I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Side Dishes

53rd Course – Meeting Families

The first instance takes place during the summer before their fifth year, before the Coercion Course/Dinner Party.

"Sunny! You're being a brat!"

Millicent scowled as she searched her room, looking for her favorite shirt. The problem was that it was also Sunny's favorite shirt to nap on and therefore it was a constant battle of who could get to it first. Sunny won more often than not, having learned to hide it when she was not actively using it and while she generously hid it in Millicent's room, that did not make it easy to find.

Millicent heard the door open behind her but she did not crawl out from under the bed yet, still searching.

"Miss Millie?"

Millicent crawled out and sat up, looking at one of the family House Elves. "Hi Tipsy."

"Looking for your favorite shirt again?" Tipsy giggled.

"Yup," Millicent sighed.

"Tipsy will look. Miss Millie has Floo call." Her large dark eyes twinkled. "From a very handsome young man."

"What?! Oh!" Millicent blushed. "Thanks, Tipsy." Millicent left her room and went to the family sitting room and smiled at the crackling fire in the hearth. "Hi Nev!"

"Hi Millicent!" Neville's cheerful round face peered from the fire and he smiled shyly at her, making her feel warm. Then he looked slightly embarrassed, which normally is not out of the norm for him, but something in the expression made her pause.

"Is something wrong?" Millicent asked, feeling nervous all of the sudden.

"Uh, well, not really but sort of?"

"Nev, just tell me," Millicent said, her nervousness getting stronger.

Neville smiled apologetically. "Sorry. But, well, Grandmother found out."

"About?"

"Us."

Millicent blinked. "Oh."

"I wasn't trying to hide you or anything!" Neville said frantically, his earnestness clear to see. "I'm not ashamed of being with you at all! I really like spending time with you and stuff but I just never…told her, if that makes sense? She can be a bit…much."

"Oh! No I get it," Millicent, smiling sincerely, feeling better at Neville's hurried words. "My grandparents are like that too. And I haven't exactly told Mum or Dad much either. Just…we are together, right?"

"I thought so," Neville said shyly. "I think I like to be."

Millicent's smile was broad and happy. "Me too," she said just as shyly.

Neville's smile was goofy. "Brilliant!"

Millicent giggled. "How did she find out?"

"I had that picture of us from the Yule Ball on my desk," Neville said, making her feel even happier. "She saw it and was asking questions."

"That's not so bad."

"She wants to meet your family," Neville sighed. "Properly."

"Oh that might be bad," Millicent said uneasily. "Did she seem…upset?"

"No, surprised but more like surprised I asked and that I was 'seeing' someone." Neville's smile turned wistful. "Apparently that's what my dad did though. And Grandmother found out later, after he and my mum had been seeing each other for some time."

Millicent smiled sadly too. Society families knew what happened to the Longbottoms and she knew how much Neville thought of them.

"Apparently she's 'kinda' proud of me for acting like my dad," Neville said with a complicated laugh.

"That's good," Millicent said.

"But yeah, uh, wanted to warn you that she might have sent your parents a formal invitation," Neville winced.

"Oh, that's good," Millicent sighed. "Thanks for the heads-up." She looked back at Neville and smiled weakly. "We'll get through this."

"You think?" he asked hopefully.

"I sure hope so," she said wryly.

-0-

"I received an interesting message today," Hugh said lightly that night at dinner.

"We didn't do it," Nathan and Owen said together immediately.

"What did you two do?" Linda asked, scowling.

"We just said we didn't do it," Owen and Nathan said together.

Hugh chuckled. "Surprisingly, it does not involve either of you, but we will be revisiting your guilty consciences." He turned from his squirming sons and looked at Millicent with fondness and mild surprise. "An invitation to visit with Augusta Longbottom."

"Oh? Whatever for?" Linda asked, looking surprised. She narrowed her eyes at Millicent who sat still but a slow flush was creeping up her neck and onto her cheeks. "Millie?"

Millicent took an entire baked potato and shoved it into her mouth to choke herself and to spare herself from replying.

Linda sighed and gave her daughter a lovingly exasperated look and turned back to Hugh who was also looking amused. "Well?"

"To meet our family properly and in regards to future relations," Hugh said.

"Oh come on!" Millicent coughed through her potato. "We've only been dating for like a few months and we haven't made it super official until like today!" She went scarlet when Linda gasped and looked at her with wide eyes. Nathan and Owen's jaws dropped open and looked at her with wide surprise too and Hugh chuckled warmly.

"Neville Longbottom?!" Linda asked.

"Yes," Millicent said, scowling. "He's nice, Mum."

"I was not saying anything bad," Linda said hurriedly. "I just didn't know. You didn't tell me you were seeing someone. Wait, is he the young man you went to the Ball with?" She looked wounded when Millicent nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think it would turn into anything," Millicent mumbled. "I just wanted to go with a date and with someone nice and well, I had a lot of fun and he's nice. And then we went to Hogsmeade together a few times."

Hugh reached over and took her hand and squeezed it. "I've heard nothing but good things about the Longbottoms as a whole. Augusta is frankly terrifying but I have no reservations about the family. Plus I trust you, daughter. You will accept no disrespect."

"No I won't," Millicent sniffed.

Linda hugged her. "Are we really so bad to talk to about this?"

Millicent hugged her back. "No, not really. Just, we didn't want it to be so formal yet until we knew."

"Fair enough," Hugh said with an understanding nod. "That said, I would like to meet Mr. Longbottom properly as well and one does not ignore Augusta easily. We should probably accept the invitation and see how things go."

-0-

Hugh, Linda, and Millicent walked up the path to the Longbottom estate home, going through the gates when they opened for them. The path was smooth and the grounds well-cared for, and Millicent tugged on the dress robes she wore.

"You look beautiful," Linda chided gently.

"I feel ridiculous," Millicent complained.

"You look beautiful," Hugh repeated, giving her a warm look.

Millicent colored but felt better. "Thanks for not bringing the jerks."

"Even I know that would be inviting disaster," Hugh sighed. "And there will be plenty of time in the future for our whole families to interact, should things continue as they do." He and his wife and daughter stopped at the door but before he could knock, the door opened, revealing a smartly dressed Neville who smiled nervously at them. His smile became full when he saw Millicent. "Hello, Lord and Lady Bulstrode," he said politely and properly. "Hi Millicent! You look great!"

Millicent flushed happily and flushed with embarrassment at the smiles from her mother and father. "Thanks! You clean up great too," she replied. She gulped when Augusta appeared at the door. "Lady Longbottom," she said as formally as she could.

Augusta looked up at Millicent who almost towered over her. "You are a tall one," she said, giving Millicent a respectful look and nod. "You look lovely, dear," she added with a small smile. "Come in, come in, no sense in decorating the stoop." She waved the Bulstrodes in and walked energetically and with purpose. She led them to a well-furnished sitting room and tea was served by a beaming House Elf.

"I do not know if you remember me," Hugh said slowly.

Augusta nodded. "I remember you. One of the few Slytherins that Frank could tolerate. He always thought you were a proper sort."

Hugh smiled sadly. "Frank was a good man and a kind one."

Augusta suddenly looked her many years. "He was," she said softly. She sniffed and straightened. "So I can believe that your daughter is just as proper." She looked at Millicent who suppressed a shiver. "I also heard other good things from you from someone else as it was."

"Grandmother," Neville said, staring at her. "You did not go poking about and asking things about Millicent!"

"I did not," Augusta said sharply, giving Neville a look back. "Asking one other person for their opinion is not 'poking about'."

"Who did you ask?" Linda asked, eyes narrowing a little.

"Durga Patil," Augusta said without shame. "She's the Patil twins' grandmother. And those two have many good things to say about you, young lady."

"Parv and Pads are great," Millicent said without reservation. "Sorry, Parvati and Padma. Parvati is in Gryffindor with Nev and Harry, and Padma is in Ravenclaw," she said to her parents.

"And they speak highly of you?" Linda asked, smiling proudly.

"We're friends," Millicent said with a warm smile. "Parv's hilarious and if you need to hear any gossip, either she knows it or will know it. Padma is really smart and can give Hermione and Daphne a run for their gold when it comes to school stuff."

"Ah, friends with Harry too," Linda said, nodding. "I see."

"That boy has quite the collection of friends," Augusta said, nodding her head.

"Harry's a good person," Neville said firmly.

"He is," Millicent nodded.

"He must to have so many personalities around him and to remain on top of it all," Augusta said kindly. "I'll also admit I thought him strange when Neville first described him, but I have come around to it."

"Gee, I wonder why?" Neville said under his breath, smiling blandly at Augusta's sharp look before looking down at the table.

Millicent looked at the baked goods on the table. "I thought these looked and smelled familiar," she said, smiling. "Did Harry really make all this and send it over?"

Neville grinned. "I might've mentioned we were meeting and he offered."

"He's the best," Millicent said happily.

Augusta smiled into her teacup as she watched Neville serve the Bulstrodes, arguing with one of their House Elves while doing it, and taking care to ensure full plates. Linda held a hand to her heart and Hugh nodded with approval at the sight.

The tea party and meeting went well with the families chatting and asking light questions about the past school year. Eventually the Bulstrodes left, pretending not to see Millicent hug and shyly kiss a crimson faced Neville on the cheek before they left the estate. Later that night as they were getting ready for bed, Hugh laid back on the bed and looked at his wife. "I think they are a good match, actually, should they decide to get there."

"I think so too," Linda said, lying beside him. "He is kind and shy, but pleasant and you can tell he thinks highly of Millie."

"He does," Hugh nodded. He sighed. "Now I have conflicting thoughts about sending her to Sanguis. I do not think Longbottom would go."

"We will have to see," Linda said uneasily.

"The cookies and treats were delicious," Hugh said, changing the subject. "Harry Potter's work? I might need to somehow try his other cooking. Millie speaks very highly of it."

"Maybe one day," Linda nodded. "I would like that as well."

-0-

A few weeks later.

The Bulstrodes returned to their home. Hugh watched as Owen and Nathan ran to their room, possessively clutching their biscuit boxes while Millicent walked back to her room, one hand holding her own box and the other carrying a very plump and purring Sunny. With a fond shake of his head, he looked at his wife and chuckled.

"What?" she said defensively and slightly indistinctly. "They're very good."

"They are," Hugh agreed, taking a biscuit from her. "I cannot remember the last time I had such interesting and delicious food. Harry Potter's talents are not exaggerated in the slightest."

"No they are not," Linda agreed, eating another biscuit. "I feel better now, keeping Millie at Hogwarts. Seeing the others agreeing to keeping their children there makes me feel a lot better."

"Me too," Hugh said. "And seeing everyone together against the Malfoys, that's also reassuring."

"There really is something about Harry," Linda mused. "Normally when one has that sort of talent and connection, they are unbearable."

Hugh chuckled. "Indeed. I'm also pleasantly surprised by him." He smiled when Millicent reappeared. "Yes, daughter?"

"Just wanted to say thank you," Millicent said, hugging her father and mother tightly. She let them go and walked away, her steps lighter and her expression brighter.

"This will be good," Linda said, looking proud and happy.

"Yes it will," Hugh nodded.

-0-

The Winter of fifth Year

"What's going on?" Jean asked, looking at her husband.

David looked into the sitting room with warmth and more than a little amusement. "I'm trying to remember the last time Hermione looked this nervous."

"Hmm, you know what, I'm having difficulty remembering too," Jean smiled.

"Ah, now she's irritated at us," David grinned when Hermione turned to glare at them. "Last time I saw that was yesterday. Your fault I think."

"No, pretty sure it was your fault," Jean protested.

"It was both of you! Like now!" Hermione said loudly. She sighed as her parents laughed and she slumped face down, burying her face into a pillow. She grunted when Crookshanks climbed onto her back and settled there comfortably.

"Honey, I promise that we will be on our best behavior," Jean said with as much sincerity as she could muster, gently brushing Hermione's bushy hair with her fingers. She smiled at Hermione's loud snort.

"I think our daughter thinks we're going to embarrass her to her girlfriend and girlfriend's mother," David said. "What an outrageous accusation."

"Accurate," Hermione mumbled, voice muffled by pillow.

"What is: the accusation or you're thinking?" David asked.

"Yes," Hermione grunted.

Jean sat down beside Hermione and pulled her onto her lap. "Hermione, love, we're your parents and we love you dearly. We're just doing our parent duty in meeting your significant other and their family." She chose her words carefully. "It's just, well, going to be different because they're magicals and we're Muggles."

"And we're better about that after being friends with the Browns, the Tonkses, and Sirius," David added. "Seriously, it's been great talking with them and being friends with them."

Hermione nodded. Not for the first time did she silently thank that she became friends with Harry since it was only because of him that her parents had become friends with the others. She never fully realized how unnerved her parents were by the differences between the Muggle world and the Wizarding world, and how difficult it was to obtain simple information.

Ted, being Muggleborn, was invaluable help and friendship to them and Sirius and Andromeda were incredibly inviting and friendly. David and Jean also shared a comradery with Daniel since he was Muggle as well, and Leena was also very friendly and open. Their friendships had blossomed nearly overnight, since Harry's birthday party last year, and the difference was night and day with how comfortable David and Jean felt about everything.

It really was much better.

"It really has," Hermione said softly.

"Sirius and Andi have said that Tiffany and the Davis family are good," Jean said. "And knowing them, I can trust that and feel all the better for it. Society and their customs and views is rather frightening from what they have told us."

Hermione nodded, she had heard plenty of stories from Tracey, who tried to downplay them, and Pansy and Millicent and Daphne, who have been mostly honest and open about them. Neville was fine with verifying things she had heard, which was a relief. Most of the time.

"And, you're still okay that Tracey is…that I'm…" Hermione said slowly. She coughed, her words cut off when Jean hugged her tightly.

"You're our daughter," Jean said firmly. "We love you and we love who you love, as long as they treat you right."

Hermione said nothing else, hugging her back with desperate relief.

Jean looked up and frowned. "Something to say, David?" she asked in a dangerous tone of voice.

"I only have one question," David said meekly. "Am I allowed to put the fear of a father figure into Tracey?" He winced when Jean pinched him hard on the side and Hermione snorted with laughter. "No I'm being serious here! If it's a boy, I have to scare them properly! I don't know if I'm allowed to if it's a girl! What's the protocol?!"

"Unbelievable," Jean said, glowering at him.

"I love you too," Hermione said, climbing off the couch, displacing Crookshanks who complained loudly, and hugging her father. Then the doorbell rang and Hermione let him go, walking swiftly to the door and smoothing her skirt out. She opened it and smiled, seeing Tracey standing there beside her mother. "Hello!"

"Hi Babe!" Tracey hugged her and kissed her cheek before flushing when she saw David and Jean there. "Oh! Uh, I mean, Hi Hermione," she said weakly, blushing furiously.

"Tiffany Davis," Tiffany grinned, reaching over to shake Jean and David's hands. "The tomato is Tracey as you might have guessed."

"Come in," Jean laughed, ushering them inside.

"Is that a normal greeting?" David asked, eyes twinkling.

"Not during class or in the halls," Tracey said, still red. "But when it's just us or in the Uncommon Room, yes Sir."

"Honest! I like that," David grinned before wincing as Hermione dug her fingers into his side. "Ow! Hermione!"

"You don't have to answer all of his questions," Hermione hissed, glaring at him. "Especially the embarrassing ones."

"Daughters, right?" David sighed.

"I'm actually impressed she answered you," Tiffany smiled. "I normally have to hex that kind of information out of her. She's trying to make a good impression." She smiled at her scowling daughter. "What, tell me I'm wrong."

"Was it difficult to get here?" Jean asked as she made them comfortable in their sitting room.

"Not at all," Tiffany said. "I have Muggle relations and have spent some time in the Muggle side of things, so I can get by. Not as comfortable as some people, like the Tonks family of course, but enough where I don't stick out like a broken wand."

"We wear sweats at home," Tracey said.

"So comfy," Tiffany nodded.

"Are you Muggleborn too?" David asked. "Sorry, is that rude to ask?"

Tiffany smiled. "Depends on who you ask," she said genially. "No I'm not. My mother was half and I still keep in contact with people on her side of the family." She looked at Tracey. "What now?"

"The last time someone asked you that, you Cursed them," Tracey said.

"Well that's because he was a Pureblooded prat and was being a prick," Tiffany said, making Jean and David laugh. "I know Mr. Granger is being polite."

"Please, call me David," David grinned. "I think we're going to get along just fine."

"I'm glad!" Tiffany smiled. "I've been wanting to get to know Hermione more and her family of course."

"Really?" Hermione asked, eyes wide.

"Of course! Not a lot of people can tolerate my beloved daughter after all," Tiffany said, kissing a glowering Tracey on the temple. "In fact, the only time I've heard about you at all before the Yule Ball was what Daphne said in passing."

"And what was that?" Jean asked, looking concerned, something Hermione also looked as well.

"Just that Hermione threatened her position in the class rankings," Tiffany said soothingly.

"Daph called you a swot a lot," Tracey sighed.

"Well, to be fair, she's not the only one," Hermione sniffed. "Now I'm going to work even harder to make sure I beat her."

"I like you," Tiffany laughed. "I love Daphne of course. Adele and I are best friends and I treat Daphne and Astoria like daughters, but it's great when she is bested here and there."

"Wait, I'm remembering something else now," Hermione said with a frown.

"Oh no, what?" Tracey asked nervously.

"She thinks I'm boring," Hermione huffed.

"Oh not anymore," Tracey said hurriedly. "Also how did you hear about that?"

"Pansy told me," Hermione said. "I think Daphne said something to irritate her and so she told me."

"Dammit Pansy," Tracey growled.

"Pansy told you? Wow, she must have been irritated," Tiffany smiled.

"Oh school time," Jean said with fond exasperation.

"I don't miss it," David chuckled.

Just then the window rattled and it opened on its own. A moment later, a white owl swooped into the Granger home, barking a merry tune and landing on the table, carrying a basket in her talons.

"Hi Hedwig!" Hermione smiled as Hedwig shook herself, smoothing her feathers. Hedwig hooted warmly and hopped onto Hermione's lap, bobbing her head at the others and waving a wing at Crookshanks who flicked his tail back in greeting.

"What's this?" Jean asked, opening the basket. She took out a folded letter and read it, her smile growing. "I love that boy," she sighed. "Harry sent us a picnic to share."

"Really?" Tracey asked, eyes lit up.

"Really! Sandwiches of different kinds, soup, some pasta salad, and some sweets." She unpacked the basket and David went to get plates and napkins and things. Soon an array of food was laid out on the table and they all ate together hungrily with Hedwig and Crookshanks enjoying their fair share as well.

"I love his cooking," Tiffany said, eating hungrily. "I still dream about that dinner party we had at Grimmauld."

"Luckily we're here too," Tracey said, munching on a bacon sandwich.

Hermione took a small note that Hedwig passed her. "He knew," Hermione said, feeling warm as she read. "Apparently he made this for us knowing you and your mother were coming to visit."

"Really?" Tiffany asked, astounded.

Hermione nodded. "Apparently when Millie and her family met with Nev and his grandmother, Nev asked Harry to make some things for them. He did it happily of course and I mentioned that you were going to come visit the last time I spoke with him."

"And he made stuff for us," Tracey said with a soft sigh. "He really is the best."

They ate everything and Hedwig left, carrying the basket with her. After more chatting and visiting, Tracey and Tiffany took their leave after agreeing on another time to meet and spend time together. Hermione waved through the window, smiling as Tiffany and Tracey waved back. They soon vanished out of sight and she felt at peace.

"I like them," Jean said, joining Hermione at the window and putting an arm around Hermione's waist.

"Me too," Hermione said, leaning into her mother. She gave her father a cool look.

"Message received," he chuckled, holding his hands up. "I think she's great too."

"I'll need to thank Harry tomorrow when we see them," Jean said. "He's so thoughtful."

"He's the best," Hermione said, smiling.

-0-0-0-

mike3308 - He earned it.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - Hedwig only bullies people that deserve it. Banters and his ilk. Thanks for reading.

odonnellzoo99 - The many many facets of Hedwig, She's the best.

alix33 - Hedwig comes up with the best nicknames.

HoneyBear84 - Thank you.

poka - For however long it lasts on FF. Things really are not very consistent at all.