AN: I don't own Harry Potter. If only I did...

Thanks for all the reviews, follows, and faves. So glad so many of you are enjoying this.

So, like a lot of times previous, I had this all written, edited, and ready for publishing when my muse went a whole different direction. I swear, even if she tried, she couldn't drive a straight line.

Anyway, let's get on with it, yeah? Enjoy!

Eleven o'clock the next morning, Hermione was sitting at her kitchen counter, blearily sipping her coffee and nibbling on some toast, while blinking rapidly as she tried to focus on the front page of the Daily Prophet. In true Prophet fashion, they had taken what could have been a simple little story and turned it into a spectacle.

WAR HEROINE STUNS AT BENEFIT

A special late breaking story brought to you by

Barbra Nichols

If you've been in the wizarding world for the last seven years, and especially the last three, chances are you've heard the name Hermione Granger at least once. Best known as Harry Potter's best friend, the muggleborn witch has also made her mark as the 'Brightest Witch of the Age' , and 'War Hero', as well as an Order of Merlin, First Class, recipient.

And now, she can also add 'Fashion Magnate' to that list.

Last evening, all eyes were on the brunette witch. Arriving on the arm of her best friend, and Chosen One, Harry Potter, the young Miss Granger captivated everyone in attendance.

Hermione smiled a bit, seeing a photo below the first few paragraphs of her and Harry arriving to the benefit. It had been taken as they entered the ballroom, and she had to admit, they make a striking couple. Harry, in his robes made of the darkest blue fabric, it almost looked black, and she in her white dress. Peeling her eyes away from the photo, she continued reading.

Taking everyone's breath away, Miss Granger wore a backless snow white halter style dress that prominently featured a slit up the side, proudly showing off her legs up to her thigh. Said legs, which also held a deep tan, ended in a simple pair of white pumps. Her usually curly brunette hair was left hanging down, only pulled back from her face by a gold hair clip, which shone brightly when the lights hit it just right. In this reporter's opinion, the gold hair clip only added to the already stunning brunette's beauty. Miss Granger also accessorized the dress with a gold bracelet, which has left many wondering - is it a gift from her new beau, Harry Potter?

Madam Malkin, known as the proprietor of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions in Diagon Alley, has already reported a large number of witches requesting dresses in the style worn by Miss Granger last night.

"It's a new era, and I for one am glad to see witches of all ages finally embracing muggle culture. It really speaks volumes about Miss Granger's newly formed impact on the wizarding world when pureblood witches are asking for muggle style clothing in Diagon Alley." she said.

Likewise, Thomas Cloone, manager at Jewel Jammer, reported a number of wizards entering the store requesting gold bracelets in the same style as the one Miss Granger was seen wearing last night, more than likely as gifts for their wives and sweethearts.

"As soon as I opened the doors this morning, I was bombarded by both wizards and witches looking for gold bracelets, and asking if this was where Mr. Potter got the bracelet for Miss Granger." he said in between customers. "Which, I'm sorry to report, it is not."

Worry not, dear readers. We'll be keeping an eye out for the latest fashions brought to you by Miss Granger.

DP-DP-DP-DP-DP-DP-DP-DP-DP-DP-DP

Hermione shook her head again. She felt bad for that poor man. Had they bothered asking, she'd tell them the truth - the bracelet was a gift, alright. But not from Harry. It was from her grandmother Ella on her fifth birthday. It was too fancy for her liking, and as such, only worn on special occasions, like last night. Had she known it would turn out to be a big deal, she would have left it for another night.

As she heard a knock on the door, she pushed the paper away from her, getting up to see who was visiting so early. Smiling at the sight of a distorted looking Ginny, she opened the door, letting her friend in.

"Did you see the paper this morning?" she asked as soon as she was inside. Seeing it lying on the counter, she gave Hermione a sheepish look. "Oh, guess you did."

"Yeah, I did." Hermione nodded. "Would you like some tea, or some coffee, maybe?" she asked, clearing away the remains of her breakfast.

"Oh. Uh...tea would be nice, Mione, thanks." Ginny said, sitting in one of the barstools on the other side of the counter. "I can't believe they didn't write a single word on your performance. It was all about your dress and bracelet."

"Well, they didn't say anything about the Weird Sisters, either, so..." Hermione shrugged. "It's the Prophet, Gin. What else is new?" she asked, handing her a cup of tea.

"Thanks, love." Ginny said, cradling her cup of tea. "On the up side, Madam Malkin's assistant is a girl from my year at Hogwarts, Claire, and she said that one of the first customers looking for your style dress was none other than Narcissa Malfoy."

"Really?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

"Really." Ginny nodded. "And, according to Claire..."

"Wait, wait, wait." Hermione said, holding up her hand. "What were you doing at Malkin's so early? I figured you would've slept in like I did."

"I took one of Mum's cloaks in. She's convinced she's shrinking, so she wanted it shortened." she said, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, while I was there, I got to talking to Claire, and she let me in on some of the more...upscale clientele that'd been in already this morning. According to Claire, Madam Malkin's had a line waiting out front this morning, before she even opened."

"Oh, for god's sake, Ginny. Don't you have anything better to do than gossip?" Hermione asked. "Who else?" she asked after a moment, making Ginny laugh.

"Well, besides Mrs. Malfoy, apparently all three Greengrass women were in. Daphne, her sister Astoria, and their mother. Pansy Parkinson was even in." Ginny said, smiling. "Oh, and get this - Rita Skeeter was in, as well, looking for that dress."

"No! Really?" Hermione asked.

Ginny nodded. "Really. She was in before Mrs. Malfoy, even." she said. "You know, you never even told me where you got that dress."

"It's not a big deal. I just got it at this little boutique in Manchester a little while ago." Hermione said. "I just couldn't resist it, and was waiting for a reason to wear it."

"Well, you certainly did a good job there, love." Ginny smiled. "You had everyone captivated, you know? I even saw Malfoy sneaking glances at you all night." she said.

Hermione gave a little shiver at that. "Senior or junior?" she asked. "You know what, doesn't matter. Either one is more than a little creepy."

Ginny laughed, nearly spilling her tea. "True, true. I even caught old Mr. Fornell staring at me off and on."

"Who?"

"You know, Mr. Fornell. Sirius calls him Egghead on account of the fact his head is shaped like an egg?"

"Oh, Mr. Fornell from the Magical Sports Department?" Hermione asked, screwing up her face in disgust. Mr. Fornell from the Ministry was at least seventy five, and didn't have a hair on his head. "Well, maybe he was just appreciating your dress?"

"Yeah. Appreciating how it'd look on his floor." Ginny said, bursting out laughing when Hermione, who'd been taking a drink of her coffee, snorted it out through her nose.

"Ginevra Weasley!" Hermione laughed, grabbing a towel to sop up the coffee she'd spilled. "What a thing to say."

"What? It's true." she shrugged. "All of us girls were getting looks like that last night. And, don't think I didn't see how Harry was looking at you."

"And what way was that?"

"Like he was a starving man, and you were a steak platter." Ginny said. "Have you went on your date yet?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, that's tonight."

"Where's he taking you, do you know?"

"No. All he said was to wear something comfortable." Hermione said. "He said we were doing something different."

"Different than what?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know. I guess the usual dinner and the cinema." Hermione shrugged. "Or, whatever's considered normal for the wizarding world on a date."

"The cinema? Is that where you go and watch a play on that big felly thing?" Ginny asked, holding her hands apart in a mime for a telly screen.

"Uh, it's telly, and kind of. Only it's called a movie."

"A moo-vy?"

"Yeah, a movie." Hermione nodded. "Tell you what," she said, seeing Ginny getting more confused by the conversation every second, "you come over sometime this coming week, and I'll show you a movie on my telly, alright?"

Ginny's face lit up at that idea. "That sounds grand, Mione."

Six o'clock that night, Harry knocked on Hermione's door, butterflies floating around in his stomach. He had originally planned to take Hermione on a fancy date, but after last night, he wanted to do something a bit different for her. So, he had planned a casual, romantic picnic instead. Just the two of them, a basket of finger foods prepared by Kreacher, and an excellent view. He was taking her to the same cliff they'd been camping on during their year on the run, when he'd first felt the urge to kiss her.

Hermione opened the door, and he saw her breath a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. When you said dress comfortable, I thought you meant...well, nevermind that now." she smiled. "At least I know I'm dressed alright."

"Alright? You look great, Mione." he said, smiling at her as he entered her flat. Hermione was wearing a pair of black jeans, a dark brown sweater and brown hiking boots. "You do love boots, don't you?"

"I happen to like them, yes." she nodded, giving a little laugh as she reset her wards.

"Well, you look great in them, I assure you." he said, holding out his arm. "Now, shall we go? I don't know about you, but I'm starving." he said, smiling when she wrapped her arms around his waist instead.

"Yeah, let's go." she said, smiling at him.

Harry nodded, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and turning. He held on a second when they landed, making sure she was steady on her feet.

Hermione looked around as she stepped away from Harry. Instantly, she recognized where they were. Turning, she felt her eyes well as she saw the spot where they had been standing when she felt things change between the two of them.

"This is..." she said, choking up, "this is just perfect, Harry."

"You recognize this place, then?" he asked, setting the basket down.

"Of course." Hermione said, giving him a watery smile. "Right over there," she pointed, "is where we were standing when I felt that there could be something between us." she said.

"What? You thought we could've been something more?" he asked in shock. Seeing her nod, his eyes went even wider. "But...what? No."

"Yes, Harry." she smiled. "I know I pushed you away, but..."

"What?"

"We were in the middle of a war, Harry. We couldn't have afforded to get distracted by feelings. That's why I stopped you, telling you not to let me cut your hair again. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't let myself, or you, get distracted back then." she said.

Harry's face lit up, and a smile broke across his face. "Well, maybe we can try to get distracted after dinner." he said.

"We'll see." Hermione smiled, conjuring up a thick blanket for them to sit on.

Review please.

You remember that scene from 'Deathly Hallows', yes? I always felt Harry and Hermione's relationship could've taken a more romantic turn at that point.

Anyway, til next time!

XOXO - Onyx Obsidian