A/N: Ok, ok. I know what you are going to say, this took a while to come up but I just didn't have time to sit in front of the computer and write. Anyway, I'm really glad you are liking this story, hope not to disappoint you, but you'll have to read to find out and to review to let me know ;o)

Disclaimer: If anyone thought I own the characters in this story or that I claim ownership over them I am very sorry to disappoint you!

The first summer of the rest of their lives

Chapter IV: A Day at the Beach

Mrs. Weasley had prepared some sandwiches and had had Percy to take them to the beach together with everything else and to set up a tent so did wouldn't have to go back inside for lunch. Ever since Percy had gone back to the family house, ashamed of the way he had treated his own relatives he had been made to do all the tedious work, like carry stuff or go shopping.

It was a beautiful, hot day and they wanted to enjoy the beach as much as possible. The boys, all sweaty from their flying races, went straight to the sea; the girls, however, decided to sunbath for a while before going swimming. So they lied down on the sun, face up, each with one of the headphones of Hermione's walkman, enjoying the sensation of the sun against their skins.

"I still can't believe Hermione would wear a bikini, specially that one" Said Ron, goggling at the shore where the girls were resting. The truth was that the mouths of all the boys had fell when Hermione had taken off her beach dress and revealed a pretty small white and pink swimming suit. Ginny meanwhile was thankful the boy's attention was fixed on Hermione, because she was sure her older brothers would have something to say on what she was wearing.

"Well, I never thought I'd hear you complaining about it" Said Harry playfully. Ron turned scarlet.

"I'm not complaining" He said not looking at his best friend "I'm just surprised."

"You are not the only one…Who would have said that you could get such a body from studying all day." Interjected Fred.

"Hey!" Protested Ron annoyed "Stop checking her out!"

"He he he, just joking little bro… She's not my type anyway."

"Hey Harry, think you can beat me here? Without you Firebolt I mean…Hey Harry? I'm talking to you!" George clapped his hands in front of his face.

"Hu?" Said Harry who looked as if he had just come out of some sort of trance.

"What were you looking at?" Asked Fred suspiciously, staring in the same direction Harry had been looking at a few minutes ago… Directly at the place where the girls were. "Wait a moment.. How did this happen? How did Ginny leave the house wearing that?" Shouted George.

All the Weasley boys turned and looked at her at George's words, and then at Harry, it was his turn to blush. But luckily for him they were to busy worrying about Ginny's bikini to think that he had just spend at least ten minutes starring at how "hot"- to put it in his words- their baby sister looked.

They were about to get out of the water to yell at her, when Mrs. Weasley called that it was lunch time making Ginny cover herself. They would have to have words with her once they had finished eating.

Lunch was quite a peaceful meal, the only thing that happened was Fred and George putting some Cockroach Clusters inside Percy's sandwich. But the family was used to this by now; the twins still thought that Percy needed a greater punishment for being such an idiot and for needing the Daily Prophet to tell him what was happening to acknowledge that his beloved minister was wrong, so they didn't miss a chance to remind him of his blunder.

It wasn't until Mr. and Mrs. Weasley went back inside to take a nap that Hermione asked what the twins had decided that Ron had to do. Everyone smiled widely while George told her.

"And I think is time he fulfills his duty" Added Fred in a mock ceremonious voice. At this he produced a dozen Canary Creams.

"You know" Said Hermione thoughtfully "I believe you two got softer with the years… I mean, anyone who knew you at Hogwarts would have thought that you would make your brother do something a bit more… interesting lets say, than eat a couple of your trick sweets."

"Well… We didn't have much time to think about this" Answered George, an in an undertone he added to Fred "I hope this plan works because I don't like anyone to think that we are losing our touch."

As Ron was covered with feathers now, and he was to stay like that for four hours, Hermione resolved to stay inside the tent with him so he wouldn't suffer the hot so much, not that he could do much as a bird, but at least she would keep him company while she read.

The rest of them went back outside. Charlie had found a football in the play room, and now they were playing a sort of soccer game in which you could do anything to get the ball, which included tickling your opponents, kick them, pinch them, anything that was not touching the ball with your hands. Percy, who did not approve of such immature practices, was sent to the goal post.

Ginny meanwhile was again lying over a towel, except that this time she was face down and had both headphones on. After receiving many kicks and punches Harry decided that he preferred the muggle version of the game and went to sit down next to the youngest Weasley while the rest of them continued happily their game.

"What are you listening to?" Asked Harry.

"Oh, I have no idea… it's one Hermione's mixed tapes…Want to listen?"

"Sure" He said, taking the headphone Ginny was offering him. He lied down on his back next to her.

"Do you know the song?" Ginny asked him

"Yes, I think it's "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" and if I'm not mistaken the group is Oasis."

"Ah! Well, I like it."

"Yeah, me too" He said smiling at her. For a couple of seconds they looked into each others eyes

"But, I like the Weird Sisters better" Said Ginny nervously, looking away.

"The only time I heard them was at the Yule Ball, not a very happy memory."

"I had a good time, it was great seeing them live… and I met Michael there" She said shrugging.

"Oh… Are you back together or something?" Asked Harry crestfallen.

"No! Why?"

"Well… as you said it was good meeting him, I just though…" Harry mumbled.

"It was good meeting him, I had a good time with him while it lasted. But I would never get back with him, he wasn't right for me" She explained.

"Ron thought that too" Said Harry, for some reason sounding happier.

"Yeah, well… I suppose Ron is going to think that of any guy I go out with."

"And, are you going out with someone now?"

"No, well you know… I've gone in a couple of dates last years but I didn't really like the guys… I have a lot of friends though" She said smiling and winking "What about you?"

"Me? Na, I've been to busy to have dates."

"Well, now you have fulfill what the prophecy said and conquered the Dark Lord, you can occupy your free time in getting yourself a girlfriend."

"That is if playing cupid between your brother and 'Mione leaves me any free time at all… besides I kind of have someone in mind."

"Someone I know?" Asked Ginny curiously.

"Actually…" He was about to answer but was cut of by Charlie.

"Hey, you two. Wanna go to get something to eat? All this exercise and free air opened our appetites."

"You should be used to free air and exercise, you work with dragons!" Said Ginny.

"Yeah, that must be why I'm always hungry! So, coming? We are going to get some ice cream."

"Ok" Answered Ginny and Harry together.

"We should tell Hermione, she must be bored inside that tent" Suggested Bill.

"Don't you know her at all?" Asked Fred incredulously "If she has a book in her hands, she's happy."

"And, she has Ron for company" Added Ginny.

"Ok, we won't bother them then" Said Bill, and they gathered up all their stuff and went inside.

An hour later Ron (who had turned back into a tall, red-hair teenager) and Hermione entered the house and sent Percy to pack up the tent.

"So, little bro… How was your experience as a bird?"

"Most illuminating…I had a lot of time to think about…stuff, you know" Said Ron looking at Hermione sideways. Everyone grinned. Everyone except Hermione, who was once again immersed in her book and completely oblivious to what was going on around her.

TO BE CONTINUE

A/N: First of all, I know the title of this chapter suck but I couldn't come up with anything better and I really wanted to post this! Now, to what is really important:

I AM EOWYN: Thanx, Thanx, Thanx hehe! ;o)

RomanceFreak: Hope I haven't disappointed you! But you tell me

Leigh: I'm glad you like it… and I have answered to your question in the story, if you still have doubts, just ask!

Kali Sword: Well thank you for what you've written! It's so wonderful to receive a review like yours…

Emma-Lynn: It's a good thing to have you intrigued and I'm happy you like the story… I hope it was worth the waiting!