Hermione adored the Weasleys. Really and truly. The Burrow felt like home because they were there to fill it. So when her last roommate, a flaky young witch with a penchant for falling in love far too often, declared she'd finally 'found the one' and that he would be moving in, Hermione quickly elected to move out. She'd witnessed this cycle far too many times. Last time she arrived home right in the middle of the breakup and found herself the unintended target of a wicked Bat-Boogey Hex that nearly put Ginny to shame. She'd planned to call in a few favors and couch surf until she found a new place… until Mrs. Weasley heard she'd moved out. It had only taken the family a couple of hours to gather all her belongings and move her back home. Over a year later and she was no closer to finding a new place of her own. She simply couldn't find the time, and there wasn't very much in her price range close enough to her parents. She'd even tried searching muggle apartments a few times without an ounce of luck.

Despite the love and gratitude she felt for the family, there was no denying that it could be hard for a young woman to live in a house comprised nearly entirely of men. Back during their school days it wasn't so bad. The then lonely, self-conscious girl found a second family she never knew she desired. Even being surrounded by rambunctious boys was fun. However, now pushing thirty, it could sometimes be taxing being surrounded by men. There was an instinctive habit of suppressing some of her more feminine tendencies.

Not that she felt pressured to do so. In fact, the last time she inadvertently hinted at it she quickly regretted it. Most of the household stared at her with the same expression on their faces as when she finally tried to explain to Mr. Weasely what the purpose of a rubber duck was. Within days the house had been filled with so many flowers, her nose still itched at the memory. Mrs. Weasely's homemade chocolate began appearing all over the house. Including once in the bathroom. It was delicious. One time Harry actually stopped and asked her if she needed "you know… womanly supply… things". She had no idea either of them could turn so red as she assured him she was fully stocked. And yes, she was aware he meant "menstrual supplies", thank you. Thankfully, Ginny put an end to it all when she caught the twins about to paint half her room pink for Hermione. "She doesn't even like pink you idiots!"

As horrid as that week had been, it was still one of her favorite memories. She adored her second family so much, and always felt guilty for staying with them for so long but that week made her feel more love than she'd felt in a long time. It gave her tangible proof that she wasn't as much of a burden as she often feared. Living in the male dominated Burrow wasn't all bad. Up until recently it'd only been herself, Ron, Harry and sometimes Percy as full time residents with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Ginny came home just a few months ago for the off season with the Harpies. And after an incident of undisclosed nature in their apartment, the twins had moved back in just a few weeks ago. But Ginny had a fairly active social calendar as well as her relationship with Harry, so she was often in and out of the house. Even though they shared a room, Hermione often felt she only saw the littlest ginger in passing. And to be honest, the boys had much bigger, more outgoing personalities than her. So it could get stifling at times.

Fortunately, she and Ginny had found a cure, as well as a way to make sure they got quality time together. They decided to steal Saturday mornings for themselves. Early Saturdays, when the sun had barely begun to rise. They always came together and shared a breakfast they'd made themselves in the few hours the house remained quiet and still. Recently, Luna had been joining them as well, privately overjoyed to share the time with her first and best of girlfriends. It was their secret sanctuary, and Hermione's favorite time of the week.

Reviews make the pen flow faster...

Note: Please see my profile for explanation of rewrite and hiatus