The summer holiday leading up to the new Hogwarts year was drawing to a close all to quickly for the likings of the students, but one student could never fail to feel that extra burst of excitement only a week before returning. Hermione Granger, the brightest witch that Hogwarts had seen since the 1970's ,was practically beaming that one sunny Saturday morning as she entered the living room of her parents house.

"Morning mummy, daddy." she cried, giving them each a quick peck on the cheek, and quickly nicking a piece of toast of her dad's plate, bolting out the door before either of her parents could say anything. Even though she was turning seventeen in a matter of weeks, Hermione insisted upon continuing to call her parents 'mummy' and 'daddy' as every other day her mum would burst into tears, knowing how fast her baby girl had grown up.

The wizarding world had brought a lot out of her since she first enter the world nearly six years ago. Since then so must had happened: both good and the bad. But through all the times, she always worked side-by-side with her three best friends. Harry Potter, Ron and Ginny Weasley. Many have said that they could face the world and still pull through as long as they worked together. Yes they had their fair share of arguments, some worse then others, but in the end they just laughed about it and continued where they left off.

Hermione slid into her black BMW convertible, turned on the radio and was on her way, cruising along the busy roads. The sun was beating down on her bear shoulders as her long brown highlighted hair fluttered in the wind behind her. Large round sunglasses protected her eyes the whole time. She came to a stand still at some traffic lights leading into Magnolia Road, she drummed her fingers on the steering wheel waiting for the lights to change. Once they did, she was off. Turning the corners until she pulled up outside Number 4 Privet Drive. She turned down the radio and beeped.

A loud crash and yelling came flying through the open windows, then finally the front door opened and out stepped Harry Potter, looking very red in the face. Hermione guessed he had just had yet another fight with his Uncle Vernon. Like usual!

"Another argument?" Hermione asked setting off once Harry was safely inside the car and had his seat belt on.

"Yep. Apparently I threatened magic on Dudley if he didn't stay away from my room. The great whale was looking through my things, the fat git. As if he doesn't have enough to do around the house."

"I see what your saying Harry. Actually I though you were staying with the Weasley's this summer?"

"I was. But until I turned seventeen, I couldn't. I turned seventeen on Saturday and I'm still not able to. There's no point going now, summers almost over but thanks Hermione. For getting me out of there when you did. But anyway. How's your summer been?"

Hermione laughed at Harry's quick change of subject. "Nothing much really. Finishing off homework mainly. Looking through the photo album from our past years at Hogwarts. I really can't believe that this is going to be our last year before we graduate. I still have no idea what I want to do."

"Kill Voldemort, that's what I want to do. He's taken so many damn lives and yet he never gives up. I swear Hermione, if he hurt you, Ron or even Ginny. I don't know what I'd do. I lost Sirius and my parents to that bastard and many others but I have been able to get by without them, somewhere."

Hermione pulled up to the side and turned to Harry with a stern look on her face that would make even Snape proud. "Harry. No matter what happens. Ron ,Ginny and myself will always stand by your side until the end." Hermione pulled Harry into a hug, closing her eyes slightly. "We have come to far to give up now and achieved so much as a group. There is basically nothing we can't do if we work together. ok?" She pulled away.

Harry nodded, smiling the whole time. "Thanks 'Mione! So where do you want to go."

"Just have to make one more stop." They pulled up outside some apartments and again Hermione beeped. They waited for a few minutes before Hermione yelled. "Ronald Weasley get your arse down here now!"

Harry laughed and he was joined by someone behind him. He turned and there leaning against the car was Ginny Weasley. Her laugh was like music to his ears. Everything about her was perfect and ever since they broke up at the end of the school year, Harry had regretted every minute. Harry wished every day, he hadn't said those words he had said but he guessed that Ginny had already moved on. But he quickly looked away in time to see Ron come tumbling out the front door. Ginny only doubled over with laughter. Hermione was laughing just as hard but she was the first to regain herself. "Glad you could join us Ron. I said I would pick you up at twelve. It is now five past. Get in the car so we can be on our way."

"Ok ok, busy women." tutted Ron jumping into the seat behind Hermione and Ginny into the one before Harry. "Oh hi Harry. Sorry we didn't come and get you it's just ever since Mum, well left. It's been hectic at home."

"It's ok Ron. How has the family been coping?"

Ron didn't answer. Ginny looked at her brother sadly and answered for him. "Horrible. Bill and Charlie have been trying to look after everyone. Dad has been working over time. We bearing see him anymore. Fred and George closed the joke shop and shut themselves up in their rooms. Ron and I just had to get out of there. Usually I would kill to have peace like that everyday but not for this reason. The Ministry have dropped by a number of times making sure everything is ok, but like they would care. They never did before."

"I'm sorry Ginny. I shouldn't have asked. It's got nothing to do with me."

"Of course it does Harry. Mum always considered you like a son so you have as much right as us to know what's going on. But if it's ok. Can we please change to subject? I'm trying not to think about it."

"Sure thing."

The rest of the journey was in silence until Hermione pulled into car space outside Kings Cross. Everyone got out and gathered on the pavement as Hermione locked up and grabbed her handbag from the back. With a smile they walked through the number of streets of London. Now and then darting into shops to look. Soon it was five in the afternoon/evening and the four friend were tired from walking all day. They stopped at a small cafe over looking the Thames and sat down to enjoy their drinks. They talked about many different topics : school, careers, the war, fellow students and the teachers. Soon it was time to head back home. Hermione drove them home, Ron and Ginny to their apartment only a few miles from Kings Cross and Harry back to Privet Drive. All of them shared their goodbyes and went their named ways to turn in for the night.

When Hermione got home, she took her shopping up to her room, took her coat off and placed her keys next to her bed before returning down stairs to find a beautiful white owl resting on top of the sofa. Both her parents were sat as far from it as they could get. Even after six years, they still couldn't get used to the wizarding method of mailing. Hermione at first too kept her distance as she didn't recognise the owl. It was Hedwig, Harry's owl, or a Hogwarts owl. Instead on the letter that was tired to it's leg bore a logo of another wizarding school. Hermione stepped forward and quickly took the letter. The white owl shock its head and soared out of the open window. Looking down Hermione examined the logo closer.

It was a light blue and sliver shield with two lit wands crossing over the centre, and underneath sliver words shone brightly. 'The Royal Wizarding Academy. Shining the brightest star even brighter.'

The Royal Wizarding Academy? I've never heard of the place,' thought Hermione walking out the room and sitting down on the bottom step of the staircase. She flipped the envelope over and scanned the address. Yep it was for her. With shaking hands, Hermione opened the letter and muttered the words to herself not noticing her parents standing behind her, reading over her shoulder.

The Royal Wizarding Academy are proud to offer you, Miss Hermione Granger, a place among fellow bright witches and wizards like yourself. As you are currently a Hogwarts student, you have the decision to choose weather or not you transfer to the academy or stay where you are. However before you decide please take the following reasons into account:

1. The academy can provide you with an education far above the advance standards that Hogwarts can offer you. This can also include a particular course that relates to your chosen career but if you have none, then our board of education career adviser can help you if you wish it.

2. With our courses you are given the opportunity to apply for any job worldwide and almost garneted an acceptance.

3. We understand and provide certain students opportunities to develop a bonus understanding themselves of the international cultures and languages that over the past ten years have travelled through neighbouring nations.

We ask that you consider this opportunity as this is only given to the students who show the intelligence and academic minds that have for years, introduced the wizarding world with new ways of life. Such as the creation of the Wolf Bain potion and many charms that have found their ways into the standard foundation school courses.

We will await your reply by no later then the 19th of August. If you do accept this offer then the train will make an extra stop at Platform nine and three quarters on September 1st at 11am. We know this is the same time The Hogwarts express is due to arrive but as these arrangements are very rare, this time can be over looked. You will have no need to return once school ends as you will be provided with an apartment just off-site. The school course you will be entered on runs over a three-year basics.

We hope to hear from you soon Miss Granger.

Professor C Element

(Headmistress of The Royal Wizarding Academy)

Hermione ,in shock, let the letter fall from her hand before her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fainted. Her mind going completely blank.

Meanwhile over in France on the coast, Professor Crystal Element sat at her desk smiling as she received the last of the replies from the student who were due to attend that year. But one made her smile even more. There on the top of the large neat pile, written with neat curly written was the reply she was most interested in. The one from a certain witch in England. She read the reply and quickly scribbled something done in her book that lay open in front of her. Laying down the pen, Crystal walked out of her office window door and looked out to the surrounding waters. "We look forward to you here Miss Hermione Granger. Great things you will accomplish while you are here. May your name be recorded in the many history books that have yet to be written as only the greatest minds have shown what they can really do. You will be one of them, I know it...!"

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Hello readers. Hope you liked the story. Since I started writing fanfiction, I have always wanted to write this fic so I will be updating hopfully alot more now. If you did enjoy it then please leave a quick reveiw. Or if you didn't then please tell me why you didn't! Thanks, enjoy the rest of your day! HMWayre xxx