Hey! Just going to upload up to chapters six real quick, and then I can get to writing!:)
Harry climbed down the stairs into the eighth year common room, to find Hermione sobbing, in a heap on one of the couches by the fire. She was holding a letter, which he presumed did not contain good news. He approached her cautiously, having seen Hermione when she's angry. Her sobs were slowing, so he felt it a good time to rest a hand on her shoulder before sitting beside her, warmed by the fire. The crying girl looked up, presumably to see who was there. Her face was wet and her eyes red and slightly puffed.
"Harry." Her voice was slightly croaky, and she cleared her throat. "They're not coming." Her hands came up to her face before she began sobbing afresh. "My mother says it's a sham and she'll come to my proper wedding, should I ever have one." His arms circled her immediately and he rested his chin in her bushy hair, which was sticking out at odd angles. "She said she gives it a year." The girl hiccoughed before burying her face further into his chest.
"Well then I guess we'll have to prove her wrong." Hermione looked up, chocolate eyes still glazed with tears, but searching his face, looking for something. She settled for a moment, wiping her eyes and trying to move the conversation on, past her doubting mother.
"Did you speak to Ginny yet?" She sniffled.
"Yeah. Well, she told me I was welcome to try out for the quidditch team. She's captain."
"Oh. Are you going to?" He shook his head before taking the letter from her hand and putting it to one side, on a coffee table.
"No. I think I have bigger things to focus on this year." Hermione nodded in agreement. They definitely had bigger things this year. "Have you spoken to Ron?"
"No, he's spending all his time with Hannah. It's rather sweet actually." Hermione yawned and snuggled against Harry.
"And do you mind? You know, him and Hannah?"
"No. There's no point dwelling on what could have been. And besides, he's clearly smitten, so I'm happy for him." Harry was about to respond when a first year came running up to them with a letter. Even if he didn't recognise the small, scribbled writing, he knew who it was from. It had been sent through muggle post, with a stamp. He thanked the small boy and turned to his future wife.
"I bet ten galleons she won't come." He smiled half heartedly at her.
"Harry, I'm not making bets. I think she'll come."
Harry,
I'm not completely familiar with the laws of your kind, but I presume weddings run in the same way. Dudley and I will come. I've not told Vernon that we're coming. He's had some heart trouble recently, due to stress (not surprisingly) and I don't think he'd cope well in your world. I just told him you're marrying a witch. Mrs Figg asked me if she was welcome at the wedding. I wasn't aware she knew of your kind, but she said she could arrange transport. I know your kind dress differently, but I shall be wearing my Sunday dress nonetheless. I shall see you on the day.
Aunt Petunia.
P.S- Good Luck Harry, your mother would be proud.
Hermione was torn between feeling triumphant, as his aunt was coming, just as she had predicted, and being upset at the formality she had used toward her own nephew. She settled for triumphant and grinned at Harry, arms crossed.
"I hate to say I told you so."
"No you don't, you love telling people that you were right." She swatted a hand at him and took his hand.
"Harry, I know we didn't plan for this, but I do want it to work. I know a lot of bad things have happened in the past, but I think maybe this could be something good for us."
"I know. I want it to work too Hermione."
Ginny skipped happily into the great hall, plopping herself down next to Parvati Patil and Hermione. She fidgeted in her seat, grinning ear to ear.
"Are you going to tell us why you're so happy?" Hermione raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"Lee just sent me this." She threw her hand out in to full view of everyone around them, admiring it for the millionth time herself. He had sent her an engagement ring, with a large diamond on a simple silver band. Parvati and Lavender gasped, grabbing her hand for closer inspection. Ginny went along smiling. "He's been really sweet actually, always sending letters and gifts." Hermione looked to Harry, waiting for his reaction. He looked shocked, if not a little panicked. He turned to Ron and grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the table, and whispering in his ear.
"Ron, have you bought Hannah a ring?"
"Yeah. Well, mum sent the family one. Fleur already had one and neither Charlie nor George wanted it. I don't know about Percy."
"Oh." He hadn't bought Hermione a ring. He didn't realise he was supposed to, although he really should have. When Ron went and sat down, Hermione came over to see if he was okay.
"Harry? Are you alright? Is this about Gin-" Harry cut her off before she could finish her question.
"I didn't buy you a ring." He looked at her and was shocked when she started laughing.
"Oh Harry, I don't care about a silly ring. I don't see why people get them anyway, when they get rings on the day." She hugged him and took his hand, ready to go back to the table.
"But I should have gotten you one anyway, I'm supposed to. Or I should have at least bought you something."
"And why is that? I didn't buy you anything. And before you start any I'm the man nonsense, I don't care, now come and sit down, silly." Harry smiled back at her and closed his hand around hers, walking back to the table.