Part Two
Suddenly, they heard a clatter from downstairs.
Hermione froze. "Did you hear that?" Her mind was already jumping to the worst; somebody had broken in.
Ever since Voldemort had been defeated, there had been several incidents where one of his few remaining followers or people who blamed them for the loss of a loved one during the battle, came after them.
The noise could have been nothing. But it is September first. This day could trigger some bad thoughts for parents of deceased students. An ex-Death Eater might know that Rose is going to Hogwarts today. After everything they've been through, you can never be too safe. As Mad-Eye Moody would say, "Constant vigilance!"
Ron didn't answer, but from the look on his face, she could tell he had heard it too. He had immediately snapped into Auror mode. "I'll check it out. Stay here."
She put her hands on her hips. "Ronald, how many times do we have to go over this!"
Ron gave an exasperated sigh. "Just stay behind me."
They both retrieved their wands and quietly opened their bedroom door. They tip-toed down the hall. They stopped to check on Rose and Hugo. Hugo's room was the closest. He was still sound asleep. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. Rose's room was next. Ron opened the door a crack and they looked in. Rose's bed was empty. Hermione just saw rumpled sheets; the bed hadn't been made, but Rose is like Ron, and she constantly has to nag Rose to keep her room clean and tidy. The fact that Rose's bed is hardly ever made didn't help calm Hermione down though.
Hermione took Ron's hand and he gave it a comforting squeeze. She turned to look away and try to get her thoughts in order but Ron pulled her back and said, "Look."
He pushed the door open wider and pointed to a pile of clothes on the floor. "Pajamas." He smiled a little and shook his head.
Hermione was taken aback. "What are you smiling about?" Why would someone make Rose change and then kidnap her?
"Oi!" Ron said defensively, "Take a look at yourself."
"What?" She looked down at herself and then it clicked. She wasn't in her pajamas anymore either. "Oh, gosh. For a second there I thought…"
He put an arm around her waist. "Come on, let's make sure everything is all right downstairs."
When they walked into the kitchen, they found the culprit. Rose was on her knees, trying to put back all of the pots and pans that had tumbled out of the cabinet they were kept in.
"Rose, why are you up so early?" Hermione asked even though she figured Rose had the same reason as her.
Rose jumped up in surprise. She brushed away some locks fiery red hair that had obscured the guilty look on her face. "Sorry, I wanted to start making breakfast. I couldn't go back to sleep." Her face lit up, "I'm too anxious!"
"I'm sure you are. Here, let me take care of that sweetie." Hermione waved her wand, and the pots and pans neatly organized themselves back into the cupboard so that Hermione could easily take out the one she needed to make breakfast with.
"I'm going to get dressed and then wake Hugo up." Ron said and then went upstairs.
"Can I pack up the trunk love?"
"Let me double check that she has everything. Rose?"
"What?"
"Are you sure you have everything packed? All your books, clothes, cauldron, quills, ink?"
"Yes, yes, yes. Can we go now?" Rose answered impatiently.
"Okay dear, we are ready to go."
They all got inside the car and set off for Kings Cross. Hermione looked out the window. It really looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.
"So are you going to miss us a lot Rosie?" Ron asked.
"Of course! I'm going to miss everyone. Well, everyone except Hugo." She teased..
Hermione caught Hugo sticking his tongue out at his sister.
"It's you two I'm more worried about." Rose added.
"Us?" Ron questioned.
"Oh come on, I know you've been dreading this day." Rose said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"We have not been dreading it. It's just a big step." Hermione defended them.
"We know we'll see you at Christmas, unless you get into trouble and we have to some and pick you up."
"But she's not going to get into any sort of trouble, right Rose?"
"Yes mum."
"I seem to recall you having a similar 'no trouble' policy in the beginning of your first year and that didn't last long." Ron raised his eyebrows.
"That was different!"
"Just try to do your best to avoid trouble okay?" Ron said to avoid getting into trouble with his wife.
"Yes dad."
"We should get everyone together for Christmas." Hermione stated, trying to lead the subject away from her school shenanigans.
"Don't holidays like Christmas usually include everyone? Who else is there?" Ron asked.
"We should try and get Luna and Rolf to come. As long as they don't already have plans to go explore another far-off place."
"Yeah. Though they would probably just tell us about their last trip the whole time." Ron said with a hint of dread.
"Their little adventures can be very interesting! All of the things they learn about." Hermione said wistfully.
"Oh yeah, it's interesting, until they continue to talk for an extra hour on some weird animal or plant they found."
"That reminds me—we should invite Neville and Hannah as well." Hermione turned to Rose and Hugo in the backseat, "Hey, how would you two like to see Lorcan and Lysander for Christmas?"
"Yeah, they're cool!" Hugo excitedly responded.
Rose looked at her little brother skeptically and then turned to her mother, "They talk about some of the strangest things mummy."
"I'll have to talk to your Auntie Ginny about it. We will keep you updated with what is going on in our weekly letters."
"Are you really going to write me every week?"
"Do you want us to write you more than that?"
"No, no it's fine." Rose said hurriedly.
"Are you sure? Because I would be more than happy to."
"Believe me she would." Ron warned.
"No, really, you don't have to—We're here!" Rose shrieked.
AN: Happy Birthday to Hermione Granger-Weasley!
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!