Hey guys! I think this is going to be one of my better stories and I'm hoping that I won't have any problems with my computer this time! I know I shouldn't be starting this story when I have two others that aren't finished but I just couldn't help it! Hope you like!

Disclaimer: Woe is me, for I do NOT own Harry Potter!

You're going places, Hermione

~~!!!~~

Chapter One: The scholarship

"All right class," Professor McGonagall instructed as the bell rang, "I want that essay next Monday! No excuses. Miss Granger, a moment please."

Hermione Granger stopped packing up her books and cast a worried glance at her Transfiguration teacher. She didn't know what she had done.

"We'll wait for you outside." Her best friend Ron Weasley whispered in her ear.

"Unless you take too long," Harry Potter, her other best friend, added, "In which case we'll head down to lunch."

"Oh thanks." Hermione mumbled sarcastically watching woefully as her two friends as well as all the other students disappeared from the classroom, leaving her within range of their strict teacher's wrath. She made to follow them quietly but McGonagall caught her.

"Miss Granger," McGonagall eyed her over the top of her glasses, "I said a moment please."

"Yes Professor?" Hermione wondered.

"Come up here."

Hermione obeyed slowly and cautiously, still wondering what it was that she had done.

"Oh for heavens sake Miss Granger," McGonagall snapped, "You aren't in trouble, will you hurry up and come over here!"

Hermione quickened her pace and observed the older woman, curious now instead of cautious.

"What is this about, Professor?" She asked.

"This," McGonagall began, "Is about your future."

Hermione scrunched up her nose, something she did when she was interested, and remained silent.

McGonagall smiled, "You are the best student I have ever had the privilege of teaching. You are the best student this school has ever had the privilege of educating."

"Oh I don't know about that Professor." Hermione argued, flushing proudly.

"You know it's true," The teacher continued, "You're going places Hermione. That's a lot more than I can say for most students."

"I try my hardest I suppose. I'm very applied." Hermione admitted, opting for a modest comment.

"Exactly," McGonagall exclaimed, "That is why I submitted you as an applicant for the Sister Salem Scholarship."

"What?" Hermione jumped, "Sister Salem? The Sister Salem?"

It was the best known Wizarding University to have ever existed. It was an all-girls private institute in America that produced graduates who always became famous or well known. Hermione had dreamed of going there ever since she'd found out that she was a Witch, but she had never said anything because it was a hopeless dream. It was too expensive for her to attend.

"Yes. The Sister Salem." McGonagall nodded.

"You submitted me for the scholarship?"

"Yes."

"When?" Hermione asked, trying to stop herself from squealing.

"Four months ago. At the end of your sixth year." McGonagall told her. Hermione's excitement faded slightly. She had sent an application four months ago? That was a long time.

"Don't look so down," McGonagall said smiling, "It takes them three months to decide who deserves the scholarship. They get applications from all around the world. I think you were one of seven students in England to be submitted."

Her excitement faded again, "What chance do I have then Professor? If so many students have applied?"

"You silly girl!" McGonagall's eyes shone, "Didn't you listen! It's takes them three months to decide who deserves it and I put your form in four months ago!"

Hermione didn't know what to say. Where was her teacher going with this?

"You won Hermione," McGonagall looked fit to burst, "You won the scholarship!"

"I won?" Hermione felt her eyes get hot. Why couldn't McGonagall have just come out and said it? Why did she have to drag it out like she did?

"Yes! You're going to Salem Sister to study courses of your choice!"

"I'm going to Sister Salem!" Hermione started jumping up and down, tears of joy pouring down her face, "I'm going to the best university in the world! Oh thank you Professor! Thank you so much!"

"It's exactly what you deserve," McGonagall said sternly, "Now this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, I hope you make the right decisions concerning it…"

"Oh I wouldn't jeopardize it for anything in the world!" Hermione gushed, heading over to her disk and retrieving her books, "I wouldn't…I couldn't…it's a dream come true!"

Hermione smiled at her teacher one last time before running out the door, nearly colliding with Harry in the process.

"What happened?" He asked, frowning at her tears.

"Yeah," Ron stepped forward, "What did she say? Do you have detention? You look too happy to have detention…"

"Didn't you hear me shouting?" Hermione asked them, as all three began to head to the Great Hall for lunch.

"We heard something but we couldn't make it out…what happened?" Harry demanded.

Hermione stopped and faced them, smiling so brightly she could have blinded them.

"Igotintosistersalem!" She shouted.

Harry and Ron exchanged glances before turning back to look at her.

"What?" They said together.

"I got into Sister Salem! Professor McGonagall submitted me for the scholarship and I won! I'm going there when we finish school!" She gushed, more slowly so they could understand her.

"Sister Salem?" Ron gaped, "How would you be able to afford that?"

"I told you," Said Hermione in annoyance, "I got a scholarship. I won't have to pay for anything! It's all free! I'm going to Sister Salem."

"Wow," Harry smiled, "Wow Hermione, that's amazing."

"Thanks Harry," She turned to Ron, "Well?"

"Well what?" He asked.

"Well what?" Hermione frowned, "Well what do you think of me getting into the best magical university in the world?"

"I think…I think it's in America." Ron told her.

"Well yes, it is."

"And I think that means you'll be in America." He continued.

"Obviously," She put her hand on her hip, "What are you getting at?"

"You won't be here. Harry and me will never see you."

"It's Harry and I," She corrected, "And you will so. We'll be able to visit each other and such."

"But it won't be the same. It won't be like it is now." Ron said sullenly.

"No matter what it won't be the same after school. We still wouldn't see each other all the time," Hermione glared at him, "Why do you have to be so selfish?"

"Selfish?" Ron was taken aback, "I'm not being selfish!"

"Oh great, here we go again." Harry mumbled, rolling his eyes.

"You are so being selfish," Hermione was hurt, "Why can't you just be happy for me? This is the best thing that has ever happened to me and you're ruining it."

Ron went to argue and fight back but surprisingly changed his mind at the last minute.

"Sorry Hermione," He forced himself to smile, "I really think it's great. You're so smart and everything, you deserve to go there."

"Thanks Ron," Hermione grinned, happy once more, "Oh, I can't believe I'm going to Sister Salem!"

* * *

The rest of the day went by in a haze for Hermione. She was so ecstatically happy that she didn't even listen in the last two classes for the day, something she never did.

Everyone noticed her happy mood and whoever asked her what was going on was informed that Hermione Granger, undoubtedly the smartest witch around, was going to be going to Salem Sister when she graduated. Before long, all of Hogwarts knew about it.

"Oh Hermione," Ginny Weasley sighed, "I'm so jealous. I wish I was going to Sister Salem."

They were sitting in the Gryffindor common room discussing Hermione's future.

"You might be able to get it," Hermione told her, "You could apply for the scholarship next year."

Ginny laughed, "No way! My OWL results weren't even as good as Ron's. I'd never be able to get it."

"Don't say that."

"Nevermind," Ginny clapped her hands together, "So what is going to happen? Where are you going to live?"

"They provide you with your own living quarters, like a small apartment," Hermione answered, "You get a small kitchen and bathroom and everything! I've never been to America. It's going to be so brilliant."

"I'd imagine," Ginny picked at a loose thread on her robe, "What did Ron think about it?"

"Oh you know Ron, had to bring it back to the impact it would have on him, didn't he?" Hermione sighed, "Although he was right. It would be really different. I'll miss everyone."

"And we'll miss you," Ginny smiled, "But we don't need to be thinking about that. The school year isn't over for another ten months yet! We'll have plenty of fun in between then."

"I know that," Hermione eyed Ron in the opposite corner of the room, "I just hope the next ten months isn't full of sulking and fighting, mainly on your brothers behalf."

"I wouldn't be worried about that," Ginny's face lit up, "Ron's going to be different this year."
"What do you mean?" Hermione demanded, frowning. Ginny grinned secretively and beckoned Hermione closer.

"He's going to try and be a better person," She whispered, "He wants you to think he's a better person."

"He said that?"

"Yes, exactly that. I want Hermione to think I'm a better person. I'm not the git she thinks I am. I reckon he'll keep to that. Sure it's not a confession of undying love and it's taken him seven years to admit to even remotely having feelings for you, but it's a start isn't it?" Ginny shrugged.

Hermione blushed and nodded, catching Ron's gaze across the room and exchanging a smile with him. Her heart quickened when he stood up and began walking determinedly over to her.

"Ginny, he's coming over!" Hermione murmured.

Ginny turned around just as her brother approached. He glared at her slightly.

"Can you leave us for a minute, Gin." He told her.

"Sure thing." Ginny smiled sweetly at him, winked at Hermione, and swept herself over to a corner where she joined some third years playing Exploding Snap.

"What's up?" Ron asked, sitting down next to her.

Hermione smiled, "Not much. I'm still floating on clouds from finding out I got into Sister Salem."

"Yeah, that's pretty good," He said coolly, leaning back into the chair, "I actually thought we should celebrate that."

"Well Ginny's holding me a party in a few weeks…" Hermione trailed off.

"No," Ron smiled, "I don't mean like that."

Hermione scrunched up her nose, "What then?"

"I thought that…well I thought maybe you'd…I was going to say that we could…" His calm facade disappeared as a blush began to creep across his cheeks.

"We could what Ron?"

"Go out or something," He muttered, looking away, "You and me and stuff."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "No Harry?"

"N-no…just you and me and dinner," Ron coughed, "But if you don't want to then it's cool you know? Because I know you're probably busy or not interested or something-"

"No!" Hermione smiled happily, "No I would love too. I would really, really love too."

"Really?" Ron pulled a face, "You wouldn't mind?"

"Of course not!" Hermione continued to smile, "I would love to go on a date with you."

"Great!" He stood back up, "How about tomorrow night at eight in the Astronomy Tower? I'll get everything ready, all you have to do is show up."

"Sure."

"Great," Ron nodded, "Great, see you then."

"I'll probably see you before then Ron. We'll have to work on our Transfiguration essays tomorrow." Hermione pointed out.

"But it's Saturday Hermione-" Ron began to whine before shaking his head, "I mean sure, we can do that. I'll see you then."

"Okay, goodnight."

"Night."

Hermione smiled to herself. She was so excited that she didn't even care that dinner in the Astronomy Tower would involve breaking the rules. She was going to Sister Salem and had a date with Ronald Weasley. Nothing could be better.

~~!!!~~

A/N: Or so Hermione thinks anyway…I've got a lot in store for her and Ron! Quite a lot indeed…Mwhahahahaha!

Oh, so so so evil.

I'll explain a bit about what happened with Voldemort and such in later chapters too. This isn't about fighting and Harry, it's about Hermione and Ron and the trouble that can be caused when they get together…

Voldemort has been defeated in this story!

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