A/N: Many many thanks to my grand total of TWO reviewers for my last chapter: Kagome19 and orli-enthusiast! You guys are waaaaay awesome! Oh, and yes, orli-enthusiast, I don't think a lot of people appreciate dance...it saddens me...: ( Well anyway, on with the chapter!

I only own this dang plot.

Chapter 3: Owl Post and E-mail

"Dancing with the feet is one thing, dancing with the heart is another."

I opened my eyes blearily the next morning. The sun peeked through the blinds, and I got up to open them. I gazed out at the street full of taxis for a moment until Malia walked into the room.

"Good morning!" she said cheerfully. She was dressed in her workout clothes. I remembered she had had conditioning that morning. She took off her tennis shoes. "Have you seen Ellie? Oh, man, she is sooooo hungover from last night. Katelyn couldn't even get her into bed, so she just let her sleep on the floor."

I picked up my brush and ran it through my wild hair. "Serves her right for drinking too much. I told her to take it easy."

"Well, don't you know what she's been through? Seems like the only way out for her is to drink."

I placed my brush on the dresser and turned around.

"The only way out of what?"

Malia opened her mouth to begin, but then Lindsey barged in. "Good morning! Hey, ladies, I'm gonna go take those dresses back before anyone sees that they were missing."

"Fine." I handed my black sequined affair over.

"Mine's in the bathroom, would you get it for me please?" Malia stretched her leg with her foot on the dresser. "These leg cramps are killer!"

Lindsey walked into the bathroom and dug through the dirty clothes. I looked meaningfully at Malia. She shot me an annoyed look and tipped her head at the bathroom door.

BANG! Something white and feathery hit our window. Malia shrieked. Lindsey rushed out of the bathroom, holding the red dress.

"What was that all about, Malia?"

"Um….I saw a spider!" She stamped at the floor. "There, I got it."

Lindsey rolled her eyes. "I'm just gonna go before you guys start acting weird, too."

The second she left, Malia ran to close the door, and I ran to open the window, since I knew exactly what had hit it…

I held a snowy-white owl, who looked a bit dazed at the moment. Hedwig.

"Damn it, Ginny, I told you to stop sending me owl post!" I fumed. It was too dangerous-what would the other girls think of owls constantly residing in my room?

Malia took the scroll of parchment while I carried Hedwig into the bathroom. She perched on the curtain rod of the shower, and I tossed her a couple M&Ms from a package on the bathroom counter. I walked back out to the bedroom and took the scroll from Malia. I opened it, and we both read:

Hey Hermione!

Listen, I know you said not to write by owl post, but I still haven't quite got the hang of getting Muggle mail out to you.

Right now I'm at Harry's (that's why Hedwig delivered your letter). Guess what-he popped the question! I said yes…the wedding's not going to be for a couple of months though-Mum wants to make a great huge deal ("Of course!" I said to Malia. "Six boys and one girl…of course she's gonna make a big deal…she's her only daughter!"). I'm so excited, and you have to be my maid-of-honor!

Speaking of maids, are you still one? I mean, any new boyfriends?

Everyone misses you here at the Burrow. Bill and Fleur stopped by the other night-and let me just say I have never seen so many redheaded, French-speaking children in my life.

Oh, Ron's standing by me now, reading over my shoulder. He says hello and sends his love.

Anyway-how've you been? How's the ballet? Are you finally getting the hang of that hip-hop stuff? Let me know soon…send Hedwig back.

Missing you insanely-much love,

Ginny

"He sends his love, eh?" Malia said as I rolled the scroll back up.

"It doesn't mean anything; his whole family's like that: open and friendly to everyone," I replied dismissively.

"Whatever you say, O Wise One."

A knock sounded from the door. I yelled, "Come in!" Katelyn poked her head through the opening.

"Hey, will someone come help me with Ellie? She's still out like a light on the floor, and I want to do some Pilates where she's sleeping. Could one of you help me lift her onto her bed?"

"I'll go, you stay," Malia said to me. "Besides, if she wakes up, you'll just end up lecturing her."

"Well, it's her own fault she's in that state…" I grinned in spite of myself. "But you're right."

She followed Lindsey out of the room and closed the door. After feeding Hedwig a couple more M&Ms, I pulled out my laptop. Receiving owl post reminded me to check my email.

There were the usual spam messages, advertisement, chain letters, and campus e-notices. I deleted those. Then I found an email from Mum. I clicked it open.

Hi, honey, it's the Wicked Witch of England-your mother!

Just kidding.

How have you been? We haven't heard from you in a while. You must be keeping very busy with your lessons and your friends. I hope you are doing all right.

We've been all right here, for the most part.

Honey, I don't mean to worry you by telling you this, but I think you should know-Daddy had a heart attack last night. Now, it's nothing to worry about-it was very mild-but it gave the two of us quite a scare.

It's probably asking a lot, but would you like to come and visit for a week or two? I know it will take a lot of time away from dance, but your father would love to see you, as would I. So…think about it, won't you? And let me know soon.

Well, I must dash-your father's being completely horrible to the nurse. Asking if she would recommend the Atkins diet for him….he is tiring sometimes.

Write soon!

Love,

Mom

P.S. There's a boy who's been stopping by our house for tea quite recently-one of your old friends from school-the one with the red hair. Such a nice boy…maybe you two'll get reacquainted if you visit!

I gaped at the computer screen. Poor Dad...a heart attack-at least it wasn't too serious.

The part about Ron (of course, it had to be Ron, right?) intrigued me. Stopping by for tea? That was completely unlike something he would do. Stopping by for Quidditch, maybe. But tea? And with my parents, of all people?

The last sentence repeated itself in my head: "…Maybe you two'll get reacquainted if you visit!" The strange thing was, that was what my initial thought had been. That, and, Two weeks? When I come back, my feet will consist of two big blisters after my first ballet class!

I hit the reply button and typed:

I'll be home as soon as I can. I'll fly in-Apparating's too risky. Give Dad my love-Hermione

After I clicked the Send button, I shut down my laptop and rummaged through my desk for a piece of paper and pen. I jotted a quick note to Ginny:

Hi-so good to hear from you!

I'm so glad he asked you-it's about time! Haha…we all knew it would end up this way, right?

Oh-of course I'll be your maid of honor!

I'm going to be back soon-my dad's in the hospital, and I'm coming back to visit for a couple weeks. Can't wait to see you!

XOXOXOXO-Hermione

P.S. Ron, if you're reading this (and I know you probably are)-hello! Oh, and why were you drinking TEA with MY PARENTS? Just wondering-H

I sealed my letter in an envelope, gave it to Hedwig, and sent her on her way. Then I turned to my disaster of a room and sighed. Now, to pack…

"Yes, Madame, I'll practice my promenades every day," I said wearily. My teacher hadn't taken my future leave of absence kindly.

"Take this!" she barked, shoving a CD into my hands. I examined the cover. John Williams, Under the Stars, Star Wars, Episode II. I saw that movie with my dad, and hated it-but loved the beautiful orchestral composition.

"Maybe this will inspire you to put more emotion into your dancing," Madame said, a bit more quietly.

"Thanks," I said genuinely.

"Take care!" She bade me goodbye, and I crowded into a taxi with Malia and the other girls, who insisted on saying their goodbyes at the airport.

"We'll miss you," Lindsey said as she hugged me. Katelyn followed in a similar fashion.

"Could you bring one of those British hotties back for me?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'll miss you too, Ellie."

She hugged me. Then Malia stepped forward.

"Have tons of fun with Ron." She winked.

"Malia!"

"Oh, oops, I mean-don't let some jerk break your heart. Oh, and I hope your dad gets better really soon."

"That's better." I embraced her tightly.

"Aloha!" she said cheerfully.

The rest of the girls waved as I passed through security. Before I knew it, I was on the plane.

The last time I was on a transatlantic flight, I was leaving the world I knew and loved behind. This time, I was just traveling from one beloved home to the other.

A/N: Yeah, cheesy end to the chapter, I know....Review (let's repeat it, one more time...REVIEW!) please-I want feedback, although I'll probably keep writing no matter how many reviews I get, since I know what's gonna be in some future chapters (hehehehe-I'm mentally writing them) and I LOVE IT! So, if you wanna find out-review! Next chapter title-Back Home Again...