Chapter Two

Hermione hated travelling by Floo powder. She would have much rather Apperated to the Burrow, but found it easier to travel this way with Crookshanks. She had never tried side-along apperation with an animal before. She imagined it would be very tricky if not impossible to do and she would never risk it. She watched as other fire places flashed before her and tightened her grip on her cat's cage as he meowed in protest. He obviously wasn't a fan of travelling this way either. Finally, Hermione felt herself on solid ground, smoke surrounding her. Coughing like a maniac, she took a step out and opened her eyes.

"Hermione!"

Still coughing, Hermione placed Crookshanks cage down and waved her hands in front of her face to get rid of the extra smoke and soot that followed her out. Finally finding her breath, Hermione looked up and was startled to find almost the entire Weasley clan and Harry sitting at the table, tucking into a big lunch.

It was Ron who had called her name.

Soon, his arms were wrapped around her tightly. Hermione smiled and hugged him back, letting her head rest on his shoulder for a moment, taking in his scent. She suddenly felt her face grow red when she noticed four pairs of eyes staring at them. Breaking away from the hug, she smiled shyly at Ron before directing her attention towards the rest of the room.

"Harry," she said, hugging him once he stood up to greet her. "How have you been?"

Harry noticed the seriousness of her voice and he couldn't help but smirk slightly. He was in a foul mood after the battle-everyone was really. He blamed everyone's deaths on him- Tonks, Lupin, Fred; - it was hard for him to return to The Burrow, especially when he blamed himself for the death of one of its occupants. However, the weeks that he did spend there so far had been just what he needed-relaxation in the place that he called home after Hogwarts and time spent with Ginny Weasley.

"I've been good," he answered honestly. "Relaxing,"

Hermione nodded eagerly. "Good, good."

"And you?" he asked, looking at her.

"I've been spending a lot of time with my parents," she said, smiling. "It's been wonderful."

"You look great, dear." Mrs. Weasley said, smiling at her from her seat at the table. Hermione walked towards her and bent down to hug her.

"How are you?" Hermione asked sincerely.

"I'm getting by," Molly Weasley answered with a small smile. "It gets easier with each day,"

Hermione nodded, understandingly. She continued saying hello to Ginny and George before sitting down herself and letting out a deep breath.

"How are you parents, dear?" Molly asked, shovelling ham and potatoes on a plate for Hermione. She shoved it in George's hands and he handed it to her.

"Thank you," Hermione said before answering. "They are doing well. It took a few days to actually explain everything that had happened but after that everything went back to normal. They are back working."

"Lovely," Molly said with a smile.

Hermione nodded and smiled fondly at the people who surrounded her. She always felt so safe and protected here...and so loved. She felt as though she was a part of the family and she loved that.

After helping Molly with the dishes, Hermione carried her belongings up to Ginny's room and got herself situated. She let Crookshanks out of his cage, which he greatly appreciated, and unloaded a few books from her bag.

"Don't tell me you're going to spend the whole weekend reading,"

Hermione turned around quickly, dropping the two books she had in her hand to the floor.

"Ron!" she scolded. "You scared me half to death!"

Ron chuckled and walked deeper into the room. "Sorry," he mumbled as he bent down to pick up the two books she had dropped.

"Well?" he asked. "Are you?"

"I don't know," Hermione answered. "Maybe I will."

Ron grinned. "Well, I had other plans for us,"

Hermione looked up at him and felt a smile creeping onto her face. Ron slowly snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "Are these your plans?" she asked.

"Part of it," he replied, a lopsided grin playing on his lips. He leaned in closer and captured her lips with his. Hermione sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. She had been longing to do this for three weeks now. She loved the way his hands played with her hair or held her hips when they kissed. She loved twirling her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck or holding onto his shoulders as their lips moved together.

Breaking apart, Hermione rested her forehead against his and let out another sigh.

"Better than reading, eh?"

Hermione opened her eyes and smirked up at him. "A bit,"

"A bit?" Ron asked, astounded. He let the surprised look be replaced by a smug one as he pulled her close again. "Guess I'm gonna have to keep practicing so I can get a better critique."

Hermione laughed out loud before she felt his lips on her again. They only lasted a few moments before Ginny's voice broke them apart.

"Please, not in my room." she said with a disgusted look on her face.

Hermione deeply reddened again and she saw Ron's ears turning pink as well.

"Sorry, Ginny." Hermione mumbled.

"It's not like I haven't caught you and Harry snogging all over the bloody place. It's enough to make me want to gauge my eyes out,"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Oh please, we don't snog that much...in front of you anyway."

Ron quickly walked towards the door of the bedroom. "I don't think I want to continue on with this conversation." He looked at Hermione and smirked. "I'll be in my room."

She nodded and watched him leave.

"That's something I've learned this summer so far," Ginny said once her brother was gone. Hermione turned towards her friend and saw that she was smiling widely. "Once I start speaking about Harry and me, he goes mad and leaves the room. It works wonders."

Hermione laughed and sat down on the cot that now belonged to her for the weekend. "How are things going with you and Harry, anyway?"

Ginny looked at Hermione and beamed. "Wonderful. The beginning...when he first arrived after everything...it wasn't so great." She started. She knew Hermione witnessed firsthand what she and Harry's relationship had been days after the battle. Everyone's relationship with each other was strained but Harry had been so moody and depressed that he would snap at anyone-even Ginny-if they confronted him. "...but after awhile I just couldn't take it anymore," Ginny continued. "He was moping around too much and I knew that he was upset about everything-we all were-but I know how he gets. He gets upset and broods about it till he's blue in the face. He couldn't go through this alone. Now, things are marvellous. He actually speaks with me, about his feelings and everything. He's amazing,"

Hermione smiled at her friend. "I'm happy for you, Ginny."

Ginny smirked and sat down on her bed across from Hermione. "Thanks. Well, you have that with Ron."

"I do." Hermione agreed with a small smile.

"Anyway, I think it's rotten that you're only spending the weekend here," Ginny said. "I hate not having another girl around the house."

Hermione laughed and stroked Crookshanks affectionately behind the ears. "I wish I could stay longer, but I don't want to leave my parents yet."

"I understand," Ginny nodded. "But you definitely need to visit more, even if it's just for the day."

Hermione brightened. "Actually, my mum and dad wanted to know if you and the boys wanted to spend a weekend at my place sometime next month."

Ginny smiled. "Really? Do they know what they're getting themselves into?"

Hermione chuckled. "I'm not sure exactly, but they seemed pretty excited over it and so am I."

"I've never seen your home," Ginny commented. "It would be nice to spend a weekend in a Muggle house. Dad would love it if Ron and I came home with fascinating stories."

Hermione laughed again. "So you'll come?"

"Of course! Ron and Harry will be thrilled too. It will be a nice little vacation,"

"Yes, to a home in Canterbury." Hermione said with a laugh.

Ginny grinned and rolled onto her side. Crookshanks leapt off of Hermione's cot and jumped on Ginny's bed, curling at her feet.

"Ginny, I-oh, sorry..."

Hermione grinned as she watched Harry blush slightly as he walked into Ginny's room. "I should have knocked,"

"Yes," Ginny said, sitting up. "What if Hermione was stark naked?"

"What if who was what?" asked Ron, coming up behind his friend, grinning.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Boys.

"It's actually a good thing that you're here, Hermione." Harry said smiling. "Fancy a swim?"

"Swim? Where?" Hermione asked.

"The lake, of course," Ron answered. He seemed to be already dressed in his swim trunks. Orange-like everything else he owned.

"Yes, definitely," Ginny said, jumping off the bed.

"I didn't bring a bathing suit." Hermione said. "But that's ok; I can just read and watch you all swim."

"No, I'm sure I have something you can borrow." Ginny said, opening her dresser drawers and rifling through her belongings. Clothes started being thrown everywhere and Hermione was sure if Mrs. Weasley passed by her daughters open door she would have a heart attack.

"Here," Ginny said, pulling out a red one piece bathing suit. "I never wore it because it clashed horribly with my hair. Besides, I was never one for wizard bathing suits." She added with a smirk to Harry. Ron looked the other way, disgust on his face.

"What's the difference?" Hermione asked, staring at the red suit in her hands. Nothing seemed magical about it...it seemed like the ones she had at home in her closet.

"Well, nothing." Ginny said. "It's just that we only have one style. I'd rather a Muggle two piece. It lets me get more colour from the sun."

"Mum would kill you if she knew you had that," Ron said, looking at the bathing suit his sister now held in her hands. "Dad would too...I may as well."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Would you rather I gave this one to Hermione, Ron?"

Hermione's eyes widened as she looked at the bathing suit. She looked quickly at Ron who seemed to be a loss for words, but his red ears spoke volumes. "No, no-" Hermione quickly said. "Eh-this will do just fine. Thanks Ginny,"

Ginny giggled and shrugged her shoulders. "Suit yourself. You can change here; I'll use the bathroom down the hall. You two-" she added towards Ron and Harry. "Can wait downstairs,"

She closed the door behind her and Hermione was left alone. She sighed and slowly dressed herself in Ginny's red bathing suit. A few minutes past before Ginny knocked on her door and asked if Hermione was finished.

"Yes," she answered back.

Ginny walked into the room, dressed in her purple two-piece. She looked beautiful and it made Hermione wrap her arms around herself self-consciously. She suddenly felt very exposed-even in a one piece.

"Let's get a move on!" yelled Ron's voice the floor below. Hermione quickly pulled her jeans back on and followed Ginny downstairs where the boys were waiting.

"Took you long enough," said Ron. "You are not walking to the lake like that."

Ginny looked at her brother. "It's just over the shrubs! I'm not going to be seen by anyone!"

Ron grumbled and looked at Hermione. "You ready?"

"Yes," she said with a nod. "Let's go."

The four walked out of the Burrow and towards the lake. Hermione watched in amusement as Harry stared at Ginny, his eyes roaming to places that if Ron saw, he would probably tackle him to the ground. She felt Ron's fingers intertwine with her own and she smiled. It was going to be a very good weekend.

"Alright, let's all jump in on the count of three," Ginny said, standing on a large rock by the lake.

Hermione slipped off her jeans and walked towards the lake. She dipped her toe in and noted, with relief that it wasn't as freezing as she expected it to be. Harry had already joined his girlfriend on the rock and was holding her hand, ready to jump.

"Oi, stop staring and get over here!" called Harry over his shoulder at Ron. Hermione turned and saw that Ron was staring at her, his eyes were slightly widened. Hermione blushed slightly, feeling her confidence level rising a bit. She walked towards Ron, took his hand, and the two of them joined their friends on the rock.

"One-two-three-!"

SPLASH!

Hermione felt the cool water engulf her. She let herself sink for a moment or two, letting herself get familiar with the depth of the lake. After a few moments, she swam to the surface, only to find three, very dry looking people, still standing on the rock.

"What?...Hey!" she yelled. Ron, Harry and Ginny all started laughing. "You tricked me!" She continued to keep herself afloat as she watched her friends laugh. "You guys are planning on getting in, aren't you? Or am I the only one getting soaked today?"

"Hmm, I don't know." Ron said, grinning at his friends. "I fancy a good book right now. I think I might head back to the house and read a bit."

Harry laughed again and looked at Hermione. "Don't worry; they did this to me last week."

"Oh that makes me feel loads better." Hermione said, leaning back in the water. "I guess I'll be swimming solo today," she said, airily as she began to swim on her back. After a moment another splash was heard and Hermione grinned. She already knew who it was. Sure enough, Ron swam up next to her and kissed her cheek. Straightening herself back up, Hermione grinned at Ron lovingly before splashing him in the face with a wave of water. Harry and Ginny laughed loudly from shore before jumping in and getting involved in the now started splash fight.

They were still laughing once they returned to the Burrow later that day. The soft wind that blew past the soaked teenagers had them all shivering and racing back towards warmth quickly.

"That was fun," Hermione commented once they entered the empty Burrow kitchen. "I can't remember that last time I had a normal summer."

Harry paused and thought about this statement. When was the last time he had a normal, stress-free summer? Before Hogwarts that's for sure and even then he was with the Dursley's...

"Me neither." He finally said. "We needed that."

They nodded-they certainly did.

"There you guys are," said Mrs. Weasley entering the kitchen. "Went for a swim I see...well get dress-Ginevra Weasley what on earth are you wearing!"

Hermione and Harry winced while Ron grinned, nodding his head.

"It's a bathing suit, mum."

"You're half naked!" Molly screamed. "Oh thank goodness your father isn't here..." Molly rounded on Ron and his grin quickly faded. "What do you think, letting her go out like this?"

"Me!" Ron asked, outraged.

Harry looked at Hermione and nodded before they turned around and swiftly went upstairs to change before Mrs. Weasley yelled at them too.

Coming up next: Everything goes downhill from here. The weekend seems to be going swimmingly-no pun intended- but as the saying goes "all good things must come to an end".

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