Chapter 4

The next morning came earlier than anyone wanted it to, everyone had decided to camp out in the backyard once the bonfire had died down. Hermione was the first one awake, as usual, and

found herself sandwiched between the twins. George was sprawled out on his back just in front of her, and Fred to her surprise was spooned up behind her with an arm strewn over her waist. After carefully extracting herself from the mildly intimate position, she looked around at everyone else. A bit further away Ron and Luna were in a sleeping embrace, this wasn't too surprising as they had made it quite clear last night they were together. It made Hermione happy to see that they were so happy together, they just seemed to fit. On the other side of the small fire pit she saw that Ginny was in a similar position Hermione had woken up in with Bill and Charlie on either side. Hermione, being an only child, smiled at the picture of sibling love.

Hermione sat for a bit longer enjoying the quiet when she felt someone sit down beside her.

"Morning Mione, what are you doing up so early? I'm usually the first to wake," a deep voice to her left asked.

"Hey Bill, I'm always up this early, old habit I suppose," she said with a small smile.

"So, how are you? Nervous about this new mission?"

"A bit yes, but excited too. It feels good to be doing something, anything to help the fight you know?"

"Indeed."

"I suppose it's also nice to have a safe and pretty familiar thing as my first mission,"
Hermione stated rather matter-of-factly.

"As far as missions go this one seems on the tame side yes, however don't let yourself fall into a false sense of security, all missions have the possibility of danger you know. What do you mean by familiar?" Bill said absentmindedly rubbing the scars on his face.

"Just that I'll be in school. I am the resident bookworm remember, I'll fit right in. It's what I'm good at after all."

"Very true, but you're more than just a bookworm, Hermione. I know we haven't spent too much time together, but from what Fleur and Ginny, hell even Fred have all told me you have quite a bit going for you. Smart sure, but loyal and kind as well."

"I'm sorry what? What have Fleur and Fred been saying? Why have they even been talking about me? I sincerely doubt I rate very high on either of their lists of interesting conversation."

"Oh, you'd be surprised. Fleur was very impressed with the way you handled yourself with Rita Skeeter, she's said more than once that you showed pure class and a true fighter's spirit with the way everyone treated you. Not to mention she was a bit jealous that Krum asked you to the Yule ball and not her, just don't mention it to her. I don't think she fancied him so much, as just expected him to fancy her.

As for Fred, he's told me loads of stories. How you'd stay in the common room all night long, working on some project or another. Your spew club of course. I think his favorite story is the one where you helped him prank Umbridge," Bill said with a smile.

"Well, Umbridge was a nightmare, and all I did was make a few adjustments to his Arithmancy equations. He is rather brilliant isn't he? And it was S.P.E.W., I still maintain that house elves are treated very unfairly."

"Some of them are, true enough. Either way Freddie always had plenty to go on about when you came into conversation. You're more than just a brainy know-it-all," Bill told her with a wink.

Before Hermione could think of a reply, they heard Mrs. Weasley shout that breakfast was ready.

"We better wake this lot up, eh?" Bill bumped his shoulder into hers then stood up and offered her a hand.

"Uhm yes, yes of course." Hermione answered now deep in thought.

"Besides, don't forget I was head boy and look at how cool I am now." Bill told her as he walked over to start waking the rest up.

After breakfast Hermione, Bill, Fred and George all went to their rooms to finish any last minute packing. Bill and George brought their trunks downstairs while Fred headed back up to see if Hermione needed any help.

"Need a strapping young man to carry that down for you?" Fred asked as he walked through the open bedroom door.

"Oh, hey Fred, yes that would be lovely, so you think Bill would mind?" Hermione said without the slightest hint of a laugh.

"Cheeky little witch, you are. Wait, how do you do that? No one can tell us apart. You can every time." Fred asked.

"Oh that, well there is a 50/50 chance isn't there? Oh I don't know, you're slightly shorter than George, and you step lighter, not as loud when you're walking. Plus you have a scar just there, above your right eyebrow." Hermione was blushing slightly as she rambled on.

"Right, that is a fascinating story," Fred said picking up her trunk and motioned for her to lead the way as he told her about the explosion that caused the scar. Hermione was laughing by the time they reached the others.

"Right, well now that everyone is here we can head on out." Remus said. He flicked his wand at all the trunks sending them on ahead to the house.

After a very emotional goodbye with several bone crushing hugs from Molly and even more promises to stay safe and be careful, Remus' team aparated together to a modest 3 bedroom house.