((ahem... posted in the right place now...))
Who: Hermione & Weasleys (any/all) When: Backdated to the day before the party! Where: The Burrow What: Mione needs to see her second family (and *cough*boyfriend*cough*) Rating: PG13
Hermione had spent her first few days back at The Leaky. It wasn't that she didn't want to see the Weasleys. She did. She just wasn't ready to be around so many people already. Her family was hidden away halfway around the world. And while she loved the Weasley clan, she had needed some time to compose herself. Harry had run into her while she was grumpy. She didn't want to go to the Burrow feeling that way. She and Ron were just now working out their feelings, if she was angst-ridden around him it would only make things more difficult. Make them worse. And Molly would coddle and Hermione would feel bad because it wasn't her mum. And it was just better to wait.
But she was feeling better now. She pulled a cloak over her jeans and t-shirt, tucked Crookshanks up under her arm, and stuck her wand in her sleeve. Heading downstairs, she had a quick chat with Tom (who always insisted on talking to her) but avoided everyone else. Then she tossed some floo powder, mumbled (but clearly) "The Burrow" and disappeared in cloud of soot and ash. Only to appear in the fireplace of the Burrow, much to the delighted squeals of Molly. Hermione barely had time to let Crookshanks to the floor and slip off her cloak before Molly had her in the tightest hug she'd ever experienced. Molly nattered on about worrying and glad Hermione was safe and everyone would be thrilled she was home and a million other things Hermione didn't catch at the speed she was going.
Before she knew it, Molly had Hermione sitting at the table and was whipping up some lunch for her. Hermione hadn't eaten, but she coudln't say she was hungry. Of course she knew better than to tell Molly no. In between Molly's on-and-on chatter, when she had stopped to take a breath, Hermione managed to sneak in a few words. "Is Ron around? Or Ginny or Fred?" She loved everyone else, of course, but Ron and Ginny were her best mates. And she was as excited to see Fred alive as the rest of the family had been.