Harry Potter and the Galator
Chapter 4
Hermione's Malibu Experience
"So, Ms. Prefect, you have time to tell us all about your summer holiday," Lavender asked. "And don't leave anything out, well maybe you can leave out some part that we can talk about later when the boys aren't around." Ron and Harry rolled their eyes.
"Well, I guess since we're done with our shopping and all, want to grab ice cream and talk?"
They all agreed. They went to the ice cream shop and grabbed a table. Harry decided to pay for their ice cream and they let him after much whining from Ron, he gave in too. Harry had to remind him that since they are family, it's okay to spend money on him.
"Well, the convention was near Malibu beach as you can tell from the nice tan." They nodded their heads and Harry couldn't help but look down again at Hermione's long sultry tanned legs. He couldn't help thinking if she had tan lines as well.
~*~
"Hi," came a voice as she laid herself down on a beach towel getting ready to read a book.
"Hi," answered Hermione trying to block her eyes from the bright sun. She saw a beautiful blonde girl with blue eyes. She was tall and slender with a pink bikini.
"My brother Francois and I noticed that you've been coming down here for the past couple of days by yourself and we thought you'd like some company."
"Er." Hermione didn't know what to say.
"Oh, sorry. My name is Franchesca Dubois and that guy over there is my brother François. Hermione looked to see a tall blonde guy who is starting to get a nice tan.
"I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger."
"Oh, then you must be Drs Grangers' daughter. Our parents are attending the convention too."
"Oh, so you two are in the same boat then."
"Yeah, that's why we thought you'd like to join us."
"Sure, why not."
They became fast friends and spent practically everyday playing at the beach and just enjoying each other's company. Hermione learned that they live in France but go to a boarding school in England that is why they speak English very well. Hermione on the other hand, skirted around where she went to school and they didn't think anything of it.
"Hey look at this," Franchesca said one day holding out a flyer.
"What is it?" asked Hermione.
"Knowing my twin sister, it's something outrageous that she's going to make us join with her." Franchesca rolled her eyes.
"Come on. It's a free modeling seminar. I think it will be fun and educational."
"Oh, really. How so?" asked Hermione always the skeptic.
"Well, we can learn how to be poised, put on make up to enhance our pretty faces, fashion tips, how to walk the cat walk, confidence…"
"Like you need any." Joked Hermione.
"Come on. It will be fun and it's free. Besides, our parents are busy with the convention and all, might as well do something productive," she was practically begging the other two.
"You might as well say yes," Francois told Hermione. "She won't quit bugging you until you say yes anyway. I think you'd make a great model Hermione."
"You think so? Well, maybe I'll learn a thing or two about how to tame this hair of mine. Where do we sign up?" Franchesca squealed delightedly and hugged Hermione. So that's how they spent two weeks of their vacation. Manhattan Modeling agency provided the seminar hoping to find fresh faces for their modeling agency.
Hermione learned how to tame her bushy hair and put make up on to highlight her strongest features, but the make up artist told her "Honey, you are beautiful even without too much make up. With you, less is more. Just keep up with your hair. It's so beautiful."
"Well, thank you," Hermione answered not knowing how to take the compliment since she hadn't heard too many. The only compliments she can remember were from Viktor Krum and Harry and Ron. But, Harry and Ron don't count. They were her best friends after all.
In addition to her make-up and hair, she learned to be poised and confident in her looks and how to carry herself. She learned more about fashion, which inspired a shopping spree. The seminar was great for Hermione and very educational as well. This created a new Hermione, a better Hermione in a sense: a smart, beautiful and self-assured woman.
"So, are you involved with anyone?" asked Francois from out of the blue one day.
"Well, not exactly," she answered thinking about her feelings for Harry. She'd had a secret crush on Harry for over two years or maybe even longer. She'd lost track. She'd been working so hard at hiding it from him and being one of his best friends did not help any. She was getting better at it.
"Meaning?" he asked.
"Since we're friends and all. I could tell you that there is a guy, but I don't know how he feels about me. He's a bit over protective at times when guys come around me, but he hasn't really stepped up and told me he fancied me in any way more than our great friendship."
"Well, I'm not afraid. I believe you are gorgeous and the guy is crazy not to see what's in front of him. So why not give me a chance and go out with me?" Hermione was speechless. She'd never had someone say anything like that since Viktor; well not from someone she'd been waiting to hear it from.
"Er. Since you put it that way. Sure, why not."
The weeks she'd spent with Francois as a boyfriend instead of just a friend were a learning experience for her as well. She'd gotten her first real passionate kiss. She was treated like a queen and romanced from the French point of view. But she didn't feel a real spark between the two of them. Even with the deep kisses, she felt nothing. And before he became too attached to her, she decided to end their brief fling before she had to say goodbye.
"Francois, we need to talk," Hermione told him with a serious tone.
"Oh no, I don't like the sound of that."
"Well, I don't know how to say it, but I hope you'd understand after I explain."
"It's that guy isn't it?"
"Yes. I don't want to lie to you. You've been great and I've had fun these past few weeks."
"But?"
"But, I just don't feel anything more than friendship for you. I'm sorry."
"I think I knew that when I told you to give me a chance. I guess I just can't compete with your mystery guy, eh?" she smiled at him.
"Can we stay friends?"
"Of course."
"And to tell you the truth, you will always be my first real kiss and I'll never forget that." Francois smiled.
"You can believe I will never forget you. You're a great kisser being your first time."
"I'm a quick learner, with the right teacher," she answered.
"I'd say. So, what do you want to do for the next few days before you leave."
"We can get Franchseca and go shopping for something to wear for that new dance club for the sixteen and over." Even when she knew she wasn't sixteen yet.
"I think Franchesca has had an influence on you." She smiled cheekily. "I think I might want to go shopping for once just as long as you promise to save me a dance."
"Of course. What are friends for?"
So they spend their last days together as friends. They hung out, went shopping, dancing (they let her in without an id but because she looked old enough). Despite the fact that she was not with Ron and Harry, Hermione enjoyed herself immensely.
~*~
Harry was seething with jealousy for the Francois character Hermione was telling them about. She left some parts out that the guys didn't need to know like the romance and kissing parts only Lavender and Ginny will hear later.
"So, when do we get to meet this Franchesca," Ron asked getting Lavender back for the comment on Oliver earlier. Lavender playfully punched Ron in the arm.
"I just bet you'd like to see her in those outfits she wore on the beach too, eh?"
"I wouldn't mind," said Ron with a big grin flashing towards Lavender. "But then I'd rather see you in outfits like those, love"
"Good come back," Hermione said. Just then Harry was picturing Hermione in bathing suits and then Francois putting suntan oil on her body. That made him angry. If he was a tea kettle, he would be whistling and smoke would be coming out of his ears.
"Harry, you've been quiet," Lavender commented.
"Oh. Er.. just thinking."
"No doubt, about Cho eh?" Lavender hit Ron on the arm again. "What?"
"Nothing. Stop putting words in Harry's mouth." Hermione really needed to thank Lavender.
"I was just thinking who our new Defense of the Dark Arts teacher will be," Harry changed the subject.
"You're right. We seem to have a different one every year," Lavender adds.
"Well, no use in wondering. Whomever it is we'll find out when we get there. I just hope it's not that git from last year." answered Ron who did not like last years Defense of the Dark Arts teacher at all. The professor was nothing like Lupin and she enjoyed torturing the gryffindor students just as much as Snape. Ron shuddered at the thought.
"I think we'd better get back. It's getting late. My parents will be picking me up soon," Hermione reminded them.
"Hey, maybe you can ask them if you can stay at the Burrow until we go back to school. It's only a couple of days anyway," Ron suggested. Harry didn't know whether to thank Ron or not. "Although, we might be staying at the Leaky Cauldron overnight. Ask anyway."
"Well, I guess I could. My trunk is packed and they could meet me at King's Cross the following day to bring my trunk and say goodbye." This made Harry happier.
"Oh, I wish I could say the same about me. I still have to pack my trunk." Lavender whined.
"Oh, but I don't have any change of clothes!"
"I'm sure Harry has some extra clothes to lend you," Ron joked from out of the blue and earned glares from Harry and Hermione and a giggle from lavender.
"Ron, sometimes you can be such a git," Harry told him. Sometimes he wonders if Ron knew that Hermione was actually a girl.
"What? What did I say?"
"Never mind," Hermione told them. "I'm sure I could call them and ask them to get me some clothes and my toothbrush. But we'd have to go outside of Diagon Alley in order for the cell phone to work."
"Cell Phone?" asked Ron.
"Cell phone." Hermione showed him. "Like a telephone, but wireless and uses the satellite signals to connect the phones."
"Wow. That's interesting," exclaimed Ron. "Don't show dad though, he might take it apart and do something to it."
"Well, let's take our things to the shop and let Ron's parents' know where we're going so that they won't worry," Hermione suggested.
"Well, my parents are probably waiting for me over there at the Weasley's shop," said Lavender sadly.
"Oh. Do you have to go already?" Ron asked sadly.
"Oh come on you two. You'll see each other the day after tomorrow," Hermione tried to cheer them up as they walk towards the shop.
A/N: I apologize for the tracking edits. It seems that even in HTML the edits from word was inherited. I am uploading them again. Thanks for your reviews. I'd appreciate a rate as well if you don't mind. Thanks for suggestions as well.