Aw, guys thx for all the reviews! I'm so pleasesniff sniff anyway, thx for reminding me that its "patients" not patience. Ha ha I'm so stupid sometime. Thx for all the reviews and support. Here's the new chapter

cheers

L. Kim

Chapter 3 The family gathering

The Leaky Cauldron was so crowded when we entered. I had to squeeze past two burly wizards and a group of giggling witches to get to the Weaslys who were sitting at the far end of the shop

"Hermione, dear! Glad you can come!" Mrs.Weasly wrapped me into a tight hug and I could smell her strong perfume "Now, you're one of our family, you must come to our gathering"

One of our family?

I stared at Harry and Ginny (who looked quite busy before I arrived) they spotted me and waved and grinned. Ginny seemed so please that tears welled in her eyes. Did I miss something?

" 'Ermione!" Holy crap, that's phlegm! She came to hug me so tight to the point of nearly strangling me. When she pulled away, her eyes were glistering with happy tears "I'm so glad for you. Finally! You must be 'appy!"

I was thunderstruck "Um…I'm 'appy…I mean happy"

"Oh, ze good girl" she put an arm around my shoulders and held me close

Mr. Weasly was beaming at me

I looked at Ron. He turned so red (surprise! Surprise!) And he looked down at his new polished shoes

What the HELL is going on!

"Now, dear, have a seat " said Mrs.Weasly as she pulled me to sit down next to Ginny and poured me a cup of butter beer "Gin,Harry,dear, move over so Ron can sit next to Hermione….That's it!" she exclaimed as the git slided his fat bottom to sit next to me on the wooden bench

"Tom! Take orders!" bellowed Mr. Weasly and Tom, the barman, came up to me, wearing the same toothily grin

"Ms. Granger! Pleasure to see you again!" grinned Tom "It seems like yesterday you were here with your parents to buy your Hogwarts' supplies!"

I smiled "It seems like yesterday to me too"

"The usual?" he asked

"Yes. Fish and ships with extra cheese…oh…and a salad"

"Right you are, miss" he bowed and turned to Ron

"A salad?" exclaimed Ron

"I have the feeling that you don't approve of me having a salad" I looked sideways at him

"Well…no. This is a free country. But since when did you actually touch a salad?"

"Even you don't eat healthy food, it doesn't mean you have the right to criticize people who do eat them, Ron" Take that, you git!

He just looked shock as he ordered a steak. Tom staggered away

"So, Ron, Hermione! "My head shot up and realized the person who was sitting opposite of me. Percy Weasly! He somehow looked different. He still wore his horn-rimmed glasses and had that look about him.

"Hi.Percy!"

"Heard you are the editor of the Daily Prophet now! A job well done!" he said "But did you hear about the new law our department set up? About the freedom of press and the rights of reporters?"

I bit my lips. Well, alright. he's still the same jerk and the world's greatest prat

"Hey, Perce, shove off and let us have a seat" shouted Fred "yeah, I know…you are still babbling about that new law! Well, it will change the world, that law. That's a compliment to your big brains, Perce. Now, move!"

Percy scowled but moved aside to let Fred and George sit next to him.

Suddenly, I realized………

"Percy! You have a new hair cut!" I exclaimed

"Yeah" he looked quite please with himself.

"You've dyed your hair red-brown and you let it grow long!" that's the world's greatest mystery! Percy adored rules then why did he get this new, well…dashing haircut?

"He did a makeover to impress Penelope Clearwater "quipped George "but I like your new look, Perce. It's cool. Very stylish"

"Very spiffing" cut in Fred

I laughed. Percy looked like he'd swallowed a dozen of dung bombs.

Mrs. Weasly walked over "Are you comfortable, dear?" she asked me

"Oh, very comfortable , Mrs.Weasly, thank you" I answered as Tom laid my dish of fish and chips and salad in front of me "It's a surprise, though, that you didn't held this gathering at the Burrow"

"Well, sometimes I get lazy of cooking, dear" she smiled. There's something about her smile that seemed fluster and she seemed please about something "Ron, me and your father wants to have a word with you, dear"

"S-Sure, mum" Ron spluttered. He stood up and walked over to his father, standing hunch in a corner with Mrs. Weasly right at his heels.

I turned back to the teasing twins and a very ill looking Percy.

"Where's Angelina? " I asked Fred

"Home. Matthew's sick" informed Fred "He wouldn't stop crying when I left"

"You know what?" said George "It's your fault that little midget is ill, mate, you test our Weasly Babies Wheezes products on him"

"I did not!" yelled Fred "Well, I tried …. But Angelina caught me and nearly grounded me for two months"

"Serve you right, mate" grinned his twin

"He should be grounded!" piped in Percy "giving unauthorized pranks to a baby is against Wizarding law! What if your son die?"

"Good point, Perce!" Fred turned to his twin "Well, next time let test our products on Baby Percy!"

"Not funny! "Groaned Percy. He stood up "If you'll excuse me, I'll need to have a little talk with Harry about the new decrees for Aurors" He walked away, slouching.

I finished my meal and wiped my mouth. "I'm going to the toilet" I informed the howling twins and Ginny

She squeezed my arms "I'm so happy for you, Hermione" she whispered

"Uh…." What the hell is wrong with everyone today? "Thanks, Gin"

I walked past the tables and groups of witches and wizards to do my business in the toilet (no details here!) and walked out after I Finished.

I was walking towards our table when I heard the sound of Mrs.Weasly's anxious voice coming from the corner of the shop. I looked and saw her, Ron and Mr. Weasly talking in low voices. Well, it's not of my business what they're talking about. People like Hermione Granger does not eavesdrop but then I thought I heard them mention my name…That's not good

I craned my neck towards them and hid behind a post. I needed to use all my will powers to heard them over all the hubbubs

"……yourself together! " Mr.Weasly was glaring at his youngest son

"I know, Dad!" said Ron, a troubled look on his red face

"I'd the impression that you're going to ask her this evening, while you were picking her up!" said Mrs.Weasly

My heat skipped a beat. She can't be talking about what I think she's talking about!

"It's…complicated. I can't….I can't make myself do it" groaned Ron

Mr. Weasly grabbed her son's shoulders "now, you need to concentrate. You need to do this. Repeat after me!"

"I need to do it" muttered Ron. A witch walked over to stand in front of me and blocked my view

"Crap!" I pulled out my wand and pointed it at the witch's burly shoes "Emmienta !" the witch's shoes suddenly slipped from her feet and flew to the other side of the room, hitting a wizard in the head. The witch gave a little scream and hurried after her flying shoes.

I turned to my target

"You love her, don't you?" asked Mrs. Weasly seriously

"Of course I do, mum" said Ron, his ears turning bright red

"Then you have to gather your courage and ask her!" hissed his mother

"I…just…can't" mouthed Ron "Every time I tried to ask her, I started to go red and couldn't speak a word more!"

"You two been going out for years now and, believe me, she's expecting you to ask her by now" said Mr. Weasly

Ron's eyes widened "Really? Do you think she's expecting it?"

I had to resist the temptation of hexing him right there on the spot! Really, how stupid could you be? Git git git git git git git git! I can't believe I'm dating HIM!

"Of course she's expecting it" said Mrs. Weasly "It's been four years now. She's smart, that Hermione and you have to ask her before she slips out of your fingers!"

Ron sighed and rubbed his face "Alright, I'll try and think of something"

That's right, you should, Ron or I swear you will never think again! I gripped my wand tighter