Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Okay, I changed my mind. The next chapter will be Christmas at the burrow! Oh, and the ending to this chapter is pretty lame... sorry, I was running out of ideas.

Hermione walked up the familiar steps to the owlery, wondering whether or not Ron was awake at this time. Hermione had woken up very early to send Ron a little letter. Of course, she had promised him that she would write, but how come Ron had not written to her yet? Well, it was only the second day of term.

She pushed open the door to the owlery, taking in the smell of owl dung and their dead prey. It was so cold. There were so many different owls to choose from, and so many beautiful ones as well. Hermione couldn't make up her mind.

"You seem pretty, don't you?" she asked, walking over to a beautiful white owl, which reminded her so much of Hedwig. "My best friend, Harry, had an owl that looked exactly like you. Maybe that's why you're so beautiful."

The owl hooted and stared at her through green eyes, reminding her of Harry's.

"Here you go," Hermione muttered. The white owl took Hermione's letter in its beak and waited for her dismissal. "send that to Ronald Weasley of the burrow. Tell him I love him." she said, smiling slightly.

The owl hooted once more and, sensing the goodbye, took off through the open window. Hermione watched it as it flew away into the sunrise.

"Harry?" Ron said, knocking on his best friend's door. "Mum says breakfast is ready."

No answer.

He probably is still sleeping, Ron thought, shaking his head in disappointment as he walked across the landing. Figuring that it would be much better if he waited for him to wake up, Ron walked up the stairs and entered his bedroom, taking in the orange glare from all sides before sitting down on the bed. A few creaks told him the springs he had just polished were rusty again.

Oh, how he missed Hermione so much.

He dropped down on the bed and closed his eyes, listening to the clanking of the ghoul on the landing upstairs. Why did she have to go and leave him now? Why hadn't he had gone with her?

Well, he really couldn't care less about his magical education. He could hear Hermione laughing as he thought about it. But honestly, if he forced himself to go to Hogwarts, wouldn't he be feeling worse than he was now, even though he was with Hermione? Blimey, Ron thought to himself, opening his eyes. I've got to apply at George's joke shop now. I've got nothing better to do.

A small tapping was issuing outside his window. Ron turned his head to see a snowy white owl, holding a letter in its beak.

His first thought was that Hedwig had come back from the dead. He must be imagining things! Maybe dozed off and dreamt about her. But then he looked closely and realized that Hedwig did not have the same eyes as Harry did.

Ron got out of bed and threw open the window, letting in the Hedwig-owl.

"Who are you from?"

The owl hooted and dropped the letter. Ron's heart thumped madly in his chest as he realized that this was a Hogwarts owl. Who else would be sending him letters? he thought stupidly.

"Thanks!" he said, grinning and the letter and running over to his bed. The owl took off without even taking a rest as Ron ripped the letter open.

Dearest Ron,

Hogwarts is the same as ever. I'm so glad I decided to come back! Anyway, Professor McGonagall is headmistress (but of course you would've worked that out yourself), and Neville's come back to apply for Herbology professor in training! I think it's absolutely wonderful that he wants to fulfill his life's dream!

Anyway, how are you doing at the burrow? Have you applied at WWW yet? I'm pretty sure George is waiting for you to apply... hurry up, Ronald! You've got to get a move on!

Well, I've got to keep this short - I have a really hard exam on the logograms of the 15th century in Ancient Runes tomorrow, and I'll be waiting for your reply!

Much love from,

Hermione

Ron took out his quill and began to write, a small grin spreading across his face.

Of course, they had done the impossible, he thought. Harry had always said that Ron could not work out long-distance relationships. But he had proved to Harry that he could.

He could work one out with Hermione.