A/N: Yeah, yeah. I know. I should be working on one of my other, older stories, but I couldn't resist writing my next story idea *sheepish*

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own any of the delicious and not-so-delicious characters of the HP world. All characters and places belong to JKR *sobs over not owning Draco Malfoy*

Chapter 1:

The Golden Trio chatted easily about their summer break as the students awaited Dumbledore's welcome back speech. Ginny sat beside Hermione, listening in, but being her usual self and not interjecting her own thoughts. It was the Trio's seventh year at Hogwarts, her sixth, and the three could not get enough of bragging they would be finished with the school in no time. Harry seemed semi-upset, as the castle was his real home, but he, too, could not wait for the NEWT year to be over and for his auror training to begin.

"So, Gin, what classes are you taking this year?" Hermione asked, always the one to try to include the youngest Weasley.

Ginny blinked in surprise, "Oh, uh...I think I'm taking advanced transfig, advanced DADA, advanced charms...basically, advanced everything."

"Oh yeah, mum nearly went bonkers with joy when Dumbledore sent that letter," Ron nodded. "Gin's basically taking seventh year classes with us for everything she's advanced in."

"How does that work?" Harry asked. Hermione smiled, "Simple, Harry: whatever Ginny is advanced in she takes the seventh year course for. What she is at normal level for she takes the sixth year course. Next year, anything she took advanced this year she won't have to take. Her schedule will basically be full of free periods to study for the NEWTs she'll be taking."

"Pretty much," Ginny sighed, "I'm not allowed to take any NEWTs this year, so I just have to hope I remember everything I learn this year. Mione promised to help me organize my notes so I can study them during my frees."

"That's brilliant, Ginny," Harry beamed at her, "We always knew you were smart."

"Oh yeah," she rolled her eyes, "you always knew it. Let's just forget all those times you or Ron would say I wouldn't be able to understand what you were talking about."

"Hey, that's not fair to hold grudges. You proved us wrong most of the time," the spectacled boy grinned. Ginny rolled her eyes again and just shrugged as Dumbledore motioned for silence, stepping up to his podium.

"To all my old students," the headmaster began, "welcome back. To the first years joining us, welcome to Hogwarts. A few start of term notices for all of you, as usual - though there is no need to roll your eyes at me, Mr. Zabini." A few snickers fluttered through the hall as heads turned to the Slytherin table, where the very sexy seventh year Slytherin was smirking, as if he had meant to be caught disrespecting Dumbledore. Dumbledore continued, "Now, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you of all that is banned from Hogwarts. You will find the full list of 324 items hanging on his office door, if you wish to know what has been added.

"Secondly, sixth and seventh years, you will not be attending classes here at Hogwarts, but instead a few volunteer teachers and old students have agreed to help out with a little project." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as the older students all looked shocked. "It has been agreed upon by the Ministry that, after Voldemort's near rise to power, that unity is a must-learn. All sixth and seventh Gryffindors and Slytherins will be spending the school year in an Alaskan village, while Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs will be in a Minnesota suburb. You will have regular classes with your teachers and the volunteers. You will be graded upon your ability to get along with your new roommates from the opposite house."

He paused as the uproar the students were making finally reached its peak, drowning out his words. Professor McGonagall stood and sent loud fireworks into the air, disrupting the students. Almost all of them were covering their ears or grabbing something to cover their heads from the ashes. "As I was saying," Dumbledore chuckled, "you will be graded on this, and for seventh years, it will count as a major part of your NEWT grades. You will spend tonight in your dormitories, and tomorrow after breakfast you will meet here for your roommate assignments... Dig in, one and all." He clapped his hands and the food appeared, but practically all the students, except the younger ones, could not regain their appetites.

Gryffindors having to live with Slytherins? It was crazy! Absurd! Unthinkable! Could Dumbledore actually be serious? He must have gone completely mad! Or, madder than he used to be, anyways.

"He can't be serious," Ginny said, frowning. The Trio voiced their agreement before, seconds later, Ron began disgustingly digging into a pile of chicken wings.

A/N: Short, I know. But it's the beginning, it's gonna be short until I can get it flowing good and long each chapter :) Read and review, please! It'd make me very happy!

Love Yas!
SlytherinLuver (aka Amanda)