Chapter 9 Thanksgiving Dilemmas

NOTE: SEVERAL MONTHS HAVE PASSED SINCE THE LAST CHAPTER

It had been a few months. Harry had been anxious lately. He didn't know why, but he just was. Maybe it was the Thanksgiving dinner that he dreaded. (Thanksgiving was extremely important to the Grangers) Maybe it was because he was a bit behind in writing lessons for his DADA class. But it was just probably the Thanksgiving dinner, because he just knew that somehow they would end up at the Granger's Scarborough home.

Harry had never had a real Thanksgiving dinner, seeing as how it would be hard to have dinner with dead parents. And the Dursleys? Forget it. They didn't even like him sitting at the dining room table. The only real Thanksgiving dinners he ever had were at Hogwarts or at the Weasley's. And Harry had no idea if Hermione wanted to cook; he certainly didn't want to choke on turkey, as she was likely to burn it. And, he also didn't know if Hermione had planned to have Thanksgiving with her parents. But Harry was still anxious.

Hermione was at work, talking with Lavender about the promotion that she deserved. Harry also knew that Hermione would tell Lavender that she was giving up her position in the store, and would simply be the silent owner of the store. Harry also knew that Hermione hated doing this, because it was so hard for Hermione to establish her own business.

That same day, Hermione was going to see the Dean of the local university she attended at night to withdraw from the psychology program. The real reason that Hermione had ever enrolled was because her parents had expected it of her. However, Hermione realised that it wasn't making her happy; that it wasn't her dream.

He then found himself wandering around the house, something he had noticed that he had been doing a lot whenever he was bored. But it kept him entertained for a little while, so he was content. He then began to think back to the days of his youth, 'the glory days' as Ron often called it. He thought of all those time he had defeated Voldemort, all those painful summers and thrilling school years. And of course, how could he not reminisce about all of the mischief that trio had gotten themselves into?

Harry sighed as he entered his room. He stared at the pictures of his parents. There were so many times that he wished that they were still alive, where he wished he could sit down and talk with them. Heck, he even wished that now. But that to him seemed so juvenile, so childish and maybe even selfish. If it wasn't for their love, Harry might not even be alive right now. But there was good news for Harry, he did get his revenge on the wizard who killed his parents by returning the favour.

Harry had been through so much pain back in those days. It was time that he deserved his fair share of happiness. Harry then left his room and decided that he would make dinner tonight. He really didn't want to go to the hospital for choking on one of Hermione's meals.

"Harry, dinner is excellent!" exclaimed Hermione. "Thank you so much for making it."

Harry laughed. "Well, after all those times that I had to cook for the Dursleys', I'd expect I'd be a good cook because of it. But I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I thought I'd do something nice for a change." Hermione smiled. "But Mione, you still haven't told me about your day. How did it all go?"

"Okay I suppose." Hermione said and began pushing her food around with the fork. "I did give Lavender the promotion, and she was thrilled, of course, but it kinda went downhill from there. She just really hated that fact that I was leaving."

"And?"

Hermione sighed. "After that, Lavender went into this whole speech of, "if you leave then I'm leaving too." And that little speech even scared my best designer away."

"I'm sorry." Harry said. He hated that for her.

They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, each engrossed in their own thoughts.

Harry then had thoughts of Thanksgiving again. "Um, Hermione, what are we going to do for Thanksgiving?"

Hermione looked to Harry. "It's already that time of year? Wow, Harry, I really didn't know. I haven't given it much thought. Lately I have just been living and breathing in my business…" she said and then muttered, "And those awful classes."

"Well, be glad that you're through with the classes. So, what are we going to do then?" Harry asked, repeating his question.

"Well, there is always the Weasley's, and um…" Hermione gave some thought into it. "… And there are my parents. I guess those are our only options."

Harry nodded. Ron should send an invitation, he thought. He really didn't want to have dinner with the Grangers. He had nothing against them, but he feared that once they found out that he and Hermione were together that the Grangers would lose any respect that they had for him.

He looked to the window. He hoped that an owl would fly by and peck at the window. He wanted an invite so badly from the Weasleys, but it never came. Harry then looked back to Hermione. Please don't say what I think you are going to say… I hate that look in your eyes.

"Harry, why don't we go to my parent's house?" Hermione said.

"Um… okay?" Harry said with a fake smile.

"Good!" Hermione said. "And I'm glad that you don't mind!" she said and then got up from her chair and hugged him. "I'll go and call them now and tell them the good news."

Harry watched as Hermione skipped to the phone. "Grand, just grand." Harry muttered to himself. Harry could hear Hermione dial the number then he heard her start a conversation with them. Harry looked to his cold food. "They are really gonna hate me now. I just know it."

Hermione walked into the room with a huge smile on her face. "Mom and Dad said that they can't wait!" she said. "I can't wait either! It'll be fun Harry, I promise!"

Still. He couldn't help but dread the event. And honestly? Who could blame him. Really, first dinner with the soon-to-be in-laws... who in their right mind wouldn't be worried?

Hey all of you!

Here's a note from Jessie:

Sorry for being this chapter being so late. I've been busy and I can bet that our Lady B. has been busy too. Since it's going to be a Thanksgiving holiday for us all soon, I'm gonna put Thanksgiving into this chapter. I hope you don't mind! And again, very much sorry for the delay. But hey, you can consider this as a Thanksgiving present. yeah, that's it! Happy Turkey Day!

Note from Lady B:

Hey! How are all of you? Since we're on the subject of Thanksgiving, I would like to say a few words. First of all, take the time to celebrate with your family and make sure that they know you're grateful for them. Not to preach, but family is the one thing that will always be there for you. Second thing... I want to give thanks for my readers. Thank you all so, so much for reading, and reviewing, and just generally being interested in our story. So.. thank you!