Chapter 1
Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, Bill and Charlie Weasly and Hermione sat in the living room of the Burrow laughing at some story Fred was telling about a customer who came into the joke shop. It was a while since they all laughed. It had been 3 weeks since summer had started. Ginny and Ron had left Hogwarts and instead of going to Grimmuald Place as they expected too they went back to their home, the Burrow. It wasn't like they were objecting. Going back there would have been too painful. It hadn't been that long since they had all lost Sirius. They all worried about Harry a great deal. Ginny and Ron were more cautious now. That battle in the Ministry of magic had really shaken them up. Hermione had just come to the Burrow after spending the first while with her parents. She too had grown far more serious.
Today Mrs. Weasly smiled as she washed the dishes hearing her children's laughter. She knew that they knew the war was coming. She knew none of them were safe. She especially feared for her younger children. Ginny, Ron and the twins, even Hermione, who she considered one of her own, were all in grave danger. She feared Ron's well being the most because she knew he would do anything to protect Hermione and Harry from danger, even if it meant sacrificing himself. She shook these thoughts out of her head.
"Stop it," she told herself. Don't spoil this happy mood with your thoughts. She continued washing the dishes humming a little tune.
"So she just ran out cursing George and the teeth chased her," Fred laughed.
Everyone was sitting round the fire keeping warm. Hermione sat between Ginny and Ron on the couch. George and Fred were standing in the middle of the room telling their story. Bill sat on the armchair across from the fire and Charlie had pulled up a chair from the table and was sitting beside Bill. They were all laughing faces turning beet red. Hermione put her hand down on the couch to settle herself not realizing Ron's was already there. As their hand's made contact they quickly stopped laughing and looked at each other. Then as fast as their hands touched they were apart again. Ginny secretly noted this.
There was suddenly a loud pop in the kitchen and everyone in the living room figured it was Mr. Weasly home from work. Sure enough, the hand on the clock labeled Mr. Weasly went from work to home. Fred began to speak again before he was interrupted.
Mrs. Weasly came running into the living room clutching a piece of parchment. She was followed quickly not only by Mr. Weasly but by Mad-Eye, Tonks and Lupin.
"It's started."
