Reunions

Hermione's eyes bulged at Harry's story.

"Are you kidding me, Harry? Draco Malfoy helped you escape?! The same Draco who tormented us at school? That Draco Malfoy?! You have got to be pulling my leg, Harry. This is so confusing," Hermione said, crossing her arms and leaned back on the chair she was currently sitting on, frowning.

"No, no. I'm serious, Hermione. I really am. I don't really know why he did that but he did. I'm just as confused as you are," Harry said, running a hand through his hair. "By the way, where's Ron?"

Hermione's eyes darkened and she glared at him.

Harry was taken aback. "What?" he asked.

Hermione turned away from him, her eyes glistening. Harry was instantly worried and he grabbed her hand. "Hermione, it's fine. Ron already apologized to me and even though I haven't fully accepted him yet, I'm giving him another chance to redeem himself."

Hermione's eyes turned towards him once more as she wrenched he hand away from him. "What he did to me is unforgivable."

Harry couldn't help but feel hurt. "What? Hermione, I thought were over him."

Instantly, Hermione's gaze softened as she grabbed Harry's hand, squeezing it. "No, that's not what I meant, Harry. I assure you. I love you, not him. It's just..." she sighed, tears falling down her cheeks.

Harry raised his hand and wiped away the tears with his thumb. "What did he do to you, Hermione?"

She shook her head. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Harry smiled reassuringly. "Try me."

Hermione saw the worry and love in his eyes, she couldn't help but smile back. Then she steeled herself. "He fed me Amortentia."

Harry gasped. He blinked twice. "Wait, what? Ron fed you Amortentia?"

Hermione nodded solemnly. Harry ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "How did you know? Since when?"Harry asked.

"It wasn't that hard to, actually. I mean... I've never showed him any attention before. And I always fight with him. I would never want to be with him ever. I mean... can you imagine two people who always fight over petty things start a relationship? We would have fought every second of every day. And really, he's like a brother to me. But... now I'm not so sure what to think about him. I..." Hermione cried, her tears streaming down her face.

Harry pulled her in a one-armed hug as she carefully wrapped her arms around his naked waist, crying on his uninjured shoulder.

"I'll kill him," Harry muttered darkly, burying his face in her hair.

Hermione shook her head. "You won't do such thing. I know you. You would never do that- much less to Ron."

Harry pulled back, his hand on her cheek. "He fed you a love potion, Hermione! I can't just stand aside and do nothing!"

Hermione nodded. "I knew you wouldn't, Harry. But let me do this for myself, okay? I can take care of myself. Leave Ron to me. Do you understand?"

Harry sighed solemnly and nodded. "Fine."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you, Harry."

Harry frowned then removed his hand from her cheek. "But... he's over you now. He's with Luna."

Hermione's eyes bulged. "What? Since when?"

"Since he was captured... I still have no idea how that happened, by the way. And he said something about finally realizing that you don't belong together."

"I don't know..."

Harry sighed. "Let's find out, then." He swung his legs to the edge of the bed and stood up.

Standing, Hermione admonished, "Harry, wait. You're injured-"

Harry put his good hand on her elbow and smiled. "I'll be fine, Hermione. Besides, I'm quite famished." Taking a look outside the window to see the moon shining brightly, he remarked, "It's already dark. I was out for a while, huh? No wonder I feel hungry."

"Well, then, I guess we should go down now. I reckon Mrs. Weasley's already fixed up a meal good for an army," Hermione mused.

Laughing, Harry grabbed her hand and entwined their hands together. They exited the room that way.

...

Harry and Hermione walked into the kitchen, talking animatedly, and still holding hands. As soon as they were on sight, all people on the transifgured table- Hermione knew since the large table wasn't there before- stopped what they were doing and stared unblinkingly at the couple. Blushing, Hermione tried to pry her hand away from Harry but he gripped it tightly, sending her a reassuring smile. She smiled back at him and squeezed his hand.

Mrs. Weasley had a hand on her mouth, her eyes watering. Percy was beside her, a small smile on his face. Ron sat next to Percy with Luna beside him, the young couple grinning knowingly at each other. Bill and Fleur Weasley sat beside Molly, the former nodding, acknowledging them while the quarter-Veela had a triumphant look on her face. Mr. Ollivander and Griphook was next to them. Mr. Ollivander had a smile on his face, muttering, "Ah... young love." Griphook, however, had a blank look on his face. The seat next to him and next to Luna were vacant, which meant the others left space for them to sit together on the table.

Approaching the table, Harry pulled back Hermione's seat beside Luna and waited for her to sit before pushing it in slightly. Hermione blushed and pecked him on the cheek for being so thoughtful while Harry merely gave her one of his disarming smiles. The others watched their interaction silently. Harry sat beside her, next to Griphook.

Bill cleared his throat. "It's good to see both of you're getting better, Harry, Hermione."

Harry nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Bill."

Hermione merely smiled at him in acknowledgement.

They ate dinner heartily. They had expected Harry to have difficulty eating since he was a right-handed person but they were surprised when he had used his left hand quite efficiently. When asked, he shrugged and said, "In Quidditch, I have to use my left hand to handle a broom because I use my right to catch the snitch. Doing that for a few years kind of makes you get used to it. I still can't write with it, though. Now, that's a different story." They laughed at his explanation then fell silent.

Dinner was a solemn affair. Each one was still reminiscing about what had happened earlier. Every once in a while, someone would say something and someone else would reply him but they fell back into silence again. No one seemed willing to bring up the dreaded subject of their capture.

The air was palpable with tension.

Much more so when Ron attempted to bring up a conversation with Hermione.

"Hermione..." Ron started.

Hermione, in response, turned to Harry and merely asked, "Do you want to have my treacle tart? I'm pretty full now." She gestured to the unfinished piece of tart on her plate. She figured Harry would want them since they were his favourite. She had deliberately ignored Ron. It was all she could do when she felt like hexing him into the next millennium. She didn't want to do it in front of them all- much less his family and girlfriend. She didn't want to ruin his relationship with his family no matter how much she wanted to embarrass him for what he did to he. She still cared for his family even though she could care less for Ronald Weasley now.

Harry remained silent but nodded to Hermione. Hermione pushed her plate towards him and stood up, "Please excuse me, everyone. I have had a long day and would like to retire now."

Not standing being in the same room with the man she had recently hated, she went up to the room she and Harry had occupied less than an hour ago.

With a confused and somewhat hurt expression, Ron turned to Harry. Harry sighed. "When you're done, come upstairs. We need to talk."

He then stood up and followed Hermione.