As Harry, Hermione, and Ron parted from Platform 93/4, each hoped that two months ahead of them would be much better than the school term they were leaving behind. Their fifth year at Hogwarts had not been an easy one.
One week later…
Hermione was sitting in the waiting room of her parent's dental office. She was flipping through the pages of "Moody and Magical" a teen magazine for witches, of course she had put another muggle magazine cover over it; her parent's treated muggle's teeth.
An advertisement caught her eye:
"Was Your School Year Lousy? I'll bet it was! Do you want to go to Hollywood? I'll bet you do! Send us a two foot long sob story about your school year and the winner (or should we say loser?!) will win a trip to San Diego, which is just two hours south of Los Angeles, but still has beaches, just no movie stars!
"Wow" thought Hermione, "my year was lousy! I got knocked out, Ron was still oblivious … You know. I could win this thing. This is just what I need. To get away, have a dream vacation!"
And sure enough, two weeks later…
Hermione looked up from her breakfast table to see an owl swoop down and drop a package into her lap. The owl flew promptly away, and Hermione had ripped open the letter just as fast.
"Congratulations, Hermione Granger! Your fifth year at Hogwarts was horrible! The worst in England! For your trip to San Diego, which is near L.A. and still fun, we promise, you and three friends should be at the corner of 5th street and Hunkler Road at 11 pm in three days. There you will meet a witch wearing a green and pink hat. She will give you the instructions for your travel accommodations. Bring your passports and the enclosed signed permission slips to the meeting. And again, Congratulations!
Hermione was ecstatic. She had won! She was going south of Los Angeles! She could take a day trip there, maybe take some pictures, get some autographs…
"Oh, wait a minute, I haven't invited anyone yet" Hermione thought, "I was so wrapped up in my trip. I'd better go tell my parents, and then tell Harry, Ron, and a third person, maybe Ginny; it'd be nice to have another girl along. Boy talk is just not the same."
Hermione ran into the living room where her parents were reading. "Mom, Dad, I won a magic essay contest and I get to California for the rest of the summer! So, um, can I go?"
Her parents did not look as happy at the news as Hermione did.
"Hermione, we never get to see. You are always off in that other world." Her mother said.
"We understand that it's a fun world. But muggles have fun too you now." Her dad added.
"But this is a once in a lifetime thing! Even muggles want to go California. Can I go if I promise to go to some muggle amusement parks? You know, Disneyland, Universal Studios…" Hermione was already thinking of her plans, she hadn't counted on her parents objecting, and she knew that they would give in. They were so fascinated by the magic world that they always let Hermione participate in it as much she liked.
"Don't forget Seaworld and the zoo. Muggles love animals." Her mom said.
"Yes we do. We love animals." Her dad added.
"So then I can go!" Hermione tried to sound surprised at their concession.
"Of course sweetie. Have fun and wear sunscreen." Her mom said.
"At least spf 30!" Her dad added.
Hermione rushed upstairs to her bedroom. She wrote the three copies of the following letter…
Dear Harry, Ron, and Ginny
Guess what? I won an essay contest on the worst school year ever! And since you three had horrible years too, and since you're my best friends, I'd like to invite you to join me on a trip to California! Fill out the permission slips, and meet me at the time and place that it says. And pack lightly; we are going to want to fill up the extra room in our suitcases with stuff from our California shopping sprees!
Love, Hermione
She sent out the letters and immediately began making a list of everything she wanted to do on her dream vacation.