November 10, 1998 Hogwarts

Hermione had put off most of her research on the Slayer as the workload in her courses began piling up after Halloween. The long anticipated Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin could be felt in air. The competition was fierce; Ginny Weasley was nervous, playing her first match as captain. Hermione was really excited but that was because Harry and Ron, along with the latter's family, were coming to watch Ginny play. Hermione would have the opportunity to catch up with the two friends, she set out to destroy the Horcruxes the previous year, after the game.

Hermione took a seat at the Gryffindor table close to where Ginny was mentally preparing herself for her game. Luna came by the Gryffindor table with her hat shaped like a lion's head which showed the blond girl was supporting Gryffindor. "Good luck, today" said Luna to Ginny "look I worked in the snake in the lion's fangs."

"It's lovely," said Ginny "not commenting anymore?"

"Oh no, Professor McGonagall said my commentary was horrible," replied Luna "I suspect the Nargles are preventing her from seeing what might be of interest to the audience."

As the two girls continued their conversation, the doorway opened revealing one woman and five young men. The woman was a short plump woman with fiery red hair which four of the five boys shared though they were taller. The other young man accompanying them had messy black hair, glasses, and a lightning shaped scar on his forehead.

"Harry! Ron!" Hermione exclaimed as she ran down the great hall to greet her friends.

Right now she was the happiest person alive. Not because of Quidditch, but because she was finally reunited with Harry and Ron. She gave Ron a soft kiss and then went to greeting the rest of the Weasleys who had come to watch Ginny play.

"How've you been, Hermione?" asked Harry.

"Quite good," Hermione responded.

"So you're going on an exchange to a foreign school?" asked Ron "sounds exciting."

"Yes I'm going to Sunnydale. In California" Hermione replied. "I can't wait. I think there's just so much to learn over there."

As she said those words, she realized this was a slip-up. The Slayer was a complex matter she wanted to share with them, but she believed this was a conversation they should have after the Quidditch match. As she attempted to continue the conversation, Luna came skipping towards them. "Hello Harry," she greeted him in her dreamlike voice.

"Hello Luna," said Harry "how are things this year?"

"They've been quite pleasant" the blonde girl answered. "So as an Auror have you found out about the Rotfang Conspiracy?"

Harry turned red as Luna asked him that question, realizing that he was speaking to Luna Lovegood, a girl with a reputation for believing strange theories, though some proved to be true. "No" he replied " I'm probably not high-up enough to know anything that important."

Harry's replied made Luna drop the subject altogether. Hermione could see that Harry was relieved that Luna dropped the conversation. Though the trio had grown fond of Luna, her bizarre theories could still be somewhat unnerving.

The match was about to begin. Hermione, Harry, and the Weasleys were seated amongst the crowd as the Slytherin and Gryffindor players were warming up by flying on their broomsticks. During most of the match Ron and Harry were discussing the match, while Hermione was trying to find out what they had been doing. She learned that Harry was going to some intensive training at the Auror office and business was still booming for George and Ron at Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. The Quidditch match ended with Ginny securing the Golden snitch, resulting in a Gryffindor victory of 240 to 130. Ginny had won her first match as Gryffindor captain.

Later that evening, after Ginny caught up with her family and Harry, Hermione had time alone with Harry and Ron. When they were alone, the bushy haired girl produced the Quibbler's last issue from her bed.

"Look," she said to Ron and Harry pointing the headline of the article that read "The Slayer Returns to Sunnydale "that's what I so desperately wanted to see you about."

"What's a Slayer?" asked Ron looking very confused.

"Muggle girl who fights demons," explained Hermione "I don't know why, but I'm sure I have to meet her when I go to Sunnydale."

"Bloody hell Hermione!" exclaimed Ron "wasn't last year enough with Voldemort? And wouldn't that be the concern of muggles?"

"I think there may be something magical about her but I'm not sure what," Hermione explained "it's another learning experience."

"But Hermione you barely know anything about her" said Harry "are you sure she exists. Maybe it's simply something the Quibbler invented."

"I asked Sanguini. She exists" Hermione replied to Harry promptly "would you two know anything about her?"

Both Harry and Ron gave each other a look and shook their "have you looked in The Tales of the Beedle and the Bard?" suggested Ron.

"I've looked through it. There is no mention of her" replied Hermione.

"Sorry Hermione" said Harry "we're not much help."

"It's fine," Hermione reassured both her friends "I guess Sunnydale is the place where I'll learn about her."

After they had finished talking about the Slayer, Ron, Harry, and Hermione made small talk about what was going on at Hogwarts and in magical Britain before parting. Hermione realized something; even though she asked Harry to find information from other Aurors about the Slayer she realized that the only way she would learn who she was, was through meeting this mysterious girl.