The Beginning of The End

Hermione Granger sat perched on a tall stool inside a brightly lit shop making a disgusted face. She was watching Fred Weasley test out a new product he and his brother had invented and apparently, it wasn't working out the way he had been hoping. Hermione tried not to look completely appalled when Fred, his mouth full of a stretchy orange candy, leaned over a colorful tin and spit out the entire contents of his mouth. She watched him shudder slightly and shake his head apparently trying to get rid of the taste.

"What's wrong with it?" she asked, scared to know the answer.

"It's hideous, that's what's wrong with it," he exclaimed, grabbing a bottle of butterbeer and taking a long swig. "I told George we didn't add enough natural ingredients! Blach!"

Hermione shook her head, smiling in spite of herself. She'd arrived at Diagon Alley quite earlier than she'd told Ron and Harry to meet her because she'd wanted to shop for new dress robes in peace without the two of them complaining about waiting for her. She went through it every year and didn't intend to go through it again. So she'd purchased a new pair of dress robes for this year's Winter Formal, along with some fancy shoes. Afterwards, she still had time to waste, so she'd decided to visit Fred's and George's shop, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. She'd found an irate Fred dealing with a load of customers all by himself. Apparently, George had been on a lunch break for over an hour and Fred was plotting his murder by disgusting orange candy. At least that's what he was muttering at this very minute, after Hermione had helped him check out the crowd of people waiting.

"Where are you supposed to be meeting Ron, then?" Fred asked, as Hermione sniffed at a suspicious looking piece of chocolate that was set out in a bowl by the register. She chose wisely not to eat it.

"Oh, right in front of this shop. They should be here any minute now," she said. Checking her practical muggle watch, and leaning over to peer out the large storefront window.

"They? Is Harry coming too?" Fred asked, pretending to be shocked. "I thought the lovers would have wanted to be alone to go for a long stroll down the crowded street, holding hands and playing footsie . . ."

Hermione rolled her eyes. She'd stopped being embarrassed by the twins' teasing one year ago after she and Ron had become . . . well, slightly more than friends. Hermione didn't know how it happened, didn't know when it had snuck up on her, but one day, their constant arguing began turning personal. Bickering had turned into fighting and fighting had turned into making up... and into admitting some very interesting feelings they'd both been having for quite some time. It had taken approximately five to seven fights over the course of their fifth year to get everything out in the open; Hermione didn't have the exact number.

But she remembered some of the things Ron had told her word for word.

It was then that Hermione saw Ron through the large window. He was walking with Harry and had just happened to peer into the window. Ron gave her a little wave and a quick wink before he got Harry's attention. Hermione saw both of them grinning broadly at her and gesturing for her to come out. She made a sound of delight in the back of her throat as she hopped off the stool and rushed off to meet them.

She hugged Harry first since he was closest to her and held on slightly longer than she would have normally to let him know how relieved she was that he was safe. His smirk told her that he got the message. Hugging Ron was different than hugging Harry; Ron's embrace was stronger and more intimate. Hermione felt tiny shivers down the back of her neck as he gave her an extra squeeze.

"So where to first?" she asked them brightly, squinting in the sun.

"Let's get your dress robes out the way, shall we?" Ron suggested, pointing at Madam Malkins.

But Hermione grinned and help up the bag with her new dress robes. "Already done!"

Harry and Ron looked at each other as if they were amazed. "Wait, wait," Ron said faintly. "You mean to say that we don't have to sit on those flowery benches inside the shop for four hours while you pick out your new robes?! Harry catch me, she's finally knocked me off my feet." Ron pretended to swoon towards Harry and Harry elbowed him, sending Ron tumbling against a wastepaper basket.

Hermione tutted and rolled her eyes as the two of them had a silent fight, shoving each other this way and that. "I've never made you sit four hours, Ron," she said loudly over the scuffle. Ron had Harry in a headlock now and Harry's struggling caused the two of them to turn around and around in clumsy circles. "The longest I've ever taken was an hour and that was because Madam Malkin had three people in front of me getting their Hogwarts robes and dress robes. I distinctly remember-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Ron said as Harry pulled Ron's head down, trying to get him to let go.

Hermione sighed impatiently. "People are starting to look," she scolded them, rolling her eyes at their muffled laughing. "Honestly."

"Honestly," Harry mimicked her as he and Ron emerged from the fistfight, both grinning widely.

"Better watch out, Hermione, just because you're a girl, we have no problem with kicking your butt," Ron said, tugging in her hair.

Hermione tutted again, this time swatting Ron's hand away, and ignored his threat. "If you two don't mind, I'm hungry," she stated sternly, but her eyes were sparkling with mirth.

"Okay, okay," Harry said. "Gringott's first and then The Leaky Cauldron for some lunch."

"That sounds like a plan," Hermione agreed. And with that, she linked arms with the both of them and they walked down the cobblestone street to Gringotts Bank.

~*~

Ginny walked slowly along the crowded path, her eyes traveling from one shop to the next, deciding where to go first. It hadn't been easy to shrug off Ron and Harry, but she'd done it.

"I'm going to stay here, you two go on and meet Hermione. I'll find you later," she'd told them as soon as they stepped out of the Leaky Cauldron.

Ron had sighed. "Ginny, I was only joking yesterday, are you still on about that? I don't care if you tag along."

Ginny almost shook her head at his choice of words. Oh, no indeed, she would not be tagging along with her big brother and his best friends today. If anything, Ron's words had reinforced her resolve.

"Come on, Ginny," she'd heard Harry say and when she looked at him, he rolled his eyes at Ron as if to tell her that he thought Ron's words had been poorly chosen as well.

But Ginny had sent them what she hoped was an airy smile. "Honestly, I have things I want to do that you two will find very boring, trust me."

"Like what?" Ron asked immediately.

Ginny sighed. "Like going into Knockturn Alley and buying some illegal stuff. I don't know, Ron! I'm sixteen years old-"

"Not yet, you're not-"

"And I can take care of myself. Go on, both of you, you'll be late meeting Hermione. I'll catch up later, I promise."

It had been Harry who'd tugged on Ron's arm. "Let's go, she'll be fine."

At once, Ginny's eyebrows snapped together at Harry's big-brother-like words. How did he know she was going to be fine, wasn't he worried about her at all??

After promising to meet up in two hours, Ginny wandered in the opposite direction of them. She purchased a new quill, some parchment and stocked up on her potion ingredients. She wandered outside, listening to all the talk and bustle of the crowded street, and chatted briefly with some Hogwarts fifth years she knew. Around thirty minutes before she was to meet Ron, Ginny glanced up at Madam Malkin's Robe's For All Occasions. She walked into the shop and entertained herself with looking at the dress robes. She couldn't buy any, of course, the ones she'd gotten two years ago still fit her, although they were rather tight in some places. But Ginny liked to run her hands over the silky fabrics and different patterns. One particular robe caught her eye and Ginny pulled it off the hanger and held it up against her in one of the tall mirrors that lined a wall. It was made of a shimmery material in a pastel green adorned with a tiny pattern of silver roses sewn into the collar and lining the sleeves.

"That is perfect for you!" came an exclamation to Ginny's left. She glanced, startled, to the side and saw a very stylish witch about Fred and George's age dressed in trendy robes of turquoise taffeta. Her name badge said Sally Hunter, MM's Official Fashion Designer. The woman walked over to Ginny and adjusted the robes. "The color is perfect, it goes so well with your hair. Would you like to try them on?"

"No, no," Ginny said hastily. "I can't buy anything today, I was just looking."

But the girl was peering at her intently. "You look familiar. What's your last name?"
Ginny hesitated. "Weasley."

The woman let out a huge bark of laughter. "Weasley! Relation to Fred and George?"

Ginny let out a sighed of relief. "Yes, my brothers. You know them?"

"Know them! Ha! The biggest pranksters this side of the Alley. I do know them, yes. I'm Sally Hunter."

"Ginny."

"Nice to meet you, Ginny. Why don't you try on these robes just for the fun of it, eh? You are under no obligation to buy anything, of course."

Ginny started to politely refuse, but stopped. "Sure," she said. After all she was under no obligation, wasn't she, and it would be fun to try them on. Besides she had time to waste before meeting Ron in front of Flourish and Blots.

When Ginny stepped out of the dressing room in the green robes, Sally Hunter almost burst into tears. "They are just gorgeous, just gorgeous! They are you, Ginny."

"They are aren't they?" Ginny asked wistfully, staring at herself in the mirror. She imagined she could save up all year and be able to get them for her last year at Hogwarts. But there would be nobody she'd want to impress at Hogwarts next year, she thought with a sigh.

"It's seems I had you in mind when I designed them," Sally said, fingering the collar of the material.

Ginny stared at her in amazement. "You designed these?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Wow."

Ginny left Madam Malkin's with another sigh, casting one last glance at Sally Hunter hanging the dress robes up. Oh, well, she thought to herself, it could be worse. At least she had a very nice pair of dress robes at home. They were a little worn and everyone had already seen her in them two years in a row. But Ginny didn't hold things like that high on her list of grievances. It was fun to wish for, though.

She walked down the long street, now heading for Flourish and Blotts. As she approached the bookstore, she saw Harry, Ron and Hermione standing a ways down. Ron and Hermione were standing close to each other, talking frantically, seemingly arguing about something. Harry stood next to them, but slightly removed. He was leaning against a lamppost, squinting in the sun, his eyes wandering over the vast crowd. Every so often, he would cast an impatient glance at Ron and Hermione, and shake his head slightly, apparently thinking that their argument was not worth the effort they were putting into it.

Ginny stood still for a moment and watched Harry. Not for the first time, she wondered if Harry felt awkward that Ron and Hermione were together. Even though he never gave any sign that he felt uncomfortable around them, Ginny knew it must be an issue for him even if it wasn't a very big one.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Ginny put a smile on her face and went over to join them.

"At last, some feminine company!" Hermione sighed and Ginny grinned at her. The two girls wrapped each other in a tight hug. "I'm glad you're here, Gin, I already need a holiday from these men."

Ginny snorted. "Men?"

Hermione grinned and rolled her eyes. "I guess you're right... little boys, they are, aren't they?"

They giggled loudly and Ron crossed his arms. "If that's the way you're going to be, you can just go off on your own again, Miss Sweet Sixteen."

Hermione gasped and put an arm around Ginny's shoulder. "That's right! January the twenty-first! What shall I get you, something grown-up, perhaps your first Shimmering Glossing Potion for your lips?"
Ginny burst out laughing. "Mum got me that when I turned thirteen. Fred and George stole it to use in one of their concoctions."

"I was only joking," Hermione laughed and linked arms with her. "I'll think of something brilliant, don't worry."

At once, Ginny felt incredibly stupid for straying away from them earlier.

The four of them walked around Diagon Alley some more, stopping every now and then to pick up something they needed. When the sun started to set and the warm summer breeze began to pick up, they settled themselves at a round table outside of Florean's nursing ice cream, the sky brilliant shades of pink and orange.

They were joined shortly by Neville Longbottom, who had passed with his Grandmother. Mrs. Longbottom left Neville with them to go and do some shopping she needed to get done."

"Thanks," Neville said with relief, sliding into a chair Harry had pulled up for him. "She's been driving me crazy all day," he said nodding towards his Grandmother as she went into the Apothecary. "Just because I forgot my list of required books at home. I told her that it doesn't matter, the owner of Flourish and Blott's keeps all Hogwarts required lists on the bulletin. But nothing doing. I think she secretly likes finding reasons to shout."

They laughed.

"So did you guys hear about the Puddlemere game yesterday?" Neville asked eagerly and the three boys launched into a discussion of Quidditch.

"So, how has your summer been?" Ginny asked Hermione with a smile.

"Oh," she sighed. "A bit boring, I suppose. I managed to keep busy at my dad's office working as a nurses assistant. I learned a lot about the dental field should I ever want to work as a muggle dentist. But I also took full advantage of being able to use magic at home. Gave me the opportunity to study for my N.E.W.T's very thoroughly."

Ginny nodded, thinking that she would rather spend the day locked in a broom closet with Draco Malfoy than study over the summer. She voiced this to Hermione "You're lucky to be motivated, I basically did nothing this summer."

"Nothing?" Hermione said. "Come on, you must have done something. Any new drawings?"

"Oh, yeah," Ginny exclaimed and told Hermione about them and her success with Animating Charms.

"Wow," Hermione breathed. "They sound wonderful, you'll have to show me."

"NO! It wasn't like that, the Chaser was the one who fell and Keeper had gotten fouled—It was the same play that happened in Whales verses Ireland last year," Harry was exclaiming and launched into an explanation.

Ginny watched as Harry grabbed his wand to draw the play in the air. When she turned back, Hermione had a small, secret smile on her face.

"What?" Ginny asked. "Oh, come on, stop it," she whispered as Hermione's smile widened.

"How was this summer, really?" Hermione asked quietly.

Ginny rolled her eyes and mouthed "be quiet," although the boys were making such a racket while they argued about fouls, that Hermione could have shouted, "So, Ginny you still have that crush on Harry, then?" and he still wouldn't be the wiser.

"Did anything... well, anything new?" Hermione asked.

Ginny glanced at Harry quickly before relying. "Nothing."

Hermione didn't look convinced. "Nothing?"

Ginny shook her head, smiling wistfully. "Nothing."

Hermione sighed furiously and cast a killer look at Harry before turning back to Ginny. "Give him time," she said.

Ginny laughed. "Hermione, that's all I've been doing. I give up."

Her eyes went round. "Don't you dare!" she hissed.

Ginny rolled her eyes and said in a hushed voice. "Hermione we lived in the same house for one month this summer. He still doesn't even look at me." The she cast an look at Harry who was shaking his head and mumbling to himself at something Ron was insisting.

"He has other things on his mind, Ginny," Hermione said quietly.

"I know. And I understand that. But that doesn't mean he's not a stupid idiot," Ginny said calmly and sipped her Freezing Mud ice cream drink.

It took Hermione about five seconds to realize what Ginny had said and when she did, she burst into startled giggles. Ginny watched her in horror, and glanced over at the boys who had stopped talking and were looking at Hermione curiously. But Hermione had started laughing in an uncontrollable manner and soon they were both beside themselves with laughter and Ginny couldn't catch her breath. Harry, Ron and Neville rolled their eyes, but they couldn't help grinning reluctantly at the two girls giggling so hard they couldn't breath and at Hermione who had abandoned all hope and collapsed onto the table with her head in her arms. Ginny finally sobered enough to wipe tears from her cheeks, but when she glanced at Hermione's state, she felt the laughter that bubbled in her throat and all was lost again.

~*~

The night before term started was not nearly as hectic as it had once been when both Fred and George had attended Hogwarts. Still, there were lots of last minute things to do; Ginny, Ron and Harry were running up and down the stairs, getting things ready to go in the morning. It took Ginny over an hour to pack everything into her rather small trunk, but she worked diligently, remembering to include her drawing supplies, dress robes, Hogwarts uniforms, the cosmetics case she'd gotten for her birthday last year, all her books and supplies and few decorative items she liked to adorn her side of the dorm with.

Mrs. Weasley made a spectacular dinner that everyone ate outside, under the stars and after dinner, Fred and George entertained the group with their very first line of magical fireworks. Unlike Filibusters, these fireworks twisted and turned into different types of animals and famous witches and wizards. Everyone oohed and ahhed at a particularly gorgeous one of the famous witch Morgana which illuminated the sky in colorful sparkles.

After the "show" was over with, everyone marveled on the fireworks and talked lazily. Ginny was feeling rather tired, so she stood and said goodnight to everybody. She climbed the stairs to her room, feeling that if she got to bed early, she wouldn't be a tired mess in the morning. She opened the door to her room and the site that met her made her gasp aloud. The somewhat tidy room she usually kept, was greatly disturbed. Her trunk stood opened at the foot of her bed and its contents were strewn all over the room. Ginny saw her dress robes suspended in the air, her quills and parchment at the very top of her bookshelf, higher than she could reach; all her school books were sticking out from underneath her bed, and her cosmetics case was lying open on the floor, various tubes and bottles dotting her rug. Nearly two hours worth of careful packing was scattered over her entire room. Ginny barely had time to wonder who had done this when she spotted a piece of parchment floating over her bed, fluttering around as if it were a snitch. After several tries, she managed to grab the paper and read what it said.

Consider this an early birthday present,

F&G,

PS-- GOTCHA!!

She let out a scream of fury and raced downstairs to kill her twin brothers.