A/N: The story begins the summer before their 7th year at Hogwarts, Dumbledore is still alive, though the power of the Dark Lord has grown incredibly. Instead of Draco being punished for the Malfoy's mistakes, the Dark Lord had other plans.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the wonderful characters that were created by Ms. JK Rowling.

Hermione Granger set down her toothbrush on the side of the sink after precisely one hundred twenty seconds. She bared her teeth at the mirror, satisfied with the morning effort of keeping her teeth clean. Hermione held her hands under the running water and quietly hummed to herself. The fog of sleep still clouded her vision as she released another yawn. She turned around to dry off her hands on the towel. She smiled to herself; she would almost be able to use magic again. Hermione stretched for the doorknob; her hand made contact and she quietly turned it. The door swung open onto her room where her life lay neatly organized in piles upon her bed.

The gold and red of her comforter was barely visible beneath the textbooks, parchment, inkwells, a bargain sized tub of murtlap essence, and her robes. The end of August was nearing and she had to prepare her luggage for the trip to the Burrow. Naturally she had begun four weeks ago, but had since packed and repacked twice. This was the third stage of repacking and she was satisfied with her final arrangement. Still in her nightgown she loaded the heavy textbooks into the bottom of her trunk. Next came the parchment and inkwells carefully packaged to prevent damage. The robes and murtlap essence fit nicely on top, still leaving room for three more books or so. Satisfied, she fell back onto her bed and let sleep overtake her until her mother came to wake her. After what could have been a minute or an hour, Hermione Granger's mum gently shook her shoulder. "Breakfast is ready darling," her mother said.

"Be right down," Hermione called after her. Hermione fastened the lock on her steamer trunk and pushed it across the carpet into the corner. She made her bed before exiting her room and meandering down the stairs. The green and white checked tablecloth on the kitchen table was covered with what could only be a return to school feast. In the place setting closest to her lay a kettle of hot water, a fresh bowl of oatmeal and a mug of pumpkin juice she had saved from Hogwarts. There was a large assortment of fruit arranged on a black platter in the center of the table. Hermione let out a low gasp as she realized whose grubby hands were touching all of the honeydew.

"Ronald Weasley! If you dare reach your hands into my produce like that, I shall hex your fingers off one by one!" Hermione yelled with a shout of glee.

Ron attempted half a grin amongst the incredible amounts of food in his mouth. His right hand was still in a halfhearted wave when the gangly arms of Hermione crushed him. She gripped his torso as if it were the womping willow trying to knock her all the way to the forbidden forest. Ron didn't see the need for such an enthusiastic embrace but was happy to wrap his arms around her. Hermione would have stayed there for quite some time if Ron hadn't started to choke on a piece of honeymelon.

"'minee ger err offa me pluheaz" Ron said between gasps of breath. Hermione watched anxiously as Ron dramatically cleared his throat.

"Ron, there is no need for trying to gain my attention as such. I'm perfectly aware you enjoy almost killing yourself in any way possible just so my cheeks raise some color, but please, on all accounts, do stop doing so with such frequency." Ron shrugged innocently and took the seat nearest Hermione at the table. She continued, "How are you even here? Did you attach my house to the floo system? Did Fred and George bring you here? I'm not due at the Burrow for another fortnight! Is something wrong? Is everyone okay? Did someone consume the extra boxes of nosebleed nougats that George kept under his bed?"

"You've really got to start breathing a bit more between sentences Hermione, they've taken a curious habit of blurring into one another." Ron helped himself to a slice of toast, enviously admiring the feast her mother had laid out. "No, those boxes of nougats have been put to a more practical use, and haven't been mistaken for sweets. Everyone's fine but it seems you've dropped a copious amount of jelly on your nightdress," Hermione's hand ravaged her front to find the offending spot and covered it with a scowl. "It's true you aren't due for another fortnight, but Bill has to spend time away from us leading up to the full moon, Percy the prat hasn't returned home since his dance through the door at Christmas, Fred and George are staying at the jokes shop, Charlie is out of the country for the Order and Ginny hasn't been herself lately. Mom cries almost every day and has twice forgotten to open the window for the owls to come through. And Dad's the worst out of the whole lot of them. He keeps taking muggle telephoneisms and will just put them to his head as if they were telling him the answers to all his problems. He sits for hours into the morning just picking up and putting down all of the twenty-six he has on our table. I got my parents permission for you to come to the Burrow early. Harry is also going to come over earlier, but he couldn't say exactly when he could. Dumbledore had to help him with something, was a bit quiet about what exactly, but he's all fine."

Hermione had rubbed the jam off her top and was working on drying the spot when Ron finished speaking. She poured herself a cup of tea wishing powerfully for a mug of butterbeer, but was content with just the tea for now. She was of course delighted to have been asked to the Burrow early, she had finished packing again and was set to leave with Ron, but that didn't seem to be the point to what Ron was saying. He wouldn't meet her eye while she told him she'd be more than happy to join the Weasley's at the Burrow.

"How awful! I.. Ron, is there another point to this visit- you don't seem too thrilled about anything right now." Hermione noticed his red hair was a less violent red, and his eyes had deep circles beneath them.

Ron fumbled in his pocket, knocking over a bowl of sugar substitute on the edge of the table. The container spilled its white contents on the floor and Ron's freckles multiplied across an embarrassed maroon flush. He murmured apologies left and right as he swept the spilled contents into his hand with an unusual gentleness. This had given Hermione an opportunity to see what was in his hand.

He had attached the fake galleon from Dumbledore's Army to a delicate chain; it was a necklace for her. Ron threw the sugar into the bowl again, not entirely sure where the rubbish bin was hidden in her kitchen. For the second time he reached into his pocket and this time acquired what it was he was reaching for. He fumbled for his words and his hands.

"Hermione, I.. well I've been.. It's been a long time.. This is a.. Well you know what this is.. I made it.. I.. It's.. well.. here," Ron stumbled over his words as if he were a blast ended skrewt in Snape's cauldron. Ron stood behind Hermione, grasping the necklace in his hand. The once bushy hair of hers lay in ringlets down her back. Ron gently swept aside her brown curls. She held her hair to her front while he unclasped the necklace. The galleon was warm on her chest. Hermione stood up and turned to face Ron to express her gratitude for this wonderful gift. She was wondering where her coin had gone missing.

They stood a foot apart from each other and their eyes locked. Ron inhaled rather sharply and Hermione let a smile cross her face. They started to close the gap for what Hermione saw as a hug. Ron however had closed his eyes and was hoping his kiss would be on target.

Two tawny owls flew right into the window causing them both to jump away from each other. The owls were weighed down with their respective letters, still as crisp as when they was sent. Forgetting everything else, Hermione rushed forwards toward the letter addressed to her. She delicately released the letter addressed to her from the grasp of the first owl. Ron detached the letter in the same manner from the second. He held out a handful of owl nuts to the two of them before they flew off again.

Hermione had already opened her letter and was scanning the contents back in her chair. The usual lists of new textbooks (hers being a very significant length, for she was taking a number of classes), and a warning against bringing illegal sized brooms. The third page held a surprise for her and Hermione wasn't one for surprises.

Dear Ms. Granger,

It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been selected to be this year's head girl. Congratulations.

The duties you need to be aware of before your arrival at school are as follows. Firstly, you are to take the first carriage in the line up to the castle, it is reserved for you and the head boy. Secondly, it is your duty to organize the school events with the prefects such as the Halloween feast, Yule Ball, Christmas brunch, and most importantly the final quidditch match. I highly suggest planning some ideas before you return to school. Finally you will have separate living quarters due to your role at school which will be shared with the head boy. Your badge will await you at the feast.

Enjoy the remainder of your summer Hermione and safe travels.

Most Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Ron had read her letter quicker than Hermione did. Hermione's face was spread wide in a smile.

"Congratulations- That's fantastic, it really is!" Ron exclaimed.

"I have to go tell my parents!" Hermione called back to him, already half way to the study.

A/N: Yeah? I thought so. Reviews are more than welcome! In fact, they could be called encouraged even. I am looking for a beta so if you think you're up to the job (and would love a preview of this story before its up) let me know. Enjoy your summers!