So I just recently came back across this story from 10 years ago, and I also realized that I had written a few chapters I never posted. So, I am posting them now and maybe I'll actually occasionally continue this story just for fun, BUT I want to let everyone know the chapters were written 10 years ago when I was still a child because ... well by my current standards, they are really poorly written and very childish. But ah well.

That night in the common room passed much easier than those preceding it. It helped to feel as though she was plotting something against Ron even if she scarcely had the tendrils of a plan laid before her. She made her way through her work and then started brainstorming. Tomorrow, she needed to find someone with a sewing machine or some wizarding equivalent and unpack her Sleekeasy Hair Potion. A trip to Hogsmeade would be necessary as well.

Hermione knew she could eventually win back Ron by making him jealous. She only hoped that she wouldn't have given up on him by then.

Avoiding that thought, she pulled a book towards her and started taking notes with a sly smile only occasionally glancing up at the people around the room. The spell she was working on modifying was quite simple except for adding the magical signatures of the two people it was intended for. After a bit more reading and taking notes, she flicked her wand at Crookshanks who was sitting on her lap and was pleased to see the spell succeed. She only needed to change the final words when she cast the spell tomorrow morning. It certainly wouldn't do to cast it now when only the Gryffindors would be around to see its results because, unfortunately, it would only last for five hours.

Having put the final touches on the spell Hermione looked up from her work and saw the 6th year boys playing exploding snap together. It was actually somewhat surprising to see all of them together because it seemed as though since Christmas break they had all been too busy to spend much time together. She watched them all laugh at some joke of Seamus', and then bust up again when Ron's cards exploded in his face. She silently chuckled along with them at Ron's awestruck face which quickly morphed into a lighthearted smile. She hadn't seen Ron smile like that for a little while, but maybe it was only because she hadn't seen much of him at all. But her heart clinched a little bit because it was this smile that helped make her fall in love with him, that and his warm spirit. She missed spending time with him because he always helped her lighten up and even bickering with him was enough to make her relax and tense up at the same time. And mostly she loved him when he made her laugh – she was beginning to prize this ability of his more and more as the war began to loom ever closer over all their heads. Fred and George were right to pursue their joke shop if only it helped everyone keep a little of their humanity.

Though she wouldn't admit it to anyone, Hermione was terrified of the upcoming war. She wasn't enough of a fool to think that as schoolchildren it wouldn't affect them. And unlike most others in her class she wasn't able to put it on the backburner and only think about it on occasion or when it affected her personally. She thought that maybe only Harry and some of the Slytherins really felt confronted with its reality continually day after day and were unable to flee, even briefly, from its touches. However, Ron and his brothers were right about one thing: in spite of her criticism of him not taking the war seriously enough nor preparing for it, they all needed to remember what they were fighting for by not getting too drawn into the clutches of warfare, devastation, and tragedy. Hermione knew that as the war got darker and more threatening it would only get more and more difficult to play that middle ground of taking the war seriously but leaving time to remember the good things in life.

Drawing her thoughts away from such dark subjects she pulled out her Transfiguration textbook and started reading to prepare for the essay that was due in a few days. She sat in her chair lost in the words for over an hour before she headed up to bed. Parvati and Lavender were already in their beds talking and Hermione thought it would be good for her current goals to get to know them a little better. The three girls sat in a circle in their room and talked about silly, inane matters, and Hermione surprised both of them when she contributed to their discussion of makeup and hair products. She pretended to huff as though they had wounded her pride, and exclaimed, "Just because I don't often put the effort in doesn't mean I don't know how to take care of and present myself when the time requires it. Speaking of, I wanted to ask you guys a question. Do you know something I can use to calm down my hair that doesn't take three hours like the sleekeasy potion?"

"Oh my gosh! I have just the thing! I've been wanting to give this to you for years, but … well, I thought you'd be offended or something. There's this little store in Diagon Alley that's called Magic Makeovers that sells the best FrizzAway Shampoo out there." Parvati went on excitedly but also somewhat hesitantly. She was watching Hermione's reactions carefully to make sure she didn't offend the brunet.

Hermione smiled to reassure her. "That would be great! And you don't need to worry about anything, I know I was never really lucky in the looks department," she sighed. "But if there are a few things to help – as long as they don't cut too much into my study time," she said with a self-deprecating smile, "– then I'm always interested."

Lavender had a shocked expression on her face and, in spite of her somewhat hesitance to talk to Hermione due to recent awkwardness relating to Ron, burst out, "You don't honestly think that do you?"

Hermione appeared to be confused, "Think what?"

Lavender seemed kind of uncomfortable, "You really don't notice the looks you get? I mean you're just as pretty as the rest of us" she continued with a light smirk, "which of course means gorgeous. I mean, I may not have frizzy hair, but I have the oiliest skin ever. It's so gross! I have to wash my face three times a day to keep from breaking out. We all have things we're insecure about … but … I mean, well, we tend to try to deal with them."

"That's what I love about makeup," said Parvati, "It's really not hiding anything it's just bringing out the best of you… whatever you want someone to notice about you immediately. And you are gorgeous, Hermione!"

"Well … um … thanks," Hermione replied embarrassedly. She had never seen herself as lacking in self-confidence. She always thought that she had, if anything, too much pride, but she supposed everyone had a few insecurities. Either way, she felt quite uncomfortable around the two of them at the moment.

"Anyways, I think I'm going to head to bed. Thanks for recommending the FrizzAway Shampoo, I'll be certain to get some next time I go to Diagon Alley."

"Oh, no, wait one sec. I have the one I'd been planning on giving you in my trunk."

Parvati quickly fished through her trunk to find it. "Ah! There. You have to wash your hair with it twice a day for three days before you see a difference. My cousin used this, and after a week, her hair always looked almost like she used Sleekeasy Potion – as long as she continued to use the Shampoo once a day."

Hermione was actually quite surprised at Parvati's thoughtfulness and realized that she had seriously misjudged her by thinking her so self-centered. "Wow, well, thanks!" All three smiled and said goodnight. Hermione changed into her flannel pajamas and passed the window on her way to bed. She took a double take at a flash of movement, and saw Malfoy slip into the Forbidden Forest. As she got into bed, she thought it dumb of him not to disguise himself while wandering outside late at night where anyone could have seen him.

The next morning Hermione got up early and felt refreshed for the first time in what felt like weeks. She realized that it was also one of the first times in a long while that she had gone to bed without thinking of the upcoming war. If she had realized that her peace of mind wouldn't last much longer Hermione might have changed some of her actions to come. As it was, she was incredibly excited about today. She took her first shower with Parvati's FrizzAway shampoo, decided to put on a touch of blush and lip gloss, and wore her older robe from the back of her closet – which she had stopped wearing because it had become slightly tighter on her. She had decided that her usually baggy robes weren't all that attractive and that she usually wore them to cover up her now revealed insecurities. The difference was so subtle that it was highly unlikely anyone would notice, but it made her feel bolder and more brazen.

Hermione walked down the staircase and thanked her luck when she saw Ron and Harry just about to go through the portrait for breakfast. She waved her wand at Ron's back beneath her sleeve, and waited for Parvati and Lavender to finish getting ready. Unfortunately, it seemed as though the two girls were late and going to miss breakfast so she decided not to stick around. She needed some breakfast and only hoped she would run into Lavender before classes.

She went over to where Ginny was sitting with some friends, and Ginny looked slightly surprised, but pleased. Ginny was sitting with girls from her year as well as a few from the seventh year. She introduced herself to everyone she didn't know all that well, and put on her best front as everyone chatted away. When it was about time to leave for class, she got up just as Parvati and Lavender entered the hall and discreetly flicked her wand. Lavender ran over to Ron and kissed him while Parvati rolled her eyes, and all of a sudden red text appeared in the air above Lavender and Ron's heads. The Gryffindors all laughed as the writing became visible, proclaiming, "GET A ROOM!" The uncomfortable couple blushed just as everyone was starting to leave for classes and Hermione slipped out of the hall.

While Hermione wasn't even amused by the prank, it worked as well as expected. Everyone else thought it was hilarious that the words appeared whenever Lavender got within three feet of Ron, and continued to mock the two incessantly. An additional perk was that professors refused to let the two sit next to each other, and Ron avoided Lavender even more than he usually did. Malfoy made some smarmy comments that almost caused Ron to try to attack him before Professor Snape docked fifty points from Gryffindor and gave him a detention. Only then did Hermione really smirk and pat herself on the back for a job well done.

During their shared classes Hermione sat next to Harry leaving Ron to try to find someone who didn't have a partner already, seeing as he was banned from sitting next to Lavender. During charms she leaned over to talk to Harry.

"Harry, can I borrow the map and cloak today?"

Harry gave her a suspicious glance. "Why?"

A mischievous glance entered her eye, "Please, I need it for something."

"Of course, but I still want to know why."

"Harry," she whined and gave a pouty look, "It's a secret. But maybe I'll tell you later."

"Fine. I'll give it to you before lunch."

After charms they went up to the dormitory, and Hermione went up to the boys' room and watched while Harry dug into his trunk. He held out the cloak, but when Hermione went to take it, he wouldn't let go.

"I want to come."

"What do you mean?"

"Wherever you're going."

"You'd be really bored."

"Try me."

"Oh fine," Hermione gave reluctantly. "During my free period I want to take the secret passage to Hogsmead to go clothes shopping. We don't have the same free period, so you can't come."

Harry looked shocked, "Are you kidding? Who are you, and what have you done with our favorite rule follower?"

All of a sudden Harry's eyes narrowed. "You've got to be kidding me. Tell me this isn't about making Ron jealous."

Her eyes revealed her lie as she smoothly replied, "Of course not! I just need a new set of robes! See. These are tight."

"I don't buy that." He paused. "You do look different today, and it's not just the robes. Besides you have other robes, and you would never risk sneaking out of the castle just for an extra pair."

Hermione's eyes widened. She was incredibly shocked.

"I may not be able to decipher the emotions or actions of women, but I do pay attention, well, sometimes." He smirked. "Wait until after classes and I'll go with you. Besides then we can lie and say we're studying in the library or Room of Requirement or something."

Finally Hermione laughed and relented. She understood that behind his spoken desire to join for fun, he was really afraid for her safety going out alone as a muggleborn. She barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes at his self appointment of protector.

"But only if you wear your invisibility cloak at all times, and you let me disguise you."

Harry was annoyed and argued briefly, "Fred and George do it all the time."

She retorted harshly, "They aren't the Chosen One sought out by Voldemort at every opportunity." Harry caved, and spent the whole way down to the Great Hall for lunch bemoaning his fate, and Hermione was pleasantly shocked. She'd never before heard him so lightly refer to being the Boy-Who-Lived.