In The Party

It was after a total of 5 minutes that Harry entered the room grinning all over his face. The only welcome that he got was the questioning looks on our faces. He sat on his bed beside me, where I had positioned myself to read a book, something which I had not done for ages.

"You couldn't expect George to remain put out for a long time." He said, matter-of-factly. "Soon after he had regained his sarcastic tongue, he was back at firing remarks at Percy."

"Thank goodness." I said as I let out a sigh of relief. "George is the last person I would want to witness crying over Fred."

"Yeah, he's not that type." Said Ginny, with a grimace etched on her face. "I have never seen him cry, not even in the Mass Funeral. He seemed too shocked to cry."

"Okay enough about him." I commanded as I placed the book on the bed and straightened up. Facing Harry, I said, "You promised me something, remember?"

Harry scowled. "You do seem to have a good memory even after so many years, don't you?"

"I could even recite Hogwarts: A History if you want me to." I replied nonchalantly.

"No thanks. I don't have Voldemort tailing me now." He said

I raised my eyebrows at him. "Are you saying that you needed that book only as long as long as Voldemort was alive?"

"I didn-"

"Will you guys stop it already?" Said an exasperated Ginny. "Harry, tell Hermione all that is required to know."

"Yeah," said Harry nodding. "Right. So, Hermione, what is that you want to know?"

"Well," I said considering my questions. "You don't have to tell me why you weren't present when I left because you have already explained me that."

Harry nodded. A year ago, he had sent me an owl later after my departure that he had been to attend the Hearing of the Malfoys who were to be supposedly decided to be punished severely for being Voldermort's right hand by the Ministry. But Harry had decided that it would be justifiable if they were excused since Narcissa had saved his life by lying to Voldemort in the forest and Draco had both denied our identity in the Manor as well as did not participate in the fight in the Manor which nearly killed if not for Dobby. But for Lucius Malfoy, he saw to it that he got his punishment. They all knew that Lucius Malfoy could never feel any remorse unlike his wife and son. So year sentence and a house arrest for the following years seemed to be the sufficient sentence for him.

"Alright, then relate to me all that happened within this one year."

"Nothing interesting actually." Said Harry as he pondered on that entire he remembered of this past year's occurrences. "Unless you count the Malfoys' trial, Fleur's pregnancy news and today's Minister's Conference."

"Minister's Conference?" I questioned.

"Yup. All the Ministers around Europe had an important meeting today. That is where I was today."

"But what was it about?" I had not realised that Ron was now sitting beside me until he wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

"Precautions." Harry said, as he shrugged. "So that we won't have another He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named again. It has been one year since his death or I would rather say his fall. His surviving mates or Death Eaters may plan some kind of a revenge on us. So we just had to meet each other and alert the others of a surprise from them."

"Are you sure of such a thing?" I asked dubiously.

Harry stared at me as if he couldn't believe what I said. He looked at both Ron and Ginny as if asking for an explanation. As a reply, both of them shook their heads at him. He then turned towards me, looking both concerned and explicative.

"Hermione, Lucius Malfoy had been released two days ago. And he is capable of anything."

I gasped.

At first I couldn't make out where I was. The window to my left had been opened already and the light from outside fell directly at my face densely. I tried in vain to open my eyes as I sat up on the warm and cosy bed. Letting out a sigh of defeat, I got up and moved towards the source of light. I pulled the heavy curtains over the window and turned back to study the room. It was then that I realised that I was in Grimmauld Place, 12. I let out a massive yawn as I treaded back to my bed.

"Not so fast, sleepy-head." Ginny declared as she entered the room. She was carrying a huge box. I looked at her sleepily. She was grinning at me.

"Don't tell me I have to do those laundries."

"These aren't the laundries, you dimwit!" She mused as I slid back inside the covers. "These are party streamers."

"Huh?" I lifted opened an eye looked at Ginny. She was conjuring a brown paper bag from the box.

"Plus, a dress." She declared triumphantly.

Okay, that really woke me up. I sat on the bed once again and took the brown package that she held out to me. I tore it open and in my hands lay a beautiful dress. It was definitely one of its kinds. An ice blue dress with silvery laces decorated beautifully on it. As I held it up, I realised it was a backless gown, a type which I rarely preferred. But rejecting such a dress would be a big mistake that I would regret later.

"If you are wondering how we afforded it then let me tell you that it was bought by Harry although the choice was Mom's and mine." she said as she gazed at the dress herself. She too seems to have been affected by its beauty. "Harry thought it would be a good way to pay for the lack of hospitality that he offered to you."

Tears welled up my eye when I heard this. Harry seemed to have lost quite a lot of money on this dress.

"Is this really for me?" I asked again breathlessly.

"No, it's for Kreacher." She replied sarcastically. "Of course it's for you idiot. But I have to say it regretfully that I need to take away this dress from you or else it won't survive till tonight." With that she took away the dress, none too gently.

"Tonight?"

"Yup, and don't ask me anything else until you get up and help with these streamers." She held up the streamers which she had conjured from the box too. "I am not that good in decorating you see. And Ron said you have an eye for party decorations." I smiled inwardly.

"So there's a party tonight?"

But Ginny just looked at me with an eyebrow raised. Groaning, I leaped from the bed and headed towards the bathroom. Within a minute or so I was back again only to find that Ginny had taken my place in the bed.

"Oi!"

She woke up with a start and muttered angrily as I pulled her out of the bed. Together we headed downstairs.

The scene downstairs was as follows:

George, Percy and Bill were running all around with streamers, balloons and other decorating items under the yells of Mrs. Weasley and Fleur, both of whom were sitting in the dinning table cutting vegetables.

Harry and Mr. Weasley were beside them discussing something which sounded like a guest list.

"I don't think Albert would attend tonight's party, Mr. Weasley." Harry was saying. "He voiced his doubt when I gave him the invitation card."

"But what about his sister, Laura?" asked Mr. Weasley, looking at the guest list through his horn-rimmed spectacles.

"Ah, she would come. She wouldn't miss it for anything she said."

"And am I invited?" I intervened.

That gave both Harry and Mr. Weasley a start.

"Hermione," said Harry as he got up and arranged the papers. "Just the girl I was looking for."

"Sorry?" I asked puzzled.

"Sit." he said as he pulled out a chair beside him. I did as he told.

"Now, you might be already aware that we are having a party tonight?"

"Yes." I was watching George draping the streamers on the leg of an unknowing Percy.

"So, we thought we might ask you if you want any last minute invitations other than the ones we have invited." Harry was searching through the guest list once again.

"No, I don't." I said with an amused smile as Percy fell over as he had tried to walk with the streamers tied on his legs. George and Bill had doubled up laughing.

"George!" Bellowed Mrs. Weasley as she got up from her chair and reached forward to hold Percy as he got up and was about to fall again.

"No?" asked Harry, his voice coming out faint over the commotion. "I thought you might want to call your parents or may be that guy Ryan."

My head snapped back at Harry. "Not my parents because they are busy with their jobs. It has been pending for one year, you see. And Ryan is busy with his family for this whole month so I don't think he would be able to come." I turned my head way from Harry on the last line.

Harry watched me for a moment. I could sense he was trying to read the truth in my face but I kept my head faced towards the other Weasleys who were still laughing at Percy except Mrs. Weasley who seemed to look like she will kill George any moment soon. Percy seemed to share the same expression.

"Well then we don't any more to cross check I suppose?" said Mr. Weasley smiling at me and Harry breaking the awkward silence between us.

"No." said Harry with a sigh as he turned towards the sheaf of papers. "I don't think so. Well then," he said as he put the papers away, "We are ready for tonight."

I looked in the mirror once again to make sure I looked okay. Honestly speaking 'okay' was too much of an understatement. I looked as if I was attending my sisters wedding only that I wasn't the bridesmaid. The dress fitted into me perfectly and I have to admit I looked marvellous. Ginny decided it would be best if I let my hair down tonight. Her decision, as usual, was great as open hair suited me well with the dress.

It was already nine and the guests had filled the hall. The other residents of Grimmauld place peered curiously through their windows as they saw numerous people arriving in House no 12 in their dress robes. Arthur Weasley had put a Expansion Charm in the Hall and therefore a crowd of people moved hither-tether without worrying about pushing each other or stepping on someone's foot.

Ginny had assured that I could come to the party later then the scheduled time but I wanted to be there on time in case I missed something important. But time flew like an aeroplane while I dressed and by the time I was downstairs, all the invitees had arrived. None of them had yet told me the actual cause of the party but I made an assumption that it might be for Fleur's pregnancy or else for my 'homecoming.'

I walked down the stairs as slowly I could but as soon as a person near the staircase saw me, I was instantly crowded by a number of people, all of whom I could not recognise. Out of nowhere Ron appeared and took my hand. He looked handsome in his Black suit and his warm smile towards me made him look better. I smiled back at him and gave him a peck in his lips. He led me towards the Hall where the rest Weasleys and many other guests were. A few of them whom I could recognise were Kingsley, Mrs. Tonks, the Lovegoods, the Longbottoms, Dean, Seamus and his mother, Padma Patel, Angelina Johnson, Mr. Doge and Aberforth.

"Ladies and Gentleman," Harry's voice boomed in the Hall. "I express my heartiest gratitude to you for taking your precious time to attend this party tonight. As you all know, this party is dedicated to the two most important Ladies in our family. Fleur Delacour Weasley and Hermione Granger. While Fleur is adding another member to the Weasley Family, Hermione has returned back to us after a long holiday with the family. As we congratulate Fleur we also welcome Hermione Granger, the brightest witch our generation, back amongst us." There was a huge round of applause at this and I went red as all the people turned back at me. "Enjoy the rest of the evening ladies and gentlemen. Thank you." concluded Harry.

Padma Patil was the first person to arrive towards me.

"Welcome back Hermione!" she squealed and jumped on me.

Taken aback, it took a few moments before I hugged her back.

"Thanks Padma. Where's Parvati?"

"Oh she could not arrive on time to my place." She said waving in dismissal. "So, I left her. But she'll arrive after a few minutes. Hey, listen do you-"

But her rest of the sentence was drowned in cheers of numerous guests as they arrived towards me to start a conversation. Padma was pushed to the back and I did my best to look apologetic to her.

It was after a whole half-an-hour that I got a break from the crowd and took my first chance to move out to the front porch. It was silent there and I took a deep breath. Nobody was around and it was a relief. Everyone seemed so eager to have a few words with me. The War had really turned us into heroes. This was something I had never expected. And I didn't know whether it was something I could accept and live on with something for the rest of my life.

At that moment a creak before attracted my attention. At first I could not see anyone. But slowly a figure emerged out of the darkness. I held my breath.

"Welcome back amongst the Weasel family, Granger."

And there stood, in front of me, the last person I wanted to see in that Place.

Draco Malfoy.

A/N: My last chapter before exams which is starting from tomorrow,. Extremely sorry for the late update as I was busy with school assignments…. Thanx to everyone who reviewed! Love you guys!

Hint: the next chapter will come around the end of March! Sorry guys! You'll have to be patient till then!

And as always, REVIEW!