For the first time in three days Hermione did not wake up to an owl tapping at her window. She slept peacefully until midmorning without a single incident. When she finally did wake up she immediately went downstairs to make breakfast. Oh shit, I forgot to write that letter to McGonagall. Oh well, I'll write it after breakfast. It was nice to wake up without an impatient owl on my sill anyway. After she ate she wrote out to McGonagall,

Dear Headmistress McGonagall,

I had no idea work was still being done to restore Hogwarts, I thought that it would be long done by now! Please, if you need help write me back as soon as you can, with instructions on when and where to apparate to. I'll see if I can get the boys to help too.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger

She sent the letter off with Noctua and got dressed, today was Ginny's birthday. She didn't have to be there until noon, but she wanted to arrive a bit early to help Mrs. Weasley prepare. She ended up arriving at the Burrow at eleven o'clock. As she walked in, entering into the kitchen she saw a rather ruffled Mrs. Weasley. Looks like I was right, Mrs. Weasley looks as if she could use a spot of help getting everything ready.

"Mrs. Weasley, would you like some help?" Hermione said by way of greeting. Mrs. Weasley practically jumped out of her skin at being addressed so suddenly.

"Oh hello dear, I didn't see you there. You know I hate asking for help from guests, but I actually could rather use it," Molly replied sheepishly.

"Just say the word Mrs. Weasley, what do you need?"

"Call me Molly dear, and I could use your help making the decorations I need to focus on the stove for now. I trust you to make everything look appropriately festive for Ginny's day, have at it."

"Right away," Hermione said, and began creating a banner for Ginny.

"Also, Ginny told me what you did for her Hermione, buying all that stuff. I'll thank you properly once my hands are free, but I want you to know how grateful me and Arthur are for your help. If it came from anyone else, well I don't know as we could rightfully accept, but coming from family well it'd feel wrong to fight you on it."

Hermione had expected more of an argument and was quite relieved, "I want you to know Molly, I didn't intend it as a form of charity, you are all like family to me, and family does things like this for each other when they have the opportunity. Seeing Ginny smile like that, well it made me smile, and she deserved it."

"That she does," said Molly.

"So what's on the itinerary for the day?"

"Just the usual, but since you did us such a favor in buying all her school supplies, I'd like to treat you out along with Ginny to a day at the spa this weekend. It's going to be something of a girls' day. Very relaxing, please join us, I know it would please Ginny."

"Are you sure Molly, you don't want it to be a mother-daughter day out?"

"Dear, after that stunt you pulled, you will always be family to me; I'd be delighted if you joined us."

"You've convinced me, is there anything I should bring with me?" Hermione asked having never been to a spa, let alone a magical one.

"No, all you need to do is show up."

"Thank you" Hermione smiled. "It means a lot to be considered family somewhere, with my parents gone and all." Mrs. Weasley just smiled in response.

Once they were done Mrs. Weasley called everyone down the stairs. She didn't join them as she was still busy in the kitchen preparing supper. As the boys and Ginny trotted into the living room to gorge themselves on the nice trays of crisps and dips that Mrs. Weasley had prepared Ron stopped dead in his tracks.

"Come to apologize?" he asked, giving Hermione a sharp look.

"No, I've nothing to apologize for, if anyone needs to apologize, it's you Ronald." She scowled back. Harry stared at the floor, long ago he'd decided not to take sides in their fights; Ginny had made no such decision though.

"Ron, it's my birthday, don't you dare start shit today," Ginny growled. "Also, Hermione is right, she has absolutely nothing to apologize for, you're acting like a bloody wanker," she had a hard glare on her face. Hermione gave her a quick nod of appreciation and raised her eyebrows at Ron.

"Can't you just be civil today Ronald, for your sister's sake?" She asked, hoping he would agree. Ron didn't say a word he stomped back up the stairs, they all heard the door slam to his bedroom.

"I'm sorry Gin, it's your day and here I am messing it up," Hermione said, tears in her eyes. She realized something though, I'm not exactly upset that Ron is being a git, I'm more upset that it's messing with Ginny's day.

Ginny gave her a smile, "It's not your fault he's a git Hermione. Frankly, if that's the attitude he's going to have I'd rather have you here than him," she turned to look at Harry, "Why didn't you say anything about the way Ron was treating her?" she asked him reproachfully.

"I decided a while back not to get in the middle of their arguments, they're adults, they'll work it out or they won't, with or without my choosing a side," he stated matter-of-factly.

"It's still wrong," Ginny frowned.

"He's right Ginny. Just think how irritating it would be if I got involved every time you and Harry had a spat," Hermione said. "You can always confide in my and vent to me if you do, or ask for advice, but I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate it if I began taking sides," she added. I don't want Ginny to think I won't be there for her if she does need me.

"Well, when you put it that way… it's hard to argue with that logic," Ginny smiled.

"How long do you think he'll pout?" Hermione asked.

"Knowing Ron, only until dinner; he never misses a meal," Ginny giggled.

Harry, Ginny, and Ginny spent a relaxing afternoon together. Catching up on all the things they'd forgotten to tell each other.

"So what's going on at the Aurors Office Harry?" Hermione asked. Ginny looked over at her boyfriend proudly.

"Well I start training on the 18th, so next Monday," he grinned.

"Really, they're making you go through training, wasn't last year training enough," Hermione laughed.

"Well, I know how to deal with serious problems should they arise, but I still need training when it comes to ministry protocol,"

"Sounds rather like a Muggle police officer job," Hermione smiled.

"Well yeah, the protocols are about things like when force is authorized, and which spells are considered reasonable force based on the scenario. I also need to learn how to fill out all the paperwork," Harry groaned the last part, obviously dreading the paperwork.

"How long is training?" Hermione asked.

"Depends on when I feel ready to take the tests, most Aurors take six months. However, since I'm pretty sure I have most of the spells down; I might be able to finish in three if I work my ass off. Since Ginny won't be around, it's not like I'll have much else to do anyway," he smiled down at his girlfriend and kissed her forehead.

"You'll send plenty of owls though, right?" Ginny said beaming up at him.

"Of course," Harry smiled down at her, "To both of you," he added, looking over at Hermione.

Hermione started, "Oh, speaking of owls, I expect to have one back from McGonagall when I get home. Apparently Hogwarts is still undergoing restoration. I wrote to McGonagall asking if she needed any help."

"I had no idea they were still working on it," said a surprised Harry, "Let me know what McGonagall says, I'd be willing to help too, at least until training starts."

"Yeah, I'll help too Hermione," said Ginny.

Hermione beamed at both of them. "I'm sure McGonagall will be thrilled for the extra hands."

Right before dinner, Arthur got home and said hello to everyone, and privately thanked Hermione for taking Ginny shopping. Ron did end up coming down for dinner, although he refused to speak to Hermione. Well at least he is being somewhat civil. It's all I really hoped for. Mrs. Weasley shot them a few concerned looks but had apparently decided not to comment on it, Arthur seemed not to notice. After everyone was stuffed on Mrs. Weasley's wonderful cooking, and had complimented and thanked her for the wonderful meal, it was time for Ginny to receive her presents.

"Ginny," started Mrs. Weasley with Arthur smiling by her side, "this year we got you something that can't exactly be wrapped." Ginny gave her parents a curious look. "On Saturday, you, Hermione, and I are going to the spa."

Ginny squealed with delight, "Oh mum, dad, thank you," she practically screamed. "This is the best birthday present, EVER," she really was screaming now.

After cake and coffee, Hermione quickly took her leave despite the Weasley's protests. She could tell Harry had something planned for Ginny, for which privacy would be appreciated. Harry gave her an appreciative look as she insisted she really must go. After many hugs, and some leftovers Mrs. Weasley insisted she take, Hermione apparated home.

Upon walking into the house, she put her leftovers in the fridge and went upstairs to her room. Noctua was sitting on her perch in the corner, a letter, certainly from McGonagall, on the sill. Before picking up the letter Hermione gave Noctua a treat, "Good owl." She opened the letter and read.

Dear Ms. Hermione Granger,

I would be most thankful to receive all the help I can get. If you're still interested please apparate to Hogsmeade at 8 AM. There'll be carts waiting to take you, and the rest of the volunteers, to the castle.

With Thanks,

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

Hermione thought about owling Harry and Ginny for the help they'd offered, but decided against it. They'd probably be having a late night and she didn't want them to feel obligated to wake up early.

She still had some time before bed, and ended up using it to think about her relationship with Ron. Do I even want to make up with him? Yes, he's one of my best friends. Do I want to date him though? I'm not really sure. We fight constantly, plus we share no real interests now that our lives aren't constantly on the line. Things that I find interesting practically put him to sleep, and he just gets annoyed whenever I bring up my interests. He doesn't understand half of them, and when I try to explain he acts like I'm force feeding him basilisk venom. I deserve someone who can appreciate me for who I am, and so does he. She spent hours thinking it over, making sure it was the right decision, but by the time she curled up for bed she knew what she had to do. She had to break up with Ron before school started.