Hermione soared higher and higher above the trees, until she could see the familiar, lopsided yet stable Weasley house. From this angle it looked shorter than it actually was; almost like a normal, muggle house. Of course, everything about the house was abnormal, right down to the odd clock that belonged to the fiery-haired family. When Hermione first saw the Burrow, in fact, she was sure by the laws of physics that it could not stay upright. But there it was, something that could not be, just like everything in the Wizarding world. She loved it. Her own wavy hair flitted behind her in the wind as she looked up at the sky, and she let out a low giggle. She felt safe up here, even if she was an inexperienced rider riding on a rickety old Comet 260. It was so quiet, serene, peac-
A blur zoomed past her so quickly she could only glimpse a flash of red, but immediately she knew who it was. "Gin-" she started as she whipped the broom around with a grin. But for a split second, Hermione lost her balance. And almost always, a split second is all it takes.
The girls had been flying around all that morning; Ginny was determined to teach Hermione how to fly. She was a capable flier, but in their scrimmages against Harry and Ron, the boys always won. That, in turn, had turned into something of a chase between the two girls, each weaving their way around the Burrow and hiding from the other.
But now Hermione was slipping off her broom, and her look of happiness suddenly turned into a look of horror as she plummeted down towards the trees. Ginny turned around abruptly at the sound of her truncated name, and immediately dove towards Hermione. They were far from the ground and the previous Chaser was fast, but it was a close call when Ginny finally grasped the other girl safely in her arms. They hovered on the broom just yards away from the treetops, and Ginny looked down at the frazzled girl in her arms in a dazed wonder.
She finally came to her senses, and realized, "Oof. You're heavy."
"Thanks," Hermione said in a deadpan voice. "Can we get on solid ground now?"
---
Ginny was reluctant to let the older girl go, because there was something about Hermione in her arms that felt right. It made Ginny feel something odd, staring down at Hermione, who looked helpless and breathless and oh so red-faced and oh so very beautiful. She was so warm, and the air was so cold compared to this radiating warmth… Hermione looked annoyed at how slowly Ginny flew back down to the ground, but was relieved when they finally were out of danger.
"Thanks for saving my life," Hermione breathed, shaking her head and still looking shocked.
"You…" there was something about that statement that made Ginny feel happier than "you're welcome" could ever express, but she didn't need to say anything, because something hideous had just walked out from the Burrow.
"Phlegm," Ginny said, looking past Hermione and furrowing her brow.
Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled as she turned around to look. "Oh, I guess they must be back from their honeymoon?" The newlywed couple saw the girls looking and waved. Hermione was the only one to wave back. "Come on Ginny, at least be polite!" Hermione scolded, turning back to Ginny. The Weasley scowled and gave a resigned flick of her wrist in their direction.
---
"So 'Ermione, do you have any summer plans?" The Weasleys, Hermione, and Harry sat at the dinner table, helping themselves to another delicious meal prepared by Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh, not really Fleur, it is our last summer before we graduate from Hogwarts, so I wanted to spend it with my friends – and my 'extended' family, of course." From across the table, Molly Weasley beamed at being called family. "I won't be seeing much of Harry and Ron during the year, either," she continued, "I'll be quite busy with my Head Girl duties and I'm sure they'll be busy with Quidditch…among other things," she said in a lower tone as she gave Harry a knowing glance.
"Zat is a very good idea," Fleur said slowly in her light French accent as she eyed Hermione with interest. "Head Girl, zat is very impressive. You seem like a very fascinating girl, 'ermione, we should get to know each other better." The French woman said, giving Hermione a rather intense gaze.
Hermione looked a little shocked at this, but replied with "Oh, oh yes, of course."
Ginny, beside her, gave a little cough which suspiciously sounded like "Yeah right", but was only heard by Hermione. Hermione laughed quietly under her breath and patted Ginny's leg under the table as if to say "Come on, give her a chance." At this sudden contact, Ginny felt a shiver roll through her body. Hermione felt this and gave the other girl a weird glance, but Ginny explained with a whispered, "You startled me." Hermione smiled and shook her head at this, and went back to eating her dinner as the others continued their conversation.
After everyone had finished eating, Arthur Weasley had taken everyone outside to show them the new onion garden he was putting in. Mr. Weasley had recently taken on doing muggle activities such as gardening; he said it brought him closer to understanding the inner workings of a muggle's mind. Molly, Ginny, and Hermione had stayed behind to take care of the dishes. As Fleur was about to go out the door, she turned around to ask if Molly needed any help.
"Oh," Mrs. Weasley said, surprised that the other woman offered. "I suppose you can help Hermione with the dishes. Ginny, wipe off the table, if you would."
The French woman started towards Hermione. "Why don't you use magic to wash?" she asked, watching with amusement as Hermione, rolled up sleeves and all, vehemently scrubbed the plates.
"I don't know if you've forgotten," Hermione said, a tad acerbic, "but I'm not allowed to do magic yet. I haven't graduated yet, you know."
Fleur apologized. "I didn't mean to mock you, 'ermione. I honestly forgot. You are so clever and smart, you could 'ave already graduated for all I know." She saw Hermione try to hide a quick, proud smile, and continued. "You 'ave some soap on your nose." The other girl attempted to see the puff of bubbles that sat smugly on her nose, and it made her look cross-eyed when she did. She was about to wipe it off with another soap covered hand when Fleur extended a slender finger and slowly wiped it off herself. A little startled, Hermione blushed and muttered a "Thanks" under her breath.
"Now if I could 'elp." Fleur pulled her wand out from her pocket and gave it a flick, and the sponge flew out of Hermione's hand and started to scrub each plate in a quick and efficient manner, until they had all stacked themselves neatly next to the sink.
"Thanks," Hermione said again, this time a tad bitter. She didn't like feeling inadequate, even if it wasn't her fault.
The back door creaked open and Arthur popped in his head. "Molly!" He exclaimed. "Molly! Come here! I see something green sprouting from my onion patch! Ginny, you come too!" Ginny glanced back at Hermione and Fleur, who were turned in the opposite direction. Arthur hadn't seen them over by the sink, but he hurriedly gestured to his daughter and wife to come see the sprout, which incidentally, had turned out to be a weed, but Mr. Weasley was happy all the same.