Here you go...The seventh chapter is out ~

I have almost finished the next chapter too. This month happens to be my birthday so I'll probably post the other chapter this month too, as my present to you all great people out there...:D

Happy Reading...


Harry stared at Hermione. Ron tried to look up at times, when he was not buried under a pile of pancakes, maple syrup and pumpkin juice.

Hermione fiddled with her buttered toast nervously. All the staring was making her really uncomfortable. Beside her, Ginny devoured her blueberry muffins wholeheartedly.

"Uhh.. Harry?" Hermione asked uneasily, "Something wrong?"

"No..nothing important." Harry said still looking at her while thoughtfully chewing his eggs. "Just that, something looks different and I can't tell what it is and I'm getting cutthroat over it for some reason."

"Oh really?" Hermione smiled a small smile. She looked down to her lap and took a long breath, time to set the plan in motions. To make it work, she must play her part.

Hermione looked up and smiled brightly, "It's probably my hair. I ran out of shampoo so I had to borrow Ginny's. I guess it tamed down the curls a bit."

Ginny nodded somberly.

Harry looked at her hair. The dull brown frizzy hair had given way to chocolate, hazel and amber naturally highlighted curls. The thick rich luxurious locks cascaded down her back in a high ponytail.

"Oh, is that it? Yeah, I thought something looked different." Harry said nodding and then returned to his breakfast smiling contentedly. Ron looked up for a second and gave everyone a confused look, as if wondering why non-edible things were around the table, then went right back to where he had left off.

Hermione smiled back relieved. She turned to Ginny, they shared a secret smile.

xxx

"Hermione, it has been one week already. Let's try something new now!" Ginny whined.

"I still think we should give it a bit more time." Hermione said, "Remember, how much attention my hair got?"

Their footsteps sounded in the empty hallway as they walked past. The portraits peered curiously at them.

"Just taking a shortcut to class." Hermione called out to them.

"How could I forget?" Ginny laughed out loud, "As soon as they found out it was my shampoo, everyone wanted to borrow it. Mind you, I put some curling solution when I lent some to Lavender and Parvati since they were practically begging for it. My whole shampoo collection was under attack after that."

Hermione laughed with her.

"You know Mione, you don't even that much work done on you. Now that your bushy veil of hair is up…hey, hey…okay, okay, sorry! I take it back! Stop!" Ginny laughed, ducking from Hermione's attacking finger jabs. "Ahem..your rather ultra curly, huge mass of hair then, how does that sound? Anyway your highlights make your peepers pop and I am so jealous of your lashes, they are so long. You'd never need falsies."

"Plus your skin is clear and smooth, you just need some facials, moisturizing and exfoliation to make it glow." Ginny continued, "All you really need right now is to dress properly and accessorize right and a boost of confidence."

They stopped at the exit of the corridor.

"So, how about middle of this week? We can try earrings then. That wouldn't be too noticeable now, would it?" Ginny said looking at Hermione expectantly.

"Wednesday? Alright, I guess. I would have finished my potions assignment by tomorrow anyway, so I would be free."

"Hermione, I really admire that in you. Although you change physically, inside, you are still the same."

"Thank you, Ginny." Hermione said, smiling at her and they parted for class.

xxx

"Hey she-weasel, what are you doing here?" Malfoy growled lazily over his book, from the sofa, "You are not supposed to be here."

"Mind your own business Malfoy, I'm here to see Hermione." Ginny growled right back.

"What that little witch is still alive? I was rather hoping that she disappeared for good."

"You wish Malfoy, you would be lucky to even see her!"

"Hah…And why would that be?" Malfoy sneered.

"You want to know?! I'll tell you why, it's becau-"

"Ginny! Get your ass here!" Hermione yelled from the stairs.

With one last glare at Malfoy, Ginny flounced up the stairs.

Before she could even reach the top, she was pulled like a bullet into Hermione's room. And tackled to the floor.

"Ginny, what was that?!" Hermione bit out at her, "You want to ruin this?"

"Sorry Hermione, I couldn't help it. I really wanted to wipe that smug look off his face." Ginny said looking down.

"I know how you feel Ginny." Hermione said looking at her earnestly, "Believe me, there's no one in this world right now who wants to do just that more than me. But we have a plan and we stick to it till the end, if we want to make any difference at all, okay?"

"I know Mione, I will try to bite my tongue next time." Ginny said, "But I'll blame you if I get livid enough at the bustard and bite my tongue off."

"Ah? Whatever Ginny! Just don't scare me like that again, okay." Hermione said finally smiling.

"You can count on me, Hermione!"

"I happen to be doing just that."

"Okay, let's get down to business. Wait a sec, Hermione! Have you been using anything on your face?!"

xxx


Alright! So, what next?

Hold your breath...

From your writer,

~cba13~