A different perspective

Hermione's POV

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Just after arriving home from train station--

"No-no-no, that won't do!" I stomped my foot in anger. I looked at all the clothes strewn across my room in dismay. There was nothing that fit. I tried to see if I could keep something, but everything was tiny.

I was shocked when I saw my image in the mirror when I first arrived. I had grown a lot more than I had thought. It seemed that the potion had enhanced my growth rate over time as well. I had grown about 10 cm taller by the end of the school year and I have started to develop in some other areas as well. Especially my chest and butt. I also noticed that my waist was getting smaller, and a slight hourglass figure was taking shape. I assumed it was mostly due to the physical routine I had been doing all year.

It has helped tone the rest of my body as well which I have only just now come to appreciate. Even though I didn't like muscle, I had to admit that the slight ab definition had a certain allure to it. But then the image of Tom popped into my mind.

'I wondered if Tom would like that-'

"Why do I care what he thinks? Humph, just like him to leave behind a cryptic message and leave for America to have fun." I grumbled as I walked over to my little bookshelf and pulled out a book on offensive spells and sat down on my beanbag.

But the more I read the more I began to recall the past year of schooling. And with it, all the times I spent with Tom. I had just arrived at Kings Cross station. I was given the specific instructions on how to get to platforms 9 and ¾ by Professor McGonagall. She was exceptionally helpful and kind. Something I assumed all students would have experienced.

I really hated carrying that trunk around since it proved to be a massive burden. It even delayed me by a big margin simply due to its size and weight. I had a strict! schedule! STRICT! SCHEDULE! Dammit, I need to be like Tom and get myself a bag or something. I'll buy one maybe at the end of next year or so.

I remember his lack of care as he clearly saw me struggling to put my trunk on the train. The bastard! The audacity, I was forced to ask him for help simply because no one else was in the immediate vicinity. But what's even worse, is his lecturing on the train. Sure, he might have been right, but I'm not going to admit it.

It would boost his, what I later came to realise, big ego. But what I can admit is that he's intelligent and mature beyond his years. Although his lecturing was intense, he spoke truthfully and with insight on things beyond the scope of what a kid my age would be thinking about.

He enlightened me to a new world beyond strict rules and books. Something I still find novel but challenging. Yet, his genius is also annoying. I can never win! Not once in the past god damn year, have I been able to win at anything! Except for occlumency, exams and that easter egg event which looking back on, was clearly Dumbledore setting up Tom. For reasons that are beyond me, but nonetheless, I understood their little war.

Our snowball fight was one of the happiest and carefree days of my life. The fun I had annoying Tom was something I would never forget. And the warm sensation of the overly large jacket draped around my shoulders gave me a sense of security.

The training that he made me do was incredibly annoying in the beginning. I didn't see the point of it until I saw the eventual benefit of doing so. The more I did it the more I came to enjoy it. and having someone to do it with always helped.

I felt a sense of dejection when I first arrived. Noticing that nobody was studying dealt me a severe blow. Especially when the house points were on the line. Harry and Ron especially. Over the course of the year, I have grown to look at them as clowns who serve no other purpose but to annoy everyone else. Stupid and reckless when it came to meddling in things beyond their capabilities. I could continue for days.

But Tom helped me get over the sadness that was continuing to grow by the day. I tried so hard to help others because I wanted them to improve, but all I got was insults and annoyed looks. I couldn't comprehend it at all. But it was only when Tom made me realise that the incompetent act this way, case and point Ron, that I understood that time was wasted on such people.

I felt that his view on things was wrong at first and continued to help, but the more I attempted the more I got abused. When I noticed their subpar grades, I had no choice but to accept the reality of the situation.

That was another reason why I enjoyed his company, he was mature, our conversations were more in-depth and held meaning, our academic rivalry pushed me to new heights that I had previously deemed impossible for myself. And the startling reality that plagues the elves and their true nature gave me newfound purpose.

That mirror was definitely a surprise. I have no clue how Tom found it but when it showed me my deepest desires, it shocked me. There was naturally my parents happily standing next to me, I also had a cat. I had achieved my goal of improving the rights of elves, and finally… finally… Tom. Standing next to me holding my hand. What a bastard, he even crept into my perfect dream!

Having lost the motivation to read due to my reminiscence and embarrassment, I closed the book and walked downstairs for a cup of tea to clear my thoughts. I made sure to give my room another once over to make sure everything was in its rightful place before nodding in satisfaction. as I skipped down the stairs and into the kitchen, what awaited me was my parents chatting merrily about random things.

"Oh Hermione, come sit with us and have a chat." My mother beckoned with her hand. I knew this would be bad when I saw dad's cheeky smile and eyes the spelled curiosity.

"Sure mum," I answered with a forced smile and sat down on the empty seat beside my parents. As my mother served me a cup of tea my dad leaned back on his chair and grinned, "So, that Tom boy huh?" he asked.

I sighed, "I knew you would do this. Please work on your poker face at least." I said while sipping on my tea in an attempt to mask the burning sensation on my cheeks and the embarrassment welling up in my stomach.

'Dammit, this is why I didn't want to sit down,' I groaned in my head. from the corner of my eye, I could see my mother smiling slightly with a playful glint in her eye. My dad mimicked her perfectly.

"Don't be like that Mione, I'm only enquiring because you seem so close. After all, that was the first time you have hugged a boy." my dad revealed, "not to mention, you've hated boys your age. So, you can understand where my curiosity stems from." He said reasonably.

I opened my mouth to retort, but couldn't, his reasoning was sound. Too sound. I grumbled slightly, "He's mature, very mature for someone my age. Although he's annoying, irresponsible, incorrigible and a troublemaker, he's my only true friend at school. The only one who didn't shun me or treat me badly for trying to help others. He has been a big help in allowing me to grow out of my shell." I admitted truthfully.

"I see. So when will you bring him over?" asked my mother to my shock.

"He is not coming over! Absolutely not!" I protested adamantly.

"Why? I want to meet the person who caught my sweet daughter's eye," she continued with a smile on her face. I stayed silent at her words, my face growing hotter by the second as I tried to hide it by taking another sip of my now empty cup. I grimaced and turned to see my mum's growing smile. like that of the Cheshire cat.

"Is it that obvious?" I whispered.

"Sure is, if only you could see how red your face is," my dad said while chuckling.

"I wouldn't mind, but he won't be around," I revealed.

"Why's that?" mum asked.

"Because he's going to America for half a year. So, I won't see him until after new year." I said dejectedly.

"Wow, you like him a lot, don't you?' she asked with a grin.

"Yeah, I do…" I trailed off until I realised what I had said, while also choking on my tea. "NO! I DON'T!" I bellowed as I tried to defend myself. I stood up instantly, clutching my head. How could I say that out loud! Where has my head gone?!

"Wow, you're crushing hard darling. You need to relax. We are only playing with you. But you should bring him over when he's available. I would love to meet him. But enough of that, me and your dad have a surprise for you." She said with a wide smile.

I looked at them in confusion and intrigue while slowly returning to my seat.

"We have decided to go to France as an early birthday present!" dad revealed to my surprise and ecstasy.

"YESSSS!" I yelled, my hands in the air before realising how childish that is, "*Ahem* yay, I can't wait." I said in an almost monotone voice which was the complete opposite. Dammit!

Mum and dad chuckled slightly before smiling warmly, "You've been rambling on about going to France ever since you arrived back home. So, we decided that it was time for a family vacation." Mum said this time.

"But we'll need to go shopping for new clothes. You've grown far too much young lady. We can't have you dressing in clothes that are too small." Mum said while shaking her head. I agreed wholeheartedly.

With that several days went by, I wrote to Tom wishing him a happy trip and a safe return. He sent me one back reminding me to take the potion again and some other things. I couldn't help but smile slightly at the stupid jokes he wrote in the letter.

I shook my head and placed the card in the topmost drawer of my desk and left with a suitcase towards France.

An: Extra-long chapter today. Thanks to Ser_Gamma for the idea. I really don't know if I captured the essence of Hermione's character. But I did add my little twist on her. it's only natural since she's been influenced by Tom all year. anyway, how was it, did I succeed? do I need improvement? I'll be relying on you for that! hope you enjoyed it. Have a lovely day wherever you are!