Harry's Arrival
"Harry! Good to see you, mate!" cried Ron. Harry grinned when he caught sight of him. Ron had managed to grow another 4 inches over the summer, and it actually seemed as though his hair had gotten even redder.
"All right, Ron," Harry replied. Only, half of his reply was muffled, as Mrs. Weasley walked into the room and smothered him with a hug. As she pulled away, Harry was, as always, blushing beet red but secretly pleased that she considered him to be one of the family.
"We've been expecting you, Harry, dear. Now, why don't you go put your things up in Ron's room, and I should think you'll want to see Hermione…she's up in Ginny's room. You can stop on your way back down for a spot of breakfast," she said as she beamed at him.
Harry wasn't quite sure why, but at the mention of Hermione his heart did a little flip flop. It seemed ridiculous, but it was the same thing that used to happen whenever he was around Cho.
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley. It's good to see you. I'll be right back down," Harry said as he started up the stairs.
He dropped his stuff in Ron's room, gave Hedwig some fresh water, and started heading towards Ginny's room. He went to push open the door, but he heard whispering behind it. He didn't want to disturb the girls or frighten them, so he knocked even though it was slightly ajar. There was an abrupt end to the whispers, followed by a shriek he knew all too well.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed, "We've been waiting and waiting for you. We didn't know if you'd still want to come round after - well, ah, I'm just so glad to see you!"
Harry was shocked. His first thought was, this is NOT Hermione, immediately followed by, of course it is you idiot, say something! The way Hermione looked at the Yule Ball in their 4th year that made him look at her twice was the way she looked now at the Burrow. Of course, what Harry didn't know what that Hermione had gone through great pains to find the proper outfit and hairstyle since she knew he was coming. She was wearing cutoff jean shorts, a black camisole (he wondered if it felt as soft as it looked), and her hair was in a long smooth ponytail - she must have mastered that hair straightening spell, after all, he thought.
" 'Mione!" he exclaimed, and allowed himself to be enveloped in her arms. He didn't want to get too alarmed, but he did notice the same nervous sensation at her touch that he did when she was mentioned downstairs.
"Harry, I'm glad you're here," said Ginny. "Let's go downstairs…I'm sure my mum is just waiting to feed you!"
"As a matter of fact, she's making me breakfast right now," replied Harry with a sheepish grin.
The three of them started down the stairs as Harry thought, it's so good to be back. I haven't felt this happy in months!