Note: I had planned on putting a chapter a week up, but I finished this and couldn't wait a week to put it up! Enjoy!
Hermione opened her eyes in the morning light and stretched. It took her a minute to remember that she was at the Burrow, having arrived the day before. She looked over and grinned at the redheaded girl curled up next to her. She and Ginny had stayed up late into the night giggling and chatting about all the things that Ginny didn't often get a chance to talk about, what with being the only girl in a family of boys. They had finally fallen asleep on Ginny's bed, as the cot set up for Hermione was still covered with her clothes – which she had neglected to put away, being so excited to see the Weasleys – and the magazines that they had poured over last night.
Ginny stirred and mumbled in her sleep before rolling over with a small grunt. Hermione slipped off the bed and changed into a new pair of jeans and a tee shirt. Creeping downstairs, and wincing whenever a floorboard creaked, Hermione made it to the kitchen, where she found Molly Weasley preparing breakfast for her large family. Arthur Weasley was sitting at the table, drinking tea and reading the Daily Prophet, and Hermione was surprised she had awoken early enough to catch him before he went to work.
"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," she said. "Is there anything I can do to help with breakfast?"
Arthur murmured a greeting, while Molly continued to bustle around the kitchen. "Oh, nothing much dearie. If you could just set the table, that would be wonderful. It would be nice if my children actually woke up, but what can you do?"
Just as she had finished speaking, one of the many children she spoke of stumbled into the kitchen. It was Charlie, the second eldest. He had yet to go back to Romania, choosing instead to help rebuild his shattered family after the battle at Hogwarts and the loss of Fred.
"'Morning Mum, Dad. Oh, hullo Hermione." Charlie sat at the table next to his father and pulled the large plate of toast towards him. After he buttered a piece, Molly placed some eggs and bacon on the top of it. "Dad, when do you want to leave?" he asked between bites.
"You eat what you want, and I will finish my tea. Then we can set off." Seeing Hermione's puzzled look, Arthur explained, "Charlie is coming with me to the Ministry today. He's going to speak to the head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures about a possible job opening."
Charlie joined the conversation. "I'm thinking of staying here in England for a year or so – just to see how it goes. I love Romania, but I've been there since I left Hogwarts. Time to see if I'm ready to settle down or not." He chuckled. "Mum's been waiting for this to happen since I left eight years ago."
"Yes, well. It's hard for a mother to have her children leave." Molly absentmindedly reached over to straighten Charlie's tie and fix his hair. He flashed a grin towards Hermione and rolled his eyes. Arthur, who had been reading his paper, shook it out and folded it up, leaving it on the table.
"We should probably head out, Charlie," he said, standing up. Going over, he gave his wife a peck and headed over to the fireplace. "Molly, I should be home around 6:30. Kingsley said he wanted to see me about something this afternoon, but hopefully it will be quick."
"Good luck, Charlie!" Hermione said, waving to him and Arthur as they disappeared in a rush of emerald flames.
Ginny came into the kitchen shortly after, and sat down with Hermione to enjoy some scrambled eggs and toast. Molly sat down with them, and they enjoyed the peaceful August morning together until Harry, Ron and George made their way downstairs. George seemed to be holding up despite the death of his twin and best friend, Fred. Harry, Hermione and the rest of the Weasley clan had tried their best to distract both him and themselves, to keep from dwelling on the untimely death of the bright young man. Still, George had changed. His jokes came less often, and his pranks were quieter. All in all, the closeness of death had caused him to mature.
Just as they had all settled in and begun the usual discussion about the upcoming British league Quidditch tournament, four owls swooped through the window. Ron – who was so focused on trying to convince Harry, yet again, that the Chudley Cannons did indeed have a chance at winning – didn't even notice the owls until one them stole the piece of toast he was waving around wildly.
"They're all from Hogwarts," remarked Harry. "I wonder what about. I mean, obviously Ginny is going back next year, but the ones for us?"
"I suppose we should open them, then," replied Hermione, hastily untying the envelope from the owl's leg and giving it a piece of toast as a treat. She opened the letter to see what it said, and quickly skimmed it over.
Dear Ms. Granger,
I hope you are finding the summer rejuvenating and replenishing. We are contacting those students in your year to offer a very unique opportunity. Due to the disruptive nature of the past year, Hogwarts School will be providing a second chance at seventh year for those students who wish to accept. Returning students will have a much more lenient schedule and, seeing as you will be of age, many more freedoms than the students who are following the regular curriculum.
We await your apply via owl. If you accept this offer to come back to Hogwarts, please reply by August the 15th in order to ensure accommodations. Also, returning 'eighth-years' should arrive at Hogwarts no later than September the 1st. On the 30th, 31st and 1st, we will be opening Hogwarts for Apparation to ensure that all can arrive on time. It is also possible to Floo to my office on these dates in order to get to Hogwarts.
I sincerely hope that you will return to Hogwarts to complete your education. The wizarding world needs all the trained and open-minded witches and wizards to restore itself to its former glory, and we hope to enable you to do just that. Enclosed is also a list of recommended classes based on your previous schedule and O.., as well as an accompanying list of materials based on those classes.
With regards,
Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Finished with her letter, Hermione looked up. Ginny was reading over Harry's shoulder, while Ron was staring at the piece of parchment with a very peculiar look on his face. Handing her letter to Mrs. Weasley for her and George to read, Hermione waited for the others to finish before she spoke.
"Well? What do you think?" she demanded to know.
"I… I really don't know," replied Ron. "I mean, I had kinda wanted to start Auror training, and Kinsley had promised Harry and me spots in the training program."
"But, Ron, those spots will still be there next year," said Harry. "I definitely want to go back. Hogwarts is like a second home to me, and I think it's important to learn everything we can from it."
"You're beginning to sound like Hermione," Ron muttered. "But you know what? I do want to go back. As important as what we were doing last year was, I did want to have seventh year. And this is our chance." He was bombarded on both sides by hugs as both Ginny and Hermione threw themselves at him, grinning furiously. Mrs. Weasley smiled and put her arm around George's waist as she watched the four young people chatter away about the upcoming year.
"It looks like we'll need to take a trip to Diagon Alley," she said to George. He smiled down at her.
"I'm sure you're looking forward to that, Mum." He helped to fetch parchment and quills so that acceptance letters could be hastily scribbled down and sent off.