CHAPITER ONE
The sun shone brightly down on a quiet muggle street. There were children playing out in their little lawn sprinklers or in their pools to keep cool from the hot summer heat. Hermione could feel it. She was on the verge of demanding her parents for a pool it was so hot. But none the less, she wouldn't be kept up inside. It was a beautiful day. Which Hermione took advantage of. In the little shade under one of the only trees, she was stretched out on a lawn chair. Her gold skin was glistening with sunscreen and a book was clutched in her hands.
That was one of the things that hadn't changed about her. She still loved to read. She was still smart. She was still a true Gryffindor. But now she was just a little less...nerdy. It had all started in London around the end of June. The weekend arfter school was finished. She had attended a random little get together Dumbledoor had arranged with some of his more 'capable' students. He had brought in great witches and wizards to speak to them about what they were going to do after Hogwarts. At this get together Hermione met Anne Holte. Shewas amazing. Everything Hermione wanted to be. She was an auror. She had gone to Hogwarts and was very very intelligent. But Hermione noticed something.The way Anne held herself. The way she talked to people. It was diffrent thanHermione. She was more confident and didn't push her intelligence. Even the way she dressed, people seemed to want to talk to her more. Being the Hermioneshe was she found her problem, did the equations and thenthe solution. Thefinished project was who Hermione felt more comfortable being.
Hermione had done quite a bit of thinking and shopping. Maybe a new image wouldn't be a bad thing. Her mother had of course jumped at the opportunity to help her little girl be a real girl. Not the frizzy haired girl who had her nose so far into books and homework she almost didn't do anything else. Who knew a manicure with your mother every so often could bring them together?
Well now Hermione really did look like a girl. Not that she didn't before but just more so now. She had gotten her hair chemically straightened at one of the muggle hair salons. It was the first time her hair had ever been layered too. It felt good. One of her friends across the street had tought her how to wear make up. She had gotten used to the whole change thing but the one thing that took a little longer to catch up on were clothes. Before, she hadn't really paid attention. Sure, she looked at the occasional fashion magazine that Lavender had left around, but not much. She had secretly enrolled the help of Padma and Pavarti who made sure to show her everything.
So now her she was. Laying out on her chair, getting a tan. Hermione gave a yawn and looked up when the back door swung open and her mother came through carrying a few letters.
"Hermione dear, you've gotten a letter from Hogwarts." Hermione dropped her book and jumped up. She rushed over to her mother with a smile.
"You think Ill get Head Girl mum?" she asked. Her mother gave a laugh and nodded.
"Of couse you will."
With exceitment, Hermione tore open the enveloppe and unfolded the letter. Her chocolate brown eyes scanned the paper. Her face fell as she continued to read. Hermione's mum started to worry a little when finally she saw a little smile creep onto her daughter's lips.
"Well? Did you get it dear?" Hermione's smile widened and she shook her head.
"No. Something better." Her mother raised a brow.
" They want me to participate in a sort of exchange, like with the other schools! Dumbledoor has invited us a little magical cafe down in London. There we'll discuss everything." she said bubbling with exceitment.
"When should we go to this cafe?"
"Well he says tommorow! For breakfest."
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The next morning Hermione woke with a smile. She jumped out of bed and glanced at her clock. 7:00 right on the dot. They would be leaving in an hour to get to the little cafe for 8:30. Hermione sat down on her stool infront of her mirror. Taking her brushed she passed it through her honey colored hair. It was an almost blonde color that still held a nice color brown. She swept it up into a ponytail and then slid a solid black bandana around her head. She put on a pair of hoop earings then started on her make up. She usually went quite neutral. Just a bit of foundation, a bit of eyeliner, mascara and maybe some eyeshadow.
When she finished she skipped over to her dresser and pulled open the doors. What to wear? She felt the need to look dressy but casual. Finally she pulled out a white tank top and a flowy flower printed shirt. She threw on some jeans with them and looked in the mirror. Deciding she didn't like the outfit with her hair up she pulled out the bandana and let her hair down. She took out her earings too.
"Hermione! Hurry please!" called her mother. Hermione glanced at the clock. 7:50. Ah! What had she been doing that whole time? Hermione grabed her purse and flew down the stairs.
"Sorry mum." she said and slipped on her silver flats. Her father smiled and grabbed the keys. The three of them piled into the car and drove tothe 'invisible entrance'. It was just a wall. Just like the one to get into Diagon Alley. Hermione glanced around and pulled out her wand tapping twice on a brickk and the four times on another. The wall moved apart. She smiled back at her parents. They were still always amazed by magic.
'Miss Monangan's Marvallous Munch-In' Hermione thought looking around the signs for the little shops. She looked at each one quickly but made sure she didn't miss any. Finally she spooted it. She pointed to it and smiled exceitedly. Hermione calmed herselfthen upshed open the door stepping through. She scanned the room for the Proffesor but happened on something extra. A silver haired prick. three infact. it was the Malfoy clan. All sitting with Dumbledoor at a short table. The old Proffessor smiled and gave a small wave and beckoned them over. Hermione saw a look of disgust and slight horror was over Malfoy junior's face, while Malfoy Senior kept a cold and deathly look. Narssica wasn't as terrible. She just smiled politly. But you could see in her eyes she didn't like muggles being there one bit. Hermione tried to ignor them completly and smiled at Dumbledoor. Hermione and her parents sat down at the table.
"Welcome, Welcome. I'm glad you made it safley. Now I say we get down to buissness. As breifly mentioned in my letter, this year we are participating in an exchange program. It will run from november to may. There are four schools participating: Hogwarts, Beaubaxton, Durmstrang and The Wizarding Academy of Ontario, which is a fairly new just last year. But yes, Draco, Hermione you two are the only from Hogwarts. You have been chosen because of your high grades and we believe that you two will benefit most from this trip. Now are there any questions?"
"What about funding for this?" Hermione's mother asked. Hermione glanced at Draco Malfoy who was whispering to his father. It was probably something like 'they're gonna need it'.
"Well, in total it will cost 3 thousend galleons each. But surely the school will be able to cover some of the expenses." Dumbledoor glanced down at a peice of parchment he had infront of him. "I will owl you each a letter with all the more detailed payment information on it. Anything else?"
"What about classes? We arn't going to be missing our whole year are we?" asked Hermione. Draco smirked and rolled his eyes. Thats all she ever seemed to be concerned with. Though, Draco had noticed she was starting to dress nicer.
'She looks good...' Draco thought 'Oh my god. Did I really just think that? Ugh disgusting.'
"No No No Miss Granger. Over the summer we have made up a seperate cericullium that all eight of you will be fallowing. You will be specialising in certain areas at each school. And of course, you will have homework." He smiled. HErmione smiled back satisfied with that answer. She only wondered if their cericulum was a little more advanced.
A waitress the frizzy redhair made her way over to their table. She let them order then went back to the kitchen, in a few minutes, the food had arrived and the breakfest conversation had started. All the Grangers were on one side of the table, the Malfoys on the other side, and Dumbledoor at the head. Her mother and father were talking to Dumbledoor about the schools. Basics that someone who wasn't a wizard didn't know. Draco's parents had gone outside for a moment to do god knows. They said tehy would be back in a minute or so. Hermione sat across from Draco, eating her eggs quietly.
She looked up at him and discretly looked him over. She was almost considering not going. But then she reminded herself that there would be other people there. She wouldn't have to stick with him the entier time. Or at all. Hermione sighed. Draco glanced up at her and she flashed him a smile. He looked at her completly confused. Hermione just went back to eating. She would definatly enjoy this last year no matter what...
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