Jean Granger smiled as she watched her daughter run into Ginny Weasley's arms. It was only the second week of Hermione's school holiday and she was back with the Weasley's. This time though, Jean knew that the visit wasn't purely for pleasure. As soon as her daughter had gotten off of the train Jean knew something was very wrong. Hermione looked worn knew something big had happened this year. She knew all about the tri-wizard tournament of course, but this seemed even bigger.
Jean immediately searched for Hermione's two best friends, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter. Ron was right behind Hermione, looking just as awful, but Harry was nowhere to be seen. She panicked for a minute remembering Hermione's many letters stating the dangers of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. She let out a breath that she didn't realise she was holding when Harry and the Weasley twins got off the train. Harry joined his two friends as the twins bounded to their waiting parents. The three friends stood close and talked in hushed tones. Jean saw Hermione sigh and shake her head while Harry was talking. Harry looked very haggard. The three of them looked less like fifteen year olds and more like worn out adults. She knew that Hermione was friends with one of the most famous wizards in the wizarding world; she just didn't think that it would be as challenging as it was. Jean saw Hermione kiss Harry on the cheek before he joined his unpleasant looking relatives and left the station. Hermione and Ron were left standing together and staring at the ground silently.
"Oi! Little brother! Say good-bye to your girlfriend and let's go. We're not going to stand about all day waiting now are we?" Fred, or was it George Weasley called.
Jean saw Ron and Hermione turn bright red. Ron glared at the offending twin and was going to say something back, but was stopped by Hermione's hand on his arm. They quickly said good-bye with an awkward hug.
The car ride home had been an eventful one. Hermione had told them all about Voldemort coming back. She explained that Harry had fought him off yet again but not without a heavy price. Cedric Diggory, the other Hogwarts champion, had been murdered. This is what had led to her invitation to The Burrow after only one week of holiday. To Jean's surprise, her and her husband had also been invited by the Weasley's to stay for a few days. Hermione told them that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley wanted to talk to them about the impending dangers but also just to get to know them better. It seemed like they only chatted on the platform in September and June. Jean thought this was a wonderful idea and agreed. This is what led her to being at The Burrow today watching Hermione greet the Weasley family. Arthur Weasley came to the car to meet her and her husband Richard.
"Welcome to The Burrow! I'll get your trunks don't you worry about that. While you're here actually I wanted to know what exactly is the function of a microweve?" Jean smiled as she recalled Arthur's particular fondness for things from their world.
"Arthur, I hope you're not annoying the Grangers with your microweve talk" Molly called as she walked over. "Hello again Jean, how are you doing? I'm sorry about Arthur, he just received a bewitched microweve at work and is trying to figure it out. "
"A microwave? Well that's very simple" Richard Granger started to explain as the four adults made their way inside.
"I'm doing fine thanks Molly, although I cannot say the same for my daughter. I think this year was very difficult for her" Jean answered as they all walked through the door.
"Yes, Ron as well. I think all three of them had a very hard year. Poor Harry had it the worst. I can't wait until Dumbledore let's us take him. The poor boy shouldn't be left so alone." Molly stopped as they all entered the kitchen and sat down at the table. She busied herself making tea for her guests.
"You have such a lovely house and property here Molly, Hermione tried to explain it to me but she really did not do it justice" Jean said smiling.
"Oh, thank-you, it's rather hard to keep it up with so many children but Arthur and I try our best" Molly sighed.
"I think it's wonderful. Thank you again for taking such good care of Hermione. Richard and I really appreciate it. We don't really understand this world, her world. It's good to know she has such good friends to help her along."
"Oh it's nothing! Really!" Molly exclaimed. " She's a very good friend to Ron. I don't think he's ready to admit it just yet but I believe that he has some feelings for your daughter. I think in the coming years they're really going to need to depend on one another. Harry needs them and they need each other."
"You know what Molly?" Jean asked, "I believe that Hermione feels the same way about Ron. Whenever I ask her about school the first that that she mentions is him."
"Well well well, we'll just have to keep an eye on those two this year won't we?"
"Yes, I agree that we will"
Remembering her conversation with Molly the previous day, Jean watched her daughter and best friend interact. She noticed how in synch they were as they got their breakfast. Hermione buttered three pieces of toast. The first piece was hers, and did not have much butter on it, but the other two pieces she placed on Ron's plate. They contained more butter than hers. Ron was scooping scrambled eggs onto their plates, careful not to let Hermione's eggs touch her fruits. Hermione didn't like when two different groups of food mixed. She found it "revolting."
Jean smiled as she watched the two sit down to their breakfast. She hoped that there would be many many more in their future.
As the two were eating she couldn't help but notice the looks that the two shared. They seemed to hold lot more than what two normal fifteen year olds looks should hold. But when had Hermione ever been normal Jean questioned.
Later that morning Jean found herself and Richard with Arthur Weasley in his "tool shed" as he called it. It was really more of a shed full of oddities. Arthur had a soft spot for non-magical people, or muggles as Jean learned they were called. Arthur needed to know what the microwave was for. Jean didn't mind showing him at all. Arthur was very funny and a genuinely nice man. There was a boyish curiosity that shone through whenever Jean or Richard explained something new to him.
When the two men moved on to the car engine that Arthur had found she knew it was her cue to leave. Richard was a bit of a car enthusiast and he and Arthur would probably be out here all day.
As Jean was walking back to the Burrow she noticed two figures sitting near the pond. Upon closer inspection Jean noticed that it was Hermione and Ron. They seemed to be in deep conversation. Suddenly she saw Ron wipe a tear from Hermione's cheek. She had no doubt that they were blushing furiously. The two of them shared such a deep bond. If the war was as bad as Jean had been led to believe, then the two of them were in it until the end. She hoped that they would be able to support each other when times got tough.
After a boisterous lunch where Ginny was turned into a cannery and back again, Jean decided to go and find Hermione. She was just about to walk into the Weasley's sitting room when the twins hastily exited.
"I wouldn't go in there if I were you Mrs. Granger" Fred said. "Ron and Hermione are about to go at it."
"I'm surprised it's taken them this long actually." George added. "They're always at each others throats"
"I think their best one was after the Yule Ball. I don't think anyone in the whole school didn't hear that one." Fred smiled as if he was reminiscing about a pleasant occurrence and not a fight between two friends. "Hermione defiantly won that one though didn't she George."
"Oh hands down." His twin answered. "I think she got him with the 'Next time there's a ball ask me first and not as a last resort' line. Brilliant on her part."
"Ah, yes but Hermione is brilliant we all know that. It's just our dear brother who's a little thick" Fred stated.
The twins quickly left leaving Jean a little confused, until she heard the raised voices from the other side of the door.
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOUR PROBLEM RON. I'M ALLOWED TO WRITE MY FRIEND AREN'T I?" Hermione yelled.
"NOT WHEN HE'S GOT MORE THAN FRIENDSHIP ON HIS MIND YOU'RE NOT HERMIONE. YOU KNOW THAT HE WANTED TO BE MORE THAN FRIENDS YOU EVEN TOLD ME THAT" Ron bellowed right back at her.
"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO. I'M ALLOWED TO KEEP IN CONTACT WITH VIKTOR IF I WANT TO. HE WROTE ME RON. DO YOU WANT ME TO IGNORE HIM? WE'RE FRIENDS."
"YEAH, WELL VICKY NEEDS TO GET THE HINT."
"I THINK HE GOT THAT HINT PERFECTLY FINE WHEN I TOLD HIM I'D RATHER SPEND THE SUMMER WITH YOU THAN IN BULGARIA WITH HIM. WHY DON'T YOU EVER LET THIS DROP RON?"
"BECAUSE HERMIONE YOU SAY YOU'RE ONLY FRIENDS BUT THEN YOU GO OFF AND WRITE THESE BLOODY NOVELS TO HIM. WHAT DOES THAT SHOW?"
"YOU ARE INSUFFERABLE. I AM LEAVING"
Jean quickly got out of the way as Hermione stormed out of the room. She was shocked. She had never ever seen her daughter like this before. Jean didn't know that Hermione had it in her to be so feisty. Jean went up the stairs to Ginny's room where sure enough she saw Hermione lying on her cot, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Hermione, sweetheart, are you alright?"
"I'm fine mum, why wouldn't I be?"
"Well you did just get into a big shouting match with Ron. Do you want to talk about it?"
"You heard" Hermione said looking mortified. "I didn't know that you were listening.
"Well sweetie it wasn't too hard to overhear, you two were really going at it."
"We do that a lot."
"Fred and George seem to think it's funny. How come you never told me you and Ron had a row about the Yule Ball?"
"Oh mum, there was just so much going on, with Harry in the tournament and that Skeeter cow trying to ruin our lives it seemed so insignificant after a while. Ron and I made up like we always do and that was that."
Jean looked at her only daughter with a mixture of pride and happiness. Her daughter truly was an amazing girl. "So what did you and Ron row about this time?" she questioned.
"Viktor Krum. Ron always gets so mad when I mention him, so I didn't bother telling him I'd gotten a letter from Viktor. I was answering it when Ron walked in on me, and well you heard the rest." Hermione looked down shamefaced after her confession.
"Hermione, look at me. There is nothing wrong with feeling the way you are" Jean said quietly. "You and Ron have been very good friends for a while, I'm sure he's just looking out for you. There could be another reason as well."
"Looking out for me? But why there's nothing wrong. Viktor is perfectly fine. There's nothing to worry about"
"Well sweetie, he could be jealous"
"Jealous? Why? What's there to be jealous of? Viktor and I are just friends. I'm closer to Ron than I ever was to Viktor."
"Well Hermione, I think Ron might fancy you."
At those words Hermione flushed scarlet and she looked down at the ground again.
"No, that's not possible mum, I'm just his bossy know-it-all best friend."
"Sometimes, boys just aren't good at expressing their feelings. Just don't let a silly fight come between you and Ron okay? I know how much he means to you as a friend and you don't want to lose that. Remember what I said okay Hermione."
"Yes mum."
Jean sighed as she left Ginny's room and headed downstairs.
"Oh Jean there you are, Professor Dumbledore has just arrived. He wants to speak to us now" Molly said. "He's waiting for us in the sitting room. Arthur and Richard are already there."
Jean stifled a gasp as she entered the sitting room. The man that stood before he was possibly the most magical person that she had ever set eyes on. Albus Dumbledore was wearing robes of deep blue and was examining a knitting magazine that Molly had left on a pile of yarn.
"Ah, you must be Dr. Granger" Albus Dumbledore said as the two women took their seats. "Very nice to make your acquaintance. I'm Albus Dumbledore. Headmaster of Hogwarts, although I'm sure Hermione has told you all about me" Dumbledore chuckled at his last statement.
"Yes, she has actually" Jean smiled.
"Right well, that makes things all the easier. Now all of you are probably wondering why I've gathered you here today." Dumbledore started. "As you know, both of your children are best friends with Harry Potter. This, up until June was only a mild danger to the two of them. Now that Lord Voldemort has returned, they are in considerably more danger than ever before."
At this pause, Dumbledore stopped and looked at the two sets of parents. Jean could feel Richard's hand tighten around hers. What kind of dangers could their daughter be in? She was now more worried than she had ever been before. The most powerful wizard in all of Britain was telling her that her fifteen-year-old daughter was in danger.
"Now, due to Lord Voldemort's return, we have decided to start up the Order of the Phoenix again." Dumbledore continued. "Molly and Arthur have already agreed to join." Dumbledore went on to explain that the Order of the Phoenix was a secret organisation of resistance fighters against Voldemort. He also explained that they would be working by themselves for now, as the Ministry of Magic refused to believe Voldemort had returned. They would be a rogue organisation.
"On that note, this is where your children come in."
"NO! Ron will not be joining the Order. I will not allow any such thing" Molly interrupted. "He's just a boy"
"My dear Molly, of course he won't be invited to join. Only those of age will be allowed to join. Ron and Hermione are much young to be joining the Order. What I wanted to explain is that we need to keep them safe. As the four of you know being friends with Harry thus far has put them in a lot of danger. We need those two protected, for Harry's sake as well as for their own. That is why I am proposing that we move everyone to the new Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. That way each person is protected and safe. I want the Grangers to understand that from this point on Hermione will not be able to give them much information. While at headquarters we want as little information going out into the world as possible.
I wanted to personally assure both of you that Hermione will be safe and sound while under the Orders protection." Dumbledore said inclining his head towards Jean and Richard.
"So what you're saying Professor, is that our daughter is going to go into hiding?" Richard questioned.
"Yes, that is one way of looking at it." Dumbledore answered. "I also wanted to propose protection for the both of you."
"Protection?" Jean looked worried as many different scenarios flashed in her head.
"Yes, and a lot of it seeing as you are muggles. It is important that you have the highest type of security that we can offer you. I want to make sure you are protected. Lord Voldemort will not hesitate to go after you. He would use you to get to Harry. What I will do is cast protective charms around your home and business. It won't interfere with your daily lives or dental practice."
"Oh my well thank-you for keeping us safe." Jean said with gratitude.
"Now I was wondering if I could have a word with Ron and Hermione."
Molly got up to fetch the two teenagers. She returned a few minutes later leading in Ron and Hermione Both of them refused to look at the other, a result of their latest row.
"Ah, wonderful" Dumbledore said at the new arrivals. "Now you two, I want you to promise me that if Harry writes and asks where you are and what you are doing that you do not reveal too much. We shall be relocating to the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix next week, and it must stay a secret. Do you understand?"
"Yes Professor" they both answered in unison.
"Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione asked timidly "Harry is not going to be happy about this. How much can we tell him?"
"Professor?" Ron interrupted. "What's the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Well Miss Granger, just be prudent. I think it will be okay to tell Harry that you and young Mr. Weasley here are together at the same location, just do not reveal where it is or what you are going to be doing. As for your question Mr. Weasley, I'm sure your mother and father can answer it. I'll let them decide how much information to give you. Now I must be off, I have some Order business to attend to. Molly, Arthur, thank you for your hospitality." With that Albus Dumbledore walked out of the room.
"Mum, dad, what's the Order of the Phoenix?" Ron asked eagerly
"Ron, don't you read?" Hermione responded exasperated. "The Order of the Phoenix was a group created by Dumbledore during the first war against Voldemort. They fought on our side to try and bring him down."
"Dumbledore was here today to ask us to join them. We're all going to be moving to headquarters next week." Arthur said carefully. "It seems like Dumbledore wants to get a head start on fighting Voldemort, seeing as this time, we won't have the support of the ministry"
"Now you two could you please go and get the tea ready? We want to talk to the Grangers for a few minutes alone" Molly said looking at Ron and Hermione.
"I want to know more. So bloody unfair"
"Ron! Language" Hermione chided as they both left the sitting room.
"Jean, Richard, Arthur and I just wanted to assure you that we'll take very good care of your daughter. She's going to be with some of the most skilled witches and wizards in the country." Molly said earnestly looking from Jean to Richard.
"Molly don't you worry one bit, there's a lot we don't understand but we know Hermione will be safe with your family."
Tea was a quiet affair as each was thinking of what Dumbledore had told them. Jean noticed that Ron and Hermione were being especially silent, whether a result of their earlier fight, or the new information that they had just received she was not sure.
It was decided that the Grangers were to stay with the Weasley's for another week. This was to ensure that the protective spells around their home and offices were secure. The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix was also going to be ready in a week's time.