Disclaimer: Unfortunately I am not the creater of these wonderful characters, or of anything else you already recognize.
Chapter 1
I just can't seem to put my finger on it. Hermione thought to herself. She had been dating Ron for almost eight months now and something still just didn't feel right to her. Oh well, probably just my imagination, but something just feels out of place. It's like one of those things your feminine intuition tries to tell you but you just can't figure out. Hermione found that wandering the hallways on patrol duty was the perfect time to get quality thinking done.
She glanced at her watch. Ten o'clock. She had finally finished her patrol. That night was particularly quiet, probably because the majority of the students were scrambling to finish their homework and study for their exams scheduled for the end of the first term. Seeing the Fat Lady, Hermione tiredly uttered the password ( "Pickled frogs legs") and stumbled through the portrait hole to find an enormous sign on the Gryffindor notice board.
Attention: Students 6th year or above interested in the Performing Arts. This year we will be performing the musical Cinderella. See Professor Trelawney to sign up for tryouts on January 14th.
It was a challenge not to squeal in delight, which would be a very un-Hermioneish action. She knew right then and there she absolutely had to audition. It didn't even occur to her that she was very uncomfortable singing and speaking in front of large groups of people. She just had to do it.
Flash Back
The summer had been a busy one to be sure. Her family took a vacation to America where Hermione found her first love, the story of Cinderella. She loved the music, the plot, and the wonderful ending with the Prince. There was something about the whimsical nature of the story, the way everything fell into place that soothed her. With the big decisions she faced with her seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry she needed a place to escape to help her relax. Cinderella did that for her.
The rest of her summer after the vacation with her family was spent progressively driving Harry, Ron, and Ginny absolutely raving mad with the songs she memorized from the musical. You have to understand, this was very unusual behavior for Hermione. She never sang in front of people, never became obsessed with certain books, movies, songs, or stories of any kind.
"I'm pretty sure she has a lose screw in her head," Ron whispered to Harry as they passed the bathroom in No. 12 Grimauld Place. Hermione was again singing in the shower, something she had never done before that year.
"Yeah mate, I'm pretty sure she has officially lost it. I hope this means she'll be too distracted by this Cinderella obsession to notice our homework planners have miraculously disappeared over the summer," Harry mumbled back.
"Ah well, one can only hope," replied Ron with a sigh.
End Flashback
"What are you so bloody happy about today?" Ron asked a beaming Hermione as they walked to breakfast. Well really, Harry and Ron walked. Hermione skipped.
"That's sure a nice way to greet your girlfriend in the morning, isn't it?" she replied, the smile never leaving her face.
"Why do you think? What else could make Hermione so happy but a day full of end of term exams?" Harry mused thoughtfully. Though not a grouchy person by nature it was mildly unusual to see Hermione, the dignified Head Girl, skipping down the hallway to breakfast.
"Well, actually on top of that they are holding auditions for Cinderella. Professor Trelawney decided it was time the student body learned some appreciation for the arts. Wonderful women that Professor Trelawney." If possible, Hermione grinned even larger as she said this.
Harry and Ron stopped dead in their tracks, the shock apparent on their faces. The look in their eyes clearly said, "She did not just say what we think she said." But she did. And not only that, she decided to tell them she was going to audition.