Hey, this is my very first fic, so please be nice. Constructive criticism is always helpful.

Chapter 1

Hermione Granger was leaning against a tree not far from Hogwarts School of

Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was lightly snowing and even though it was only 3 in the afternoon,

the sky was dark, gray, and cloudy as it had been all day. She didn't mind at all though, since

this was her favorite type of weather. Hermione would have liked it snowing a bit harder. As

she was thinking this, she didn't notice someone walking towards her. She jumped when she

realized who was in front of her, and the person started to laugh softly.

"Hey Mione," he said in a cheery voice. She turned to face him.

"Hello Ron," she said quietly, staring straight ahead, determined not to look at him. The

two didn't fight anymore, and Hermione had realized she liked Ron. Not that he knew. She

always blushed now though, whenever she made eye contact with him.

"What're you doing out here all by yourself?" he questioned.

"Oh nothing, just thinking..."

"Oh, I see." Neither one of them said anything for a couple of moments.

"So," said Ron. "Are you going to the village this weekend?"

"I'm not sure, I won't have anyone to go with. Harry's going with Ginny, and Lavender

and Parvati have got boyfriends now." She looked at Ron. "I take it you're going with

Padma?" Ron and Padma had been going steady for awhile now.

To her surprise he sighed. "Yeah, but I don't think I'll be going to the next one with her.

I've got a feeling she's going to break it off pretty soon. She's been sort of distant lately." Ron

looked her in the eye. Hermione felt her face heat up so she turned her head in the direction of

the school.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"Thanks," he said. Suddenly Hermione tilted her head back and stuck out her tongue.

Ron looked at her in amusement. "Mione, what are you doing?"

"Cathing a thnow-ache."

"Sorry?"

She put her tongue back in her mouth and repeated herself. "Catching a snowflake."

She stuck her tongue back out. And then Ron did the weirdest thing. He copied her.

Hermione put her head back up and stared at him.

He noticed. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing, it's just that, that's the first time you haven't given me a lecture about the snow

being impure."

"Oh."

They stood in silence again. Hermione didn't get it. This was one of her best friends,

why couldn't she talk to him anymore? Just because she liked him, didn't mean that he liked

her.

"Hey Mione?" She smiled. He was the only one who called her by a nickname. She

knew Ron had a girlfriend, but for some reason, the nickname always made her feel special.

"Yes Ron?" she said.

"Do you know what time it is?"

Hermione checked her watch and her eyes widened. "It's already five thirty!" she cried.

Had they really been out there for two and a half hours?

"Oh shoot, we've gotta go get ready for dinner right now!"

They both quickly said goodbye, and rushed into the school. There was a new rule at

Hogwarts that you were expected to shwoer and put on a clean uniform for dinner. Hermione

quickly showered and put on her Hogwarts robes. Then she fixed her brown curly hair. Her

hair had improved a lot from before. No longer did she have frizzy and bushy hair, instead she

had soft shiny curls cascading down her back, the kind every girl hoped for. She looked at her

face. Hermione had no belmishes at all, and her face was quite pale, for she never went outside

anymore unless it was winter. She had no desire to get sweaty during the summer, except for

quidditch games. Personally, she thought pale skin suited her better. The summer before her

third year, she had gone to France and gotten pretty tan. She just wasn't a tan person. Her

eyes had gotten darker, now a more chocolate brown, rather than the hazel eyes she used to

have. She really didn't like them that much. But even if they weren't the color she wanted, at

least they were big. Hermione was always being complimented for that. She wished they were

a blue-gray color. Not many people understood why, but that was what she had always

wanted. Finally she decided she was ready. No need for makeup, she never wore the stuff.

She gave herself one more look over and headed down to the Great Hall for dinner.

Yeah, I know, not the best beginning to a story, and not the longest either. But I promise, it will get better. I just need at least six reviews so I can figure out if people actually WANT another chapter. Plus, sorry if there are any spelling mistakes. Please review!