Author's Note: Okay, so in my version of the Harry Potter universe, let's just say that the sexual tension between Ron and Hermione that started in the 4th book hasn't actually happened yet...for story sake. This chapter is somewhat short and not too interesting, but it's helpful to the story. I just haven't had the time to pull it in with further plot yet. School is finally over and I have more time on my hands now, so this story should be picking up now. Have fun...

Hermione looked around. All her luggage was packed, and was all touching her in at least one place. Her mother came over, giving her a hug.

"I'm still not used to this whole disappearing thing, Hermione," she said. "So be careful...and only do it when you ABSOLUTELY need to...but since it's so easy, don't even HESITATE to come back if you leave something, you know, or to visit me and your poor aunt, but--" "Mum," Hermione interrupted with a smile. "Mum, I'll be fine. Don't worry about it. I'll see you over Christmas break. Take care, and I'll send you an owl if anything happens." Mrs. Granger nodded at her daughter. She was so proud of what the girl had become. A stunning woman, in both mind and beauty.

"Til Christmas," she said, hugging Hermione tightly once more before stepping back. With one last smile, Hermione concentrated on the Burrow in her mind. She felt the hook pulling her from deep behind her navel, and closed her eyes. She was never really one for spinny things, anything that could make her dizzy and sick. After a few moments, though, she felt her feet touch solid ground, and she opened her eyes. She was in the Weasley's living room, all of her luggage there with her.

"Hello?" She said loudly. As quickly as Hermione herself came, Molly was in the living room with her.

"Oh, I thought I heard a pop, dear, but I wasn't sure. I would have been here to welcome you, but I was busy making food. We're having a big feast tonight. Speaking of welcoming, where's Ron? I was certain he'd be around for when you got here." Hermione looked around the Burrow, a smile of satisfaction on her face.

"I'm sure he would have been, he just wasn't expecting me this early..." Hermione looked at the REAL clock that now sat beside the special one. It was 2:27. "I hope you all don't mind."

"No, not at all, not at all," Molly said gleefully. "As you can see, there is plenty of food. And I know that you used to stay with Ginney when you came, but you're both growing girls, and I know how you girls like your privacy these days, so I came up with an ABSOLUTELY lovely bed for you in the attic." Hermione nodded her head, feeling happy. It would be nice staying in the attic of the Burrow for the next 7 days. Hermione loved her family, but back with her friends was where she really belonged.

"I'll just start taking my luggage up there, then," Hermione said, picking up 2 of her suitcases. She had brought her trunk along empty. That way, she would have one more week to decide what would be taken to school, and what would be sent home. She began to walk up the winding staircase. As she got to the second landing, she heard movement, and began to slow. The second floor was where the bathroom was. The door opened, and foggy, humid air billowed out, warming the whole landing. And then Hermione saw who was standing amidst all the damp air. Ron stepped out, a towel wrapped around his waist and nothing else. He jumped back slightly at seeing Hermione, and then a large smile cracked onto his face.

"Mione!" He exclaimed, pulling her into a large hug. The hug dampened her sweater a little bit, but she didn't mind. He looked nothing short of amazing.

"Ron...wow...look at you. You look...different." Ron smiled at her remark, but found it hard to smile when he saw how she now looked. What used to be a very normal Hermione was now a shapely woman with gorgeous hair, a phenomenal body, and an adorably irresistible face. He took a deep breath, smiling weakly back at her.

"You to..." he said. He could feel himself blushing. "I'd...better go get changed," he smiled, walking up the stairs. Hermione watched the muscles on his back move as he went up.

Oh God, no, she thought to herself. She had just developed a crush on her best friend. This couldn't be happening. She continued up the stairs, until she got past the fourth floor, finding her way into the attic. It was quite luxurious, she noted as she got inside. In a word, everything was simply large and comfortable looking. She set down her bags, and looked around. She felt like changing clothes. It was much warmer inside this house hold than in hers. She opened her trunk, sorting through it until she found a black t-shirt with a high cut neck and cap sleeves. The woman at the store had said it would be most flattering on her figure. At the time, she had simply boughten it because she had needed a black t-shirt, but now, she had a strange urge to impress. She changed into a different pair of jeans, a slightly tighter pair, and looked at herself in the mirror. A few years ago she would have said that she looked sensible. But now, she couldn't help but notice that she did look quite pretty. She grabbed her black eye liner, putting a bit more on. She didn't feel like herself, but at the moment, she just didn't care.

Coming out of the attic, she went down the stairs, waiting for Ron. As she reached the bottom, she noticed that he was already there. Her breath caught in her throat a bit. He had put on a gray t-shirt and jeans, and she couldn't help but notice how much he was filling out from the sports. She was getting a strange feeling that she hadn't experienced before, and it made her blush. Just as she was coming in to sit down, the phone went off. It surprised her a little bit, pulling her from her dream world, but she quickly took a seat at the table. Ron gave Hermione a shy smile and then picked up the receiver.

"Weasley residence," he said, and then a large smile broke onto his face. "Harry! Yeah. No, Hermione just got here. ... you do?... they are? That's terrible, mate. ...No, I'm sure mom would love it, but...well, you know how she is about parents...oh, are you serious?...Of course, man, yeah...alright...I'll see you soon, man." Ron didn't look as excited anymore. He put the phone down, and Hermione couldn't help but question him immediately.

"Ronald, what was that about?" Ron just looked around, trying to make sure his mom wasn't in ear shot.

"That was Harry...he's coming to stay with us. He said that, well, I guess that his uncle and them have been doing some pretty nasty things to him."

"Well, haven't they always...how nasty?" Hermione asked, keeping her voice down. She was trying to listen, but she couldn't stop simply staring at Ron's mouth. The way it looked and moved.

"We'll have to see, I guess. He'll be here in about a half an hour." Hermione nodded at what Ron had told her. Things had never been too good for Harry at the Dursley's, but maybe they had gotten worse. She just wondered, worse in which way, specifically. Maybe she could talk to him. She needed someone to listen to what she had to say, as well.