Chapter 1 Home Crazy Home

"Mum!" squeaked Ginny. "You're crushing me…ow…oww!"

"Oh, sorry dear."

Molly let go of her only daughter. Sighing as she clasped Ginny's cheeks in her hands, Molly's eyes were clouded by tears and she enclosed her daughter in an even tighter embrace. She then released her and ushered her through the doorway.

"What are you doing just standing there? Come in!" exclaimed Molly, completely disregarding the fact that she never gave Ginny the chance to do that.

Giggling, Ginny let herself be guided in the house. With a flick of her mother's wand, her luggage followed them through the parlor, den and up the stairs to Ginny's room. As the luggage hit the floor with a thump, Molly hugged Ginny once again.

"I'm so glad you're home, darling! I've missed you terribly."

"I've missed you too, Mum." Ginny said, kissing her mother on her cheek. Molly sat on the bed and patted the spot beside her.

"How have your studies been progressing, dear?"

"Oh, right good enough, I s'pose." sighed the young girl. "But I still haven't decided what will be my main course of study."

"Oh, it's an important decision to make. It will take time."

"It didn't take too much time for Ron or Hermione or Harry, for that matter."

Before her mother could respond, Ginny suddenly brightened as she remembered something. "Oh, Mum. I've just remembered. School hasn't been so dreadfully dull lately. I found out that I do know someone from Hogwarts, Neville Longbottom. He's studying Advanced Herbology, you know."

"That's wonderful, dear." said Molly distractedly. "Did you hear something?"

Suddenly, a voice called out. "Mum? Mum! Are you here?"

"Ron!" yelped Mrs. Weasley as she ran down the stairs. Ginny followed as quickly as she could but couldn't catch up with her mother. She arrived downstairs just in time to see her mother pounce on Ron, her arms tight around him. Ginny winced in empathy.

"Geoff, Mum!" Mrs. Weasley released her son and he rubbed his damaged arms. "You're right sprightly for an old lady."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." She responded as she went to help with his bags. Suddenly, she stopped.

"Harry!" she exclaimed. Harry Potter stepped out from behind Ron, seeming very shy for being with what was practically his own family. This caught Ginny's attention and she looked at him quizzically.

"I could hardly see you behind my son here." Molly exclaimed, indicating Ron's tall, lanky figure. She pulled Harry close in a tight hug.

"Yeah, Mum," interjected Ron, "You see, the thing is, Harry had plans for his summer holiday but, er, something came up. I thought perhaps he could stay with us for a bit."

"Well, of course! Harry is always welcome and, like they say, the more the merrier!"

A strange twinkle was in Mrs. Weasley's eyes. She used her wand to guide Ron's and Harry's luggage up to their rooms.

"I'm going to make us all a nice spot of tea." She exclaimed excitedly as she made her way to the kitchen. When she was gone, Ginny let out a long held giggle.

"What's going on with Mum?" asked Ron, perplexed.

"I think she's going through an empty nest syndrome or something." offered Ginny.

"Ah."

Harry finally spoke up.

"Hey, Gin."

Ginny smiled politely.

"Harry. How have you been?"

"Oh, I've been ok. Mostly studying hard."

Just then, Molly returned with a silver tray floating in front of her.

One look at the tray told anyone that a levitating charm was absolutely necessary. It was loaded down with Cauldron Cakes, Pumpkin Pasties, treacle tart, oversized muffins, cookies, small sandwiches and a silver tea set. The tea set began serving tea. Already knowing the likes and dislikes of each person, it added sugar and cream to everyone's cup. Molly served pumpkin juice from the other silver jug.

"Oh, this is great, Mum. I'm starving." Ron began stuffing his mouth with sandwiches and sweets. Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the front door. Molly almost knocked over the tea tray in her haste to answer the door. As the door opened, she wrapped her arms around the bushy haired girl standing there.

"Hermione! We've been expecting you, dear."

"We have?" questioned Ron through a mouthful of cauldron cake. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Ron, I told you ages ago I was having Hermione over for a while this summer."

Ron shrugged and returned to his feast. Molly ushered Hermione into a large cushioned chair between herself and Ginny.

"Sit down, dear." urged Mrs. Weasley.

"Well, it's not as if I have a choice." Hermione whispered, rubbing her arms. Using all her might to suppress a loud laugh, Ginny took a sip of tea.