Disclaimer – I don't own the characters or anything else I use in this story that the brilliant J.K. Rowling created for us. I only wish I was that imaginative and genius…


Chapter Four

Ron Weasley stood on his parents' front stoop, clutching a bouquet of roses in one hand and a suitcase in the other. Seconds after he knocked on the door, his mother, Molly Weasley, pulled open the door with a big smile on her face.

"Oh, Ron!" she exclaimed at the sight of her tall, freckled son. "It's been a while since you last visited! It's so wonderful to see you!"

"Hey Mum!" Ron said as he hugged his mother. "It's good to be back, even though it's only for the night."

"That's right! You and Harry and Hermione are going on a big vacation tomorrow."

Mrs. Weasley ushered her son to the kitchen where Arthur Weasley, Ron's father, was sitting at the table eating his lunch.

"Hello son!" Mr. Weasley said, standing up to give Ron a big hug and a pat on the back. "How's my boy?"

"I'm great, Dad."

"That's good to hear…"

"Here, Ron," Mrs. Weasley said. "Let me put those beautiful roses in some water."

Mrs. Weasley went about looking for a vase while Ron sat at the table across from his father, who asked, "When are Harry and Hermione arriving?"

"Not until around four o'clock this evening," Ron answered, pouring himself a glass of his mother's homemade lemonade.

"I'll be just about ready to leave the office once they get here," Mr. Weasley said as he glanced at his watch. "Speaking of the office, I've got to be getting back now. It was nice to see you Ron – I'll see you later, at dinner."

"Sure thing, Dad. Have a nice afternoon at work!"

"Bye Ron!" Mr. Weasley crossed the kitchen to kiss his wife. "Goodbye Molly, dear."

"Goodbye Arthur."

Once Mr. Weasley had gone, Mrs. Weasley set the vase of roses in the center of the table a large sandwich in front of Ron.

"Eat up, Ron, and tell me how you've been…"

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At precisely 4:00PM, Hermione apparated on the Weasley's front lawn. The garden looked exactly as it had the last time Hermione had visited, many years ago. The house, however, was drastically different. It was just a bit larger than the old Burrow (which was never small, just cluttered), but it was more grandiose. It looked very baroque, as if Sir Christopher Wren himself had designed it. Hermione thought the house was beautiful.

Right when Hermione was about to walk towards the front door, she heard a crack about 2 meters to her right. Harry Potter had just apparated onto the lawn.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, walking briskly towards him to give him a big hug.

"It's…you!" Harry said, taking Hermione in his arms and returning the hug.

"Yes, of course it's me, silly. It's so good to see you!"

"It's great to see you too! How about we go in and see Ron…" As Harry walked with Hermione, he struggled with an absurd thought.

"It couldn't possibly be her," Harry said to himself, in his mind. He shook the thought as he knocked on the Weasley's white front door.

Ron swung the door open. "You're here!" he said, almost shouting as he pulled both his best friends into one big group hug. Upon hearing her son's exclamation, Mrs. Weasley rushed in the room and joined the hug.

"Where's Mr. Weasley?" Harry asked as he set his suitcase and Hedwig's cage down on the bench by the door (Hedwig was out hunting, but Harry knew she'd know where to find him). Hermione set her suitcase next to Harry's.

"He's still at work," Mrs. Weasley said, "but he'll be home soon. There is someone else here that wants to see you two, Harry and Hermione. She showed up about an hour ago – I'll go fetch her." Mrs. Weasley hurried up the staircase.

Just then, as they were all waiting for this mystery guest, Hermione looked around and noticed something curious. The interior of the new house looked almost exactly the same as the old Burrow. Ron must have realized what was holding Hermione's attention, because he said, "I made sure the interior was true to the old house, but had a bit more space added, so it's not as cramped."

"It's great, Ron!" said Hermione. "Absolutely genius…"

"Here she is!" came Mrs. Weasley's voice from the stairs. She entered the room with a red haired lady of about 26 years of age.

"Ginny…?" Harry asked in amazement. "Is that you?"

"Hello Harry, Hermione!" Ginny smiled at them both.

"Ginny! What a pleasant surprise!" Hermione exclaimed. There was yet another group hug as Harry and Hermione greeted Ginny.

"I'm just here for the night," Ginny explained. "I heard you two were coming here before you and Ron took off for France and I wanted to join in tonight's fun. I have to get back to work tomorrow, though."

Mrs. Weasley showed them all to the kitchen where she started to cook dinner as the four old friends sat at the table to catch up on old times.

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After dinner and a few games, everyone was tired and ready for bed. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stayed downstairs to clean up before going to their room.

"Now that no one but my parents lives here, we can actually all sleep in our own rooms," Ron said, laughing. After saying all their goodnights, everyone retired to bed. Ron and Ginny went to their own childhood bedrooms while Harry took Fred and George's old room and Hermione took Percy's. They all fell asleep quickly in anticipation of the hectic morning ahead.