Chapter 13…

DISCLAIMER: Don't own it, to my dismay...

A/N: Here it is; the next episode... Sorry it took so long (Work, ya know? It just keeps happening...) Please read and review. (Even though these are DEFINITELY not the greatest chapters yet.) But, after these next three chapters, there will be some mushy, gushy, fluffiness. Pinky Promise!

The walk to 3W was a quiet affair, somber even. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

'Bloody hell! I was only gone for ten minutes. What could have possibly happened while I was gone to cause such a palpable tension? Merlin those two are bloody hopeless!' thought Ginny in exasperation.

(Hermione's Thoughts)

'Ok I admit it, I am totally moony for Moony… Whatever happened to the sensible, mature Hermione I used to be? I wonder if he feels anything for me. Because, unless I am much mistaken; there were definite sparks between us. Now the question is how to get him to admit it. Knowing Remus, he is either denying it, or chastising himself for any untoward feelings he'd be having concerning me. Typical Remus! So, this is going to be a challenge… Then again, I love a good challenge,' thought Hermione- a devious gleam lighting her eyes and a devilish smirk flitting across her lips.

(Remus' Thoughts)

'I've gone round the twist,' thought Remus. She's only fifteen years old! It is sick and wrong… I Am Not Falling for Hermione!'

(Moony's Thoughts)

'Bollocks!' sneers Moony (Remus' alter ego); 'You know, they say that Denial isn't just a river in Egypt. You can fool everyone else, but you cannot fool me. I see all the things you keep hidden from everyone, including "so-called" civilized society.'

'But it isn't right. Besides, she was and is going to be a pupil of mine. Not to mention the fact that I am old enough to be her father, and she no doubt only sees me as a mentor-as she should,' argues Remus.

'You lust after her. I also want her . I won't let this go so easily… I will make yousee things my way,' counters Moony.

Finally reaching 3W, no one is surprised to find it packed full of people. Many were browsing the newest joke items, while others were making purchases. Upon seeing Remus, Ginny, and Hermione enter the store, Harry calls out to them- "Hey guys! Where have you been?"

"Out shopping for new clothes." chorused Ginny and Hermione.

"I had a few errands to run." stated Remus.

"Well come here and check out Fred and George's new stuff. It's brilliant!" exclaimed Harry.

About an hour later, Remus rounds up the quartet to head back to the Leaky Cauldron to meet Arthur and Molly, before heading home to Grimmauld Place. As the four teens have animated conversations about their morning, Remus walks sedately and slightly behind them, trying to avoid staring too blatantly at Hermione's backside.

Once inside the Leaky Cauldron they are greeted briskly by Molly who is hurriedly shooing them to the front exit to catch the Knight Bus back to headquarters/home. Arthur sticks his wand in the air, and a loud boom is heard as the Knight Bus pulls in front of them. One short, but turbulent bus ride later, the group was gratefully stepping off of the Knight Bus. In pairs they enter the house with Remus bringing up the rear again. The teens head upstairs to their respective rooms, to put away their purchases. While Molly heads down to the kitchen to prepare lunch for everyone with Arthur. Remus heads to his own room to change into more casual clothes.

Once in their bedroom, both girls change out of the clothes they wore to Diagon Alley. Ginny changes into a pair of brightly striped summer light pajama bottoms, a black tank with 'No Angel' written on the front, and a pair of black flip flops; her hair in a French twist. Hermione decided to don a faded and worn pair of ultra low-rise blue jeans with frayed holes in the knees, a red cropped backless halter top with a she-devil on the front and the saying 'The Devil Made Me Do It'. Her feet were bare with the exception of a silver toe ring with a sodalite stone on it, and her hair in a messy bun held up by her wand…

After changing, both girls headed down to the kitchen for lunch. Not surprisingly, both Ron and Harry were already eating when they got there. Though what was surprising was the fact that Tonks, Charlie and Bill were also sitting in the kitchen. Launching herself at her elder brothers, Ginny shrieked "Bill, Charlie, what're you doing here?"

Chuckling, Charlie hugs her, while Bill playfully flicks her on the nose saying "It's good to see you too Gin."

Sitting down at the long trestle table, Hermione greets the unexpected visitors. "Hello gentlemen, and Tonks!"

"Hey Mione." said Bill.

"Wotcher Hermione!" said Tonks, winking playfully.

While Charlie was grinning wickedly at her; "Nice top you got on there Mione!"

"Yeah well-" said Hermione modestly. "So, what brings you three here today? Not that I'm not glad to see you."

"I just got off my shift for the day, so I decided to stop in." said Tonks.

"Same here; I didn't have any plans, so I just thought I'd spend some time with you lot." said Bill.

"Well, I am officially on holiday for the next three weeks," said Charlie, "So, since you're all here, I decided to come visit."

"So, Bill, how are things going with you and Fleur?" asked Molly.

"I decided to break things off with her. She's too high maintenance for me."

"Color me stunned." muttered Hermione sarcastically under her breath, nevertheless both Charlie and Tonks heard her and started to laugh.

"So Charlie, how is Norbert doing?" asked Harry, remembering Hagrid's pet dragon.

"He's getting on quite well. In fact, there will soon be a few baby Norbert's coming."

"Oh dear lord! Don't tell Hagrid that, he'd probably want to come visit him." exclaimed Ron.

Everyone at the table started laughing at that; and that was how Remus found them when he entered the kitchen; He had apparently also changed clothes. He was now dressed in a gray Arsenal tee and a pair of ripped-in-the-knees blue jeans.

"Hello all." greeted Remus the new arrivals, sitting down next to Harry.

"Hey Remus!" greeted Bill, Charlie, and Tonks.

"I had no idea you three were stopping by today. What brings you here?"

"Well, Bill and I are finished with work for the day, and Charlie is on holiday." said Tonks.

"Oh!" Remus said rather lamely.

Soon everybody was busily tucking into lunch, and talking about this and that. Surreptiously watching Hermione from the corner of his eye, he couldn't quite contain the flare of jealousy whenever she would flirt with Charlie and Bill.

After lunch Harry, Ron, and Ginny decided to head out to the hidden garden to go practice Quidditch, while Hermione tagged along to catch some sun while she watched them practice (or, to read if she got bored). While the adults stayed in to get caught up on any important news concerning Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

An hour or so later, Bill, Tonks, Charlie and Remus also headed out to the garden to enjoy the warmth of the day. Remus walked over to where Hermione sat reading, joining her.

"Why am I not surprised to find you reading?" teased Remus.

"Yes, well, I'm afraid that there is only so much Quidditch I can take without becoming bored. Especially as it is only practice." stated Hermione.

"What are you reading?" asked Remus.

"Just a Muggle book."

"Which one are you reading?"

"It's a book of sonnets by a poet called Pablo Neruda."

"So, is it any good?" asked Remus.

"Yes, quite. As far as poets go, he is one of the better ones," answered Hermione, "Have you read anything by any of the Muggle poets?"

"Some; I find that I like Sylvia Plath quite a bit."

"Really- I don't care for her so much."

The rest of the afternoon was spent discussing a wide range of topics- from music to sports (both magical and Muggle) to political views. They even debated the merits of a Muggle upbringing versus magical. At one point they even debated the validity of the Muggle monarchy. So involved were they that neither realized that not only had everyone else gone inside already, but that dusk had long since fallen. So, by tacit agreement, they also went inside.