Disclaimer: I wish it were mine, but alas, it is not...

Chapter 9: Back Home

The rest of the summer passed without much consequence. Gin finished her work at WWF, and was now back at the house, packing her stuff. Hermione and Gin were making their way home for a week before school started again. They were both going to stay at the Burrow, as Mrs. Weasley had refused to let them stay anywhere else. The morning they were scheduled to leave Gin was running around, making sure she had everything she needed.

"HERmione! Get your cute arse out of bed this instant, we need to be at the Portkey point in two hours! Are you even ready?" Gin heard a groan and a body making it's way out of bed, she laughed, knowing her friend wasn't a morning person, but she wasn't the one who scheduled the portkey, Hermione had...

"Why did we have to leave so early in the morning?" Hermione grumbled, walking down the stairs.

"Well, I would have been fine with an afternoon portkey, but somebody scheduled us for the 9 o'clock trip," Gin said, grabbing the stuff from her home office and packing it into boxes. "Are you all packed?"

"Yea, well, mostly. Well, get going, I'll make the coffee, okay? We'll pick up a pastry on the way there."

An hour and a half later, the two girls had successfully packed all of their stuff into Gin's car and were on their way to the portkey point. They stopped for a muffin and a last second coffee before heading in. They found their appropriate portkey and checked their baggage so that it would arrive with them and found that they would be traveling with one other person. They made their way over to the old, chewed-up frisbee when Gin saw a familiar face.

"Cyrano! How are you?" Gin asked, hugging him.

"I am good, and yourself?" He said, hugging Gin and then Hermione.

"Good, are you making your way back to England for the school year?"

"Yes, only one week of freedom left," he laughed at this, looking at his watch to check the time. "We've only got thirty seconds left, you should take a hold of this," he said, offering the frisbee to the two girls. And, as Cyrano had said, thirty seconds later Gin felt the familiar tug of the portkey behind her navel. Moments later the three of them landed back on solid ground in the English portkey point. They dusted themselves off, said goodbye to Cyrano and turned to greet their family and friends.

When the girls turned around they were shocked. Everyone, or so it seemed, had shown up. Gin hugged her family and Harry when she got the shock of a lifetime. Behind her family Blaise and Draco were standing there, Blaise holding a bouquet of flowers, and Draco leaning against the wall, looking distinctly put out. Ron followed Gin's line of sight and found his two least favorite people in the world.

"Hey, Malfoy, what're you doing here?" Ron snarled at Draco. Gin was about to stand up for Draco when she thought better of it. She tapped Hermione on the shoulder and pointed Blaise out to her. She smiled, running towards him and jumping onto him for a very big hug. Ron, who hadn't yet really seen Hermione, spluttered. "Herms...what in the hell do you think you're doing? Are you sure you didn't mistake him for someone else?" Blaise narrowed his eyes at Ron over Hermione's shoulder, but refrained from making any derisive comments.

"No, Ron I did not mistake him for anyone else. I know exactly where I am," she replied, turning towards Ron, making him splutter again. Ron didn't know what had happened to Hermione, but she certainly wasn't the same girl she had been when he had been with her. And he had let her go. She was the same girl yes, but now she looked better than ever. He had thought he wasn't losing anything when he had left her, but boy, had he been wrong.

"Herms, what happened to you...I mean...you...you look..." he stuttered, unable to stop looking at her. Blaise growled low in his throat at this but Hermione stopped him again with a hand on his chest. She turned toward Ron as he was stuttering at her and said,

"I look amazing. I know. But, thank you, I do believe that is the third compliment you have ever given me, even through our year and a half of dating. But, let me point two things out to you. One, do not ever call me Herms, I hate it, always have, not that you ever bothered to find out. and, secondly, I'd appreciate it if you would stop looking at me like I was a piece of meat, it's pissing him off," she said, pointing behind her at Blaise, who was barely restraining himself from tearing Ron to pieces.

"And why does he matter? He's a...a Slytherin! He's Malfoy's best friend!"

"He matters because I say he does, that's why. Now, excuse me, I'm going to go take a walk."

Blaise glared at Ron, growling slightly as he said, "do not, and I repeat, do not come near her ever again."

"And why should I listen to you. I've been her friend for six years, why should you have any say?" Ron said, grinning.

"Because you lost your chance to be a part of her life when you cheated on her, that's why," Blaise replied, snarling. He the turned around, following Hermione.

Ron's family and Harry all turned to look at him. Every Weasley and Harry loved Hermione as one of their own. They all opened their mouths to speak, but Mrs. Weasley got their first. "Ronald! You did WHAT? Ginny had told me that you two had broken up badly, but this! Is it true!"

"I...uhm...Ginny! How does he know!" Ron yelled, turning on his only sister.

"Because 'Mione told him, that's why!" At this Ron's whole family glared at him. Harry made to go after Hermione, but Gin stopped him, "Let her have her time, I'll bring her home with me." She turned to her family, "I'll meet you at home, okay, when I get 'Mione back. I'll drive back, we're not too far from here." Her mother nodded, kissing her on the cheek and dragging Ron away with her. At this, Gin was left alone, with Draco still leaning against the wall twenty feet away.

Gin took this moment to look at Draco, to really look at him. He looked like he was in better shape, meaning he had been training since she had last seen him. He was wearing a pair of black slacks and a black turtleneck sweater, as it was quite cold that day. 'He really does look good in black. It's that pale skin, makes it seem even more flawless...' Gin thought, licking her lips unconciously.

Draco, in the mean time was watching Gin. Her long, red hair was braided and knotted quite beautifully on her head. She was wearing very little makeup, but it suited her very well. She dug through her bag for a moment after her family left and found a white turtleneck sweater and put it on over her tanktop. Her pale blue jeans fit her like a second skin, and Draco found his eyes traveling up her legs. He shook his head, looking up at her face and said, "So, shall we go find our friends?"

"Yes, let's," Gin said, somewhat distractedly. Gin shivered as they made their way outside and Draco put his cloak over her shoulders. She turned, smiling up at him. She opened her mouth as though she was about to say something, but closed it quickly as though she had thought better of this idea. She shook her head, clearing it. Draco watched her, and his hope all but soared when she smiled up at him. He took a deep breath, opening his mouth, "Gin...I just wanted to..."

"Gin! There you are!" Hermione's voice called from the building. Gin turned around as Draco swore under his breath in frustration. "We just went inside looking for you, are you ready to leave?"

"Yea. lets go, my family's waiting for us."

"Okay," Hermione said, linking her arm with Gin's and making their way to Gin's car.

Draco looked at Blaise, "You couldn't have waited one more minute, could you? Goddamit Blaise," Draco said, turning around and apparating back home. Blaise swore, and apparated after him.

By the time Gin and Hermione had arrived at the Burrow, Ron had already been chastised by the entirety of the Weasley family and he was currently hiding out in his room. Harry came out to meet the girls at the car and to help them with their luggage. He gave Hermione a hug, "I'm sorry about Ron, but hey, if it makes you feel any better, everyone's on your side. Myself included."

Hermione smiled, "Thanks Harry."

"So, how was your summer girls?" Harry asked, picking up their trunks. The girls picked up the rest of their stuff and followed Harry into the house.

"Great, I loved having Hermione around. I would have been so bored without her," Gin said, making her way upstairs to her room.

"Most definitely, I've never had so much fun in my life. We have a ton of catching up to do Harry," Hermione said, dropping her stuff on the bed next to Gin's.

"I've got a ton to tell you too, want to floo over to Diagon Alley?" Harry asked.

"I'd like a shower first, but yea. I could do with a Butterbeer, how about you 'Mione?"

"Sounds great. Give us about a half hour. Who else is home?"

"Just Mrs. Weasley and Ron. So it'll just be the three of us. But we can drop by Fred and George's store while we're there. I need to find something to use on Ron. Think they have anything new that he won't recognize?" Harry asked, grinning widely.

"Knowing them, I'm sure they do. Now, go get changed and we'll meet you downstairs in 45 minutes," Gin said, smiling at Harry as he left the room.

Gin grabbed some clothing and made her way to the bathroom for a quick shower. Ten minutes later she was out and dressed. She had chosen a pair of dark grey tweed pants and a navy blue turtleneck sweater. She dried her hair and twisted it into two french braids. As Hermione made her way back into the room Gin had started on her makeup. She put on some neutral eye-shadow and black eyeliner. She added some mascara and a layer of clear lipgloss, and then made her way over to Hermione to finish her hair. Hermione had put on a pair of light blue jeans and a long sleeved black cashmere sweater. Hermione had dried her hair, and Gin pulled it back into a loose knot at the back of Hermione's head, pulling some curls out to frame her face. Hermione finished her makeup and stood up and began rifling through her trunk for her cloak. Once the girls had their cloaks they made their way downstairs to meet Harry.

The three friends flooed to the Leaky Cauldron at Diagon Alley. Making their way through the barrier they headed towards Gringotts. After the three of them had drawn out enough money to buy all of their school supplies, they headed out towards a restaurant for lunch.

As they sat down, Harry asked, "So, Gin, what have you been up to while you've been away. It's been ages since we caught up."

Gin laughed, "Oh, goodness Harry, there's just so much that has happened since we last talked." As they talked and ate, Gin told Harry all about attending school at Beauxbatons. Harry laughed as Gin recounted her life with Fluer, which Gin had described as "living with a supermodel, day in and day out. You feel as though you can never measure up." Gin talked about her job with Jacqui and her new love of design. She offered Harry some of her new line of clothing, "should you ever choose to fill your new-found role as the most sought after wizard of his time, Boy-Wonder" Gin had said, rumpling Harry's hair.

The three finished their lunch and made their way over to Madame Malkin's robe shop. Gin had definitely grown out of her old Hogwarts robes, and was in need of a new set. She already had something to wear for the Yule Ball, but her school uniform was not going to cut it anymore. A half an hour later the three of them made their way over to buy their books. It took about an hour to coerce Hermione out of the store, and she only left at the promise of a free ice cream from Florean Fortesque's. As they sat outside the ice cream shop Harry told them all about his summer.

"I met this great girl in the muggle town near the Burrow. Her name is Patricia. It's nice having someone who dates you because they want to, not because you're the 'bloody savior of the world'," Harry commented, laughing.

Gin and Harry made their way over to Quality Quidditch Supplies after they finished their ice cream. Harry bought a couple of books, and Gin bought herself a new broom, the Nimbus Infinity. While it wasn't on par with Harry's Firebolt, it cornered much better, and allowed for better control when flying without one's hands. It was much better for a Chaser, and as Gin was hoping to make the Gryffindor team this year, it was definitely the broom for her. The three of them walked out of the Quidditch store, Hermione and Gin linking their arms through Harry's. As they walked out onto the street none of them saw a pair of eyes following them.

Down the street Draco Malfoy watched Harry- i bleeding /i -Potter put his arm around i his /i Gin's waist. He watched as Gin laughed and talked with the Boy Wonder. He growled low in his throat and made his way back to where Blaise was shopping for his books and all but dragged him out of Diagon Alley.

Less than a minute later Harry, Hermione and Gin arrived at Fred and George's joke shop. It was still the brightest and gaudiest store in Diagon Alley. Harry opened the door and ushered the two girls into the store. Gin immediately ran to greet her brothers. "Fred! George! How are my favorite people?"

"Lovely, now that you're back darling!" they said, picking her up in a huge hug. They put her down, and turned to look at Harry and Hermione. "Harry mate! How are you? You've been at the Burrow for weeks now, why haven't you visited us mate? And Hermione! Good to have you back on the continent," the twins said, hugging both of them.

"Gred, Forge! I've missed you two! Why did you never visit me in France? Thank God I had Hermione, I would have gone mad otherwise. How's business?"

"Business is good. We couldn't get away long enough to come visit you little sis. Holy crap, though! What happened to you two in France? I mean, we were fighting boys away from you at Hogwarts, but now...gods! Were you two hit with the pretty stick or what!" Gin slapped George on the arm.

"George, honey. Shut up will you. I'm an adult now, leave my love life alone."

"It's a wonder Ron let her out of the house looking like that," Fred said, motioning towards Gin's outfit.

Harry laughed at this, "I think Ron would've earned himself a place on the wrong end of a Bat Bogey Hex had he tried to stop Gin leaving. Didn't you wonder why he's not here?"

"We were a little curious, we just figured he was in trouble with Mum," George said, shrugging.

"Well, he is in deep with your Mum as well. But, to tell the truth he's got the most to worry about from 'Mione here."

"What'd he do?"

Harry took Fred by the arm, "Come with me, I'll explain. He fucked up royally this time." Gin and Hermione took a look around the store and picked up several new things, most of which would be tested on Ron.

When Fred and Harry came back ten minutes later, Harry looked a little smug, and Fred looked as though he were contemplating revenge. He put his arm around Hermione and said, "Don't worry 'Mione, he'll get crap from us. Though the sweetest revenge might be him seeing you like this."

"Indeed Fred. But thank you for your support, it's nice to know I'm still welcome in your family."

"Hermione! Did you honestly think we wouldn't flay Ron alive when we found out about this? Honestly, how low of us do you think? Ron is the guilty party in this whole episode, not you," Fred said, putting his arm around Hermione's shoulders.

"Well, he is your family..." Hermione began.

"Bollocks to family! He's a right git, and brother or not he deserves to know exactly what it is that he's done." Hermione laughed at this, kissing Fred on the cheek.

"Hey! Where's mine!" George and Harry chorused. Hermione laughed again and kissed both of them on their cheeks. Harry turned to Gin and asked, opening his arms, "So, what about you? Do I get one from you too?" Gin rolled her eyes, hugging Harry and kissing his cheek.

"So, Gred and Forge, you coming to dinner tonight? From what I hear it's going to be quite the event."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world Gin. You three had better get home, Mum'll be worrying about you soon."

"See you at dinner then."

When Harry, Hermione, and Gin had flooed back to the Burrow and put away all of their school things, they made their way downstairs and found Ron sulking in the kitchen helping Molly cook dinner. Molly turned around as the three of them made their way into the kitchen.

"Hermione dear, would you like to invite your boyfriend to dinner? He seemed nice, I'd like to get to know him."

"Get to know him," Ron laughed derisively. "He's a Slytherin Mum, nothing good ever comes of them, you should know that by now."

"Ronald! I told you to shut your mouth. Now, Hermione dear, go invite him to dinner. He can bring a friend with him if he'd like," Gin coughed at this.

Then Harry spoke up, "Oh, and about Slytherins Ron, the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin. Am I no good?" At this Gin and Harry left to go outside to go play Quidditch for a while. Hermione stayed and talked to Mrs. Weasley for a moment before joining them.

"Mrs. Weasley, you do know that his best friend is Draco Malfoy, right?"

"Of course I do dear, but you know as well as I do that he is no longer the same boy he was. Invite them if it'll make you happy."

"Okay, but if Gin asks, it was your idea," Hermione said, looking at Mrs. Weasley warily.

"If you say so dear..." Hermione made her way over to the fireplace and flooed Blaise and Draco. She knew this wouldn't end well, and she knew the Gin would be mad at her, but she did want to see Blaise. She knew Draco would refuse at first, but she was hoping Blaise could convince him to come along. Gin and Draco were perfect together, no matter how obstinate either of them was.

Seven o'clock rolled around and Molly was just finishing her work in the kitchen. Fred and George had arrived about a half an hour before. They had already released their wrath on Ron, but it was still amusing to look at Ron's pouting expression. The twins had dyed his hair, bubble-gum pink, and they wouldn't tell him how to take it out. Gin and the twins were outside setting the table in the garden while Hermione and Harry were helping Molly finish up with everything in the kitchen. Gin heard two pops coming from a little ways a way and went down to see whoever it was that had arrived. She was hoping that Bill and Charlie were there, she had missed them terribly. As she walked down the path she saw Blaise and Draco. She cursed quietly to herself as she made her way over to them. She hugged Blaise and then hugged Draco as well. She held Draco to her a little longer than she had Blaise, inhaling his cologne.

Draco handed her some flowers, "For your mother, thank you for inviting us."

"Your welcome, but that was all my Mum and Hermione. Thank them. Come on up, we'll be eating in the garden." They followed her back up the path, and took a couple of seats at the table next to Fred and George.

Fred turned to Blaise, "Ah, so you're the one who told Ron off?" Blaise nodded. "Good 'on ya' mate!" Fred said, slapping him on the back.

"You didn't give the rest of us blokes much of a chance with Hermione though did you? She looks great! But, hey, she's not with Ron, that's got to count for something, right?" George said as Blaise laughed unsurely at this. Next to him, Draco had choked on his water, coughing violently.

"Draco, mate. Are you all right?" Blaise said, thumping him on the back.

Draco turned to the twins, a grin starting on his face. "Did you two do that to him?" He said, pointing in the direction of the house. Blaise followed his finger and his eyes landed on Ron. But even Blaise couldn't bring himself to glare at the youngest Weasley male.

He laughed heartily as he looked at Ron's pink hair. "That's brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"

"It was Harry's idea actually," Fred said, as Draco's eyes darkened a little at the mention of Harry's name. "He had suggested maroon, but I thought pink worked better. I'm thinking of slipping him one tonight that'll turn it green and silver, what do you think?"

"Well," Draco said, smirking. "He'll hate it, that's for sure."

Draco wasn't sure what to expect at the Weasley's for dinner. But he had come in the hopes of finishing the conversation with Gin. He looked up as Gin came back out to the garden, holding a tray of food in front of her. She set it down on the table and sat down across from Draco and Blaise. Harry sat down next to her, much to Draco's displeasure.

I have no explanation as to why I took such a long hiatus, and I make no promises about how I'll be regarding this in the near future. I'm trying to work on a new FF as well. Sorry!

Now, I love my feedback, and if you'd like this to continue, give me feedback!

QoW