Disclaimer- Harry P belongs to Joanne R!
**Here's chapter two..it's not the most exciting of chapters, but I've got
to get things going in the story. Hopefully I'll have chapter three up
really soon!**
Hermione had been lying face down on a cot next to Ginny's bed and blubbering into her pillow for a only few minutes after the huge row, when she heard a quiet rapping on the door. The sleeping kitten in the poster on the door yawned and stretched.
"Who is it?" Hermione asked in a dramatic, muffled voice. It better not be Ron, she thought.
"Me," came Ginny's timid voice through the door. The door opened a crack and Hermione saw Ginny's freckled little nose poking through. "Can I come in?"
Hermione laughed through her tears. "Of course! It's your room, for wizard's sake." Ginny came in and smiled sympathetically at Hermione.
"I thought maybe you wanted to be alone," she said.
"No, it's alright," Hermione said, trying to smile and wipe her tears away. She knew her face must be awfully red and blotchy.
"That stupid brother of mine," Ginny said as she sat down on her bed, facing Hermione's cot.
"Stupid is right," Hermione replied gruffly, trying not to cry again. "I don't know why I let him hurt my feelings so much, but I do."
"Because you wish he wouldn't," Ginny said in her wise, quiet voice. "So you raise your hopes for something better, and then he goes and acts like a stupid, jealous prat."
"How did you get so wise?" Hermione said in a light teasing kind of way. "You always have the answers."
"Well, I have 6 older brothers, it comes with the deal," Ginny laughed. "Besides, I only know all the answers when it comes to RON, not...arithmancy homework or anything like that! I know him like the back of my hand, and I most certainly know what it is like to be angry with him," she said frankly. Hermione chuckled, and stared down at a yellow, fuzzy rug. Not wanting to get into another Ron-bashing conversation though, Ginny said, "So, are you excited about tomorrow?"
Tomorrow was a big Weasley outing; they were going to London to visit Percy at his new flat, go window-shopping, and have dinner at Percy's. They were leaving extra early because a player from the Chudley Cannons, Danton Quigly, was going to be signing autographs at Sorcerer's Sports Shop at 9 AM, and they wanted to be one of the first in line. Ron was nearly going mad with excitement, and Harry wasn't far behind him.
Even still, Hermione groaned. A full day of sight seeing in the city with Ron? "I don't know Ginny, I don't think I could stand talking to him or even being in his presence, much less spending a whole day in his company!" she said.
"That's true," Ginny replied. "Mum and Dad would probably let us go off on our own and you wouldn't be able to avoid him." She furrowed her eyebrows in thought.
"Ugh, I really don't want to go and be stuck with that stupid dolt, but then if I didn't you'd be the only girl. Besides, your parents would probably be hurt if I said I didn't want to come, not to mention Percy, with his new flat and all," Hermione said, resigning herself to the situation.
"Oh, I'm used to being the only girl, remember?" Ginny grinned. "Besides, tell Mum you're ill and you'll be off the hook, no feelings hurt!"
"Could I get your mum to fall for it?" Hermione asked doubtfully. Ginny's eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Oh definitely!" she said excitedly. "Fred and George think they're the clever ones, but they've never been able to fool mum. But ME, sweet little baby Ginny, knows all the secrets of faking the flu." Hermione giggled at seeing Ginny so unlike herself.
"Do tell then!" she said, tears forgotten. Ginny pulled out her wand. Hermione's eyes widened. "You're not REALLY going to make me sick right?"
"No, no," Ginny said. "I'll just do some simple charms to make it seem like you are. Flushed cheeks, hot forehead, scratchy voice."
"My cheeks are already red!" Hermione said, which was true, from all her crying. "Besides, you're not allowed to do magic outside of school."
"Woops," Ginny scowled. "Hmm..guess we'll have to do it the old fashioned way then! Here, I'll get a hot wet hand towel and we'll put it on your forehead for a few minutes. Eat one of these," she tossed Hermione a package of sour candies.
"These don't do anything magical right?" Hermione asked cautiously. Tainted candy was common in the Weasley household.
"No don't worry, the twins don't get into my stash," Ginny laughed. "Those will just make your eyes water and your throat feel a bit funny."
"Alright," Hermione said dubiously, popping a bright green candy into her mouth as Ginny ran out of the room. She ran back in with a hot towel and a placed it on Hermione's forehead gingerly. Before bolting out again, she gave Hermione a mischievous wink.
A few minutes later, Ginny returned in with a very concerned Mrs. Weasely in tow.
"Ginny tells me you aren't feeling very well, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, rushing to Hermione's side and placing her hand on Hermione's forehead. Hermione grunted a very scratchy "nope", and managed to squeeze in some very realistic coughs.
"Oh my! You're just burning up," the red-haired woman said. "Does your throat hurt?" Hermione nodded sorrowfully. "Well hold on, I'll get you a draught of something that will make you feel better. Accio Medicine Cabinet!" Suddenly, a very worn down cabinet attached to...absolutely nothing flew into the room and floated in front of Mrs. Weasley. She opened one of its creaky doors and pulled out a deep maroon colored bottle. Pouring a bit of its contents into the cap, she slowly handed it to Hermione.
Hermione made eyes at Ginny warily, as if to say "Is it alright to take this when I'm not sick?" but Ginny just gave her a confident smile. She downed the capful very quickly, noting that although the taste was bitter, it had a hint of cinnamon that stayed on her tongue.
"Now," Mrs. Weasley said, sending the cabinet back to wherever it came from, "that will get rid of that fever of yours and hopefully improve your sore throat." She smoothed Hermione's unruly hair out of her eyes in a motherly fashion. Then it came to her. "Oh dear, what about tomorrow? I suppose you will have to stay home..you aren't fit to be wandering about London with those boys.."
"Hermione will be fine at home, Mum," Ginny said. "She's very responsible." Hermione was amazed by the innocent, serious look Ginny gave her mother.
"Oh, of course I know that," Mrs. Weasley said kindly, flattering Hermione, "but won't you be lonely here all day, Hermione?"
"Oh no, don't worry about me," Hermione said. "I've got plenty of books to read and such!" Ginny snorted, and Hermione shot her a look. Ron had even alienated Ginny against Hermione's massive reading.
"Alright, if you think you'll be okay," Mrs. Weasley said. "I'll prepare you some meals for tomorrow and all you'll have to do is heat them up. I'll also leave out some more of this draught; you'll be able to take another capful at breakfast. If you need anything else tonight, just send Ginny. We're leaving rather early tomorrow morning so I'll have the boys be quiet, instead of stomping about the house like they do usually," she sighed. "Well, I'll let you get some rest dear, I hope you feel better," she pulled the covers up about Hermione and spread the top blanket more evenly. Hermione smiled; Mrs. Weasley was so motherly.
"Thank you," she said.
"Oh, you're welcome dear," Mrs. Weasley smiled modestly. She kissed her daughter goodnight and left the room, closing the door behind her.
"You're a genius Ginny!" Hermione said jokingly in her regular voice. "I'm quite surprised with this new side of you...who knows, next you'll be robbing Gringotts, you trickster!" Ginny giggled.
~~~**~~~**~~~
The next morning, Hermione woke up groggily. A ray of sunshine was shining straight into her eyes. After blinking furiously and rubbing her eyes, she glanced up at the clock on Ginny's wall. It read 9:45 AM, and the entire house was silent. This must be a rare occurrence, Hermione thought lightheartedly. Not wanting to get up, she moved her eyes from the clock to a huge full length mirror facing her from across the room.
"Good morning deary," the mirror said. "Looks like you could use some cleaning up, doesn't it?" Usually Hermione hated it when the bewitched wizard mirrors criticized her, but she had to agree. Her hair was decidedly kinky this morning and sticking up in all directions. She groaned, and got out of bed.
Hermione trudged into the bathroom, shed her clothes, and climbed into the shower. *Today is going to be very relaxing; I haven't been completely and utterly alone in a very long time*, she thought as the hot water hit her body. Just for the sheer knowledge that no one could hear her, she began singing to herself, first quietly, then a bit louder.
"I'm walking in a spider web, leave a message and I'll call you back," she sang as she washed her hair. It was a song by one of her favorite muggle bands, No Doubt. Imitating Gwen Stefani's voice, she belted out, "It's all your fault, I screen my phone calls, no matter who calls, I screen my phone calls!" Through the water and her singing, she faintly heard a few chirping sounding noises, but figured it was Errol or Pigwidgeon. As she shaved her legs, she went on to another song, and another, until she had been in the shower for ten to fifteen minutes.
Meanwhile, Fred Weasley sauntered out of his bedroom into the hallway. Some loud music had woken him up. But now out of his bedroom, he realized the music was coming from the bathroom, and coming from..Hermione???
"Oy, George!" he ran back into his bedroom and grabbed his half-awake twin. "C'mere quick!" He dragged George into the hallway, grinning impishly. "Listen! Little Hermione, prefect Hermione, conservative Hermione, caught singing her heart out!" Rubbing his eyes, George broke into a grin. Pigwidgeon flew past their heads, whistling along with her singing, causing the twins to double over with laughter. When they had finished, George got a suspicious glint in his eye.
"Think we should record her?" he asked Fred mischievously.
"For the family's enjoyment?" Fred asked, drumming his fingers against each other evilly.
"For her lover Ronniekin's enjoyment?" George replied.
"For OUR enjoyment???" Fred sniggered. He went to go grab a recorder from their bedroom, when George grabbed his arm.
"Wait," George said, in a serious voice. Responding to his twin's mood as if it were his own, Fred's smile slid off his face. "Listen to her." They moved closer to the bathroom doorway. Hermione was singing a punk song they had never heard, and she sounded pretty amazing. Her voice was spunky, emotional, feminine, and very in tune.
"Wow," Fred breathed. He and George exchanged glances. They didn't even need to say anything. Both of them were thinking the same thing: how Angelina had told them the day before that she didn't want to be in the band anymore. She was a decent singer, but truth be told, was only in the band because of her friendship with the twins and Fred's crush on her. She had been totally honest with them; she told them that she had stage fright too bad to ever be a good lead singer and that she would be a lot happier being a groupie. They gave in reluctantly.
The twins were also thinking something else, and agreed upon it with their eyes. Hermione Granger was an awesome singer, and all too conveniently would be perfect to fill Angelina's space in Doubletake.
~~***~~***~~ Inside the bathroom, Hermione dried herself off and brushed her wet hair. There was so much steam in the bathroom that she couldn't even see herself in the mirror. Humming to herself, she wrapped her towel around herself and opened the door. Amid a cloud of steam she emerged...to see two identical, smiling Weasley boys standing before her.
"Good morning, Hermione," they said in unison.
(**Well that's chapter two! Hope you liked it...I know it's not extremely exciting. Please review!**)
Hermione had been lying face down on a cot next to Ginny's bed and blubbering into her pillow for a only few minutes after the huge row, when she heard a quiet rapping on the door. The sleeping kitten in the poster on the door yawned and stretched.
"Who is it?" Hermione asked in a dramatic, muffled voice. It better not be Ron, she thought.
"Me," came Ginny's timid voice through the door. The door opened a crack and Hermione saw Ginny's freckled little nose poking through. "Can I come in?"
Hermione laughed through her tears. "Of course! It's your room, for wizard's sake." Ginny came in and smiled sympathetically at Hermione.
"I thought maybe you wanted to be alone," she said.
"No, it's alright," Hermione said, trying to smile and wipe her tears away. She knew her face must be awfully red and blotchy.
"That stupid brother of mine," Ginny said as she sat down on her bed, facing Hermione's cot.
"Stupid is right," Hermione replied gruffly, trying not to cry again. "I don't know why I let him hurt my feelings so much, but I do."
"Because you wish he wouldn't," Ginny said in her wise, quiet voice. "So you raise your hopes for something better, and then he goes and acts like a stupid, jealous prat."
"How did you get so wise?" Hermione said in a light teasing kind of way. "You always have the answers."
"Well, I have 6 older brothers, it comes with the deal," Ginny laughed. "Besides, I only know all the answers when it comes to RON, not...arithmancy homework or anything like that! I know him like the back of my hand, and I most certainly know what it is like to be angry with him," she said frankly. Hermione chuckled, and stared down at a yellow, fuzzy rug. Not wanting to get into another Ron-bashing conversation though, Ginny said, "So, are you excited about tomorrow?"
Tomorrow was a big Weasley outing; they were going to London to visit Percy at his new flat, go window-shopping, and have dinner at Percy's. They were leaving extra early because a player from the Chudley Cannons, Danton Quigly, was going to be signing autographs at Sorcerer's Sports Shop at 9 AM, and they wanted to be one of the first in line. Ron was nearly going mad with excitement, and Harry wasn't far behind him.
Even still, Hermione groaned. A full day of sight seeing in the city with Ron? "I don't know Ginny, I don't think I could stand talking to him or even being in his presence, much less spending a whole day in his company!" she said.
"That's true," Ginny replied. "Mum and Dad would probably let us go off on our own and you wouldn't be able to avoid him." She furrowed her eyebrows in thought.
"Ugh, I really don't want to go and be stuck with that stupid dolt, but then if I didn't you'd be the only girl. Besides, your parents would probably be hurt if I said I didn't want to come, not to mention Percy, with his new flat and all," Hermione said, resigning herself to the situation.
"Oh, I'm used to being the only girl, remember?" Ginny grinned. "Besides, tell Mum you're ill and you'll be off the hook, no feelings hurt!"
"Could I get your mum to fall for it?" Hermione asked doubtfully. Ginny's eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Oh definitely!" she said excitedly. "Fred and George think they're the clever ones, but they've never been able to fool mum. But ME, sweet little baby Ginny, knows all the secrets of faking the flu." Hermione giggled at seeing Ginny so unlike herself.
"Do tell then!" she said, tears forgotten. Ginny pulled out her wand. Hermione's eyes widened. "You're not REALLY going to make me sick right?"
"No, no," Ginny said. "I'll just do some simple charms to make it seem like you are. Flushed cheeks, hot forehead, scratchy voice."
"My cheeks are already red!" Hermione said, which was true, from all her crying. "Besides, you're not allowed to do magic outside of school."
"Woops," Ginny scowled. "Hmm..guess we'll have to do it the old fashioned way then! Here, I'll get a hot wet hand towel and we'll put it on your forehead for a few minutes. Eat one of these," she tossed Hermione a package of sour candies.
"These don't do anything magical right?" Hermione asked cautiously. Tainted candy was common in the Weasley household.
"No don't worry, the twins don't get into my stash," Ginny laughed. "Those will just make your eyes water and your throat feel a bit funny."
"Alright," Hermione said dubiously, popping a bright green candy into her mouth as Ginny ran out of the room. She ran back in with a hot towel and a placed it on Hermione's forehead gingerly. Before bolting out again, she gave Hermione a mischievous wink.
A few minutes later, Ginny returned in with a very concerned Mrs. Weasely in tow.
"Ginny tells me you aren't feeling very well, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, rushing to Hermione's side and placing her hand on Hermione's forehead. Hermione grunted a very scratchy "nope", and managed to squeeze in some very realistic coughs.
"Oh my! You're just burning up," the red-haired woman said. "Does your throat hurt?" Hermione nodded sorrowfully. "Well hold on, I'll get you a draught of something that will make you feel better. Accio Medicine Cabinet!" Suddenly, a very worn down cabinet attached to...absolutely nothing flew into the room and floated in front of Mrs. Weasley. She opened one of its creaky doors and pulled out a deep maroon colored bottle. Pouring a bit of its contents into the cap, she slowly handed it to Hermione.
Hermione made eyes at Ginny warily, as if to say "Is it alright to take this when I'm not sick?" but Ginny just gave her a confident smile. She downed the capful very quickly, noting that although the taste was bitter, it had a hint of cinnamon that stayed on her tongue.
"Now," Mrs. Weasley said, sending the cabinet back to wherever it came from, "that will get rid of that fever of yours and hopefully improve your sore throat." She smoothed Hermione's unruly hair out of her eyes in a motherly fashion. Then it came to her. "Oh dear, what about tomorrow? I suppose you will have to stay home..you aren't fit to be wandering about London with those boys.."
"Hermione will be fine at home, Mum," Ginny said. "She's very responsible." Hermione was amazed by the innocent, serious look Ginny gave her mother.
"Oh, of course I know that," Mrs. Weasley said kindly, flattering Hermione, "but won't you be lonely here all day, Hermione?"
"Oh no, don't worry about me," Hermione said. "I've got plenty of books to read and such!" Ginny snorted, and Hermione shot her a look. Ron had even alienated Ginny against Hermione's massive reading.
"Alright, if you think you'll be okay," Mrs. Weasley said. "I'll prepare you some meals for tomorrow and all you'll have to do is heat them up. I'll also leave out some more of this draught; you'll be able to take another capful at breakfast. If you need anything else tonight, just send Ginny. We're leaving rather early tomorrow morning so I'll have the boys be quiet, instead of stomping about the house like they do usually," she sighed. "Well, I'll let you get some rest dear, I hope you feel better," she pulled the covers up about Hermione and spread the top blanket more evenly. Hermione smiled; Mrs. Weasley was so motherly.
"Thank you," she said.
"Oh, you're welcome dear," Mrs. Weasley smiled modestly. She kissed her daughter goodnight and left the room, closing the door behind her.
"You're a genius Ginny!" Hermione said jokingly in her regular voice. "I'm quite surprised with this new side of you...who knows, next you'll be robbing Gringotts, you trickster!" Ginny giggled.
~~~**~~~**~~~
The next morning, Hermione woke up groggily. A ray of sunshine was shining straight into her eyes. After blinking furiously and rubbing her eyes, she glanced up at the clock on Ginny's wall. It read 9:45 AM, and the entire house was silent. This must be a rare occurrence, Hermione thought lightheartedly. Not wanting to get up, she moved her eyes from the clock to a huge full length mirror facing her from across the room.
"Good morning deary," the mirror said. "Looks like you could use some cleaning up, doesn't it?" Usually Hermione hated it when the bewitched wizard mirrors criticized her, but she had to agree. Her hair was decidedly kinky this morning and sticking up in all directions. She groaned, and got out of bed.
Hermione trudged into the bathroom, shed her clothes, and climbed into the shower. *Today is going to be very relaxing; I haven't been completely and utterly alone in a very long time*, she thought as the hot water hit her body. Just for the sheer knowledge that no one could hear her, she began singing to herself, first quietly, then a bit louder.
"I'm walking in a spider web, leave a message and I'll call you back," she sang as she washed her hair. It was a song by one of her favorite muggle bands, No Doubt. Imitating Gwen Stefani's voice, she belted out, "It's all your fault, I screen my phone calls, no matter who calls, I screen my phone calls!" Through the water and her singing, she faintly heard a few chirping sounding noises, but figured it was Errol or Pigwidgeon. As she shaved her legs, she went on to another song, and another, until she had been in the shower for ten to fifteen minutes.
Meanwhile, Fred Weasley sauntered out of his bedroom into the hallway. Some loud music had woken him up. But now out of his bedroom, he realized the music was coming from the bathroom, and coming from..Hermione???
"Oy, George!" he ran back into his bedroom and grabbed his half-awake twin. "C'mere quick!" He dragged George into the hallway, grinning impishly. "Listen! Little Hermione, prefect Hermione, conservative Hermione, caught singing her heart out!" Rubbing his eyes, George broke into a grin. Pigwidgeon flew past their heads, whistling along with her singing, causing the twins to double over with laughter. When they had finished, George got a suspicious glint in his eye.
"Think we should record her?" he asked Fred mischievously.
"For the family's enjoyment?" Fred asked, drumming his fingers against each other evilly.
"For her lover Ronniekin's enjoyment?" George replied.
"For OUR enjoyment???" Fred sniggered. He went to go grab a recorder from their bedroom, when George grabbed his arm.
"Wait," George said, in a serious voice. Responding to his twin's mood as if it were his own, Fred's smile slid off his face. "Listen to her." They moved closer to the bathroom doorway. Hermione was singing a punk song they had never heard, and she sounded pretty amazing. Her voice was spunky, emotional, feminine, and very in tune.
"Wow," Fred breathed. He and George exchanged glances. They didn't even need to say anything. Both of them were thinking the same thing: how Angelina had told them the day before that she didn't want to be in the band anymore. She was a decent singer, but truth be told, was only in the band because of her friendship with the twins and Fred's crush on her. She had been totally honest with them; she told them that she had stage fright too bad to ever be a good lead singer and that she would be a lot happier being a groupie. They gave in reluctantly.
The twins were also thinking something else, and agreed upon it with their eyes. Hermione Granger was an awesome singer, and all too conveniently would be perfect to fill Angelina's space in Doubletake.
~~***~~***~~ Inside the bathroom, Hermione dried herself off and brushed her wet hair. There was so much steam in the bathroom that she couldn't even see herself in the mirror. Humming to herself, she wrapped her towel around herself and opened the door. Amid a cloud of steam she emerged...to see two identical, smiling Weasley boys standing before her.
"Good morning, Hermione," they said in unison.
(**Well that's chapter two! Hope you liked it...I know it's not extremely exciting. Please review!**)