A very good start I'm quite excited to see how them being away from Ron will change Harry and Hermione's personalities considering they both tend to dumb themselves so Ron doesn't fell left out. I've always felt that Harry could have been a much better character without Ron holding him back with his petty jealously...same goes for Hermione, cant wait for their enemies to get what's coming for them.
Anyway, good chapter, eagerly awaiting the next update.
Keep up the good work!!!