Chapter One

Back at the Burrow

A tall, lanky boy stood quietly at his open bedroom window from number four, Privet Drive. His untidy black hair danced wildly from the wind that blew from the night. A small black dot in the evening sky, heading straight for him, was growing bigger. The dot slowly grew into a large white snow owl that landed on his windowsill, and stared at him. Pinned to the owl's leg was a letter, addressed to: Harry Potter, #4 Priv. Dr. "Thanks, Hedwig." Harry said, stroking the owl lightly before opening the letter:

Hey Harry!

I thought I'd never get a letter from you! It's good to hear you're having a good summer. Guess what?! Since it's only a day until we go back to Hogwarts, my mum invited Hermione to stay with us, and she invited you, too! She knows you dread staying at your Aunt and Uncle's house, so we decided to rescue you. Isn't it great? Well, I suppose I will have to come and get you when you reply to this letter. Write back soon, okay? Oh, and Hermione wrote, too!

Ron Weasley

Harry smiled at Ron's letter. It would be great to get away from the Dursley's and see Ron again, though this summer hadn't been as worse as the other. At least dementors hadn't attacked him, like before. Harry noticed another rolled up parchment. Hermione's letter. He unrolled it quickly.

Hi Harry!

Of course, I'm writing to you from Ron's house. I can't wait to see you again! It's been a long holiday, although a great break from all that's happened last year. I've heard that Professor Flitwick is teaching an Advanced Charms class, so I've spent most of my summer reading up on the seventh years' charms, just in case I decide to take it. You should try, too, Harry. You were great at charms last year. Well, I suppose I'll leave you, now. Can't wait to see you again!

Hermione

That's just like Hermione, Harry thought to himself, already worried about classes, and school hasn't even started yet. For a minute, he seriously considered taking Advanced Charms with Hermione, but he thought he'd like this year to be relatively easy, and decided against it. Harry pulled out a single peace of parchment and scribbled:

I'd love to come stay at the Burrow with you until school! Tell Hermione that's great about Adv. Charms, but I think I'll have to pass on it. See you soon.

Harry

Harry walked back over to Hedwig and pinned the parchment to her leg. "Would you take this back to Ron for me? You'll have lots of resting time when you get back, I promise." Hedwig blinked slowly and nipped Harry's affectionately, then flew back out his bedroom window. Harry watched her until she was, once again, nothing more than a tiny speck in the sky. Tomorrow, Harry would be back with his friends, and he'd be back at Hogwarts. Back at home. That's all that matters. Harry thought to himself as he crawled between the cold sheets of his bed, and drifted into a deep sleep to dream about being back on the Quidditch team.

"Harry! Harry, wake up!" Harry woke to someone shaking him violently. Opening his eyes tiredly, he pulled on his glasses, and at once recognized the person shaking him as Ron. Although, he had grown probably six inches over the summer, and his red hair was longer, and hung in his face.

"Ron? How did you get here?" Harry asked, climbing out of bed.

"New method of transportation. Come on, hurry up. Don't want to wake the Muggles." Ron said hurriedly.

"Alright, alright." Harry said. He grabbed his robes, books, Quidditch uniform, and Firebolt and shoved them all into his trunk. He changed quickly out of his night things and ran back to Ron, grabbing his trunk and Hedwig's cage, causing her to ruffle her wings in excitement. "Okay."

Ron grabbed hold of Harry's shoulder. "Hold on." He said, and viciously shoved his wand down at the ground. In a blinding red light, Harry felt himself being lifted up off the ground.

Moments later, they were in the Burrow, the whole Weasley family gathered around the table for breakfast. "Ah, Harry!" The familiar sound of Molly Weasley's voice filled the kitchen. "S'great to have you back, Harry."

The other Weasley's nodded in agreement. "Harry!" He heard another familiar voice. He spun around and saw Hermione running at him. She had grown a little, her facial features seemed more definite, and she reddish-brown curls were much more tidy than before. In fact, they were more of waves instead of curls.

"Hermione! It's great to see you!" Harry said as Hermione threw her arms around his neck.

"And you!" She smiled at him.

"Now, now." Mrs. Weasley pushed the three of them to the table. "Eat up so we can go to Diagon Alley to get your new things and get you on the train to Hogwarts."

"Hermione's already got hers." Ron muttered sorely. "She's already reading her Advanced Charms book."

"What all do we need?" Harry asked, worried that he hadn't brought any money.

"Just Transfiguration: Grade 6 and Classic Charms: Part One." Ron said simply, and they ate through the rest of breakfast in silence.