**A/N: Thanks so much for all your reviews, it's so much more than we could have expected. We want to apologize for the choppiness of some of the dialog. We totally see it too, but sometimes it's so hard to fix, with this chapter being no exception. I guess that's why we're not professionals huh? :p Oh yeah we forgot all the fancy-schmancy disclaimers, but you guys should know that we don't own anything about this story. A little side note, anything in italics symbolizes a flashback or a letter, but if it becomes a pain to distinguish make sure to let us know and we'll be sure to change it. Anyways…on with the story…**
Hermione's quill scratched furiously against the parchment. She had taken way too long to write to Harry and now she was behind on her homework that she had put off until this morning before class. Normally she wouldn't get behind like that, but it turned out that the wizarding schools in America were so much easier, including Gullveig where she was now attending.
She had moved to the United States in the summer before her sixth year. Her parents and Dumbledore thought it would be best for her safety. Being muggleborn and one of Harry's best friends made her a huge target, and they didn't want to risk her death. She had fought their decision until she had lost her voice, literally!
She panicked. Her knees turned to mush as she fell limply against the overstuffed white chair. She couldn't find the words as she stared blankly between her parents and Dumbledore.
"I'm sorry Miss Granger, but your parents and I feel that this would be the best course of action now that you are a prime target for Lord Voldemort. It seems that being muggleborn and the best friend of Mr. Potter has its disadvantages." Hermione could have sworn there was almost a twinkle in his eyes.
"Hermione, sweetie, we just want you to be safe. We're not going to completely ban you from contact with Harry and Ron. We just want to make sure you're safe from that Vollymart." Hermione's father placed a protective hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"Voldemort Dad. Voldemort." Hermione muttered under her breath.
"At any rate, I think it'd be best to tell you that we're also going to be moving to the States. And before you get totally irate with us, we want you to know that you're not our only influence in this decision." Hermione's mother quickly added, "We've been offered a position at a key dental institution in Portland, Oregon. Your father has been making periodic trips over there to check things out. We have a beautiful house in a wonderful new neighborhood…" Hermione's once weak body now shot rigid with anger. It was one thing to take her out of her school, but quite another to take her away from her friends.
"YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY BE SERIOUS?! HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME?! WHAT HAVE I EVER DONE TO YOU? YOU TAKE ME OUT OF MY SCHOOL, AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO DRAG ME ACROSS THE WORLD? HOW…HOW…" Red hot tears began streaming down her face. Her body racked with sobs, each one worse than the preceding one.
Dumbledore and Hermione's parents just sat and stared in awe at what was normally a composed girl now falling to pieces in front of their very eyes. Hermione's mum rushed forward to comfort her daughter, but Hermione merely pushed her away. After five minutes her sobbing subsided. She wiped her bloodshot eyes free of what tears were left.
"Is..there…a…wizarding…school?" Hermione carefully forced her words out, each one dripping with more and more anger.
Dumbledore took the opportunity to answer this question, talking to her as if he hadn't witnessed her prior outburst. "Yes Miss Granger there is. I've already spoke to the head of Gullveig. Gullveig is the wizarding school there. It is a wonderful place and is renowned in the United States for the bright and highly capable wizards and witches it teaches. I've already spoken with them and they are most anxious to get to meet you. They've heard what an exceptionally bright witch you are."
Hermione looked up at the three who had crushed her world, her eyes filled with pain and anger. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go write to Harry and Ron to cherish what I've got left of their friendship."
She stood and made her way out of the room, ignoring the saddened looks she received on the way out.
That was truly the day that changed her life forever. It was so hard to face the boys once they learned what was going to happen. She was allowed to see them once before they left for Oregon. They had held a surprise going away party for her at the Burrow. Almost all of her classmates were there, but she was really only interested in seeing Harry, Ron, and Ginny. It was definitely hard saying goodbye to them, but she had no choice.
Hermione had managed to pull Ron off to an isolated part of the backyard in order to get to say her goodbyes to him. He smiled at her and she returned it only half heartedly.
"Come on 'Mione, this isn't going to be forever. We'll see each other again. Besides we're only an owl away. Maybe we'll be able to take a vacation to the states or vice-versa over the summer."
"I suppose so," she replied with half of a smile. "Now here's your to-do list. Make sure you keep Harry in good spirits. He's going to be taking it hard now that he's lost Sirius. Make sure he knows it's not his fault, like we know he's going to do. Try not to let him get into too much trouble. And, and with Ginny don't play too much of a big brother. She's going to be a heart breaker. The boys are going to be flocking all over her, but don't get to protective, she's a big girl and can handle herself. And you," she paused, trying to hold back the tears. She didn't want Ron to see her cry. "You do the best you can in quidditch, you'll be one of the best keepers Griffyndor has ever seen. Do try to study once and awhile, you guys do have your O.W.L.s this year. I expect only top marks from you guys. And you are a prefect Ron, do try and act like it." At this point her voice had started to crack.
Ron enveloped her in a brotherly hug, "I make no promises 'Mione, you know that. I have a reputation to uphold."
She backed off, giving him a playful slap chest. "Oh I'm going to miss you Ron, really."
Ron gave her one final hug. "I'm going to miss you too 'Mione. Who else am I going to argue relentlessly with?" With that, he ducked another smack. "Alright, alright who is next on your list?"
"Why don't you go get Ginny?" Hermione said with tears glistening in her eyes.
Almost as if she were waiting around the corner, the spunky girl with fiery red hair came bounding into Hermione's arms, both of them hugging each other like it would be their last time. "I can't believe that you are leaving! I am sure we can hide you in the burrow so you don't have to leave, no one will notice." Ginny joked trying to lift Hermione's spirits, and her own. She was losing her best girl friend.
"Well what would I do for schooling? I wouldn't be able to just sit around all day not doing anything." Hermione said truthfully but then looked at Ginny to realize that she was just kidding. Hermione gave a small smile and embraced Ginny. "Aww I'm going to really miss you. Now make sure you don't break too many hearts, and of course owl me with all the latest news on everyone, especially your brother and Harry."
"Don't worry; I'll keep them in line." Ginny said with a tear slipping down her cheek.
"Oh c'mon, don't start that. I don't want to start crying." It was too late; Hermione's tears had started flowing. She was going to miss everyone so much, how could she be leaving? This was her home; this is where her friends were.
Ginny and Hermione hugged one last time. "Can you go find Harry for me?" Hermione whispered for fear of her voice cracking and her composure to crumble even more. Harry was going to be the hardest to say goodbye to.
"Harry…" Hermione said softly as he approached her.
"Its okay 'Mione, it'll be okay." Harry was trying to soothe her. Deep down he knew it wouldn't be okay. He didn't know what he was going to do without her, but he did know he didn't like his best friend looking so sad.
"I just don't want to leave. What if everything changes? I mean of course this changes everything, I am moving to Portland, Oregon for Merlin's sake." Hermione just rambled on. This wasn't what she expected to say but she was having trouble saying so many goodbyes. She always found herself relaxing around him and she couldn't help but get out how she truly felt.
"Nothing will change 'Mione. We will owl each other as much as possible. I mean come on, you are like my family, nothing can possibly make that any different…even if you are moving to Portland." Harry said truthfully.
"Harry, you need to promise me one thing."
"Yeah, anything!" Harry was wondering where she was going with that.
"Take care of Ron and most importantly yourself. You need to stay strong throughout everything. You can get through this. I wouldn't be able to handle knowing something happened to you guys." Hermione had a worried look on her face.
"Don't worry about us 'Mione, just make sure you take care of yourself! Now you'll be able to get more studying done without having to worry about us." Harry took her into his arms, holding her like he wouldn't ever let go. "I'll always love you 'Mione, always," he whispered into her ear.
She shuddered at the feel of his warm breath tickling her earlobes, but at the sound of his words she officially broke down into tears. Harry took her both sides of her face in his hands, cradling it gently. "Shhh 'Mione it'll be okay. We'll be together again." He stood staring in to her tearstained brown eyes. This was the first time she had seen so much emotion in them. There was so much love and sadness bursting within them. For a second she was for sure they were going to kiss. It seemed like such a perfect moment. He slowly started to close the gap between them. She closed her eyes in anticipation, but it only resulted in the feeling of his warm lips pressed against her forehead. She opened her eyes trying to understand where the sense of disappointment was coming from. She didn't want Harry to kiss her did she?
With that she had left with her parents to get ready for the flight over to Oregon. Now here she was, almost two years later. She hadn't fit into school that well right at first. She detested everything about it. Once she realized that her parents weren't letting her go back anytime soon she begrudgingly decided to make the best of it. She was at the top of her class here and was actually way ahead of where they were when she first came. They did have some more interesting lessons. There was a bigger influence of muggles here too because of there being so much more integration here.
Luckily Hermione was able to make a new friend. It was pretty much her only friend. She was easily isolated from everyone else for not only her self assured intellect but her accent as well. It made her different. It was something she had been used to when she was younger.
Hermione had snapped out of her daze when a loud shout came through the doorway. "Hermione! What in the world is taking you so long? We've missed breakfast and we're going to be late to Professor Anderson's class. Get your butt in gear honestly!"
"I'm coming Alex!" Hermione hastily finished her last sentence on her essay on the effects of numerical sequences in creation of spells. After running a hand through her now calmed down curls, she scooped her books off her cluttered desk into her backpack and flew out of her dorm room to meet up with her friend.
"It's about time!" Alex was waiting for her impatiently at the entrance to their common room.
They both broke into a run down the empty corridor towards the stairs that would lead them to their classroom. Luckily their Advanced Arithmancy class was close to their room, so they wouldn't be as late as they could have been for any other class.
As they almost reached the door, Alex tripped up one of the stairs. "Honestly Alex, you must have two left feet or something," Hermione joked. Alex always managed to trip or break something, especially when tact was necessary. They ran through the door only to find the professor up in the front of the class going over their homework. He peered at them through his round wire rimmed glasses, his bald head shining from the sunlight pouring in through the windows.
"Hermione, Alex class starts at 9:00 and I promise you that you can do whatever your heart desires at 10:31." His comment received several groans and eye rolls from the class. 10:31 was one minute after his class was over. Professor Anderson was known for his literal sarcasm. It drove everyone crazy.
Hermione and Alex took their seats sharing an eye roll and proceeded to only partially pay attention throughout class. Hermione was too busy thinking about how her boys would be finishing up at Hogwarts today. Hermione's studious behavior was incredibly overbearing at Gullveig. She found that if she only used half of the energy she used at Hogwarts, she still excelled, even in her advanced classes.
"Hermione? Hermione!" Hermione didn't realize her name was being spoken until Alex had poked her abruptly in the side and motioned for her to turn her attention to the front.
"Oh, yes sir?" She moved her gaze up to Professor Anderson at the front of the classroom.
"So nice of you to join us. Your homework?"
"Oh, of course." Hermione passed her homework to the person in front of her, a bright red tint flushing her cheeks.
"Are you alright? You normally always pay attention in class." Alex whispered with a concerned look on her face.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking is all." Hermione said while looking at Alex who was giving her a knowing look. She had confided in Alex many times about missing her home and friends.
"Okay, how about after classes today we head out to the muggle part of Portland? Maybe we could just sit outside and pretend to be bums."
Alex's attempts at getting Hermione's mind off of everything obviously worked because she smiled and started giggling. The giggles caught Professor Anderson's attention, "Did you guys like my joke?"
"Huh?" Both Alex and Hermione looked confused.
"Oh never mind," Professor Anderson went back to helping out around the classroom.
"He sure is a crazy old man! The least he could do is buff that head of his. That glare is giving me a headache!" Alex said with a huge grin.
"Honestly Alex, don't make so much fun of the man. I swear you and Ron would get along too well."
At 10:31 Professor Anderson gave the class their last homework assignment and the go ahead to do whatever they pleased since it was the end of period. "Hey Alex, I still have an hour before Healing Techniques so I think I'm going to try and finish some of my Advanced Runes homework. I'll catch up with you later!"
"Alright, don't work too hard! You need to have energy for our little adventure as bums!" Alex said while walking away laughing.
Hermione started her way back to her room. She kept on thinking about how much she still missed the halls of Hogwarts. Gullveig wasn't nearly as beautiful or as interesting. The walls were plain; there weren't many portraits or anything. It looked very muggle. She figured her homesickness was probably because she didn't have the golden trio to be apart of here, but she just couldn't place her finger on it.
As she got into her room she saw a beautiful almond colored owl sitting at her open window! "Oh!" Hermione shrieked making the owl jump. "What do you have there for me?" The owl stretched its wings as Hermione untied the package that was attached to its leg.
"I wonder what this is." Hermione said aloud while examining the package. It was a little box wrapped in scarlet and gold paper. She knew that it was too nice of a wrap job to be from either Harry or Ron, so who could it be from?
Before she could open the box, the owl nipped at her finger and she quickly ran to her trunk taking out a couple of owl treats, feeding them to the impatient owl. "That's all I've got, so you'll have to make do until you find some other food." The owl seemed to understand and ate what she gave it greedily before spreading its wings and taking off through the open window.
She started to tear apart the paper and opened the box. On top was a letter so she laid it off to the side to reveal a silver lion pin. Hermione gasped at it. It was so beautiful. She set down the box to open the letter.
Dear Miss Granger,
Although you are no longer here, and haven't been for the past two years, I thought you should have this. Everyone here at Hogwarts is getting a house pin to remember the seven years that they shared here. I wanted to make sure that you know that you were never forgotten and will always be known as a Hogwarts student. You know that you can never truly forget your past because you never know when it might sneak up on you again.
I'm so glad that I had a chance to meet such a bright student and caring person as you Hermione, and I wish you the best of luck in your wizarding future.
Sincerely Yours,
Albus Dumbledore
P.S. I'm almost sure you would have gotten the Head Girl spot.
Hermione smiled as she read her old Headmaster's words. It was good to hear from him again and to know that they hadn't forgotten about her. How did he know that she had always wondered about that? Harry had written to tell her that he had gotten Head Boy and Hannah Abbott had gotten Head Girl.
She put the box away in her trunk and pulled all her books out and spread them across her desk to begin her homework. She knew she had better get a move on so it'd be done before her Healing Techniques class so she could spend the rest of the afternoon with Alex.
**A/N: We just want to mention that our real teacher Mr. Anderson was the inspiration for the Professor Anderson that made a cameo in this chapter. Sabi and I had him as our math teacher on more than one occasion and he really is truly more sarcastic than we portrayed him. :p **