Harry and Ron had a pretty simple first day. Meetings, greetings, ice breakers; but it wouldn't be anything like their second day. They awoke at five and got ready quickly. Once they reached the area in the ministry where the training would take place, they sat at a table with about twenty other men and women. After only a short wait, a tall woman in all black entered the room and started to speak immediately.

"Hello, my name is Ainslee Tomms and I am the head of the Auror training facilities. It is my job to train you to become the greatest protectors of our magical world. Over the next thirty six weeks you will be pushed beyond your breaking point. You, see ladies and gentlemen, this is no joke. Because of recent happenings we are becoming more and more strict but I promise you, by the time you have finished you will be forever proud of the work you accomplished. Now, enough chit chat. Today you will not be jumping right into battle. We begin with stealth, strength, and mind power. Today you will face a series of difficult obstacle courses. You will be taken to your assigned rooms and begin your day. Good luck to all of you."

With that, Harry and Ron were split off into their rooms and the adventure began.

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On the first day of classes, Hermione was glad to see that she had every class with Ginny and Seamus; and over half with Neville and Dean. Being back in a classroom was strange but amazing all at the same time. It was her comfort zone that she had missed for a long time now. The day passed fairly quickly and then it was dinner. During dessert, two owls swooped in and dropped letters in front of both Hermione and Ginny. They exchanged surprised glances. They knew who they were from. After the meal they both raced up to the common room, plopped on the couch, and began to read. Ginny finished first and then she said,

"Want to read them aloud to each other? Just to see how each of them is doing?"

Hermione barely looked up and said, "Oh…oh yeah. Sure."

"Okay, I'll go first."

Ginny,

How are you doing? Gosh, it already seems like it's been forever. How was your first day? Ours was brutal believe it or not. Ron says he misses you and that he hopes you kick arse this quidditch season. Boy do I wish I could see. I know you'll bring home the cup. I'm sorry to say that I probably won't get to write you as much as originally thought. We're a lot busier than I expected. I promise you I'll try though. I guess that's all for now. I love you Ginny.

Yours,

Harry Xx

"Your turn.." Ginny motioned to Hermione.

"Okay, here it goes."

Hermione,

I bet you're surprised at my writing so soon…haha. Well, I promised I would and I already miss you. I hope classes went well today. I'm sure you were glad to get back. I can't wait to watch you and Ginny graduate…I'll be so proud. Training is going okay even though it's tough. But knowing that I get to see you at Christmas makes it all worth it! Well, I best being going, Harry's trying to burn the kitchen down making dinner. I'll see you soon.

All my love,

Ron

P.S. "To the moon and back" xo

Hermione looked up at Ginny whose eyes were wide. "Wh…what?"

"Blimey, Hermione."

"What!?"

"It's just that I've never seen Ron that way, let alone ever write that way. Hermione…he really loves you. I mean really. It's just great to see him finally express it." Both girls smiled.

"Then I guess we've both found some pretty great guys, haven't we Gin?"

"We sure have."

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Days passed and the first weekend of the term finally arrived. Hermione awoke early on Saturday morning to finish a potions essay for Slughorn. She was quite surprised when she saw Seamus sitting on the common room couch.

"Oh! Seamus. I'm sorry…I didn't see you there."

He turned to see her. "Hermione…I didn't mean to frighten you. I was just up early finishing some classwork."

"Mind if I join you?" She asked, moving toward the couch.

"Sure. Be my guest."

They sat in unusual silence for the longest of times before Seamus finally said something. "Hermione, you're the smartest person I know. Would you answer me something?"

"I sure will try!" She said as she turned her full attention to him.

"Alright, well actually I just wanted to get your thoughts on something. When it comes to society's view of something being 'normal', what do you think about people who may…want to do things differently? Maybe not so normal."

"I'm afraid I don't quite follow, Seamus."

"Uh…well here's an example. We like to do our homework early on the weekends while most everyone else our age is still asleep. Which may strike most people as a little odd, right?"

"I suppose you're right."

"Right. So my question is, just because we do something out of the ordinary, according to most of society, does that make it okay for everyone else to treat us differently because of that?"

"Oh! I think I see what you're saying…and no. Absolutely not. I don't think it's right to treat people differently; in any instance. If someone did something or thought something I didn't do I wouldn't shun them or something crazy like that. I'd accept them for who they were."

Seamus smiled weakly. "Really?"

Hermione began to look concerned. "Of course! Seamus, are you sure they isn't anything more you need to talk about? I'm all ears, really."

He jumped up quickly and gathered his things. "I'm sure. Thanks a million Hermione!" He got up and ran back to the dormitory.
Hermione was a bit confused by the conversation, but shrugged it off and continued with her homework.

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Thank you all so much for the favorites, follows, and reviews! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Next chapter will be up this weekend. What do you think will happen next with our characters?