If it's change you're looking for...

Chapter 1

Wednesday 23 June

Today was probably the strangest day of my entire life. I couldn't begin to make sense of it if I tried. And given I have been trying for what seems like hours that's a safe assumption. I know you're dying to hear about the cause of my distress, but I warn you its no laughing matter. Today I ran into Malfoy. I know that doesn't seem like a big deal. And ordinarily it wouldn't be, but I ran into him at a muggle library. I know, strange. He was talking to a librarian at the front counter when I went to check out the book I was reading. I literally ran into him, I didn't seem him and ended up on my back with the book laying sprawled over my chest. It was horribly embarrassing to say the least. I went to get up after saving my page in the book and he offered me his hand. I couldn't very well be rude in front of the unknowing librarian so I took his hand and let him help me up. And that's when it happened. I felt sparks of electricity shot from my hand all the way through me. I don't know what it was or how it happened. At first I thought he hexed me or something, but I don't have any lasting effects except that I can't stop thinking about him. I keep remembering how he smiled and said my name, how it good it felt to have him actually call me my given name. I am losing my mind. There is no reason why I should be hoping to run into him again. But I am, I have this uncontrollable urge to go back to the library tomorrow to see if I can "run into" him again. This is most undignified. I can't swoon after my rival. Certainly not after the one who has done nothing but torment me for the last four years. I mean that would be asking for trouble right? Well I for one don't need anymore trouble.

Truly,

Hermione Jane Granger

"Hey Mione dear dinner is ready are you going to come down and eat?" Her mother called from the bottom of the stairs. Hermione carefully put her diary away where she thought no one would look for it, just in case her mother got nosy again like she did in second year when she found out her daughter had a crush on her best friend Harry. Hermione shuddered, her mother still hadn't stopped asking her about that.

"Yeah Mom, I'll be there in a minute." Hermione hollered as she brushed through her finally manageable hair. She would never admit it to anyone but it took almost every bit of her self control not to jump for joy every time she looked in a mirror. Her once bushy unruly hair was on laid back in either perfect ringlets or soft waves, depending on what she felt like doing with her hair in the morning when she woke up. She spent three months perfecting a potion that controlled her hair all day without making it look over processed. It was her secret weapon this year. She was going to do more than turn heads, she planned to break necks. She only had a handful of weeks til the start of her fifth year at Hogwarts and she was determined to make every minute count. When she reached the kitchen she noticed the table was set for four and couldn't remember her mother informing her of any guests coming for dinner.

"Mom are we having company for dinner?" She asked as she went to her usual seat at the table. Her mother came in with a huge smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes.

"Oh my, I'm sorry dear I forgot to mention Harry called earlier and I invited him for dinner, he's using the fireplace so he should be here any minute." With that her mother started putting the food in the middle of the table and Hermione stifled a scream.

"Great and I don't even have time to change. Thanks Mom. You're the best, absolutely...amazing." Hermione said as sarcastically as she could manage. At that moment the fire place raged and Harry stepped through into the living room. He looked around a bit and smile when he caught sight of Hermione walking in the room.

"Hey Mione, you look amazing! I've missed you so much." Harry said as he wrapped her into a tight hug. She held on to him for as long as she thought she could get away with. She noticed how good he smelled and that he was dressed in new clothes and wasn't wearing his glasses.

"Harry wow you are stunning! Where are your glasses?" Hermione said as she pulled away from him taking care to notice his muscle structure under his tight fitting tee-shirt. Harry blushed and openly admired Hermione's outfit. She was wear cut off shorts and a purple halter top. She was barefoot and her hair was down, she looked beautiful, she was never this laid back at school or the Burrow.

"Well, I went to Diagon Alley a couple weeks ago and stopped by the bank. I exchanged some money so I would have muggle money and went to an eye doctor. He gave me contacts, so I retired my glasses for the time being. I also decided to get some new clothes, I was so tired of wearing Dudley's old clothes I managed to get out of the house for a whole day, so I went to the mall and asked a sales girl to help me find more flattering clothes. She even went with me to some of the other stores when she got off work. It was amazing. When my Uncle asked I showed him a galleon and told him it was worth a thousand dollars, the great thing was he believed me. And I told him that it would cause his hand to fall off if he touched it because it only allows magical people to touch it." Harry laughed as he recounted the story to his friend. Hermione looked shocked but didn't reprimand him. They went into the kitchen and Harry sat next to Hermione at the table.

"So Harry what are you're plans for the rest of the summer?" Mrs. Granger asked as Harry was filling his plate with baked chicken breast and mashed potatoes.

"Well Mrs. Granger I have to stay at my Aunt and Uncle's house until the end of the month. Then I get to go to the Weasley's house until school starts. And then I'll probably spend most of my time doing my homework. I haven't been able to get very much of it done so far." Harry said and took a bite of his dinner. Hermione watched him for a moment before looking pleadingly at her mother. They had been arguing over her being able to spend the following month at the Burrow with her friends.

"See Mom I told you Harry was staying the full month too. Mrs. Weasley doesn't mind, in fact she asked me to come stay. I wouldn't be wearing out my welcome, I don't think you can at the Weasley's. Please Mom. Be reasonable, do I need to have Molly herself tell you that? I can ask her too. Please!" Hermione said trying not to make a sight of herself as she begged her mother to let her be with her friends. Mrs. Granger looked back and forth between Harry and Hermione and then sighed.

"Have her send me a letter detailing how long you're welcome to stay and any compensation she would accept. I don't intend to send you empty handed that poor woman has more than enough on her plate already." Mrs. Granger stated and Hermione grinned from ear to ear. Harry smiled at her and winked when he caught her eye. Hermione automatically blushed. Mr. Granger at this point spoke up.

"Please make sure that Mrs. Weasley intends to make sure that our young lady remains as such, and doesn't get into any un-lady-like mischief. I would hate to have to go bring out my rifle." He said to his wife while keeping an eye on Harry. Hermione stared at him open mouthed.

"Now dear I don't think will be necessary, Harry here is a nice boy with wonderful manners. And Hermione has a good head on her shoulders. I doubt we need to worry about them getting into any compromising positions anytime soon. But just to be on the safe side I will double check the sleeping arrangements." Mrs. Granger stated in a very clam soothing voice. Her husband looked ready to argue but gave the moment he acknowledged his daughters eyes on him. She was seething and looked like she wanted to scream at him. He smiled slightly, she reminded him so much of her mother is scared him sometimes.

"Alright. If you're sure. But do mark my words Harry. I do not intend to be a grandfather anytime soon. Is that understood?" Mr. Granger looked Harry dead in the eyes as the boy blushed and nodded his head.

"DAD! Will you please stop you're embarrassing me!" Hermione whisper-shouted. He smiled and got up to help his wife clear the table. Harry looked every where but Hermione until they were excused from the table. Hermione stomped up to her room and Harry timidly followed.

"I am so sorry about that. My Dad, he sometimes feels the need to be the most insufferable git on the planet. I mean we're not even dating and he insinuates that I plan to go off to the Weasley's so that I can shag you." Hermione apologized as she sat cross legged on her bed. Harry sat in her desk chair and smiled at the thought. It really wouldn't be so bad to date Hermione, she knew him better than anyone and wasn't clingy like Ginny. Not to mention she was gorgeous and he wouldn't mind being in any compromising positions with her.

"It's okay, I sorta expected it. But it almost sounds like you would want to date me?" Harry asked and smiled as she blushed from head to toe.

"I love when you blush Mione." Harry said as she looked at him dumbfounded. Harry wished he knew what she was thinking at that moment. He had been trying to come up with a way to ask her out all summer. He even asked Ron first to make sure that it wouldn't hurt his friendship. He really wanted her to say yes. He went through all the trouble of cleaning up and looking nice for her. Not that he would tell her that anytime soon. He just really hoped that she wanted him like he wanted her.

"Will you go out with me Mione?" Harry asked again to clarify that he was indeed asking her to be with him. Hermione was speechless. After all the confusing thoughts of Malfoy today she thought the day couldn't get any more complicated. She had wanted to be with Harry since second year, she couldn't tell him no now just because she was infatuated with the Slytherin Prince. She would have to put that to the back of her mind, besides just because he was nice to her in a muggle library didn't mean he would be nice to her at school.

"Of course Harry. I would love to." Hermione finally spoke with a huge grin. Harry smile relieved, he had went through all the possible rejections she could have given him. Actually he didn't really expect her to agree.

"Hermione dear it's getting late. Don't you think Harry should be heading home?" Mr. Granger called up the stairs. Harry took that as his cue to stand up. Hermione stood up too and wrapped him in a hug.

"I'll write you tomorrow. I can't wait for the end of the month to get here." Harry told Hermione as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. Hermione kissed Harry's cheek and nodded. She held his hand as she lead him down stairs to the fireplace. He said his goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Granger and took some Floo Powder out of a pouch in his pocket.

"Four Privet Drive" He called out and stepped into the fireplace. When he was gone Hermione turned to face her parents. Her smile was contagious as they looked at her enquiringly.

"Isn't he simply amazing." She said more to herself that to anyone else as she hugged her parents and went back to her room to get started writing the letter to Mrs. Weasley. It had been a long day and even though it was only nine o'clock she was almost ready to call it a night.