Disclaimer – I don't own Harry Potter.

A/N – As JK Rowling said that only Hermione goes back to Hogwarts, I decided that a good R/Hr fan fic could come out of it. And a Christmassy one at that.

Basically, Hermione's staying at Hogwarts for Christmas, and is sending letters to Ron. Whether an owl could make the journey from Hogwarts and back in a few short hours is irrelevant. Or I don't care enough to check if they can or not.

Review please!

-----Seven – Letters-----

Dear Ron,

So here I am, spending the Christmas holidays writing to you. It's fairly quiet here. It's a bit lonely really.

It's Christmas Eve now. Well, I suppose you know that. I suppose you're bouncing around the Burrow, excited to open your presents and get to the food. As you once said "the food's the best part of it all".

I love how childlike you are sometimes Ron. Some would find it annoying, but I find it endearing.

Most of the time anyway.

I know you wanted me to come to the Burrow for Christmas. And I'm so sorry that it wasn't possible. You Aurors in Traning have no idea of how much work N.E.W.Ts really are. Remember sixth year? How much work we had then? This is like that, only a thousand times worse. I'm enjoying it though, and Ginny and I are managing to find time to go down to Hogsmeade in our spare moments, even though they are few and far between.

I hope she gave you my message alright.

But in case she didn't here it is.

I miss you.

Rather a lot actually. Which is why I'm writing you this long, rambling letter instead of just flooing to speak to you. Writing it all makes me feel calmer. When I have to see you then leave you is awful. Besides, it's lovely sitting in front of the fire in the common room, with all the decorations up around me.

It doesn't stop me wishing you were here though.

I suppose it's because I've been almost constantly in your presence for seven years. That's a long time, Ron. The longest we ever spent apart was probably during the horcrux hunt.

But I don't like to think about that.

It makes me think about how wretched I felt when I thought you weren't coming back.

Promise me I won't ever have to feel that way ever again?

Now all that rubbish is over with, I have a proposition for you.

And I bet you've gone bright red now, at the thought of what it could be.

Get your mind out of the gutter Ron Weasley.

I was just thinking. Maybe I could take a walk up to Hogsmeade after the feast tomorrow, after I've done all my Head-Girl stuff (although I could get Ernie to cover for me and not have to do anything at all), and I could apparate to the Burrow?

You had better be grateful that I'm considering shirking my duties to be with you.

It's just I haven't seen you in so long. It's so quiet when I do my homework now, without you or Harry nagging at me to let you copy me. I get more done (McGonagall even said I could get an Outstanding if I took the exam now, but of course I don't believe her) but it's so quiet.

I suppose its never quiet where you are.

The Ministry, the shop and the Burrow. Three of the least quiet places I can think of.

The least quiet being during the Battle.

Ron, sometimes I dream about it. And it scares me.

Anyway, I had better start work. If I'm forcing myself to stay at Hogwarts I should at least make the most of it.

And maybe I'll see you later?

Yours,

Hermione

xxx

-----

Hermione,

You'd better bloody come home later. Believe it or not, I miss you too.

I don't believe you really need to stay at Hogwarts. Ginny managed to make it home, why can't you?

And tonight, when you go to sleep, think about how you'll be coming to the Burrow tomorrow, and seeing me. That ought to stop the nightmares.

Ron

---

Ron,

You have no idea how much I want to see you know. Especially after a dream I had last night… but I won't bore you with the details. They'd just give you funny ideas anyway.

Tell Molly to set an extra place at the table.

And I'll tell those poor house elves that they won't need to set a place for me at Hogwarts.

Honestly, it must be so difficult for them this time of year, with all the extra food to prepare and all the decorations to put up, and still nobody cares that they are basically enslaved. It's ridiculous that in this day and age, where a seventeen year old can defeat the darkest wizard of all time, that we can't do our own work and instead delegate to elves –

Ron, did you instruct Pig to nip me if I started talking about S.P.E.W?

You'd better not have done. The cut in my hand's quite deep.

Hermione

xxx

---

Hermione,

Why? What will you do to me if I did?

And please tell me what happened in the dream.

Ron

---

Ron,

You'll find out in approximately two hours. Both what I'd do to you, and what happened in the dream.

They're sort of the same thing, if you get my drift.

I just have to do this essay for Slughorn.

Hermione

xxx

---

Hermione,

Why? Can't Slughorn do it himself?

Ron

---

Ron,

Haha. You're hilarious.

Don't worry, I just have to write the conclusion now.

And Pig looks tired. Flying to and from Scotland several times in two days must be hard work.

I'll be seeing you in less than half an hour.

Hermione

xxx

---

Hermione,

Mum has set you a place at the table (sitting next to me of course) and she even made extra sprouts, so I hope you're grateful.

You should be here soon, I suppose in a matter of minutes, so I don't think I'll bother sending this. Save Pig's wings and all that.

It's going to be good seeing you again.

I love you.

Ron.