This is what I meant when I said earlier that updates would be sporadic (I did say that, right?). Life, at the moment, is not willing to lend much extra time for things like writing.

Disclaimer: I'm innocent! You can't make me talk! I know nothing! …oh, we're not doing that? Well then, simply put, I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter Six

Harry was excited. Within a week, he would be a spiritualist.

He, Chase, and several others would go to a week-long camp to learn the basics of spiritualasis. The camp was based in one of the 'protected areas' Mrs. Higgindobbins once mentioned. A reserve set aside for natural magics to flourish without outside interference. Several tribesmen and shaman would come from around the area to teach them. All were spiritualists with varying degrees of success. Some were naturals, others struggled, and some can barely change their own form. Brandon said this was because they wanted the greatest variety of teachers for the best results. It wouldn't do for a natural to teach someone struggling, and vice versa. The amount also helped with the sheer volume of applicants. The average for these camps was around fifty kids, although during summer break that average shot up to one hundred and above.

Speaking of Brandon, Harry had gotten close with the Higgindobbins family. Every day, he spent with at least one of the children. Sherry was always accompanied by Alex. The two were almost complete opposites, yet both knew exactly what to show Harry to get him acclimated with American wizarding culture. Most of the time, these activities included trying new foods (Which was usually accompanied by Alex's, "cookie, not biscuit. Say it with me, coo-kee," or "Why would you call a French fry a chip? Chips are what come in bags," or the all-time favorite, "Bangers? Didn't know this was an R rated restaurant." Harry learned how to ignore her much like Sherry did.), going to various amusement parks, going to the various stores in the mall (They still weren't even a fourth of the way through.), going to the movies, and just hanging out and talking (mostly done by Alex). Harry was thankful for the magical ATM machines, or he would have had to cave to Alex's incessive need to buy him everything much more often. Mandy and Brandon showed him around their job sites. Brandon showed him several popular tattoos that were always on display in his little shop, the booklet that showed several magic conducting tattoos, the enchanting rooms that allowed the tattoos to come to life, and Harry even got to see him work on a few customers. Mandy showed Harry the basics of broomstick gymnastics. He found that while he was good at the stunts that kept him on the broom, anything that changed that dynamic made his gracefulness go right out the window. Several of Mandy's teammates (Harry didn't realize she was on an all-girl team until that point) cooed over him whenever he did something they thought was 'adorable.' Harry swore to never go back there again.

The Higgindobbins child Harry spent the most time with, though, was Chase. They would spend hours just talking and relaxing. It was almost lazy, with several pauses in conversation just to take in the shared companionship. Chase made sure to explain things to Harry much like his mother did: completely and thoroughly. Harry didn't mind; it was a relief to get clear answers for once in his life, even if the information dump left him reeling. Chase decided to get him a notebook to write down everything he was learning. "You're likely to forget several key elements of our society. This should lessen your chances of looking like an idiot," was Chase's blunt explanation. The notebook looked sturdy, which Harry was thankful for. If he had to carry it around on all his adventures, it needed to be able to take a beating.

Speaking of Chase's mother, Harry continued going to her every day after five o' clock. She explained general things about the American wizarding world and about her own personal field of work. She told him that the mist that soaked him when he walked through was an experiment of how the wildness of his magic and others' affect the outside world. She told him that many wild, wide-based magicians would never even feel the water, yet his magic was so curious that it tried to take a sample of the mist's magic with it. Turns out, Harry's magic could connect with natural magics, but it also liked to, as Mrs. Higgindobbins put it, 'taste-test' other types, as well. It wanted to see how it could incorporate that magic into itself. The pulling of the magic, though, also pulled in all the small water droplets. Mrs. Higgindobbins theorized that his magic was so clingy and sticky-fingered because of whatever happened that night he got his scar. Harry didn't think he liked that theory.

He also learned that youths could freely use magic as long as they had adult supervision and did not reveal anything to the no-majes. The U.K. did not have jurisdiction here, so they couldn't track Harry if he did anything underage. His magic was still doing flips at the thought of free reign. He even could have swore he heard it do the classic evil laugh, although it denied it when asked.

After his meetings with Mrs. Higgindobbins, Harry rounded out his day with eating dinner with the family followed by some kind of recreational activity. Movie nights were common, as were physical training brought on by Mr. Higgindobbins. Once, they had a 'family game night,' where cards and board games constantly decorated the dining room table, threats and insults being traded back and forth among the competitors. Harry basked in the warmth of being included in a familial event. Mr. and Mrs. Higgindobbins were quickly becoming parental figures; Sherry, Mandy, and Brandon were already older siblings; and Chase was a best-friend-slash-brother Harry could be proud of. He even trusted them enough to start telling them about his personal life: his want to become an animagus slash spiritualist because of his father, his wish to actually remember his mother beyond her last moments. Brandon had a strange look in his eye as Harry was explaining his life.

He never saw the Weasleys as familial to him, he always saw himself as an outsider, and never allowed any sort of those feelings to be brought up. Ron was already swamped in successful siblings, he didn't need another one, Harry told himself. Hermione could be considered a mothering older sister, but her constant need to study sometimes made it hard to connect on that level.

Now, after all that bonding, he had to say goodbye to most of the family. Only he and Chase would make the trip, but he was hopeful he would make more friends there. Chase promised to introduce him to some of his friends, although that could backfire if they didn't click. In that case, Harry would be the odd one out. Harry decided not to dwell on that too much.

With a quick kiss on the cheek from Mrs. Higgindobbins that made Harry's face burn with both embarrassment and delight, he and Chase walked through the portal. In America, the floo network was unpopular because of the high chance of accidents and their hatred of having to banish the resulting ashes. Portals, on the other hand, analyzed where you intended to go and put you where you would not be seen by no-majes and not in the way of magicals while still being capable of transporting you practically everywhere. The main places you couldn't automatically get into were houses and other private areas (like bathrooms), as the very bricks were warded against any transportation directly inside. Portals were activated when one moved their hand through the air as if they were unzipping a bag in front of them and thinking of where they would like to go. This was accompanied by the actual sound of a zipper, and a small bit of light could be seen following the hand. When finished 'unzipping,' the light would expand into a circle. Once the circle was complete, it was as if one was looking through a window into where they were about to go. You stepped through, feeling only as if you were walking through a doorway, and 'unzipped' the portal when everything and everyone had gone through. It was simple, and there was no nausea that was the norm for magical U.K. travel. Harry was quick to learn the technique. If he never went through another floo again, it would be too soon.

The camp looked similar to any classic camp seen on the telly. There were wooden cabins with a surrounding forest and a lake nearby. It was packed.

Children ran around trying to find friends or their cabins. Adults were either helping guide and direct, or were just as confused as the children. The latter were probably the late bloomers Chase told him about: the ones that for some reason couldn't come when they were between the ages of thirteen and seventeen. Chase explained that first there would be a general orientation, followed by splitting up into groups sorted by age. These groups would learn the basics of the transformation. After learning what their forms were, they would be split up again to be taught how to change into their forms based on natural affinity and what kind of animal. It was easier to split marine from land-based spiritualists, and the less said on what happened the last time a cat and a dog spiritualist transformed next to each other for the first time, the better. The more adults that signed up to help, the more groups there would be.

Both Harry and Chase rolled their luggage (Harry was allowed to borrow one of the Higgindobbins' spares, and when he found out they had wheels, he almost kissed the ground the family walked on) to their cabin. Chase had the paper telling them where to go, and both he and Harry were in the same cabin.

Chase had explained that magical usage would be limited in the camp. Besides the transformation, they would be encouraged to do things the no-maj way. This was to preserve the natural magics. The food would be hand-made, and the cabins would not have any charms on them. The cabins each had a flag in front of their doors. Girls' cabins had red flags, boys' had blue, and adults' had green. Their cabin was in the middle. It was one of the smaller cabins, but it looked warm and inviting. When they walked in, they saw eight bunk beds, each of which was a twin with neutral brown sheets. At the back of the room was a door, presumably leading to a bathroom. There was already four boys in the room, and with the addition of Harry and Chase, it looked like there would only be two more joining them. All the boys looked around their age. None of them had any defining features that would make them stand out in a crowd, but they looked to be nice enough.

Soon, the other two came in and introductions were made. None of the other boys made Harry think they'd be stellar friends, but he thought he could stand staying with them for a week.

About a half hour after they arrived, the boys went to orientation. Orientation was in an area obviously meant for bonfires. There were several logs already stacked up in the middle. Surrounding the firepit on three sides were rows upon rows of logs, which were meant to be used as seats. The logs were set on an incline so those in the back could still see over the ones in the front. On the fourth side of the firepit was the lake; the sunshine reflecting on it was nearly blinding in intensity.

Harry and his cabinmates sat in the middle of the rows facing the lake. Several people had already arrived, and it looked like everyone was happy to be there. Scratch that, almost everyone was happy to be there. Off to the side in a back row were three girls. They were obviously related. One had black hair, the next had white hair, and the last had red. Besides their hair colors, they all looked the same. Their soft features stared out ahead, and they all had an air that warded off any who looked like they might have sat next to them.

Harry's attention was drawn from the girls by a clap of thunder. Lightning streaked to the ground, depositing a man in front of the firepit in the center of the three rows. He had a red leather face, and was obviously one of the tribesmen. One of the adults sitting on the side walked over to give him a microphone, with almost everyone's eyes upon him.

"Hello, everyone," his voice rang out. Harry couldn't see any speakers, but maybe the microphone had a selective sonorous charm on it. (Harry only knew about that charm because Hermione showed it to him once when they were studying together.) "My, we've got a pretty good crowd here to learn. First, before you do anything else, we have some announcements.

"First, classes will be an hour long, with hour long breaks between. You are expected to arrive on time, do not expect your instructors to take time out to discuss with you what you've missed. There will also be no roll call. You are the ones who must put effort in this, and we get paid either way.

"You will meet your cabin councilors after this meeting in your cabins. They will explain how your cabin will be run. They are also the ones who decide what activities you do when you are not in class. You will go to beginning lessons with your cabin, and your cabin will determine what your schedule is.

"We want you guys to have fun, but you may not use magic here without permission. You will get one warning, that is it. Same applies for littering. Any public defacement of the area will result in an immediate fine for your family and you will be kicked out and not allowed to come back.

"Your councilors will tell you everything else you need to know. Classes will start tomorrow, and today dinner will be in an hour. Go back to your cabins, get unpacked, and bond with your cabinmates. That will be all for now." With that speech, the man was struck with lightning, and was gone. With mutterings throughout the crowd, everyone left.

Harry and his cabinmates walked through the door to find a man sitting in the room. He looked geeky, with khaki shorts and a button-collard shirt. His socks were all the way up to his knees, and his glasses seemed to be perpetually sliding off. They gathered around, figuring this was their councilor.

He introduced himself as Sam, and he told them the basics of what would happen.

Breakfast was from seven to nine, lunch was from eleven to one, and dinner was from five to seven. Classes and activities were between those times and after dinner until nine. Curfew was at ten, and they could leave the cabin at six in the morning (this announcement drew several groans). He explained the basic rules. He said that they were called the 'Black Bear Cabin' for activities. They were not required to attend anything, although they were encouraged to participate. All in all, very informative and very boring.

After dinner and a camp sing-a-long, Harry was nestled under his covers, conversing with his magic.

I'm excited! I know that this will be good for us!

Do you know what animal we are? Harry asked it.

Nope! We have to go through the ritual, just like everyone else. It helps me reach a 'higher plane' or something. Red Chief's magic is very boomy.

What?

Red Chief, that's the dude who was talking to you earlier. Or at least, that's what his magic calls him, but that might be a joke. Anyway, his magic decided we needed our own orientation. Something about not harming you and not messing with things that aren't ours. Something about sacred land. I wasn't paying attention.

Well, that's surprising. Harry couldn't help the sarcasm. His magic was a puppy; it couldn't pay attention to anything for any length of time. He could already tell that it was starting to drift from the conversation. Can you show me your world?

Always.

Once again, Harry was immersed in his magic. The others' magics settled around themselves, readying for sleep. Harry could tell who the night owls were, their magic was still jumping and playing. Chase's magic paced on the bed, trying to get comfortable. Harry knew his friend had trouble sleeping, but it was different when he was seeing it through magic's eyes. Chase's magic looked up, rumbled something in acknowledgement (or maybe saying goodnight, or even in defeat that they couldn't get to sleep, Harry could never tell. Chase's magic was even less expressive than him.), and resettled itself down, only to jerk up and resume its pacing. Everything Harry felt, though, was only what he could equate it to. He couldn't see Chase's magic pacing, he couldn't hear its rumble, he couldn't feel how the curious-still-awake magic was trying to understand his style of sensing. He backed out, letting his own magic explain to the confused ones.

He couldn't explain it, but it never got old.

Harry's Journal – Table of Contents

Culture Differences, Extreme Basics of the Differences of Magic, Magic Sensing…page 3

The Basics of Money, Explanation of Foci, Based Magic, My Magical Sensing, Spiritualist Basics …page 4

Classification of Spells, Magical Tattoos, The True Evils of Magic…page 5

(This will be posted at the end of each chapter. It's a catalogue of what each chapter went over (in terms of information). Page numbers correlate with chapter numbers. This is in case you forget the details of magic in America [and it helps me remember where I put that stuff]. Hope this helps with any information dump issues.)

Next chapter's when he gets his form!

So, after my last chapter my follow count has gone up to the triple digits. I find that amazing, especially because I started writing on this cite to improve my writing. I didn't think people would actually like it. Hopefully, by the time I finish this story I haven't done something to it to make you all mad and you can continue to enjoy the story.

Also, (I meant to put this in last chapter…) some people have mentioned that this is an idea they've never seen before. The concept of Harry going to America and getting his animagus form actually stemmed from another fanfiction I read a few years ago before I got this account (yes, this has been stewing in my head for that long). I can't find it now, but if anyone knows what story I'm writing about, I'd gladly give that author credit. I think I'm using the concept completely differently, but I would still like to acknowledge that person.

Three questions for this chapter:

One: I vaguely asked you guys last chapter for your ideas on what no-maj animal Harry would be. I did this partially because I was actually between two different ideas, and I wanted to know how you guys are interpreting my story. I have finally decided, and so I will give you guys two hints: Dogo and white. Do you know which canine I have decided on?

Two: If you have any ideas for this story, feel free to tell me, I'm open to suggestions.

Three: What makes a story qualified for AU? What changes the story from a fanfiction about the character if something new happened to a completely alternate universe?

Published: 2/19/18 (Think I forgot to do that last chapter, so chapter five publish date: 1/6/18)

Review, follow, favorite, whatever suits your fancy.