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CHAPTER 38.
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"Harry! How are you? Are you very upset that I'm poking my hungry head between you two?" Hermione greeted him teasingly and he kissed her cheek.
"Are you kidding? I don't care if she invites the entire family; I just want her to cook! She is Mrs. Weasley's daughter after all! But she doesn't cook fancy too often! I'm just happy for any excuse she needs." Harry beamed, excited and Hermione laughed; now sure that she was definitely not interrupting any Harry-Ginny time.
"Where's Gin?" Hermione asked.
"She's just finishing the dessert. I tried sampling so that you don't have to bear it if it's awful, but she almost hexed my hand and expelled me from the kitchen." Harry complained.
"What did you expect? Just be thankful Ron isn't here, he would have been nursing a very injured hand by now", Hermione replied, trying to control her laughter. "I think I'll go in and see if she needs any help. Maybe I could sneak something out for you."
"You're the best, Mione! But doesn't look like she'll be needing help. Here she comes." Harry said pointing to the kitchen door.
And Ginny came out, in a cute 'I'm always at St. Mungo's so I rarely get to use this' apron.
"Does St. Mungo's really give away such aprons?" Hermione asked chuckling.
"That is my dear husbands doing. He made this apron for me on our engagement anniversary, also indicating that I needed to use this regularly." Ginny explained while setting the table.
Hermione laughed again. "Harry! I would have never thought. You're as bad as Ron. Poor Luna!"
Harry and Ginny joined in the laughter.
Hermione started helping Ginny with the table when she noticed that she had laid the table for 4 instead of 3.
Hermione was sure Ginny had mentioned only the three of them. So who could the fourth person be? She wondered if the extra plate came there by mistake, but it seemed doubtful.
"Umm. Gin? There are four plates here. Are you expecting anyone else?" Hermione asked, her brow raised.
"Umm. Hermione ... I.. Actually.. "Ginny started, but didn't know what to say.
She was going to kill Charlie. He was supposed to be here before Hermione came or at least when she came. And he was late! She hadn't prepared to be questioned by Hermione.
"Oh no no! Don't tell me Ginny Weasley Potter! Do not tell me that you have invited someone over and I'm supposed to consider dating him. Are you playing matchmaker again?" Hermione asked accusingly, glaring at her friend.
Ginny had a sheepish look on her face and she decided to just play along with Hermione. She need not know just yet that it was Charlie coming over. And once Charlie did make his appearance, then there was no way Hermione could back out.
"Harry! Were you in on this?" Hermione turned to face a confused looking Harry with her hands on her hips and a scary 'tell me the truth or else' expression on her face.
"No. Hermione, I swear, Ginny only told me you were coming over. I have no idea about anyone else." Harry said, hands in the air, "what is this Gin? How could you not tell me who you're inviting? I wear the pants in this family and yet you manage to not inform me about this?"
Harry's tone was harsh but he was trying hard to keep a straight face, Hermione too giggled at this.
"I'll tell you who's wearing pants in the family Harry Potter! You are. And for a long long time to come! Don't expect to be removing yours or anyone else's for quite some time." Ginny said menacingly, with a ladle in hand.
Harry gulped and immediately realised his folly and went over to kiss his wife's fake anger away.
"Whipped!" Hermione exclaimed in mock disgust and disdain.
Just then they heard knocking on the door.
"Who's it Gin?" Harry enquired.
"You'll see." She answered cryptically and went to open the door.
Harry and Ginny just shrugged at each other and turned towards the door.
"Hey Ginny!" Boomed Charlie's familiar voice.
Hermione's face paled as if she had just been trapped with Fluffy alone as she saw Ginny kiss Charlie and he made his way toward the hall.
"Harry!" He greeted his brother in law with a hug, who had a very questioning look on his face.
"Hermione! We meet again! What a pleasant surprise! And you, as always look enchanting!" He said, kissing her hand and enveloping her in a hug which she was too stunned to reciprocate. When he kissed her cheek, she was jolted out of her silence and she mumbled, "Charlie... H-Hello... Fancy seeing you here.."
Harry and Hermione exchanged quizzical looks, Hermione because she was wondering how Harry didn't know Charlie was coming over and Harry because he had never seen Charlie so pally and over friendly with Hermione.
"Yeah. I've never had any of Gin's cooking and she invited me over today. Isn't that sweet? I knew she was my favourite sister." Charlie said.
"I'm your only sister, Charlie." Ginny deadpanned.
"You'd still be my favourite," he winked and Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Umm. Okay... Charlie what can I get you to drink? We have butterbeer, pumpkin juice, elf wine and some champagne from the wedding." Harry offered, still looking a bit dazed.
Charlie turned towards Hermione and asked her, "what would you like Hermione?"
She looked a bit off and said, "umm no. Nothing now. Maybe I'll have something with dinner."
"Are you all right, Mione?" Charlie asked with concern.
"Yeah. Yes I mean I'm fine. Just a bit tired. " She answered.
Harry looked at her suspiciously and looked back at Charlie.
"Well.. Then, Harry, I wouldn't mind a glass of wine then." Charlie replied.
"Excellent," Harry said. "I was going to suggest the same."
Harry came back with two glasses of wine and Hermione excused herself on the pretext of helping Ginny.
She entered the kitchen and grabbed the casserole that was in Ginny's hand and put it back on the platform.
"What exactly are you trying to do?" She asked in a no nonsense tone.
"Trying to get the food on the table. With no help from you of course," Ginny said calmly.
"Don't try to be smart Ginny. Why is Charlie here? And even if he is, why did you tell me at lunch that it'll be just the 3 of us?" Hermione demanded.
Ginny sighed, " Look Hermione, I did tell you at lunch it would be just us, but just after, I went to visit mum and Charlie was there, looking kind of bored and I thought that he's not been here so why not invite him as well? That's all."
"That's all?" Hermione asked, her gaze piercing.
Ginny lowered her eyes a bit and seemed to be playing with her hands for a few seconds before she looked up again.
"Okay. I'll be honest, Hermione. I think Charlie likes you, I'm pretty sure and I've seen how well you'll get along. Would it really be that bad?" Ginny asked pleadingly.
Hermione was a bit taken aback by Ginny's apparent honesty. She had not expected her to give in so soon and Hermione had planned a whole list of verbal ammunition against Ginny.
"Umm Gin. Please. I don't like him that way. He's very nice to talk to. But you can't be constantly pushing me towards men." Hermione said.
"Please Mione! Just this dinner! It's not like you have to pretend to have a good time. We were enjoying before he came and we enjoy our meals at the Burrow also, just think it's one of those. Please?" Ginny pleaded again.
Hermione sighed again. "But what is the point? You said he likes me. I don't like him. Not that way at least. I don't want to be leading him on." Hermione said.
"I know. You won't. He's a big boy, Mione! But just please try. Don't shut yourself off from opportunities. I'm just asking you to have a good time and keep an open mind." Ginny said.
Open mind, my arse. Hermione thought heatedly, she just wondered if she should tell Ginny about Fred right now but tempting as it sounded, it was certainly not the right time. And not to mention how awkward dinner would suddenly become. Ginny would surely feel foolish and also enraged that Hermione had not mentioned this before.
What a vicious cycle she had gotten herself into. Damn it!
"I'm not promising anything. One dinner. And you really need to mind your own business, you know. I don't know how you manage the hospital and my seemingly lacking love life and your married life at the same time." Hermione groaned.
Ginny's face lit up in a smile and she hugged Hermione and said, "Because I love you!" And scurried away to the dining table.
Shaking her head, Hermione levitated two trays to the dining table.
Outwardly she seemed composed but inside she was shaking. Ginny had said that Charlie liked her. Her doubts were proven true and she wished she could speak with Fred right now.
She would be a mess if she didn't tell him about this.
She excused herself to go to the bathroom and locking the door, she quickly apparated into Fred's flat.
"Fred ... I ... "She stopped midway when she saw George sitting calmly on Fred's sofa reading The Prophet.
"George? What are you doing here? Where's Fred?" Hermione asked, out of breath.
"A very good evening to you too, Mione." George grinned.
"Oh, I'm so sorry George. Good evening. But what are you doing here?" Hermione asked.
"I must let you know that Fred and I are brothers, twins to be precise, and we do happen to share some twin time quite so often." George said in a pompous Percy voice.
Hermione grinned, "Of course you'll do. Just didn't expect you here."
"Ange is at her mother's with the kids for dinner so I thought Fred and I could catch up for a bit. But I thought you were supposed to be at Ginny's" George asked.
"George! Have you stolen my black sweater again? I swear you behave like a 3 year ..." Fred stopped as he exited his room and entered his hall, shirtless, and saw Hermione standing with George.
"Hermione ? Aren't you supposed to be at Ginny's?" Fred repeated the question.
Hermione turned towards Fred and her answer got caught in her throat as she saw her boyfriend emerge, wearing light blue jeans and nothing on top. Probably searching for the sweater George had supposedly stolen.
He had just come from the shower and as usual his hair was wet and dripping on his bare shoulders. Hermione wanted to have a quick word with him and leave but seemingly tongue tied at the sight of his almost perfect upper body, quick words were surely not going to happen.
"Ahem." George cleared his throat, with an amused look on his face, "maybe we can have some brotherly time later then, eh Fred?"
Hermione seemed to be jolted again and she found her voice. Tearing her gaze away from Fred, she looked at George and said, "No no. George stay. I only have a minute; I need to be back at Ginny's soon."
"What happened Mione?" Fred asked.
"I told you Charlie likes me." Hermione said.
George's eyes went wide and he asked, "What! What are you talking about?"
"Ginny! That sister of yours! She tricked me. She's even invited Charlie for dinner and she told me he likes me. And she's asking me to give him a chance. Oh Fred, what am I to do?" She asked worriedly.
"Ginny said that she was trying to get you and Charlie together?" Fred repeated.
Hermione nodded.
"Are you sure?" Fred asked.
"Of course I'm sure." Hermione snapped. She didn't have time for Fred's slow thinking right now.
"That's so strange. I can't believe Ginny would actually push you towards Charlie. I'm positive she knows or at least has some inkling about my feelings for you." Fred said, still wondering.
"How does Ginny know?" George asked.
Fred looked at Hermione and said, "You remember the day we got wet and I ran a fever, when Ginny persuaded you to stay to look after me, she whispered you're welcome in my ear. Now why would she do that unless she thought I fancied you?" Fred questioned.
Hermione looked to be deep in thought.
"And that day at the Burrow, when you sat next to Charlie, Ginny kept looking at me weirdly and was highly amused by the fact that I was getting flustered." Fred added.
"So that means Ginny has some idea about your feelings towards Hermione." George deduced.
"Then why is she pushing me towards Charlie? Shouldn't she be pushing me towards you?" Hermione asked impatiently.
"Exactly." Fred wondered.
"Do you think..."
"That our little sister..."
"Is up to something?" George and Fred completed their statements.
Hermione looked at each one of them, exasperatedly.
"What? You think Ginny is up to something? Of course she's up to something. She wants to set me up with Charlie!" Hermione spelled it out.
"Yes. But it's suspicious that she notices Fred's interest in you and yet she goes out of her way to set you up with Charlie." George said, catching on quickly.
"She's definitely up to something. And if I'm right, so is Charlie." Fred declared.
"Okay. I need to go now. I've been in the bathroom for way too long." Hermione said.
"Freddie dearest. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" George asked.
"That depends on what you're thinking brother." Fred replied with a cheeky smile.
"I think it's the perfect opportunity since Hermione's here." George said.
"You bet." Fred answered.
"Would you stop having these telepathic conversations? I don't have the time. Hurry up or I'm leaving." Hermione threatened.
"Okay fair lady. You may leave. But not before we give you something to plant in Ginny's house." George said.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"This," Fred said proudly, extracting an object from a box, " is our latest version."
"And it's called The Extra Extendable Walkie Talkie Ear." George said, a devious grin, identical to Fred, on his face.
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Okay then!
So seems like they are well on their way to figuring things out!
Let's see what they 'hear' next!
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