Author's Note: I don't own anything except the idea. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling and RIB.
After dealing with the fiasco at the Ministry at the end of her fifth year, Hermione was all to eager to go home and relax for the summer. Ron had offered for her to spend the summer at the Burrow, but truthfully, she really needed time for herself - time away from magic and danger, and instead with her parents. They worried about her, she knew, and the only way to alleviate their worries was to go home for the summer and spend time with them. Harry and Ron would just have to survive without her, for the time being. At least the Wizarding World now knew that Voldemort was back, so the Dark Lord no longer had the power of denial on his side.
Hermione's parents picked her up at King's Cross, as usual. Her father stepped out of the driver's seat, leaving the engine running, and came around to wrap his arms around his daughter lovingly. Hermione made sure to subtlely shield her ribs where Dolohov's curse had hit, making sure to not let either parent know what was wrong. It was nothing they should concern themselves with, not at this point. "Hello, sweetie," her father murmured in her ear. "We're glad you're back." He pressed a quick kiss on her cheek, to which she smiled and returned the gesture. "Hey Daddy. Glad to be back." After her father released her, Hermione moved to hug her mother, who welcomed her warmly into her arms. "Welcome home, honey." The girl sighed happily, burying her face in her mother's shoulder. "Thanks, Mum."
Her father loaded the baggage into the boot and slipped back in the driver's seat. Hermione, after finishing hugging her mother, slid into the backseat, and her mother sat in the front passenger seat. Crookshanks, not wanting to be forgotten, plopped into Hermione's lap and made himself comfortable. The girl's lips curled upward and she chuckled, stroking his orange fur. He purred appreciatively. Hermione buckled her seatbelt, minding the cat in her lap, and looked up at her mother, who had turned in her seat to look back at her. "So we have a surprise for you, darling," she said to her daughter with an excited smile.
Hermione perked up a bit. "Yeah? What is it?"
"Do you remember when we took you to France for summer holiday a couple of years ago?" The girl nodded. Her mother smiled. "Well we've decided to take another summer holiday, but this time, we're going to America. Your father's got some family there, and we can stay with them until your next term." Hermione's expression brightened. "America? Wow, really?" The older woman nodded, her smile broadening at the sight of her daughter's excitement. "Yes, really. So I take your jubilation to mean you want to go?" She quirked her eyebrow expectantly.
"Of course, of course!" confirmed Hermione, leaning forward to hug her mother - though, it would have been easier if she wasn't strapped in a car while doing so. She laughed and sat back, resuming her petting of Crookshanks. "So where are we going, then? New York? California?" Truth be told, Hermione didn't really know all that much about the States; there had never been a need. But she did know about the popular places. Her father piped in. "No, no, darling. We're going to stay with my cousin Richard and his wife Phoebe. They live in Ohio."
Hermione blinked. "Oh." She paused, then tilted her head in slightl confusion. "Where is Ohio?"
Her mother chuckled. "It's southwest of New York. Two states away, actually." The girl nodded, petting the cat in her lap absently. "Well I've never heard of Ohio, but I'm sure it'll be nice. What city?"
"A little place called Lima," replied her father as he turned a corner onto their street. "It's small, but... quaint. Not always bustling like London." He pulled into their driveway and parked the car. Before he turned the engine off, he turned around to look at his daughter. "How does that sound, pumpkin? A nice, relaxing summer away from all this danger and strife?" He grinned warmly.
Hermione breathed in slowly, then let it out with a knowing smile. "It sounds perfect." Crookshanks purred in agreement, and they all laughed. "Alright then," said Hermione's mother, taking her daughter's hand in her own. "Our flight leaves tomorrow morning. Let's all go pack, eat, and get a good night's sleep. Then we're off to Ohio to have a wonderful, calm summer." She pat Hermione's hand and, unbuckling her seatbelt, stepped out of the car. The other two followed suit, Hermione's father pulling her luggage out of the boot of the car and rolling it up the house.
The girl cradled her cat closely, scratching behind his ears lovingly. "We're going to America tomorrow, Crookshanks. Doesn't that sound wonderful?" He purred, his tongue flicking out to lick his flattened nose. Hermione chuckled, looking up at the sky. "Lima, Ohio... here I come."