A/N: I do not own Harry Potter. This is my first Dramione fic. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Enjoy.
Breakfast at the Weasley's was as raucous as ever, Mr. Weasley and his third eldest son, Percy, had just left for work, leaving Ron, Fred, George, Ginny as well as Harry Potter and Hermione Granger seated at the table. Mrs. Weasley paced behind them ready to refill mugs of coffee, juice or milk and also encouraged them to eat fourths.
"Harry, dear, you've gotten so skinny, have some more bacon," she cooed.
"No thanks, I'm really quite full, Mrs. Weasley," he quickly replied, he knew if he hadn't spoke up, she would have buried him in sausage, toast and her perfectly cooked bacon. "Mom, how come you didn't offer me?" Ron asked, his mouth bulging with bacon.
"Ronald Weasley, you mustn't talk while eating, for Merlin's sake, swallow your food!" she snapped.
Fred and George were discussing the upcoming Quidditch tournament and were planning to use it to market their products even further. Their store was a remarkable success, and they were raking in galleons. The Burrow had lost most of its decrepit appearance since the twins were doing repairs. Harry, Ron and Hermione had qualified to become Aurors with the Ministry; it was expected since they had defeated Voldemort during the previous year.
The magical world was slowly healing itself, discrimination against muggleborns was disappearing, and everything had changed. Hogwarts had also offered them the opportunity to finish their final year, Harry and Ron immediately refused; they were too excited to start Auror training in September. Hermione, on the other hand, decided that she would finish her schooling; she had notified Hogwarts of her plans to return and had in turn received the 'Head Girl' badge. It was a very pleasant surprise when she found out that Ginny would also be in her classes. As for the Head Boy, he was a mystery.
The summer had almost finished and Hermione and Ginny went last minute shopping because she grew fed up of Hermione's lack of style. Ginny had grown into a very beautiful woman and she flaunted it, she knew what clothes suited her best, her accessories; never too much, makeup; light and natural, her hair; today, it was long and straight, her red locks elegantly flowing. Hermione was envious; her hair was never so compliant. Hermione had also blossomed, but she was hidden beneath layers of unflattering clothes and that bushy mess growing out of her head and Ginny was determined to drag her out.
After hours of Hermione trying on clothes and tantrums from Ginny as to what she should buy; they had successfully bought a new wardrobe for Hermione. They were both very pleased and all Hermione wanted to do was go lie down, but Ginny had other plans. Their last stop was a tiny little store tucked away in the corner next to Flourish and Blotts. Hermione had never noticed it before due to the fact that she was always too eager to get inside the bookstore. Ginny pulled her in; it looked like a hair salon, except it was completely empty of customers. "Ginny, I think it's closed," Hermione whispered. "No, darling, we simply are accommodating a request from Ginny," said a loud voice from the shadows.
A blonde woman, breathtakingly beautiful and tall, stepped out, "Ginny, darling, is this your friend?"
Ginny nodded with a smile, "Yes, Madame Red."
"She needs a lot of work, but I think we can pull it off, come darlings. Have a seat my dear," she motioned to Hermione who gratefully sat down in the chair. While Madame Red washed and massaged Hermione's scalp, Hermione felt at ease and drifted off to sleep.
Hours later, she was being prodded awake by Ginny who was beaming. Still groggy, she was faced with a very beautiful woman. She must be part veela, Hermione thought, "Ginny, who's that?" she questioned. Ginny giggled, "That's you." Hermione gasped and looked again, now conscious of the mirror. Her hair was no longer bushy and wiry; it fell into beautiful soft curls till mid-back, tinted honey gold. She was ecstatic. She thanked Madame Red for the hair makeover and tips for maintenance.
They returned to the Burrow around 10 o'clock, Mrs. Weasley had already sent Harry and Ron to bed since they had to get up at the crack of dawn to leave for their Auror training, Fred and George had left to stay at their apartment in Diagon Alley and Percy was staying at his girlfriend's house for the night. Mr. Weasley had arrived an hour before Ginny and Hermione and was exhausted from work so he decided to sleep after dinner. Mrs. Weasley smiled at them and touched Hermione's hair fondly, "You look beautiful, dear," she whispered, "now both of you, wash up, and go to bed. We're leaving at 9 in the morning, so finish packing your things." The morning wasn't extremely hectic since it was only Ginny, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley. Hermione had decided to wear a fitted pair of jeans and a deep red t-shirt, it was a tad bit too small, and showed a bit of her toned stomach, she had a damn good body- as Ginny said- so she could flaunt it if she wanted. She cast a comfort spell on her pumps and slipped them on. Time was of the essence so she quickly tied her hair in a ponytail with some stray locks of hair framing her face, grabbed her luggage and went to meet Ginny. They had arrived at Kings Cross with a couple minutes to spare and she hugged them and wished them a good term.
As the clock struck 11, the Hogwarts Express pulled out the station. It was a beautiful day, the sky was clear, showing no signs of the time that passed by. No signs of the war, death, tragedy. Hermione smiled and walked towards the Heads' compartment. She told Ginny goodbye and headed towards the front of the train. She received a lot of attention while walking and held the book she was reading earlier against her; she smiled internally, this was new and she quite liked it.
She was wondering who the Head Boy might be, so she eagerly peered into the compartment. Her brain went numb. A tall, well-built wizard with platinum blonde hair sat before her, his lips partially opened as he read Moste Advance Transfiguration: For Experts Only, clearly he was brilliant. On the table in front of him, lay a large crystal where the teapot should have been, he tapped it with his wand and it morphed back into a silver teapot. He looked up when the door slid open. Hermione, who was love struck immediately, felt a sharp jolt when she looked into his silvery gray eyes. "M-Malfoy?" she gasped. "Do I know you?" clearly he didn't recognize her. "You're the Head Boy?" He smiled, "Yes, I am. What's your name?" he inquired.
He looked at her, surely he'd recognize her if he knew her. She was slim and very shapely, her clothes suited her perfectly; the red of her top matched the fire in her eyes, and her hair was a warm brown tinted with gold in the sunlight. Draco was entranced by her beauty, in her hands, she clutched Moste Advance Transfiguration II: For the Extremely Gifted. Beautiful and brainy, she was definitely his type of girl. "Hermione Granger," she murmured, "I'm Hermione Granger." He gasped. This could not be the Hermione Granger he knew. Where was the bushy hair? The ugly clothes? The two dunderheads?
The train's whistle pierced the air, bringing both Draco and Hermione to reality. She stepped into the compartment cautiously and closed the door. "So you're practicing transfiguration, this is really advanced magic, Malfoy," she stated as she sat down opposite him ignoring the shocked silence she was met with.
"Yeah, I know, it's a bit difficult, especially the umm…. 'liquidum' one. I can't seem to get it. The teacup I was practicing on doesn't liquefy, it just sort of melts at the top."
Hermione tapped the teacup gently and flicked her wrist up, "Liquidum!" At once, the teacup liquefied into the saucer. She smiled brilliantly, "You've probably forgot the wrist flick, it's quite understandable."
Malfoy looked amazed. "Liquidum!" his teacup made a sloshing noise and filled his saucer. He was very pleased. "Thanks, Granger," he muttered.
Hermione was shocked. He said 'Thanks', he must have changed after the war. He didn't even call me 'mudblood'. People really do change. He's completely mature now, quite unlike Ron and Harry. This year might not be such a disaster now.
"Granger? Are you alright?"
"Huh?"
"You just spaced out on me."
"Oh. I'm fine. I was just thinking about some stuff. Malfoy, I actually think this year will be very productive. Let's put our past behind us and work together to make Hogwarts a better place."
She extended her hand towards him, he tentatively took it and they shook hands.
"Yeah, definitely Granger."
The train suddenly stopped and Hermione was thrown into Malfoy's lap. She turned red and quickly stood up. Draco smirked, "Was that also part of your plan, Granger?"
"Shut up!"
She peered out the window. "Oh, we've arrived! I haven't even put on my uniform," she groaned, "Malfoy, look away; I'm going to get dressed."
"Keep your knickers on; I know a spell that will do that." He pointed his wand at her, before she could object, he cried "Mutare Uniformis!"
Instantly, she was in her robes, her Head Girl badge glinting. She looked down, "Thanks, that's a very handy spell. C'mon, we have to take care of the other students now."