February 2014 A/N: I am currently working on revisions to all of the previously posted chapters. :) I hope everyone has enjoyed this story because I have plenty more story ideas that I will post below my bio with status (writing, hiatus, complete, etc.) There will also be a poll to determine which one I should write first, so if check it out if you like any of my work.

July 2013 A/N: Please read, review, follow, or favorite this story. I'm always up to reading reviews and visiting profile pages! So, the chapters of this story will be named after a song in alphabetical order and the stories will be in chronological order. I hope you understood that because I didn't! The one-shots are in Hermione's POV and I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 1: A Year Without Rain

Beep, beep, BEEP! Beep, beep, BEEP! I opened my eyes and looked at my alarm clock with disgust. As much as I despised waking up early, I had maintained the practice of waking up at 6:30 every morning. At the edge of the clock, I searched for the date. It was June 21, the summer solstice, and I was out of my mind. Three weeks out of my fourth year and I was already bored. How is this possible? Every other Muggle child I used to go to school with would always be looking forward to summer vacation with plans to attend parties or sleep-overs. Our Hogwarts family is close, but everyone lives so far away that no one visits during the holidays.

Careful not to wake my parents, I tiptoed down the stairs into den. I could wait until my parents were awake to eat breakfast so we could have a meal as a family. They respect that I'm a witch and all, but I know they miss me and would prefer me to spend as much time with them as possible.

Sitting by the window, I thumbed through my assignments for the holiday, occasionally lifted my head to watch the sun rise. There weren't many of course, but I felt like I needed a reminder that magic is real and I had real friends; best friends. It seemed like forever since I've talked to them, but I guess that's real friendship if we can pick up right where we left off.

"Good morning, dear," my mother called as she reached in one of the cabinets to retrieve a skillet. "Your father will probably up in a bit, but I'm going to start breakfast."

"Mum?" I questioned. Most times it doesn't bother me, but as much as I love my parents, I still wanted to be around people who understood my life away from home. She scampered around the room, finding the right ingredients to go into an omelet.

"Yes, darling."

"Can I travel the Floo network today to see a friend?" I asked. Harry might've been out of the question, but the Weasley's were probably home today, and I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to see Ron. As many times as he'd crushed my last nerve, he was still my best friend. "I'm getting a bit lonely."

"Of course," she began. "Your father and I just need to know where you are so we don't worry."

"Thanks, Mum," I said enthusiastically. I couldn't wait to see that sea of flaming red hair that I was sure to find at the Weasley's house. I only wish I had an owl so I could send them messages instead of dropping in every couple of weeks. I sprinted upstairs to my bedroom and opened my closet door to see what I could wear today when an owl with snowy tufts of feathers pecked on my window. Hedwig!

I was overjoyed that Harry had sent a letter, even if it was only to ask me how my vacation was so far. I decided to answer later this evening instead of now because I'm sure he would be more interested in hearing about Ron than how awful her summer holiday has been. I'm sure he gets enough of that from his aunt and uncle. I laid face down in the pillow and truly smiled for the first time in nearly a month. Knowing that I could visit Ron and send a message to Harry now and then made my deserted heart feel mended again and all felt right to me.

A/N: Thanks to all those who read! The next chapter (that starts with a 'B') is in the works and should be up by tonight or tomorrow. READ AND REVIEW!