33. The Leaky Cauldron
**Hermione's POV**
It was the end of Summer and I was staying with the Weasleys at the Leaky Cauldron. I just came back from France and Fred has sent the Daily Prophet of his family in Egypt. I looked so different from last year. My hair is less bushy and I got a little taller. I couldn't wait to see Fred though. I wonder how he has changed.
When I got to the Leaky Cauldron I found Fred and George placing a few pranks in the hallway.
"You do know that the more you do that, the more you get your mum upset, right?" I asked sarcastically.
"Don't worry 'Mione. She can deal with us" Fred said without turning around.
"Wait, what?" Fred said as he turned around. He got taller as well and his hair got a little longer.
" 'Mione!" He screamed and ran up to hug me.
"Ya. Now you hug me" I said jokingly.
"Sorry 'Mione."
He put me down and George hugged me "Hey Hermione."
"Hi. You both look fantastic!"
"Same as yourself! So, how was France?" Fred asked.
"It was brilliant! And how was Egypt? I was so jealous when you told me" I said pouting.
"It was great-" George started.
"We tried to lock Percy in one of the tombs-" Fred continued.
"But Mum caught us, sadly."
"Well that's what you get for trying to lock Percy in the tombs" I said in a singing voice.
**Fred's POV**
Man, 'Mione looks fantastic! I missed her so much. She got prettier, too. Why can't George stop bugging me on asking her out? Even though I want to, she wouldn't say yes. Ginny says so because she sees right through us, but I think she is lying.
"So George, how's Angelina?" 'Mione asked.
"Blimey! I have to write to her! Thanks Hermione. I'll see you guys downstairs in a few minutes" George said running to our room.
"Well I guess that leaves us" I said nervously.
"Ya" 'Mione said with a little blush on her cheeks. She looks so cute when she blushes.
"What kind of person am I? I haven't shown you your room! Usually Tom does it, but the first time we met him, Ron shrieked.
She giggled and I took her things and led her to the hallway of her room.
"Gin is right next door if you need anything, George and I are right around the corner" I said, opening her room.
"Thanks Fred," Mione said, carrying her stuff next to the bed and stepping out of the room.
"Let's go to dinner, shall we?" She asked with a smile.
"Yes malady, we shall" I said, holding out my arm for her to take.
After a few seconds of walking, I got really bored and grabbed 'Mione's hand and started spinning her around.
"Fred, what are you doing?" She asked with a laugh.
"Well 'Mione. If you must know, I got really bored and started spinning you" I said with a smirk.
"Are you trying to get me dizzy?" she asked me, raising her eyebrow.
"Don't worry 'Mione. We're already at the dinner table."
"Hermione! Oh how wonderful to see you" Mum said giving her a hug.
"Hi Mrs. Weasley. It's great to see you as well" 'Mione said returning the hug and looking at me while I gave her a thumbs up.
"Fred, dear. Go get your brothers, sister, and you're father now" Mum said to me while I left.
I ran into Ron and said "Hey Ron. Mum says it's time for dinner. 'Mione is here as well."
"Oh brilliant! Scabbers! No!" He said chasing after his pet rat.
"Bloody hell Ron, Just forget about the damn thing!" I muttered to myself and went to get the others.
**Hermione's POV**
"Crookshanks! Stop chasing Ronald's rat!" I said trying to chase my ginger cat.
"Hermione! Keep that filthy cat away from Scabbers!" Ron said coming in and picking up Scabbers while I picked up Crookshanks.
"Harry!" Ron said looking behind my shoulder.
"Harry. We better hurry, dinner is about to start" I said going to the dinner table. I sat down with Crookshanks on my lap and waited for everyone else with Ron, Harry, and Mrs. Weasley. Ron was just showing Harry the Daily Prophet that Fred sent me when he was in Egypt, when George came in saying "Not flash clipping about that again Ron?"
"I haven't shown anyone!" he said while George took the paper.
"No not a soul" Fred said coming in.
"Not unless you count Tom-"
"The day maid-" Fred said.
"The night maid-"
"The cook-"
"That wizard that came to fix the toilet-" George said.
"And that wizard from Belgium" Freed finished while taking a seat next to me as I laughed.
**Fred's POV**
Still can't get that laugh out of my mind!
"Ginny!" 'Mione said hugging her best friend
"Hermione!" Ginny said with a bright smile.
"Oh you look great Gin!"
"Same with you 'Mione," Ginny said, winking at me.
Harry went to talk to Dad after he greeted Mum and we all ate until it was time to sleep.
"I'll meet you in the room in a sec" I said to George.
"Would you like to walk you to your room 'Mione?" I asked her.
"Oh please" she said carrying her cat. I walked her down the hall and we stopped at the front of her door.
"Well thank you, Fred. Goodnight" she said kissing me on the cheek and closing her door.
"Goodnight" I whimpered.
That 'Mione really is something. I walked back to my room and fell asleep really quickly.
