Chapter 2 0.o

Ron tip-toed through the entrance hall of number 12 Grimauld place. Being in the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix wasn't as exciting as he had thought it would be. Actually, he might have preferred being home, seeing as all he was doing was housecleaning. He still had no idea what you-know-who was up to, as he couldn't go into the meetings, but at least he had gotten to meet Tonks. Tonks was one of the members of the Order of the Phoenix. She was a metamorphmagus, meaning she could change her appearance at will. Ron desperately to have that ability, and couldn't believe that she kept the same eyes, nose and ears most of the time. Tonks usually had short, pink hair, but that she sometimes changed. Still quiet, Ron ran past his mothers room into his own where he collapsed onto the bed. He quickly jumped out of bed again after hearing a tapping at the window. He raced over to open it and wasn't surprised to see Hedwig there.

"Hello girl!" he called out to her "Come and have something to eat."

Hedwig followed his actions almost exactly, perching on Pigwidgion's perch and nibbling on a rice cracker Ron had left on his desk. Ron was about to shut the window, when another feathery ball blew inside.

"Pig!" Ron whispered happily, "Nice to have you back."

Pigwidgion made to fly over to his perch, but after a glare from Hedwig settled on the desk where the rice cake was, taking bites when Hedwig wasn't watching.

Ron had untied both of his letters, and was now staring at them both, wondering which he should read first. He decided to get the worst over with and unrolled the one that Hedwig had been carrying. It read:

Ron!

Where are you? Why am I stuck at the Durselys, while you get to have all sorts of fun at the burrow? Why aren't you getting ignored, beat up, and otherwise un-appreciated at number 4 Privet Drive? Is Hermione with you, and if so ,why aren't I with you guys?

I want answers Ron, and I mean it.

Harry

"Ah well," Ron muttered quietly to himself "just the usual".

He had gotten a number of letters like these , all almost identical , and Ron wasn't allowed to answer any of the questions that Harry proposed. Thinking that he might as well get it over with, he picked up his quill and scratched:

Harry,

I'll see you soon, I cant put the answer to your questions on paper, obviously. I'm very sorry and I hope Hermione will be here soon. He paused, thinking about scratching the last bit out. He decided against it, Harry had asked him if she was there. How are the Durselys? Horrible as ever? Er… I miss you and I hope we'll be able to do our back to school shopping together

Ron

Ron re-read the letter and sighed. It was so pathetic. Back to school shopping? He lay the letter down beside Pig, giving Hedwig some resting time before beginning the long journey back to Privet Drive. He then eagerly picked up Hermione's letter, smoothed it out and began to read.

Dear Ron,

Guess what? I'm coming to stay with you guys at the Order of the Phoenix! I'll probably be arriving at around five on Wednesday, and I'm so excited about seeing you. - Here, Ron paused. She was excited about seeing him? Impossible. Well, highly unlikely. he sat for a moment before continuing to read - I'll be bringing all my last year supplies, and I was thinking that maybe we could go to Diagon Alley to do get our books for this year.

Love,

Hermione.

Ron looked up at the clock on his bedroom wall. It was 3:30 Tuesday.

"Mum, Ginny!" he called down the stairs, "guess what? Hermione is coming to stay with us!"

Molly appeared, looking amused "Yes, Ron we were aware of that" she said "But thanks for telling us in person."

Ginny giggled.

Ron's ears turned red.