'I'll get it' she yelled running down the stairs at top speed. She jumped the last few steps, and ignoring the tingling feeling in her ankles, ran to the door. Once there she quickly patted down her hair, which after much debate with herself she had decided to straighten and tugged at her skirt one last time. Hermione stood for a moment, then smiling she flung open the door standing on the front steps were Harry and Ron each unmistakeable. Harry with his seeker stance and mop of dishevelled black hair hiding his most unique feature, a scar in the shape of a lightning bolt, a reminder of who he was and why he was famous. Next to him stood Ron, Hermione noted with some embarrassment that he had certainly gotten taller since she had last seen him but he was still a Weasley, his red hair and freckles were a dead giveaway.
'Hi' said Ron grinning guiltily, 'sorry we took so long but Dad insisted we stop and look at all the muggle stores.'
'That's fine' Hermione heard herself say, 'I hardly noticed you were late.'
'So can we come in?' ventured Harry trying to see inside.
'Of course' replied Hermione realising she was yet to invite them in. She pushed away the door and in doing so put herself in full view of Harry and Ron. Had Hermione not been so self-conscious she might have found the scene that followed funny. Ron just stood there gaping at her and Harry seemed a little taken aback, Hermione had sort of expected this reaction but really she didn't look that different did she? Then again Harry and Ron barely saw her in anything but her robes and even when they had seen her in something different she was generally wearing long skirts and stockings. Hermione was wondering how to best break the awkward silence when Harry spoke.
'Hermione' he said 'you look so�'
'Amazing' volunteered Ron then realising what he'd just said he looked at the ground his face the colour of his hair.
'Thanks' mumbled Hermione blushing more than Ron and resisting the urge to tug at her skirt. Harry seemed to recover quickly, possibly because he had more experience with shorter muggle clothes although Hermione secretly hoped that Ron had his own reasons for being stunned, but she quickly banished those ideas to the back of her mind. Ron just thought of her as a friend as he had demonstrated at the Yule Ball last year. Hermione suddenly felt a surge of anger and had to stop herself from snapping at Ron when she next spoke, instead she focused on Harry.
'So I guess you want to come in' she said 'unless you'd rather stay outside.'
'No' said Harry shooting an amused look at Ron. 'Flies will start flying into Ron's mouth if he keeps it that way.'
Ron snapped out of his stupor and glared at Harry, but before either boy could say anything Hermione quickly said 'are you hungry, Mums been cooking all day.' Both of them took the hint and picked up their bags.
'Honestly Hermione' said Ron pretending to be exasperated 'have you ever known me to turn down food?' Hermione laughed, it was good to see them again and with those thoughts Ron, Harry and her disappeared behind the Granger's front door.