Hermione's face lit up with a smile as they pulled up beside the train station; it was busy as always this day, mainly with wizards. She got Jacques to get her trunk out of the back seat and she bent down to drag it, her sweatshirt lifted, revealing her toned middle. She dragged it towards her platform, using her tennis shoes to help her along. Hermione ran into an obvious onlooker that seemed to be enjoying the sight of her. She murmured under her breath 'Pig' as she stood and turned to see who it was. Her eyes met the smug face of Draco Malfoy, who's expression seemed to turn into disgust, not necessarily directed at her but at himself for checking out a muggle born. He sneered and walked to the wall and slipped in. She smiled and began pulling the trunk along; an extremely tall man with deep reddish brown hair tapped her shoulder to politely offer her help. 'Mione?! Wow...I didn't notice it was you!' The red head lifted her into his arms and hugged her tightly, moments after he set her down she threw her arms around his neck screaming 'Ron!!!.... You dyed your hair...' He blushed 'Shh, no one is supposed to know. Hey your hair's up. How did you ever manage that?' She smiled coyly. 'I have my ways Weasley, now are you going to back up your offer and carry my trunk? He nodded and lifted the trunk walking through the platform while she ran back, and thanked Jacques before grabbing Crookshanks and her bag.

~^~

On the train everyone seemed to think she looked exactly the same except for the whole thing about her hair being up without being allowed to use magic over the summer. However most the girls were fussing about Ron, Harry, and Draco who all seemed to have buffed up over the summer, and ofcourse Ron's hair color change that just made him seem so...handsome, you could say. Hermione just sat there curled up with Crookshanks and listening to Harry, Ron and Ginny talk about their Summer, then she chimed in. 'Yea Harry and Ron I know what you mean about joining a fitness center, I join one every summer. I love running so basically I workout, then run for a few hours everyday. Harry you have Quidditch, I have track' She smiled at her contribution and listened for another hour or so. About 10 minutes before they arrived at Hogwarts she got up to get ready, Hermione knew that this would be cutting it very close but she didn't mind. She walked out of the compartment with her bag to let Harry and Ron talk alone. ~^~ 'Ron, did you notice anything different about Hermione?' 'Duh Harry her hair is up!' Harry sighed knowing Ron wasn't getting his point 'No I mean, physically. Her face is...somehow different; and- I don't know maybe it is the hair. By the way where is she, normally she would have been ready after 20 minutes of being on the train and would be bugging us to get dressed'. 'Oy Harry! Don't worry about it, she can get her own carriage, we're at school!' They hopped out and followed everyone else to the horses. On the whole way there they continued discussing their summers and Hermione, worrying a little if she got a Carriage. She couldn't ever miss one because there are always plenty left over, even if each student took one to himself. They all arrived at the front of the school watching the students empty out onto the steps. Finally the last arrived, and still no Hermione. Draco slimily put in his unwanted opinion 'You can always hand it to a mudblood to be late. Now maybe Granger will be like this on every thing...' He smirked as a carriage appeared and a few sighs of relief could be heard. A 7th year girl stepped out wearing black healed loafers, a red and gold plaid skirt which cut halfway down her thigh, barely to school regulation. She did not wear a vest, just a white buttoned down ¾ arm length shirt with a red tie and an opened black Hogwarts robe. Her hair fell in perfect soft ringlets down her back, the honey brown contrasting amazingly with the black of the robe. Everybody looked at her with unbelief; even Snape who was about to chastise her was caught staring. He regained his composure 'M..mi...Miss Granger, you should watch yourself and be on time! It will NOT be tolerated again without deduction of points from Griffendor.' Hermione replied softly a gentle smile playing upon her lips 'Yes Sir'. She had a similar reaction from her friends at home when they had asked her to go clubbing with them, expecting a no. Yet, the glazed look in the Slytherin boys' eyes was very unexpected. The main doors opened and they proceeded to the great hall for the Ceremony of the Sorting hat. Ron and Harry sat on each side of her as always but seemed a little closer than normal. 'Mione, you look great, you have to do my make up and hair some time' whispered Ginny who was so happy for her friend and not the least jealous which could not be said of the other girls. Dumbledore stood after the sorting and said he would be announcing the Head boy and girl. Hermione smiled cause she knew she was the head girl, but wondered who the head boy would be. 'I am proud to say that Miss Hermione Granger will be the head girl this year!' It was to no surprise of anyone, so they all stood and clapped a few cheers and hip-hoorays coming from the Griffendor table. After all quieted down Dumbledore took a deep breath 'The head boy will be Mr. Draco Malfoy!' He walked up to the front of the school, an evil smirk on his lips, and stood beside Hermione who had lost all color to her face. As everyone clapped (Save a few) Malfoy leaned over and whispered in her ear threateningly 'You better not get in my way mudblood'. He took a deep breath, smelling her shampoo before pulling away, and walking to his table. Hermione followed suit and reclaimed her seat between Ron and Harry. They finished the Feast and returned to their Common Rooms, a few RavenClaws and Huffle Puffs following Hermione without realizing it. Hermione sat on the couch; her feet propped up on the arm, lying back onto a pillow. She began to read the new Hogwarts a History, which was surprisingly bigger than the fist. Ron was the first boy to spot her and sat on the couch, lifting her head and laying it in his lap. She just smiled up at him thinking nothing of it, for they had sat like that before.

Harry and Dean thought something about it though 'Ron, you want to play Wizards Chess? Harry wants to play winner!' 'Bloody Hell guys cant you see I'm with Mione!' He glanced down at her realizing she had fallen asleep, he ran his hand down her cheek brushing a wisp of a curl off her delicate features. He slid out from under her and went over to join the other boys.

Hermione woke up yawning, she droggily walked up the stairs and to her dorm. She opened her trunk, replaced her book and took her PJs out. She slipped on a pair of Black cotton Sofee Shorts (Which she bought in America, finding the simplicity cute), and a white short sleeve Mini T shirt with a small Penguin on the front. She walked back down stairs, wearing penguin slippers (Which she had transfigured from a different pair). She sat down in a plush red velvet chair beside the boys, folding her knees to her chest and wrapping, her white slender arms around her shins. Harry glanced up from the board and did a double take, his eyes trailing up Hermione's legs. She didn't notice she was too busy looking at Ron who was thinking of what move to make, and more importantly his hair falling into his amazing blue eyes. She shook her head lightly and smirked as she placed her foot on the square Ron had just told his Bishop to move to. 'Oy! What the- Oh hey Mione, I thought you went to bed.' 'No Just changed...I cant wait till tomorrow! We have Defense against the Dark arts! I'm so happy that Sirius teaches that class! And he gives us the biggest and coolest projects!' Harry and Ron both groaned, thinking how Harry being his godson didn't even give them any ups in his class. For a while everything was back to normal, Hermione talking about how much she was going to study this year for the NEWTS, Harry and Ron talking about Quidditch (Ron had become a Beater after Fred and George left). They all went to bed around 12, which was early for any 7th year, but they had potions first which they wanted to be extremely alert for.