Chapter 2: The Summer is Ending

"Good morning Ron, and you Harry! Breakfast is ready, come, have a seat!" Molly Weasley greeted Ron and Harry a few days later. It was 10 AM, the sun was high in the sky, and the grass outside the Burrow swayed softly. The table was set, but the only person eating there was Ginny.

Ron had had an unusual time getting used to the new way his house was. There were only four of them living there; Percy had moved out, and Fred and George had rented a place above their joke shop in Hogsmeade. It was so quiet now. His mother never was yelling at Fred or George. Everything itself was glum, the news of the order, and Harry's mourning of Sirius. It had livened up a bit when Harry came halfway through the summer, but he got quiet when anything about Death Eaters, the Ministry, or Sirius was brought up in conversation. But it was getting better, slowly.

"Goo' morning mum," Ron said tiredly. Him and Harry had been up talking late into the night, as they had been most of the summer already. "What's for breakfast?"

He sat in a chair next to Harry, who like himself, was still in is pajamas. His hair was wildly astray from sleeping, and he had dark circles under his eyes from sleep loss. You could see the scar on the back of his hand, reading "I must not tell lies." on the back of his right hand from Umbridge's detentions last year.

"Scrambled eggs and toast, dear. Help yourself, there's plenty," Molly replied, placing a frying pan and a plate of toast on the table. "Ginny, have you finished your schoolwork?"

"Yes mum," Ginny replied, rolling her eyes. She was eating hot porridge, and was already dressed.

"Where are you going to this early in the morning?" Ron asked, looking up and down at her outfit.

"What business is it to you?"

"Just curious," Ron said, shrugging. He helped himself to some eggs and a few slices of toast while Ginny sat silently, as if debating her reply.

"Well, if you must know," she said, as if it was paining her to tell him, "I'm going to Dean's house today. I'm helping him shop for new robes in Diagon Alley."

"Oh," Ron replied with a look of disdain. He could feel Harry's eyes on him, as if he was wondering how he'd react. Ron hadn't agreed to Ginny's choice to date, but he'd gotten used to it. He just wished she'd date someone he knew better, like Harry. But Harry straight up rejected this idea. He wouldn't even listen to Ron if he began a sentence with, "I think that Dean and Ginny aren't doing so well. I think she'd be better with…"

Suddenly, there was a pecking noise on the window. Ron looked over, to see a large brown owl sitting in his mother's flower box. He swallowed. His mum had better not notice…

"What is that bloody owl doing sitting in my new snap dragons?"

Too late. Ron went to the window and opened it. The owl was familiar.

"Isn't that Hermione's new owl?" Harry asked, taking a bite of his buttery toast.

"Yeah, I think so," Ron replied, taking the folded parchment from the bird's outstretched leg and observing the handwriting. It was very punctilious. "Yes, it's definitely from Hermione."

"Well read it then."

Ron had already beaten him to it.

"'I can't wait to get back to school, and see you guys. I've got a surprise for you. I hope you'll like it. I was a little unsure of it before, but now I think it's alright.' What in bloody hell is she talking about? What surprise?" Ron asked, looking up from the parchment at Harry, who was finishing his breakfast.

"I don't know. I suppose that's why she called it a surprise," Harry said with a smile. He stood up and put his plate in the sink.

"Oh ha ha. Very funny. I just thought she might have told you," Ron commented, going back to the letter.

"How could she have told me, I've been here all summer?"

"I don't know," Ron muttered softly. He sat back down at the table, his white and red plaid pajama bottoms snagging on the wooden chair. He heard the door creak open, and a flash of red hair move through it. "GINNY! Where are you going?"

"Ron, I already told you," Ginny said, stomping her foot in an annoyed manner on the wooden floor. "I'm going to help Dean-"

"Oh right."

Ginny sighed audibly and slammed the door behind her. The dishes on the cabinet rattled, and Harry caught them before they fell.

"What's with her this morning?" Ron asked. Ginny always seemed to get annoyed with him when he talked about Dean. He didn't exactly know why. He was just worried about her.

"D'you ever think that you're just a little too hard on her about this Dean thing? I mean, Dean's a nice guy. There's nothing not to trust about him," Harry inquired, clearing Ron's empty plate from the table and moving into the living area. Ron followed, and sat down in a plush armchair.

"I'm not being hard on her. I just want to make sure she's okay. She's only a little girl you know," he said, and Harry shook his head.

"Ron, if you haven't noticed," Harry began, pointing at the portraits above the fireplace that had been taken of Ginny through the years. "She's not a little girl anymore. Maybe you should stop treating her as one. I think she can take care of herself."

"That's what you think! But what happens when she gets kidnapped by some pervert? I know how guys our age think! You know, I've always thought that she'd be better off with-"

"NO Ron. I will NOT date Ginny. I'm not exactly wanting a relationship right now, if you haven't noticed," Harry said annoyed, running a hand through his black hair.

"Well, I mean, when you are."

Harry rolled his eyes.

"Speaking of relationships, Ron, what's happening with you and Hermione? Going to pop the question?" he asked, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

"No Harry, I'm not asking her to marry me, if that's what you want," Ron said, blushing. "How about a game of Wizard Chess?"

"Changing the subject are we Ron? When are you going to ask her?"

"I don't know Harry. Don't pressure me."

"I just don't think you have anything to be afraid of, it's just Hermione. Besides, I've always suspected that she had a thing for you," Harry said playfully, punching Ron in the shoulder.

"Shut up Harry."

Harry and Ron had awoken early that morning to pack their trunks for King's Cross. They'd left in a ministry car, which wasn't nearly as packed as it was the last time Harry had been in a car with him. They arrived at Platform 9 ¾ at 10:45 AM. The platform was packed, and he and Harry waited for Hermione, anticipating seeing her surprise.

Finally, she arrived.

"Hello Ron, Harry." Ron looked up. There was a girl standing in front of him. A pretty girl. But she couldn't possibly be Hermione. Hermione had bushy, brown hair and wouldn't touch make up if her life depended on it.

"Do I know you?" Ron replied, scanning Hermione up and down.

Hermione laughed.

"Of course! But that wasn't exactly the reaction I'd hoped for," Hermione frowned and shrugged. "So what do you think?"

"You look very nice," Ron said professionally. Personally, he didn't understand why she'd want to change her appearance. She was beautiful as she was before. He'd liked her that way. "But why the change?"

"You know, I was sick of my old hair, it annoyed me."

"And the make up?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow. Apparently, he too didn't exactly approve of Hermione's change.

"I -" Hermione was cut off by a shrill whistle coming from a passing teenage boy Ron had never seen. How dare he do that to Hermione? But she just blushed, and continued. "It wasn't my idea. My hairdresser, Donna, thought it would look nice."

"Oh, well it does," Harry said, in an emotionless tone. "So shall we board?"

"Oh yes," Hermione said, following Ron and Harry onto the train.

Ron stopped in front of the first compartment. He had to go to a prefect's meeting.

"I'll - er - meet you later Harry," Ron said, with half a smile. He didn't like being a prefect, he would much prefer to sit with Harry most of the ride.

"Right, have fun!" Harry continued down the train, searching for an empty compartment. Ron watched him turn into a doorway, then followed the girl with shiny hair into the prefect's compartment.

The room wasn't full yet. He sat next to Hermione, waiting for the others to arrive. Draco Malfoy came next, sitting across from them. Ron couldn't help but notice the look he gave Hermione. He didn't like it. It wasn't a look of malice, but more of interest. He didn't want Malfoy interested in her! A few other's entered the compartment, a few he didn't know, but some he did. He sat bored for the first half of the ride, staring absentmindedly as Professor McGonagall droned on about their duties. He'd heard it all before.

"So are you more happy with being a prefect this year?" Hermione asked, as he walked beside her to Harry's compartment halfway through the train ride.

Ron shrugged.

"I don't know, it's still weird. I don't feel like it should be me-"

"Is that you, Hermione?" A girly voice came suddenly from a compartment they'd just passed, they backed up, only to see the faces of Parvati and Lavender staring back at them. Hermione blushed and flipped her hair nervously.

"Yeah," she replied.

Ron frowned and furrowed his eyebrows. What did they want with Hermione? They never talked to her. He grabbed the sleeve of Hermione's robes, tugging her towards the direction of Harry's compartment.

"Be polite Ron," Hermione muttered to him, but wouldn't budge.

"Hermione, you look - nice," Parvati commented, smiling sweetly at Hermione. Her lips glistened with gloss.

"I agree! Why don't you come sit with us? We can discuss things, you know, girl stuff," Lavender said, patting the seat next to her.

Hermione shifted her feet uncomfortably. Ron hoped she wouldn't sit with them. He'd never really found them to be the brightest of most sorts. Besides, he wanted to catch up with Hermione, he hadn't seen her all summer. He looked at her expectantly, hoping that she'd be thinking the same he was.

"I hope you're not offended Ron," Hermione started, looking at him uneasily. "but I haven't sat with them before. I'll catch up with you and Harry later, okay?"

"I guess," Ron said slightly hurt. He added in a bitter tone, "See you later, Hermione."

He continued down the train to Harry's compartment, not looking over his shoulder. She could sit with them if she wanted. But he couldn't help but feeling shunned. Why would she choose them over him and Harry, who'd been her friends since they were in first year?

"No Hermione?" Harry asked, when Ron came into the compartment.

"Nope," Ron replied bluntly, sitting down harshly next to his best friend.

"Where is she?"

"With Parvati and Lavender," Ron replied shortly.

"Why?"

"Don't ask me."

"She probably went to sit with them because they're popular." Ron looked up to see Luna peering at him over her copy of The Daily Prophet. Ron looked at Harry, raising his eyebrows.

"When did she get here?"

"I've been here. Neville's here too, if you hadn't noticed. We couldn't just leave Harry alone, could we?" Luna replied. Ron looked away from her in annoyance. Why was she always around lately?

"Hullo Ron," Neville said, with a wave.

"Hey Neville," Ron said distractedly, and turned to Harry. "Don't mind me asking, but what in bloody hell is wrong with Hermione?"

Harry shrugged.

"I don't know why she'd want to change her appearance. She never was the type to do such a thing. She was always making fun of Parvati and Lavender and their stupid girly ways," Harry agreed, offering Ron some Bertie Bott's. He obliged. "I don't know what's gotten into her-"

"You don't like it? I think she looks pretty," Luna interrupted again. Ron glared at her and pretended like she'd said nothing.

"Do you mind, Luna?" Harry said, also perturbed by her interruption. "Not to be rude or anything, but do you mind leaving? It's private stuff we need to talk about."

"Oh I'm being shunned. Fine, I'll go. But don't come to me for advice." Luna picked up her trunk and walked away haughtily.

"Good, now that that obstacle is out of the way," Ron smiled, watching her disappear. "I don't know if I really like what she's done to herself."

"Why?" Harry asked, another mouth full of candy.

"Well the make over didn't seem very - er - Hermioneish, but hanging out with Parvati and Lavender? They're not really bad people, it's just, they never seemed to be her type, you know?"

Harry nodded. Ron sat, waiting for a response, but none came.

"Well don't you have something to say?" Ron asked annoyed, thinking that Harry was avoiding the subject.

"No, I do. I agree completely with you."

"But you don't have anything else to say?"

"No, Ron."

"You're not mad at her?"

"No."

"Why not?" Ron said, angrily. Wasn't Harry supposed to take his side? He took a deep breath and looked at the green trees and fields flying by the train window.

"Because, she hasn't done anything wrong," Harry replied bluntly.

"And sitting with Parvati and Lavender instead of us isn't wrong?"

"No, it isn't unless she completely stops sitting with us because of them."

Ron made a sound of annoyance. He looked to Neville for support, but he just shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm not getting involved in this Ron," he said and went back to his muggle book he was reading.

"Am I the only one here with any brains?" Ron shouted, annoyed. Harry just raised an eyebrow.

"Ron relax. I'm sure everything will work out fine," Harry comforted, patting Ron on the back.

"I don't want your sympathy."

Ron turned again to the window. He watched the familiar scenery move by the small compartment window. The sun was beginning to set over the mountains, casting a rainbow of blues, pinks, yellows, and greens across the sky. Harry would understand, just wait. He had a bad feeling in the bottom of his stomach about this "New Hermione." And everyone would know about it.