Soft fur grazed her leg as she helped her mother with the baked potatoes.
"Crookshanks, one day I'm going to step on you and not be sorry about it!"
She was highly frustrated at the big, purring, orange ball of mush, having
almost tripped over him twice since entering the kitchen.
Grabbing a few dishes for the potato toppings, the young fourth year made her way to the smooth pine wood tables that had been set up in the back yard. Cool air began drifting over the sitting area like a soft mass of feathers; Ginny shivered a bit at the delightful sensation and began to relax from her previous frustrations. She walked back and forth from the table to the kitchen, grabbing various plates and bowls of meat, vegetables, and salads along the way.
"Why does she have to be so. ... so. ... something, ugh, what do I feel for that witch? She's always so confusing. It's like there's something between us. ... like our auras just connect and spark when they touch. How the hell am I going to survive the rest of the summer with her, listening to her soft, peaceful breathing as I go to sleep? Maybe I'll just stay awake for weeks on end until I start hallucinating and have to go off to the loony bin."
Thinking such things in the gentle breeze had amused Ginny greatly, and when Hermione walked up to her, she asked, "What's that goofy smile fixed on your face for, eh? Havin' nasty thoughts on that book we were thumbing through?" Her happy smile turned into a nervous one as she blushed furiously, but shot back with, "I bet they're not nearly as bad as yours!" With that, she quickly stood up and half walked, half ran to the kitchen, looking for something else to occupy her time.
~-~-~-~
As the tall, slim redhead stepped out into a clearing, he was immediately grabbed by the shoulders and lifted up; much like an unfortunate rabbit being snatched up by a bird of prey. At first he was startled but in a split second he recognized the warmth of the hands that were on him. He knew he was safe, soaring just a few feet above the ground in Harry's arms.
Seconds felt like minutes to Ron when his long time friend was carrying him home. They had dazed grins plastered to their faces, thinking exactly the same thing about the other. Their thoughts were interrupted though, when Harry guided his broom down to the backyard, and they landed with a dull thud. Exchanging shy glances, the wizards set off to help Mrs. Weasley with dinner, not making eye contact the entire time.
~-~-~-~
The clanging of the metal triangle alerted everyone to the table; chaos erupted as soon as everyone sat down. Hands reached for desired dishes, forks and knives set out to chop food, and loud voices resonated throughout the untidy backyard. A fat little gnome sneakily walked to his underground house, yawning along the way. The sun was nearly set, and a few timid white stars peaked out through the velvety dark blue sky. Twilight was the most beautiful time of day to have a summer dinner outside, and Hermione was glad to be spending her time at The Burrow.
Light played across Ginny's lightly freckled skin so beautifully, the older witch couldn't help but stare; gazing carefully at every sharp feature, noticing how it contrasted perfectly with her soft wavy hair. "Wish I could just touch it, just for a little while. Bet it smells nice, just like the rest of her." Hermione's eyes were now partially closed, her fork inches away from her mouth, paused in its task, as she drifted in thought.
A flurry of color flew before her eyes, and Hermione realized someone's hand was waving in front of her, trying to get her attention. "Huh?" she asked, confused. "You've been spacing out on us for over a minute, do we need to ship you off to St. Mungo's?" Fred and George smirked mischievously until they caught their mother giving them 'the look'. "Now boys, I'm sure Hermione is fine, stop being beasts to her or you'll be sharing the de- gnoming duty with Ron," she stated the last part with an evil smile of her own as she looked out at her almost gnome-free back yard. "I'll be able to plant more delicate, colorful things in the yard from now on."
The subdued duo continued eating, both glancing down at a list that was carefully hidden between them. Fred whispered quietly to his twin, "Have you noticed yet? I've documented so much." "He won't be convinced, he's not a bloody moron like Percy," they snickered under their breaths, and went back to debating. "I say we follow them tomorrow, maybe even photograph them. . we need all the money we can get from this." They noticed Hermione watching them closely, unable to hear them but trying to read their lips. She raised an eyebrow in question but they went back to eating dinner as if nothing was out of sorts, unsure if it was safe to let her in on their plan.
A/N: Would anyone like to give me guesses/suggestions as to what the twins are planning? I'll be updating a lot more from now on, so expect to see some little twists and turns along the way.
Grabbing a few dishes for the potato toppings, the young fourth year made her way to the smooth pine wood tables that had been set up in the back yard. Cool air began drifting over the sitting area like a soft mass of feathers; Ginny shivered a bit at the delightful sensation and began to relax from her previous frustrations. She walked back and forth from the table to the kitchen, grabbing various plates and bowls of meat, vegetables, and salads along the way.
"Why does she have to be so. ... so. ... something, ugh, what do I feel for that witch? She's always so confusing. It's like there's something between us. ... like our auras just connect and spark when they touch. How the hell am I going to survive the rest of the summer with her, listening to her soft, peaceful breathing as I go to sleep? Maybe I'll just stay awake for weeks on end until I start hallucinating and have to go off to the loony bin."
Thinking such things in the gentle breeze had amused Ginny greatly, and when Hermione walked up to her, she asked, "What's that goofy smile fixed on your face for, eh? Havin' nasty thoughts on that book we were thumbing through?" Her happy smile turned into a nervous one as she blushed furiously, but shot back with, "I bet they're not nearly as bad as yours!" With that, she quickly stood up and half walked, half ran to the kitchen, looking for something else to occupy her time.
~-~-~-~
As the tall, slim redhead stepped out into a clearing, he was immediately grabbed by the shoulders and lifted up; much like an unfortunate rabbit being snatched up by a bird of prey. At first he was startled but in a split second he recognized the warmth of the hands that were on him. He knew he was safe, soaring just a few feet above the ground in Harry's arms.
Seconds felt like minutes to Ron when his long time friend was carrying him home. They had dazed grins plastered to their faces, thinking exactly the same thing about the other. Their thoughts were interrupted though, when Harry guided his broom down to the backyard, and they landed with a dull thud. Exchanging shy glances, the wizards set off to help Mrs. Weasley with dinner, not making eye contact the entire time.
~-~-~-~
The clanging of the metal triangle alerted everyone to the table; chaos erupted as soon as everyone sat down. Hands reached for desired dishes, forks and knives set out to chop food, and loud voices resonated throughout the untidy backyard. A fat little gnome sneakily walked to his underground house, yawning along the way. The sun was nearly set, and a few timid white stars peaked out through the velvety dark blue sky. Twilight was the most beautiful time of day to have a summer dinner outside, and Hermione was glad to be spending her time at The Burrow.
Light played across Ginny's lightly freckled skin so beautifully, the older witch couldn't help but stare; gazing carefully at every sharp feature, noticing how it contrasted perfectly with her soft wavy hair. "Wish I could just touch it, just for a little while. Bet it smells nice, just like the rest of her." Hermione's eyes were now partially closed, her fork inches away from her mouth, paused in its task, as she drifted in thought.
A flurry of color flew before her eyes, and Hermione realized someone's hand was waving in front of her, trying to get her attention. "Huh?" she asked, confused. "You've been spacing out on us for over a minute, do we need to ship you off to St. Mungo's?" Fred and George smirked mischievously until they caught their mother giving them 'the look'. "Now boys, I'm sure Hermione is fine, stop being beasts to her or you'll be sharing the de- gnoming duty with Ron," she stated the last part with an evil smile of her own as she looked out at her almost gnome-free back yard. "I'll be able to plant more delicate, colorful things in the yard from now on."
The subdued duo continued eating, both glancing down at a list that was carefully hidden between them. Fred whispered quietly to his twin, "Have you noticed yet? I've documented so much." "He won't be convinced, he's not a bloody moron like Percy," they snickered under their breaths, and went back to debating. "I say we follow them tomorrow, maybe even photograph them. . we need all the money we can get from this." They noticed Hermione watching them closely, unable to hear them but trying to read their lips. She raised an eyebrow in question but they went back to eating dinner as if nothing was out of sorts, unsure if it was safe to let her in on their plan.
A/N: Would anyone like to give me guesses/suggestions as to what the twins are planning? I'll be updating a lot more from now on, so expect to see some little twists and turns along the way.