Title: Hogwarts High
Author: Michelle Kay
Disclaimer: Of course these are JKRs wonderful characters. I have no money if you'd sue me anyway.
Summary: The students of Hogwarts have been informed that their school is no longer safe. How will they fare when they're transferred to scattered high schools across Europe temporarily and will the trio be split up?
A/N: I'm glad everyone is still responding to this story and thanks for all of your wonderful reviews! *is excited* I'm loving that I'm getting this story going. I'm pretty sure where this is going. I know I haven't really talked about the pure-bloods and how they are adjusting but I'm getting there. The story is in a little bit of an awkward stage - but it'll pass soon.
<3 MK
Chapter 5:
Hermione stared out the window of the thestral-drawn carriage. She couldn't help but take this as an omen of bad luck to come. Maybe she was just being pessimistic. She wasn't quite sure why she had done what it is she'd done back there in the Great Hall. Something about the `if there's something you want to say or do - now would be a good time to do it' thing Dumbledore had been talking about had really gotten to her.
`Maybe all of this won't be so bad.' Hermione thought optimistically to herself. Surely there had to be someone there that she got along with. On that note - Hermione heard someone beside her. She turned to see the bright, smiling face of the one and only, Luna Lovegood. Hermione internally leapt for joy at the sight of her.
Her and Luna had always gotten along fairly well. Although, they didn't know each other well Hermione could just tell that they would be an easy click. It was odd, if you think about it. The most structured person in the world getting along with the most disoriented person in there. To be fair, they were both very smart - and Luna was probably smarter than most gave her credit for.
"Hello, Hermione!" Luna said brightly, waving frantically.
"Hello, Luna." Hermione smiled and returned the greeting.
"Is it okay if I sit here?" Luna asked politely. Hermione nodded - but turned her attention to the smudgy windows of the carriage. She couldn't help but feel a sense of daunting - even with all her optimism.
"So, when did you figure it out?" Luna asked, looking unnaturally interested in the subject. Hermione gave her a confused look - obviously having no idea what Luna was blathering on about. "I mean, Hermione, when did you figure out that you were in love with Harry?" She asked again, as if this was nothing out of the ordinary.
Hermione couldn't retort - looking at Luna's all-knowing face there was no denying it, and also no point in lying about it. "Just now, actually." Hermione said with a sigh. Leaning her forehead against the cold glass she spoke again. "It's a shame, really…"
"What are you talking about?" Luna asked.
"Well, it's just… Cho and Ginny… Nevermind - I don't really want to talk about it." Hermione said wearily. She laid her head down, and drifted into sleep. Luna had never been one to pry into another's personal affairs, so quietly - she did the same.
A couple of hours later (or what would be assumed as a couple of hours later) Hermione was awoken to a not-so-appealing alarm clock. It was none other than the whine of Draco Malfoy. "Rise and shine, bookworm." He said sarcastically. "Come on, we don't have all day." He taped his foot impatiently - causing Hermione to become even more agitated.
Standing up, she stretched a little and followed him out of the carriage and out onto patio about a quarter of a mile away from the school. Waiting there was a school bus with their entire luggage already loaded on. The bus driver tipped his hat and Hermione was surprised to see that it was Stan Shunpike. Hermione smiled at him and took a seat next to Luna.
"Did you have a nice nap?" Luna asked, staring absently out the window.
Hermione sighed - "Yeah, it was good until the end." She turned to see that everyone had been loaded onto the bus and McGonagall was talking to Stan. The bus started and drove them up to the school.
Hermione stared out the window next to Luna. It was no Hogwarts, of course, but it's the closest any non-magical community would ever get. There were towers, just like Hogwarts, and everything looked neat and clean. `Very nice and very boarding school' Hermione thought to herself. And indeed, it was a boarding school.
The group piled themselves out of the bus, sorting out their luggage. Hermione grabbed Crookshanks carrying case and was amazed to see everyone's trunks flying up in the air and into the windows (which Hermione assumed were the dorms). They all looked to McGonagall, astonished that she had done that in the open.
"Don't worry, kids - anti-muggle shielding charms." She said, shrugging. The kids took hold of what remained of their belongings and shuffled inside. Draco and a couple other Slytherins were lagging at the back - unwilling to be surrounded by muggles. Hermione just laughed and walked alongside Luna as they entered the gigantic doors.
Hermione heard kids talking a couple doors down the hall - but McGonagall led them right past it and up a flight of stairs. They came to a landing and stopped. "Now, you'll be going upstairs to drop of your things and to change into your new school uniform. I expect all of you to be on your best behaviour. All magical privileges will be revoked if anyone should put even a toe out of line." The students groaned. "Now, none of that." She said, wagging a finger at them.
"Your uniforms are on your beds, I've altered them a bit. All of them will fit all of you. Don't worry about them. All of you need to be back down here in five minutes." She showed the boys where to go and then directed the girls to their dorms. Afterwards she made her way back to where all the students seemed to be and waited for the kids to finish.
Hermione and the rest of the girls opened the dusty door to the girl's dorms. Hermione thought that they must no longer be in use by the current students of the school. The beds were made, ready for their arrival and a uniform lay atop each of their pillows. Hermione and Luna drug their trunks over by the window. Luna took the one next to the window and Hermione took the one next to it.
Noticing the other girls that had come along Hermione was relieved to see that Parvati and Lavender had also come along. Hermione recognized Susan as well, but they never talked much. Hermione and Luna waved to them.
The room wasn't unsanitary - it was just kind of worn down. Paint on the walls was chipping and the hardwood flooring underneath them was scuffed. The beds were, to a point, hard and uncomfortable - like hospital beds. Hermione was sure that was the reason these beds were no longer in use.
The covers on the beds were a dark red, as were the thick drapes that hung over the windows. There were about fifty bed across the room; about twenty-five on each side. They were simply cots and didn't take up much room.
Hermione turned to her pillow and grabbed her, also, dark red uniform. The girls around her were changing and she decided to follow suit. Slipping off her jeans and jumper she pulled the black and red plaid skirt on and put the black blouse on as well. Pulling the dark red jacket on and noticed the gold lion emblem on the bottom front pocket. She had to laugh at the irony. Pulling on her black shoes, essentially completing the outfit she realized how truly horrendous they were.
Once all the girls had finished changing they headed back downstairs. Hermione saw that the boys waiting for them, dressed in their knee-length shorts and shiny black shoes. She couldn't help but notice Draco who had somehow, torn off the pocket of his jacket. That helped her mood immensely.
Professor McGonagall stepped out of the cafeteria and motioned for her own students to follow her back into the room. Hermione had almost hoped for a real high school. The kind you read about in books and things like that. She sighed to herself and followed the group to the front of the cafeteria.
"Good afternoon, students." Said an older, grey-haired lady loudly. She looked strict - but not harsh. However, Hermione was sure that she was not very well liked.
"Now, as you can see we've gained about 100 new students. These students have transferred, temporarily, from their own high school which, tragically, burned down a week ago. I expect you to treat them with the respect they deserve. If any of you give them a hard time - you'll be answering to me." She said looking pointedly to a group of greasy-haired pale kids who had indefinitely ruined their school uniforms.
McGonagall announced herself. "My students, I'll be staying here as help for you - and to help you continue with some of your school's old curricular. You'll find out who your lesson partner is later tonight and lessons will start tomorrow after your classes." She stepped aside, and excused herself from the room.
The same women who had been speaking before stepped back up. "Now, students" She said, talking to the Hogwarts kids. ".you can either go outside with your new classmates and get to know them - or you can retreat back to your dormitories for the night." She finished - dismissing the students and leaving the Hogwarts students to decide what they wanted to do.
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