Hermione and Ron stood outside the fashion event hall, alone facing each other. Their kids were sleeping in their respective parents' cars and there were no other people as it was too late, almost midnight.
Hermione smiled to herself as she thought of how the night went by, she had felt as if she relived a happy teenager moment from her childhood or a period she never really had because she knows it's the truth she never had such fun before.
After the restaurant, they visited a nearby mall to let them play in the kids section together, it felt good to see her son and Rose enjoy themselves, with the adorable little girl sharing her knowledge about the place and rides. It was also sarcastic to see Ron trying a few rides for fun and getting scolded by an older lady in charge there. They shared their credit card money for everything since the restaurant so it won't drain so much.
Her thoughts were broken by Ron, who was smiling himself across from her with his hands in his pockets "Well, it had been a fun night" Hermione's eyebrows rose with a bemused smile before Ron composed himself "Um, I mean at least Rose enjoyed it" Hermione rolled and eyes, but with a smile and thought 'Of course'.
"Yeah, It was fun. I can't believe you have a daughter like Rose".
"What does that even mean" Ron asked with a frown.
"I just can't imagine you are fathering a decent girl like her" She said with a surprised smile.
"Don't then" He retorted back with a tightened jaw.
"I'm sorry" she said apologetically "That was a stupid thing to say. It's just that she was really nice and Scorpius enjoyed himself today, thank you for taking care of him when I was inside. He looked like he was far more relaxed and playful than he had been his whole life till now".
"Well yeah, I wonder whose fault was that" he scoffed, giving her a subtle dig "Maybe you should get another kid at least you would do a better job with that one" her mouth hung open in shock and he showed his hand in a defensive position "I'm just joking".
She laughed dramatically and Ron laughed too thinking he is off the hook "Yeah, that was very funny, Mr. Weasley... your wife must have been a saint" she murmured.
He nodded his face seriously "She was... Your husband must have been very patient dealing with" he said gesturing up and down her whole body with his hands.
"Ha... Another charming sentiment from King Pudifoot's" She scoffed.
"You know what? Pudifoot's is too good for you. I'd never bring you there again" He snapped crossing his hands.
She started mock-crying "Well, then I guess I'll just have to learn to get through life without Pudifoot's".
"You've been doing a pretty damn good job so far!" He snapped, looking at her boobs and they both blinked at each other confused.
"That doesn't make any sense".
"I didn't realize they were that big" he said showing a handful. They nodded angrily before they walked over to their car and drove off.
Amanda was typing away on her laptop on the couch, annoyed at her date the previous day didn't go well. The guy she thought was cool and a good guy turned out really a walking red flag as he asked for her to sleep with him on the first date and she walked out paying for her share of the food.
She 'tsked' as someone knocked at the door and stood up shaking her head cursing at the innocent soul who she didn't even know. She opened it to see a tall handsome red head standing, donned in his casual dress that only ended up getting targeted for her annoyance "Is Hermione home?".
"Is Hermione home?" Amanda asked tilting her head "Who are you?" She snapped.
"I'm Ron, I'm not a threat" he said holding his hands up in a defensive position.
"Ron? Ron35 DSG. Com?".
"What's this, Dateline NBC? Yeah, you got it right" Ron replies frowning, confused.
"What do you want?"
"I need to talk to her. No big deal?"
"She said she is not interested in you" She said rudely.
"Well believe me sunshine, I don't like her either. I have to sort something out with her" he shrugged.
Before she could inquire about him further, Hermione appeared beside her "Amanda, Who's at the...?" She stopped looking at Ron.
"Hey" Ron said with an expression of impatience.
"Ron" she said simply "Why are you here?"
"The old bag at the kids counter in the mall mixed up our cards".
"That's impossible. Because I keep my cards very organized" She said starting to get into a explanation mode with hand movements "Infact, I keep them in colour coded sleeves..."
Ron interrupted her shortly "Alright, I'll give it back then whoever it belongs to. Hermione Granger" he said holding up her card "Have you met her".
"Oh" Hermione said, opening the door fully to let him in "Come in, please. God I don't know what's wrong with me lately. I feel like I'm losing my mind".
They walked over to the kitchen table, Amanda leaned towards her to whisper loudly
"You liar! You said you didn't like him"
"I don't"
"You said the date was a disaster"
"It was"
"You said he was a buffoon and a total grump"
"He is"
"Standing right here ladies" He said looking away breaking the sister's Q & A dialogue "Hearing everything".
Both the sisters snapped out of their own world, Amanda walked away quickly and Hermione took out a purse near, his card in her hand "Here it is".
"Also, I wanna know the details of our next project, if you don't mind?" He asked expectantly.
"I'm actually coming to Harry's birthday party tomorrow, why don't I explain it to all three of you directly?".
Ron looked shocked "Harry invited you?"
"Yep".
"He never told me" he said grumpily "Okay, fine, But how do you get his number?"
"He gave it to me. In fact, Neville, Ginny and even Rose have my number except you" she said with a tight lipped smile.
"Whatever" he said before showing himself out.
Viktor and Hermione sat in a coffee shop having a friendly coffee "Hermione would you be free tonight? How about we go on a dinner night".
"Why all of a sudden? What happened?" She asked confused.
"It's, just...Um, I'm going back in two days. I have an urgent meeting to attend" Viktor said smiling "Before that, I have something important to tell you".
"I'm really sorry Viktor, I really can't. I have a birthday party this evening. I promised I'll be there".
The camera started recording and Neville's voice was heard in the background "Today my best friend Harry Potter's birthday and we're here celebrating it".
It was a norm with them celebrating each other's birthdays together, that only includes the three of them and Ginny, further added by Ron's late wife, Rose and now finally Hermione.
Even Neville who has a family of his own, usually spends his day with his friends after getting presents and wishes from his parents by mobile and Harry's usual is spending all day with his two best friends since he doesn't have anyone.
They cut the cake singing for Harry, he gave his first piece to Ron who mashed a small piece on his face followed by Neville, also he got a small piece from Ginny. He got his gift from Hermione and opened his mouth as she got a piece of cake to give him, Harry opened his mouth thinking she would feed it into his mouth but got embarrassed as she placed it on his hand, Ron laughed so hard.
Neville also mashed a piece on Ron's face and Ginny laughingly threatened him with the plastic knife as he neared her with a piece of cake to smash on her face.
Ginny, Rose and Hermione talked mostly, they stuck inside the kitchen, preparing drinks for the boys and dinner for all them, but mainly just to gossip and talk about everything. Hermione had also brought Scorpius along with her and both the children hung on Hermione all the time, Ron didn't mind since Hermione will be there only for a few minutes but Ginny mock glared at Rose all the time and the small girl playfully rolls her eyes.
As the evening gave way to late night, Hermione informed them about the project "Guys, so I have it signed by Soniya and the shoot will be happening in two days, if you three are okay with it" She asked and they nodded "Seamus told me to inform you that everything should be perfect and we have to be early in the set since she is a busy model. So, we shouldn't keep her waiting".
It was eventually time for Hermione and Scorpius to leave despite the insistence of Rose and Ginny to stay for the night. Ron was jumping up and down like a little kid with Neville and Harry, his hands around their shoulders "Come on let's go, I ordered booze and chicken".
"Hey, we have a guest and she is about to leave" Ginny chastised them.
"I don't think she wants to drink with us, It's okay if she wants to join though" Ron commented and the boys laughed, running up the stairs to enjoy their time.
"Prats!" Ginny said shaking her head "Don't worry, I'll drop you off"
"No, please. That's okay"
"You must be joking if you think I'll let you take a taxi alone".
A few moments later they were in her car, Ginny driving off while Hermione sat in the passenger seat and Scorpius was dozing off in the back seat.
"... It's like being a mother of three toddlers. Seriously they need to get married. So pathetic!" Ginny was blabbering all the way and Hermione looking at her in a sympathetic manner.
"If you hate it that much why don't you just move out. You know, you have a job anyway and you can take care of yourself" Hermione suggested.
Ginny laughed "I hope it was that easy but it's not. You know how some siblings fight and curse all the time but don't mean the things they do or say even a bit? I mean, you have a sister growing up, you know it well too".
"Um, not really" Hermione cringed, Ginny side glanced "Amanda and I, we are not really siblings. My mum adopted her a few years ago after my father died. It felt good to have a member again to fill the vacant space in the family and we slowly ignored the fact she was adopted".
"OH!" Ginny said awkwardly, she didn't know how to address the topic so she continued with her story "Ron and I were the only family we have. Our family died in an accident when we were little, Bill our elder brother was the only one who survived along with us and he took care of us till our teenage years but unfortunately he died of cancer and Ron took care of me, he never let me face the dangers, he wanted desperately to fill in Bill's and our parents place in taking care of me and he did a very good job at that.
Ron, Harry, Neville and me, we have been a family since our childhood, inseparable. We rarely let anyone on our birthday parties, you were lucky you know" She said winking at her and Hermione giggled feeling honoured to be feeling as a member of their little group and happy to see them together as a family.