Chapter 1 – An Unpleasant Surprise
"Oh, I do hope we find out how we did on those tests soon. I fear I'm losing sleep over it." As usual Hermione Granger was chatting away about grades as she and her friends Ron Weasley and the Famous Harry Potter made their way form the Gryffindor Common Room to the hallways of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry via the Fat Lady's Portrait. As she continued to fret over her grades Harry and Ron exchanged a look, one they had given each other many times over their years in school, that read "Will she ever stop talking about work?" Luckily school would soon be coming to a close for these three young adults, and they would be off to get jobs and live in the real world.
As they made their way down one of the schools many tricky staircases, making sure to skip the stair that really wasn't there, they caught up to some other students; these ones were from the Ravenclaw House. "Really," they heard one of the Ravenclaw students say. "We finished the tests, I don't see why we still have to report to our first class of the day." That same curiosity lingered in the brains of every student. Some were in a worried state of shock over the announcement, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione had become used to Professor Dumbledore's odd changes to tradition over the years and just shrugged it off. Their only regret over this order is that they would have to report to Potions Class with Snape and the Slytherin House one last time.
"I don't see why it has to be our first class," Ron said with a sigh. "They could have at least let us sleep in as a reward for getting through those horrid tests. Instead we have to go see Snape, Draco and his cronies one last time." He paused here to issue a rather loud and over dramatic sigh. "How foolish of me to believe that I would never have to see any of them again," he added sarcastically.
"Oh, stop it Ron," Hermione chastised. "Honestly! It's bad enough with out your remarks. You don't need to get sympathy from us, we're in the same boat too you know."
By this time they reached the dungeon where the Potions Class was held. They found the class only half full.
"Nasty Slytherins," Harry hissed under his breath. "The only reason they are happy right now is because they get one last chance to see Snape humiliate me."
"Ah, Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley," Snape's icy voice cut through the silent class. "So nice to see that some of the Gryffindors could join us today. If you would be so kind as to take your seats, as perhaps some of your classmates are waiting in the hall for you to move away from the doorway so they can enter as well."
Slowly and deliberately they made their way to their seats. Soon the rest of the Gryffindors arrived, and Neville Longbottom barely made it into his seat before the bell, sparing him from Snape's wrath by the skin of his teeth. Snape stood for a few seconds just surveying his class before he spoke.
"I'm sure you are wondering why you are here," he began. "It has been decided that all graduating students must pass another test before they are allowed to leave Hogwarts." This sparked a slight groan from the class, not very loud for fear of Snape's reaction, but the general opinion was still voiced. Snape continued speaking as if he hadn't heard them. "You all shall be divided up into groups of five, transported to a Muggle city by a portkey, and expected to find your way back here with out using magic of any form." The students now all stared at him as if he had three heads, which was a bit odd, since they had seen a three-headed dog in Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures Class. Again Snape ignored their reaction to the news and continued. "You will all be given Muggle clothing, and will be allowed to keep you wand, but nothing else. You are forbidden to use you wand except if you find your selves and I quote 'in the middle of the Apocalypse or a situation similar.' Now I will read off the group assignments, which I did not assign, so no complaining to me about them. You will get a change of clothing and then will select your portkey, which I do not know where it would take you so don't even bother asking." He paused to be sure that what he said had sunk in before he continued.