Jokes and Cabinets

HERMIONE

BEING AT THE BURROW this summer has been quite interesting for Hermione. She couldn't figure out if she didn't like Fleur just because of her personality or if it was the way Ron reacts to her. She had figured out a while ago that she fancies him, which she always figured it would be Harry. She did not bicker with Harry as much as she did with Ron, like with him accusing Crookshanks half of third year. But it would seem that's what she was attracted to, someone who challenges her and Ron fits that. Well she believes he does and that he feels the same way about her. She glanced over to Ginny's bed where the red head was still fast asleep. The sun just went up but Hermione was excited to get a move on. Not even her black eye could dampen her mood currently. They were headed to Diagon Alley today to get their school supplies for the new school year. Also she didn't really want to admit she was curious to see Fred and George's shop. The products they invented were all quite complicated magic, even though she threatened them with their mother last year she was impressed. If they had applied themselves in their classes like they did with their inventions she was sure their grades would be ranked in the top of their class.

"TIme to get up!" Shouted Mrs Weasley from downstairs.

Hermione threw her covers back before trailing over to Ginny's bed and shaking the girl awake. GInny flipped her off and she laughed in response, Ginny was never a morning person. After both the girls got ready for the day they went and had breakfast while Harry and Ron took forever to get up like usual. Ginny kept making faces at her every time Fleur talked and she could see Mrs Weasley trying to control her expressions. She could tell Harry was tense the whole car ride and when they entered Madam Malkins if possible he got even more so. Draco Malfoy and his mother stood within the store. The boys both instantly took a protective stance in front of her which she wanted to roll her eyes at but she couldn't stop looking at Malfoy. Something about him just didn't look right to her. She looked for what was different, he wasn't wearing his hair loose anymore. He had barely noticeable dark circles almost as if he didnt sleep through the night. She had been so zoned in she ignored most of the conversation but what she didn't miss was Harry raising his wand. She quickly launched herself forward grabbing his arm.

"Harry, no!" He was really fighting against her and she knew that you could tell she was struggling. At least Ron isn't trying to join in like normal, god she needed some girl friends. She had Ginny but they weren't super close and didn't really hang out just to hang out. She felt Harry still as Malfoy slapped Madam Malkin's hand away from his left arm.

As Malfoy stormed out with his mother he bumped Ron as hard as he could. She couldn't help but stare at his face again and try to figure out what was different. Suddenly he lifted his gray eyes to meet her brown ones and she froze, he didn't have a sneer or a cruel smile. He really is quite handsome, his sharp features just making him more striking. She didn't know how long they stood staring at each other almost as if trying to figure the other out before he strolled out the door. SHe looked back to the boys and it would seem they didn't notice anything about her strange moment with Draco Malfoy. They quickly got their robes and Hermione was a bit annoyed that the store owner tried to sell her Wizards robes instead of Witches. Was she really that plain to others? As they entered Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes all other thoughts vanished as she was completely amazed. Not only was the store full of customers but the inventions surrounding them were just amazing. She began to wander around taking in everything when her and Harry stopped at the patented daydream charms.

"It really is extraordinary magic!" She said as suddenly a Weasley twin appeared behind them and offered her one for free. She had never complimented them ever and she would be taking Fred up on his offer she just had to pick one. As he handed her a paste to get rid of her black eye, the boys walked away from her.

She gently put the paste on her black eye before looking at the different options she had of patented daydream charms. She picked up the one on a pirate ship when Ginny walked up to her.

"You'll have to let me know how they work." Ginny said with a mischievous look, "They will never let me get one, stupid gits. If it ends up good for you I might need to bribe someone to buy me one."

Hermione couldn't help but laugh softly at the girl before she grabbed another box. This one seemed to take place in a castle with a princess and a knight. She looked at the two, really weighing her options before putting the castle one back and sticking with the pirate.

"I see you Mione." Ginny fake whispered, "You have a thing for bad boys. I won't tell Ron that."

She felt her face heat in embarrassment as the girls shared a laugh and the boys returned and took them to their witch's line. Hermione continued to buy their products and told Fred she would be taking the charm.

"Here, let's put it in a bag for you." Fred said as he led her to the counter George was residing.

"Pirate one eh?" George said with a smirk as he saw the box.

"No teasing Granger today. She called us geniuses today."

"I did no such thing! I said that it was extraordinary magic."

"Sounds like the same thing to me, what about you Gred?"

"Exactly the same." They both gave her matching smiles and she rolled her eyes softly before taking the bag.

"Fine, you're both bloody brilliant." She said as she walked away leaving the twins with shocked expressions. They deserved the compliment and many more, they were always overlooked. And look what amazing things they have created and accomplished. She hoped to visit and purchase more of their products in the future. As she reached Harry she followed his gaze outside the window right to Draco Malfoy. Ron appeared at their side and they quickly followed Harry outside jumping under his cloak.

They followed Malfoy quietly all the way to Borgin and Burkes where he seemed to take interest in an old cabinet. Why would rich pureblood snob Draco Malfoy be interested in a broken cabinet? And what could he have possibly shown the old shopkeeper to make him so frightened? She watched as Malfoy paused to look at a necklace before storming off. And before she could process the idea she marched into the store.

When they returned to the burrow a million questions were running through her head. Why was Draco Malfoy so interested in an old cabinet? Why was he so hellbent on escaping his mother? The way he said alone to her was almost as if it had a double meaning. But what could that double meaning possibly be? She was shaken out of her thoughts by a soft knock on the door.

"Come in."

As the door opened and Ron appeared the thoughts of Draco Malfoy vanished. She expected Harry to be with him but as he fully entered the room she realized he was alone.

"Would you want to go up to the roof with me to talk?" He asked softly as he looked around the room avoiding eye contact. She grabbed her blanket off her bed and stood walking toward him.

"Let's go."

As they walked through the house to the window next to Ron's room she could feel his body heat against her side. And while she didnt want to be too hopeful she wondered if he would try to kiss her. She quickly shook that thought away for she didn't even know if Ron fancied her. He stepped through the window first turning back and offering his hand to help her. They sat down leaning against the wall beside the window as Hermione offered Ron some of her blanket.

"I'm worried about this school year." He said quickly as if making himself say the words before he lost his nerve.

"I'm sure it will be fine."

"When is it ever fine, Mione? Every and I mean every year something happens, something bloody terrible. At least the first few years we were happy and lucky." She could tell he had been thinking this for quite some time.

"Ron-"

"No you know I'm right, we were lucky. No one was dying and now we have no clue who is next. For all we know it's one of us."

She didn't even know how to respond to him because he was completely correct. They don't have any clue who is next and all odds show Voldemort growing stronger every day.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to throw all this at you. It's just no one else understands what we've been through the three of us and I can't talk to Harry-"

"Because Harry would believe it's his fault and the guilt would eat at him." She added cutting him off.

"Yeah. It's the savior complex he has going on."

"Well, when people throw around the title chosen one it's bound to go to your head." He let out a laugh at that and she couldn't help but join in.

"Thanks for listening even though we don't get on that well usually."

"It's not so much that we dont get on but-"

"That you're a bloody know it all."

"And you're a hotheaded arse."

Harry normally served as their buffer and for the first time it seemed as if they didnt need him there as she once again laughed along with him.

"You know we should just make this year count, it's our 6th year and for all we know it could be our luckiest." She said confidently

"Well that's a hopeful thought."

"So why don't we just make the most of it? Take every opportunity and just go for what we want." Ron nodded his head slowly agreeing.

"That might be the best idea you have ever come up with."

They continued to talk about the upcoming year and of course Harry and how Ron needed to get over that Ginny was dating Dean. She didn't know when exactly they had drifted to sleep but when the sun started to peak on the horizon she woke up. Somehow Ron's arm ended up around her as her head rested on his shoulder. A small smile graced her lips before she woke the sleeping boy and they headed into their rooms. One thought raced through her mind, maybe this year would be their luckiest after all.