For the rest of that week Hermione helped Gringott's to complete the Wendel Factory deal. With the success of the deal, Gringott's kept giving her more and more responsibilities, even handing over some of their larger client accounts to handle. Hermione worked hard, thinking that when she got pregnant she'd quit anyways so the grueling schedule would be over soon.
Meanwhile she sent a patronus to George, asking him if he had time to speak but George sent a patronus back saying he was too busy to talk this week. Hermione desperately wanted to speak to George privately to ask for some advice. Not only did she want to ask George about the Yaxley's, part of her still wanted to talk to him about Lockhart. But Lockhart didn't contact her at all since the day at the beach. Actually Hermione hoped she wouldn't have to hear from Lockhart again, so she could avoid any further complications with him. She didn't want to owe him for any help he might give her, and she didn't want to forgive him for what happened. If she could just make it to the end of the month without seeing him again… she could put everything behind her and forget all that had happened.
Anyhow, the days managed to fly by. Ron came back from his trip, and all of sudden it was the day of the dinner with the Weasley family.
—
"Ron! Hermione!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed as she opened the front door, giving both Ron and Hermione a hug. Hermione could see Mrs. Weasley had been in the kitchen because she was sweating through her apron.
"Mom," said Ron, bending down a little to hug his mother back. Hermione glanced around the porch, noting the new paint but other than that, the whole house seemed exactly how it always was. "How have you been lately?"
"Oh, I've been doing well, your father is in the backyard with George," Mrs. Weasley said. Surprised, Hermione looked at Ron, but he looked equally surprised. Hermione could tell Ron didn't know George would be here either.
As they walked in to the living room and took seats, Mrs. Weasley turned to Hermione to say, "So, how's it coming along? Have you tried the potion I recommended to Ron?"
Hermione blushed, not having any idea what potion Mrs. Weasley was talking about, as Ron groaned, "Mom! Can we not talk about that?"
"We're family now," said Mrs. Weasley, giving Hermione a loving look, "There is nothing we can't talk about."
Hermione shot a look at Ron, whispering, "What potion?"
Ron mumbled back out of the corner of his mouth, "It's nothing, tell you later…"
Mrs. Weasley plowed ahead, not noticing the whispered exchange between them, "Remember to take the potion right before, it should double your chances".
Leaning closer to Hermione and taking her hands into her own, Mrs. Weasley continued to say, "And remember, don't work too hard at your job, that's what you have Ron for…"
Ron groaned again, falling back into the sofa as Hermione smiled and murmured her assent. But suddenly Ron sat up, sniffling, "Something's burning!."
Hermione could smell something burning as well, as Mrs. Weasley jumped up with an, "Oh!" and rushed into the kitchen.
As Hermione sat in the comfy sofa next to Ron, she could feel herself wanting to unwind from the stress of the week. The Weasley living room exuded a warmth and peacefulness that was different from the atmosphere that she usually remembered. Before, when Ron and his siblings were kids and the Weasley's were raising their 5 younger children, everything was cluttered and unkempt. Sometimes there'd be a be a dirty plate or a sock here and there, the sofa would have stains. There would be books and broomsticks on the floor, mud tracked in the hallways. There would be yells and explosions and cups crashing to the ground. It was never quiet in the Weasley house.
But now things were completely different. The only sounds was the soft crackling of the fire and Mrs. Weasley humming to herself from the kitchen. Light from the setting sun outside shone through the window and lit up the dust floating around the air and the spotless carpet.
Yet somehow, the serene setting in front of her only made Hermione feel more anxious. She still hadn't said to Ron a single word about what had happened to her in the last 2 weeks with Lockhart and Yaxley, and with each passing day it only got harder for Hermione to reveal her secrets to Ron. Hermione tried to relax and push away the unsettling thoughts, feeling the warmth of Ron's shoulder as she rested her head against him.
Ron was idly playing with her hair, flipping through an unfolded newspaper that Mr. or Mrs. Weasley had left on the coffee table, when George and Mr. Weasley came in from the back yard.
"Ron! What're you doing here?" George burst out saying.
"What, I'm not allowed to come here and have a meal with my parents anymore?" Ron joked as Ron and Hermione got up to give Mr. Weasley a hug and greet each other.
As the 4 of them sat down, George continued to say, "No, it's just… I didn't think I'd see you here today."
Ron laughed saying, "Well I didn't know you'd be here until today…"
The 4 them talked, Ron with George about some small business matters, and Mr. Weasley with Hermione about some muggle habits until Mr. Weasley gave Hermione a mischievous smile and asked Ron to go upstairs with him, saying that he had some important "potions" to give to Ron. George snickered. Hermione saw Ron's ears turning red as he gave Hermione a helpless look and followed his father upstairs. Hermione couldn't help but chuckle to herself inwardly, thinking that wizards acted pretty funnily when it came to having a baby.
Then, it was just the two of them, George and Hermione. An awkward silence passed before George finally spoke up.
"Hermione. What did you want to talk to me about earlier this week?"
Hermione could feel herself getting a little nervous as she tried to answer. She did want to talk to George, but this definitely wasn't the place or the time that she imagined she would do it.
"I…" Hermione hesitated.
"Is it about my job offer? Listen, I was thinking about that and if you don't want such a high position, maybe you could oversee the accounts, handle the payroll… that sort of thing…" George went on.
"No, no, maybe… can we go somewhere more private?" Hermione said softly, not wanting to let Mrs. Weasley hear what she was going to say.
George looked a little surprised but his easy going face broke into a grin, he said, "Have you fallen for me already? I'm much better than Ron, you'll find…"
Hermione couldn't believe George would joke like this with her when he was supposed to be her brother-in-law, but somehow George's jokes lightened the weight in her heart.
Hermione put on an fake angry expression, punching him and saying, "George! You have zero chance", but George suddenly turned serious again and glanced back and forward towards the kitchen and stairs.
"How about we go outside for a minute?" George asked.
Hermione nodded, and they both stood. Hermione slid on her shoes and pulled the door open, wanting to head outside, only to find Percy with his hand curled in a fist, about to knock.
—
Next Chapter 16