Chapter 7
The Weasley dinner for Draco was chaotic, not a in a bad way, but chaotic nonetheless. The topics were different in every direction he tried to listen to. On his right, they were talikng about Quidditch amd further to him was the Ministry. On his left, they were talking about work and gossip. In front of him were children noises, even to the seat beside him which has Hermione's twins sandwiched between them. He instead preoccupied himself with Hugo's blabbering about a story his Aunt Fleur had told them.
"-- And there were faeries, Mr. Draco!
"Really?"
"Mhm! And then the Queen of the faeries said--"
Draco's attention wasn't really into listening to Hugo's faerie story but he wish he can be that invested to it. He can feel someone's stares burning to his face. He can feel some glances here and there but this one is different, it's fixated on him. he raised his head and his eyes roamed the long table. He caught the Weasel's eyes.
Ronald Weasley is staring at him. Draco wasn't the only one who felt the discomfort, even the Potters and one of the twins who were sitting in each of Weasel's side were uneasy. Draco didn't back down and stared back at him which made the Weasel's stare turn to a glare, which turned the people beside him slowed their conversation. Soon enough, everyone were engaged to an odd silence. The kids however kept on looking back and forth to all the adults, confused about the tense atmosphere.
Before anything started in the Weasley dining table, the patriach who sat at the head of the table spoke. He coughed to gather everyone's attention and smile.
"I will appreciate if any actions that are not eating or anything that are enjoyable while eating be postponed until after dinner."
Mr. Weasley looked at Draco who nodded. "I also wouldn't want to disrupt something good like this, sir." He replied with all sincerity. Mr. Weasley turned to his youngest son next.
"Yeah, Dad."
The silence occured again but it was different from earlier where they were anticipating a fight. Now, it was more of what they should be doing next aside from continuing eating their food.
A breath of huge relief waved over the group when Fred and George addressed the kids with giddy.
"Does anyone-"
"-wants to watch fireworks-"
"-after dinner?!"
And for that, the other adults were grateful. The children almost immediately shoved the remaining foods from their plates which made the surrounding adults laughed at the comedic actions at the same time of putting moderation on to it. It dissipated the tension around them and the joyful dinner returned.
Once the dinner was finished, the now empty dishes floated towards the sink inside the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley announced not to worry, mostly addressed to Harry and Hermione who were both eager to help even though this incidents had been repeated and explained, and to Draco who were new to their place.
Draco felt that he was being watched. He looked at the place where he felt those eyes glaring at him came from and he wasn't surprise to see Ronald Weasley standing there. He wasn't thick. He wanted to talk. Draco also wanted to talk.
Draco bent down to whisper on Hermione's ear.
"I'll talk to Weas-- Ronald."
Hermione chuckled at his correction but the amusement in her eyes immediately turned to concern.
"Are you going to be fine?"
"Of course we're adults. We can handle a conversation well especially if it's about you and the kids."
Hermione smiled at his response. He smiled back at her, feeling some kind of motivation to not mess up anything. It's not that he wanted to, after all, the hosts were nothing but nice to him even after his past deeds.
"Okay then, go talk to Ron. Send a flare up if you need help."
It was Draco's turn to chuckle. "I don't think I need that nor it will be seen if there are fireworks shooting in the background."
"Whatever, just go."
Before heading to the man he was supposed to converse with, he bent down once again to kiss Hermione's forehead. He then turned his back to her, wanting to finish the talk immediately. And Hermione was glad for that action, because she didn't want Draco to see her blushing at such simple gesture.
"You're absolutely whipped, aren't you?"
Hermione's breath hitched as she turned to the voice that commented on her actions just now.
"Ginny!" She exclaimed.
"You look like a teenage girl who had her first holding hands moment with her crush."
"I do not look like that."
"You do. After all, I myself was sure that I looked like that when I first held hands with Harry."
"Again, Gin. I don't."
"Yeah sure, make yourself believe that."
"I don't see the reason for this argument."
Ginny put her arm around Hermione's shoulder. "We're not arguing, maybe they are." She then pointed Draco and her brother talking at the dark part of their property.
"Draco promised that he's going to calmly talk to Ron." Hermione responded.
"Malfoy promised you, but Ron didn't."
Another voice joined in the conversation. His response made Ginny laughed.
"Harry, I thought my brother's your best friend." Ginny asked her husband.
Harry, on the other hand, passed two drinks to his wife and another bestfriend before replying. "He is, that's why I'm saying that."
The couple looked at the woman between them due to her silence. The said woman glanced to the both of them.
"Are you fine with it?"
"You and Malfoy, you mean?"
Hermione nodded before taking a small sip from her drink.
"You look happier." Ginny replied.
"And it looks like he treats you right." Harry added. "So are the kids based on what I witnessed."
"They are. He's really nice to them."
"Hmm... that's good. Also, we know you Hermione. We trust you." Harry smiled at her.
"Harry's right. We know how thorough you are with all things so we can be sure about you're decisions." Ginny added.
Hermione felt her eyes getting warm and wet. She pursed her lips and swallowed her emotions. She put up a smile that radiates her appreciation of her friends.
"Thank you."