"Well, I suppose that makes you quite special then, doesnt it Sirius!" Mrs. Weasley said cheerfully.
"I suppose so."
"I just cant believe youre back!" Tonks said. "Even Dumbledore here thought you were done for."
"Yeah," said Ron.
Everyone turned to face Dumbledore. "Well, I cant know everything!" he cried out in his defense. "Lets just be thankful that Sirius is back and safe with us."
"Yes, lets," Snape replied coldly. "But at the same time, let us not forget that we have a Dark Lord to defeat."
"Oh! What happened after I died?!" Sirius shouted, and everyone winced. "Well, you know what I mean. Does fudge believe us now? Did he get a hold of the Prophecy?"
"Calm, Sirius, one ruddy question at a time," Moody told him. Dumbledore then explained everything that happened after Sirius fell through the veil.
"So whats going to happen now?"
"For the time being, the Order has reformed here until we uncover enough information for us to decide our next move. Weve got some good spies out there, and so far weve heard very important and significant information on Voldemorts whereabouts and plans. Hopefully, this next move will be a major one..."
"How was he -- What did they -- What happened?!" Ron hollered in excitement.
"Well, somehow Sirius found Peter Pettigrew in his animal state, and he trapped him in a box and immediately-"
"Peter Pettigrew?" Ron butted in. "I thought the Daily Prophet said he killed himself."
"Ron, you know that periodical has proved itself unreliable many times over," Hermione replied.
"Yeah. Anyway," Harry continued. "Sirius owled Lupin and they met up at the Ministry and took Peter before the Wizengamot and made him change back into his human self and tell how he had framed Sirius!"
"Thats great Harry! Now you can finally live with him!" Hermione cried, wrapping her arms around Harry.
Seeing this, Ron pushed Hermione away from Harry and hugged him himself. "Im just so happy for you, mate!"
"Yes, yes, hazah for Sirius!!" Luna shrieked, shoving Ron into Hermione and smothering Harry with her own hug. Just as Ginny started to feel the slightest jolt of jealousy, Dorian had caught up with the group, grabbed her hand and stole her from the group. Hermione, now in Rons arms, gave him a mischievous grin and leaned in for a kiss when an owl came squawking in her direction.
"Perry! You really do have horrible timing!" she laughed.
"He really does!" Ron agreed. "Whats so important that he needed to interrupt us?" Still chuckling, Hermione retrieved the envelope, opened it up, and began to read aloud to Ron.
"Dear Hermione. Hope all is well at the Weasleys. School is surely starting soon. Im sure thats good news for you!"
"Of course its good news for Hermione!"
"Oh, bugger off and listen!" Hermione said, elbowing him in the side. "We have some more good news for you. You have a little brother or sister coming! Isnt that simply wonderf--"
"Ew!" Ron shouted.
"What? Ive always wanted a little brother or sister!"
"You know what that means though?!" He looked at Hermione with raised eyebrows.
"Oh Ron! Thats really -- Ron!! Why did you have to put that into my head!! Now whenever I think about having a sibling -- OH! Get your mind out of the gutter!" Hermione gave Ron another elbow in the side, this time with more force, and continued reading. "Were still here in Hawaii, but will be returning home next Tuesday; a little earlier than planned, but were getting homesick."
"Or gutted that they cant shag anymore."
"Honestly Ron! Hope to hear from you soon, love Mum and Dad."
"Who cant shag anymore?" Luna asked.
"My parents," Hermione answered, glaring at Ron.
"Why do you say that?"
"My mums pregnant."
"Youre going to have a little brother or sister?! How exciting!"
"Yeah, thats what I thought too," Hermione replied, glaring at Ron still.
"Stop that! Youve got to admit that its rather disturbing knowing your parents have been shagging--"
"Ron!!" Hermione scorned.
"-Heh, I bet it was an accident."
"RONALD!!"
"Whats shagging got to do with anything?" Harry asked, looking clueless. The three of them stared at Harry in disbelief.
"Youve got to be kidding me," Luna said.
"Er -- no. Why? What is shagging anyway?" They looked back and forth between each other, amazed at Harrys naivety.
"Shagging is slang for having sex Harry," Hermione explained.
Harry paused for a moment. "Oh... right." But he still looked a little confused.
Rons eyes widened. "You do know what that is, right Harry?"
"Yeah. Of course. I -- er -- well, I never really, you know, understood the whole... concept of it, I guess."
"WHAT?!" Ron and Luna bellowed in unison.
"Im sorry! I live a pretty sheltered life away from Hogwarts you know. And Im not exactly constantly surrounded by it. So come off it!"
"Hes right guys," Hermione said. "Im sure Sirius can tell you all about it when you are living together."
"Oh, and Im sure hes a perfect candidate for that," Ron said sarcastically. "Being a social outcast for almost twenty years."
"Oh Ron, be quiet.! Youre not helping!"
"Crikey, Hermione, whats with you today?" he groaned. "Dont tell me you still have your period." Luna quickly backed away as Hermione shot him a horribly frightening look.
"And what if I do, RON?"
"Er -- I dont know, Hermione, I er--"
"What are you trying to say, RON? That whenever I have my period I turn into a MONSTER? That I cant handle my own TEMPOR? That Im so horrible that - that you dont even want to be around me? " She let out a tiny whimper. "That you dont want to -- to be my boyfriend?" She burst into tears. "Is that what youre trying to say?" Passersby were starting to stare at the scene. Ron looked at Ron and Luna, but they both shrugged.
"No, Hermione, youre not that unbearable," he started shakily.
"What?! So Im unbearable?" She heaved an even louder cry.
"No!! Hermione! Shh!" He took her in her arms. "Its just that youre a little more, well, emo-"Luna shook her head. "Expressive," Luna gave him a thumbs up. "during this time. But thats just more passion from you. And I love how passionate you are about things." Hermione let up her crying, looked up and smiled. Ron then leaned in closer to whisper in her ear. "I cant imagine what itd be like to snog with you right now." Hermione burst out laughing, and after Ron jumped back a little, he stepped up to her again and awkwardly wiped some of the remaining tears off her face.
"Hey you guys," Ginny said, joining the group, with Dorian at her side. "Its about time to head back isnt it? Hermione?"
"Yes, Ginny?" Luna and Harry gave her a quick glance and Ginny realized she shouldnt ask what was wrong.
"Er -- Isnt it time to go back and meet up with everyone else?"
Hermione looked at her watch. "I suppose it is."
With a quick kiss to Dorian, Ginny parted from her boyfriend and left with the rest of the group. They joined the rest of the Weasley clan at the cauldron shop and flooed their way home, with only three days before the first day of term.