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Chapter 9
Hermione's POV
I look out of my window almost wistfully. I'm at Hogwarts again, and through all the torment and sadness the world seems to be suffering, I'm feeling happy because of that. Seven years ago 'happy' might've been something I looked up in a book to find the definition of, but when you're with Harry and Ron, you learn that happy is something that can only be found through oneself, with others. Not through books.
"Hey, Hermione. You look happy. So… who is it? Who's the lucky boy?" Says Parvati behind me gleefully. I turn around, surprised.
"I'm just.. Happy. Completely happy that I'm here," I respond, smiling. Lavender raises her eyebrows.
"Whatever!" She says. "You might not even know it yet, but I bet there is someone you're happy about."
I turn back to the sill, happiness temporarily forgotten. What could she mean? Maybe… maybe she's right. Parvati has been studying me closely; she turns around and winks at Lavender, and stifles a giggle.
"So, who is it, Hermione? You can tell us."
"I'm… I'm not sure."
I really am confused now. What am I trying to do? Anyone be interested in me? Hermione Granger? Muggle-born, bushy hair?
No. Wait a minute. I can do something about that.
"Hey, Lavender. Can I borrow some of your cosmetics?"
Parvati doubles up. "Ah - Hermione. Welcome to our world. We've been persuading you for ages - it's taken you seven years!"
I grin sheepishly. What am I doing? But before I can move, Parvati and Lavender have stood around me, eyes seemingly glittering malevolently, and our dormitory is temporarily turned into a beauty saloon.
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As I sit down next to Ron, he soon hushes up. A few of the boys' mouths have fallen open, and I suddenly blush. Parvati and Lavender, still laughing, move down the table, whispering: "Go get 'em, girl…"
"Hi, Ron."
Ron starts munching on his kippers again as if nothing has happened. "Um, looking, er, different today, Hermione?"
"Um, a bit." I say. Over the other side of the table, Dean Thomas goggles at me.
"Hey, Hermione. You look nice," he says.
Phew. I was beginning to wonder if they had drawn a lipstick moustache on me.
"Thanks." I say. "New year - new practices."
"Oh yeah," snorts Ron. "And I guess this is for a Muggle Studies homework."
I shoot him a look that could burn through the table.
"Uh, but for the record, you look… good."
He says that in a very strange manner indeed; but wisely, he's dodged the oncoming death I had waiting for him. I smile, well aware of how different I look. "That was a good thing to say," I say, playing with a wisp of loose, but straight hair. Straight hair. Parvati - I love you and your muggle technology.
"Umm, what's our first lesson?" Asks Ron, oblivious to the fact his time table is right in front of us. I sigh, get out my own, and say;
"Potions. God. Finally, I can get my title back as best student in Potions, rather than Harry."
Ron grins, and I glance at him suspiciously. "No chance, Hermione. Harry left me this before he legged it." He waves the Half Blood Prince's book in one hand. I almost snarl with his ignorance.
"But Ron - you know who's that is now! How can you keep it?"
"So? It makes me feel better, actually, knowing that I'm benefiting from Snape's misfortune."
I growl.
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I can't believe that a day at Hogwarts could be so stressful. My hair seems to be desperately trying to go back to its normal electrocuted look with the complete and utter exhaustion I feel. I slump down in the common room, near the fire. I have one free period now - and then it's back to my N.E.W.T classes to toil. Oh, joy.
Ron slumps in the armchair next to me.
"Hello," I say glumly.
"Hi," he yawns. "I feel like I've just got out of bed. I mean, how was I supposed to read Snape's handwriting? I thought it said 'bottled lies' not 'toad's lies'. I'm crap at reading his writing. Harry should have kept the book."
"Yes," I say simultaneously. "It certainly would've have been useful to him. Anyway. Did you mean to blow up the cauldron and turn it to acid?"
"Uh, no…" Mutters Ron dejectedly.
I laugh. "Ron, you're one in a million, you know!"
Did I just say that?
DID I JUST SAY THAT?
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Note from Author: See Harry's response in the… NEXT CHAPTER FEATURING HERMIONE! Bwahahahahah!