Author's Note: Thank-you soooooooo much for reviewing, everybody! I can't believe I had 11 reviews overnight. Quite funny, actually. Anyway, no-one really said anything I can reply to, so I'll leave that. Why didn't anyone comment on my pen name? I'm very proud of it! BTW, someone please tell me how to get the titles bigger! They look pathetic small, n'est-ce pas?

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything in this chapter EXCEPT Lavendar's cousin Jillian. I don't know how big a part she'll play, but I'm hoping it'll be more than just Hermione's study buddy.

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1 Sensation at the Station

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*****Three weeks later*****

As the Hogwarts Express chugged into the station with a deafening noise, a thick cloud of smoke surrounded the platform, swirling around the dozens of families standing on it to farewell their magically gifted children. The train-master was attempting in vain to organize the students into the first few carriages. Trolleys were being frantically pushed across the dark cement, hurrying to get the luggage on top into the baggage cart. One little boy of about four years had draped a Hogwarts cloak over himself, pretending to be a student from the famous school. When his mother saw him and what he was wearing, she fiercely lectured him of the risks in wearing the cloak in the muggle world. Humbled, the little boy pulled it off himself and handed it to his elder brother, who was standing with his hands on his hips. The school boy kissed his mother's cheek, then grabbed his bags, his cloak and his black kitten, and walked off to the train carriages. It was an exciting day for students across the country who did not belong to the muggle world.

Hermione Granger irritatedly pushed her luggage out of the brick column that stood below the signpost 'Platform 9 ¾'. She followed quickly behind her trolley as her whole body appeared from inside the wall. She looked back momentarily at the brick, mentally farewelling her parents goodbye. They could not come to see her off on the train, as they were muggles and were not able to cross the barrier into Platform 9 ¾.

Hermione coughed as she stepped into the now fading smoke, and squinted her brown eyes. She was looking for Harry and Ron. They had not seen eachother all holidays. Ron had attended a wizard chess tournament that lasted nearly the whole time. She, Hermione had intended to invite both Harry and Ron to her place, but a late-notice trip to France had destroyed that plan. So Harry was left to put up with his horrible relatives, the Dursleys. Hermione couldn't wait to see him again. All last year, she had been developing a different feeling for him, and although she had never experienced it before, had a fair idea as to what it could be. Hermione had considered it logically, and decided it was partly sympathy, as Harry was teased to great extents (mostly Slytherin boys, not mentioning any names…) last year because of his late maturing. Hermione couldn't care less about that. A friend was a friend, as far as she was concerned.

Hermione walked along the platform, keeping an eye out for familiar faces. She spotted Lavendar Brown walking with another girl she had never seen before. Lavendar saw Hermione, and came bouncing up to her, with a large grin on her face.

"Hey, Herm!" she said happily, and obviously busting to tell her something. "I just saw that Angelina girl, and guess what she told me?! She's seen Harry, and apparently, he's had a huge growth spurt! She says he's REALLY cute, and I always trust the opinion of older witches! I'm actually looking for him now. Oh, by the way, this is my cousin Jillian. She's Irish, and she'll be in our year. Jill, this is Hermione Granger, the smartest girl in the grade."

The black-haired slender girl beside Lavendar held out her hand for Hermione, and said, "Hey, nice to meet you," in a beautiful light Irish accent. Her freckled face scrunched up into a smile as Hermione took her hand and gently shook it. She knew at once that Jill was going to make an excellent study buddy – finally, she's found one!

"Well, we'd better be going now. See ya 'round, Herm! And tell me if you see Harry!" And with that, Lavendar walked off, glancing here and there in her search for the new Harry Potter. Jill looked back and gave Hermione a friendly wave, which she returned enthusiastically.

Hermione just stood there for a second, thinking over what Lavendar had said. Harry – growth spurt? Probably about time, she thought. At least he'd have no-one teasing him about his late maturing now. Hermione secretly couldn't wait to see his new look. But then she hesitated. If he really was that good-looking now, she'd no longer have him all to herself, studying in the library. Shaking off her selfish thought, she proceeded to walk to the baggage carts.

Then she saw him. He was squatting down in a corner with his back to the crowded platform, talking to Hedwig, his owl. Hermione could already make out an improvement in his height, but nothing more, as he was wearing a heavy grey jumper and trousers. She gulped, surprised at how excited she was. Then, taking a deep breath, strided over to him, pushing her trolley confidently in front of her.

When she was about two feet away, and he still hadn't looked up, she softly said, "Hi, Harry."

Harry turned his head and seeing Hermione, let a broad smile cross his face. He rose, walked towards her, and replied, "Hey, Herm," just as softly as Hermione's greeting.

Meanwhile, Hermione was staring at Harry, mesmerized. Angelina wasn't wrong when she said Harry had been through a huge growth spurt. And she wasn't wrong when she said he was really cute, either. Besides now being at least a head taller than Hermione, he had transformed from being boyishly cute into a guy to seriously die for. His always-wild black hair hung loosely into his face; his beautiful green eyes, bordered by his trusty glasses, were like whirlpools, sucking in anyone who looked into them. That's what was happening to Hermione at that very moment – she was losing herself in his eyes. And wasn't doing a thing to stop it.

"So, how have you been?" Harry said, breaking the peaceful silence.

Hermione suddenly had a rush of feelings, and leant forward to hug her friend. Harry didn't sense anything unusual about this. They had hugged many times before.

"Great, Harry. Just great." She told him with a smile that was hidden in his shoulder. She could feel his strong arms around her, and realized that obviously all the Quidditch training had paid off. After what seemed like hours of a wonderful dream, Harry released Hermione, and stood there smiling at her.

"Do I look different to you, Herm?" he asked her after a moment, with a puzzled look on his gorgeous face.

Of course, this question took Hermione quite by surprise, and she had no idea what to say. But before she had time to answer him, a familiar voice was heard behind her, and answered Harry's question for her.

"Holy Hogwarts! Harry, you look totally different!" yelled Ron, as he came running up to them. Ron had undergone *his * growth spurt long ago, when they were all still in fourth grade. With smooth orangey-red hair and a face dotted with cheerful freckles (is there such a thing?), Ron was not a rare topic with the girls. (But I sense that Harry will be even less rare!) He jogged up to Harry and Hermione, with a bright smile spread across his face like vegemite. (Lol! It's an Aussie thing!)

"Harry, I can't believe I'm looking you straight in the eye again! Actually, I think you're taller than me..."

Hermione giggled, and Harry joined in. "Can you believe this, Hermione?" Ron continued in awe. "The boy who lived is the boy who finally grew up!" And they all broke out into laughter.

"Ah, it's great to be back with you guys." Harry said.

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It was a difficult task getting to a carriage on the train. Everyone who passed Harry gasped in amazement, and whispered behind their hands to friends. They couldn't believe how much Harry had grown. One girl Harry had never seen before actually passed out when she saw him. They had to leave her body lying there in the corridor while everyone stepped over her. (Yes I know, it's mean, but that's life) When they finally found an empty carriage, they discovered that the window was stuck and would not open an inch. However, optimistic Hermione reminded them that they would not be getting cold with a window they couldn't get open. Satisfied, they made themselves comfortable, Harry sitting on one side, and Ron and Hermione on the other, for no particular reason, but probably because Hermione wanted to be able to sit and stare at Harry. (Not the same case for Ron!)

"Thanks for those birthday presents, guys." Harry said, when they had settled.

"That's fine, mate. Have you tried that flu powder yet?" Ron asked about the present he had given.

"Hell, no! The Dursleys hadn't left me alone at home at all after my birthday. And I wasn't going to dare use it when they were home. I can just imagine…" he trailed off.

"And that book?" Hermione asked. " Have you started it?"

"Trust you to give him a book, Herm!" Ron snickered.

Hermione gave him a glaring glance, then looked to Harry for his answer.

"Actually, I have," he stated. " And I must say, it's very good." He pulled out a bulky book from his shoulder bag labeled 'Book of Quidditch Quotes and Questions' by B.Eater. He held it up and showed his friends a bookmark placed a fair way into the book. "That's where I'm up to," Harry said. Hermione looked quite impressed.

"How was France, Herm?" Ron asked, looking quite bored from the book talk.

"Oh, it was lovely! I wish you two could have come. We went to see that Beauxbatons college, and the Eiffel Tower, and Paris and we ate frogs' legs, and…."

"Frogs' legs!?" Ron repeated. "Why would you want to eat that?"

"That's what I first though, but they're considered a delicacy in France. And French frogs are very different from English frogs. Ours are all slimy and disgusting and have warts and stuff." Hermione said as she screwed her face in with disgust.

"Thank you Hermione, I can't wait to taste them," Harry replied sarcastically, yet with a smile.

"Yes, well, that's nothing compared to snails!" Hermione said lightly.

Both Harry and Ron let out groans of disgust, and just as Draco Malfoy and his henchmen entered.

"Yes, and that's exactly what I think of you." He said seriously listening to their groans, and then widened his eyes when he saw Harry Potter. "Well, Potter, I see you've finally got yourself together. I was beginning to think you'd never grow up. Just like that muggle story, Peter Pan…"

Harry glared at Draco, and then said, "Yes, I can grow up, but some people stay immature forever."

"Ooh, feisty. I wouldn't be surprised if your Mudblood friend here concocted up a charm for your stupid hormones. They'd need it." And with that, Draco strided out of the carriage into the corridor, closely followed by Crabbe and Goyle, his faithful blockheads.

Harry, Ron and Hermione sat silently for a moment, then Ron piped up. "Y'know, I think he's jealous." He said slowly.

"Well, why wouldn't he be?" Hermione said, matter-of-factly. "I mean, Harry's grown into a lovely… muscular…" the boys just looked at her, interested in what she was going to say next. "….popular…..smart….and….cute young man." Harry stared at her. "Well, that's what everyone says." She quickly added.

"Yeah, the girls are going wild over you already, mate. Except for this one, of course." Ron nodded to Hermione, who frowned disapprovingly at him.

"Mmm, well I hope things won't be too different," Harry said, looking down at his clasped hands in his lap. "I mean, it won't matter that much, will it?"

Hermione and Ron just looked at eachother, a note of worry in their expressions. Then a disgusting loud noise, which sounded very much like someone blowing raspberries, was let off into the carriage.

"Oh, Ron!" Hermione shouted over the continuing noise, "That's disgusting!" She leapt off the couch and went to sit on the other side next to Harry, who was pulling up his nose and scrunching his face in.

"Sorry, guys. But Mum cooked baked beans last night, and her baked beans are really gruesome!" Ron explained.

"Yeah, not to mention the consequences." Hermione said through a pink handkerchief.

Harry rose out of his seat and tried in vain to open the window, but it didn't budge. For the moment, everyone in that carriage hated Hermione (including herself) for choosing the carriage with the busted window.

Never again…..!

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Author's Note: Yay! This has taken me all night, and it's finally finished! I just had to end with a laugh! Now I don't know how many reviews I want till the next chapter goes up. I hope you want it to go up! I do! Maybe…25? That should take a while – time to write the next chapter. It probably won't be up for about a week : because I was supposed to go on camp, but I have a note (thank you, Mother!!) so I've been staying home and typing up stories. (I can just hear Christina now: "BLUDGER!") But it's been so fun! Anyway, back to school on Friday : BTW, I've thought of a good role for Jill! And thank-you for reading, you're halfway to stardom! Just press that little blue button down there and type whatever you thought about this chapter. I welcome suggestions. I can accept criticism. (chant) I can accept criticism. I can accept criticism. I can accept criticism. OK bye!