Happy New Year! A time when all our documents that need dates that are not automatically put in must be scratched out because we all keep putting 2017! This story has lasted less than one week, yet spans over a year! Yes, I am a nerd like that.

Disclaimer: I make no money from this, so how could it legally be mine in copyright purposes?

Chapter 3

Harry sighed. He had only told Mrs. Higgindobbins the basics. His name was Harry Potter, he went to Hogwarts, and he came here with his muggle relatives for summer vacation. No, he did not know anything about magical America before he came. No, he did not understand a lot of what was happening. Yes, he would like some answers. No, he did not have anywhere pressing to be.

"Well, Harry," Mrs. Higgindobbins started, "there's much to cover for you to understand what is going on. First, the basic differences of our cultures. The Brits and most European countries hate us and most of the Americas. While no-maj Americans and other countries have worked hard to be on decent terms since each country's Revolutionary war, magical America and England especially have never been on good terms. The English wizards saw those who fought against them as rebellious insects, as only commoner families bothered to try to make a name for themselves over here. Also, unlike our no-maj counterparts, magical Englishmen and Native American tribes were on friendly terms. The ones who thought of the natives as barbarians were the ones who never met them, namely those in power. They could not understand why we would work with the natives over them. They eventually decided that we were starting to go into heathenistic tendencies as well. They never bothered to find out how we have grown, and have even developed a grudge against us and all other countries that have escaped their rulings.

"That split has led to vastly different cultures. While Europeans stuck to the old ways, Americans started blending the two types of magics, the Native American and European cultures created widely varied ways of performing magic, which grew with the inclusion of African and Asian magics. Every culture does things differently, here in America, we tried to find out which was the best at what, period. Over time, we found out some magics work better for some, while other ways of magic fit better for others. Eventually, it became common practice to test a child's magic for natural tendencies, and each school would have a specialty to teach. There are a few that are so well-rounded that they are tutored at home – not that some parents don't do that anyway. The state the child lives in determines how the money goes towards tutors, which I doubt you need a lesson on right now.

"So, while Americans were vastly changing the ways we understood magic, European countries refused to teach such magics, going as far as to label many 'dark' and ban them. With Europe refusing to accept our magics, going as far as to try and arrest any delegate we send them, and the Americas and other countries refusing to give up our magics, the rift only widened. Even today, very few are willing to try to work with our counterparts. The English, we know, sell slander to convince their people not to come and try to lock up all those we send to them and even some of the younger mages who are minors and their no-maj parents had to move there for work. Meanwhile, Americans try to warn our countrymen against going across the pond, although we like to think that it's not as bad of a slander because we're right," here, Mrs. Higgindobbins seemed somewhat sheepish. "I know that that's somewhat hypocritical, but no person likes being called wrong. Also, tensions are even higher because Americans see the British as stupid for their pureblood drivel, and many British believe we are blood traitors for our strong relations with the no-majes. More than likely, when you arrived here you gained a watcher, a magician who spies on foreigners in case of threat. It's our version of secret intelligence. Do not worry, we only want to make sure our country stays safe, we will be of no threat to you if you are not to us.

"American magical culture follows more closely with our no-maj counterparts, although some argue that we are leaving our roots. Politics are much more versatile here, which makes the debate stage so much livelier. Of course, it can be interpreted that we have more problems we ourselves create to deal with here, too. No one agrees on anything, so nothing can get done.

"Also, the natural magics are completely different here, too. Many don't realize how the earth's magic can affect our own. As such, many of our magics have had to change and adapt to better fit the land. We even go so far as to relegate certain magic-rich areas so that no-majes cannot enter and we cannot alter the land. Most of the time native tribes guard these lands, as they are naturally more attuned to such magics.

"These magic-rich areas are good for learning how one's own magic interacts with the natural magics of the earth. You are familiar with the term animagus, yes? They use a combination of natural and personal magics to change into an animal form. Mages in Britain who become animagi are more in tune with the natural magics of the earth than their brethren. It's theorized that if one person has a natural affinity for such nature magics, he or she could in turn better teach things to close friends. However, in America, the natural magics are so prominent almost anyone who studies to become one can do so, it does not matter about skill or power, although to be any good at it one does need dedication, just like anything else."

"Wait," Harry interrupted, "so you're saying that while I stay here, I could become an animagus?" Harry had never told anyone, but as soon as he learned that his father and godfather were animagi, Harry had dreamt of learning the skill. Unfortunately, all the books he found in the library said that one had to have a natural talent for Transfiguration, which Harry did not.

"You are staying here for a month? That should be more than enough time, especially with your magic. However, if you study here, you must call the transformation what we call it: spiritualasis. We honor that the natives were the ones to perfect the change in this part of the world, and they called animagi spirit warriors."

"I've heard that a couple of times, now. What do you mean by 'with my magic'? And why did Alex say she could 'see' my magic."

"Hm, how do I explain this," Mrs. Higgindobbins thought for a second. "You'd have to first know how we do this before you can understand what we are looking at. In America, people are taught how to sense magic. Each person senses the magic differently. By saying that I 'see' the magic, I am saying that my sensing most closely matches the sense of sight. All three of us, Alex, Sherry, and me, are sight-based magic sensors. When we 'look' at the magic, we see colors that correlate with different kinds of magic. Sight-based sensors are the most common. Smell-based smell different scents based on types of magic, auditory-based can hear the different pitches of magical frequencies, taste-based often breath through their mouths and taste the 'spiciness' or 'sweetness' or what-have-you, and touch-based can feel the warmth and coldness of magic. There are two other types of sensing, a general-based sensor, who can use multiple types at once, and an unknown-based sensor. Unknown-bases cannot describe how they can sense magic, we say that they use a sixth-sense. It is much like how one cannot tell a blind man what red looks like. Unknown-based sensors are the rarest kind of magician. I have no personal experience with such sensors, I only know about them because the current California congressman is said to be one. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, but almost everyone on this side of the pond can do one variant of it.

"All people's magics react differently to outside stimulus. Some magics are so in tune with the body or soul that it only reacts to conscious thought. Some magics are connected, but can still move without conscious thought. Then, there is the third category: wild magic. This is how we describe a magic that is so separated from the mind that it almost has a mind of its own. It acts in tangent with the body, but it only allows itself to be controlled by the host. Wild magic is also how we describe natural magics oftentimes. The reason for the same name is that a person's wild magic reacts to stimulus in much the same way as natural magic does.

"Your magic, Harry, is possibly the most dis-attached magic I have ever seen, and I specialize in wild magics. Your magic surrounds you, seeming to 'sniff' for danger much like a dog would. It surrounded my magic for a second, seeming to analyze the threat level before deciding I would be of no immediate threat before retreating back to circle around you. This is not good or bad, just surprising. Most European magicians cannot have wild magic and still function under their teachings. Some who do are labeled squibs, and must come to our country or another which allows wild magics to thrive."

Harry didn't know how to respond to that. So he was even more of a freak than he thought?

"There is something that's alarming, though. Your magic seems to have extensions. Two seem to be connected to that scar of yours. One is acting like a guardian against another. To me, your magic is a deep green, very pretty, actually. The protective magic is a black, and while it's centered in your scar, it seems to flow along the outside of your magic. Your magic has no issue with it, so I would assume that it is a blessing another bestowed on you. The one attacking your scar, the most accurate way I can put it, is a blinding white. I know that in England, you call magic 'light' and 'dark,' but that is more based on the original thoughts of light and dark over the actual meanings behind them. Never judge a book by its cover, and all that. Any other extensions do not seem to be enough to actually affect your magic significantly, and honestly, they seem to be helping it, not hindering it, so I wouldn't be bothered. And don't worry over your scar, that dark magic seems to have it covered."

Harry didn't know how to take it all in. The way this woman spoke about magic was completely foreign to Harry, yet it made perfect sense. Before he could ask anymore questions, though, his stomach decided to tell the world it hasn't been fed yet.

Mrs. Higgindobbins laughed. "Sorry, I know that might have been a bit much. You just got here, after all. Please excuse my ramblings, but when it comes to the nature of magic, I just want to rant. It doesn't help that the only people surrounding me already know all about this part of magic. Please, go eat. I'm certain my daughter and her friend would like to show you to one of their favorite food stops."

"Thank you," was all Harry managed to choke out. Did he understand everything? No. Were all his questions answered? More like he just gained more. Did he think he could repeat most of that back to her? Absolutely not! And yet, this woman patiently explained more about what she considered the basics of magic to a teenager who should have known this than any of his teachers explained the basics to an eleven-year-old new to their world! She had tried more for him than anyone else had before, and Harry couldn't help the emotional effect it had on him.

Alex and Sherry stood up. They had been patiently listening the entire time, refraining from commenting or interrupting. Harry didn't know how they did it, especially Alex. Her hyperactivity made her bounce up and down continuously once she stood up. Was she really just sitting still for who knows how long?

Harry stood to follow, before he heard Mrs. Higgindobbins one last time. "And Harry?" He turned to face her. "My practice closes at five every day. How about you come here at say…five fifteen? Every day I can help you slowly understand how it works around here. I would ask you to refrain from trying to gain spiritualasis until you know more, I saw how much that interested you. However, most teachers would rather you know how to sense at least your own magic before you attempt such a feet. When you come by, I'll make sure to help you with that, as well."

Harry almost felt like crying. How could someone be so helpful for a stranger? Even Hagrid had helped him get acclimated to the wizarding world because Dumbledore asked him to. Harry just smiled and nodded, then followed the girls through the fog.

"Oh, come on! He exclaimed when he walked out. Mrs. Higgindobbins had dried him off with a spell that acted like a blow-dryer while he was explaining how he got here, and now the fog re-soaked him!

Alex laughed while Sherry smiled and re-did the spell her mother cast on him. They beckoned him out the door, towards where he guessed the food was.

He didn't know what was to come in this new world, but he had a feeling he would like it.

Wow, longest chapter yet! I told myself that I wouldn't accept a chapter less than 1,000 words, but it seems like the further I go, the longer I have to write. And three updates in less than a week, that is not what I expected when I started this project. Don't expect that to last. I hope that the explanations didn't remind any of you of your science classes or anything boring like that. I also hope that this cleared up some of the confusion from the last chapter. As you can hopefully see, I'm trying to make the different cultures in the magical world as varied as in our own. Sometimes when I read fanfictions with Harry out of the country, I feel like the authors are treating the magical world more like states, territories, and provinces within one country over a world that I would think would be just as diverse as our own, with wars and rising tensions and all the other foreign policy bull. (Although some I will admit are amazing at making each country's people treat magic differently.)

I think I figured out where Higgindobbins came from (its actually been bugging me). I like watching the Carol Burnett show, which has Mrs. Wiggins. Still not sure where the dobbins comes from, oh well…

And you guys haven't even made any guesses as to where Alex's name comes from! Here's another hint: Disney.

Also, I decided to put on each chapter when I published it (partially to help myself keep track). Chapter one: 12/29/2017, Chapter two: 12/31/17, Chapter three: 1/1/18

One last thing, I need a cover image for the story. If you would like to help me, that would be awesome. I would like to take a picture from a Wikipedia webpage, but I don't think I technically have been given permission to use it (even though it's on a public sight).

As always, let me know how to improve, and review, follow, favorite, whatever suits your fancy.