Disclaimer: I still don't own anything… who else wants the fifth book to come out right now? *Snaps fingers* nope didn't work. Ah well…
Chapter 16Hermione leaned back as she finished packing her trunk for Hogwarts. The summer had flown by so quickly, especially the last week. She glanced over at her faithful feline, "Are you coming to school with me this year or are you going to stay home and get fat?"
The fur on the back of Crookshanks neck rose and his tail twitched.
Hermione raised her eyebrows, "Well, does that mean you're coming?"
The cat purred loudly and shut his eyes, going back to sleep.
Hermione stood up, packing one last thing into her trunk before patting her cat on his head, "You live such a hard life."
She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and exited her room, "Mum?" She said as she knocked on her parents' open door and entered.
"Yes, Dear?"
"As soon and Dad and Ron are done with their game and Ron is all packed we're going to leave."
Hermione's mother smiled, "Okay, Honey."
Hermione looked at her mother's expression closely, something in her eyes made her wonder, "Mum, is there something the matter?"
She shook her head, "I want you to be careful at school. I don't want any letters from you're professors saying that you're hurt or have been kidnapped or anything like that this year."
"I won't make any promises I can't keep but I'll try."
Her mother pulled her into a tight hug, "Thank you for all your help this summer."
"It wasn't a problem, Mum."
Mrs. Granger let go of Hermione and walked over to her vanity and opened a drawer pulling out a silver chain. She turned to Hermione and smiled, "I would like you to have this. My mother gave this to be when I turned sixteen-"
"But, Mum-"
"I know you're not sixteen yet but I wanted to see your face when I gave it to you."
Hermione watched silently as her mother put the necklace in her hand. On the chain was a small oval locket; the silver was a bit tarnished from being old and worn. But the small diamond on the top of the locket sparkled as if it was new, "Oh my goodness... Mum... I can't accept this! I'll ruin it at school!"
"I'm sure you won't."
Hermione hugged her mother, unable to express her gratitude in any other way, "Thank you, it's beautiful."
"Like you." Her mother played with her hair, "You've grown so much."
Hermione blushed.
"Are we interrupting something?" A new voice cut in.
Hermione turned around, her father had spoken to them. He and Ron both stood at the top of the stairs, Ron was holding a basketball and hanging behind Mr. Granger, looking as if he didn't want to be part of a 'family moment'.
"No," Mrs. Granger said, "You and Ron finish packing your things for school and we'll see you off when you're ready to leave."
Hermione smiled, "Thank you."
Ron watched in confusion as Hermione grabbed his wrist and dragged him into his room, "Why were you hugging your mum?"
"She gave me something. Are you finished packing?"
"Almost. What did she give you?"
Hermione ignored him and looked at his trunk, "What a mess."
"Yeah, don't worry about it," Ron said as he threw in the last of his clothing, "It's not like it'll be in your house anymore."
"Does it even close?" Hermione wondered as she sat down on his bed and began to take the articles of clothing out and fold them, "You don't want to have wrinkles on your clothes, people will wonder if they've been washed."
Ron rolled his eyes, "Who cares? Everyone at school already knows what kinds of things I wear." He sat down behind Hermione on his bed and leaned against the headboard, "So what did she give you?"
"A necklace," Hermione said simply.
"Oh really? Why aren't you wearing it?"
Hermione shrugged, "I don't want to ruin it."
"Ruin it?"
"You know, I don't want it to break, I'm only going to wear it for special occasions."
Ron held out his hand, indicating he wanted to see the ornament, she handed it to him, "Be careful with it."
"What don't you trust me?" He asked as he gingerly took the necklace into his hand, examining it closely.
Hermione opened her mouth to answer but stopped realizing she needed to be gentle about what she was going to say, "Ron, I don't trust anyone with that necklace, not even myself."
Ron nodded and opened the locket, "It's really nice. My Mum could never get something like this for Ginny."
Hermione bit her lip feeling guilty, "Well she didn't buy it for me, it's been in the family for a while… my grandmother gave it to my mother and she gave it to me."
"Ah… well you know if I were you I'd wear the necklace before you leave."
Hermione frowned in confusion, "Why?"
Ron grinned and looped the chain around Hermione's neck and latched it, "If I know anything about mothers, and believe me I know very little, when they give something to you they want to see you wear it. Like the Weasley sweaters for example… if I go home for Christmas I better be wearing that shirt otherwise I get, 'Hullo, Ron. Did you like you're presents? Because I wasn't sure. You're brothers are wearing their sweaters so I know…' Yadda yadda… it goes on from there. I get the disappointed look and the 'I worked so hard' speech."
Hermione was about to speak but Ron held up his hand to stop her, "I know your mum wouldn't do anything like that in front of me but you do understand what I'm saying don't you?"
Hermione sucked in a breath but Ron stopped her again, "I know you do… you're Hermione… you understand everything."
Hermione scowled, "Are you done, Professor?"
Ron nodded, "I think so, Miss Granger."
"Okay good because I wanted to know how many clothes you want me to fold because it seems I've found your boxers… is everything you own maroon?"
Ron's face burned a deep crimson, "Gimme those!"
Hermione jumped off the bed, "You have to catch me first!"
*
*
*
*
*
*
Hermione wore her necklace for her mother when she left only to wish she never had. Seeing someone cry, especially one of your parents is not the greatest going away present. Ron had insisted that it was a good sign and Hermione knew it was, it was just something about crying that made her wonder how her school year would turn out. They arrived at the Leaky Cauldron at noon Hermione stumbled out of the fireplace, landing on her butt, careful not to injure her already weak ankle.
Ron laughed, "The ground seems to be your favorite place these days."
Hermione frowned, "Shut up, Ron!"
"Have a sense of humor, God you would think-"
"Well if it isn't Weasley and Granger. Do you always bicker in public?"
Ron turned on his heals, "Malfoy," he growled.
"Of course you do," Draco went on, "You're type of people don't have the upbringing to wait until no one's around."
Ron's fists clenched and his ears turned red, Hermione knew that look. She stood up and grabbed Ron's sleeve, "Don't start anything," she whispered, "Let's just go to the room number Harry gave us, put our things down and meet your mum. We're late enough as it is." She grabbed his hand tightly, trying to drag him to the room.
Draco smirked, "What's this? Weasley and Granger together? Do you ever stop arguing long enough to take her out? Oh wait, that's right, you don't have enough money to do that."
Ron's face burned red but he continued to follow Hermione, telling himself Malfoy was not worth his time.
"Okay, Weasley, go ahead and leave with your mudblood wife. Maybe next time you'll have the courage to fight me-"
At the word mudblood Ron had shaken off Hermione's hand and turned around, punching Draco dead on his nose, knocking him to the floor, "Next time," Ron snarled, as Draco clutched his bleeding nose, "You'll think before you start a fight with someone who you know is stronger than you. You're lucky I didn't kill you, you bastard."
Hermione watched as Ron took his trunk and followed her to the room. They opened the door and threw their things inside before heading to the ice cream shop. Ron reached for Hermione's hand but she snatched it away. Ron bit his lip, "Hermione, what's-"
"I told you not to start anything!" She yelled, "I don't like it when you fight! One of these days he's going to do something horrible to you."
Ron frowned, "Well I didn't start it! You heard him, using that foul name-"
"I don't care, Ron, I just don't want you to get mixed up with him. It's a dark time and you have to be careful who you make angry."
Ron sighed about ready to say something snide but Hermione gave him a pleading look, her brown eyes became as round as saucers and her eyebrows were raised. Ron hated that look, "Okay, okay… I'll try not to kill him."
Hermione smiled and took his hand, "Thank you."
"Yeah…" Ron grumbled, "This is not going to be an easy year."
The two Gryffindors ran the rest of the way to the ice cream shop. Ginny and Harry waved as they approached, "Oy, Harry!" Ron said when they were at the table, "Sorry we're late." He looked around, "Where's Mum?"
"She had to leave," Ginny said, "But we already went to Gringotts." Ginny handed Ron a small pouch, "For school books."
Hermione sighed, "I still have to go to Gringotts. Will you wait here for me until I come back?"
Ginny nodded, "Definitely. Are you sure you don't want anyone to go with you?"
Hermione smiled and shook her head, "I just have to make an exchange, it won't take long," she said, turning and walking the opposite direction.
Harry elbowed Ron in the ribs. Ron jumped, "Harry? What the hell?" He yelled.
Harry made a small motion that told him to go with Hermione, "You really are a rotten boyfriend."
Ron frowned, "Am I supposed to spend every waking moment with her?"
"Apparently…" Harry grumbled, "Ask Ginny."
Ginny snickered.
"All she does is tell me what to do… I think she's chained me to her."
"Excuse me?" Ginny exclaimed.
Harry hid a smile and flicked a crumb off the table, "And I love every minute of it, pumpkin," he said dryly.
Ginny grinned evily, "Keep up this attitude and I'm not coming near you this year. Maybe I'll just kiss Neville instead."
Harry jumped up in fake surprise, "You wouldn't!" He said leaning over the table.
Ginny stood up and pressed her forehead to Harry's, "Wouldn't I?"
Ron cleared his throat, "You two make me sick. Seriously, Harry, wouldn't kissing Ginny be like kissing me?"
Harry laughed and winked at Ginny, "Maybe that's why it's so much fun."
"Oh sick! I'm going to go find Hermione, you great prat. I can't believe you just said that… of all things…" Ron stalked away in search of Hermione grumbing.
Ginny burst out laughing, "Harry! That was horrible!"
Harry looked a bit disgusted with himself, "Yeah it was… I think I'm going to go wash my mouth out with soap…"
*
*
*
*
*
*
"I can't look at Harry anymore…" Ron complained.
Hermione sighed in exasperation, "Ron you've been whining since you caught up with me at Gringotts, what will stop you?"
"I need to get these terrible images out of my head! They'll never go away! I hate Harry…"
"What if I kissed you?"
Ron seemed to think about that for a minute, "That might help."
"Okay good, you just think about that then."
Ron stopped dead in his tracks, "Wait… but I thought-"
"I said 'what if', not 'I would,' Ron," Hermione grinned to herself.
"You are an evil witch."
"Thank you," Hermione said with a nod, "Speaking of kissing, I think you and I need to set a few ground rules."
"Now there are rules about kissing, too? Why, Hermione? Can't there be just one thing without rules?"
"No."
"I must have done something vile in my past life to deserve this."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I only mean rules for how we act in public."
Ron frowned, "I can't guarantee we won't have rows in front of people, Hermione, it's already happened, our classmates expect it-"
"I mean P.D.A's."
"P.D what's?"
"Public displays of affection."
"Oh… Like no kissing?"
"Right."
The two continued walking back to their friends, Ron not knowing what to say stayed silent. Hermione smiled at Ginny as they approached, "Are you ready to buy school books?"
Ginny nodded and stood up walking next to Hermione, "I don't really need many books, I have some from-"
Ron scowled at the girls walking in front of him and turned to Harry, "Women are nutters."
Harry nodded, "This is true, but why do you say that?"
"No reason."
Harry grinned, "She just set a rule didn't she?"
Ron glared at him, "How do you do that?"
"I don't know… maybe I'm psychic."
"Divination has finally taken it's toll."
Harry laughed, "I'm using my 'inner eye'…"
"Ooh!" Both Ron and Harry moaned as they waved their hands in the air.
Ginny and Hermione glanced back at them, raising their eyebrows.
Ron swallowed and turned to Harry, "Have you and Ginny seen Malfoy?"
Harry kicked a stone on the street and stuffed his hands in his pockets, "Afraid so… 'Hello, Potter. See you set a low standard for girlfriends.' I wanted to kick his ass…"
"Ginny didn't let you?"
"No."
"Hermione didn't want me doing anything to him either… but then he called her that foul name… Reckon I broke his nose."
"I hope you did. Was Hermione mad?"
"Yes, but I think she was mostly worried about me," he grinned, "Deep down I know she was just as pleased as I was."
Harry laughed, tossing his head back enough to reveal the scar beneath his untidy black hair. Ron's stomach clenched into a tight knot. He cleared his throat, "How has your summer been going?"
"Better than most. Don't get all protective-older-brother on me but, having your sister around has helped me a lot."
Ron nodded, "Ginny can do that to you. Too happy I think."
"We need happy people."
"Yeah we do," Ron gazed ahead at Hermione and Ginny who were staring in shop windows and giggling like the girls they were. Ginny looked back at Harry and smiled brightly. It was true Harry was only a young man, but with everything that had happened to him since he entered Hogwarts he had visibly aged years. He had an old soul, seen things no one his age should ever see. But from Ginnys small gesture it seemed years were lifted from Harry. Moreover, as much as Ron hated to admit it, Ginny was good for Harry, "You really like her, huh?"
Harry frowned thoughtfully, "Very much. I know you don't like it and I'm sorry bu-"
Ron shook his head silencing his friend, "Good."
"Good?"
"I'm just glad she's not with Colin… or Neville… someone like that."
"You're not going to kill me then?"
"If you hurt her I will. But otherwise no."
Harry grinned, "So are you and Hermione sharing a bed tonight?"
"I'm sure as hell not sleeping with you."
*
*
*
*
*
*
"I think we have all of our school books," Ginny said, looking over everyone's list one more time.
"So what's next?" Ron asked.
Hermione looked at Ginny, "I think I'm going to head back to the room and take a nap."
Harry buried his hands in his pockets, "I'm in the mood for a butterbeer, Ron would you like to come?"
Ron noted the look on Ginny's face and shook his head, "No I think I'll go with Hermione."
Harry nodded, "Alright, mate. See you."
Hermione shifted her bag in her hands to sweep some stray strands of hair away from her face, "Are you tired?"
"Not really, but I have a tune in my head and I want to write it down before I forget it."
She smiled and began walking towards The Leaky Cauldron, Ron strode along side her not really knowing what to do. She had set rules and he wasn't sure what he was and was not allowed to do.
He glanced at her, she was lost deep within a new book it seemed. He sighed, life was going to be different now, it already was different.
They reached The Leaky Cauldron soon enough and walked up to their room. Ron froze as he stepped through the doorway. Hermione walked right into him, "Ron! Honestly! I think you… should…" she stopped talking as her jaw dropped.
Candles were placed around the room and the sweet aroma of vanilla and cinnamon filled their senses. There were also rose petals strewn about the floor and the beds.
"What is going on here, Ron?" Hermione asked, frowning, "What did you think was going to happen here?"
Ron's eyes flew open, "Me?! This was not me…" Reality dawned on him moments later, "I'm going to kill Harry."
A voice behind them sniggered, "Dear brother, this was not Harry."
Ron looked for the source of the voice, "Fred? Where are you, you bleeding lunatic!"
Fred stepped out behind a curtain, "Do you like what we've done to the place? Thought since you two were playing Mummy and Daddy all week you would like to do what Mummy's and Daddy's do."
Ron's face flushed red and Hermione's cheeks grew a bit pink, "You said we," Ron pointed out suddenly, "Who the hell is we? Is Angelina in on this one, too? Is there ice involved?"
Hermione's face scrunched up, "Ice? What does-"
"Yes, Angelina's in on this one, too," She said stepping out from behind the curtain as well, "Angelina is the one who came up with this idea as well as the ice."
Ron scowled, "Does Angelina like to talk about herself in the third person?"
"Yes she does."
"Why can't you two just leave me the hell alone? Just go away! This isn't funny at all!"
"Don't make me hit you again," Fred warned.
"You wouldn't," Ron said, folding his arms, "Why don't you bother Ginny?"
Fred shrugged Ron off, "She's too easy to play tricks on. We actually have to plan these things for you."
"You annoy me by just standing there."
Hermione slapped Ron's arm, "Ron!"
Angelina smiled, "If this wasn't a prank wouldn't the room look lovely?"
Ron opened his mouth to say something snide but Hermione spoke first, "Yes, it would."
"Told you it was romantic, Fred."
"Why can't you guys use your power for good instead of evil?" Ron muttered.
Fred smiled a strange smile, "We do."
Angelina nodded in agreement, "You'll find out someday."
With those words the couple disapparated.
Hermione frowned, "What was that all about?"
"Not sure," Ron huffed, looking around the room trying to figure out where to put the rose petals, "What do you suppose we should do with the curtain?"
Hermione however wasn't listening, "Look at our bed! It's so lovely!"
Ron's face twisted into a confused expression, "You like this?"
"Well… I like the way it looks," she blushed, "It's very romantic."
"Since when have you been a romantic?"
"Since always," she gingerly took a rose from the pillow and held it under her nose.
Ron sighed, "Okay I know I'm going to regret this but this needs to be cleaned up before Harry and Ginny come back." Ron pulled his wand out of his pocket and muttered a spell that made the candles and the roses disappear. All of them except for the one Hermione held in her hands.
She closed her eyes waiting for a letter from the ministry to arrive, but it never did. She frowned at him, "That was stupid, Ron. You could have gotten into serious trouble."
"Yeah…" Ron said distractedly looking at the curtain, "But I didn't. What do you want to do with this curtain?"
Hermione shrugged, "Leave it up, it was a good idea."
Ron turned and stared at her, "Why?"
She blushed slightly, "Well that way it's a little more private. You know? We won't have to look at Harry and Ginny cuddling, which I know would drive you mad, and they won't watch us."
Ron nodded, "I see your point. He better not try anything. If he does-"
"Then you'll ignore it. Better Harry than Malfoy right?"
Ron looked a bit sick, "Er… yes. But-"
"But nothing. Ignore. I'm going to take a nap, will you wake me up in an hour?"
Ron nodded, "Yeah, in the meantime I should do my homework."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sorry this took so long to write. There are reasons but it involves four months of wondering what the h is going on with me and Jared. Lol, ah you gotta love guys. ^_~ And sorry if it didn't make any sense… it's three in the morning and I'm running only on cherry coke. And I work at a movie theater so you can all imagine how many people were there to see Harry Potter! It sold out two days in a row! That's better than last year. Wow. If any of you are still reading this, sorry I'm ranting, see ya,
~*~Lenny~*~
BTW: PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!
