Laughter rang out at the Burrow: a sound that was prized nowadays. The Weasleys plus one Harry Potter and one Hermione Granger and minus one bull-headed Percy Weasley sat around the fire laughing about a tale Hermione had just finished involving a muggle boy from a Phoenix, Arizona that had asked her out on a date. "He took you to a place called 'Chuck E. Cheese'? How incredibly stupid!" George guffawed. "I know. There were a bunch of six year olds running around. Apparently he worked there, and it was the only thing he could afford. I swear, those Americans are so odd. Needless to say, I could hardly stand to be polite, though he was quite good looking."
Everyone laughed again. Ron and Harry looked quite puzzled however. Hermione had gone out on a date? They did not usually associate Hermione and a love life. It was a strange thought. Oh well, it was quite a funny story, and they had devoid of laughter for quite a while. It was nice to have Bill, Charlie, Fred, and George home, and it was especially nice to have Percy gone. The joke shop Fred and George had opened was doing quite well, and they were enjoying their business. However, it left them very little time to be home. Percy was always bustling about avoiding apologizing to his family, and trying to pretend as if nothing had gone wrong in the family. "Well, that was quite amusing. Hermione, dear, it's so nice to have you back. We really have missed you, though we understand why you couldn't come before."
Hermione looked around as everyone nodded in agreement. Ginny yawned greatly and Harry, Ron, and Hermione did the same. "I think it's about time we head off for bed, don't you think?" Hermione asked. "Yea" Ron yawned. "I'm beat." They said goodnight and the four of them headed off. Harry and Ron stopped at Ron's room. "It really is great to finally see you again, Mione." Ron said, and Hermione nodded. He closed the door and Hermione and Ginny headed off towards Ginny's room. "Ginny, oh how I did miss everyone!" Hermione blurted giving Ginny a spontaneous hug. "We all missed you too. It was strange not hearing from you at all. Ron went mental. It was quite funny at first, but then Harry came and they both drove us mad. They missed you so much, they were going to take a muggle car and drive to see you, but Harry came to his senses, and talked Ron out of it."
Hermione looked shocked at this. They really had missed her. Well, it had been a week since she'd been here, and that story hadn't come out yet. They were going to Diagon Alley in the morning, and she was excited about the upcoming school year. At Hogwarts, they could relax a bit, and not have to have the protection of the Order everywhere they went. She changed, and crawled into bed. "G'night Ginny." She slurred. "Night, Mione."
They drifted off waiting for sleep to claim them.