A/N: Its been yrs. since I posted the last chapter...i'd given up on the story. This one is up and running again b'coz some people reviewed a few days back. Here goes nothing..

Hermione hummed sofly to herself as she brushed her hair for the umpteenth time. A glance at the clock told her that Joshua was late - it was 5.50 pm. Typical, She thought to herself.She had spent the entire day turning over old forgotten boxes, searching for her tennis racket. She had unearthed it a few hours earlier,from under a pile of her father's dentistry volumes - dusty and battered. After restoring it to a more usable condition, she had turned to her wardrobe, faced again with that Million - dollar question What do I wear?. Had she been Parvati or Pansy, she would have pondered over each outfit twenty times before choosing. But she was Hermione. She picked up a pair of dark jeans and a tee,vouching for comfort, rather than style. She had sent Buckbeak off to The Burrow in the afternoon, not wanting to take any chances.

Suddenly, she heard a car pull up outside her driveway. One look outside her open window told her that Joshua, armed with flowers for her mother, had arrived. She re-tied her sneakers and was turning her door knob when a swishing sound behind her distracted her. Errol, had just sweeped into her room and flopped on her bed, carrying a small piece of parchment. She had no time to read the note. She had barely untied errol's burden when there was a knock on her door. She shoved the note under some classics which lay clattered across her desk and scanned the room for any signs of something - unusual .
"Come In." she called, kicking underwear under her bed. Joshua stepped into her room, clad in the same clothes as her - Dark jeans, white shirt. As her looked at her, his face cracked into a grin.
"so we still think alike Herms," he laughed.
"No we dont," Hermione said in a haughty voice," YOU copied ME . AND YOU are late."
Joshua smiled and was about to answer when something behind Hermione caught his eye. Errol was napping on Hermione bed, whistling softly every time he exhaled. Shit. Hermione thought.
"Didnt know you kept Company with...exotic birds..Herms"
Hermione looked back at Joshua to see that he had a strange expression on his face. His eyes were wide in surprise, but also, partly in horror.
"He is a friend of Crookshanks," Hermione answered in a strangely high pitched voice.
"CROOKSHANKS?"
"My cat"
" CROOKSHANKS??? "
Hermione sighed. She had not planned the evening to take such a turn.
"Ready? Can we move?" she asked.
"Yeah, sure..."
Hermione stomped down the stairs and waved goodbye to her father and mother on her way out. Joshua was still in her room, staring at the owl with wonder in his eyes. When they finally made it down to the car,Joshua stood in front of it hesitatingly.
"Lets walk," he suggested. Hermione was confused
"To your house?"Hermione asked.
"Yeah, its not that far off. Just a couple of blocks down - anyway, you need the excerise"

Hermione thumped him lightly on his shoulder, then nodded. They had barely made it down the street when Hermione realised that she had forgotten her raquet( A/N - or racket...which?). He hasn't got his either...plan cancelled? she thought.



"You're very quiet," she said, breaking the awkward silence.
"Just thinking."
"About.....whom?"
"The owl"
"He's not that interesting, surely"
"You'd be surprised."

Hermione did not reply. She didnt like the path the conversation was taking...towards her...secret. However, she could relate to what Joshua was feeling. Muggles are not really accustomed to seeing owls napping in their friends' bedrooms. She tried to think of wild possibilities which could be regarded as perfectly normal explanations for this perfectly normal situation. She was lost in her thoughts when Joshua's voice shook her out with a start.



"So, where do you go to school?" he asked.
Hermione gulped. I should have thought of a cover story- shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, she thought.
"Well...."she replied," its not very well known. Near London. Girls only. Lovely grounds." z
" Does this lovely place have a name, maybe?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes menacingly.
"No,its nameless. Dont want anyone knowing us...very private .....What about YOU ...which school was unfortunate enough to get stuck with a git like You?"
"Ah...well..nice place...emphasis on sport...you know i like that...different way of teaching...up near Kent...i might change though...mum and dad think its too far off. Trying to get admission into this school near London...goes by the name of- LOOK we are here already...come inside..Mum will be waiting."

Joshua led Hermione in, going straight to the kitchen, screaming "MUM" . Mrs. Travis, a bubbly lady with a kind face came out, wiping her hands on her apron. She hugged Hermione, scanning her with a motherly expression on her face.


"Now let me have a look at you," she said, standing back, with her hands on Hermione's shoulders."Yes, beautiful. Young and Beautiful. Reminds me of myself in the old days Mr. Travis and I-"
"Yes, mum we know...when you used to sneak out on dad's Harley at night, blah, blah." Joshua interrupted and which his mother slapped him playfully on his cheek and walked back into the kitchen.

Joshua led Hermione through the house for a tour, stopping every once in a while when she halted to marvel at paintings and sculptures. Mrs. Travis was an artist with exquisite tastes in decoration. She had decorated the Travis home in her unique abstract manner which struck everyone with its sheer beauty and style. Joshua led Hermione up to his room, displaying his many footy trophies and rugby trophies and tennis trophies won during numerous summer competitions. Hermione was just about to ask him whether his hectic schedule ever left time to open school books when something behind him caught her eye and made her catch her breath. Hidden behind numerous gold and bronze trophies with footballs and tennis raquets and rugby players sculptured on them, was a single copper medal. Engraved on this was a single broom. In minute handwriting beneath the broom was written "Keeper of the Year, Eton Academy"


-------------- can i call this a cliffhanger? Desperate to hear your response...review plz..flames welcome............