Chapter Two
Hermione Granger was placing the last of her school things into the top of her already full trunk, ready to take with her to the Burrow, where she'd been invited to spend the rest of her school holidays. she had just managed to squeeze the lid shut, and lock it, when one of the school owls swooped in through her open window, and was now perched ontop of her trunk, patiently holding out its leg. Surprised, she took the rolled up parchment from the birds leg, and it swooped back out of the window it had just come in. She carefully unrolled the parchment in her shaking fingers, and continued to read the familiar slanted writing.
Dear Miss Granger,
I will be joining Mr Potter to the Burrow this coming Friday, I would be greatly appreciative if you could spare me a few moments of your time, upon my arrival. Untill then Miss Granger, take great care of yourself.
Yours, Most sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore.
Hermione read through the letter twice more, to re-assure herself that she had fully understood it. she decided the sooner she discussed this with Ron, the better she would feel. She neatly finished packing her essentials, including her wand, into her rucksack, and headed downstairs to the sitting room. "Im ready to go mum!" She called through to the kitchen. Her mother came through from the hall, a few moments later, with a small draw string bad in her hands, and Hermione's father followed shortly afterwards. She took the bag from her mother, and hugged her tight for a few moments, then turned to her dad, who gave her a quick squeeze, and a peck on the cheek. "Becareful sweet pea" he said lovingly
"Remember to write and let us know you've arrived safe!!" Her mother added hastily "We love you"
"I love you too, I'll see you soon, take care of each other!" She said "Mr Weasley will be calling for my trunk later, he'll be apparating straight into the hall, so dont be alarmed!" And with that, she grabbed Crookshank's wicker basket that she'd coaxed him into earlier that morning (Much to his dislike), Grabbed a hand full of floo powder from the pouch, stepped into the fireplace and threw it to the floor. "The Burrow!" She said loudley, as the green flames tickled her ankles.
"Ronald!" Hermione cried, throwing her arms around her friend. Rons ears turned crimson, and he hugged Hermione back. she stepped away, looking him over "You've grown already, its only been a month!" She joked. Ron snorted, "Yeah Mum's, constantly moaning about having to extend my trouser legs!" He laughed "how are you anyway?"
"Oh, erm..." She started, but at that moment Mrs Weasley burst into the room "Hermione Dear! So good to see you!" She said jovially, pulling Hermione into a suffocating hug "Are you hungry dear?, dinners almost ready, and I can set you a place."
"Thanks you Mrs Weasley, that would be lovely!" Hermione replied politely.
"No trouble dear!, No trouble at all"Mrs Weasley smiled as she dissapeared into the kitchen."You where saying..." Started Ron
"Oh, its nothing urgent" She lied "I'll tell you about it after dinner. Who else is here?" she asked, changing the subject, as they headed to join the others in the kitchen.
After a large helping of Mrs Weasley's french onion soup, Hermione was feeling extremely full. She, Ron and Ginny made there way up to Ron's attick bedroom, where Ron plonked himself on his bed, whilst Ginny and Hermione sat on Harry's camp bed. "C'mon then!" Said Ron, as soon as he was comfortable. Hermione took a deep breath and told them both about Dumbledore's letter.
"I thought you said it wasn't important!" Said Ron, looking cheated.
"No Ronald" sighed Hermione "I said it wasnt urgent!"
"Hermione!" He said impatiently "Its the same thing! And I'd say a letter from Dumbledore requestion a word, and telling you to 'take great care of yourself' was pretty bloody important!" He finished. Ginny nodded in agreement. "what do you think he could want to talk to you about Hermione?" She asked.
"I havent the slightest clue" Hermione replied in ernest.
Suddenly Hermione's eyes widened, as if she'd just been asked to shake hands with a blast ended skrewt. "What if I've failed my OWLs?!" She said, her hands covering her mouth, she looked posatively terrified. Ron and Ginny looked at each other and fell about laughing. "well Im pleased the two of you find the prospect amusing!" She said coldly, folding her arms over her chest.
"Honestly Hermione!" Laughed Ginny, wiping the tears now rolling down her cheeks, " You can't possibly believe, as brainy as you are, that you've failed your OWLs!"
"Well I dont know!" She protested " I dont know what else Dumbledore could possibly want to speak to me for!" She finished irritably. Ron shrugged.
"Neither do I, but trust me, it wont be that. If anything, you've probably broken a new school recored or something!"
"Oh Ron!" she smiled, "Thats so sweet!" Ginny made a sick gesture, and Ron turned a deep shade of red. " Yeah well..." He started awkwardly " You're dead brainy arent you..." He trailed off, looking at the floor. The three of them chatted for a while longer about the first month of their holidays, and what each of them thought Dumbledore might want to speak to Hermione about. After they'd exhausted the subject, Ginny and Hermione retired to Ginny's room to talk about Ginny's lovelife, much to Ron's displeasure.