As The Sun Rises
Operation Chomping Cabbage

A/N: As promised, here's chapter one! :) I deleted the chapter that says 'Note'. So basically I'm re-editing everything I already written and changing some things, and I have important exams coming up so I'll be posting once a week (hopefully!). Your reviews and comments are greatly appreciated :) This is a collaboration with Legerement!

Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters etc belong to J.K. Rowling. (This holds throughout the fic.)

-x-

"1 year, Albus. Are you sure it is feasible?"

"Minerva, I'm sure Albus has a very good reason for suggesting this."

"The children will be safe, perhaps even safer than in Hogwarts."

"It will buy us sufficient time..."

"What if things don't go as planned?"

"We can't plan how our opponents react, Molly."

"Regardless, I'm voting for the plan. All those in favour?"

"That's it, then. Operation Chomping Cabbage begins at once."

-x-

"Be careful, kids."

Arthur Weasley patted Harry's shoulder while Molly Weasley kissed everyone on the cheek and gave them an overwhelming bear hug, pushing them to the brink of suffocation.

"We will, Mr Weasley. We promise to stay out of trouble!" And hopefully trouble stays away from us, thought Hermione. We have OWLs this year! She sighed.

Mrs Weasley waved them goodbye, taking a pink handkerchief out of her pocket to dab away the tears that were starting to gather at her eyes. The trio got up the train and spotted an empty compartment just as the train was leaving platform 9¾. They rushed towards it, dragging everything behind them, Hedwig screeching madly in her cage.

Before their bottoms even touched the seats, the door slid open once again. A beaming Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley entered to join their friends.

"Hey guys! How's summer?"

Neville plopped onto the empty space next to Harry.

"Oh, it was great! We were at the Burrow..."

Hermione rolled her eyes. Hopefully, none of them saw it. They were definitely not at the Burrow. For the first time ever in his life, Harry spent his summer away from the Dursleys.

Summer, however, would have been great if they weren't stuck in Grimmauld Place the entire time, cleaning the filthy house which never saw daylight. Paired with the portrait stuck on the wall which screamed (ok, more like screeched) insults at you every time you walked by, the place was a living hell. All they ever did at that hateful place was clean and clean and clean, while the adults were all huddled up in the kitchen with silencing spells and (according to Fred and George) charms that barred underage wizards from going near the kitchen door. Why did they have to be so secretive anyway? If it was about Voldemort, Harry should have the right to know.

They literally spent their whole summer in the dark house, save their trip to Diagon Alley, where they finally had the chance to inhale fresh air. That was the ONLY time they were let out of the house. Hermione almost regretted not joining her parents on their visit to China. Well, she regretted, but that was before she got to know Sirius.

It was Harry's first summer with his godfather and he regaled them with takes of the Marauders. Needless to say, Fred and George finally met their idol (well, one of them). Sirius seemed to enjoy the attention, dropping advice and ideas every once in a while. Everyone was forward to what the twins were planning for the year. Everyone except Mrs Weasley, who secretly stocked up on howlers when she thought the kids were not looking.

Hermione's thoughts floated to the morning the Hogwarts letters arrived. The teenagers were all eagerly waiting for the owls to tap on the window. Their ticket out of the damn house was arriving! Hedwig was the first owl that flew in, carrying Harry's letter on her beak. Sirius snatched the letter from the poor owl, accidentally tearing it and receiving an irritated peck on his hand. To everyone's surprise, a small, shiny prefect badge fell out.

Hermione squealed when she carefully opened her letter. She was overflowing with joy and hugged poor Kreature who happened to be serving her tea. Hermione reached into her pocket and took out the precious badge. Now that they're both prefects, she has to find a way to get Harry to start focusing on his studies and prefect duties instead of whiling his time away... And Ron! It was time he did something about his academic results!

Hermione snapped out of her train of thoughts as the compartment door slid open yet again.

Oh god, how does that irritating git manage to find them on the train every single year? One wonders if he actually peek in through every compartment window in search of them, just to get cheap thrills from insulting her best friends. You would have thought he had gotten a least bit more mature, considering the fact that they were now fifth years, but he was still as childish and irritating as ever, with that stupid smirk on his face and a hairstyle that hasn't changed ever since they first met four years ago.

This year, he has something shiny pinned on his robes. A prefect badge. Hermione couldn't believe her eyes. How can someone like him be made a prefect?

"I see McGonagall's eyesight has worsened considerably for you to be made prefect, together with that... Mudblood." Draco Malfoy said with a condescending sneer.

"Good day, Malfoy."

Harry simply sat at the corner, refusing to entertain that childish git. After being taunted by him for four years, he has grown more or less immune to the insults.

"From what you said to that flobberworm, you certainly enjoyed your summer, didn't you? A real pity the Dark Lord hasn't had the time to finish you yet. He's probably finding a better, more painful way to end your worthless life. The school term would be much more enjoyable with almost everyone grieving for The-Boy-Who-Does-Not-Deserve-To-Live-Potter. Though you certainly aren't worth the attention." Draco Malfoy finished the sentence with his signature smirk.

Hermione stared at Malfoy, shook her head and reached into her bag to retrieve her Standard Book of Spells Grade 5 to reread a second time before the school term officially starts.

"Shut the hell up, bouncing ferret!"

The other immature one stood up, pointing his wand at Draco Malfoy's chest.

"Ah, ah, ah! You better watch your wand, Weasel. What are you planning to do now? Hex me and start regurgitating slugs at your little friends?"

Malfoy raised his eyebrows, gave that classic smirk once again, swiveled around and left, his ever faithful sidekicks, Crabbe and Goyle, guffawing behind him.

"Sit down, Ron."

Hermione grabbed Ron's hand and forced him to sit.

"And don't stick the wand in your pocket!"

Ron sat down and stuffed a chocolate frog into his mouth, his face redder than a raspberry.

-x-

"May I have your attention, please?" Professor Dumbledore's voice echoed through the Great Hall at the end of the feast.

"I hope you enjoyed the feast! As I have mentioned, this year, we have special arrangements for some of the students."

A murmur broke in the great hall, everyone speculating. Sixth year in the Ravenclaw table said there would be a competition for Hogwarts students similar to the Triwizard. A third year Gryffindor hoped for no homework and no exams. Hermione snorted. Like that would ever happen.

"An Asian Wizarding School, Doesov Academy..."

Hermione saw something about that school in a book about Asia while browsing at Diagon Alley. Doesov Academy - the one and only wizarding school in Asia!

"...will be offering students a chance to study there for a year, as part of an exchange program."

Excited squeals could be heard coming from every table in the Great Hall. Even the Slytherin girls couldn't keep their usual icy cold demeanor.

Hermione glanced around. Ron was stuffing food down his throat, oblivious to the announcement. She shot him a cold look, "Ron, stop eating and pay attention!"

Ron looked up from his tart and smiled at Hermione before digging into it again.

"They have requested for two privileged students, along with two nominees from each house."

Wait a minute. This is their OWLs year. Which only means that the fifth years would not be able to participate. Hermione was crushed and her smile turned 180 degrees into a frown. There goes her chances.

Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat and the hall silenced. "As I have said, the two privileged students are the bests in our schools. Ms Hermione Granger,"

She could feel eyes boring at her from every corner of the Great Hall, many of which were jealous stares from the Ravenclaw table. Hermione's face flushed pink with embarrassment at the obvious compliment and she dare not look up, focusing her eyes wholly on the uneaten pudding in front of her.

"… and Mr Harry Potter,"

"Pfft, Mister Harry Potter, the best in our school?" Someone in Slytherin scoffed, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Hermione's head snapped up and she turned to face Harry, who had an equally wide grin spread across his face. He gave her a wink and returned his attention to the Headmaster.

"The following students have also been nominated by the heads of their respective houses:
From Gryffindor, we have Mr Ronald Weasley and Mr Neville Longbottom!
From Slytherin, we have Mr Draco Malfoy and Mr Blaise Zabini!
From Ravenclaw, we have Ms Luna Lovegood and Ms Cho Chang!
Lastly, from Hufflepuff, we have Ms Hannah Abbot and Mr Zacharias Smith!"

Luna was staring absently at a floating candle above a chocolate cake. Cho was nodding at her friend who was talking non-stop, a forced smile on her face. Perhaps the school felt that a year away from Hogwarts would help her wounds to heal. It must be painful to be constantly reminded of what used to be, and what could have been, had Cedric let Harry take the Triwizard cup on his own.

Hannah was chatting quite happily with Zacharias. Hermione's eyes travelled to a certain blonde three tables away from her. Malfoy's smirk was finally wiped off his face, and Zabini doesn't look quite happy. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

One thing, though. They simply can't get away from that sickening blonde, can they? Well, on the uh, bright side, Zabini is a way better choice than Crabbe or Goyle. Hopefully.

Neville was stunned and Harry was waving frantically in front of Neville's face, trying to wake him from his temporary daze. Ron was busy stuffing his face with more pudding as though he did not hear a single word the headmaster said.

Ron was shoveling the pudding in his mouth, a spoon in each hand, when Hermione elbowed him and he spluttered, "Wot? Dozeoff might not evern haf puddin'!"

Hermione was speechless. Harry just rolled his eyes, shrugged and continued to poke the stationary Neville.

"Of course, students in the fifth year will take their Ordinary Wizarding Levels together with the students in Doesov Academy, based on the topics you will be studying there. Let that be the least of your worries, we're pretty sure you will all pass your tests with flying colours. You will also be getting a new set of school uniforms for the year. It is advisable to get plenty of rest before the trip tomorrow. With that, I wish you all a good year ahead! Have a good night, everyone! Off to bed you go, chop chop!"

-x-

"Is Snape out of his bloody mind? Putting us up against a whole lot from the Potty clan? What have we done to our dear head of house to deserve such special treatment?" Blaise snorted as they were lying on their beds, careful not to wake their sleeping roommates. He was definitely not looking forward to the next day.

"Dumbledore wants us to befriend them." Draco tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. To be honest, the thought frightened him.

Before he returned to the dorm, Professor Snape brought him to the headmaster's office to have a small 'briefing' with Dumbledore.

"Seems like the only possible solution now, or our life will be hell over there, wouldn't it?"

Draco did not answer, focusing his mind on his conversation with Dumbledore just now. Professor Snape left after immediately after sending him up, leaving him with the barmy old headmaster and his precious little Potter.

Dumbledore made them shake hands and requested that they 'let bygones be bygones'. Becoming friends with blood traitors, mudbloods and Potter? Was that even possible? What would his father think of it when he found out? Draco shuddered. He refused to let his mind wander in that direction.

"Drake, do you doubt my superb acting skills?"

Draco shrugged. Seriously, he didn't bother. Potter wouldn't be in his right mind to accept them into the 'Golden whatever' so easily anyway. But I will try, Draco promised himself. He would rather face his father's wrath at the knowledge that he befriended the Dark Lord's mortal enemy than join Voldemort, that half-blood hypocrite, anytime. He can't even get rid of a fifteen year old despite numerous attempts.

"Earth to Draco, this is turning into a monologue."

Putting up his mental shields, Draco muttered 'good night' to Blaise and closed his eyes, entering a dreamless slumber.

-x-

There was a party in the Gryffindor common room to celebrate the four nominations and the start of the school term. Dobby helped to cast silencing charms in the room and busied himself bringing in butterbeer and late night snacks for the party-goers, popping in and out of the common room every once in a while to refill the fast diminishing food.

Despite the fact that there were lessons the next day, none of them were in the mood to sleep. Even Hermione, the strict prefect, joined in the fun. The entire house watched as Fred and George offered their newly invented candy to the first years (their 'initiation' into the house), asking them to first eat the red end before eating the white.

A first year took the sweet, his hands shaking a little, and bit off the red end. Almost immediately, his nose started to bleed profusely. The others stared in shock as Fred and George chortled. The poor boy quickly popped the white end into his mouth, swallowed, and the bleeding stopped. Everyone applauded him for his courage while Fred and George proudly introduced their newly invented sweets, the 'Skiving Snackboxes'. The one being tested was the first 'flavour', the 'Nosebleed Nougat'. Apparently there's more to come in the year and the twins are looking for volunteers to test their products.

A sign-up sheet was pasted on the notice board, promising a year of endless fun and a sickle. For the first time, Hermione did nothing about it and laughed it off.

Exhausted from the partying, Hermione retreated into her dorm, thankful for the silencing charms placed as the other Gryffindors continued their annual through-the-night party.

-x-

Breakfast at the Great Hall was a very noisy event. Everybody was busy talking about Doesov Academy, even the Gryffindors, who were bursting with energy even though most of them barely slept the night before.

Fred and George pushed a huge stack of sweets to Ron, telling him that they would be useful if he was bored in class. Hermione raised her eyebrow at them and they winked, assuring her that it was not one of those 'Skiving Snackboxes' they introduced the previous night.

"Dumbledore wants us to be friends with the Slytherins." Harry said casually as he took a slice of toast.

Ron led out a strangled cry.

"He's barmy, right?"

Harry said nothing and took a bite of his toast while Hermione continued reading her book. Ron's face turned the same shade of red as the day before, slamming his fork onto the table, receiving a few glares from his housemates.

"We're spending a year with them, Ron. You can't expect us to bite at each other's throats while we're there, can you?" Hermione put down her book and ate a spoonful of cornflakes, pointing her spoon at him.

"But..."

"We have a reputation to uphold."

"It's up to you Ron, but I already promised Dumbledore. Malfoy too."

At the end of breakfast, Professor Dumbledore stood from the teachers' table and announced, "It is time. May we have the students to come to the front of the hall? We have decided to let your schoolmates see you off."

The student body clapped and cheered, many shouting their goodbyes and best wishes, as the ten left their seats and headed to the teachers' table. Professor Dumbledore smiled with his signature twinkle in his eye.

"Hermione, take care of the rest, will you?"

"I will, Professor. See you soon!"

How are they going to another school via the Great Hall? There were no floo networks hidden anywhere, or were there?

The doors of the Great Hall opened and Professor Snape entered, a long rope in his hands and his cloak billowing behind him. Oh, so they were travelling by portkey. Right, how stupid of her to think of floo networks. Hermione felt like smacking her head.

"Now, can I have all of you to hold on to the rope? Professor McGonagall will activate the portkey and will be travelling with you."

The students held on to the rope.

"Bon Voyage."

With a final wave to everyone in the great hall, Hermione felt a familiar tug in her stomach.