Chapter 1: Off to the Burrow

Hermione felt a tingle run up through her hand, spreading up to her entire body. She looked in the mirror and gave a slight smile at her reflection. She then walked over to her desk and crossed off tanning spell from her list.

Over the summer, Hermione had grown tired of always being gossiped about because she wasn't completely fanatic about shopping and make up. She loved shopping, but she was a newcomer to make up. So, she decided to give people something to gossip about.

Her hair was no longer unkempt and bushy. Her long brown hair reached her mid-back and she used spells to keep it from curling. Her now tan skin was glowing due to her excitement about that day.

She was going to the Burrow to help set up a surprised birthday party for one her best friends, Harry Potter. She would finally be able to talk to him properly.

Ever since he had defeated Voldemort the previous year both the ministry and reporters had constantly harassed him. And now, with Sirius cleared from all charges, (A/N: Book five is non-existent) Sirius had taken Harry to his home in London. Since they were still settling in, all owls between him and his friends had been hurried and short.

Hermione applied some eyeliner the Muggle way. She discovered that half the fun in make up, was putting it on! So she preferred to do everything herself, without magic.

She walked over to her closet and picked out a white sundress with a dipping v-neck. It wasn't too revealing, but much more form-fitted than most of her other clothes. She couldn't wait till everyone saw her!

On her way downstairs to her kitchen, she saw her mother headed into the study where her father was holding some silly Muggle newspaper that swore the paranormal existed. Hermione and her parents loved reading them. They were so funny but when she saw the worried look on her mother's face, she called out to her,

"Mom, is everything okay?"

"Oh, yes dear, everything is peachy!" her mother answered her back brushing off her daughter's curiosity, "There are pancakes and eggs with bacon on the counter waiting for you!"

Hermione walked into the kitchen thinking about what just happened. It was strange seeing her mother act so distractedly. (A/N: Is that a word?) The last time it happened, her aunt had died, she thought, while serving herself some food.

But she wouldn't let it worry her, not today of all days. If it were really that important, her parents would have told her. Besides, there were pancakes in front of her; She loves pancakes!

An hour later a knock on her door had told her that the Weasly's had arrived to pick her up. She opened the front door, and found herself almost strangled to death by a fiery redheaded girl.

"Ginny!" She shrieked, "You're strangling me! I need air!"

"I'm sorry," said Ginny, "I just haven't seen you in so long!" Ginny looked her up and down. "Wow, you look great! Studying up on something other than school this summer were you?" questioned Ginny.

"Yeah actually," said an amused Hermione "I thought it time for a change. But you too! Man, you look fabulous!" And Ginny really did.

Her body had developed more over the summer, it being more curvy, though not as much as Hermione's. Her red hair had started waving, looking very elegant with her blue eyes.

"Thanks." said Ginny, blushing.

"Well, don't keep her all to yourself Ginny, I want to see her too!" Said a male voice behind Ginny.

"Ron!" exclaimed Hermione happily.

"How have you been Hermoine?" he asked her.

"Oh, fine." She responded.

"Yeah, I can tell!" he teased her. "You look great!"

"Thanks," she giggled, "and you look as gangly as ever."

"Wow, what a great compliment Hermione!" he said good-naturedly. Ever since he had come out of the closet as gay the year before, he had been much more cheerful, and in a much better mood. His friendship with her had only strengthened. Who would have thought that Hermione would be the Grace in Will & Grace? (A/N: love the show, hate Ron, can you tell?)

"Anyway, have you got your stuff ready? We're going through the floo-network." Said Ron.

"How did you get here? And where are your parents?" asked Hermione.

"My, my. Aren't we full of questions today my dear? We came on brooms using an invisibility potion. Mum and dad are at home decorating the house for the party. Now, since I'm not under-age anymore, I volunteered to come pick you up today myself. Happy?"

"Very."

She let him take her bags with him, took some floo powder fro him, and the next thing she knew she was covered in soot on the floor of the Weasly's home. She got up wiping herself off and looked around the room. It was full of party streamers and signs that read "Happy Birthday Harry!" for Harry's surprise party.

A noise from the fireplace made her jump out of the way to let Ginny hit the floor and not her. Ginny fell through and quickly dusted herself off. A grouchy looking Crookshanks at her feet meowing loudly.

"Ron is coming through now." She said.

Right on cue, Ron came tumbling out of the fireplace, trunks and all, and promptly hit his head on the floor with a sickening crack.

"Right", he said as if it was an everyday occurrence, "Everyone's in the kitchen preparing the food."

They walked in the Kitchen to find Mrs.Weasely preparing the cake, Mr. Weasely being explained what a pizza was by Fred and George, Professor Lupin fixing up some ice cream for desert, Charlie and Bill arguing about if they should put out Coke or Pepsi as drinks (A/N: COKE!!! ALWAYS COKE!!), and Fleur and a girl Hermione did not know laughing at Bill and Charlie's antics.

"Aah, there you two are. Hello Hermione dear! Ron, go conjure up a pizza for me. Ginny be a darling and finish the cake for me while I help Hermione settle in." said Mrs.Weasely.

After Hermione said Hello to everyone, Mrs. Weasely guided her over to the pretty brunette to be introduced. "Hermione, this is Marrissabelle, Charlie's girlfriend. She'll be teaching DADA this year. Oh, for heaven's sake boys! Set out both drinks!"

"So you'll be teaching DADA this year huh?" asked Hermione, trying to make small talk.

"Yeah," said Marrissabelle, "It should be fun."

"You'll be our first Woman DADA teacher." She said.

Mrs. Weasely interrupted, "Hermione, Sirius will arriving in an hour and a half with Harry in tow. When he gets here, try to keep him distracted while he puts his things away so he won't notice everything in here"

"Sure!" she smiled.

An hour and a half later, the doorbell rang, and Hermione ran to envelope Harry in the biggest hug in existence. That's right. The Bear hug.

"Hi Hermione." said Harry, blushing.

"Hi Harry." Hermione had been expecting Harry to comment something about her new appearance, but he already seemed a little distracted. He was staring behind her, and for a minute, Hermione thought he had spotted the decorations. But then, Hermione saw what he had been staring at.

Ginny walked into the hallway to greet Harry when she stopped dead at the sight in front of her. He was gorgeous. He had always been good looking, but she had never seen him look so good.

He had obviously been practicing quidditch at Sirius's house, for he was quite toned, and quite tan. His eyes were still piercing green and his hair was as messy as ever. He had grown a great deal however, now he was almost as tall as Ron.

And he was looking at her too. She cleared her throat, snapping out of her trance, and broke the silence, "Hi Harry. Should we take your things upstairs?"

"Sure." Harry said, apparently still in his stupor.

Ginny grabbed Hedwig's cage and realized that Hermione was standing there, and had seen the whole exchange.

It was also very hard to miss the huge grin plastered on Hermione's face. She started to tease her when Harry was out of earshot, "So Ginny, when's the wedding?

She shrugged it off, dropped Hedwig's cage off at Harry's room, and waited for the traditional "Surprise!" beginning for these parties.

A/N: heyy!!! I started a new fic!!! I hope u like it!!! Review!!! I won't be leaving this one any time soon, cuz I already have the next three chapters written, and the 5th one outlined!!! In the next chapter, the party and letters!!! Xoxo

SPARKLING EYES