Author's Note: Every time the discussion turns to allowing Americans into the books and movies our British cousins complain that we are arrogant, pushy, demanding and domineering. Ah never knew the British were such good judges of character.

Note the second: This story takes place in Harry's forth year on a time line that did not include Tex and Ginger Shultz (The Missing Files).

Prolog:

Professor Snape stood before the great desk in the headmaster's office. To say he was angry is to reveal the inadequacy of the language. "Professor Dumbledore, I cannot tell you how opposed I am to this, this complete disregard for tradition. I'm sure that if we went down to the crypt right now we would find the founders spinning in their nieces.

Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, steepled his fingers as he waited for his college and nominal friend to run down. “Severous, old friend, we have been over this a hundred times. The founders were laid to rest over a thousand years ago and the last holding of the tournament was one hundred years ago. Times have changed. America did not even exist then. Now muggles travel between there and Briton with less difficulty than it took wizards then.”

“I still say it’s wrong. The tournament is the concern of European wizards. We ought not be bringing upstart nations into it.”

The old man shook his head wearily. “I can’t agree. Magic in The States has advanced tremendously of late and shows no sign of slowing. If we do not work with them they will simply go on their own way and some day out strip us. Knowing their penchant for using their own diversity to advantage, I’m sure they will form alliances with other peoples we felt too foreign to work with. But it is all beside the point. Not only have the invitations been sent, but replies have been received and the delegation from Arrakis High will arrive today, right along with Durmstrang and Beau Batons.

Severous Snape, potions master supreme and redeemed Death Eater stomped out muttering to himself.

Successive Chapters:

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18

1st post! hehe ooooo this one is really interesting..........hmmmmm snape's a REDEEMED death eater, is he now......thats definately not a good sign.............and I like how you are putting in some of us for a change.......it makes me feel INCLUDED in this world.......which is a good thing............keep writing! I will be waiting for more!

ALERT! ALERT! Ah forgot to mention mah co-conspiratorAngelique69. In fact she proofs all mah fic and gives me tons of good ideas. XOXOXO

Thanks lil' lady. That makes me feel mighty fine. And about the "rerdeemed death eater" ref., Ah ment Dumbledor took him back after he left Vold's service, not that the death eaters took him back.

Ch. 1

The students and faculty of Hogwarts were gathered in front of the castle. The Durmstrang ship had bobbed up in the lake and the Beau Batons carriage had landed, having the horses taken away. People began to mutter wondering how long it would be before the Americans arrived. Dumbledore squinted into a space not far from the carriage. "I believe they are already here."

Appearing instantly as if casting off a giant invisibility cloak was a jet plane larger than anyone present had ever see. Hermione thought to herself, It must be a seven ninety seven. Also appearing just as quickly was a hideous whine as the engines slowed to a stop.

Just as surprising as the plane's sudden appearance was it's appearance. Except for a broad band of red, white and blue that ran along it's middle from tail to nose to tail again it was clear to being transparent. In the cockpit could clearly be seen a blond woman in the pilots seat and an oriental man next to her, both wearing sliver lamé jumpsuits and waving. Several others in similar dress were farther back in the passenger space and the cargo hold looked like it was made up into apartments.

A hatch opened up into a ramp and they marched out to music nearly as loud as the now silent engines.*

We’re the American Bannnnnnnnd!
We’re the American Bannnnnnnnd!
We’re coming to your town.
We’re gonna Take You DOWN!
We’re the American Bannnnnnnnd!

They strutted up to the already present students as if they were the lords of creations. They stopped, four in front of Durmstrang, four in front of Beau Batons and the other eight in front of Hogwarts with sneering smiles as if it were an imposition for them to come so far to compete against such puny adversaries. The pilot was standing square in front of Hermione, looking down on her with amused contempt as if thinking how much fun it would be to grind this insignificant insect under the high heel of her silver boot.

Finally a tall, stately, middle-aged Red Indian gentleman in silver exited the plane and walked with quiet dignity up to Dumbledore. "Headmaster, I am Lone Wolf, Principal of Arrakis High School. On behalf of all the students and faculty, both here and back home, I thank you for the invitation."

The blond was now raising and lowering one side of her lip showing her left upper canine, the tooth used to tear meat. It made Hermione think of a half starved wolverine gazing upon a pound of minute steak. The woman stood nearly six feet and had a figure few adults could aspire to. She CAN'T be a student. She must be at least twenty-six.

Dumbledore was introducing the new arrival to his peers from the other schools. After the host suggested that every body have a tidy and come in for dinner Lone Wolf asked, "We had planned to stay in the plane but some of my students want to bunk with yours, if that's not an imposition.

"No trouble at all, Principal Lone Wolf. My students would be delighted to share their dorms with yours." Hermione paled at the thought that her childhood hero could prevaricate so easily.

The blond finally spoke. "What's YOUR house, baby-cakes?"

"Um, err, Gryffindor, Miss.

The visitor threw her head back and laughed. "HAR! You don't have to call me 'Miss' doll. I'm only seventeen." Turning towards the school heads she shouted, "HEY! CHIEF!" When Lone Wolf looked to her she announced, "House Atreides bunks with Gryffindor." He nodded and gestured for his students to follow him back to the plane.

As the Hogwarstiens returned to the castle Ron snarled, “Way to go, Hermione. You couldn’t have lied and told that mother-of-dogs you were in Slytherin.” He was still doubled over when he’d reached the lady in pink portal.

pams! its good so far!

To hear is to obey.

Ch. 2

After Hogwarts was seated Durmstrang came in, sitting at the Slytherin table and Beau Batons at Ravenclaw, both to the disappointment of Ron. Then Arrakis strode in proud and sassy. They immediately broke into four groups of four, each of which headed for a different table. The pilot and a boy who looked to be of Hispanic dissent approached Hermione's side of Gryffindor; the co-pilot and an Irish looking girl the other side.

The pilot thumped Ron the head and said, "Haul it, Red."

"Huh? Haul what?"

She looked just as unpleasant as Snape when given an incorrect answer. "Your BUTT! Haul it Out Of Here! I want to sit there."

"Hey, you can't... OUCH!" She had grabbed him by the collar and thrown him to the floor, then taken his seat.

To Hermione she said, "You haven't trained them very well, have you?" with undisguised contempt.

The boy who had been next to Ron saw the Hispanic standing behind him and moved without further discussion. "Uh, trained them?" Hermoine asked.

"The boys!" she said most impatiently. "The boys at Arrakis would NEVER keep a seat, or anything else for that matter, that a girl had said she wanted, and especially not a girl of higher rank." She gestured with he eyes towards the co-pilot in a "watch this" manner. "Jim, bring me your roll."

The breadbasket was right in front of her, but instead of arguing the boy picked the baked good from his plate and carried it around the table to the blond. She thanked him and he returned. She gave Hermione a "you see" look. "Oh," she said offering her hand, "I'm Train."

"Err, Train? I'm Hermione." She took the offered hand.

"Yea, that's what they've called me since I was six, 'cause getting in my way is like trying to stop a train." Giggle, giggle.

Lone Wolf had been across the hall but had heard the commotion. "Ms. Nuawleens, I thought I told all of you, 'No Unnecessary Rough Stuff'."

"Unnecessary? But Chief! He wouldn't MOVE! And I'd hardly call it rough stuff. I didn't break a single bone. You know the boys back home would expect at least a fractured arm for such conduct." The Principal rolled his eyes heavenward, possibly calling on the spirits of his ancestors to give him strength.

The Irish girl said, "Hi Hermione, I'm Maggie." She looked over to the Hispanic boy's plate. "Manuel, I want your lamb chop." He began to lift it across the table on his fork when she said, "Bring it to me." Holding a linen napkin embroidered with the Hogwarts crest under it to catch any arrant drips he brought it around to her.

"Oh, before you get a swelled head, I didn't bring my house into yours just so I'd be with you. We've all read Hogwarts, A History and Gryffindor comes closest to House Atraidies in philosophy and personality. She nodded over to the Slytherin table. "Notice how House Harkonnen chums up to your snake pals. I can honestly say I'd never turn my back on either one of them, they'd probably put a knife in it." Hermione was beginning to believe that the Americans really were just like the British, deep down. If only they weren't so pushy.

*******

After dinner the Durmstrangs and Beau Batons went back to their conveyances. The Arrakins lined up behind their foster house heads (ahead of their host students of course) and marched off to the dorms.

In the Gryffindore common room Professor McGonagall gave Train and her cohort the usual first year speech. For the first time since her arrival Train stood in respectful silence. "Do you all understand?"

The other three nodded. Train answered, "Oh, yes. It's pretty much the same deal we have back home. So, if the house is our family, then you must be our mother, right?"

"Well, uh, yes I suppose I am."

"Well, then. Night, night mama Nervy." she said, all four of them kissing the old woman before they bounded up the stairs.

*******
Most of the Gryffindors had gone on up to their rooms while the speech was going on. Lavender was smirking sympathetically at Hermione. "Can you BELIEVE them? Especially that TRAIN creature; how can ANYBODY be THAT pushy?"

"I have to admit I’m relieved to be away from her for the night. I’m just glad their are no empty beds here in fourth year."

Just then the door slammed open. In strode Train. "Okay, baby-cakes. Which is your bed?"

Again Hermione was caught unprepared; there was no convenient lie. “Uh, the one near the window.”

Train winked one eye and made clicking noise like encouraging a horse. From a pocket of her jump suit she took a rectangle the size of a box of kitchen matches and tossed it in to the air. As it fell she spun on one foot and kicked the thing back into the air with the heal of her free foot. As it plummeted to the floor next to Hermione's bed she whipped out her wand, pointed it and shouted, "Restorium!" What landed was a king size air bed with two night stands holding lamps and a mini fridge. The bookcase headboard was filled with trashy romance and pulp sci-fi.

As she walked to the bed she put her hands to the front of her uniform. There was the familiar ripping sound of Velcro opening. “What’s the laundry service like here?”

Hermione took the opportunity to get on her soap box, “The house elves do wonderful work. It’s a shame their treated so shabbily.”

“Groovy.” she responded (apparently not hearing the last part) tossing the jump suit over her shoulder. It landed, whether by accident or design, squarely on Hermione’s head. She was now in a silver lamé two piece that would have done duty as a bikini, at least in California. It joined the jump suit as she tumbled into her bed. “Don’t let me miss breakfast, okay guys?” Before there was time to answer the room was filled with rasping snores.

******

Late at night Hermione heeded the call of nature. Being half asleep she simply steped out of her bed on the side closest to the door. As she felt the surface under her foot give way she remembered. TRAIN! OH NO!

From directly below her, between her feet in fact, a light came on and there was a gleeful cry, “I’ve seen England, I’ve seen France...” The next thing she knew her knickers were being dragged off of her accompanied by near-hysterical laughter. Between the instability of the surface and the surprise of the situation she fell right on top of her guest, causing more laughter and a wild struggle. The lights came on and every fourth year Gryffindor girl was up trying to see what was going on, adding to the noise.

Professor McGonagall arrived in a furry. “What is the MEANING of this? Miss Granger, I am SUPRISED that a responsible young lady like you would be carrying on like this at such an hour.”

Unexpected by everybody Train, with head cast down, said, “It’s my fault Mama Nervy.”

“DON’T call me Mama Nervy! You will call me Professor McGonagall!”

“Yes, Mama Ne... I mean Professor McGonagall. It was just an innocent panty raid.”

“Panty Raid? As I understand the term, it is something boys do to disrupt the girls’ dorm, not something girls do to each other.”

Train chuckled. “Galloping Gallimimus. No boy at Arrakis would try anything like that. So we have to handle both ends of the process our selves."

Interesting. keep writing!

Thanks for the incouragement, ariatna.

Ch. 3

The first morning after their arrival the Arrakis contingent was waiting in the entry hall when Hermione got down. “Over here, honey!” Train shouted. The English girl quickly found herself in a bone-cracking embrace as the older girl rubbed her nose vigorously against the younger girl’s cheek. She explained this behavior. “You’re my good luck charm. I couldn’t very well fill out my form without you.” She then drug the local over to the small table holding parchment and quills and wrote.

“Uh, why are they just standing around? Aren’t they going to put their names in The Goblet?”

“Sure, honey. But they’re waiting for me. None of them would dare go before ME!”

Hermione read the flowing text. Incredulously she asked, “Desiteav?”

“Yea, honey. That’s my real name. Train’s just what they call me, you know, because it’s so dangerous to get in my way.” The was followed by an evil grin.

Hermione slapped her forehead and groaned “Then you’re The Train they call Desiteav Nuawleens.” The blonde’s roar of laughter rang thru the castle.

*******

The American took her hostage to the forth year section of Gryffindor table. Manuel and Jim were among the seven years and Maggie with the firsts. Ron and Harry carefully watched their guest while taking their seats, making sure she did not object to their locations. Like yesterday she was friendly and polite, but in the most condescending way.

Then a commotion started from the opposite side of the hall. The entire population of House Slytherin, boys and girls alike, marched in single file, starkers. The Durmstrangs sat there stunned like everybody else, but the four Harkonnens jumped to their feet and stood at attention saluting with I-told-you-so grins. At the faculty table Dumbledore was saying to Snape, “Professor, what is the meaning of this?” But Snape was as shocked as the rest.

The Slytherins' faces seemed to say that they were struggling internally between doing and not doing. They looked embarrassed by their appearance but their posture didn’t seem in a hurry to leave the hall. The Harkonnens were looking about as if to make sure everybody in the hall had seen and then one of them said loudly, “We release you!” The snakes ran out of the hall and, it is assumed, back to their dorms.

Dumbledore called the four Americans forward. As he expected, the display was the result of a gaes placed on the Slytherins by their guests. They pleaded the most innocent intentions. “It was just an election bet.” they said.

“Bet or no bet, that sort of thing is not tolerated here. The four of you will serve detention this evening.”

Train’s appreciative banter stopped abruptly. “HOLD EVERTHING!” she announced. Striding up to the head table the stars and stripes rippling on her shoulder, all eyes were on her. “Nobody gets punished around here unless it goes thru me. I, and I alone, will take the detention.”

Principal Lone Wolf pleaded, “Ms. Nuawleens, you are not responsible for the Harkonnens, you’re not even in formal command of the Atreides.”

She stood proud and said to the aged, red tinged visage, “I can beat them all up, so I have my rights. I demand the detention.”

Lone Wolf turned to Dumbledore and shrugged. The old wizard gave in. “Very well, Ms. Nuawleens, you will report to Professor Snape’s office for detention after dinner this evening.

“FOUR evenings.” she insisted.

“Four evenings.” the headmaster agreed, being in no further mood to argue.

*******

That evening the tension at dinner was so thick you could smell it, so thick you could feel it like walking thru molasses, err, treacle. Many of the Europeans barely touched the grand feast, but the Westerners made up for it. As Train reassured Hermione thru mouthfuls, "Life comes first."

Dumbledore's speech was full of platitudes and clichés of honor and glory. The hall was as silent as death when he made the incantation for The Goblet to deliver it’s verdict. As it churned and bubbled Train walked stately up the aisle. She reached the table just as the first bit of parchment was expelled. Dumbledore held it up to the light and announced, “Desiteav Nuawleens, Arrakis High.”

She faced the hall and made a grand bow from the waist. Durmstrang, Beau Batons and Hogwarts began a polite patter of applause, but it was utterly lost in the roar of the other Americans. Fifteen right fist challenged the rafters as fifteen voices chanted, “U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A.” as she turned and exited.

*******

When all the interested parties had gathered in the small room Harry had one more defender than he had counted on. In addition to Dumbledore and McGonagall, Train stood up for him, though in a most patronizing manner. “Oh, come on. Let him play. I think he’s kinda cute. Besides, it doesn‘t really matter. I‘ll beat you three, I‘ll beat him while I‘m at it.” Harry wasn’t sure but what he’d preferred Fleur’s “little boy” comment.

Oh I love this story! It's very well written. I can't wait for more!
-Tegan-

Ah’m seriously touched by your praise, Tegan.


Ch. 4

Out side of meals and sleep Hermione saw little of Train as the older girl was in different classes. All the Atreides were absent from the tower until well after midnight. As it turned out Manuel, Jim and Maggie had snuck down to the dungeon to see just what loathsome task Snape had planed for their elder sister. It turned out to be a simple clean up of the lecture and lab rooms but well more than one person could handle in four evenings. When she tried to order them back to their rooms they accused her (not without trepidation) of not being a team player. The four of them made so much racket it attracted the notice of the house elves who were sorely offended by guests of the castle doing work not fit for humans (according to the Elvin point of view) and when the yanks fell to arguing the best way remove cobwebs from the ceiling the little fellows hocus-pocused it all band-box fresh.

*******

The next night Professor McGonagall was called to the common room after dinner by a prefect who didn’t really know how to handle the situation of the new comers. There in the four great wing backs nearest the fireplace were the Atreides in silver lamé short sleeve tee shirts and boxer shorts. They were intently reading text books as they guzzled quantities of steaming hot latté.

The house mother gathered her composure. “Miss Nuawleens, what is the meaning of this, this attire?”

Train looked up as if explaining the most simple thing. “What, this? This is what we always wear in the common room back home.”

“Well it’s not what we wear here. All of you, you will go up stairs this instant and change back to you uniforms.”

All four bolted for the stairs proclaiming, "Thank GOD! I'm FREEZING!"

*******

As a consideration to the Americans a small platform or bandstand was set up in the Great Hall near the end with the faculty table. One day at lunch a few got up to play. Two of them opened guitar cases and drew out what Hermione thought were electric guitars. Oh, dear. Nobody told them electronics don't work in the castle. But when she got a clearer look she saw that instead of chrome plated pickups there were long, thick crystals set in the bodies under the strings. The strumming of tune up was heard thru out the hall. Magical amplification? How marvelous!

The boy with the four string was from the group bunking with Ravenclaw.
What was it they called themselves? The Bene Gesserit? He was quite handsome. He began playing a simple run.

Thum, thum, thum-thum-thum.
Thum, thum, thum-thum-thum.

The lead guitar started picking out a melody.

Ting-ting-ting, ting TING.

It seemed a rather dreamy piece, kind of romantic. Train stepped up to the platform and held her wand to her throat saying, "Sonorous." She started to sing. (Backup in parenthesis)*

I looked out this morning and the sun was gone.
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away.

It's more than a feeling,
When I hear those old songs they used to play.
(more than a feeling)
I get to dreaming, (more than a feeling)
Till I see Mary Ann walk away.

She made the sound so heart felt, as if she had lived through it herself.

So many people have come and gone
Their faces fade as the years go by
Yet I still recall as I wander on
As Clear as the sun in the summer sky

It's more than a feeling,
When I hear those old songs they used to play.
(more than a feeling)
I get to dreaming, (more than a feeling)
Till I see Mary Ann walk away.

When I am tired, and thinking cold,
I hide in my music, forget the day.

Her voice caught. She was actually sobbing.

I think of a girl I used to know.

She wailed the next line.

I closed my eyes and she slipped away.

Tears were pouring down her cheeks.

It's more than a feeling,
when I hear those old songs they used to play.
(more than a feeling)

The sobs broke the rhythm of the song.

I get to... dreaming, (more than a feeling)
Till I see... Mary Ann... walk away.

She ran from the Hall crying.

The musicians looked worried but didn't know what to do; they kept playing. Hermione ran after her. She found the American sitting on the steps to the second floor. "Train, what's wrong? Was it the song?"

(Sob, sob) "Ye, yes." barely above a whisper. "I... I..." She didn't seem able to go on. She held up her right hand. On the ring finger was a ring with strange and mystical symbols. On the bezel surrounding the stone was "ARRAKIS HIGH" and the following year.

"It's a beautiful ring, but what does it mean? And what does it have to do with your crying?"

“It’s an American custom. It commemorates the trials and struggles of high school. And, and... when you ask someone to g, go st, steady and they say yes they wear your ring on a chain around their neck.”

Hermione was catching on. “And you asked someone? Then why is the ring still...” She didn’t need to finish the question”

“So beautiful, so beautiful. Golden brown hair, hazel eyes...”

That sounded familiar to Hermione. “The base player.”

Train shook her head violently. “N, no. Not him. His sister Celeste.” Her voice got dreamy as her eyes wondered off. “She came just one year after me. I was smitten with her at first sight. I prayed all thru the sorting that The Wheel would put her in House Atreides. But she landed in the Bene Gesserit with her brother. But that was okay. I saw her often. I dated her occasionally. Just about everybody dated her. I wanted her to be all mine. But I didn’t have the nerve to ask her to go steady.”

“HAH, HAH! The mighty magnificent Train, lacking the nerve to do something. Well came the time I DID have the nerve, I finally thought I was SPECIAL enough. I was chosen for the tournament delegation. The Wheel was still picking the other fifteen when I walked over to her table with my heart in my hand. I told her I thought she was special, that she was the most beautiful, most wonderful girl I had ever seen. I asked her to be mine and mine alone.”

The stately young woman wailed. “SHE SAID SHE DIDN’T WANT TO WAIT A YEAR!!!” (Sob, sob) “The very thing that made me special enough to ask her made me unacceptable to her.” She threw her arms around Hermione and cried on her shoulder. “She’s so beautiful, baby-cakes; classic nose, porcelain skin...” Her blues eyes opened wide as if suddenly realizing something so obvious. Hermione realized it too. Every word Train used describing Celeste fit her as well.

Before Hermione knew what was happening Train's mouth was sealed to hers. The older girl’s arms were locked about her waist and neck. She struggled but could not even make her aware of her objections. After nearly a minute the great blonde’s eyes flew open in horror. “HERMIONE! FORGIVE MEEEEE!” she shouted to the fleeing back. Train, the magnificent, the wonderful, the unstoppable, sat on the stone steps crying.

*More Than a Feeling Boston

Wow! That was interesting, and really surprising, I love it and I Can't wait for more!
-Tegan-

Tegan you lovely, Ah've never had such a rush. Here's another.

Ch. 5

They didn't see each other the rest of the day. Train didn't come to the Great Hall for dinner. When Hermione went to the forth year dorm that night she shuddered at the sight of Train's bed so near hers, but the guest didn't come to bed before she drifted off to sleep. In the morning she woke up to find the American's bed didn't look slept in. Hermione was beginning to worry. The older girl had surprised and frightened her, but hadn't really meant any harm. I do hope she's all right. She's terribly pushy but I really like her. Oh DEAR, she couldn't have gone home, could she?

At breakfast Maggie, Manuel and Jim could tell her nothing. Train had not been in any of her afternoon classes. Hermione was really worried now. But as she was buttering her toast the normal hubbub of the hall slowly faded. Train was walking up the center aisle, her head bowed low, her eyes half closed, no makeup. Her face still looked a bit puffy as if she'd been crying a good deal.

At the faculty table she stood with her hands clinched in front speaking to Lone Wolf and Dumbledore. It was so soft even the other teachers couldn't here her. The two men conferred a moment and then nodded.

Train turned to face the students. Holding her wand to her throat she said, "May I have your attention please? Yesterday I acted without thinking and hurt someone very badly, someone I care for very much. I want you to know how terribly sorry I am and that I will do ANYTHING to make it up to you."

The hall was silent for a moment. Hermione dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a napkin and, with a squeak of her chair, got up and ran to Train. She threw he arms around the taller girl's waist and sniffed. "You don't have to do anything, Train. I forgive you. You're one of my best friends in the whole world."

Even the Slytherins were having trouble keeping a dry eye as the two embraced, then walked arm in arm to their usual spots at the table.

I love it, its so sweet. I don't mean to rush you or anything, I know it can be hard sometimes keeping up an ff,you don't always have to post right away, but I still can't wait for more, thanks for posting.
-Tegan-

How can Ah stay away when Ah know you're so near?

Ch. 6

It was not without some justification that the American philosopher Poor Richard said, "Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead." While still officially unknown the subject of the first task was common knowledge more than two weeks before it happened.

All five champions were spending every moment away from studies researching dragons in the library, quizzing the professors about dragons, listening to Hagrid spin outlandish yarns about dragons. Every resource was being exploited in the hope that each might win the first task.

Train's resources turned out to include the entire Arrakis contingent. All sixteen gathered in the Ravenclaw common room for nightly bull sessions, err, brainstorming sessions. Even the four from the Navigators' Guild slipped out of Hufflepuff to back her rather than support Cedric. As Train explained to Hermione at breakfast one day, "When my name popped out of The Goblet all competition between the houses vanished and it became a competition between schools. If the Durmstrangs and Beau Batons have any sense they'll do the same." She didn't say that Hogwarts should do so because their two champions had to compete against each other. In fact it seemed she thought this was likely to cost the host school the tournament. "A house divided and all that." she explained.

The more information that came out about the task the more difficult it sounded, and dangerous. There were frequent arguments about which breed of dragon was the most deadly and if anything could be done to influence which champion got which dragon. Hermione was appalled to learn that Train actually wanted the most dangerous dragon for herself.

“But of course, baby-cakes. The greater the degree of difficulty, the higher the score. It’s inevitable that we’ll all make mistakes in form or style and have points taken off. The only way to compensate is to have enough danger points to drown out such static.”

“B, but...” She was having trouble forming the words. The foreign girl still confused her, some times scared her, but she was beginning to love her and the thought of her dying in some stupid competition floored her.

“Hermione, honey. Are worried about me?” Train’s face was compassionate and her voice warm and loving. “Well, don’t worry honey.” (chuckle) "The worst that over grown earth worm can do is kill me.”

“Well, yes, but... whattttt?’

Train saw she had to explain some pretty basic aspects of life to her little friend. “Doll, let me ask you some rather personal questions. Number one: Where will I be two hundred years from now?”

“Uh, you’ll be dead, I guess.”

“Pretty good guess. Question number two: Where will you be?”

“Uh, I’ll be dead too. I mean, two hundred years....”

“Exactly honey. Death comes to all of us. And while we must avoid dying too soon in order to accomplish anything, we can’t duck it all together.” She stroked the English maid’s hair to reassure her that what she was about to say came out of love. “And to fear the inevitable is neurotic, like grumbling that your weren’t born Abraham Lincoln or something. Sheeesh, the way that man dressed. Well, anyway, fear is the killer. It speeds the body but slows the mind. I can't finish the task running away from the dragon so I have to out think it.”

“But, but...”

Train pulled her close, resting Hermione's head on her shoulder. “Doll, whether I die in a few days from dragon fire or in a hundred years of some petty ailment, it doesn’t make any difference. No, it does. It’s better to die doing something than just trying to run from death. At least that’s dying for a purpose.”

She looked deeply, lovingly into her little friend’s eyes and sang.*

All our times have come
Here but now they’re gone
Seasons don’t fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain..
we can be like thy are
Come on baby... don’t fear the reaper
Baby take my hand... don’t fear the reaper
Well be able to fly... don’t fear the reaper
Baby I’m your man...

Valentine is done
Here but now they’re gone
Romeo and Juliet
Are together in eternity... Romeo and Juliet
40,000 men and women everyday...
Like Romeo and Juliet
40,000 men and women everyday...
Redefine happiness
Another 40,000 coming everyday...
We can be like they are
Come on baby... don’t fear the reaper
We’ll be able to fly... don’t fear the reaper
Baby I your man...

Love of two is one
Here but now they’re gone
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear she couldn’t go on
Then the door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew then disappeared
The curtains flew then he appeared...
saying don’t be afraid
Come on baby.. and she had no fear
And she ran to him... then they stared to fly
They looked backward and said goodbye...
She had become like they are
She had taken his hand...
She had become like they are
Come on baby... don’t fear the reaper.
Don’t fear the reaper.
Don’t fear the reaper.

Hermione replied uncertainly,
“Don’t fear the reaper?”

Train smiled lovingly and shook her golden curls,
“Don’t fear the reaper.”

Hermione, a bit more confident,
“Don’t fear the reaper.”

Train, nodding in confidence,
“Don’t fear the reaper.”

Hermione, beginning to smile,
“I won’t fear the reaper.”

This time when Train took her in her arms and kissed her she did not resist.


*Don’t Fear the Reaper Blue Oyster Cult

Whoa....is Hermione....?? Nevermind, it's awesome so far. Thanks for posting!
-Tegan-

For this story Ah'm thinking she bi-directional. She could have just as easily fallen for Crum. Love hearing from you.


Ch. 7

Commercial

Train, Maggie and a girl from the Navigator's Guild named Magda were leaning over a cauldron as Professor Snape stood by disapproving. Train was stirring with her wand and every now and then tasted the tip. Her face said something was not right.

Train: "A pinch of chicken's giggle, please."

Magda: "Chicken's giggle?"

Train: "With a wart on it."

Maggie nodded enthusiastically handing her some thing from the table. Train stirred and tasted some more.

Train: "A purple flurp."

Magda: (astounded) "A purple flurp?"

Maggie: (delighted) "A purple flurp!"

Maggie tossed something in.

Train thought long and hard what the next ingredient should be. The others made suggestions.

Magda: "Left ear of a giant."

Maggie: "The right ear?"

Magda: "The knee of an eel."

Maggie: "A terrible nice?"

Train waved away all their suggestions and grabbed something out of thin air with a look of triumph.

Train: "A large, red-eyed, no nosed nothing."

She hurled this into the cauldron. Great clouds of vapor streamed out and the cauldron began to rock on the table. Train looked happily anxious, Maggie delighted with anticipation, Magda frightened. Suddenly there was an explosion and foil wrapped boxes, nine inches by two by one rained down burying them up to their waists.

Train picked up a box, tore off one end and offered it to Snape saying, “Crackerjack?” She then faced the camera and with a knowing smile said, “From an ancient family recipe.”

Oh, I luv it, its beautifully written,Can't wait for more!
-Tegan-

Then wait no more, Tegan mah love.

Ch. 8

When Hermione came down to breakfast Harry and Ron were already in place. She had a certain glow about her that they hadn’t seen before, in fact hadn’t seen on anyone before. Also the ever so serious student who had spurned jewelry in the past had a new accessory, on a silver chain about her neck was a gold ring. The boys had never heard of wearing a ring in this manner. Ron reached for it to get a better look. “What’s that?”

He yowled in pain as she bent his long and index fingers back nearly to his wrist. “Touch it and DIE, Ron.” came the voice they were so familiar with in a completely new menacing tone.

Harry said, “Err, Hermione, I never heard of wearing a ring from your neck.”

“Oh, just a little custom from The States.” she said in a nothing-really-to-get-excited-about voice. “They have some fascinating traditions. We could really learn a lot from them.” Manuel, Jim and Maggie locked eyes onto the ring and, as one, stood. They sat after Hermione did.

Train soon arrived. “Good morning, sweetheart.” Her voice was musical as she leaned over to give Hermione a chaste kiss. “Sorry I wasn’t awake when you got up, but I was positively beat last night. My, I’m so hungry I could eat bear. Without béarnaise sauce, yet.”

"I'm rather hungry myself." she replied with a twinkle in her eye.

*******

Train swaggered into the class room for the Weighing of the Wands as if she had already won the tournament. Perhaps she had, in her own mind at least. With the other four lined up she didn't wait for Mr. Crouch to call her name but took it as a matter of course that she would go first. But when Mr. Olivander reached to take the wand from her hand her proud smile became a suspicious scowl. Nobody, absolutely NOBODY had touched her wand since she had purchased it ten years ago and she didn't care to have it picking up unhealthy vibrations from strangers. But Lone Wolf assured her that Olivander was an expert at handling enchanted items and would practice all rules of esoteric hygiene.

The master wand maker waved the silvered slip of bamboo in the prescribed manner, but all that happened was a three note tone that seemed to be asking a question. The third time sounded like someone was blowing thru tightly clinched lips. Train, looking like she had taken a more than medicinal dose of tincture of wormwood whispered something into his ear. His eyebrows shot up and he whispered something to the secretary who wrote something in the log. He whispered to the wand and brought it up slowly in preparation for waving it grandly, but on the up swing it emitted a red, white and blue fireball worthy of Filibuster’s best fireworks. He decided not to try a more vigorous test.

*******

At the field Train had insisted that Hermione keep her company in the tent while the others dealt with their dragons. She explained to staring eyes that the girl was her good luck charm, but the rubbing of her golden brown hair got so vigorous that Hermione finally yelped in pain. Pulling loose she placed her hands on the American’s shoulders and said firmly, “Don’t fear the reaper.”

Mr. Crouch came back and announced, "She's ready, madam."

Hermione held both of Train's hands while saying, "I'll be rooting for you." This was followed by a quick, noisy kiss and then she was gone.

Train walked out solemnly but proudly. Her heart pounded but face was calm. She didn't know if it was death or a poor score that frightened her. She just knew that she had to succeed. For her country, for her school, for her house, for her friends, for her pride. And now another reason, for Hermione. She would prove to the little English girl that Train Nuawleens was worthy of her respect, worthy of her admiration, worthy of her love.

There stood an Assyrian Great Red. Its only power was its fire breath, but it was the hottest and longest lasting of all dragon fire. The actual score modifiers were still secret, but it was generally assumed that this was the most dangerous dragon of the lot. Train's face was still calm, as if the dragon were of no consequence at all. But deep in side she was saying, What am I, NUTS? I could get killed out here.

In the stands the other students from Arrakis were chanting, "U, S, AAAAY... U, S, AAAAY... U, S, AAAAY..." To them Train seemed her usual invincible self. Only Hermione could see below the surface were fear nestled like a snake in Train's belly. She began singing, "Don't fear the reaper. Don't fear the reaper. Don't fear the reaper."

Whether their love had forged a telepathic bond or Train was simply recalling her training, she heard deep in her mind the same. "Don't fear the reaper. Don't fear the reaper. Don't fear the reaper." She let go of her fear and the task seemed simple, ludicrously simple. She just had to do what she had practiced in secrecy (with the help of her school chums) the last couple of weeks.

The dragon spotted her and charged. Bringing her wand up she shouted, "ACCIO CAULDRON!" A great whooshing noise came from the opposite end of the field as a jumbo size solid gold cauldron rocketed into view. With minor motions of the wand she steered it into the dragon's head where it rang like the most beautiful of church bells. It flipped over three times before landing squarely on the dragon's head, firm and tight. While the beast struggled to remove it (no mean feat when you have no thumbs) Train sprinted into the nest and grabbed the egg. Once clear of the field she jabbed the wand at the dragon and said, "Ejectose!" and the cauldron flew off.

The crowd went wild, but all Train saw was Hermione bouncing in the stands and cheering. The champion thought her heart would burst at the sight of all that love. She yanked Hermione down to the field with the accio spell and kissed her passionately.

When Rita Skeeter got thru the crowed she asked Train how she had come up with such a strategy. "Basic American philosophy, my dear. 'When a problem won't go away, throw money at it.'"

Here'