Far Away Journey

Far Away Journey

Chapter One

The room had the dawn's first patches of light streaming through the spaces between the window curtains in the dormitory. Hermione squinted through thick eyelashes, feeling the bright light from the cracks between velvet draperies sting her eyes. Yawning, she stretched under the covers before dragging her legs out of bed and into the bathroom. Her hair was a tangled mess. Cascades of chestnut-brown hair tumbled around her bare shoulders as she ran her fingers through her hair. Her slippers squeaked against the tiles of the bathroom as she shuffled toward a sink, fingers rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

There was a girl brushing her teeth over the sink next to Hermione. Her auburn hair was tied back with strips of hair dangling over her freckled cheeks as she leaned over, spitting into the sink. She peered at Hermione out of the corner of her eye. A smile crept into her lips. "Good morning, Hermione," she greeted and wiped her face on a towel.

"Hi, Ginny," answered Hermione as she squeezed out toothpaste.

Ginny wiped her hands on her pajamas. "Aren't you excited about today?"

"What?" Hermione asked through toothpaste-coated lips.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me you don't know. You've only been talking about it for the last two weeks."

Suddenly, all that was heard was the clatter of a toothbrush on porcelain. Hermione jerked awake with attention as her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh my God," she breathed. "I almost forgot." She looked at Ginny, and felt adrenaline pump through her brain as she said, "My trip to America is today, isn't it?"

"Of course, sleepyhead. I almost thought you lost your mind when you had that blank, what's-going-on look on your face! Seriously, I've been watching you prepare and pack for the last week or so."

Hermione rinsed her toothbrush under the faucet, and gurgled some water in her mouth. "I'm so excited! This is going to be the experience of a lifetime. America." She stuffed her toothbrush and toothpaste into a bag as she headed toward the showers. "I want to learn all about the magical societies there. The culture, the people--both magical and muggles, of course--the schools there, the bookstores, oh yes, I heard that they have quite the collection of books in various libraries..." The sound of water rushing behind the shower curtain drowned out her voice.

----

Harry was perched on his bed, knees tucked up to his chest. His face rested over the tops of his knees, troubled and confused, and he gazed outside over the snowy grounds of Hogwarts. Pushing his round, black glasses higher on his nose, he sighed and looked at all the empty beds around the room.

A soft creak of the door opening rippled through the silence. Harry looked backwards, and tried to smile at the tall, red-haired young man leaning under the threshold.

"Still drowning in your personal problems?" the young man inquired, casually pushing back his hair.

"Ron," began Harry, "can't you just leave me alone for a while? I can't think with you here."

"I think I've left you by yourself long enough already. Come on, it's already nine o'clock and you missed breakfast and...you're still lounging in your pajamas."

Silence.

Ron groaned. "You know that you can be such a wimp sometimes? I can't believe that you can battle dementors, dragons, and the dark lord, but you can't get the guts to face the little things in life."

Harry glared at him. "What do you know about the little things in life? Do you really think that what I'm going through right now are the little things in life? I feel like my guts are going to explode any minute. Maybe my mind too." He rubbed the palm of his hand against his forehead.

"Anyways," Ron continued, "you can't avoid this forever. Sooner or later, you're going to have to face it. Just keep that in mind." Putting his thumbs into his pockets, he slid into the hallway.

After a moment of hesitation, Harry called out, "Ron! Come back a minute!"

"What?" The door creaked open.

"I guess you're right. I do have to deal with it; it's obviously not going to be solved by itself."

"Does that mean you're going to get out of bed and stop moping around?"

"Yeah, I suppose."

"Right," Ron scratched his head. "You better hurry up too. She's leaving in an hour."

"Hermione?"

"Who else is going to America?" Ron hurried out of the room, and Harry watched him leave blankly because he had other things on his mind.

----

"HERMIONE!" The high, wavering voice of Professor McGonagall trailed after the young lady thundering down the corridor. "Please, you of all people should know that there's absolutely no running in the corridors."

Hermione's eyes were shining with energy. She readjusted the bags and suitcases hanging onto her arms and neck. "Yes, I know Professor, but it's already half past nine, and I'm supposed to leave precisely at ten o'clock. I mean, the portkey is scheduled to take off at that time, and you know, I really, really don't want to miss it. It'll just mess everything up!"

"Hermione, you have thirty minutes. What's there to fidget and rush about when you've already finished your packing and breakfast and whatever else you needed to do?" Her lips stretched out in a firm, thin line as she peered down at the girl. The pointed hat on her head made her seem more intimidating than ever.

"Okay," sighed Hermione. "Just relax, just relax."

"Now walk right along, Miss Granger." She smiled briefly. "I wish you a safe trip. I'm sure you will represent our school perfectly."

"I hope so," beamed Hermione, and she paced down the hallway with the mountain of luggage dragging behind her.

It was a Saturday morning and the halls were basically clear of students. Everyone was either outside enjoying the snow or inside the dormitories relaxing within the comforts of cozy beds and couches. The only sounds as Hermione paced toward Dumbledore's office were her own nervous footsteps and the soft murmurs of the paintings on the walls. Her curly hair swished behind her as she walked; an air of elegance seemed to emanate from every move she made, and there was always that tiny smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Halfway down the corridor, she felt a second pair of footsteps walk behind her. She looked back, her lips slightly apart in anticipation. Her body instinctively tensed when she noticed who it was: Harry Potter. Her footsteps gradually slowed down and came to a stop. Feeling exhausted, she dropped all her bags, and attempted to smile.

"Harry," she said.

"Hermione," he replied. He began to run a hand through his uncontrollable, dark hair, but then stopped mid-way, as though he did something wrong. "Umm...I want to tell you something."

Time seemed to be suspended in the air.

Harry felt his face heat up as confusion and timidity took over his mind. For a few seconds, the walls of the corridor seemed to stretch for miles above him and the floor seemed to be quavering. He stumbled as he paced toward Hermione, unable to look directly into her eyes.

"Harry," Hermione said, looking at the floor, "wh-what is it?" Slowly, she lifted her head to look at him.

His hands were shaking. He put them behind his back, hoping that she didn't notice, and endeavored to concentrate on her instead of the windows. "You have a lot of luggage."

She frowned, confused at the absurdity and randomness of the sentence. "Yeah...there are quite a few bags here."

Awkward silence. Hermione stared at her bags, and kept tucking her hair behind her ears even though it was already fine. Harry made unsuccessful attempts at talking by opening his mouth and closing it before uttering a single comprehensible word. His palms grew sweaty and cold.

"Umm...would you like some help with all your suitcases and stuff?" He motioned clumsily at the pile of bags around Hermione's feet.

"That would be great," she grinned. "Next time I go traveling, I should be more careful about what I take with me. I feel as though I'm bringing along my whole house." She chuckled.

Harry hung two bags around one shoulder and carried a suitcase with his other arm, leaving Hermione with only a small handbag and backpack. Hermione felt guilty about the arrangement, and put her hands on his shoulders, beckoning him to let her carry at least one of the bags or suitcases. "Harry," she said, pulling one of the bags from his shoulder, "I'll take this. You're holding way too many things for me."

He snatched the bag from her hands. "Don't worry, it's nothing. I can do this. Really."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Positive?"

"Positive."

"I won't let you change your mind about it later."

"That doesn't matter."

"Are you absolutely, one hundred percent certain that you want to do this for me?"

"Yes, Hermione. I'm absolutely, one hundred percent certain."

"You know, you don't have to lie."

"Why would I lie about carrying luggage? It's not as though I'm sacrificing my life for you."

"Well, it is pretty heavy."

"Just be quiet. If we keep arguing, you're going to be late for your trip."

Hermione glanced hopelessly at the portraits on the walls as if they had any words of advice to offer. "Whatever," she finally said. "Don't break your arms." She began treading down the corridor with Harry trailing at her heels who looked ridiculous carrying so many bags, especially since he was so skinny. It was quiet while they walked. Only the sounds of Hermione's boots reverberated down the halls of Hogwarts along with the rustle of canvas bags and suitcases. Hermione's heart rate quickened as she approached closer and closer to Dumbledore's office. I'm going to leave soon. God, I can't believe this is finally coming true...going to study abroad and meet new people.

Harry labored behind her, although he tried hard to make the work look easy. Perspiration began to bead on his forehead and nose. His muscles felt as though they would rip at any given moment, stretching and tensing every few feet or so that he dragged the luggage. She'll be leaving soon. How will I say...what will I say to her? Things are getting way too complicated. I should've told her when I had the chance earlier. Okay, Harry...just concentrate, and gather your thoughts together. Think. He gazed at the way she seemed to glide across the floor. So elegant. So poised. Her hair flowed freely down her back in soft curls and waves, and when the sunlight would shine on it at just the right angle, rich, earthy tones would mix with lighter shades of reddish-brown. He dreamed about her voice, and heard the languid yet crisp tones meld together within his mind continuously. It was so melodic...

"Harry," she waved a hand in front of his eyes. "Hello there?"

"Hmm...yes?" He halted and absently dropped all the bags to the ground, relieved to have at least a moment's rest.

"We're here." She gestured at the entrance to Dumbledore's office. The countenance of an ugly gargoyle leered into their faces, baring a mouth full of sharp teeth.

"Do you know the password?" Harry inquired.

Hermione smiled mysteriously out of the corner of her eye, and then turned to the statue. "Pop tarts." The statue blinked and came to life, leaping away from the two students, revealing a stone stairway spiraling up the castle. "Professor McGonagall told me it yesterday."

"Oh." Harry shifted his weight from leg to leg, feeling oppressed by the need to spit out the words he had been meaning to say for so long. He looked uncomfortably into Hermione's eyes, clandestinely wishing for something to inspire him to speak naturally, wishing that she would reveal some old secret about herself to him. Anything.

Hermione looked at her watch and then pointed at her luggage. She began rather matter-of-factly, "I guess I'll be taking those. I've only got fifteen minutes left before the portkey leaves. Besides, I need to talk privately with Dumbledore before I leave, which will take at least ten minutes." She gathered up all her bags and heaved them into the tiny recess where the spiraling stairs were. Although she tried to act normal, there was a bitterness eating away at her heart, and she found herself unable to raise her head. All of a sudden, a wave of nostalgia washed over her like a cold tide of ocean water. She blinked away the tears surfacing on her eyes, and then rubbed them furiously, pretending that an eyelash fell in. Looking at Harry from under her eyelashes, not wanting him to see her eyes, she whispered, "So...I'll be leaving now." She sighed, and sniffled. "But, I'll be back before you know it. Right?" Feeling brave enough to look up, she smiled weakly at Harry, and gave him a hug, burying her face into his shoulder. He shuddered at her touch, and felt his body flare up with heat. "Oh, Harry, you're such a good friend, you know that? I don't know if you know how much I care about you and Ron and all my other friends at Hogwarts. It-it's so strange how I didn't feel this way until now...I've never felt so trapped by anxiety and excitement and homesickness all at once. I guess I've never really thought about, you know, about exactly how far I'm traveling. I mean, really, America is a long way out there." She breathed in, savoring the familiar smell of what was uniquely Harry. Releasing herself from the hug, she smiled. "But there's nothing to really worry about. I'll be fine. I hope." She looked at the ceiling. "And I'll be back before the year ends."

She backed into the stairwell, and waved at Harry. The stairs began to spiral upwards. Harry blinked, acutely aware that she was leaving, and shouted out, "Hermione, I―"

She was already disappearing behind the wall. "Don't forget to write to me," she called. Within seconds, she completely vanished and the entrance to Dumbledore's office was sealed with a puff of dust. Harry stood there alone, dumbfounded, and said, "I love you." A single tear traced a path from one green eye down his cheek.

----

Hermione stepped out from the niche, lugging her bags behind her. Waves of light radiated from the lights within the headmaster's office, almost blinding her eyes because the stairway had been relatively dark. Fawkes, a phoenix, was perched on a golden handle overlooking Dumbledore's desk. The creature peered curiously at Hermione, its eyes shining and carrying the world's reflection within its pupils.

"Hello, Fawkes," Hermione said, smiling at the beautiful creature. She eyed the dark figure standing in the shadows. The person emerged from the shadows in velvety dark-green robes, and smiled under the half-moon glasses.

"Good morning, Hermione." He paced toward her.

"Good morning, Professor Dumbledore."

"I see you have quite a bounty of luggage with you."

"Yes, Professor. I know it's a lot, but I want to be prepared."

"Of course. I want you to be prepared for this journey, too, and in fact, I've pondered about this moment for a long time. Sending a student alone into a different country is a huge step, even if the student is already a sixth-year and responsible enough to handle many situations. Hogwarts hasn't sent a student abroad since forty years ago."

"Forty years ago?" Hermione gasped. "Oh...you mean something happened between You-Know-Who and a student studying abroad?"

"I'm afraid that is true. I don't mean to scare you. No, my dear, that is not in my intentions, but I do want to take some precautions to ensure your safety."

"Wait, I'm confused. Why are you even starting this program again if it's still dangerous? I think I wouldn't have applied for this if I knew. Oh God, I knew this was going to be a bad decision."

"No, Hermione, it won't be dangerous as long as we are cautious."

"Cautious? I'm sorry, but I don't want to go to America having to worry about someone pulling the Avada Kedavra on me! I want to cancel this trip."

"Hermione, first let me explain something, and this may come as a shock to you."

"Yes?"

"Remember how I told you that you were chosen to study in America?"

"Yes?"

"However, I didn't specify what school at the time. And remember that you agreed that you would be fine with finding out that tidbit of information on the day of your departure?"

"Yes?"

"Well, my dear, you are going to America. To study. Of course to study. But. You...um...you will be visiting a muggle school."

"Muggle school?"

"Yes, Hermione. You will be observing the ways of the American muggles, and your assignment is to simply have a great time, learn as much as possible, and come back prepared to write a thesis on your discoveries that will be due the beginning of your seventh year."

"Professor, you can't be serious. I'm already a muggle, well, a muggle with wizarding powers, but...you can't do this to me. I know every millimeter of muggle culture. I could give you a whole speech about this right now if I had the time!"

"But we are talking about American muggles here. I'm sure they have very different lifestyles and a very different culture from the British muggles. Don't complain about your trip, Hermione. I know that you will discover many things, whether or not you already know so much about muggles. The point of this trip is to enlighten you, and let you see new worlds. Tell me, have you ever traveled to America before?"

"No."

"There you go! This will also be a great opportunity for you to learn about America, about this country that you've never ventured into! Besides, this trip will look good on your resumé once you graduate from Hogwarts."

"I guess you're right. But, what about the 'precautions' that you mentioned earlier? I thought this trip was supposed to be dangerous. Well, that's how you made it sound."

"The amazing thing about this trip is that it's not dangerous because you're not going to be functioning within the wizarding world. You'll be within the muggle world, and no one―that is, none of the wizarding people in America, or anywhere else for that matter―will know that you are even existent there."

"Okay...but won't people realize that I'm not at Hogwarts? There's bound to be someone who will find out."

"That's all taken care of. Professor Snape, Professor Flitwick, and Professor McGonagall were all kind enough to work on a charm during the past couple of weeks to create a second Hermione."

"WHAT!? Sorry, Professor, for my outburst―"

"It's fine, my dear; it's perfectly natural for you to react in this fashion."

"―but a second me?"

"Don't fret so much about this. She's exactly the same as you. Physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially...there's nothing to panic about. She's a perfect imitation of you."

"But, you don't understand! I don't want another me to be walking around in this world. I'll lose my identity! I'll no longer be an individual!"

"There will not be two of you in the world forever. She'll be eradicated as soon as you return. You see, there's no need to worry about being in danger, having a twin forever, and anything else of the sort. Everything will be fine. The professors here and I have figured it all out. You are protected in every way."

"But what if someone who knows me sees me in America? I won't be protected then."

"First of all, the chances of anyone knowing you there is extremely minimal. But, we do have to prepare for circumstances like that, which is why you're not going to America as yourself."

"Hold on. I'm not going as myself? What is this!? So, there's going to be a replica of myself here, in Hogwarts, and I'm going to go out in the world as a whole different person? This is so messed up. I can already feel my individuality slipping away from me."

"You're still going to be yourself. You just won't look like yourself. The only thing that is changing is your appearance."

"My appearance."

"Exactly, and therefore, you will be completely safe from harm's way."

"Too safe, I think. I mean, what's the point of even going if I'm not myself?"

"Once again, Hermione, you will be yourself; you will still have the essence of your uniqueness, which is your mind. Appearance will be the only factor that's changing. Let me make this clear to you: this is for your safety; the important thing is for you to grow as a person and learn new things to advance yourself in society...and not trouble yourself about how you look."

"Fine. After all, it's not everyday that I get to travel across the Atlantic."

"Good. Now, follow me."

Hermione began gathering her mountain of bags.

"Umm...you can just leave those here."

"Right."

They walked over to the back of his office, even further behind the shelves of astronomical gadgets and magical devices. There was a body-length mirror at the back of the chamber, cold and unforgiving with a steely, unembellished surface. Hermione almost gulped as she stared at it. This was nothing like the Mirror of Erised, which invoked thoughts of curiousity, wonder, and excitement.

"This," Dumbledore began, "is the Miroir des Illusions."

"The Mirror of Illusions," whispered Hermione. "I remember reading about this in Hogwarts, A History. Didn't the ancient French wizard, Pierre Couteau, create this mirror?"

"Precisely, my dear, and it was eventually passed down to the four founders of Hogwarts." He tapped the side of the mirror. "This mirror is a device that can change the way you look. You can do something as simple as changing yourself from a brunette to a blond. Or, you could go as far as changing your body structure such as altering height, weight, and bone structure, just to name a few. Simply step into the mirror with an image in your mind of what you want to look like. Once inside you'll be in an alternate reality where things appear to be the way you want them to look. It's important not to walk away any further no matter how tempting it may be or you'll be trapped within the mirror forever. You will see your new image looking back at you. Standing in front of that mirror, you can adjust the way you appear in the mirror by simply imagining different appearances. Once finished, simply step into the mirror again, and you'll be back in this reality. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I get the gist of it." She looked warily at Dumbledore, and watched how his eyes seemed to twinkle beneath his glasses. He smiled at her, encouraging her to walk into the mirror. She inhaled deeply, and carefully placed one hand on the surface of the mirror; the steel surface rippled beneath her fingertips, and sent shivers down her spine. Gingerly, she placed her other hand on the icy surface, watching the metal wrinkle under her palms, and pushed forward. Her hands disappeared into the mirror. She looked at herself and then at Dumbledore in horror.

"Go on," he said. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

Gathering more confidence, Hermione walked into the mirror. An exhilarating rush of coolness enveloped over her body as she emerged into the world behind the mirror.