Author's Note: I just wanted to introduce this story. I've always liked Cormac, no matter what anyone says about him. I got to thinking, and out came this fan fic! This is just a prologue, so don't sue me for the shortness. If you can determine that in this short amount of text that you like my style, check out my other story, a Disney fan fic called "The Disneyland Tales". Also, check out my profile to vote on what story I should write a fan fic on next. Thanks a lot for reading! Even if you don't review (which would really make my day, even if it was just a few words. I just ask that there's no profanity and only encouragement or constructive criticism), I really appreciate you reading!

Summertimes in the wizarding world were pleasant. They were dry (well, dry for England) and well-temperatured. People were in a good mood. The businesses in Diagon Alley always sold well to the students who were home from school.

The particular spot that was known for being the "hang out place for the summer" was Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. It was new. It was owned by youngsters and made for youngsters alike. The things they sold there were fun to look at and exciting to try. The colors of the tall building were irresistable to the eye, inside and out. There was always something going on inside its doors.

It was the end of the summer. Teenagers were starting to get sick of their summer sweethearts, while others were now looking for someone to spend the school year with. But none of this crossed Cormac McLaggen's mind as he strolled into the store nonchalantly with his hands in his pockets.

Cormac hadn't had a girlfriend for a while now. He went through a tough time last year, and as a result, went through a period in which he couldn't bear the thought of not having a girlfriend. Cormac got through that year and moved on, and joined again with his old way of life.

He came into the Weasley's shop this morning with his best friend, Corey Cunningham. Corey was a bit different than Cormac.

Corey couldn't stand to be out of a relationship. He was addicted to his social life. If he missed a party, the person who threw it was sure to hear from him (and not nicely). Party boy as he was, he was Cormac's best friend.

Between Cormac's history from last year and being friends with Corey, Cormac's reputation preceeded him about everywhere he went. Reputations don't always tell the truth.

That's why, that day, as McLaggen entered the shop, the eyes of most of the single girls were immediately glued to him. He didn't seem to notice. He greeted his friends that he had not seen since the end of the last year at Hogwarts as he searched the store's merchandise.

Hermione Granger had her mind in the same place as Cormac McLaggen. She was simply enjoying the summer, free from what she considered the "bondage" of a relationship. She would listen patiently to Ginny as she shared some romantic thing that Dean had done for her recently.

She had just began to realize that she had feelings for Ron Weasley. She didn't know why, she didn't know when it had started, but suddenly she was aware that calling him "friend" didn't seem to fit anymore. Hermione wandered around the store with Ginny, both looking in awe at the things Fred and George had come up with.

A pink, fuzzy, bubbly stand caught her attention. As she and Ginny invesigated, she learned that they were love potions.

And maybe that's when Cormac noticed her. Sure, he had seen Hermione Granger before. She was mentioned everywhere. One second, she was being rewarded for some scholarly achievement, and other days she was getting in trouble with Potter and Weasley.

But today, she just seemed... different. Her eyes were happy. Her hair wasn't like it used to be, all bushy and huge. Today, it seemed, he saw her as a woman. When she smiled, her brown eyes sparkled. Sometimes, she would throw her head back with laughter. She was kind, and smart and graceful. Not that Cormac knew that much about her, other than what he had heard from others.

He caught himself staring up at her, but realized that she was looking back at him. He smiled shyly up at her, which made her look nervously back to the love potions. Whether this was a good thing or not, Cormac couldn't tell. But he knew that the next year of school would, for both him and Hermione, be different.