Hermione Granger – Year 6-1996/7
Summer 1996
Chapter 1: A Paris Surprise
"Are you finished packing Hermione?" Mrs. Granger shouted up the stairs. "Dad wants to get the cases into the car now before it gets dark, ready for that quick getaway in the morning."
"All done mum. Bringing it down now." The light clump of footsteps on the stairs could be heard and then Hermione Granger appeared carrying what was a relatively small case for a 16yr old girl going on a summer holiday.
"There you are mum. Everything in. I haven't got a lot. I will be taking my small backpack as well, just with my easy to hand travelling stuff in."
Mrs. Granger looked at her daughter and the case with surprise:
"Why the smaller case dear? Are you sure that will be enough for two weeks."
Hermione replied, "Actually mum, having gone through my clothes and holiday wear, pretty much all of it is too small. I haven't seen most of it never mind worn any of it since last year or even longer. And my swim stuff is really had it. It looks well past it. Do you think we could maybe do a bit of shopping at some point?"
Mrs. Granger's eyes lit up.
"Shopping! Oh yes. I am sure that can be easily sorted. And I do agree that we need to hit those shops, love. You have got at least three inches taller and definitely more curvy. My Hermione has got herself quite a figure nowadays!"
Hermione blushed at her mum's comments, but smiled nevertheless:
"Mum! I haven't changed that much, have I? I haven't really noticed."
"You haven't noticed!" exclaimed Mrs. Granger, "You're joking? You definitely have the womanly curves now, love. You will always be slim I think as both your dad and I are, but in the last year you have grown into a really lovely young woman. You have put the little bit of weight you needed to put on in all the right places. A good bit taller and if I say so myself a terrific pair of legs." She indicated with a nod of her head and a look as Hermione stood in a pair of denim shorts and a tight vest.
"I wear school uniform and robes most of the time. I have got by on just the occasional pair of new jeans and jumpers, and obviously undies. Nothing fancy."
Mrs. Granger gave her daughter an enquiring look:
"No fancies? No short, tight Christmas or party outfits? Nothing to make the boys eyes pop out? Why not?"
"MUM! Your making me blush. No, I haven't got anything like that at all. Hogwarts is….well it's a school, mum. And a bit old fashioned, Victorian in many ways. The magical community is really a bit fuddy-duddy in that regard; no 20th century high fashion. It's just not the done thing. I am not saying that the boys don't like it when any of the girls put on a bit of glam on the Hogsmeade weekends, they do, but well,…I am just more comfortable in my jeans and jumpers."
"Well, no jeans and jumpers on this trip! It will be dry, hot and glorious sunshine. So a new wardrobe is in order, young lady. Some outfits to show off this gorgeous new you and definitely some new skimpies and bikinis. So a great way that will be to get reacquainted with my teenage daughter. Shopping, lunch and gossip! I can catch up on all your news."
Hermione gave her mum a quizzical look and said,
"Just a thought though mum. Is there anywhere half decent to go shopping where we are staying? Dad said the cottage's location is a bit isolated."
Mrs. Granger laughed; "I wasn't thinking of hitting the few shops where the cottage is Hermione, but somewhere much better where we can spend your dad's millions. How does Paris sound?"
"Paris?" came Hermione's excited reply, "But how? The cottage is way down the coast, nowhere near Paris."
Mrs. Granger looked at her lovely daughter and the sudden excitement in her eyes.
"Well, your dad and I were keeping this as a surprise but as I have let the cat out of the bag I better tell you now. There is an international dental conference going on, well European actually, in Paris from Monday for two days. Your dad has been specifically invited to attend to explain and do a question and answer session on a paper he wrote for the Dental Journal on a particular type of gum disease that he has a treatment for. It is quite a revolutionary new style of treatment that your dad has been using the last year or so in the practice. All very technical and dietary and it is getting amazing results. It is definitely a hot topic at the moment. No one has ever thought of combining the two particular treatments before. So, as a result your ever so clever dad has got us a four night stay in a very posh Paris hotel and all paid for by the conference people!"
Hermione was virtually bouncing where she stood:
"Four nights in Paris! Mum, that's awesome. Are you attending the conference too?"
Her mum gave a very unladylike snort: "No chance, darling. I love my work as a dentist but I will leave the boring, talking, side of things to your dad. His is the only new radical treatment on the agenda and I know all about that. And anyway, if you think I am giving up the chance of hitting the Paris boutiques with my gorgeous daughter for a boring old conference you can think again. Oh, this is going to be fun!"