Racing with the Enemy

Official disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or The Amazing Race.

A/N: The Amazing Race is used merely as a plot; any of the rules from the program are subjected to change by the authoress (me).

"I understand many of you are wondering how the contestants will be chosen. Impatiently." Dumbledore smiled at this.

"So without further ado, I shall allow Professor McGonagall to explain it to you."

McGonagall stood up from behind the Headmaster, and began to explain.

Chapter Two – The Choosing

"The choosing of the race will be conducted by describing yourself. Each Seventh Year student will receive a sheet of parchment and quill, and write in no more than 25 words why they should or should not participate in the race. After every single Seventh Year student has completed this task, the other Professors and I shall look of the sheets, and split them into those who wish to participate, and those who do not want to." At this, conversation broke out among the crowd.

Professor McGonagall waited until they quietened down again. "Following that, it will be up to the rest of the student body. I shall write their names and reasons on to another piece of parchment, and on these you shall all vote. Every single student in this hall is to vote on 18 students whom they think are the best applicants for the race."

McGonagall paused, before continuing. "Before I give out the parchments, I want to tell you all a bit more about the race. To most of you, it holds no meaning to you, either because you are not interested, or because you feel you would rather stay behind and laze around for the rest of the year. But I must let you know that the race is not merely a competition that muggles have decided to invent. It is in actual fact, a great opportunity for all of you to work together as a team, and try to outwit each other. Negatively, it can teach you to backstab, and lie against each other." At this, the Professor glanced disapprovingly across the Hall.

"However, it can also break the House rivalry, and train you all to be more trusting and faithful. Please consider these points before you make up your mind."

At this, parchments were handed out to all the Seventh Year students.

"I will now give you 20 minutes to write your decision."

At once, the Hall was filled with the scratching of quills on parchments.

Once the 20 minutes were up, every single parchment was summoned to the podium. The Professors grouped together to look over the answers. Chatter broke out among the students, as they compared answers with each other.

Hermione, Ron, and Harry were joined by Ginny, who was eager to know what they wrote.

"Ron, what did you write?" asked Hermione.

Ron grinned. "What do you think? Of course I agreed to go on the race. I said that I was ready to go on the race, and backstab my way to win."

Hermione was shocked. "Ronald Weasley, you did not!"

Ron's grin widened. "'Course I didn't, Hermione, do you really think I would do such a stupid thing?"

Hermione chose not to answer.

"What did you put, Hermione?" Harry asked.

Hermione blushed. "Erm…let me put it this way. I hope the professors still accept me since I got a tiny bit carried away."

Ron and Harry shook their heads and laughed at their friend; Hermione was still the same girl they had met back in First Year.

"I guess the three of you decided to go for the race," Ginny said, a bit reproachfully.

The three friends looked at Ginny sheepishly.

Ginny sighed. "I overheard Malfoy saying that he was going as well."

Hermione, Ron and Harry shared glances with each other. What Ginny did not know would not hurt her, right?

Hermione felt guilty though. Ginny had been nothing but supportive since she admitted Victor Krum had broken up with she.

"Ginny, there's something we have to tell you." Harry and Ron gave her a surprised look. She gave them a look and went on. "Although Malfoy is still an evil git, he contributed a lot to the triumph of Voldemort."

Ginny snorted disbelievingly and gave her an incredulous look.

"It's true Ginny." Hermione said. "Come on guys, help me out."

"As much as I hate to admit it, what Hermione said is the truth," Harry added quietly.

"Then why didn't you tell me this before?" Ginny asked, hurt.

Hermione threw Ron a helpless look. He sighed and said, "Dumbledore told us not to tell anyone, in case it placed the prat in danger."

"But if you ask me, it would serve him right," Ron muttered under his breath.

Hermione pretended not to hear. She looked up towards the podium, and saw the Professors walking back to their seats. She shushed all those around her, and sat up straight in her chair.

Dumbledore walked up to the edge of the stage.

"The Professors and I have sorted the answers into piles. Some of them have quite interesting reasons, and one had a very thorough answer." At this, he looked directly at Hermione, blue eyes twinkling merrily. Hermione blushed.

"You know who you are, so there is no need to read out the names. A parchment is now going to be handed out, with the names of those who wish to compete on it. Everyone is allowed to vote, but you may not vote for yourself. Please place your names at the top of the parchment. I shall allow you 15 minutes to complete it. No talking please."

Parchments were given out, and each student began to read it.

Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry Academy – The Amazing Race Voting

Please the read the following carefully, and vote on the most appropriate 18.

Hannah Abbott – "I feel that the race will be a great experience for me."

Susan Bones – "I have always wanted to travel the world, and now I have the opportunity to do so in an enjoyable way."

Terry Boot – "This will be a chance for me to prove myself."

Lavender Brown – "Everyone always says I like to gossip. I wish to use this race as a way to prove I'm not just some dumb girl who loves on gossip."

Millicent Bulstrode – "Vote for me, or you'll wish you never lived."

Justin Finch-Fletchley – "I want to prove to everyone that I'm not a wimp."

Seamus Finnigan – "My mam had always been over-protective of me. I want to show her I can take care of myself fine."

Hermione Granger – "I think this race is a great opportunity to bring the four Houses together. I have a feeling that the pairs will be mixed, and I think that I will be able to help to promote House friendship."

Neville Longbottom – "I've always been looked down on, since I'm so accident prone. I want to prove to everyone that I'm capable in participating in the race."

Ernie Macmillan – "It would be excellent to be able to participate; I'm positive it will be a fantastic experience."

Draco Malfoy – "Surprised huh? So am I. I want to see other places though, and I always get what I want."

Eloise Midgen – "People have always judged me by the way I look. I want to show that looks aren't everything."

Pansy Parkinson – "The day you don't vote for me, is the day you die."

Padma Patil – "It would be lovely to see other places besides England."

Parvati Patil – "I'd like to make my own decision for once."

Harry Potter – "I have never had the opportunity to travel to other countries before. This would be my first time leaving England."

Zacharias Smith – "I want to prove that I can work with other people."

Dean Thomas – "I would love to travel to places. The race is a bonus."

Ron Weasley – "I've never done this before, and would really like to try. Oh, by the way, anyone heard of Harry Potter? I'm his best mate."

Blaise Zabini – "I'm Draco's best mate. Enough said."

Please choose the 18 you think are the best choices to take part in the race.

A/N2: Wow, that's the longest chapter I've ever written! Please review; it does encourage me to write more. The worst thing is seeing so many hits, but only a few reviewing.