Spazzy Babe: You're too sweet! Thank you!

4. Working out

Hermione gasped for breath. The warm up felt good, but by the third lap, 15 minutes in, she felt her lungs would burst.

"That's good for today, Hermione. It's going to take you a bit before you get the stamina we have," panted Parvati as she jogged in place beside the raggedly breathing girl.

"Thanks….I think….I'll walk…for a bit…"

'Are they crazy? How do they do it? Look at them though, this will be worth it.'

15 minutes later, she was joined by her roommates for a cool down walk.

"How you feeling?" asked Lavender.

"Good! I'm glad I joined you. I'll get my stamina up in no time," Hermione answered.

"Ready to do some weight training?"

Hermione grinned. "You bet!"

oOoOoOo

"Now, we don't do anything to strenuous. We alternate days between arms and legs; today's a leg day. Here…this is the leg press. It weighs pretty little on its own, so we add weight to it. I think to start; we'll give you 20 pounds. Do 10 reps of 10, and between each rep, take two 3 pound weights and do a set of lunges across the floor," instructed Parvati.

Hermione lay on her back and propped her feet against the machine. Her first 5 reps were rather easy; however Lavender talked her out of adding more weight.

"We're not trying to get buff here, just to stay toned. Besides, if you do too much to fast, you won't be able to walk tomorrow. You're going to be sore as it is."

Lavender and Parvati were really dedicated to this regimen, Hermione noted. They did add a few more pounds to the leg press, but Hermione was grateful that they didn't push her too hard…just yet anyway. Before she knew it…

"Shit!" Parvati exclaimed. "It's almost 4:00! The Slytherin team will be here any minute! Let's hit the showers girls."

oOoOoOo

Two weeks passed surprisingly fast. For the first week, Hermione's limbs and abdomen burned like never before. The daily weigh ins were a bit much in her opinion, but she was pleased when at the end of two weeks, she not only lost the 10 pounds she was aiming for, but three pounds extra AND an inch and a half off her mid section. Lavender and Parvati were thrilled beyond belief. It had worked! Hermione had accomplished her goal, and thanked them profusely. Since Hermione began spending so much time with the other girls, she realized they weren't so bad after all. They were still much more….girly than she could ever be, but she started seeing them as friends.

"So…two weeks are up…can you still stand us?" Lavender asked timidly

"Of course I can! You guys really know your stuff! How can I ever thank you?"

"Keep coming out with us. You know, you're not as nerdish as you used to be."

"Thanks, Lav, I'll take that as a compliment."

"You look great, even better than before."

Hermione grinned. If Lav and Parvati had this many compliments, she wondered how others would react. Luckily it was Saturday…muggle clothes day. As she noted two weeks ago, robes covered everything. Maybe, just maybe, she could get an ounce of the attention usually lavished on the other girls. In a good mood, she let Parvati pick out her outfit for the day. After much rummaging and discarding of clothes, Parvati found something satisfying.

"Here 'Mione." She tossed over a pair of faded low rise jeans and a sea green spaghetti strapped tank top.

"Thanks." She dressed quickly, tied her hair up in a messy knot, and left the room to meet her boys for lunch.

"Hey Ginny!" she called to the younger girl sitting on the sofa.

"Hey Hermione! Have you lost weight? You look really good!"

"Thanks! Yeah, a little. I felt it was about time to get in shape."

"Well it worked, you look great!"

"Thanks. You seen the boys yet?" she asked.

"No, they're probably still sleeping. Wanna go check?" Ginny asked mischievously.

But before they could get up, Harry and Ron fairly stumbled into the common room.

"Well good morning sunshines!!" Ginny sang.

"Shut it Gin, its way too early," groaned Ron.

"It's 11:45!" said Hermione incredulously. "You've wasted half the day! You could have made a major dent in some of that homework you have piling up!"

"Whatever," Harry yawned and pushed a hand through his already mussed hair. "Let's just get breakfast."

"Lunch," Ginny corrected and received a dirty look from Ron.

oOoOoOo

"What's up with the salad? Hasn't it been two weeks yet?" Harry asked between bites.

"You could say I've grown rather…attached to it."

Ron swallowed. "I still say its rabbit food."

"I don't like working out on a full stomach. Speaking of which…I need time to digest before I hit the gym with the girls this afternoon. See you at dinner!"

"What happened to the Hermione we know and love?" asked Ron

"DO YOUR HOMEWORK," she called over her shoulder.

"There she is!" answered Harry laughing.

oOoOoOo

Heading up the stairs, Hermione heard a cacophony whistles, catcalls, and hollers. 'Wow!' she thought. 'Is this what Lav and Parvati get? I could definitely get used to this! If I get this with 13 pounds, I wonder what another 5 could do!'