Dinner was outside that night. Bill and Charlie had set up a pair of old, shabby, tables that – if they could speak – would be groaning from the amount of food that was placed on them. Grace felt her mouth water as she started piling all the delicious food on her plate. Remus wasn't the best cook, but his food was edible. Dad... well, after the second morning she spent with him and he tried to make breakfast... Grace appointed herself to cook breakfast in the morning. Her dad did make a good cup of tea, she had to admit. Her mum, well... her mum wasn't a bad cook at all, she was quite good but her mothers food never quite hit the same as her Aunt Molly's.
"Don't worry," Grace whispered, leaning into Harry. "I prefer Aunt Molly's food over Mum's too."
"Oh good," he whispered, nudging her shoulder with his, "I didn't want to seem rude or ungrateful by preferring Mrs. Weasley's cooking."
"You'd never seem rude or ungrateful, Harry," Grace replied, giving him a small smile before turning back to her food.
As Grace ate, she felt herself beginning to feel tired. Not sleepy tired but...tired. It had been an exhausting day, exciting, but still exhausting; and even though she loved her cousins, and she was happy to see them and Hermione again, being around eleven – boisterous – other people, was starting to get to her. Grace had gotten used to the simple routine of home. Even with Harry being around, she never felt like she had to talk, or contribute to conversation. Sirius and Remus were able to talk to Harry, while she sat and observed. She was often curled into Remus' side, resting on his shoulder or his lap, or doing the same thing to her father, although when her dad would get excited and start moving too much, she often moved back to lean against Remus.
When Harry would have to leave and go back to the Dursley's, Grace was often curled on the sofa, or lounging on it with her feet on either Remus' or her dad's laps, which ever had dared to sit next to her when she was reading. Or she was up in her room. Usually if she was up in her room, that was when her dad would come and jump on her bed with her in his Animagus form. He usually curled up and laid with her until she fell asleep. Sometimes he wouldn't be in his Animagus form and would just lay next to her and listen to her ramble on about things until she fell asleep. Either way, he always made sure he stayed to say goodnight, and never left until she was asleep.
Life over the summer was simple, fun, and when her mother wasn't around, she felt like she could let all her walls down. She didn't have to pretend to be someone she wasn't, or put up a face for the sake of others. It was another reason why she was so comfortable with Neville, why being around him was so easy; it was the same with Harry too.
Grace yawned quietly to herself, now starting to feel full from the food. She leaned back into her chair and listened to the conversations going on around her. Her ears picked up on Percy's conversation with Arthur, and she frowned. "As you know, we've got another big event to organize right after the World Cup," Percy said. Her brows frowned even more, she had heard her mother talk to her dad and Remus about something the past few days. They waited until they thought she went up to her room to get ready for bed. "You know the one I'm talking about, Father. The top-secret one." Grace rolled her eyes. If it was 'top-secret' then why was he running his mouth about it at dinner? Surrounded by seven of the most nosiest people in the world, and she included herself in that number.
"He's been trying to get us to ask what that event is ever since he started work. Probably an exhibition of thick-bottomed cauldron," Ron muttered to them as he rolled his eyes.
Grace, who was now suffering from full-belly syndrome after a big dinner and delicious desert, rested her head on Harry's shoulder, feeling her eyes grow heavy. She was tired, and was ready to retire, but didn't necessarily want to be the first to get up and go to bed. She felt Harry's shoulder shift under her to rest his arm along the back of her chair so she would be more comfortable.
"Is she alright?" Hermione whispered.
"She had two plates of potatoes and double helping of ice cream," Ron answered. "She's just about out."
"She's been really quiet all evening," Hermione said.
"She's probably over talking to the rest of us," Ron shrugged. "She gets like that sometimes. Sorry, mate, it seems like you're stuck with her."
"I don't mind," Harry replied lightly. "It's happened before. Usually when Remus or Si-Snuffleswere occupied."
"So, howisSnuffles? Grace only told us that he's doing well," Ron asked.
"He's great," Harry whispered. "It's really fun to watch him and Remus interact, and him and Grace too..." Harry's voice faded.
"What is it?" Hermione whispered, sounding concerned.
"Well, I don't know what all Grace's told you but..." Harry started nervously. "It... hasn't been the best between him and Helena. They fought a lot."
"I mean, it is a bit understandable," Hermione spoke up. "They've been apart for thirteen years. They can't just ignore the time between and start again. Did he really think they could?"
"Dunno, but I know Grace did... she got upset every time they fought," Harry said. "I think it upset her more because every time they fought, it was about her..."
"What? Why?" Hermione asked.
"Well, from what I gathered and heard on my birthday, he doesn't like how Helena talks to her, or treats her. It really bothers him. He thought it was because Helena hated him, which isn't true. It's all a bit of a mess, really."
"At least there'll be Quidditch to get her mind off it," Ron said.
"Oh, the poor dear," Molly sighed. "Alright bed, the whole lot of you!" She called, clapping her hands, which startled Grace. Her eyes snapped open, and she blinked twice. "You'll be up at the crack of dawn to get to the Cup!"
"Hm?" Grace groaned as she rubbed her eyes. "Was I asleep?"
"Yeah, a little," Harry smiled at her as she lifted her head. "Want a piggyback?" he asked, and she nodded, feeling too tired to make the trek up to her bed in Ginny's room. Harry stood up from the chair and bent down in front of her and she smiled, wrapping her arms around Harry's neck, and he hoisted her up on his back, holding on to the back of her thighs tightly.
"Oh, Gracie," Molly sighed, taking a look at Grace, who was already half asleep again, and hiding her face in Harry's neck. "That girl could fall asleep anywhere," Molly 'tsk'd. "Harry, dear, if you leave your school list out I'll get your things for you tomorrow in Diagon Alley, I'll be getting everyone else's. There might not be time after the World Cup, the match went on for five days last time."
"Wow! I hope it does this time!" Harry replied excitedly.
"Well, I certainly don't," Percy scoffed. "I shudder to think what state of my in-tray would be if I was away from work for five days."
"Yeah, someone might slip dragon dung in it again, eh, Perce?" said Fred.
"That was a sample of fertilizer from Norway!" Percy huffed. "It was nothing personal!"
"It was," Fred whispered to Harry as they started making their way to the house. "We sent it."
Grace, who was listening, snorted a laugh and smiled into Harry's neck, holding onto him tighter. Harry's cheeks tingled, and his stomach did another flip at the feeling of Grace's lips against his neck. He didn't know why, but he liked the feel of them.
Ginny and Hermione let Harry into the room first so he could drop Grace off on her bed. She grunted as she felt Harry let go of her legs, and she let go of his shoulders. "Thanks Prince Charming," she mumbled sleepily as she moved under her blanket, not caring that she was in her jeans and t-shirt. Harry chuckled.
"Anytime, Princess," he replied quietly. "Good night," he nodded to Ginny and Hermione, who were both giving the same look and grin. He quickly closed the door behind him, and paused when he heard Grace groan and Hermione and Ginny squeal and giggle.
"Princess?" he heard Ginny ask.
"Prince Charming!?" Hermione laughed.
"Oh will you two stop! Get off! I want to sleep!"
"Not until you tell us about your Prince Chaaaaarming!"Ginny giggled.
Harry's cheeks burned as he forced himself away from the door and made his way to Ron's room.
"So... you and Grace?" Ron asked casually as he started getting ready for bed.
"What about it?"
"Anything going on there?"
"We're mates," Harry shrugged as he started to change into his pajamas.
"Yeah but..." Ron paused, tugging off his Chuddly Cannons t-shirt. "You two just seem... different, is all... like something's there."
"Oh," Harry said lamely as he got into bed. "No, er... we're mates... just mates."
"Right," Ron nodded awkwardly as he laid down in bed. "You'd tell me though, right?"
"What?"
"You'd tell me if something changed?"
"Oh, yeah... 'course," Harry nodded, suddenly feeling really awkward.
"Cool," Ron nodded.
"Oi," Fred called from his own bed. "The girls' room is down the hall! Go in there if you'd like to gossip like a couple of birds."
"Yeah, some of us would like to maintain the testosterone in the room, thanks," George grumbled as he turned off the light.
'There's nothing but testosterone in this house so shut your gob.'Harry could hear Grace grumbling in his mind, and that put a smile on his face.
A/N: AAAAHH it's staaaaaaarting~ sort of... there's little feelings starting to prickle in his mind~! :) it's so cute to see his feelings begin to form when he has nooo idea about them xD;
I know this chapter is a little shorter than the previous ones, but I PROMISE they will start getting longer... and longer... xD;
I hope you all enjoyed~