A Change Is Coming

There was a change in the air. Not known yet whether it was for better or good. But yes, it was definitely there. Pausing to absorb the view before her, a slight smile played on the corner of her lips, and locks of curls tickled her cheekbones. Hermione looked out upon the straw fields, the sun just-about rising to kiss them good morning. The feel of change was now lost with the wind, so she slid from a hay bail, and walked back to the burrow, smiling as she went.

Clapping of saucers and pans soon welcomed her as she neared the kitchen, Mrs Weasley readying herself for the busy morning to come. Sliding into one of the many mis-matched rickety chairs, she rested her head on her hand, bracing herself for the thunder of the stairs that would soon disrupt her quiet time. Like she'd anticipated, the thunder came. The rushing of red heads raced to the table, it was well known a Weasley boy would never miss a meal.

Soon to follow the only black haired boy in the house, infact the only boy in the house who's hair wasn't of a fire like orange. Ginny sat next to Hermione, greeting her with a tired smile. Hermione couldn't help but analyse her features, she had grown so beautiful. Not that she ever wasn't before, but she just seemed to have grown into her features.

Slender arched eyebrows complimented her light honey-brown eyes. A small splash of freckles lay on her straight nose, and always-smiling pink lips hid beautifully straight teeth. It's no wonder Harry gawked at her the way he did, luckily though, it seemed that only she, and Mrs Weasley had noticed. Ron's orange hair wasn't the only reason why Ginny called him a hot-head. But yes Harry was looking at her.

She sighed slightly, she wasn't jealous, Harry was of course only her best friend. She just wished someone would stare at her that way. Still, diverting her attention back to the table, she didn't even bother trying to understand the so called 'conversation'. No human words could be made out with the Weasley boys mouth so full of food.

Clambering back up the many staircases, she and Ginny headed to Ginny's room. To think, they would be bordering the Hogwarts Express this time tomorrow. She couldn't help but smile with absolute glee.

"So"

Hermione looked around to see Ginny looking at her with a raised brow.

"So….?" Hermione repeated.

"Awww Hermione" she whined, "Show me pleeeeeease". She did her best to pout her lips, and batter her lashes but still Hermione gave in because she desperately wanted to share the joy with someone.

"Okay" she smiled. And from deep in her pocket, she withdrew a shiny new Head Girl badge. It had a bold 'HG' lettering, and a lion danced in the background, his mane big with pride.

"It's beautiful, suits you just fine" she complimented.

"Thanks, I am a bit worried though,"

"Why?, Hermione, you're the smartest witch of our age? What on earth could you be worried about?!"

"Well have you spoken to Harry?", Ginny gave her a quizzical look, "Well, it's just neither him nor Ron have made HeadBoy, so, I mean" she'd started to stammer. Who was head boy?! She screamed in her head. "I have to share dorms with them! What if he's horrible?"

"He might be from Gryffindor?"

"He might be from Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or better yet still Slytherin!". At this Ginny's mouth drew a line, she was admittedly thinking the same thing. Yet as came her unpredictability, came a smile.

"Ya never know", she cooed, "He might be cute", she teased, waggling her eyebrows and jabbing Hermione playfully in the stomach. Hermione couldn't help but a crack a smile, always trust a Weasley to lighten the mood.

They continued to pack, Ginny's room was a disarray, so it made it harder on her part. Hermione however, organised as usual, was already packed and had been for about four days. They spent the better part of the day looking for hidden textbooks and everyday wizarding equipment, when a knock came at the door. It was Harry. They knew before he shyly opened the door, Hermione gave Ginny a cheeky smile, and left right on cue. Her curls bounced as she made her way downstairs, humming to herself as she went. "Excited dear?" Mrs Weasley asked warmly.

"Very" she beamed in reply. Mrs Weasley, so full of maternal love, she felt her heart swell with pride. Hermione was just extended family to her, another daughter, just as Harry was another son. Admittedly, a more behaved son that didn't swear, but a son all the same.

The day had finished as quickly as it had come, and everyone talked sleepily around the table, full with Roast dinner and apple crumble with custard. Mrs Weasley really was a divine cook. As everyone filed one by one to bed, Ginny left with Hermione, but not before she tenderly stroked Harry's back muttering a quick "I love you" under her breath.

Lying in bed, the two as close as sisters, giggled and chatted like girls do, but Ginny noticed a slight longing in Hermione's eyes. "What's wrong?". She thought about lying, but honestly, to lie to Molly Weasley's daughter would be most unwise.

"It's just, you know, I see you and Harry, and I think of me and Viktor" she sighed. Ginny knew all to well what he meant. "I mean, obviously I didn't love Victor the way you two do each other, but it was just nice to have someone who liked you, and after Ron, I just don't know". She finished with her mouth tugging towards a frown.

"Hermione, you are beautiful", Hermione rolled her eyes at the statement, "You are! Your clever, pretty, talented, someone else will catch on, someone who you'll love back, and when that happens you'll think, oh yea Ginny was right",. Ginny cracked a smile, and so did Hermione. Like her mum, Ginny was a talker, able to release the worries of another. "Now come one, lets get to sleep, then when we wake up we'll be making our way to Hogwarts and to your Mr. Right". It was so cheesy, they closed their eyes giggling. But Hermione's smile soon vanished, they didn't seem to stay on for long anymore. She knew she wasn't bad looking, but she wasn't special. She had frizzy hair, eyes to big for her face and she didn't really fit in. She mentally slapped herself at the last thought. She loved her parents it was neither theirs or her fault, so what if she was a muggle born? Viktor liked her and he the best seeker in the world. But why can't she just like someone back? Sleep soon took all relentless thoughts, as her breathing slowed and body relaxed.

A whistle filled the air signalling the last people to board the train. Each kissing Mr and Mrs Weasley, Ginny and Hermione stepped onto the train trying to find Harry and Ron's compartment. However, when walking, Hermione's (one of many) bag split open, textbooks spilling to the floor. Ginny laughed heartily and Hermione cracked a smile. "Go on, don't wait up, just leave the compartment door open and I'll soon find it".

"Okay then", Ginny turned and took Hermione's main suitcase with her. Silently thanking her, Hermione did a minimising spell, so she could fit the textbooks in her pocket, aswell as the case they were formally being carried in. With the chorus of banter and laughter in the air, Hermione was startled when a sneer greeted her hair. "That's it, bend over Granger".

She whirled around, and who else would it be other than Draco Malfoy. She quickly evaluated his appearance, he was alone, but intimidating non the less. She wouldn't let him know it mind. She just tilted her chin up and retorted "Malfoy, what did you do this summer? Try to get rid of any tattoo's on the forearm?". His eyes flashed, and malice swept over his features. He pointed his wand sharply into her stomach and edged her back against the window. She clutched the wand in her back jeans pocket, but couldn't get it out as he had her back tight against the window.

"You ought to be careful of how you run your mouth mud blood" he spat in her ear, "this year you'll need to watch your back", he hissed violently, his fists shaking with anger. And yet he was able to lightly trace a capable finger over her collarbone. "Infact" looking her up and down, "better watch your front too", sneering he turned away, sliding into a compartment only two doors down. Her breath had been caught in her throat, never had she seen him like that. The look he gave her made her feel dirty, want to hide her body. Every year he had threatened her, but this year there was something different behind the smirk, a danger. A change.