A/N: This going to be another short one folks – probably only 3 chapters. I just don't have the time that I used to when I would write 20+ chapters. There's no real purpose to this story except to feed my Harry Potter obsession that has reached an all-time high since the last book came out.

Chapter One

"There's no easy way for me to say this," started Ron Weasley, swallowing what was left of his pride. "But I need money."

His brother, George Weasley, rolled his eyes. "Blimey, is that all? The way you were talking I'd have thought you wanted one of my kidneys. How much do you need?"

"I don't want your money! I mean, I do, but I want a job. I don't want charity."

"You can think of it as a life debt then," George said with a wink.

Ron scowled. "It was hard enough asking you for a job, but if you're just going to take the mickey out of me –"

"Calm down, Ronniekins. You wouldn't deny a one-eared man his sense of humour, would you?"

"Sometimes I think you got that ear cursed off for the jokes," Ron muttered.

"Well, Fred and I were running out of material, so one of us losing an ear would buy us a few more years of colourful jokes."

All the amusement vanished from George's eyes and voice then. Ron noticed that seemed to happen whenever he brought up his dead twin, and like always he would rush on to another subject hoping no one would notice.

"Just because you're family doesn't mean I'm going to show you any favouritism," George went on. "You'll have to work hard like everyone else – just kidding. It's more like entertaining than working. Show the customers a good time, bring out stock, and then cash them out. Now that You-Know-Who is gone, people are rediscovering what fun is. It's been pretty mad there the last few weeks. Let's just hope retail runs in the Weasley blood."

"I appreciate what your doing, but it's only temporary. I just need to save up enough money – "

"So you can move out of The Burrow and be as far away from our nagging, yet good-hearted mother as possible," George finished for him.

"She keeps asking how I plan to support myself," said Ron, sounding exasperated. "It's not enough for her that I spent most of last year trying to destroy the personal effects of a Dark Wizard, while trying not to be killed in the process."

"Yes, mum can be very unreasonable like that," George remarked dryly.

"When do I start?"

"Tomorrow, if you want. Just come by Diagon Alley. I'll have Percy take care of all the paperwork."

Ron blinked in astonishment. "Percy?"

"Yeah, he's been helping out. He manages the finances so I can devote myself to R&D."

"R& what?"

"R&D. It's a muggle term. Stands for research and development. You know, developing new gag items and the like," George explained. "So Percy balances the books, which frees me up to invent and run the business. The only condition was I didn't tell anyone he was helping me – especially mum and dad. But since you're now an employee of mine, it's only fair I tell you everyone who works at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."

Though Percy had long since reconciled with the family, Ron was still having trouble wrapping his brain around the fact that studious, rule-loving Percy was helping Fred sell joke products. "I thought he got a job as Kingsley's assistant?"

"He did, but his love affair with the Ministry ended long ago. Our dear brother has finally seen the light and realized life exists outside the Ministry. But he's still Percy, which means he doesn't want his Head Boy image tarnished by people finding out he's working at a joke shop. Could you imagine the scandal?" George said, fighting to keep a straight face. "Anyway, off to bed with you. You're going to need your strength if you're to survive the mad world of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Come by after lunch and don't be late," he added with mock seriousness before Disapparating.

Ron had insisted they meet in the front yard of The Burrow so the rest of his family wouldn't overhear the conversation. He really hadn't wanted an audience, but it had gone better than he expected. Just because he was family didn't mean George would offer him employment. But he had, which meant very soon Ron would finally have some money of his own and no longer have to rely on others.


At exactly one o'clock a soft knocking sound could be heard at Ron's door. He went to answer it, ushering a pajama clad Hermione into his room. As always, she had her wand with her and used it to cast a silencing charm so they could speak freely.

"How did it go with George?" She asked him.

Ron fell back onto his bed with a laugh. "He would have taken me to Gringotts right there if I hadn't told it was a job I wanted, not his money. 'Course when I tell my mum she'll probably think she's lost another son to a life of Nosebleed Nougats and Puking Pastilles."

Hermione came over to sit on the edge of his bed. "I think she'll believe you when you tell her it's not forever."

"Maybe not. It's not as if I have anything else going for me."

"That's not true. You still have the option of taking the NEWTs – "

Ron groaned loudly. "Can we please not talk about NEWTs or school, or anything relating to those two? This is summer vacation – and a well deserved one at that. Once September hits you can start nagging me all you want about that stuff and I'll listen.

Hermione raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Really?"

"No, I'm lying." He pulled her down for a kiss before she could press the matter further. He used the kiss as leverage to pull her on top of him. The first time he had done that he had worried she might slap him and demand to know what he thought he was doing. But as always, Hermione had a knack for surprising him and before long they had been snogging intensely and she had pulled his shirt off. That was almost two weeks ago, and now, much to his disappointment she had stopped kissing him to glance at his alarm clock.

"Stop worrying about the time," he murmured and latched onto her neck, leaving a trail of kisses down her throat. "Mum and dad went to bed hours ago."

"All it's going to take is once for your mum to get up and see that our room is empty. When that happens we'll be lucky if she lets us sit together during meals."

It took a few moments for Ron to clue in on what she was saying. "What do you mean 'empty room'? Isn't Ginny – ?" It only took glancing at Hermione's face in the darkness to know that Ginny was not in the room the two of them shared. "Bloody hell, she's with Harry, isn't she?"

Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "Don't you think you're being a bit hypocritical? After all, I'm in here with you."

"Well, that's different!"

"How?"

"It just is," he spluttered. "How long has she been sneaking into his room?"

"I don't keep tabs on your sister. Ginny is entitled to her privacy."

He didn't like the way she was evading his question. For all he knew, his sister had been sneaking away for late night rendezvous' with Harry since coming to The Burrow.

"Ron, I know she's your sister but she's almost of age and it's not as if she and Harry had a lot of opportunities to be together this past year."

"Thanks for pointing that out. It makes me feel loads better knowing they're trying to make up for lost time," he remarked sarcastically.

"I don't know why you're making such a fuss over this. Harry is your best mate."

"And he's also an eighteen year-old bloke. Don't assume he's so innocent. Wait, where are you going?" Hermione had gotten off the bed and was heading for the door.

"Clearly, the mood has been ruined," she said glaring back at him. "I'm going to bed."

"Hermione – "

"Goodnight, Ron," she said and slipped out into the hall.

Ron fell back onto his bed, sighing angrily.


Hermione had always been an early riser, but the post had already arrived even before she made it into the kitchen the following morning. Mrs. Weasley had left breakfast on plates charmed to stay warm, with a note saying she was outside tending to the garden. Mrs. Weasley had never been one to stay still for too long, but since Fred's death she never seemed to stop.

Her worry over Ron's mother was temporarily forgotten when she saw four letters on the table bearing the Hogwarts seal. More than a little curious, she ripped open the one addressed to her and began to read.

Dear Hermione Jane Granger,

In light of recent events, many students at Hogwarts did not have the opportunity to pursue a proper education last year. Students who were in first to fourth year, as well as in sixth year will be will be able to take make up assignments available later this week. However, such students will not be required to take the end of year exams and will be assigned a final grade based on the completed assignments. This also applies to students who missed their year entirely. This will ensure you are ready to start the school year with the rest of your classmates in September.

Fifth year students will be required to take their respective OWL examinations. OWLs will determine the courses of study for a student's final two years at Hogwarts, and therefore, must be taken. More details about the OWL examinations will follow shortly.

For those who were in seventh year the NEWTs will be available for any student who wishes to take them. Such students will receive limited instruction to prepare them for the theoretical and practical knowledge they need in order to successfully complete their examinations. Students will not be attending classes, nor will they be required to stay on school grounds. They are free to come and go as they please but are encouraged to ask for as much assistance as they require. If you are such a student, more information will arrive shortly.

Sincerest Regards,

Minerva McGonagall

Hogwarts Headmistress

"It's too early in the morning for someone to look that happy," Ginny commented at seeing Hermione's expression.

"It's a letter from Hogwarts. There's one for all of us. I suspect they all say the same thing."

"No Potions or History of Magic exams?" Ginny exclaimed with delight as she read. "That's brilliant! I'm glad I don't have to sit the rest either but those two are always the worst. If Mum and Dad hadn't pulled me out at Easter I would have been looking forward to Muggle Studies and Defense Against the Dark Arts though. Neville, me and a bunch of the DA had already planned out what we were going to write on those parchments," she said with a grin that showed she was related to George and Fred Weasley well beyond freckles and red hair.

"Now you've got my sister talking about exams before we've even had breakfast? You're a horrible influence on my family," Ron complained, stepping into the kitchen.

"I think it's the other way around," Ginny muttered under her breath.

Ron, though, heard her clearly. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Ginny replied innocently.

"I'm not the one sneaking into other people's rooms – "

"You don't have to because your girlfriend sneaks into yours."

"McGonagall sent us all letters from Hogwarts," Hermione announced loudly, interrupting their sibling bickering.

Ron glared daggers at Ginny before turning his attention to Hermione. "What's it say?"

"You're not going to read it?"

"I will, but I want to eat first," he said and began filling his plate with waffles and bacon.

While he ate, Hermione summarized the letter for him. She wondered if he was really taking in a word she said since he seemed to be showing more interest in his breakfast than at the opportunity to take the NEWTs.

"I'm sorry I'm not as cheerful as you at the prospect of studying," said Ron, correctly interpreting the disapproving look she was sending him. "You think the fact that we helped Harry save the wizarding world might count for something."

Hermione shook her head at him. "You want special treatment?"

"Well, not exactly but it would be nice if maybe we only had to do half of the exams."

"What exams?" Harry said, coming down the stairs and joining them in the kitchen.

"The NEWTs," supplied Ginny as she handed him his Hogwarts letter.

Harry took the letter from her and quickly pocketed it.

"You're not going to look at it?" Hermione said incredulously.

Harry shrugged. "Not much point if I don't plan on taking the NEWTs."

Even Ron knew better than to flat out refuse to sit the NEWTs to Hermione. Harry was sure to get an earful from her.

"Harry, the NEWTs are important," Hermione insisted. "They can determine your whole future."

"And so you've told me the first ten times you lectured us about them. But I'm not interested."

"What about being an Auror?"

"What about it?"

Hermione couldn't understand his flippant attitude. "You'll never get into the Auror program without your NEWTs."

"Maybe I don't want that anymore," he said, much to Hermione's dismay. "I know you mean well, Hermione, but drop it. This isn't a group decision, it's my decision." Without another word to any of them, he slipped out the back door.

"You pushed him too far," Ron said to her.

"I didn't see you jumping in trying to help," she snapped. "He's been walking around here acting like his life is over when it's not."

"Maybe he feels like it is," Ginny said quietly.

Hermione wondered if maybe Harry had confided in Ginny and the youngest Weasley knew more than the rest of them did.


Sweating hard, Harry brought the Cleansweep he had been flying back to the ground. It shook and vibrated so heavily it reminded him of riding the school brooms back in first year.

"Quite a drop down in models from what you're used to," Ron commented. Harry had seen him approaching while he had still been in the air. He could have stayed up there if he wanted to, but he wasn't looking to avoid anyone. He had just needed to clear his head and flying always seemed to help with that.

"Sent you out here after me, did she?" Harry said knowingly.

"Hermione figured it was safer to send me, since you looked about ready to hex her at breakfast."

Harry wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. "I didn't mean to lose my temper on her. She just backed me into a corner about the whole NEWTs thing."

"She means well, mate. But you know how she gets when it comes to school or anything to do with learning. She's been wanting to take the NEWTs since she found out they existed."

Harry knew that. He also knew Hermione had given up her chance at the NEWTs by choosing to go with him to find the remaining Horcruxes. Though given the state the wizading world had been in last year, it was doubtful she would have had a chance to anyway.

"Are you taking the NEWTs?" Harry asked Ron.

"Dunno, but even I know better than to say that in front of Hermione," he said with a grin. "It's not as if you need them anyway, mate. You keep getting owls from the Ministry offering you jobs. I bet if you walked in there and told them you wanted to be Minister for Magic they'd give it to you."

"I doubt that. Kingsley's grown pretty popular since taking over for Thicknesse." Harry didn't know much about what the Ministry had been like before people like Scrimgeour and Fudge had come into power. Though from what he'd heard on the wireless and read in the Daily Prophet, Kingsley was the first non-corrupt ministry leader the wizarding world had come across in quite some time. His first act as Minister had been to appoint Professor McGonagall as the new head of Hogwarts, something that had not surprised Harry in the slightest.

"So Ginny's been sneaking into your room at night?"

Harry was thrown not so much by the sudden change in topics but by the topic itself. He could lie, but if Ron had brought it up then he already knew and just wanted to hear it from his own mouth

"We're together again," Harry said, knowing that was probably the least incriminating thing he could say.

"I gathered that much. But you still haven't answered my question."

"You already know the answer otherwise you wouldn't be asking me."

"Is there anything else I need to know?"

"No." Harry figured that was Ron's indirect way of asking him if he was shagging Ginny. That was not a conversation he wanted to have with Ron even if it wasn't true. In fact being interrogated by Ron was worse than if Bill or Charlie or any of the other Weasley's were to question him. Ron was his best mate and if he was going to react badly to the two of them being together again Harry was going to have a lot more on his plate to worry about.

"Want to do a bit more flying?" Ron suggested when he spoke again. He had brought his own Cleensweep outside with him.

"All right," Harry responded, both surprised and relieved that Ron seemed to be finished with his overprotective brother act.

Once they were in the air, the conversation changed to Quidditch and Harry took that to mean while Ron might not be thrilled about some of the details surrounding his relationship with Ginny, he wasn't going to let it affect their friendship – at least Harry hoped he wouldn't.