Last few days

We walked towards the kitchen and met the hard-working house-elves again. Hermione didn't have that complicated look filled with pity, and sadness with a hint of anger. She was used to it and was determined to change the views and laws concerning elves which I liked. It would give her a goal. She didn't come off as an aggressive fighter-type but more of calm behind the scenes type. But that did not take away from the fact that she actually knocked me to the ground once during our duels.

I was very happy to see that happen. It meant that one, I couldn't slack off, and two that Hermione was getting incredibly comfortable using spells in quick succession. We asked for some burgers and chucked them into a basket that I carried as we made our way over to the lake. It was a nice summer day; it wasn't that hot, and the wind was refreshing. It only got better when we actually reached the body of water though.

We set up the blanket and placed the basket in front of us and began to eat as we saw the Weasley twins messing with the giant squid in the lake. I realised something. It wasn't magic that pulled the boats when we arrived and when we would leave, but it was actually the squid. It also puzzled me for a while as to how the squid got here in the first place. I thought that maybe this was why Newt Scamander was expelled but then threw the idea away since it wasn't said to be the reason for his expulsion.

I then theorised that there was actually a type of passageway that led to different bodies of water. Like the ocean or other lakes for example. That would explain how the Drumstrang school appeared David jones style from under the lake. They went through the passageway. So that meant that the squid wasn't always here and why it didn't show itself when the tri wizard tournament occurred. It simply wasn't there to begin with. Very interesting stuff.

We spent a good couple of hours chatting happily surrounded by lush green grass, flowers and butterflies flying around doing their own thing. "Tom, what are you going to be doing over the holidays?" asked Hermione as she leaned back on her hands.

"Well, me and my family will be going to Hawaii for a vacation for about 2 weeks. Which will be nice. And then I'll stay there since I'll be transferring over to Ilvermorny school of magic." I said calmly. Hermione could be seen nodding calmly until I mentioned transferring. She turned towards me in a split second and looked me in the eye.

'WHAT! Why, How, When," she spat out quickly and incoherently. I placed my hands on her shoulders to calm her down slightly.

"Relax, I'll be back by New Year, I just wanted to see what American school will be like," I lied. What else am I supposed to say? Hey Hermione, don't worry, I'll just be imitating Professor Quirrell and steal something from the school. Sure, she would drown me in the lake if I said that.

She seemed to calm down for a moment and looked out into the lake with a pensive look. "What if I came with you? I always wanted to know what America was like," she asked. I flinched; I did not need her coming with me. I need to work. Not pretend to be a student in front of others and Hermione. That would simply be too tiring and cumbersome.

"Would your parent's let you?" I asked. There was no way of telling her not to come without sounding suspicious. "*sigh* no, they wouldn't," she said dejectedly. I couldn't help but cheer slightly in my heart. Thank God. One obstacle was avoided successfully.

"don't worry, I'll be back before you know it. anyway, that's my plans, what are yours?" I asked trying to divert the conversation. I could see Hermione beam a brilliant smile when I said that.

"I'll be going to France. There are a lot of things there including their own ministry of magic, stores and history. I look forward to going through it all," she said excitedly. I was glad that she was off my case and smiled. I was happy for her. For someone like Hermione, going to another country and exploring their magical history was like a haven.

We soon packed up our things and made our way back to our rooms. The next few days passed quickly since Hermione and me spent time together going around looking at all the things there was to see at Hogwarts. We even got permission from McGonagall and went to Hogsmeade and to the hogshead where I caught a glimpse of Aberforth Dumbledore. Naturally, we didn't drink anything and left quickly. At some point, we arrived at the shrieking shack and decided to go inside. There was a passage here that the marauders used to get in and out of the school. Naturally, this was the place where Sirius revealed himself in the third year. We didn't stay long but I gave the place one last meaningful glance before leaving.

The day had arrived for us to leave back home. Seamus, Dean and I were sitting on our beds talking about random things. Seamus had a crush on some girl from Ravenclaw which surprised me slightly. Dean being the studious one didn't notice the opposite gender much and stuck to his book which I found commendable. Naturally, I knew he would lose that when he dated Ginny but that didn't matter.

Seamus then transitioned rather oddly to his mother and what he would be doing when he got home. Dean did the same and when they heard about my plans, they were slightly saddened. We had been getting along much better over the course of the second half of the year. They were surprisingly fun people to hang around. And unlike a certain duo, they didn't do stupid shit all the time. Except for Seamus, he blew things up whenever he got the chance. Accidently or intentionally, it was still to be determined.

We packed up our things and when we walked out of the men's wing, I joined up with Hermione which earned me the reproachful looks of Seamus and Dean. But that look soon turned into a mischievous one as they gave me a thumbs up. Made me laugh which was fine, I simply nodded and winked slightly which stunned them into a stupor. They stood there rooted, looking at me as I walked beside Hermione.