Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot. Well, if you find any similarity between other stories, it is purely coincidental. But hey, consider it a compliment because if I read something or hear something I like, it gets engraved in my brain. Anyway, enough of this rambling...Onto the story...

Hermione was sitting over by the roaring fire in one of the oversized poofy armchairs, doing work, as usual. She took a moment to glance over at Ron. He was sitting at a table near the fire playing Wizard's Chess with Ginny. Merlin, is he cute. Wait a minute! What am I thinking? This is my best friend here. Ron concentrated on his next move with his tongue between his teeth. But he's just so damn hot! Hermione mentally scolded herself and growled. Gryffindors nearby looked up, confused.

"Er...Essay question too easy," she said embarrassedly, and to her annoyance, the students seemed to accept that as truth. I'm not all about homework! I think about different things. Like...Oh bugger! I do only think about homework. Oy, they probably all think I'm little miss bookworm. Well, I'll show them. This week I will be totally unlike me. That's it! I'll get Ginny to help me. I really don't trust Lavender and Parvati. She eyed the aforementioned girls giggling and shrieking across the room with Seamus and Dean. "Oy, Ginny! Come here!" she yelled at the young redhead.

"Just a minute, Hermione, Ron is about to kick my arse," she said grumpily as her brother checkmated her king. "Coming, 'cause I'm done." She stood up and walked to the armchairs.

"I have a brilliant plan and I need your, and only your, help," she urgently whispered. Ginny just eyed the older girl oddly, but then nodded eagerly, her wavy red hair flapping rapidly. "Follow me," Hermione said, while motioning towards the staircases to the girls' dorms. They bounded up the stairs two at a time and into the Sixth Years' dorm. After sitting down on the floor beside Hermione's bed, Hermione started twiddling her thumbs and looking down at her lap.

"What?!?" Ginny asked anxiously. She was actually bobbing up and down with anticipation, she wanted to know so badly.

"Well, I, um well, I came to a couple of conclusions while you and your brother," she took this time to blush furiously, "were playing chess. One, I have figured out that, um, I fancy Ron, and..."

"About bloody time!" Ginny said, rather loudly.

"Ginny! Hush! And anyway, what do you mean 'about time'?" Hermione questioned incredulously.

"Sorry 'bout that. But, it's been rather common knowledge to the Gryffindors that you two fancy each other for quite some time now." Hermione gaped and became very embarrassed. "Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and, um," she gulped, "even Slytherin know." Hermione gaped even wider. "Actually, some of the professors have caught on too. Um, my mum and dad have it figured out and I think there are bets going around school about it." Hermione would have fallen over from shock and embarrassment if she hadn't been sitting down and leaning against the bed frame. "Just thought that since you yourself have admitted it, I would go ahead and tell you...Enough of that, though we will talk more later. You said you had a couple of conclusions?"

"Well," she began meekly, as she was still recovering from the blow that Ginny had hit her with, "I also have realized that everyone sees me as Miss Goody-Goody-Smart-Lil'-Bookworm-Who Just Happens To Hang Out With The Dynamic Duo. And now I also know that they place bets on me. I wanna change that, Ginny. Be different."

"Hermione. Future sister-in-law." Hermione glared. "Well, it is a possibility! Anyway, you are different! You are a brilliant witch and my best friend! Along with being the best friend of my love-interest and the love-interest of my brother. Merlin, Gryffindors have confusing relationships."

Laughingly, Hermione added, "I think that's the entire Hogwarts' student population. I don't even want to think about the teachers!" The girls gagged at the latter and giggled at the former. "Ginny, I still want to change and see what people think. Just for a week, I promise!" She gave the younger girl puppy dog eyes.

"Oh, it's going to suck when you and my brother do that to each other." Hermione's mouth opened in shock and Ginny got out of any harm that might befall her because of her statement. "But, okay, I'll help. How are we going to get you new clothes?"

"I have an idea," Hermione said slyly, which was strange for her because she was never sly.