Before anyone realised, it was yet again time for exams. Hermione, the
eternally conciencious student was of course well read and prepared, and
was all too willing to tell Harry and Ron about this. Ron had actually made
an effort this year in his exam preparation, and was quite pleased with
himself. All three 6th years were busy helping Ginny with her O.W.L.S
preparations, Ron and Harry telling her everything they remembered about
it, and Hermione comprising a handy Helpful Hints manual.
Sirius set his Care of Magical Creatures exam in the easiest way he knew how. He asked Anya what to do.
"Try a multiple choice quiz," she muttered, not really paying attention, for she herself was trying to write exams.
"But that's boring," he whined. She fixed him with a surly look and he retreated from the room. Anya was getting increasingly flustered each day. Trying to set 7 different exams papers was hard especially with Remus out due to there being a full moon.
The days flew by up until the time of the exams, and then they seemed to crawl at snail's pace. But Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all emerged from the experience unscathed, but pale.
'So what are we doing for the holidays?" Ron queried one day, while they lounged around the common room. Hermione and Ginny looked thoughtful, but Harry wasn't really listening. He felt so content at the thought of not having to leave for the Dursley's, he couldn't really care what they did.
"I guess we could all stay at the Burrow for a while," Ginny suggested, somewhat half-heartedly.
"We ALWAYS do that," Ron complained. Hermione sighed, whether with annoyance or heat, no one was quite sure. The conversation trailed off from there, it was too hot to think. Hermione and Harry were reading, while Ginny and Ron were trying to ink each other with the Gobstones. When the door opened and Anya, Sirius and Remus stepped in, there was only mild interest from the group.
"We have a surprise for you all," Anya announced. The students looked up.
"How would you like to spend these holidays on the beach?" Sirius grinned.
"Are you kidding?!" Ginny yelled. Remus shook his head, smiling.
"Oh my god! This is gonna be excellent!" Hermione shrieked, running up to hug Ron.
"I thought you'd like it," Anya said happily. She was glad to be doing something for her godson and friends. And bringing them all, plus Remus, Sirius and Portia to the beach seemed like a fun (but crazy) thing to do.
"Does my mum know about this?" Ron was suddenly suspicious.
"We organised this all a few weeks back, as a reward for all your studying. You will be spending 4 weeks, on the beautiful, sandy beaches of an Australian island, starting as of Monday next week!" Anya announced. Smiles broke out all around.
"Who's going?" Harry questioned.
"Anya of course, you four, Remus, Portia and myself," Sirius cleared up the issue. Hermione raised her eyebrows but said nothing.
After this little morsel of information, the train trip back to Platform 9 and ¾ was going to be anything but boring. Everyone was busy making lists of things they would need and chattering about what they were going to do. Hermione and Ginny discussed swimwear, while Harry and Ron were more interested in water-sports. Anya had given them a brochure, and Ron was very interested in water-skiing.
"So, they ski, on water? What magic do they use?" Ron pondered. Harry couldn't be bothered explaining the whole process of water-skiing , so instead he shrugged, and went back to reading the brochure.
The trip home flew by, and before they knew it, the Hogwarts staff and students were back on Platform 9 and ¾, waiting for their luggage to show up.
"On Monday, we will all Floo into my house before we leave, from there, we'll leave for the Airport and then catch a plane," Anya informed them. Hermione would be staying with the Weasley's, so she could use their Floo network.
"All right, I guess I'll see you all on Monday then. Don't forget your swimmers!" Anya cheerfully dismissed the group, who all went their separate ways. Portia was staying with Anya, so they went to catch a taxi, Hermione left with the Weasleys', and Harry, Remus and Sirius left for Remus's.
Sirius set his Care of Magical Creatures exam in the easiest way he knew how. He asked Anya what to do.
"Try a multiple choice quiz," she muttered, not really paying attention, for she herself was trying to write exams.
"But that's boring," he whined. She fixed him with a surly look and he retreated from the room. Anya was getting increasingly flustered each day. Trying to set 7 different exams papers was hard especially with Remus out due to there being a full moon.
The days flew by up until the time of the exams, and then they seemed to crawl at snail's pace. But Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all emerged from the experience unscathed, but pale.
'So what are we doing for the holidays?" Ron queried one day, while they lounged around the common room. Hermione and Ginny looked thoughtful, but Harry wasn't really listening. He felt so content at the thought of not having to leave for the Dursley's, he couldn't really care what they did.
"I guess we could all stay at the Burrow for a while," Ginny suggested, somewhat half-heartedly.
"We ALWAYS do that," Ron complained. Hermione sighed, whether with annoyance or heat, no one was quite sure. The conversation trailed off from there, it was too hot to think. Hermione and Harry were reading, while Ginny and Ron were trying to ink each other with the Gobstones. When the door opened and Anya, Sirius and Remus stepped in, there was only mild interest from the group.
"We have a surprise for you all," Anya announced. The students looked up.
"How would you like to spend these holidays on the beach?" Sirius grinned.
"Are you kidding?!" Ginny yelled. Remus shook his head, smiling.
"Oh my god! This is gonna be excellent!" Hermione shrieked, running up to hug Ron.
"I thought you'd like it," Anya said happily. She was glad to be doing something for her godson and friends. And bringing them all, plus Remus, Sirius and Portia to the beach seemed like a fun (but crazy) thing to do.
"Does my mum know about this?" Ron was suddenly suspicious.
"We organised this all a few weeks back, as a reward for all your studying. You will be spending 4 weeks, on the beautiful, sandy beaches of an Australian island, starting as of Monday next week!" Anya announced. Smiles broke out all around.
"Who's going?" Harry questioned.
"Anya of course, you four, Remus, Portia and myself," Sirius cleared up the issue. Hermione raised her eyebrows but said nothing.
After this little morsel of information, the train trip back to Platform 9 and ¾ was going to be anything but boring. Everyone was busy making lists of things they would need and chattering about what they were going to do. Hermione and Ginny discussed swimwear, while Harry and Ron were more interested in water-sports. Anya had given them a brochure, and Ron was very interested in water-skiing.
"So, they ski, on water? What magic do they use?" Ron pondered. Harry couldn't be bothered explaining the whole process of water-skiing , so instead he shrugged, and went back to reading the brochure.
The trip home flew by, and before they knew it, the Hogwarts staff and students were back on Platform 9 and ¾, waiting for their luggage to show up.
"On Monday, we will all Floo into my house before we leave, from there, we'll leave for the Airport and then catch a plane," Anya informed them. Hermione would be staying with the Weasley's, so she could use their Floo network.
"All right, I guess I'll see you all on Monday then. Don't forget your swimmers!" Anya cheerfully dismissed the group, who all went their separate ways. Portia was staying with Anya, so they went to catch a taxi, Hermione left with the Weasleys', and Harry, Remus and Sirius left for Remus's.