Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter

New to Me

Chapter 4

"What was wrong with you last night?" Ginny asked cornering Hermione.

"Listen Gin, nothing was wrong, I told you I just had a terrible headache. That's all ok?" Ginny nodded her head but she didn't seem convinced.

"Are you sure it had nothing to do with…"

"NO!" Hermione snapped.

"Ok, ok fine. I was just wondering gees, you get enough sleep 'Mione?" Ginny asked scowling.

"No, I'm sorry Gin I'm just a little stressed out about school coming back into session and everything." Ginny's face softened.

"I understand." Ginny paused for a moment trying to figure out a way to leave the uncomfortable situation. "I'm going to go down and see everyone else ok?"

"Alright I'll be down in a minute." Ginny nodded and left the room. Hermione stepped over to her suitcase and pulled out a crimson tank top a blue striped over shirt and a jean skirt. By the end of her 5th year at Hogwarts, Hermione was tired of always being looked at as a geek, a little bookworm. So she decided to change up her wardrobe a little, you know a little tighter, a little shorter and a little lower, nothing to drastic. Now, everybody could tell that gasp Hermione was a girl! She started wearing a little makeup and she spent a little more time on her hair.

Hermione was pretty to begin with, she had always had a good figure, large brown eyes and nice skin, but once she decided to show off her figure, emphasize her eyes, and work a little with her hair, she was beautiful. Her chestnut brown hair hung in soft curls just past her shoulders, her chocolate brown eyes opened up her face, and her new and improved attire brought out her figure. Sure she wasn't the prettiest thing ever, but her confidence and the way she carried herself always captured people's attention.

Hermione quickly threw on her clothes and checked her hair in the mirror. She was fairly satisfied with her appearance so she left Ginny's room and descended the stairs to join the rest of her friends. She found Harry and Ron lounging on the couch whispering. Ron had a worried look on his face and Harry was patting him on the back.

"Well I see you guys are engaged in an intelligent conversation." She remarked walking up to the two boys.

"Oh hey 'Mione." Harry said good-naturedly.

"Hi." Ron said blushing. Harry glanced over at Ron trying to hold back his laughter. Hermione too, tried to contain her giggle, she knew that Ron was easily embarrassed.

"So, what have you guys been up to?" She asked trying to start a conversation.

"We've been waiting for you to come down so we could go to Diagon Ally. You've been up there forever."

"Well I'm here so let's go!"

Twenty minutes later Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley emerged into Diagon Ally. "I'll shop for Ginny and Ron, you four can go together and buy Harry and Hermione's things. I'll meet you in front of Ollivanders in three hours, got it?" Mrs. Weasley asked hurriedly, all four nodded, "Don't be late!" She said as she walked off into the crowded street.

The four of them glanced quickly through the 6th year shopping list and began a fast-paced shopping trip that took only thirty minutes out of the three hours they had to spend. Hermione drug three large shopping bags out of Flourish and Blotts. "Here, let me help you." Ron said laughing at Hermione as she struggled to keep the bags in her arms.

"No thank you, I can get it." She said stubbornly. Ron simply rolled his eyes and began walking a little faster. He heard Hermione grunt as she tried to walk normally with the bags, after a couple of agonizing minutes and a few stares she finally sighed in defeat.

"Fine, fine. Come help me with these bags." Ron turned around and stared at her. "Please?" She asked pouting playfully.

"Would you guys please pick up the pace a little?" Ginny asked becoming annoyed.

"Why? You've got somewhere to go?" Ron asked as he lifted the two large bags up with relative ease. Hermione didn't say anything, she only glared at Ron as he began lifting the bags like weights.

"No I just…" Harry cut her off.

"Uh oh guys, here comes trouble." Harry was of course referring to the tall blonde boy coming his way. Ginny followed Harry's stare and her heart skipped a beat. Ron groaned. Malfoy.

"Well, if it isn't the 'Golden Trio' and the she-weasel." He drawled, Ron was already turning red and Malfoy had barely spoken.

"Malfoy." Harry replied nodding.

Malfoy glanced over to Ron noticing the bags he was carrying, "So how much money have you scraped off of Potter today, Weasel?"

Ron was clenching and unclenching his fists, he was using every drop of his self- control to stop himself from pouncing on the cocky blonde standing in front of him, "One of these days Malfoy, I swear to God I'll rip you to shreds." Ron threatened through clenched teeth.

"I'm scared Weasley, really." Malfoy answered smirking at the effect he was having on Ron. He glanced down at his watch, "Sadly enough I must end this pleasant meeting, I've other matters to attend to."

"Oh yeah, you can't miss your meeting with Voldemort, he needs your help in planning world domination." Hermione snorted. Malfoy turned to the brunette, he seemed to have noticed her for the first time.

"You know me all to well Mudblood." He drawled. Hermione and Malfoy locked eyes, shocking silver staring into chocolate brown. Hermione was first to break the stare, Malfoy however, continued to look her up and down.

Hermione, feeling his eyes on her, retorted, "You'd better close your mouth before a couple of bugs fly in."

Malfoy smirked and then turned to Ron and Harry, "Weasley you and Potter had better keep your little Mudblood on her leash, you wouldn't want her straying off…" He gave one last glance at Hermione, turned on his heel and sauntered off.

"That was…" Ginny began to say.

"Weird." Hermione finished as she watched Malfoy's retreating figure.

Back at the Burrow Ginny and Hermione relaxed on the couches chatting about their day while Harry and Ron sat in the corner carrying on a conversation concerning Hermione.

"Did you see the way Malfoy looked at her?" Ron asked seething.

"Ron, most guys look at her like that. She's pretty." Harry told him.

"I guess…Malfoy wouldn't go after her…would he?" Ron asked hesitantly.

"And spoil his purebloodness, doubt it. Besides it's not like Hermione would ever even think about going with Malfoy. You know that. They both hate each other's guts. Trust me Ron there was no romantic connection in that stare. Malfoy just liked what he saw, that's all." Harry reasoned.

"Yeah, you're right." Ron paused for a moment. "Do you think I should do it now?"

"Sure, right now would be a good time. You'd better do it before another guy does."

"Alright." Ron said nervously, "I'm gonna do it."

"Good luck." Harry said as he watched his best friend walk over to the red head and the brunette.

"Hermione?" Ron asked apprehensively.

"Oh hey Ron." She said cheerfully.

"Do you want to take a walk with me?" He managed to say.

"Sure." Hermione glanced over to Ginny who gave her a grin and a wink.

Hermione followed Ron out of the house. She caught up to him and they began to walk side by side down the dirt road. They trudged on silently, both caught up in their own thoughts. After what seemed like forever Ron turned to Hermione, he grabbed her by the shoulders and smashed his mouth onto hers. He sloppily kissed her, Hermione didn't quite know how to react, so she timidly kissed him back. Ron pulled away almost as quickly as he had leaned in.

"S-s-sorry." He stuttered breathlessly. He was about as red as his hair. Hermione smiled at the sheepish boy standing in front if her.

"It's ok." She said. Hermione didn't quite know what to say. It was a rather awkward moment.

"Listen Hermione, I, I've liked you for I don't know how long. I mean who wouldn't, you're pretty, smart and kind. I just have never had the guts to tell you how I felt because, I, I thought you wouldn't like me back. Will you, uh go out with me?" He asked smiling shyly at her.

Hermione's heart melted. He just looked so adorable staring at her like that. So on the spur of the moment she answered, "Yeah, I will." Ron almost danced he was so happy.

Hermione was happy, but not entirely. What about Fred? She liked Ron, but not as much as she did. But what was she supposed to say when Ron had asked her. No sorry, I've got a thing for your older brother. Oh that sounds good.

As Hermione walked back to the house with Ron hand-in-hand she began to reflect on the kiss. It was much different from Fred's. Fred's was soft and sweet and Ron's…she wouldn't be surprised if that was Ron's first kiss. It was fast, rough and kind of wet, nothing liked Fred's whose was unhurried and gentle. She kind of missed Fred, he hadn't been around all day. Him and George were out 'job hunting' whatever that actually means.

Fred was beginning to feel rather guilty about yelling at George. So as they arrived home he decided that apologizing to George would probably be a good idea. Before Fred could say anything to his brother however, a large tawny owl came swooping in to the living room, the owl landed on the table next to George and stuck its leg out. George untied the letter from the owl and stared at it hesitantly. He opened it up and began reading.

Fred watched as his brother's eyes widened and then began filling with tears. George then stood up stiffly, and without saying anything walked out of the room. Fred stared after his brother, he'd never seen him react to anything like that. George was usually quite open about his feelings and wouldn't break down that easily. Then it hit him, the letter was from Katie.