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Earlier that year…

"Harry! Ron!"

The two tall boys looked around at their names, and through the busy crowd of people inside platform nine and three quarters saw a familiar face beaming at them, as she tried to push through a chatting bunch of fourth years.

"Hi Hermione!" Harry called back, and grinning broadly, pulled her through the now disgruntled group of girls.

Ron just stared at her. Though Hermione's face was familiar, no other part of her appearance seemed to be to him. He tried to stop himself staring at her chest, and look instead at her eyes, which were framed with a large amount of eye shadow, making them really pretty. She had changed alright. Everything from her hair to her clothes. Her hair reminded Ron of how she'd worn it at the Yule Ball during fourth year, except now it wasn't pulled back in a bun, but gracefully falling halfway down her back. Even though she'd been with that Krum (stupid git) she'd still looked beautiful, though he hadn't admitted it. She was dressed in baggy denim jeans and a tight white jacket, and was looking at Ron a little quizzically, who hadn't said a word, and was just staring at her.

"Ron?"

Ron blinked foolishly and tore his eyes away from her to Harry's face. "Yeah?"

"Are you ok?" Harry asked with a side long look at Hermione, who looked like she was trying not to laugh.

Ron snapped out of it, realising how weird he must have looked. "Yeah, of course I am! Hey Hermione!" He said, looking at her as though he had only just noticed her and pulling into a big bear hug.

Harry rolled his eyes, "Okay then," he laughed, "Come on, let's go get some seats."

They walked up to the crimson train, with linked arms, but were stopped at the entrance by a tall, thin person with gelled back blond hair and two huge sidekicks.

"Oh great," the pale faced boy said, his drawling voice dripping with sarcasm. "If it isn't the golden trio."

Hermione's face hardened as she looked to her right, and saw that Harry and Ron were wearing the same expression. "Take a hike, Malfoy," Harry spat.

"Now, now where are our manners," Draco Malfoy smirked. "Weasel Boy," He nodded at Ron. Ron rolled his eyes and shot a mock sweet smile back. "Boy-who-just-won't-freaking-die," he spat at Harry, whose face hardened even more, while Crabbe and Goyle guffawed stupidly beside him. Malfoy's face turned to Hermione, and she saw a hint of surprise in his eyes, which quickly vanished to be replaced by another smirk. "Granger?" He said softly. "Is that you? My, my we've grown up haven't we?" He said, taking a step towards her.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Ron said suspiciously, taking a protective step in front of Hermione.

"Oh Ron, please," Hermione said bossily, pushing him away. "I don't need you to protect me against Ferret Boy here."

Malfoy's eyes glinted dangerously, and he took another step towards her. Hermione resisted the urge to take a step back, as he leaned forward their faces were a foot apart. "If I were you I'd watch my tongue, Granger" he whispered maliciously, loudly enough so that Ron and Harry could hear him. "You may have changed on the outside, but I know that inside you are the same know-it-all Mudblood that you always were."

Slap!

Malfoy fell backwards into Crabbe and Goyle in surprise, his own hand on his cheek where Hermione's hand had just left a large red mark. Harry and Ron roared with laughter.

"I wish you'd stop doing that!" Malfoy yelped, forgetting his cool disposition for a moment as tried to get up from the ground.

"Come on, Harry, Ron," Hermione grinned as she pulled them through the door into the carriage. The boys were still laughing hard as they pulled their trunks through the carriages and earned a few raised eyebrows from the people sitting in the chairs. The three of them found an empty carriage and stowed their carriage away in the lockers. They relaxed, chatting about their holidays happily (except for Harry, who had of course had to spend it with his aunt, uncle and nephew.) Gradually the carriage filled up with other Gryffindors; Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil squealed with delight when they saw Hermione and her new look, and immediately ran up to her and started fingering her hair and clothes.

"How did you do it Hermione?" Lavender asked in an awed voice, feeling her silky hair as Hermione giggled and playfully tried to push them away.

"I think we'd all like to know that," Seamus muttered, blushing as Dean chortled at him. Ron said nothing.

Hermione smiled. "Do you like it? I got the spell out of Witch Weekly. It's only new: invented last year."

"It-it look's great." Ron stuttered to her. Harry grinned at him. He knew Ron had had a crush on Hermione since fourth year. By the look of it, every guy except himself in the carriage liked her. Even Neville was eyeing her. Harry didn't think he'd ever have a crush on Hermione. She was way to much like sister.

For the rest of the train ride they just kept chatting. Finally, several hours later they arrived. It was stormy outside, as usual.

"I might just stay in the train, it's cosier." Joked Ron. "See you at Christmas."

They all hurried through the rain, and Harry Ron, Hermione and Neville squashed into a carriage, Harry stroking the thestral's neck as he passed.

"You have no idea how weird you look Harry," Ron chortled, as he slid into the musty carriage.

Everyone was happy, because they were finally back.

Yeah, it's a bit of a lame finish, but we had to update. Please review. Thanks. :-)