The Spaces in-Between
- 1 -
I Wasn't Prepared
The Summer between 1st and 2nd year:
"She's a nightmare I tell you! And she's always bugging me and Harry about doing our homework all the time," ranted Ron Weasley as he went about setting the table. Molly had been listening to her youngest son rave on and on and on about his two friends since arriving home from Hogwarts. He'd spoken about his adventures with two new best friends Harry Potter and Hermione Granger from the moment he stepped off the Hogwarts Express. And that was almost two weeks ago.
Harry was well known in the wizarding community as the 'Boy Who Lived'. Molly had always though it was such an unfortunate tag to place upon someone so young, who had lost so much. Ron's other best friend was a muggle born girl who lived in Oxford. Ron's attitude to her was somewhat different to the one he held for Harry. From what she gathered Hermione was very studious and kept both boys in line which seemed to annoy Ron to no end. Though she herself was glad for the girl's apparent level headedness.
"Ron, tell us more about Harry Potter," whined Ginny, her youngest child and only daughter. "You alwaystalk about Hermione."
"I DO NOT!" exclaimed Ron indignantly slamming the last plate down on the table.
"Yes, you do," she retorted, "I bet you like her don't you! Ron likes Hermione. Ron likes Hermione."
"DO NOT! DO NOT! DO NOT!" yelled Ron chasing his sister around the table while she continued her little sing-song. Ginny had taken to hiding behind Molly's to evaded Ron's clutches. "MUuuuuummmmM!"
"That's enough you two," their mother intervened before the situation turned ugly. Ron was glaring at his younger sister, face flushed fists clenched into tight balls by his sides. It seemed that Molly had stopped them just in time. "Now upstairs and wash your hands the both of you. Dinner will be ready soon." Ron shot one last glare at his sister before begrudgingly following his mother's instructions. And it wasn't until Ginny heard the bathroom door slam shut behind Ron that she proceeded up the stairs. The peace didn't last long though as two voices cried out: "MUuuuummmmM!"
"Oh for Merlin's sakes," Molly muttered dropping her wooden spoon on the stove top and rushing up the stair well.