Anmarie Island

Hermione Granger sat at the oak desk under the window in her bedroom, her nose buried in a very thick book entitled House Elves: Their Role in Wizarding Households Throughout the Centuries. She twisted a lock of her chestnut hair around a finger as she absentmindedly turned the page. Hogwarts had just ended for the summer the week before and Hermione was already diligently studying the material they would be covering in her 6th year. During the past year, Voldemort had definitely been gaining strength, although he had been quiet for the past two months.

'He's probably just planning something absolutely horrible,' she thought suspiciously. Her thoughts were interrupted, however, by a sharp rapping noise. Tap! Tap! Tap!

"Oh!" Hermione leaped up and opened her window, allowing an unfamiliar owl to soar through it. It perched on the back of her chair and ruffled its feathers importantly before extending its leg to Hermione.

"Thank you," she said, offering it an owl treat, which she kept handy for Hedwig and Pigwidgeon. She noticed the Hogwarts seal on the envelope, and pondered for a moment what it might contain before ripping it open.

Dear Ms. Granger,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to be a
prefect during your next year at Hogwarts. As you know, this position
is not to be taken lightly, and a mandatory training course for all
prefects will take place at Anmarie Island this summer. Refusal to
attend will result in forfeiting the Prefect position. You will be
given your prefect badge and list of duties at the end of the summer.

A list of other new prefects is included, along with a list of what
will be necessary for your summer on Anmarie Island.

The prefects will be taking a ship to the island, which will leave on
Monday at 2:00 from Lussiex Bay.

Congratulations once again, and enjoy your summer.

Yours Sincerely,

Professor M. McGonogall

Deputy Headmistress

Hermione stared in shock at the letter in her hands. Of course, she had expected to be named a prefect. Hadn't everyone expected her to be? This island training course sounded intriguing.

She picked up the sheet of parchment with list of other prefects.

The prefects for next year will be:

Gryffindor

Seamus Finnigan

Hermione Granger

Harry Potter

Hufflepuff

Hannah Abbott

Justin Finch-Fletchley

Ernie MacMillan

Ravenclaw

Stewart Ackerly

Padma Patil

Lisa Turpin

Slytherin

Malcolm Baddock

Draco Malfoy

Blaise Zabini

"Wow!" Hermione breathed. "Harry and Seamus?" Then her eyes noticed Draco's name, and she groaned inwardly. Truth to tell, he wasn't the same insufferable git from their first year, but he still wasn't one of her favorite people. Everyone else seemed okay, though, so she decided to make the best of it.

She instinctively reached for her quill and a spare piece of parchment and scribbled a note to Harry and Ron, who were both at the Weasleys' this summer. She tied the note to the owl's leg asking, "Could you take this to the Burrow please?"

The owl clicked its beak and flew out the window. A moment later Hermione's parents heard her screech in excitement.