"Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you I had no control over." (On the author's own wedding invites)

On Saturday morning, Harry, Ginny and Wayne (with their two year-old twins, Wayne Jr. and little Molly) Ron, and Luna were in Hermione's flat for a waffle breakfast. Ron, who was quite the doting uncle, was entertaining his nephew and niece. Ginny and Luna were discussing the waffle iron while Hermione mixed the batter. She flicked some droplets of water on the iron to test the heat and nodded in satisfaction. She poured the batter, closed the iron and waited.

"That's it?" Ginny asked.

Hermione nodded and watched the timing light on the iron.

"Which topping do you want?" she asked, indicating the heated toppings on the stove.

"The strawberries," Ginny replied.

The light on the iron dimmed. Hermione opened the iron and removed the hot waffle.

"Blimey, that smells good," Ron commented from the kitchen door.

"The pregnant one gets the first batch," Hermione said and slathered butter, the strawberry topping, and maple syrup on the steaming waffle.

"Enjoy," she said and gave the plate to Ginny.

Ron watched the plate's journey to the dining table. Half an hour later, a grumbling Ron was the last one to receive his waffles. Hermione generously slathered butter, blueberry topping, whipped cream, and syrup on his waffle.

"It's worth the wait, I assure you," she said with a mischievous grin.

Ron didn't wait until he sat at the table. He started the waffles before he sat and groaned in pleasure.

"Told you," Hermione said. "Anyone want another?"

Everyone raised their hands.

**

After breakfast, everyone except Harry left for the day. He stayed to help Hermione clean the breakfast dishes, or so he told himself. Saturday was a day of relaxation, fun, friends and family after a week of work, and there was no place he'd rather be. Hermione was waiting for her mum to drop off her baby sister for the weekend while Ian and Grace went to a dental convention. As she was putting the last dish away, the doorbell rang. With a flick of her wand, the door opened.

"I will never get over how convenient your special skills are," Grace said and hugged Hermione in greeting.

Ian followed with Evelyn and saw Harry emerge from the bathroom.

"How were the waffles?" Ian asked.

"Delicious," Harry said.

Hermione was given the baby's bag and a new package of nappies.

"Now, you know our mobile numbers, but here's the information for our hotel and the conference schedule," Grace said and gave her a piece of paper. "Don't hesitate to call for anything, even if she's just fussy before bed and you don't know what--"

Ian stepped forward. "Now Gracie honey, I'm sure Hermione will be fine. Evie has the best big sister in the world, doesn't she?"

"It's just that this is the first time we've left for an extended period of time without her," Grace said.

"It's just for the weekend, mum," Hermione said.

"I know, but one day you'll be a mum and you'll understand," Grace said and handed over Evie.

Hermione cuddled her close. "We're going to have a good time, aren't we sweetling?" Hermione asked.

Evie answered by babbling and playing with Hermione's hair.

"I'll just be taking her to the park and the shopping centre, the toy store expanded last month," Hermione said.

"Just don't spend too much," Grace said.

"Of course not," Hermione said and winked at Harry.

Harry fondly observed to the family interaction and his heart ached just a bit. God, how he wanted that. Love, companionship, and family- everyone he knew had it. Well, almost everyone. He, Ron, and Hermione had yet to take the plunge. Was that some sort of weird fate? Three best friends destined to be that forever? Of course the three would always be best friends, but would one of them break up the trio?

I'm such an idiot. I make us sound like some sort of Singles Mafia.

He realized that Hermione was waving her hand in front of his voice. The baby was imitating Hermione and waving her chubby little hand too.

"Harry, are you alright? You drifted off again," she said.

"Yeah, just have a lot on my mind," he said. She must get tired of hearing me say that.

"Well, it's the weekend, so put that lot elsewhere," she said. "We've got a baby to spoil and entertain."

**

By the end of the day, Harry was amazed at the sheer amount of patience Hermione had when it came to the baby. No matter how many nappies she changed, no matter how many times she had her hair pulled, no matter how many times she pried those little hands off every object the baby could reach, Hermione adored the baby each and every second of the day.

He prepared a quick, easy dinner for the two and listened to the squeals of the baby as Hermione bathed her. After the bath, she sat on the sofa and gave her a warm bottle. Hermione hummed as the baby fed, gently stroking the fine curls, while Crooks lounged and waved his tail lazily beside her. He wished he had a camera to record the scene.

Tonight, I'll do or say...something. I dunno yet, but something.

He cast a warming spell on the simple supper of chicken cutlets and green beans and waited for her to put the baby to bed. She moved the playpen in the guest room, warded the room so the cat wouldn't go in and joined Harry for supper.

"After today, I wondered if you'd be up to cooking," he said.

"It wasn't that tough, I had a good time," she said, spearing a green bean. "You helped."

"All I did was carry things," he said.

"You stayed with us the entire day although you didn't have to," she said.

He shrugged. "My date cancelled."

She put down her fork. "You had a date? Who? Why would she cancel on you?"

He chuckled. "No date, not really. I sure had you going though, didn't I," he said.

She chucked a bean at him and peered at him pensively. "Harry, when was the last time you went out with someone?"

He shrugged. "Dunno."

"Harry, come on."

"It doesn't matter, it wasn't right anyway."

"I see."

"Do you really?"

"Okay, not really. It's just that I think you would remember the last time you went out...with a woman."

"Seven months ago, okay?"

"I'm sorry if I made you angry," she said and rose from the table with her plate.

"I'm not angry with you, it's just that-"

"You don't have to say anything else, and I won't bring it up again," she said. "I'm going to check on the baby."

When she returned, he was at the front door, slipping his arms into a jacket. Damn it, me and my big mouth!

She stopped in front of him and straightened his collar.

"I am sorry for poking a sore spot," she said.

He put a finger on her lips and spoke. "I had a good time today, and you have nothing to be sorry for."

It's now or never Potter!

He moved his hand from her mouth, slowly, to the back of her head. She watched him curiously and froze when his face moved closer to hers. His gentle kiss lingered a few seconds on her lips. He stepped back and held her hands.

"That was right," he said.

When he Apparated away, all she could do was blink.

**

With a huff, Hermione flopped down on her bed, phone in hand.

"I really don't know what to tell you," Ginny said.

"Not helpful," Hermione said.

Hermione, be reasonable. What am I supposed to say? So he kissed you, are you angry?"

"No, just surprised. I could never be angry at him for something like kissing me. He must have had a good reason."

Ginny chuckled. "You are truly over-analyzing this. I'm not surprised that he kissed you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well...it's just that...he expressed the possibility of a more...romantic relationship with you."

"Just when did he express this?" Hermione asked shrilly. "Oh my God, I'm so stupid! He kissed me and I just stood there!"

"The best advice I can give is for you two to talk. The worst thing you can do is stew over what he's thinking, when you have no idea what he's thinking."

"You're right, Gin."

"I'm willing to wager that he's freaking out just as much as you are right now. Now if you'll excuse me, the pregnant lady needs to go to sleep."

Ginny hung up the phone with a smile.

"What was that all about?" Wayne asked, seeing her impish grin.

She told Wayne the events of the day. "What she didn't say was more important that what she did say."

Wayne quirked an eyebrow. Female logic?

"She didn't say that she was angry, embarrassed, or that she objected to the kiss in any way, shape, or form. And if I'm not mistaken, there was a hint of excitement in her voice," Ginny said.

**
At Grimmauld Place, Ron stepped through the floo with Butterbeer and a bag of crisps. He was greeted with the sight of Harry pacing, running his hands through his hair, and furious mumbling.

"What's happened?" Ron asked.

Harry was startled by Ron's appearance and tripped over a chair.

"Blimey Ron, warn a bloke next time!"

"You didn't notice the floo lighting up?"

Harry huffed and tossed his glasses on the side table and mumbled something unintelligible.

"I didn't catch that," Ron said and tossed a crisp into his mouth.

"I kissed Hermione."

Ron choked on the crisp, took a sip of Butterbeer and cleared his throat. "When?"

Harry looked at his watch. "Twenty minutes ago."

Ron set aside the Butterbeer and made his way to the cupboard where the spirits were kept. "This calls for more than Butterbeer."

It didn't take long for Harry to tell him about his day.

"And you kissed her? Just like that?" Ron asked.
Harry nodded.

"What happened after?"

"I left."

"You left? Just like that? What did she say?"

"Nothing, she just stood there and blinked. It was a now or never kind of moment."

"Well, you're a now or never kind of bloke."

"Not helping, Ron."

"What do you want me to say? This isn't an earth-shattering event. So you kissed her, isn't that what you wanted?"

"Eventually...yes. I just hope things aren't weird between us now. Was it too soon?"

"Maybe you should have stayed."

"I know that now! I couldn't help myself! We spent the whole day together and you should have seen her with the baby!"

"What baby?"

"She's watching her baby sister for the weekend."

"You were with her and a baby the whole day? Why?"

"I wanted to and she didn't mind."

"So on your day off, you spent the day with Hermione and a baby."

"Yes."

"You've got it bad, mate."

"How perceptive of you."

"You're using big words. You're either drunk or invoking the spirit of Hermione. She uses big words too."

"Git."

"Still doesn't explain why you just left."

"I'm a coward."

"Hardly, you're just not sure where you stand with her. I know you and I know Hermione. The best thing for both of you is to talk this out."

Harry nodded.

"Is that a new shirt?" Ron asked.

Harry nodded.

"You bought new clothes?"

"Yeah."

"Like I said, you've got it bad."

"You know what gets me? I'm 29, but I'm worrying and whinging like some kind of love-struck kid. Makes me feel stupid."

"You're not stupid, but you are love struck. That much is obvious to everyone except you and Hermione. Wait...maybe it's obvious to her now."

Harry tossed back a third shot of whiskey. "Her lips are soft and her hair smells good."

"I know."

"Oi! Whaddya mean you know?"

Ron rolled his eyes and tossed back his own shot of whiskey. "We were a couple at one time."

Harry frowned. "For like two months."

"Well, we did manage to work in a kiss or two in that time, thank you very much...among other things."

Harry glared at him. "You're my best friend, but if you say what I think you're going to say, don't. I'll throw you out on your arse."

**
It was raining the next day, so there would be no taking the baby to the park. At least we got to go yesterday. Evie was easy to amuse, curious, and liked to play. She especially loved "pat-a-cake" and talking games. She liked to point at the cat and say "ca-ca-ca" until something else came into her sight. She walked around the entire flat using the walls and furniture until lunchtime, succumbing to hunger and a nap. Hermione had time to grab a sandwich, not knowing how long the baby would nap.

From what her mum told her, she might sleep anywhere from half an hour to two hours. In the quiet flat, her thoughts came to rest on the previous night.

Harry kissed me.

I guess he wants to be more than friends.

We've known each other for almost twenty years, we're both single, why not?

Harry kissed me.

Can I love him as more than a friend?

Besides my parents, no one knows me better than Harry.
Ginny's right, I am thinking about it too much. I'll just go with it and see what happens.

Evie woke, so she changed her nappy and gave her a snack. When she was wiping Evie's face, Ginny came through the floo. The pregnant redhead was dying to hear about last night.

"I heard she was here," Ginny said and held her arms out for the baby. "She looks so much like you."

Evie looked at Hermione's hair, then Ginny's, and proceeded to examine Ginny's hair more closely.

"She's smart like you, isn't she?"

Hermione nodded. "Actually, mum and dad say she's smarter than I was at that age. However, I think that the older I get, the dumber I get."

They both took seats in the living room. "You're not still stressed about the kiss are you?" Ginny asked.

"Not really. I'm taking your advice and just going with it. It's pointless to freak out about it. It's funny how you refer to it though, the kiss."

"Ron dropped in on Harry last night. Whiskey was involved, so there's no telling what they talked about."

When the conversation came to an end, Ginny knew that she was right; excitement and curiosity tinged Hermione's side of the conversation. It also made Ginny wonder something else: just how long had Harry and Hermione fancied each other without really knowing it? It would explain why their relationships never lasted. Neither Ron nor Trace were really for Hermione.

And I was never really for Harry.

"Life sure throws you for a loop sometimes, doesn't it?" Ginny asked before she stepped into the floo.

"Does it ever, take care," Hermione said and waved Ginny away with a lazy gesture.

**
The only hitch of the weekend was when Hermione was picking up stack of magazines that Crooks knocked over, running away from the fast-crawling baby. She heard Evie giggle from the hallway, near the bathroom doorway. The baby was waving her mobile.

How the hell did she get it? Little sneak!

What happened next had her parents laughing for years; Hermione, not so much. With a throw worthy of a world-class Quidditch player, the baby launched the mobile with a thrilled squeal and Hermione heard a splash of water. The baby dropped to her bum and crawled away in pursuit of Crooks. Hermione went to the bathroom and saw her mobile phone in the toilet. Later that night, her parents rang the flat phone to let her know they were back home, so she bundled up the baby and made the short drive across London to their home. Upon arrival, she handed the baby over and smiled at their gushing reunion.

"I had a great time with her, but you owe me mobile," she quipped to them.