That Ship Has Sailed

Harry & Hermione

"Hermione, don't worry. My family is going to love you."

"Ron, I don't like meeting new people, I'm not necessarily a social person. I tend to put people off with my rambling."

Ron took Hermione's shoulders and looked her in the eyes, "Hermione, relax. You're a wonderful girl and they're going to love you and your rambling. They didn't believe me when I said I had gotten a smart girlfriend, so you can prove them wrong for me, yeah?"

Hermione smiled and looked down for a moment, "You mean it?"

"Of course I do," Ron said, pulling her into a hug, "Now come on, we don't want to be late. Do you want to use the Floo or Apparate?"

"Apparating is faster," Hermione said, taking Ron's hand, "When you're ready," she said.

Ron quickly imagined his parent's house and within a second, they were there. He smiled when he saw the smoke coming from the chimney of the crooked, old house. Hermione had never seen his home before and was a bit confused.

"Isn't it great?" Ron asked, a smile on his face, "Not as great as your place, don't get me wrong, but it's home."

Hermione smiled, looking up at Ron, "It's gorgeous."

He grinned and put his arm around her, beginning to walk toward the house. Ron was only fifteen years old and felt proud having a girlfriend before Fred and George. He hadn't introduced her to anyone yet, wanting to keep her a secret for a short while. Truthfully, it made him feel special having someone as smart as Hermione as his girlfriend.

The door soon swung open and several people came hurrying out, one of them being Ron's only sister, Ginny."

"Hey, Gin," Ron said, catching her in a hug.

"You're back!" she cried, "I thought you'd never get back, it's been ghastly here without you to side with me against the twins."

Ron chuckled, "Well, now I'm here and I'm on your side, no matter what."

"'Ello, Ronald," Fred said, throwing his arm over Ron's shoulder, George following suit on the other side, "Where's this lovely girlfriend you keep going on about?"

"Yes, let's see her," George chimed in.

Ron blushed and Hermione could see why he wanted to keep her a secret for so long. She blushed as well and stepped forward, "I'm Hermione," she said, taking initiative.

Fred and George took turns shaking her hand, then spoke to Ron, "You never said she was so gorgeous," George said.

"A keeper, that one," Fred insisted, chuckling.

"I'm Ginny," the young girl said, walking up to Hermione.

"Oh, Ginny, Ron's told me so much about you," Hermione said, giving the girl a hug.

"That mean you didn't tell her about us?"

"I feel insulted."

"Very insulted."

Ron pushed the boys away and took Hermione's hand, ignoring them, "Gin, is mum inside?"

"Yes, she's inside with Percy, Dad and Harry."

"Harry's here? I thought he was going to the Dursley's for the holidays?"

"He said they wouldn't let him in and he didn't try very hard to make them," Ginny said, walking beside Ron and proudly informing him of something the grown ups thought she didn't understand.

"Well, good he's here, I want him to meet Hermione as well," Ron said, smiling at her.

Hermione smiled slightly, feeling more and more nervous about meeting so many people all at once.