Percy became rather bossy over the next few weeks. Not in the obnoxious prick kind of way that he used to be, but rather in that, I am going to take control of this flailing situation kind of way. For the most part this new Percy relieved Ron. For the moment it wasn't his responsibility to be the tough, strong one that he had forced himself to be in the days after the battle. The days after Fred's death. With Percy busily organising, cooking, cleaning and being his typical responsible self, Ron had time to grieve.

Bill and Fleur had long since returned to the burrow and with George spending most of his time hiding in the small apartment above his shop or at Angelina Johnson's, the burrow seemed strangely quiet. Both Charlie and Mr Weasley had thrown themselves into work. Charlie had agreed to stay close to home, no flying off to Romania for a while, and was instead helping to rebuild the ministry. Ron supposed that this was their method of copping, some form of distraction. At least, that's what Hermione suggested one evening when he broached the subject. Hermione it was safe to say, was his distraction. The one ray of sunlight in a world full of darkness.

The Burrow had formed a sort of rhythm. Charlie and Mr Weasley worked, George hid and Mrs Weasley rarely ventured from her room except for the meals that Percy prepared. It would be fair to say that the standard of food had slipped, not quite down to Hermione's slimy mushroom standard, but poor all the same. In fact, the only thing that stopped Ron from moaning about the grey, lumpy stew served to him one evening, was the sight of Percy wearing their Mother's pink floral apron. A look that Harry instantly dubbed 'Aunt Petunia chic'.

It was during this meal, one of the few where everyone was in attendance, that Charlie handed Hermione a letter. It was made out of the parchment that was commonplace in the Wizarding world, slightly yellowed and fairly thick. Hermione's name was etched clearly on to the front in an elegant, swooping font, whilst the back was sealed with the waxed ministry emblem.

Hermione looked down at the letter in confusion. 'Who is it from?' she asked Charlie

'Kingsley.' He replied trying not to gag on his mouthful of grey slop. He swallowed. 'It was on my desk when I came back from lunch along with a note saying to pass it along.'

'Strange, why didn't he just send it by owl?' Ginny piped up from the opposite end of the table. The room had fallen silent, everyone was too busy either staring at the envelope or listening to Hermione and Charlie's conversation.

Charlie opened his mouth to reply, but Mr Weasley was already speaking. 'Because there aren't enough ministry owls at the moment. The owl office is already backed up with messages regarding the ministry overhaul. My guess is Kingsley thought this way would be quicker.'

'There's not enough owls?' Harry questioned sceptically

'Nowhere near enough no.' Said Mr Weasley

'What with all the Ministry hearings, the rebuilding of departments and even the physical structural damage itself that has emerged in certain areas; the ministry is very hectic at the moment.' Interrupted Charlie

The table was silent for a moment. Nobody had really thought about it. Cooped up in The Burrow, they had been isolated from the outside world and somehow it had dawned on none of them that although the war was over, the Magical world was still a mess. Technically, there was no government anymore, just the corrupt ruins of a Voldemort oppressed administration.

'So who's the new minister for magic?' Ginny asked

'Unofficially, Kingsley is for the moment, but there is talk of making him the permanent minister if he can pull us through this.'

'I want to help.' Harry said after a long pause. 'There's work to be done, and I feel useless just sitting around here.'

'Me too Dad.' Piped up Ginny

'Well...' Mr Weasley considered, 'I'll have a word with Kingsley. I know he needs volunteers to help rebuild Hogwarts over the next few weeks.'

'You can count me in on that too.' Announced George. Everyone looked up in surprise, they had quite forgotten George was sat there, and no one would have expected him to volunteer to return to the place where his twin died.

'Er, are you sure George?' Charlie questioned gently

'Yeah. I am.' George replied with conviction, 'I have to face the place at some point right?'

In the shock of George's proclamation, no one noticed as Ron and Hermione slipped from the room. They went upstairs to Ron's attic bedroom, or rather their attic bedroom. The sleeping arrangements had remained little changed from the night after the battle. There seemed to be an unspoken acceptance, that once Mr and Mrs Weasley had gone to bed, Harry would find his way down to Ginny's room whilst Hermione found her way to Ron's. Although Ron was delighted at the idea of having Hermione in his bed every night, he tried very hard to block out all thoughts of a similar scene in a room bellow, only played out by his best friend and little sister. The idea made him both gag and incited that insane protective instinct that made him want to punch Harry in the balls.

They both sat down on the overly cramped bed, Hermione toying with the unopened letter.

Ron reached out and took her small hand in his, 'you going to open it?' he asked softly.

She nodded, then paused hand hovering over the seal. 'Ron,' she whispered 'I'm scared.'

Ron pulled her in close, 'don't be, it's just Kingsley.' He murmured

Hermione seemed to draw a deep breath and ripped open the envelope. She unfolded the neat parchment and began to read. Ron watched as her expression changed from one of fear and nervousness, to one of joy. Eventually she looked up at Ron and grinned.

'Kingsley's found Mum and Dad.'