly in HBP and in most fanfics. She was a triwizard champion, so she must have been pretty capable. BTW, I snuck another nod to harmony shippers into this chapter.