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The wind was flowing through Hermione's hair as she exclaimed over a new book she'd started reading. Something about magic in the environment interacted with transfigurations and repeated charms. They had finished classes just the day before, and the spring holidays had barely started, but Hermione had already spent all morning in the library, wanting to get some research done for her personal projects. She always had some new idea or question about magic, and Harry found it fascinating. He and Ron loved listening to her explain everything she had found and discovered, how everything made sense and explained some other concept they had seen in class. Her eyes would always light up as she gesticulated with her arms, trying to convey how excited she was at the prospect of uncovering some new, unexplained piece of information. Today was even better as they had a bit of sunlight, sitting on their picnic blanket next to the lake. They were glad to have some rest before classes started up again in earnest, especially in preparation for exams.
Ron had a hard time doing only one thing at a time, so while he listened to Hermione, he made flower crowns. His handiwork was always most impressive, and Harry was sure even Aunt Petunia would be impressed with Ron's creations. Harry knew his steps from having watched him do it previous years, and this time had helped him gather the materials before they sat down. It always made Harry feel special when Ron put a crown on his head, knowing Ron had been thinking of them while making it. And when Ron gave one to Hermione and they matched, Harry felt warmth pool in his stomach. They really were the best friends he could ask for.
He and Ron had set up his chess set on the side of their picnic blanket and were going to play after Hermione finished rambling and Ron's crowns were done. When Ron and he played, Hermione liked watching and trying to analyse their play styles. Sometimes she even tried her hand against either of them, though she didn't particularily like the game. It was the openness to her friends' interests and their own interest in hers that made their friendship so special to Harry.
The quiet flow of time with his friends was precious to him. He liked being able to watch the lake glitter, Ron making flower crowns and Hermione's eyes light up with ideas that she connected at the speed of apparition.
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Hermione loved learning about magic. A school for magic. Something she had only dreamed about her whole life before finding out it was true. And here she had also made wonderful friends, which was even more magical to her. However it seemed those friends were sometimes not as excited about magic as she was. One of them grew up with it, and so it seemed nothing extraordinary, while the other did seem in awe of it, but the fear of some madman after his life did dull the shine of it. Also it seemed that homework was a good way of making something interesting less motivating. So she took it upon herself to help them, and it was a good thing she did as their group balanced each other out well. She knew she tended to go on tangents and write too much, so Ron was good at telling her which parts were too far fetched, and which ones were appropriate and Harry was good at shortening her sentences. He had a way with conciseness that she sometimes had to counter in his own work that would end up too short.
Ron tended to get distracted often, and needed regular breaks while she often forgot to eat when she was too deep into her research. Sometimes they would fight about it, but Harry was a good mediator and helped Ron stay concentrated until their planned break at which point he would break her out of her concentration and they would go get some food or fresh air.
Harry enjoyed learning about magic, but he'd easily forget theory if it wasn't put into practice often enough, so Hermione would give him small lectures and revise with him to make sure he remembered it all and understood it. He was very instinctual and talented when it came to practical work however, and would be the one helping her when it came to wand movements, feeling the magic and using intent for the spell.
Hermione loved how they each helped each other out and compemsated for each other's weak points. It was like a dream come true for her, to have such wonderful friends helping each other grow, pulling each other upwards.
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Everyone was outside, throwing gnomes or flying on brooms. Usually Ron would be unsure of what to do, feeling easily left out of his siblings' activities. However, this week Harry and Hermione were here, at the Burrow.
They'd be arriving in the next few minutes, so Ron was waiting for them near the door. He'd help them set their stuff down in their shared rooms, and then they'd probably catch up while walking in the orchard, and they'd tell Harry wonderful stories about their holidays, share some food and make promises about their mext adventures to help him forget about those awful muggles he lived with. His mum had specially made some treacle tart for Harry, and some fruit salad for Hermione. He had nearly finished his summer homework so Hermione would be proud, and maybe even look over it for him. And they'd both help Harry do his, setting aside time for it after dinners each evening. But Ron knew how important it was for both of them to be able to spend time outside, use magic and feel the magic that surrounded his house. With them he felt more at ease playing quidditch with his siblings, picking gnomes was made into a fun contest, even helping out with setting the table using his mum's enchanted porcelain became a quiet moment of friendship and affection. His friends felt at home here, just like he did, and he loved that he could share this and his family with them.
They were a family together, and home is where your family is.