Alright, so I know we've all read the sixth book by now, but I thought it would be fun to do this anyway!

Disclaimer: I own copies of the first three Harry Potter books in paperback and on CD, I own copies of the fourth and fifth books in paperback, and I own copies of the sixth Harry Potter book in Hardback and on CD, but I do not actually own Harry Potter. (Pfff... I wish)
Chapter 1: An Owl from Harry and a Question from Ginny

Hermione was lying on her bed with nothing to do- she had finished all of the work they had been assigned for the summer on her first day home, and as she had not yet gotten her book list, she couldn't start reading next year's books, either.

She sighed and looked over at the clock, which read 11:30.
"I suppose I should offer to help Mum with lunch," she murmured, but as she got up, she heard a rapping at her window. She turned to see Pigwidgeon fluttering outside the window, struggling to hold up the large letter attached to his leg. She slid the window open, and he flew inside and let himself fall on her bed with a soft flump. She untied the letter and gave him an owl treat, and he was soon whizzing around the room, waiting for her to answer the letter. She quickly read through the letter, surprised to find that it was not from Ron, as she had expected, but from Harry.

Dear Hermione,
I'm using Pig to send this because Hedwig's out hunting at the moment. Anyway, we talked to Ron's parents, and they said we could all come get you on Friday if it's okay with your parents. Send a letter back with Pig.


Hoping to see you on Friday,
Harry

Hermione quickly scribbled down that she'd see them on Friday, then went downstairs to tell her parents that that was when she'd be leaving.

It was Friday and Hermione was waiting by the front door. Harry had written again and told her that they would be taking the Ministry cars since the Ministry suddenly seemed very eager to make amends with Harry. The doorbell rang and Hermione opened it to find Harry standing there, grinning at her.

"Good to see you, Harry!" she quickly gave him a hug. Then Ron walked in. It was all Hermione could do to keep from gasping. Over the summer, Ron had filled out. His thin form had become more muscular, making him seem less lanky- he and Harry had obviously been practicing Quidditch a lot, which would also explain the fact that he was much more tan- he hardly seemed to have freckles anymore.

"Hi Ron," Hermione said, recovering surprisingly quickly from the shock. Before Ron could reply, however, Ginny had come running past him, almost knocking him and Harry over in her haste to see Hermione.

"Wow! You're a LOT taller, Hermione," she said after giving her a hug.

"I know," Hermione replied, "I've grown about three inches so far this summer."

Ginny continued to talk on they way home. They had their own car, so they didn't have to worry about the boys hearing their conversation. Sometimes, when Ginny started talking a lot, Hermione's mind would drift off to other things- Ron in particular. How had he gotten so good-looking in one summer?

At one point, Ginny noticed Hermione's inattentiveness. She stopped talking for a few minutes, then said abruptly:

"You like him, don't you?"

"Huh? Sorry, what did you say?" Hermione asked, coming out of her reverie.

"You like him, don't you?" Ginny asked impatiently.

"What- like who?"

"My brother."

"Why would you say that?" Hermione tried to keep her voice sounding incredulous, but she failed miserably.

"Two reasons: One- You were staring at him as if he were a god when he walked in the door. Two- you haven't listened to a word I said since we got into this car."
"Erm, well... Yes..."

"It's alright... As long as I don't ever find the two of you snogging... I'm a protective little sister." She grinned as she said this, but Hermione's eyes narrowed.

"What makes you think we'd even start going out?"

"Because he likes you back," Ginny said this as if it were obvious.

"What makes you say that?" Hermione was choosing her words carefully, doing her best to make it seem as if she didn't care.

"Well, considering the fact that he kept staring at you the whole time he was helping to load your trunk into the back of the car, the fact that he held open the door for you to get into the car- you know how insensitive Ron is- how many times do you think he has held the door open for a ?" Ginny stopped abruptly as they pulled up to the house.

So there you have it! The first chapter of Sixth Year Dilemmas!