Chapter 10
"I believe they like what they see," Shannon said.
She had replaced her blue halter-top and denim skirt with a liquid like silver tube top and a loose black skirt that touched the middle of her thighs. Her hair was still down to her chin and the light brown color. But her eyes were a sickly blue color instead of the vibrant violet color.
"I do believe your right," said Ginny.
Ginny had discarded her usual outfit and replaced it with a spaghetti tank top in a dark red color, a loose black skirt that touched the middle of her thighs, and a pair of knee high black boots. She wore her long red hair in a high bun with a small section of hair curling down both sides of her face.
"Shall we go before your mum comes looking for us?" asked Hermione.
Hermione, also, had discarded her usual outfit and replaced it with something nicer. She was now wearing a spaghetti tank top in emerald green that appeared to be made of a liquid fabric, a loose flowing black skirt that gracefully touched the middle of her thighs, and a pair of knee high black boots. Her long brown hair flowed down her back and over her shoulders in a cascade of ringlets.
The guys followed closely behind them and into the kitchen. If it hadn't been for the fact that Shannon, Ginny, and Hermione were all wearing their robes, Mrs. Weasley would have demanded them to go change, but instead she just smiled at them as they all sat down on the floor for dinner.
"You girls look lovely today," said Mrs. Weasley.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," said Shannon.
"So what are you guys dressed up for?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she sat down.
"We're just going to have some fun tonight," said Ginny.
"Oh really," said Mrs. Weasley. "Like what?"
"Just hang out front and talk," said Hermione. "Torment the boys."
"That will be fine," said Mrs. Weasley. "I do hope you will hurry and change the house as soon as it's dark."
"Of course," Shannon said with a smile.
By the time everyone was finished eating, the sun had been gone from the sky for two hours. Tiny white spots filled the sky and a bright half moon was hanging in the velvety sky. Once everyone was outside, seated on the grass, and had their voices back, Shannon began to transfigure the Weasley's house into their new home. Shannon walked up to the house, placed her hand on the wall, and tapped the house with her hand. No one heard what she said but after about five minutes the house blurred and was replaced by a beautiful home that looked brand new.
"It looks wonderful, Shannon," said Ginny as they all jumped up to congratulate her.
"Thanks," said Shannon quietly.
She looked even more tired than earlier.
"Good job," Charlie said wrapping his arm around her waist. "Tired?"
"Yeah," Shannon said leaning against him. "That took a lot more out of me then I thought it would."
"We better get everything unpacked before it gets too late," said Mrs. Weasley.
"Allow me, mum," said Bill with a flick of his wrist. "There. No need to work to much today."
Just then they heard a loud crack come from behind the house. "What in the name of Merlin?!" yelled a loud masculine voice.
"Your father's home," yelped Mrs. Weasley hurrying into the house.
"We better get to bed," said Charlie, supporting his exhausted lover. "Shannon and I both have things to do tomorrow."
They all trooped into the new house, up the now stable stairs, and into their rooms. Harry and Ron found their trunks safe and sound beside the door. The two young men quickly changed into their pajamas and climbed into bed. Soon they were fast asleep.
It was nearly one o'clock when Harry's peaceful night was interupted. His dream had started off with him and Hermione kissing alone in a quiet classroom. Suddenly, they were outside in the pouring rain.
"Come on, Hermione," said Harry grabbing her hand. "We have to find shelter before we get soaked."
"I told you that going outside was a bad idea," Hermione complained.
Finally they reached the school and dove into the entranceway. When Harry's hands hit the ground, he found himself in bed with Hermione. She was wearing one of his shirts, as he lay there topless. He sat up and looked around. They were in his bedroom at the Dursley's house.
Harry looked over at his sleeping lover and saw that she was covered in blood. He grabbed Hermione and held her in his arms as he wept. A flash of lightning revealed Voldemort standing at his door with his want drawn. Voldemort hissed something and a bright flash of green light filled the room.
A sudden rumble of thunder woke Harry with a start, and to his relief he was in Ron's room. While the occupants of the Weasley house slept, a thunder and lightning storm had moved over them and was pounding the new house with icy sheets of rain. Harry listened to see if Ron was awake before he climbed out of bed. He slipped on his robe and carefully left his friend's room.
As he made his way down the stairs, he heard a door open and close. Harry waited a moment around the corner to see who it was and to his surprise it was Hermione. She was quickly and quietly making her way up the stairs towards him, so he stepped out into her sight and hurried down to greet her.
"Harry," she said when she saw him coming towards her.
When they reached each other, Hermione through her arms around his neck and held onto him tightly. Harry gently wrapped his arms around her. Suddenly, he felt something wet, touch his neck. He looked down and saw that his young love was quietly crying in his arms.
Harry pulled away from her and asked, "Are you okay, Hermione?"
"I had a dreadful dream," she said still crying. "You died in a duel with V-V-Voldemort and no one would let me or Ron help you. Not even Dumbledore would help you."
"It was only a dream," Harry said reassuringly. "I'm not going anywhere."
"What were you doing up?" Hermione asked whipping away some tears.
"I was just going to the kitchen for some water," lied Harry.
There was no way he could tell her that he had a dream where she died. Or that Voldemort was there. Hermione gently slipped her hand into his and they both went down into the kitchen for some water. As they walked up the stairs, they noticed Shannon standing at the very top leaning on the banister watching them. She smiled at the two young lovers, tipped her head, and went back into the room she shared with Charlie.
"Do you think she knows?" asked Harry.
"Of course she knows," said Hermione. "But she won't tell."
"I hope not," Harry said, kissing Hermione. "Good night."
Hermione giggled and said, "Good night, Harry."
Once the door was closed, Harry climbed the stairs and quietly slipped back into Ron's room. Ron was still deep asleep as he slipped off his robe and climbed into bed. Harry didn't want to fall back asleep. He feared what other dark and poisonous nightmares might flood his mind if he allowed sleep to take him. Soon, sleep over powered him and he fell into the grips of his subconscious to do with him as it pleased.
Harry was thankful the next morning when he woke to the humming noise of his pet Puffskein. The rest of his night had gone without incident and this pleased him. Ron, too, had just woken up and they climbed out of bed without a word to each other. Once they were dressed, the two young men climbed down the stairs for breakfast.
As they entered the kitchen, Mrs. Weasley was busy making breakfast. The kitchen was a dark red color with black granite counter tops, dark cherry wood cupboards, and hard wood floors. Today for breakfast, Mrs. Weasley was making porridge and toast. She turned around and spotted the two of them standing there in the doorway.
"Good morning, dears," Mrs. Weasley said with a smile. "Anyone else up yet?"
"No, mum," said Ron as he and Harry carefully walked into the kitchen.
"Stop that, Ron," said Mrs. Weasley pouring two bowls of porridge. "The kitchen's not going to eat you. Now sit down and have some breakfast."
Once Harry and Ron were seated at the long cherry wood table, the sound of feet on the stairs found its way to their ears. Soon Fred, George, Ginny, Hermione, and Bill were seated at the table.
"Where's Charlie and Shannon?" asked Mrs. Weasley passing out more porridge.
"They went to America about an hour ago," said Bill. "Charlie will be home a couple days before these four have to go back to school."
"And Shannon?" asked Ginny. "Is she going to come back too?"
"No," said Bill. "She's got work with the Ministry in America that needs her attention."
"Ah and I didn't even get to say good-bye," said Ginny.
"She didn't want any tears or anything," said Bill. "When did this storm blow in?"
"Sometime last night," said Mrs. Weasley sitting down to a bowl of porridge. "Very strange storm. It just appeared out of nowhere."
They all looked out the wide windows at the dark almost black sky. The icy sheets of rain were still pounding on the house and the land around them.