Dinner at Seven

See previous disclaimers. I do not own HP or any other characters except Clarice.

Please forgive me for the slow updates.

As though Harry didn't have enough problems in his life already, Ginny was acting strangely. She was acting like she was trying to impress someone. Not him though. Harry's life was too hectic to be worried about something so trivial. His search for Hermione has once again ended up a dead end. He's searched everywhere for her, but no avail. She has seemed to drop off the face of the earth. As though she never existed, she left no paper trail to find her. It's been five years, and Harry was slowly dying inside. He had three years left, before they would lose each other forever. He couldn't bear the thought that she would never remember who he was, the years they spent together, and that one special night that he relived everyday. His thoughts were interrupted by Ginny clearing her throat.

"Harry, Are you okay? You seemed to be a little spacey tonight." She asked quizzically.

"Yeah, just thinking about work. I'm sorry, the information I received has put me back at a dead end again." He said back sympathetically. "I'm really sorry. Are we ready to go?"

"Yeah." She said glowing.

Much to Harry's surprise, Ginny seemed more enthusiastic about going to Neville's place. She had been doing so much to promote his book lately that they never seemed to get a moment alone. With all the research he was doing. He found that getting away for the night seemed to be the best solution. Harry ushered her out the door and silently put the wards up around his flat. They walked down the stairs and onto the street. Walking for a few moments they scanned the area to see if anyone was watching. They disappeared into thin air.

Arriving at Neville's house, Harry rang the door bell. Ginny fidgeted with her purse strap, winding it on her thumb then letting it go again.

"Are you okay? What is making you so nervous? It's just Neville." Harry whispered to her.

"I'm fine; you know I just hate doing these dinner party things. I hate lots of people. I'd rather be home curled up on the couch with you watching a chic flick. You know me." She said quietly.

"This isn't the Ginny that I know. She loves parties. You like being the life of the party. What happened to the Ginny that I once knew?" He said while poking her in the ribs.

She giggled in return. Harry noticed that and he just beamed.

"There she is." He said gently placing a kiss on her forehead.

"I'll be alright Harry. I just want to get through this. Go home and be comfortable again." She said shyly.

At that moment Neville opened the door and ushered the pair quickly in. Neville handed Harry what seemed to be an invitation of some sort. Harry quickly opened it.

You have been cordially invited to

An honoring of one of the most famous

Witches in the world. Tonight we will

Gather in her presence while she accepts

Her title of Doctor. She has made unique

Discoveries on behalf of the wizarding

World. And tonight is her time to be

Recognized.

This was unexpected. Harry thought that they were only here for one of Neville's famous informal dinner parties. He didn't expect to be here for the honoring of someone. He looked at Neville with curiosity.

"Who are we honoring?" Harry quickly asked.

"I don't really know yet. She hasn't arrived from the States yet. All I know is that I had to host the party. Apparently from what they told me she has made some excellent discoveries with magical plants. They said that she has found ways to cure muggle diseases and such. They didn't give me any specific details. Sorry Harry. I can't give you any more than that." He said apologetically.

As quickly as he recovered from the shock, Harry was met by Minerva McGonagall.

"Harry, It's nice to see you again." She said while holding out her had.

"It's nice to see you again too, Professor." Harry said.

"Could I have a moment with you? There is something that I must discuss with you and truthfully it can't wait any longer." She said quietly.

"Sure. If you could just excuse us. We'll be back momentarily." He said while excusing himself from Ginny and Neville.

Quietly Minerva ushered him into another room.

"Harry, you've been working yourself like a dog looking for Hermione, Have you not?"

"Yes." Was all he could say.

"Harry, you've shoved yourself in a corner, and now your having problems getting out of it. Your not in love with Miss. Weasley are you?" She asked him.

"To be honest with you, no. I consume all my time with trying to find Hermione that I've neglected the relationship I've had in front of me all along. I just feel like I don't belong with her. I've wanted to tell her, but we just don't get the time anymore." He replied with tears in his eyes. He had been putting up a front for everyone, but deep inside he was dying. And in the mean time Ginny had been suffering too. That really hit his last nerve.

"Harry, we may have found Hermione. But we can't be sure." Minerva said quietly.

"What?" He said as he tried to take a seat on the sofa.

"Harry, we may have found her. She has been going under a different name for the past five years. We think that she is ready to emerge back onto the wizarding scene again. We just can't be sure of it. Here's the lead that they told me to give you. That's all they said to me."

Harry gently took the piece of paper as if it would shatter. He unfolded it gently and stared at the words he saw. How could he have been so stupid. He should have known that Hermione would do something like that.

"Sarah Potter." He whispered.

He looked quizzicly at Minerva. "Why wouldn't I have thought to trace the last name Potter? I never thought she would do something like this. But Minerva there is no address or anything. How will I know how to find her?" He asked her.

"Patience Harry. Maybe she didn't want to be found. Let her come to you. Don't go trying to be the hero and save her. I don't think that she wanted to be saved. When she's ready she will let you know. Meanwhile, we have an honoring we need to attend. Shall we go?"

Harry hesitated, not knowing what to do. When he realized what she said to him, he quickly ushered her out of the room.

They walked quickly to the ballroom. Harry's thought were spinning now.

Hermione. How could she do this to us? After all this time, she now wants to start her life back here. What will I say to her? Should I go and try to find her. No, let her come to you. Don't rush anything. She may not be ready to step back into the life that she had been missing. Don't push it Harry. Let her come to you.

As they stepped into the ballroom the ceremony had already started. It was dead silent. Neville stood at the podium and was about to announce the arrival of their special guest.

He was searching the crowd for someone. He was hesitating. He spotted Harry and he seemed to be surprised. He didn't think that he would return after his conversation with Minerva.

Neville cleared his throat. "I'm honored to be here, to present this accomplishment. This young lady has now combined together the muggle and wizarding world. She has made medical discoveries that would have never shocked the world, as it has today. May I please present to you our honored guest of the night…" Neville hesitated again, locking eyes with The-Boy-Who-Lived. Neville stuttered, not knowing what else to say. He locked up. Harry gave him a quizzical look. Neville once again, started to speak.

"I'm sorry about that. It's just wonderful news to know that I get to present this. It's kind of nerve wracking. Sorry, I'm blabbing." The guests chuckled at this.

"Let me start over. May I please present to you the honored guest of the night. Doctor Sarah Potter." Neville once again found Harry's eyes. Neville's eyes were pleading an apology. He mouthed quietly to Harry, "I'm so sorry." Harry understood.

She didn't want me to know. She kept to a different life. That's where she stayed. She made a life over in the states and never looked back. How can I be mad at someone for something I had no control over. But she had control. She could have at least told me goodbye.

Harry felt as though he was going to faint. He stood uneasily against Minerva. Next thing he knew he was looking into the most beautiful cinnamon eyes.

"Hermione." He whispered softly.

"Harry." She said breathlessly.

Sorry for the late update. Please forgive me.

Megan