Chapter Ten

The next morning Molly woke the girls up earlier than usual in order to spend the majority of the day at Diagon Alley. Hermione sat at Ginny's desk brushing her hair staring off into space. She hadn't been anywhere very public besides Hogwarts since the battle and she was slightly nervous. She had made a quick trip to Ollivander's to get a new wand before helping restore Hogwarts, but she had been able to apparate right outside his door and back again to Hogsmeade. She had been reading the newspaper almost daily and had seen how she and Ron were being portrayed as heroes just as much as Harry was. While she knew they had done a lot to finish Voldemort, she still didn't think she deserved the title of a hero; so many others had sacrificed their lives, they were the true heroes.

Ginny walked in to find Hermione staring at the floor with a limp brush in her hand.

'Are you all right, Hermione?'

Hermione snapped out of her thoughts and smiled at her redheaded friend.

'Yeah, just thinking.'

Ginny made her way over to her desk and took the unused brush from Hermione's hand and continued to brush her hair.

'Are you nervous? About going out, I mean? I think I am. I'm not sure what to expect. The last time I saw Diagon Alley it was depressing. I'm scared to think it might not ever be the same as when I first went there.'

Hermione nodded sadly. She had been worried about this too. She remembered all those poor muggleborns who had had their wands taken away the day she was Bellatrix. She shuddered at the memory, remembering how horrible it had been to look in the mirror and see that evil face.

'Yeah, I'm nervous about that too. But I'm more concerned with how people will react when they see me. I mean, you've seen the Daily Prophet. I'm as much of a hero to them as Harry is. I don't want to be a hero; I'm not a hero. I did what I had to, that's all.'

Ginny finished brushing Hermione's hair and came around to face her.

'Yeah, I can't believe half the stuff they write about you three. So what if you saved the world? Wouldn't they think you'd want a little peace and quiet?'

Hermione looked up surprised and slightly annoyed at Ginny's statement about them saving the world. She didn't feel like she did anything that special. But when she saw Ginny's smirk, she knew she was only joking.

'One would think.'

Ginny placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder.

'Come on, Hermione. Don't let them keep you from living your life. You never let Rita Skeeter get in the way. Why should you let some other foul creature?'

Hermione stared at Ginny. Wasn't that what she had been telling herself not that long ago? That she wasn't going to let anyone get in the way of her living her life from now on?

'You know what, you're right!'

'Of course I am.'

Hermione watched as Ginny went to her closet and started looking through her clothes.

'Ginny, when did you become so insightful?'

'Oh, I was always insightful Hermione. You're just not used to it because you're used to hanging around my thickheaded brother.'

Hermione laughed.

'Come on then, I'm sure your mum is waiting.'

Hermione and Ginny joined Molly in the kitchen.

'Good morning. Ready to go?'

They both nodded and Molly took the first handful of floo powder. Since Ginny didn't have her apparating license yet, they were going to floo to George's flat above the joke shop. The ministry had loosened the requirements on flooing fireplaces since the death of Voldemort. While one still needed some clearance, most family fireplaces were connected like they were before the beginning of the war. Hermione watched as Molly disappeared in a flash of green flames, followed by Ginny. She then took a handful of powder and entered the fireplace. She emerged in a smallish kitchen with black and white tiles. In the middle was a table stacked high with boxes similar to the ones left in the twin's room two years ago. She gave them a wide berth. Ginny stood waiting and smiling for her by the sink that was currently washing a stack of dirty plates.

'All right, then? Mum's in the living room fussing over George.'

'How's he doing?'

Ginny frowned and shrugged.

'All right, I guess. He still misses Fred. It's been so hard for him.'

Hermione understood. While she had mourned the deaths of Fred, Lupin, Tonks and so many others and the absences of Harry and Ron, she still couldn't comprehend what it must be like for George to loose his brother, his twin brother. Ginny and Hermione made their way to the living room through a hallway stacked with more boxes. It seemed that either these products were not ready, the storeroom was full or a combination of the both. Whatever the cause, Hermione did her best to not touch anything. As they got closer they could hear Molly in her full mother mode.

'Oh George, this place is a mess! It'll take a week to find the couch! I'm surprised you haven't gotten lost in it all.'

'Mum, I know exactly where everything is. This is my filing system. Besides it's my flat, I can do what I want with it.'

'Well, maybe not keep a girlfriend.'

George grinned over at Ginny. Hermione noticed it didn't quite get to his eyes. His eyes were darker than she remembered and had lost some of the spark.

'Is that a challenge, lil sis?'

Ginny took a step closer to George.

'Ha! One has to acquire a girlfriend before keeping one.'

It was George's turn to step closer.

'And who says I don't have a girlfriend? For all you know, I could have two!'

George and Ginny now stood inches apart in the usual Weasley stance, hands at the side and scowls on their faces.

'Now whose fault is it that I don't get to see my brother as much as I want? I'm the one who's underage, remember?'

George glared for another second before reaching forward to hug his sister. Ginny gladly returned the hug and Hermione smiled at the loving siblings. They pulled apart but Ginny kept her hand clasped in his.

'Sorry about that, sis, I've been busy.'

Ginny shrugged.

'I figured, but it would be nice to see you once in a while, you know? I'll be back at Hogwarts before you know it. Then you'll miss my beautiful face and not be able to do anything about it.'

George laughed.

'Oh I've seen your ugly mug for years now, I'm used to it.'

Ginny gasped in mock horror and slapped George's arm.

'That's enough out of you!'

Hermione laughed and George grinned at her.

'Now Hermione, I'm surprised you've stuck around as long as you have. It took me years to get used to this pip-squeak. I couldn't imagine being stuck with her alone for a whole summer.'

Hermione laughed as Ginny hit her brother again…harder.

'Oh I've managed. One does find ways to tune her out occasionally.'

Ginny gaped at Hermione in mock hurt while George laughed. Molly had been watching the whole conversation and as much as she wanted to just watch her children, they needed to get going.

'Now, now. I think you've thoroughly picked on your sister, George. It'll be a wonder if she ever visits again. We had better get going.'

'She knows I'm kidding Mum. Don't you, Gin?'

Ginny came up and hugged her brother from the side as they made their way down the stairs.

'Yeah, I wouldn't have it any other way. However, I think I'll stay mad at Hermione for a while longer for her input.'

Molly huffed, but missed the wink Ginny gave Hermione telling her it was all okay. When they got to the bottom of the stairs, Molly turned to her daughter with a motherly look on her face.

'You be nice to Hermione.'

Hermione came up behind Ginny and put on a mock serious face and mimicking Molly's stance and tone of voice.

'Yeah, you be nice to me.'

Ginny smothered her giggles and responded sweetly, looking pointedly at Hermione.

'Yes Mum.'

Molly now turned to her son and gave him a warm hug.

'George, we'll be back after our shopping. Don't work yourself too hard.'

George smiled and gave his mum a kiss on the cheek.

'Yes Mum.'

Ginny and Hermione waved at him as they made their way down the alley to the main street. They could see that many witches, wizards, goblins, and other creatures were making their way one direction or another. Hermione let out a breath she didn't know she was holding at the sight; maybe things were going back to normal.

They turned down the main street and started towards Gringott's. Hermione looked on both sides of the street, taking in the sights and sounds around her while keeping an eye on Ginny and Molly in front of her. Most of the stores that had closed the last time she had been there were now open. Instead of homeless and wandless people on the streets, she saw vendors selling goods, witches and wizards stopping each other to talk and goblins making their way through everyone's legs. It was so much like when she first visited, she almost felt like she was eleven again and making her way to buy her first year supplies. It made her happy. And hopeful.

Hermione realized she had fallen behind the two Weasleys. She looked toward Gringott's and saw the two redheads and quickened her step to catch up. When she was only a few feet behind them, she felt a hand grab her arm and pull back hard. She gave a yelp and reached for her wand immediately. She pointed it at the person holding on to her arm and they let her go.

'Hey now, I'm not going to hurt you. I just couldn't believe it was really you! Hey Ed! Ed! Look who it is! It's Hermione Granger!'

Hermione had her wand pointed at a black haired wizard with a crooked nose. He waved at someone behind Hermione and she turned around to find 'Ed' only a couple of inches from her. She stumbled back but was caught by yet another person.

'Merlin! It really is her! Where have you been?! Can I have your autograph?'

Hermione tried to get away but an increasing number of people attracted by the other people's shouts were closing in around her.

'The Hermione Granger! I can't believe it's you!'

'Hey, where's Harry at?! You know where's at, don't you?! Tell us!'

Hermione didn't know what to do. She tried to make her way one way then another but there were too many people pushing her back to get anywhere.

'Please, I just want to go….Please…'

The crowd was starting to get rough. Hermione felt her shirt being stretched and torn while more and more hands reached out for her.

'Is it true you broke into Gringott's?'

'Wait until I tell Robert who I met!'

'You're much prettier than your pictures, you know?'

Hermione couldn't hear anything but the growing number of voices around her.

'Please…I just want to go…'

'THAT IS ENOUGH!!!!!'

The entire crowd went silent and turned to the middle of the street. There standing with her wand to her throat was an enraged Molly Weasley. It only took one look from her for the crowd to back slowly away from Hermione. Hermione ran over to Ginny and hung onto her arm. Ginny was standing slightly behind her mother, shaking with suppressed rage. Hermione could understand why people kept backing away.

'YOU WILL LEAVE THIS GIRL ALONE! OTHERWISE, YOU MESS WITH ME!'

Molly turned and ushered the girls in front of her and went the rest of the way to Gringott's. Once right outside, Molly turned to Hermione with concern on her face and anger burning in her eyes.

'Are you all right, Hermione? I'm so sorry that happened! I can't believe the nerve of those people! We can go home if you want, right now. I can get your things for you.'

Hermione shook her head. She still grasped Ginny's hand rather tightly but she knew she needed to do this.

'No Molly. I won't let them keep me away. Thank you for your help, though, they just came out of nowhere, I didn't know what to do.'

Hermione released Ginny's hand and gave the older witch a quick hug to show her appreciation. Molly looked over Hermione's determined face once and nodded.

'Okay. Let's go find Bill.'