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Just One Night
Chapter 4 - Come to Life
Summer passed quickly for Hermione and she soon found herself in the United States at her new school. This would be her first stay in the States for a long period of time and she found her self bursting with excitement. It was all so new to her. Though she missed Harry dearly she looked forward to making a fresh start.
When she first arrived at the New Salem Institute she was amazed at the size of it. It was very different from Hogwarts, having the look of a regular muggle college campus. Also, the students looked much more relaxed. They could be seen all about the campus in regular muggle clothing like jeans and t-shirts, not the mention the vast varieties of hairstyles and colors.
Hermione quickly became accustomed to her new surroundings. She soon found herself in stimulating classes like Magical Physicology, A Comparison of Muggle Science to Magic. She became quite fond of this class. She also took the advanced level classes for subjects that she had taken at Hogwarts like, Transfiguration, Arithmancy, Potions, and Charms. To say the least, Hermione was in an academic heaven.
But Hermione was not only growing academically. She had also made tremendous strides in her personal life. She was much more relaxed and laid back. She and her roommate had become fast friends and for the first time in her life, Hermione had a close friend that was not a guy. She finally had someone her age that she could relate to completely and she cherished the growing friendship between herself and Ashley.
At the moment Ashley was standing in front of her holding up what had to be the smallest pair of jeans Hermione had ever seen. They looked like they were made for a 10 year old.
"What exactly to you want me to do with those," Hermione asked her incredulously.
"I want you to wear them," Ashly replied. "Come on Hermione. You never wear anything remotely sexy. How do you expect to attract any hot guys if you dress like a nun?"
"I'm not looking to attract anyone, thank you very much." It was true. Hermione hadn't dated much since she had been in the States. Though she was beginning to get over Harry, she did not feel ready to start seeing other guys yet.
"That's BS, Hermione, and you know it," Ashley said. "You're never going to get over Harry this way." She had told Ashley all about her feelings for Harry. Deep down Hermione knew she was right. This was a step she knew she must take to Harry out of her system but she just couldn't help comparing everyone who approached her to him.
"You're right, of course," Hermione admitted. "I haven't really given anyone a chance. Look, I'll make an effort to at least get to know some guys tonight. But there is no way I am putting on those jeans."
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About an hour later Hermione, Ashley, and Elizabeth, another friend of Hermione's, sat at a table at Tonic, a local club in the small magical community that was nearby the New Salem campus. Hermione shifted in her seat trying to get comfortable in the tight jeans that she had so adamantly refused earlier. 'I should have never listened to her' she thought, shooting Ashley a bitter looked. Ashley, on the other hand, sat next to Hermione looking quite comfortable, obviously used to dressing like this.
Hermione looked around taking in her surroundings. She had been here a few times before and always had a good time. She and her friends sat there talking and listening to music, generally having a good time. It wasn't long before guys began asking them to dance, as they were all cute girls. Ashley and Elizabeth didn't waste anytime accepting an invitation. Hermione declined the first guy that asked her. She sat at the table by herself, gently swaying to the music playing in the background. She had the feeling of someone watching her and it was beginning to make her feel uneasy.
She looked to her left, and sitting at another table with a group of guys, was a cute guy with dark hair. It was him that had been staring at her and before she it, he was on his way over to her. Hermione could not help but watch as he made his way over. He was definitely something to look at, standing at least 6 feet tall with a sleek muscular build. As he got closer she noticed that he had the most beautiful hazel eyes that she had ever seen. Yes, he was quite a looker.
"Having a good time," he said to Hermione, taking the seat that Ashley had abandoned.
"Yes I am, actually. You," Hermione replied.
"It's starting to get better," he said, winking. "Would you like to dance?"
Hermione started to decline, out of habit if nothing else, but then decided to go for it. She decided earlier that she would at least try to get to know some guys tonight. What the heck.
Hermione allowed the gorgeous guy guide her to the dance floor. He gently pulled her into his arms and they began to move to the music.
"I'm Kyle, by the way," he said into her ear causing Hermione to shiver.
"I'm Hermione," she managed to replay.
They silently let the music flow around them. It was a slow song and Hermione had no idea that dancing in a crowded club could be so arousing. There was definitely a strong attraction between the two and Hermione loved the feel of his arms around her.
The song ended all too soon, and Kyle led Hermione back to her table. They sat at the table and began to talk and get to know each other better. After awhile, Hermione learned that they not only shared a physical attraction to each other, but they also had a lot in common. They chatted about school, what they wanted to do after New Salem, and many other topics. 'He's really a nice guy,' Hermione thought. 'Not to mention gorgeous.'
When it was time to leave, Kyle offered to walk Hermione and her friends back to the girl's dorm. Ashley and Elizabeth walked on ahead, while Hermione and Kyle trailed behind. At the door to the building, Kyle held Hemione back, as her friends went inside.
"I had a wonderful time with you tonight," Kyle said still her hand in his. "And I was hoping that maybe we could go out sometime."
"That would be nice," Hermione responded with a smile. She gave him the number to her room. "I had nice time too."
Kyle leaned forward and gently placed a soft kiss upon Hermione's lips. She felt the familiar tug of attraction within her. It was not like the feeling she had when she kissed Harry, but a new feeling all together. Hermione decided that she liked it. She knew that this was definitely someone she would like to know better.
Kyle broke the kiss and said goodnight.
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Later, when Hermione lay down to bed, for the first time in a long time, it was not Harry's face that she saw before she drifted off to sleep.
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A/N: Well here is Hermione's POV after leaving Hogwarts. In the next chapter we will check in on Harry. I hope you like it. If you don't please feel free to review anyway. As I said before this is my first time and any comments are helpful so please, please review.
Lastly, to the person who asked if I thought that this could happen in real life, my answer to that is simple: With the absence of the fact that we are dealing with a fiction magical reality, yes, I absolutely believe that this could happen. Is it practical? Maybe not but it is not impossible. Besides, isn't that the whole point of fiction, to be able to express things that may not be able to happen in real life?