A week before school started again, and I was desperate for a relief. It seemed as if the summer just past by, and not slowly, no, summer was doing eighty-five in a sixty-five area. And this summer was special, or at least it was supposed to be. I had everything planned, written neatly out on a clean napkin from the local coffee shop.
Hermione's List of Things to Do This Summer
01. Read at least four books (check.)
02. Go to the beach and swim in the ocean (almost.)
03. Find someone non-magic to become friends with (not even close.)
04. Get invited to the Burrow (check, going in two days.)
05. Do something about him (I wish.)
Now, in the beginning of the summer I was optimistic, hoping to forget everything that had happened the last school year, all the pain and the suffering we had gone through. The loss that filled my thoughts for weeks after. I was determined to become normal for one summer, I was ready to become the person I would have become if I had not become friends with the boy-who-lived and the red-head with a temper. But it was impossible, it was impossible to become normal, when I was so abnormal.
I had gotten the letter from Ron (the red-head) about a week before. It was short and sweet, nothing too elaborate about the happenings in the world that I had forced myself to forget for that summer. It was cheerful, at least that's what it seemed to be:
Dear Hermione,
Mum said of course you can come to the Burrow. I think she was a little upset that you were not going to come here straight after school, but she said you can come all the same. Harry's already over here, has been since the beginning (but you already know all this). We will be sure to catch you up when you get here. Hope to see you soon!
-Ron
When I received it I couldn't help but smile. That is where I am meant to be. And soon after I was ripping up my list of things to do and began packing for trip, my last trip from home.
I met Ron at the station. He was wearing the same lop-sided smile that he was known for, the same smile that I would always remember him for. He gave me a quick hug when we met and brought me over to his parents.
"Hi Mrs. Weasley," I said. Words weren't even spoken on her behalf before she scooped me up into a hug and began crying into my shoulder.
"Oh dear, I was so worried about you, now with the you-know-who at large again and you being friends with Harry and Ron, I was sure he would --- he would," But she couldn't bring herself to say it, she just continued to cry and I didn't know what to say, so I just awkwardly patted her back.
I could see Ron behind the crowd, looking at his feet, twisting his shirt, looking just about everywhere than to his mother and me, I knew he was expecting this and was desperately trying not to burst out laughing.
After Mrs. Weasley let me go, I gave Mr. Weasley a quicker hug and walked by his side to the car. Ron had already started there and he met us inside where he smiled again, but didn't say a word.
The ride was awkward and silent. I couldn't bring myself to ask what had happened since my absence from the wizarding world. I was worried at what would be told to me, the deaths that were going to be unveiled. Ron looked out the window, watching the blurred colors of the trees below us. He rested his head on his hand, and I noticed a small scar under his chin. I reached my hand out and traced it with my fingers. He turned his head and took my hand and just frowned, "We have a lot to talk about," he said. I just nodded, but the question I kept asking was, am I ready?