Author's Notes: For all of those readers who might think that Ginny will have another boyfriend or lover, I'm telling this straight forward. That would be absurd to weave about that web of events, might I say a little hopeless too. The set of events in the next few chapters will basically foreshadow my main idea of this story, not to mentiona quite a bit of fluff in the next chapters.Thank you for all of the reviews. Enjoy the Chapter!

-Apac

Chapter 18: The Trio Reunites

Harry walked out with Hermione towards the Hogwarts gates, the afternoon wind blowing softly around the grounds. His feelings were mixed between certain anxiousness and excitement as his stomach twisted itself into tight knots.

He had not seen Ron since that one night at the Ministry Ball. They had only contacted by few letters over the years. Harry stuffed his hands into his pockets as Hogsmeade village started to come into view. The village had now grown to a considerable size as citizens of the wizarding population tried to seek shelter closer to Hogwarts. All of the shops were centered around one street, Main Avenue.

"Hey Hermione." Hermione glanced at Harry as the two walked right onto Main Avenue. Hundres of shops attracted Harry's attention as they walked further into Hogsmeade. Harry even saw a miniature sized bank situated between two bookstores.

"Yes Harry?" Harry ran a hand through his hair as he warily glanced at Hermione.

"How is Ron anyway? Is he by any chance…you know…angry with me?" Hermione stopped in her tracks and stared directly into Harry's eyes.

"No Harry, he's not even a bit mad. Ron's been just fine. It had hurt him that you left on such notice but he understands that things happen in life. You just can't avoid it." Harry nodded.

"So is Ron waiting in your house right now?" Hermione nodded.

Regular residents of the village straggled around Main Avenue and window-shopped on anything interesting. Harry vaguely noticed that many were heading towards the newly opened Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

"So Fred and George are doing good business if I may guess." Hermione nodded again.

"Their business is excellent for the people at Hogwarts but to the teachers, it causes problems. Having someone set off a stink bomb in your room isn't exactly pleasant." Harry chuckled as Hermione wrinkled her nose. "They now have two stores situated in great locations. The one in Diagon Alley boomed with success.

Walking off Main Avenue and turning onto a small dirt path, Harry and Hermione passed a few houses before Harry was standing upon the living quarters of Hermione and Ron. It was a cozy abode for the young couple.

"Welcome Harry, to 1636GryffindorLane." Harry looked up at the fair sized house. The house was painted a light shade of tan along with a red roof.

"Nice house Hermione." Hermione beamed at Harry.

"It's the perfect size for me and Ron. Not too big and not too small, just enough room to have kids too." Harry spluttered, turning a shade of red. It was the last thing on Harry's mind to think about his best friends 'producing'...kids."

"Your planning to have kids now?" Hermione glared at Harry.

"Oh honestly Harry, not NOW. But I tend to think ahead of time. It comes in handy during life.." Harry smiled at Hermione's enthusiastic look on her face. The trio was going to be reunited again. The front door opened to reveal a tall red-head male beaming.

Ron emerged from the house dressed in his favorite pair of jeans and a blue sweater. He had a wide smile on his face. "Harry!" Ron ran over to Harry before the two shook hands and gave each other a manly hug. "You're finally back in England! Come in, come in!"

Harry was lead by Ron and Hermione towards the front door where a small fountain was currently situated. Inside the main entrance, a set of polished wood covered the ground while family portraits of Ron's and Hermione's families hung on each side of the wall.

Harry took off his sneakers before being gestured to the living room by Ron. Hermione walked off to the kitchen to prepare tea.

Ron sat down in a plushy sofa, gesturing with his hand for Harry to do the same. Harry sat down on a recliner, folding his hands in his lap. He couldn't help but notice Ron's usual wide smile as the two shared their time.

"Wow Ron, still taller than me aren't ya? What are you, 6'5?"" Ron nodded his head.

"Somewhere around there I bet, don't really keep track." Ron examined Harry for a second."You've changed a lot too. Where was the scrawny best friend I had two years ago?" Both men chuckled.

"Tea's ready." Hermione walked into the living room with a kettle of tea and three cups floating after her. "Tea Harry?" Harry nodded, grabbing one of the cups from mid-air. He waited while the kettle poured hot tea into his mug.

Hermione walked to Ron and sat next to him. "So Harry, what have you done these past two years?" Harry scratched his head trying best phrase his job to his best friends.

"I've been trying to make the world a better place to live in." Ron snorted earning him a hit from Hermione on the shoulder.

"Woman, what was that for?" Hermione glared at Ron.

"For being your own inconsiderate self and laughing at Harry's occupation." Ron snorted again.

"I'm sorry Harry, but your job description makes me think of some over-rated politician." Harry chuckled as Ron scrunched up his face to look serious. "If you pick me, I will do everything in my power to make sure there is a chicken in every pot, a car in every driveway, and money in everyone's pockets. Just doing my best to make the world a better place to live."

"Maybe I am a polotician Ron, would that be a problem to you?" Harry held a cheeky grin on his face.

Ron was speechless, muttering broken phrases of 'no' and 'what?' Hermione, however was not fazed.

"No really Harry, what's your job like? Your letters tous didn't exactly answer my questions." Harry smiled innocently.

"Sorry, my job's kinda hard to explain. Certain things I'm not supposed to mention to you." Hermione was torn between understanding and frustration at not knowing what Harry was doing for a living. Ron however, had a hard time keeping his frustration inside. He stood up swiftly.

"Harry, you prick! Two years and you haven't told me a thing about your occupation. What's such a secret to keep? It's not like you're some low bum…are you?" Harry shook his head. Sighing, he ran a hand through his messy hair.

"Alright, I'll give you an idea of what my job is, since I trust my life with you two." Hermione and Ron both were on the edge of their seats.

"It's like some kind of organization that fights off evil. Like the Order of Phoenix remember?" Ron looked dumbfounded while Hermione was clearly racking her brain for answers.

"You mean like an Auror?" Ron blurted out.

"Somewhat." Hermione had a glint in her eyes. Harry cringed at her fast thinking process.

"Harry! You're an international agent?" Harry nodded.

"I guess that is one way to say it. The job helps me control my powers and gives me experience. I wanted to learn how to defend myself, and the people who I care for dearly, while taking out international dangers. It's a win-win situation."

Ron seemed pretty excited about the whole thing whilst Hermione had a worried expression on her face.

"Way to go Harry!"

"Oh Harry, you're putting youself in danger again!"

Both Hermione and Ron looked at each other before glancing back at Harry. Harry shrugged.

"Well being an Auror would put me in danger anyway. My life hasn't exactly been safe considering I would've been murdered at the age of one." Ron stood up and walked over to Harry, putting one large hand on his shoulder, grinning mischievously.

"So…how much do you get paid. Those jobs must be worth a lot of gold!" Harry chuckled at Ron's wide-eyed expression. Hermione didn't seem so pleased at Ron's childish antics.

"Ron! How much Harry gets paid isn't any part of our business." Hermione looked at Harry to back her up. Harry sighed again. He hated to be in the middle of things.

"It's alright Hermione. Ron, I get paid enough to get by." Ron put his other hand on Harry's other shoulder and shook Harry lightly.

"And then some! I heard from a couple of team-mates that these agents can probably live five comfortable lives with money still left over!" Harry shrugged.

"Maybe. I never needed the money. My parent's and Sirius's vaults added together could've had me living pretty comfortably." Harry thought to himself of his life. He really didn't need the money and he really didn't want the fame. It just all came to him whether he like it or not.

Harry looked around the living room. There was a large fireplace at the other side of the large room with a portrait of Hermione and Ron probably a year ago. Ron noticed Harry's stare. He too, looked at the portrait, ruffling his long red hair around a bit.

"Harry, we're going to replace that picture with the one from our wedding. Well, we're hoping that you can be my best man Harry. I am hoping at least and I'm sure Hermione would want the same." Harry snapped out of his inner thoughts. He smiled at Ron.

"I wouldn't miss the wedding for the world Ron, when is it?"

"It's in a month." Hermione said out firmly. "In a month, no changes at all. Rain or shine, we will have it at the Burrow. Tents will be set up in case of the weather. Since it's now late November, we will have the wedding probably a week after New Year's. Best time to start something new."

Ron rolled his eyes before whispering to Harry. "Women and their weddings. Hermione and my mum make a deadly team. They dragged me all over town just to hire a priest pick out suits for the men. Tiresome days really…" Harry chuckled. Mrs. Weasley had made quite a reputation at planning large gatherings. These things made her a totally different woman.

Hermione had luckily not heard Ron's whispers as she got up gracefully to fill up the keg of tea again. Harry, feeling himself getting anxious, still had one thing in his mind at the moment.

"Ron?" Ron walked back to his sofa before plopping down and extending his arms on either side of the sofa.

"Yea Harry?" Harry swallowed, hard.

"How's Ginny been doing?" A look of understanding appeared on Ron's face as he sighed and looked directly into Harry's eyes.

"Ginny's been doing okay lately I guess. She now works a lot ever since that promotion she got at the Ministry. Her new job is ainvestigator since she hated writing gossip about everything. Something about Parvati and Lavendor being in her compartment."

Ron seemed amused. It nowseems as if the public now enjoys to read the truth instead of made up juicy gossip. Witch Weekly hasn't changed a bit though. Harry, you're-"

"I know Ron. I'm most elegible bachelor. Just some more attention that I don't really need. Getting followed by 20 girls around town may sound like a man's dream but it gets irritating when you want to be alone. Someone's always in a bush nearby doing God knows what." Harry scowled.

Ron chuckled. "Men would kill to be you."

"I know Ron."

"Women would kill to be with you."

"Ron, stop this. I don't really want to hear about this right now." Ron laughed as he made way for a newly arriving Hermione.

"I overheard your conversation about Ginny Harry. Oh, and I've also received a letter from mum inviting the three of us to dinner tonight. We'll be leaving in about half an hour."

"Half an hour Hermione!" Harry stood up from his recliner and paced the room. Meeting with the Weasley'stonighst? Harry was definitely not ready emotionally."Will every Weasley be there?"

Hermione saw right through Harry's statement. Harry wanted to know the whereabouts of Ginny. She smiled. "No, usually most of the Weasley family would be at work so Molly sometimes eats alone or with Bill or Charlie. Depends on when they come to visit. Ron and I always give her company."

Ron spoke tentatively. "Harry, do you…hate Ginny?" Harry whipped around from his place in front of the recliner and spoke in a serious voice.

"No Ron, we both have made some serious mistakes in our lives. It's not her fault really. It was both of our faults. I'm just trying to sort this out as fast as I can, you know. It's causing both of us pain. As Hermione might have said it, procrastination never works." Ron was mortified that Harry was stating to learn from Hermione.

"Mate, you're really rubbing off of her! Snap out of it!" Ron was then scolded by Hermione as the female one of the trio talked some sense into her fiance.

Hermione walked over to Harry afterscolding Ronand patted Harry's back softly. "Don't worry Harry. This time, nothing's in the way of a good heart on heart talk. We'll make sure you two get a chance, kay?" Harry felt some weight off of his shoulders being taken off.

"Thanks Hermione. I just need to get this out of my system." Ron looked at his watch.

"Merlin Harry, time to go over to mum's! Apparate over to the Burrow will ya?"Harry nodded.

"Meet you there. Hermione?" Hermione walked over to Ron and the two linked arms. With a 'pop', the couple was gone.

Harry stood there motionless. Maybe Ginny wasn't there so Harry could have a peaceful dinner and enjoy Mrs. Weasley's presence. Harry didn't enjoy testing faith. With a last look at the portrait over the fire, Harry apparated over to the Burrow with no sound at all.

Harry emerged into the kitchen of the Burrow hearing a loud clang on the floor. Whipping around, he noticed immediately that Mrs. Weasley had dropped her cooking spoon in shock of someone actually apparating into the kitchen, with no 'pop' nonetheless. Her shock wore off as she saw Harry standing in the kitchen wiping his glasses on his sweator.

"Harry! So good to see you dear." Harry was able to see the plump Weasley mother before being crushed into a famous Mrs. Weasley hug. Harry had to resist from pushing Mrs. Weasley off. Ron did that for him.

"Merlin mum, you were suffocating him!"

"Sorry Harry dear, it's just been so long." Harry nodded saying that Mrs. Weasley didn't needto apologize.

"So Mrs. Weasley, only the four of us for dinner?" Hermione chimed in. Mrs. Weasley nodded her head.

"Maybe Bill will come in for a surprise. The house has been so empty lately." Mrs. Weasley scurried back to the kitchen where she was currently preparing the baked chicken. Harry rubbed his neck.

"Here Molly, I'll help." Harry followed Mrs. Weasley into the kitchen. Ron was once again dumbfounded.

"Merlin Harry! You can cook!" Harry smirked at Ron.

"No Ron, I'm going to boil water." Hermione glanced at Harry before retaliating from Ron's remark.

"If Harrycan cook! Why can't you?" Harry chuckled at Ron's slowly flushing face.

"It's alright Ron, I guess cooking for the Dursley's did help in the long run. I won't have to starve myself if I'm alone in the house." Harry walked over to the cabinet and took out a chef's knife. With a wave of his wand, Harry summoned some fresh vegetables from the sink and began cutting them on the cutting board. Mrs. Weasley seemed happy that she had some help.

"Bless you Harry, my back's getting a bit stiff from all the cooking." Harry stopped cutting and wiped his knife with a cloth.

"Go and sit down Molly, I'll take over for now. Ron, Hermione, I'll see you guys at dinner." Ron led his mother to the living room where they were going to talk about Mr. Weasley and his current job. Hermione however, stayed.

She walked up to the stove and started to whip up some chicken soup.

"Hermione,you don't need to help. You're probably tired fromyour teaching dayat Hogwarts. Go have a nice chat with Ron and Molly." Hermione smiled at Harry before picking up her cooking spoon and taking a small sip of the soup testing its' texture.

"You're just so chivalrous Harry. I don't need to rest at the moment. Besides, I would much rather observe your superior cooking skills and learning from them myself." Harry expertly cut up the vegetables before dumping them in the soup.

"My Harry, you have quite some skill with a knife." Harry shrugged.

"It comes with the job I guess." Harry's years of swordsmanship training paid off in the most unexpected ways, cooking. Harry inwardly chuckled to himself. There was a reason why Butler had conjured a giant tomatoe in the gym.

Dinner was soon served at the Burrow. The group of four sat at the dining room table to begin their supper.

"Goodness Gracious Harry! This smells wonderful!" Ron leant over the soup and immediately grabbed a spoon.

Mrs. Weasley seemed irritated about Ron's poor table manners. "Ronald! Do keep manners in mind!" Ron seemed to not notice his mother's musings as he picked a large oven roasted chicken leg and began chomping at it.

Hermione was disgusted. "Well at least Ronald learned to not talk while chewing." Ron glared at Hermione before nodding enthusiastically.

"Harry dear, this food is just delicious." Mrs. Weasley scooped some soup into her bowl.

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley, but my cooking skills can't hold a candle to yours."

"Nonsense Harry." Harry was about to bite into his chicken leg before a voice was heard in the front doorway.

"Mum! I'm home!" Harry stiffened. He knew that voice…

Mrs. Weasley excused herself before sitting up and walking to the front door. "Ginny dear, back so early! I thought you wouldn't be back till the day after investigating on your latest assignment." Harry heard a slight ruffle of coats and knew that Ginny was currently taking off her Ministry Robes.

"No mum, we have Aurors on the situation right now at hand. It seems as if Pemberly finally cracked under the pressure we gave him. A good lot of information he's spitting out too. My next assignment's going to be pretty big though. Some muggle in Hong Kong has whereabouts with illegal Wizarding antiques. Something out of Egypt I presume. Contains some pretty dark magic. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning for my briefing."

Footsteps were heard walking towards the dining room.

"Ginny, we have visitor." Mrs. Weasley's voice was getting closer.

Hermione softly patted Harry's back trying to calm the stiffened boy down.

"It'll be alright." She said softly.

"Oh Ron and Hermione? I haven't seen them since last week." Ginny ran towards the kitchen. When she got to the doorway, she saw Ron's usual mess of fiery red hair, Hermione's brown chestnut curls, and an extremely attractive man with emerald eyes and dark, raven hair.

Ginny's insides jumped.

"Harry…"

Author's Note: Geez, doing these relationships is some pretty rough stuff. Don't worry though, Ginny and Harry will make up, sparks will fly, and they will be led into a whole new world of dangers, life threatening situations, twists, and anancient legend coming back life. Next chapter coming...