Chapter I

The ceiling of the great hall was a mass of swirling clouds at breakfast on a morning in early May. A few post owls had managed to make it through the storm, and delivered their sopping letters to the recipients.

Harry Potter was just about to lift his spoon when one such letter landed in his porridge.

"Oo'sh i' fom, 'arry?"

"Honestly, Ronald! Your ability to be an unmannered pig still amazes me"

Ron swallowed, and took a swig of pumpkin juice. "Well, I'm sorry if I happen to be hungry! After all, it's not my fault that Filch kept me up 'till one polishing armour."

"You know perfectly well that you deserved that. Calling Snape a greasy git, even when you don't think he'll be able to hear you, still isn't nice."

Harry tuned out the verbal tennis match between his two best friends, and instead turned his attention to the letter he had plucked out of his bowl. The envelope, curiously, was paper rather than parchment, and the parts of his name that hadn't smeared appeared to be written with 'a ball-point pen? I don't know anyone who uses those, except muggles. And the only muggles I know are the Dursleys, who certainly wouldn't be writing to me voluntarily. I wonder what they want?"

He carefully pried the envelope open, so as not to tear the missive within, and removed the letter. Peering at the signature on the bottom, he noticed that the letter was from none other than Vernon Dursley.

'Uncle Vernon? What on earth? Aunt Petunia always writes the Christmas lettersif you can even call them that.'

Nephew

I've accepted a large deal from a Japanese construction firm, and we will be relocating to Tokyo. Be grateful that we even supplied you with a plane ticket there. Find your own way to Heathrow, we will pick you up at Narita when you arrive.

Look respectable for once, boy, a lot of money is resting on this venture, and it will be on your head if they back out.

Vernon Dursley

'Tokyo? As in Japan? As in halfway around the world! How on earth am I supposed to keep in touch with Ron and 'Mione over the holidays? And I won't know anyone overhang on, I won't know anyone over there, and I'm not "Famous Harry Potter" in Japan! Perhaps this is really a blessing in disguise,' Harry's train of thought was interrupted when Hermione asked what the letter was about.

"Apparently, 'Mione, I should start studying."

"Oh, really, Harry? You can come with me to the library after dinner, and we can make a schedule for you, and research new topics, and quiz each other"

"Languages, 'Mione. No need to blow a gasket," Harry smiled amusedly as Hermione's bouncing quelled, and she got a look on her face that meant "I am mentally analyzing every word you just said, and will soon print out my final computation."

Ron swallowed a lump of toast (due to the fact that he could only face Hermione's wrath so many times in a day), and asked confusedly, "What's a gasket?"

"Muggle expression, Ron. Harry, why would you need to study languages? Not that I disapprove, in fact I'm quite happy that you've finally decided to take initiative in your education. Are you getting a pen-friend?"

"No, actually, Er, I've no idea how to tell you this, so read the letter while I find out my flight schedule," handing over the letter, Harry looked back inside the envelope to find a plane ticket and passport. His Economy Class flight departed on the first of July at 1:50 pm, and he was to arrive in Tokyo at 9:10 the next morning.

"Oh Harry, this is wonderful! Just think of all you can learn about the culture, being immersed in it! And don't worry about the language, I read about a spell somewhere that helps you learn languages really quickly. All you have to do is hear or read a word once, and the definition will come to you automatically. Unfortunately, you won't be able to write or speak Japanese until you've built up enough of a vocabulary, but you should be fine. It's how I've been able to get around Bulgaria, Switzerland and France so easily. Do bring me back something, won't you, Harry?"

"Yeah, bring back pictures of thosewatcha callit? Geeshuh?"

"Geisha?"

"Yeah, those. And tell me how the food is when you get back, eh, mate?"

"Sure thing Ron. Did you want me to cook some for you too? I'm sure the Dursley's will make me learn how so as to impress their clients more."

"Yeah, sure. We'd best get to Charms now. At least it's Friday."

A/N: Well, here's the first chapter. I have a few more chapters written, and will probably update at least once per week. In the next chapter, Harry will discover a hidden talent, that's not a magic power! Superpower!Harry just annoys me, unless it's a really, really good story.

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