Chapter One

Light brown ringlets fell over her shoulder as her hazelnut colored eyes poured over the words in the thick leather bounded book that sat fixed in her lap. Her rosy lips were mimicking the words silently as she read.

'Crash!' She jumped slightly as she heard a loud clatter by her window which was left open for the cool summer eve weather. She looked up to find a brown little owl shaking its head as he tried to pick himself up from the pile of dirt that broke out of its vase when he landed on top of it.

"Pig, why must you wreck havoc on everything in your path? You clumsy bird." She giggled as she helped the little owl to his feet.

She walked over to her study and opened a little jar which contained small brown pellets. She took one out and walked back and placed the treat in Pig's beak then grabbed the letter that was tied to his leg. He hooted his gratitude and leapt onto her bed, making himself comfortable. She giggled in adoration and took a seat across from Pig and opened her letter.

Hermione,

We hope your summer is going well and that you aren't studying too hard seeing as you finished your homework on the train ride home. I know it is only a couple of weeks into the break but with your parents leaving town and all, we were hoping you would join us for the rest of the summer at the Burrow. Mom loves your company and is fighting Dumbledore, claw and talon, to allow Harry to come sooner as well. Plus my mind is rotting every second I have to spend with my idiot brother.

If you don't mind Pig staying over night, send us your response in the morning. I apologize in advance for anything that may have been broken in his path. Can't wait to see you!

Love,

Ginny W.

"Looks like you have already found your bed for tonight, huh Pig?" Hermione reached out and ran her finger over his feathery head. She placed her letter on her study next to the owl treats and put her book back into its place in her bookshelf which lined an entire wall of her periwinkle room. She took her hair tie off of her wrist and threw her hair into a messy bun leaving little loose strands to frame her face. She then turned out her light and climbed into her bed, being careful not to jostle the sleeping owl, and shut her eyes; soon falling into a peaceful sleep.

The sun was shining through the opening of Hermiones light purple drapes which were pulled to the sides of her bay window. She blinked a few times before stretching her arms over her head, letting out a slight groan as she lazily sat up, resting her arms behind her. She looked over at the source of the scratching noise to which woke her from her deep slumber. The sight of Pig chewing and pecking at her bathroom door met her eyes. She shook her head and threw her legs over the side of her bed and walked over to Pig.

"You are quite the little brute. Let's put you over here while I ask mum about joining the rest of your family for the summer." She sat Pig down on her desk and ruffled his feathers a little as he playfully nipped her forefinger.

Hermione walked down a flight of stairs to the kitchen where her father was cooking up breakfast. She knew this because of the sweet aroma which smelled of bacon and his famous pancakes on the griddle.

"Good morning love, how was your sleep?" Her father asked flipping over a pancake with chocolate chip spots sprinkled throughout.

"Alright, Pig woke me up with his nibbling habits." Hermione replied as she plopped down in one of the tall chairs which sat at their raised counter, overlooking the kitchen.

"Pig?" her father looked over at her with a raised eyebrow

"Ron's owl."

"Oh yes! That's right. What an odd name for an owl…" he exclaimed placing a stack of pancakes in front of Hermione, who was chewing a piece of crispy bacon. "Butter and syrup?"

"Please and thanks. Where is mom?" Hermione asked, watching her dad return from the pantry with a brown bottle in his hand and butter in the other.

"She is on the phone in the office, didn't say who had called though…" he stopped to ponder this before sitting across from his daughter. He placed his glasses upon his nose and opened up the daily newspaper as he did every morning.

"Oh." Hermione began to cut into her pancakes once they were doused in syrup.

"Brian, the grand opening date has changed due to the big front that is to be arriving soon. It is being pushed forward a week." He mother's voice carried through the house along with the clicking of her heels on the hardwood floor. "Oh, good morning, Hunny. You're up early." Her mother appeared around the kitchen corner and took a seat between Hermione and her father.

"Pig woke me up." She said before sticking another piece of bacon in her mouth.

"Ah, the source of the crashing noise last night, I presume? How are the Weasley's?" Her mother asked as she buttered a little stack of hotcakes for herself.

"They are well, Ginny asked me to join them for the rest of the break seeing as you and dad will be away, if that's alright?"

"I don't see why not." She looked up at her daughter and smiled. "Are you sure you are okay with your father and I leaving for the rest of the summer?"

"Yes mum, why wouldn't I be?" Hermione asked quizzically looking between the two.

"We worry about you, Hunny; knowing that you and your friends love to search for trouble." Her father laughed at her mum's statement.

"I think trouble likes to find them, Dear." He chuckled turning a section of his paper. "When did you say our trip to the States was moved to, Ann?"

"Next Week. Do you know of a man named Sander Thesno?" She asked looking at him with her head tilted. "Said he works for our company, but I don't recall…"

"No, I've never heard of him. How peculiar."

"Is there a problem dad?" Hermione questioned.

"No…It's just odd, your mother and I know mostly everyone we higher for our company. Wouldn't want to have an imprecise dentist working on your teeth, now would you?" Brian smiled at his daughter over his glasses then continued on with his reading.

"I s'pose not; but I should go send Ginny a response now. Pig is probably wrecking more havoc in my room." Hermione carried over her plate and jogged upstairs to her room.

Ginny,

My summer has been alright, but you know me all too well. I have finished the transfiguration text that professor McGonagall allowed me to borrow. You should consider borrowing it, it's rather fascinating. My parents are leaving a week early for the grand opening of their new office in the states; therefore I will be able to come to the Burrow a week early if that is alright. Let me know when you wish to have me. Please give your idiot brother my regards along with the rest of our family. See you soon!

Love,

Hermione

P.S. It is time to retire Pig. He is more of a pet owl than a messenger owl.

Hermione tied the letter to the anxious owl's awaiting leg. She carried Pig to her window seat, and gave him one last treat. He nipped her finger affectionately before hopping out of her window. She watched as he opened his wings and soard through the morning sky.