I know that I normally post on Fridays, but pre-season basketball started at my school and our first home game was last night. Being in the pep band, I had to be there- it was actually a really good game. We lost by three points in double overtime. I was out of it by the time I got home, so I didnt post anything last night.

I'm sorry if this chapter's not very good. My Spanish teacher assigned a really big project that's due Monday and I've been trying to get it done on top of all the other homework I have. If I have time over Christmas break, I may rewrite it, because I dont like it.

Let me know what you think- keep reading and keep reviewing!

Chapter 36

Two days later, the Grangers stood in front of the Burrow for the first time in their lives.

"It's lovely, Molly, it really is" Mrs. Granger gushed. "Truly wonderful and homelike!"

"I try my best" Mrs. Weasley replied.

Hermione and Ron smiled at each other. Their mothers had fallen quickly into a comfortable companionship mimicked by their fathers.

Mr. Granger was already in the chicken shed with Mr. Weasley, explaining the function of a blender, something Mr. Weasley called a "whirly rirly thingy".

"Come in, come in" Molly Weasley beckoned. "Let's get you and William all set up in Charlie's old room, and then we can have a nice cup of tea going. Ron, be a dear and get the kettle started for me?"

"Sure, mum."

"Good. This way, Jeanette."

She led Mrs. Granger up the stairs, to a room three floors above.

"I am so glad they are out of the hospital" Hermione said, plopping down in a chair. "I have never been more tired of a place in all my life! I miss Hogwarts, and Harry, and Ginny, and even my homework! Speaking of which, we are so behind! We've missed nearly a week of school! I should owl Harry and ask him to send our work…"

She got up to get a quill and ink, but Ron pulled her back into her chair.

"Yeah, about that. Harry may have been sending our homework for the past couple of days. And I haven't given you yours."

"What!" Hermione shrieked at him.

"Let me explain!" he quickly defended, raising his hands shoulder high. "You were stressed enough about your parents. It's Thursday right now- there's no point in going back to school until Monday, especially since most of our Friday afternoon is a free-period. We don't have a lot that we have to make up. We can just do the homework over the weekend. See, I have it all worked out!"

"But the teachers will have it marked off because it's late!"

"Harry talked to them, explained our situation. They were very understanding."

"Okay" Hermione said, taking in a deep breath. "Right. Relaxing. Don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry" Ron said sheepishly.

"Wait- don't you have a Quidditch match on Saturday?"

"Rescheduled. McGonagall has something important to do at the Ministry that day, and she wants to be here for the first match."

"Good- you haven't practiced all week. Not that you wouldn't be brilliant anyway but…" she shrugged.

"I know." Ron said, from where he was now standing at the kitchen counter, his back turned to her. "Hey, does your mum like strawberries and cream?"

"Loves it- why?"

"Mum left all the stuff out for it- she must want it for tea. I should get it dished up. Want some?"

"Have you not known me for eight years? Have I ever once turned down strawberries and cream?"

"Yeah, yeah. Here you go." Ron set the bowl brimming with fruit in front of her. Several others were lined up on the counter.

"Hey, what's that?" he asked, pointing at something over her shoulder. As she turned and looked, he dipped his finger into the cream.

"Haha, you're funny" she said dryly. "Now let me eat!"

"You have cream on your face- right… there!" He touched his creamed finger to the tip of her nose.

"Ronald Weasley!" she laughed, jumping up from her chair. "This means war!"

She grabbed the cream away from him, dipped her fingers into it, and poked him. He chased her around the Burrow's small kitchen until he finally grabbed her tightly around the waist.

"Got you" she said with a grin, dotting her nose with cream again.

Then he playfully kissed her cheek.

Just then they heard chuckles from the stairs. Both Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Granger stood at the bottom of the stairs, and clearly had just watched the whole incident.

"Go get your fathers" Mrs. Weasley said with a stern look as an admonishment.

"Right, on it" Ron and Hermione answered, before dashing out the door and to the chicken shed.

"This isn't over" Hermione told Ron as they sat on the front steps after herding their father's into the house.

"Wanna bet?" Ron smirked. "I thought it was. But I could win again."

"You called that winning? I call it 'I was going to pull an awesome escape move it the mothers hadn't interrupted."

Ron snorted with laughter. "Keep telling yourself that, Mione."

"Crack!"

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly as she looked towards the source of the noise. "Ginny!"

"McGonagall gave us permission to leave for the weekend- to check on you. It's been a long week without the two of you" Harry replied in response to their unasked questions.

"I don't know about without Ron" Ginny mused. "I kind of liked not having him around." Then she walked towards the house saying "is mum in the mood for a surprise?"

Without waiting for an answer she opened the front door. Shrieks of surprise were heard a moment later. "Ginny!" they heard Molly and Arthur exclaim. "When did you get here?"

"Just now, with Harry" they heard her answer.

"Good to see you two again" Harry said, turning his attention back to Ron and Hermione.

"She did miss you, Ron- your sister. A little, tiny, tiny bit. Way, way down deep, somewhere."

"Yeah, whatever mate. I've lived with her for seventeen years. She didn't miss me."

"You're right. Trying to make you feel better. Because she really missed Hermione. I guess Lavender's been driving her mad in the dorm. How are your parents doing?"

"They're great!" Hermione answered. "Inside with Ron's parents as we speak, actually."

"They're here?" Harry asked, confused. "Why?"

"We don't have any family close to here. And since the house is gone, Ron's mum offered to let them stay with them."

"That's great!"

"Big load off of my shoulders" Hermione agreed. "How's school been? Someone," she paused to shoot a look at Ron "wouldn't give me my homework."

"I completely agreed with him on that by the way."

"Harry!"

"What?" Harry argued.

"I would shut it if I were you, mate. She took it a lot worse when I told her."

"Noted."

"Harry" Ginny called from the doorway. "Mum says to get into the kitchen and give her a proper hug before she gets the urge to hex you!"

"Coming, Ginny. I'll be back."

A moment later both Harry and Ginny came out of the house, the screen door slamming behind them.

"Well, now what?" Ron asked.

"Dunno" Harry replied. "Whatever we want."