With you in my Arms

4. He's not going to want me...

It was the 31.7.1999 and Harry's 19 birthday. Hermione and Ginny had planed a big party for him. They had invited all their friends and arranged a big buffet in the ballroom of Grimmauld Place. They had been begging Kreacher for days NOT to tell Harry about what they were planning. He had finally agreed, if he could do the dessert as Mrs. Weasley was preparing the main bulk of the finger food.

Now they were all gathered and enjoyed the opportunity to just have a party. With the knowledge, that nothing would break up the festivities like had happened with Bill and Fleur's wedding.

All the Weasley men had brought their respective girlfriends and wives and Ron even had brought Parvati. Who had been a bit nervous at the beginning, but then had found that Hermione was fine with her being with Ron. She even had given the other girl a big hug and smile.

Ginny had not been quite as forthcoming, but she reckoned that is wasn't only Parvati's fault. Her brother had as much to do with it.

Charlie's girlfriends turned out to be a slender, brown haired girl, that had grown up in Hogsmead. Nobody would have had her down as a dragon tamer, but that was what she was. Charlie chuckled as he explained to George, that she only looked so harmless. He had seen dragons look at her with dread should they have crossed her. They had both a good laugh at that.

Hermione sat at the back of the room with a large glass of pumpkin juice as Ginny came over with a rather odd expression on her face.

"What's happened, Ginny?"

"Oh, hm... Harry just asked... me."

Hermione smiled at her friend.

"What has he asked you?"

And then she realise what must have happened.

"He really did?"

Ginny nodded. Hermione beamed at her. She hugged the younger witch tightly.

"That's great. When?"

"Just now."

"Wow! I'm so happy for you two."

"You know, it's probably because of you, that he has done it."

"What do you mean?"

"If you hadn't told me to just let him figure it out and stay close enough for him to know, I am there, he would have never noticed me. Not as a girl anyway."

She smiled a heart warming smile.

"Well, I don't know..."

"Oh, shush!"

They saw Harry walk over to the big fireplace and cling against his glass.

"My cue."

Ginny walked over to him. Grinning. Everybody was looking as Harry lay his arm around her shoulders and hers went around his waist.

"This might be a bit of a surprise, but Ginny has been the girl in my life since 6th year and even so I sent her away, because I had to defeat Voldemort, she has never really left me. That is why I asked her to marry me. And she said yes."

The was clapping, cheering and congratulations all round.

Hermione slipped from the room. It pained her too much to see her friends so happy, knowing she would never again find the happiness of her night with Draco. Tears were rolling over her cheeks as she closed the door to her room and locked it.

Leaning against the inside of the door she sobbed.

"Draco!"

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