Hermione Granger was once again awoken by something rapping at her window. Can't a girl get some rest around here? As she rolled over to look, she almost knocked Ginny off of the bed. I forgot Gin spent the night here, better get this silly bird before it wakes her up. Carefully, she climbed over the sleeping witch to open the window where she was greeted by not one, but two owls. Her mood instantly plummeted, one of them was Pig, and she didn't feel very much like reading a letter from Ron. Best get it out of the way though. She tore open the letter hesitantly,

Hermione,

How could you make a decision like that without asking me? Don't come back here without an apology for your shitty behavior. I mean how could you embarrass me in front of Harry like that, what's wrong with you!

-Ron

The letter was hastily scrawled. She scowled. How could I embarrass HIM? He embarrassed me! I really hate that bloody git. Ginny woke up, possibly sensing her friend's anger.

"What's wrong 'Mione?" she said groggily

"Nothing just got a letter from that stupid git."

"Let me see," Ginny said becoming more alert. "That shit! He's the one who needs to apologize to you. Never have I wanted to curse him so badly, I'm sorry Hermione,"

"Its fine, it's not like its unexpected coming from him. He always acts like everything is my fault."

"Well, it's not." Ginny stressed. "Why are you even with him Hermione?"

"Honestly, I don't know Gin. He used to be different."

"No, Hermione, he wasn't. Maybe you were just too in love to see it though."

"You're probably right," Hermione said glumly.

"Well open your other letter, maybe it has some happier news, I'll go down and make breakfast, I'm used to making it the Muggle way, since Mum won't let me use magic," Ginny said, wandering off.

Hermione sat idly for a minute wondering if she really hadn't noticed Ron was always like this. How could I have not noticed? It's rather obvious he's a git. Is there a point in continuing this relationship? If he's going to act like this, is it really worth the good moments? Resolving to think more about it later, Hermione opened her second letter,

Dear Ms. Hermione Granger,

I am doing well in my new role as Headmistress, although it is a stressful position; especially overseeing the reconstruction of Hogwarts. You are more than welcome for the opportunity to come back, dear; in fact there are several things I would like to talk to you about upon your arrival. Attached is a list of school supplies you'll need for the upcoming term.

Sincerely,

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

Huh, the school is still being restored? I thought it'd be done by now. I would love to help, but the owls are already gone. The owls had taken off while Hermione was stewing in her anger over Ron. Oh well, I'll just get my own owl when I get my supplies. I've been meaning to get one anyway. As Hermione was about to look at her supplies, she heard Ginny come back into the room.

"I made eggs and toast, here you go" She said, handing Hermione her breakfast. "What was in the second letter?"

"A reply from McGonagall and list of supplies I'll need," Ginny inspected the letter over her shoulder.
"Wow, McGonagall is rather chummy with you, isn't she? The letters I get from her certainly don't read like that."

"Yeah, we've corresponded a few times over the summer, about my career plans, how I was handling things after the war, just things like that." As they both dug into their breakfasts, Hermione gave a look at her list of supplies, which read:
Since you have not picked your classes, you will be given a full list, pick up whatever you require. I have arranged them so you have the ability to take all of them if you wish Hermione. –McGonagall, was written in small, concise letters at the top. Hermione gave a small smile, and continued reading,

Astronomy

- Telescope

- Star Chart

Charms

- The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 7

- Quintessence: A Quest

Defense Against the Dark Arts

- Confronting the Faceless

- The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 7

Herbology

- One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

- Flesh-Eating Trees of the World

- Dragon-Hide Gloves

- Mooncalf Dung

- Dragon Dung

- Earmuffs

History of Magic

- A History of Magic

Potions

- Pewter Cauldron (standard size, 2)

- Brass Scales

- Phials

- Grade 7 Ingredients

- Advanced Potion Making

Transfiguration

- A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration

Arithmancy

- Numerology and Grammatica

Care of Magical Creatures

- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Divination

- The Dream Oracle

- Unfogging the Future

Study of Ancient Runes

- Advanced Rune Translation

- Rune Dictionary

- Magical Hieroglyphs and Logograms

Muggle Studies

- Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles

Term starts on September 1st, please purchase all books, as the library has suffered some damage and our stocks may be limited.

Hermione looked over at Ginny with a grin, "Hey, do you know what classes you're taking?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I have some ideas, I've been thinking I'd like to work at St. Mungo's. I think I could make a real difference there."

"Alright, well for that you'd need to take Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts." Hermione listed off.

"How did you know that from the top of your head?" Ginny asked.

"I'm considering it too," Hermione smiled. "What would you say to a trip to Diagon Alley to buy all our things? I think a nice day out to ourselves would be wonderful."

"That sounds like a great idea Hermione, when do you want to go?"

"How about," Hermione pretended to think; "As soon as your butt is ready!" she laughed. Ginny squealed and ran into the bathroom to get ready while Hermione applied her newly learned make-up and hair spells in the bedroom.

Once ready, Hermione quickly apparated them to Diagon Alley. She looked over at Ginny who was grinning from ear to ear. She's so happy just to be out without the rest of her family around for a change. I wonder what she'll say when she gets her belated birthday gift.

"So, your birthday is in a few days, any special plans?" Hermione asked.

"Not really, figure it'll be the same as normal, rather boring really," Ginny replied with a disappointed look. "We don't have much money, so it's not like I expect much anyway."

She's making this too easy, this is going to be so much fun! Ginny and Hermione made their first stop at Gringotts, where Hermione withdrew some gold for their day out.

"Wow," said Ginny upon seeing Hermione's vault. "That's more gold than I've seen in my entire life. Where'd you get so much?"

"Well some is from my parents; they're fairly well off, being dentists-"

"What's a dentist?"

"A sort of Muggle tooth doctor, it's a respectable job. Anyway, the rest is a reward from the ministry for being a member of the Golden Trio. If you think this is a lot, you should see Harry's vault sometime," Hermione smiled. After Gringotts they decided on their first shop.

"I could use a new cauldron, my old one is rather worn from the years of use," Hermione said.

"Imagine mine, its second hand. It's so thin I'm afraid to use it sometimes. It has an awful lot of pits in it too, so it takes forever to clean" Ginny groaned.

"That really sucks Gin, maybe you'll get a new one this year," Hermione blushed, then carried on with "So, we'll make a quick stop at Potage's Cauldron Shop first, and then we can carry everything in there."

"That works" Ginny said. After Hermione bought the cauldron she cast a shrinking charm and a feather-light charm, making it nearly weightless and about the size of a small basket. "Great idea, Hermione," Ginny smiled.

"I thought it would work wonderfully. Now, let's get my other potion supplies so that's out of the way."

"Sounds like a plan," agreed Ginny. "To the apothecary we go!" At Slug & Jiggers Apothecary Ginny wandered around, looking at all the interesting ingredients. While she did Hermione quickly asked the shopkeeper for two sets of 7th year supplies, put in different bags. She quickly thanked him, collected Ginny and they went on their way.

They stopped at Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, for the telescope and star charts, where Hermione couldn't resist buying an additional high powered telescope, noting that it might prove useful. Next they stopped at Flourish and Blotts where Hermione purchased all the books she'd need for her classes. While Ginny was looking through a particularly nasty book of hexes, Hermione bought her required books as well. They made a quick stop at Scribbulus Writing Instruments to buy parchment, quills, and ink. Finally they made it to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions where they spent several hours excitedly trying on all manner of things. Hermione bought Ginny one set she particularly liked, mainly to get her measurements and quietly let the seamstress know to sew several more Ginny had looked at enviously to those same measurements. Hermione then suggested they stop for lunch while the seamstress did her work.

"Thanks for the outfit and lunch Hermione, you didn't have to," Ginny said beaming.

"It's no problem; consider it a thank you for keeping me company all day. I just need an owl now and I'm set. How about you go and check out some owls at Eeylops while I pick up my robes."

"Alright, I'll meet you in a few," Ginny said.

Hermione picked up the robes for both of them, put them in her cauldron along with everything else, and made her way to Eeylops Owl Emporium. She practically bouncing as she walked, it's so nice to see Ginny happy. I can't wait to see the look on her face when I give her all of this stuff. She'll be absolutely delighted.

Once she got to Eeylops she found Ginny staring at a little owl. The label on the cage said Athene cunicularia aka the Burrowing Owl.

"That one is pretty cute, Gin," Hermione said gently.

"Yeah, I'd love to have this one, but he isn't really your style is he?" Ginny asked.

"No, I'm afraid not," Hermione smiled. "I've been thinking about getting a Sooty Owl myself, they're beautiful." After a swift look around Hermione found just such an owl and showed it to Ginny.

"Wow, it is beautiful, she reminds me of the night sky," Ginny said with reverence. "I still like that cute little guy over there better though," she joked.

"Well then, it's settled." Hermione walked over to the shopkeeper and said, "Two owls please, the Sooty and the Burrowing. Thank you."

Ginny was stunned, "You're buying me an owl?! Hermione, I couldn't, it's just too much,"

"Gin, you saw how much gold I have, it's nothing. I want to get this for you, you're like the little sister I never had, please don't make a big deal out of it," Hermione grinned.

"Fine, if you insist, help me think of a name at least." Ginny said giving in to her excitement.

"How about Dozer," she asked. "A bulldozer is a Muggle invention used to dig holes," she quickly clarified upon seeing Ginny's confused look.

"I like it," Ginny beamed. "Now, what are you going to name your owl?"

"I'm thinking Noctua," said Hermione

"It's pretty. What's it mean?" Ginny asked

"Well, you said she looks like the night sky and constellations are named in Latin. Noctua is Latin for owl," Hermione explained.

"Clever."

"I thought so too."

After they left the store they decided to stop in the Leaky Cauldron for some butterbeers. Over drinks Hermione paused for a moment.

"Hey, Gin," Hermione started

"Yeah, Hermione," Ginny said, looking up from her drink.

"I was going to wait to surprise you, but I don't want you and your mum worrying over how you're going to afford your supplies," Hermione began quickly. "I bought everything for you while we were shopping today," she announced.

"What? Really! When?!" Ginny sputtered.

"Well I didn't really need a new cauldron, while you were browsing around I also purchased you your Potions supplies and all your books, oh and a bunch of clothes," Hermione blushed. "Please don't freak out, I wanted to do something nice for your birthday and figured it'd be a huge help for your mum too," she rushed on.

Ginny jumped up squealing and gave Hermione a hug so tight she thought her ribs might break. "Thank you Hermione. Thankyouthankyouthankyou," Ginny squealed again. "Really, Hermione, I don't know what to say, this is the nicest thing anyone has done for me," she gushed.

"I'm glad you're happy. I'll just take my stuff out of the cauldron before we part and you can apparate home with it all." After finishing their drinks, Hermione began putting all her shrunken things into her purse for the trip home. "I'll see you in two days for your birthday," Hermione said in farewell getting another big hug and about a million more thank-you's from Ginny. As Hermione went to sleep that night, she didn't think once of Ron, but instead of Ginny's gigantic smile. I never had a little sister, but I'm pretty sure mine and Ginny's relationship is something I'd describe as sisterly. This last summer we've really bonded, I've never really had a female friend. The upcoming term should be quite a change.