Giving Pig an owl treat, then resuming to run down the stairs into the kitchen. She breathlessly stood in front of her parents sitting at the kitchen table. Her Dad was reading the newspaper and her Mum was having a cup of tea. Crookshanks was brushing up against the leg of the table near her mother's feet. Her mother chuckled at Hermione's disheveled appearance as she noticed the letter in her left hand.
"Mum, Dad? You two remember my friend Ron, right?" She asked.
"How could we forget, as he's mentioned in almost all of your letters. Of course that other boy is too... What's his name? Garry?" said her mother.
"It's Harry Mum. Anyway, he's just written to me asking if I could stay at the Burrow until term begins. Can I go?" Hermione asked hopefully.
"We'd knew you'd ask eventually, but not so soon." said her mother. "Well I don't see why not. It's not like you've got anything better to do here."
"Except for spending some more time with your old mum and dad of course." Her Dad said, looking over his newspaper.
Hermione giggled. "Oh come on, we spent all that time in Italy together."
"Oh well alright, just don't miss us too much now."
Hermione grinned and ran over to hug her father. "Thank you!" She ran back up the stairs as her parents looked after their growing girl.
~ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ~
Hey Ron. Sounds like your doing well. That's nice. My summer was great! Me and my parents took a trip to Italy for most of it. While we were in Rome we found a wizard village with tons of shops! I got Harry his birthday present there and got you a little something too. I'll give it to you in person, I didn't know if Pig could carry it all that way. Anyway, I'd love to come to the Burrow! I've already gotten my school things, so there will be no need to go to Diagon Alley. I hope to see you soon!
'Hermione'
Hermione tied the letter to Pigs leg. He had rested for a few hours from his long trip, and probably an even longer trip back. He turned to look at Hermione and tweeted before spreading his wings to head out into the night sky. Hermione watched after him until she could only see a tiny dot above the trees.
She turned to look at her room. She walked over to her bed and bent down to pull her trunk out from under it. She had cleaned it out at the beginning of summer and now it was just an empty box. She proceeded to pull it over to her closet to start piling clothes into it.
Once she was done packing she plopped on her bed in a heap. Crookshanks followed, curling up on top of her. And just like that, she was out like a light.
~ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ~
She woke up the next morning to Crookshanks hissing at something in her room. Concerned, she got up thinking he was probably just being silly. She looked around to see him on her desk, pawing at the window. Pig was back with Ron's reply, and he was flying around outside the window as if he were playing 'catch me if you can'. Hermione giggled and picked Crookshanks up and put him on her bed before opening the window.
In zoomed Pig. He raced around the room above Crookshanks, teasing him each time he flew lower.
"Pig! You get down here right now!"
Ron's familiar flew down and landed on the desk. Hermione untied the letter from his leg.
Thank Merlin you said yes. Ginny has be getting so annoying, it'll be nice to have my best friend to talk to. Anyway, Mum will come to get you tomorrow at noon. Be ready by then, and I'll see you soon. Cheers!
'Ron'
Hermione smiled. She really did miss her best friend and her and Ginny had lots to catch up on. She did hope Harry was there too. Last year had definitely brought the two closer and she missed him.
Now she had the rest of the day to do whatever she pleased until tomorrow came. The question was, what is it she should do? Her veins were pumping with excitement at the idea that she would see her best friend in 24 hours. Her mind couldn't focus on anything but that, even studying. That was definitely a first for Hermione, as her life was devoted to being smarter than her everyone else in the room. She'd already packed all her school books, she didn't want to have to do it again.
Maybe she could take a walk, it was a beautiful day outside. Or she could take a swim in her pool out back, she wouldn't be able to do that at Hogwarts. There was so much time, and no way to spend it. She should probably get ready for the day, then look at her options.
~ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ~
It was night time now, and Hermione was getting ready for bed. Her day had been peaceful, just what she needed before going to the Burrow. She had decided on a walk to the local park near her house. There weren't many kids at the park, seeing as it was so hot outside. She stayed for longer than she had anticipated at first, and when she got back home she changed into her swimsuit to take a dip in the pool. Crookshanks had came outside to play in the garden for a bit. Hermione did a few laps around the pool and then decided she should go inside.
She climbed into bed and looked up at the dark ceiling. Tomorrow would be a long day, but a good one. With that thought, she fell asleep.
~ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ~
August 10th. 9:00AM. Back to the Burrow.
The sound of Hermione's alarm was deafening to her eardrums the next morning. The sunlight was excruciating to her eyes, and she found herself not wanting to get out of bed. She practically slammed down on her alarm to make it stop.
"Hermione! Breakfast is ready!" She heard her mother call from downstairs. She groaned and pulled the covers further up. She stayed that way as she felt herself drifting back into a peaceful slumber.
Meow. She rolled her eyes at Crookshanks, even though she couldn't see him. Of course his precious meal time could not be skipped over, even if it was for his owners delight. Especially if it was someone else's delight in which wasn't his own. Then she heard her bedroom door open and footsteps coming towards her.
"Mum." She said, dragging out the syllable at the end. "I don't want to get up." Hermione groaned as the footsteps came closer.
"Oh dear, I'm flattered but I believe you're speaking to Mrs. Weasley." Hermione popped out from under her covers as she heard the sweet and loving voice.
"Mrs.Weasley!" She jumped up to hug her. It'd been so long since she'd seen the mother. Mrs.Weasley laughed as Hermione cling to her. She pulled away to look at her. "Oh how much you've grown already! You look so beautiful." Hermione smiled and blushed at the compliment. "I think I should leave you to get ready. Sorry for popping in so early. I know Ronald told you noon, but with planning for Ginny's party tomorrow and all.."
"Quite alright Mrs.Weasley, I should be getting up now anyway."
"Well I'll leave you to it! I'll be downstairs when you're done." Mrs.Weasley left Hermione alone in her room to get ready for the day, and get all her things together.
~ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ~
Hermione heaved her bulging trunk down the stairs with great difficulty. She finally got it down the stairs after basically breaking her back. Hermione panted, "I'm ready."
Her mother and Mrs.Weasley, who were sitting in her living room with tea cups in their hands, looked up at her. "Took you long enough." Her mother said playfully.
"I'll let you say your goodbyes. I'll be waiting outside, Hermione." Said Mrs.Weasley. Hermione nodded and turned to look at her mother as she made it out the door.
"Oh I'm going to miss you, sunshine. Another year, you get more and more beautiful. Look at you! You're practically a woman. " Her mother said sadly.
"Mum, I'll write to you and Dad all the time. And I always come home for holidays. It won't be like you're missing much." Hermione stated, getting tearful also.
Her mother hugged her tightly before pulling away, looking proudly at her daughter, who had grown into such a lovely young woman. Her father then came out from the kitchen to bid his daughter goodbye. "Now Hermione, be careful and don't get too caught up in your studies. You tend to do that and forget to have fun, but not too much fun." She giggled at her Dads silliness. "My baby girls all grown up, it feels like."
"Guys, I'm only fourteen." Hermione said playfully rolling her eyes.
"And soon to be fifteen! Oh come here!" Her parents finally said and they all stood in the middle of the living room, hugging each other like they'd never see each other again.
Hermione pulled away smiling. She pulled her trunk towards the door, she looked back one more time before leaving.
It was the start of a new year.
~ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ⚯͛ ~
They arrived at the Burrow one hour later. Mr. Weasley had driven them in a Ministry car that they were borrowing. The car stopped and she opened her door while Mr.Weasley was already getting her trunk out. Crookshanks slinked off of her lap and strutted towards the Burrow. Hermione stepped out of the car and breathed in the fresh air, closing her eyes. She looked over to Mr. Weasley to get her trunk, but instead saw it being levitated towards the house. She heard a voice behind her, calling her name and when she turned around she got a face full of red hair.
"Oh I missed you so much!" said Ginny as she hugged Hermione tightly.
"Ginny!" Hermione said breathlessly. "I missed you too!" She pulled away and looked at her. Ginny had definitely grown up a lot this year. Her signature red hair was longer, her long legs made her look like a model, her face had matured and she couldn't have looked any prettier. She looked great with new curves added to her body. Hermione was jealous, to say the least.
"Come on, Ron will be so happy to see you." Ginny smiled and dragged Hermione up to the house.
"No mate, I'm telling you the Harpies are gonna get crushed next game..." The voice was all too familiar. One she had missed so much.
Hermione and Ginny turned the corner into the kitchen to see not only one, but two boys. They were so invested in whatever they were talking about they hadn't realized someone walked in. Hermione cleared her throat. Ron was the first to react. His head turned in her direction and his eyes lit up and he smiled. "Hermione!" He got up and hugged her. She felt significantly shorter compared to him.
Harry was behind him. Sweet Harry with his small, but charming smile. "It's so good to finally see you." Harry said softly.
Harry was taller too, maybe not as much as Ron, but definitely taller. He was in desperate need of a haircut, but somehow it fit him. The disheveled look. He hugged her too and she couldn't have felt happier as she flung her arms around him. She was back with her two best friends.
