a/n: Inspiration struck. I love it when the chapters seem to write themselves.
Mrs. Weasley was preparing breakfast when she heard a faint pop in the next room. She turned to see a very tan Hermione standing in the doorway. Hermione looked around and gave a questioning look. Mrs. Weasley motioned toward the bedrooms and Hermione walked to the stairs. She stopped at the foot of the stairs and smiled at Mrs. Weasley.
"I'm Back!" came a loud melodious scream up the stairs.
Harry jumped up with a start and Ron fell off the bed. He climbed in bed with me again, Harry thought happily, realizing what made the loud thud. He smiled as he helped Ron off the floor. Ron was looking all around him, trying unsuccessfully to find out what had woken him up from his comfortable slumber.
"Couldn't keep your hands off me, mate?" Harry said, raising an eyebrow with interest.
"Like you didn't enjoy it?" Ron said with heavy sarcasm in his voice and a menacing glare.
Harry just smiled as Ron sat shakily on the bed again. "So why'd you throw me out of bed?" Ron asked with a sad look in his eyes.
"I didn't do it on purpose, Hermione's back," Harry answered, his grin even bigger now.
"How do you know Hermione's back?"
Before Harry could answer, "Harry, Ron, Ginny, I'm back," Hermione screamed up the stairs again.
Hearing the loud tread of Ginny running to greet Hermione, the boys quickly got dressed. They were in such a hurry to go welcome back their best friend that they didn't even have a chance to enjoy their morning ritual of ogling at each other as they changed. They couldn't even daydream of snogging.
Their own loud treads soon followed Ginny's. At the bottom of the stairs, they saw Ginny give Hermione a tight squeeze before heading to the breakfast table. Upon seeing her two best friends, Hermione quickly ran to them and embraced Harry.
"Welcome back 'Mione," Ron said as he wrenched Harry out of her grasp and embraced her as well.
"Good morning you two," Hermione replied, beaming at them as she released Ron.
"Nice tan Hermione," Harry pointed out as they all followed Ginny's path to the breakfast table.
"Eat up children, it'll be a long day in Diagon Alley today," said Mrs. Weasley, piling more eggs and bacon onto all of their plates.
As Hermione recounted every detail of her holiday to Harry and the Weasley clan, Ron removed his hand from the table. He set it lightly on Harry's knee and gave a slight squeeze. Harry looked into Ron's eye and smiled back at his cute grin. "Later," he mouthed and turned back to his plate.
Ginny had been watching Harry and Ron out of the corner of her eye as Hermione spoke. They had been spending more time than usual together and had been acting rather strangely. As she saw her brother place his hand under the table, Harry had looked up and smiled at him. She was intrigued now and couldn't look away. Harry said something to Ron that she couldn't make out, but she noticed the brightness in her brother's eye dim slightly. She had to find out what was going on, even if she had to ask for Hermione's help.
"Off we go then," Mrs. Weasley said as she hurried them all to the fireplace.
"Mum, we're going to apparate to the Leaky Cauldron, can we meet you and Ginny at Flourish and Blotts?" asked Ron with anticipation.
" I rather think we should meet at Gringotts, Ron. I'm sure Harry and Hermione need to get their money as well."
Harry and Hermione nodded. "Ok Mum, Gringotts then," said Ron with dejection at being proven wrong.
"Very well then, I don't see any harm in your apparating," and with her mothering tone added, "but go straight to Gringotts. No doddling about."
As Ginny took her handful of floo powder, Harry, Ron, and Hermione disapparated with a pop. Seconds later they were standing in the Leaky Cauldron, which was now bustling with people. They pushed their way out and began their way to Gringotts.
At Flourish and Blotts, Mrs. Weasley quickly went over all their school lists, shaking her head. They all knew what that meant, money was tight as usual. Harry looked towards Ron who was beginning to redden with embarrassment. Harry knew what Ron was feeling, what he always felt this time of year, and his heart broke.
As everyone went off to gather their necessary books for the school year, Harry stayed behind to slip a few galleons into Mrs. Weasley's bag. He knew she wouldn't take the money if he offered it, but he also knew she hadn't counted what she managed to get from the vault yet. He smiled at his generosity and hurried off to catch up with Ron.
"I saw what you did Harry," said Ron as Harry approached, "Thank you."
"Saw what?" Harry asked with a smirk on his face.
Ron moved forward to kiss him for his kindness, but was stopped by Harry's hand on his chest. "Not here," Harry said with concern.
Ron frowned again and nodded with understanding. They hadn't talked about how to tell everyone yet, and this surely wasn't how they wanted them to find out. Harry placed his hand on Ron's back and they shuffled off to find their books.
As Harry bent over to grab two copies of their newest Transfiguration book, Ron couldn't help but stare. He hadn't got to get his morning glance this morning and the sight in front of him was pleasant. As Harry stood back up, he noticed Ron intent gaze. He smiled, hoping no one else had noticed.
Ginny stepped out from a row of shelves and saw her brother standing over Harry who was bent over rummaging through the books. She took a step backing, and peeked through the books, realizing her chance to find out what was going on. As she watched them, she couldn't help but think Ron was staring at Harry's rear with admiration. She quickly shook the thought out of her head and went to find Hermione, she definitely her help now.
a/n: I hope this inspiration sticks through the next chapter. Thanks for the reviews, they keep me motivated. Every time I feel burnt out, I read the great reviews and know I just have to keep pushing my way through.