Well, here's the next chapter, all ready for you to read. I could possibly get these out quicker if I had a beta-reader…so if anyone offers, trust me, I'll jump at the chance! Oh, like someone requested, this is longer. Thanks for all your wonderful reviews!

Ron paced up and down his room, running his fingers through his hair, so it looked very much like Harry's. He was unable to sleep. Hermione and Harry were coming to the Burrow the next day.

"She's your best friend, Ron. You shouldn't feel nervous about her," he told himself. He stopped at his window, and opened it. He welcomed the fresh breeze that cooled the stifling room. It was nights like these he needed Charlie to give him a pep talk. He sighed. He was able to control his grief now, but this heart ached every time he thought of Charlie. He turned at a knock on his door.

"Ron?" a muffled voice inquired. He recognized it as Ginny's.

"Come in," he called in the direction of the door. He heard the door creak open, and then footsteps making their way over to him.

"Are you all right? I heard noises coming from your room." She leaned next to him on the windowsill.

"I miss Charlie," he responded. Standing next to Ginny in the middle of the night brought back memories of times they could talk to each other…but that was all before Hogwarts.

"Me too," she replied, in a funny sounding voice. He turned to look at her, hoping she wasn't crying. Instead, she looked rather like she was on the verge of telling him something, reminding him of his second year. He shivered. He hoped it wasn't something like that again.

"What's up?" he asked, concerned.

She looked down and mumbled. "I can't tell you, Ron, at least, not now."

He sighed and turned away. "Fine." He looked out the window.

"Excited for Harry to come over?"

"I suppose."

"That doesn't sound like excitement. What's wrong?"

"I don't feel like telling you right now." Ron wasn't sure if he said that out of spite or truth, but either way he kept his mouth shut.

He heard her sigh. "Ron…"

"Sorry, Gin, I just don't feel like talking right now."

"Okay, Ron, I'll leave. But I just want to let you know that Charlie is happy."

He looked at her again. "How do you know?"

"Just trust me." She walked toward the door and slipped out.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry stood at the foot of the stairs. The Weasleys would be coming to pick him up anytime now. He checked his watch, a gift from Remus, and looked up when he heard someone walking in.

"So, you're all ready to go, I suppose."

Harry nodded, not sure what to say.

"Well, I hope you have a good time there," she replied, starting to turn around.

"Parvati, wait." She stopped.

"Yes?"

Harry looked down and started to shuffle his feet. "You've faced down dragons before," he told himself, "this can't possibly be harder." Out loud, he said, "I just wanted to let you know that, er, well, that is, I had a fun time with you." He thought over what he had just said, and added hastily, "And Sirius, Remus, and Bella, of course."

Parvati smiled. "Thanks, Harry. You were pretty fun too."

He grinned back at her. At that moment, Sirius walked into the foyer, Remus and Bella accompanying him. Bella swooped down on Harry and hugged him.

"It's been so lovely having you here. You remind me so much of your parents, and if they were here, I know they'd be very proud of you. Do come and stay again." She stepped back, and Harry thought her eyes looked suspiciously bright.

"Thanks for letting me stay here," he replied, remembering his manners. "I had a wonderful time."

It was Remus's turn next. "Harry, it was great to see you again. Sirius and Bella will be coming back to stay with me at Lupin Lodge, so if you want to get into contact with any of us, you know where we are." He shook Harry's hand.

"Thanks, Professor Lupin. And thanks for telling me all those stories about my dad and mum. They were hilarious."

The two adults stepped back and let Sirius come forward. He and Harry just looked at each other, unsure of what to say, until Remus nudged Sirius.

At Remus's cue, Sirius stepped forward and wrapped Harry in a fierce hug. Harry returned the hug gladly. Sirius stepped back and put his hands on Harry's shoulders. "Be safe. Write to me no matter what happens, at least once every week. That way, I'll know you're all right."

Harry nodded. "Okay, Sirius."

Suddenly Sirius grinned and leaned to whisper in Harry's ear. "She's a nice girl. Collect your courage and go for it." He stood up and his grin grew wider at Harry's face.

Just then, the doorbell rang, and Bella opened the door. Harry was greeted by the sight of Ron, who looked almost the exactly the same as usual. Harry couldn't place what it was.

"Hullo, Harry. I have a Portkey with me to whisk you and me back to the Burrow, so whenever you're ready…"

Harry suddenly realized Ron wasn't smiling his usual wide grin. Bella must've noticed as well, for she said, "Ron, dear, come in a moment. There are people here who I'm sure would be glad to see you." She ushered him in.

Ron's jaw dropped at the sight of Professor Lupin and Sirius. "Professor! Sirius!"

They both grinned. "Hello, Ron," Remus replied. "How have you been?"

Ron grimaced. "Not so good."

"Remus, don't be such a dolt!" Sirius chided. He turned to Ron. "So, how's Hermione then?"

Ron blushed, but smiled a little bit. "My dad's picking her up as we speak. As far as I know, she's doing fine."

"Attaboy, Ron! Time to turn on the Weasley charm, then, eh? I'm sure she'll fall like a sack of beans!"

"Sirius! You're embarrassing him!" Remus whispered loudly.

"Remus, I know what I'm doing."

"No, you don't, Padfoot."

"Yes I do, Moony."

"Don't."

"Do."

"I am not going to get into a childish argument with an egotistical dog!"

Ron finally broke down and laughed, and it felt great. "You guys really are too much!"

Bella smiled. "You should've seen them at Hogwarts."

Ron smiled back, and Harry let out a sigh of relief. Obviously, the worst of the grief had gone. "Well, mate, all ready to go then?" he asked Harry.

Harry nodded. He turned to the adults and waved. They returned the wave, and Harry started to walk out of the door with Ron when he heard Sirius say, "Haven't you forgotten someone?"

"Oops," thought Harry. He turned around and waved at Parvati also. "Bye then," he said.

The next moment, he felt someone throw their arms around him. "I'll see you at Hogwarts, Harry," Parvati whispered.

Harry blushed as he saw Sirius wink over Parvati's shoulder. He patted Parvati's arm awkwardly. "Definitely," he whispered back.

He heard Ron clear his throat and reluctantly stepped away from Parvati. "Bye."

Parvati started to step away, seemed to change her mind and walked forward again. She went up on her tiptoes and kissed Harry on his cheek, ran back inside, closing the door behind her. Harry stood there shocked, absentmindedly rubbing his hand over the spot Parvati had just kissed.

"Harry?" he heard Ron say. Harry turned around and saw his freckle-faced friend grinning.

"Shut up," he said. "Now, where's the Portkey?"

Ron pulled out a tennis ball, and both he and Harry touched it. Harry felt the tug at his navel, and before he could blink, he was at the Burrow. Shaking his head to clear it, he looked around the homey kitchen. He felt as if he was truly home. "Though Bella's house really wasn't that bad," he told himself, thinking about a certain dark-haired witch.

Ron looked around, trying to figure out if Hermione was there yet. "She should be home by now," he said aloud.

"Looking for Hermione?" Harry asked.

Ron wanted to wipe the cheeky grin off Harry's face. "Yes."

"Well, Ron, it's about time."

Ron blushed to the tips of his ears. Just then, he heard noises from the family room. He ran through the doorway, Harry in his footsteps.

Tumbling out of the fireplace was Hermione. Ron immediately ran over to her and helped her up. Hermione seemed surprised at the gesture, but didn't say anything.

"Hi, Hermione," Harry said, smiling at her. Her face had changed in just the short month that he hadn't seen her, and it made her look more older and prettier, though her hair still was as bushy as ever.

"Harry!" Hermione left Ron's side and hugged her. Harry was suddenly reminded of how she had said farewell to him at King Cross, and put his hand up to his cheek again.

There was a slight diversion in the form of Ron's father who Apparated right next to Ron with a small pop.

"Hello, Harry," he said enthusiastically, pumping Harry's hand up and down.

"Hi, Mr. Weasley."

"Dad, is that you?" a voice called. Harry recognized it as Ginny's and heard her running down the stairs. He saw her come into the family room, red hair all askew, and she spotted him too.

"Hi, Harry!" she said, giving him a little wave, without the slightest hint of a blush.

Harry smiled back at her. It seemed as if she was coping very well with Charlie's death.

"Dad, do you think we could go to Diagon Alley earlier this year?"

"I don't see why not, Ginny. Is there any particular time you have in mind? And don't forget, we have to get your list of school supplies as well."

Ginny looked thoughtful. "I'll let you know once we get our lists." She turned around slowly and went up the stairs again. Harry looked at Ron, who shrugged.

"Harry? Hermione?" Mrs. Weasley came bustling in, gathering Harry and Hermione in together and giving them a bone-crushing hug. "What have you two been eating all summer? You look starved!" She ushered them back into the kitchen and began preparing something noisily. Harry smiled to himself. This summer wasn't turning out to be bad at all.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco was in a quandary. He was stuck, and at a loss as to what to do. He wished he had been taught to better deal with these situations.

"Come on Malfoy, I haven't got all day."

"Yeah, just until whenever Voldemort drops dead," Draco muttered to himself. He sighed. He moved his rook two spaces to the right.

Charlie laughed devilishly. He moved his bishop one space. He really was getting better at handling objects. "Checkmate," he announced proudly.

Draco cursed. "I was never any good at chess anyhow," he replied, putting away the game.

"Excuses, excuses."

"Shut up, Weasley." Draco stretched and walked over to his bed. "So, tell me about this sister of yours anyhow," he said, yawning.

Charlie chuckled. "What, do you want her life story?"

"No, the point is to stay awake," Draco retorted.

Charlie attempted to swat at him. "Well, let's see, Ginny…"

"Is that her real name?" Draco interrupted.

"No. Her real name's Virginia. But I can't remember the last time anyone's ever called her that."

"Of course. You Weasleys couldn't recognize class if it danced around naked to the Weird Sisters."

"Malfoy, do you or do you not want to hear more about Ginny?"

"Fine. Go ahead. Tell me more about Virginia."

Charlie sat down in an armchair and closed his eyes. "She's really one of a kind," he said, more to himself than Draco. "She's the kind of girl who won't let anything get in her way once she's got her heart set on something. She's really got a temper too, and a very sharp tongue, and it's the funniest thing to hear her yelling at someone. She's very…."

"Feisty?"

Charlie laughed. "I guess you could call her that. She's also very loyal. She forms attachments to people, and won't let go."

"Like Potter."

"Malfoy, I'm warning you…"

"It's true, isn't it?"

"She's fourteen, Draco. I highly doubt she'd still have a childish crush."

"All right. Is she good-looking?"

Charlie snorted. "See for yourself, Malfoy. And besides, she's a Weasley, so why do you care?"

Draco shrugged. "Keep going, then."

"Okay…let me think…"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I'm telling you, Lucius, he's talking to somebody." She pleaded with her eyes for her husband to listen to her.

"There's no one to talk to, Narcissa! He's all alone in this house." Lucius pushed his white-blond hair out of his eyes.

"Maybe he's going crazy," Narcissa said, worriedly.

Lucius looked up. She had caught his attention with that one. "Crazy? My son is crazy?" His voice was low and dangerous.

"Well, you know, there has been a history of madness in our family tree," Narcissa said softly, afraid of Lucius's response.

Lucius looked as if he was about to say something, but thought better of it. "Draco is not crazy. He's probably communicating with someone through his fireplace. Pansy, for all we know."

Narcissa sighed in relief. "Well, if that's it, then…"

"It is," Lucius said firmly. Narcissa decided not to argue anymore. If Draco was talking to someone, that was fine. But why did it have to be Pansy?

That's it! Once again, thanks to sam I am(I rather like a ghost Charlie too), Stargazer(Thanks! One of my main problems is trying to keep Draco and Lucius in character), seekerpeeker(Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong…but I thought it said in GoF that Charlie was short and stocky like the twins, and Bill's cool too!), josephine(Here's a much longer chapter just for you!), PotionsMasterPrincess(I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry!), Satan's Little Princess(Soon enough?), Kio(I'm blushing! Thank you!).