Australia is Magical Too! (HP fanfic)

In Which it is Decided That it is Much Too Hot

The Headmistress of Dragovale Institute, Professor Lawrence had seen a lot of shit in her days, but the group she was currently driving with were some of the strangest people she'd ever overseen. There was no clear social clique they all fit into, and sometimes it was hard to tell if they all even liked each other.

Starting with some of the more tolerable students, Miah Russell was easily the invisible glue that kept the whole club together. She had long, light brown hair usually tied back in a tight bun, deep chocolate eyes and tan skin. The girl was gifted in the classroom, with a polite but no-nonsense attitude to those around her.

Emily O'Rourke was an awkward, clumsy girl who served as the peacemaker and occasional doormat, usually the one to get saved from classroom mishaps and bullies. She had strawberry blonde hair and freckle covered pale skin, fairly good in her studies unless under pressure. 

Emily Green was also awkward, but much more mischievous than the other. She had shoulder length dark brown hair and sparkly grey eyes, with a tendency to laugh and smile at inappropriate moments. She was also teased at the school, but you could say that might just be an 'Emily' thing. She wasn't the best student, better with animals than anything else.

Hannah Kirkaldy was a tall, brooding girl with a knack for self deprecation and being an all around smart ass. The teen had short, messy black hair and pale skin with thick frames covering her hazel eyes. She was easily the smarts of them all, often doing homework for her friends while they were having a panic attack and annoying them with her ability to sponge information.

Anna Fee was Hannah's girlfriend, and the headmistress could not think of an odder pair than those two. Anna was the classic gentle giant, tall and physically fit, but too apathetic to do anything on the theory side of school, usually getting answers from her partner. She had curly brown hair and dark eyes, looming over most of the others with her impressive stature.

Georgia Murphy was the most physical of them all, a natural Quidditch all-rounder and prank enthusiast. She was lean with dark brown hair and denim blue eyes, the perfect size for fast flying, or as some would say: 'a short ass'. She got good marks on her exams and practical performances, pure determination carrying her most of the way.

Annaleise Knight was... a problem child. She had blonde hair and a naturally cocky smirk, her build perfect for her position of Beater. The girl constantly ran rampant around the school setting off her little pranks with a few of the girls that she could get, always taking the full blame when they were caught. If she tried a little more in her studies, she could go places, but she was clearly too lazy.

The Headmistress sighed through her nose as Annaleise and Georgia started belting out the words to the Australian National Anthem, occasionally changing the words to include vegemite and such things. Emily O, Miah and Hannah shared a disdainful look, the latter two continuing their discussion of their education while overseas as Anna grumbled and cuddled into Hannah's side, just now feeling the regret of staying up all through the 24 hour trip. Emily G was known for travel sickness, and was currently trying not to die as the vehicle rocked and turned wildly.

The Triwizard Tournament had just been reinstated and branched out to their friends down under at the Headmistress' request. Thus, the Quadwizard Tournament. 

As the school had limited students (Australian witches and wizards usually chose to homeschool their kids) there were only this group of 7 girls, most of which were only there to cheer the braver, ambitious ones on and experience this once in a lifetime opportunity.

The Headmistress cleared her throat and the shouting eventually stopped after Miah punched Annaleise in the side.

"We're nearly there, get yourselves sorted out and presentable before we get there. I won't have our first impression be..." She trailed off.

"Us?" Georgia offered, successfully ending the sentence. The Headmistress rolled her eyes but didn't correct the statement, leaving the girls to fix their uniforms from the long journey across the sea.

The uniform in question wasn't anything flash, just a plaid skirt, black tights and a white collared shirt, with the choices of a school jumper, jacket or hoodie to throw over. But that rarely happened, since the school was situated in the middle of bushland in 40 degree heat.

"I read about Hogwarts before we came, apparently they have a hat that sorts you into into one of four different houses based on your personality!" Emily O grinned, though her hands were shaking from nerves.

"Segregation. Typical poms." Annaleise joked, elbowing Emily G in the ribs with a bit too much power.

"We are representing our school during these next few months, and I'd appreciate you all not insulting our hosts the first day." The Headmistress scolded, and Hannah looked pointedly at Georgia. "That means no scaring younger kids, Kirkaldy."

"Fuck..." Hannah muttered under her breath, crossing her arms over her chest. Anna groaned at the sudden movement, and Hannah broke off from the conversation to wake her up.

"This is a huge honour, and I can't stress this enough. All of you need to be on your best behaviour or you'll be fed to the dragons." Annaleise gasped, probably not because of the possibility of being eaten but the damage that could do to the dragon. "This means no pranks, no smart ass comments, no 'making out' in the corridor, and absolutely, positively, no duels over petty pub arguments."

"How can a girl survive?" Georgia asked jokingly, receiving only a hard stare.

"Do I have your word? All of you?" 

"Yes miss." Miah chimed along with the two Emily's.

"Sure thing, Law Dog." Hannah winked, and the Headmistress rolled her eyes.

"myes mmisssss." Anna grumbled, half submerged in her jacket. Hannah flicked her cheek and her eyes flew open. "I mean yes ma'am!"

"You have our word." Annaleise and Georgia chimed in unison, grinning. The headmistress nodded finally, grumbling about how hard it was going to be to park the flying camper van, and everyone in the back caught sight of the pair showing off their crossed fingers, mock gasping and flipping the unaware teacher in silence.

Finally, the van descended from the clouds and the group finally caught sight of Hogwarts Castle. Hannah swore, Anna finally seemed to wake up and grinned down at the building, Miah and the Emily's pointed out the different features they'd read about and Georgia and Annaleise gawked over the grounds with childlike wonder.

A large gathering of Black cloaked students rushed to catch sight of their vehicle, pointing and grinning in their cute little colour coordinated rows. Professor Lawrence grunted as she pulled a giant lever, and the wheels inflated below them, making the whole van bounce on impact with the snowy ground.

"Real snow, wow..." Hannah whispered, making Miah snicker.

A strangely robed man with a heckers beard cut through the crowd of students, all looking over people's heads to look for the first sight of the foreigners. Georgia whistled, pointing out Albus Dumbledore to the rest of them, making a joke about his awesome hat.

The Headmistress jumped out of the camper van and rounded the front to greet Dumbledore with a hug and kiss on the cheek, exchanging a few words before finally unlocking the door to let Emily G stumble out, her relief to be back on land clear on her face. Annaleise and Georgia were next to exit, grinning ear to ear as they looked around with obvious - aka 'what to ruin first' - intentions. Hannah guided Anna down the stairs, grinning at the snow below her feet before shaking hands with Dumbledore himself, who was looking between the two of them with an odd twinkle in his eye. Miah and Emily O were the last ones out, also greeting the Hogwarts Headmaster and admiring the beautiful scenery.

Suddenly, Hannah stopped dead, the childlike amazement fading for a moment to let the harsh truth ring true.

"Guys, we have a huge problem..." She muttered as they were lead up past the students, who were all looking at them like they were aliens.

"What is it?" Emily G asked, a quizzical expression gracing her features. Hannah stared forward with the utmost seriousness, almost glaring at the snow she'd once been amazed with. She kicked a bit of it, and it instantly made her sock wet.

"It's way too fucking cold here." She stated.

And at that moment, everyone else seemed to realise their conundrum, gaining annoyed expressions in unison.