I'm officially sniffling and getting my celebrity glasses on to hide the tears. You people are beautiful, thank you for reading my thingy! I haven't gotten a single bad review, and everyone has been helpful and encouraging. Gives me a weird tingly feeling.
Things are finally getting interesting, now that I've gotten past the introduction stuff. Now hopefully the names will be sent out in this chapter, but honestly I don't know what I'm writing until it happens, so they could show up, they might not. I've no idea, hopefully they come up.
oh and I apologize, I've noooo idea when Fleur got pregnant with Victorie, so for all intents and purposes she is four months along here.
Enjoy, read, and love it like I do!
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Ginny looked ready to fall over from her spot in the doorway. Mrs. Weasley was screaming a little, fluttering her hands towards her daughter as every one of her sons jaws dropped. Hermione couldn't help the giggle passing through her lips before clapping her hand over her mouth. Ginny gave her a grateful little smirk, while Fred nudged her ribs with his elbow.
"Oh my Ginny, oh, love, I'm so happy. Where's Harry? Not hiding in the living room I hope. Harry dear, come in, come in!" Mrs. Weasley practically ran into the other room, pushing Ginny to the side, not that she noticed in her haze of happiness. Hermione finally took pity on her friend and stood to fold her into a hug. Ginny collapsed rather thankfully into her friends arms, her hands shaking as she grabbed the back of Hermione's over sized Weasley sweater. The girls received all the sweaters the boys grew out of between Christmases, so the one Hermione was wearing today had large 'G' on it. Ginny didn't like to wear George's old sweaters because they had the same initial, and she didn't want people to think her mother had messed up her sizes. So as a general rule, Hermione usually took in both the twins' sweaters.
"Hermione, I can't tell if I'm breathing." Ginny sighed into her ear, and Hermione couldn't stop the large smile that took over her face. Fred and George were miming they wanted a hug now, having gotten over their shock.
"Gin, this is good. Be happy. Breathe. Hug your brothers." She pushed the girl backwards, right into the grinning twins' arms. The boys enveloped her in a huge hug, missing a bashful Harry stepping into the kitchen with a weeping Mr. Weasley on his arm. Hermione smiled even larger, and opened her arms for her best friend. Harry fell rather suddenly into her, unknowingly miming his fiancée. The crushing hug seemed to help them both, Harry relaxing into her, and Hermione feeling a rush of happiness for her friends. This was incredible; this would solve at least one of their problems. Ginny wouldn't have to sit up all night with Hermione now, fretting over losing Harry because of the stupid Ministry, and being lumped with some stranger for the rest of her life.
"Harry, thank you so much." Hermione whispered into the mop of black hair.
"For what?" he whispered back, digging his nose past her frizzy hair to reach her ear.
"For helping her. She's been freaking out, and worrying you wouldn't want her." He sighed, and nodded, making Hermione realize he knew about Ginny's worry over the subject. She couldn't help but wonder if Ron was as intuitive as Harry, and knew she had been freaking out with Ginny. The two hadn't really talked since the war ended, and she had barely seen Ron at all since the law was reinstated.
"Hermione, everything's going to be fine." Harry mumbled and gave her one last squeeze. She released him and let him gather Ginny up, the happy couple receiving everyone's congratulations.
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Dinner that night was dedicated to Ginny and Harry as an engagement party. Mrs. Weasley had spent all day preparing a massive layout. Bill and Fleur had stayed home from rebuilding the bank (which Hermione had apologized for profusely, while Ron just chuckled behind her back), which also allowed Fleur to relax. The pregnant woman hadn't had a moment to stop moving since the trio had stopped at Shell Cottage during their hunt. Hermione knew she wanted to be home now, but because of the war, Bill didn't want to leave and Fleur was too nice to say anything about the lack of privacy. Bill rushed past her now, handing Fleur a few empty glass to fill for dinner, making sure his wife didn't move around the busy table. Ron and the twins had run off at the sight of work, leaving Harry and Percy to peel potatoes and Hermione and Ginny to help Mrs. Weasley with the rest of the dinner.
The resulting feast was one Hermione could say had never been seen in the Burrow before today. Ginny was absolutely thrilled, constantly thanking her mum and pointing out how wonderful everything was. The boys had come down when the food was fully cooked and the jobs completely done. Fred and George had launched themselves at the food, barely taking time to compliment their mum on the food. Ron had taken a step towards the table and second guessed himself.
"Hermione? Could we talk a minute?" Ron asked her quietly, taking her elbow gently. She couldn't do anything but stand and follow him out, the both of them slipping into the living room unnoticed in the noise of the dinner table.
"What is it Ron?" Hermione stood nervously in the middle of the room, aware that if Ron had left food on the table, he must be serious.
"I had been thinking 'Mione," he mumbled, tapping his hands nervously against his lap. She took his arm and led him to sit on the couch, "about Harry and Ginny."
"You've been thinking of your sister and best friend?" her nose scrunched up in confusion. Ron sent her a sharp glare, realizing what she meant.
"I meant what they did. Harry proposing, so they could be together." Hermione suddenly had a sinking feeling about this conversation.
"Oh, Ronald, I,"
"No, Mione, just let me say something first." He pulled his hand away from her arm, letting both of his hands tap his lap again. Hermione could feel her hands begin to sweat. This wasn't right, it was nothing like she'd read about, and imagined for such a long time. This whole thing felt wrong, the timing was horrible and forced. He wasn't even looking at her; the ceiling had suddenly become insanely interesting to him. They were supposed to get married later; once they'd dated and kissed again, and discussed the idea of doing this. Ron looked at her again, a frown etched across his face. He still didn't say anything, and she realized at once; she didn't want this. Hermione Granger did not want to marry unsystematically.
"Ronald, stop," she begged, but he spoke over her anyway.
"I don't think we should get married."
The silence between them after Ron uttered this was deafening. Hermione couldn't seem to stop staring at him. She felt numb, but relieved if that was at all possible.
"You don't want to," she started and was cut off again, this time by Ron taking her hand in both of hers.
"No." She nodded, releasing the breath she hadn't realized she'd taken in. "It's not right Mione. I know we didn't get any time together, and we've waited forever, but doing something like getting married just to end up hating each other later isn't right."
"Ron, I don't hate you."
Ron smiled warmly, knowing he was winning this one, "No, and I'd never hate you either. And Mione," He paused, his ears turning an alarming shade of red. "I do love you. But more like a sister. You're one of my best friends, but we can't get married."
Hermione stayed silent another moment before she grinned up at Ron, "Thank Merlin. I didn't know how to bring this up." He looked incredibly shocked before a surprised laugh stole out of his lips.
"You were going to blow me off?"
"No! I was going to tell you the same thing. I love you too, just like I love Harry. You're both basically my brothers. I didn't want to get married right away either. And I didn't even know if I wanted to get married to you, Ronald." They shared some happy smiles and laughs, not letting go of each other's hands. They spent another minute before realizing dinner had begun without them. Hermione smiled at Ron, feeling so incredibly relieved they were on the same page. And then a feeling of dread filled her as she realized they were now in the running for a mismatched marriage of doom. But now wasn't the time to dwell over her problems, Ginny and Harry were to come first for now, and their happiness in this crumbling little hell they'd found themselves.
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"Thank you so much again Mrs. Weasley." Harry thanked the older woman as he brought his and Ginny's plate to the sink.
"Oh Harry dear, it was no problem. Stop thanking me so much, I should be thanking you! You've made my little girl very happy in such a horrid situation." Harry blushed, ducking his head to hide it from the family.
"Yeah, you're lucky this is a law, Potter," George started up.
"Or you'd have a horde of Weasley's after you," Fred began for him, and George jumped in once more, "For seizing the moment."
"Oh you two, honestly," Hermione 'tsked' in their direction.
Dessert was served with a flourish of Molly's wand, dishing a small trifle onto everyone's place setting. Everyone was rowdy and happy, talking over each other and constantly poking at Ginny and Harry. Hermione was feeling much better now, even sharing a few laughs with Ron. But everything went topside when the owl knocked against the kitchen window. All conversation ceased as each set of eyes went to the window.
"Was anyone expecting something?" Charlie asked, but no one said anything. Percy was the one to finally stand to retrieve the owl's letter. He read over the recipient and looked at Hermione and Ron.
"It's for you three." Hermione's eyes widened but reached for the letter all the same. The trio's names were scrawled across the front in a curly cursive. The back had the Ministry of Magic's seal over the envelope crease. Without consulting the other two, she popped the wax and pulled out the thick invite.
"Dear Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger. The Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shaklebot requests a meeting to be held at the Ministry of Magic for unspecified reasons. Please send your immediate response with the Ministry licensed owl, and arrive promptly for your appointment. Thank you, and have a good day." Hermione looked up now, noticing the whole table was watching her.
Harry was the first to say anything, "May as well send a yes with the owl. It is Kingsley after all."
"What the bloody hell is Kingsley asking us to the Ministry for?" Ron asked point blank, causing his mother to shoot him a look. Ron noticed but didn't say anything to her, "What? Harry just killed the most powerful wizard known, and he expects us to walk up to the Ministry and announce that The-Boy-Who-Lived is here?"
Harry couldn't help but agree with him, "Yeah, I don't want to know how many people may try to kill me on sight when they see me." Hermione didn't want to think like that anymore, but she couldn't disagree with the two. They all sat in silence, trying to figure out how to see Kingsley while Hermione wrote the reply quickly, letting him know they would see him the next day.
"Well," Fred piped up, dragging all eyes to his side of the table, "it's a good thing the brightest witch of her age knows how to brew a perfect Polyjuice Potion." Hermione glared at the twin, trying to ignore his smug grin and the shocked looks everyone was watching her with.
"How do you know about that?" Ron asked, missing the shushing sound Harry shot at him too late.
"Hermione? When did you make a Polyjuice Potion?" Ginny asked incredulously, as if seeing her friend in a new, trickster light.
Hermione groaned, rolling her neck, "We had to sneak into the Slytherin common room, and the only way I could think of doing so without getting expelled was to change into a Slytherin. We really had no other choice."
"We, snuck into the Slytherin common room, you stayed in the bathroom." Harry muttered, with Ron trying to hold back a grin. George caught on quick, leaning in to Hermione, "Just where were you during all this sneaking around, Granger?" Hermione could feel her cheeks grow uncomfortably warm but she refused to try and hide them, it would only make the teasing worse. The story had to come out eventually no matter how hard she wished it wouldn't. George took another poke at her, hitting the center of her cheek, causing her to respond rather explosively.
"I took the wrong hairs from bloody Millicent bloody Bulstrode's robes, all right? It's not my fault her hair resembles her ruddy cat's!" It took a moment for everyone to understand what had happened before the twins burst out laughing, George going as far as rolling off his bench seat. She felt horribly embarrassed, trying feebly to hide herself in George's sweater. Even Ginny was giggling madly, wiping the healthy tears from the corners of her eyes.
"You turned into a cat! Blimey, I can't believe it!" Her friend collapsed against Harry's arm, fresh laughter arising from her. "But wait, Polyjuice doesn't allow human-animal transformations," Ginny realized, sitting up once more. Ron broke then, a loud guffaw escaping.
Harry grinned at her then, "She had a tail for days," Ron couldn't contain himself any longer, rolling around similarly to the twins, "And the whiskers lasted for a week."
Hermione allowed the laughter for another few minutes, realizing the ridiculousness of the situation. Though it really had been a horrible time, Madame Pomfrey had told her she was lucky the fleas hadn't attached to her in the week she was furry.
"Anyway," she called loudly to break through the din of the kitchen noise, "yes, I could make us a potion, but as you two recall it took us a full month to brew that potion. Though this time, we wouldn't have to sneak the ingredients from Snape's cupboards, it still takes a fortnight to prepare. It definitely won't be ready in the next couple days." She attached the finished letter to the Ministry's owl and turned back in her seat to see the Weasley's looking shocked once more.
"Hermione Jean Granger! You stole from a professor!" Mrs. Weasley shouted across the table, glaring Hermione down. She could feel herself shrinking down in her seat under the motherly figureheads white hot glare.
"Wicked," George and Fred grinned, Fred even going as far as to wink at her.
"It was the first time; it's not that big of a deal. The books later were a lot tougher to get." Ron spoke out without thinking, taking another biscuit from the center of the table. Harry sent a glare at his mate, at the same time Hermione smacked the back of his head. "Ron!" they both yelled.
"That was for DA, it was completely different!" Mrs. Weasley was only looking more peeved, so Hermione looked away trying to find another topic of conversation.
"Anyways," Harry spoke up, giving Hermione the chance to relax, "why don't we just use the invisi-er," he paused, realizing not everyone knew about his father's cloak.
"An invisibility charm?" Hermione piped up. Harry nodded, his ears burning as he hid his face in the tea. "Yes, that should work. I'll do some research to find a simple one for us to use." She ignored the snickers that broke through after she said this, deciding she had been ridiculed enough for one day.
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Okee dokee, I've made the executive decision to split this chapter up. It was getting dreadfully long, and I needed a new look at what I was writing. This one does have a lot of dialogue in it, but I found the second half flowed at a different rate. I'm sure you'll get the second half in no time, possibly even in a few hours. I just needed them separated, it felt better to me.
So how'd you like it though? Good so far? I guarantee, more letters will arrive next chapter!