The next week passed in a hurried blur. Mrs. Weasley was back to normal. There was plenty of rushing about the Burrow and plenty of laying about on the couches. All in all, things were rather mundane. That is, they were rather mundane until it was time to go get supplies for the new school year.
Early one morning, Mrs. Weasley popped her head into the living room. The kids had plopped themselves down on couches and chairs to sleep the night before, too tired to stumble into their beds.
"Kids? Your letters from Hogwarts have come! We'll have to go shopping at Diagon Alley," she said, gently giving them each a shake to wake them up.
Hermione's eyes fluttered open. "So soon?"
"Of course. You have to get ready for school sometime. It starts in a couple weeks, dear." Mrs. Weasley laid the piece of parchment on a nearby table, then bustled back the hallway.
Hermione propped herself up to get a look at the list. There were several books on it, most of which she had already read. It looked like it wouldn't be a very challenging school year. Hermione sighed in disappointment.
Ron was looking at his list. He flung the paper towards her and promptly asked, pointing towards the area where the books were listed, "Okay, 'Mione, how many of them have you read this year?"
She sighed again, then began to lecture. "Ron, it doesn't matter. You'll have to read the books anyway and it's not like I'm going to do your homewo-"
"Oh, come off it. How many?"
"Six." She paused. "And a half. I haven't finished 'Dueling and Its Consequences' yet."
Ron smiled cheerfully. "Oh, good. It'll be an easy year then."
Hermione shook her head at him, clicking her tongue scoldingly. "You're supposed to be learning, not just having an easy year! How can you learn if all you do is ju-"
"Don't worry, I'll live," Ron said, laughing. "It's not like it'll hurt to have an calm year for once, one where I don't have to do that much work."
"Like I told you, you'll still have to do work. I'm not just handing over my work for you to copy."
"Don't be ridiculous, Hermione. Of course you will."
Hermione frowned. "Oh? And why do you say that? Maybe I won't."
"But you will. You always have." Ron tried to remember the last time Hermione hadn't helped them with their schoolwork. If she had, it was only once or twice. She had been good about helping.
"You need to learn how to finish these sort of things by yourself, Ron! I won't always be there to lend a hand when you don't know what to do."
This struck home. It had never occurred to the boy that Hermione wouldn't always be around. She'd probably get to be Head Girl, get too busy for him and Harry, then find some job where there'd would be a lot of rushing about and no time for her friends from Hogwarts. She wouldn't always be there to help.
Ron stumbled over the words. "Well... maybe you won't always be there. But can't... can't you just help us out this year? Just this once?"
Hermione sighed, knowing that she'd most likely end up doing most of his work. "I'll think about it. But for now, we have to get these things at Diagon Alley." She gestured towards her letter that laid on the table.
"Well, Mum'll take us. Dad's at work. But I'm sure she'll be able to use that car he got." He thought for a moment. "We'll have to pick up Harry, I suppose. I don't think he has a way of getting there."
With that, Ron rushed back the hall, calling for his mother to come and drive them to Diagon Alley. The woman hurried back through the hall, then led Ron back to the living room where Hermione was. She sat down, pulling the boy down on the couch beside her.
"Ron, dear, I don't want you to get too excited but..."
It was too late. She should've never said those words. Mothers should know that when they say something like that, the child will inevitably get excited and will never be able to listen to the words following whatever they're not supposed to be getting to excited about.
"But I can't drive you to Diagon Alley," she finished.
Hermione and Ron both looked aghast. "But, Mrs. Weasley! How will we get the supplies that we need for Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.
Mrs. Weasley smiled slightly. "It doesn't mean that you won't get to get your things, dear. It's just... I won't be able to drive, since I had that scare out in the garden and am not feeling wonderfully lately. And Ron's father is at work. There's no one to drive you two. So... Ron, don't get excited. I'm letting you drive the car your father borrowed."
Here Ron made a surprised noise somewhere in between a squeak and a squeal. It wasn't everyday that an underage wizard got to drive a car... at least, not with his mother's permission. He tried to thank his mother, but no words came out. Instead, he just grinned and nodded his head rapidly.
"Now, I want you to be careful! Are you listening?" Of course, Ron wasn't. "Listen, dear. I want this car back in the shape your father borrowed it. Be very careful. Don't hurt yourself. Don't wreck. Don't let anyone see you, for God's sake. They'll ask for a license and you won't have one and they'll take you away and I'll never get to see you ag-"
Ron kept nodding, but he wasn't really listening. Hermione interjected. "We'll be fine, I promise. I won't let him do anything ridiculous. It's wonderful that you're letting us go. Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. I promise we'll be careful."
Mrs. Weasley nodded, trying not to start lecturing again. Hermione was a smart girl. She knew she'd make sure everything would be okay. But even though she knew Hermione would probably be able to handle whatever might arise, she couldn't help but feel as if something terrible would happen.