A/N: Just a warning, this chapter will seem really unimportant, but it will set up a few things for the later chapters. I hope!
Disclaimer: Ms. Rowling has the greatest honour and rights to be able to say that this is all hers. How I wish I could eventually say something like that. she ponders the possibilities…
A/N: Enjoy!
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BOOM!!
"FRED AND GEORGE!" Mrs. Weasley bellowed up the stairs, "You better not be doing some more of your Weasley Wizards Wheezes inventions in your room! If I catch you…and if you do badly on your N.E.W.Ts, so help me!"
Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Harry looked at each other and clamped their mouths to keep from laughing out loud. It was late in the day and the four of them were just relaxing in the living room.
Ron and Harry turned to continue with their conversation of the Chudley Cannons, while Hermione looked down to continue reading her book and Ginny was glancing through the Daily Prophet. Mrs. Weasley popped her head in the doorway and looked at the four of them.
"We will be going to Diagon Alley early in the morning to pick up any school supplies you need. Make sure you go to bed early tonight because we'll have a long day tomorrow."
Apparently satisfied with the nods and affirmations from the four, she headed up the stairs with a determined look on her face to tell the twins.
"Poor Fred and George," Harry said laughingly, "I hope they clean up before your Mum gets to their room."
Ron, cocking his head up towards the stairs, "Well, I can't hear Mum yelling or see any of their creations being thrown out of their room, so I think they managed."
Ginny and Hermione looked at each other and shook their heads knowingly and went back to reading their own material.
"Hey, there's an article here about Hogwarts!" Ginny exclaimed. Seeing their curiosity pique, she continued to give a summary of the article
"Hogwarts is accepting new students! They have an interview with Dumbledore and he says that because of the troubled times – "
"Huh! They probably had to cut out that You-Know-Who had returned because Fudge still doesn't want anyone to know!" interrupted Ron.
"- they will accept students from other schools who wish to learn in a 'safer' environment," continued Ginny.
Hermione looked at Harry and Ron, and shrugged.
"It would be interesting to learn about them and how they were taught in their school. We rarely got a chance to talk to them last year," Hermione mused.
"As long as they don't try out for Gryffindor's Quidditch team!" Ron retorted.
Ginny was shocked, "Ron! Everyone can try out, now that we can finally fill in the Keeper position."
"Well, as long as they don't cheat," muttered Ron.
Scanning the paper Ginny said, "Oh, well who knows if this is true or not. The article here is written by that Skeeter woman."
Hermione rolled her eyes with that news and resumed studying the potion that would give people nightmares about the thing they scared the most, drowning out the noise of Wronksi Feints.
~***~
"Girls, it's time to get up. Breakfast is ready, so hurry downstairs. We'll be leaving in an hour," Mrs. Weasley said to the groaning girls at 7 in the morning.
Both Ginny and Hermione opened one eye to peer groggily at her.
"mmm, okay Mrs. Weasley," Hermione managed to say.
Both sighed with relief when the door closed and they could hear her move to Ron and Harry's room.
Ginny turned to Hermione with an impish grin on her face, "Do you think we could get away with another 15 minutes of sleep?"
Laughing in reply, "Not a chance Gin. Don't you remember what your mum did to get us up before heading to the World Quidditch Cup when we tried falling asleep again?" Hermione asked
Both shuddered at the memory. Mrs. Weasley pulled the blankets off both their beds, which they were still in, opened up the curtains. To add injury to the matter, she conjured up a pitcher of water and threatened to pour it on them if they didn't get dressed.
"Yeah, you're right. Besides, maybe we can get the hot water before the boys this time!"
And with they both managed to rush into the washrooms before anyone else.
~***~
Hermione and Ginny were sitting at the kitchen table happily eating the french toast and fruit that Mrs. Weasley prepared when Ron and Harry came in and sat in their chairs.
Well, Harry sat in his chair, Ron just flopped into it.
"Why Ron, whatever is the matter?" Hermione asked innocently.
"Don't start me with Hermione." He looked at Ginny, "And you too Ginny. Did you two have to take the entire supply of hot water in the whole house?!"
Mrs. Weasley came by to their table, "Now Ron. Don't blame the girls. I warned you to go to bed early last night, so it's entirely your fault for not being able to get up early. But here, have some breakfast and maybe that will warm you up." She placed a stack of french toast in front of him and he went at it ravenously as if he hadn't eaten in a week.
Ginny and Hermione watched him stuff his food I amazement. They didn't even know it was possible to eat that much that fast.
Ron looked up after awhile, "What?" causing little bit of french toast and syrup to spew across the table.
"Eeeww! Ron!" both girls managed.
Ron tried to say sorry, but the look of disgust on their faces was too much and he started to laugh. It didn't last too long; he began to cough (and spat out more food) because he started to choke on his food. Harry had to leap up and pound Ron on his back a few times before everything was back in control.
Hermione turned up her nose, "Serves you right Ron. You know better than to talk with your mouth full."
Ron, in return, made a face at her, and went back to his food with relish.
Mrs. Weasley came bustling by, wiping her hands on her apron. "Children, hurry up! We'll be leaving in 5 minutes, and I want to see you all by the fireplace otherwise you will be left behind and you can use your old books for all I care."
George leaned over to Harry and Hermione, "She says that every year without it ever happening."
"I heard that George Weasley. And you can count on it that if you aren't ready in 5 minutes, you will be left behind mister!" Mrs. Weasley yelled.
~***~
Hermione's feet landed heavily and she leaned forward, arms flying in a windmill motion to keep her balance.
"Gotcha!" Ron and Harry leaned forward to steady her and helped her out of the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron.
"Let's get you out of here before Ginny comes through," suggested Harry.
Hermione glanced around the place. There was Tom serving drinks to his customers, some gone a little too far in her opinion. There was even one black-haired man sleeping with his hand clasped around his glass, and his head on the table! She shook her head and glanced at her watch. It wasn't even 9 am! She was trying to determine whether or not he started drinking in the morning or if he was still sleeping from the drinks he had the night before, when finally Mrs. Weasley was floo'd in.
Mrs. Weasley dusted herself off briskly, "We should go to Gringott's first and then we can split up there. Let's meet back here at 12 o'clock."
~***~
Hermione walked in Diagon Alley with Harry on her right and Ron on her left. Even though this was her fifth time coming here, she still was slightly amazed by the sights that greeted her. She wanted to bring Cookshanks with her today, but decided he'd be in too much of a frenzy and she might lose him in the crowds. Besides, he was probably having fun chasing the garden gnomes in the Burrow's gardens.
She turned to her two best friends, "Let's go to Flourish and Blotts first and grab our books."
The two boys groaned. "Gosh Hermione, there are so many things here to look at. Why start with books of all things?" said an exasperated Ron.
She shot him an annoyed look, "Because they're the most important things. How else are we going to study for our O.W.L.s?"
"They're also the heaviest things. Why not buy them last. You know, 'save the best for last', kind of thing," reasoned Ron.
Harry chuckled, "Are you agreeing with Hermione that your textbooks are the most important things you're going to buy today!"
Ron's face started to slowly flush, "Well, you know what I mean…" He glanced at Hermione's growing irritated expression, "Oh, all right. Let's get our bloody textbooks," he grumbled.
Hermione shot him a triumphant look and led the way. It turned out that they didn't have to stay very long, the manager had organised a section all for Hogwarts students, and the books were classified by year as well. Consequently, they ran into quite a number of friends in their year all buying books, such as the Patil twins. Parvati talked to Ron and Hermione, while Padma continued looking for her books (she is in Ravenclaw after all). Ron was more than happy to not have to talk to Padma since the Yule Ball last year, and she most likely felt the same way.
Due to mainly Harry's and Ron's insistence, they stopped at Quality Quidditch Supplies to look at every new invention and creation in detail and have extended discussions about them all. Hermione was relieved to see Dean and Seamus there and hoped she could talk to them about anything but Quidditch. However, after a few common pleasantries, they left her and joined Ron and Harry about the true value of a special case of Quidditch balls.
Rolling her eyes, she announced to her best friends that she was hungry. If she knew anything about her friends, it was that they were always ready to discuss Quidditch and food. Since they were going to be eating lunch at the Burrow, they stopped at Florean Fortescue's for some ice cream and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron to meet up with the rest of the Weasleys and go home.
~***~
They were packing up all their things, as they would be leaving for Hogwarts the next day. Hermione, being the most efficient of all three, was done long before Ron and Harry were even close. Mrs. Weasley seemed to be almost in a fit at the state her children's trunks were at, and Hermione, wanting to get away, had joined the boys in their room.
"Really Ron, if you actually fold your clothes instead of stuffing them in the trunk, you'd save a lot of space, and they wouldn't be so wrinkled when you have to unpack," Hermione said trying to be helpful.
Ron looked up at her in the middle of him muttering to himself, "It's fine Hermione. It'll fit. It always does."
"Yes but, it's not the best way of doing it you know. I could help you," Hermione replied getting ready to move towards Ron's books and clothes. Before he could stop her, Fred and George came in.
"Hey guys. Ready for tomorrow yet?" Fred asked.
"Nope, but are you guys?" asked Ron incredulously. The twins were always the last one to be ready. They were always trying to stuff dung bombs in any space they could find.
George laughed, "Nah, but, we realised we hadn't given you this yet."
Hermione noticed Fred had his arms behind his back, and also noticed that Ron put his arms behind his back and quickly shook his head.
"No way George. I'm not accepting anything from you guys. What's it going to do? Blow up in my face? Cause it to sing "Mary had a little broom" all day?" Ron said emphatically.
"Hey, those are some good ideas!" Fred, but seeing Ron's expression continued, "Stop worrying Ronniekins. Here just take it." Fred handed him a brown paper wrapped parcel.
"No joke involved. Honest." George added. He then turned to Fred, "I can't believe I just said that out loud!"
Ron slowly opened it up with all of them looking on. He pulled it out and his face broke out in a grin.
"Hey thanks guys!" His face formed a dreamy expression and ran to his trunk and pulled out his old maroon dress robes and promptly rolled it into a ball and threw it across the room to a corner. And picked up his gift again almost reverently. Fred and George had given him a nice set of deep royal blue robes.
"Angelina and Alicia thought it would look good with your eye colour or something like that," explained George.
Hermione smiled. As much as she didn't care about looks, hers or her friends, she had to admit that Ron's old maroon dress robes looked horrid on him.
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A/N: A very long chapter. Be happy. If not, well, you can review and tell me all about it ;-) I know these characters haven't done anything momentous here, but it'll come soon. Promise.
You know the routine:
Omega: Thanks for your review. I hope you're happy with this one too!
Rally-as-Twiddle's: I figured, she's a Gryffindor girl. She's brave. She can put a stop to Ron's whining if anyone can, right?
HermioneM: He will get jealous very soon. Very soon. I find him a lot more fun to write when he is jealous, although, I don't think I could ever date him when he gets in these moods!! ;-)
Weasley-Gurl: Couldn't you just imagine Ron doing that though? I've seen 'protective' friends and the things they come up with…shakes her head - half in disgust, half in pure laughter
Kat097: 3 minutes? Sorry you had to wait 2 days! Last week was bad for school, so sorry I couldn't upload this before. And, I caught a cold during it too! Still have it actually sniffles
MusicalRose: You like PERCY?! Ewww! Lol! What are you going to do if he goes and follows Voldey? You never know. He could, he was devoted to Crouch (and Fudge?) after all. I couldn't help but add the PJs bit. I just visioned him in too small – too old bright orange PJs that he'd be so embarrassed about, but still loved.
Madison: Yeah, Mrs. Weasley caused me great consternation ha, me sound so adult-like with these big words and all. Lol! I just hated that scene where Hermione got a chicken egg sized package of fudge while the boys got dragon eggs. I couldn't bear to put her through that again!
The Wandering Blue Andalite: Well, even though you don't ask for it, I'll say it again, thanks for reviewing! I think every author it still sounds funny when I call myself that!! appreciates it. If people don't review, we have no clue as to how we're doing, right?
Akane Tendo: Wow, you just caught this. As I was typing these comments to everyone, I noticed that yours popped up in the middle somewhere. I got an 'A' for my story?? Ms Jones, take that! (she was my highschool english teacher – never liked her. Probably because I was such a science student!) Anyway, thanks for your comments!
A/N: Well, I didn't get my 50 reviews :( But, I did get 48! Hmm, what do you think is a realistic number for next time? 58 maybe? Let's try 58. That's 10 more. 60 sounds so much nicer (in a round number way), but I won't be greedy. (You won't hear me say that when it comes to chocolate though!)
By the way, I've been debating something for awhile now. Do you think Ron and/or Harry should become prefects? I have a pretty clear idea now, but I want your opinion before I set it in stone (or fanfiction in this case…lame, I know! ;-)) Let me know!