Chapter 1

"Let's go! You'll be late!" Ginny Weasley called from the driveway. She leaned out the car window, waving her wand. The many pieces of furniture outside flew into the back of the magically enlarged Volkswagen.

"Ginny! Someone could see you!" a bustling Hermione warned from the foyer of her cozy suburban home. Grabbing her bad and wan, she looked the front door and ran toward the car. Frowning at Ginny, she began to the load her things into the trunk; manually.

Grinning, Ginny watched Hermione reach for a large bag and decided to have some fun. Whispering Wingardium Leviosa quietly, she levitated the bag to just out of the reach of the twenty year old woman. Giving Ginny an annoyed look, she used her own wand to rip the bag from Ginny, and the battle of the "wands" continued for a few minutes, until…

"Whistling," Hermione said, wide-eyed. She lowered the object, and watched Ginny hide her own wand. Then, the 19-year-old girl gazed out the window, acting TOO nonchalantly. Hermione looked expectantly at the street.

Someone walked around the corner, whistling casually.

"Harry?" Ginny leaped out of the car, and ran over to Harry Potter. "You nearly scared us to death!" she chided. Harry hugged her tightly, and Ginny reciprocated the gesture.

"Hi," Hermione greeted him as she got into the driver seat of her car. As much as she hated to drive, she had too much stuff to be able to magically transport them to her new flat in London. "C'mon, I'll be late!" she mimicked Ginny's earlier remark. Rolling her eyes, Ginny got in the passenger seat, and kissed Harry goodbye through the rolled-down window.

"I'll meet you there!" Harry promised his wife, blowing her a kiss. Hermione pretended to gag, but was really envious of her best friend. Ginny's soooo lucky, she thought jealously. She daydreamed, remembering that joyous day; Ginny and Harry's beautiful wedding, just two weeks ago. The honeymoon had been to America, and Ginny had returned just in time to get Hermione settled in for her new job.

"Watch OUT!" Ginny shrieked. Hermione jumped in her seat.

"Merlin's beard,' she exclaimed, veering the car to the right quickly to stop them from hitting a tree.

"You're soooo late," Ginny commented helpfully. Hermione glared, straightening the wheel.

Fifteen minutes later, they had safely arrived without incident. After a few minutes, Hermione finally managed to park in front of a rundown two floor apartment building. Groaning, Hermione heaved two heavy bags out of the trunk, holding both in her left hand, and walked to the door.

"Remind me again why I need to move here," Hermione told Ginny.

Ginny pretended to think, then offered, "To better see the PM when he is in danger. McGonagall feels that it's safer this way, and more practical."

"Well," Hermione started, not wanting to seem aloof, "I'd rather check into a hotel." But Ginny and she both knew that she wouldn't.

Sighing, Hermione pushed on the door, grimacing as the paint peeled off under her touch. As she turned the knob, it almost fell of in her hand, and Hermione sighed again. She opened the door fully.

"Wow!" Ginny gasped, just as Hermione dropped her bags in surprise.

A small crystal chandelier hung in the center of the high ceiling, dangling delicately. A marble spiral staircase coiled up to the second floor. The floor tiles shone brightly and the pictures smiled sweetly at Hermione from the wall.

"Is this the…er…are we at the right address?" Hermione whispered.

Just to make sure, Ginny checked the number on the peeling door paint. "Yes," she breathed. Hermione smiled, and, leaving her bags, ascended the staircase. "Room number…?" she asked Ginny, who consulted a parchment carefully.

"Eight." Hermione lead the way slowly up the staircase, drinking in the beauty.

"I can't live here…" she said quietly. "It's too majestic. I'd be afraid to touch anything." She marveled at the plant hanging from the ceiling, and the smell of its flowers in bloom.

"Oh, yes you can," Ginny said firmly. "Even I'd move in with you again." Hermione laughed, shaking her head and remembering the last time they lived together. "I'd rather not burn this building down," she joked.

"It's perfect, isn't it?" Ginny asked, serious again.

"Hmmm…" Hermione moaned. "Perfect," she confirmed.

"Well, if it isn't Mudblood Granger and her Weasel friend," a familiar voice drawled from the top of the stairs.

As she looked up, Hermione could feel herself tumbled backwards and down the stairs.

A/N: Please review!