The last five days went by quickly for Hermione.

The day after she received the letter from Ron, she got a much more satisfactory owl. It was a letter from Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore informing her that she had been appointed Head Girl!

Hermione was ecstatic. She jumped up and down and shouted like a little kid. One of her wildest dreams was coming true! The thing she had hoped for ever since she had realized what it meant to be Head Girl. Yes! Yes! Yes!

And things would be so much easier with Ron.

Ron. A sobering thought. But she forced herself not to think of him now. She would not let her moment of happiness be dampened.

Hermione reveled in her happiness for a while, and then went to find her parents. She told them the good news and they were very happy for her. However, since they had never attended Hogwarts, they could not fully understand the prestige of it.

Hermione told them that she needed to go to Diagon Alley to get her school supplies. She always enjoyed going to Diagon Alley with its fantastic shops and interesting people.

Before she went to bed that night, Hermione decided to write Ron his letter and get it over with. With a sigh, she picked up a pencil and paper and set to work.

Ron- Hello, I am very sorry I haven't written in a while. I've been so busy with Hogwarts starting soon. I have been appointed Head Girl! On top of that I had to get my supplies as well. I hope you can forgive me. And I hope you are well. I will probably hear from you next on the train to Hogwarts. If you send an owl it might not reach me in time. But it's definitely up to you. See you soon. Love, Hermione.

Reading it through, Hermione thought it looked nice. She had omitted saying exactly when she had gotten her supplies and been notified of her Head Girl position. She tied the letter to her owl and went to the window

"The Burrow!" She cried. The owl flew off into the night, and Hermione went to bed.

Three days later

Hermione woke early on the morning of September the first.

She double-checked that everything was in order in her trunk. She made sure her badge was tucked safely away until she would put it on in the train.

Satisfied, she went downstairs but found that she could not eat any food.

"Breathe deep," she said to herself.

Finally, all her things were loaded into her parent's car and they were driving toward London and King's Cross Station.

Rolling through the countryside, Hermione took a while to reflect on her life. This was her last year at Hogwarts. Soon she would be out on her own. A world of possibilities lay before her.

"If you can escape Ron." A chilly shadow crept through Hermione at this thought.

If there was a way, it would be tough. But where there's a will there is a way. And Hermione had a will. Not an iron strong one, but a will nonetheless.

Almost too soon, their car arrived at King's Cross Station. Her parents found a trolley for her and loaded her trunk into it.

Hermione said goodbye to her parents. "Have a good year!" they called as she waved goodbye and walked toward the brick wall.

"Well, here goes another year," Hermione thought.

Once through the barrier, Hermione looked around the crowded platform. Where was Ron?

She boarded the train and found the Head's compartment. The Head Boy was already inside.

Draco Malfoy was the new Head Boy.

"No surprises here," Draco said.