Chapter 3
Hermione woke up the next morning, very startled. She bolted right up but immediately regretted doing so. Her back ached and her neck was too stiff to even turn; she shifted her body to see what had caused her to be so uncomfortable.
Ginny.
Of course it was Ginny. Hermione had totally forgotten that she is a terrible person to sleep next to. It didn't even matter if she was in her bed and you were in yours, Ginny would roll until she'd hit something (in this case it had been Hermione). Then she takes all of your space and blankets until your forced to sleep somewhere else. It seemed as though Hermione had woken up in the middle of the night and fallen back to sleep on floor with Ginny's clothes.
She looked around and sure enough Ginny was on her makeshift bed, covered in a heap of blankets and quilts. Whilst Hermione was covered up by one of Ginny's cardigans and was laying on a pink bra. She quickly rolled over, fleeing the presence of the undergarment; grabbed her sweater and wand from her beaded bag and tip toed out of Ginny's room.
Hermione descended the halls of the Weasley's home, hearing Ron's snoring get quieter and quieter until she reached the kitchen. She drew her attention to the Weasley's family clock, which displayed the time: 7:48. All of the Weasley members seemed to be home, except Bill who was living with Fleur; his spoon implied that he was at Work.
Fred's spoon was pointed to Lost.
At the realization that Fred was gone, Hermione frowned, remembering the few happy memories she had shared with him. Watching him play Quidditch on the school's team as a beater, drinking an aging potion in her fourth year and growing a white beard like Dumbledore's, laughing with George, and teasing Ron at his joke shop. Hermione rubbed at her red rimmed eyes knowing there was no way to bring Fred back.
Not a moment after, Mrs. Weasley came down in her night robe and pajamas. She seemed startled by Hermione's presence and examined her mournful face.
"Is everything alright dear?" She asked kindly.
"Oh, yes I'm fine, I just..." Hermione trailed off as she looked at the clock once more.
Mrs. Weasley followed her gaze to the clock and she too got teary eyed. She gave Hermione a tight squeeze and said, "I know dear, we all miss him, especially George. But the way I see it is that Fred wouldn't want us to cry over him. No, he would want us to move on, have fun, crack some jokes for him, don't you think?"
Hermione nodded her head in agreement, bearing a wet smile.
"Tea dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked politely as she dabbed the corners of her eyes.
"Yes please." She answered with a yawn and watched Mrs. Weasley scurry around the kitchen searching for the contents to make a pot of tea. While Hermione waited, she cleaned up Ron and George's mess from their wizards chess tournament, and washed the table with a flick of her wand.
Hermione heard the faint whistle of the tea and scurried to grab to mugs for Mrs. Weasley and herself. The tea poured its self into the mugs and levitated over to the two occupants at the table.
"Thank you." Hermione said gratefully, wrapping the steaming mug into her frigid hands and took a tiny sip.
Hermione peaked out the kitchen window and saw the sun shining in the cloudless sky. A perfect day to watch her friends play Quidditch.
-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-
Around half past nine Harry finally woke up and sat beside Hermione on the couch.
"Morning Harry," she smiled.
"Good morning Hermione," he said rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
They sat in silence until hearing a noise in the kitchen. She and Harry both got up to see what it was.
"Ah! Good morning Harry I didn't see you come down," greeted Mrs. Weasley as she patted his shoulder and gave him an envelope,"these just now arrived."
Mrs. Weasley passed Hermione a letter as well, and she quickly flipped it over to see the Hogwarts crest adorned on the back. Like children Harry and Hermione ripped open the letters as if receiving them for the first time, and read their contents:
Dear Miss Granger,
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from Kings Cross Station platform nine and three-quarters at eleven o'clock.
After settling into your compartment with Mr. Potter and Weasley, I will have a messenger escort you to my carriage. I would like to discuss several matters if you are obliged to doing so.
A list of books for this year is enclosed.
Yours sincerely,
Headmistress McGonagall
"Hey Harry . . . Did you get this in your letter?" Hermione inquired.
He skimmed over her letter and shook his head, "No I didn't, but I fancy it's for a prefect position. She owled me earlier in the summer asking if I wanted to be a prefect or head boy but I turned her down. Wanted to have a normal year at Hogwarts for once."
They looked at each other and grinned, deep down, Harry and Hermione knew that this year would be anything but normal. If anything it would be a rather odd year, having only the worry of studying for exams and not being burdened with the idea of death.
Hermione informed Harry that she was going to wake up Ron and Ginny. He wished her good luck.
The key to waking up Ron was very simple. You just give him a little nudge and tell him that breakfast was ready. But seeing as he was her boyfriend, Hermione give him a gentle kiss on the forehead and whispered,"Rise and shine, it's a great day for Quidditch, Ron."
"Huuuh five more minuets please," he pleaded sleepily.
"Fine I'll wake up Ginny but when I come back then you have to get up, your mother is nearly finished making breakfast," she said.
"Breakfast!?" he said jumping out of bed and hurtling down the stairs following the scent of bacon.
Hermione supposed she should've started with the breakfast technique.
Now the key to waking up Ginny was way more complex and very much life threatening. Hermione took the 'nudge stick' from behind Ginny's door where the Weasley's always keep it, and tiptoed over to her bed.
The 'nudge stick' was founded by Fred who had taken the liberty of inventing such an item to safely yet affectively wake up the beastly Ginny from her deep slumber; after she had broken several fingers and his nose. The stick partially hallow to give a smacking sensation rather than a beating, and was painted a glittery pink color just for Fred's amusement.
Nearing the bed, Hermione extracted her wand for extra protection, and whacked Ginny with the stick.
"ARRRRGGGHHH!" she yelled still half asleep.
"Protego!" Hermione hollered as a small shimmery shield leapt out from her wand and defended her from Ginny's flailing arms. She hit her again.
"Ahhfhghhh! I'm—yougo—sleepy andgubtired—away," Ginny muttered.
Hermione laughed behind her shield and stepped out to whack Ginny once more. This time Hermione hit Ginny in the face and her eyes snapped open.
"What the—" she said looking around at the her room which was messier than before.
"Oh god, did I do it again?" She asked with blush rising steadily in her cheeks.
"Yes," Hermione answered holding back tears of laughter and letting down her shield.
"Shut up," Ginny said even though she too was laughing,"I'm going to get dressed in the bathroom, you can change in here if you'd like."
"Alright," Hermione said ruffling through her bag for a pair of clothes. She hastily changed and knocked on the bathroom door to quickly brush through her tangled curls.
"Come in!" Ginny called heartily.
Hermione walked in and noticed Ginny's fiery red hair was sleek and shiny, whereas hers was a chaotic mess. She grumbled and began raking a brush through the knots when they saw George appear in the doorway shielding his eyes.
"You ladies decent?" He asked.
"Yes George," Ginny said while rolling her eyes.
"Are you sure? I happened to have asked Ron the very same thing yesterday and he had just been slipping on his underpants. A truly horrifying moment, really. When I close my eyes all I see are his scrawny little chicken legs," he shuddered and uncovered his face. "Any who, I just wanted to show you this Hermione." George said as he held out a bottle in his hand.
"This here is a product that . . . well Fred and I were working on before . . . you know everything . . ." he slowly trailed off.
She took the slim black bottle politely from his outstretched hands and spun it over get a better look. Hermione reluctantly searched for any sign signaling that it was a prank.
"George, uh—well what exactly is it?" Hermione said carefully.
"This here, Granger, is a potion we made just for you; to straighten up that bushy hair of yours."
"Rubbish!" she exclaimed.
George smiled, as if he expected her respond just so, "Go ahead. Try it."
Hermione grinned and uncapped the bottle, bringing it slowly to her hands and stopped at once,"It is safe to use, right?"
"Of course Hermione, do you think I would give you something that could cause your hair to turn purple?" he said slyly.
Hermione regarded his statement wearily, "No of course not."
She poured a bit of the potion into her cupped hands, it turned lavender in the light. Hermione brought it to her hair and let it run through her curls until there was none left in her hand. She turned expectantly towards her friend.
"Well... How do I look?" Hermione asked shyly.
Ginny clasped her hands over her mouth, "Oh my god it's actually purple!"
"What!?" she shrieked turning to the mirror in a frenzy.
When she looked at her reflection, Hermione didn't see purple bushy hair, but luscious brown waves flowing down her shoulders.
"George! I— thank you!" Hermione ran up and hugged him for the potion. No spell or elixir had ever worked better that this.
"Ah your welcome Hermione." He chuckled,"but you should have seen your face."
"'What!' Ginny screamed as she mimicked Hermione's voice, 'oh no my poor hair' she yelled again, laughing along with George.
"Oh shut up," she said pushing them both aside and headed down the stairs.
-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-
Settled at the kitchen table, Hermione sat beside Ron and loaded her plate with pancakes, bacon, eggs, and various fruit.
"Oh good, thank you Hermione for waking Ginny; your not hurt are you? It is a very dangerous job," said Mrs. Weasley amused.
"No problem." Hermione said with a laugh,"At least this time she didn't sucker punch me in the throat." Hermione teased, and glanced at Ginny who had her head in her hands, looking deeply embarrassed.
"Rookie mistake," said Ron with a mouthful of eggs.
Mrs. Weasley carried over another tray of sausages along with two envelopes. "Ron, Ginny, your Hogwarts letters came," she said handing them to her children. Hermione glanced over Ron's shoulder and saw that his schedule was as normal as any other student's was. Glimpsing at Ginny's, hers was normal as well.
Hermione frowned. Why had McGonagall written to only her? Ron and Ginny played a big role in the Battle of Hogwarts and the reform of the wizarding world. Why was Hermione the special one?
"It looks like a lovely day for Quidditch," said Mrs. Weasley. Her hands were on her hips as she admired her fern bush and tulips.
"Same teams? Me and George verse Harry and Ron," said Ginny. "Of course if you wanted to play Hermione then we could get Charlie," she added.
"No thats alright I'll just watch," she said.
As they cleared their plates, Ron, Harry, and Ginny raced up the stairs to collect their Quidditch gear; while Hermione grabbed a random book from her bag and a blanket to sit on. They met back in the kitchen, elated that they were all finally together to start their summer, and play a hearty game of Quidditch.
"Oh Harry dear, I hope you don't mind that we'll celebrate your birthday a few days early, do you? Hagrid and the Lovegoods won't be able to make it next week." said Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh not at all, really Mrs. Wealsey it's not that big of a deal. Don't put yourself through any trouble, I'd just be happy to get a slice of cake," Harry said beaming. He wasn't used to having his birthday being celebrated.
-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-
I'm sooooo sorry that I haven't updated!!!! Um I tried to make this chapter longer than the last. So I hope you enjoyed this and I'll try to update more tomorrow! Thanks! :)