Hermione was ready to send Pansy Parkinson to an early grave.
She had long abandoned things such as dictionary reading that had accompanied her complete nerdiness, but this situation was sure to be under the definition for "disaster."
Her plan had been so simple. Executable to the end, a perfect play-by-play of her return to the U.K.
She'd already cut all ties with her American friends. Hermione had been 110% ready to drop everything and be who she once was. But no. This… abomination would be that perfect plan's downfall.
"I know," Ginny said grimly, her expression perfectly matching how Hermione felt inside. "What are you going to do?"
Hermione let out a heavy sigh, her eyes watering a bit, but she just as quickly blinked and settled into a cool, cold smile. "If they want posh, they'll get posh." Hermione transformed before Ginny's eyes. Putting down the Prophet and reaching for hair ties and pins, in seconds the wild mane of hair she was known for was up in a sensible bun. Wipes pulled out and makeup retouched, and the glittery highlight of her skin was gone, replaced by a homely smile and pink-tinged lips. She looked fine, sure, but she looked like a young muggle librarian, not a glamourous twenty-something ready to party.
Hermione carefully placed everything back in her bag and looked up at Ginny with a mildly disinterested expression.
"Blimey… 'Mione… that's uncanny." Ginny shook her head as if trying to wake up from a dream as Hermione delicately stuck her hand out.
"Hermione Granger, pleased to meet you miss."
Ginny grabbed her hand and tugged Hermione toward her. "Do you need to be in character even now?" she whispered, a bit baffled.
Hermione's smile shrunk ever so slightly- in such a way almost no one could notice. "It's easier this way."
She gathered her bags and set off toward boarding. "Now come on, we have a flight to catch."
The two walked at a steady pace, but the space between them was awkward despite the atmosphere not being so.
"So…" Ginny ventured. "You excited to see anyone in particular." The remote look didn't leave her eyes- if anything it intensified, and she shrugged.
"No one is of particular importance to me."
Internally, Hermione wanted to bawl her eyes out.
Of course she was excited. She wanted to run through the airport yelling "I GET TO SEE MY LOVED ONES" She wanted to see Ron and Luna to talk about true love, Harry and (ew…) Pansy to learn all that has happened between the two of them. For crying out loud she wanted to see Draco and tease him about being called the hottest wizard of the year. But none of that could happen. Not now. All because three years ago she had wanted to run.
A/N: I haven't updated in forever, and apologies for the short chapter. This is a bit of what I wrote a very long time ago so I found it hard to continue, the next chapter will be all new-me. Thank you for sticking by!