It was a very dreary day, rain slapping against Hermione’s face as she drew near the burrow. She decided not to take it as a bad omen; not wanting to sound like the fraud old bat, Professor Trelawny. She grimaced internally at the thought. A faint, luminescent glow of light framed the inside of a window, allowing Hermione to see Ginny pacing back and forth, wringing her hands together anxiously. Hermione felt a pang of sympathy towards Ginny. She had a fair bit on her plate, and her rocky relationship with harry only escalated her stress.
Hermione’s cloak clung to her, sodding with the offending rain water. Her fast walk turned into a dead sprint as the rain grew heavier, like she was a child being taunted by a large bully. She reached the door, panting with her exertion. She gave it a quick knock, and was greeted by Ron about a minute later.
“Hermione?” He said confusedly.
“No, Harry. Of course it’s me you daft boy.” She teased.
“Very funny. What are you doing here? Not that I mind of course…” He said with a smile.
“I’m here to escort your very nervous and stressed sister to work.”
“What?! I could have done it!” he said defensively.
“No offense, Ron, but this calls for a more delicate approach. You aren’t the most sensitive person in the world. She needs me. I’m as much as a sibling to her as you are.”
Ron nodded, agreeing with her.
“How are YOU, Hermione? What did McGonagall want?”
“Oh, she wanted me to take over her Transfiguration class for a week; it’s no big deal.” She said nonchalantly.
“That’s a HUGE deal, I don’t know WHAT you’re on about!” He roared proudly.
He opened his arms and pulled a very reluctant Hermione into them. He hugged her tightly, nearly knocking all the breath she had out of her.
“Ron – er, can’t … b-breathe!” She managed.
“Sorry.” He said, grinning like he wasn’t sorry at all.
Ginny came walking out of the door a moment later, wearing a very pale and sick expression.
“Ready to go?” Hermione asked maternally.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Ginny replied.
“Don’t be nervous – they’ll love you. I’ll introduce you to Kendrina, myself.”
“I’ll cross my fingers for you on that one.” Ron said thickly.
Hermione shot him a warning glare, so he looked away quickly, not able to withstand the intensity.
“Merlin, Hermione. If we- you have kids when you get older, I don’t envy them.” He realized he’d slipped, but Hermione pretended not to notice.
They disapparated.
~
“Ginny, hurry along, this way!” Hermione shouted across the hall.
Ginny’s eyes were full of fear; something Hermione never expected out of the fierce redhead.
“Ah, coming!” She shrieked, her hair licking at her face like an open flame.
“Stick by me – it’s VERY easy to get lost in this place.” Hermione said when Ginny reached her.
“So, where do we go now?”
Hermione thought for a moment.
“We have a few minutes to kill, so I’ll show you my office and prep you on Kendrina.”
