Disclaimer: I don't even own Harry Potter, leave me alone!

It was early in the morning, the squirrels were chasing each other around the willow tree and Hermione sat in the kitchen, grinning from ear to ear at their playfulness, eating her bowl of cheerios.

The plan for the Grangers today was to go to Sea World. This actually sounded like fun to Hermione, so she did her best last night to enjoy the tedious tantrums of her cousin. She couldn't stop thinking about the students she met yesterday. Louise, Sara, Chad and Brian would be popping in any minute now…

Cassie emerged into the kitchen with the usual sulk. Hermione swallowed her cereal and gazed at her. 'What's wrong, Cassie?'

'I couldn't sleep. Stupid heat.' She flinched as she pulled down a cereal bowl from the shelf. 'The air conditioning wouldn't work!'

'Really? I slept like a baby!' Hermione mused, remembering the cool sensation of the air conditioning last night.

Cassie rolled her eyes and deposited her bowl on the table beside her. 'What are you so happy about, anyway?'

'My friends are coming over!' Hermione grinned.

'Friends?' Cassie snorted. 'You mean those freaks we met yesterday?'

'Why are they freaks?'

'Because they're…' Cassie stopped mid sentence and looked viciously up at Hermione. 'Nothing,' she mumbled.

BANG!

Cassie screamed and cheerios went flying everywhere. 'Earthquake!' She shrieked, hiding under the table. But Hermione looked puzzled…she knew that sound! She got up from the table and went over to the sliding doors leading out to the pool. She saw four hands waving cheekily at her. She waved back.

'They're here!' Hermione announced. She drew back the door and went down to greet them.

'Hey! What's up, Hermione?' Brian grinned.

'Great! You guys OK?' Hermione blushed.

'Yeah, totally!' Sara grinned brightly. 'Is that er…your cousin over there, wetting her pants?'

Hermione turned round and saw Cassie blush a violent shade of red that only Ron could defy and she scampered to her room as quick as lightening.

'I think you scared her!'

'That's muggle's for you,' Chad shrugged, to which both Sara and Louise hit him hard.

'We were thinking, since you can't do magic outside of school, we'd help you out a bit!' Sara said to Hermione.

Hermione gazed at them. Like what?'

'Well, like this!' And Chad pulled out his wand, waved it around and pointed it at Hermione's hair.

She felt every strand from root to tip straighten out as if commanding the wand. It felt much lighter, and free of the humidity. She touched it with her fingers; it was smooth and silky. 'Gosh, thanks!' Hermione smiled. 'That's so much better!'

'You look gorgeous, honey!' Louise clapped her hands happily.

That day, Hermione went to Sea World with her family and the American teens followed (apparating of course!). Hermione noticed as she spent more time with them, she felt less and less homesick. The boys were showing off most of the time with their wand craft and the girls were gossiping with Hermione about the wizarding world.

'…yeah, we so totally fancy Gildory Lockhart too!' Louise simpered, holding a grin. 'Whatever happened to him anyway, he stopped writing his books!'

'Oh yeah, lost his mind apparently,' Hermione said regretfully. Sara and Louise sulked but brightened when they saw an owl coming towards them. 'Aww, how cute!'

'It's pretty!'

'It must have escaped from somewhere in the park!'

Hermione watched it too, but it came slowly towards them out of the sky and before she knew it, it had landed on her outstretched arm.

'Woah! She's got a letter!' Sara gasped, looking excited.

Hermione blinked. 'What? How?' She asked the owl softly, stroking her feathers. It was a Barn owl and it looked like it travelled a long way. She ripped open the letter and examined it.

'Dear Hermione,

Hagrid let us communicate with his American friend who raises magical creatures, via floo powder. Me and Ron wrote this letter at Hogwarts and sent it through the fire to his mate. Hopefully he chose a speedy owl to get to you on time. On Wednesday the 26th of February, we want to talk to you by floo powder at midnight your time. OK? Ron's dad has hooked us up successfully with your villa, pulling a few strings. See you then!

Love Harry

Hermione reread the letter with excitement. 'I can't believe they've done this! Well, actually I can…'

'Ooh, this your boyfriend?' Louise giggled, looking at the letter. Brian's smile faded a little.

'No, he's my friend from Hogwarts! I wonder what he wants to talk to me about…'

Louise and Sara looked at each other and burst out laughing. 'Hermione's got a boyfriend!'

'It's not like that!' Hermione couldn't help but grin too.