Insert dislcaimer re: J.K.R owning Harry Potter here.

Chapter 6

Saturdays were for sleeping in till ten and going for brunch in muggle London with a friend or family member. It was slotted in to keep in touch with everyone so that Hermione was not criticised for being so involved in her work life. Her mother especially worried, and Hermione figured she'd better check in with her since she had that small reunion of the golden trio going on at Ron's place. She was excited, but just not in the mood to be friendly with Luna. Things were strained between them. It was because of Ron. Luna had married the guy and was still somehow paranoid about Hermione being around him. It bothered her to no end to have her prying into her friendship with Ron; she had known him much longer. Luna had even managed to keep them apart as much as possible through Ron's job at the Quibbler. In truth, there were other things that Luna didn't know had happened between Hermione and Ron, she certainly suspected it, but it was always directed at Hermione. In fact, no one really knew about it, not even Harry.

There had always been an undeniable attraction between them, it was different to her bond with Harry, and it had carried through without either of them acting on it. Perhaps it was in defiance of the expectations of everyone around them, or some subconscious concern that they did not want to complicate the great friendship they shared. That is, until after Ron and Luna had become engaged. Hermione rarely thought about it now, but at the time she wasn't upset about it, she felt rather empty when Ron had told her. He had come to her privately and told her first, she was excited for him but hearing him say it made her feel unwanted: that any attraction which existed was simply one sided and she had mentally fabricated it all.

It was a week before the wedding, Ron and Harry were due to meet Hermione for a catch up drink, but Harry had cancelled at the last minute because of his training schedule and it ended up being Ron and Hermione. In the circumstances, emotions erratic and uncontrollable, they both had too much to drink and it was not until Ron had said those first words that the floodgates opened. He had told that he had second thoughts and that he felt like he was missing out on something; he had missed his chance with her. Knowing this, she had said the same thing back to him, and the realisation that each had only thought their deeper attraction was not reciprocated dawned on them. Hermione couldn't even remember the moment they went from talking at the bar, to apparating back to her place where Ron had kissed her and she had let him. They were caught in the moment of passion and ended up spending the night together. The funny thing was that the following morning, things weren't weird between them, they had needed it to move on; their friendship had not changed. Hermione smiled to herself at the thought, it was a happy memory, albeit an intimate secret that could not be told. But, Ron and Hermione had conceded that nobody would understand and at that, the covert nature of their one time affair did not eat into their guilty conscience. It was enough to leave it behind them.

Hermione apparated outside the Weasley house and approached the front door of the double Victorian terrace. Ron had offered her to housesit while they were away but she had politely turned down the offer as she felt rather awkward hanging out in the martial home of her best friend, especially since Luna was unlikely to be comfortable with the idea despite being the obliging wife and allowing Ron to offer. She frowned at that sudden thought.

"Hermione!" She instantly recognised the familiar voice of Harry and turned excitedly.

"Harry!" she ran up to him, enveloping her arms around him in a tight grip as her head rested on his shoulder. "I've missed you; it's been too many months!" His grip on her tightened before he gently pushed her back, holding her shoulders as he doted over her affectionately.

"I feel at home when I see you smile," he warmly revealed. "You look great!"

"Can say the same to you!" she eyed him up and down in jest, they had always innocently flirted, and it made for lots of laughs between them. Harry, of course, had pursued a well deserved, and somewhat carefree, career as a professional Quidditch player. His excellent physique was only a natural consequence of how he spent his time, and he oozed a boyish cheekiness that did not escape the attention of the opposite sex.

"When did you get back from Brazil?" Harry had been at a tournament in South America playing for the English team. His hands fell from her shoulders and he took her hand as they proceeded to the door.

"Only yesterday, but couldn't pass up a chance to see you guys," he said as he squeezed her hand before letting go. Hermione pressed the Weasley doorbell, it was a Fred and Geroge invention that was charmed to particular reactions depending on the mood of the owners. She felt as tingling sensation escalate through her arm, and into the pit of her stomach as the feeling of butterflies erupted. The homeowners were feeling rather amorous it seemed. Hermione chuckled at the feeling. Harry eyed her quizzically before she grabbed his hand and pressed his finger to the doorbell in an attempt to explain her reaction. His eyebrows raised and he too laughed. Ron finally came to the door, his face lit up by their presence.

"Hermione!" he kissed her cheek as she walked in and then he and Harry had their man hug and prolonged catch up in the doorway before all three proceeded down the corridor to the open kitchen area at the back, which opened up to an al fresco dining area that overlooked that back garden.

"Luna has invited a couple of friends too, some of them are bringing dates so who knows whose turning up now but we can always head into the sitting room and ignore them all," he grinned mischievously. Ron had always been the one to maintain the clique they shared, always inviting them to the Burrow, hosting dinner parties, arranging long weekends away they were younger. It was a nice feeling to have that even after all these years, that one thing hadn't changed. But, it was certainly becoming harder with their careers dominating over their life.

"Always up for a game of wizard's chess," Harry offered jokingly, glancing at Hermione. She rolled her eyes. There was nothing like bonding over such a violent game which would often end in some argument with Hermione always the one to come to the rescue. Ron handed each a butterbeer and the three toasted and drank in unison.

Luna promptly entered the room, her ash blonde tresses trailing behind her. She had mastered her creative fashion sense over the years, and now was the trend setter so it seemed. She went over and kissed Ron adoringly, before turning to them both.

"Harry! Great to see you!" She exclaimed, hugging him. He reciprocated.

"Hermione, nice to see you again," she said, offering a girly kiss on the cheek. "What happened at the ball? Ron was looking for you after the dancing," she asked as an inquiring look crossed her face, one that was not well meaning.

'Shit!' Hermione quickly masked her sudden recollection of seeing Ron and Luna before her whole debacle with Malfoy. Being the quick witted woman that she was, she merely responded, "I was caught up talking to a few colleagues which was hard to escape, and then realising it was quite late I headed home." That should do it.

Ron laughed, "That's our Hermione, can't take a break from the call of duty." Thankfully, that was the end of it.

"We are expecting a few other people shortly. We'll be having lunch outside. Ron mastered the charm for the marquee, didn't you hun?" She linked her arm with his and snuggled into him. Ron chuckled, "Of course I did, anything for you." He kissed her cheek and winked at her. Harry and Hermione just exchanged knowing looks. They had come to the realisation that Ron had grown up, married, and was a responsible adult, but, the whole love thing, they both didn't get since neither had ever been in love, as they called it. For a moment, Hermione was relieved that Harry was there to understand how she felt.

"How's Ginny doing?" Harry asked Ron.

"She's on holiday in Kenya with Dean. They pick the craziest places to go to, but apparently it's amazing from what she wrote in her owl."

"I haven't had a holiday in so long!" Hermione interjected. She really hadn't even considered taking one in the last few years. She had gone on business trips but that hardly counted.

"You should go to South America, it's brilliant," Harry offered.

"Yeah, Peru has always been on my list." Hermione agreed. She took the last swig of her butterbeer, setting it down on the kitchen bench.

The doorbell chimed through the house announcing the arrival of more guests. Luna disappeared to greet her guests.

"So Harry, how were the witches in Brasil?" Ron asked now that Luna wasn't around.

"Hot mate, hot." Hermione laughed at him. Harry was always been blunt about the opposite sex, and Hermione was used to being one of the boys in such discussions with her two friends. "What? Couldn't bring any home?" She joked.

"The cold would kill them. Some things are best left behind." He shrugged, before elbowing her gently and winking.

"Wish the Quibbler had sent me to report in Brasil, they sent McMillan instead." Ron slightly frowned in annoyance.

"Yeah, I gave an interview. He came out with us a couple times." Ron glowered.

"Kidding Ron, he only came out with us once. You'll get the next one." Ron's grimace softened slightly, and all three laughed at the progression of his facial expression.

"Let's head outside, I'll put the marquee up." Ron offered and they followed. With a flick of his wand, that required a day of practice, the back garden was completely taken up by a great magenta marquee, the roof form rising into a poppy head dome mimicking those often seen in great Russian architecture.

"I thought red was more your colour?" Harry teased in admiration.

"I'm sure it's safe to assume Luna chose the colour? It looks wonderful, Ron. You must teach me the spell!" Hermione assured, feeling rather amused by the fact that she had asked Ron to teach her magic.

"Thanks guys, I had to impress the wife. And, I can safely say that party planning spells are now my forte." He stuck his chest out to gloat at his new found talent.

With that, Luna walked through the bi-fold doors onto the patio, clapping her hands in glee as she admired Ron's creation. "Perfect timing!" she cheered. Moving aside, Hermione glanced over at the newly arrived guests. There stood, Padma Patil, another girl she did not recognise, Blaise Zabini, Carla Crowe, and the one and only Draco Malfoy. There was something very wrong with this arrangement indeed. She glanced over to Harry who definitely did not hide his surprise as he moved over to stand closer to her. Ron seemed indifferent; he was being the diplomatic husband. She froze as her gaze fell on Malfoy, his trademark look of superiority plastered across is face and his eyes focused directly on her.

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A/N: This is where the fun starts! Draco and Hermione interacting in public amongst friends. Good times!