Chapter Title: First Day at the Burrow

Author: FlamingRosesInDarkness

Warnings: None for this chapter. Other than an angry Ron.

Chapter Summary: Hermione's first day back at the Burrow.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter series. It's still J.K Rowling's.

A/N: I'm pretty amazed with how fast I updated this one. I usually put it off. Hmmm….Well, just to clear something I thought might confuse people, (But probably isn't) this takes place during Hermione's Seventh year. So, yes, Dumbledore is dead. So is Sirius and there will be no mentions of Deathly Hallows, or at least, there shouldn't be. Read, enjoy, and review.

Hermione entered the Burrow and was immediately gathered into Molly Weasely's arms and squeezed tightly. She squirmed in the death grip while Mrs. Weasely cried in relief that she was safe.

After a few minutes of loud sobs and strangled pleas of freedom, Mrs. Weasely finally let go and pushed her into the kitchen.

Mrs. Weasely guided her to a chair and with a wave of her wand and a flurry of dishes, tea, soup, and fresh bread settled itself in front of her. Hermione smiled and pulled her hood down.

Mrs. Weasely sat down across from her and smiled at her over the rim of her tea cup.

Hermione gratefully dug into the food. Mrs. Weasely smiled more as Hermione finished quickly and asked for more.

After four servings, Hermione was finally full and could feel exhaustion creeping into her limbs. She could barely keep her eyes open as Mrs. Weasely led her to the room she'd be sharing with Ginny.

She bade goodnight to Mrs. Weasely and, without changing, collapsed into bed, asleep immediately.

Hermione awoke the next morning with the sun in her eyes and something on her chest.

She opened one eye and her sight was overcome by orange fur. "Crookshanks?" she asked groggily.

"He's been terribly sad without you."

"Ginny?"

Ginny picked up Crookshanks and smiled down at her. "Mum, says to hurry up if you want to eat before everyone starts bothering you."

Hermione rubbed her eyes and got out of bed, stretching. Ginny threw a shirt and pair of pants at her and left the room.

Hermione quickly changed and headed downstairs, yawning.

"Morning, dear," Mrs. Weasely greeted as she entered the kitchen. "I trust you slept well?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, very well, Mrs. Weasely. Thank you."

Mrs. Weasely set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of her with a cup of tea. "It was no trouble, dear. You looked ready to keel over at any moment last night."

She stopped and smiled warmly at Hermione. "I'm just glad you're safe." They stared at each other for a moment.

"Better eat up before everyone wakes up."

"Who is all here?" Hermione asked between mouthfuls.

Mrs. Weasely busied herself at the stove and answered, "Ron, Harry, Ginny, Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, Fleur, Tonks, Neville and Percy."

Hermione choked on her bacon. "Percy?"

Mrs. Weasely nodded, tears shining in her eyes. "He came home while you were gone. He apologized and explained that the Ministry's been corrupt for ages. It's all very terrible."

They heard footsteps stomping down the stairs. "That'll be Percy."

She wiped the tears from her eyes and Hermione finished eating.

Percy entered the kitchen and paused when he saw Hermione at the table. Mrs. Weasely scurried over to him and gathered him into a hug.

"Good morning, Percy. Sit, sit," she said, pushing him into a chair and setting a plate heaped with food in front of him. Hermione laughed.

Percy blushed. "H-hello, Hermione. When did you get here?"

"She got here last night," Mrs. Weasely answered for her. "And there will be no questions until everyone else is awake."

She set out the rest of the plates as more footsteps thundered down the stairs.

Everyone came stomping into the room and stopped when they saw Hermione. Ginny grinned and sat next to her.

Hermione smiled back and looked at everyone else. "Hello everyone," she said quietly.

Suddenly the room was filled with noise as everyone rushed to hug her and ask loudly how she had gotten there.

"Quiet!" Mrs. Weasely yelled. They all stopped and looked at her. "You can ask her all the questions you'd like after breakfast."

Everyone sat down and dug in. Hermione smiled gratefully at Mrs. Weasely.

After everyone finished, it got really quiet.

Hermione squirmed in her chair when everyone's eyes turned to her.

"How did you get out?" Harry, who was sitting across from her, asked. She looked around at everyone and started tellin her story.

When she finished, everyone's mouths were hanging open. "Snape saved you?" Neville asked in disbelief. Hermione nodded.

"He said he is going to help Luna and Remus, too." Ron scoffed. "Why would he do that? He works for You-Know-Who." Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe he's decided to switch sides."

Ron shook his head angrily. "There's no way! Why would he kill Dumbledore for You-Know-Who then suddenly switch sides?" Hermione didn't know the answer.

Ron shook his head again and stomped out of the kitchen. Everyone watched him go and an awkward silence descended upon the group. Mr. Weasely coughed nervously and took a drink of his coffee.

"Are you sure he's going to help Luna out?" Neville asked timidly, a blush creeping up his face as everyone's heads turned to him. Hermione nodded. "Remus too."

I hope, she added in her head.

Her answer calmed Neville somewhat and he suggested they go outside and play Quidditch. Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, Harry, and Ginny's eyes all lit up at the mention of Quidditch and they all ran to get their brooms.

Everyone left at the table laughed. At Mrs. Weasely's insistence, Tonks, Fleur, Hermione, Neville, and Percy went out to watch the game.

When they arrived at the game site, Harry and Charlie were trying to convince Ron to play. "C'mon, Ron. We need you," Charlie said as Harry nodded in agreement.

Hermione watched as Ron gave in with a wide grin. Then he saw her and his smile faded. He grabbed the broom Charlie held out, mounted and took off. Harry and Charlie followed suit.

Hermione, Fleur, Tonks and Percy sat on chairs Percy conjured and watched the game.

Hermione couldn't focus on the game. Her thoughts kept turning to what Ron had said earlier. Why had Snape helped her if he worked for Voldemort? Shouldn't he have killed her instead?

Hermione replayed the night before in her mind. She couldn't think of a reason even as Tonks roused her from her reverie by shouting, "Alright Ron! Good job!"

Hermione focused her thoughts on the present and saw everyone clapping Ron on the back. "What happened?" she whispered to Percy.

"Ron made a spectacular save and won the game for his team." Hermione nodded distractedly. "Oh, that's great."

"Hermione, are you alright?" Percy asked with a worried look. She smiled at him. "I'm fine, Percy." He was skeptical but nodded anyway.

He walked over and congratulated Ron. Hermione watched as Ron hugged his brother and smiled.

His eyes connected with hers and they stood staring at each other as everyone cheered on, oblivious to what was happening between the two.

Ron's gaze became intense as he glared and turned away. Hermione shook her head and headed inside.

The rest of the day was spent in a similar fashion.

Hermione would sit by herself reading or thinking while Ron glared at her from across the room. All the while, everyone else tried to get them to talk.

That night, as she got ready for bed, she wondered why Ron was angry with her. Because she believed Snape would Luna and Remus? Or because she got everyone's hopes up when Snape wouldn't actually help?

She shook her head, ignored the warm feeling in her chest that formed when she thought of Snape, got into bed and quickly fell asleep.

There's the second chapter. The next one will be out soon. I apologize greatly if there are any spelling or grammar errors. Just tell me in a review or something and I'll fix it right away. Review please.