Chapter one;

Six hours, nine minutes. That was how long he had been waiting in the airport in New York, after being transported by an international portkey and leaving his relatives to travel the non-magical way. The twelve year old had been pulled aside as he was about to board the plane, by a panicking member of management – wizards and witches didn't travel by plane, especially those underage, in case any accidental (or intentional) magic interfered with the plane's electronics; in which case would be possible disastrous, as it had occurred before, causing the death of hundreds of passengers. His relatives had been offered the choice to travel by the portkey, but they had refused (hissing at the manager that they didn't want anything to do with that freakishness) – Aunt Marge had been informed that he would be seated in the cheaper area of the plane, as there weren't enough seats left in their area due to an error. A complete lie, but management had ensured that she wouldn't question it. when asked why he had to be moved and not another passenger, Vernon had interrupted saying it would be much better this way.

The first four hours had been spent with a MACUSA (The Magical Congress of the United States of America) representative, since his relatives hadn't even thought to consider that he might need separate paperwork considering that he was also a wizard. Laws were different in America than they were in Britain – although Harry couldn't tell you much about that. Four hours had been spent filling in paperwork and laws being explained to him – whilst they had been much relaxed in recent years, Magical Security was still very important throughout the whole world. American wizarding law dictation that any child with more than a years formal education may use their wand, so long as they were discreet amongst muggles (or No-maj as the American had called them), not drawing any attention to himself if possible, and no magics to be used against the non-magical – expect in emergencies.

That still had left about two hours of utter boredom waiting around.

Glancing up at the screen that displayed arrivals, Harry wasn't sure if he was relieved to see that his relatives plane was due to land within the next twenty minutes…or be horrified that he would have to spend the summer with his relatives in a strange country.

Then again he could always use magic…

…actually maybe not. He wouldn't survive the summer if his uncle or aunt saw him using magic, especially around Marge.

By the time his relatives were off the plane, Harry had already collected their belongings from the luggage gates – if Marge thought anything of it, she didn't comment (for once) as she shoved him forcefully towards a waiting 8-seater cab that they had booked in advance. Yes there was only five of them, but it was still a tight squeeze with all their luggage and his school trunk. Harry could honest say after 1 hour and 10 minutes within the cab with his relatives that he had definitely preferred the six hours at the airport. Including the mountain of paperwork that he had been forced to fill out. The full ride consisted of Dudley whinging that he was starving to death, Marge going on about how growing men like Dudley needed their meals and Vernon grumbling under his breath about the traffic – what was apparently meant to be a 35-minute drive had taken them an extra half hour, due to some kind of accident on the highway that they were on. It also took that extra ten minutes because Aunt Petunia insisted the cab driver pull into the McDonalds – and ordered an extra large meal for Dudley, Marge and Vernon, she had ordered herself a small fries, which Harry had been lucky enough to be allowed the last few cold scrappy ones.

It was past 11pm by the time they reached the place they would be staying; Harry wasn't even sure where they were beside New York, nor did he know why they were there. Dread filled his stomach as they had pulled into an ordinary looking street, stopping outside of a three storey building. Whilst the road was as far as you could get from Privet Drive, it reminded Harry greatly of number 4; the building they pulled up in front of was painted white, with neat flower pots on the windows and large oak and glass double doors as an entrance. As he pulled his trunk through the threshold of the building he immediately knew this was not hotel or even rented place for a vacation – the house, whilst fully decorated, was filled with taped up boxes and furniture covered with wrappings, looking sparkly new. Some belongings he recognised from Number 4 were also here, like the grandfather clock, that had kept him awake at night when he lived in the cupboard under the stairs all those years.

"Welcome to your new home Dudley." Petunia's simpering voice echoed through the empty hall way, as they entered behind him. Harry froze, eyes wide, as he turned to gape as his aunt. Petunia moved quickly and hit him quickly over the head, "Don't just stand there freak! Go and help with the luggage!"

Harry dropped his trunk so that it wasn't blocking the path, and stepped back outside to where Vernon was dismissing the cab driver, luggage on the path outside the house. His uncle turned to him with an ugly smirk on his face – it felt like ice had slid down his spine at the look on the mans face.

"Welcome to America, Freak. No more of that nonsense school!" Vernon cackled, walking past Harry and shoving him towards the luggage, with a barked order to get them inside.

This wasn't a vacation.

They had moved to America without telling him a single thing.

Hi!

So the start of this story isnt very long, just an introduction. I know everyone has been waiting for me to update my other stories, but I can't get this idea out of my head haha, hope people enjoy! Will try and update when possible, just i'm working full time these days!

R&R!

NSL x