Chapter 1 of Phases: Discarded Friends

Author: SpikeslilSlayer

Rating: PG-13 for language, adult content, and violence, R in later chappys for content

Pairing: Draco/Hermione, Harry/Ginny, in the beginning looks like Herm/George BUT IT'S NOT!

Disclaimer: Yeah, see, I was going to put something really witty here but I'm not as creative as you all might think (Bats eyelashes adoringly). So I'll just say it point blank: I don't own Harry Potter. If I did, I would be sitting in front of the best computer in the world right now, not a Dell, I would be in my gigantic mansion, as I am the second-richest woman in the world, and I would be busy FINISHING UP NUMBER SIX in the Harry Potter series, STARTING NUMBER SEVEN, and also seriously considering another HARRY POTTER SERIES WHERE HE IS AN AUROR. (Hint hint)

Hermione hurried away, not really knowing where she was going but not daring to stop or look back.

'He complimented me,' was all she could think. 'In his own twisted way he complimented me. Well, I could compliment him on a few things.'

"Ugh!" She screamed aloud, finally leaning against a wall and panting. "You're sixteen years old, for Chrissakes, control yourself!" The Gryffindor roared the last part to herself, and the loud noise shocked her into calming down.

"He's your enemy," Mione whispered, taking deep breaths. "It's just hormones, just a physical attraction. It's completely natural. That's all. Now let it go."

She straightened herself, tied a loose shoelace, then commenced walking, trying to make out her surroundings. She was outside a bright orange building with the gold numbers '93' flashing on top of the hot pink awning.

"Why is that so familiar?" Hermione wondered, then mentally slapped herself. How could she forget?

Grinning, Hermione quickly pushed open the bright-green door, stopping immediately inside to marvel first at the number of shelves covered with joke products lining the electric blue walls, then at the number of people in the shop. Surprised that the line wasn't out the door, she waded through the crowd to the front, clearing her throat at the counter.

"I'm sorry, miss, customer services are that way and the line to check out is over there," a hassled-looking George said absently, pointing to an insanely long line winding around the room and barely giving her another glance.

Putting on a fake pout, Hermione leaned closer, pretending she was about to cry. "Oh, George, how could you drop me like a used book?" she whined.

George's head whipped up to take a closer look at the now-smiling young woman. After a few seconds his face cracked into a joyful grin.

"Hermione!" He yelled happily, dropping the sales receipts he was holding and reaching forward to grab her shoulders and pull her right over the low counter. Laughing with surprise and happiness, the witch hugged George gratefully.

"Oi, Fred!" George bellowed when they had broke apart. "C'mere!"

"What?" his twin asked, coming out of a back room. His features lit up much the same as his brother's when he spotted Hermione.

"Mione! Wow, it's great to see you!" Fred embraced her also, and when she had leaned up and kissed them both on the cheek, George cleared out the shop, much to the dismay of the grumbling crowd.

"So," Hermione said thoughtfully, surveying the place. "Obviously you've done well for yourself. This isn't bad, not bad at all."

"Well, now that we've got Hermione's approval, we're all set!" Fred joked, causing Hermione to roll her eyes.

"Although, I'm sorry if you thought me coming here meant you had to clear out the store," she added apologetically.

George waved it aside. "It's our lunch break anyway. Harry, Ginny, and Ickle Ronnikens should be here any minute."

"Oh, excellent!" Hermione exclaimed, relieved. "I haven't gotten one owl all summer!"

Now it was George's turn to look apologetic. "Sorry, Hermione. But no one else heard anything either. And Dumbledore was all, 'No news is good news,' and whatnot."

"And they still won't let us join the Order," Fred said darkly.

Before Hermione could ask any more questions the door opened and three people walked in.

"Hermione!" was the simultaneous call, and before she knew it she was hugging Harry, Ron, and Ginny.

"Oh, I missed you all so much! And-What, Ron?" she asked, for Ron, along with George and Fred, were staring goggle-eyed at Hermione.

"What are you wearing, Hermione?" Ron asked.

Hermione stamped her foot angrily. Ginny rolled her eyes at her brothers, for Mione had already given her some of her Muggle clothes that she had grown out of, and some magazines to look at so she knew how to dress in them correctly. A smile was brought to her lips at the thought of her family's expressions when they saw her.

"How come everybody keeps asking me that? Oh, Harry, you explain. Come on, Ginny, we'll meet them at the Leaky Cauldron later."

The two girls headed out, chatting excitedly. Harry turned toward the Weasley boys.

He chuckled. "You've never seen a Muggle girl dressed properly, have you?"

All three of them shook their heads and Harry sighed.

A/N: Okay, first of all I want to apologize for writing "Mione." I absolutely hate that nickname, but it's got to be used. The other thing I hate is using "Hermione" "Hermione" "Hermione" in every sentence. Okay, to my reviewers. I'm so happy that you people like my story! No hate mail yet! Yay! And I'm sorry that this chapter was a disappointment in the length, but the next chapter is halfway done and is really long, as it explains a lot. Reviewers' feedback from me:

DemonWitch666~ It's not as much as an insult as a piggish thing to say. I don't know, I thought it was.

Lina11~ Hey, I have a pair of pink pants! J/k lolz. No, they're not like PINK! They're actually pretty attractive. I don't know, blame the bozo that told me black and pink were in this year.

Xinia Potter~ Thanks for the tip! The next chapter is more explanatory; for example, you find out why Hermione was very into Muggle clothes. I mean, she could've just worn jeans and a t-shirt, but she chose the hot outfit.

NLF~ Hmmm.I haven't considered it yet. Tell you what; I'll put it into chapter three. Soft curls coming up!

Pencil gal~ Thank you! I reckon so too!

DMSL~ Thanks so much! Yeah, most wizards are.

Willow~ Very clever!!! Yes, I had Buffy on the brain when I wrote the author's note about Tabula Rasa and OMWF. I couldn't decide what to name this story, so I'm like to myself, "Well, they're all going through changes." Then I slapped myself on the forehead and called it Phases. Hope you like!