Stronger Together

3- Redheaded Klutz

The Burrow. Ginny Weasleys 13th birthday party. 7:09pm

"Hm, you two actually clean up nicely." Hermione said, raising her eyes at the boys.

"You say it like you're surprised." Ron retorted back.

"Anybody would be surprised to see you all dressed up, Ron." Harry said, chuckling.

"Shove off," Ron mumbled back.

"You're one to talk, Harry." Hermione crosses her arms as she looks up at him. Harry went to retort back but he was cut off.

"Ronniekins, shouldn't you be over there at the snack table?" Fred and George had arrived to the conversation.

"Anything to get away from you two." Ron rolled his eyes and stalked off.

The twins looked over at Harry and Hermione smugly. "We'll leave you two alone." Fred said.

George winked at Harry and walked away.

Harry blushed, looking nervous. He scratched the back of his neck and looked over towards Hermione. She was watching the twins as they danced around in the middle of the party, happily. They lifted their baby sister in the air signing 'Happy Birthday'. She smiled at the sight, shaking her head slightly. "They are definitely something, huh?"

"Yes, they definitely are." Harry replied.

Her eyes shifted to another sight. Her hand went over her mouth as she hid her laugh. "Oh god. Look." It was Ron again. This was the second time this summer he'd embarrassed himself in front of a girl. His mouth was packed with all of the pastries possible on the food table and it looked like he was desperately trying to swallow. His ears and face were red and he looked like a Puffskein.

Harry wanted to feel bad for his friend but his face was just so priceless he just couldn't help but burst into laughter, followed by Hermione. He finally felt normal for the first time since Hermione arrived. The awkwardness had faded with the sun. He just didn't know why it was awkward in the first place! Sure, it was probably an awkward moment to begin with and he just happened to walk in too. But what he didn't know was the reason why his stomach had bubbled up seeing his two best friends together. Or why he had been nervous ever since Hermione had arrived! Something had changed between the three of them, and none of them could deny it.

The laughter had died down a while ago. It was quiet between the two of them, with the slight murmur of the party in the background. "Harry," Hermione said softly. Harry's head snapped in her direction. "Hermione?"

"Are you alright? You zoned out..." She looked at him skeptically.

Harry blushed at Hermione's intense glance. God! Why was he so anxious? It was only Hermione he was talking to. "Yeah, fine. Just tired is all." Hermione nodded but he could tell she wasn't convinced.

Ron came back to them a little while later. "For fucks sake! I cannot talk to the female species without ever screwing up!" He exclaimed.

"You talk to me fine." Hermione said raising her eyes and tilting her head at him.

"Yeah but you're you, Hermione. You're not like other girls."