Chapter Two
Changes
Hermione took a shaky breath and looked up. "I want to know who my birth parents are. I want to know who I am." She said firmly, looking at the clock. It was Twelve, Midday. There was a soft pop and a piece of parchment fell onto her lap. Hermione and the Grangers frowned. She looked from one of the adults to the other and gently picked it up. It was a note addressed to her. Hermione stood. "I'm going to my room." She told them. The Grangers nodded and watched as their daughter of Seventeen years shakily walked out of the room. As soon as she was gone, Mrs Granger broke down into tears and Mr Granger sighed heavily. He looked at his wife. "I think she took it well."
Hermione ran up the stairs, letting tears fall freely down her cheeks. She pushed open her bedroom door and flung herself onto the bed, narrowly missing a dozing Crosshanks. The cat let out a yowl and leapt out of the way just in time. He gave his mistress a filthy look and, upon realising she was upset, padded over. He rubbed his body against her mass of tangled curls and meowed softly, trying to comfort her. If only the redhead and black haired boys she cared so much for where there. They'd know what to do. But, being a cat, Crosshanks couldn't do much, just let his owner know he was there and he loved her no matter what. Hermione let out a soft laugh through her tears and gently reached out to stroke her cat. He purred and nudged her hand, trying in vain to comfort her. Hermione sat up and picked him up, cradling him in her arms and hugging him gently. The cat's purrs increased and Hermione's crying ceased a little. Her cat could always make her feel better. She put him down and walked over to the mirror. She was a mess. Her bushy hair was all over the place and her eyes were red and puffy. Her face wasn't much better. Dried tear trails ran over her cheeks, she looked pale and some of her curls were stuck to her face, that and she had a runny nose. Hermione walked over to her desk and pulled a tissue from the box, before heading into the bathroom to run a bath.
Hermione slid into the warm water, letting it soothe her, and began to think over recent events, specifically the news she received that morning. 'How is it possible?' She thought. 'I can't be adopted. I look just like my par…I suppose I can't call them that anymore.' She sighed and ducked her head under water, wetting her hair. 'But I look like my adopted parents.' She thought, frowning. She rubbed some shampoo into her hair and sunk back under the water again. 'Ok. So I wonder who that letter is from. Does that mean my family are magic? Am I a half-blood? Or a Pureblood? Imagine the look on Malfoy's face if I was a Pureblood.' She smirked and giggled as this thought passed through her head. "Oh revenge would be sweet." She muttered as she rubbed some shower gel onto her skin. Hermione chuckled to herself as she washed it off and stepped out onto a towel. She shivered as the cool hair hit her and quickly pulled on her dressing gown. She pulled out the plug and walked back into her bedroom. Now she was a sixth year she could use basic magic in the comfort of her own home. She dried herself off and pulled on a pair of jeans that were too long for her and a light pink tank top. After magically drying her hair, she spun round to face her bed. The letter lay right in the centre, begging her to read it. She sighed. "Only one way to find out who I am." She muttered, grabbing the letter.
Hermione gently undid the green ribbon that held the letter closed. It slid to the floor and Hermione gently unravelled the parchment. On the paper was written a spell and some words after it.
Hermione,
You must reveal what you look like; the above spell is the counter spell to the glamour charm. Please remove it and we hope to see you soon.
Your Parents
Hermione frowned. "Reveal what I look like? A glamour charm?" She repeated, confused. She shrugged and scanned the spell quickly. It looked simple enough. She reached out for her wand and grasped it in her shaky hand. Holding the parchment out in front of her with her free hand, she pointed her wand towards herself. She read the spell again and willed herself to say it. But the words would not leave her lips. She tried again, but her voice box would not comply. She hissed angrily and threw her wand onto her bed. "It's just a spell. I'll still be the same Hermione, I'll just look different." Hermione scolded herself. She took a deep breath and picked up her wand again. Once again she raised the parchment and pointed her wand at herself. She released a breath she wasn't even aware of holding, and began to say the charm. But her voice wavered and she stopped, nervous at what would happen. She gave a frustrated yell that shocked her cat. Why couldn't she do it? She was the brightest witch of her age, and she had fought along side Harry and Ron for years. Was she or was she not a Gryffindor? 'Yes.' And were they or were they not renowned for their bravery? 'Yes!' And was she going to let herself get scared of a tiny spell? "NO!" Hermione hissed, grabbing her wand and saying the spell without a second thought.
A tingling feeling washed over her and Hermione blinked. She didn't feel any different. Had she really changed or did she say it wrong? Hermione began to nervously wring her hands. She sighed heavily and left the room, annoyed at the fact there was no obvious change. She marched into the kitchen to see her adopted mother standing by the sink. "Mum? I'm sorry about earlier." She said quietly. Mrs Granger turned round to say something and dropped the cup she was holding with a small gasp.
"Hermione?" She gasped. Hermione frowned. "What?" She asked. "You look so different." Mrs Granger said, breathlessly. Hermione rushed to a mirror and stared. Her warm chocolate eyes had been replaced by light, almost grey, blue eyes and her bushy brown hair was now sleek blonde hair that reached down to her bottom. She noticed she was a little taller now as her jeans fit her much better. She also noticed how her breasts had grown bigger and her features were, well, she was beautiful. Her feature's had changed as well. She looked perfect, and strangely familiar. Mrs Granger walked over and hugged her adopted child tightly. She looked her over and commented often on how beautiful she was. Mr Granger walked in and soon both Grangers were talking about how gorgeous she was and how much she had changed. Hermione just went redder, it standing out more on her pale skin. But their compliments were cut short by a small pop and a high squeaky voice saying. "Young miss?"