Everyone glanced back and forth from the parchment in Hermione's hand to her face to assure themselves that this was no joke. She wore a dazed and slightly uncertain smile on her face, not sure herself what to make of the current situation.

Ginny was the first to break the silence. She gulped and forced a smile, "Ummm, 'Mione, that's so exciting! What are you going to do about it?"

Molly joined in, trying to sound supportive, "Yes, erm, it sounds like a really interesting opportunity."

Ron, however, was unable to muster the same self-control and blurted wildly, "Ballycastle is so far! And, really, you know bollocks about farming!"

An uncomfortable silence ensued, and the tentative smile slipped from Hermione's lips. Her arm dropped to her side and her shoulders sagged with the defeating weight of his words.

"You know, it's not everyday someone inherits a beautiful farm from a deceased aunt and on gorgeous countryside, to boot," a buffering voice piped up at her side. Hermione snapped to attention and met eyes with Fred, who had an encouraging grin on his face. "If you're serious about moving out there and having a go at it, 'Mione, I'll come along and give you a hand."

Ron snorted derisively, "That should be rich! He'll charm the chickens to lay rotten eggs...or, or, or turn the sheep's wool outrageous colors...or..."

Ginny cut across him, "Good grief, Ron, give it a rest. Can't you be a friend?"

Ron threw his hands in the air in great annoyance, "I'm the only one who is trying to be a friend. I just don't want to see her fail."



At that, he stopped and noticed the defiant set of Hermione's quivering chin.

"Well, Ronald," she clipped, swiping at the tears threatening to spill over her lashes, "I can't wait to prove you wrong."

She turned her attention to Fred, "I really appreciate the offer, but I can't pull you away from the shop and Isabel."

Fred glanced at George, who grinned and nodded his approval, "Please, Hermione, take the meddlesome bugger off my hands so I can actually get some work done!"

Fred lowered his eyes and fidgeted with his fingers for a moment before saying, "I think Bel could stand some time without me and would understand my wanting to help a friend."

When he met her eyes again, his smile was a little off center, and Hermione could tell he was lying but was grateful for his selfless offer. "Thank you, Fred. Maybe tomorrow we could pop out together and have a look at the grounds?"

"Smashing idea," he nodded. "Well, best be off to break the news. See you back here in the morning, then."

Later on that night, Hermione sat at the desk in the guest room making sketches and writing lists. Nearly a hundred of them must have accumulated since she found out about her aunt's "gift." Hermione had been Aunt Norma's favorite niece, and the two had grown even closer when Aunt Norma found out about her magical abilities.



Norma was fascinated by Hermione's stories, and Hermione had sought special permission for Norma to be permitted glimpses of the wizarding world. They took in a few Quidditch matches together, and Hermione had taken her shopping to Diagon Alley. Norma wanted to live as close the wizarding world as she possibly could and so had purchased this farm nearby a small wizarding village outside of Ballycastle. She spent many years there in peace, farming her land and raising animals. She had passed away last month, having suffered a heart attack one morning while performing some routine chores. Hermione, of course, had been devastated but was overjoyed at her aunt's generosity in leaving her the house and land. She would make the place a living memorial to Aunt Norma.

A quiet knock at the door brought Hermione back to the present. She rose to open it, finding Ginny standing on the other side.

"Are you alright?" Ginny asked, perching on the edge of the bed. "Ron can be a right twit sometimes."

Hermione laughed and rolled her eyes, "Oh, that, no, I should be used to Ron's outbursts by now. You'd think that after having known him 14 years I would just know to expect it. No, I was thinking about Fred. I hope he knows what he's getting into...I mean, I know George doesn't mind and will get on just fine without him. I'm just worried about incurring the wrath of Bel."

"Well, 'Mione, if she's that insecure about his feelings for her..."Ginny began. "I mean the two of you haven't been together for nearly three years!"

"All I'm saying is that I don't want to cause them problems. I honestly don't know, either, how she could think Fred would want me back after all this time and all that's happened...and I rather enjoy the level of friendship we've attained. I wouldn't want to ruin it by being selfish."

Ginny eyed her friend and grinned. She would love nothing more than to create the possibility for Hermione to become her sister-in-law and for the happiness of her best friend and brother to be tied up in one another. She would keep this to herself for the moment, though. She needed to spend some more time watching Fred and being sure that what she had in mind would truly bring him happiness. Perhaps talking to Harry about it would help.



She stretched her arms high over her head and yawned largely. "Well, if I know you, there is an itinerary all planned and drawn up for tomorrow. And no doubt it will be a long day. I'll let you to your sleep."

She hopped down and kissed Hermione's cheek. "Sweet dreams!"

Hermione hugged her. "Thanks, and when we, um, I get all settled in, I will be counting on you to help me plan a huge housewarming party!"

She shuffled all of the loose pages of lists and drawings into a folder as Ginny closed the door behind her then changed into her nightgown and crept into the hallway to the bathroom to wash her face.

Halfway there, she ran into Harry, who appeared to be heading downstairs. "Midnight snack time?"

Harry chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah. That and a little one-on-one time with Gin."

She punched him lightly on the arm, "The two of you just can't get enough of each other."

"Fortunately, I don't think we'll ever be able to...and I'm sorry about Ron and everything earlier...I know his intentions are good. He cares..."

"I know," Hermione whispered. "I'm sure he'll come around. Even if he doesn't eventually make sense of it on his own, I'm sure Luna can help him sort things out. Well, good night Harry."



"Night 'Mione," he hugged her tightly and planted a kiss on her forehead. "If anyone can figure out how to make a farm work, and work well, it's you. Sweet dreams."

Ginny sat in the kitchen awaiting Harry's arrival. She nearly fell off her stool when he came up behind her and trailed kisses down her neck. He let out a throaty chuckle as he wrapped his arms around her waist to keep her upright. "I'm impressed. It's not usually that easy to surprise you."

Ginny fingered his forearm, "Mmmm, seems I have a little more on my mind than usual."

"Worried about her, too?"

"No, 'Mione'll be alright there. She has plenty of money saved and can really devote the time to making that place beautiful. I know it's really important to her. I'm working up plans for something else entirely..." she trailed off, a small grin twitching at the corners of her mouth. Harry knew that look.

"No, Ginny. No meddling! They're both perfectly fine with the way things are right now. They're great friends and have gotten beyond the past. You wouldn't want to set them back, would you?"

"Oh, Harry, don't be so...so...narrow minded. Just trust me. I know what I'm doing, and I promise not to destroy anything. Think of it as rekindling and enhancing what is already there."

"I don't know, Gin. Fred was pretty torn up before when Hermione turned down the ring. What if history repeats itself?"

"She just wasn't ready then. He turned tail and fled too quickly. He should have persisted a bit. We all needed to grow up, and I think she just felt rushed. I don't doubt that she'd love nothing 

more than to grow old with him, slopping the pigs and gathering eggs. And the thought of Fred in overalls, covered in dirt is too good to let go!"

Harry had to laugh at that image, and he also had to agree with the clever, caring woman standing in front of him. His resolve to stay out of things dissolved entirely when she turned and ran her hand up over his chest to curl around the back of his neck. "Alright. If you need my help with anything, just let me know."

"Glad to know you're on board," she whispered before claiming his mouth hungrily.