Chapter 1 – Growth

It was a few weeks before term to start everyone was sitting at headquarters having breakfast. Things were getting back to normal after the Ministry defeat. Everyone had survived but for a few injuries. The Death Eats had retrieved the prophecy and had gotten away with the help of Lord Voldemort himself. The only good think that had come out of the failure was that Voldemort was seen and everyone knew he was alive.

Breakfast was on the table, Mrs. Weasley was bustling about getting everything for everyone, and the other adults were reading the Daily Prophet while the teenagers were talking about Fred and George's new items. The twins had already opened a shop in Diagon Alley Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. They had to use the others as test subjects to Molly's horror. "Wow, look through this mate," a red-haired boy said, "See what Ginny looks like old?"

The red-haired boy handed over the pair of googles Fred and George sent them that morning. "Not bad, Ron. She'll still be a looker," the other boy said winking at the red-haired girl who blushed.

"Ugh, Harry, I don't need to hear that about my little sister," Ron exclaimed.

Things have really changed for the golden trio since the Ministry incident. All three had a taste o was and battle. The three all came out of it with feeling a need to live life now rather then after. So, Harry started pursuing Ginny which hadn't been to hard since Ginny was always hoping Harry would look at her that way since they meet fulfilling her hero worshiping. Ron had a harder time with getting the courage up for his interest. Ron took two weeks to ask Hermione out which she agreed and now they laughed about his unease at asking her.

"Sorry mate but you know how it is," Harry said throwing an arm over his girlfriend's shoulder.

"Yeah, I guess I do," Ron smiled also and pulled a preoccupied girl who was reading a book like normal, close to him.

Yet once he touched the bushy haired girl, she let out a pain filled scream. Everyone jumped up from their seats to check on her trying to find out what was wrong. Some were worried it was caused by the curse Dolohov had hit her with at the Ministry. Mrs. Weasley was the first to the girl. "Ronald Weasley, what did you do to Hermione?" Molly shouted over the girl's screams.

"Nothing, mum, I swear," Ron yelled back with a pale face equally worried, "I only touched her shoulder."

"Molly calm down," Sirius yelled over the screams "look she's glowing. It's her growth."

"Already," Molly gasped scared now for a totally different reason, "It's too soon. Fire call Albus. We need him here now."

Arthur quickly ran to the Fireplace to place the call and was back quickly. "He will be here in a moment."

All witches and wizards have a magical growth sometimes during their 17th year it is the reason all magical children are considered adults by 17. Most have it on their birthday or that week, but some have it early, but no one can remember on getting their growth this soon before.

True to his word Professor Dumbledore was at headquarters within minutes. He had brought 3 extra people too. Professor Dumbledore had brought Madame Pomphrey, Professor Snape, and Professor McGonagall with him. He was shocked to hear one of the kids were experiencing their growth and a little afraid. This was unheard of and how powerful will she be. He himself had experienced his growth 9 days before his 17th birthday and he had watched many students have theirs. The only other one since his to have theirs early was Voldemort and his was 12 days early.

"Albus, what's happening?" Professor McGonagall ask.

This was not a normal growth. "I'm not sure," Dumbledore responded.

Normal Growth did hurt but no one screamed like Hermione did. She was floating against the ceiling glowing gold and it was terrifying to watch as her features morphed and changed right int front of like Tonks. "Is she a metamorphosis too?" Tonks asked.

Her screaming finally stopped, "I don't think so," Dumbledore said looking puzzled.

She seemed to have passed out from the pain but did not seem like her growth was over. Right in front of their eyes she was changing. Gone was the short petite, bushy haired girl. Her body stretched a good 5 inches. She also seemed to change from a girl's body to a women's body. Her cloths got baggy and tight in different placed. Last was her face and hair. Her face seemed to have her bones become more promote and her hair went from bushy brown to sleek, bright blonde not a curl in sight.

"Albus, what is happening?" Molly asked amazed at the girl on the ceiling.

"I don't know Molly, but I know that no growth has caused all these changes," Albus said studying the girl, "Her changes are something else."

Hermione slowly lowered to the floor everyone was in awe. She had been up there quiet a while and her new changes where making everyone nervous. What was happening, everyone thought.

She hit the floor and her magic energy radiated from her body knocking everyone off their feet. Slowly everyone got up. No one rushed to the girl still a little afraid of the sheer power that wave of magic portrayed. "Well that doesn't always happen," Sirius said as everyone got back to their feet.

"Aren't you eloquent as ever, dog breath," Professor Snape jabbed.

"Don't start," Albus warned sternly, cutting off Sirius' reply, "Severus, Poppy take her to her room and check her over. I'll be up shortly."

Madame Prophecy then waved her wand and exited the kitchen with the girl floating behind her and Professor Snape bring up the rear with a step that clinked as he walked. Obviously, his pockets were full of potions. No one else said a word and the three left and made their way up the stairs.