DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER but I wish I could go to Hogwarts

It all started when I sealed the envelope.

The owl had only come a few hours prior. Don't get me wrong―I thought over all my options thoroughly before sending my reply. It was a big decision. In the end, though, there wasn't really a choice. After all, I had a reputation to maintain. Goody-two-shoes Granger, know-it-all Granger, not-happy-unless-she's-studying Granger. Being that as it was, I don't understand why he took it so hard. He came into the room as I was watching the tawny owl disappear in to the distance.

"That your Hogwarts letter?" he asked as he came up behind me, slipping his hands around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder.

"What else would it be?" I replied, not taking my eyes off the now invisible small figure.

"I thought we were going to talk about this," he said, gently nudging me around to face him.

"What's the point? We both know it would have been you telling me that I need to stay here, that you can provide everything I need, and me telling you that you should further your education for when you aren't physically capable of catching the bad guys anymore. Then I would argue that yes, while you can provide for me, we'll be that much more comfortable later if I can provide as well. And then you'll start pouting, irrationally I might add, because I won't do what you say even though you have absolutely no intention of listening to me." I smiled to let him know I was teasing. I stretched up on my tiptoes, catching his scowling lips with mine briefly before backing away. "Besides, it's only a year. You can come and visit me on Hogsmeade weekends, and we can owl each other. It won't be the end of the world, I promise." I flashed him a grin before leaving the bedroom, fully aware that he had resumed sulking behind my back.

-oO0Oo-

Dear Ms. Granger,

We are delighted to inform you that you have been accepted into the first-ever eighth-year class at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As you will not be taking the compressed correspondence course, we would like to inform you of some adjustments made to accommodate you and your fellow classmates.

As there is no longer room in the House dormitories, you will be staying in the Room of Requirement where you shall share a dorm with your female classmates of all houses. You will have constant access to Hogsmeade through the passage behind the painting as you are all legal adults. However, it then falls on your shoulders to be on time for all classes. We expect you to set an example for the younger students. Your seventh-year materials will suffice as you are essentially retaking the courses.

Please be at Platform 9 ¾ by 11:00 AM on September the first.

Regards,

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress of Hogwarts

-oO0Oo-

Ronald Weasley-

You've been accepted into Auror training. Be at the Ministry of Magic at 7:00 am on Sept 2.

-Roger Dayfield, Chief Auror Training Officer

-oO0Oo-

The stairs of the Burrow creaked and groaned, protesting the strain I put on them as I sprinted upstairs to Ron's bedroom. I had been out in the yard, rereading my letter from Hogwarts when I saw a large barn owl fly into Ron's window. Ten seconds later, I tumbled through his door, slightly out of breath. He was standing by the window, still in his pajamas. He gave the owl a treat and sent it off before turning back to me with the largest smile I had ever seen on his face.

"I got in!" he exclaimed, barely able to get the words out before I tackled him in a bear hug. Both of us too ecstatic for words, I did the only thing I could think of.

I kissed him, an explosion of every emotion I couldn't put words to, taking him by surprise. It didn't take long for him to start kissing me back, and the battle began. It wasn't soft and submissive, filled with sweet things whispered in the early morning. It was rough, a war for dominance fought with passion and intensity. Before I knew it, his tongue was behind my teeth and mine was exploring his mouth. As the kisses turned into something more passionate, I found my mind drifting.

My notification letter had come during breakfast. The owl flew off as soon as I detached the letter. Harry and the Weasleys looked at me expectantly as I scanned the letter. I could feel my smile growing larger as I reached the end. When I looked up to inform everyone I'd been accepted, I noticed that Ron's chair, filled just a few seconds before, was now void. My grin faltered, almost imperceptibly, as I announced, "I got in!"

After I finished eating, I found him in the garden, staring at a gnome that was darting in and out of a bush. He stayed motionless as I walked up behind him and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"I still don't want you to go, 'Mione," he said, not turning around.

"I know, Ron. You'll still me able to visit me in Hogsmeade, and we'll see each other on holidays," I said. He spun around on the bench and stood up.

"I―I―" he stammered, stumbling over his words. Without warning, he crushed me in a hug.

"I love you, 'Mione," he whispered into my ear. "I always will." I tipped my head back to look him in the eye and smiled.

"I love you too, Ron," I said. Just then, a scream echoed from the house. We exchanged a look, then took off to see what Ginny was on about this time.

We burst into the living room to see Harry on one knee, holding up a velvet box while Ginny stood before him. Her hands were clasped over her mouth and her eyes were shining as she nodded frantically. Mrs. Weasley stood off to the side, dabbing at her eyes with a yellow handkerchief. When she proposed a celebratory trip to Hogsmeade, Ron and I elected to stay behind, me to look over my course materials and he to wait for his Auror letter.

So we were taking advantage of the empty house in the minutes after his letter came. But as the affection escalated, I couldn't keep my consciousness anchored in the small, crooked house by a small village. In my mind I was far away, at a castle filled with witches and wizards and magical beasts.

-oO0Oo-

AUTHOR'S NOTE

This is my first attempt at fanfiction, so I hope it went well. Please review as I would love some feedback on how to improve my writing.