Chapter 2

I own nothing, all rights go to their owners.

A/N: Thanks to Equality4Puppies,reviewer74, and MechaBunny , and Alizarin-Possum534for reviewing. Sorry for the confusion Equality4Puppies I'll try to keep the speakers separate and make it clear who's speaking. ;) Also sorry for the mistake about Germany's national bird Alizarin-Possum. I'm glad everyone likes my story so far. I'm thinking pairings later in the story or in the sequels to this. Suggestions anyone? Just as long as they're not yaoi, incest, or yuri I'll write just about any pairing!

"Leave him alone," Ginny told the sneering Malfoy, her flaming red face matching her hair. "Got, yourself a girlfriend, Potter? And I bet you just love having a little entourage of first year fanboys." Malfoy replied, ignoring Ginny and smirking at Harry. "Shut up, Malfoy!" Harry growled back at him.

Germany, and America especially felt the urge to strangle the irritating Slytherin. But just then, another coldly sneering Malfoy appeared, only this one was Mr. Malfoy. "Draco, I told you to stay put." he quietly told his son, but took notice of Harry, his eyes fixating on his bangs.

"Ah...Mr. Harry Potter." Mr. Malfoy murmured. "Really now, I think a man would do better for his children..." He said as he drew a dusty battered school book out of Ginny's cauldron. Her face flushed even more scarlet. "Hey! That's a not nice!" Italy exclaimed at Mr. Malfoy on Ginny's behalf. Mr. Malfoy fixed a glare on the Nation. "What would a person care for your opinion?" the blonde asked, ice cubes dropping off his words. But before Italy could reply(in which would have been a very squeaky, trembling voice) Mr. Weasley had arrived.

"Lucius." Mr. Weasley coldly nodded at Mr. Malfoy. Hermione's parents had come with the red-haired man, and were looking warily at Mr. Malfoy. "Consorting with muggles Arthur...and I thought your family could sink no lower." Mr. Malfoy aspirated. The instant the words left his mouth, Mr. Weasley tackled him. And the same instant Mr. Weasley had tackled Mr. Malfoy, America tackled Draco Malfoy. Mrs. Weasley could be heard shouting at her husband to stop, mixed in with Italy's squeals of "Alfred, are you going to beat him up!? You're just like fratello!" Germany struggled to pull America off of Draco.

"All right, break it up gentlemen! I said break it up! Stop!" Britain had finally wedged himself between Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Weasley, preventing them from going for each other again. By now, Germany had America in a headlock to keep him from doing further damage to Draco, having decided a black eye and fat lip was enough. Mr. Malfoy, hissing, yanked his son to his feet, his pride too wounded at the moment to attack America for his actions. Instead, the two Malfoys stalked off.

"Mr. Weasley you should've ignored him, Malfoy's words are never to be taken seriously. Nothing they have to say is worth it." Britain was telling Mr. Weasley who was straightening his robes. "You know him, then?" Arthur Weasley asked. "Yes, and you know that anyone who knows that family shouldn't pay them any mind." theNation replied. He suddenly took note of America in Germany's headlock and he gasped. "Alfred! What have you done!?" Britain yelped. Germany released the American finally, who had been turning red. "Hey, Bro! I gave that little creep what he deserved!" America replied cheerfully, laughing.

Ron was laughing too, at what America had done. "Man, Ginny! You're lucky that you get to be in the same year as those first years! Did you see the look on Malfoy's face when that yank Alfred was slugging him!?" the redhead cracked up some more. Harry was glad Malfoy had gotten what he deserved as well, he just wished it had been him that had given it to Malfoy.

It's so strange, are each of those first years from a different country? They sound like it, but Alfred called that British man his brother. How could two brothers be from different countries? The wheels in Hermione's head were steadily turning as she observed the (seemingly) younger students.

"Thanks for standing up for me Feliciano." Ginny thanked Italy.

"Who, me? I a just told him what he a said wasn't nice! It wasn't! I a don't know why he was so mean to you and your famiglia!" Italy frowned at the memory.

"The Malfoys hate us, and now they probably don't like you now either."

"Who a cares? I don't want to be liked by someone like them!" "Yeah, me too. "

"When you go to a Hogwarts what house do you a think you'll be in?"

"My mum says I'll probably be in Gryffindor, like my brothers."

"That's a great! You have fratellos?"

"Yes, six, actually."

"Wow! I have a fratello too! His name is Romano!"

"Romano? That's an odd name."

"Uh-! It's a his middle name! Yeah, his middle name! Lovino Romano Vargas!"

Ginny raised her eyebrows at Italy's strange behavior, but before she could ask, Britain walked over, looked vexed. "Come on Feliciano, we're going." The older nation told him. "O-kay! ~Ciao Ginny! See you at school!" Italy cheerfully waved goodbye to the small red-haired girl. "Good-bye Feliciano!" she replied.

"Alfred! I can't believe you! Attacking Malfoy like that! If you get into trouble like that at Hogwarts you're going to be in a world of hurt! I swear it!" Britain roared. America however, was to busy thinking (gasp!) about all the things he had seen and was going to see, to think about the threat. The American smiled. This year was going to be fun.

Germany fell through the platform wall after Italy and America. Britain had shown them to the train station himself but left before explaining how to get on to Platform 9 3/4. But thankfully, Italy had been right for once when he explained. Perhaps he wouldn't be useless here! They carried their trunks, handed the conductor their tickets and hauled themselves onto the train.

"HEY!HARRY! What's up? Mind if we take a seat in here?" America loudly cried. Harry winced at the sound. "Uh, sure Alfred." the emerald-eyed boy and Hermione scooted over to make room for Americ a and Germany, but there wasn't room for Italy. "You know, my sister is sitting just over in the other car. She could use some company." Ron suggested helpfully, he had noticed the Italian taking a liking to his sister, Feliciano had seemed excited to become friends with anyone and everyone. Italy beamed.

Once seated, (Italy managing not to get lost on the train and finding Ginny) the candy cart came by as it did every year. "Sweeeeettttt! Hey, lady you have any Hershey's?" America questioned. The candy cart witch gave him a blank look. "Uh, okay, whatever! Thanks!" America decided on one of every candy with the strange money Iggy had given him, and promptly stuck a jelly bean in his mouth. His happy expression instantly turned to one of disgust.

"UUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHH! JELLY BEANS THAT TASTE LIKE VOMIT!? WHAT KIND OF SICK JOKE IS THIS?" Italy's ears perked up at the noise from the other car.

After the 2nd years had assured America that not all the candies tasted like puke, and they pacified him with chocolate frogs, they started idly chatting. "Alfred, are you a muggleborn?" Hermione questioned him, and Germany gave her a sharp glance. This girl is smart. We'll need to be careful around her. The German thought to himself.

America struggled to remember what Britain had told him to say if this particular question came up. "Yeah, me and Lud both are. Feli's a half-blood you know? He knows a lot more about magic than me and Lud." he adjusted his Texas as he replied. Hermione simply nodded as though this made sense. But in her head, it didn't. If Alfred's muggleborn, why is his older brother obviously a wizard?

Italy decided his favorite dessert of the British magical world was cauldron cakes, sure he had good magical sweets in Italy, but here in Scotland(wasn't Britain's big brother nice to let him have a shool in his land?) it had to be cauldron cakes. "~Ve? Ginny, was it that?" he opened his eyes in surprise at the thick black book she was scribbling away in. She looked up, an odd look in her eye and her face flushed, she smiled at him "My diary."

America's jaw fell open. After living over 200 years, and fighting in several wars, being the first to land on the moon, and braving the horror of marmite, it took a lot to surprise him. But seeing the gorgeous dark, moonlit castle that was Hogwarts he was positively (as Iggy would put it) gobsmacked. Riding along the shining lake in these little boats, sharing one with Italy, Germany, and Ginny was pretty cool too.

Once they got into the castle America, Italy, and Germany were even more stunned. Germany caught sight of a silvery beard and twinkling eyes at the head of the teachers' table. So this is Herr Dumbledore. Germany noted. The serious looking witch in green robes that had greeted them began reading from a long scroll for "The Sorting". Italy shuffled nervously, as did many of the other first years, while America winked at him confidently.

Ludwig ended up going first of the Nations when "Beilschmidt, Ludwig!" was called. He carefully, stiffly set himself down on the stool. He heard the Sorting Hat within his mind. Well now...not entirely human are you? But not quite not human either. Don't worry I won't reveal you or any others like you, you clearly mean no harm. You've seen terrible things, but that isn't your fault. Persistent, intelligent and cunning. Determined to make the most of yourself. You are definitely a..."SLYTHERIN!" Ludwig internally groaned as he saw he would be in the same house as Malfoy, but knew it might actually work to his and the other Nations' advantage.

After several more names " Jones F. Alfred!" America strutted up the school steps and plunked down onto the stool. The Sorting Hat was placed on his head. You remind me of your brother from years past. Brave, full of courage for sure. Also determined. No question where you belong... "GRYFFINDOR!" The sorting hat called. America couldn't have been more pleased, ending up in the best house out there, and with Harry, Ron,and Hermione too!

Italy came next; "Vargas, Feliciano!" he flinched when the Sorting Hat spoke. A gentle soul, aren't you? You hate violence, but you're patient when you must be. And the loyalty within you is very rare. Incredibly few show as much loyalty as you. For certain..."HUFFLEPUFF!"

Italy felt saddened when Ginny was moved to Gryffindor without him, but quickly forgot that when the bountiful feast appeared.

A/N:I've actually had the Bertie Botts vomit-flavored jelly bean *shudders uncontrollably* Worst experience in my life. I feel a bit guilty I made America go through it too. And in case any of you are wondering, no Ginny and Italy won't end up together, he just took a liking to her. As a friend. Anyway guys, thanks for reading, please review!