Hermione Granger had turned into one's of Hogwarts most beautiful young witches. Her long hair had darkened over the summer to a dark rich brown with deep dark red highlights. Her eyes had become the shade of burnt amber. She had grown in height and now stood at 5'8" and had developed into more of a women then a girl. Her body had become athletic looking because of all of her swimming and running she had done this summer. Her parents had allowed her to get an owl over the summer, since her beloved Crookshanks had died, he was a white owl with hits of black and gold in his feathers, his name was Merlin. Merlin had been gone a day, carrying Harry's birthday present. Hermione truly hoped he liked it; it took her most of last year and this summer to find it. She even wrote to Sirius. But she found it, Lily Potter's family tree book which had pictures of the Potter and Evens families and history dating back 100's of years, including pictures of Harry and his parents.
Hermione all though was caught in a hard place. She had a crush on Harry since the first time she met him on the train. Now she realized that this crush wasn't a crush but love. 'I can't believe I fell in love with my best friend, well one of them anyway.' She thought to herself as she watched for Merlin to come home. She had sent a letter with the present and all most confessed her love to Harry but at the last possible second she didn't write it. A soft flutter woke her from her thoughts. Merlin had just swept over the neighbors house and Hermione was glad it had rain last night. Because it was dust and normally at this time people were out but the muddy ground kept most people in. Merlin landed on her desk and waited for her to take the letter clamped in his beak. Hermione took the letter gave him an owl treat and lovely stroked his head as she opened the letter. She smiled because it was from Harry.
Dear Hermione,
How did you do this? I really can't believe it; I mean this is amazing even for you. I loved the pictures of me, you and Ron. But, the pictures of my family and the family tree. I would want to know how you did it. But then it would lose its magic. I was over Ron's when I got the gift and the Weasly's thought it was wonderful. Mrs. Weasly was crying at all the old pictures of my parents. It is truly wonderful Hermione. By the way we are having a going back to school party, well mostly to celebrate Fred and George's final year. It is going to be at the Burrow next Tuesday. Write back and let us know. Molly is making pumpkin cake. She knows that it is your favorite and after my gift I ask her to make that for the party. I really hope you can come Hermione. Okay hope to hear from you soon.
With Love,
Harry
Hermione was so glad she didn't confess her undying love to Harry now. She didn't know he was already at Ron's house. But Harry did sign, with love. 'Hermione you are just making something out of nothing.' She thought to herself. She wanted to write back to Harry but she would have to ask her parents and they wouldn't be home until late. Hermione gave a sigh she had already done and checked all of her homework, well she finished all of it by the end of the first week of vacation. Then she thought she would go for a swim in the family pool and go to bed early.