All the light we cannot see

Chapter One

Hermione sat on the edge of her bed, repeatedly glancing at the clock and tapping her finger off her thigh as she waited for Mr Weasley to come and collect her from her parents home. He was late and Hermione was getting more stressed by the minute. What if he'd forgotten about her? What if they didn't want her to stay anymore? She tried to clear those thoughts away— she knew she was being irrational. She had been packed since yesterday and had continuously made sure she was fully prepared for the school year ahead.

Hermione was really looking forward to the buzz and excitement that surrounded the Weasley family, especially after such a quiet few weeks with her parents. Hermione adores her parents, yet there has been a disconnect ever since she discovered she was a witch. It was difficult to explain to them what happened when she was at school as she didn't want them to worry about her or worse, not let her go back. Their relationship was first strained when she was petrified by the basilisk in 2nd year, as when she did not contact them for a few weeks, they contacted Dumbledore and nearly took her out of school. It took a good few weeks during summer to convince them to let her back. From then on, Hermione decided it was best to keep the incidents at school to herself.
The disconnect wasn't new as it was something she had experienced with her peers in the muggle world, never managing to create strong friendships, so she mainly spent time alone with her nose in a book.

When she got her Hogwarts letter it felt like she could finally have a place where she felt like she belonged. The Weasley family was her escape from awkward conversations about her school and being holed up in her house as she had no one else to spend time with.
With her parents working full time, Hermione had read every book in her room and was a great deal through this year's course work. She had been counting down the days until she could be immersed in the magical world again. Harry had tried to write as often as he could without the Dursley's noticing and well, Ron was just hopeless.

The ring of the doorbell snapped her out of her thoughts and she rushed downstairs, trunk in tow. She opened the door to Mr Weasley. "Hermione! I am terribly sorry for being late, Fred and George were both bothering Percy again and Molly was busy so I had to sort them out this time. They are certainly a handful" He chuckled.

"It's no problem at all, Mr Weasley," Hermione smiled, "After a few years at Hogwarts with the two of them I've learned to watch my back for any possible pranks."

"Good thing you and Professor McGonagall are there or who knows what state Gryffindor tower would be in. Are you all set?"

"Oh yes, I just need to let my parents know I'm leaving," Hermione said, putting down her bag. "Would you like to come in?"

"Oh, absolutely! I love any chance to have a nosy at a muggle home" Mr Weasley replied with a smile.

Hermione called out to her parents, "Mum?" "Dad?" "Mr Weasley has arrived to take me to the Burrow"

Hermione's mother called out, "We're in the kitchen!"

Hermione led Mr Weasley towards the kitchen in the far end of the house. He looked around the house with wide eyes, touching and moving everything around much to Hermione's dislike. He was astonished by the television, pressing all the buttons as he flicked through the channels. Hermione just kept on walking.

As she entered the kitchen, she took in the sight of her parents. Hermione's mother was busy buttering toast for her and her husband as he stood at the cooker, watching over some eggs frying in the pan. Hermione was going to miss the slow weekend mornings spent with them.

"That's me, I'm ready to go" Hermione announced, setting Crookshanks down to say her goodbyes.

"Where has Mr Weasley gone?" Her Mum asked, looking past her at the living room.

Realising that Mr Weasley had not followed her, Hermione turned around, He had found a pen and was clicking repeatedly. "Oh, well- he is quite fascinated by muggle culture, so he is just having a bit of a look around"

Mr Weasley then realised his distraction and set the pen down on the coffee table. He came towards the kitchen and greeted Hermione's parents.

"Good morning! beautiful day today isn't it"

"Mr Weasley! It's great to see you again." Her Father put his hand out as Mr Weasley walked past him taking in the muggle kitchen.

Her dad sent a look at her as she smiled apologetically.

"You too, Mr Granger" Mr Weasley replied distractedly as he picked up an electric hand whisk, absolutely fascinated by it. "How are things in the muggle tooth doctor business ?"

"Its called dentistry" Hermione's dad quipped, " And please, call me Nicholas."

Mr Weasley smiled. "Of course, in that case, please call me Arthur."

"Would you like some tea?," Hermione's mum asked, trying to defuse the slight tension.

Arthur turned and looked at the clock. "Thanks for the offer, but as I was late arriving, Molly would have my head if I was late to breakfast too"

They all laughed. "No bother, we would love to catch up some time."

"Oh of course! I would love to learn more about you muggles and how you live. Look out for my owl" Mr Weasley replied.

Nicholas gave an awkward chuckle,, "I still don't think I'll ever get used to that". He turned to Hermione,
"I hope you have a wonderful stay with the Weasley's and please do let us know how you settle there".

Hermione hugged him. "Of course I will, Dad. Love you".

"Love you too, sweetheart".

Hermione hugged her Mum and picked up Crookshank's cage. "Right, all set."

"I took the car," Mr Weasley explained. "Side along apparition is not pleasant one bit."

Hermione grimaced, "I've done some reading on that, most people are sick after the first time. I wonder if an anti nausea potion would do the trick"

Arthur nodded, I'm sure you'll be the one to figure that one out, Breakfast will be ready soon— Molly will hex me if we are late for that"

As the car soared into the night sky, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. She was ecstatic to be going back to the magical world. She couldn't wait to see what this year had in store.

As the Burrow came into view, its wonky exterior had wowed Hermione, who had asked Mr Weasley a number of questions about the magic that keeps the home upright. She found it fascinating. "Do you have any books on magical architecture?"

"Hm- there might be the particulars for the house in the attic. I'll look them out next time you're here."

As Mr Weasley led her inside, she was greeted by the delectable scent of Molly Weasley's cooking. It was a Sunday, which meant it was a full english for breakfast. Hermione felt her stomach growl as she entered the kitchen, a hive of activity which is a usual for the household. Molly danced around the cramped kitchen casting spells at the sink to wash the dishes and checking the oven repeatedly, making sure everything was ticking along.

Fred and George ran around the wonky house—occasionally trying to wind their mum up and much to their delight it seemed to be working.

Hermione smiled to herself— she was home.