CHAPTER ONE: WELCOME BACK

"C'mon, bro, it's gotta be this way!"

"No, that's the way to the nearest McDonald's, eh."

"Really? Well, let's go get some burgers, I'm starving!"

"We ate, like, an hour ago! How can you be hungry again?"

"THE HERO'S STOMACH DEMANDS SUSTENANCE!"

Canada buried his face in his hands, hoping to avoid looking at all the stares he and America were getting from passersby. If America hadn't balked at the thought of using Floo Powder, they'd already be in Diagon Alley. But apparently the hero's bravery didn't extend to walking into a magical fire, so they'd had to do it the Muggle way and take an eight-hour flight. Now they were wandering around good old London town trying to find the Leaky Cauldron. They were so used to having England around to guide them when they visited, it was rather disconcerting.

Canada grabbed America by the back of the collar before he could run off after the smell of fast food and pulled out his map of the city with his other hand. "Looks like we're on the right street. It shouldn't be hard to find, it stands out, eh."

Canada somehow managed to stop America from running off as they searched for the old, dark pub in the midst of the bright storefronts. They didn't have to look for too long, thankfully, and soon enough they'd left a loud, crowded street for the slightly quieter, emptier pub. It quickly became even louder once America recognized the large group of people standing near the bar.

"RON! HERMIONE!" In the blink of an eye America had gone from standing at Canada's side to hugging the living daylights out of Ron and Hermione. "DUDES, IT'S BEEN, LIKE, WAY TOO LONG!"

Canada exchanged an exasperated look with Kumajamie before going over to rescue them. "Alfred, they need to be able to breathe in order to respond," he murmured. "And continue living, eh."

"Oh, right. Whoops!" America released them. "Sorry, dudes! I sometimes forget my super awesome heroic strength!"

"Th-that's fine," Ron panted, clutching his side. "J-just try not to, okay? I think you nearly broke a rib…"

"It is nice to see you guys again, though," said Canada, smiling. He would have hugged them as well, but they were still recovering from America's grip of steel.

"It's nice to see you, too," said Hermione. Her eyes lit up as she seemed to remember something. "Oh! I ran into Francis over the summer while I was in France!"

Canada nodded. "Yes, I know. He told me." Along with giving me some not-at-all-subtle hints that we should clearly be a couple. "I hope he wasn't too much of a bother."

"Oh, no, he wasn't a bother at all," said Hermione. "I think my parents saved a lot of money on tour guides with him around. I was surprised by how much he knew about the history of the places we visited, actually." Well, he was probably there when it happened, so it's not surprising to me.

While they were talking, they'd been ignoring America's conversation with Ron. They couldn't ignore it any longer when America grabbed Canada by the arm and yelled, "BRO, WE'RE GONNA GO FIND HARRY! HE TURNED HIS AUNT INTO A BALLOON!"

"Wha- seriously?!" Canada looked at Ron for confirmation.

"I'll explain while we look," he said. "We can get our supplies along the way."

And so they did. They went to Flourish and Blotts to get their books, including the Monster Book of Monsters. The assistant had burst into tears when they said they wanted four, and America had ended up wrangling them copies while Canada comforted the poor man. No sign of Harry. They went to Madam Malkin's for new robes, since they'd all grown out of their old ones. England had made a slight adjustment to Canada and America's de-aging spell, so that they'd actually grow over the course of the year. It would be rather odd if they only got growth spurts during the summer, after all. Still no sign of Harry. They went to a lot of places, but there wasn't a trace of Harry.

"If he's having an adventure without us, I'm not talking to him for the rest of the year," growled America as they sat down outside Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour.

"We'll see him on the train tomorrow, at least," said Ron as he started eating his ice cream.

"I guess," America muttered, and began eating as well. Though judging from how quickly he finished, perhaps wolfing it down was a better description. He was finished before the others were even halfway done. "Well, that was tasty!" he said brightly, all frustration apparently forgotten. Then he glanced at the street and suddenly started waving madly and running over to something. "HARRY! YO, HARRY, DUDE! HARRY!"

Canada, Ron and Hermione's heads all whipped around to see America giving Harry a hug and yelling in his ear. Luckily America seemed to have learned his lesson, because he let Harry go before Canada had to get up and remind him not to suffocate his friends. He dragged Harry over and said loudly, "DUDES, I FOUND HIM!"

"Finally!" said Ron, grinning at Harry as he sat down. "We went to the Leaky Cauldron, but they said you'd left, and we went to Flourish and Blotts, and Madam Malkin's, and-"

"I got all my school stuff last week," Harry explained. "And how come you know I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Dad," said Ron simply.

"Did you really blow up your aunt, Harry?" said Hermione in a very serious voice.

"Wait, he blew her up? Was the explosion big? Dude, tell me, how did you manage to get explosives?" America demanded.

"She means as in like a balloon, Alfred," sighed Canada.

"I didn't mean to," said Harry, while America and Ron roared with laughter. Canada had to admit, the mental image was rather humorous. "I just- lost control."

"It's not funny, you two," said Hermione sharply to America and Ron. "Honestly, I'm amazed Harry wasn't expelled."

"So am I," admitted Harry. "Forget expelled, I thought I was going to be arrested." He looked at Ron. "Your dad doesn't know why Fudge let me off, does he?"

"Probably 'cause it's you, isn't it?" shrugged Run, still chuckling. "Famous Harry Potter and all that. I'd hate to see what the Ministry'd do to me if I blew up an aunt. Mind you, they'd have to dig me up first, because Mum would've killed me. Anyway, you can ask Dad yourself this evening. We're staying at the Leaky Cauldron tonight, too! So you can come to King's Cross with us tomorrow! Hermione's there as well!"

Hermione nodded, beaming. "Mum and Dad dropped me off this morning with all my Hogwarts things."

"Excellent!" said Harry happily. He turned to Canada and America. "What about you two? Are you staying, as well?"

America nodded. "Yup! Iggy booked us a room." He gasped. "Dudes, we should totally have a party! Like, a really huge party!"

"No, we shouldn't," said Canada. "Remember what happened last time?"

America rolled his eyes. "Oh, c'mon, bro! It's not my fault Feliks likes dressing in girl clothes! The pizza guy should have looked closer!"

"I… don't want to know," said Hermione. She frowned suddenly and added, "I didn't see Mr. Kirkland come in with you. Where is he?"

Canada and America looked at each other. "Uh… is it okay for us to say?" asked America.

Canada shrugged. "He never said we couldn't, eh. Go ahead."

He covered his ears as America took a deep breath before shouting, "IGGY'S TEACHING AT HOGWARTS!"

Harry, Ron and Hermione were clearly surprised. "Seriously?" asked Harry. "Is he taking over Defence Against the Dark Arts?"

Canada shook his head. "No, History of Magic. Binns wanted a vacation."

"Well, it won't be hard for him to be an improvement," said Ron. "Does he know a lot about history?"

Canada tried to suppress his laughter while America said in an annoyingly knowing voice, "Oh, yes. Yes he does."

"So, have you got all your new books and stuff?" Harry asked, apparently knowing better than to pry.

Ron showed off his new wand, and they all marvelled at how many courses Hermione was taking. "Alfred's taking nearly as many, why aren't you bothering him?" she snapped after Harry asked whether she was planning on sleeping or eating at all.

"What, seriously?" said Harry, surprised.

America rolled his eyes. "Yeah. Is that really so surprising? I'm taking Care of Magical Creatures and Divination with you and Ron, and Muggle Studies because I was practically raised as one and it'll be an easy pass, and Arithmancy because-"

"Wait, you're taking Arithmancy?" asked Ron, jaw dropping.

"I like a challenge," said America. "And I'm pretty good with numbers. Shocking, I know."

"Which classes are you taking, Matthew?" Hermione asked. Harry and Ron jumped and looked at Canada with surprise, as if they'd forgotten he was there.

"Care of Magical Creatures, Muggle Studies, and Ancient Runes," Canada murmured.

America grinned. "Sweet! I heard that Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs are having Muggle Studies together, so that's gonna be great! We can just spend the whole class laughing at how ignorant wizards are!"

Hermione glared at him. "You shouldn't take a class just to laugh at it, Alfred," she said reproachfully. "But it would be nice to have more classes with you, Matthew." She suddenly blushed. "Er, um, I-I didn't mean it like that!"

Canada sighed. "Did Francis get to you, too? He needs to be stopped."

A/N: I'm having a bit of trouble getting back into the swing of things, but here you go! You finally know which classes America and Canada are taking! Also, France, stop shipping CanadaxHermione! It's not going to happen! :P HUGS FOR EVERYONE! \(^-^)/ I'm glad you're all so excited for this! NEXT CHAPTER: America and friends get on the train. See you all next time!