The sun was just beginning to rise, forcing the rays of light to shine through the blinds on the windows and onto his face. Slowly he opened his eyes and glanced at the alarm clock on his nightstand '6:35' it read, to the right of the alarm clock was a piece of parchment which he had received, a few days before, he had read and reread the damn thing so many times he had it practically memorized. "To Mister Austin Bauer: It is with great pleasure that I write this letter to you today, for you have been chosen as one of three students to be selected to be part of a magical school exchange program. The School in question is Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and they will be sending three of their students to the United States, the exchange will take place in three days time, approximately at the time of 7:30 A.M. and the three of you shall be taken to England via portkey, this is an opportunity to learn about how other countries teach their students and how our brethren across the pond live their day-to-day lives. In wishes that it goes well, Headmaster Vincent Cornwell." It was the day of the exchange and Austin rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and slowly climbed out of bed and walked towards the bathroom. Turning on the light in the bathroom, his disheveled reflection stared at him. His brown hair was different directions, his breath reeked of Pillow breath and he had bags underneath his eyes. After taking a quick shower, brushing his teeth and combing his hair into somewhat of a controllable state, he headed down into the kitchen.
His father and sister were already down in the dining room eating breakfast, "Morning Son." his father said, his sister said something along the lines of "Good Morning" but it came out as "Gboof Morgning" as she had a piece of toast held in between her teeth. Austin noted that his father was wearing his No-Maj attire meaning that after his family dropped him off at the exchange location, he would go straight to the embassy of some country where he would then fly off to some country and work on behalf of the American government to maintain relations with various countries. Of course, that was only one part of his Fathers job, as Mr. Bauer was also a diplomat working on behalf of MACUSA or the Magical Congress of the United States of America, which after a bunch of reforms, reflected more closely to the regular American government. Usually, Austin and his sister, Kathrin would be going with him, but it would only be Kathrin going because of the Exchange program that Austin had been selected to be a part of.
"You have everything?" His dad asked.
"Uh-huh, I have my charms, my staff, wand, and along with the gift that Master Tsuchimikado gave me." Austin said as he poured himself a bowl of cereal "Honestly this 'opportunity to see how other wizards receive their education and live out their day to day lives' isn't really all that I mean we lived in Japan for over five years, I mean Kathrin is technically a Japanese citizen, considering the fact that she was born there. Kathrin beamed a smile, as Mr. Bauer finished the last of his coffee before answering, "Austin the British wizards are vastly different in how they think, and live. For instance, did you know that even today that Blood-status still means a lot to most of the people in top positions? The purebloods still run most things at the British ministry. It's almost impossible for First-gens and half-bloods to find good jobs there." Austin scowled at hearing this, as the same with regular America most of the American Wizards came here to make a new life for themselves, some purebloods, some half-bloods, and a lot of Muggleborn, or as the American wizards called them First-gens or First generation. Most of the purebloods that came to the U.S eventually started mingling with the non-magical settlers in the early days of the country when it was still thirteen colonies. Things went well at first until the Salem witch trials. Of course, there were those that knew that most of the people being accused weren't magical, to begin with, but it did scare a large portion of the wizard community that they went into hiding for centuries, not until the repealing of Rappaport's law in the inter-war period (and by interwar I mean the period between the 1920-30's) did they not associate with the regular populace. By this point, however, most of the purebloods had left the US during the days of the revolution as most of them were quite loyal to the King, those that stayed, were chased out by northern first-gens and half-bloods during the days of the Civil War. Blood status became irrelevant after the war ended, any purebloods that had sided with the Union renounced their blood status and essentially faded into history, not totally forgotten but not totally remembered.
Austin's attention was brought to Kathrin his 12-year-old sister, who unlike him and his father couldn't use magic, she was a squib a wizard who for some reason could not use magic, but could see and go to most places wizards could go. Naturally, whenever news broke about her, there was some bullying, but it never got too bad, but even then Austin couldn't help but feel protective of her. He imagined what life would be like for her if they were a British magical family, his dad probably wouldn't have this job, he wouldn't have all these opportunities to go to different places, and Kathrin would most likely be shunned by the whole of the British community. "Well then if that's the case then they're all Rokudenashi." Austin said, calling them the Japanese equivalent of 'stuck up assholes'. His father glanced out him, while his sister laughed, "Language." he said then smiled "But yes I suppose a lot of them are that."
A clock chimed in the background. "You sure you got everything?" his father asked him as they all stood to head to the appointed meeting place.
"Yes dad, you're starting to sound like Mom." Austin said.
"Well, I'm just making sure." Mr. Bauer replied, "And do you have…"
Austin nodded and felt a chill go down his spine.
The three of them soon made their way to the meeting place, which was the courtyard of Ilvermorny Castle. The three of them popped out of the giant fireplace that was set in the courtyard to keep the area somewhat warm during the winter months, they brushed off the ash and floo dust from the fireplace and walked up to three other people who were waiting for them. Two were also students chose from Ilvermorny for the exchange program, one was a second year, and the other was in Austins year, a 5th-year girl named Hazel Chase. The second year was a boy named Damien Grey. Damien was a black haired, olive skinned 12 year old who had descended from Greek immigrants, and was a first-gen. Hazel, was half Cherokee, half white so she had lightly tanned skin, mostly taking after her mother in looks and her father in skill. She like Austin was a half-blood.
"Hey Damien, Hey Hazel," Austin said in greeting as he walked up to them. Damien waved and smiled at Kathrin, who smiled back. "Hey Austin, Mr. Bauer, Kathrin." she turned her attention to Austin. "I've been reading up on Hogwarts and apparently it's one of the oldest magical schools in the world. Not only that but its protected by some pretty crazy wards, so that it's pretty much impossible for No-Majs to see it, the wards also make it impossible to apparate or use a portkey to get into the grounds." Austin had pretty much tuned her out after he heard the words "I've been reading." but the part where she said it was all but impossible to use a portkey or apparate to get onto the grounds caught his attention. "How are we gonna get in then?" He asked her confused, Hazel shrugged, and glanced at the third person with them. He was a middle-aged man, "Headmaster do you know?" Hazel asked him. Headmaster Vincent gave a noncommittal shrug and said: "You'll have to find yourself I'm sure that the representatives sent by the Brits will tell you all you need to know." Suddenly the woosh of a portkey and several people landing could be heard. Four people appeared in front of the ground where it had been empty seconds before. Four people stood before them, three of them were teenagers wearing black robes with different crests, three students from three different houses. The fourth person was an old witch in every sense of the word, Austin thought she looked a lot like the stereotype when people thought about witches, pointy hat, black robes. The only thing that was different was the sash that she was wearing. "Greetings I am Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress of Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." McGonagall motioned for the boy with the green collar to step forward, after doing so he introduced himself with a little too much pomp that seemed too much for even an Englishman.
"My name is Alexander Cavendish, a 5th year belonging to the great House of Slytherin, my father is a prominent member of the Wizengamot." the two other kids behind the Slytherin rolled their eyes, Austin would've done the same but he didn't want to seem rude, so he introduced himself, however, his introduction was more, well more normal, "Austin Bauer, I'm starting my 5th year and my house is Thunderbird."
Hazel was next "I'm Hazel Chase, I'm in the same year as Austin over there and my house is Puckwudgie." Damien was the last of the Americans to introduce themselves, "Names Damien Grey, I'm in 2nd year and my house is the Horned Serpent." Alexander looked at Damien "You wouldn't happen to be related to the pureblood Amecitus Gray?" Damien shook his head,
"I don't know maybe, how is his last name spelled?"
"With an 'a'"
"Oh no my family's name is spelled with an 'e'." Damien said, "Plus both my parents are No-Majs, Non-Magical, even then there hasn't been a pureblood family in the U.S. in years, most of them left after the Civil War." This was a shock to the British, no purebloods that sounded absurd, "and those that didn't leave?" the girl with behind Cavendish asked.
"They died out." Hazel said, "Not even that big a deal at least not over here." This also was a culture shock to British, most especially to Cavendish as he had been tasked by his father to see what influence could be spread over to the Yanks. A thought struck him "Then how do you keep the magical population up?"
Headmaster Vincent coughed before anyone could answer."Everyone I will do my best to answer all and any questions but I insist we finish introductions. Since I'm sure Deputy Headmistress also has a lot to discuss with my students." McGonagall made a slight nod as if agreeing, soon everyone introduced themselves, the girl a 6th year Ravenclaw named Natalie, and the second boy a 6th-year Hufflepuff named Edward. A few minutes of mingling soon turned into a session of goodbyes for the American crew, Austin's dad pulled him into a hug, "Be safe, and study hard." He said
Austin nodded, "I will"
"You have everything? asked
"Dad for the last time yes, I have everything, worry about yourself and Kat. You know I can take care of myself." Austin replied with a huff.
Mr. Bauer nodded remembering a kidnapping attempt that had been made on Austin when he was thirteen, even to this day no one knew why the kidnappers had tried going for him, but that wasn't important right now. He pulled his two children into one last hug before Austin stepped back and joined up with Hazel, Damien, and McGonagall, "You all ready?" the Deputy Headmistress asked, they all nodded, "Very well, your luggage will be at the location you all will be staying at by the time we get there." she pulled out a large piece of wood, "Touch this piece, just a finger will be enough, and on the count of three you'll feel a sharp tug." Damien sighed and readied himself. 1...2...3… The four of them felt a tug at the pit of their stomach and soon they were making their way across the Atlantic for what would be an experience none of them would forget.
Authors Note: Hello readers, I had this idea stuck in my head for some time now and I decided to try to write it into something that I think you all would enjoy. My first Harry Potter story so be nice but feel free to criticize where it's needed :)
In terms of upload schedule, I'll try and form some type of schedule but well just look at my other stories and how long it takes me to update them, and in regards to my other stories worry not I'll won't abandon them. I've just got a ton on my plate with Spring Semester almost done, and me studying for ASVABS, hoping to be a tanker you see ;)
Anyway, that's all from me see you all next time!
Phoenix out!