Harry Potter and the Summer to Remember
Harry worked solidly and with determination. At his disposal were his books and experienced witches and wizards. Through conversation and debate along with note taking his homework assignments had come along quite nicely. Instead of it taking three days as he thought they were going to take, due to the fact he had recorded detailed notes for each of the discussions on his essays, Harry had completed all of them by the Sunday.
The only thing he needed to do was to correct some spellings for his essays. He had spent Saturday and Sunday on what was known as a 'Caffeine Drip'. Every time he finished his drink it was filled with something caffeinated and the drink was mainly cappuccino and one of the few drinks, he found that Tonks could make without setting something on fire.
"Harry, I have to say that when you try and put an honest effort in, you are an extremely capable wizard." Remus said as he handed Harry back his last essay which happened to be Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Harry grinned "Thanks. I mean that. I mean I became friends with Ron as he was the first person to actually talk to me like a human being. Hermione, despite being rather bossy and determined to be correct about everything tried to look past what has been written about me…However, looking back, I am beginning to think that the Weasley's were a plant."
Remus looked at him curiously "What do you mean by a plant? They don't have leaves growing from them."
Andromeda Tonks chuckled "Harry means that he suspects the Weasley's were there to guide him into 'correct' or 'suitable' families to ally with." Remus nodded, that made more sense.
"Hermione?"
Harry shrugged "Not knowingly. But I would probably guess bribe her with rare books and magic she'll do anything…Looking at this from three years at Hogwarts, I am beginning to think Dumbledore needs me to be malleable and open to his suggestions." Harry's magic began to crackle and if they looked closely, Andy noticed faint crackles of lightning ripple through the hair.
It was just then they heard it, it was five o'clock in the evening on Sunday and it was meant to be sunny with a slight breeze. Suddenly they found storm clouds gathering and soon enough it began to pour with rain. Too make it worse the rain clouds were accompanied by claps of thunder and flashes of lightning.
"Harry, calm down." Called Sirius as the former Azkaban inmate walked in to the house.
Harry closed his eyes, he remembered McGonagall telling Wood to breathe through the nose and out the mouth, when the former Gryffindor Keeper got took worked up. Which happened a lot.
Whilst Harry had been on his 'Caffeine Drip', Harry had been informed and ingrained in the theory of apparition or the art of teleporting. Harry had learnt that the Ministry in there amazing ineptitude had made a simple art much more complicated. "You learn this in your sixth year. Three D's according to the Ministry: Destination, Deliberation and Determination or some such bollocks." Andy said.
Harry nodded "Three D method of apparating is absolute crap. Got you. Anything else?"
Andy nodded "The old families: Potter, Black etc. Teach differently. It's all about willpower. Now from what Cousin Sirius and Remus have told me. You have more power and reflexes than most in the school. You should hypothetically be able to apparate without a wand…You only need to do it four or five times and then your magic will be able to assist you."
Harry nodded and Andy, placed a hoop in his line of vision out in the garden surrounded by other hoops. "For thirty seconds you are to apparate from one hoop to another. Starting from this one."
Harry stepped into the hoop, picked one and concentrated. There was a tugging sensation, what sounded like a rip or a tear and this was followed by the feeling of being spun through a pipe twenty sizes too small.
Harry appeared on his knees in one of the hoops. The thundering crack startled everyone in the garden. Harry grinned concentrated and he vanished again as four paint charms hit his hoop. Harry vanished again going to the one near the pond, then the one in front of Ted, Tonks, Sirius and then Remus.
Andy called it quits after Harry managed to apparate but after giving himself a major buzz cut. "Want a hair growth potion?" Andy asked after everyone finished giggling themselves silly at Harry's look.
"It'll grow back by morning." However, that simple statement revealed to Harry that he had a slight blood connection to the Blacks. The Blacks had two affinities; metamorphagus genes and an affinity for dark branches of wanded magic. It was rare for one to have both. The Potters on the other hand were known for Transfiguration/Transmutation magic and unruly messy black hair. "You don't cover Transmutation until sixth year in Potions." Explained Andy.
"Your portkey leaves in four hours. We can give you some of Sirius's clothes to get you through passport and customs and then you get some whilst in America. You also need dollars, galleons and other documents."
Thankfully Gringotts was open all hours and no-one asked questions there. Harry left three quarters of an hour later with enough dollars and galleons on hand to tide him over for at least three weeks. The second thing he had done whilst at Gringotts was pick up a pair of compatible wands, these would not be as good as his original but they would suffice.
Harry was given the Portkey and he found himself dissolving away. Soon enough he came crashing down in America. "Welcome to San Antonio, Magical Quarter." A voice said over the tannoy.
Harry looked around amazed "Yes, it's amazing. Now can you move you're blocking the portkey zones." A soft voice said, Harry moved as he found the speaker.
"Names Eobard. Eobard Crane. You are?"
"Harry, Harry Potter."
Eobard raised his eyebrows and looked Harry up and down "I imagined you'd be taller."
Harry chuckled "Wasn't sure what I was expecting. You know where I can get my height corrected."
Eobard nodded "Couple of potions shouldn't hurt depending on your age. Less effective if you're fifteen or older."
"Fourteen this July." Eobard grinned "I'm seventeen this July…Now I'm finished here for the day let's get you sorted out. Why are you here anyway Harry?"
Harry grinned "Getting away from a meddling old man, interested in learning magic that is frowned upon back home. Oh and see the world."
"How long you here for?"
Harry shrugged "I have to leave about a week before the 25th August. Otherwise my minders who are posed as my friends are going to get suspicious."
Eobard shook his head "So it is true…True that Wizarding Britain is completely ass backwards and restrictive in terms of learning."
Harry nodded "Considering all we learn about are Goblin Rebellions."
Eobard stared at him "You mean you haven't heard that America has been able to make electronics run on magic."
Harry jumped "How does it work? I thought electronics short-circuited when in concentrated areas of magic."
Eobard grinned "That's because electricity is ground out. However a simple rune array for catalyst allows for most electronics to work."
Harry stared at him "That's it? A simple rune! Bloody hell, the moment I complete my OWL I am getting the hell out of Hogwarts. Anyway to the hospital and shopping."
Eobard nodded "There is a travelling doctor in San Antonio. His name is Jarred Meds…Yes the name is hilarious but he's a world renowned healer. He's not cheap but he's worth it…Wait you're eager to go shopping!"
Harry nodded "Considering all I have ever had to wear are my Godfather's and fat and obese cousins hand me downs."
Eobard nodded "I can help with that. Nothing too fancy though but I can help."
Harry grinned as he began chatting with the older teen. They arrived at the Doctor's residence which appeared to be a rather dingy Inn. "The Doctor's an odd one, he works at the San Antonio Institute for Magic; where I'm intending to study next year. When he travels he stays in the smaller hotels. Hates putting on more airs and graces than necessary."
Harry met the Doctor, and before he had even opened his mouth the doctor had handed him several journals, journals that he had noticed were dated recently. These were not in the Hogwarts Library! Harry went on to receive a crate of potions "Nutrient mix potions, these will sort out your nutrient deficiency. I am so disappointed with Hogwarts…I can tell your school by your stride and posture. Best school my backside."
Harry snorted, "I know. Wizarding Britain's stupidity is amazing. How much is it?"
"300 Galleons…I guarantee that they will work." Harry nodded and paid up." The 300 Galleons took a chunk out of his wizarding finances.
"You won't need Galleons. The United Magical American States use Dollars the same as our mundane cousins. If you used the term muggle you'd be facing hefty fines." Eobard explained.
Harry nodded "Have I said this already? I'm already loving America."
Eobard chuckled "Yes you have, twice now. Now clothes shopping. What are you planning to be doing?"
"All sorts. Mainly outdoor stuff and the small towns." Little bit of white lies, Harry was intending to take his apparation test and see some sites such as the Blue Hole in Pennsylvania."
Eobard nodded "Okay. I know the stuff you're going to need." Harry left the clothing stores with several pairs of trainers, two pairs of hiking boots, jeans and other bits and pieces. All of which he placed in a bottomless knapsack that he had brought with him.
They then headed to magical military surplus store where Harry acquired five charmed bottomless military canteens that had been used in the Vietnam War, a magical tent, two crates of military ration packs and a set of heavily regulated knives. The knives were charmed to be ever-sharp, self-cleaning and able to cut through most types of magically resistant hide or flesh. It was this particular brand of enchantments that made them extremely regulated, furthermore one required to fill in a blade licence to carry them.
It came close to in total about $3000 (Clothes, Camping Gear and other necessities not mentioned). Eobard sighed in relief and swiftly directed Harry to a food vendor "If I were you get a Horseman burger. They are mighty hot though."
Harry nodded "What's on them?"
"Jalapeno's, Serrano's, Habanero's and Ghost Chilli's. There is a challenge where you have twenty five minutes to eat all four." Eobard said with no challenge in his voice.
Harry nodded, he could tell when someone was jesting "Which one do you want? I'm a stranger."
They walked up to the vendor "Two Horseman Burgers. I know you're not Chunky's but do your own."
The man nodded and soon enough the pair were served with two large burgers and two bottles of milk "You're going to need the milk more than me."
Harry was wincing, tears were on his eyes and his mouth was on fire. He knew it was going to be hot but not this hot. Eobard chuckled as he ploughed through his own burger. The pair or rather Harry had gathered a small crowd. "They've not seen a Brit eat one of these."
Harry nodded and carried on. He had eaten about half by now, he had to show them that he could do this. "I've never backed down from a challenge before." With effort and ten minutes later Harry finished the mouth-watering but tender treat.
It was rapidly reaching three in the afternoon. Harry hadn't realised it, but due to his late evening Portkey and the time zone meant he was going to be fending off the jetlag. The best way to do that was to keep busy for close to ten hours.
Eobard it turned out was quite a scholar. An enthusiast on the scholarly arts "Here the books are printed by mass production making them cheaper. All the information is referenced to. The way Britain and Europe does it is to keep the rich, well rich."
Harry nodded "Somehow I believe that."
"What are you best subjects?" Asked Eobard.
"Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures." Eobard nodded and he began pulling books off the shelves. Soon enough Harry had a mound of books rapidly reaching thirty books and not slowing down. Harry also grabbed books on Potions, History, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and Spell Creation/Spell Manipulation.
Eobard then directed Harry to decent hotel that catered to both magical and non-magical people. In the magical rooms, it was allowed for residents to use magic and apparate between certain times. That was how he spent most of his time, reading his new books, making notes and apparating around his room.
He had read about the American Laws for Apparating, you could learn it was proven when a wizard or witch turned twelve or thirteen as the magical core had strengthened enough to cope with the technique. As for the test it comprised of apparating around an obstacle course and then apparating as close as one could to the Davy Crockett Monument Tower.
The tests could be booked but if someone got there early enough they could get an early morning test. Harry rooted through his backpack and found the communication mirror "Sirius!" He called.
Sirius answered and the Black Family and Harry spent a few hours talking comparing the differences between magical Britain and magical America. It was around eight in the evening when Harry left his room. He locked the door, handed the key in and walked into a quiet corner of the room and apparated out.
The next morning Harry went to another vendor, grabbed three breakfast tacos. Gulped down a nutrient mix potion, aside from the slightly metallic taste it was alright. By 8:45 he was the tenth in the que for an un-booked apparation test.
"Apparate into ring numbers 1,4,5,7,2,3,9,8 and 10, then return to the start in that order." Said the instructor, Harry grinned. He had been practising like mad for this test and with a multitude of snaps, cracks, pops and finally something akin to silent he cleared the last two and landed back in front of his tester whose eyebrows had raised.
"I wasn't expecting some to be silent. How long have you been practising?"
Harry smiled weakly "Three days or so, about four to five hours a day. Some of my teachers explained that I grasp practical magic a lot easier than theory."
The instructor nodded "So far so good. Now to the Davy Crocket Monument." The man apparated away, Harry followed. The instructor apparated to the foot of it and above him was a ledge with an apparation point. The instructor was expecting his teste to appear behind him. He was distracted by a sharp crack. He looked up to see Harry on the balcony above him. Harry concentrated and landed next to him.
"Mr. Potter, it is my honour to say you have passed your apparation test. Now if you would follow me, I would like to collect your details so you can fill out the appropriate forms and send them on to your Ministry."
Harry snorted "Fill in the forms yes. In fact I'd like to register them here in San Antonio. Legislation from both Britain, America and the ICW say that 'those passing exams and skills that require legislation must be recorded' it does not however say in what Country. Due to how 'assbackwards' as America would say about Magical Britain I would like to register here. In Britain we learn to apparate at sixteen and can only take the test at seventeen."