Chapter 2

Hermione was getting pretty spooked by the muggle school. It was deadly quiet, and although Hermione usually enjoyed quiet, this wasn't really what she had planned. The halls twisted and they had gone down at least 14 of them so far. Finally, at the end of the longest one so far, a tall, balding man stood, beckoning to them. "Welcome!" He boomed. "We are so pleased to have you here! Now, follow me if you please." The students followed him, slowly, not sure where they were going. He lead them into what looked like a huge ballroom with bleachers, which were filled with children. Actually, more like teenagers, thought Hermione. She tried to see their faces but the man led them up to a raised stage at the front of the huge room. She could feel Lavender bumping up against her arm. "I think they call this an aw...dit...or...ee...um." She tried to sound out the word. Oh yes! thought Hermione, "Yeah, I remember now, in muggle schools they use auditoriums for assemblys... or muggle meetings." Lavender nodded and Hermione smiled.

The tall man smiled down at the crowd. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As you already know, we have guests arriving from... " He looked down at his cue cards. "... Canada, today. I hope you will all make them feel welcome while they are here." He had a funny look on his face but started clapping anyways. The rest of the students followed suit. She could see their faces clearly from here, and noticed many of the muggle boys were grinning at her. Trying to twist her head in the other direction, Hermione caught sight of a boy that looked amazingly much like Harry, without the scar, of course.

After there "presenting" was over, the tall man lead them down to some tightly-packed rooms. Lavender grabbed Hermione's wrist. "I'll bunk up with you, Hermione!" She shouted, and not waiting for a reply, dragged her into one of the end rooms. "This is going to be sooo exciting, huh??" Lavender laughed. Hermione sighed. That was what she had been thinking before but already she greatly missed the castle, the warm common room and most of all, Harry and Ron. Settling down on the bed, Hermione turned her back so that Lavender couldn't see the tears that ran down her face.