Two Chapters in one day, I know! But anyway, I've been bored and tomorrow's Christmas eve:) So without further ado...

"Hermione, you might want to wake up," Hermione had never really spoken to Parvati Patil very much, apart from the general chit chat when necessary, and neither girl really made much attempt to change this, so when she was awoken by the dark haired girl, she presumed it was for something improtant. She shot up out of bed, looking frantically at the girl, and around for any dangers waiting. Not seeing any, she was confused more, why did Parvati wake her up?
"What's wrong? Is it late? I've not missed any classes have I? Oh gosh, I'm going to get so behind with everything. My potions essay..." She trailed off, seeing the girl's expression.
"Hermione, now I don't want you to worry, but you probably will so I'm just going to tell you... Ron's dad got attacked. Him, Fred, George and Ginny have gone to St. Mungo's. Oh, Harry went too, I think. He was with them. I wonder why they didn't wake you then... Anyway, Ginny asked me to tell you." Hermione looked around, trying to comprehend what the girl had said. Who would want to attack Mr. Weasley? Why couldn't Ginny or Ron tell Hermione herself?
"Why couldn't Ginny tell me? When did they leave?"
"Um... Last night. I was in the common room when they left, so I said I'd tell you."
"Oh." She got out of bed, picking up her clothes to get dressed, when Parvati smiled and left.
"I told Padma I'd meet her this morning." Hermione nodded and walked to the bathroom.
Lessons were quiet without Ron and Harry, but she did seem to get more work done, without their constant wittering. The day dragged by awfully slowly and she spent most of lunch tucked away in a corner of the library, completely absorbed in a book.

It was late afternoon by the time she got any news. A small owl landed on her windowsill and began tapping. She stroked the ashen gray owl's head and took the parchment it held. It was a note, and looking to the bottom of the parchment, it was from Fred. It read:

Hermione,
Dad's okay I suppose, he's awake again, so that's something. I'd have owled you earlier, but we only just got to see him as it happens, they weren't keen for us to go too soon. I'm not sure if Ron or Ginny told you, but I figured I'd write anyway. Hope you have not been too lonely today without us, we all know the Weasleys are the life and soul of Hogwarts. Shame we had to miss the last day though. Note the sarcasm? Anyway, mum said you're welcome to stay the holidays, you always are. But we're not at the burrow. We're where we were before, in the last holidays. So, if you're not busy, see you then?
Oh yeah, Hermione, Harry's kind of in a bad way. He saw the whole thing happen in a dream and now he's all frustrated. If you're not coming, maybe owl him? He won't listen to us, but you're smart, you know how to deal with Harry.
Hoping to see you soon,
Fred.
P.S- George says Hi.

Hermione was highly relieved that Mr Weasley was okay, and scribbled out a reply quickly,

Fred,
I'm glad your dad's okay. It's a shame you didn't get to see him sooner, I know I'd have wanted to, if it were my dad. Today was quiet without you guys, but I was fine, I have my books. I'd love to stay in the holidays, but I'll have to ask my parents.
I'll talk to Harry too, by the way.
Hermione.

She then quickly wrote to her parents, apologising terribly for asking, but asking nonetheless to stay at Hogwarts during the holidays to study for her important exams. She loved her parents terribly and felt it a shame to stay away at Christmas, but she thought there was too much going on at the minute to disconnect herself from everybody. They responded quickly, saying they understood and hoped she had a wonderful Christmas.

Boarding the train alone felt strange, but she didn't mind much. She looked around for somebody she knew to sit with, but most compartments were full, so she just slipped into an empty one by herself. It didn't stay empty for long though, not that she had expected it too. Lee Jordan, a sixth year Gryffindor slumped down beside her, grinning and offering her a sweet from an unlabeled bag.
"No, thanks."
"Suit yourself. There's nothing wrong with them though." They sat in a slightly awkward silence, her reciting the ingredients to a potion in her head, and him, gorging himself on sweets every colour of the rainbow. The snow outside flurried around the train, blocking the view, and making it impossible to tell where they were. Hermione realised she didn't know how she was going to get to the Weasleys' house. Her parents weren't picking her up anymore. What would she do? She would be stranded! Wait a second, Stranded! Of course, if she was stranded, the knight bus would come get her, although she wasn't sure what it looked like, as she had never actually been on it.
"You're spending Christmas with Fred and George's family, aren't you?"
"Uh, yeah..."
"Right. Good. Can you give them this?" He handed her a parcel, wrapped in brown paper. "I'd do it myself, but well, to be frank it's rather important." She nodded and looked at the parcel. It was ordinary paper and didn't weigh much, so she couldn't really tell what was inside. Not that it was any of her business. They lapsed back into silence and pretty much stayed like that until the train stopped, apart from some horribly uncomfortable small talk that was given up on after a few mild comments on the weather. To say he was friends with the twins, he wasn't much of a talker. Not that Hermione minded. It was always a bit weird; talking to people you don't really know. She didn't see how people did it.

After she got off the train and left the platform, Hermione stood in the street, waiting for the bus to arrive. She didn't quite remember how Harry had said it appeared. Maybe she had to stand at a bus stop. The muggles might think it odd if a bus stopped in the middle of the street for a teenage girl. But, if she stood at a bus stop, how would she know which bus it was, when she didn't know what the bus looked like.
She must have been waiting a good twenty minutes, before a rather large, rather purple bus came to a halt right in front of her. The conductor introduced himself as Stan and the driver as Ernie. She hauled her luggage to a seat towards the front and told Stan she needed to go to Grimmauld Place. She only told him the street, not wanting to give too much away about the order. It was amazing how quickly it travelled, squeezing in between cars and flying down motorways. Truth be told, it made her feel slightly queasy. She gripped onto the metal bar tightly and closed her eyes.
"Here!" Stan said, nudging her. She opened her eyes to see that she was indeed there. Gathering her things, Hermione waved at the driver and hopped off, or as close to a hop as you can with a heavy suitcase in tow. Watching the bus speed off into the distance, Hermione walked up the street to the front door, waiting for it to appear, and knocked.
"Who is it?" called Mrs Weasley, hurrying to the door. "Oh, Hermione dear, come in! Did you travel well?"
"Yes thank you, I came on the knight bus actually."
"Oh, lovely dear. Well, most of the children are in bed already, so you could join them, you'll be in the same room as Ginny again, you don't mind, do you dear? Or I could get you something to eat if you're hungry, have you eaten dear?" Hermione nodded and laughed, same old Mrs Weasley. She always felt at home at The Burrow, and though it didn't feel as homely here, it was still nice to be spending Christmas with the Weasleys.

A/N: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all that celebrate :)
Edit: After reading through the book, I realised she doesn't actually stay at the Burrow for Christmas, so I've edited it slightly, to correct it. Nothing Major.