Death by Granger [rewritten version]

2

"Hermione!"

Hermione dropped the ashes of McGonagall's letter into the tall grass she stood on and turned to face an ecstatic Harry bounding towards her.

"You came!"

Her face broke into a wide smile as Harry approached her and pulled her into a tight hug. "Of course! I didn't send a reply with Wendelin for nothing, you know."

"Speaking of," Harry said as they began the walk to the Burrow, "we're all thrilled that you've got an owl of your own, but be warned. Ginny's expecting tons of letters once we graduate. She's already missing us and we're all staying in the same house!"

"Oh, she'll be fine," Hermione said, waving her hand dismissively. She froze and her smile dropped at the sound of a shrill yell from within the Burrow, followed by Harry's name.

"It's just Ron," Harry whispered loudly. "Owlbert is still biting him."

Hermione smiled again. "Oh."

"Owlbert," Harry said, shaking his head. "Reason number 3745 not to trust Charlie Weasley when naming pets."

"You could always tell people his full name is Owlbert Einstein."

Harry scoffed as he pushed the door open and gestured for Hermione to enter. "And risk having to explain who that is to everyone? No, thank you."

Ron thundered down the stairs and held out his arm towards Harry, where a little owl was attached to his sleeve.

"Owlbert," Harry said in a warning tone as he held out his own arm. He was pleased to see the owl let go of Ron to perch on Harry's arm. "Good boy!"

"Hello, Ron."

Ron nodded to Hermione. "Hello. I still blame you for all the nicks, you know."

"Me? Whatever for?"

"You're the one that told Harry to get another owl."

"That's true, but didn't you go with him to get the owl?"

"I — humph."

Hermione laughed softly. "Well, are you going to stand there and pout all day or are you going to give me a hug?"

Ron smiled and opened his arms towards Hermione, giving her a tight squeeze.

"Hermione!" Ginny cried, skipping steps on her way down. "The voice of reason has arrived!"

"Is that all I am?" Hermione joked, letting go of Ron to accept Ginny's energetic hug.

"No, but it's been horrid without you. The boys are driving me and mum and Charlie absolutely bonkers."

"Well, I'm here now," Hermione said.

"Oh, you have to help me pack! I've got far too many books this year and not enough space for clothing! Wait, could you do one of your extendable charms for me? I tried, but I can't seem to get it right."

Hermione just managed to turn and wave to Ron and Harry as Ginny pulled her up the stairs, still talking a mile a minute.

"Mate," Ron said, "you need to control your girlfriend."

"Oh, now she's my girlfriend? When I wanted to properly and officially ask her out, then she was too busy being your sister."

"That's in the past."

"That was last week!"

"In the past," Ron said in a singsong voice, waving Harry away.

Loud thumping sounded from the ceiling, as though someone was jumping on the floor upstairs. "I can hear you both," Ginny called from her room.