Disclaimer: Yada yada...still don't own sigh

AN: Sorry I've taken so long to update...I haven't been in a story writing mood for awhile and college has been a bit hectic. I'll try to get as much out during breaks that I can, but I kinda screwed myself over last semester, so gotta make up for it this semester. Never slack off your first semester in college! ...Anyways, onto the story!

Chapter 22

After going by Flourish and Blotts, Honeydukes, and the Qudditch store, the three women were ready to go on to Hogwarts. They had a bag full of candy, along with Hexes Over the Years and How to Protect Yourself and Famous Moves: You Can Learn Them Too for Harry. There was also candy for all three females and several books for Hermione.

"Ready?" Mrs. Weasley asked, as she held out one hand to Hermione and her other hand to Ginny.

They both nodded as they grabbed the offered hands and apparated to the border of Hogwarts. As they started walking to the castle, Mrs. Weasley looked at her watch (Arthur had given it to her a few months earlier, what with his love for muggle contraptions).

"Well, we're a little early, but I'm sure it will be fine," she said.

When they were almost to the castle, a cat walked up to them and transformed into Mrs. McGonagall. She stared at Molly's hair openly for a few moments before composing herself.

"Good to see you again Minerva," Mrs. Weasley said warmly.

"Same to you Molly," McGonagall said. "Have you eaten lunch yet?"

The three of them shook their heads 'no', knowing they had forgotten something.

"Good," McGonagall said briskly as she started walking towards the castle. "Albus wished for all of you to meet him in the Great Hall."

As the group of four entered the castle and then the Great Hall, Mrs. Weasley gave a small sigh of longing.

"Are you okay mum?" Ginny asked, having heard her mother sigh.

"Yes dear," she smiled down at her daughter. "Just thinking about how much I miss my years at this school."

"Ah, Misses Weasley's and Ms. Granger," they heard a voice say. "I'm glad you could make it in time for lunch."

Dumbledore smiled merrily down at them as he gestured for them to join him at the main table. "Come, come."

They, along with McGonagall, went up and joined Dumbledore. Minerva sat on his right side while Molly sat on his left with Ginny and Hermione next to her.

"How are you, Albus?" Molly asked, as the food popped onto the table.

"Quite well, Molly. And yourself?"

"I'm doing fair," she said, trying to avoid looking directly at him.

"Is there something wrong, Molly?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes," she answered, without looking at him. She instead focused her attention on Ginny and Hermione, who were currently snickering.

"Shush now, children," she said sternly. The two girls stared down at their plates but couldn't help but giggle.

"What's wrong Molly?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes twinkling. If the two children were acting so, it couldn't be anything serious.

"The twins have been up to their pranks again," she said stiffly. "One backfired, as usual."

"May I assume the backfired prank is your green and silver hair?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes," Mrs. Weasley muttered darkly. "The boys should be happy that I will be gone for the day, giving my temper a bit to cool."

Ginny was about to make a comment when Snape swept into the Great Hall.

"Nice of you to join us, Severus," Dumbledore smiled. Instead of the snappish comment everyone expected, silence followed. Several pairs of eyes looked towards Severus and saw him standing in front of his chair but starting at Molly's hair.

He sneered before taking his seat. "Nice to see your house loyalties have changed," he said.

"Not one more word out of you Severus!" Molly spat out, glaring at him.

Dumbledore cleared his throat before any thing else could be said. "Let us all enjoy our food; problem free, shall we?"

Everyone glared at Snape for another moment before turning their gazes to their food while Snape just smirked at everyone before helping himself to some food. The rest of the meal was spent in relative silence.

The two girls had just dropped their things off in Gryffindor Tower (where they would be staying while visiting Harry) and were now in Dumbledore's office, seeing Mrs.Weasley off.

"And you are sure you have everything?" Molly asked the girls for the tenth time.

"Yes mum!" Ginny cried. "We did the first nine times you asked, and we still do." The two Weasley women glared at each other for a moment before smiling. Hermione just watched the two, shaking her head in silent mirth.

"Just making sure. Get in touch with me when you are ready to come back." Molly leaned down and kissed both girls on the heads before turning to Dumbledore. "And you are sure everything is alright with them staying? I don't want anyone to go to any trouble."

"Everything is just fine, Molly. It will be good for Harry to spend some time with his friends. I will call you later and let you know that everything is fine," Dumbledore chuckled. Molly looked back at the girls one last time before stepping into Dumbledore's fire and flooing home.

"Now are you ready to go visit Harry?" Dumbledore asked. Hermione and Ginny looked at each other for a second before turning back to Dumbledore and nodding as one. "Good," he smiled. "Off we go then." He led the girls out of his office and they set off towards the Hospital Wing.

"Poppy! Mr. Potter has two visitors," Dumbledore called out merrily as he pushed the door open. Hermione and Ginny hung back a bit, almost afraid to go into the ward. "Come on now," Dumbledore said to the two as he noticed this.

Madame Pomfrey came out from behind a curtain, wiping her hands on her robe. "You're a bit early," she said, though she smiled. "Harry just finished his lunch so why don't you go ahead and go visit him." She pointed to the curtained area towards the back. "He's right back there." Poppy walked up to Dumbledore and they went into her office, whispering the whole way.

"Ya ready?" Ginny asked Hermione quietly. Hermione just nodded, trying to smile at Ginny. Both witches were happy to get to see Harry but they were afraid what they would see. Or what they might find out from him. Hermione took the younger girls hand into her own and they walked to the curtain together. Hermione took a deep breath before pulling the curtain open some.

"Hello Harry," she said brightly as she pulled Ginny in with her.

AN: I know I should post more with this chapter, but really wanted to get something out. I feel horrible for not posting in so long ducks the many objects flung at my head and am gonna try and get at least two more chapters out. Since it's been so long though, I'm having to re-read my own story heh. Good thing it isn't really Anyways, please review so I know if anyone is still interested in this story! Thanks