Half the World Away

~ Prologue ~

I would like to leave this city
This old town don't smell too pretty and
I can feel the warning signs running around my mind
And when I leave this island I'll book myself into a soul asylum
And I can feel the warning signs running around my mind
So here I go still scratching around the same old hole
My body feels young but my mind is very old
So what do you say?
You can't give me the dreams that are mine anyway
You're half the world away
Half the world away
Half the world away
I've been lost I've been found but I don't feel down.

And when I leave this planet, y'know I'd stay but I just can't stand it
and I can feel the warning signs, running around my mind
And if I leave this spirit, find me a hole and I will fill it
and I can feel the warning signs, running around my mind
So here I go still scratching around in the same old hole
My body feels young but my mind if very old
So what do you say?
You can't give me the dreams that are mine anyway
You're half the world away
Half the world away
Half the world away
I've been lost I've been found but I don't feel down
No I don't feel down
I don't feel down

Chapter 1 Hermione on the test

Hermione still couldn't believe what she had done. It was sunny outside, and she wasn't really in the mood for any readings. It's unconvincing to anyone who knew her, as she was always seen as the 'bookworm'. Anyway, that didn't mean that she couldn't have mood swings, either. But what she couldn't believe was that she was dragged out on the grounds by Lavender and Pavarti.

"Girls, could you stop giggling and get some work done?" Not that she wanted to ruin their moods, but their continuous giggling was rather annoying.

"Oh, Hermione, relax. Our work's not a hurry, and we can always come up with something," Lavender answered, while lying back on the grass, "Especially since we have all finished out NEWTs already. The work we are now given are just to keep us content."

"Yes, Hermione. You can loosen up a bit, can't you?" said Pavarti, while rolling onto her stomach laughing, "You are not that 'unplayful'."

"Okay, so what have you girls been up to?" Hermione asked finally, sighing, and put away her book.

"This," Lavender picked up the magazine, and waved it at Hermione.

"Witches Weekly? Is that the thing which made two girls giggling, unstopped for half an hour? Don't tell me about those sordid gossips again."

"Hermione, it's far from that! We know clearly that gossips are not your interest," Pavarti made a face of 'kill me instead'.

"Okay, my fault. What is it this time?"

"There is this psychological test in it this time, and it's about 'perfect love match'."

"So how does the result turn out? Hilarious?"

"Far from that," said Lavender, giggling again. "It's 100 percent accurate."

"So, the result turns out to be Ron and Neville?" Hermione asked, "That's what you two have been giggling about? But how could the test showed the name your match?"

"This test had contained the lists of bachelors in the wizarding world, and they would look for the best match for you through the list!" Lavender explained enthusiastically, "Hermione, have a try!"

"What? Me?" Hermione was shocked.

"Join in and have a bit of fun," Pavarti persuaded. "Really, just see what kind of guys suit you, so you would have some preparation with dealing with your, eer... emotions..." It was not a secret that Hermione and Krum's relationship didn't go well. Krum was a nice guy, and he admired Hermione for who she was, but that just wasn't love. Maybe love at first, but obviously, Krum was not the right guy for Hermione. Hermione started to feel the strain eventually, and they broke up. They couldn't even stay as friends.

Hermione knew that they were careful not to mention anything about Krum. But it was two years ago, and it wasn't that much of an impact now. It was an impact at that time, as there was this great guy who was interested in her, not for her looks or knowledge, but for who she was. But they didn't have much in common and so... Well, they broke up. "Well, okay, let me have a try," She took the magazine from Lavender, and turned to the page that had the test on it. "Let's start then."

She pointed her wand on the page. Then the presenter which was drawn on the page came to life... well, sort of. She had two scrolls on one hand,, and a quill in the other. She beamed when she saw Hermione, "Oh Goodness! It's Miss Granger! Do you want to try the test too?"

Hermione couldn't help but feel a bit creepy. Even a magazine enchanted presenter knew about her. " Yes. Could you get on with it?"

"Yes, of course. Miss Granger, I have to ask you a few questions in order to run the test. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"First, which would you prefer, a good night out or a home alone?"

"Home alone."

"Well, that's quite surprising," She scribbled down the answer on the white scroll. "Would you feel happier if you have a... how should I put it?"

"Hey, why are you so careful for your words this time? You are not like this when you..."

"Because it is you, Miss Brown. You are obviously proud of your looks."

"I don't think I would be happier with a better look," Hermione replied, while the presenter scribbled down the answer again.

"Understood. If you are given a potion of keeping your skin in best condition, where would you use it on? a) face b) neck c) hand, d) knee, or e) elbow"

"Knee."

"Got it. Hmm. Do you have any siblings?"

"No."

"Okay. Do you like children?"

"Eer... Yes, I think."

"Do you find it difficult to wake up in the morning?"

"Yes."

"But Hermione, you are always the earliest one..." Pavarti questioned.

"But it doesn't mean I can't get up on time, right?"

"Understood. Do you want your boyfriend to be older than you?"

"Yes."

"A-ha. Do you like reading?"

"Yes," Hermione glared at Lavender and Pavarti for their hilarious giggling.

"Which one would you consider as a good metaphor of yourself, flower or grass?"

"Grass."

"Okay, let's see what my magic scroll say," She pulled open the second scroll, and looked kind of freaked out when she saw the name. "It can't be..." She double-checked the name on the scroll, and said really carefully, "Miss Granger, please keep calm."

"Who is it? I mean it wouldn't be as bad as Snape," Hermione joked, but the presenter became all rigid and pale. "Don't tell me..."

"I am afraid, Miss Granger, that according to my scroll, your perfect match is Professor Severus Snape."