The Invitation
Hermione sat down on her bed and tore open the letter Pig had just delivered. She couldn't wait to see what Ron had written about, though she was sure that none of it really had to do with her. She finally got the letter out of the mutilated envelope, and her eyes started to scan the letter. It read, "Dear Hermione, I can't wait to see you, and Harry. Mum says that you can probably come and join us here at Grimmauld Place. I don't expect that you would want to leave your family, but I just decided to offer you the option…" Hermione dropped the letter, ran to her desk for her quill and parchment, and sat back down on her bed. She wrote, "Hey Ron, I haven't heard from you lately. I think I can come; I just have to check with my parents, although I'm sure they'll let me go. Thanks for the letter. I hope to see you soon." Hermione got up and tied the letter to the little, hyperactive owl. She sighed as she watched the owl soar out he window and off into the sunset.
"What do you mean I can't go? You always let me go!" Hermione stood in front of her parents, furious at what she'd just heard.
"Hermione, be reasonable. We've already booked a flight to India, and we really wanted to spend some quality time with you."
"Quality time! What about my friends? Ron really wants to see me. He said that he couldn't wait until I get there." At this, Hermione's parents exchanged looks. "Oh, now I see why you won't let me go. You're afraid that Ron and I will start going out, and you'll never get to spend time with me."
"Hermione, you know that's not true! We just want you to go to India with us…" but Hermione did not hear the rest, for she was already half way up the stairs. When she reached the safety of her room, she threw herself on her bed and took some time to think. Once again, she got up and went to her desk to get a quill and a sheet of parchment. She started to write, "Dear Ron, my parents said it would be fine if you picked me up from my house at twelve tomorrow. They'll be gone at some sort of concert or play, so they won't be here. Please let me know immediately if this will work for you." Hermione attached the letter to the leg of the owl her parents had gotten her and opened the window for it to go out. She hoped against hope that her plan would work.