Both the singlet and the doubles Gryffindor Quidditch teams made their way to the field for practice.

"Over the summer we've devised a whole new training program" said the Irish captain singlet captain gesturing to the (Scottish) doubles one.

"We are going to train earlier, harder, and longer" continued the doubles team coach.

Both the Doubles and the newly dubbed 'Singlets' tended to practice together since it was hard to book field time.

Everyone was in a good mood as they walked to practice. Alfred was babbling about some Anime Japan sent him, Mathew was pretending to listen and Harry tried to pick out the words that were important, but honestly was just completely lost in the interlacing story lines and ramblings.

But suddenly the singlet captain groaned"What?" as they rounded the corner. "I don't believe it".

"Where do you think you're going Flint?" the Scottish called out to the Slytherins doubles team captain.

Unlike Gryffindor, the single and doubles teams train separately.

"Quidditch practice" the boy in green answered.

"I booked the field for Gryffindor today" answered the Scotsman.

"Easy man" the Slytherin answered. "I have a note".

"Uh, oh" said Ron from where he was sitting a bench next to Hermione doing some assignments for potions. "I smell trouble".

The two closed their books and sauntered up to where the two captains were in a glaring match.

"I professor Serbernus Snape do herby give the Slytherin Doubles team permission to practice today for the need to train practice with their new brooms" he read out loud to the teams.

"You've got new brooms?" asked the captain.

"You can bet" Malfoy smirked stepping forward.

"They're like totally crazy" said another girl.

"They don't look 'totally crazy'?" snickered Harry.

"Well check this out" showed Draco.

He pushed a button on the broom and it created two platforms on the side giving it a circular appearance.

"Now we have more space to stand on when we try to catch the snitch. You losers wil…." Draco began but was cut off by America squealing like when Poland saw Lithuania in that Ballet Dress (that situation was just awkward for everyone else).

"Dude that is so awesome! Oh my god! Where'd you find find it! Where's you find it! Where'd you find!"

"Calm down!" seethed Draco while the rest of the team not in class with the enthusiastic American groaned. "My dad ordered it from NASA".

America stopped his squealing and took the broom from Draco and checked the side.

"Wahoo" cheered Alfred jumping up and down. "That is my design based off of Tony's. I knew those plans I found were real even though he told me they didn't exist. It doesn't matter how you look at the Mo-Fo. It is undeniably my design based off a UFO's ship from outer freaking space!"

"What's the Yank going on about?" one of the Slytherins groaned.

"Yes!" he continued cheering. "I knew it would make it to market it, take that!" he pointed to Canada.

"Okay, Al', you were right. It sold, happy" sighed Mathew at his brother antics.

"I designed that Mo-Fo. NASA actually used MY design."

"You work for NASA?" questioned Draco, not believing him in the slightest.

"Yeah?" said America confused at all the unconvinced glances. "I was sent there to work because of my high science abilities".

"Sure you do" said Draco sarcastically.

"Are you calling me a liar!" seethed Alfred.

"No. you were just mistaken sir." he said sarcastically. "It is probably one of you fifteen personalities due to your advanced Schizophrenia".

"What?" saddened America because no one was giving him credit for a design he spent years devolving.

It was originally based off of some plans he had found in Tony's room, and he added places for gun holders, extra fuel, increased the speed and a lot of other add-ons.

Although he sees NASA seemed to have removed all the weaponry aspects of the Broom, it was still his design.

"Here I'll prove it!" said America, turning the Broom over.

"See" he pointed to the lettering on the side which read "Tony craft 2000, designed by 'Pursuit Of Happiness' and made in the U.S.A".

"It said it was designed by 'Pursuit Of Happiness'. How does that prove anything?" asked a Slytherin boy in the back.

"'Pursuit Of Happiness' is one of my pen names." answered America.

"Also I named it after my best friend Tony. He's the Alien who I got the design idea from."

He was going to continue, when he felt sharp kick in the shin.

"Ow!" he hobbled back.

"By Alien he means from Mexico" added Canada quickly.

He had to cover for America since if the secret gets out of Aliens existing, since his country is also working on the project, he would also get in trouble.

"I thought he was from the Bahamas?" said Hermione.

"No he's from outer space" said America pushing himself off the ground.

"Why? Is that weird or something?" asked Alfred, purposely oblivious to the stares. "Because my other friends are a whale, a bunny, a dog, a Donkey, an Elephant, a…."

"How big is your house?" gaped Ron cutting him off.

"Oh. I keep them at separate houses. Tony doesn't like the whale or the dog and Toris watches them all for me when I go on vacation."

"You have a house for every pet?" also gaped Draco.

Even he wasn't that rich.

"I have a house in every state. And Mattie's got one in every Province in Canada. We also have a one in most countries."

"One in most countries?" repeated Harry, astounded.

"Yeah, and me and my bro also share one on the Border".

Canada glared at his brother. He hated when he went into his oblivious stages, he never kept any secrets.

"Please remind me why they let you know top priority government secrets again?"

"Because I'm a genius and they can't afford to lose me". Alfred retorted.

"And if you need any more proof" said America to Draco, purposely ignoring his brothers glare.

"Matt and I also have the same broom." He said unfolding the broom to its circular shape.

"Although ours goes two hundred and fifty two point seven percent faster than yours, and comes equipped with blinding rays, pepper spray, an explosives dropper, anti aircraft lasers, GPS, and mountable guns. Plus if you add on the bonus pack I have back in my room, there are also heat seeking missiles".

Draco really hoped they would not use those during the Match.

"How much do those cost?" asked Ron.

"Forty Five Thousand America dollars apiece" answered Draco.

Ron looked deflated so America said "...or I could just call NASA and have them send us some".

"What, Weasely can't afford it himself? He couldn't even afford a new wand without the twins footing the bill, so how could I have expected for him to be able to afford the best?" Draco mocked.

"At least he isn't acting like a jealous two year old like you. Looks like your not the rich kid any more, huh?" stated Hermione.

Alfred and Mathew would protest, but lets face it, they have nearly the entire treasury at there disposal and so many people that owe them favors that they could probably get an entire mall for free.

"No one asked your opinion. You filthy little Mudblood."

"Hey!" shouted Mathew defending Hermione.

"If you're going to call someone a Mudblood calls us" finished Alfred.

"So you're Muggle born too. How did I not know?" Draco rolled his eyes.

"We're not" said Mathew.

"Half blood?" asked Harry.

"Well, uh… I don't know okay?" said Alfred, head trying to figure out how to word this without revealing they weren't really 'born' they just appear.

"We're pure bloods…. I think? Whatever, that doesn't matter!"

"Yes it does" said Draco. "This shouldn't be that hard to answer. Even if you are orphans you would still know based on the blood test you had when you applied for the school." he said, testing the water to assure what he heard in the cafeteria was correct.

"Well. I guess we're…." Stuttered Canada.

"That doesn't matter!" stomped America. "We meant racially".

"Both of us are Mexican, Canadian, American, English, French, Indian, Spanish, Philippians, as much as I hate to admit it Russian, Belarusian, Native American, Alaskan, Japanese, Chinese and any other country you can think of".

It is true, they are both a nation of Immigrants and they have at least a few from every country on earth.

"Well how do you know that but not your blood status?" said Draco defiantly.

"It's complicated all right!" Yelled America.

"I just think you don't want to say who your parents really are".

Canada was now really yelling and the rest were quite taken back and everyone except Alfred and the trio weren't used to the voice that rarely rose above a whisper getting that loud.

"We don't know who they are all right! Happy. Just like you expected Draco, we're orphans. We were left alone in the woods and have been passed around to hundreds of people since because we inherited a few trillion dollars, a couple billion dollars in gold, more silver than you can imagine, people who owe us so much that we could indenture them to servitude if we wanted and combine that with over well ten million acres of land!"

'Check' Draco pinged in his head. 'And now to use that little factoid to make them miserable.'

"Oh so no one wanted you then?" Teased Draco, finding a weak spot.

"No one wanted the little cursed twins, bringing destruction with them."

They had introduced the settlers to a new host of disease and dangers, but Draco hadn't known how correct his statement had been.

"No one wanted you for you. They just wanted your money than threw you away."

Now the Slytherin team was laughing and even a few on the Gryffindor side forced back snickers seeing as it was a member of their team being harassed.

"And the only one that did care" Draco said pointing to Alfred. "You abandoned like the selfish brat you are". he once again tested, and from the look on Alfred's face he knew he hit the mark.

Meanwhile, Ron was watching the whole episode and truly felt bad for them.

He knew this must be a hard topic and Draco was exploiting in mercilessly.

Although they stayed strong, Ron could see the brief flash of hurt in their eyes.

"You'll pay for that Malfoy!" said Ron taking out his new and improved wand.

It had come in the mail this morning, and it was a lot more advanced than anything he'd ever seen.

He hadn't had a chance to practice but it was too late to turn back now.

"Eat slugs!" he chanted.

He didn't notice the little dial on the side was switched to 'backlash'.

The green light shot back hitting him dead in the chest and knocking him over.

"Ron!" Harry and Hermione yelled running over to him.

"See, destruction. But why aren't you two freaking out?"

Ron was hunched over and puking out slugs every two seconds.

"He'll be fine". Shrugged Mathew.

"Fine! He's spitting out slugs!" grunted Harry, trying to drag his friend.

"We've had that happen with blood before. Unless the slugs are coming from his head, heart or lungs, he'll live". Said Alfred.

"Wow" said a high pitched voice and a Camera went off of the twins and the slug.

"Can you move to the right Mathew" said Creevey.

"Not now Collin" growled Canada. "Sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but this is sort of a bad time". He returned back to his usual tepid voice.

"Its fine" said Collin, running off to develop the photos.

"Get out of the way" groaned America, lifting Ron up with one hand.

"Keep your neck strait and head tilted down do so you don't choke. Don't try to swallow and breathe through your nose".

Ron nodded and did just that and he did notice that it did become a little easier to breath.

"Let's take him to Hagrid. He'll know what to do" said Harry leading the way for the twins to carry Ron.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

They staggered to the hut and outside waiting for them was Hagrid.

"Oi Mathew. I thought we weren't having our bonfire for another two hours" he jollily yelled.

"Hey Hagrid. Sorry I'm early. Ron accidentally cursed himself while defending Hermione".

"Well then" the large man said, opening the door. "Come in."

He led the five to the usual brown, worn out couch couch where Harry, Ron and the Nations sat.

"This required specialist equipment"said Hagrid sarcastically, handing Ron a bucket which he put in his lap. "You're just going to have to wait till it stops I'm afraid".

Ron threw up another slug and the other two shivered in disgust.

The twins didn't even flinch, they had seen way worse in their long lives.

"Better out than in" they said in unison, patting Ron on the back.

"So Mathew said that Ron tried to curse somebody?" asked Hagrid to Harry.

"Malfoy. He called Hermione a Mudblood and then teased the twins for being orphans and Alfred for leaving Arthur when they tried to defend her. He was awful, saying how nobody wanted them, just their money".

"But Hermione is more important" said Mathew forcing the pain from his expression.

But since Hagrid worked with Animals, he had a sort of fifth sense when it comes to distress.

But he decided that at the moment Hermione was more important since she actually had tears in her eyes.

"What does Mudblood mean anyway?" asked Alfred, disguising the slight crack in his voice as a cough.

Hagrid wasn't fooled.

"It means dirty blood" spat Hermione.

"Mud blood is a really foul name for someone who is Muggle born. Someone with no magic parents. Someone like me".

"Oh I see" sighed Alfred. "Back home it means someone with mixed races parents. That's why I said we were Mud Bloods. We have a bit of everything in us."

"It has a similar meaning here. It is not a word one usually hears in civilized conversation" Hermione sniped.

"The thing is" Hagrid explained. "There are some wizards, like the Malfoy family, who believe they're better than everyone else because they're what people call 'pure blood'" explained Hagrid.

"You mean like slave owners in the 1800's?" gritted Alfred.

'How could anyone still think like that?' he asked in his mind.

"That's horrible." agreed Canada.

"It's disgusting" stated purple faced Ron, immediately spitting out another slug, the feeling of slime coating him inside and out making him even more nauseous.

"And cogswall up to buzz" stated Hagrid. "Dirty blood. Why there isn't a wizard alive today that isn't half blood or less."

"And more to the point" continued Hagrid. "They haven't thought of a spell yet that our Hermione can't do."

"Come here" he said, grabbing her hand lightly.

"Don't you think on it for one minute, Hey."

Hermione smiled and calmed herself down.

Then she looked over to the boys on the edge of the couch and realized how selfish she was being.

While Draco had called her 'Mudblood'. He had called them more wretched things than she could count and brought up the obviously painful experience of Alfred leaving Arthur.

They were frowning and she has never seen either them in an emotion that wasn't happiness, anger or downright paranoia.

"Are you alright?" she asked the twins.

They were wearing frowns, but the second she said anything they stitched on a smile as soon she heard her voice.

They were very used to this, if you let any nation see you down, they will kick you and taunt you until you either snap and cause World War Three or are a crying mess in the bathroom.

Better not to let emotions show.

"Yeah, why are you asking?" said Mathew. "You are always so nice, he called you such an awful name and you are concerned about us."

The four were looking at them stunned.

"He called you the same thing and a lot more." Said Hermione.

"We're used to it" answered Alfred. "With the people we hang around with, if you listen to anything they say you get crushed instantly".

"We've been called a lot worse than that" Mathew added.

"That doesn't make it right!" said Harry. "He called you orphans and that no one cared about you!"

"It's kinda' true" shrugged America.

Except for maybe England and possibly France, they were always a financial investment and nothing more.

A place to mine and go.

…and catch disease…

The fours heart broke when they heard that, it explained so much of their problems.

"We care about you" said Hagrid.

"Guys, it's fine. It's no big deal" answered Mathew covering his shaky voice expertly.

"This is not fine goddamn it!" Hermione yelled.

The rest looked at her in shock and the twins shrank back.

When she cursed, or even said something considered remotely like cursing, you know she means business.

"For once, can't you care about your selves? Alfred is known as the most self centered person at this school other than maybe Draco, but doesn't even care when he's being called every insult in the book. And Mathew does it ever bother you people pretend you're not even there?"

"Just for once show some sort of emotion other than anger, oblivious or paranoia. You are taking the 'big boys don't cry' thing to far. Harry shows a wider range of emotion than you."

Hermione was getting just plain angry now. Who could have broken them this badly to the point they just stopped caring about feelings.

Because when she sees them she is going to rip out their spinal Column and feed it to the alligators in the lake outside the school.

"I told you. We are not upset" repeated America.

Hermione looked like she was about to burst and Hagrid was able to sense that they were not going to get anything out of the twins so he decided that a distraction would be the best solution.

"Hey Mathew, why don't we get started on that bonfire and Alfred why don't you go get us some Smore ingredients so we could make some tonight?"

Both nodded and quickly scrambled up to get the ingredients and wood and Hagrid went out to help Mathew, leaving the house empty except for the trio.

"That only makes me more convinced than ever that we need to figure out what they're hiding. We need to help them; this is not a healthy life for a thirteen year old." Said Hermione determinedly.

"Agreed. I feel awful for them, I mean, I have had to live in a closet and can still say that" agreed Harry.

"Me too" said Ron setting aside the bucket since he had stopped spitting out the mussels. "I seriously wonder what they have been through? I wish we could we could ask".

"Maybe we can" realized Hermione.

"But even we could get them to answer without running off, screaming or passing out" sighed Ron. "We know they would just lie to us like they did about the scar."

"What about a truth potion?" Hermione suggested. "It would take a while to make, but it would maybe help us".

"It can't hurt?" agreed Harry.

"Yeah, Alfred totally won't go all red eyed and turn us into blood stains" said Ron sarcastically.

"I thought you were the one pushing for harder investigation?" said Hermione.

"I also like having my body not made into Swiss cheese from bullet holes, or being burned at the stake by Mathew" he answered, crossing his arms.

"Oh nonsense" answered Hermione. "Its tasteless, colorless and odorless they wouldn't be able to tell. I'll get the batch started when I get back to the dorms."

Ron was going to object but Alfred burst in his usual loud way and announced.

"The hero has brought the ingredients and the sidekick has finished the fire. We may all go out and eat".

The three nodded and Alfred went outside, closing the door.

"Have you noticed he only goes into his whole 'hero' thing when he's under stress" commented Harry.

"If the truth potion works, we'll find out why" Hermione stated, pushing open the door.

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The fire was glowing bright and Mathew sat close to the licking flames, obviously mesmerized, and though Mathew was sitting as close as he could physically manage ; Alfred sitting as far away as physically possible due to his fear of getting burned.

He still was able to reach the fire with his stick so all three of them were toasting their marshmallows.

The trio sat down on some of the stumps around the fire being used as a substitute as chairs.

Soon all six were eating Smores and watching the quickly growing fire.

Hagrid had gone inside a few minutes prior to go to sleep and the kids were left alone to there own devices with the parting words "do not burn down anything or else i'm going to get int trouble for letting you stay out late.".

The boys had their legs tucked in and Hermione had hers crossed.

The twins were both leaning forward and singing and eerie song.

"Bring on the fire, bring on the hell" the sang together and the fire grew higher.

"Set everything a blaze so that no trace remains."

The kept chanting that until the flames reached as tall as some of the trees and a creepy purple mist began rolling in.

In other words, Ron was officially scared.

"I feel like were summoning the devil!" he squeaked.

The nations shook their heads and stopped their chanting.

"Sorry" Canada apologized. "Our older brother taught it to us as a lullaby to protect ourselves, and it's just become ritual to sing it at campfires."

"I had the same reaction as Ron when I first sang at an actual campfire with Arthur and some friends, but I got used to it" added America.

For once actually not seeing anything particularly out of place with the statement (At this point they figured anything went in the twins family) they just let it go.

"Well, we probably should be heading off" yawned Alfred.

"Yeah, it's getting pretty late" agreed Ron.

The five packed their things and left the small shabby hut and walked into the towering castle.

"Hey, I need to stop by the library first" Hermione excused herself, leaving the group at the entrance to Gryffindor.

"Do you want us to come with you?" offered America.

"No!" all three said at once.

Well, since like earlier said they are not the twins, it went more like "no", "no thank you", and "I'm good".

Confused by the answer, but too tired to care the twins shrugged and the four remaining boys went into their room and back their beds.

Before they went to bed, like every night Canada turned on his maple leaf nightlight and America took his monthly white pill.

"Night" he said to the others, getting under the covers and closing his eyes.

He got a few difference responses like "Night", "shut up" and "ugh", then dozed off to sleep.

Completely unaware of Hermione's gathering of ingredients in the old haunted girl's room downstairs.