Chapter Two – A Different Hermione

Soon after leaving the station, Harry found that they were pulling into the driveway of a newly painted house. It was a small two-story house that was painted a light red color. Beside the front steps were two flowerbeds full of lovely colorful flowers and on the deck was one of those porch swings.

Hermione got out of the car followed by a rather nervous Harry. He helped Mr. Granger with their trunks while Hermione went inside with her mother. She looked extremely glad to be home.

"Follow me Harry," Mr. Granger said as he led Harry upstairs. They stopped in front of a door. Harry was led inside of what seemed to be an extra room. In the far corner were a desk and a bookshelf. On the floor were several boxes that hadn't seemed to be open in a very long time. Mr. Granger put down Hermione's trunk and Harry his.

"Thanks for inviting me to stay at your home Mr. Granger," Harry said. He relaxed a little as Mr. Granger gave him a warm smile.

"It's not a problem," he replied, "not a problem at all. Hermione's told us so much about how great and amazing you are."

Harry felt himself going a little red. Just then, Hermione appeared at the door. She'd changed from her jeans to a pair of short shorts and a tight pink shirt. She smiled at Harry, who seemed to be staring at her like she was a stranger, and got some of her clothes from her trunk.

"Come on Harry," she said asking him to follow.

Harry followed Hermione down to her room. He couldn't believe that this was his best friend. He was very used to her in pants and sweaters, not short shorts and tight shirts. He looked around her room in awe. It looked so ordinary. The inside was painted a light yellow. On the walls hung posters of cats, dogs, and celebrities. Beside her bed was a small shelf full of CDs. Near the window was a desk full of pictures and beside it was a rather small bookshelf.

"Have a seat," she gestured to her desk chair.

Harry took a seat still feeling shocked. He waited for Hermione to finish putting her clothes away.

"Are you alright Harry?" she asked as soon as she was finished.

"Yeah… Yeah I'm alright," Harry replied. "Hermione thanks again."

"Don't worry about it Harry! Come on, we've got a couple hours before dinner."

She grabbed his hand and dragged him off. Harry remained silent as she took him outside and soon they were a block away from her house.

"Hermione," Harry said as he noticed that she hadn't said anything to her parents, "you didn't—"

"They don't mind," she said, "I always take walks before dinner. Thought we'd go to the park."

"Oh," replied Harry. It was the only thing he could think of to say when he realized that she was still holding his hand. He began to blush.

He'd held her hand so many times before but it felt different now. It was… It wasn't exactly uncomfortable… He was just now very much aware that his best friend was a girl; a very pretty girl and he was holding her hand.

As soon as they reached the park, Hermione let go of Harry's hand (much to his regret) and ran to the swings. Harry had never seen her act so… Carefree. He was used to her sophisticated ways. He took the swing beside her and stared at her. She was very high up in the air already. Slowly, he began to swing.

To his surprise, Hermione was singing as she swung. Harry nearly fell off his swing because of what he'd just heard.

"You fill me up when I'm alone… I can't take my eyes off you," she sung softly. She glanced at Harry and smiled.

Harry couldn't stop himself. "You're singing!" he exclaimed. Oh if Ron were there he'd be bursting out with laughter since this was such a un Hermione-ish thing to do.

Hermione jumped from the swing. She shrugged at his comment. Harry attempted to jump off too but fell flat on his face. Hermione quickly helped him up.

"I didn't know you sang," Harry blinked at her as they headed home. He narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously. "What else don't I know about you?"

Hermione smiled mischievously. "Wouldn't you like to know."

Before he could ask what she meant, she'd took off running.

"Last one there is a big ugly troll!" she called over her shoulder as she laughed.

This really was a different Hermione. Harry blinked. He watched her run, her brown hair flying behind her. He wasn't going to complain about her sudden change; in fact he kind of liked this new Hermione. His heart pounding, he took off after her.

Author's Note: Oooh I updated this story and the other story... Do you know what that says about me? I have NO life! Lol. Oh well it's alright. Soon I'll have to start work and won't get to update as much so don't hate me cuz I haven't got anything else to do than update my stories lol. Oh and thanks for the reviews! I see some of my old reviewers are back hahahaha awesome! Hope you like the story. Oh and the setting of this story is in the summer after their third year! Yesh, third year, it's sort of an AU thing cuz uhmm yeah anyway this is long so byebye!

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