Hello!

First things first: this is the first fic I've written since I was about 13 (20 now!), so I apologise in advance if I'm a little shaky. It's also the first Harry Potter fic I've ever written, as I've always been too scared that I wouldn't do such a wonderful story justice. However, I couldn't keep these ideas contained in my head anymore, so I had to get them down. It starts a little slowly, as of course Hermione needs collecting and everything needs explaining to her, but it soon becomes incredibly Romione focused! (And the following chapters are too!)

So, without further ado, here is chapter 1 of The Other Summer.


Hermione Granger was sitting in her bedroom, scouring the latest issue of the Daily Prophet, when she was interrupted by a tiny owl pecking eagerly at her window. She tossed the newspaper to one side and ran straight over to let him in. She'd been home from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for just under a week, but with barely any contact with the wizarding world since then, it had felt like much longer. This was especially due to the fact that shortly before she came home, the notorious dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, had come out of hiding and murdered a pupil from her school whilst attempting to murder her best friend, Harry Potter. The newspaper hadn't mentioned it at all, and any mention of Harry was purely negative. She tore open the scroll of parchment attached to the owl's leg, and was pleased to see it was from her other best friend, Ron Weasley.

'Dear Hermione,

Hope you're doing ok. I just wanted to write and let you know that dad came by earlier to put some protective charms on your house. The thing is though, I don't know if it's enough. I know you've not even been home for a week yet, but you're not safe there. And I'm sorry to say it, but neither are your mum and dad with one of Harry Potter's best friends living under their roof. The sooner you can come and stay with us the better. You'll have adult witches and wizards around to protect you and your parents will just be two muggles, no more likely to be targeted than any others. Also there's a lot going on here that I can't mention in a letter and, to be honest, I'm sick of only having Fred, George, and Ginny to talk to about it. Let me know.

From Ron.'

Pigwidgeon, Ron's tiny and rather excitable owl, flew around Hermione's bedroom practically bouncing off the walls whilst she read the letter he had just brought to her. He began to fly towards the window, very pleased about his successful delivery.

'Pig, wait. Will you take a response to Ron for me please?' Hermione called after him.

Pig looked like there was nothing he'd rather do in the world.

She would miss her parents, but already she was feeling out of the loop, scared that anything could be going on and she wouldn't know. She also knew that, for now at least, it would be safer for her parents without her around. And, despite everything, she couldn't quell the excitement that a letter from Ron practically demanding that she go to him stirred inside her. He seemed so worried about her, and honestly, she couldn't wait to see him. She poured some water into a bottle cap for Pigwidgeon before picking up her quill and some parchment.

'Dear Ron,

I know. It makes sense. I'd offer for my mum and dad to bring me, but there's not much point wasting time being polite when the situation is as it is and your parents could collect me practically instantly. Let me know when and I'll be ready.

Hermione.

P.S. Please thank your dad for casting the protective charms.'

She felt like it sounded too short, and hastily added 'love from' before 'Hermione', hoping Ron wouldn't read too much into it. Of course he wouldn't. She often signed her letters with love, even to Harry. Besides, she was rather certain that she could practically scream 'I love you!' in Ron's face and he'd still remain oblivious to how she felt about him.

She attached the note to Pig's leg before taking him to the window, and watched him fly away until he was just a speck in the distance.


'I'm sorry, mum,' Hermione said for what felt like the millionth time. It was the following day, and she and her mother were waiting by the fire in the living room for Ron and Mr Weasley to arrive and collect her.

'No, don't be silly darling. You need to be around your friends and people who understand you, who can help you with homework and that sort of thing.' Her mother gave her a forced but kind and understanding smile.

Her parents always helped her when she was at primary school, and she knew it must upset them that they couldn't help her now. And although they tried their best to hide it, she knew they felt inadequate. It must be difficult to have a daughter who exists in practically a different universe to you. She almost wished she could tell them that the real reason she was leaving was because of Lord Voldemort, but unsurprisingly, she figured that would probably just make things worse.

'I know, but I'll still miss you,' Hermione said, resting her hand on her mother's arm.

'We'll miss you too darling. We always do.' She pulled Hermione into a tight hug which, as always, felt like she was trying to inject enough love into to make up for missing out on so much of her daughter's life. 'Ron and his dad should be here any minute,' she said, checking her watch as she pulled away.

As if on queue, the flames in the fireplace roared green, and a balding, bespectacled man stepped out of the fireplace.

'Hello, Hermione!' Said Mr Weasley.

'Hi, Mr Weasley,' Hermione smiled.

As Arthur greeted Hermione's mother, the flames roared again, and a freckled face and lanky body followed a mop of red hair out of the fireplace and tumbled onto the living room floor.

'Ron!' Hermione exclaimed. It was such a relief to see him that it took everything in her not to run over and hug him, but she didn't want her mother to believe that things in the wizarding world were anything other than safe and harmonious. So instead she settled for a smile, which, after righting himself, Ron returned, relief evident on his face too.

'Sorry, Mrs Granger, it seems we've got some soot on your rug,' Mr Weasley said, pulling out his wand before waving it over the patch of soot on the carpet, causing it to vanish.

'Goodness me, if only cleaning was always that simple!' Hermione's mother laughed.

'Ah but you muggles have vacuum cleaners don't you? Powered by eclectricity? Marvellous invention…' Mr Weasley began, his eyes lighting up.

'I'll go and get my things,' Hermione said smirking at Ron; neither wanted to be part of the conversation that was inevitably going to take place about the intricacies of hoovers.

'I'll help you,' Ron added hastily and followed Hermione out of the room and up the stairs. As soon as they entered her room, she launched herself into his arms so hard that he had to take a step back to steady himself.

'Blimey, Hermione!' He laughed as she pulled away.

'I'm sorry; I've just been so worried about you! And Harry. How could I not be?' She told him.

'How do you think I've felt? You've been here! I mean, your parents are lovely and all, but they'd have even less of a clue what to do if You-Know-Who came knocking than mine would. Seriously though, the sooner you're with us, the better.'

Hermione smiled at the concern Ron was showing for her and a blush spread across his face as he quickly changed the subject.

'Wow I'm jealous, your room's massive!' He said looking around. 'A double bed as well!'

Hermione frowned at him as he threw himself down onto her quilt, messing up her perfectly made bed.

As she tried to persuade Crookshanks into his carry basket, Ron got up and busied himself looking around her room and prodding all of her muggle belongings. The only magic thing he could see was a moving photo on her bedside table of the two of them with Harry - all of her other magical possessions were in the sizeable case at the foot of her bed. In the photo, Ron had his arm around Hermione while she blushed furiously, and Harry was trying to stifle a laugh. Hermione noticed that he was looking at it and tried to avert his gaze. They had important things to talk about anyway.

'So, what's been going on?' She asked, as she placed Crookshanks's basket on the bed, accepting that he wasn't going to willingly get into it anytime soon. 'I've been getting the Daily Prophet but there's nothing other than sly digs at Harry.'

'Can't really say much here; anyone could be listening. And in all honesty I don't know a great deal myself,' Ron said. This wasn't exactly the answer she was looking for, but she understood.

'What about Harry? Has he come to stay with you yet?' She asked, concern evident in her voice.

'He has to stay with the Dursleys. I know-' he said, seeing the confused look on Hermione's face. 'Dad says Dumbledore has his reasons and he's safest there.'

'Harry's going to love that.' She frowned, but accepted that if Dumbledore thinks it's for the best, it must be. 'Has there been any sign of You-Know-Who? Like I said, the Prophet has been useless, but I thought maybe your dad or Percy, being at the ministry-'

'Don't even get me started on Percy,' Ron scowled. Hermione wondered what on earth he could mean by that. 'But no, no sign of You-Know-Who yet, that I know of. Look, we'll talk more when we get home… Well, to mine that is.'

Ron picked up her case and Hermione scooped up Crookshanks in one arm, his empty carrier in the other. She gave her room one last glance as she closed the door.

They arrived downstairs to her mother attempting to explain the postal service to an enthralled looking Mr Weasley.

'Oh there you are, darling,' Mrs Granger said, seemingly relieved at the excuse to stop the conversation.

'Ah, got everything then Hermione?' Mr Weasley asked, standing up and heading towards the fireplace.

'Yes, I think so,' Hermione replied as she and Ron went to join him. 'Well. Bye then, mum.' She hugged her mother, squashing Crookshanks between them.

The sound of the front door flying open startled all of them, and Mr Weasley and Ron drew their wands, aiming them at the entrance to the living room.

'Have I missed her? Have I missed her? Bloody work!' Said a smart but slightly dishevelled looking man as he came tumbling into the room.

'Dad! I was just about to leave.' Hermione gave her father a huge smile as he pulled her into his arms. She was so glad he'd made it back in time. Ron and Mr Weasley tried to discretely put their wands away so as not to worry Hermione's parents, but they were too busy saying goodbye to their daughter to notice anyway.

'Come on Ron, we'll go first,' said Mr Weasley as he stepped into the fire, giving the Grangers a sad smile.

'See you in a minute, Hermione. Nice to see you Mr and Mrs Granger,' said Ron as he pulled Hermione's case into the fire after his father.

'Well. I'd better get going too,' said Hermione, giving both her parents a final hug. 'I promise I'll write all the time.'

'You better had, young lady!' Her father joked, trying to hide the sadness he was clearly feeling. Hermione took a pinch of the floo powder Mr Weasley had left for her, and stepped into the fireplace.

'Goodbye,' she said one last time, before calling out 'The Burrow!' She watched her parents and her living room vanish before her eyes, and seemingly morph into a few of the Weasleys sitting in their kitchen.

'Hermione dear!' Mrs Weasley pulled her into a tight hug before she could even fully step out of the fireplace.

'Good afternoon, Mrs Weasley,' Hermione smiled as she let Crookshanks onto the floor. She looked around her and felt immediately at home. Everything from the crocheted blanket tossed over one of the dining chairs, to the pile of freshly laundered hand-me-downs, brought a smile to her face. It was a stark contrast to her middle class muggle home, but she loved it. As much as she would miss her parents, she was always happy at The Burrow.

'Alright, Hermione?' Fred called to her with a wink. She could've sworn she saw Ron scowl at him.

'Come on, let's take your bag up,' Ron said, giving her a gentle push towards the staircase.

'Are you sure you're ok with my case?' She asked him as he dragged it up the stairs.

'Yeah, of course,' he said, though slightly out of breath. 'Totally fine.'

When they reached the first landing, there was a loud crack. Hermione nearly fell backwards and Ron almost dropped her case back down the stairs as Fred apparated in front of them.

'Alright, Hermione?' He said again with another wink. She was too busy recovering from the shock to respond.

'Fred and George passed their apparation tests and they can do magic away from school now, so they show off by disapparating everywhere,' Ron explained, throwing his brother a dirty look.

'Not showing off little brother, simply saving time. Time is money you see. Which is why you should stop wasting your time letting Ron drag your case up the stairs Hermione, when I could just do this.' He pointed his wand at Hermione's case, and it shot past them and up the stairs before coming to a halt outside Ginny's bedroom door. 'You're welcome,' he said, before continuing to the bedroom he shared with George.

Ron muttered an insult under his breath that Hermione didn't quite catch, before carrying on up the stairs. Hermione followed him, suppressing a smile at his annoyance with his older brother.

Ginny was sat on her bed writing in a notebook when they entered her room, and she greeted Hermione enthusiastically. Hermione was pleased to see her too. That was another thing she loved about the burrow: all the people. As an only child, she had often wondered what it would be like to have siblings, and as much as Ron complained about them, she knew he was glad to have them.

'I was going to ask mum if you could stay in my room with me and Harry,' Ron said, taking Hermione's case from the doorway and depositing it at the foot of a camp bed as the girls hugged each other, 'but it feels a bit of an awkward question. Especially since Harry isn't here yet. So you're stuck with Ginny again I'm afraid.'

'Oh thanks, Ronald,' Ginny said, throwing a balled up bit of paper from her notebook at his head. Hermione tried to hide the blush that spread across her face at the thought of sharing a room with Ron, and the disappointment that she wouldn't be able to.

'Don't worry; I get sick of them after spending all day with them. I couldn't imagine being stuck with them all night too,' Hermione said to Ginny as the two of them laughed. Though in reality, she did sometimes feel left out that the boys got to stay together and she didn't.

'Well anyway, let's go upstairs,' Ron said heading out of the bedroom.

'I've barely had chance to say hello to her yet!' Ginny complained as Hermione followed Ron. Ordinarily, she would've stayed to talk to Ginny for a minute, but she was too desperate to find out from Ron what she'd missed over the past week. She was about to assure her that they'd catch up later, but Ron closed the door before she had chance, calling 'Shut up, Ginny,' as he did so.

'Honestly Ronald, you should try being a little nicer to your sister,' she said as she followed him up the stairs.

'Nah, she knows I'm only joking,' he replied, holding the door to his room open for her.

Her eyes were immediately assaulted by the bright orange walls. She was fairly certain that Ron had outgrown his choice of room decor, but had to deal with it as his parents couldn't afford to redecorate. They'd barely sat down on his bed before she demanded that Ron tell her everything he knew.

'You've heard of the Order of the Phoenix, right?' Ron asked her.

'Yes. They were a secret society of wizards dedicated to fighting You-Know-Who last time he was at large. Harry's parents and your uncles were members, weren't they?' Hermione said.

'Yeah. I don't know why I even asked if you know. What don't you know?' Ron rolled his eyes at her. 'But anyway, they've reformed. They've had to as there's no official action. You've seen the Prophet; Fudge isn't doing anything.'

'Yes, I've seen it.' Hermione frowned. 'What's he playing at? Is he just scared?'

'Dad reckons he's worried Dumbledore's making it all up because he's after his job,' Ron told her.

'That's ludicrous!' She exclaimed.

'We know that! Well, most of us do. Percy's being a proper git. He's only gone and taken Fudge's side.' Ron looked like he had a sour taste in his mouth.

'No!' Hermione was shocked. She had always quite liked Percy, and she was disappointed to hear that he was being so stupid.

'Yep. He got a promotion didn't he. Expected us all to be proud, but obviously we weren't. Then dad made it worse by saying he was only given the position so the Ministry could spy on us, which lets face it, is probably true. This was the other night and he's not been home since. It keeps making mum cry. That's what's pissing us off the most. Who does he think he is?' Ron said bitterly.

'That's terrible,' Hermione said. 'Well, he'll be proved wrong soon enough. Fudge too,' she added darkly.

'Yeah. Shame it'll take the rise of the darkest wizard of all time to do it,' Ron said dryly. 'But anyway, the Order. We've had all kinds of people in and out of here. A bunch of aurors. Even Professor Lupin.' Hermione was pleased to hear this; she had a soft spot for Lupin. He was the only Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher she'd had to date who had appreciated her intelligence.

'Isn't that a bit risky?' she asked. It must look a little suspicious to see aurors going back and forth everyday. It could easily put the Burrow at risk.

'Yeah, which is why we aren't staying here. Apparently they're working on a headquarters for the Order instead. I don't know much about it because the place they're thinking of is guarded by the Fidelius Charm, so no one can tell us anything, but I do know that we're moving there at some point for the rest of the holidays.'

'Moving there?' Hermione asked.

'Yeah. It's the Order's headquarters but it's also going to be a kind of safe house. Until the Ministry pull their heads out of the sand, we've got to take protection into our own hands.'

This made sense, Hermione supposed, but she also knew that they couldn't just hide. The Order must be taking some sort of action, and she was incredibly interested to know what.

'Do you know what the Order's plan is? For dealing with You-Know-Who I mean?' She asked.

'Not a clue. Fred, George, Ginny, and I are banished upstairs every time someone from the Order comes round. We're 'too young' apparently. Feel like reminding them all that it was you and me that helped Harry with the Philosopher's Stone, and the basilisk, and the bloody dementors. None of them.' Ron shook his head.

Wonderful, Hermione thought sarcastically. She certainly wasn't going to be allowed in the meetings if the others weren't, and she wouldn't even be able to complain about it, as she'd seem impolite to Ron's parents.

'Do you know when Harry will be coming? It's bad enough us not knowing anything; it must be driving him mad not knowing what's going on,' she said anxiously.

'Not for a while yet according to dad. I can't think why though; how is it he's any safer with those muggles than with us?' Hermione had been thinking about it since Ron mentioned it earlier.

'I'm not too sure, but I imagine it's something to do with the fact they're his family. Maybe it's some kind of protective magic. I don't know. I should really read into it.' This was just a theory she had, but she didn't have any idea how it could work. All she knew was that she couldn't think of any other good reason for Harry to have to stay with his awful relatives.

'How do you even come up with that, Hermione?' Ron shook his head. 'Never stop thinking you, do you.'

'You should give it a try some time,' she joked.

'Oi!' Ron threw his pillow at her.

'Do you know anything else? Anything at all?' She pressed him, pulling the pillow onto her lap.

'Afraid not. Fred and George are working on some kind of device to let us listen into their conversations though, so hopefully we'll find some more out soon,' Ron said eagerly.

'I don't like the sound of that,' Hermione frowned.

'Oh come of it Hermione, don't you want to know what's going on?'

'Of course I do! I'm just suspicious of anything Fred and George invent,' she said, and Ron began to laugh.


They were both laughing at (and Hermione sometimes shaking her head at,) some of the twin's past failed inventions, when someone knocked on the bedroom door.

'Come in,' Ron called out. Hermione was surprised to see a young woman stick her head around the door. She looked just a few years older than them, with a pale face and violet hair.

'Alright, Ron? Your mum asked me to come and tell you that dinner's ready… You must be Hermione!' She said entering the room and extending her hand, which Hermione took. 'I'm Tonks! Ron's told me all about you.'

'Lovely to meet you,' Hermione said, though she still had no idea who the girl was. She was a little too distracted by the fact that Ron had apparently told her all about her to be too concerned.

'Right, see you both downstairs! I know it's not Sunday but your mum's made a roast again Ron, and I want some of her Yorkshire puddings before everyone else nabs them!' She said excitedly as she left.

'Who was that?' Hermione enquired as she got up from the bed.

'Tonks? She's a member of the Order!' Ron said as he got up too. 'Honestly Hermione, she's so cool. She's a bit clumsy, but her hair alone makes up for that.'

Hermione immediately thought of her own boring, bushy, mousey-brown hair and frowned at Ron, admiration for Tonks clear on his face.

As it turned out, Tonks really was cool, and as they talked over dinner Hermione felt slightly ashamed that her first reaction to her was jealousy. Besides, Ron was currently preoccupied with talking to a dirty looking little man named Mundungus, to whom Hermione had only been briefly introduced. Aside from them, all the Weasleys save Charlie and Percy were also at the table, but any other members of the Order that had been there that day had left without Hermione getting a chance to meet them.

'So mum, dad, anyone… Care to share what was discussed at your ever-so-special, secret meeting today?' George said sarcastically as everyone finished eating. Mrs Weasley shot him an annoyed look.

'Actually, we do have a bit of news for you all,' Mr Weasley said placing his fork down. Ron, Fred, George, and Ginny all exchanged looks of surprise.

'Are you serious? You're actually going to tell us something? I'll have to start asking cheeky questions more often eh, Fred?' George said.

'No you will not,' Mrs Weasley told him firmly.

'Yes, don't get too excited,' Mr Weasley said. 'We just need to tell you that a headquarters for the Order has been agreed upon, and we'll be moving there tomorrow-'

'Tomorrow?' Ginny asked, 'that soon?'

Hermione was surprised too. She had been looking forward to spending some time at the Burrow. Still, she supposed, the prospect of living at the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix was an exciting one.

'Yes. Now we've settled on somewhere, the sooner we go the better,' Mr Weasley replied.

'Where is it?' Ron asked.

'Only Dumbledore can tell you that I'm afraid. Your mother, Bill, Tonks, Mundungus and I know now, as well as the rest of the Order, but you lot will have to wait until tomorrow. Once we get there, no one will be leaving alone. We can come home occasionally if we must but we'd really rather that between when we arrive and when you leave for Hogwarts, you all stay put. Since we don't yet know the level of the current threat, nor how it's being handled, we thought we may as well take advantage of the Fidelius Charm to keep you all safe as well as to protect the headquarters,' Arthur said.

Molly smiled for the first time since the conversation had begun, and Hermione felt for her. All she wanted was for her family to be safe.


When they left the kitchen, Hermione headed for the stairs to go back up to Ron's room, but he grabbed her arm as she reached for the banister, stopping her in her tracks. She was disappointed; she'd been looking forward to spending more time just the two of them.

'Let's sit outside for a while,' he suggested. 'It sounds like we won't be getting out much once we get to this place.'

Hermione agreed, thankful that he wasn't suggesting joining the others in the living room, and went to get a cardigan whilst Ron went back into the kitchen. They met up at the back door and made their way into the garden. It was lovely in a shabby kind of way, with lots of wild flowers and trailing ivy; very different to Hermione's garden at home, which her parents kept perfectly preened at all times. Truthfully, she preferred this.

It was getting dark, but they sat at a little table beneath a tree that was lit up with what seemed to be hundreds of tiny fairies. Hermione was admiring them when Ron pulled two bottles and two glasses from under his jumper.

'Ron, what's that?' Hermione exclaimed upon seeing the label of one of the bottles.

'My dad's firewhisky and some ginger ale. What?' He asked, in response to her disapproving expression. 'We're practically moving tomorrow, he's not going to notice. Come on Hermione; You-Know-Who is on the loose. I think we can enjoy ourselves a little bit. Do some normal teenager stuff for a change.'

'You mean thinking of ways to defeat the darkest wizard of all time isn't normal teenager stuff?' she asked. Ron smirked. Hermione engaged in thirty seconds of inner turmoil before saying, 'Well alright. Just a little though.'

She had drank with her parents at Christmas before, and she knew it was a regular occurrence for many people her age (she'd seen many a bottle of mead passed around the common room after a win at quiditch), but she still didn't love the idea of taking it without permission. Never the less, she allowed Ron to pour her a glass, and had to admit that the warmth that flooded through her as she drank it was comforting.


'Let's talk about something other than You-Know-Who for a minute yeah?' Ron said. They'd each had a couple of glasses of firewhiskey mixed with ginger ale, and had been discussing their various theories regarding Voldemort and the Order. Hermione laughed. She found herself feeling rather lightheaded and quite tipsy. She noticed Ron acting the same.

'Alright, alright. Hm,' she paused, 'what else is there to even talk about?' She asked.

Ron looked at her and they both broke out into laughter at the very idea that they couldn't think of a single other thing to discuss than You-Know-Who and their impending doom. Through her own giggles, Hermione watched Ron. He was quite charming, she thought, as she watched his drunken laugh become a little smile. The more he drank, she noticed, the more difficult he seemed to find it to take his eyes off her. If she hadn't been drinking too, she felt sure she'd blush so much that her face would stand out even brighter than the glowing fairies in the tree above them.

'There's got to be something else to talk about,' Ron said when they'd both calmed down.

'Oh, actually, I read an excellent book last week about ancient runes-' Hermione began, half-joking.

'Hermione, I'd rather talk about You-Know-Who again than ancient runes,' Ron teased. They both burst into fits of laughter again. It seemed that firewhiskey made everything much funnier than usual.


Some time passed and they were both still giggling but Hermione couldn't quite remember what about.

'It's getting quite cold out here,' she said, pulling her thin cardigan around herself, wishing she could conjure one of her little jars of fire. Ron jumped up almost instantly, knocking the table in his haste, and attempted to remove his jumper. It was rather comical to behold, as he was struggling quite a bit in his drunken state. Hermione couldn't help but laugh.

'Here,' he said, when he finally managed to pull it over his head, 'put this on.' Hermione's laughter subsided and her heart skipped a little as she realised what he was suggesting. She knew it was a terribly cliché thing to get excited about, but she was pleased none the less.

Ron sat down in the chair next to her as she pulled his jumper on. When her head emerged, he leaned forward and reached around her neck to pull her hair out of the collar. Hermione looked at his face, right in front of hers, the light of the fairies above them reflecting in his eyes. Now that he'd freed her hair, she expected him to pull back, but he didn't. His hand lingered in her hair. Combined with the look he was giving her, this all seemed too much to just be a friendly gesture.

But her love for him was unreciprocated, was it not? Then why was he acting like this? Her mind went to the place she tried to never let it wander to: the Yule Ball. The pure jealousy he had expressed that night at the idea of her with someone else. She never let herself think about it because it was undeniable, but she always came to the same conclusion – if that's how he feels, why doesn't he show it the rest of the time?

Maybe this is it, she thought. Maybe this is him showing it.

His hand moved from where it rested on the back of her neck, and brushed a stray curl from her face to behind her ear. Her eyes were wide and her heart was racing at his touch. She wanted to respond but she wasn't sure how.

She found herself leaning in slightly, as though being pulled by some invisible force. She gulped as she realised Ron was doing the same. She wondered whether this was normal – sneaking parents' alcohol and tipsily kissing. Kissing. That's what's about to happen isn't it? She thought, and her heart raced even faster.

She'd heard all the girls in her dormitory discuss this kind of thing – drinking and kissing. She'd never wanted to be anything like them until now. Ron's lips were an inch away from her own and his hand reached for her side. She could feel his breath on her face and his fingers squeezed her waist through his jumper. It's actually going to happen she thought.

Crack

They jumped apart as though electrocuted, as Fred and George apparated in front of them, laden with bottles of butterbeer.

'Alright you two? Thought we'd join you,' George said, then noticing the bottle on the table, 'Bloody hell, what are you on? Is that dad's?'

'Yeah,' Ron said, sounding slightly out of breath, and looking anywhere but at Hermione.

'I believe the legal drinking age in this country is 18, and you, Ronald, are not yet 16,' Fred said with mock disapproval.

'If you even think about telling mum and dad I'll have to let them know all about your Skiving Snackboxes,' Ron said quickly.

'Fair play. We bought butterbeers if you're interested, unless you're too good for them now you've tried the strong stuff,' George said, placing the bottles from his arms onto the table.

'Shut up,' Ron said embarrassed, taking a butter beer as the twins sat down opposite them.

'You're being awfully quiet, Hermione,' Fred said, handing her a bottle he'd just opened with his teeth.

'Oh, I'm fine,' She said, though in reality she was still thinking about Ron and what she was sure had almost been a kiss.

As the twins sat down and tried to engage them in conversation, the backdoor opened and Ginny walked across the garden towards them. As Ginny settled into a chair at the table and opened a butterbeer, Hermione had to accept that the chance to kiss Ron had gone. The other's weren't leaving any time soon, and even if they did she felt as though they wouldn't be able to pick up where they left off. The moment had passed. She just hoped there would be another.

As the twins and Ginny began to chatter, she chanced a glance at Ron. He looked positively alarmed and seemed to be avoiding eye contact with her at all costs. She sighed, settling for pulling his jumper more tightly around her, and imagining what would've happened if they'd remained alone for a little longer.


Thanks so much for reading! Please drop me a quick review if you don't think I still totally suck at this writing malarkey. It would really give me the confidence to get on with the following chapter!