I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter. This chapter will have Jackie's reaction to the engagement, a surprise for Hermione on Harry's part and Hermione's parents! I realized that I kinda forgot about them…hehe….so they'll be the first part of the chapter. Then will be Jackie and a few other scenes.
I own nothing except for Jackie and Hermione's parents….well their names at least…..
Chapter 4
Wednesday….
It was around 9 AM when Hermione got up to call her mother. But that didn't matter because Hermione knew that her mum would be up and reading the paper while having coffee and toast. She pulled out her cell phone and pressed the speed dial button for her home. Her mum answered after two rings.
"Hello?"
"Mum! It's Hermione!"
"Hello, darling. How are you?"
"I'm well Mum. You? And Dad?"
"Perfect. What's the reason for your call?"
"Well I was wondering if Harry and I could come by for dinner sometime soon."
"How about tonight? I'm making Chicken Marsala."
"We'll be there. Around 6 o'clock right?"
"Yes. See you then dear. Bye Hermione."
"Bye Mum."
Hermione's mother fingered Tuesday's Daily Prophet.
Hmmm…she thought I wonder if this has anything to do with what this Rita Skeeter woman wrote yesterday.
Hermione hung up the phone. Then she went to wake Harry up. She found Harry already up and reading a medical textbook in the library. He was lying on the couch flipping the pages slowly as he trailed his finger along the page. She sat on the floor at his feet and leaned her head back onto his legs.
"We're going to dinner at my parent's house, tonight. We need to tell them about this. My mum will understand. She doesn't like Jackie anymore than I do. Dad will too… after a few months." She said.
"Is your dad going to kill me? Because if so, I'd like to put my affairs in order. You'll be the beneficiary of course. I think I'll have you marry Malfoy for two years." he said teasing her.
"Harry James! That is not funny!"said Hermione, "I'd rather have to eat raw Blast-Ended Skrewt than marry Malfoy!"
"I'm only teasing, Hermione. I'd never make you marry Malfoy. It probably goes against the Geneva Convention."
Hermione looked up at Harry. The way they were acting reminded Hermione of the way they used to act before Harry had discovered the prophecy.
"Harry, where's your notebook? Can we go over what you've written so far for your autobiography?" she asked
"It's on the desk over there." He said closing his medical textbook, "I'll put this away and grab it."
He went over to one of the shelves and put the book back and walked over to the desk to grab the notebook. He headed back to the couch and sat next to Hermione on the floor. They started working occasionally correcting things, adding things in, or taking out things. After a while their position got uncomfortable so they lay together on the couch. Eventually sleep overcame them and Ron found them an hour later fast asleep on the couch. He was cradling her in his arms like she was a precious doll and her head was on his chest with one arm around his neck.
Yeah, you two don't love one another and I'm the reincarnation of Merlin, himself, thought Ron as he covered the duo in a blanket, after snapping a picture of them. This will be an interesting two years, filled with lots of unresolved sexual tension and maybe some sex.
2 hours after Ron found them….
Harry opened his eyes to see a mass of bushy brown hair on his chest. He looked around for a moment before realizing that while working on his autobiography he and Hermione had fallen asleep on the couch. It felt nice to hold her like this again. The last time they had been like this was when they fell asleep one night after planning the next DA lesson in the Gryffindor Common Room. They had woken up before anyone (other than Dobby) had found them and they had agreed to never mention it…EVER. He had tried to forget it but it had been the best sleep of his life and one of the few nights that year that he hadn't dreamt about the Department of Mysteries. That time he had had this warm and fuzzy feeling in his chest; he had the same feeling this time but there was something more. In addition to the warm fuzzies there was contentment and perfection. Her body just fit his and he didn't want to let go of her but he knew that if he didn't they would have an awkward situation on their hands. After a few moments of wriggling all Harry had managed to do was get is jeans a bit snugger than they had been moments before. Harry sighed in defeat. He had been hoping that he could do this without waking Hermione up but now he knew that that wasn't happening.
"Hermione," he whispered, "Hermione, wake up. It's lunchtime."
"Don't want to..." she murmured.
"You have to. We're going to your parents in a few hours for dinner." he said.
"Huh?" she asked lifting her head and looking at Harry, "Harry, what're you doing in my room?"
"Hermione, we're in the library. We fell asleep working on my autobiography."
"What?" she asked looking at their surroundings, "Oh! I thought I was dreaming still."
"Nope. Just laying here on top of me. Using me as a pillow." He said
"Well you do make an excellent pillow." She said.
"Gee, thanks Hermione."
"Anytime, Harry, anytime." she replied yawning and stretching her arms.
Hermione rolled off the couch and onto her feet.
"Let's make a light lunch." She told Harry before heading down to the basement kitchen.
Harry got up and followed her downstairs. They worked silently together making ham sandwiches and grabbing some crisps. They headed back upstairs to watch a movie while eating.
"Let's go out." Harry suddenly stated during the movie.
"What?" asked Hermione.
"You and me. We should go out. You know like a date."
"A…date?"
"Well yeah. I mean we are technically engaged. And engaged people go out on dates together, correct?"
"Harry, we're not exactly you're typical engaged couple. I mean first off we're not really engaged, second of all we're being hounded by the press, and thirdly, we're famous."
"Yes, I know all that Hermione. But you have to remember for the Wizarding World the announcement of our engagement was a huge shock. Some people may not believe that we're really engaged. It would make a lot of sense for us to go out on a date. Besides, I think it would be fun."
"Yes, and Harry you also thought that flying hundreds of feet off the ground on a cleaning apparatus was fun. I'm sorry if I'm not quite inclined to agree with you."
"Come on Hermione. What's the worst that could happen?"
"Death? Being mauled your fan club?"
"Seriously? What happened to the brave Gryffindor that I became friends with?"
"Fine. We'll go out on a...date. When?"
"Tomorrow night."
"I'll leave it to you to plan."
A few moments later Harry went up to his room to plan their date. Hermione didn't see him until 5:30 when he came down so that they could leave to go to her parent's house. He was wearing black pants, a plain white long sleeved shirt, black boots, a black canvas jacket and a black fedora.
"Well, doesn't someone look beautiful." He said after looking at her for a long moment.
Hermione looked down at her outfit but blushed as Harry's praise. It really wasn't anything special. She only wore a white long sleeved shirt (similar to Harry's but made for a woman's body), a red plaid skirt, white stockings, red boots, a red canvas jacket and a white fedora.
"You look very handsome Harry. Now let's go before we're late."
"I believe that the appropriate response in this case is yes, dear." He said
"Harry!"
"Yes, dear?"
"Get your cute arse into the car before I hex it into next week!"
"You think my arse is cute?" he asked cheekily once they were on their way to Hermione's parents.
Hermione sighed and shook her head.
"Yes, it's the real reason I'm marrying you." She replied deciding to play along.
"I knew it! I knew it!" he exclaimed his green eyes twinkling with laughter, "You only want me for my body!"
"However did you figure out my dastardly plan?" asked Hermione smiling
"Simple. I used my head."
"And which head was that? The one with or without ears?"
Harry was glad that he was drinking anything when she said that otherwise he would have either choked on it or spat it out all over the inside of the car. He was shocked that something like that had come from Hermione. In all the years he had known her she had never once said something so remotely perverted as that. He was so shocked that he couldn't think of a response.
"I win." She said her eyes a light with mischief.
"That was a low blow Granger."
"Funny, though."
"Unexpected."
For the rest of the ride Hermione told Harry a bit more about her parents. He had only met them a few times and he had never had a long conversation with them. Half an hour after they had left London they arrived at her parents' house. After parking, they walked up the walkway and knocked on the door.
"Dad!" said Hermione after her father opened the door.
"Hermione! And Harry, right?" he asked.
"Yes, sir." said Harry.
"Call me David, Harry
"Come in you two." He said opening the door.
They entered the front hall and Hermione's father took their coats and hats and hung them in a closet. He led them into the dining room where Hermione's mom, Rachel, was setting down the platter of chicken marsala.
"Hermione! How was the ride dear?" Rachel asked.
"Wonderful, mum." said Hermione, "Harry, this is my mum. Mum this is Harry."
"It's very nice to meet you, again, Mrs. Granger." He said shaking her hand.
"Please call me Rachel, Harry." She replied, "Well dinners all ready so everyone take a seat. Harry you're here right across from Hermione."
Everyone sat down and started passing platters and the bottle of wine. It was half way through dinner before Rachel brought up the reason for their visit.
"So, Hermione, you still haven't told your father and I the reason for your surprise visit." Her mother said.
Hermione shot a glance at Harry who was silently choking on a piece of chicken.
"Well, I have some news. Actually, Harry and I have some news." said Hermione, unsure of how to continue. "Well you see…it's….I've decided….I'm not quite sure…how to-"
"Does this have anything to do with the article that Rita Skeeter wrote for yesterday's Daily Prophet? Are you hand Harry getting married, dear?" asked Rachel, without a single hesitation.
Multiple things happened at this statement. Harry, being himself, dropped his jaw exposing a mouthful of half chewed chicken and mushrooms. David began choking on some rice and Hermione, being the genius she is, was trying to figure out how her mother had gotten a copy of the Prophet.
"How…when…who…what…? How did you get a Daily Prophet?"
"Hermione you got a subscription for us years ago. This way we would always know what was going on in your world."
"Oh, yes. I had forgotten!" she said glancing at Harry. "Honestly, Harry, close your mouth. It's quite unappetizing to see your half eaten food."
Harry shut his mouth and slowly began chewing again. Hermione clapped David on the back a couple times to help him swallow.
"So, are you and Harry getting married? Have you two been secretly dating for all these years?"
"Yes, Harry and I are getting married but we haven't been secretly dating. Harry's offered to marry me to help me keep Gram's money from Jackie. I know Jackie's going to try and contest the will somehow and Uncle Jacob will help her do that. I don't need the money and frankly I don't want the money but at the same time I don't want Jackie to have it. So I'm going to fulfill Gram's condition that I get married." explained Hermione.
Dinner finished smoothly after that and Harry and Hermione went back to Grimmauld place after telling her parents to be there at 10AM the coming Saturday for brunch. Once arriving at home Harry went up to his room to plan their date and Hermione went to talk to Ron about the dinner and to tell him to bring Luna to Saturday's brunch.
Harry headed off to work early the next morning after leaving Hermione a note to read once she got up. He met Neville inside St. Mungo's and told him about the brunch and told him to be at Grimmauld Place for it. Neville agreed and headed off to the greenhouses and Harry headed off to get a head start on his rounds.
Hermione wandered down the stairs to the kitchen. She set about preparing a small breakfast for herself when she spotted a note on the table.
Dearest Hermione,
Dress nicely for our date tonight. We'll be going to dinner and then somewhere else special. But no hints. Looking forward to our first date.
Your loving fiancé,
Harry
PS…I had a little fun writing the note…if you didn't notice. See you tonight!
Hermione smiled after reading it. Trust Harry to get into his role as her "loving fiancé". She ate a quick breakfast and then head off to the bookstore.
6PM….
"Hermione! Hurry up or else we'll miss our dinner reservation!" called Harry from the bottom of the stairs.
"I'm coming now!" she said as she appeared at the top of the stairs.
She wore a black long sleeved collared shirt under a white vest with a black skirt with a grey ruffle along the bottom. On her feet were black leather stiletto boots and over her arm was her black pea coat. Her hair had been pulled back into a French braid and Harry could see her silver earrings glisten in the faint light from the entryway.
"Happy, Harry?" she asked giving him a once over.
He wore a white long sleeved collared shirt under a red vest with black pants and black dress shoes.
"Very. Now come, darling. We have dinner reservations." He said offering her his arm.
They apparated to a restaurant in muggle London and had a lovely dinner talking about their day at their respective work places. After dinner Harry started walking down the street. He had chosen that particular restaurant for a reason.
"Harry, where are we going now?" asked Hermione.
"You'll see. We will be there in a moment." He said taking her hand in his own.
This feels nice he thought Just like holding her the other day. It feels right. And she looks beautiful. Not that she doesn't normally but she looks extra special tonight…snap out of it Harry! She's your best friend Hermione! You're going to marry her in a few months and then in two years you'll be divorcing her. No good will come of developing feelings for her. Besides why would Hermione Granger…THE Hermione Granger want to date you?
"We're here." He said.
Hermione looked around her. She took in a sharp breath when she saw the building in front of her.
"Oh Harry!" she said throwing her arms around his neck, "The Globe Theatre!"
"Nothing but the best for my fiancée." He said. "Come along we still have to get our seats."
((Its been a while since I studied the intricacies of The Globe Theatre…so bear with me…let me know if I've got something wrong and I'll fix it.))
The two sat in very good seats. Hermione looked at the program in her hands.
"Macbeth? This is my favorite tragedy! How did you know?"
"I didn't. I knew that you liked Shakespeare. I was hoping they'd be showing The Winter's Tale though. I know that it's your favorite play and that's where your name comes from but they were performing Macbeth instead. I just hoped you liked this one." He said
"Harry, I love it. This is the best first date I've ever been on. Even if we are already engaged."
"Those aren't witches…I mean where are their robes…and wands? Gee this Shakespeare guy didn't know much about us, huh?"
"Harry, shush!"
"What? It's true."
"I never said it wasn't. I said to shush so I can watch the play."
"I believe the appropriate response is 'yes dear'."
Harry stayed silent until the witches' third appearance.
ALL
Double, double toil and trouble
Fire burn, and; cauldron bubble.
Second Witch
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and owlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
ALL
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
"This sounds vaguely familiar." He whispered.
"That song…that the chorus sang in third year...it was adapted from these lines. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Dumbledore's idea. He seems like the Shakespeare type."
"Ahhh…"
Neither of them spoke again until the last act of the play.
"Honestly, moving trees? What was he thinking?"
"Maybe it's a precursor to the Whomping Willow?"
After the play they slowly made their way back to Grimmauld Place. On the way back Harry held Hermione's hand in his own.
"You know Harry, I had a really good time tonight." She said, "Thank you for convincing me to do this."
"Maybe we should do this again sometime, then." He said.
"Maybe we will." She replied
The duo reached home soon after and they headed up to their own rooms, only after Hermione gave Harry a kiss on the cheek. The rest of the week passed fairly quickly and Saturday rolled around soon enough. Everyone they had invited Hermione's parents, Ron, Luna, Ginny, Neville, and (much to Hermione's disdain) Jackie were able to attend.
Saturday morning 9:30 AM…..
Ron, Luna, Neville, and Ginny sat in the basement kitchen of Number 12 watching Harry and Hermione cook and listen to them talk.
"Now, you have to remember, no talk of magic. Jackie doesn't know anything about it and I'd rather not have to explain Voldemort and the War or Hogwarts to her. We all went to The Breakers Academy for Gifted Students." Explained Hermione as she handed Harry eggs for his pancakes
"How will we explain how Ron got into it?" asked Ginny smirking.
"Hey! I am plenty smart!" exclaimed Ron.
"Anyways," interrupted Harry, "We also had to change your professions, well for most of you. I am a third year medical student, Hermione owns a shop for rare books, Neville you work in a greenhouse, Ginny an animal trainer for movies, Luna, you're a reporter for a small weekly newspaper, and Ron you own a small chain of grocery stores."
"What?!" asked Ron.
"It was either that or you we're a shoe salesman. And Jackie knows almost every shoe store and show department in England. But she has almost no knowledge of grocery stores." explained Hermione, "Now Mum and Dad will be here in a half an hour give or take a few minutes. Ron, they know you so you'll handle the introductions to make sure that they know Neville, Ginny, and Luna's names. We'll be eating in the dining room. Harry and I will bring the food up soon and no Ron you can't have some now."
Ron and company went upstairs to the parlor to await the Granger's arrival. Harry and Hermione kept cooking silently. They worked as a team and completed just as Hermione's parents arrived. They levitated the food up into the dining room before going to say hello to her parents. A few minutes later the doorbell rang once again. Hermione went to answer it. Jackie was standing there in a not as slutty as usual outfit but still overly dressy for the casual brunch.
"Hello Hermione." She said walking into the entryway.
"Jackie. If you'll follow me. You'll find out in a few moments."
Hermione lead Jackie up the stairs and into the dining room.
"Jackie, you know mum and dad, obviously. That's Ron, his girlfriend Luna, Neville, and Ron's sister Ginny." She said pointing to each in turn, "And Harry, of course."
They all sat down at the table and started to pass the dishes around.
"So Hermione, you told me you had news for me? What is it? Have you decided to just give up the money?" asked Jackie condescendingly.
"Goodness no Jackie," she said very casually, "I just wanted to tell you that I'm engaged."
"To who?"
"Me." Said Harry
"WHAT??" screamed Jackie.
Cliffy! So sorry guys about the cliffy and the long wait but school comes first and I've had a lot ofwork to do!
My playlist for the majority of this chapter
I Won't Spend Another Night Alone by The Ataris
A Beautiful Mistake by The Ataris
The Night that the Lights Went Out In NYC by The Ataris
Broken Promise Ring by The Ataris
Giving Up on Love by The Ataris
Hello & Goodbye by The Ataris
I'll Remember You by The Ataris
IOU One Galaxy by The Ataris
In This Diary by The Ataris
Life Makes No Sense by The Ataris
San Dimas High School Football Rules by The Ataris
So Long Astoria by The Ataris
The Saddest Song by The Ataris
Your Boyfriend Sucks by The Ataris
Alexandria by Kamelot
Center of the Universe by Kamelot
Farewell by Kamelot
The Edge of Reason by Kamelot
Descent of the Archangel by Kamelot
The Coldest Winter Night by Kamelot
Lost and Damned by Kamelot
Karma by Kamelot
Love You To Death by Kamelot
March of Mephisto by Kamelot
Until Kingdom Come by Kamelot
Wander by Kamelot
Wings of Despair by Kamelot
Lunar Sanctum by Kamelot
JOINT by Mami Kawada
The Sweeny Todd Soundtrack
The Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack
The Final Countdown by Europe
The Final Countdown (Dance Mix)
The Final Countdown (Techno Remix) by Scorpions
You Spin Me Right Round (Like a record) by Dead or Alive
Hold On Loosely by 38 Special
Jaded by Aerosmith
Gypsys Tramps and Thieves by Cher
Superman by Five For Fighting
Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace
Don't Go Chasing Waterfall by s TLC
The Saints Are Coming by Greenday & U2
City of Blinding Lights by U2
Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2
Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
Black Magic Woman by Santana
Photograph by Nickelback
Rockstar by Nickelback
This is How You Remind Me by Nickelback
Favorite Damn Disease by Nickelback
Feeling Way Too Damn Good by Nickelback