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(Hermiones thoughts are italicized)

Hogwarts is Just Around the Corner

Harry and Hermione were laughing at a joke that Ron had just made about enchanted brooms and spiked pumpkin juice when Hermione looked out the window and saw an emerging Hogwarts as the train neared the school. Hermione smiled, but also had a small butterfly in the pit of her stomach.

Why am I nervous it's just another normal year at Hogwarts, haha a year at Hogwarts is never normal. Maybe it's the fact that I have to work with Malfoy. I hope Dumbledore doesn't have us do any weird house unity activities together. She shuddered at this thought

"You alright 'Mione?" asked a concerned Harry

"No, I'm fine just some mixed feelings about this last year"

"I thought you were excited about coming back and school and classes and blah blah blah" said Ron, trying to be helpful

"I am it's just this whole Malfoy business still has me a bit nervous" Hermione confessed

"Oh don't worry about him, he's just a blonde pain in the arse , you have other things to think about like our new class schedule, Hogsmead trips, and N.E.W.T.S" Harry added

"N.E.W.T.S! Oh my Merlin , I completely forgot! how could I forget , what am I going to do! I need to get started right away"

"Good going Harry" Ron said with a sigh

I need to study! I need to pass I need to pass….I hope I have time to sleep, no ..no sleep . I need to get my class schedule right away so I can figure out when I can study, I also need the study textbook, I need to do some research to see what types of subjects I'm going to be tested on…but my head girl duties..I need more time! Where's that time turner when I need it….

Ron and Harry made and odd face at her while she was having her little mental breakdown. Ron finally said "Um Hermione, the exam isn't until the end of the year you have lots of time, and you being Hermione Granger of course you were probably prepared since you received your first Hogwarts letter"

"Ronald this is an important test, and as to your other comment. I like to be prepared thank you very much" She said with a slight glare

"Oh Herms, it's going to be easy and it just another test, just wait until the day before like I do" Ron said while putting his hands behind his head and his feet up on the seat next to her.

"Grrrugh!" was all that Hermione could get out at the time; Ron just didn't understand how important this was to her

"You better shut up while you're ahead" Harry whispered to Ron as Hermione started to fume.

"I'm going to change into my robes" Hermione pushed Ron's feet off the seat and left the compartment to change.

Harry was just shaking his head at Ron looked at him and just asked"what?"

"You're terrible at talking to girls" Harry said turning to the scene outside the window

"And you think you're better mate?" Ron turned to Harry, almost challenging

"Yep, because I have a girlfriend" Harry pointing to himself proudly

Ron argued "Yeah..my sister!"

"And the problem is?" Harry led on, knowing it was bugging Ron

"She's my bloody sister!...get your own !..wait that didn't come out right" Ron looked into space, confused trying to make a better comeback, Harry couldn't hold in his laughter anymore and put his hand on Ron's shoulder and said "Don't worry mate. She's in good hands" Harry wiggled his eyebrows.

"ewwww get off" Ron pushed Harry's hand off as Harry began to double over in laughter.

While this humorous tiff was happening, Hermione was in the changing room half changing and half getting her thoughts together.

First head girl, then Malfoy, now the N.E.W.T.S…when am I going to have time for a social life, I want to get dressed up have fun and flirt with boys too….

Even though Hermione is all about the books there is a part of her that wants what all the other girls have and that is love, well maybe not love but at least more than a crush. She wants to be flirty and cute, but she is too caught up with school to have social life. She hasn't even had a boyfriend before. She had one kiss, but that was Victor Krum and to Hermione, he didn't really count. Hermione thought some more about this year at Hogwarts. She finally got dressed and began to look at herself in the mirror.

Hmm maybe it's time for a bit of a change…for my self-esteem..not boys…maybe boys too hehe. Maybe I'll let my hair loose and add some make-up for a natural day time look.

Hermione fixed her hair with a spell she found in a magazine Padma had last year, it just took the frizz out and added some shine. Then she tried some make-up she got during the summer, but hasn't really tried yet. It was her first time applying make-up on herself.

Ok I've been waiting to try this out for the first day of school, time to make this diamond in the rough shine...

hmm let's see foundation, now powder…a bit of blush, eye shadow..some eyeliner…ow! It got in my eye..ok ok ok its gone let's try that again….hmmmm there! Ok now what's last, oh yeah mascara…ew this looks gross , meh I'll put it on, and some just some chapstick, don't want to look too much like a hooker or lavender for that matter haha..yep all finished!..Hope I applied this right.

Hermione took one last look in the mirror and gave her reflection an approving nod "Not too bad granger" she said to herself, she grabbed her things and headed back to her compartment. Once she left the changing room Hermione instantly had a small boost of confidence and walked with a new bounce in her step.

Wow it's astounding what a simple hairdo and a little make-up can do

Before she got back to Ron and Harry she had a few glances and hellos from some overly friendly boys.

Hmm that was weird..must be the hair and make-up haha I'm kind of liking this, I never had a chance to enjoy something like this before

She passed Malfoy's compartment door, made eye contact, and stuck her tongue out at him. She didn't wait for his reaction and assumed he was offended and walked on to her own compartment.

I can't believe I did that, He probably thinks I'm a weirdo, but who cares he hates me anyway, good because the feeling is mutual. That was pretty fun, I should do that more often, I feel like it pissed him off, heh serves him right

Hermione was right, Malfoy was pissed; he couldn't really say anything because he was the only one in his compartment that saw it, but because of that, Hermione might have some Slytherin trouble coming her way soon.

Hermione opened the door into her compartment and gasped "what are you doing!"

Ron and Harry were very disheveled and caught in the act of a playful wrestle. Harry pulled his head out from underneath Ron's arm and said "He's just having a little fit because I'm dating Ginny"

Hermione stifled a giggle, Ron tried to fix his hair, shook his head and said "it's just not right mate, isn't there a guy rule or something about this stuff?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and sat down "Oh Ron get over it, I think Harry and Ginny are cute together"

"Why thank you Hermione, and by the way you look very pretty did you do something different?" Harry said politely to Hermione

Hermione blushed and just answered "oh just did a spell on my hair and put on a bit of make- up , thanks for noticing hehe"

"The whole lot of you are mad" Ron finished as the train slowed on its tracks and opened its doors to Hogwarts.

Now to see the headmaster, hopefully Malfoy doesn't muck it up for me, aw man he's already there at the hall doors with Dumbledore waiting for me…