Chapter dedication to Mrs.CedricDiggory for finally updating one of my favorite stories Falling for a Celebrity 2 - you have to check it out! Another story where the one of the trio meets the other two later and it is absolutely wonderful. A MUST read for Hermione/Ron fans.

Also thanks to all your reviews, I know other authors mention by name but I get so wrapped up in posting I always forget. However, I am trying more to reply to your reviews so that you'll get some type of personalized response.

Chapter 16: The Twin's Party

The next morning Hermione and Ron left with Fleur, Bill, and Charlie for Grimmauld Place. Hermione quickly ran over to her family and hugged each and every one of them, although the embraces with Skylar and Brittney were not completely heartfelt. Still, she would rather have them alive than not.

Her parents shared a glance at each other when introduced to Ron. They had met his father the other day, his oldest brothers as well. They could tell something had been brewing between the two, and had heard well enough about him in the past. He seemed a bit nervous to meet them, but was polite and, they could tell, quite smitten with Hermione. They knew her secret, and wondered if she had told him yet.

Katerine was especially delighted to see her cousin, and insisted that she take Hermione on a "tour" of the dusty, old place.

Hermione knew the house really belonged to Harry, left to him by Sirius Black, and was very curious to finally see the old place described to her in many letters. Ron tagged along, making sure the younger Granger didn't get them "lost".

Kat immediately like Hermione's new friend, who had taken her free hand as the other was attached to Hermione's. This made the young girl feel she was the center of the older teens attention, something she was not used to with her sisters.

When they had made it to the second floor, a door opened and out came Victor Krum.

"Hermione!" He called out as he went to embrace her. At that same moment, Brittney and Skylar had appeared from down the hall, having "fixed" themselves up after breakfast in hopes of catching the Bulgarian's attention. The two girls' jaws dropped. They turned and stomped toward the other staircase.

Ron's face turned red and he clenched his fists as Hermione went to embrace her ex. Kat looked up at him. "Ow!"

Ron turned down to look at her. "Er, sorry." The young girl just smiled, and placed her hand back in his and squeezed it. Ron immediately relaxed. Just then Hermione turned back to her cousin and new boyfriend.

"Oh! Ron, I'm so sorry, have you met Victor before?"

Victor smiled at him and let a hand out. "You are Arthur's son, no? And Harry Potter's friend. I remember you from Hogwarts. And how you and Harry saved Fleur's sister." (an: remember, I can't do accents! Just "fake it" as you read.)

Ron took Victor's hand and shook it. He remembered Hermione's reaction when they first met, and he called her "Vicky Krum's girlfriend" and forced a smile. "Good to see you again, mate." He inwardly praised himself and was glad – not to mention relieved - to see a smile beam on Hermione's beautiful face. Nope, not awkward at all. He thought. Even if the git, er, quidditch champion did get to date her for two years!

Victor left them to their tour, as he was due for a meeting downstairs. He went in the opposite direction the other two young women had gone.

In mid-afternoon Hermione reluctantly said goodbye to her family, who insisted that she remain at the Burrow seeing as she was having such a wonderful time. Her parents had immediately warmed to the Weasley family members they had met thus far, as had her aunt and uncle. As earlier mentioned, Kat was already crazy about Ron and squeeled in delight every time she caught Hermione and Ron holding hands.

Before they left, however, Professor Snape appeared. "Miss Granger? Might I talk with you for a moment?"

Hermione nodded, thinking he wanted to talk about Draco or the locket. He led her into a private room and shut the door behind them.

"Hermione, I have spoken with both Albus and Minerva about your cousin, Katerine."

Hermione looked at him, confused. "What about Kat?"

"I wasn't sure at first, so I went and had Minerva check the school documents and the expected letters to be sent out at the end of the year. Kat's name is on that list."

Hermione beamed with joy. "Kat is a witch? She will be going to Hogwarts?"

Professor Snape remained calm. These matters were hardly anything to get exciting over, he was merely stating a fact.

"Yes, she is. She has a rather calm nature and I suspect that is why her magic has not been noticed before. I have not spoken with her parents yet, but given the situation we think it might be best if she returned to Hogwarts with you after the break."

Many thoughts went through Hermione's brain in record time. "But what about her school? What will her parents say? What about…"

"Miss Granger," Snape interrupted her, "I know these are dangerous times, but would it not be more dangerous if she were to return to the muggle world? We have no idea how long your family will need to stay here, nor the amount of protection they will need after the holidays. And Albus and Minerva agree with me in that the best place for Katerine to be at this time is Hogwarts."

"Have you even spoken with her parents about this?"

"Not yet, we hadn't even decided whether all memories will be erased once your family is safely placed back home. Regardless, that would not be the best option for Katerine, seeing as she will become part of this world should her parents allow her to."

Hermione nodded. It made perfect sense. "Where would she stay?"

"Albus is willing to add an extra room next to yours so that she can stay with you. She can continue her own studies from there and perhaps take an introductory class with the other first years. There is one for students behind in their work, and you can help tutor her as part of your duties. We can have Draco take on some of your other responsibilities if needed."

"When are you going to ask my aunt and uncle?"

"Tonight, after dinner. I will let you know their answer, if it is yes than we will arrange for her to accompany you, Mr. Potter, and the Weasley's on the train."

"Thank you, Professor."

Upon returning to the Burrow, Hermione and Ron joined Harry and Ginny finishing up all their holiday homework. They wanted to be finished by tomorrow, which was the party.

The next day some people arrived shortly after lunch. Lee, Angelina and Oliver came with the twins, who closed their shop after the lunch hour rush. They brought plenty of "jokes" to give out as party favors, some with a time release to go off on the recipient some time New Year's Day. Dean Thomas came with Hannah Abbot, and Ginny had invited the Creevy brothers. Victor Krum had also been invited, and, to Ron's relief, came with a date who was warmly received by the others, Hermione included.

A couple of Bill and Charlie's friends arrived, both with their wives, and soon two quidditch teams were made with Harry and Victor as the two opposing seekers. Fleur, Angelina, and Ginny were the only women who played.

Hermione, who sat with the "wives" and Victor's date, watched from her now favorite tree. Molly and Arthur joined them after conjuring up chairs for the small audience.

Two full games were played, with Victor's team winning the first game, Harry's team winning the second.

By now others had arrived, including Susan and her boyfriend. Those who were in Seventh year with Hermione, Harry and Ron were all taken aback when Seamus arrived with Lavender. Ron groaned as Hermione scowled when Lavender made a dash for Ron, giving him a more-than-friendly embrace in front of everyone. Even some of the adults noticed the odd scene.

Instead of looking pissed, Seamus merely looked amused and smirked in Hermione's direction.

Speaking of pissed, it was several hours later, once the adults had had their fair share of drinks, that the younger members of the party started to have a few as well. Hermione had refused any at first, and Ron tried his best to follow her example. By ten he was itching enough that Hermione finally gave in and asked him to get them both a drink. Ron scurried over to the table and poured muggle soda in with a fair amount of firewhiskey.

Hermione held back a frown and instead laughed. "Actually, I was hoping for some of that elven wine that your parents are sharing with Charlie, Bill and Fleur. Happened last year."

"No, they're not likely to give any of that up. Mum's almost ready to pass out herself. Dad will have to wake her before midnight, again."

"She didn't!" Hermione gasped. She couldn't believe that Molly would do such a thing, but then again, the woman was more than half-drunk right in front of her. And seeing was believing.

Just then Lavender sauntered over to the two. "Ron, dance with me." She said in a whiney voice.

Hermione glanced over to Parvati, who was looking at her friend with worry.

"No one is dancing, Lavender, in case you haven't noticed."

"Then you and I can get them turned on." She purred, running her hand up Ron's arm as she tried to squeeze in between the couple.

"I'm not dancing with you," Ron huffed. "Besides, I'm here with my girlfriend."

Lavender whipped her head around to face Hermione. "So you think he's all yours now, don't you? Well, let me tell you something miss only-good-for-my brains…" The words came out wavering.

Just then Parvati came over to the scene. "Lavender, I think you've had enough to drink. Neville and I will take you home."

"Oh, and don't think I've forgotten about you!" Lavender slurred, "Honestly, I don't know what you see in that Neville! He's not even…"

"Enough!" Hermione and Parvati both cried. Parvati took her friend by the arm, intending on taking her home.

"Just remember, Hermione," Lavender said turning once more. She wriggled her way out of Parvati's grip and sauntered back, even though she almost tripped. "You're not good enough for a Weasley." She whispered not so quietly in Hermione's ear. "You probably don't even know how to shag him right, something I taught him how to do."

Not hearing what Lavender had said, Parvati came over with Neville and the two of them finally wrestled Lavender out of there.

Ron turned to Hermione. He hadn't heard the last part of what Lavender had said either. Looking at Hermione his heart almost broke. Tears were brimming and threatened to come down at record speed. Hermione finished her drink in one gulp and fled for Ginny's bedroom. Since the incident had gotten the entire room's attention, all were quiet as the Head Girl fled up the stairs.

Ron was in shock. Part of him wanted to go after her, the other, more stronger half, wanted to go after Lavender and wring her stupid neck!

Ron looked over to his best mate. "Harry!" He tried to cry out, but it came out sounding more like Scabbers squeak.

Harry gave Ron a look. Ron understood, and bolted upstairs. A few minutes later, the party was back in swing.

Ron knocked gently on the door. He could hear her sobbing inside. He opened the door slowly. "Hermione?" He said as he saw her lying face down on the bed, her head thrown into her pillow. "Hermione, what did she say to you?" He asked as he sat down beside her, running his hand up and down her back. She felt so good to him. He was also scared, and his hand actually shook as he tried to comfort her.

Hermione turned over to face him. He hated to see her like this, even though she was still beautiful in his eyes.

"Ron, I need to ask you something. Did you…did you and Lavender…you know." The last part came out in a whisper. Ron had told "Maria" in his past letters that he didn't do anything more than snog with his girlfriend. That he really didn't even like her. That fact had been revealed in the letter after his birthday incident. The boy had felt horrible for leading the girl on like that.

"No, I never have. What made…what did she say to you?"

"It doesn't matter now. I…I just needed to know."

"Hermione, why didn't you just pull me aside? Is something else making you so upset?" He could tell something else was bothering her. Did…did she and Victor? He wondered. The thought had crossed his mind more than enough times since he met her. At first he didn't know why he cared, why he even wondered. But now he knew…he liked, maybe even loved this girl. She had stirred something inside of him the moment he saw her at the train station.

Hermione bit back more tears. She hadn't wanted to tell Ron what happened to her at Durmstrang. Not yet.

Hermione and Ron later joined the party once again, after staying with each other for another hour. They had talked a bit more, snogged a bit more, then finally went downstairs to join the others and drinking for the last hour before midnight.

Ron kissed Hermione passionately at the stroke of midnight when a charmed set of jokes and confetti set off saying "Happy New Year!" went off. Harry kissed Ginny, even Neville and Parvati (who had returned) were snogging in a corner.

The next morning nearly everyone was in need of a hangover potion. Especially Mrs. Weasley.

After a late lunch, Hermione set to packing. She was going to Grimmauld Place first thing in the morning to see her family again, and to pick up Kat for the journey back to Hogwarts. Harry, Ginny and Ron were also going. Ron and Ginny had wanted to go today, to let Kat stay at the Burrow, but Hermione's family wanted the girl to stay, and Hermione had to agree that being without her parents for a long time was probably a bit unsettling for the girl, no matter how excited she seemed in the letter she sent back with Mr. Weasley.

On the train the next day, Hermione took Kat with her to the boys compartment and introduced her to the other occupants, Neville and Dean. She then took her to meet a few first year and second year students, explaining to them that Kat was starting her studies a little early.

She then took Kat with her when she went to sit in her place in the head compartment, and was shocked by the site she found. Draco was sitting there, alone, and he looked rather beaten. Some glamour charms had been cast, she could tell, but some bruises were hard to cover. The deep, and often repeated kind.

Draco looked at the two with interest. He could tell the younger girl was a Granger, their bushy hair and pert nose were too similar.

"Draco, what happened?" Hermione asked as she closed the door behind her and Kat.

Draco shifted a brow, reminding Hermione that she wasn't alone.

"Oh, Kat…why don't you go back to where Harry, Ron, and Ginny are."

Kat ignored her cousin, instead going up to look closer at the blonde boy. "Who hurt you?" She asked.

Draco chuckled lightly. Yup, definitely a Granger, he thought, even though he hadn't known Hermione that long. Even then he had only gotten to know her in a different light the few weeks before holiday break.

"Er, Draco, this is my cousin Katerine. She will be staying with us in the Head dorms for awhile, if things go along well she'll join the Gryffindor first years in their dormitories. Kat, this is Draco Malfoy, Head Boy."

"Who hurt you?" The girl repeated.

"Someone I used to look up to," Draco replied softly. He liked this small, inquisitive young girl.

"My family was almost attacked after Christmas, Kat was found to be on the enrollment list for next fall." Hermione explained. "She…she knows about the Dark Lord."

"Yes, my mother and I were the ones that told the Order about it. My…my father told us. He wanted me to go along, but I refused." No sense not telling them, he thought, especially if Kat would be living with them. She would likely learn far too much for her young years.

"It was you?" Hermione gasped.

Draco nodded. "My father beat me for defying him, my mother, too. After he left, well, let's just say we got out of there and were then offered protection."

Hermione wanted to ask if Lucius or anyone had figured the necklace was a fake or not, but couldn't ask him, especially with Kat present.

As if reading her thoughts, Draco added. "Besides, my father said that I had already filled my purpose and I would still be looking forward to doing more. He didn't say what."

Hermione knew what that meant of course, as Draco knew she did. His godfather had told him plenty during their stay with Dumbledore. If anything, Draco now had an unplanned respect for Granger, despite his earlier intentions and beliefs about blood.

Draco turned to the younger girl who was watching them with interest. "So, Katerine, what did you get for Christmas?"

The girl then animatedly began telling all about her presents and the fun holidays she'd had before the attack. She mentioned her sisters with ill regard, and was glad that she got to go to school while they stayed at the "creepy house". Luckily, she didn't know its name (or obviously its location).

When Hermione was free to rejoin her friends, she made her way back there with Kat in tow. However, a couple the younger students Hermione had introduced her to earlier were returning from who-knows-what and asked Kat to join them. The younger girl eagerly joined them, happy to have already made friends.

Hermione slid the compartment door back and entered the room where Ginny, Harry, Ron, Neville and Parvarti were. Dean had gone off to chase some girl, and Parvati had joined them leaving her sister to deal with still embarrassed Lavender.

"Where the squirt?" Ron joked, scooting over to let Hermione sit next to him.

Hermione playfully hit him in the arm. "Already made friends. They whisked her away from me."

"Did you hear the news?" Ginny asked as Harry slipped his hand through hers. Apparently he felt more at ease with Hermione there.

Hermione shook her head.

"Half the Slytherins aren't returning. At least, the fifth years on up." Harry explained. "There's already rumors that some of the seventh years have been marked. What about Malfoy? We didn't see him."

Hermione shook her head. "He's staying in the Head's compartment." She would have to wait to tell Ron and Harry what happened to him. "I told him I would do rounds alone. Unless, Ron, you would like to join me?"

Ron readily agreed, looking forward to perhaps a few snogs to catch.

Later that night when all the other Gryffindors had gone to bed, Ron lay up awake not able to sleep. He was coming down from the holiday high, and while down in his mood realized that he hadn't once thought of Maria since before Christmas. Not since Hermione showed up at the Burrow, he thought guiltily. After tossing and turning some more, he decided to get up a write a letter to her.

Dear Maria,

I'm sorry for not having written you since the beginning of the holidays, but it was quite the madhouse at home. Harry came to see us, like always, and we had some other company as well. Actually, it was the girl I told you about, the one that made Head Girl. She and Ginny have become quite close as well, and my sister decided to invite her – without telling anyone but my parents. We spent quite a lot of time together…I guess what I'm saying is, well, we're kind of going out. Do you mind? I mean, it seems kind of strange asking, but your opinion really matters to me. And I really care about you. Please don't be mad. I still want to meet you, face to face.

Always,

Ron

At the same time Hermione was in her Head Girl's room after finally getting an overly excited ten-year old to sleep. Of course, the poor girl fell asleep as soon as she hit her pillow, but now Hermione felt wide awake. She decided to check her assignments from over the break before going to sleep, and found herself wondering about Ron. Not as Hermione, but as Maria. There hadn't been time to think about the dilemma she faced, when to tell him. She remembered their promise: After Voldemort is destroyed. But was that really fair to Ron? Maybe I should talk with Harry again. Sighing, and not coming to any solutions, she took out a fresh piece of parchment and dipped her quill in some ink.

Dear Ron,

I hope your holidays were as fun as mine have been. I went to visit friends and had a really good time. There were no dangers, no frustrations. Although I did hear that there were some attacks (this was true, she thought) and am worried about all those I care for (also true). Well, I hate to cut this short but as they say, make this sweet and short and I will write again soon.

Maria

As she finally laid down to go to sleep, she also realized she hadn't told the boys what had happened with Draco. They never even saw him, as the Head Boy had taken off toward the castle alone and before everyone else, and then stayed in the Head's dormitory all evening. Hermione had to insist upon letting a house elf bring him some food, which she arranged while he stayed and played with Kat and her Christmas toys. He even transfigured some items around their Common Room into Wizard toys, and promised to take her out on his broom when he had the chance.

The next morning

Hermione took her letter to the owlery the next day and frowned when she couldn't find Hedwig. Then she realized that perhaps Ron sent her off with a letter for "Maria". Knowing Hedwig would find her in her own time, she decided to wait and slipped the letter back into her pocket as she headed for breakfast. She found Ron waiting for her, noticing that Harry and Ginny were having a quiet moment together.

Looking around the room she saw Katerine with the first years she'd met on the train, and then saw that Draco was sitting alone at the Slytherin table which was quite empty. She also noticed Luna, a girl she'd hardly spoken to since her time at Hogwarts began, looking at Draco with interest.

AN: Okay, new chapter is up and the hardships of school are going to come back fast. I have some ideas of what is to come, but not sure how other things will play out yet. So any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I may have to type two versions of a certain scene, or make one a dream. I know some of you wanted a jealous Ron and Victor meeting, but I felt that Ron has been growing up too much for that. He had to restrain himself. Plus, he's had "Maria" to help guide him. That's all for now!