Author's note: I know I don't update often, but I enjoy reviews anyway.
Where would you like to see this go? Suggests are always welcome.
Disclaimer: I don't own a thing, 'cept some X-men stuff and some clothes.
Glistening leaves rustled softly in the pre-morning breeze. Small rays of dawn's first light peered through the window and caressed the sleeping cheek of one Hermione Granger. Her eyes fluttered open, and with a look of great annoyance, the brown haired bookworm quickly closed her curtains by hand. She always hated the inconvenience of being an under aged witch. Now that she was already up, Hermione knew falling back into the world of dreams would be impossible. "Stupid sunshine," grumbled the girl as she stretched her small body and stood on her toes.
The summer between years 4 and 5 at Hogwarts had really taken their toll on danger prone Hermione. At a glance, people wouldn't think twice about the pretty girl with wild brown hair and piercing eyes. She only had time for studying and an occasional letter to Ron or Harry, so she would often find her mother nagging for her to change her clothes at the end of the week. It's not that she was unclean, just extremely wrapped up in her mind to notice, or even care about, her body. The thing about Hermione though, had she taken time to study something more than magic, was that her body had begun to change drastically from what it was the year before. She was now 5'5" and continuing her growth spurt; her face lost most of its childish features and became more defined and mature. The way her sharp face blended so perfectly with her slightly curved eyebrows when she had them furrowed in concentration left no doubt as to her age but left much doubt as to her thoughts. Hermione had become mysterious during her years at Hogwarts, and her looks only added to the mystery. You never knew if she was going to tell you off or praise you for your magical creativity.
A loud sizzling sound could be heard from downstairs, probably the beginnings of breakfast made by her father. "Where has he got off to?" Hermione wondered aloud. She began moving piles of books and parchment in her search when a big ball of fluff purred against her leg, tail raised high. "Ah, there you are Crookshanks!" she smiled as she scratched behind his ear, "Pleased with yourself now, are you?" He let out an affirmative 'mrrrow' and flopped his large orange body onto his owner's bed. Just as Hermione reached over to stroke her cat's belly, a great flurry of white entered through her curtains and collapsed on top of Crookshanks. He stared at the exhausted owl with disapproval and concern while Hermione picked it up, "Hedwig, what's happened?" and in response Hedwig gave a weak 'hoot' and stretched out her leg. The witch eagerly took the large scroll from its binding and read the letter:
~Must hurry, your abilities are needed. Travel by floo power, father's set your fireplace up with the network. Mother's worried sick, bring books on medical magic; I know you've got them. -Ron~
As she finished the letter Hedwig stretched out her other leg to reveal a small phial of floo powder attached to it. "Time to get going then," said Hermione, with less confidence in her voice than she would care to admit. Rushing down the stairs with her school supplies, Hedwig and Crookshanks, and her wand, she grabbed a piece of toast and stood in front of the brick bordered fireplace. "Er, 'Mione, what's got you all worked up? It's the middle of July, are you getting sick?" her mother asked as she noticed the fire slowly increase in size and heat. "I'm off to the Burrow mum, something's happened and they need me," tossing the powder in, sparks flew about the flames as she stepped in, shouting "The Burrow!" "Wait just one minute young lady!" But it was too late, Hermione was off to the Weasleys' and nobody was going to stop her. "What's gotten into that girl lately? Asserting her independence I suppose..."
Actually, that's exactly what Hermione was doing. She knew her parents weren't overly strict, but sometimes she wanted a little freedom. She also thought her parents could use a break from worrying about her and maybe go on a nice vacation together for the rest of the summer holidays. Not that rushing off to The Burrow for unknown but seemingly urgent circumstances was really rebellious, but Hermione needed some excuse to get out of the house under as little suspicion as possible or she was likely to go mad from over working.
Dust, ashes, and bits of charred wood clung to various parts of the young girl's body as she landed firmly in front of Mrs. Weasley in her living room. 'Funny', she thought, 'Mrs. Weasley looks like she always does. I wonder if Ron was over exaggerating a bit in his letter.' She brushed herself off and attempted to clean her already mussed hair when she noticed Mrs. Weasley looking at her. "Oh, hello, sorry to intrude like this, but Ron said he needed me and it was urgent so I dropped by without sending an owl." All this came in a rush and she continued to babble an explanation when the older witch interrupted her, "Something's urgent? What's happened?"
The only thing Hermione now saw as urgent was finding Ron and hexing him, because obviously he had taken lessons from Fred and George and pulled a very rude prank. "I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley, I thought you knew. That obnoxious son of yours scared the sense out of me this morning with a letter saying someone was in trouble. Plus Hedwig looked absolutely exhausted and I thought she'd outdone herself in trying to get help." The witches exchanged disapproving looks and promptly marched upstairs, wands out, angry faces in place.
~-~-~-~
A boy with flaming hair was stretched lazily on his bed, looking at an equally stretched out boy across the cramped room. They were talking excitedly about Quidditch and the Chudley Cannons' chance at the next World Cup for most of the morning. Their excitement was diminished when they were called outside to the backyard garden for another de-gnoming. "But mum, Harry and I've done this twenty times already since he's been here, can't we do something else?" Ron's complaining earned him the pleasure of scrubbing the bathrooms without the use of magical cleaning detergents for the remainder of the morning and because Harry felt sorry for him, he decided to help.
"She's always doing this to me," spat Ron, "She's never treated Fred and George this beastly when they do something out of line, and they're the ones always pulling pranks!" suddenly an evil smile spread across his face as Harry replied, unaware that Ron was no longer listening, "You know, I reckon you're right, but she only wants the best for you. She probably realizes your brothers are out of reach and wants to make sure you turn out ok. Er, Ron?" The tousle haired boy looked puzzled at his friend's mischievous stare. "Are you off your rocker now?" Harry said as he shook Ron's shoulder very gently. "Wha..? Oh no, I was just thinking of the best prank ever!" Running up to his bedroom, Harry had no time to ask the taller red head what he was going on about.
Frantically searching for spare parchment, Ron threw his schoolbooks aside and made a thorough mess of his room. "Here we are!" He said excitedly as he scratched out a small note and attached it to Hedwig's leg. "Now Hedwig, I want you to fly without stop to Hermione's, this is very important, y'know?" The snowy owl gave a triumphant hoot as she shot out of his window as fast as she could, hoping to please Ron and break her own speed record to Hermione. Harry looked dumbfounded as he opened his mouth to speak, only to find Ron's lips lightly pressed to his own.
After a few moments Ron pulled away with an evil gleam in his eye, "Well Harry, this should give ol' Hermione a shock. It's the best prank I've come up with ever." ".Huh?" And then suddenly Ron realized he wasn't in one of his many fantasies, and bolted down the stairs, running to Stoatshead Hill as fast as he could, not wanting to face Harry ever again. The boy who lived sat dazed and simply brought his fingers to his lips. He walked to the back porch and looked around to find Ron's figure disappearing through the trees.
Disclaimer: I don't own a thing, 'cept some X-men stuff and some clothes.
Glistening leaves rustled softly in the pre-morning breeze. Small rays of dawn's first light peered through the window and caressed the sleeping cheek of one Hermione Granger. Her eyes fluttered open, and with a look of great annoyance, the brown haired bookworm quickly closed her curtains by hand. She always hated the inconvenience of being an under aged witch. Now that she was already up, Hermione knew falling back into the world of dreams would be impossible. "Stupid sunshine," grumbled the girl as she stretched her small body and stood on her toes.
The summer between years 4 and 5 at Hogwarts had really taken their toll on danger prone Hermione. At a glance, people wouldn't think twice about the pretty girl with wild brown hair and piercing eyes. She only had time for studying and an occasional letter to Ron or Harry, so she would often find her mother nagging for her to change her clothes at the end of the week. It's not that she was unclean, just extremely wrapped up in her mind to notice, or even care about, her body. The thing about Hermione though, had she taken time to study something more than magic, was that her body had begun to change drastically from what it was the year before. She was now 5'5" and continuing her growth spurt; her face lost most of its childish features and became more defined and mature. The way her sharp face blended so perfectly with her slightly curved eyebrows when she had them furrowed in concentration left no doubt as to her age but left much doubt as to her thoughts. Hermione had become mysterious during her years at Hogwarts, and her looks only added to the mystery. You never knew if she was going to tell you off or praise you for your magical creativity.
A loud sizzling sound could be heard from downstairs, probably the beginnings of breakfast made by her father. "Where has he got off to?" Hermione wondered aloud. She began moving piles of books and parchment in her search when a big ball of fluff purred against her leg, tail raised high. "Ah, there you are Crookshanks!" she smiled as she scratched behind his ear, "Pleased with yourself now, are you?" He let out an affirmative 'mrrrow' and flopped his large orange body onto his owner's bed. Just as Hermione reached over to stroke her cat's belly, a great flurry of white entered through her curtains and collapsed on top of Crookshanks. He stared at the exhausted owl with disapproval and concern while Hermione picked it up, "Hedwig, what's happened?" and in response Hedwig gave a weak 'hoot' and stretched out her leg. The witch eagerly took the large scroll from its binding and read the letter:
~Must hurry, your abilities are needed. Travel by floo power, father's set your fireplace up with the network. Mother's worried sick, bring books on medical magic; I know you've got them. -Ron~
As she finished the letter Hedwig stretched out her other leg to reveal a small phial of floo powder attached to it. "Time to get going then," said Hermione, with less confidence in her voice than she would care to admit. Rushing down the stairs with her school supplies, Hedwig and Crookshanks, and her wand, she grabbed a piece of toast and stood in front of the brick bordered fireplace. "Er, 'Mione, what's got you all worked up? It's the middle of July, are you getting sick?" her mother asked as she noticed the fire slowly increase in size and heat. "I'm off to the Burrow mum, something's happened and they need me," tossing the powder in, sparks flew about the flames as she stepped in, shouting "The Burrow!" "Wait just one minute young lady!" But it was too late, Hermione was off to the Weasleys' and nobody was going to stop her. "What's gotten into that girl lately? Asserting her independence I suppose..."
Actually, that's exactly what Hermione was doing. She knew her parents weren't overly strict, but sometimes she wanted a little freedom. She also thought her parents could use a break from worrying about her and maybe go on a nice vacation together for the rest of the summer holidays. Not that rushing off to The Burrow for unknown but seemingly urgent circumstances was really rebellious, but Hermione needed some excuse to get out of the house under as little suspicion as possible or she was likely to go mad from over working.
Dust, ashes, and bits of charred wood clung to various parts of the young girl's body as she landed firmly in front of Mrs. Weasley in her living room. 'Funny', she thought, 'Mrs. Weasley looks like she always does. I wonder if Ron was over exaggerating a bit in his letter.' She brushed herself off and attempted to clean her already mussed hair when she noticed Mrs. Weasley looking at her. "Oh, hello, sorry to intrude like this, but Ron said he needed me and it was urgent so I dropped by without sending an owl." All this came in a rush and she continued to babble an explanation when the older witch interrupted her, "Something's urgent? What's happened?"
The only thing Hermione now saw as urgent was finding Ron and hexing him, because obviously he had taken lessons from Fred and George and pulled a very rude prank. "I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley, I thought you knew. That obnoxious son of yours scared the sense out of me this morning with a letter saying someone was in trouble. Plus Hedwig looked absolutely exhausted and I thought she'd outdone herself in trying to get help." The witches exchanged disapproving looks and promptly marched upstairs, wands out, angry faces in place.
~-~-~-~
A boy with flaming hair was stretched lazily on his bed, looking at an equally stretched out boy across the cramped room. They were talking excitedly about Quidditch and the Chudley Cannons' chance at the next World Cup for most of the morning. Their excitement was diminished when they were called outside to the backyard garden for another de-gnoming. "But mum, Harry and I've done this twenty times already since he's been here, can't we do something else?" Ron's complaining earned him the pleasure of scrubbing the bathrooms without the use of magical cleaning detergents for the remainder of the morning and because Harry felt sorry for him, he decided to help.
"She's always doing this to me," spat Ron, "She's never treated Fred and George this beastly when they do something out of line, and they're the ones always pulling pranks!" suddenly an evil smile spread across his face as Harry replied, unaware that Ron was no longer listening, "You know, I reckon you're right, but she only wants the best for you. She probably realizes your brothers are out of reach and wants to make sure you turn out ok. Er, Ron?" The tousle haired boy looked puzzled at his friend's mischievous stare. "Are you off your rocker now?" Harry said as he shook Ron's shoulder very gently. "Wha..? Oh no, I was just thinking of the best prank ever!" Running up to his bedroom, Harry had no time to ask the taller red head what he was going on about.
Frantically searching for spare parchment, Ron threw his schoolbooks aside and made a thorough mess of his room. "Here we are!" He said excitedly as he scratched out a small note and attached it to Hedwig's leg. "Now Hedwig, I want you to fly without stop to Hermione's, this is very important, y'know?" The snowy owl gave a triumphant hoot as she shot out of his window as fast as she could, hoping to please Ron and break her own speed record to Hermione. Harry looked dumbfounded as he opened his mouth to speak, only to find Ron's lips lightly pressed to his own.
After a few moments Ron pulled away with an evil gleam in his eye, "Well Harry, this should give ol' Hermione a shock. It's the best prank I've come up with ever." ".Huh?" And then suddenly Ron realized he wasn't in one of his many fantasies, and bolted down the stairs, running to Stoatshead Hill as fast as he could, not wanting to face Harry ever again. The boy who lived sat dazed and simply brought his fingers to his lips. He walked to the back porch and looked around to find Ron's figure disappearing through the trees.