Professor Dumbledore (he is not dead) stood at the podium as usual. He said what he usually says at the Welcoming feast. The whole, "welcome to…" and "welcome back…" speech. Then about what Filch wanted him to say about forbidden items. But everybody could feel he was mounting up to something big. Something that will change the year. Like he usually did. Dumbledore glanced around the Great Hall. "Now, as many of you may have heard from the Daily Prophet, about Owl school of Sorcery that resides in America. And I will confirm this story, Owl School of Sorcery was attacked by the Death Eaters." There were gasps and quiet mutterings that went silent when Dumbledore spoke again. "Owl School of Sorcery is a large school. Larger than Hogwarts. Which made it both a hard but good target. Their school year starts in August. They were attacked a week in. When they were the most vulnerable. They fought against the Death Eaters, whose numbers are quite large now. After the battle, the school evacuated all students into a safe and secret building before a second battle could begin. There are many students at this school, so they have decided to split them up and send them separate schools here in Europe. Ages five through eight will be attending Beauxbatants since it is a gentle school. Ages nine through twelve will go to Cognito in Ireland. Ages thirteen through seventeen will go here. And ages eighteen through twenty-one will go to Dumstrang." Dumbledore paused as he waited to see how this news would take affect. The Great Hall once again was filled with quiet mutterings and near silent whispers. "While the Owl students are here, I want you all to welcome them. This past month has been filled with tragedy, many hardships and separations for them. Many of them have been separated from their older and younger siblings. Something very hard when they're your only family. Treat them like you do your own houses. They will be here shortly." Dumbledore finished and he sat down at the head of the Teacher's table. The Great Hall erupted for the third time into mutterings, whispers and chatters. All the voices filled with excitement or curiosity or both. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . At the Gryffindor Table: "Owl school of Sorcery? I wonder where that is or was. Neither Dumbledore or the Daily Prophet mentioned where they were are in America." Ginny said as she placed her fork into her mashed potatoes. "Owl School of Sorcery is on the Hawaiian Islands. A place that was once completely a different country. The school is built completely underground and into the water." Hermione said. "Let me guess, you read that from a book." Ron said while rolling his eyes. Harry and Ginny snorted. "Yes I did." Hermione huffed. "But I also went to the Islands one summer." "Why would the Death Eaters attack Owl school?" Harry asked as he messed around with his steak. "America is the muggle capitol of the world Harry. It's also one of the most violent. Nearly all of their history is around war." Hermione said. "Plus, it has only two magical schools. Get rid of one would make the other one vulnerable which means that whole country will be vulnerable." "Wow. That would be the biggest massacre that Voldemort has ever accomplished." Harry said as he considered what Hermione said. "Geez. How big is this school?" Ron asked while shoving some green beans into his mouth. "It is huge. Students start as early as five and end as late as twenty. They all sleep about twenty to a dormitory." Hermione said. "Hermione, sweetie, how much do you know about the Hawaiian Islands?" Ginny asked while raising an eyebrow. "You're really asking that question Gin?" Harry smirked. "Hermione reads so much into one thing, I'm surprised her head hasn't exploded." "Ha. Ha. Harry." Hermione said. "And it just so happens I know quite a bit. Their culture has many traditions. One thing was definitely clear about Hawaiians and that was that they were anything but lazy. Quite a contrary to now. They worked hard at everything they did. They had their own monarch that they still honor even though it's gone. Their queen was overthrown many years ago." "That's actually interesting." Ginny said. "And boring." Ron muttered. Harry grinned but the two girls didn't hear it. "It is. The Hawaiians had this whole system worked out. There were the Ali'i,(she pronounced it like, Ah-le-e) who were the royal family of kings and queens and princes and princesses. Then came the Kahunas (She pronounced it like, Kah-who-nahs) who were the seers or magical advisers to the Ali'i." "Wait." Ron interrupted. "You mean like us?" "Yeah. Just like us. But mostly around the clairvoyant type." Hermione said.

"You mean like Trelawney?" Harry said with an eyebrow raised.

"Yeah right. They were real, not frauds." Hermione snorted. Ginny looked at Hermione. "So the Hawaiians weren't scared of people like us?" Hermione considered it for moment. "I never really looked at it that way. The Hawaiians trusted the Kahunas to help the sick and help and see the future. The Hawaiians weren't afraid of the Kahunas. They honored the Kahunas." "Well that sounds like a relief. What it must be like to be honored and unafraid of." Harry said. Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron snickered. Many girls still worship and follow him around even though he was going out with Ginny now. "Getting kind of excited, don't you think 'Mione?" Hermione glared. "So what do they look like 'mione?" Ginny continued, pretending not to see the death glare, as she leaned into Harry. "Well, nearly all of the Hawaiians are brown. Their skin is lighter than Dean's skin, but a little bit darker than the Patil Twin's skin. Their eyes are brown too. Some lighter than others. Some are Big. Some are lean. Some are big and strong. Some are lean and strong." Hermione said. "Okay then, some guys are big and strong and some guys are lean and strong? I wonder how cute they are." Ginny grinned as she leaned forward. Harry wrapped his arms around her waist. "You're just saying that to make me jealous. Right?" He asked against her neck. Ginny giggled as his breath tickled her neck. "Maybe."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Get a room you two." Ginny stuck her tongue out at him making Hermione laugh. Ron glared and put his arm around Hermione's shoulder. "At least Hermione doesn't try to make me jealous." "Ginny, did you know the guys over there also walked around with their shirts off while I was there?" Hermione said to Ginny, who just laughed. Ron's jaw fell to the floor. "Hermione!" "Yes, Ron?" Hermione smirked at him. He raised an eyebrow. "None of them could have a better body than me, right?" He grabbed the end of his shirt. "Well, I don't know Ron. I've never seen you without your shirt on and these guys were walking around showing their entire upper body." She turned to Ginny. "And the sites were good." Ginny giggled. "Oh yeah. I bet they couldn't beat this." Ron yanked his shirt up. Ginny covered her eyes while Harry laughed. Hermione covered her mouth from laughing. "You're right Ron. No one over here could beat that. Qudditch has done some good for you." Hermione touched one of his abs. Ron shuddered slightly at her touch. "Except, no tan. Now the guys had full on body tans." "Alright. Alright. Ron, put your shirt down. Honestly, not everybody wants to see that. Except maybe Lavender." Ginny added in an undertone. Ron quickly put his shirt down. They all laughed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . At the Slytherin table: "Owl School of Sorcery, eh?" Draco sneered. "Isn't that the school your father attacked?" Pansy asked. Draco winced. This girl doesn't know how to keep a secret to save her life. "Shut up Pansy. You want people to overhear you?" Pansy pouted. "I'm sorry Drakie. I won't do it again." "Good. Besides, father is attacking the other magical school." Draco said. "What other school?" Pansy asked. Draco rolled his eyes. This girl was dumber than a sack full of house elves. "There are two magical schools in America. I can't say anymore than that." "Why not?!" Pansy screeched making several heads turn towards them. "Shut up Pansy. The Dark Lord would have told your father and you would know. Now, do you remember our mission?" He whispered. "Yes, of course, Drakie-poo." She said as she reached for his arm. He flinched away. "Good. Don't forget it." "What's so special about these students anyways? They are just like us." Pansy whined. Her voice was really irritating now. "I don't know." Draco snapped. Pansy went quiet. Crabbe and Goyle just went on eating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 minutes later: Dumbledore stood up again. "The Owl School of Sorcery students have arrived. Please respect them." And by his words the Great Hall doors opened and in filed a large group of students. A very large group of students. All the students were dressed like muggles. Very stylish too. The girls wore either skirts, pants, or shorts. Nearly all the boys wore swim trunks or pants. What Hermione said about them was some what true. Most of the Owl students skin were brown. Most of them looked big and strong. But then there were others. The others skin were white, peach-skinned or burned. The Owl students faces shown that they just saw more than they wanted to. But they weren't going to let it bother them. There was this one girl who held the hand of young boy that looked six years old. Her face shown that she was peaceful, but will be defiant if that's what it came to, to protect those around her. She would do anything to help others. And she showed it. When the front of the group reached the stage, they stopped, causing others to stumble and trip. Instead of being embarrassed, they all just laughed it off. "Welcome to Hogwarts Owl School of Sorcery." Dumbledore smiled. One of the boys in the front said, "How'z it?" The ones around him laughed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neville looked up and caught the eyes of the girl with the little boy. She smiled at him. Neville looked down and blushed. The girl next to her said, "We've barely been here for 10 minutes and you already have a guy at your feet, Lina." Lina rolled her eyes at her friend. "Shut up Tosha. He is not at my feet." "Well he is somewhere. He can't stop looking at you." Tosha waved at Neville who was trying to catch Lina's eyes again by staring. He blushed and looked down again when Tosha waved at him. But he still heard everything they said. That girl is pretty. And she smiled at me. At me. Neville thought. And let himself a small grin. The year is going to be interesting.