The Beginning

Chapter One: Travel

It was a pleasant spring Friday. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were finishing up their last class of the day, Muggle Studies. Ron glanced anxioulsy at his watch. Five…four…three…two…one…yes!

He almost stood to gather his books when he realised that all the other students were still at their desks. As he looked at them he registered Professor Horntons last words. "Now, one moment class. I have an announcement."

The room grew silent, the usual after-class buzz disappearing. "I have gotten permission from the Headmaster and from your heads of houses for a-field trip." Professor Horntons voice began to take on an evil tone as the class leaned in.

"I am going to let you experience a day in the life of a muggle!" At this Professor Hornton threw back her head and let loose an evil cackle.

The class, which had been watching her in amazement, jumped and leaned back in turn as she jumped towards them. "Oh, but I'm not going to let you get away doing whatever you want." She continued in her evil tone accompanied by an evil grin.

"Oh no. You will have a list. You MUST complete ALL objectives on the list to pass." She let loose another evil "Mwahahahahaha!!!" with her head thrown back.

The class gaped in astonishment. Suddenly reaching the end of her maniacal laughter, her head snapped back into the normal position. A normal smile occupied her lips, and she spoke in a completely normal voice as if the last five minutes had never happened.

"So, here are your lists. You must be in the muggle world by nine tomorrow morning, using your own means to transport yourselves. You must do this in the United States, not London. You may work in groups. " She bustled among the desks and placed a sheet of paper on each. She reached the front of the classroom again,

"Goodbye class, and have a great Saturday." For a moment the evil grin returned, and then she swept out of the classroom clutching a teaching manual.

The class, made up of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff sixth years, groaned in unison. They looked at each other bewilderedly. Then they remembered the lists that they had been given, and within seconds everyone was reading them.

Ron stared at his paper. Harry and Hermione, on either side of Ron, also stared at Rons' paper, forgetting their own.

A Muggle Saturday Objective List

Go shopping at the grocery store. (Buy everything needed to fully stock a pantry and refridgerator for yourself and in cases of groups, the number of students in your group.)

Go buy yourself a new wardrobe!

Eat in a seated muggle restaurant for lunch and dinner.

Go to the bookstore! Buy yourself anything which you find interesting, but there is a minimum of two books. If you buy Japanese Manga than the limit is three.

Go to a crafting store. My own research shows that one of the best is named 'Hobby Lobby'. I am not sure yet where the lobby comes in but I will try and find out.

Observe the way most muggles eat their ice cream in a cone. Come back and tell me.

Ask five muggles what their favorite things to do on Saturday are. Find one thing that at least three of them have in common and do it.

NOTE: All muggle money will be provided by the School. Go and ask your head of house. You didn't think we were going to let you keep all that stuff, did you? Why on earth would we give muggle money to a bunch of HEATHENS for them to spend? Emphasis on the heathens? All food must be turned over to the kitchens upon your return. The clothing will be handed over to me for closer examination and for my muggle artifacts collection. You may keep the books as a gift. It is a gift in disguise. That way you will have to study muggles more when you read it. Mwahahaha!

The Students finished their letters in succession. They all began to speak at once, some whispering to friends and others shouting for the whole class to hear. Nothing could actually be heard by anyone throught the mesh of voices.

And then one cold, scratchy voice cut through the turmoil like a hot knife through butter. Or the voice of Filch into what Filch would say 'the nasty noises those wretched students make'. But he would probably have added "the old detentions, now that was the stuff. Oh, how I miss the screaming…"

Anyway, back up. Filches voices cut clearly through the noise, sounding as though he were speaking slightly through his nose. He had walked in without them noticing. "Classrooms are for Classes ONLY. I must ask" He spit out the word ask with venom. "Everyone to leave this classroom IMMEDIATELY."

The sixth years froze. The silence was broken by a Hufflepuff girl in the front row near the entrance. She had pretty long strawberry blond hair, and eyelashes obviously coated in Mascara. She leaned over her desk towards Filch, batting her eyelids so fast that Ron blinked in amazement. "Oh, come on…Please?" She made puppy dog eyes.

Filch was not completely unaffected. Now hold on, before you lose all your respect for him. He is slightly leaning towards the elderly side, lonely, and a dejected Quib.

"NO." The word was laced with venom. The Hufflepuff girl flinched back. Ron saw Hermione move in the corner of his eye.

Before Filch could continue, Hermione was standing, her voice strong and firm. "Lets move this discussion to the Transfiguration courtyard. No need to dilly about in here." Hermione swept out of the classroom past the startled Filch.

The rest of the class streamed after her. The Hufflepuff girl, by the name of Susan Bones, walked after Hermione first. She walked frostily past Filch, her pride not a little hurt.

Ron gathered his Transfiguration books and followed Harry and the other students out. They streamed along the halls, chattering in groups. Harry motioned Ron over closer so that they could talk without being overheard. Ron speeded up slightly to catch him.

"I always knew Professor Hornton was crazy!" Ron's voice was a loud whisper as he fell in step with Harry, who motioned him to lower his voice as they entered the Transfiguration courtyard. He continued but more quietly, "I mean, Bloody hell! What did we do to deserve-" He was interrupted by Hermione, who was standing on top of a bench with Susan Bones.

"Now, we can properly discuss the project at hand. Does anybody object to Susan Bones speaking for Hufflepuff, and my speaking for Gryffindor?" There were a few murmurs but no open complaints. Susan Bones looked satisfied at the grudging acceptance.

Tossing her hair over one shoulder, she spoke. "Well, I suppose that we can assume that both Slytherin and Ravenclaw sixth years have already been told at the Muggle Studies class that they had earlier this morning."

Hermione nodded. "Now, back on the subject of the actual project. Professor Hornton didn't specify a city in the U.S., but I think it would be better if we all went to the same one, and devised a way to stay in contact. Any suggestions?"

Lavender Brown raised her hand. Susan Bones pointed to her and nodded approval. Lavender twirled hair around her finger as she responded. "We could ask Dumbledore for cell phones. Then we give each other our numbers in case we get in some kind of trouble." She fluttered her eyelashes at Ron (who didn't notice) as Hermione and Susan nodded their approval.

"Now to cities…" Susan started. "It has to be some place lots of people know, so that we can get directions easily." Hermione grinned at her. She was starting to like Susan Bones. "Yes, but not too big. If we get in trouble we shouldn't be too far away," she added. Susan Bones grinned back.

A Hufflepuff with flaming red hair spoke uncertainly. "Houston?" Hermione shook her head, and opened her mouth to speak, but the Hufflepuff spoke again quickly. "St. Louis?" Hermione closed her mouth, and then opened it again. "You know, that might work."

Susan Bones looked satisfied, and she spoke with a note of finalty. "Ok, then, its decided. I will go to Dumbledore for the cell phones. I'll decide who gets which phone and then get the numbers entered in each phone with the names. I'll get them passed out at dinner. "She began to step off the bench as Hermione added. "So all that's left is deciding teams. I don't think anyone should go alone."

The crowd began to break up, and Harry and Ron struggled through the crowd towards Hermione. When they reached her she was talking to Susan Bones in front of the stone bench. She was saying her farewells, and as the drew nearer they heard her. "Okay, see 'ya later Susan!"

Susan Bones waved, and disappeared in the croud, on her way to the Teachers Rec. Room, to ask Professor McGonagall for the password to Dumbledores' office. Hermione joined them as the walked towards the Main Staircase, on the unspoken agreement that they would be a team.

***

That night at dinner Hermione was talking about Travel plans to Harry, while Ron stuffed himself and pretended to listen. Finally Harry sighed. "Hermione, could you handle this? You're already planning it without me anyway." Ron froze, ready for an outburst from Hermione.

Hermione sighed with an edge of frustration, but stopped talking. Harry looked slightly wary as he kept eating. At that moment they were interrupted by a girl with strawberry blond hair. At the sight of her Hermione cheered up.

"Hi Susan!" Hermione said brightly. She then turned uncertain and slightly awkward, not knowing wether or not to hug her. Susan smiled. "Hey Hermione!" Glancing over at Ron and Harry, "Hello Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter." Her voice was not unkind, but it was not as warm as when she had been talking to Hermione.

"I came to bring your cell phones. They're all Verizon. Everyone has been added already. Including the Slytherins." When Hermione frowned, Susan shrugged. "Dumbledores' request."

Susan handed Hermione an ice blue LG enV Touch, which she fished from her book bag. Harry guessed that it must have an enlargening spell on the inside. She then handed Ron a copper-flame red LG Chocolate Touch, which matched his hair. Last of all she handed Harry a black Samsung Rogue.

Harry inspected his phone while Ron found his gaming apps. They were both confused by the devices. Ron looked up at Hermione, who had just finished inspecting her phones contacts and tucked her phone inside the pocket of her robes. "Hermione-" He began. Hermione, recognizing his tone, got up quickly. "Sorry, Harry, Ron, I already planned to go study with Susan."

She hurried off, leaving them to figure out the phones by themselves.

***

The next day, having traveled by portkey, they arrived in St. Louis, Illinois.