Chapter 1 -The Burrow-
Hermione Granger glanced at the clock- it was seven AM, they had to leave at nine. She had plenty of time. Yet she continued to pack ferociously. She was so excited to go back to the Burrow and then to Hogwarts for her fourth year!
She had packed her trunk and repacked it three times under the pretense that she had to make sure she had not forgotten anything. Her new robes, her everyday clothes for Hogsmeade trips and alike, her wand, her newly bought text books, her ink, her quill, her parchment, her toiletries, and her time turner were all safely packed in her trunk.
"Honey?" Her mom called from the kitchen.
"Yes, mum?" She jumped at the chance of something else to keep her preoccupied while she waited for Ron to come pick her up. He was going to come by the floo network.
"Come down here and have breakfast. What time is your friend coming?" Hermione rushed down the stairs.
"Ron will be here at nine, mum."
"Well you're so early!" her mother looked a bit startled by the news, "are you sure you don't want to go back to sleep for another hour and a half?" Hermione shook her head vigerously. "You are really excited to see your friends again, aren't you," her mother smiled and handed her a cup of tea and a plate with a buttered muffin on it. Hermione sat down at the dining table and slowly chewed her muffin, sipping her tea.
She couldn't wait to see Ron. How much had he changed since school finished? Had he changed at all? She hoped he hadn't in personality at least. Hermione herself had changed-- her face had lost the last traces of any baby fat and had become slimmer and more mature looking. Her hair was a little bit longer and she now had side bangs. She had grown taller and she knew Ron had too. He had already been tall and lanky and she knew he would be much taller than her.
After she finished eating it was already forty minutes past seven so she decided to take a shower and get dressed.
After her shower she put on dark jeans and a grey turtle neck with two dark pink stripes horizontally crossing the chest. She pulled her hair up into a high pony tail.
"Mum what time do you expect it'll be there? I know there is a time change because their house is far south-west."
"I don't know, sweetheart. It'll probably be a few hours earlier." Her mum was tidying the kitchen and putting away dishes. Hermione dragged her trunk down the stairs and sat herself down at the table to wait. Outside it was grey and windy. Trees were blowing and there were leaves hitting the window. One could hear the wind outside as it whipped past. Grey clouds were moving quickly by in the sky, but they never seemed to show a bit of blue sky.
Suddenly there was a pop and green flames errupted in the fire place. Hermione jumped up and her mum stepped back a bit. A huge grin spread across Hermione's face and she turned to face the fire when she saw it was Mr. Weasley who had come to fetch her.
"Hermione!" Mr. Weasley rushed forward to shake Hermione's hand. Trying not too look too disappointed, Hermione shook his hand and smiled. "Mrs. Granger," Mr. Weasley shook Hermione's mum's hand and said, "We must be off, Hermione. I've got to get you back to the burrow soon for we'll be leaving for the Quiditch World Cup shortly after we arrive. Sorry to rush you," he looked apologetic, "I'll take your trunk and you can follow me." Hermione hugged her mum.
"Bye mum,"
"Bye honey," her mom kissed her and waved as she walked into the green flames after Mr. Weasley and said "The Burrow".
After a split second of warmth, Hermione stepped out of the fireplace at the Burrow. It was cold and still and the sky outside was still not completely lightened by the sun.
"It's only six o'clock so no one but Molly's awake yet. She's got breakfast ready for you. I'll leave your trunk here," Said Mr. Weasley, pulling Hermione's trunk over to a corner by the door were five other trunks already stood: Harry's, Ron's, Ginny's, Fred's and George's. Hermione thanked Mr. Weasley and walked into the kitchen.
"Hermione!" She was greeted with a big hug from Mrs. Weasley, whom Hermione liked very much. She was a warm and motherly person who was the best cook Hermione knew.
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley." Hermione smiled, "Should I wake the boys up?" Mrs. Weasley smiled kindly.
"Alright dear. But first have some breakfast."
"Oh no thanks, I already ate," Mrs. Weasley smiled once more and said "Very well, more for the boys. Ginny's already awake and is getting dressed and ready. The boys are in Ron's room." Mrs. Weasley handed Hermione a candle and walked back into the kitchen.
Hermione hurried up the stairs to Ron's attic bedroom, and opened the door. First, she walked over to Harry, but before she could wake him up she noticed he was rolling over and over again--as if he were not comfortable--with a pained expression on his face.
"Harry?" She nudged him and he awoke with a start. "Harry, are you alright?"
"When did you get here?" Harry asked as he picked up his glasses off the nightstand next to his bed.
"Just now. C'mon, we've got to hurry. Get dressed and go have breakfast." Hermione whispered. Harry nodded and got out of bed. Next, Hermione turned around and took the two steps to Ron's bed.
"Ron! Wake up! We've got to go!" Ron opened his eyes and drew the covers up to cover his bare chest,
"Bloody hell!" he said. Hermione rolled her eyes and said "And don't go back to sleep!!!" Ron immediately fell back onto his pillow and dozed off.
Hermione tip-toed down the stairs to find Ginny tucking in to oat meal. She meandered across the room to sit down onto a large, red chair.
"Are the boys coming?" asked Mrs. Weasley after a few silent minutes passed; but her question did not need to be answered by Hermione, for the boys came tramping down the stairs at that very moment.
Chapter 2 -The Quiditch World Cup-
