To whom it may concern,

I'm really happy that you enjoyed my goat humor! Thanks all you people!

Lots of Love,

flabbergastedbaboom

Hermione

Hermione was not thrilled when Harry and Ron left the compartment to find Neville. They wouldn't say why they wanted to find him, just that they needed to and walked away. That left her alone with the three American exchange students.

They weren't exactly mean, but were always acting so suspiciously. Just a few example; Percy had miraculously dried off after the Whiz-bangs incident, they didn't have wands, Grover slept in a hat and put on his shoes under the covers (Ron's information from having to share a room with him) and they seemed to know nothing about Hogwarts, Harry, or Voldemort.

Hermione may have felt a bit better if Annabeth was awake, but she had been asleep for almost the entire train ride. The longest she was awake for was when they all changed into their robes. Percy had nodded off a couple times as well, though she assumed that was the time change. Grover, however, was awake the whole time.

Though she didn't particularly like being alone with the American wizards, she decided it could be a good chance to find out more about who they actually were.

"So, what's your favourite subject?" Hermione asked the boys.

"Oh... well, I like plants and stuff," Grover said slowly.

"So, herbology then?" Hermione said. Grover raised his eyebrows, as if surprised a subject solely on the topic of plants even existed.

"Yeah, that," he said slowly.

"And you, Percy?"

"Well, what's not to like really? Everything's pretty cool," he said vaguely. Hermione narrowed her eyes in annoyance.

How specific, she thought, slumping back on the compartment bench.

Ron and Harry finally came back from their little expedition, much to Hermione's relief, and sat down on either side of her.

"Neville says hi, Hermione," Harry said.

Ron glanced across at the Americans with distaste. He had convinced himself the exchange students were recruited by Voldemort to help the Death Eaters infiltrate Hogwarts. Hermione knew there was something strange about them, but they couldn't be Death Eaters, could they?

There was a long pause.

"So... what's your school like?" Hermione pressed on, deciding she needed to find out more about the exchange students.

"It's good," Percy said nonchalantly. Hermione was really beginning to get annoyed with his vagueness.

"Where is it?"

"Long Island, New York," Grover chimed in. Percy shot him a warning look, but said nothing about it. Instead, he changed the subject. Hermione made a mental note to find a book of wizarding schools around the world to read more.

"How long until we get there?" Percy asked, turning his attention back to Hermione.

"Not long. Five minutes maybe?" she estimated. More silence. Ron shifted behind Hermione, accidentally elbowing her hip.

"Ouch, Ron!" she exclaimed, leaning away from him.

"Sorry, sorry," he said. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a small bag of Berty Botts Every Flavour Beans.

"What do you say, Harry? Care to try one?" Ron asked, holding out the bag. Harry pursed his lips, considering it for a moment, but then decided against it.

"Last time I tried, I got rotten egg," he said, shaking his head.

"What are they?" Percy asked. Ron smiled devilishly and held out the bag.

"Try one," he said. Percy frowned skeptically and reached into the bag, extracting a purple bean. He studied it for a moment before throwing it in his mouth.

"Grape flavour," Percy said after a moment. Ron seemed disappointed that Percy had gotten a pleasant tasting candy.

"Oh, can I try?" Grover asked. Ron tossed him the bag, causing a few to spill out on the floor of the compartment. Grover shoved his hand in the bag and pulled out a grey-white bean. He threw it in his mouth and chewed carefully.

"Aluminum..." Grover said slowly. Ron's mood lightened and he began laughing. However, he didn't notice the smile creeping across Grover's face as he dug down in the bag and pulled out another identical bean and ate it gratefully.

The train began to slow to a stop. There was a loud screech and the train began to shake slightly as it curved into the station. Annabeth jerked her head up suddenly. Her hand shot to her hip, just like it did when Malfoy was bothering them at the book store.

"What's happening?" she asked groggily.

"We're here," Percy said. Annabeth sat up and let out a deep breath. She brushed her blonde, curly hair out of her face and pulled it up into a ponytail. She straightened out her skirt while mumbling "Stupid uniform" and yawning.

All six of them stood up and walked out of the compartment. The train was flooding with students of all ages. Hermione noticed a few especially nervous looking first years getting lost in the crowd.

After much elbowing, they finally managed to push their way out of the train and onto the platform. As they walked towards the carriages, many people glanced at the exchange students. A group of fourth-year girls giggled and looked over at Percy. Hermione had to admit, Percy was very attractive, but she better than to draw attention to her opinions. After seeing how Annabeth had spoken to Malfoy the day before, she had made a decision not to get on her bad side.

They arrived at the carriages that, though seemingly moved by themselves, were pulled by Thestrals, horse like creatures that could only be seen by someone who had watched someone die. Fortunately, Hermione wasn't able to see them.

"What are those?" Grover asked.

"They look like some real creepy Pegasi," Percy said. Pegasi... Hermione thought. All three of them were staring at a blank space in front of one of the carriages.

"Those are Thestrals," Harry said.

"You can see them?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

"Yeah," Annabeth said slowly. "Why wouldn't we be able to?" she wondered.

"You can only see Thestrals if you've seen someone die," Luna said, appearing out of no where. "It's ironic that such beautiful creatures can represent such sad events,"

Hermione looked at the Americans, there expressions suddenly solemn. Percy laced his finger through Annabeth's, who looked like she was struggling not to cry. Grover stared at his feet and rubbed his arm.

"Come on, let's go," Percy said darkly, climbing into one of the carriages.

"What was that about?" Ron wondered.

"Oh Ron, they've obviously lost someone recently," Luna said. "It's quite sad. Well, we should get going. May I ride in your carriage?" she asked.

"Of course," I said before climbing into the carriage. The three exchange students were sitting on one side of the carriage. Luna, Ron, Harry, and Hermione piled into the carriage and sat the opposite side of them.

Percy had a hardened expression. Annabeth stared at the floor with a small crease in between her eyebrows. Grover sniffled as his eyes darted nervously around the compartment.

No one said a word until the carriage started moving.

"If you don't mind me asking, why do you see the Thestrals?" Luna asked.

"It's like you said. When we've seen someone die," Percy said sharply.

"I lost my mother," Luna said.

"I'm sorry," Annabeth said.

"Harry can see them too, can't you Harry?" Luna continued, looking at him. Harry shifted uncomfortably and nodded. There was another long pause.

"We lost a close friend a little while ago," Annabeth said softly after a while, not lifting her eyes.

The carriage suddenly jostled a bit, and Grover fell out of his seat. There was a moment of hesitation before Percy, Annabeth, and Grover all burst out laughing.

"Are you alright?" Luna asked. Grover nodded and scrambled back into his chair.

A small smile still on her face, Annabeth looked outside the window and gasped.

"Oh my gods!" she said in a whisper, grabbing Percy's wrist. Percy slipped his hand in his pocket and pulled out a pen. Odd, Hermione thought. Why would he need a pen? We use quills here.

"What is it?" Percy asked in a tight voice.

"Calm down and just look," she said. Percy stuffed his pen back in his pocket. Hermione glanced out the window at Hogwarts. "Isn't it amazing? Look at the spires. I've seen enough Greek columns over the past week to last a life time. It's so great to see something else for a change,"

"Greek columns?" Hermione asked aloud. Annabeth paused for a second, looking at Hermione with a dazed expression.

"Yeah, I was in an architecture program over the summer," she murmured, turning back to the window.

"The inside is even more amazing," Luna said airily, looking outside the carriage.

As we came closer and closer to the castle, Annabeth's excitement grew as she pointed out new detail of the castle.

"Who was the architect?" Annabeth asked. Suddenly, the carriage stopped and, once again, Grover flew out of his seat.

"Seriously? Again?" Grover exclaimed in disbelief. He stood up and brushed off his pants, grumbling something inaudible.

"Shall we go?" Luna said, standing up. They all followed her out of the carriage and towards the large castle that, to Hermione, felt like a second home.

They in the building towards the Great Hall, when Professor McGonagall approached them.

"Hello there,"

"Hi Professor McGonagall!" Hermione said warmly. Ron and Harry murmured a few weak "Hello"s.

"Oh, hello Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter" she said, nodding towards them.

"Professor, I'm sorry to tell you but I believe there are Nargles in the castle," Luna said in a low voice. Professor McGonagall tilted her head and pursed her lips into a small, doubtful smile.

"Thank you for the information, Miss Lovegood, but I do not believe Nargles are infesting the school," she said. She then turned her attention away from Luna and back in Hermione's direction.

"Hello, you must be the exchange students. I'm Professor McGonagall," she said, turning towards them.

"Hi, I'm Annabeth, this is Grover, and this is... Percy?" Annabeth scanned through the crowds. She scowled and turned her attention back to Professor McGonagall.

"Sorry, Percy... is easily distracted..." she murmured.

"Well, we have to get started now, so if you'll join the first years at the entrance, you will be sorted among them," Professor McGonagall said. "I'm sure he'll be along soon," Annabeth looked over her shoulder, biting her lip nervously.

"Alright. Let's go," she said.

Where did Percy disappear to? Hm?

I know I did Hermione a few chapters ago, but it was requested and very fun to write! SUSPICIONS! So, next chapter is going to be a bit of a Wild Card. It'll be all their reactions to the sorting. Then, I'll write in a chapter for Annabeth (I haven't written her POV in so long) then Ron (him too)

So, I hope you enjoyed!