Chess Club ends early so Harry can get home to Ginny, but everyone still has to go to dinner first. Will the way they choose to sit give friends a chance to become more?

Song: Never Alone by Jesse Bonanno

Harry: Hey darling
Ginny: Hey baby
Harry: I miss you
Ginny: Miss you too
Harry: My mind has not been on the board tonight
Ginny: I wonder why
Harry: My biggest supporter is not here
Ginny: I am bored
Harry: We are going to leave early tonight
Ginny: Where are you going to eat?
Harry El Pozo
Ginny: Are you bringing me coffee?
Harry: Yes, and food
Ginny: Love you
Harry: Love you more

Harry looked up from his mobile and smiled. Leave it to his wife to remind him that she was home by herself and not happy about it. A check of the time showed it was 9:30. A check of his stomach said he was hungry. "You guys ready to call it a night? I think I need food." Harry looked up at Neville as he waited for Neville's next move

"Neville, are you in there?" Harry waved his hand in front of Neville's face.

"Sorry, Harry. I got a little distracted." Neville blushed and made his move. "I think I am hungry. Who wants to ask the girls?"

"I'll do it," Theo piped up. "Neville has been in another world all night. So has Harry."

"I've just had other things on my mind tonight." Neville's blush continued to grow. "It's not like you gave your all to the board tonight."

"Not my fault she wore that outfit," Theo grumbled, looking over at Daphne. "She looks really good in that outfit."

Ron began to put the pieces from his board into his chess bag. "Now that you ladies have stopped badgering each other, you think we could pack up so we can get some food?"

"Sure, but you might want to wipe the drool off your chin, Ronald," Harry chuckled as he began to pack up his own set.

"I do not drool," Ron snarled as he began to roll up his board.

"Yes, you do," Neville whispered.

Theo: Are the girls ready to get food?
Daphne: I'll ask
Theo: What's the verdict?
Daphne: Yes, if we are going to El Pozo
Theo: I'll let the guys know
Daphne: We will start to pack up
Theo: You look nice tonight
Daphne: Thank you
Theo: Want to sit next to me tonight?
Daphne: Are we still in school?
Theo: No, just trying to see if you hate my guts
Daphne: I don't hate your guts
Theo: Sit beside me at dinner, brown eyes
Daphne: Okay, chess man

Daphne looked down at her mobile and tried to hide her smile. "The boys are claiming that they will starve if we don't leave soon. Are you guys ready to go?"

Hermione looked up from her computer. "So, Harry has had enough time away from Gin and needs to get home. I am at a good stopping point. When do they want to leave?"

"In about five minutes," Luna spoke up as she shut down her computer. "Neville says Harry has been distracted all night."

"So that's who has been lighting up your mobile tonight," Hermione teased her quiet friend.

"He is not the only one," Luna blushed as she held up her mobile. "Ginny has checked in, too."

"But Gin has checked in with all of us." Daphne held up her own phone. "I guess we should get ready if we don't want them to eat without us."

"The ACP at El Pozo is really good." Luna shoved her computer into her bag and turned towards the door. "Last one there has to sit beside Harry …"

"In a hurry, much?" Hermione asked as she watched Luna head for the door.

"No, just hungry," Luna laughed as she walked out the door. "Besides, I really don't want to sit next to the storm cloud."

"Something is up with that girl," Daphne muttered to Hermione as they finished packing their bags. "She is too happy."

"We can speculate more at dinner," Hermione answered as she slung her bag over her shoulder. "I think you are just happy to have us distracted from your chess lessons with Theo."

Ron: Want to ride with me?
Hermione: I thought Harry is riding with you
Ron: We can make him sit in the back
Hermione: You just want to see him crawl in. Your car is only a two door.
Ron: What's wrong with that?
Hermione: Nothing … If you are my height
Ron: I guess you are not riding with me
Hermione: I will drive myself
Ron: Darn
Hermione: maybe next week
Ron: Maybe
Hermione: Save me a seat
Ron: Of course

Hermione waited at her car for Daphne and Luna to arrive. She didn't want to go in by herself because she did not want the extra attention. She had seen Harry and Ron walk in a few minutes ago. Theo's bike was in the parking lot, so Daphne should be there shortly. Luna had sent them a message that she was riding with Neville. Hermione looked around for his car. It was parked next to Theo's bike which meant that Luna was already inside. Daphne needed to hurry up and get there because she was starting to get hungry.

"Miss me much," Daphne's voice startled Hermione as she came up from behind her.

"No, not really," Hermione gasped. "But now that you are here, I can get food."

"So that is all I am good for?" Daphne laughed as she linked arms with Hermione. "Your ticket into the building for food."

"Yes," Hermione grinned as they walked into El Pozo. "That and a good laugh."

Theo: Where are you?
Daphne: Just walked in the door. Where are you?
Theo: Big table at the back. You can see Harry's dark cloud from the front
Daphne: Don't give him a hard time. He is worried
Theo: We all are
Daphne: Did you save me a seat?
Theo: Of course I did
Daphne: Did we see Luna ride over here with Nev?
Theo: Yup ... and they are sitting beside me staring at each other but not talking
Daphne: What is going on there?
Theo: I have no idea … but I want to know
Daphne: Shall we try to get something out of them?
Theo: Please … because Harry and Ron are trying to get stuff out of me

Hermione and Daphne made their way back to the table where the rest of their friends were sitting. Theo was right. Harry looked like he had lost his best friend and Luna and Neville were watching each other across the table. Ron stood up and held out the chair.

"I saved you a spot. Figured you wouldn't want to sit next to Mr. Doom and Gloom over there." Ron pointed at Harry

"I am not Mr. Doom and Gloom," Harry replied. "It just feels strange without her here. I was trying to decide what to get to take home to her."

"Hawaiian ACP and cheese dip," Luna chimed in. "It was what she got the last time we ate here."

"Thanks, Luna," Harry continued as he looked over the menu. "We usually get Texas Fajitas for two when we come. I have to decide what I want now."

"Try the enchiladas," Theo chimed in. "I had them the last time I was here and they were really good."

"I'm going for the giant plate of Nachos," Daphne looked up at Theo. "But I am willing to share."

The whole group continued to debate dinner options until their waitress arrived. After their orders had been placed, they decided to discuss how they were going to handle Wednesday.

"I'm closing the shop on Wednesday, so I can meet you at the hospital," Neville offered. "Don't want you to have to wait by yourself."

"I'm off on Wednesdays so I can meet you there, too." Hermione said. "We know you won't ask for it, but we have seen how you are when she is hurt."

Luna spoke up next. "If someone will stop by the store before they go, I will have coffee and snacks ready. I have to open Wednesday, so I can get everything ready."

"You guys do not have to do this," Harry started to protest. "I can handle this."

Ron put his hand on Harry's shoulder and looked around at the group. "We know you can handle this, mate. We just want to help. Besides, someone will have to bring replacement floor tiles to cover the patch you will wear out in the waiting room floor."

"I do not pace," Harry started to defend himself.

"Yes, you do," echoed around the table. Their declaration was followed by laughter.

"Leave me alone and eat your food," Harry mumbled as he smiled at his friends. "I need to finish eating so I can get home to my wife."

"Sure you do," snickered Theo as the rest of friends at the table continued to laugh.

Harry: I love you
Ginny: You are still not at home
Harry: I am waiting on your food
Ginny: What am I eating
Harry: Hawaiian ACP
Ginny: Luna's suggestion?
Harry: Yes
Ginny: Hurry home
Harry: I am riding with Ron. I will be there soon
Ginny: Love you
Harry: Love you more

Harry sat quietly in the car as he waited for Ron to tell Hermione good night. That was one relationship he hoped was headed for more than just friends. He felt a little left out tonight. Luna and Neville had talked quietly while Theo had teased Daphne about everything. He was looking forward to getting home to Ginny.

As much as he loved her, he did not trust her to stay on the couch. She did not like sitting still and this injury was making her short tempered. The food on his lap should help. He needed her to be better for his own sanity. She was his rock as much as he was hers. He was humbled by their friends offers to help on Wednesday. As much as he had protested, he knew it was needed.

Harry reached over and tapped the horn. Ron and Hermione broke apart and glared at him. "I will not be responsible for your sister's actions if we do not get this food to her soon, Weasley," Harry yelled out the window. "You can snog with Mione later. I have a hangry wife to feed."

Hermione stuck her tongue out at the car as Ron reluctantly stepped away from her. "Let me know when you get home?" She asked quietly.

"I will," he answered just as quietly. "See you Wednesday."

Harry: Thanks for the ride
Ron: Anytime mate
Harry: Sorry about the horn
Ron: No,you are not. No worries. I know you wanted to get home to Gin
Harry: She was asleep when I came in
Ron: Good, she needed it
Harry: I can't lose her
Ron: You won't … They know what happened last time and they know how to prevent it
Harry: But, last time. I almost lost her
Ron: My sister is stronger than anyone knows. Just trust her
Harry: I trust her...but this surgery
Ron: She is going to be fine
Harry: I hope you are right
Ron: Put the food in the fridge and get some rest. You are going to need it

Luna: I'm home
Neville: Me too
Luna: Thank you
Neville: Welcome
Luna: I'm working open to 2 tomorrow
Neville: See you tomorrow
Luna: Night Nev
Neville: Night moonbeam

Theo: are you home yet?
Daphne: Just walked in the door
Theo: Chess tomorrow
Daphne: Lunch?
Theo: Okay
Daphne: Night chess man
Theo: Night, brown eyes

Ron: Just walked in
Hermione: Been home about 5 minutes
Ron: He's worried
Hermione: He has reason
Ron: She is going to be just fine
Hermione: You're worried
Ron: She's my baby sister
Hermione: She will be fine
Ron: I hope so
Hermione: I know so
Ron: Miss you
Hermione: See you tomorrow
Ron: Night sweetheart
Hermione: Night dear