Ginny left Hermione sitting alone at the window to look at the remaining leaves blowing in the wind. How could Ginny presume Hermione felt that way about Ron? Ronald Weasley, the red headed boy who couldn't turn his rat yellow? Ronald Weasley, the klutzy guy who always laughed at himself? Ronald Weasley, her hotheaded, slacker, of a best friend? Ginny must be a little nutters.
Ginny left Hermione sitting alone at the window to look at the remaining leaves blowing in the wind. How could Ginny presume Hermione felt that way about Ron? Ronald Weasley, the red headed boy who couldn't turn his rat yellow? Ronald Weasley, the klutzy guy who always laughed at himself? Ronald Weasley, her hotheaded, slacker, of a best friend? Ginny must be a little nutters.
Hermione looked over to where Ron seemed to be celebrating another victory and smiled at his laugh that carried across the room. She stopped herself and realized that maybe she did have more feelings for Ron than she thought. Sure he was always a little cute with his freckles, blue eyes, and that silly grin. He had a sense of humor that she loved and he was always nice to her. After third year, they grew accustomed to arguing so much it really meant nothing—with the exception of Viktor Krum and the Yule Ball.
Slowly, it started making sense to her. Hermione was an expert at practically everything but herself. When she spent the last fortnight of the summer holidays at the Burrow, it was exceptionally warm. It was even hotter when her hair was down in all its poofy glory, so she'd put in it a ponytail or messy bun to get it off her face and neck. After getting a few compliments on her adjusted look, Ron more or less gawked at her, she continued to style it for school.
Spending more time with Ginny meant reading more of Witch Weekly and a few teen magazines they got when they went into muggle London. Her wardrobe changed, her attitude changed, and she even woke up a little bit earlier to put on some makeup. Hermione didn't think of it then, but she wanted to look good. She wanted attention, more specifically male attention.
On the first day of school, she was getting more looks from boys in other houses. She wasn't just nerdy Hermione Granger, she was the more mature version of a nerdy Hermione Granger. They had assumed most of those looks to be for Harry since they were walking together.
So maybe I do have some feelings for Ron. Maybe that's what I want, what I need-someone to call my own. Being with Viktor was nice, but I want more. I want, I can't believe I'm thinking this, but maybe what I want is…Ron.
The next morning, Hermione was in Advanced Arithmancy copying down a histogram half-heartedly when there was a knock at the door. It was Professor McGonagall with a boy she had never seen before in Hogwarts robes. After a moment of whispering to Professor Vector, McGonagall left the room and the boy behind.
"Students, if I may have just a moment. I would like you all to welcome Michael Gates to Hogwarts. He is a transfer from America and has been sorted into Ravenclaw. So please, say your hellos to him outside of class and try not to pester him with too many questions,"
Hermione sized up the beautiful creature before her. This Michael Gates was definitely a looker, and obviously a thinker if he was in Advanced Arithmancy. She couldn't get over how handsome he was. His skin was slightly pale-a summer's tan fading slowly, with short, spiked, light blonde hair. Hermione noticed his eyes were the brightest blue that must've had the depth of the seven layers of hell. They resembled pools of water that when the light hit it just right, they exploded with shimmering beauty. Professor Vector must have said a joke, because out of no where, Michael smiled and Hermione nearly melted at how straight and white his teeth were. That smile was so straight and full of personality! He was pretty tall too, considering she was sitting at the front of the room, just about as tall as Ron. As her eyes worked their way downward, barely listening to was Professor Vector was saying, Hermione determined he had a nice build. His button up shirt fitted over his arms and broad chest perfectly leaving just enough to the imagination; he must've played quidditch or some other sport where he came from.
"Miss Granger?"
Hermione blinked and saw that Michael noticed her staring.
"Y-Yes Professor?"
"It seems you have most of your charts complete, and since you are the only prefect in this class, I was hoping you'd give Mr. Gates here a small tour of Hogwarts before lunch,"
"Small tour? Sir, there's no such thing at Hogwarts," Hermione laughed at her own joke. Wait- did she just joke?
A few people around her noticed too but there were still giggles all the same-including from Mr. Gates. Hermione conjured her quill and parchment into her knapsack.
"Well then, let's get started, there's a lot of ground to cover and I for one don't want to be late for lunch," Hermione stood and realized they were close, really close. She smiled, unsure of herself, and led him to the exit.
"I hope you don't get discouraged by the cold snap we're having. The halls usually aren't this drafty, I'm willing to bet Peeves-oh, he's one of our poltergeists, a real prankster- has something to do with it,"
They were walking towards the astronomy tower since Hermione had just showed Michael the rest of his classes and she only had that and the greenhouses to show him.
"So…what do you like to do around here for fun?" This was the first time Michael had said anything that wasn't about the school. Halfway through the tour, he already knew some of Hogwarts's history, the school rules, how the house systems worked (including rivalries), how the class schedules worked, when exams were, and the next few quidditch matches.
"Well, I spend most of my time reading and doing homework. I know, go on, say anything you want, I stopped caring long ago. Actually, I like to spend time with my friends Harry, Ron, and Ginny," she didn't know why, but Hermione just wanted to splurge and tell Michael everything about their plans for the coming weekend, what the three of them have been through over the years, and anything else that came to mind.
"That's great, wait…Harry? As in Harry Potter?" Michael sounded a bit perplexed, Hermione just giggled.
"Yes, the Harry Potter. I've been friends with he and Ron since first year,"
"When I heard Professor Vector say 'Miss Granger' back in the classroom, I have to admit, I got a little excited because you looked familiar to me for some reason and then when he said that, I knew for sure," he smiled.
"Knew what? That I was Hermione Granger? And just how did I look familiar?" Hermione was no dummy, her picture had been in the Daily Prophet several times in the last two years, but surely they don't send copies out to the states?
"Well, I wasn't sure if Hermione was a common name here or not, so I didn't want to say anything at first. I got the feeling it was you when I walked in because I saw your picture a few years ago when news hit the wizarding world that Viktor Krum had a new girlfriend who was a student at Hogwarts," He saw Hermione's cheeks flush as she looked down at the floor. "Don't worry, I won't judge by what they said, our papers at home tend to make any situation into a scandal,"
Michael seemed to know what Hermione was thinking. She didn't know what the American tabloids said about her and Krum, but it didn't sound any better than what Rita Skeeter had published.
When they climbed the Astronomy Tower talking about their favorite classes, Michael gasped at the view he saw. The trees of the Forbidden Forest were starting to turn their array of fall gold, bronze, and red. The quidditch pitch was host to a few novice flyers while the lake monster thrashed it's tentacles above the water. The cold nipped at Hermione's nose and fingertips when a little shudder escaped her.
Michael noticed this and placed his cloak around Hermione's shoulders.
"God this is beautiful, it reminds me of home. All this scenery and life! I don't think I'll ever be able to get over how wonderful a mystery nature is," Hermione smiled at his statement.
Merlin, he is deep! Oh and it's so strange to hear someone without an accent! Not bad, just…new.
"Right, heh, well…er..Oh yes! The greenhouses for Herbology are below to your left," she watched her breath rise before her, "and Hagrid, our gamekeeper and Care for Magical Creatures teacher, well his hut is over on the other side. He is such a sweet heart; you should really talk to him if you get the chance." She looked into his eyes.
"Maybe I will one day after class. Well, isn't lunch soon? The castle is pretty big to travel through," Michael broke the awkward silence between them.
"Uh, right…I'm freezing anyway. Besides, you have to meet Harry and Ron and Ginny, they'll be eager to meet you."
"I'd love to meet them! You make them sound like such wonderful people, I can't wait!"
By the time Hermione and Michael reached the great hall, a majority of students were already seated waiting for the food to appear when they all turned their heads to see who Hermione was walking in with.
This reminded Hermione, "By the way, if any rumor of merit, gossip, or secret of yours lets out, you can expect this kind of entrance, whispers included."
Sure enough, the student body followed through with what she had just said, this made Michael chuckle to himself as they approached the Gryffindor table.
Ron and Harry looked at Hermione, unsure of what was going on. Ron had the biggest reaction of all them. He looked at Michael as if he passed gas and back at Hermione who was seated across from him.
"Who the hell is this? And why are you bringing a Ravenclaw to our table?"
Hermione turned towards Michael who had just sat beside her.
"I told you he was charming," she turned to Ron and Harry, "Listen you two, I want you to be nice. This is Michael Gates, a transfer from the states. It's his first day so I was just giving him a tour of Hogwarts,"
Before Ron could open up again, Harry outstretched his arm.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, mate. I'm Harry, this here is Ron, and that's his little sister Ginny coming."
Michael shook Harry's hand. "Thank you, it's a real pleasure to meet you Harry," he let go and gestured towards Ron who made no effort to put down his fork.
"Oh, I never got to ask, but why did you move to England?" Hermione changed the subject, saving Harry from the Fame Game and Ron from opening his mouth again.
"Well, my father's job relocated him to Surrey because they couldn't afford the building anymore. So he, my mother, and I just left and I've been here a total of nine days. My mom was heartbroken when she heard we had to leave because she wanted me to finish my education at the Wizarding School she and my father went to, Bonae Voluntatis School for Wizards,"
Hermione frowned at what it must've been like to uproot your entire life and leave behind your friends for some foreign country.
"Bonae Voluntatis? Isn't that Latin for 'good will'? Where is it at?"
Michael smiled and nodded at her knowledge of the Latin language.
"It's in Wisconsin, only about an hours fly to my house, or old house, excuse me. I've lived there my entire life. I'm glad when you took me up to the astronomy tower, I was able to see that the landscape isn't too different than what I'm used to," everyone around them who was listening had their jaws dropped at he just said. Ron's face was turning redder by the minute and Harry avoided eye contact with Hermione.
Hermione caught on and saved her reputation. "No! Oh goodness no, you guys! Ginny, don't give me that look. Michael, I suppose I should explain to you that the astronomy tower is notorious for being Hogwarts's main snog spot," she read his expression over and over before she corrected herself. "Snogging is like kissing, but excessively," she blushed at hearing herself being to blunt.
"Oh! Making out! Right well, we didn't do anything of the sort, if that's what you guys are freaking out about. I thought I had committed some type of ultimate taboo or something, heh," everyone around laughed a little with the exception of Ron Weasley who was stabbing his mac 'n' cheese with excessive force. Hermione was red in the face when she saw Ron across from her being so rude.
"Listen Ron, I know you don't take too kindly to strangers or change, but can you please make an exception this one time? Michael is very nice, plus he has two classes with us, one of them being Divination, so I suggest you apologize for your rudeness. I'll see you all for class in a few minutes, I'm too frustrated to eat," and with that, Hermione stormed off leaving everything behind, including her unfinished plate. Ron took the chicken leg from her setting and turned towards Michael.
"Look, I'm only sorry a little bit because I don't know if I can trust you. Happy?"
Michael, embarrassed about them arguing over his presence, said, "Sure thing…" when Ginny leaned towards him.
"My big brother is a fat head at times, lots of times. You need to have a lot of patience with him, I don't think it could get any worse than this, so congrats, it's all up hill from here!" they both giggled together.
"But what about Hermione, will she be okay?"
"What? Oh yeah! She and Ron fight like this all the time! No one can understand their relationship; how are they still such close friends? Who knows! But they are and when they do get along, everyone is in a great mood. Those two fight so much, it's like second nature. One of them gets offended, they stop speaking to each other for a few days, then they eventually buckle and start talking again," Michael smiled at the girl's reassurance and went back to his lunch thinking about what lay ahead of them in Divination.
A\N: Yeah, that's right, I'm in Wisconsin! I know the book hasn't said anything about exchange students or transfers, but I figure why not? I wanted to put a little of me in the story. So can you guys tell me how I'm doing? Do you have suggestions? I'd love to hear from you!