Chapter 5
They all had arrived Hogsmeade, and the very large group of students had split into several small ones. Fred, George, and their friend Lee Jordan, automatically headed for Zonko's Joke Shop, while Harry and Ginny headed for Honeydukes, and Hermione and Ron were off towards Dervish and Banges. Ron just decided to stay with Hermione while she purchased her new quills and parchament. When she had made her purchase, the two headed for Honeydukes to meet up with Harry and Ginny. Along the way, they ran into Hannah Abott, Ernie Macmillan and Justin Flinch-Fletchy, three Hufflepuffs of their same year. They all greeted eachother, and continued on their way. Once Hermione and Ron reached Honeydukes, Ron went over by the chocolates section, and Hermione went in search of Ginny and Harry. Ron was goggling over all the chocolates, trying to find the chocolate frogs. He saw cream puffs, cauldron cakes, chocolate-stuffed scones, chocolate bars, mints, Berite Botts Chocolate Beans, and finally, the chocolate frogs. Ron took as many as he could hold, and went up to the front desk to pay for them all. "I see we're having a little chocolate craving, am I right?" the witch behind the counter asked. Ron nodded. The witch was wearing a bright red dress with a white body apron over it, and her silver-gray hair was up in a roll on-top of her head, while her half-moon shaped glasses (like Dumbledore's) rested on the ledge of her nose. Ron payed for his sweets and took his bag of chocolate frogs, going over by the lollipops, where Harry, Ginny and Hermione stood. Ginny and Hermione were looking at various types of lollipops, while Harry just stood behind them, holding their purses. Ron took Hermione's purse and shopping bag from Harry, as he gave him a sigh of relief. Hermione and Ginny went up to the counter, arms full of lollipops, sugar cubes, cauldron cakes, and more candy than ever. They each payed their fair share, and the four children exited the sweets shop. They went into the Three Broomsicks for butterbeer. "I'll get the drinks." Harry said, handing Ginny her purse and going off towards the bar. "Good afternoon, Harry." Madam Rosmerta said. She was wearing black witches robes, her gray, curly hair clipped back. "Hello, Madam Rosmerta. Four butterbeers, please." Harry said. She filled four glasses with steaming hot butterbeer, and handed them to Harry, who brought them back over to where his friends were seated. Ginny, who was obviously very cold, drank about half of her butterbeer in one sip. Hermione, on the other hand, took delicate sips, apparently wanting to conserve hers. Ron and Harry just took random drinks. "So, are we enjoying ourselves?" Ron asked, giving Hermione a quick nibble on the ear. "Ron! What the hell has gotten into you!" she screeched. Harry, Ron, and Ginny looked taken aback. Hermione suddenly slammed her head down on the table and began to cry. Ron rubbed her back. "There, there, it's alright. I'm sorry if I alarmed you." Ron said. Hermione sat back up and gave him a thanks-I-forgive-you-smile. I guess I got what I deserved, anyway. Besides, I shouldn't go nibbling on my girl's ear in public. What if Malfoy showed up? DAMN IT, I'm talking to my self concious, AGAIN! Ron snapped back to reality when Harry kicked him in the shin under the table. "Well, I guess we'd better be on our way back towards the carriges. Don't wanna be later for dinner." Ginny said. The four stood up, leaving their empty glasses on the table.
It was after dinner. Everyone was upstairs packing, because tomorrow was everyone's last day at Hogwarts until the summer. Hermione and Ron were in the common room, all alone. "I love you, 'Mione." Ron said. "I love you, too, Ronniekinns." Hermione said. His large hand was in hers, and she was stroking his hand with her thumb. She moved closer to him, their lips centimeters apart. Then, they locked. Ron's left hand moved up to the side of Hermione's neck, and his right hand went around her neck. Hermione's right hand went behind Ron's shoulder, and her left hand went into his familiar Weasley hair. Hermione was sliding her hand back and fourth through Ron's flaming red hair, while his other hand went to the other side of her neck. They broke apart, forheads still touching. "I liked that." Ron said. "Do you think we could -" Hermione embraced him again. This time, he put his hands on her neck, while she put both her hands on his shoulders. They kissed for a long while, right through the night.
The next day on the Hogwarts Express, Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron had gotten a compartment to themselves. Harry and Ginny were snogging on one seat, while Hermione and Ron did the same on the other. Hermione was playing with Ron's hair during their kiss, while Ron's arms were wrapped around her waist. Finally, the two couples broke apart, and started a conversation. "We're going to have so much fun this month!" Ginny exclaimed. "Yeah. We're gonna go swimming first thing tomorrow, in the lake behind the Burrow!" Ron exclaimed, exchanging looks with Hermione. "Well, the first thing we'll need to do is make sure that your mum's okay with it." Hermione said. "It is, I sent her an owl last night. I got her reply just this morning, at the last mail round." he said, swiping the tip of her nose. Hermione giggled, and put her hand through his. "Well, no matter what we do, we're still going to have loads've fun." Harry said. The other three nodded. The Hogwarts Express pulled to a stop, the brakes squeaking. Then the conductor came over the loud speaker. "Attention all students! The staff and myself wish you a great and safe summer. We look forward to seeing you all again on September the first of next year. Also, don't forget to make sure that your compartment is clean, so that the maid service doesn't have much work to do. That is all!" "Ha! He thinks we're going to clean up after ourselves?" Ron exclaimed. But Ginny, Hermione, and Harry were already cleaning up around him. Ron got his and Hermione's trunk down from the luggage rack, and Hermione got Crookshanks into his cage. Ginny got her trunk down, with help from Harry, who did the same. The four met up with Fred, George and Percy, who were all coming out to join them on the platform. They all got off the train to find Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, and Mr. and Mrs. Granger waiting for them on the platform. Hermione's parents and herself went into a group hug, while Ron, Ginny and Harry were embraced by Mrs. Weasley. "Mum!" Ron and Ginny exclaimed. Ginny gave Mr. Wealsey a quick kiss on the cheek, and then got the car keys from Bill. Ron went over to Hermione and her parents. "Hello, Mrs. Granger, Mr. Granger." Ron said, shaking Mr. Granger's hand. "We're going out to the car now." Ron said to Hermione. She gave her parents each another hug, and the four children were off towards the Weasley's blue ford anglia. Mr. Weasley had no longer used the car flying, since he had enchanted it himself. Ron and Harry put the four Hogwarts trunks into the trunk of the car, while Ginny and Hermione got into the back seat of the car. Soon, the rest of the Weasleys came out to the car, Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley, Bill and Charlie sitting up front, while Fred, George and Percy climbed in the backseat with the other four. "We're very happy that you two could come and stay with us." Mrs. Weasley said, turning to Hermione and Harry, who both smiled. Mr. Weasley made the car invisible, so they could climb over other cars and skip all the Muggle traffic. Within five minutes of their journey, they were riding on a dusty, dirt road. The Burrow became visible over a hill. They pulled into the drive, and the car stopped with a jolt. "Home at last." Fred said. They all piled out of the car, pulling their belongings in, trunks and all. "You all go on upstairs and get cleaned up. I'm going to start supper. Oh, and I'll need you all's help." Mrs. Weasley said, looking over at Hermione, Harry, Ron and Ginny. Harry and Ron went up to the top floor, while Ginny and Hermione said good-bye to them on the third floor. Ginny's room had light blue paint that was peeling, and two twin beds with white and light blue checkered bedding. Hermione put her trunk at the end of her bed, and took off her Hogwarts robes, while Ginny began to unpack her trunk. Up on the fourth floor, Ron and Harry were unpacking their books. Ron's room was a bright orange, and had the Chudley Cannons quidditch team all over it. He, too, had twin beds. "So, guess you're happy 'bout bein' here, huh?" Ron asked, just to make conversation. Harry nodded. "Well, we better get downstairs to help mum with dinner." Ron said. They went downstairs.