Chapter Eleven – GINNY'S ARRIVAL
The three best friends sat in the lounge room, planning dinner that evening, and arguing over where they would take Ginny. Ron had suggested they stay in and order delivery, an idea quashed by both Hermione and Harry. Harry was keen on something off campus, something a little more upmarket. Hermione suggested they wait and ask Ginny, and both Ron and Harry had to admit that this was the best of ideas. Harry, now visibly tense, excused himself, needing to visit the bathroom for what seemed like the billionth time that afternoon.
Once he was out of earshot, Hermione turned to Ron and said "I was thinking that Ginny and Harry might want to have dinner together tonight"
"Well, I wasn't implying we leave Harry here, Mione" Ron said, laughing at the suggestion.
"No, Ron, I meant that they might want to have dinner together ALONE without us getting in the way." Hermione replied.
"Oh, I get you. Yeah, they probably will. Lucky we've got you to think for us, hey?" Ron said just before Harry returned.
"Don't know why I'm so nervous" Harry admitted to his friends.
"It'll be fine, Harry." Hermione assured him.
At exactly 2pm, there was a knock at the door, and all three knew that Ginny had finally arrived.
"I'll get it" Ron called out as he raced to the front door.
Harry stood, nervously, and Hermione squeezed his hand assuringly.
The moment that Ginny entered the room, she flung her arms around Harry. Harry hugged her back with equal alacrity, and all nervousness left him. Arthur and Molly Weasley entered the lounge room, led by Ron.
"Mr Weasley, Mrs Weasley, it's so good to see you again." Hermione said, crossing the floor to hug them both.
"Please, it's Arthur and Molly" Molly spoke as she embraced the young witch she had come to think of more as a daughter than anything else. "Harry" she said, as she embraced the wizard who had become like another son.
And within a blink of an eye, the assembled party were seated, chatting about Quidditch, university, NEWT's, Hogwarts, and everything in between. Hermione excused herself to complete the final preparations for afternoon tea, and Ron ushered everyone into the dining room where he had set the table for the occasion.
"The place looks lovely, Hermione" Arthur said, having noted how well kept the apartment was.
"Why do you presume its Hermione's doing, dad?" Ron asked.
"Because I know my son, and I know Harry." Arthur replied, knowingly.
Ron's faced reddened considerably before he said "Yeah, pretty much right on that one."
Hermione joined the group with the first tray of food saying "Ron and Harry help out quite a lot, Mr Weasley."
"Arthur" he reminded her.
"Arthur" she echoed, blushing. "In fact, Ron here is responsible for the wonderful state of the kitchen, aren't you Ron?"
Ron's already crimson face deepened to a shade of scarlet.
The afternoon passed quite pleasantly, although it was quite clear that a young red-headed woman and a young raven haired boy wanted to be miles away. Sensing this, Hermione tried to steer the conversation away from them, asking Arthur about the Ministry, and asking Molly about Bill and Fleur, and the impending arrival of their baby. Molly, it seemed, was in her element talking about becoming a grandmother. She had been knitting since almost the exact moment Bill and Fleur announced their news. Arthur had used his muggle tools to make the cot, and proudly showed Hermione the photographs he had taken of it.
After a while, Hermione stood to clear some of the dishes from the table, asking if anyone would like coffee or tea. After everyone had placed their 'orders', Hermione asked Ron to help her in the kitchen, and he quickly jumped to his feet and helped clear the table before following Hermione into the kitchen.
"What was that dig at me and the kitchen, huh?" Ron asked, playfully punching Hermione in the shoulder once safely in the kitchen.
"Sorry, Ron, I couldn't resist. I kept thinking how amused Ginny or your mother, or even your father would have been by the sight I was greeted with when I came home. I couldn't help myself. I'm sorry." Hermione replied, giggling as she put on the coffee pot and boiled water for tea.
"You're wicked, Granger" Ron said, unable to keep a grin from creeping over his face.
"You love it, Weasley" Hermione responded. "It's going well, don't you think?"
"Yeah. You're doing a good job of keeping attention off Harry and Ginny who look like they'd rather be elsewhere." Ron said, rearranging the tea tray Hermione had prepared.
"Thanks. All part of the service" Hermione replied, rearranging the tea tray that Ron had just spoiled.
Ron and Hermione continued preparing the tea and coffee in the kitchen, while in the dining room, conversation had taken a turn in a different direction.
"So, Harry, any 'developments' yet?" Molly asked, hoping that Harry would understand without her having to ask specifically.
"Developments?" Harry asked.
"With Ron and Hermione" Arthur clarified. "We're wondering if they've ... you know ... figured things out yet."
"I'm not sure they have, to be honest. But I hear from Declan that the ball is going to be quite an interesting occasion. I had lunch with him yesterday, and he seems to think that it might be 'the day', so to speak." Harry said, smiling cheekily.
"And this Declan can be trusted?" Molly asked.
"Hermione trusts him. And I trust him." Harry answered, hoping that would allay their fears.
"Good enough for me" Arthur replied.
"It's been long enough" Molly said.
"Been long enough for what?" Ron asked as he and Hermione returned to the dining room, Ron carrying the tray of tea and coffee.
"Ah ... long enough since we've had a family get together, hey?" Arthur said quickly. "Your mother and I were thinking we might arrange another one sometime soon, perhaps before the baby comes. What do you think?"
"That would be awesome" Ron answered.
"It'd be great to have everyone together again" Ginny said, thanking Merlin her father came up with such a quick response. "I miss having you guys around."
Under the table, Harry squeezed Ginny's hand and said "We miss having you around too" and for a moment, no one at the table spoke.
The rest of the afternoon passed in pleasant conversation, and at 5pm, Molly and Arthur stood, saying it was time for them to leave. They were dining with Fred and George and their new girlfriends that evening, and wanted to get home to freshen up before heading back into London.
"When do you think you'll be back, Ginny?" Molly asked.
"Would it be ok if I stayed on for a few days? After all, if I am going to apply to Hogford, then it would be nice to know a bit about living here." Ginny said, hopefully.
"It wouldn't be a bother at all for us" Hermione replied in response to the enquiring look from Molly.
"We'll see you Thursday or Friday then" Molly replied, kissing Ginny on the cheek.
The farewells were merrily carried out, and by 5.15pm, Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny were sitting in the lounge room, talking about dinner, and the events of the coming days.
"Can't wait for the ball" Ginny said, eagerly.
"Me either" Harry replied, taking her hand and smiling.
"Should be momentous" Hermione added, not sure if either of them heard her.
"An event not to be missed" Ron added, and he and Hermione shared a knowing smile
"So, where should we head for dinner tonight?" Harry asked.
"Anywhere is great" Ginny answered.
Hermione looked at Ron, raising her eyebrow, prompting him to speak with a gentle nod of her head.
"Actually, I'm pretty tired to tell the truth. All this bloody school work, you know. Would you guys mind if I just stayed home?" Ron said, hoping that they would buy his excuse. A smile and a subtle nod from Hermione was all the indication he needed.
"That's a shame, but I understand" Ginny said sincerely. "Are you still coming with us, Hermione?"
"Actually, I have an assignment due tomorrow morning that needs revision. Could you do without me?" Hermione asked, quietly.
"We'll manage" Ginny said, trying her hardest to suppress a small smile that was forming at the very corners of her mouth.
Within half an hour, Ginny had unpacked her bag in Hermione's room. "I know what you're up to, Hermione Granger. And thank you" Ginny said, smiling at the witch that had become her best friend over the years.
"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about" Hermione replied.
"An assignment due tomorrow that you didn't finish weeks ago?" Ginny asked, not believing a word Hermione said.
"It was better than being tired from 'all this school work', wasn't it?" Hermione suggested, referring to Ron's excuse.
"I thought that was a bit pathetic, actually" Ginny replied, and the two young witch's shared a laugh.
Just after 6pm, Harry and Ginny left and Hermione joined Ron on the lounge.
"So, what are you up to tonight?" Ron asked.
"Nothing much. You?" Hermione replied.
"Nothing planned." Ron answered.
An awkward silence fell across them. Hermione looked at Ron, willing him to speak, and Ron looked at Hermione willing her to speak.
"Not seeing Declan then?" Ron asked, hoping that would start a conversation of sorts.
"No. Not tonight." Hermione replied, smiling.
Another awkward silence threatened before Ron continued.
"Wanna hang out then?" Ron suggested. "Maybe grab something to eat and watch a movie or something?"
"Sounds like a plan to me. Can I go get changed first, though? I've had enough of a dress for one day" Hermione said.
"No worries." Ron replied, and Hermione jumped up off the couch and headed towards the stairs before Ron's voice stopped her. "You look really pretty. I mean ... well ... that dress is ... really ... um ..." his voice trailed off.
"Thank you, Ron." Hermione replied. "You don't look too bad yourself." And with that, Hermione headed upstairs to change.
Once inside her bedroom, Hermione couldn't bring herself to take the dress off. 'You look really pretty'. What did he mean by that? Hermione thought to herself. Feeling slightly impetuous, Hermione threw her wallet, keys and wand into a handbag, and left her room without changing.
Re-entering the lounge room, Hermione said "Ready?" Ron turned to look at her, noticing that she hadn't changed, and was about to speak when Hermione said "I couldn't really be arsed changing. Let's go."
And within moments, Ron and Hermione were out the door, and walking across campus to catch a taxi into the city.