She awoke only hours later to a loud squeal next to her. She looked up and saw that it was Lavender and Parvati's after lunch make up touch up time.
"Did you see his face?" Parvati squeeled.
"Did you hear what he was screaming?" Lavendar asked instead of reply ing.
Both erupted into a fit of giggles that Hermione tried to ignore.
"Seriously though," Parvati said, "The way he blamed Hermione for the whole deal was ridiculous. Yes, she's changed this year, but putting a fidelius on the great hall? That's much even for her."
Hermione bolted up at the sound of her name and almost squealed herself at what they must have been talking about. Draco.
"What happened?" Hermione asked in a would be casual voice, causing the two girls to jump.
Parvati smiled with that smile only major gossipers perfect. "Remember that howler Dumbledore received this morning?" She asked.
"Yes" Hermione said after a dramatic pause, trying to make sure they wouldn't suspect her. So long as Draco knew, there was no reason for the rest of the school to know who did it.
"Well it was apparently someone giving us the location of the great hall for a fidelius charm!" She said, almost bursting.
"Oh my!" Hermione said with fake shock as she snickered within. "But what does that have to do with Draco?"
"Well he wasn't listening or something." Parvati said, rolling her eyes at Hermione's ignorance, "Because he couldn't get in. I wonder where he was. I saw him there this morning."
Lavendar yet again, almost squealed, "Omygosh! You didn't hear? Some Ravenclaw punched him in the face! He must have been out cold!"
Parvati paused thoughtfully, "I think I did hear about that! But I thought it was his best friend who did that. Blaise maybe?"
Lavendar's eyes bulged, "Why do you think he would do that? Probably a lovers quarrel, God knows they've hooked up enough."
Hermione rolled her eyes with an inward smile, knowing that before the end of the day, the whole school would be buzzing about how Draco and Blaise had been in a soap opera style fight until even eye witnesses would swear it was true.
She decided that though moping was always an option, it would make her feel better to see Draco freaking out. She knew that nobody else could possibly let him in or even tell him where the great hall was until she allowed it, which she would do in time. On her own schedule.
She dressed to kill, with her Hogwarts robes half open to reveal a black shirt with a golden belt around the waistline with a short blue dancers skirt with leggings and stilettos.
She made her way toward advanced potions, the final class of the day and incidentally, with Draco. She walked slowly and confidently, enjoying the sound of heels on hard floor. It made her feel confident and feminine, as though nobody could stop her at anything she wanted to do.
She made it to class moments after the bell and sat down at her normal seat in the back of the room by herself.
"Walking in late?" Professor Snape asked as more of a statement than a question.
Hermione choose to answer anyways, "I did." She said with a semi-sweet sound to her voice.
"Well that will be ten points from Gryffindor." He said harshly.
She nodded, accepting her punishment with as much class as she could.
Moments later Draco walked in the classroom. Hermione rolled her eyes fully aware of the fact that nothing would happen to him.
He walked in with a swagger to his step and an easy smile on his face until he saw Hermione.
"You." He growled.
Hermione fought a losing war not to smile or give anything away, "Me?" She asked sweetly.
"You little-"
He was cut off by Severus Snape's lazy voice, "Mr. Malfoy, would you be kind enough to sit down?"
Draco put his head down and sat down, making sure to send a murderous glare in Hermione's direction as he did so.
Hermione spent the rest of the class period taking notes and trying to keep her cool. She decided that a confrontation wouldn't be beneficial at all and decided instead to rush out of the classroom before Draco could find her.
///\\\
That night Hermione and most of the other students left for Winter break. The train ride was boring as Harry and Ron both decided to stay at the school for the holidays, but Hermione kept herself busy imagining all the fun she would have in Paris.
When her parents picked her up, they gave her a huge hug, as per usual, proclaimed their surprise at whatever new magical power they had seen on their trip to platform 9 ¾, and asked her about her year.
This was the part that bugged Hermione the most each holiday, because her parents expected her to tell them every tiny aspect of time in Hogwarts, and most of it, Hermione thought of as private and didn't feel up to telling them.
Instead of going through her war with Malfoy, which had, in fact, been the most important thing she had done, she fabricated stories about swimming in the lake, and picnics on the grounds.
Her parents, as per usual, were fascinated and had no clue that most of what they heard was a complete and total lie.
The plane ride to Paris was uneventful, but Paris was full of events! The streets were busy and filled with interesting people doing interesting things, all hustling and bustling about because they were all so terribly important. Hermione thrived in places like this.
By the time Hermione arrived at the hotel, she already had a list of places she had to visit. This year it would mostly be shopping and social visits as the last few times she had been there she studied the magical and muggle history.
Upon arrival, her mother got out to get the room keys and handed Hermione her own. "Hermione dear, what are your plans for the holiday?" She asked with interest.
"I think I'd like to go shopping, do the social thing this year."
Mrs. Granger Squealed with delight. Her daughter was finally taking after her mother!
Mrs. Candy Granger was a beautiful woman. Tall and thin with enough money to dress herself in anything she chose, she was, in the world of fashion, considered a knockout.
She was well married to Mr. Phillip Granger, who was a rich businessman, owning over a hundred dental clinics, and was both interested in the familial and business aspects of the life he made for himself.
Both loved their darling daughter and supported her completely, but neither, for the life of themselves could understand the girl. She was always so interested in books and studying!
"Well I'll be out and about throughout the week, if you'd like to, you can join me," She said, knowing full well that her daughter would not choose to, "But I can definitely give you money. Do as you wish, and don't do anything I wouldn't!" She said as she handed Hermione one of her many platinum credit cards.
Hermione smiled sweetly and nodded. "Of course mommy! I'll see you around!" She said as she walked happily toward her room. Knowing full well that she wouldn't see her mother or father often during this trip, Hermione was ready to go.
She brought her many bags into her luxurious room, most having been brought by her parents. She opened one, looking for an acceptable outfit for today's excursion. It was always a mystery and adventure to see what her mother had bought her for this years vacation, and she was not disappointed.
She searched through the expensive and beautiful clothes until she found a short sleeved, form fitting, loosely crocheted top that she chose to wear over a black camisole with skinny jeans and stilettos.
She grabbed a simple black Prada bag and inserted her wand, hotel key, cell phone, (which her mom also had packed for her) and credit card. She walked out toward main street and put her arm up for a cab.
The first thing she chose to do, before any shopping, was get her hair done. The bushy mess was all fine for Hogwarts, as she didn't like people judging her based on appearance, but in Paris looks take you everywhere and Hermione knew she had 'the look' when she tried.
The cab pulled up to a posh beauty salon called "Vontanas" and walked in confidently.
A man in a suit at a podium stopped her.
"Name?" He asked.
"I don't have an appointment" She said, realizing she probably should have made one, "But Hermione Granger"
The man straitened up at the sound of the name. "Granger, you say? I was told to watch for you, Vienna will be out momentarily."
He disappeared into a curtain behind him and came back with a smile on his face. "Right this way."
Hermione followed rolling her eyes. She had been using this salon every time she went to Paris since she was eleven, Vienna was like an aunt to her."
She was greeted warmly by Vienna, a beautiful woman who's accent was just over the top enough to be believable.
"Hermione!" Vienna said as she hugged the girl, "Why, oh WHY can't you just use the solutions I give you? You have such beautiful hair but this is ridiculous!"
Hermione fingered her hair, "You know I don't like people at my school to see me like this! I want them to accept me for who I am, not my hair!"
"Who you are? Pft!" Vienna said disgustedly, "Who you are is a beautiful girl who hides it from the world! That is what you are!"
Hermione smiled patronizingly, "Well maybe this year I'll try to keep up appearances" She said, even though they both knew it was a lie.
This was the best Vienna could hope for and she began to work the hair.
An hour and a half later, Hermione looked like a new woman. Her hair in curly ringlets that fell easily from her up do were refined but casual, and her skin glowed from a new facial. Makeup was applied modestly but without much need as her face was so beautiful without it.
She looked in the mirror, touched her hair, and smiled. It was always fun to see herself looking like this and imagining what the kids at Hogwarts would say if they did. They never would, but it sure would be amusing.
She walked out of the salon, bag full of hair and facial supplies in tow, and waved another cab down. She considered shopping tonight, but noticed it was getting dark and decided that unpacking her room would be a better solution.
Once back at the hotel, Hermione took a moment to take in the environment. It was ritzy and classy. She knew that it was most likely filled with businessmen not appreciating the environment but that wouldn't stop her.
She smiled to herself as she made her way up to her room and looked through her things. Once again her mother had managed to pack an entirely new wardrobe for her, most of which she would never wear.
After becoming fully unpacked, She put on her pajamas and went to sleep. This vacation would be fun. She wouldn't allow anything else.
So there it isThere should be around 2 more chapters of winter vacation
Yes, she's rich
Yes, that's overdone in fanficdom
But no, she's not rich for the sake of it, there's an actual plot D)
Draco comes next chapter!
(sorry he wasn't in this one, I just needed my Jaclyn and Hermione time.)
Maybe I'll do an only Draco chapter after break.
REVIEW!
+ happy homecoming if it's yours too! Dance is Saturday, tres exciting