Chapter 1:

(Time takes place shortly after Deathly Hallows and Breaking Dawn—so they're basically "in sync" in this story;)

London, England; 8:45 am

Heathrow International Airport had been bustling as usual that early Saturday morning. Hermione had been preparing both mentally and emotionally for this three-week summer internship in America for the past couple of weeks now. Traveling through muggle transportation methods (via the plane) were the safest ways to journey for the time being.

It had been an exceedingly long and difficult few months since the Battle at Hogwarts and the fall of Voldermort. But despite the evil that had finally been wiped away, everyone was still recovering.

Still grieving….

However, Britain's Ministry of Magic thought it best for everyone in the Magic World to try and return to normalcy as quickly and as best they could—that was, in their opinion, the best way to recover. They may be right…but then again… who knew what other Death Eaters and vile dark wizards would continue to pop out of the woodworks soon after—evil still existed…

…As it always has.

In spite of Voldermort's final defeat, most people did not feel secure—it would be awhile before trust and security could be felt again.

Nonetheless, Hogwarts was to reopen the following Fall Term, under Minerva McGonagall as Headmistress.

Hermione knew that the amount of tragic costs and casualties that occurred should not stop her from perusing her ambition in life—

Her education.

She was finally able to convince Harry and Ron to do the same after months of virtually begging them, just as Molly and Arthur Weasley had been doing since their return to the Burrow. But, after attending six years at Hogwarts, dropping out completely without any plans for the future was such a waste. Last year was understandable since Voldermort was at his peak of power, but he was now gone. The least they could do was endure one more year and complete their most basic education. She also felt, deep in her heart, that those who lost their lives in the Final Battle would only wish that those still alive live their lives to the very fullest—and to go back the that very place to face those wonderful and dreadful memories.

Therefore, she, Harry, and Ron would be returning to Hogwarts before the summer ended to prepare for the term and eventually complete their N.E.W.T. requirements…

…Thus, their seventh and final year.

That was why she thought it best to seize the opportunity of the summer exchange program. Any witch or wizard with "extraordinary marks" who wished to "immerse his or herself into a cultural understanding while receiving specific training diverse method of magical instruction" were accepted along with a small sum to cover expenses for room and board in an effort to earn credits for future careers. It was also a chance for her to "get away" without "running away".

…Just for a little while, at least…

Hermione was one always search for opportunities, but she probably would have never found out about this small program, had (of all people) Amos Diggory not brought it to her attention. She was also going to have to face the challenge of traveling with a certain someone attending the same internship…

The summer internship program was located in Seattle, Washington. Even though she would be half a world away, the Northwestern corner of continental United States is said to have rather similar weather patterns to northern Britain; so she should feel right at home—somewhat.

Ron and his entire family, plus Harry were there to see her off. After numerous hugs from everyone, she was able to speak to her best friend and boyfriend ten minutes before the plane was about to board. "We hope you enjoy America, Hermione," Harry smiled.

"Yeah, send us an owl and tell us what the weather's like there," Ron said, slowly releasing his embrace.

"Well I have read that it rains quite often there in that part of the country—I'll let you know if it's true or not."

Harry smiled, "sounds a lot like here. So you're going all the way to the other side of the globe just to experience the same kind of climate?" Hermione rolled her eyes, "I'm going for a cultural experience, not a change in climate" (although, she had to admit to herself, a change in "atmosphere" was what she was really hoping for—she just wished Harry and Ron could go with her).

"Flight 2945 for Chicago will be boarding in the next five minutes. All passengers with small children and those riding first class will be boarding first," a male attendant's voice boomed on the intercom. Hermione had explained to Ron and Harry that she was to be stopping in Chicago, Illinois and board another plane to continue on to Seattle.

As if on cue, Cho Chang was seen hurrying down the all with a traveling rucksack, with her parents behind…followed by Mr. And Mrs. Diggory. The trio eyed her awkwardly. Harry harbored no hard feelings toward Cho, not in the slightest, but interacting with her once more proved to be quite thorny. Hermione wasn't too crazy about the idea of traveling and mingling with this girl during the program either. Cho had made her jealous and melancholy feelings known towards Hermione despite her defense of Cho. That, and the fact that she was far too loyal to those awful sneaks she called friends. She had already graduated after all, but they had all heard that Cho was planning to train in magic at university level, and given her close relationship with the Diggorys, she too entered the program.

Hermione simply sighed and turned to Harry and Ron, "I'll be alright…maybe Cho's grown up a bit," but she secretly prepared to expect the worse.

As Hermione gathered her carry-ons, Amos Diggory walked up towards her. His wife continued to speak with Mr. And Mrs. Weasley. "Ah, Hermione, my dear, how wonderful it is to see you again," he spoke warmly. All three of them could tell that Mr. Diggory tried to sound cheerful, but his manner was never the same since losing his only child, even though it had been a few years. "Ron, good to see you and your family once again" Mr. Diggory spoke gently as the redhead nodded solemnly in reply. Harry lowered his gaze from Mr. Diggory uneasily until he spoke directly to him, "Harry," Mr. Diggory spoke, politely acknowledging the young man.

"Mr. Diggory," Harry courteously responded before dropping his eyes once again. Harry knew that Mr. Diggory had long since forgiven and accepted his unfortunate involvement in Cedric's tragic death, but such interactions were still a little painful. The Diggorys had, in fact, became much closer to the Weasleys since they lost Fred months prior. And because Hermione had yet to retrieve her parents from Australia and give them back their memories of her, she was living with the Weasleys along with Harry. That was when Mr. Diggory had taken the opportunity to let Hermione know about the international program.

"So, are you looking forward to your 'American Experience'?" Diggory turned back to Hermione, speaking in a much lighter tone.

"Oh yes, I'm thrilled, actually," Hermione smiled, "I'm not really sure what to expect. I know that magic training in America is a lot different, and quite different in different regions since the country's so large. I've read that they try to place emphasis on wandless methods in the Northwest Territories more so than other parts, so that should be interesting."

"Quite," Diggory raised his eyebrows with interest, "Sounds extremely complex."

"Well, I've always liked an academic challenge," she grinned. Harry thought no truer words could have been spoken.

"Yes, well, if you have any free time at all, I highly recommend you take advantage of any touring opportunities…" Diggory said as he suddenly started to rummage around his inside coat pockets. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked at one another, slightly puzzled.

"Ah! Here we are!" Diggory pulled out what looked like a folded-up travel brochure and handed it to Hermione. She looked at the brochure and then looked at Diggory.

"Forks, Washington?"

"Uh, well, this is a quaint little municipality located on the lovely Olympic Peninsula. There isn't much of a magic community there to speak of, but the scenery on their mountains and national park is simply spectacular! Also, I do hear that their local book stores covet magic books written in the secret language of the Were-Lycos!"

"The Were-Lycos!" Hermione's eyes widened, "you mean wolf-animagi? I hear they are a very scarce lot! Wait…you think the Olympic Peninsula has a pack living there?" Hermione remembered a brief description of Were-Lycos in a few books about magical creatures throughout her previous schooling.

Ron and Harry looked at one another. Wolf-animagi? Were they not dangerous? Surely Mr. Diggory wouldn't be so callous as to send Hermione on a personal mission to scrounge up some magical creatures they knew little about! But they were obviously not the same as werewolves, who did pose a threat in their animal form.

"Well, I hear that the Quileute, which…are native peoples living next to the town, have very interesting stories in their oral traditions about their ancestors being shape-shifting warriors and defending the tribe from all kinds of dangers. Oh…and I do hear that their culture, like many, have had run-ins with the likes of vampires," he smiled, as if amused. Hermione, Ron, and Harry all looked at Mr. Diggory with gawked expressions.

Vampires?!

"…Although these are just stories they tell, but it sounds very fascinating. I, myself, would love to meet a Were-Lyco in person, but of course I could not ask you to do that! They are supposedly are a very secretive peoples who rather keep to themselves," Diggory continued, emphasizing on the fact that Hermione needed not to seek out these creatures, but he obviously wanted her to do something in relation. Considering the fact that he worked in the Department of Magical Creatures at the Ministry, magical creatures were his specialty. It should not have come as a surprise that Amos Diggory desired to look further into this little mystery. Still, where on earth did he get this information from in the first place?

"Alright, so…you…want me to find a book for you or something?" Hermione asked uneasily.

"Uh…yes—but only if you have the time, otherwise, I do not wish to distract you from your true purpose of going to the States! I just want to see if rumors I hear there are true, otherwise, it's not all that important!"

Harry couldn't help but feel uneasy about this bizarre request Mr. Diggory was asking of her. Could he not go there himself?

As if Mr. Diggory could tell what Harry was thinking, he then said, "I would make the effort to take a trip there myself, but the Mrs. and I are about to go an extended holiday, and…well…since you are going to be in the area, I thought…oh, my dear, please don't feel you have to go out of your way, it was merely a suggestion on a possible little adventure for you while you're there!" Diggory sounded genuinely guilty for bringing the subject up.

"Oh—," Hermione spoke suddenly, "not at all! I'll see if I can find anything for you! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be in the Seattle Internship to begin with. It's the least I can do to thank you!"

"Well, my dear, I greatly thank you," Diggory smiled warmly. The attendant announcing boarding for the rest of the classes spoke once more on the intercom, and it was now time for Hermione to get in line. Everyone turned to Hermione and gave her their final farewells, giving Ron a warm kiss on the lips before she headed to the line. Cho had already been in line and her parents stood back as the Diggorys and the Weasleys mingled to see Hermione off.

As she handed the flight attendant her ticket, Hermione gave one last look to Harry and Ron with a smile, a wave, and blew a kiss to Ron. Harry and Ron both waved back.

After a moment's silence and staring at the doorway, watching people slowly trickle into it to board the plane, Ron spoke. "That was weird, what Mr. Diggory was asking, wasn't it, Harry?" Harry only murmured a "yeah". But he too wasn't sure what to make of the man's behavior. It didn't seem that suspicious, but then again, it did.

"Of all the places he goes to send her to find out the existence of some wolf-animagi, she has to go to some town called 'Spoons', Washington."

Harry slowly turned his head to his friend, "Uh, I'm pretty sure it's called 'Forks', Washington, Ron."

"Whatever," Ron grumbled, keeping his eyes glued to the terminal exit where his girlfriend had disappeared, "who the hell names a village after an eating utensil?"

Harry could only shrug, but he too wondered weither he should be worried about Hermione or not, and what Diggory was really trying to do. It was a strange request—especially if vampires might have been possibly be involved. Looking at Mr. Diggory from a distance, he couldn't help but get the inkling there was some other hidden agenda going on somehow.