We are SO SORRY for the late update! We really needed to rethink the story, but now we promise to keep writing and updating soon. We hope you enjoy chapter two!

Lots and lots of love,
Your two dreamers (yo peeps in da house - we're trying.)

Disclaimer: We swear we're not JK Rowling. How can two people be one person? Seriously.

Chapter Two: Greetings from a Distant Land

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
-Robert Frost
'Stopping By the Woods on a Snowing Evening'

Hermione was up far earlier than the only other person who shared her eighth year dorm. Parvati Patil was soundly asleep in the early hours of the morning while Hermione looked at her timetable and contemplated what her day was going to be like. She decided to take a quick shower before heading down to the library before breakfast. After getting dressed, she left the room and quietly closed the door behind her as she walked down.

There were a scarce number of students in the library at this hour in the morning, but even they took a notice to the famous muggle-born witch. She walked over to the shelves which held the tomes on Arithmancy for supplementary reading. It was her favourite subject, but she could never be too prepared. Hermione was so preoccupied in her book that she did not notice Luna Lovegood walk up to her desk.

"Hermione," Luna said as she poked her side.

She looked back at the dreamy eyed witch. "Oh, Luna! Good morning. I was just looking for some Arithmancy books. Did you happen to take that class by any chance?"

"No, I decided to drop the class. I saw no need of it because I plan on a kind of environmental career. I wanted to focus on Herbology this year. And I will be busy attending head girl duties so I decided to take a spare period in that slot. Let's swap time tables"

"Oh, yes I almost forgot! Congratulations on becoming Head Girl!" Hermione said as she looked at her Head Girl badge and smiled thinking of the fact that Neville and Luna would be sharing quite a few classes together this year, and for good reason. Is it that everyone can find love but me?

"Thank you. I was quite surprised that I was picked for the post, but had you been at school last year, you would have certainly had it. Look! We share Alchemy together!"

"With Professor Snape running everything last year, I don't think I would have the job. Thank god I know someone in my class though, not a lot of people took the courses I'm taking. Anyway, how about we head down for breakfast; I haven't had a chance to talk to any of the seventh year Ravenclaws yet, and I'm starving!"

The two left the library trying to avoid the obvious stares that some of the younger students gave Hermione. She was in no mood to entertain their notions. She remembered that Ron promised to write to her as soon as school started, and was anxiously awaiting his letter. She entered through the Great Hall in hopes of avoiding any more stares, but by the time they left the library and arrived it was quite late. This only meant that most of the students had arrived and were already staring at the Gryffindor table for Harry Potter until she walked through. She said her goodbyes to Luna as she went and sat beside her best friend and his girlfriend.

Ginny looked back at her and said, "You have some fanmail, a letter from your mother, a letter from Ron, and a letter from some people who call themselves the A.M.O.M. In fact, that one is bright blue, red, and white. Hermione, are you trying to tell us something?"

Hermione took a few seconds to register half of what was happening, and stared blankly back at the red head. Harry was taken by surprise and noted, "You're the slow one today? That's new."

"What do you mean fanmail? And I'm just tired Harry, same as everyone." Hermione said.

"Well Hermione," said Harry with the voice of someone who was trying to explain something very simple to someone who was very slow, "We are going to be getting fanmail for a while after what happened in May. You can read through it later if you want, some of them are actually quite nice, but what I'm more concerned about is this A.M.O.M. business. Are you planning to move to America, or is there is secret American lover of yours that we don't know about?"

She blanched. "Don't be stupid. A lover? And don't you read? The seal on the back says it's the Australian Ministry of Magic. So, no, I'm not the slow one today. And you opened my mail? My fanmail? Don't you get enough for yourself anyway?" Hermione said with an annoyed look.

"Forget about that, what did my darling brother say in his letter?" said Ginny impatiently.

Hermione picked Ron's letter from the pile, and slipped in between Harry and Ginny before beginning to read silently together.

Dear Harry and Hermione (and Ginny if you bother to hear from your darling brother),

Romania has been alright so far. Most of them don't speak English but it's fine by me. Surprisingly enough, sign language and grunts work just fine. Anyways, the dragon I'm starting with is a Welsh green that was flown in. It's relatively docile but I'm starting off with an easy one. Charlie says I can move onto the Horntails and things like that later but so far it's fine. Anyways, I hope you three have a good start to classes. Send my best to Neville and Luna.

Ron

"Wow. He knew I was going to peek in to your letter. That's a new high for him," Ginny stated with a surprise.

"I suppose dragon training is fine as long as they NEVER start with the Horntail. Anything but that", Harry remembered with a grimace.

"Romania is supposed to be nice though. Lots of history. Muggle and Wizarding," Hermione added thoughtfully.

"Exactly. Only you would say something like that," Harry replied," Anyway, what classes are we sharing. So far, Ginny and I have the Defense Against the Dark Arts during the same time. Let's see yours."

Hermione handed over her timetable and started inspecting theirs. As she looked over their slots she noticed that she shared Defense Against the Dark Arts as common class, but also shared Transfiguration with Harry and Charms with Ginny. Ginny started to read her timetable out loud.

"You have Defense Against the Dark Arts, Arithmancy, Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, History of Magic, Alchemy, and Ancient Runes? How is that even possible? You could have dropped an elective!"

"Ginny, dear, have you met Hermione? If she's going to do her NEWTS, she's going to do everything or not bother coming back to school at all. And between you and me, you know which one is more likely."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Haha very funny. I just think it's good for young wizards and witches to keep their options open. Besides, I have a very faint idea of what I want to do when I leave Hogwarts."

"And what is that? Ruler of the Magical Universe?" joked Ginny.

"Close, but no cigar. I'm thinking of becoming a Healer. My parents were dentists, and I liked biology at muggle school so it's a perfect fit." Hermione explained.

"Well I'm thinking of Quidditch, but I'm not sure yet. I hate sitting behind a desk or even the thought of an office job. Ugh," Ginny shuddered.

"Hmm…I was going for the Auror type career. Nothing high up in the ministry for sure. I can't stand politics," Harry replied.

"It can't pay badly, though, and that's always a good thing." Ginny mentioned.

"I don't need extra money. I just need to be part of a career I'll like."

While the two continued to talk, Hermione wondered what the tricolour letter could contain. She finished her breakfast and started to head to class. Alchemy was fine as Luna kept her company. It turns out Luna's mother liked to experiment with spells and Luna had shared that interest in alchemy. Defense Against the Dark Arts was lively as Harry and Ginny were in the same class. It was a comfort to be partnered with Neville because she hated the feeling of being the third wheel. He didn't move at a rapid fire pace, but wasn't slow either. He had become surprisingly good at the craft. At lunch time, Hermione went to the library to read ahead for the next class she was about to attend. She walked with Harry to Transfigurations which was a challenge with McGonagall teaching NEWTs material.

Finally, it came to her last class of the day; Arithmancy. Hermione sighed out of relief. It was her favourite subject. She walked along the hallways at a snail's pace, and waited outside the classroom for Professor Vector to let them in. She did not recognize most of the students since Arithmancy was a small class mostly restricted to the most brilliant Ravenclaws.

Hermione looked up from the ground; her eyes were drawn immediately again to the same flash of silver hair and green robes. She was horrified. Malfoy is in this class? Just my luck. There were no other Slytherins or Gryffindors, and all the Ravenclaws seemed to be staring at her like she was a creature from the lost world. I don't care how many people I have to trample to get the farthest seat from him.

When Professor Vector let them in, Hermione dashed to the front and let out a sigh of relief as she saw the Slytherin take the back seat. It's not that the class was difficult, but all the other students made the two opposite houses aware of their own presence. In a sea of blue ties, the two green and red were easy to point out. As the class began to work independently, the whispers started.

"Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger in the same class? We should run now and save ourselves."

"Oh, it's all history right? It shouldn't matter."

"Talk about a-w-k-w-a-r-d."

They immediately shut up when Hermione turned to glare at the students behind her. She caught Malfoy's gaze, and flushed before turning her attention back to the board.

Professor Vector noticed what was happening and added, "I know it's the first day class, but that is no excuse not to work. It's your own loss if you fail your NEWTs. And quite frankly, that would be a disappointment considering that you have all chosen this class knowing you are talented enough to finish the OWLs for it. That would be a shame, wouldn't you think?"

Even Hermione thought that was over the top, but she understood that it was to her defense and felt grateful. Professor Vector smiled at her. Nonetheless the whispers started again, and Hermione thought This is going to be a long year.

As soon as dinner was over, Hermione rushed back to the Gryffindor common room avoiding everything and everyone. She was grateful that the common room was still empty as everyone was finishing up dinner. She chose a seat by the fire and took out the A.M.O.M. letter; this was the perfect opportunity to read the letter privately. She ripped open the seal and began reading.

Hello Ms. Hermione Granger,

We are aware of your previous travel to collect your parents. Australia is a wizarding nation with low crime rate and very little questionable dark magic activities. However, it has come to our attention that two suspicious wizards who have been identified as British citizens, and who were involved in the Death Eater movement, arrived shortly after you left with your parents. We are not suspecting you of anything, but we must interrogate all foreign likely visitors who have possible connections to them, who have visited in the relevant time span. You can see how you are a likely candidate to interview.

We will be in touch.

Augustus Rochford

Minister of International Magical Relations

Australian Ministry of Magic

Hermione put the letter down and Harry walked into the now half full common room. She had not noticed anyone else arriving while she was reading.

"What happened? You left early from dinner and didn't talk at all."

"I was just worried about the letter I got this morning. Here, have a look." Hermione handed over the letter to Harry as he took the seat in front of her.

After a minute, he looked up at Hermione and thought for a moment in silence. "Wait, I thought you resolved the situation in Australia with your parents?"

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Your two dreamers.