Title: Can't Fight This Feeling
Pairing: DM/HG…
Rating: M later on
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Hermione knows what she wants in life and she knows how to get it. Will that all change when she gets the attention of a certain someone? (I suck at summaries)
Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley were excitedly talking about the new school year that began in only one day. Hermione was excited to be starting her final year as the Head Girl; Ginny had been made a prefect.
"I am so excited about going back to school, I can't stand it! This is my final year; so much could happen."
"You know, you're right. A new year…. a new look." Ginny grinned.
"A new look?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"You are a pretty girl, but you hide it all behind books. You said this is a new year and anything could happen."
"I think I look just fine. Ron also thinks that I look just fine."
"Hermione, Ron is my brother and I love him, but he is…boring. Besides, a new look for you could definitely spice things up for the two of you."
"What's wrong with the way I look?"
"Hermione, you know I love you, but you are stuck in the fifties." Ginny said.
"I am not!" Hermione barked.
"We are in a time where a woman can be anything she wants to be, do anything she wants to do, and LOOK any way she wants."
"I like the way I look thank you very much."
"You don't look bad Hermione, you just don't look as great as you could. You have a lot of potential."
Hermione looked at her reflection. She was about 5'5 and between 110 and 115 lbs. Her dark brown unruly curly hair fell to the middle of her back and was constantly frizzed out; it almost matched her bushy eyebrows. Her skin wasn't ghostly pale, but it was in definite need of some sun exposure. Her entire wardrobe consisted of skirts that went to her shins, long sleeved, pale colored shirts and sweaters, and thick black shoes.
"I think I look…just fine." Hermione said quietly.
"You already said that…you are always hiding behind books. No body ever notices you because you won't let them. This is your last year as a kid. You can have fun without falling behind in school. Let me help you."
"I guess I could do it for Ron, he seems to be kind of distracted lately. What did you have in mind?"
"Let me bring out your natural beauty. No magic involved." Ginny smiled.
"Ok, but NO magic. I don't want people to think that I tried too hard."
Ginny squealed with glee, "Yay! This is going to be so much fun! First thing is a visit to the hair salon for a new do, manicure, pedicure, and facial. Then it's off to the mall for some makeup and a whole new wardrobe. Oh yes, and new shoes of course."
"The mall?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, muggles DO know how to shop."
Ginny grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her out the door.
Six hours later, Hermione and Ginny arrived back at the burrow and collapsed onto the floor with over a dozen shopping bags.
"I've never done so much in one day in my whole life." Hermione said as she removed her shoes and rubbed her aching feet. "We should have done the pedicures last."
Ginny bolted upright when she heard voices outside. She grabbed Hermione's hand, pulled her off the floor and towards the stairs with bags in hand, "I don't want anyone to see you until you are completely ready!"
"But Harry is here. I haven't seen him all summer." Hermione complained.
"I know, all the more reason not to see him until we are finished!"
"But…"
"We still have to get you into a new outfit and try out this makeup we spent a fortune on."
"You mean I spent a fortune on…" Hermione grumbled.
Ginny tugged Hermione up the stairs just as Harry and the Weasley men walked in.
"Ginny…Hermione…Harry is here." Mr. Weasley called.
"Be down in a bit dad!" Ginny called back as she shoved Hermione into her room and slammed the door behind them.
"What was that all about?" Harry asked.
"Who knows." Ron replied.
Ginny went through all the bags until she found the perfect outfit. She held it out to Hermione, "Here, put this on."
Hermione took the clothes, "I cannot believe I let you talk me into this. I can't wear this! It shows way too much."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "I saw you when you tried it on; it only shows like an inch of skin."
"That's one inch too much!"
"Just put it on!" Ginny barked.
She rummaged through the bags and set all the makeup on her nightstand. Hermione changed her clothes and sat down to let Ginny do her makeup. She chose a very light pink blush that matched her lipstick, as well a little eyeliner to accentuate Hermione's brown eyes. Finally she added some blue eye shadow to match Hermione's baby blue spaghetti-strap tank top and blue jeans.
Ginny stepped back for a final look, "Hermione, you look beautiful!"
Hermione looked at her new reflection. Her once unruly hair was now straight and shiny with very subtle red highlights and fell just below her shoulders in layers. Her eyebrows no longer looked like Groucho Marx, her skin was more golden than white, and her nails had been given a French manicure. Her tank top only showed about an inch of skin, but she still couldn't help but be self-conscious. Her jeans hugged all of her curves just right, and her black sketchers finished off her new look just right. Hermione barely recognized herself.
"This isn't me Gin."
"That's the whole point! Trust me, you are going to knock 'em dead."
"I don't know…"
Ginny grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her out the door, "Wait here."
'What are you doing!?" Hermione shrieked as Ginny ran down the stairs.
"Hi Harry!" Ginny gave Harry a quick hug then returned to the stairs.
"Can I have your attention please?" Ginny asked.
Harry, Ron, Mr. Weasley, Fred, and George all turned their attention to the youngest Weasley.
Ginny smiled, "May I introduce you all to the new…Hermione Granger!"
"Ginny, stop that!" Hermione called from the stairs.
Ginny smiled at everyone and glared up at Hermione, "Get down here before I have to drag you down!"
"No."
"Hermione, don't make me…"
"Ok, Ok, I'm coming."
All the men looked at Ginny with confusion on their faces as she argued with an invisible Hermione. Hermione took a deep breath and slowly started down the stairs. When she got to the bottom, she stopped, glared at Ginny who had a huge grin on her face, then turned to face everyone else. Other than Mr. Weasley, everyone's mouths dropped open at the sight of Hermione.
Mr. Weasley just smiled, "You look lovely dear." Then he went about his business.
The four teenagers continued to stare.
"Granger?" Fred and George asked in unison.
"Very nice." Fred Said.
"Very nice indeed." George added.
Hermione blushed a deep crimson as the boys continued to stare. Ron and Harry were speechless.
Ginny glared at her brother and his friend, "Well you two, what do you think?"
"I…um…well….you…" Was all that either of them could manage to get out.
Ginny grinned and leaned into Hermione, "That means they like it." She whispered in her ear.
Hermione went up and hugged Harry, "I'm so happy to see you! I missed you! How are you?"
Harry had to take a minute to pull himself together, "I'm fine. I've missed you to. You look…great."
Hermione smiled and blushed again, "Ginny did it. She thought I needed a new look."
Fred and George smiled at Ginny, "Nice work little sis."
Ron thought that his older brothers were looking at Hermione a little too hard and he glared at them. They just smirked at him, then went to join their father.
Ginny nudged Ron, "Well, say something!"
"You look incredible." Ron managed to get out.
Hermione smiled, "Thank you."
Mrs. Weasley walked in at that moment, "Hermione dear, you look wonderful!"
Hermione smiled, "Thank you."
"Except one little thing." Mrs. Weasley walked over and pulled Hermione's shirt down so it wasn't showing any skin. "There, that's better."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Mom."
Hermione grinned.
All through dinner, the boys kept stealing glances at Hermione. Ginny was overly pleased with herself, and secretly Hermione was happy too. Although it was a little weird to have all the Weasley men, aside from the oldest, looking at her in a new way. After dinner, Ron and Hermione went for a walk. They walked down the road, hand in hand, but neither said a word. Hermione couldn't take the silence anymore.
"Ron, what's the matter?"
"Nothing, I just have a lot on my mind; that's all." Ron smiled and squeezed her hand.
They stopped walking and Ron turned to face her, "You look incredible Hermione."
Hermione blushed, "Thank you. I did this partly for you, I thought you might like it."
"You didn't have to do any of this for me."
"I wanted to."
"Why?"
Hermione noticed that Ron's face was getting a little red, "I just didn't want to be too boring for you."
"It doesn't matter what I think Hermione."
"Why are you acting like this? I thought you would like it." Hermione wanted to cry.
Ron let go of Hermione's hand, "Well, I don't. You shouldn't have done it."
Hermione was now totally confused, "But you said I looked…"
"I know what I said, but you still shouldn't have done it!"
"Don't you yell at me Ronald Weasley! I don't understand what's wrong with you. You have been so damn distant lately and now you are telling me that you don't like the way I look, even though you said I look good. You aren't making any damn sense!"
Hermione turned on her heel and left.
TBC…
Just a little opener, it will get better, I promise.