Chapter 1: The Weasley's Help

The Weasley's burrow was the same as it had always been, nestled amongst rolling hills and fertile meadows. There was aloud crack sound and Hermione Granger appeared just in front of it. She made her way to the front door carrying her very heavy school trunk behind her. She knocked on the door and a moment later Mrs Weasley opened it. Mrs Weasley was wearing her cooking apron and Hermione assumed that she must have been cooking dinner for her family. When Mrs Weasley saw it was Hermione who knocked on the door she embraced her in a huge hug.

"Hermione dear, How good to see you. I didn't know you were coming to visit us."

Hermione couldn't help but get a warm feeling at Mrs Weasley's good nature.

"It's good to see you too Mrs Weasley but I'm afraid this isn't a social call. I need your family's help"

Mrs Weasley's motherly instincts kicked in. she could tell just by looking at Hermione's face that whatever the situation was, it was bad and Hermione was in desperate need of help.

"Oh dear, you better come in" said Mrs Weasley. She then took Hermione's trunk off her and invited her into her home. Hermione took a seat at the table where the Weasley's eat dinner. Mrs Weasley then went to the staircase to shout to her youngest son.

"Ron, could you come down here! Hermione is here."

There was a great thundering sound as Ron raced down the stairs as fast as he could. Once down he took one look at Hermione and said "Hello Hermione, what are you doing here?"

Hermione's heart began to beat faster. She couldn't help but feel a certain appreciation for Ron at this moment. He had heard that she was here and had come racing down just too see her.

Hermione began to cry "It's my mum. I think she is under the influence of a love potion. She's dating Pansy Parkinson's father."

"What!?" said Ron in shock and disbelief.

"I know" said Hermione still crying "I just found out a few minutes ago. She had invited him and Pansy over for me to meet them. I couldn't believe what was happening. They were in my house and I didn't know what to do, so I got out of there as fast as I could"

"Well we have to go back and rescue her" said Ron pulling out is wand from his pocket.

"I agree" said Hermione pulling herself together and getting up from her chair.

As she and Ron were about to go outside so they could apparate back to Hermione's. Mrs Weasley stood in there way, blocking the door

"Now, hold on just one minute you two!" she shouted.

Both Ron and Hermione stopped dead in their tracks.

"What do you think you two are doing? Gallivanting off in to danger like that. You could get yourselfs killed"

"Mum, we can handle our self we've done this sort of thing before."

"Yes and the last time you try to save someone like this, Sirius Black died."

There was an awful feeling in Hermione stomach and no doubt in Ron's too. Mrs Weasley was right. The last time they had tried to save someone that very same person had died as a result. So she sat back down at the table and Ron sat beside her.

"Look Hermione, I understand you want to save your mother. But you have to leave this sort of thing to the Order. I'll contact Dumbledore now." said Mrs Weasley

Mrs Weasley then held up her wand and sent out her patronus to send a message. Once she had done that Ron took Hermione up to his bedroom. There He pulled out a peace of parchment and a bottle of ink from his desk draw.

"What are you doing?" asked Hermione

"I'm writing to Harry. I think he needs to know about this as well"

The thought of writing to Harry hadn't even occurred to Hermione. She had been so desperate to get away from Pansy Parkinson and her father that she had simply turned to the first person who came to her mind; Ron Weasley and his family.

Dear Harry

We have a problem. Hermione has just arrived informing me that her mother is dating Pansy Parkinson's father. We believe she is under the influence of a love potion. What made them think they could get away with this plan is beyond me. Lucky the order is looking into the matter. But I thought you should know away. I will write back when I have more information, but until then keep safe

Ron

Ron then gave the letter to Pigwidgeon to send out.

A few hours later; Hermione and Ron where in the living room playing a game of wizards chess. Ron had suggested that they play. He had probably hoped that it would take Hermione's mind off her mother and the current situation. However it did little to help until there was a knock at the door. Mrs Weasley who was already in the kitchen answered it.

"Harry dear, so good to see you" she said.

When hearing those words Hermione and Ron stop playing and ran to see their best friend. Hermione embraced him in a huge hug much like she had done at grimmauld place.

"Harry, oh it's good to see you but what are you doing here?" asked Hermione.

"I just got Ron's letter just this minute, I thought I'd better come over."

"But how did you get here?"

"I apparated here, I know I haven't got a licence yet, but I'm 17 now so can legally do magic out of school now."

"Hay Harry" said Ron as he shook his best friend's hand, "it's good to see you."

"Like wise" said Harry "so what is the order doing about your mum?"

"I don't know we haven't heard from them yet" said Hermione.

"Well just so you know, I'm here for you Hermione" said Harry

Hermione was deeply moved by these words "Thank you Harry. That means a lot"

A few more hours passed. It was now getting late and the trio was trying to keep their mind distracted by playing explosive snap and wizard's chess but like before it was no good. Hermione couldn't help but feel guilty now. She had left her mother at the mercy of Pansy Parkinson and her father. Who knew what he was doing to her?

There was another knock at the door. The trio ran to it see who it was. Hopefully it would be a member of the Order bringing news. To their surprise it was actually Dumbledore himself.

"Professor Dumbledore" said Hermione

"Miss Granger it's good to see you. Mr Potter, Mr Weasley if you could kindly give Miss Granger and I some privacy I would like to have a little chat with her. "

"Sure professor" said Harry and Ron. They then made their way up the staircase to Ron's room, leaving Hermione and Dumbledore alone in the living room. Dumbledore took a seat in the nearest arm chair and Hermione sat down on the sofa.

"Now, Miss Granger I understand that your parents have recently got a divorced and that your mother is now currently dating a Mr Arnold Parkinson, father or Miss Pansy Parkinson. Am I correct?"

"Yes sir" said Hermione "she wouldn't go out with someone like him. He must be…"

Dumbledore held up his hand and Hermione stopped talking.

"I also understand that you believe your mother is under the influence of a love potion. Now I can understand why you would think such a thing. Your mother is a muggle after all and would be vonrable to such a potion. So I investigated the matter myself, and after hours of investigation and talking with your mother. I can safely conclude that your mother is not under the influence of a love potion and Arnold Parkinson is not a death eater."

Hermione was shock by this news; Pansy Parkinson's father wasn't a death eater. How could that be? She had always assumed that Pansy's parents were death eaters. In that moment Hermione had felt relieve, this meant that her mother was safe. But then it hit her, if her mother wasn't under the influence of a love potion, that meant her mother really was dating Pansy's father of her own free will and in a way that made her and Pansy stepsister's. Hermione felt ill at the thought.

"I talked with your mother to let her know that you are safe. You know she was pretty worried when you disappeared the way you did. She also wants you to know that she understands that this is a difficult adjustment for you, and if you wish to stay with your father for the rest of the summer, she will understands."

Hermione didn't say anything. She was too busy trying to figure out where to go from here.