CHAPTER SEVEN

DINNER WITH HERMIONE

-HARRY

"Hermione, I kissed Draco."

Shit, I didn't mean to just blurt that out. Hermione looked confused but not unpleasantly so.

"Oh Harry, that's good. Isn't it?"

I thought for a second, I must have put a stupid look on my face because Hermione smiled warmly.

"I think it's going to be wonderful."

Hermione hugged me tightly when I finished speaking. We walked into the kitchen and started to tuck into this delicious meal.

"So tell me how it happened."

I smiled, "Well, actually Ron and I were fighting when Draco came into the shop. He kind of mediated our argument. Then Ron left and I was really emotional, I am worried about Ginny but I really hurt her and I know something's wrong. I'm her ex husband though so she doesn't want to talk to me… I kind of leaned on Draco for support and I planted one on him. Not inappropriate or anything, it was just a simple kiss."

Hermione smiled at me and held my hand.

"I am so happy for you Harry. And Ginny loves you. I know she is hurting right now but it was always going to hurt. Even if the two of you never got together, you were her first love and no one forgets that or ever truly gets over it. Even if you end up with your soul mate."

"You're absolutely right. I just wish I knew why I got full custody."

"We all do. I know Molly is going bonkers and Arthur is barely managing to stay alive. Although I think she may tell George. She is either buying or renting the flat next to his with your settlement money."

I nodded and we chewed our food in silence for a few moments. Then I heard the Floo call start up.

"Yes?"

"Harry? It's me, Ginny. Can I come through?"

"Yeah, of course. Hermione brought dinner. There's plenty."

"Great!"

Hermione and I shared a look and went over to the fireplace. Ginny popped in and dusted herself off. I helped her step out of the fireplace.

"I can't wait till I can apparate again. I really hate travelling by Floo. Hi 'Mione."

Ginny kissed Hermione and then me and smiled at the both of us. I gestured for them to sit while I grabbed another table setting.

"So how have you been doing, Ginny?" Hermione asked as I handed Ginny her plate.

"Pregnancy has been great, no sickness or anything. Mum is driving me mad but now that we got that settlement money I can buy my own place! George sent me the papers today."

"That's wonderful, Gin! Well, I'm sorry but I have to go before Ron comes searching. Love you both."

"Love you" Ginny and I said in unison. I waved to Hermione as she walked to the Floo.

"So to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit to?"

"Well, I've been very secretive recently and I realized when I got the settlement that I should probably stop. I'm buying the flat next to George. I guess you don't care as much about that as to why I wanted you to have full custody…"

"Well, yeah. I thought we would split it but I don't want to fight what you think is best. You tend to have good instincts."

"Thank you. Well, I only told Dad this but right around the time when I first found out that I was pregnant I got a letter. It was from an investor- someone from Hogwarts actually, Cho Chang. She is starting an all female Quidditch team. She wants me to be captain and her main chaser… She's actually not playing on the team; she hurt herself playing awhile back. But I was the first person she asked to be on the team and it's not starting up till about 3 months after the baby is born. I told her of course and I kept it from you. I'm not sure why but I just was really happy with my accomplishment. It had nothing to do with you owning a shop or me being married to you. Cho was just genuinely impressed with me back in school… I also didn't tell you because it's a lot of travel with this team. It's international and not just along Europe, we go everywhere."

I was stunned. This was amazing. I couldn't believe that Ginny would keep such an amazing opportunity a secret from everyone.

"Ginny, that's amazing! I'm so happy for you. That's literally everything you have ever talked about. So that's why you wanted me to have full custody. I'm so glad. Do you need anything? Supplies, gear? I can order it through the shop; we get good prices. You can tell Cho that too. I would help you guys out or would you rather not?"

Ginny smiled, "Harry, I told Cho that you owned a Quidditch shop. She actually didn't know because she's been traveling. That's something else I forgot to mention. When I say it's an international Quidditch team, I don't just mean that we play internationally… We are international. I represent the U.K. and every other player represents a different country. I told her that you own a Quidditch shop and she wants to work with you. I thought it was great too because this is something really amazing for the Silver Snitch to put it's brand on."

"Gin, you truly amaze me. I just have one question. You got this letter about 6 months ago. So practice and everything starts in about 6 months. The baby will be three months old, what do you want to do for those three months? Do you want the baby? I want you to make the choice."

"Well, if you don't mind… I was hoping that the baby and I could both live here in Grimmauld Place until I leave. I just think that it would be easiest for all of us but I understand if you don't agree."

"Gin, Gin, Gin- don't worry. Of course, what's mine is yours. Especially when it comes to the baby."

She smiled at me and I hugged her. Finally, my life was beginning to make sense. Now, I just needed to deal with the growing problem of being head over heels in love with Draco Malfoy.