Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or anything related. kisses
Author's Note: Decided to start something new, hopefully I will stick with this one, please review!!
Chapter One
One bright, sunny Saturday morning in late August, seventeen-year-old Hermione Granger stepped out of her walk-in closet, wearing a pale yellow, form-fitting sweater and a white, pleated miniskirt. She gave a little twirl, letting the skirt fan out slightly, then stood before her cousin, Sarah, silently asking for her opinion.
Sixteen-year-old Sarah Parker tilted her head to the side, squinted her eyes, then, after a few seconds, smiled. "Very cute," she said finally. "You have to bring that with you to school."
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, a little hesitant. "It's not too revealing?"
"Hermione, you said yourself you wanted to update your appearance. And one major way to do that is to show a little skin. Besides, it's not like your fat, or anything. You're totally hot."
Hermione reddened slightly, then turned and faced her full-length mirror. "I guess it's okay. I mean, Hogwarts doesn't have too limited of a dress code. Usually we just wear our uniforms, anyway, so this shouldn't be too bad."
"Good girl." Sarah joined her cousin at the mirror, wrapping her arm around her shoulder. "Maybe you'll catch the eye of that certain someone you have been talking about, like, all summer."
"Whatever, Sarah," Hermione said, separating herself from the girl, and sitting on her bed. "He's never even looked at me like anything but a friend. I don't think a skirt and a push-up bra will change that."
"Wow, Hermione, you really have no sense of the male species, do you?"
"Is that a bad thing?" Hermione asked.
Sarah smiled at her cousin's naiveté. "Just wait until you get to school, then you'll believe me."
Hermione adjusted her black duffel bag on her shoulder, and gripped her trunk tighter in her other hand. She felt the Head Girl badge burning a hole in her bag. She was standing on Platform 9 and ¾, surrounded by witches and wizards who were milling around the large, red Hogwarts Express. Normally, she would dive right into the crowd, and push her way towards the train, but this year, she was a little tentative.
Aided by Sarah's persistence to wear something more mature, Hermione was wearing a light blue polo with a deep neckline, snug, white capris, and white flats. Her long, temporarily straight, dark brown hair hung down her back, and curled slightly at the end. She didn't have on much makeup, only some mascara, eyeliner, and lip gloss. Hermione wasn't use to showing off this much.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione plunged into the crowd. She noticed a few glances her way, but tried to keep her head down. Finally, she made it to the train. Hermione was about to enter the large train when she was jostled from behind.
"Sorry, sorry!" Hermione recognized that voice. Turning around, she saw Ron Weasely and Harry Potter, her two best friends, turning away. Dropping her bags, she engulfed the two boys in a hug.
"Oh, my gosh, it is so good to see you guys!" Hermione cried out. Pulling away, she smiled up at the two guys, who looked kind of confused.
"Um, don't mean to be rude, or anything," Harry said after a second, "but do we know you?"
The smile dropped from Hermione's face. "Guys, it's me. Hermione. Granger," she added as an afterthought.
"Hermione?!" Ron asked, incredulous. "You look, well, you know…"
"You look great, 'Mione," Harry said, as Ron sputtered next to him. "Sorry we didn't recognize you, it's just you look, well, different."
"I know," Hermione said. "Do you guys like it?"
Both boys gave her a quick once-over, checking out her sculpted calves, firm thighs, flat stomach, large breasts, and well-defined face, then nodded enthusiastically. Hermione blushed at their approval.
"You guys look great, too," Hermione said. "You both have gotten so tall." It was true; both boys towered over Hermione's petite five-five frame by more than a head. Hermione jokingly thought that she was going to strain her neck trying to just talk to them.
"We already got a compartment," Ron said, reaching for Hermione's trunk. Harry helped him carry it into the train, and Hermione followed behind with her bag.
The three friends took a seat on the benches, Hermione seated across from the guys. They chatted amicably, talking about their summers and anything new going on in their lives. Hermione informed the two boys that she was Head Girl, but was upset to learn that neither of them were Head Boy. Hopefully, she would discover the identity of Head Boy soon, as it was making her antsy not to know.
As the train whistle announced its departure and the monstrous locomotive lurched forward, Hermione looked around the small compartment.
"Where's Ginny?" she asked finally.
"She's with her new boyfriend, and will be joining us in a little bit." Ron said boyfriend the way some people said manure. Hermione smiled at this. Everyone knew how protective Ron was of his little sister, even if Ginny despised it.
Hermione leaned back against the bench, and curled her legs underneath her, careful to keep her skirt down, so as not to flash Ron or Harry. She may have been close to the two boys, but not enough to show them her secret area.
Hermione began to think of some of the conversations she and Sarah had had repeatedly throughout the summer. Most of the time, the two girls had talked about Hermione's most recent crush: her closest friend, Harry Potter. Hermione had begun to think of him as more than a friend the year before, and her feelings for him had blossomed over the summer. One of the main reasons she had adjusted her appearance was because of Harry. She knew how idiotic it was to change yourself for a boy, but she was too blinded by her feelings to be rational.
Hermione glanced over at Harry, and was surprised to see him looking at her, also. He looked away quickly, though, causing Hermione to blush. She had been doing that a lot lately, she noticed. Hermione wondered why Harry had been looking at her. Was it just because they were friends, and Ron was rambling about something or other, or was it because he liked how she looked, and wanted to practically stare at her?
Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by the compartment door sliding open. Looking up, Hermione saw a tall, redhead standing on the threshold. She was five-eight, with long, scarlet hair, a stark contrast to her pale skin, and big, innocent-looking blue eyes, which rivaled those of her brother's. She was wearing a pink camisole under a black sweater zipped up halfway, jeans, and black Converse. She smiled when she saw Hermione, and held her arms open for a hug.
"Ginny!" Hermione cried, jumping up and throwing herself into the other girl's arms. They hugged for practically a minute, then separated and sat together on the bench.
"Oh, my god, when did you get so tall?" Hermione asked.
"Overnight," Ginny replied. "And look at you! Who knew you were so hot?!"
"So what is it I hear about a new boyfriend?" Hermione asked teasingly.
"Yes, it's true, I'm going out with Justin Finch-Fletchey."
"You mean the devil spawn?" Ron muttered. Ginny heard, and reached over and smacked his thigh.
"Be nice to Justin," Ginny scolded Ron. "What has he ever done to you?"
"Well, go out with you for one thing," Ron said.
Ginny rolled her eyes, and turned to Hermione. "Forget about him," she said. "He's just jealous that he's not getting any." Hermione and Harry laughed as Ron looked like he was going to attack Ginny.
"So when did you two start going out?" Hermione asked.
"Do you remember Dean Thomas' end of the year party last year?" Hermione nodded. "Well, Justin and I started talking, and we totally hit it off. We hung out every day, like all summer. Then, suddenly, one day in August, he asked me out. I was a little surprised, but said yes instantly."
"Oh, I'm so happy for you." Hermione pulled the girl into a quick hug.
"So what about you?" Ginny asked. "Anyone special in your life?"
Hermione quickly and inconspicuously glanced at Harry. She hoped no one noticed this look. "Um, no, still flying solo."
"That's cool," Ginny said. "Don't worry, with that look, you'll have any guy who want in an instant."
A knock on the compartment door disturbed the two girls' conversations. Ginny stood and opened the door to Justin. Smiling, she tilted her head up (surprisingly, Justin was taller than Ginny), and gave him a quick kiss. Ron pretended to have a heart attack, and lay slumped on the seat. Hermione and Harry attempted to conceal their giggles.
"I got us a compartment," Justin said to Ginny. "Wanna go, um, talk?" Ginny nodded earnestly. Justin turned to Hermione. "McGonagall asked me to tell you to go the Head's compartment in the front. She wants to talk to you guys before the train arrives." Justin and Ginny left the compartment hanging off of each other.
Hermione stood and walked to the door. Turning around, she address Ron and Harry. "I'll see you guys later, okay?" Without looking back, she left.
Ron turned to Harry. "You gotta tell her, man."
"Tell who what?"
"Tell Hermione that you like her."
"Who says I do?"
"Like it isn't obvious. I think she likes you, too, so if you ask her out, she probably say yes."
Harry sighed. "When did you become so observant?"
"It comes with the territory," Ron boasted. "Or something like that."