You're on my turf now

Hermione finally gathered up enough courage to tell Harry she likes him, but Ginny beats her to it! But when Salem Academy for Wizards and Witches in America starts up a foreign exchange student program with Hogwarts, Hermione has a new chance.

I don't own Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Draco, or basically anyone that J.K. Rowling owns. Everything else is mine!

Oh, and this is pre-6th book. SO yeah, the 6th book never happened…….yeah…..

Enjoy guys!

(Spiffy divider thingy)

Chapter 1: Shattered Possibilities

A nearly sixteen-year-old Hermione rolled out of bed after having spent half the night up doing essays for Snape and McGonagall. School had just started four days prior and they were swamped with homework right away, like usual. And, also like usual, Hermione was the first one awake. Lavender and Parvati were sleeping soundly in their beds, their curtains drawn. Hermione took advantage of the fact that her bathroom-hogging roommates were still asleep and quickly made her way into the shower.

"Let's see what we have here," Hermione said, lazily looking through a cabinet that was filled with Lavender and Parvati's cosmetics and toiletries. Hermione did have her own stuff, but she had more fun using their stuff. It somehow made her feel pretty, just like they were. "Here's a new one. 'Madame Vicky's Hair Sleeking Shampoo and Conditioner: the perfect line of hair care products for girls with stubborn hair. Guaranteed results or we'll refund every sickle.' So that's how Parvati get's her hair so nice," Hermione muttered. She took the blue and pink bottles and let them work their magic. When she got out of the shower, she began to brush her hair and noticed that it wasn't the same hassle it always was. It actually let her brush move through without getting caught once.

"Hermione, are you done in there yet?" Parvati's voice asked from outside the door, obviously still tired.

"Sorry Parvati, I'm going," Hermione quickly responded, gathering her things and leaving the bathroom.

"Your hair looks different," Lavender said, stretching beside her bed and looking at Hermione.

"You used my shampoo!" Parvati quickly accused, although she hardly seemed angry.

"I'm sorry," Hermione muttered. She was used to getting yelled at and pushed around by her roommates, so Parvati's tone confused her.

"Don't be. It works great on you. After I'm out of the shower, I'll show you a fun way to style it," Parvati promised.

"Why?" Hermione asked, completely confused.

"Parvati and I got to talking over the summer and decided that it's high time we give you a make over!" Lavender said.

"Yeah! We're sick of seeing you just walk around this castle looking like you don't care what you look like. And trust us, we know you do. You looked so perfect at the Yule Ball in 4th year and we decided that we'd dedicate ourselves to making you look that perfect every day," Parvati said.

"That's so nice of you girls," Hermione said cautiously.

"It's our pleasure. We want to be beauticians and we need someone to test out our skills on," Parvati said simply.

"But you're witches," Hermione reminded them. She couldn't believe that they wanted such a Muggle job.

"We're going to open a beauty salon in Hogsmead when we're older. Trust us, magic will be involved," Lavender said.

True to Parvati's word, as soon as she got out of the shower (and of course did her own hair and make-up) she came out to help Hermione out while Lavender showered. She made Hermione sit down and used magic to quickly finish drying Hermione's hair and then pulled out all of her hair products. She first pulled her brush through Hermione's now shiny, smooth golden brown hair to keep any knots from forming. She then pulled it back in a ponytail and put some cute little clips here and there, the clips covered in glitter and shaped like butterflies. She then pulled a straightener through her hair, the color of her hair even more shining. Finally, she curled the bottom under and admired her work.

"Perfect," Parvati said.

"It looks really good. Thanks Parvati," Hermione said, looking in the mirror and reaching up to touch her hair. She couldn't believe it was hers.

"Is she ready for me now?" Lavender asked, leaning against the opposite wall.

"Go for it," Parvati said, walking away from Hermione.

"Wait, what is she going to do?" Hermione asked as Lavender was approaching her.

"Your make-up of course. Jeez, for a prefect, you're not very smart," Lavender said, setting her make-up bag on their shared vanity and pulling up the other chair to sit in front of Hermione.

"What? I remember agreeing to getting my hair done, but my face—"

"I promise I'll do it softly. You act like I'll make you look like a whore or something. I don't even do my make-up dark," Lavender said. It was true, too. She had on some light blush, gold eye-shadow to bring out her brown eyes, black eyeliner that just grazed her lower and upper eyelids, mascara, and light pink lip-gloss. Parvati looked the same; expect her eye-shadow was light green. "Look, you can trust me! I'll make you look very natural. Men love it natural."

"Alright, I'll trust you," Hermione said.

Ten minutes later, Lavender was done. She had applied some perfectly matched cover-up to help hide some of Hermione's blemishes and blackheads, a light peach blush on her cheeks. For her eyes, she applied brown eyeliner and dark brown mascara, the same gold eye-shadow on her eyes. The last thing she applied was peach lip-gloss, which completed Hermione's whole look.

"Perfect!" Lavender said.

"Absolutely lovely," Parvati added.

"She looks just like how I wanted her to look," Lavender said.

Hermione turned around and looked into the mirror. She gasped. She could hardly recognize herself. "I can hardly tell it's me! I mean, I know it is, but it's hard to tell."

"We were kind of going for that," Parvati admitted.

"You said you'd make me look natural!" Hermione said.

"We did! This is what you would look like if you were to do your make-up naturally and do you hair. I will admit that we spiced you up a bit, just to add to the shock of everyone seeing you like this for the first time, but it's necessary. After all, how else can you get Harry's attention if you don't stand out?" Lavender asked.

"What?" Hermione nearly yelled.

"Oh, calm down! We know all about your secret affections for him. But don't worry, we won't tell anyone. Now go on down there and wow him," Parvati said. Hermione nodded and got up, leaving the dorm.

"I'm proud of our work," Lavender said with a smile.

"We did great. Now let's go see the reaction," Parvati said. The two giggled and quickly made their way out of their room to see what would happen.

"Where is she?" Harry asked, standing at the portal with Ron.

"Probably doing homework," Ron replied angrily. He was hungry and he hated Harry for making them wait for Hermione to come. He turned towards the stairs and gasped. "Whoa. Do we have a new student or something?" Ron asked.

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, turning towards the stairs. He gasped as he watched a beautiful woman walking down the stairs. Her legs were long and smooth, her skirt hovering perfectly around her legs. Her robes were open, her sweater vest clinging perfectly to her curves. She had the face of an angel, no, a goddess, and her hair shone in the light of the Common Room.

"Are you boys going to gawk all day or do I have to eat breakfast alone?" Hermione asked when she reached the bottom on the stairs. They gasped.

"Sorry miss, we're just waiting for our friend Hermione. Maybe you've seen her. She has bushy brown hair, chocolate eyes just like yours, and looks about fifteen," Harry said when Ron failed to say anything. He was too busy 'gawking' as Hermione had put it.

"You two are so dumb! First of all, I AM fifteen, nearly sixteen! Also, how can you not tell who I am when we've known each other five years just the other day?" Hermione snapped with her hands on her hips and a familiar look of annoyance crossing over her lovely features.

"Hermione?" They both shouted.

"Good job. Now let's go," Hermione said, walking past the boys and through the portal. They followed dumbly behind.

"I don't mean this in a bad way, but what happened?" Ron asked.

"Lavender and Parvati decided to give me a makeover. Why, do I really look that awful? I knew the make-up was too much!" Hermione said, stopping to check herself out in a window.

"You look amazing," Harry said.

"Wow, is that you Hermione?" Ginny's voice said from behind. Hermione stopped and turned around.

Ginny had grown up over the summer more then anyone had expected her to. She suddenly grew in height and curves, her robes from the year before tight on her. Her legs were long and creamy colored, making most boys stop to stare at her as she walked past. Her face seemed to refuse to let go of her freckles, but she made them look elegant and dignified with the way she applied her make-up. Her flaming hair had grown to her waist and framed her new, grown-up body like a halo. She looked gorgeous, but Hermione was still prettier.

"Of course," Hermione replied.

"You look great," Ginny said. She slid between Ron and Harry; Hermione on Harry's other side.

"Thanks. So do you," Hermione replied like the big-sister she considered herself to be. She and Ginny had always been close and they treated each other like the sister neither had.

"Hey Harry," Ginny said, looking up at Harry through her thick lashes. There was a light blush on Ginny's cheeks, much like the one that Hermione had on her own cheeks when she was around Harry. Hermione took notice to this.

"Hi Ginny," Harry replied simply, looking down at Ginny. He was blushing too. Hermione gasped quietly. She felt like crying right then and there.

"You okay Hermione?" Ron asked, looking over to see the hurt look in Hermione's eyes.

"I'm fine. I think this eyeliner is irritating me a bit," Hermione lied quickly. She brushed away a surfacing tear and smiled at them. They all entered the Great Hall and sat down in their usual seats.

"One more year," Ron muttered as they ate breakfast. His tone was a mixture of happiness and depression.

"Hey Harry, can I talk to you?" Ginny asked halfway through breakfast.

"Sure thing, Gin. What's up?" Harry asked, turning his attention to the 5th year at his side.

"I meant in private. It's sort of a private matter," Ginny said, blushing.

"If it's that private, wouldn't you rather talk to me?" Hermione asked, hoping that Ginny wasn't going to do what Hermione thought she was going to do. She prayed that it was anything but what Hermione had wanted to do all morning: ask Harry out.

"No offense Hermione, but I don't think you can help me with that," Ginny said, almost cruelly.

"We'll be right back guys," Harry decided. He helped Ginny off the bench and they had their way to a secluded corner of the Great Hall.

"I wonder what she wants to talk to him about. I mean, what could she possibly not tell us," Ron said, watching then walk away.

"I bet I know," Hermione said, her tears coming up again. She shook them away and tried to focus her attention on her food.

"Where did they go?" Ron asked two seconds later. Hermione looked up to find them gone. She scanned the Great Hall for any sign of their friends and found none.

"Maybe Ginny needed help with a spell and Harry couldn't demonstrate in here," Hermione replied quickly.

"Harry still wants to go on with the DA?" Ron asked. Hermione shrugged.

After a few agonizing minutes, Hermione saw Harry and Ginny approaching the table. To her horror, their fingers were laced and they were both blushing and smiling like crazy.

"Oh my God! Ginny, you snagged him?" a fifth year girl asked excitedly when her friend passed her.

"Turns out, the feelings were mutual," Ginny replied. All her friends squealed in happiness and Harry laughed.

"Harry and Ginny are going out?" Lavender asked from a few spots away from Hermione. Hermione looked up at her sadly and Lavender stared back sympathetically. 'I'm sorry,' she mouthed.

'You tried. Thanks anyways,' Hermione mouthed back. Parvati and Lavender sighed sadly as they watched Harry and Ginny approach.

"We wanted you guys to know first since you're our best friends, but new spreads here faster then anyone can Apparate," Ginny said.

"I can't believe it! My baby sister and my best friend," Ron said. He looked angry for a moment then broke out in a smile. "I can't think of anyone better for my Ginny then Harry. Congratulations guys," Ron said, leaning across the table to hug them.

"This is quite the surprise guys. I thought you were over him, Ginny," Hermione said, trying to mask her extreme sadness.

"I never did! I just tried going out with those other guys to see if they were any better. But Harry's the one for me," Ginny replied happily, looking up at Harry dreamily.

"Congrats guys," Hermione said, getting up and hugging them both, Ginny's hug short and Harry's lingering. She then swung her legs around and went to leave the Great Hall. She had to get away from them.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked.

"I need to grab my essay for Snape. Lavender wanted to see it," Hermione lied smoothly.

"Hurry back. We have Transfigurations this morning and you know how McGonagall can be," Harry advised.

"Sure," Hermione said, not turning around as she continued to walk. When she exited the Great Hall, she leaned against the wall and began to cry into her knees. "Why?" she repeated as she cried.

"Hermione?" a concerned, male voice asked. Hermione looked up hopefully, thinking it was Harry, but wasn't disappointed to see that it was Zander McKell, a very attractive 7th year in Gryffindor. He was like a sandy blonde version of Harry, which added to his attractiveness so much.

"Yeah?" Hermione asked, wiping her tears away in shame.

"Are you okay? I mean, you're obviously not okay since you're crying in a corridor, but what I meant was is there anything I can do for you?" Zander asked, scratching the back of his head and laughing nervously. Hermione laughed at him as he stumbled over his words.

"You already did enough by making me laugh," Hermione said. She smiled up at him. "Thanks."

"Of course," Zander replied. He held out his hand and Hermione accepted it, Zander pulling her up off the cold stone. They stood in the corridor, Hermione's hand still in his. They were standing mere inches from one another, Hermione looking up into Zander's beautiful blue green eyes.

"Why are you suddenly talking to me?" Hermione asked him, searching his eyes for an answer.

"It's not because you're suddenly this gorgeous woman, if that's what you're thinking. I mean, I won't lie to you, you're hot. But I noticed you back when you were in your fourth year at the Yule Ball and have been trying to talk to you ever since," Zander said.

"You tried to talk to me? I didn't even know you knew I existed," Hermione said.

"You noticed me?" Zander asked, sounding surprised.

"Of course I did. You're only the most gorgeous seventh year ever," Hermione blurted out. She gasped and shut her mouth. She had no idea where all of this newfound confidence was coming from. Maybe there was something weird in Parvati's shampoo…

"Well, since we're both so gorgeous, we'd make the perfect couple, wouldn't we?" Zander said with a laugh.

"If that wasn't the worst pickup line I've ever heard," Hermione said with a laugh. Zander stopped laughing and looked seriously down into Hermione's eyes.

"So how about we try this? We can spend all weekend getting to know each other so that this isn't so awkward. So, what do you think?" Zander offered.

Hermione thought about it for a minute. She wanted Harry to be the one talking to her right then, but she also knew that wasn't possible. He was with Ginny. He broke her heart. She had no chance since Ginny had shattered any possibility Hermione ever had to be with him. She knew of only one answer to give to Zander. "Of course," she said with a pleased smile.

"I'm glad," Zander said. "Now let's go back into there and parade ourselves about. We can make all of Hogwarts forget about the new Potter and Weasley couple."

"Sounds perfect," Hermione said. Zander slipped his arm around her waist and they walked back into the Great Hall, everyone taking quick notice of this new formed couple. They happily walked between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, everyone gaping in surprise.

"Is that Granger and McKell?" a Ravenclaw girl asked her friend.

"I think so," her friend replied in surprise.

"Wow, they're perfect together," a Hufflepuff girl said.

"And I thought Potter and the Weasley girl were the greatest couple ever," a Gryffindor girl said.

"Hermione?" Harry asked in surprise as the new couple approached Hermione's friends.

"Oh, hey Harry. I'm sure you've met my new boyfriend, Zander, right?" Hermione asked, placing her hand on Zander's chest to indicate to him.

"Since when are you two going out?" Harry asked, sounding almost angry.

"Who cares? They're adorable. Congratulations Herm. I'm so happy for you," Ginny said, hugging Hermione. Hermione hugged her back and then hugged Harry.

"Take care of my—our Hermione," Harry said to Zander.

"I promise," Zander replied.

"Jesus! Everyone is getting into a relationship today. I feel so left out!" Ron said.

"Oh shut up, Ron," Lavender said with a laugh, kissing Ron's cheek. Ron flared up like his hair.

"We should get to our classes guys," Hermione said, glancing at the clock hanging by the professors table. "By Zander," Hermione said when Zander walked away, knowing that Hermione would be uncomfortable with kissing her on the cheek.

"So, where did he randomly come from?" Harry asked as they walked to Transfigurations.

"Why?" Hermione asked almost coldly.

"You're not the type to randomly date someone. What's going on?" Harry asked.

"Am I not allowed to be someone's girlfriend when they ask?" Hermione snapped back.

"I'm not saying that!" Harry said in his defense.

"Then what are you saying?" Hermione asked, turning and looking at Harry.

"I don't know," Harry replied, walking past her.

"That boy is so confusing!" Hermione said in frustration.

"Chill out, Hermione. You may have lost your man, but you gained the hottest guy in school. Forget about Harry and focus on Zander," Parvati said. For once, she was unaccompanied by Lavender. But Lavender was walking with her new boyfriend, Ron, which was to be expected.

"How can I just forget about him?" Hermione asked in a whisper, looking at Harry as he walked away.

"Just try sweetie. Now come on," Parvati said, pulling Hermione on. And Hermione tried just as her new friend advised.

-End of chapter!

Jeez! That was SO long! It was ten pages on word! That's long, my friends. Very long! Well, please review! Thank you!

-Serenity