Chapter 2 – An early trip to the Burrow

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Hermione woke up a bit upset and in a bad mood; the dream had been so real! This time she even felt as though it wasn't a dream, but a memory.

Groaning, she got up, went to the window and opened it for Hedwig, Harry's owl, who had been knocking with her beak.

"Oh, Hedwig! Why do you do this to me? It was a great dream! Couldn't you have waited just a couple of min- Ahhh!" She had just opened the window when a gray feathered thing, the size of a tennis ball entered the room zooming. It was Pigwidgeon, Ron's little owl.

But this time he wasn't delivering anything… indeed it looked as though he had just came in escorting Hedwig, who seemed to have gotten used, or rather resigned, to Pig's company.

It was July 29th, and Hermione knew Harry had just arrived at the Burrow the day before. His plan was to just stay there long enough to attend the Apparition test with Ron on August the 2nd in Hogsmeade. In fact, Harry just wanted to be there on August the 1st and, after the test, make his way to Godric's Hollow, but Mrs. Weasley insisted that he spend at least his birthday with the family. When Harry had sent her an owl asking for lodging for one night, she had answered, "In a few days, you will be of age and no one, not even me or your aunt and uncle, will have the right or authority to ask you not to go there, but please, at least let us have you once again with us. Let us share one more birthday with you."

Harry could hardly refuse, since he really cared for the Weasley family.

Hermione was, of course, invited, but she thought it was very odd to find both owls in her bedroom two days before July 31st, when she was supposed to go to the Burrow.

'Hedwig… let's see, what've you got for me?' Hermione thought.

She took a little piece of parchment from the owl's foot and saw a short message from her best friend, Harry.

Dear Hermione:

I am sorry to annoy you so early in the morning, but my patience has a limit. Ever since I arrived at the Burrow, Ron has been suffering from constant nerve-attacks. You know, because of the up-coming Apparition Test. Do you think you have any idea or any advice for him to calm down?

If I am not mistaken you have a book about Apparition, you know, the one you bought the other day at Diagon Alley. Do you think we could borrow it?

Thanks a lot,
Harry

P.S.: Don't let Ron find out, because if he does, he will be totally freaked out, but last night, he said something in his sleep. He said he needed you to be here… or sort of.

When she read that last bit, she felt as though she was dreaming again. Ron needed her and he had admitted it… unconsciously…

She stayed sitting on the windowsill for a while, remembering the dream she had just had and wishing it could have been real.

Surrounding her were some very tall wooden shelves painted in white-pearl and decorated with gold and brown applications. The shelves were full of books and a few ceramic or porcelain figures, some of which had been painted by her during the art classes she had attended at the Muggle school she used to go to, before receiving the Hogwarts letter and before knowing she was, in fact, a witch.

Between the bookshelves laid a bed the same colors as the bookshelves themselves and covered with a sky blue blanket that was now upside down and half-way lying on the floor. There was also in Hermione's room, a little beige seat with blue squares, which was the seat where she had enjoyed hours and hours reading some of the books she owned.

A sudden hoot from Hedwig pulled her out of her thoughts. She strode towards one the shelves and found, almost immediately, what she was looking for. There, surrounded by dozens of books of all the imaginable sizes, The Brief Apparition Guide for Beginners by Joshua Dale.

Then she gave the owls some water while she wrote a message:

Ron:

There is no need for you to be nervous; I know you will pass the test. Don't forget that last time, you only missed an eyebrow. I am sure that this time you won't leave behind anything. Not even an eyelash.

Anyway, I'm sending you The Brief Apparition Guide for Beginners. I know it will help you- it has very useful advice. And if it doesn't help, at least it can be a distraction.

I will do my best to go to the Burrow today, if that's not a problem for your family. Maybe we can chat a bit, and you can tell me your worries about the Apparition test. Please ask your mum if she is okay with me arriving after 5:00 p.m. and send the answer with Pig or Hedwig.

You know you can count on me as well as on Harry.

Greetings from,

Hermione

She re-read the letter a couple of times then tied the little brown book to Hedwig's foot and, noticing Pig was more than willing to help, gave him the letter. And with work for the two of them, they opened their wings and flew to the Burrow.

Hermione followed the owls with her eyes until they were so far away that the only things she saw were a white spot and little gray dot. Then she went downstairs for breakfast.

"Is there some news, darling?" In the kitchen, she was welcomed by the voice of her father, who was making his usual morning cup of coffee. "I thought I just saw your friend Harry's owl a moment ago…"

"Well yes, it was here, along with Ron's owl, and no, Dad, there is no news. It is just that in a few days, they will take the Apparition test and Ron is really nervous…"

"Apparition test, I see… and I guess you would like to go to Ron's house a bit earlier than planned and help him with the review or practice or… well, whatever you do before an Apparition test, right?" Every time they talked about going anywhere in the magical world, Mr. Granger seemed to be a little fearful, but he knew his daughter was a very gifted witch and could take care of herself. He also knew that the Burrow was a very safe place.

"Do you think I could, Dad?"

"Well, you know… the usual advice…"

"Yes, I know, 'don't go outside of the Burrow unless it is necessary, don't stay alone, don't go out at night,' I know…"

"I guess you could, then. We have to ask your mum's opinion, but I believe you could."

"Thanks. By the way, where is she?"

"Oh she went to the grocery store to buy some things," answered Alan Granger, while looking for something in the kitchen shelves.

"Dad, what are you looking for?" Hermione asked.

"I've never understood the way your mum keeps the things in this kitchen… I think she just changed the place for the frying pans."

"Oh, Dad!" she said giggling. "The pots and frying pans have always been here." She showed him a closed shelf next to the stove.

"Thank you, darling. You know I've never been good for kitchen stuff."

"But the fact that you are a great dad makes up for it."

Hermione's dad gave her a sweet smile that plainly said "thanks," and then she started to cook breakfast.

They ate their breakfast together and waited for Sarah Granger's return to discuss with her, Hermione's mum, the Burrow business. She came in about five minutes after they were done with the eggs and bacon Hermione had cooked.

"Good morning, sweetie. Have a good sleep?" greeted Sarah.

"Yes, Mum, thanks. And yourself?"

"Me, too, thank you."

"Hey Mum, I was just telling Dad. My friends Harry and Ron will take their Apparition tests in a few days and I would like to go to the Burrow a bit earlier than what was planned so I can help them with review and practice. Yhey are really nervous."

"Hmmm…" Her mum considered it a while before answering. "Well, I guess that's okay, Hermione. But you know you must not forget-"

"Yes, I know, the usual advice," interrupted Hermione with a smile that said, "you don't need to worry, I'll be fine."

"I know you are a very smart girl and prudent, too" her mother smiled back.

"Well, then… where should I take you?" asked her father.

"Oh, yes, Dad, thank you- I mean no, no thanks," Hermione corrected herself, remembering she was now able to Apparate.

"No? Why not?" Alan Granger seemed confused.

"Remember, now I can Apparate," answered Hermione. "Actually, I can just go and pack my staff and then Apparate right into the Weasleys' living room. Well, it also depends on Mrs. Weasley's reply. I sent an owl asking her if she was okay with me arriving early. I'll go and check for Ron's reply and let you know."

Hermione went upstairs to her bedroom and found Pig waiting for her on the couch and with a note from Mrs. Weasley:

Oh, Hermione, darling, don't be foolish. Of course you can arrive today. The Burrow is your house and you are always welcome.

Molly Weasley

After reading the little note, she went back to her parents in the kitchen.

"What did Ron's parents say?" Sarah asked her daughter.

"That there is no problem," Hermione answered. "So, I will go to the Burrow in a few hours. Thanks again for the offer of taking me there, Dad, but I think I will just Apparate."

"Are you sure?" her dad asked her.

"Yeah, sure. I can't believe I still forget I can Apparate now."

"Well that's understandable. You rarely do it; you don't need to."

"Yes, I guess you are right, Dad."

Hermione went back to her bedroom and packed some things in a new trunk, a bit smaller than the one she always took with her to Hogwarts.

At 5:30 she was in the living room, saying good-bye to her parents. They still seemed a bit uneasy. It was totally comprehensible, as the wizarding world was at war. She just said, "I'll be okay, really. Don't worry. I love you two."

"Take care, sweetheart," Alan and Sarah said, waving to their daughter.

And with a little crack Hermione Granger disappeared in front of her parents.

A/N: I told you: not everything it's the way it looks like... I bet I cheated a couple of readers, making you believe that chapter one was real... well, it wasn't haha! I'm evil, aren't I? Anyways, these two chapters are from Hermy's ponit of view (POV) but the story will be told from the other's POV as well. Expect chapter 3 to come soon :) See you later and don't forget to R&R