lodessa | FIC!

So Hermione says she's bringing a date..." Ginny told Harry, as he sat at the counter while she set the table.

"Really?" Harry replied, "How'd Ron react?"

"Well he took it real well on the surface. I think that's probably a sign of how much it upset him though."

"Poor bloke, he took the breakup so hard."

"He still doesn't really understand why she left him it seems to me. He's so defensive about his masculinity these days. He doesn't seem to see that it was that very sense of manliness that alienated her in the first place..."

"Yeah. Hermione didn't want to be taken care of. Too bad my birthday has to unhappy for him though. It's not like my birthday hasn't been miserable for me enough times for all of us."

"Hermione said she didn't want to ruin your birthday and that if you didn't want her to she wouldn't bring her date."

"No. Of course I want to meet this guy, make sure he's a nice chap and all of that. Not that I have to worry about Hermione really. I wouldn't dare think of trying to protect her."

Ginny couldn't help laughing.

"What's so funny dear?" Neville asked, entering the room at this point.

"Oh just Harry and his overzealous respect of Hermione's ability to fend for herself..."

"The whole world is just funny to you isn't it?" Neville suggested, standing behind Ginny and helping her place the silverware.

"Sometimes sweetie, sometimes." Ginny smiled, turning her head to kiss him before returning to her task.

At that point the sound of the front door opening could be heard, along with the sound of someone whistling. Everyone in the kitchen looked towards the door in confusion, wondering who the cheerful person could be. Ron was the only person they were expecting within he next few hours, and whistling was not one of his common activities at this point; he seemed to much prefer sulking or pouting. However, it was Ron who appeared moments later, carrying some groceries and a bouquet of flowers and grinning widely. He set the groceries down on the counter and handed the flowers to Ginny saying, "I bought these since you're always saying this place would be so much more cheerful with some flowers".

Ginny stood in mild shock, and it took a moment for her to regain the presence of mind to go find a vase to put them in.

"Looks like someone got up on the right side of the bed." Harry remarked, as he watched Ron put the groceries away. Ron blushed bright red, "Or should I say with with the right person on the other side of the bed..."

"Whatever it is, if it gets him to not only remember to pick up the things I asked him to for the first time in... well ever, but to even think to go beyond that and not only put them away but even get flowers then I hope he keeps up with it." Ginny cut in, placing her hand on her hip in a fashion strangely reminiscent of her mother.

"Keeps up with her, you mean"

"Or him" Neville inserted, "We can't afford to be prejudiced or narrow minded on this." he narrowly missed the playful punch that Ron threw at him, but knocked over the vase of flowers in the process. The water from the vase spilled all over Ginny, "Oh Gin, I'm so sorry..."

"It's okay love. Just find a new vase for these while I go get changed."

The minute she was out of the door both boys attacked Ron, trying to find out something about the prior night's rendezvous. He was uncharacteristically stoic though. Sure he blushed a lot but he absolutely refused to tell them anything about who he had been with. With Ginny's return they ceased prying on the matter. There are some things men just don't discuss with their little sisters, no matter how grown up they may be.

Ginny sent Ron and Neville to pick up Harry's cake. While they were waiting in line at the bakery, Neville commented, "You are going to have to tell him at some point you know. That is if this means what I think it does."

"He's going to be pretty steamed."

"Well what are you going to do? Hide that you are dating his ex-girlfriend forever?"

"They went out once!"

"Then why didn't you just let him know back in the kitchen?" Ron was silent, "That's what I thought... come on Ron. It's not like he even likes her anymore?"

"That's obvious. He bloody hates her. I'm more worried he'll think I'm an idiot than be jealous... although knowing Harry you can never tell."

"Are you embarrassed of her?"

"No... it's not that. It's just Harry..." Unable to come up with a satisfactory explanation, Ron apparated back to the house mid sentence.

The kitchen was empty when he arrived but voices would be heard in the living room. Ron could hear that Hermione had joined Harry and Ginny. There was a fourth voice he did not recognize though. It was a woman's voice so it wasn't Hermione's new boyfriend; perhaps Harry was surprising them with a new significant other as well. Neville apparated back at this moment and he and Ron went into the living room to join the others.

Sitting on the couch next to Hermione was a tall, dark haired, woman with a serious face. The boys couldn't quite place her but were sure she was familiar. Hermione and the newcomer stood up to greet Neville and Ron.

"You know Susan Bones don't you?" Hermione enquired, "She was in our year in Hogwarts."

"Hufflepuff right?" Neville asked.

Susan smiled and affirmed that she had indeed been in Hufflepuff.

"So what have you been up to since school Susan?" Ginny asked, as everyone sat back down.

"Well I was doing some research in South America on cyclical spells based on arithmancy calculations related to calendar determination and trying to alter or advert them until about 6 months ago. Now we think there is a link between the spells that I've been working on and some of the ones that have been troubling us for centuries out in Wales so I'm going to be looking into that."

"Susan is probably the top witch in her field" Hermione added, placing a hand on Susan's knee, "It's not surprising. She beat me on our Arithmancy NEWTs you know."

"And you're still sore about it aren't you..." Susan teased, resting her hand lightly on the one that Hermione had placed on her knee.

Comprehension dawned on Neville as he watched the two of them. Apparently Harry didn't get it though as at that moment he said, "So Hermione... ummm where's this date you were going to bring."

Ron hit Harry, "Owwwww!"

Hermione smiled and looked at Susan, before turning to respond to Harry, "Susan is my date Harry."

"But I thought you were bringing like a boyfriend... you know someone you were going out with..."

Neville, Ginny, and Ron looked at Harry in disbelief.

"Harry... Susan is my girlfriend." Hermione said, leaning over and kissing Susan on the lips.

Neville smiled, seeing Hermione so comfortable and content in her new relationship and leaned his head against Ginny's. He watched Harry slowly go red, "Oh Hermione. I'm sorry. I didn't mean... I'm really happy for you two." Harry blabbered.

With that everyone laughed. "So ummm anyone for drinks?" Ron said standing up, "Harry why don't you come help me carry them."

Harry followed Ron into the kitchen and sat down while Ron poured drinks for everyone, "I feel like such a git." he bemoaned, "Why couldn't Hermione have jsut told me so I didn't make such an ass of myself like that."

"Ummm Harry." Ron said, setting down the glasses, "There's something I should probably tell you."

"You're gay too?" Harry asked.

"No. I'm not." Ron couldn't help laughing.

"What then?"

"I'm dating Cho Chang."

Neville, Ginny, Hermione, and Susan could hear Harry's response all too well.