Chapter One (Hermione)
Upon leaving school I soon discovered not only the full extent of the frustrating prejudice against muggleborns, but that at heart, I had always been a teacher. Cliché, I know, but there you have it – I suppose I've been doing it all my life, as my classmates can attest. But really, when it comes down to it, while I'm good at what I know, I don't have the mind for research, and refuse to put up with more hell from purebloods who refuse to support my business or promote me in theirs. Needless to say, it was only my second year back at Hogwarts when Dumbledore received communications from Salem Academy…
"Ah… fuck." Snape put the straw back into the cup, "Who wants to swap?"
"Us old ladies? Don't be silly, dear," admonished Sprout.
"Why on earth would we want to go to America?" reproved McGonagall.
"I'm too short," sniffed Flitwick, "I'd look weird."
"I'm too important," winked Dumbledore, "I have to stay here."
"I'm not going with him!" cried Hermione, "Hooch… anyone… please?"
But it was too late. The straws had been drawn – I was going to Salem with Severus, and we were to represent Hogwarts in the first transatlantic magical movement since the pilgrims had left Britain.
"Last call for Boston, Boston Massachusetts is now boarding, last call…"
"Well, come on then," sighed Hermione, picking up her duty free bag and licking the coffee's cream off her lips.
"Remind me why we are taking muggle transport to a magical school," groaned Snape.
"Well, when you manage to invent a broom that would manage the trip, do make sure you patent it for me," muttered Hermione under her breath.
Sure, maybe we could get there eventually using the rather unreliable magic carpet system, if we apparated to France and then Spain, but where would the fun be? To my surprise, Severus wasn't completely hopeless in the muggle world, but I couldn't wait for that to change once we got to America. Part of the itinerary included numerous trips into the muggle world, aimed at showing us around the more integrated community of Salem, and American magical culture, where around 90 percent of the community have close muggle relations...
Severus sneered at the incomprehensible idea that the small bit of plastic in front of him could adequately support anything, other than the cardboard masquerading as dessert. He couldn't even smell the 'strawberries' when his nose was directly adjacent to them. Sighing, he leant back to close his eyes and attempted to sleep, but was interrupted immediately by Hermione.
"Will you be eating that? I'm a sucker for dessert."
"Mmph."
"I'll take that as a 'No, of course not, Hermione, please, be my guest.'"
"No, of course not, Hermione, please, be my guest," he mimicked.
"Well, there's no need for rudeness," she spat through a mouthful of cream.
"Well there's no need to redecorate," he retorted, eyeing her bad manners in disgust. She paused a little, in shock, before comprehension dawned.
"Oh. Sorry. I get nervous on long flights, and when I'm nervous, I tend to eat for comfort…" she trailed.
"Whatever. Just let me sleep."
As if the flight with Severus was not bad enough, the car trip along State Highway 107 was worse. Finally we saw a sign that said 'Salem', and I breathed a sigh of relief. Tired from the flight and the time difference, I wished for nothing more than for the school to be right in front of me at that very moment. When I saw Collins Middle School I was delighted, and then crushed as we kept driving - the same happened too for Salem High School and Saint James School, until we passed another sign that read 'Peabody'. I couldn't question that Deputy Headmaster Thomas Frader knew where he was going, but I was extremely perplexed until his jovial nature noticed my concern…
"Ah, don't worry there, Hermione, it's only Salem because we're right on the outskirts, and when the school was created the nearest town was Salem. There're over ten different high schools in the place, too, so it's rather to fit in. If you don't mind, maybe you could wake up your friend Sev, there? The entrance to the school is through this cemetery."
We trudged through the back of St. Mary's Cemetery until we came to the Conover Family Vault. It was elaborate and looked abandoned, situated in the oldest part of the cemetery where no one would notice. Its design looked like Severus' dream house…
"I suppose you're trying to think how we get all the students in and out unseen, eh? Never mind… this is only one of the entrances. The kids go home every day or term out of the most appropriate entrance… there's only a few hundred of us at best, so we only need about ten entrances and no one has a clue. This one's guests and Goths only. Seems to suit your friend, here. Plus it was the closest."
He tapped the door with an African rhythm, and instantly the door swung out. Severus and I walked through to a colourful corridor, and Thomas led us up several hallways to the dining area, which looked just like the normal American high school cafeterias that I'd seen on TV…
"Professors Granger and Snape, it is an honour," cried Headmistress Jessica Dodson, as soon as she caught sight of the two arrivals. The rest of the teaching staff stood up in order to greet them - the students weren't due back until the next day.
"Please, sit and have lunch, and after I'll show you 'round the place. You must be exhausted so I'll go over the program and stuff later."
Gratefully the two sat down, feeling quite out of place, and eyeing some of the foods suspiciously.
Well… there we go. It won't be very long. Eventually it should branch out into them going on Dr. Phil… as a dysfunctional couple. Review if you think it's worth me writing the next chapter (or the story).