Chapter 4 - Dinner Party At The Potters'

Chapter 4 – Dinner Party At The Potters'

Ginny had been grateful for the relatively short Quidditch match yesterday. She had managed to owl her report off to the Prophet before ten o'clock that night and had gone to bed shortly afterwards. She had not even heard Harry come in, so deep was her slumber. But she had obviously needed the rest: she awoke the next morning feeling refreshed for a change, and with the children still at her parents, she was free to spend the day doing chores and preparing for dinner with Ron and Hermione that evening.

She chose to make roast chicken with herbed butter, onions and garlic, served with seasonal vegetables and crispy roast potatoes. The dish was easy to prepare; it was in fact something she had been taught by her mother to make, and it also happened to be incredibly delicious. It was warm and comforting, just what was needed on a chilly November evening. For dessert, Ginny had made a trifle that very morning. So, by the time Ron and Hermione showed up, everything was under control, and she finally started to feel like she could relax and enjoy the company of her husband and their friends.

Hugo, Rose, Lily and Al were at The Burrow again for the night, giving the four friends a rare chance to catch up. James was told he could join the meal on the express condition from Ginny that he behaved himself. James could not resist his favourite meal, coupled with the chance to spend time with his dad, and subsequently had chosen the seat next to Harry. James was being as good as his word, carefully eating his food with his fork and trying hard not to interrupt the adults' conversation.

'Great chicken, Ginny,' Ron managed to mutter between mouthfuls. 'Almost as good as Mum's.'

Ginny grinned as she watched her brother shovelling his food into his gullet as fast as he could. There was no bigger compliment from Ron when it came to food than him devouring it as quickly as possible. The faster he ate, therefore, the more he enjoyed it.

Hermione, however, was less than impressed. 'Ron!' she admonished. 'It's one thing eating like a pig when we're at home, but we're in company now!'

Ron gave a muffled reply through his full mouth, with a comment that sounded suspiciously like 'air amily,' and narrowly avoided spraying food all over little James.

Harry chuckled and topped up everyone's wine glasses. 'Is it me, or does it feel like AGES since we've done this? You know - just get together, eat and catch up?' he asked the table at large.

'It has been ages,' Hermione answered sadly. 'Just before Hugo was born, actually. Goodness, that was ten months ago!' she added with surprise.

'Time has been flying,' Ginny agreed. 'And I don't know what your workload is like at the moment, but it's just crazy for us. I'm just grateful it's not a World Cup year, or I have no idea how we'd cope.'

Hermione nodded eagerly in agreement. 'The last few weeks have been such a flurry at the Ministry! It's all over The Prophet now, of course, but I'm sure either Harry or your dad have told you all about the Montenegro situation.'

Ginny and Ron's father, Arthur Weasley, had been the head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects since 1996. However, due to the increase in all kinds of fake magical goods from far Eastern Europe and the Middle East in recent years, the department had changed its name to the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Spells and Magical Objects, in order to encompass all illegal activity in fraudulent magic.

'Well, it gets even fishier,' Harry said after a sip of wine. 'Let's just say the character that Ron and I have been busting our Gobstones trying to catch for the last few months might just know one or two things about what's been happening in Montenegro.'

Ron put down his fork with a clatter and burped gently with contentment, patting his stomach. 'Can we not talk about work?' he pleaded. 'Merlin knows I'm sick of it at the moment. No offence, Harry,' he added quickly, looking over at his friend and boss. Harry, however, was nodding in agreement.

'Roll on Christmas, I say,' Harry said cheerily. 'I could do with some time off.'

'Oh, God,' whined Hermione. 'That's another thing to think about. I've usually done all my Christmas shopping by now. I haven't even started yet!'

Now it was Ginny's turn to laugh. 'Tut, tut, Hermione. Middle of November and no Christmas presents yet? You're slipping!' she teased gently.

Hermione rolled her eyes good-naturedly and took a sip from her wine.

If there was one thing Ginny had noticed most about Hermione becoming a mother, it was her ability to loosen up and be able to take a joke, even one that was aimed at her. Ginny understood the reasons why Hermione had been so sensitive and uptight at Hogwarts, but those traits had lingered a little after Hermione had left school and had sometimes threatened to overshadow what a deeply warm woman she actually was. Having children had softened Hermione somehow, and Ginny loved her even more for it.

'Oh, that's what I meant to ask you,' Ginny said suddenly, leaning in towards Hermione. 'Have you had your invitation to Luna's wedding yet?'

'I got it yesterday!' Hermione replied excitedly. 'It was a really nice touch, making those fairies appear. Looks like it's going to be a big do. The Scamanders are really wealthy.'

Ginny smiled. 'I'm so happy for Luna. Rolf seems like such a lovely guy, and he's just perfect for her.'

'Bet you ten Galleons they'll be going to Sweden for their honeymoon to chase Crumple-Horned Snorkacks,' Ron muttered to Harry, who stifled a snort.

The clattering of the cat flap signalled Nyx's arrival to the party. She mewed loudly as she wound around the assembled friend's legs, the smell of chicken evidently driving her crazy.

'Okay, Nyx, we heard you the first time,' Ginny grumbled, rubbing the now-purring Kneazle on her head. 'You'll get your chicken in a minute.'

As Harry cleared away the plates, fed the ever-mewing Kneazle and served up dessert, conversation turned inevitably back towards the Ministry and the mystery surrounding the activity in Montenegro. However, conscious that James was listening, Harry could not go into too much depth regarding his theories of their origins and how it linked with his case of his most-wanted wizard.

After devouring a huge helping of Ginny's trifle, James had started to nod off at the table, but he was not the only one feeling sleepy. Only fifteen minutes after putting him to bed, Ron and Hermione apologised profusely for being so tired and left shortly afterwards amidst much hugging and promises to do it again soon, with Hermione firmly insisting that it was their turn to play host next time.

Shortly after, Harry and Ginny retired to bed themselves. Harry curled up behind Ginny like a spoon, burying his face at her neck and kissing her softly, making ripples of pleasure shudder through her. The knowledge that James would sleep right through the night, along with the fact that there was no Al or Lily to disturb them, was clearly an aphrodisiac.

Ginny sighed gently as Harry's hand traced the slight curve of her belly before moving up to cup her full breasts. It had been so long since they had shared a moment like this together. Ginny felt her passion flame at his touch, and her body responded to him almost immediately. She needed this; she needed the contact. Each touch and caress felt as if it was somehow repairing the tattered tapestry of their relationship.

Just as she was succumbing to the delicious ministrations of Harry's hands at her breasts, Harry murmured sleepily in her ear, 'Night, love. Sweet dreams.'

Ginny felt the shivers of pleasure being replaced by the creeping tendrils of dread as Harry rolled over on to his side of the bed. The coolness from the absence of his body against hers reflected the sense of rejection that had washed over her. Of course he was tired, her mind reasoned. So was she. But she could not help the tears silently falling onto her pillow or stop the feeling of loneliness that gnawed at her heart. And, once more, Ginny felt as though the fabric of their marriage was frayed and falling apart at the seams.

* * *

Author's note: Thank you to my beta Agnus Castus for all of her enthusiasm and endless patience.