Hermione followed Ginny to the Burrow in silence. Ginny tried a couple of times to start a conversation,

"So, Hermione, what have you been up to these last year"

"Working"

"Oh, still a muggle doctor?"

"Hmm.."

It quickly became obvious to Ginny that Hermione's thoughts were elsewhere. And so the rest of the way neither said anything.

Until they were standing in front of the Burrow. Voices could be heard from inside, and a wonderful smell of food. "So, we're here" Ginny said, and looked at Hermione, who looked slightly pale.

"We are indeed" Hermione answered, and nodded her head a little. "And why is that, Ginny?"

Ginny was taking aback by this question. Hadn't she told her at The Three Broomsticks? "Well, because you're like a part of this family, Hermione. We've missed you. And we've been very worried about you. That's why"

"Okay. Let's go inside then" Hermione said in a voice that reminded Ginny of a I-don't-care-I'm-totally-cold tone. But Hermione's face didn't match that. She was nervous, no doubt.

"Don't worry. They're not gonna kill you." Ginny said and padded her on the back, and knocked the door.

Ginny heard footsteps inside, recognisable her mothers.

"Ginny, darling. How nice to see you sweetheart. I can't believe you haven't been home for 3 days darling, that's a little long, don't you think" her mother said excitedly, first then noticing that Ginny wasn't alone.

"Oh, you brought a friend with you. Hi I'm Ginny's mother, Molly Weasley, and you?"

Hermione accepted Mrs. Weasley's hand, and looked her in the eyes. Then it hit Mrs. Weasley that the girl in front of her was, without a doubt, Hermione Granger.

"Hermione! Oh, Hermione dear!"

Mrs. Weasley pulled Hermione in for a hug, and Ginny saw a tear roll down her face, "Sweetheart, we've been so very worried about you! Where have you been. no that can wait. Come in, girls. Oh, Hermione, I can't believe it's really you"

Ginny was pleased to see that Hermione had shed a tear too. And that there was a little smile on her face.

Mrs. Weasley led the girls to the living room, and Ginny and Hermione sat down around the table, and Mrs. Weasley was standing in the kitchen preparing dinner or something. There was an awkward silence, which Ginny found pretty embarrassing. She then turned to her mother, who had come in from the kitchen with dinner, all teary-eyed. "Mum, where is everybody" though all her brothers, and herself, had moved out, they very often came home with their families, Harry did too, and they were there always at the weekends. And it was Friday afternoon, so it was kinda unusually.

"Oh, your father should be home from work any minute. Your brothers should show up soon. They always come around dinnertime, darling" her mum said, looking at the clock. She then looked at Hermione. "They're going to be so happy to see you Hermione. It's gonna be such a surprise. I can't wait." she then bend down and hugged Hermione again.

Whatever feeling Hermione had been holding back suddenly came through, as she throw her arms around Mrs. Weasley, and just cried and cried. "Oh, it's alright darling. Just get it out" Mrs. Weasley said, and stroke Hermione gently over the hair, that was not as bushy as it used to be.

Ginny smiled and suddenly everything seemed to be a lot easier than just 10 minutes ago. Of course she would help Hermione, of course. And maybe, just maybe, there was hope. Maybe Ron wasn't dead like the thought, but just trapped out there somewhere, just waiting to be saved, and maybe.. But it was like there was a silent agreement between Hermione and herself to not tell Mrs. Weasley, or anybody else for that matter, what was to happen. No false hope. Her mother wouldn't be able to handle it. Losing a son had been hard for her, but she had got through it, and there was no reason to get her hopes up. It was only 'maybe'

Suddenly the watch said 'click' and Ginny saw her fathers face point to 'home' and a second later she could she him in the kitchen.

'Hello Molly, are they kids home yet" he yelled, and started taking his shoes of. Mrs. Weasley went to the kitchen, leaving Hermione on the couch dubbing her eyes with a tissue.

"Ginny is dear, and you won't believe it. Hermione! Ginny heard her mum say, and she could just imagine the look her on her dad's face right now.

"Hermione. Hermione. Ron's Hermione?"

"Of course dear. Who else do we know named Hermione, beside Ronald's Hermione?

Ginny wished they would stop saying 'Ron or Ronald's Hermione' it sounded like he was still alive. 'Maybe he is' a little evil voice said in her head, but she brushed it of.

"Hermione!"

Mr. Weasley was now standing in the living room, facing Hermione. Ginny didn't mind that he didn't say anything to her. After all, she was her like every weekend, and some weekdays too, so she saw them often enough.

"Hello Mr. Weasley" Hermione said shyly, and smiled. "It's good to see you"

Mr. Weasley just shook his head a little, and then pulled Hermione up from the couch, and hugged her tightly.

"Arthur, stop. The poor girl need air" Mrs. Weasley said, and Mr. Weasley let go of her.

"It is so good to see you again Hermione, and you to Ginny, of course, what have you been up to all these years Hermione? why haven't you... Oh, I can hear the boys Molly. It's probably Fred and George, they're always first. I do hope they have Lynn and Laura with them this time"

Ginny sat down next to Hermione, and whispered in her ear, "if dad's right and it is Fred and George who're home now, you better be ready for a big welcome home party"

To Be Continued..