Hermione Granger was not a happy girl.

First, her parents dropped her off a week earlier than necessary at Diagon Alley while they went on a cruise to the Bahamas. Eating ice cream and browsing in the stores became tiring after more than two days' worth of them. Second, the bookstore was out of her 7th year Arithmancy book, and they said they wouldn't get it in until the day before she left for Hogwarts. A good book would be wonderful right about now. Third, she hadn't even –started- on her four parchments long.Potions essay due the first day back.

In fact, the only thing to think of that didn't make her groan or want to murder someone was the glittering badge nestled inside the folds of her black bag. Yes, Hermione Granger had accomplished what she'd dreamed of ever since coming to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry- she nabbed the position of Head Girl. She almost reverently fingered the simple pin, just itching to pin it onto her robes and see how it looked. Hermione had refrained thus far by telling herself she didn't want to lose it or dirty it, but the temptation was finally too great to resist.

She gathered all her books, papers, and quills into her bag and hurried to a beauty shop where there were sure to be mirrors. A few minutes later she was in front of Gladrags. On display was a large silver-framed mirror that would show just how nicely her badge looked on her robe. But what was to the left of the mirror was what really caught Hermione's attention. Standing next to the mirror was the most gorgeous dress robe Hermione had ever seen. The robe was a rich shade of green, so deep it almost turned to black. All thoughts of Arithmancy and Porions flew from the reserved, bookish 7th year student Head Girl's head and were replaced with only one thought: Must try on that dress robe.

Into the shop she went, flustered to make such a frivolous request. It's not like you have the money, the practical side of her told her as she fingered the plush material. But you haven't had a new dress in ages! the wistful side of her sighed, while the impulsive part of her said, just go ahead and do it. And so she did. The practical side of her clucked disapprovingly, but Hermione ignored it with practiced ease. She took the robe off a rack and scurried back to the dressing room, lest anyone should see the sensible Hermione Granger trying on –clothes-.

Oh, but it was so easy to lose herself in trying on that robe. The dress was longer than normal, but a quick flick of the wand fixed that. Hermione stepped outside the small dressing room to look at herself in the large mirror hanging up.

"You look gorgeous, darling," it said.

Hermione stared at herself. The girl staring back looked exactly like her… only not. Though Hermione hadn't become a knockout beauty by any means, she had changed. The bushy waves of hair that plagued her for so many years had finally decided to lie a little flatter, and occasionally she could even coax it into curls. She had never had a problem with acne, even without spells, and the solemn face in the mirror reflected responsibility and wisdom.

"Lighten up!" Hermione told herself. "Accio!" she whispered, bringing her badge out of her bag. She pinned it onto the dress robe and couldn't stop a smile. It looked right at home.

"Just had to show off, didn't you, Granger?" a snide voice remarked from behind her.

Hermione didn't even have to turn around to realize who that was. She didn't even have to look in the mirror, which murmured one more, "you look look lovely, dear" and was silent.

It was Draco Malfoy.

Draco Malfoy, was all Hermione could think. Of all people, it had to be Draco Malfoy.

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" she said after a few minute's pause. "Surely you know that the train doesn't leave for another week."

Draco raised a brow at her, regarding her as if she was a mere cricket. "Yes, I know that." His voice was dripping with sarcasm. "You brainless Muggles have a talent for pointing out the obvious."

"Oh, excuse me," Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, her sarcasm dripping onto the floor with his and forming a small pond, "I forgot that bouncing ferrets know everything."

If she wanted to elicit some show of emotion with that last comment, she was disappointed. All he did was smile a smile that didn't quite reach his icy eyes. "I know more than you'd like me to, Granger." He stepped back and let his gaze travel her body clothed in the dark green robe. Everywhere his eyes touched left her shivering. Without warning, the formerly spacious and well-lit dressing room seemed to shrink and lose all lighting save for a spotlight on the two enemies. Funny, Hermione thought absently while he continued giving her the long, somewhat creepy once-over, this feels exactly like those soaps Mum watches.

And then he was gone. Bewildered, Hermione looked around the again large room and wondered if he had really been there to begin with. Or was it just a dream? She sighed, kicking her bag and slumping back over to the mirror.

"Those Malfoys," the mirror grumbled. "They think they're so much better than everyone else. Why, that Narissa lady comes in here and she acts like she owns the place! I've never seen such a…"

So much for it being a dream.

Suddenly, all the fun was gone. She silently packed up her stuff and changed back into her normal clothes. Hermione returned her pin to her bag, the robe to the rack, and left the store.

Curse Malfoy. He had to ruin everything.