CHAPTER 1

It has been two weeks since Hermione Granger said good-bye to her two best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, at King's Cross. She missed being at Hogwarts and the entire magical world. Muggle life seems so dull now. Things are so boring with no magic. She's happy to be home with her parents, but she rather be with the Weasleys in the magical world like last summer.

It was fun being in the Burrow. The house was full of magical things. It was always busy and filled with so many Weasleys around. Being an only child, it can be so lonely with just her and her parents. Mrs. Weasley has always been like a second mother to her, and she enjoyed being questioned by Mr. Weasley about endless muggle trivia. She found a friend and a surrogate little sister with Ginny. And Ron...Ron was...he was...well, Hermione couldn't really find the right words that describes how she feels about Ron. Sure, Ron can really aggravate her, but he makes her laugh. He always defends her against Malfoy. He was brilliant, but at the same time stupid.

Ron was her best friend. But when he smiles, she feels butterflies in her stomach. But this is Ron...Ronald Weasley, the same one that always calls her a know-it-all. The same one that made her cry in their first year. The same one that didn't realize Hermione was a girl until their fourth year. Yet, those things were of the past. They didn't seem to matter anymore. Hermione had to admit, Ron wasn't that bad of a prefect either. Every time they had "prefect duty" they would just walk and talk. They were actually normal. No yelling, no screaming. They would just stroll the quiet halls of Gryffindor, talking and laughing together. Hermione loves those moments with Ron. It was as if he was a completely different person. But then when he's with other people, he was different.

Ron is actually quite smart, quite clever, really. He just needs the confidence. It has only been two weeks and she already misses him. Hermione thought reading would help pass the time. She pulled a book, Hogwarts: A History, from under her bed and started to read it. After a couple of pages she closes her book. She can't seem to concentrate. She has read the book so many times she memorized it by now. But that wasn't the reason why she didn't want to read the book. It was something else, but she wasn't quite sure exactly. Hermione got up from her bed and was about to go to the kitchen to get something to drink when, something flew in her bedroom window. It hits her pillows and lands on her bed. Hermione picks up the little feathery thing on her bed and realizs it was Pigwidgeon! This is Ron's owl. She quickly removs the letter from its foot and reads the letter.

Hey Hermione,

How's your summer going so far? Er…I know it's only been two weeks. Well, things are boring here at The Burrow. Fred and George are doing great with their joke shop. You should see some of the things they come up with. It's wicked! It's so weird not to have so many people in the house. Ginny is always locked up in her room writing a letter to someone, not sure who. The twins bought a flat in London, so they're not at the Burrow anymore. So, I'm stuck at the Burrow and I thought of you. I thought I might like to see what you were up to. I was just talking to mum and dad last night and they said they fancied a visit from you and Harry soon. I guess they miss the house with so many people, too. I bet Harry can't wait to get away from those muggle relatives of his. Well, talk to you later. See you soon, hopefully.

-Ron

This is exactly what Hermione wanted to do, go to the Burrow. She read the letter one more time. Ron confessed he was thinking of her. But then again, he mentioned Harry. She can't believe the tragic ending Harry had at the end of fifth year. At King's Cross, Harry still looked like he was in a bit of a shock. Hermione thought, maybe she should write a letter to Harry to see how he's holding up. Hermione took out two pieces of parchment and started to write to Harry first.

Dear Harry,

How's your summer so far? How are you holding up? Ron mentioned going to the Burrow soon. Harry, what did happen in Dumbledore's office? You never really told us. Well, I guess when you're ready to tell us, you will. Write back soon. And remember if you ever need to talk, I'm just an owl away. Take care now.

Your Friend,

Hermione

Hermione always wanted to know what happened in Dumbledore's office. Harry was in the office all night. She wanted to know what Dumbledore said, along other things. Harry has been shutting himself out lately. Ever since the death of Cedric Diggory, Harry has been snapping and pushing her and Ron away all year. However, she knew Ron was right. He will tell her and Ron in due time. Hermione picked up the other parchment and wrote to Ron.

Dear Ron,

I didn't realize how dull muggle life could really be. I miss being at Hogwarts. And it's not because I want to study! I know you were thinking of it. I think spending time at the Burrow will be great! Of course I'll have to ask Mum and Dad, but I'm sure they'll let me. I was thinking about writing to you when Pig flew into my room. How ironic, eh? Well, can't wait to see you and Harry again. Owl me when it's okay for me to visit.

From, Hermione

She read that last part a couple times to make sure she didn't hint at anything. She tied both parchment on Ron's little owl and said, "Now this one goes back to Harry." pointing at the right foot. "This one goes back to Ron." pointing at the other one. She let Pig fly out the window and watched it fly a little, before turning around to go downstairs.

Ron finally receivs Hermione's letter only three days after sending Pig out. Ron still can't get over how stupid his owl's name is. It was the last time Ron was going to let Ginny near his pets. Ron reads the letter and reads it again. Can this be right? Hermione thought of him too? Ron, let it slip in his letter to Hermione. He didn't realized what he wrote or how he meant it, until Pig flew out of sight. But here, in his hands, Hermione was going to write to him. He was kind of glad she wasn't at Victor Krum's this summer.

Last summer, Hermione went to Bulgaria to see Victor before coming to the Burrow. She didn't really talk a lot about what happened between her and Victor. She just said Bulgaria was a beautiful, under appreciated country. She went on and on about how she should encourage S.P.E.W after seeing the house-elves there. Every time he sprung the question about Victor, Hermione was able to change the subject. Eventually, Ron figured he wasn't going to get anything out of her.

When he first met Hermione, he wasn't very fond of her. She was always bossy and a know-it-all. However, Ron had to admit, without Hermione, he might not have made it this far. It was Hermione's nagging that helped him through his work. It was Hermione's watchful eye that made sure he was in line. And, it was Hermione that always encouraged him to do better. She never compared him to his older brothers, or pushed him aside when it comes to Harry. In fact, it was Hermione who every paid attention to him. To everyone else, he has always been Harry's best mate.

It seems like every year they grew closer and closer. In their second year, when Hermione was petrified, Ron and Harry spent almost every free time in the hospital wing with Hermione. Then, in their third year, he helped Hermione with trying to free Buckbeak. Though they were unsuccessful, they spent a lot of time in the library and researching together. In their fourth year, when Harry and him had a fight, Hermione was always there for him when he needed her. He was able to tell her things he couldn't tell Harry. And it wasn't because they weren't speaking to each other. But it had to be last summer that they really grew close. And in their fifth year, being prefects together just helped.

Last summer was great with Hermione. He just had to let her come over again, quickly.

"Mum!" Ron hollered while going down the stairs.

"What is it?" Mrs. Weasley asked in a panic voice. She ran towards the bottom of the stairs. She pulled Ron into a tight hug and asked, "What's wrong? What happened? Are you hurt? Ron, talk to me. Tell me."

"I'm okay, mum." Ron said trying to pry Mrs. Weasley off of him.

"Then why did you scream like that? You gave me a fright!" Mrs. Weasley yelled, clearly upset that he scared her half to death. Ever since they returned from the Ministry, Mrs. Weasley has been on edge. She's always worried that something horrible would happen to her children again.

"I was just asking for you." Ron said shrugging.

"Well, don't scream like that." Mrs. Weasley said. "What do you need, Ronald?"

"Well, I was going to see if it's okay for Hermione to come and stay with us for a while. She said it should be okay with her parents." Ron said.

"Fine, fine." Mrs. Weasley said with a wave of a hand. "Send her some floo powder and tell her we'll connect her fireplace on Friday at 3pm."

When Mrs. Weasley looked up, Ron was already running up the stairs.

Hey Hermione,

I know you didn't really say you could come yet or not, but I asked mum already. So, you should just tell your parents your coming already because we arrange everything. Mum said she's going to have the fireplace connected on Friday at 3 pm. Here's some floo powder to get you here. See you Friday.

-Ron

Ron quickly tied the parchment and a small bag containing floo powder to Pig.

"Send this to Hermione." Ron said. "And make it fast!"

With a look of bewilderment, the little bird flew out of the window towards Hermione.