Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter!

Hermione shrieked again and whipped round to face the fire. Hagrid's huge face and beard with poking around the flames. She scrambled to her knees and sat beside the hot ashes. 'Hi Hagrid,' she breathed.

'What you doin' over there, Hermione? Dumbledore got a message tonight about you using underage magic. That true?'

'No but yes…' Hermione gruffed, 'it was to protect my cousin! Those stupid American morons were just inconsiderate! Blasted-'

'Oh, blast ended skrewts?' A familiar yet odd voice said cheerfully beyond Hagrid's mane. A midnight blue set of robes lowered themselves next to Hagrid and a white beard came into sight. Dumbledore's twinkling eyes laughed happily 3000 miles away.

'Professor Dumbledore!' Hermione gasped, utterly perplexed that her headmaster was talking to her face to face.

'Indeed,' he said, smiling warmly. 'Now I suspected you would meet some troublesome witches and wizards in that part of the States, Miss Granger, and I understood the situation the moment I received that owl.

'Oh?' Hermione said airily, heart thumping beneath her chest. She could hear her uncle prepare the hot chocolate close by.

'Yes.' Dumbledore continued, 'it happens quite a lot down there. I believe it's the humidity that sends them a little bit excited!' He grinned. Hermione managed a small smile.

'Am I in trouble, Professor?' She asked timidly.

'Of course not,' Dumbledore waved a hand dismissively. 'The AAMS managed to sort everything out. They have a different system of finding out culprits over there, I believe!' He said gently.

'The AAMS?' Hermione asked, curiously.

'The American Association of Misused Spell work,' Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. 'They apparated inside the park almost instantly and caught four young witches and wizards and tried out their wands to see what spell was used last.'

Hermione gasped excitedly.

'Miss Smith's and Miss Jackson's wands did not produce those fireworks,' he said.

Hermione's heart dropped in her chest.

'However, Mr McGregor's and Mr Valentino's produced all the magic that had happened this night.' Dumbledore said.

Hermione smiled triumphantly.

'They are currently being held for matters of using magic around muggles,' Dumbledore went on, 'so that means your little incantation of self defence that was recorded will not be put on your record, Miss Granger.'

'Oh, thank you! Thank you!' Hermione smiled happily.

Dumbledore chuckled and Hagrid's face lit up. 'So this means you can continue to enjoy your holiday, Miss Granger!'

'Yes, I have only two more days to go!' Hermione sighed happily. 'Then I can get back to work!'

'Surely you are not wasting your sunshine hours on imagining being back here in the frost?' Dumbledore smiled humorously.

Hermione blushed. 'This isn't my kind of-'

'Nonsense, Miss Granger. You enjoy the rest of that trip! Because I would most like to be in your sandals!' Dumbledore winked.

Hermione opened her mouth but couldn't think of what to say.

'Mr Potter and Mr Weasley are in bed, Miss Granger. It has gone three AM in the morning over here and I expect them to be tucked up and warm in the Gryffindor dormitory!' Dumbledore said cautiously.

'Of course, Sir!' Hermione nodded. 'Thanks ever so much for telling me the good news!'

Dumbledore nodded. 'Time for me to go, Miss Granger. See you bright and early Monday morning, ready to start your lessons! Hagrid, perhaps you could present me with one last cup of…'

'Hermione, here's your hot chocolate!' Uncle Robert announced as he stepped into the sitting area. He took in the strange sight in front of him and blinked uncertainly. He crouched down with the mug, blinking his eyes furiously as though he was imagining it.

'Ah!' Dumbledore smiled happily. 'Hot chocolate! Just what I could use!'

Uncle Robert looked shiftily at the mug in his hand and back at Dumbledore. 'Er…here you are?' He asked hesitantly, pushing the mug into the flames. At first, Hermione thought Dumbledore would say this was impossible but he merely took out his hand, pulled it through the flames and began drinking the chocolate. A warm sensation filled his features. 'I do like a nice warm muggle cup of chocolate!' He blushed slightly.

Hermione giggled uncontrollably and the faces of Hagrid and Dumbledore faded away, both waving at her before they disappeared.