Chapter 2- Welcome to Your Worst Nightmare
The two weeks left in England were done they were now on a flight to the United States. They would land in L.A. and drive to the Military School. Hermione knew there might be a lot of work but she knew all of the stuff they taught at military school. Her father said they had sword-fighting competitions and then the drill team, which she was going to join, she knew every movement already. She learned quickly. Months passed she did the tests Dumbledore sent to her and sent them back. She got full marks on both of them. Soon she began to slowly quit thinking about Hogwarts and everyone there. Her platoon leader was frustrated because there wasn't anything Hermione couldn't do. She beat even the platoon leaders at many things. Today was her first day for the fall holidays. It was September 15. She had two weeks of vacation, but she wouldn't be relaxing at any time soon she had a sword competition in two weeks. She really wished she could see her friends so she decided to write a letter to Professor Dumbledore. It read:
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
I am writing you this letter to invite you to bring the 5th years and any teacher that would like to come to Greene Military School in two weeks time to see a military sword fight competition between Greene, Westing, and Milton Military schools. The competition will last about two and a half hours and then we'll use the banquet hall at school if my father agrees. Please send your answer and I'll ask my father for permission to use the hall. Then everyone can have a short break. I will also see about asking him to help me find a place you can stay for at least two days at the most, It gets the kids out of your hair and I won't be so homesick of Hogwarts, it's my second home.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
She sent it off by her owl and went to find her father. She found him in the family library. " Father, would it be okay if the 5th years at Hogwarts came to the sword fight competition, can I use the banquet hall, and can we find them somewhere to stay for two days?" "Please, daddy?" Hermione asked, hoping her father would say yes. " I think that would be okay as long as they don't use magic in front of the people that will be there." Her father said. "Thank you daddy." Hermione said. " Oh that reminds me that there is to be a promotion ceremony the day after the competition for your year." Her father said. "Really? Is there still that Drill Team competition two days after the sword competition?" she asked. " Yes, are they going to come to that as well?" he asked. "I don't know, I'll ask after he owls me back." She said.
Two days later an owl was tapping at her window while she was reading a book. There was a letter attached from Professor Dumbledore. It said:
Dear Hermione,
Yes I accept and we will arrive in two weeks. Your teachers miss you greatly. I think even Professor Snape misses your constant waving hand. Professors McGonagall, Snape, and myself will be accompanying the students to America. Please give me a list of advents that we will be doing so I can give a short summary to the 5th year. I hope this visit will remedy your homesickness for Hogwarts.
Sincerely,
Professor Dumbledore
Hermione wrote back to him quickly. Her letter said:
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
My father has agreed to let us use the banquet hall and since most of the students went home for two weeks and won't get back till Monday after the competition the 5th years can use the dorm I stay in during the school year. There are two rooms one for boys and one for girls. I will probably stay in the dorm with them because there are so many rules they need to know. Please come a day early if possible so that you can settle in right after the students get out of their classes that carry through the holidays. You will see three events, a sword competition, a promotional ceremony, and a Drill Team competition. They will each get a souvenir saying that they have been to America since most won't travel here again. There are also three rooms that you may use for the professors to sleep in for the stay here. I most likely will be in some form of a uniform all of the time besides when I sleep or while I am weightlifting. Please have each 5th year have a formal outfit to wear to the promotional ceremony and the rest of the rules I will tell them when they arrive. Please do not mention me when you announce this, I would like it to be a surprise.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
She worked furiously away at the sword fighting till the day before the Hogwarts students were to arrive. She was going around getting things ready at the house her father and mother stayed in all the time and in her dorm at school. She also did her Drill Team formations and movements. The day passed quicker than Hermione would have liked and too soon Hermione heard the trumpet sound announcing sunrise and time to get up. She had a class to go to so she went and soon the class was over. Dumbledore had owled back saying they would arrive at three in the afternoon. She realized that at three, Drill Team practice would be over which means she would be wearing her better uniform when she met them at the gates. The Drill Practice was just to make sure everyone knew his or her movements so it was easy for her. At three, she walked out to the gates. The headmaster and everyone were standing there waiting. " Sorry I am late Professor Dumbledore, I got caught up with practice." "It's okay," the headmaster said. " There is no excuse for my lateness, please forgive me." She said. " All is forgiven" Professor Dumbledore said. "Well we better get going if we want to make it back in time for lunch." She said as she started walking. They followed her not saying a word. Hermione's father was walking this way. Hermione stopped walking. When he got right in front of her they noticed Hermione was standing stock still with her hand in a salute to this man. " At ease" the man said. " Thank you, comondante." " Carry on, I believe your guests look quite tired. Get them settled in and come see me immediately afterwards. At four you have a practice sword fight with me do not be late." " Yes, sir"
Hermione started walking again and they followed her till she stopped in front of a long building. "Here is your home for the next couple of days. The boys' rooms are in the back and the girls' in the front. There are three bathrooms, one for the boys, one for the girls, and one for the professors. This campus is a closed campus with many rules. First if you ever see the comondante you will salute him. It is the form of respect shown to ever person with a uniform on. So salute everyone, but me of course because if you don't the comondante will hand out the most horrific punishments imaginable to any human on this planet. There is to be no name calling while in the military campus, it is considered rude and since you are all my guests I will receive punishment for not telling you the full rules and if that happens you can expected whoever was the cause of this will deal with me. Third when you hear the trumpet any morning you are to get up and get ready, the days here start at four a.m. I will not wait for anyone, if I am late to any class or my competitions, I will take it out on you. Perhaps maybe fifty laps will change anyone's attitude." Hermione said in her commanding voice, " Any questions?" " Yes I have one who are you?" Draco Malfoy asked. " Ah that is a surprise, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. Professors the only rule I wish you would follow is the first, please." " I will see you in about half an hour when I come back to change for the sword fight, which you are all welcome to watch." " Good day" she said and left.
Hermione was back in exactly a half an hour. " One rule I forgot to tell you is, you make a mess, you clean up even you Slytherins, no one is going to do it for you. Now I must get ready and if any of you wish you may wait outside the building if you like." When she walked out into the yard of the school she was in leather, that's what she always practiced in. She told them to follow her. She led them to the comondante's house where her practice would take place. She knocked on the door and heard her father say, "Enter". " Please stay out here for a little while." Hermione said to them. " Okay" she heard them say. She walked into the house and saw her father ready to fight. " Father, can I ask you a question, please?" " Yes" " You know how some people change their names when they enter the military, do think I can change my name before the promotional ceremony. I want to so that the Hogwarts students won't know who I am incase I don't go back to Hogwarts." " Yes, you can" Her father replied. "Really when can I go?" " I will take you today after we practice with the swords" "Thanks dad" Hermione said. " You're welcome" her dad replied.
" Well let's get started go get your friends and take them out back where we practice." " Okay be back there in a second" she replied while heading out the door.
"Well, follow me and remember not a sound someone could get hurt if you distract their concentration." Hermione said to the group while leading them to the backyard.
Her father was waiting and when she got there he handed her, her sword. She swished it around in the air getting a feel of it before the match began. " Ready?" her father asked. " Yes, sir" she replied.
The faced each other and bowed. She raised the sword in the air. Her father raised his sword, too. And the match began. Hermione was one amazing girl to be able to do that. She did flips, rolls, and tricks before she finally beat her dad for the first time in her life. She had a few injuries though. She had a cut on her stomach, a cut running from her shoulder to her hand, and a cut on her right cheek. The blood was pouring out of the wounds, but she was too happy to notice. The Hogwarts students and staff were in awe at the way she fought against a grown adult. " Very good, major" her father said. " Thank you, sir" she replied.
" Professors I need to speak to you before I take them back to their dorms. I won't be staying there tonight." " Okay"
She led them into her father's office. She told them to sit down. " Now I know you think that they will find out exactly who I am tomorrow, but I can't allow that to happen in case I do not return to Hogwarts. I don't want to get their hopes up. My new name will be Victoria Elizabeth Craft." " Okay, that is fine with us." Dumbledore replied. " Thank you, sir"
She led the students back to the dorms. They kept talking about how good she was. They acted like overexcited parents it was starting to freak her out. When they got back she got everyone's attention. " Now, tomorrow you will need to get up with the alarm clock that is right next to my bed. You all need to be ready by 10, that is when the competition starts. I will come get you at 9:45 and we'll walk over to the gym. I will already be up and ready by the time that alarm clock goes off. If you happen to wake up early, head over to the exercise room near the comondante's house that is where you will find me." " Lights go out at 11 no later, we military people start our days a 4 am." Hermione said and then spun on her heel and left.
Hermione and her father left when she got back to their house and went to the place to change her name. When they finished they called the judges for the competitions to tell them to change the name of their contestant.
At 4 am the trumpet sounded waking the military students and staff from their slumbering sleep. Hermione was nervous, but got up and put on her training outfit. Her parents told her they were getting up at 6 and not 4. She had told them she would be dressed and ready by 8 o'clock. She walked over to the exercise room and went over to the corner where the weights were. She sat on the ground and did 100 pushups, followed by 65 sit ups, and then some other stretches. She sat down on the bench to lift weights when Draco Malfoy walked in. " Hello, Mr. Malfoy" " Hi" he replied.
She lay down and started lifting weights. She was at 50 pounds now. By 6 she was up to 150 pounds that was more than she weighed by herself. " How do you do that?" Draco asked amazed. " Do what?" she asked back. " All the things you do with out breaking a sweat." He said. " My father taught me all the things a military child should know starting at the age of six. I knew how to handle a sword without being taught. The rules and etiquette of rich military people have been drilled into me. Why do you think I don't want one of you to disobey the rules, do you know what kind of punishments they give out to people of my status?" Hermione asked. " No, have you ever had one of those punishments?" "Yes the first punishment I got was when I was six" Hermione answered sadly.
" Mr. Malfoy, would you like to have breakfast with me at the comondante's house" Hermione asked. " Sure" he answered.
Hermione led Draco over to the house and knocked on the door. Her father answered and he let them in. Her mother was fixing breakfast when she walked in. She went to the kitchen and told her mother that she had a brought an extra person for person.
" Okay, thank you for telling me before I got done fixing it so I can make enough for him too." Her mother told her.
After breakfast Hermione turned toward Draco. " Mr. Malfoy, do you have something you wish to wear to the competition, if you do let's go and get it and then after I take a shower you can use my bathroom so you don't have to wait to use the bathroom in your dorm?" Hermione asked. " Thank you," Draco replied.
Cliffhanger.. The chapter is pretty long. Next chapter will have the competition and promotional ceremony.
Please review and no flames.
Thanks
PerfectAngelBaby
The two weeks left in England were done they were now on a flight to the United States. They would land in L.A. and drive to the Military School. Hermione knew there might be a lot of work but she knew all of the stuff they taught at military school. Her father said they had sword-fighting competitions and then the drill team, which she was going to join, she knew every movement already. She learned quickly. Months passed she did the tests Dumbledore sent to her and sent them back. She got full marks on both of them. Soon she began to slowly quit thinking about Hogwarts and everyone there. Her platoon leader was frustrated because there wasn't anything Hermione couldn't do. She beat even the platoon leaders at many things. Today was her first day for the fall holidays. It was September 15. She had two weeks of vacation, but she wouldn't be relaxing at any time soon she had a sword competition in two weeks. She really wished she could see her friends so she decided to write a letter to Professor Dumbledore. It read:
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
I am writing you this letter to invite you to bring the 5th years and any teacher that would like to come to Greene Military School in two weeks time to see a military sword fight competition between Greene, Westing, and Milton Military schools. The competition will last about two and a half hours and then we'll use the banquet hall at school if my father agrees. Please send your answer and I'll ask my father for permission to use the hall. Then everyone can have a short break. I will also see about asking him to help me find a place you can stay for at least two days at the most, It gets the kids out of your hair and I won't be so homesick of Hogwarts, it's my second home.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
She sent it off by her owl and went to find her father. She found him in the family library. " Father, would it be okay if the 5th years at Hogwarts came to the sword fight competition, can I use the banquet hall, and can we find them somewhere to stay for two days?" "Please, daddy?" Hermione asked, hoping her father would say yes. " I think that would be okay as long as they don't use magic in front of the people that will be there." Her father said. "Thank you daddy." Hermione said. " Oh that reminds me that there is to be a promotion ceremony the day after the competition for your year." Her father said. "Really? Is there still that Drill Team competition two days after the sword competition?" she asked. " Yes, are they going to come to that as well?" he asked. "I don't know, I'll ask after he owls me back." She said.
Two days later an owl was tapping at her window while she was reading a book. There was a letter attached from Professor Dumbledore. It said:
Dear Hermione,
Yes I accept and we will arrive in two weeks. Your teachers miss you greatly. I think even Professor Snape misses your constant waving hand. Professors McGonagall, Snape, and myself will be accompanying the students to America. Please give me a list of advents that we will be doing so I can give a short summary to the 5th year. I hope this visit will remedy your homesickness for Hogwarts.
Sincerely,
Professor Dumbledore
Hermione wrote back to him quickly. Her letter said:
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
My father has agreed to let us use the banquet hall and since most of the students went home for two weeks and won't get back till Monday after the competition the 5th years can use the dorm I stay in during the school year. There are two rooms one for boys and one for girls. I will probably stay in the dorm with them because there are so many rules they need to know. Please come a day early if possible so that you can settle in right after the students get out of their classes that carry through the holidays. You will see three events, a sword competition, a promotional ceremony, and a Drill Team competition. They will each get a souvenir saying that they have been to America since most won't travel here again. There are also three rooms that you may use for the professors to sleep in for the stay here. I most likely will be in some form of a uniform all of the time besides when I sleep or while I am weightlifting. Please have each 5th year have a formal outfit to wear to the promotional ceremony and the rest of the rules I will tell them when they arrive. Please do not mention me when you announce this, I would like it to be a surprise.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
She worked furiously away at the sword fighting till the day before the Hogwarts students were to arrive. She was going around getting things ready at the house her father and mother stayed in all the time and in her dorm at school. She also did her Drill Team formations and movements. The day passed quicker than Hermione would have liked and too soon Hermione heard the trumpet sound announcing sunrise and time to get up. She had a class to go to so she went and soon the class was over. Dumbledore had owled back saying they would arrive at three in the afternoon. She realized that at three, Drill Team practice would be over which means she would be wearing her better uniform when she met them at the gates. The Drill Practice was just to make sure everyone knew his or her movements so it was easy for her. At three, she walked out to the gates. The headmaster and everyone were standing there waiting. " Sorry I am late Professor Dumbledore, I got caught up with practice." "It's okay," the headmaster said. " There is no excuse for my lateness, please forgive me." She said. " All is forgiven" Professor Dumbledore said. "Well we better get going if we want to make it back in time for lunch." She said as she started walking. They followed her not saying a word. Hermione's father was walking this way. Hermione stopped walking. When he got right in front of her they noticed Hermione was standing stock still with her hand in a salute to this man. " At ease" the man said. " Thank you, comondante." " Carry on, I believe your guests look quite tired. Get them settled in and come see me immediately afterwards. At four you have a practice sword fight with me do not be late." " Yes, sir"
Hermione started walking again and they followed her till she stopped in front of a long building. "Here is your home for the next couple of days. The boys' rooms are in the back and the girls' in the front. There are three bathrooms, one for the boys, one for the girls, and one for the professors. This campus is a closed campus with many rules. First if you ever see the comondante you will salute him. It is the form of respect shown to ever person with a uniform on. So salute everyone, but me of course because if you don't the comondante will hand out the most horrific punishments imaginable to any human on this planet. There is to be no name calling while in the military campus, it is considered rude and since you are all my guests I will receive punishment for not telling you the full rules and if that happens you can expected whoever was the cause of this will deal with me. Third when you hear the trumpet any morning you are to get up and get ready, the days here start at four a.m. I will not wait for anyone, if I am late to any class or my competitions, I will take it out on you. Perhaps maybe fifty laps will change anyone's attitude." Hermione said in her commanding voice, " Any questions?" " Yes I have one who are you?" Draco Malfoy asked. " Ah that is a surprise, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. Professors the only rule I wish you would follow is the first, please." " I will see you in about half an hour when I come back to change for the sword fight, which you are all welcome to watch." " Good day" she said and left.
Hermione was back in exactly a half an hour. " One rule I forgot to tell you is, you make a mess, you clean up even you Slytherins, no one is going to do it for you. Now I must get ready and if any of you wish you may wait outside the building if you like." When she walked out into the yard of the school she was in leather, that's what she always practiced in. She told them to follow her. She led them to the comondante's house where her practice would take place. She knocked on the door and heard her father say, "Enter". " Please stay out here for a little while." Hermione said to them. " Okay" she heard them say. She walked into the house and saw her father ready to fight. " Father, can I ask you a question, please?" " Yes" " You know how some people change their names when they enter the military, do think I can change my name before the promotional ceremony. I want to so that the Hogwarts students won't know who I am incase I don't go back to Hogwarts." " Yes, you can" Her father replied. "Really when can I go?" " I will take you today after we practice with the swords" "Thanks dad" Hermione said. " You're welcome" her dad replied.
" Well let's get started go get your friends and take them out back where we practice." " Okay be back there in a second" she replied while heading out the door.
"Well, follow me and remember not a sound someone could get hurt if you distract their concentration." Hermione said to the group while leading them to the backyard.
Her father was waiting and when she got there he handed her, her sword. She swished it around in the air getting a feel of it before the match began. " Ready?" her father asked. " Yes, sir" she replied.
The faced each other and bowed. She raised the sword in the air. Her father raised his sword, too. And the match began. Hermione was one amazing girl to be able to do that. She did flips, rolls, and tricks before she finally beat her dad for the first time in her life. She had a few injuries though. She had a cut on her stomach, a cut running from her shoulder to her hand, and a cut on her right cheek. The blood was pouring out of the wounds, but she was too happy to notice. The Hogwarts students and staff were in awe at the way she fought against a grown adult. " Very good, major" her father said. " Thank you, sir" she replied.
" Professors I need to speak to you before I take them back to their dorms. I won't be staying there tonight." " Okay"
She led them into her father's office. She told them to sit down. " Now I know you think that they will find out exactly who I am tomorrow, but I can't allow that to happen in case I do not return to Hogwarts. I don't want to get their hopes up. My new name will be Victoria Elizabeth Craft." " Okay, that is fine with us." Dumbledore replied. " Thank you, sir"
She led the students back to the dorms. They kept talking about how good she was. They acted like overexcited parents it was starting to freak her out. When they got back she got everyone's attention. " Now, tomorrow you will need to get up with the alarm clock that is right next to my bed. You all need to be ready by 10, that is when the competition starts. I will come get you at 9:45 and we'll walk over to the gym. I will already be up and ready by the time that alarm clock goes off. If you happen to wake up early, head over to the exercise room near the comondante's house that is where you will find me." " Lights go out at 11 no later, we military people start our days a 4 am." Hermione said and then spun on her heel and left.
Hermione and her father left when she got back to their house and went to the place to change her name. When they finished they called the judges for the competitions to tell them to change the name of their contestant.
At 4 am the trumpet sounded waking the military students and staff from their slumbering sleep. Hermione was nervous, but got up and put on her training outfit. Her parents told her they were getting up at 6 and not 4. She had told them she would be dressed and ready by 8 o'clock. She walked over to the exercise room and went over to the corner where the weights were. She sat on the ground and did 100 pushups, followed by 65 sit ups, and then some other stretches. She sat down on the bench to lift weights when Draco Malfoy walked in. " Hello, Mr. Malfoy" " Hi" he replied.
She lay down and started lifting weights. She was at 50 pounds now. By 6 she was up to 150 pounds that was more than she weighed by herself. " How do you do that?" Draco asked amazed. " Do what?" she asked back. " All the things you do with out breaking a sweat." He said. " My father taught me all the things a military child should know starting at the age of six. I knew how to handle a sword without being taught. The rules and etiquette of rich military people have been drilled into me. Why do you think I don't want one of you to disobey the rules, do you know what kind of punishments they give out to people of my status?" Hermione asked. " No, have you ever had one of those punishments?" "Yes the first punishment I got was when I was six" Hermione answered sadly.
" Mr. Malfoy, would you like to have breakfast with me at the comondante's house" Hermione asked. " Sure" he answered.
Hermione led Draco over to the house and knocked on the door. Her father answered and he let them in. Her mother was fixing breakfast when she walked in. She went to the kitchen and told her mother that she had a brought an extra person for person.
" Okay, thank you for telling me before I got done fixing it so I can make enough for him too." Her mother told her.
After breakfast Hermione turned toward Draco. " Mr. Malfoy, do you have something you wish to wear to the competition, if you do let's go and get it and then after I take a shower you can use my bathroom so you don't have to wait to use the bathroom in your dorm?" Hermione asked. " Thank you," Draco replied.
Cliffhanger.. The chapter is pretty long. Next chapter will have the competition and promotional ceremony.
Please review and no flames.
Thanks
PerfectAngelBaby