The Challenge

It was one of those lovely Spring days before Hogwarts was to let out for summer holiday. A few students were still finishing final examinations, while most everyone else sat around each day wishing for the holiday to come.

"Hey Harry, Hermione, you suppose we should go down for lunch now?" Ron asked.

"Oh yes!" Hermione replied. "I was so wrapped up in my Muggle Studies review... I would have never noticed the time."

The trio walked down through the halls, toward the Great Hall. Their steps were stopped when they turned into the corridor of the Great Hall. They walked straight into a blockade of students. The other students were all shouting about excitedly, some jumping up and down.

"Wonder what's going on," said Harry.

" I don't know. Why don't we try and get a bit closer?" suggested Hermione.

After a few minutes the trio managed to get to the front of the crowd and see what all the fuss was about. Students had been gathered around the Hogwarts Call-Board; the board were important and interesting messages were placed upon.

"What is this?!" asked Ron, slightly confused. Ron was looking at a poster on the board

THE CHALLENGE!

Are you seeking a challenge?

Want to win a million Galleons?

Do you think you have what it takes to win?

We're looking for our next group of challengers! This time, it could be YOU!

Interviews at Hogwarts will take place on: June 18

Hope to see you there!

"Wow!" exclaimed Ron. "A million Galleons!!! Do you know what you could do with a million Galleons! I want to do it! I have to!"

"Ron, do you even know what "The Challenge" actually is?" Hermione chimed in.

"Er... not exactly. But who cares when it's a chance at a million Galleons? Honestly!"

Harry sat watched as his two friends began their almost daily row. He should have known it would have been coming on soon. He thought to himself that this 'challenge' thing sounded very familiar to him. Something from the Muggle world... he just couldn't place it.

"It happens to be a reality television show, Ron! For Muggles!" Hermione spat out. Suddenly she regained her composure. "Wow... I wonder if they've always used witches and wizards. Interesting..."

"Television? Wait, yeah, I know what that is. Dad talked about getting one until mum told him not to be such a nutter. You know, Hermione, I think this sounds like fun. I want to do it," said Ron.

"Well, I'm not going to stop you! I was just trying to make the point that you well knew what it was you were thinking about jumping right into," Hermione answered back.

Harry coughed. Ron and Hermione looked up over at him, as if they had for the time forgotten that he was there. "Why don't we get out of this crowd," Harry whispered.

It took a bit of pushing and shoving, but the three Gryffindors made their way out of the group. They continued towards the Great Hall in an awkward silence. Ron was the first to break it.

"So, what do you think mate?" Ron said, turning to Harry. "Are you gonna have a go at it?"

Harry looked back at Ron. He honestly hadn't even contemplated it yet. He looked over at Hermione, who was also eyeing him.

"Umm... Ron... I honestly haven't thought about it. But you know, it does sound cool. I would be up for the challenge. If you want to go find out more about it, count me in to come too."

Hermione just stared on. Ron turned towards Hermione. "I don't think I really even need to ask?"

Hermione shot him a dagger. "Ron, I'm not against it! Actually, I've seen the show. It would be a challenge alright, it's very intriguing... but I just don't think it's possible for me."

"Why not?"

"Oh, Ron. My parents are Muggles! They watch that show too! They would never let me do anything like that! It's a survival challenge. There are contests and challenges, you try to be the ultimate winner, you have to vote someone out each week. The biggest challenge I guess is that there is no magic allowed, I suppose. They can't have witches and wizards exposing themselves like that on national television. And you know my parents are dentists. You can't brush your teeth out there! They don't like that one bit, not one bit at all!"

Ron just stared blankly at Hermione, like he was trying to absorb everything that just came out of her mouth. He couldn't think of anything to say. Finally, a word escaped. "So?"

"Ughhhhhh, boys," said Hermione throwing her hands up in the air. She turned and started walking towards the Great Hall alone.

Ron looked like he wanted to dive after her. "I didn't mean to do that..." he said turning to Harry again.

"Of course not, Ron. Just let her calm down a bit. Don't bring it up again at lunch, alright? We can go on about it in the dormitory later, I'm sure the others will have heard by then too." Harry replied.

"Okay, I guess you're right," Ron murmured. "Ah, but this is so exciting!"
Harry glanced at Ron.

"Okay, I'm done, I swear. No more."

Then the two boys walked off into the Great Hall, their minds filled with the thoughts they agreed not to speak about for the time being, waiting anxiously to get back up to Gryffindor tower where they could chat about "The Challenge."