Sorry for being a few days late. I was planning on posting chapter two a few days early because I was in a great mood but that plan was effectivly ruined. On Monday morning I fell down the stairs in my house and ripped a few ligaments in my ankle. So I have been out of comission this whole past week. With having to go to work every day and hobbling across campus on crutches...in the rain, I have been wiped out every day when I get home and all I want to do is take a nap.

Well, since I have finished most of my homework and my foot is slowly on the mend...I don't need crutches anymore...I think that it is time for me to post the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it because it was one of the chapters that I had the most fun writing. You will be privy to a few people that will play a bigger part later on.

Thank you for being paitent, and as always...please review...I like to know what you guys think and I just might make some changes if your ideas can work into the story.

Staci

Chapter 2

As the train rolled to a lurching stop, Hermione shoved her magazine back into her gigantic Coach bag and pulled her stuff from the luggage racks overhead. As her biggest suitcase came crashing to the floor at her feet, Luna reappeared in the compartment. "Gosh Hermione, have you been by yourself this whole time?"

"Where else would I be? And where did you guys go anyway?"

"Ginny went off with Lavender about a half hour after you fell asleep; Dean pulled Ron out to show him something…I still don't know why that took so long. I had a meeting with Professor Bancroft about possibly overloading into one of his World History classes; and you know Harry, he was off with Kendra. Does it bother you as much as it bothers me that she is only after him for his name?" Luna concluded as she pulled her bags out of the rack above.

"Not as much as it bothers me that he doesn't seem to care. I just don't understand why she is an exception."

"Because she's gorgeous," Ron said coming into the compartment, and was greeted by a raised eyebrow from Luna. "But not nearly as gorgeous as you sweets," he added to Luna.

"Are you really telling me that Harry is that shallow?" Hermione tossed at Ron. "That is just sad."

"I think if you are dating someone that hot, you let them do whatever they want," he replied ducking out of the compartment, just missing Luna's swing. "Sorry babe, but its true." Luna just rolled her eyes and motioned for Hermione to follow her out of the compartment and off the train.

As the two girls jumped down Luna turned back to Hermione and said, "I forgot to ask you Hermione, I love your straight hair…what did you find to finally fix it? I know you have been searching for something for at least three years."

It was the second time that day that Hermione had to evade a situation. This one was going at least going to be easier then the last. When Hermione started her career, her hair stylist used one of the most expensive straightening solutions on her head that was available. Straight hair was better for her image. But every time Hermione would go back to school, she would leave the straightener behind because of how expensive it was. But as Hermione was leaving the show last night, her stylist presented her with enough of the solution to last her until the start of the next summer.

"Oh, I found this great muggle hair product over the summer. I swear, it works miracles," She replied to Luna as they hoisted themselves up into one of the carriages.

"Well, your hair looks amazing, and I really love the new color. The blonde mixed with the brown really brings out the green in your eyes."

"Thanks Luna," Hermione said and proceeded to ask her about her summer. Luna then launched into a story about how she went on a hunt in Israel with her father as they searched for the ever elusive Long Eared Malforke. Hermione laughed and smiled the entire way up to the castle listening to how much fun Luna had had. It made her sad to think that she had to lie to her friends all the time. Maybe Luna would be different. Hermione trusted her enough to know that she wouldn't spread her secrete around. Could she entrust it to Luna? "Not now," She thought as the carriage came to a stop in front of the oaken entry doors.

After the sorting was completed, everyone tucked themselves into the feast that followed. Just as Hermione had known it would be, the sorting lasted for forty five minutes…forty five minutes too long in her mind. Each house had gained fifty new kids and all of them had a look of happiness mixed with complete fear on their faces. "Thanks Mom, I really needed to be here for this," Hermione thought to herself as her head lolled up and down as she tried to keep herself awake.

As she sat there in her seat trying to stay conscious, Harry appeared next to her. "Thanks for saving me a seat Mione, you're the best."

Just as her head fell all the way forward, Hermione jolted awake with a sharp intake of air. "Huh?"

"What's with you, why are you falling asleep," Harry asked with a mixture of more amusement than concern.

"I didn't get home until five this morning. I'm running on very little sleep right now Harry," She said with a yawn. "Did you have fun with Kendra?"

"Oh, you bet I did," he replied with a wink making Hermione blush with uncomfortable embarrassment. She turned away from him then and proceeded to pick at her food. Didn't he know the effect he had on her? He was always so open and sometimes vulgar with the things he said. And Hermione found it oddly attractive.

Once the feast had ended, everyone made their way out of the great hall to the comfort and warmth of their beds. Hermione dragged her feet as she followed Ron and Luna out of the hall. Normally the sight of them holding hands would make her wish she had someone of her own, but Hermione was too tired to care at the moment.

Trudging her way through the portrait hole and up the stairs, Hermione collapsed in her bed and instantly fell asleep. The ruckus of her dorm mates couldn't even keep her up.

The sun rose bright that Sunday morning. As it poked its warning rays over the mountains, Hermione stretched and then promptly rolled over onto her stomach. Opening her eyes she noticed that she was the only occupant in the large room. Throwing back her bedspread, Hermione pulled herself over her windowsill and climbed out onto the balcony. At nine in the morning the temperature was already high, and most of the students were out on the grounds enjoying the last day of summer before trudging back into the ever boredom that is schoolwork. Hermione saw a group of first years playing a game of tag, a big group of people reading and laughing under the beach tree, and a group of five sixth year girls in swimsuits sunning themselves on the lakeshore.

Hermione climbed back into her room and was greeted by a roll of parchment lying on her pillow. Unfurling it she read,

Dear Hermione,

A bunch of us went into the village this morning to spend the day. Sorry I didn't wake you but I knew how exhausted you were last night and I just didn't want Ginny to wake you. If you are not doing anything today you should pop over. We will be eating at that new place, Shooters, around noon if you want to join us. I hope you come Hermione, you seemed kind of sad yesterday on the train and I was hoping that this outing might cheer you up a little. See you soon…maybe.

Love Luna

After tossing the parchment back on her bed, Hermione padded her way over to the bathroom and hopped into the shower. As the warm water pulsed on her skin, Hermione felt rejuvenated. Somehow, all the unhappiness she felt yesterday just fell away. She stepped out of the shower and covering herself with one of her plush towels, Hermione squeezed a dollop of toothpaste on her brush. After getting dressed in a pair of jeans and a flouncy blue pinstripe strapless top, Hermione reentered the bathroom where she did the hair and makeup thing.

Finding another piece of parchment on her pillow told her that the Headmistress requested a meeting with her. Tossing both letters into the waste basket on her way out, Hermione marched her Lacoste clad backside down the stairs and through the common room. Just before pulling open the portrait hole someone called out to her, "Hey Mione, what are you up to sweets?"

Hermione knew that slow baritone drawl. She turned back and replied, "Hi Harry, I didn't see you there."

"I like to hide," he said making her smile, "do you want to do something today? Kendra went off somewhere before I got up and Ron is God only knows where. I'm bored."

"I would love to do something Harry, but I have a meeting with McGonagall, then I am meeting some people down in the village, sorry. You could meet us down there I suppose; we're eating lunch at Shooters around noon," Hermione replied in an aloof voice as she climbed out into the hallway, leaving Harry to stare at the little alligator swinging seductively on her back pocket.

This had never happened to him before. He was turned down, and the worst part about it all was that he was turned down by Hermione. Harry could always count on her to be there when he needed her. Why didn't she want to spend time with him? "She normally drops everything when I want to spend time with her," Harry thought to himself. And the way she said, You could meet us down there I suppose, just didn't sit well with him. It almost sounded like she didn't want him to join her down in the village. But that is just crazy talk. "Of course she wants me to come down there. Why wouldn't she?" Harry thought to himself as he made his way down to the Great Hall to eat breakfast.

Ever since Harry had started seeing Kendra, he had adopted a smugness that couldn't be shaken. It wasn't overpowering like Malfoy. It was more subtle, and that almost made it worse. Kendra brought out a side of Harry that his friends didn't appreciate. He almost acted as if he could do no wrong. He also couldn't understand the reason why, when people didn't want to spend time with him. And the worst part of all was how he boasted about his win in the final battle.

Ron and Hermione, being his two best friends were the first to notice this change in his personality. Harry wouldn't hear about it though, when they tried to talk to him about it. And when they tried to explain to him, their grievances towards Kendra, Harry went off on his friends. After telling them to back off, Harry stormed out of the common room, leaving Ron and Hermione in a wake of confusion.

So they let it slide. They knew that Kendra would be gone in a few short months; even Harry wouldn't be able to put up with her demands. But she wasn't gone. Kendra had stayed in Harry's life the entire time; and the longer she stayed, the worse Harry got.

Hermione reached the entrance to McGonagall's office and rasped quickly on the door. A few seconds later, it opened and Hermione stepped over the threshold and took a seat in one of the plush armchairs. Gazing around the room, Hermione admired how McGonagall redecorated the office. This new office wasn't as barren as her old one, yet wasn't as packed full as it had been when Dumbledore occupied it. She was jolted out of her calm when the head mistress cracked into the room. "Ms Granger my dear, I trust you had a wonderful and exciting summer holiday."

"Yes, it was exciting, but exhausting at the same time," she replied and with a quizzical look stated, "I thought apparition wasn't possible within the grounds."

"Oh, I changed that rule once I took office," McGonagall responded brushing the comment aside. "It was always such a hassle having to pop in down in the village and walk all the way back up here."

This was one of the few quirks Professor McGonagall possessed that not many people knew about. She was a stickler for rules, but every once in a while, changed or broke a few to suit her needs. Hermione smirked at the headmistress, but it held so much respect.

"Now my dear," McGonagall said pouring two cups of tea and sliding one over to Hermione while taking a sip out of the other, "Tell me, how many days should I be expecting you to miss classes and be absent from the grounds? Just a ball park figure, I know things can change at the last minute."

"Well, as of right now, the only days that my manager and assistant have informed me about are November 4th, 5th, and 6th. I am almost positive that there will be more and I will be sure to give you plenty of notice. Again I am so grateful that you and the staff are so accommodating for me. I don't expect and don't deserve any extra treatment, but what extra I am given is much appreciated."

"Don't be silly dear," McGonagall replied with a dismissive wave of her hand, "We all have lives outside of this school. We have let plenty of students leave the school grounds for family vacations and such, what you ask is not a problem."

Hermione sat quietly and sipped her tea. She really didn't like tea all that much but she took what was offered to escape all rudeness. She tried to hide her grimace as the liquid slid down her throat, but much to her disappointment, was not hidden well.

"Hermione, please tell me when you don't like something. It will not offend me in the slightest," McGonagall said with a chuckle.

"Thank you…I really hate tea. All flavors, not just this kind. Do you have any juice or something?"

"I think I might just have a jug of orange juice back here," She said rummaging around in the small refrigerator. "Ah, here you are."

'Thank you," Hermione replied taking her newly filled glass off the headmistresses' hands. As Hermione sat there sipping her juice, McGonagall studied her silently. "You must be curious as to know what the status of your studio is, yes."

Hermione replied sheepishly, "Yes I am. I didn't want to bring it up myself; I thought it might be rude."

"Not in the slightest my dear," She said patting Hermione's hand lightly. "Construction began at the beginning of August, and if everything goes according to plan and is on schedule, you should be able to start recording the last half of your new album in one week's time."

"Really, wow! I figured construction wouldn't have started yet. It didn't seem to me to be a very important project for the school to undertake. I'm still shocked that you gave the go ahead to build the thing in the first pace."

"Well, your staff made a generous donation to the school," McGonagall replied with a wink. "But I gave the go ahead simply, and don't let this get out for the consequences will be dire, because you are my favorite. I have always felt that you were like the child I was never lucky enough to be blessed with."

Hermione sat in a stunned silence at this revelation. She had no idea that McGonagall played favorites, let alone that she would be one of them. It touched her to know how important she was to the headmistress. Never had Hermione believed that a teacher would like her as a person, a student maybe, but never a person. And this really moved her.

"I never knew you cared so much. That means a lot to me."

Lightening the moment, McGonagall replied with, "Well, I expect two front row seats for an upcoming show to be on my desk by the end of the week."

Both laughed at this. Looking at the clock on the far wall, McGonagall said, "Gracious, I have kept you too long, you must already have plans for the day. Make the most of today Hermione, because tomorrow classes start bright and early, and I guarantee that they will be as stressful as ever." McGonagall met Hermione at the door and winked at her, letting her know that classes were, in fact not going to be that difficult. "Here is this terms schedule, now scoot!" And Hermione was promptly pressed out of the office and onto the landing.

Shaking her head in response to the headmistresses' humorous dismissal, Hermione trotted down the stairs and along the corridor towards the entrance hall, where she proceeded to push open the oaken doors and step out into the sunlight.

The walk down to the village was a pleasant one. The bright sun beat down on her shoulders making her tan stand out even more. As the breeze buffeted her hair, scents of pine and grapes from the nearby winery filled her. Hermione passed groups of students along the path as she continued on her way. Two groups of boys, one filled with Ravenclaw fifth years and the other Sytherin seventh years, openly stared at her, their glances filled with lust, as she passed by. Once she was out of eyeshot, Hermione smirked to herself. It boosted her self confidence to know that she was desirable to her peers. Maybe she would have prospects after all.

During the first two years of her career, she held onto her normal appearance once she returned to her magical life; bushy hair, pudgy body, and glasses. But over this last tour, Hermione dropped twenty pounds. With this new weight loss, Hermione decided she needed to be new all over. So she ditched the glasses and got contacts, changing her eye color to a bright blue green hue, and kept her hair straight with the solution that her stylist gave her. She didn't make these changes to make herself more attractive to the male population. Hermione made these changes to better herself; becoming more attractive was just a plus.

As she pushed her way into the village, Hermione waved to a group of Huffelpuff girls in her year. As she passed by, Hannah Abbot called out to her, "Your hair looks really great Hermione."

"Thank you," she called back as she pulled open the door to Shooters and crossed into the building.

The restaurant was crowed and boisterous. People of all ages sat on bar stools and at tables that crowed the floor. Old men conversed about the Viscount and the horrid taxes that had been placed on the population, and new first year students twittered about what they would experience this year and how exciting it all would be.

Looking around the room for her friends, Hermione heard Parvati call out to her, "Hermione…over here." Finding her friends clumped together at a corner table, Hermione pushed her way through the crowed room and sat down next to Luna.

"This place is a mad house," She said after falling into her seat. "I had no idea it would be this popular."

"Neither did we," Luna replied pulling her hair back into a knot at the base of her neck. "I mean it opened about three months ago; the food must just be fantastic."

"Well, we do know one thing," Lavender said from across the table, "Rosmerta must be pissed! There were only like two people in there when I passed by on my way over."

The girls dissolved into friendly chatter about nothing and everything in general. Topics broached ranged from summer vacations to possible job opportunities to the great news of abandoning the dress code. When the news of that bombshell was dropped in the annual school letters, all the girls present at the table had reacted the same way; shouting yes really loud and punching the air triumphantly.

About a half hour into the delicious meal, "the girls day" was crashed by none other then Harry Potter. As Hermione looked up from her plate of ribs, Harry caught her eye and pushed his way over through the crowd.

As he approached a chorus of "Hi Harry's" rang out. Leaning over to her, Ginny whispered in her ear, "What is he doing here Hermione? This was supposed to be a day for the girls."

"I'm sorry Ginny. He bombarded me on my way out of the portrait hole and complained about how Kendra had abandoned him. I thought I was being aloof when I said that I supposed he could meet us here. I didn't actually think he was going to show up. When has he ever done anything without Kendra," Hermione replied with a look of self depreciation. And as she ended her explanation, Kendra Walsh entered the restaurant making a beeline for Harry. "Well, speak of the devil," Hermione said loudly enough for all the girls to hear, causing them to laugh.

"Hi girls," Kendra greeted in a falsely cute voice. Another round of greetings was produced by the group. This time however, the "Hi Kendra's" sounded forced. "I hope Harry and I aren't crashing this little party."

"Of course not," chorused Hermione and Luna through clenched teeth.

And so for the rest of the time in the restaurant, a tense air fell upon all the members except for the happy couple. The girls were not as open to conversation as they had been. It was too hard to talk freely around Kendra because she somehow always turned the conversation around to her or belittled the topic if turning it around was not possible.

Hermione watched as Harry and Kendra put their heads together in whispered conversation. Obviously it was for their ears only, and watching the tryst unfold made Hermione gag. Slowly, each of the girls noticed the whispering done between the two, and after looking at each other, one by one the girls got up out of their seats and left the pair to the restaurant.

After Susan exited she caught up to the rest of the party and said, "Ugh, could that have been any more uncomfortable?! I swear, Kendra makes me want to throw up. Did you all hear the way she tried to imitate our accents?"

"I know, it sounded so fake!" Lavender replied as they set off down the street in the hot summer air. "I almost died trying to hold in my laughter. You could still hear the Yankee in her voice."

"She is trying way too hard," Parvati joined, as they approached the village square. Rounding the corner, a group of Seventh year boys fell into the line of view. Among their number were a few Ravenclaws to which Luna waved in greeting and none other then Draco Malfoy.

"What is Malfoy doing out in the sun? I thought vampires thrived on darkness." Lavender asked as the group of boys got to their feet, eliciting laughter from Hermione. Just then Malfoy's head shot up, as if the melodious laughter had entranced him.

"Supposedly, he is reformed now, ever since he broke away from the dark side during the war," Ginny answered.

"I'll believe that when the moon goes crashing into Jupiter!" The six girls all shot around to set eyes on Harry approaching with his arm wrapped around Kendra's shoulders. Luna, Ginny and Hermione rolled their eyes at the addition of the two and turned around, bringing Malfoy back into their lines of sight. "Why did you guys take off like that? Kendra and I looked up and no one was around."

Glancing at each other, none of them daring to voice the true reason for ditching, Parvati announced, "Well, we were done eating and the atmosphere was giving me a headache."

"I thought you looked sick Parvati," Kendra replied in a concerned voice that was laughable. She tightened her hold on Harry.

"Thanks for the complement."

The six girls stood up just then. The day had been effectively ruined so they made their way out of the village, with Harry and his permanent attachment following along in the wake.

As the girls walked along the trail leading up to the castle, Malfoy's group cut along the right side of the path. And as he passed by, Malfoy purposefully brushed arms with Hermione. Catching her eye as he followed his friends, Hermione was sure she saw him look her up and down appreciatively before winking at her. Once he was out of ear shot, Hermione said wistfully to her friends, "Whether Malfoy is reformed or not, he sure is nice to look at!"

And as her friends laughed and agreed with what she had said, Harry felt his insides clench and turn cold; a new reason to loath Malfoy burst forth.