Chapter 1: New Image
The alarm went off causing Hermione to jump out of bed. She still had to pack her things. This would be her last year at Hogwarts and she was not going to start things off on a bad note by being late to catch the train.
Grabbing a change of clothes, she raced to the bathroom. She probably took the shortest shower in history. However, she got her hair washed and she was happy.
She chose her clothes carefully. She changed over the summer; she now had a figure. She bought clothes that would accentuate her curves. She also wanted to show off her lovely tan she received while vacationing in Spain.
Today she chose a black halter that was v-shaped in the front. Next, she chose a pair of hip huggers and a pair of cute black heels. About an inch of midriff could been seen between the halter and top of the jeans.
She left the towel wrapped around her head as she went down to eat breakfast. Her mom had fixed her favorite- bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel. She poured a glass of flavored water and ate her last breakfast with her parents in a while.
She raced back up the stairs to pack her trunk. As usual, it was stuffed almost full with books. However, she managed to fit everything in it, even if she had to sit on the lid to snap it closed.
Crookshanks sat on the toilet seat watching her stuff her trunk. He also sat there when she finally entered the bathroom to fix her hair.
Her hair had changed over the summer along with the rest of her body. It was no longer an untamable bushy mass. It hung in dark brown curls to her waist.
Deciding that she would leave her hair down, she took a comb to the damp tendrils. She applied a little get after getting it tangle free. Then she attacked it with the blow dryer. There, perfect!
Hermione studied her reflection in the mirror. Sure, she noticed the changes, but would her friends? She looked so different, she didn't know how they couldn't notice.
Her dad called her name and she glanced at her clock. It was time to go. Picking Crookshanks up, she went into her bedroom. She carefully deposited him in the carrier and picked it and the handle of her trunk up.
She said on last goodbye to her room. She made her way down the stairs carefully and passed her trunk on to her father who took it to the car. She shut the door behind her and opened the car door. She took one last glance at her house and then climbed into the car.
Harry and Ron were standing beside the train waiting for her when she passed through the barrier. She saw their mouths open when they saw her. So they did notice the changes.
"Hermione," Ron stuttered, "you look amazing."
"Yeah," Harry said with a play whistle, "you are looking good!"
"Thank you, thank you," Hermione smiled. "Now will you two help me get my trunk on the train please?"
"Sure," both boys answered in unison.
Harry and Ron transferred the trunk from the trolley to the compartment they reserved earlier. Neither could believe how good Hermione looked. Spain did something for her.
Harry looked at Ron and wanted to laugh at his expression. Harry knew that Ron was in love with Hermione. Ron had confided that little bit of information to him last year. Harry was sure, however, that Hermione did not reciprocate those feelings. And for that, he felt bad for Ron.
Ron knew it was going to be a long year. To be tormented by the new Hermione every day and know that she would never be his would kill him! He knew that she didn't fell the same way that he felt. Harry tried to keep the fact that she didn't return his feelings from him. But you just can't hide something so obvious. Harry was being a good friend though and Ron was grateful.
Hermione soon entered the compartment carrying the carrier that held Crookshanks. She looked at Ron and felt a little bad. Ron liked her and she just couldn't bring herself to like him. He tried not to act hurt but it was there in his eyes.
A/N- okay, these chapters are going to be shorter than the one in my other story. This isn't another time-turner flick (though those are good too). Please Review!
