The next morning, Hermione locked the bathroom door and opened the book. She went to the index and found what she was looking for; Spells for hair. She read "This simple spell straightens, and makes hair glossy, smooth and easy to manage".
"Perfect" She said to herself. She took her wand, pointed it at her head, closed her eyes and muttered the required incantation. She waited a few moments, and she opened her eyes. She couldn't help but gasp when she saw her reflection. Her usually frizzy and messy hair hung sleek and long down her back. She reached up and ran her fingers through it. It felt amazing. Smooth and soft; she couldn't remember the last time she could run her hands through her hair without getting stuck! She shook her head and her long hazelnut locks shone in the light. This was amazing! If only she knew about this charm in time for the last Yule Ball! She then opened her toiletry case, where there were a few bits and pieces of make-up that her mother had given her for Christmas the year before. A little eye-shadow, mascara, blush and lipstick and she was ready. She stared at her reflection; she could hardly believe it was her. Then someone banged on the bathroom door.
"Hermione! Open the door; other people need to use the bathroom too!" Came Parvati's voice.
"Alright, alright." Said Hermione, and she opened the door.
"About…" And Parvati stopped dead. Her jaw fell a little when she saw Hermione and she was speechless. Hermione grinned and walked away, leaving Parvati with a most unattractive look on her face. She picked up her bag and put it over her back and ran down the stairs into the common room. She saw Harry, Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville standing around talking, and she walked over to them.
"Hey guys, thanks for waiting for me." She said as she reached them. The all turned and 5 jaws dropped just like Parvati's had done a few minutes earlier.
"Hermione!" Said Harry.
"Wow Hermione, you look… You look wow!" Said Seamus with a grin.
"Your hair looks different, you look different!" Said Neville, whose eyes were ready to pop out of his head.
"Bloody hell!" was all Ron could manage. Hermione grinned as she saw Parvati and Lavender scowling past.
That day, people kept doubling back to check if it really was her, and she enjoyed the attention. One Hufflepuff fourth year even asked her if she was new. She even walked with a new confidence. She used to walk the halls hunched over with the weight of 100 books in her back, her head looking at the floor. Today her head was up all the time, and she met everyone with a smile.
She walked into Transfiguration and sat down by herself, and Neville, Dean and Seamus had a little struggle in the walkway to see who would sit next to her. In the end Seamus and Dean sat on either side of her, and Neville, a little down because of being defeated sat in the row in front of them. When Harry and Ron entered the class, they were shocked to see Hermione was sitting with other people, but she just shrugged as they looked at her, and they sat beside Neville. Hermione saw Harry turn around, about to say something to her but at that moment Professor McGonagall walked in.
"Class, today we will be turning books into bats, but before we begin, I have an announcement to make. To celebrate Hogwarts 5000th anniversary we will be having a formal ball. As you will know, because you all would have attended the Yule Ball in your 4th year, dress robes are required, and I cannot stress enough how much you must all be on your best behavior. All kinds of guests will be attending, including celebrities, ministry officials, past students and past teachers, and I would not want any of you shaming me and your house. There will be a notice in your common room with any other information you will need regarding the ball. Okay class, take out your wands!"