DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN ANY THING IN THIS STORY EXCEPT THE PLOT, PROFESSOR CURRET AND DESIREE BLAIR.
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Previously:
"I wanted to talk to you about your little trip," Lucius replied, "From what I understand, you will be going to America to study the Muggles and their professions. I must tell you, I am not happy about this. For you know that I am not at all fond of Muggles and their way of living. I have agreed to let you go, however, there will be some ground rules. You never to mingle with them, you are to stay with your supervisor at all times and you must not play around with that mud-blood Granger," Lucius said as he got right in Draco's face. "I know what you have been up to recently and I do not approve of it. You will stop your behavior at once or I will not allow you to be Head Boy anymore." Draco just sat and barely heard anything his father said. He was used to being lectured and rarely listened. "Do you understand?" Lucius asked. "Sure, I understand," Draco lied. He had not heard one word of his father's lecture. "Good. Then I must be going. I have important business to attend to," Lucius replied as he stormed out of the Slytherin common room.
Later…
"Not right now," she said, "let's wait until later. Besides, we have to get going or we're going to be late." He gave her one last kiss and climbed off the bed. They both gathered their trunks quickly and headed down to the Entrance Hall, hand in hand.
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Chapter 6- America
Draco and Hermione slowly made their way to the Entrance Hall, wanting to be alone for as long as possible. When they got there, they saw the four other students and Professor Curret waiting for them.
"Good. You are all here. Everybody left their wand in their dormitory, am I correct?" When he saw everybody nod his or her head he continued, "Now, to make this trip even more interesting, we will not be disapparating to America- only to the airport. I trust all of you have your licenses?" said Professor Curret.
"Yes," everybody mumbled.
Harry nudged Ron and pointed to Hermione and Draco, who were still holding hands. Harry watched as Ron's face became a brilliant shade of red. "It's okay, Ron," Harry said.
"Now, you should all apparate at gate 22, England to Chicago, Illinois. Do you all understand? Now, because you are not able to apparate in and out of Hogwarts, you will all follow me. Hagrid as been so generous, and has allowed us to use the school horses, which will take us off of Hogwarts ground," said Curret.
The students all walked outside carrying their luggage. Standing in front of the school were 4 carriages with two gigantic horses attached to each one. Hagrid was standing in front of all of them. Professor Curret walked up to Hagrid.
"Well George, you're all set to go. Once you get off grounds, the horses will come back here, so don't worry about them." Hagrid told Curret.
"Thanks, Hagrid. I owe you one." Curret replied. "Students, two to a carriage. I will be in the front carriage and you will all follow me out of the grounds. Do you understand?"
Hagrid watched as the students paired up, and found the pairings very odd. Lavender and Ron sat together; Harry and Desiree took the middle carriage and Draco and Hermione took the last carriage. Professor Curret climbed into the first one, and motioned for the others to follow him. The horses galloped into the distance, taking the seven people farther from their home.
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They reached what appeared to be a road, several kilometers (A/N: they use the metric measurement in Europe, so I can't say miles!) away from Hogwarts. Everybody got out of the carriages, and set their luggage on the ground. As soon as everything was out, the horsed galloped away, back to Hagrid.
"Well, I hope everybody had a nice ride here. Now on my count, you will disapparate to gate 22, England to Chicago, Illinois. If when you apparate, you are not at the place where everybody else is, you will disapparate back to this very spot, and I will come back and look for you. Do you understand?" Curret said.
Hermione looked over at Draco, who was staring at Hermione. She gave him a smile of encouragement before Professor Curret shouted, "one, two, three, DISAPPARATE!" There was a loud POP and everybody disappeared.
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Curret was the first to arrive, then Hermione, Draco, Harry, Lavender, Desiree, and then finally Ron.
"I am so glad that everybody made it here okay. I didn't want to have to go back to Hogwarts to retrieve one of you. Here are you tickets," Professor Curret said as he handed everybody a ticket, "I placed you next to the person you sat by in the carriage. Make sure you do NOT lose these. You have about 30 minutes before it is time to board the plane, so feel free to walk around the airport and get a glance at what it is like in the muggle world."
Draco smiled over at Hermione who was so glad that they would get to sit next to each other on the plane ride. The six kids (A/N: I know there not really kids, but I couldn't think of a better word to put.) went to go explore the airport together, leaving Professor Curret standing by the gate.
"Make sure you're here in 30 minutes; you don't want to miss the plane," Curret yelled after them.
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The kids went in almost every gift shop there was- the girls bought muggle magazines like Teen People®, YM® and Allure® (A/N: I know they probably don't have these magazines in England, but hey, I don't live there, so I wouldn't know.); while the boys bought all the candy they could get their hands on.
"This is too weird," Desiree exclaimed, "Who thought that muggles would actually have a clue about fashion," as she flipped through the Allure® magazine.
"I know what you mean, and look at this," Hermione said pointing to the 20 Hottest Guys list in YM.
"Hey, watch it Hermione," Draco said, watching as she gawked at every guy on the list.
"Harry, look at these," said Ron, "they're called Nestle Crunches®; they taste exactly like a Chocolate Frog. Here, try one!"
"Mmmm… these are good," said Harry.
"Hey guys, look at the time, we are supposed to be back in two minutes!" shouted Desiree.
"Uh-oh!" shouted Hermione.
"Come on you guys, hurry," yelled Desiree as they ran though the airport, knocking people in their path over.
"There's Curret standing right over there," Draco yelled.
"Well, well, well. I 'm glad you guys got back in time. Now, hand this lady your tickets, and walk onto the plane," said Curret.
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Once everybody was boarded, and found their seat, they began to relax.
"Hello, welcome aboard flight 323. We will be heading from England to Chicago, Illinois. The weather in Chicago is currently 63°F or 18°C and rainy. Please keep your seat belts buckled until I turn off the sign above you. We hope you have a pleasant trip on U.K. Airlines. (A/N: To my knowledge, that is not a real Airline.)" the captain announced over the intercom.
Hermione was very content sitting next to Draco, and she knew that he felt the same way. They had been up in the air for quite a while now, and Hermione began to get tired. She asked the flight attendant for a blanket and two pillows, one for her, and the other for Draco. Moments later the flight attendant returned with one of those cheep airline blankets, and lumpy pillows.
"Hmm…. These pillows won't be any good," Hermione said smiling at Draco, "they're too lumpy, I guess I'm going to have to use you instead." Hermione rested her head on Draco's shoulder and draped the blanket over the two of them and fell asleep.
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"You know Harry," Desiree began, "Cho told me a lot about you. She said you were really sweet, and if I had the chance, that I should get to know you."
Harry began to blush. "Er, thanks, Desiree. I mean, I knew Cho for quite awhile, but we never really got serious. If you see her sometime, tell her I said hello. I haven't really kept in touch with her since she left Hogwarts," Harry replied.
"I only knew Cho for one year. I transferred to Hogwarts last year."
"Oh really? What school did you go to before?"
"I went to Beauxbatons. Do you know Fleur Delacour? She's my cousin," said Desiree.
"Oh, that would explain a lot," Harry said as he looked at her fair skin and silvery hair. Of course, she is part Veela!
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"You know Ron, Hermione told me to give you a chance, that you were a really nice person, once someone gets to know you," Lavender told Ron.
"Thanks Lavender," Ron said, going his usual shade of red, "Hermione had said a lot about you too. Good things of course."
"I can't wait to get to America. I have always wanted to go there. What about you?" Lavender asked.
"I think it'll be a fun experience. I mean, not everybody gets to go visit the muggle world. My dad went bezerk when I told him I was going to America to lean about muggles. You see, my dad works for the Ministry of Magic, and he studies a lot about muggles. He's making me take notes on what I see. Can you believe it?" Ron said.
Lavender laughed. She was surprised because not many boys could make her laugh. Maybe it was his cute boyish ways. 'Hmmm…maybe I'll take Hermione's advice and get to know him a little better,' Lavender thought.
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The plane jolted around in the sky due to turbulence, causing Hermione to wake up.
"Whoa! What's happening? Are we crashing?" Hermione said in a panicked tone. Then she whispered, "I'm afraid, Draco," she said so softly that only he could hear."
"Don't worry, Mia, we'll be okay, it's just turbulence," Draco replied.
'Mia,' Hermione thought, 'He has a nick name for me now!' Hermione mustered a small smile.
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Little did everybody know that the real reason for the turbulence was that Lord Voldermort had just killed 20 muggles during a riot… in Chicago.
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"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Harry yelled and clutched his scar. He felt a white-hot pain run through his head as Desiree, two flight attendants, and Professor Curret all huddled over Harry.
"What's the matter Harry? Are you okay?" Desiree asked.
"Sir, are you okay. Are you choking?" a flight attendant asked.
"Harry, Harry, Harry! Talk to us! What is the matter?" Curret asked.
Harry couldn't respond. Last time his scar hurt was because Voldermort was near. Was Voldermort on the plane? He had to talk to Hermione and Ron, but all he heard was a blur of "are you okay?". The thought of Voldermort reminded him of his last encounter with him.
"I'M FINE!" Harry yelled at last.
Harry saw Hermione run over.
"Harry, what happened?" she asked. "Harry, come with me to the loo (A/N: in England, it means the same as bathroom); we need to talk," Hermione whispered in Harry's ear.
The two walked over to the loo and shut the door.
"Why were you crying out Harry?" Hermione asked in a worried voice.
"It was my scar. I felt that pain I get when Voldermort's near."
"Oh my goodness! You don't think he's on this plane, do you?"
'I don't know Mione. He probably isn't, but we should definitely watch out for anything suspicious. Don't tell the others about my theory, okay? We don't want to worry them," Harry said in a hushed whisper.
Hermione shivered. "Okay Harry, are you sure you are alright now?"
"I'm fine, don't worry about me."
"Oh, fine. Let's go back now before the others get suspicious," said Hermione.
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When Hermione got back, Draco looked at her suspiciously.
"What happened to Harry," he asked.
"Oh, he said he had and excruciating head ache. Nothing to worry about."
"I wouldn't have worried anyways," Draco replied.
They still had the blanket on top of them, so Hermione put her hand underneath it, and slid it on top of Draco's groin. He wasn't expecting this, so he jumped a little bit. Hermione smiled at him and began to rub back and forth. She could tell Draco was getting hard. Draco let out a small moan, and Hermione moved her lips on top of his to silence him. Draco knew that they couldn't go as far as he wanted to sitting in the plane, so he took her hand away from his crouch, and led her to the bathroom. Hermione put a look of surprise on her face as they were walking. Draco opened the door and she walked inside, locking the door behind them.
"Now where were we?" Draco murmured as he began to kiss her again, more deeply this time. Draco lifted her up and propped her up against the wall.
The kiss turned out to be very passionate as Hermione slowly pulled Draco's shirt out of his pants. She slid her hand up his shirt and felt his stomach. She could tell he had been working out because he was very ripped. She moved her hand around his stomach until she felt Draco's hand go up her shirt. Draco began to suck on Hermione's neck as he cupped her breast. Hermione moaned and moved her hand out and began to rub his crouch again. Draco let out a small moan as he felt Hermione touching him. He was about to unbutton her shirt when he heard:
"Passengers, please return to your seats now. We will be landing in a few minutes," the captain boomed over the intercom.
'Darn,' he thought, 'we always get interrupted at the good parts.' He gently set Hermione on her feet, and she took a look at herself in the mirror. Her shirt was all twisted up, and her hair was a mess. She quickly fixed it all and looked at Draco.
"Your amazing," she said.
"So are you Mia. You amaze me every time I look at you. Do you want to go back first?"
"No, you go ahead,"
"Okay, see you soon," Draco said as he walked back to his seat.
Soon after, Hermione followed. As Hermione was walking, there was a lot of turbulence, and she fell into Draco's lap.
"Are you okay, Hermione?" Draco asked concerned.
"Oh, I'm fine, thanks. It was just the turbulence."
Hermione felt the rush of the plane landing, and grabbed Draco's hand. It was slightly cold, like he was nervous.
"Are you okay Draco? You are really cold."
"Oh, I'm fine. This is my first time riding a plane, and well, I wasn't expecting landing to be like this." Draco replied.
"Okay. I've only ridden a plane once before, I know how it felt the first time."
The captain's voice came on the intercom again: "Welcome to Chicago, Illinois, United States of America. We hope you enjoyed your flight with us today, and fly with us again."
Everybody got up and walked off the plane. Once they got in the airport, Professor Curret said, "Well, that was your first muggle lesson on transportation. We have to go get our bags now. Everybody follow me."
Curret led them to a terminal where they gathered their luggage. "Now, we have to do the tedious task of finding a taxi to take us to our hotel. We will be staying at the Drake Hotel (A/N: the Drake Hotel IS an actual hotel, and is one of the nicest ones in Chicago!). They walked outside, and Professor Curret gave them each $10.00. "This should be enough for each of you to take a taxi. You will pair up again, two to a taxi. To signal the taxi, stand by the street, and when you see a yellow car, like that one right there, wave at it. When you get in, tell the driver that you want to go to the Drake Hotel, and he will drive you there. Pay the driver when you get there, and I will meet you there shortly."
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Two by two, everybody was in a taxi and on their way to the Drake Hotel. Once they got there they found Professor Curret who had already gotten their room keys. Head Boy and Girl will get their own room, while everybody else will pair up. Lavender and Desiree, and Ron and Harry. Now, here is your room key Hermione, here you go Draco. Lavender and Desiree, I have two for you, and two for Ron and Harry." Okay now, your room numbers are on the key, so go to bed early tonight, because we have a very big day tomorrow. My room number is 246 if you need anything. Good night."
"Draco," Hermione asked, "what room are you in?"
"Uh, let me check… oh it's 531. What are you?"
"532 and it says that it is a connecting room with 531" Hermione replied with a BIG smile.
"Perfect," Draco replied.
"Hey Draco! We're going up to Harry's room. Do you wanna come?" Ron yelled.
"Sure, I'll be right there, let me put my stuff away first."
"Hermione! Lavender and I are going to meet in my room, do you want to join us?" Desiree asked.
"Okay! Let me go to my room first and freshen up. I'll meet you in like 10 minutes. What room are you in?" Hermione replied.
"Uh, 408." Desiree replied.
Hermione ran up to the elevator to catch up with Draco.
"Hey, Draco," Hermione said.
"Hey, I'm going over to Harry's in a bit, do you and the rest of the girls want to come?"
"I don't know, I was going up to Desiree's in a bit, so I'll ask them if they want to come. What room number is Harry?"
"Let's see, I have it written down somewhere. Oh, here it is; it's room number 249."
The elevator reached the 5th floor and they stepped out.
"Oh here's my room." Hermione said as she walked in. As soon as she walked inside, she opened the door connecting her and Draco's room. Draco did the same.
"Oh my goodness can you believe these rooms? They are gigantic!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I know, look, they have a Jacuzzi, king size water beds, and even a kitchen! Wow, I wonder if the others have rooms like this," said Draco.
"Okay, well I am going down to Desiree's now, so I guess I'll catch up with you later. Oh and if you need me, I'll be in room 408," said Hermione.
"Gotcha, see you later."
Hermione grabbed her room key and headed down to meet her friends.
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Hermione knocked on the door, and out popped Lavender with a clay mask on her face.
"Hey Mione!" Lavender exclaimed, "You'll never believe what goodies they left us in the bathroom. I wouldn't mind being a muggle if I got to use this stuff every day!"
"Hey Hermione, come check this out!" Desiree hollered from the bathroom, "They've got lotions, oils, shampoos, conditioners, bath salts, and they have the mask stuff like Lavender has on. I have got to put this stuff on you so you're looking good for Draco!"
"What? What about Draco?" Hermione said as she stepped into the bathroom.
"Oh, I know you two are sweet on each other. I'm not blind you know! C'mon, you have to try this peel off mask, you'll love it!" said Desiree.
"How'd you know about meeeeee-" Hermione began, but was got off when Desiree and Lavender began to spread a goopy mixture on her face.
"You're going to look like a star by the time we're done with you," said Lavender.
"Okay, you're all done Mione. Now come here Lavender, it's your turn!" said Desiree.
For another hour, the girls sat around eating popcorn and ordering movies on the hotel T.V. They had completely forgotten that the boys were waiting for them in Harry's room.
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Meanwhile, back in Harry's room…
"Draco, didn't you say the girls were going to come up later?" Ron asked.
"Yah, they said they would. Should we call their room?" Draco replied.
"Nah, I have a better idea. Why don't we go down to their room, and see if they are still there," said Harry.
"Okay, you guys ready?" Ron asked.
The boys sauntered over to Desiree's room, and knocked on the door.
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Inside of Desiree's room…
"Was that the door?" asked Hermione.
"Oh, my, gosh! I think it's the boys!" Desiree whispered as she looked through the peephole in the door.
"Should we let them in?' Lavender asked.
"Sure, why not. It'll be fun; especially since you like Ron, I like Harry, and Hermione is in love with Draco." Desiree replied.
Desiree opened the door, and the three boys walked inside her room
"Hey guys what's happenin?" Lavender asked.
"Hey, you guys are looking good," Harry said.
"Uh, thanks Harry," Hermione replied cautiously.
"What do you guys want to do?" Draco asked.
"Hmmm…" Desiree replied with a mischievous smile.
Until midnight, they played games like 'spin the bottle', 'truth or dare' and '7 minutes in heaven'. They all agreed it was getting late, and decided to go back up to their rooms before Professor Curret came to check on them.
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Back in Draco's room…
Draco walked in his room, and went into the bathroom, hoping he'd catch Hermione coming out of the shower again. When he saw that nobody was in the bathroom, he remembered that Hermione had her own bathroom in her room. He had had the best time that night with Hermione playing 7 minutes in heaven with her; it was heaven. Hermione was a better kisser than he thought she was. Draco walked back into his room and decided to pay Hermione a little visit.
"Hey Draco," Hermione said as she saw Draco walk into her room.
"Hey. I had a great time tonight," Draco said.
"I had a wonderful time."
"Hermione, I was wondering, uh---" Draco said. There was an awkward pause before Draco continued. "Hermione, would you consider us a couple?"
"Yes, Draco, I would. You are an amazing person, and I would want to spend every minute with you if I could. I just have one question," said Hermione.
"Yes…" Draco replied, a little nervous about what her question was.
"Draco, why do you like me? Ever since you met me at our first year of Hogwarts, you have treated me like scum on the bottom of your shoes. I guess I don't understand why this year is so different," said Hermione.
"I knew you would ask me this eventually," Draco began, "You have to understand, ever since I was a little kid, my father always told me that Purebloods were the only type of acceptable wizards. To him, Mudbloods were the same as muggles. Until this year, I have listened and done everything my father has asked for. Now that I am almost 18, I don't want to be a Death Eater like my father, and I have decided to change my ways. I only hope that you will be able to forgive me of all the years of pain I have caused you."
"Draco, you have to realize that it will be hard to completely forgive you, but I promise I will try. Good night Draco, I'll see you in the morning," said Hermione.
Draco leaned over and gave Hermione a quick kiss on the lips, and headed off to his room.
"Good night Mia."
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A/N: Hey everybody. Jenn here. I really hope you liked this chapter, because it took me FOREVER to write this. I give J.K. Rowling a lot of credit for writing 800-paged books. This is definitely the longest chapter I have written, by at least a 2,000 words!!!!!!!! We want to thank the following for reviewing chapter 5: Lily Flower, Elly, and Jazzylady. Thank you! If it wasn't for you guys, we wouldn't be writing this! Sorry this chapter took so long to get posted, I was baking cookies, so I had to do this while they were baking. The next chapter should be posted in a day or two. And remember, PLEASE REVIEW!
Hugs&kisses,
~C&J
