Unforeseen Outcomes

Chapter 2- Hermione

Hermione woke to the soft clatter of dishes flying around in the kitchen downstairs, and breathed in the delicious air as the aroma of sizzling sausages, bacon, and French toast wafted into the guest bedroom she occupied at the Burrow. She stretched her worn and tired limbs and sat up in the bed as a ray of morning light grazed her face through the open window overlooking the surrounding meadow. A light breeze of autumn air chased the sleep from her face and she slowly lifted herself from the comfort of her blankets.

She has been staying with the Weasleys for the last two weeks before school presumes to spend time with Ginny, Ron, and Harry before throwing herself back into her academics for her last year at Hogwarts. She hadn't seen them for a majority of her summer since she was so busy catching up on lost time with her parents, whom she had recently restored memories following the recent triumph in the wizarding war. They had been very upset with her for quite literally wiping herself from their minds, but overall relieved that they didn't remember enough to worry for her.

She threw on her fluffy green robe and slippers and made her way downstairs, checking the time on the charmed clock to find that it was barely six in the morning. Looking at the clock filled her heart with warmth, and she noticed that Mrs. Weasley had added two new spoons to the collection, labeled Harry and Hermione, both parked in the section for 'Home' along with the rest of the Weasleys, minus Fred.

Fred's spoon occupied the section of the clock labelled 'Lost', where it will remain forever on out.

Hermione glanced at her surroundings, not in the least surprised to find that she was the first one up, per usual. She stalked over to the steaming pot and helped herself to a cup of tea, seating herself in a creaky wooden chair at the table and made a mental note of everything she has to do before she leaves for the Hogwarts Express with Ginny in a few hours.

Ginny and her had become close in the last few weeks, not that they weren't before, but now that Hermione was dating her brother Ron, and Ginny was dating Harry, they would spend time together when they needed a break from the boys.

Its a shame the boys weren't coming with them to finish their last year at Hogwarts, despite how much effort the girls had put into convincing them to finish their education. She supposed it made sense though, seeing as Ron already had an internship in his father's department and Harry already began his Auror training program. Hermione however, has her eyes set on more ambitious goals, and in order to achieve them she would need to finish her education and take her N.E.W.T. exams. She'll miss having those goofballs next to her in class, but she won't be alone because her and Ginny are now in the same year, since she had missed an entire schoolyear searching for Horcruxes.

Footsteps coming down the tower of stairs pulled her from her thoughts and she looked up to find Ginny and Harry making their way into the kitchen hand in hand to join her at the table.

" I thought I heard you, I knew you'd be up early with that built in mental alarm clock whenever we have somewhere to be," Ginny teased as Hermione stuck her tongue out at her. "I honestly have no idea how you do that, I could swear you've transfigured your brain into a ringer."

"Haha very funny, you're lucky I woke you or you'd stay in bed with Harry until the train left without you," Hermione watched as both Ginny and Harry's ears turned hot and their cheeks flushed red.

"And where's Ron?" she shot back, trying to steer the conversation away from her and Harry as Mrs. Weasley moved down the stairs.

"How should I know? He doesn't leave his room til noon on most days"

"He's just taken a shower, claims his muscles are still sore from yesterday," called Mrs. Weasley "He'll be down in just a moment, you know he wouldn't miss seeing you off."