Hey, you actually came back for a second helping! I'm so amazed. ^_^ I was
so happy, I checked back and I had 15 REVIEWS!!! WOOHOO! *head swells to
abnormally large proportions* I have something to say to all my reviewers:
I do know that Ron and Ginny aren't twins. Things just worked so much
better that way. Thanks for sending the gentle criticism my way! I'm not
flameproof, but I do want to know what everyone thinks. I'm going to start
using more British slang (I'm not British, but my sis has a dictionary of
it.) Should I put meanings in here, or will you survive without them? Let
me know, email or REVIEWS!!! I realized I made a mistake…it technically
should be Dr. Granger, not Mrs. Granger. I'll fix it in chapters to
come...Well, my muse is not being very helpful, and we've been having loads
of computer problems, and I had a research paper to write, so sorry if this
took awhile. Bri just needs to get her act together and maybe she can help
me get this thing off the ground!!
Bri: What-EVER!
Brig: How did I get stuck with a muse straight out of 'Clueless'?
Bri: You're just lucky, I guess.
Brig: *sarcastic* Yeah…REAL lucky…
Bri: *purposely ignores sarcasm, and changes the topic* The standard disclaimer applies. Brigadoonia does not own Harry Potter. Some rich, smart people do, however. Unless she can manage to win Sean Biggerstaff in a poker game or something, she owns NUTTIN. *wails in the background from the harsh reality of it all*
Brig: I don't even know HOW to play poker!
Bri: Oh brother...Let me guess. Somehow, this is my fault.
Brig: Yeah! Thanks to YOU, I'm going to need some serious counseling!
Bri: *muttering* I don't think that I'm the problem, but whatever you say, psycho.
Brig: I heard that! *strangles BridgeJillephant*
Bri: *choking* Can…we…PLEASE…get…on…with….the….story!!
Brig: Oh, uh, right.
******************************************************
"Oh Ron, I've loved you ever since our first year," the dark-haired girl cried.
"Oh Hermione, I've loved you since forever."
"C'mon, wake up. We need to go to Diagon Alley."
"But my love, if this is sleeping, I don't ever want to wake up. Don't you want to stay here, just the two of us, in this quiet, romantic little café where no one can disturb our happiness?"
"Wake up loverboy, or I'm leaving without you," Ginny spoke softly into Ron's ear.
"What?!" At the 'loverboy' comment, he sat straight up. How much had he said aloud?
"Oh, don't worry. I heard it all. How 'if this is sleeping, you don't ever want to wake up' and how you've loved Hermione 'since forever'. Oh don't worry, I already figured it out. I think Harry did too, but I'm not positive on that one. You've been acting different around her since fourth year. Now get up, or I'm leaving without you, just like I promised, sweetcheeks."
Ron just sat there, trying to figure out what happened. By the time he showered and dressed, he was no the wiser as to how his sister managed to figure the whole matter out. He decided to chalk one up to the mystery of women and drop the subject…for now, at least. He knew, however, that a certain sister and brother need to have a particular talk concerning a specific girl that happened to be going on a trip with the certain siblings, so that the certain sister would not mention anything that might…change the relationship of the specific girl and the certain brother. He went down stairs into the kitchen to grab a bit of toast before leaving.
"Gin, are you almost ready to- AH!" Ron yelled out in surprise as he whirled around. "Don't DO that!"
"Do what?" she said devilishly. "This?" she asked innocently and tickled his side again.
"YES, that, you prat."
"Don't get shirty, I'm just having a bit of fun. Now let's get going, or it'll be noontime before we get back."
"All right, let's g- oh, there's post. Mum! You've got a letter from Aunt Katherine!" he called to his mother out in the garden.
"Just set it on the table dear!" she called back. "My hands are filthy, I don't want to get it all dirty."
"OK. Gin and I are about ready to leave. We'll be back soon!"
"Have fun! Tell Ginny not to forget my things I asked her for last night, ok?"
"OK. Bye, mum!"
"Bye dear!"
"All right," Ron said, turning back to Ginny, "Let's get on then."
And so they went. Floo-powdering their way through the English fire- grates (Ginny passed her Apparition test the month before, but Ron hadn't, so he was retaking it the following morning), they finally arrived in Diagon Alley.
"Well, we're here," Ron said as he climbed out of the grate.
And here they were. Wizards, witches, and other magical folk bustled about the busy avenue. Signs advertising sales and new, improved products were displayed in shop windows. Window-shoppers gazed at the flashy items laid out for show. Bags of purchases hung on the arms of the active buyers.
"So, where to first?" Ron asked Ginny. She scanned the list, which had been magically organized by which shop it would be found in (Ginny had a knack for organization spells), and decided, "Let's go to Flourish and Blotts first, seeing as it's closest."
The twosome made their way through the crowds and entered the quaint building. A small bell announced their arrival to patrons and proprietors, the latter of which that looked up and smiled at the arrival. "Welcome, sir, miss," he said, nodding to Ron and Ginny respectively, "How may I help you?"
"Well, we'll need..."Ginny rattled off a list of things. Ron sighed. Why'd he agree to come with Ginny? This was going to be a long morning.
**2 hours later, at the sweet shop**
"So what d'ya think, Gin?"
"I don't know...trick candy can be fun, but that one looks dangerous." It wasn't that it was really dangerous, (she knew they wouldn't sell anything REALLY capable of harm) but she was afraid that Ron was planning to use it on her...
"They wouldn't sell it to kids if it weren't safe...er, relatively safe..." Ron protested.
"Well, ok, but only get a few in case they're disgusting or something."
"You know, now that I think about it, I never heard Ginny Weasley turn down a chance for a good joke..." Ron teased. He added, in mock horror, "And what would Fred and George think? All their fine training, wasted? If this got out, some people might think you're losing your touch." That was it. Ginny may have been concerned that Truth Toffees and Consequence Crisps might make her do or say something that she might later regret, but all was forgotten when her joke-playing ability was questioned.
"Excuuuuuuuuuse me? Did you just question my ability to prank, Mr. Weasley?"
"Actually, I did, Ms. Weasley. What _ever_ are you going to do about it?"
"Just you wait, Ronnie boy. Just you wait."
***Hermione's POV-at Diagon Alley, same day***
'Well, since most of my list is potion items, I may as well get them out of the way first,' Hermione thought as she wove in and out of the shoppers. She entered the potions ingredients shop and began to gather the items from her list. As she browsed the shelves, she heard the door open behind her and two seemingly familiar voices rung through the air.
"So when you going to tell her?"
"Tell who what?"
"Tell Hermione that- oh, Hermione! Hello, there!" Ginny laughed nervously.
"Hello. Yes Ron? You wanted to tell me something?" Hermione looked at Ron.
He turned beet red. "Uh...um...come around noon on the nineteenth, k?" He smiled apprehensively.
"Uh, sure," she said, eyeing him suspiciously. 'Why do I have the feeling that's not what Ginny wanted him to tell me?'
"So, you two here shopping for the trip?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Ron looked quite relieved that the subject was changed. "Yeah, getting some sweets and things, and picking up a few things for mum."
"Yeah, we would have been home earlier, but *somebody* took forever in the sweet shop," Ginny said with an accusing glance in Ron's direction.
"Well, who was wishy washy about the ones I picked?" Ron said and sent a return glance back in her direction.
Sensing sibling squabble #1,872, Hermione quickly said, "Well, if you two had been quicker, I never would have run into you today!"
"Some appreciate that more than others," Ginny said with a quick side- glance at Ron, who blushed profusely and glared in her direction.
"Any ways, where are you headed next?" Ron said, in an effort to calm his rouging cheeks.
"Well..." Hermione said as she looked down her list, "I still have to pick up a few things for Crookshanks, and I need a new robe. How about you?"
"Well, we need some broom care supplies from that broom store, because Ron thinks that he's going to be playing Quidditch while we're out and about, and I need to post a letter to Charlie, and we need some owl chow."
"Ok! After we're done here, we can go to the pet supplies place together, and the post office is right next to the robe shop," Hermione said.
"Ok," Ron and Ginny said in unison. They picked out, paid for their purchases, and strode out together.
***Later, at the Burrow (Ron and Ginny's house)***
"What was all that business about?" Ron said furiously as Ginny climbed from the grate. They had finished their shopping, and departed their separate ways.
"What business?" she asked, as she brushed the soot off of her clothing.
"'When are you going to tell her?' 'Some people appreciate that more that others'. Honestly, do you ENJOY torturing me? Oh wait, I already know you do, and with a-" A snowy owl swooped through the window. "-passion...Hey, Hedwig." Hedwig nipped at Ron's finger affectionately after he took the letter from the owl.
Ron read Harry's letter and, like Harry predicted, his best friend's ears colored at the Hermione comment. He read farther and said to Ginny, "Harry asked after you."
Her face flushed prettily. "Really?"
"Yeah. Should I tell him how cruel you've been to poor me?" he teased.
"No...Tell him I hope he's well and that I can't wait until the nineteenth- "
"-And that you love him to bits and would love more than anything to be his steady girlfriend-"
"Ron!" Ginny shrieked in frustration. Then a second later, she commented, "Maybe I should bring along a few of your baby photos. I'm sure Hermione would love seeing your one-year-old naked bum sitting in the back yard..."
Now it was Ron's turn to shriek. "Gin, you do and I swear I'll tell Harry-"
"Then I'll tell Hermione-"
"Tell Hermione what?" Mrs. Weasley came into the kitchen.
"Honestly, does every conversation I ever had that I might remotely consider private have to be walked in on or overheard?" Ron said angrily. "I'm going to go post back to Harry!" And with that, he stomped up the stairs to his room.
Mrs. Weasley and Ginny just looked at each other.
**Dursley household, nineteenth, 11:30 am**
[A/N: After forEVER, they finally get to go on their trip! Now for the fun stuff ^_^]
"Are you almost ready, Hedwig?" Harry asked excitedly. He didn't care that she couldn't respond. He was happy enough for the both of them! The day was finally here. He could escape the horrors of Dudley and his puerile pranks [A/N: SAT word of the day, eh? Props to you if you knew what puerile meant without looking it up!]
He looked around his small bedroom, checking for things he might have forgotten. As he inspected underneath the loose floorboard, he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," he called after quickly replacing the board. He couldn't let any of the Dursleys know his hiding spot, even if he was leaving 'home' (which wasn't really the appropriate word, but the best he could think of) as soon as he could.
The door creaked open, and there stood Dudley in all his massive glory. "I thought you'd have left by now."
"I'm just checking to see if I have everything, and then I'm leaving. You'll get rid of me soon, don't worry."
"Good. I'm getting sick of all your bloody racket, you and that stupid owl trouncing about like you own the place."
"I'll be gone within a quarter hour."
"Good riddance." And with that, Dudley spun (well, as well as he could) on his heels and waddled out.
"Didn't even bother to shut the door," Harry mumbled to himself as he got up and shut it himself. Now he could go back to checking.
Ten minutes later, he had finished looking over his room from top to bottom. He went downstairs to tell his aunt and uncle he was leaving, when dreaded words rung in his eardrums: "Oh Marge, I see you've come for a surprise visit."
'Oh no, they're going to make me stay and visit with her, and I won't make it to the Weasleys' on time!'
Slowly and quietly, he pulled out his wand and muttered a Silencing Spell on himself, enabling him to move silently about the house. He then ran up the stairs, into his room, undid the Silencing Spell, and performed a teleportation spell on his things, including Hedwig in her cage. He finally Apparated to the Weasleys, leaving Privet Drive behind in a blur.
**Granger household, nineteenth, 11:30**
"Mum, I can't find my shoes!" Hermione cried. She normally wasn't one to go frantic, but this was the day of the big trip, and she wanted everything to run perfectly. She packed last night, checked her room 5 times from top to bottom, and had been sitting on pins and needles all morning.
"They're right here, dear," Dr. Granger called calmly.
"Where's my-"
"Right here next to your shoes."
"Thanks," Hermione said as she tried to brush her hair and put on her shoes- at the same time.
"Why don't you try doing them one at a time?"
"Oh-good point."
After getting her shoes finally on the right feet and sans the hair care products, she asked, "How do I look?"
"Beautiful, my dear. Simply beautiful." Dr. Granger had a good point there, too. Her hair, which had calmed down over the years, hung down to the middle of her back in a simple French braid. Deep red robes, slightly fitted, hung nicely on her small frame. A small gold locket, adorned with the Hogwarts' crest, held inside two small, magical photos of 'the gang'; one in their first year, and one when they graduated. The necklace had been Ron's graduation gift to her, and she cherished it dearly. Her eyes sparkled in anticipation of the events over the course of the coming month and ½.
"Those boys' eyes will be popping out of their heads when they see you." Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly as she thought of a certain boy with rust-colored hair. 'If only he'd like me as more than a friend...'
Just then, Crookshanks came speeding through the room, after one invisible intruder or another. They laughed. "Crazy cat," Hermione muttered. "Well, I should be getting off to the Weasleys' now. Mr. Weasley said to..." She fished Ginny's response out of her pocket. "Transfigure or teleport Crookshanks and my trunk, and then Apparate. Easy enough. Crooookshanks, here kitty kitty," After a bit of coaxing and a couple of kitty treats, Crookshanks went into its carrier. She shut the cage door firmly, took out her wand and said, "Teleportrius Maximi". The large trunk and frightened feline were now on their way to the Weasley residence, where their owner would soon be joining them.
"Bye mum. I'll miss you terribly," Hermione said with a tear in her eye.
"Bye dear. Don't forget to write to your poor old parents once in awhile...and don't forget to brush and floss every day," Dr. Granger said emotionally.
"Yes mum," Hermione said. "I won't forget, I promise. Well, I'll see you later, I guess."
"Have fun dear. Stay safe, ok?"
"I will. Now, you're SURE Grandma and Grandpa won't be home when we Teleport the RV, right?"
"Are you going to do it at night, when no one can see, or while they're here for dinner? They're coming for dinner at 6, and they'll probably be gone by 8. If I were you, I'd get it at night. If they think something's not right, I'll tell them you got it while they were here and that they must not have noticed it missing from behind the garage when they came back. It'll be taken care of, honey."
"As long as we have a plan, I'm satisfied. Thank you so much mum!"
Dr. Granger looked surprised. "'Thank you'? For what?"
"For letting me go on this trip, for planning how I could get the RV out, for being such a great mother to me. I love you!"
"I love you too. Oh, look at the time! You should probably get going, I don't want your friends to worry about where you are."
"Yeah, Crookshanks and my things _have_ to be there by now," Hermione laughed. "Bye! See you in a month and ½!"
"Bye!"
With her mother's voice still lingering in her ears, Hermione Granger Apparated to the Burrow.
**At the Burrow, nineteenth, around noon**
"Where is Hermione? Her stuff came ten minutes ago. Why isn't she here?" Ron paced the room.
Harry laughed. "Stop worrying! She's probably just having some big emotional goodbye with her mum. She'll get here soon."
Ginny walked in. "Is he STILL worrying about Hermione? Honestly, he's like a mother hen." Harry and Ginny had a good laugh at Ron's expense, while he just glared at the two.
"Shove it, or I'll get out those candies we bought at Diagon Alley, eh Gin? Then we'll see who's laughing when your big secr-"
*pop* "Hey guys."
Harry walked over to Hermione and gave her a big hug. "Hey 'Mione, how's it been? Haven't seen you since graduation."
"I've been doing good, but I still can't believe we've graduated. How about you?"
"I'm surviving. Living with Dudley's no picnic, but hey, I've had 16 years of experience."
Ron came over and tapped Hermione on the shoulder. When she turned around, he said sadly, "Don't I get a hug?"
"Of course you do!" Hermione said and reached up (and up and up; Ron was quite tall while Hermione was a bit vertically challenged) to give her friend a big hug. "I don't know how it could be possible, but have you grown even taller since I've seen you last?"
His eyes twinkled. "I don't think I've grown, but could you have...shrunk?" he teased his petite pal.
"Hey! I didn't shrink! You're so MEAN!" Hermione shouted playfully. This was hers and Ron's game they played every time they got together.
They continued to mock-bicker until Harry said, "If you two are done flirting, can we go and eat some lunch?"
They turned bright red. "WE WEREN'T FLIRTING! WE WERE JUST J-"
"Yeah yeah, whatever you say lover-boy. Let's eat, I'm starving," Ginny said. They walked into the kitchen, but not before Ron smacked Ginny upside the head first.
"Hello Harry, Hermione. I've made some sandwiches, help yourselves," Mrs. Weasley said.
After they finished their food, they decided that they should probably take care of the mess that was Harry and Hermione's belongings.
"Harry, you're rooming with me tonight, and ''Mione, you're with Gin. OK?"
"Ok," said Harry.
"All right," said Hermione.
"Sounds good to me," chimed in Ginny.
"Let's go, then," said Harry. He and Hermione magicked their trunks and things to be feather light, and they carried them up to their respective rooms.
******************************************************
WHEW! I've been working on this since the day I posted my first chapter. I actually had this done since Saturday 1/5/02, but my computer with the internet had just gone in the shop that day! I'm not a very fast writer, I must warn you, so don't expect a new chapter like every other day or something. I'm just not that talented! Question: How do you get ff.net to keep the flavor-thingie you put it on? I had put it on one flavor, then I brought it up again, and it was a different flavor, and my sis didn't do it...just a little confused as to how that works. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me! I'll try very hard to get the next installment out as soon as I can, but no promises. Deal? Deal. I'd like to thank all my reviewers personally:
Katherine-I'm so happy you were my first reviewer! ^_^ Thank you for being supportive.
Emerald Rose- Thanks! Here's my next installment. I read some of your stories-they're awesome! Keep writing!
Courtney-I'm glad you think it's cute :)
Lin-I do know that they're not twins in the book. Thanks for taking the time to read it anyways!
Mrs. Ron Weasley- I'm glad you like my weird humor...Ron the Retard...sorry, I love Ron too but I couldn't resist! NEways, I know that if he were my brother I'd call him that.
MysticalBlueEyes- I'm happy you like it!
Circinius- delighted to know you think it's interesting.
RoseKimPotter- I earned a 'wow'?! Dang, didn't think it was THAT good!
Unknown Girl- Glad you 'likes' ^_^
Timeseeker- But...but...but...I luv Seany-poo! Can we do a joint-custody arrangement?...Let's make a deal...hehe
Jus1digigirl- I'm glad you like the couplings! My sis and I fight all the time about whether things should be H/H (her view) or H/R (my totally right not at all wrong views) Thanks for thinking it's good!
Soda Pop- I'm happy to hear you love it, but as previously mentioned (not meant in a rude way, though) I do know that they're not twins. My sick, twisted mind thought it'd be fun to play the Evil Author role, changing everything until it's so mussed up that no one knows what's going on...muhahahaha...uh, I mean...Moving right along...
Mrs. Silence DoGood- you're my sister but I still don't think you have the couplings right!!
Evelyn Granger- I'm hurrying! I'm hurrying! I just stink at writing. And my computer has serious issues.
Ladybuggy- Another wow! Guess this is better than I thought. To totally reiterate my overly-iterated point, (but not in a mean way) I know they're not twins! Okiedokers.
Thanks everyone! Hope you enjoyed the second installment of what will (hopefully) be a successful story!! Byez!
-Brigadoonia-
Bri: What-EVER!
Brig: How did I get stuck with a muse straight out of 'Clueless'?
Bri: You're just lucky, I guess.
Brig: *sarcastic* Yeah…REAL lucky…
Bri: *purposely ignores sarcasm, and changes the topic* The standard disclaimer applies. Brigadoonia does not own Harry Potter. Some rich, smart people do, however. Unless she can manage to win Sean Biggerstaff in a poker game or something, she owns NUTTIN. *wails in the background from the harsh reality of it all*
Brig: I don't even know HOW to play poker!
Bri: Oh brother...Let me guess. Somehow, this is my fault.
Brig: Yeah! Thanks to YOU, I'm going to need some serious counseling!
Bri: *muttering* I don't think that I'm the problem, but whatever you say, psycho.
Brig: I heard that! *strangles BridgeJillephant*
Bri: *choking* Can…we…PLEASE…get…on…with….the….story!!
Brig: Oh, uh, right.
******************************************************
"Oh Ron, I've loved you ever since our first year," the dark-haired girl cried.
"Oh Hermione, I've loved you since forever."
"C'mon, wake up. We need to go to Diagon Alley."
"But my love, if this is sleeping, I don't ever want to wake up. Don't you want to stay here, just the two of us, in this quiet, romantic little café where no one can disturb our happiness?"
"Wake up loverboy, or I'm leaving without you," Ginny spoke softly into Ron's ear.
"What?!" At the 'loverboy' comment, he sat straight up. How much had he said aloud?
"Oh, don't worry. I heard it all. How 'if this is sleeping, you don't ever want to wake up' and how you've loved Hermione 'since forever'. Oh don't worry, I already figured it out. I think Harry did too, but I'm not positive on that one. You've been acting different around her since fourth year. Now get up, or I'm leaving without you, just like I promised, sweetcheeks."
Ron just sat there, trying to figure out what happened. By the time he showered and dressed, he was no the wiser as to how his sister managed to figure the whole matter out. He decided to chalk one up to the mystery of women and drop the subject…for now, at least. He knew, however, that a certain sister and brother need to have a particular talk concerning a specific girl that happened to be going on a trip with the certain siblings, so that the certain sister would not mention anything that might…change the relationship of the specific girl and the certain brother. He went down stairs into the kitchen to grab a bit of toast before leaving.
"Gin, are you almost ready to- AH!" Ron yelled out in surprise as he whirled around. "Don't DO that!"
"Do what?" she said devilishly. "This?" she asked innocently and tickled his side again.
"YES, that, you prat."
"Don't get shirty, I'm just having a bit of fun. Now let's get going, or it'll be noontime before we get back."
"All right, let's g- oh, there's post. Mum! You've got a letter from Aunt Katherine!" he called to his mother out in the garden.
"Just set it on the table dear!" she called back. "My hands are filthy, I don't want to get it all dirty."
"OK. Gin and I are about ready to leave. We'll be back soon!"
"Have fun! Tell Ginny not to forget my things I asked her for last night, ok?"
"OK. Bye, mum!"
"Bye dear!"
"All right," Ron said, turning back to Ginny, "Let's get on then."
And so they went. Floo-powdering their way through the English fire- grates (Ginny passed her Apparition test the month before, but Ron hadn't, so he was retaking it the following morning), they finally arrived in Diagon Alley.
"Well, we're here," Ron said as he climbed out of the grate.
And here they were. Wizards, witches, and other magical folk bustled about the busy avenue. Signs advertising sales and new, improved products were displayed in shop windows. Window-shoppers gazed at the flashy items laid out for show. Bags of purchases hung on the arms of the active buyers.
"So, where to first?" Ron asked Ginny. She scanned the list, which had been magically organized by which shop it would be found in (Ginny had a knack for organization spells), and decided, "Let's go to Flourish and Blotts first, seeing as it's closest."
The twosome made their way through the crowds and entered the quaint building. A small bell announced their arrival to patrons and proprietors, the latter of which that looked up and smiled at the arrival. "Welcome, sir, miss," he said, nodding to Ron and Ginny respectively, "How may I help you?"
"Well, we'll need..."Ginny rattled off a list of things. Ron sighed. Why'd he agree to come with Ginny? This was going to be a long morning.
**2 hours later, at the sweet shop**
"So what d'ya think, Gin?"
"I don't know...trick candy can be fun, but that one looks dangerous." It wasn't that it was really dangerous, (she knew they wouldn't sell anything REALLY capable of harm) but she was afraid that Ron was planning to use it on her...
"They wouldn't sell it to kids if it weren't safe...er, relatively safe..." Ron protested.
"Well, ok, but only get a few in case they're disgusting or something."
"You know, now that I think about it, I never heard Ginny Weasley turn down a chance for a good joke..." Ron teased. He added, in mock horror, "And what would Fred and George think? All their fine training, wasted? If this got out, some people might think you're losing your touch." That was it. Ginny may have been concerned that Truth Toffees and Consequence Crisps might make her do or say something that she might later regret, but all was forgotten when her joke-playing ability was questioned.
"Excuuuuuuuuuse me? Did you just question my ability to prank, Mr. Weasley?"
"Actually, I did, Ms. Weasley. What _ever_ are you going to do about it?"
"Just you wait, Ronnie boy. Just you wait."
***Hermione's POV-at Diagon Alley, same day***
'Well, since most of my list is potion items, I may as well get them out of the way first,' Hermione thought as she wove in and out of the shoppers. She entered the potions ingredients shop and began to gather the items from her list. As she browsed the shelves, she heard the door open behind her and two seemingly familiar voices rung through the air.
"So when you going to tell her?"
"Tell who what?"
"Tell Hermione that- oh, Hermione! Hello, there!" Ginny laughed nervously.
"Hello. Yes Ron? You wanted to tell me something?" Hermione looked at Ron.
He turned beet red. "Uh...um...come around noon on the nineteenth, k?" He smiled apprehensively.
"Uh, sure," she said, eyeing him suspiciously. 'Why do I have the feeling that's not what Ginny wanted him to tell me?'
"So, you two here shopping for the trip?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Ron looked quite relieved that the subject was changed. "Yeah, getting some sweets and things, and picking up a few things for mum."
"Yeah, we would have been home earlier, but *somebody* took forever in the sweet shop," Ginny said with an accusing glance in Ron's direction.
"Well, who was wishy washy about the ones I picked?" Ron said and sent a return glance back in her direction.
Sensing sibling squabble #1,872, Hermione quickly said, "Well, if you two had been quicker, I never would have run into you today!"
"Some appreciate that more than others," Ginny said with a quick side- glance at Ron, who blushed profusely and glared in her direction.
"Any ways, where are you headed next?" Ron said, in an effort to calm his rouging cheeks.
"Well..." Hermione said as she looked down her list, "I still have to pick up a few things for Crookshanks, and I need a new robe. How about you?"
"Well, we need some broom care supplies from that broom store, because Ron thinks that he's going to be playing Quidditch while we're out and about, and I need to post a letter to Charlie, and we need some owl chow."
"Ok! After we're done here, we can go to the pet supplies place together, and the post office is right next to the robe shop," Hermione said.
"Ok," Ron and Ginny said in unison. They picked out, paid for their purchases, and strode out together.
***Later, at the Burrow (Ron and Ginny's house)***
"What was all that business about?" Ron said furiously as Ginny climbed from the grate. They had finished their shopping, and departed their separate ways.
"What business?" she asked, as she brushed the soot off of her clothing.
"'When are you going to tell her?' 'Some people appreciate that more that others'. Honestly, do you ENJOY torturing me? Oh wait, I already know you do, and with a-" A snowy owl swooped through the window. "-passion...Hey, Hedwig." Hedwig nipped at Ron's finger affectionately after he took the letter from the owl.
Ron read Harry's letter and, like Harry predicted, his best friend's ears colored at the Hermione comment. He read farther and said to Ginny, "Harry asked after you."
Her face flushed prettily. "Really?"
"Yeah. Should I tell him how cruel you've been to poor me?" he teased.
"No...Tell him I hope he's well and that I can't wait until the nineteenth- "
"-And that you love him to bits and would love more than anything to be his steady girlfriend-"
"Ron!" Ginny shrieked in frustration. Then a second later, she commented, "Maybe I should bring along a few of your baby photos. I'm sure Hermione would love seeing your one-year-old naked bum sitting in the back yard..."
Now it was Ron's turn to shriek. "Gin, you do and I swear I'll tell Harry-"
"Then I'll tell Hermione-"
"Tell Hermione what?" Mrs. Weasley came into the kitchen.
"Honestly, does every conversation I ever had that I might remotely consider private have to be walked in on or overheard?" Ron said angrily. "I'm going to go post back to Harry!" And with that, he stomped up the stairs to his room.
Mrs. Weasley and Ginny just looked at each other.
**Dursley household, nineteenth, 11:30 am**
[A/N: After forEVER, they finally get to go on their trip! Now for the fun stuff ^_^]
"Are you almost ready, Hedwig?" Harry asked excitedly. He didn't care that she couldn't respond. He was happy enough for the both of them! The day was finally here. He could escape the horrors of Dudley and his puerile pranks [A/N: SAT word of the day, eh? Props to you if you knew what puerile meant without looking it up!]
He looked around his small bedroom, checking for things he might have forgotten. As he inspected underneath the loose floorboard, he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," he called after quickly replacing the board. He couldn't let any of the Dursleys know his hiding spot, even if he was leaving 'home' (which wasn't really the appropriate word, but the best he could think of) as soon as he could.
The door creaked open, and there stood Dudley in all his massive glory. "I thought you'd have left by now."
"I'm just checking to see if I have everything, and then I'm leaving. You'll get rid of me soon, don't worry."
"Good. I'm getting sick of all your bloody racket, you and that stupid owl trouncing about like you own the place."
"I'll be gone within a quarter hour."
"Good riddance." And with that, Dudley spun (well, as well as he could) on his heels and waddled out.
"Didn't even bother to shut the door," Harry mumbled to himself as he got up and shut it himself. Now he could go back to checking.
Ten minutes later, he had finished looking over his room from top to bottom. He went downstairs to tell his aunt and uncle he was leaving, when dreaded words rung in his eardrums: "Oh Marge, I see you've come for a surprise visit."
'Oh no, they're going to make me stay and visit with her, and I won't make it to the Weasleys' on time!'
Slowly and quietly, he pulled out his wand and muttered a Silencing Spell on himself, enabling him to move silently about the house. He then ran up the stairs, into his room, undid the Silencing Spell, and performed a teleportation spell on his things, including Hedwig in her cage. He finally Apparated to the Weasleys, leaving Privet Drive behind in a blur.
**Granger household, nineteenth, 11:30**
"Mum, I can't find my shoes!" Hermione cried. She normally wasn't one to go frantic, but this was the day of the big trip, and she wanted everything to run perfectly. She packed last night, checked her room 5 times from top to bottom, and had been sitting on pins and needles all morning.
"They're right here, dear," Dr. Granger called calmly.
"Where's my-"
"Right here next to your shoes."
"Thanks," Hermione said as she tried to brush her hair and put on her shoes- at the same time.
"Why don't you try doing them one at a time?"
"Oh-good point."
After getting her shoes finally on the right feet and sans the hair care products, she asked, "How do I look?"
"Beautiful, my dear. Simply beautiful." Dr. Granger had a good point there, too. Her hair, which had calmed down over the years, hung down to the middle of her back in a simple French braid. Deep red robes, slightly fitted, hung nicely on her small frame. A small gold locket, adorned with the Hogwarts' crest, held inside two small, magical photos of 'the gang'; one in their first year, and one when they graduated. The necklace had been Ron's graduation gift to her, and she cherished it dearly. Her eyes sparkled in anticipation of the events over the course of the coming month and ½.
"Those boys' eyes will be popping out of their heads when they see you." Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly as she thought of a certain boy with rust-colored hair. 'If only he'd like me as more than a friend...'
Just then, Crookshanks came speeding through the room, after one invisible intruder or another. They laughed. "Crazy cat," Hermione muttered. "Well, I should be getting off to the Weasleys' now. Mr. Weasley said to..." She fished Ginny's response out of her pocket. "Transfigure or teleport Crookshanks and my trunk, and then Apparate. Easy enough. Crooookshanks, here kitty kitty," After a bit of coaxing and a couple of kitty treats, Crookshanks went into its carrier. She shut the cage door firmly, took out her wand and said, "Teleportrius Maximi". The large trunk and frightened feline were now on their way to the Weasley residence, where their owner would soon be joining them.
"Bye mum. I'll miss you terribly," Hermione said with a tear in her eye.
"Bye dear. Don't forget to write to your poor old parents once in awhile...and don't forget to brush and floss every day," Dr. Granger said emotionally.
"Yes mum," Hermione said. "I won't forget, I promise. Well, I'll see you later, I guess."
"Have fun dear. Stay safe, ok?"
"I will. Now, you're SURE Grandma and Grandpa won't be home when we Teleport the RV, right?"
"Are you going to do it at night, when no one can see, or while they're here for dinner? They're coming for dinner at 6, and they'll probably be gone by 8. If I were you, I'd get it at night. If they think something's not right, I'll tell them you got it while they were here and that they must not have noticed it missing from behind the garage when they came back. It'll be taken care of, honey."
"As long as we have a plan, I'm satisfied. Thank you so much mum!"
Dr. Granger looked surprised. "'Thank you'? For what?"
"For letting me go on this trip, for planning how I could get the RV out, for being such a great mother to me. I love you!"
"I love you too. Oh, look at the time! You should probably get going, I don't want your friends to worry about where you are."
"Yeah, Crookshanks and my things _have_ to be there by now," Hermione laughed. "Bye! See you in a month and ½!"
"Bye!"
With her mother's voice still lingering in her ears, Hermione Granger Apparated to the Burrow.
**At the Burrow, nineteenth, around noon**
"Where is Hermione? Her stuff came ten minutes ago. Why isn't she here?" Ron paced the room.
Harry laughed. "Stop worrying! She's probably just having some big emotional goodbye with her mum. She'll get here soon."
Ginny walked in. "Is he STILL worrying about Hermione? Honestly, he's like a mother hen." Harry and Ginny had a good laugh at Ron's expense, while he just glared at the two.
"Shove it, or I'll get out those candies we bought at Diagon Alley, eh Gin? Then we'll see who's laughing when your big secr-"
*pop* "Hey guys."
Harry walked over to Hermione and gave her a big hug. "Hey 'Mione, how's it been? Haven't seen you since graduation."
"I've been doing good, but I still can't believe we've graduated. How about you?"
"I'm surviving. Living with Dudley's no picnic, but hey, I've had 16 years of experience."
Ron came over and tapped Hermione on the shoulder. When she turned around, he said sadly, "Don't I get a hug?"
"Of course you do!" Hermione said and reached up (and up and up; Ron was quite tall while Hermione was a bit vertically challenged) to give her friend a big hug. "I don't know how it could be possible, but have you grown even taller since I've seen you last?"
His eyes twinkled. "I don't think I've grown, but could you have...shrunk?" he teased his petite pal.
"Hey! I didn't shrink! You're so MEAN!" Hermione shouted playfully. This was hers and Ron's game they played every time they got together.
They continued to mock-bicker until Harry said, "If you two are done flirting, can we go and eat some lunch?"
They turned bright red. "WE WEREN'T FLIRTING! WE WERE JUST J-"
"Yeah yeah, whatever you say lover-boy. Let's eat, I'm starving," Ginny said. They walked into the kitchen, but not before Ron smacked Ginny upside the head first.
"Hello Harry, Hermione. I've made some sandwiches, help yourselves," Mrs. Weasley said.
After they finished their food, they decided that they should probably take care of the mess that was Harry and Hermione's belongings.
"Harry, you're rooming with me tonight, and ''Mione, you're with Gin. OK?"
"Ok," said Harry.
"All right," said Hermione.
"Sounds good to me," chimed in Ginny.
"Let's go, then," said Harry. He and Hermione magicked their trunks and things to be feather light, and they carried them up to their respective rooms.
******************************************************
WHEW! I've been working on this since the day I posted my first chapter. I actually had this done since Saturday 1/5/02, but my computer with the internet had just gone in the shop that day! I'm not a very fast writer, I must warn you, so don't expect a new chapter like every other day or something. I'm just not that talented! Question: How do you get ff.net to keep the flavor-thingie you put it on? I had put it on one flavor, then I brought it up again, and it was a different flavor, and my sis didn't do it...just a little confused as to how that works. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me! I'll try very hard to get the next installment out as soon as I can, but no promises. Deal? Deal. I'd like to thank all my reviewers personally:
Katherine-I'm so happy you were my first reviewer! ^_^ Thank you for being supportive.
Emerald Rose- Thanks! Here's my next installment. I read some of your stories-they're awesome! Keep writing!
Courtney-I'm glad you think it's cute :)
Lin-I do know that they're not twins in the book. Thanks for taking the time to read it anyways!
Mrs. Ron Weasley- I'm glad you like my weird humor...Ron the Retard...sorry, I love Ron too but I couldn't resist! NEways, I know that if he were my brother I'd call him that.
MysticalBlueEyes- I'm happy you like it!
Circinius- delighted to know you think it's interesting.
RoseKimPotter- I earned a 'wow'?! Dang, didn't think it was THAT good!
Unknown Girl- Glad you 'likes' ^_^
Timeseeker- But...but...but...I luv Seany-poo! Can we do a joint-custody arrangement?...Let's make a deal...hehe
Jus1digigirl- I'm glad you like the couplings! My sis and I fight all the time about whether things should be H/H (her view) or H/R (my totally right not at all wrong views) Thanks for thinking it's good!
Soda Pop- I'm happy to hear you love it, but as previously mentioned (not meant in a rude way, though) I do know that they're not twins. My sick, twisted mind thought it'd be fun to play the Evil Author role, changing everything until it's so mussed up that no one knows what's going on...muhahahaha...uh, I mean...Moving right along...
Mrs. Silence DoGood- you're my sister but I still don't think you have the couplings right!!
Evelyn Granger- I'm hurrying! I'm hurrying! I just stink at writing. And my computer has serious issues.
Ladybuggy- Another wow! Guess this is better than I thought. To totally reiterate my overly-iterated point, (but not in a mean way) I know they're not twins! Okiedokers.
Thanks everyone! Hope you enjoyed the second installment of what will (hopefully) be a successful story!! Byez!
-Brigadoonia-