Life as we know it...

Chapter 2: The Examination

At some point between breakfast and lunch nearly half of the students had cried at the thought of loosing their new freedom. Harry and Neville had come to the realisation that Ginny and Luna wouldn't be in the running for their new wife. Ron and Hermione had come to the conclusion, reluctantly, that it was better to break themselves up and remain friends rather than the ministry tearing them apart. The whole hall had been told to break off all existing romantic relationships which Pansy Parkinson had not reacted well too as she shrieked about Malfoys undying love for her which even annoyed Draco himself. Millicent Bulstrode was still trying to explain to Goyle what was happening and Justin Finch-Fletchey was comforting a rather ill-looking Hannah Abbott. Seamus Finnigan eventually decided it was a good thing and took everything in his stride, looking at all the candidates.

"Ok well I think either Hannah, Cho or Lavender will be the one I get." Seamus all but shouted at an uninterested and depressed Neville. "Lucky Dean isn't even eighteen yet, he could still get Ginny!"

Harry' blood boiled at the thought of Dean and Ginny. Ron noticed and threw Seamus a dirty look.

"Relax would ya? It could be worse she could get McClaggen." Seamus tried to comfort, and failed.

Harry stood up huffing and puffing to the far end of the hall.

"Or Zacharias Smith?" Seamus said to Neville which caused him to join Harry at the end of the hall.

At lunch all of the other years filed into the great hall to join the oldest students. Ginny immediately came to Hermione when she found Harry in a strop to which Hermione made Harry tell his girlfriend the awful news. Unsuprisingly the fiery red head had a similar reaction, screaming and shouting. Luna though had much simpler reaction. She just looked devastated as she sat on Nevilles lap while silent tears ran down their faces. The first and second years seemed oblivious to the ignorant questions they asked. Ginny eventually lapsed into tears which thankfully knocked Harry out of his rampage. At that point Hermione had fallen asleep leaning on Rons chest, exhausted from the stress and anger and not to mention the fact she was still hungover. After the younger students exited the great hall much older looking past students entered including George, Percy, Oliver Wood, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, Lee Jordan, Marcus Flint, Adrian Pucey, Penelope Clearwater and Romilda Vane. George tried to make light of their situation but as Seamus did, he failed.

A few hours later McGonagall entered the hall flicking her wand making all four table vanish and benches appeared to seat all of the two hundred healers who came in after her.

She cleared her throat and spoke up. "All of you will be split into groups of ten and sent with these ministry approved healers," gesturing to the new large crowd. "for your examinations."

They all miserably waited for their names to be called out. The first Gryffindors to be called were Katie Bell and Lavender Brown. Hermione,who had awoken, anxiously waited for her name to be called

".....Justin Finch-Fletchey, Seamus Finnigan, Marcus Flint, Gregory Goyle and Hermione Granger." Called the healer with the clipboard.

They all stood up with the rest of their group and followed the middle aged healer to the transfiguration classroom. A past pupil was the first to be called in while the rest of them waited outside on benches in the hallway. Hermione was too nervous to sit and started pacing.

"Hermione please stop your making the rest of us dizzy." Seamus spoke up.

She sat down and absentmindly tapped her foot.

"Seriously Mudblood!" Flint snapped.

She shot him a dangerous look. One by one they were called into the classroom.

Justin Finch-Fletchey walked out of the classroom looking quite relaxed. "Relax. It's nothing." He reassured them with a charming smile before returning to the hall.

After about two and half hours of waiting Hermione was finally called. She entered the familiar classroom to see a bed against a wall and an auburn haired, dark blue eyed, middle aged woman sitting at McGonagalls desk.

"Ms. Granger if you could please take a seat." She said pointing at the bed.
The woman stood up and shook Hermiones hand.

"Pleased to meet you. My name is Claudia Turret."

Hermione' mouth was dry so she just nodded.

"Alright. What I'm going to do is give you this potion." She said gesturing to the azure coloured concoction she was holding. "It will put you to sleep for ten minutes. While asleep you will dream a very particular dream. Only the two people destined for each other will have the exact same dream." She held the vial out to Hermione.

Hermione nodded taking the deep blue potion. She threw it back and layed down. Sleep instantly overtook her.

In her dream she was waist deep in a lagoon with crystal clear water. She faced a small trickling waterfall. It was the dead of night but something behind the waterfall sparkled. She took a step forward, her arm raised to reach the sparkling object when she heard a voice behind her.

"Stop! Don't touch it!" Said a small panicked voice.

Hermione turned around. Before her stood the most beautiful young girl. Only about the age of five or six. Her straight blond hair fell halfway down her back, she had chocolate brown eyes that glistened in the moonlight. Her pale skin was the same colour as the full moon behind her. The little girl wore a a loose white dress and tied around her waist was a thin band of diamonds.

"What's your name?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Isla." The girl replied.

Hermione' eyes flew open, she was back in the classroom. Claudia Turret questioned Hermione about her dream, writing down everything she said word for word.

"And finally," The healer asked. "...what was the girls name?"

"Isla." Hermione replied.

"What was the girls name?" Asked Healer Witherglass.

"Isla." Draco replied.

"Ok very well then. If you would take this potion to clear the contents of the dream from your mind." The elderly healer said passing Draco a clear potion.

It reminded him of the lagoons clear waters. Draco took the vial and drank emptying his mind of his dream.

"Very well Mr. Malfoy you may go." Said the grey haired man.

Malfoy stood up and exited the potions classroom. He returned to the hall where dinner was about to be served.