Disclaimer: We, the Pariahs, state that, no matter how much we want to, we do NOT own Harry Potter, Oliver Wood, Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, or Severus Snape in any way or form. They belong to the very smart and very rich, J.K. Rowling.

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Chapter One:

Harry Potter sat in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, bored out of his mind, as the first years were sorted. His thoughts drifted to the holidays, when he could go to the Black house and make up for lost time with his godfather. He was fumbling with his Head Boy pin when Hermione kicked him under the table.

"Pay attention Harry, Dumbledore is about to give his speech." She whispered furiously.

Ron elbowed him and rolled his eyes, as everyone turned their attentions to the front of the hall.

"I have some very special news for everyone, but mostly for our Head Boy and Girl and our seventh years." Dumbledore's voice rang out clearly, as the hall fell silent. "This year we have made arrangements with a school in America for us to send some select students over there for an Exchange Program. These students will stay the full year and return home at the start of the summer holidays. Our Head Boy and Girl will have the first chance to go, and after them, the Prefects, and so on. Should they choose not to go; it will continue to move down the line. We will also be allowing other students to go too. They, however, will have to be chosen to go. Not based on house, behavior, or anything of that sort. If you wish to go to the American school, all you must to is place your name within this Goblet," he said, pulling out a silver Goblet from somewhere in his robes. "The decision will be made tomorrow." He finished, then went on to state the normal rules. No magic in the corridors, etc.

"This is great!" Ron exclaimed. "I hope I get to go."

Harry looked at his friend puzzled. "What do you mean, 'this is great'"

"Think about it, Harry. No more Malfoy, No more Snape." he said between mouthfuls of food, which in turn, earned him glares from Hermione. Ignoring her silent reprimands, he went on, "What could be better than a whole year of peace?"

Hermione couldn't contain herself any longer. "Ronald, honestly! Is that all you think this trip is for? It is not all for fun! This will be a great educational experience. I'm going." She said.

Harry shook his head. "You two have fun. I'm not going."

Ron looked at him, shocked. Hermione was the first to speak, however. "Harry, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! You're Head Boy! You can't turn that down."

"I don't know about all that, but think of the girls, Harry. They are American girls! How can you pass that up is what I am asking you. Not to mention I hear those American wizards do thing with food that us Brits have only dreamed of…" He trailed off as he stuffed another spoonful of food into his mouth.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Ron. Is that all you think about? Girls and food?" she said, disgusted.

Ron slowly chewed and swallowed. "Hermione, how many times do I have to tell you? It's food, then girls." he said, pretending to be offended by her blunder.

"Come on Harry. No matter what way you look at it," she said, giving Ron a pointed look, "you've got to admit that it does sound exciting. Like an adventure, even."

Harry shook his head at his two friends. As he sat there, playing with his dinner more than eating it, he thought of the possible advantages of going to America. He did admit that the idea was appealing to him, but he hated the thought of leaving Sirius after he had just gotten him back. On the other hand, however, he could use a break from the constant pressures of the war…

"Harry." Hermione said, interrupting his thoughts. He looked at her. "We have to tell Dumbledore of our decision tonight. So he can make arrangements for other students to go."

When they made it to the front of the Hall, there was already a line to the Goblet of about 40 or so students. A proud looking Dumbledore greeted them.

"Alas, there they are now. Our Head Boy and Girl. So, I trust you both have made you decisions then?" he asked. Hermione nodded.

"Yes, Headmaster. I have decided that I want to go to America. It would be a learning experience that I just don't see how I could pass up." She said. Then, his twinkling eyes turned to Harry.

"And you, Mr. Potter? What is your decision?"

Harry hesitated. Then, out of nowhere, because he didn't know where else that it could have come from, he said "Yes. I'll go too."

Dumbledore beamed. "Marvelous."

Ron caught up with Hermione and him at the stairs leading up to the Heads' portrait.

"So, did you decide to go, Harry?" He asked. Harry nodded his head in answer.

Ron clapped him on the back. "Good job, mate. Knew you were smart enough to not pass up good food and pretty girls." He said, sounding sure of himself.

Hermione shook her head. "Clearly he realized what an important opportunity this is for him, and how, as Head Boy, it was sort of his responsibility. Right Harry?" She asked, looking at him. He didn't answer.

"I'm sure that's what it was, Herm." Ron said sarcastically. "Well, while you lucky blokes get to go only ten more feet or so 'till you get to your room and won't get in trouble for breaking curfew, I however, have a little ways to go and will get in loads of trouble. So, see you tomorrow." He said as he ascended the stairs. Harry waved goodbye to him, as did Hermione.

Later that night, after they had checked up in all of the prefects and done their rounds, Harry and Hermione headed for their room.

"Goodnight, Harry. See you in the morning." Hermione told him, as she made a beeline for her bedroom.

"Goodnight." He said and went into his room. As he lay in bed trying to fall asleep, he couldn't help but wonder what he may have gotten himself into.

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BANG! BANG!

"Get up Harry! You're going to be late!" Hermione screamed so loud that he was positive that the whole school was surely awake now, too.

BANG! BANG! He heard once again. "Are you up yet?" She asked five minutes later.

He stumbled out of bed and looked at the clock. He quickly grabbed a shirt and put it on. Then, he walked over to the door and jerked it open just as Hermione was about to pound on it again.

"Are you insane? It's 7:00 A.M.! Breakfast doesn't start until 8:30!" He told her. She just got an innocent but determined look on her face.

"Harry, you are Head Boy now. I don't know what the means to you, but to me it means being on time, early even, and setting an example for the younger years to follow. Now, if there were any other Head Girl, then it may not matter, but as it is me, I personally don't want to be looked on as irresponsible if you should happen to show up late." She finished.

"Whatever, Hermione. Well, I'm up now. What do you expect me to do for an hour and a half?" he asked her. That proved to be a big mistake, as they spent the good part of the hour and a half studying things that Harry had never known were even offered as classes at Hogwarts.

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When they entered the Great Hall, Dumbledore was just taking his seat at the head of the long table in the front of the room.

"See! Even Dumbledore doesn't wake up at 7:00 A.M.! If you ever do that again…" However, he was cut off as Dumbledore stood up and began to speak.

"Well, I am certainly glad to see that this event has actually encouraged those who may have overslept to be here on time." He said, eyeing Ron and some of the other Gryffindor 7th years. Hermione looked at Harry with an 'I told you so' expression that Harry ignored.

"I believe that I have made the wait long enough." Dumbledore went on. "As you all know, our Head Boy, Harry Potter, and our Head Girl, Hermione Granger, had the first decision about taking this trip. I am pleased to inform you that they both have accepted." He looked at them and smiled. Harry felt his face grow red with embarrassment. The other two selections, as I am sure you remember, were based on the Goblet, and not influenced by any of the staff. So, without further ado," He said and pulled the first name out of the Goblet. He smiled a bit when he read it. "But of course. Ron Weasley." Claps and cheers rung thunderous throughout the hall for Ron, who was beat red by the end of it. Then Dumbledore reached in and grabbed the second one. "Oh, well, this is a surprise. Well for you, anyway. Draco Malfoy." Dead silence. Crickets even. "I didn't even know he put his name in. Alas. There you have it." He began to sit back down, but was stopped as Professor Snape cleared his throat. Dumbledore stood back up. "Oh, yes, please forgive me Severus. Nearly forgot. Accompanying our students to the school in America is none other than Professor Severus Snape." Harry's mouth fell wide open, and he could have sworn he heard Ron mutter a word that he had never heard from any Gryffindor.

"Now that that's been decided, will everyone who is attending the trip, please meet Professor McGonagall up here after breakfast? Thank you. And have a good meal." He sat down.

Harry couldn't believe it. Just as he thought that, he might be getting away from Snape.

"What the bloody hell is he going for?" Ron muttered. However, his question went unanswered. Bored, he began to eat.

After they ate, Ron, Hermione, and Harry joined Malfoy up at the Headmasters table.

Malfoy looked over at Harry and gave him a trademark smirk.

"Ah. There you are." McGonagall said, looking up at them all. "I just wanted to inform you that you will be leaving on a train to the airport this evening. You are all excused from your classes, of course. Now, pack and be here at 6:00 to depart. In addition, don't be late. Merlin knows I hear enough from Severus now." She said and excused them.

Chapter One written by: Spirit

Okay, this is listed under Ron/Hermione cause really they are the only HP character pairing in the story, much to my (Amaya) displeasure. There won't be a lot of Ron/Hermione action just to warn you so don't blame us later.