CHAPTER 2

That Friday morning, Ron was running around his room making it clean as possible. Then, he dressed in a jumper that obviously didn't have a hole in it.He was preparing for Hermione's arrival.There was a knock at the door. "It couldn't be Hermione! It's only," Ron looked at his watch. "2:30." He held his breath and slowly opened the door. As soon as he saw a familiar ginger-head girl, he remember to breathe again.

"Expecting someone else?" Ginny asked, walking into the room and taking a seat on Ron's nicely folded bed.

"What are you doing here?" Ron growled.

"I'm your sister," Ginny said inspecting the bedroom. "That use to be good enough."

Ginny started to walk around the room now, really impressed how clean the room is.

"Have you been busy?" Ginny asked, turning around looking at Ron.

"What do you mean?" Ron said turning a darker shade of red. "Just thought I should clean my room."

"Right," Ginny said, with a smile.

Ron ignored his sister and continued to make sure everything was neatly in order. When he woke up that morning, he felt his room needed a bit of a tidying up. They were going to have a guest, the least he could do was clean up a bit. But then again, it was only Hermione. She already saw his bedroom and was use to hismessy room. Either way, he felt this time; he should at least clean up for Hermione.

"Do you mind?" asked Ron, pointing to his bed.

"What?" Ginny said. She looked down at the bed where Ron was pointing. She looked up puzzled, not knowing what Ron meant.

"I'm trying to keep my room clean," Ron said. "I don't need someone like you messing it up for me. Get off my bed!"

"Okay!" Ginny said, jumping off the bed. "You sounded like Percy just then. I never thought it would happen."

After saying that, Ron became furious. He kicked her out of his room and continued cleaning. How can Ginny even consider calling me Percy, that git, Ron said to himself.

After realizing it was ten of three, Ron gave up on straightening up his Chudley Cannons posters and went down to the kitchen.

Ron paced the kitchen, looking every once in a while at his watch.

"Where is she?" Ron thought out loud to himself. Then, a sudden panic occurred to him. "Of course, how can I be so stupid? I can't believe I let her gowith floo powder."

Ron couldn't believe his carelessness. The Floo Network is still probably be watched by the Death Eaters. What if they got Hermione? It would be his fault if something happened to her. Now he was getting worried. After escaping the Death Eaters last year, Ron has led Hermione straight to them. Ron was hitting and scolding himself when he heard a noise in the living room.

"Hello?" yelled a familiar female voice.

Ron ran to the fireplace and without thinking, gave Hermione a hug. Crookshank was crushed in between Ron and Hermione. He didn't care the cat was screaming and trying to claw her way out. He was just so glad she was safe. He heard someone chuckle behind him, and he quickly snapped out of this state. He let go of Hermione and jumped back a couple of feet..

"Um, hello," Ron said, blushing and looking away.

"Hermione, how are you, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley. Hello, Ginny," Hermione said. "I'm fine, thank you."

"Well, why don't you go upstairs and clean up," Mrs. Weasley said noticing the soot Hermione was covered in. "Ginny, show Hermione where she'll be staying. Ron, take her bags up."

Both Wealsey children obeyed their mother and started to march up the stairs.

As Hermione settled in Fred's and George's room, she thought about the conversation she had with her parents before arriving to the Burrow.

Her parents were a bit worried about letting Hermione out of their sight, considering she was hospitalized less than a month ago.

"Pompkins, are you sure you want to go?" Mrs. Granger asked. "Wouldn't you rather stay home?"

"Mum!" Hermione started. "How am I suppose to keep up with my magic if I'm stuck in the muggle world?"

"Well, should you be going back?" Mr. Granger spoke up. "I mean after, what's his name is back.You almost got yourself killed.You kept saying that…"

"Exactly," Hermione said. "I need to learn to protect myself. The Weasleys are the best family to stay safe. Mr. Weasley is with the ministry, and Mrs. Weasley taught her own children magic. They have connections to the group that is trying to stop Lord Voldermort. Now, of all times, is a good time to stay with the Weasley."

Hermione was use to saying the evil name. And now, she says it with ease and with no flick of fear. Hermione knew her parents would never let her stay here if she was in danger. It was a weak excuse, but it seems like her parents believe her.

Mr. and Mrs. Granger sighed heavily. They both exchanged glacnes before speaking again.

"Well, as long as you're safe," Mrs. Granger said defeated.

Hermione quickly picked up her things and went to the fireplace. She emptied the bag of floo powder into her hands. As she was walking into the fireplace, she got a sick feeling in her stomach. It was as if she might not see her parents again. Hermione ran back and gave each a hug goodbye.

"Mum, Dad," Hermione said. "I'll be safe. Don't worry. I love you. The Burrow!"

And with that Hermione found herself in the Weasley's fireplace. It was quiet when she arrived. Usually, the twins would be in their room, making explosions. Or, Mrs. Weasley would be giving one of her children a lecture. But when she arrived at five after three, the house was quiet. For a minute she thought she got the wrong fireplace. But, when she called out, the familiar, tall, ginger-hair teenager came running from the kitchen.

Before she could give any salutations, she was engulfed in a big bear hug. She didn't know what hit her. She was taken by surprise that she wasn't able to really let what happen settle in.

But now, in the twin's room, the idea of Ron hugging her made her butterflies return. Slowly, a big smile spread on her face.

However, a knock at the door interrupted her train of thought.

"Come in," Hermione called out.

Ron stuck his head in and asked, "Do you need any help?" Hermioneshookher head.

Ron opened the door all the way, and walked in the room. He closed the door behind him and suddenly became very shy.

"Um, about what happened downstairs," Ron said, avoiding any eye contact with Hermione. "I'm just glad you got here safe."

"Of course I would," Hermione said, laying her change of clothes on the bed. "Why wouldn't I?"

"I just, I thought, maybe the Death Eaters would be watching the Floo Network. And that they might have took you. And that's why you were late."

"Oh," Hermione said.She walked up to him and now he couldn't avoid her eyes. "Well, thank you for caring. That was sweet of you."

"Me? Sweet? Ha! That's something I don't hear a lot."

"Well, you have your moments."

"Yeah, I guess."

Now, the two of them had nothing to say. Ron kept running his hand through his hair and stared atthe floor.Hermione was looking around the room, pretending to take in her new surrounding during the duration of her stay. It was an awkward silence.

Thankfully, Ron was able to break that silence. "Don't you have to go clean up or something?"

"Yes, I do. Thank you."

Hermione quickly went to the bed and picked up the clothes she was going to change into. Ron walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.