Chapter 13 of Oh, What Will The New Year Bring?
A few weeks later, back at the dorm. "So, who's the girl?" Isiah probed, for at least the thousandth time in the last week.
"Na, no one," Harry stuttered.
"Do you have a picture of her?"
"Of who?" Harry feigned denial.
"The girl whom you got all quiet over, the other night at dinner, I may have not known you for long, but it's obvious you like someone," Isiah observed, as Harry unpacked more of his things and started to put up pictures, around his bed and over his desk.
"So, who are those people?" Isiah asked pointing at a picture.
"Oh, that's my friend, Ron and his family, his brothers, Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and his sister, Ginny."
"Big family, so who's the girl, your with there?"
Harry blushed, "My friend, Hermione, and me."
"You like her!"
"No," he said shaking his head vehemently.
"Ha, you do."
"You're kidding."
"How long have you known her?"
"We've been best friends since we were eleven."
"So, how long have you liked her?"
Harry looked longingly at the picture.
"Okay, let me rephrase the question, how long have you been in love with her?"
"What! She's my best friend!"
"All the more reason," Isiah muttered, "You've been on so many adventures, with her, I'm shocked you haven't acted." He added coyly.
"Your bloody mad!"
"Am I, Harry, Am I really?"
"Just drop it, okay, what's the plan for this weekend?"
"I was going to head over to my parents and watch a double header, basketball in the afternoon, and hockey in the evening, the Pistons are playing the Bulls, and the Wings are playing the Blues."
"The who is playing the who, what?"
"Sports teams, come along, it'll be a blast."
"Sure, I had nothing but heading to the library planned, I'll just hit the books in the morning, then come along."
"For sure."
"What time is it?" Harry asked.
"Just hitting noon."
"Oh, I have to go call.. someone."
"Who? Your girlfriend?"
"I don't have a girlfriend."
"I know, just teasing you, damn man, lighten up, do you have a phone card?"
"As a matter of fact I do."
"Then use the phone here, you just have to use the card."
"So, I don't have to go stand in line for a phone, wonderful."
"Is that what you've been doing?"
"Yeah," Harry answered sheepishly.
Harry plopped into his desk chair, picked up the phone, and put in the numbers, ~Ring~Ring~Ring~ "I wonder if Ron's still scared of the telephone, he wouldn't touch it, when we got it."
"Hello," Hermione answered near the end of his sentance.
"Hi Hermione, it's Harry." Laughter and a TV in the background.
"Hello, how's it going, Harry?"
"Great!"
"I'm glad, how's your roommate?"
"Cool, he's introducing me to American culture."
"Really! Like what?"
"Sports, food, and the Simpsons."
"Really, what's the Simpsons?"
"It's this hilarious cartoon, I'll have to send you some episodes, we had a Simpsons marathon Saturday night, I don't think I'd ever laughed so much in my life!"
Hermione laughs, "So how are Ron and Neville?"
"Yes, Ron is still afraid of the phone, and he's acting weird, I don't know if he's been on a date all year!"
"Your kidding, but your right, I don't think he'd been on one since early December, last I remember...."
"Think he has a girlfriend?"
"Ah... that could explain it, maybe, he was writing an awful lot of Owls."
"I know! He keeps borrowing Hedwig, and his owls always off."
"How about Nev?"
"I went to ask him something the other day and his room is practically a green house, no wonder he's always in the living room or kitchen.."
"Or dining room," Harry added sarcastically.
"Smart Alec."
"My names Harry."
"I know."
"Hermy, Hermy."
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! If you call me that one more time, I can't promise I won't come straight to Michigan to hex you!"
"Fine, Hermione Jane Granger," he replied mockingly.
("So are you talking to your GIRLFRIEND, there Harry?")
"Shut it, Isiah!"
"What'd he say?" Hermione asked, though knowing exactly what he said.
(Isiah starts making obnoxious kissing noises while jumping on his bed)
"Sorry, Zeke's bugging me."
(Louder noises)
"Zeke?"
(And louder, followed by "Harry," seductively)
"Sorry, Isiah's nickname."
(More noises, louder)
"Why Zeke?"
"QUIT IT! Oh, cause, there's this basketball player, who he has the same first name as, so his buddies started calling him Zeke."
"What?"
"Sorry not you."
"Basketball? Is that the sport where they run up and down the court shooting through a basket with an open bottom?"
"Exactly, I'm going to watch a basketball and hockey game at Zeke's parent's this weekend."
"Hockey, with the ice, and the nets and the little rubber thing, and the hitting each other?"
"Yeah, basically, it's really cool, the Wings, have some amazing players, what they can do with the puck, WOW!"
"Wings?"
"The pro team in Detroit, the Red Wings. They won the championship last season, then lost one of their defensemen, in a car crash."
"That sucks!"
"I know, it's a wicked sport though!"
Hermione laughed. "Sounds like your having a great time!"
(Isiah puts a tickling charm on Harry)
"I am, plus I don't get gawked at all the time!" followed by insane laughter.
"Wow, shocking. Why are you laughing?"
"Sorry, I know!" More laughter so much so he cannot speak
"Sorry Hermione," Crazy laughter, "bye."
"Bye Harry, talk to you soon."
"I'll call you," laughter consuming him, dial tone sound.
Isiah removes the charm.
"Have a nice chat with your friend who your in love with?"
"Shut it Isiah, she's just my best friend. Why'd you do that?"
"Keep telling yourself that man, that's why you write her everyday. Do what?"
Harry just looked at him as if he was an escaped mental patient.
Saturday, Isiah's parents home.
They apparated into town, a block away from the Gibson's home, and walked the rest of the way.
Isiah knocked.
"Isiah, so is this the roommate? How's it going son?"
"Great, Dad, this is my roommate."
"I'm Harry, nice to meet you, Mr. Gibson.
"Call me Leroy."
"Alright sir."
"Come on inside boys, want somthin' to drink?"
"That'd be great Dad, pop."
"Got it, 2 Vernors? Or we've got lot's of Faygo?"
"What kind of Faygo, Dad?"
"Orange, Red pop, Root Bear, Lemon lime,"
"I'll have a Root Beer, Dad."
"What about you, Harry?"
"Um... I'll try Red pop."
They settled in on the couch with, "Hey Joshie!"
"Eh, Isiah, who that?"
"My roommate Harry."
"Sweet, come to watch the game?"
"Hell yes bro!"
"Always a good one, like basketball, Harry?"
"Uh, yeah, what I've seen."
"Sweet."
"Joshua did you do your homework?"
"Yes Ma, did it last night."
"Isiah, when did you get here?"
"Just a little bit ago, Ma, this is my roommate, Harry."
"Nice to meet you Harry, I'm Paige."
"Nice to meet you as well, Paige."
"Here's your sodas boys," Leroy came in and handed them around.
A round of thanks greeted him.
"So, Harry where are you from?" asked Paige.
"England."
"Really, how was your growing up?"
"Urgh..."
"Mom, don't grill him, he's not comfortable with that stuff."
"Sorry Harry."
"It's okay, Paige, but after I started magic school, everything got better, my friends, there great, they're why I made it through the seven years of school, with a lunatic after me."
"Har." started Paige.
"Games back on!" cheered Josh.
March, "We've gotta go to a ballgame!"
"What?"
"Baseball, we've gotta go downtown and catch a Tiger's game this spring."
"Okay, cool.... what's baseball?"
"Sorry, forgot, well you'll just have to come and see."
"Fine with me."
"So how are your friends?"
"Good, how'd you know I was talking to them?"
"You were talking to Hermione, cause your other buds, don't know how to use a phone."
"Yeah, true."
"What's the plan today?"
"How about we head into town?"
"Mall?"
"Yeah, which one?"
"Oakland?"
"Why not, how about lunch? There's not much to eat in there."
"Taco Bell or McDonalds across from Toys 'R' Us?"
"Taco Bell."
"Good."
"Shall we head out?"
"Yeah, what shops are we gonna hit?"
"I don't know just wander around."
"It's gonna be packed."
"Doy it is a Saturday, should we catch a movie instead?"
"Maybe, let's figure it out when we get there, alright?"
"Yep."
"How about the Mask of Zorro?"
"Sure."
April, they went to that game, bleacher seats at Old Tiger Stadium.
"So, who's playing in this... baseball game?"
"The Tigers and the Yanks."
"Yanks? What kind of name is that?"
"Yankees, the Bronx bombers," Harry just looks at him clueless, "There the, let's just say most dominant team in baseball history, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, DiMaggio, and at the moment they're coming off a season which they didn't make the series."
"Series?"
"World Series, baseballs' championship."
"Okay."
"'HOME RUN JETER"' over the loud speaker.
"WHOA!"
"Yeah he really hit that one outta here, damn Tighs, haven't had a winning season since 93'."
It's now about the seventh inning, "Cecil's up!"
"Who?"
"Cecil Fielder."
The pitch, "HOME RUN TIGERS! CECIL FIELDER!"
"Whoa!!!"
Games over Tigers lose 7-3. "That was cool!"
"Yeah, I love baseball, Josh plays."
"Really! Sweet, we should go to one of his games."
"One of these days, yeah."
"I can see why it'd make you a good beater, the hand-eye coordination."
Isiah smiled.
A week later, at Josh's High School, "Yeah! Joshies up!"
"Ha ha," Harry laughed, "Did they call you Isiaee?"
"No, preposterous!" Which cracked them both up.
"Come on J you can hammer it, eye on the ball Lil' bro!"
"Let's go Josh!" Harry cheered.
Consequently, Josh hit it out of the park, "Did you know he's being recruited by Michigan?"
"Is he really that'd be sweet."
"I know, Mom and Dad would love it if he went there."
"YES! CAN YOU GUYS BELIVE IT! BACK TO BACK! BACK TO BACK! We've gotta go to that parade" Isiah cheered.
"Hell yeah we do!"
Tuesday following the previous exclamations, Woodward Avenue, Harry, Isiah, a bunch of there buddies, and Isiah's family, all standing, cheering watching as the Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings go by. "I wonder who has the cup?"
"I know Stevie Y went by with the Conn Smythe, and wasn't that sweet when Vladdy and Mnatsakonov went by!"
A few hours later, that question was finally answered as, "Shanny!" or Brendan Shanahan went by.
Heading back to the cars, "Sir?" asked a reporter.
"Yeah?" asked Mr. Gibson.
"How did you come about being here today?"
"I called in sick to work," he answered happily, "Had to come down with my kids, to see the Wings!"
The school year ended, Harry decided to stay over until late July or early August.
Early July, "Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm going over to Kendra and Satch's wanna come along?"
"Yep."
"Let's go then."
"What are we going for?"
"Kendra's gonna dred my hair."
"Like Rube has?"
"Yeah, like Rube!"
"Sweet!"
"She'd probably do yours too."
"Yeah, that'd be fun to go home with, Love to see Mrs. Weasley's face."
"So ya up for it."
"Yeah man!"
"Sweet!"
August third-"I'm gonna miss you man, it's been a blast, your gonna have to come visit!"
"Hell yeah, and you'll have ta come back as well, maybe bring your girlfriend," he teased.
"Ah, shuddup, see ya, e-mail ya."
"For sure."
And Harry went through and got on the plane. Flying home.
~~~~~~~~
AN: Hey thanks to my couple o reviewers. I had fun with this chapter; Did the Tigers really play the Yankees in April of 98? No clue, Did the Wings play the Blues or Pistons the Bulls in February of 98? No clue, but it doesn't really matter now does it. Hope you guys enjoyed Harry's time in the u.s., now he's going back home, to.... what now? Hmm, any guesses what will come next? I went to both Stanley Cup parades, 97 and 98, my dad was interviewed by Fox, he skipped work to bring me to the parade. PLEASE REVIEW, I have had one reviewer the past what three chapters, thanks Gryfindor 620, and thanks to my beta, Kendra. ~~~ears91
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry arrived back in London, and caught a cab back to the apartment; he pulled out his keys and unlocked the door, entering, "Hello? Hermione? Ron? Neville?" He walks on in, no lights on, nobody's home, "I told them I was coming back, and I wonder where they are?"
"Why are you talking to yourself, Harry?" asked Luna.
He jumped, "Ah, Hi Luna, what are you doing here? Where is everyone?"
"Everyone meaning Ronald, Hermione and Neville, I suppose? Yes, they, Ronald and Neville are seeing Hermione off at the airport." Staring at him oddly.
"What? Where's she goin'?"
"China, yes that's where she's headed."
"When will she be back?"
"A week before Christmas I presume."
"Why didn't any one tell me?"
"Your have to ask them."
"What are you doing here, Luna?"
"I came to see Ronald."
"Uh.... okay.... well I'm going to go unpack, see ya Luna."
"Yes... see you?"
"Sorry, adios, hasta luego."
"Well bye see you later as well."
"Yes, what are you doing now?"
"I am waiting for Ronald."
"No, now that you've graduated?"
"I am working with my father on the Quibbler."
"That's fantastic!"
"Thank you, I'll leave you to your unpacking Harry."
"Thanks Luna."
Harry unpacked his trunk, then hit the kitchen for some food, "Damn don't they grocery shop?" He asked aloud, "I want some tacos, I wonder if there's any taco place around?"
He looked in the phone book, didn't see anything, so headed to the grocery store, and came back with everything he needed.
He finished his tacos and sat in front of the TV to eat, when... in came Ron and Neville, "Hi," Harry greeted.
Neville's jaw dropped upon seeing Harry, while Ron sputtered out, "What'd you do to your head?"
"Dreadlocks Ron, that's all."
"A... okay.... so how was your.... flight?"
"Fine, why didn't anyone tell me Hermione was going to China?"
"Didn't think about it, you didn't tell us you were leaving."
"Yeah I did! A month before hand!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, he did, I think you were too drunk singing about... some girl."
"Luna," a stupid smile came over Ron's face.
"Are they dating?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, it's rather disgusting," Neville added.
"So how long have you been dating?"
"Year and a half."
"Huh, how... in Hogwarts?" Harry sputtered out.
"Uh huh."
"So have I missed a lot?"
"Depends what you wanted to miss."
"Why what happened?"
"We all got to watch Hermione in a horrible relationship with some arse, and then Ron and Luna, which shocked us all, 'cepct them."
"Who was she dating has anyone kicked his ass?"
"Oh, I think he got what he deserved, she cursed him something good."
"Wonderful!"
"Unless your him." Which cracked them all up.
"What are you eating Harry, it smells good."
"Taco's, wish there was a Taco Bell around, but I guess this is the next best thing, making them yourself."
"Taco's?"
"Muggle food, Mexican."
Ron and Neville looked clueless, "Mexico is a country in North America."
"Okay..."
"So how were the states?"
"Great, my roommate was a blast, I wish we had some of there television though."
"Like what?"
"The Simpsons and some of the sports."
"Quidditich not enough for you anymore, mate?"
"Quidditich is great and all but there's more things then Quidditich."
Ron looked shocked; Neville broke into sidesplitting laughter from the look on Ron's face.
"Oh, Ron, Luna was here for you when I got in."
"What time is it?"
"Twelve."
"No, Harry it's eight."
"Oh, sorry I'm still on eastern time zone."
"Tired?"
"Yeah, I'm going to go crash."
"Why would you want to do that? From what Hermione says it'd hurt to crash."
"Ron, I don't mean in a car, I mean like sleep."
"Oh, alright, night, see you."
"Night Harry."
"See you guy's tomorrow."
Next day around noon, "Hiya Harry, Mrs. Weasley wants you to go to the burrow for dinner tonight, floo her for sure."
"Thanks Neville, what day is it?"
"Thursday."
"Okay, Thanks."
"Oh by the way, Happy Birthday."
"Happy Birthday to you as well."
"How'd you know?"
"Remember the prophecy, one born as the seventh month dies? You or me? So are you the thirty-first as well?"
"Thirtieth. So I'm a day older, you and Hermione are the youngest," he joked.
"Ha ha, so we are nineteen now, yay," he kidded.
"Oh boy, no change eh?"
"Yep, nothin's different."
Harry showed up at the burrow at seven o' clock sharp, dressed in jeans and a Tigers jersey.
Harry knocked on the door of the Burrow, Ginny opened the door, "What did you do to your hair?" is how she greeted him.
"Dreadlocks, how's it been Gin, congratulations on graduating!"
"Thanks, Harry, come on in, Mum's in the kitchen and Dad's in his shop, and the twins and Bill are in the living room."
"Welcome back Harry, Love the hair mate!" greeted Bill, with a handshake.
"Harry!" cheered the twins.
"Harry you do realize she's going to grill you over the hair, right?"
"Oh well." he took it in stride.
"Did you see everyone?"
"Ron and Nev and Luna, guess I just missed Hermione, probably in the airport, can't believe no one informed me!"
"Ya you'd think they'd inform their best friend, of something like going to China," said a twin.
"And I heard she kicked some guys ass."
"Oh yeah, that was priceless," added the other twin.
"So everyone saw that but me?"
"And me," added Bill.
"I was still at Hogwarts, rats!" Ginny piped in.
"Dinner, Oh hello Harry dear." She stared at him a moment longer then necessary.
"Harry! How was America, any new muggle things?"
"Yes, I learned about baseball, hockey, basketball, and American football."
"Really, what are those things?"
"Sports."
"How do you play?"
An hour passed in which Harry described how to play and the rules of each of the muggle sports mentioned above.
"Bill dear, can I please just shorten your hair a bit?"
"NO Mum!
"How about you, Harry and what is it you've done to your hair?"
"I'm content with my hair as it is, dread locks is my present style, my roommate in the states had an Afro, then we both got dreads."
"A what?"
Harry then had to explain the concept of an Afro, then gave up and said, "I'll bring a picture next time."
"It's getting late, and I'm still on eastern time, so I'm going to head out, see you all again soon."
"Have a good night Harry dear," after a round of hugs and good byes, Harry apparated back to the flat.
The next day Harry went to Hogwarts, to find out, what he had to do to be accepted to a Muggle University, as well as his present Magical one.
Essentially, he wanted to take different classes, a change from the norm.
He brought along the Marauder's Map, Professor Dumbledore, was not presently at the school, but Professor McGonagall was in her office, so he went there.
He knocked, "Come in," she looked up from her paperwork, "Mr. Potter, what brings you here?"
"Professor McGonagall, I was wondering, if there was any way I could take classes at a Muggle University?"
"Oh, yes, we can easily get you the right papers by tomorrow, the next day at the latest."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Your welcome, Mr. Potter. Good luck, what is it your majoring in?"
"Nothing at the moment, I've just taken numerous different subjects, I'm considering art."
"That's a change from the days of wanting to become an Auror."
"I know that ma'am."
"I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors, Mr. Potter, I hope I have a new batch of Gryfindors who've made me as proud as yours."
"Thank you, Professor, I hope so too."
"So how are your flat mates?"
"Ron's playing for the Chudley Cannons, Hermione's in China, or so I've been told, and Neville's going to Diagon University, as am I, and I spent last term in the states."
"How was that?"
"A fantastic experience."
"Is that where you got your new hair style?" She asked amused.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Well I best be getting back to work, till the next time, Mr. Potter."
"Yes, till the next time, give the other Professors, my regards."
"I'll be sure to, Good day, Mr. Potter."
"Good day, Professor McGonagall," and he went back out through the still familiar halls of Hogwarts.
Once out the Great Oak doors, he saw smoke billowing out of the chimney of Hagrid's Hut, he headed across the grounds towards his 'great in more ways then one' friends hut.
He knocked upon the door. "Stay b'ck Fang," Harry heard Hagrid shouting.
"'Arry!" and he crushed his friend in a hug.
"Hagrid, I can't breathe," he gasped out.
"Sorry there 'Arry. Ome in, ome in."
They went inside the familiar hut.
"Ould ou like some tea?"
"Sure."
Hagrid bustled at his stove, and brought over two cups and a plate of his infamous Rock Cakes.
"How as it be'n, 'Arry? When id you get back from 'merica?"
"Couple days ago, had a great term, made a wonderful friend, my roommate, Isiah."
"'Ats onderful! Id you know 'Ermione ent to China?"
"Only after I got back, the morning she left, and to top it off not a one of them told me anything about her going, the way it sounds everyone but me knew of her leaving."
"Don' take it to 'ard Harry, let er ave er fun in China."
"Why would I have a problem with it? It just would have been nice to know, to know where I could reach her."
"She idn't no exectly ere she'd be, she's onna owl us ull, en she inds out."
"Oh, good, does she know I'm back? I sent them all owls, and told her on the phone, and e-mail."
"She'll et ack to ya 'Arry, on't orry, she'll be fine, I hink she'll be umong muggles."
"So I should e-mail her, I'll hit the public library then."
"'Hy ould you it a lib'ary?"
"Sorry figure of speech."
"Lowl, I et it. Hat are our lans or the ear?"
"I'm going to enroll in a muggle University as well as Diagon, take half my classes at each, had to get the proper papers, Professor McGonagall said she'd have them to me in the next few days."
"Xcellect 'Arry."
"Thanks."
"Hat are ou studing?"
"Art, history, literature, anything really."
"Hat is ood, earn 'bout 'any things."
"That's my plan, now as long as I don't end up with some uptight girl who wants me to have steady, reasonable employment, I'll be fine, or maybe I'll end as a bachelor, like Remus, who knows, I don't."
"Oh, ou'll ind someon 'Arry, I know ou ill."
"Uh, thanks. How's Grawp?"
"Grawpy oin reat!" And Hagrid, rambled on about Grawp the rest of the afternoon, till Harry took his leave, and walked through and out of the grounds of Hogwarts, and up by the Shrieking Shack, before apparating home.
~~~~~~ Well this was originally going to be two chapters, but what was originally chapter 13 sucked, so I added what were to be 14 to it, so there you have it, a nice long chapter.
Well review please.
This wasn't beta read, couldn't get a hold of her, so I'm just posting this, she did read parts of it, just not all of it as far as I'm aware, so if there any obvious mistakes, sorry, or typos, which I make often, sorry, I did spell check it, going through Hagrid's section of speaking was a riot, review, please, maybe you'll brighten my very dreary days lately.
A few weeks later, back at the dorm. "So, who's the girl?" Isiah probed, for at least the thousandth time in the last week.
"Na, no one," Harry stuttered.
"Do you have a picture of her?"
"Of who?" Harry feigned denial.
"The girl whom you got all quiet over, the other night at dinner, I may have not known you for long, but it's obvious you like someone," Isiah observed, as Harry unpacked more of his things and started to put up pictures, around his bed and over his desk.
"So, who are those people?" Isiah asked pointing at a picture.
"Oh, that's my friend, Ron and his family, his brothers, Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and his sister, Ginny."
"Big family, so who's the girl, your with there?"
Harry blushed, "My friend, Hermione, and me."
"You like her!"
"No," he said shaking his head vehemently.
"Ha, you do."
"You're kidding."
"How long have you known her?"
"We've been best friends since we were eleven."
"So, how long have you liked her?"
Harry looked longingly at the picture.
"Okay, let me rephrase the question, how long have you been in love with her?"
"What! She's my best friend!"
"All the more reason," Isiah muttered, "You've been on so many adventures, with her, I'm shocked you haven't acted." He added coyly.
"Your bloody mad!"
"Am I, Harry, Am I really?"
"Just drop it, okay, what's the plan for this weekend?"
"I was going to head over to my parents and watch a double header, basketball in the afternoon, and hockey in the evening, the Pistons are playing the Bulls, and the Wings are playing the Blues."
"The who is playing the who, what?"
"Sports teams, come along, it'll be a blast."
"Sure, I had nothing but heading to the library planned, I'll just hit the books in the morning, then come along."
"For sure."
"What time is it?" Harry asked.
"Just hitting noon."
"Oh, I have to go call.. someone."
"Who? Your girlfriend?"
"I don't have a girlfriend."
"I know, just teasing you, damn man, lighten up, do you have a phone card?"
"As a matter of fact I do."
"Then use the phone here, you just have to use the card."
"So, I don't have to go stand in line for a phone, wonderful."
"Is that what you've been doing?"
"Yeah," Harry answered sheepishly.
Harry plopped into his desk chair, picked up the phone, and put in the numbers, ~Ring~Ring~Ring~ "I wonder if Ron's still scared of the telephone, he wouldn't touch it, when we got it."
"Hello," Hermione answered near the end of his sentance.
"Hi Hermione, it's Harry." Laughter and a TV in the background.
"Hello, how's it going, Harry?"
"Great!"
"I'm glad, how's your roommate?"
"Cool, he's introducing me to American culture."
"Really! Like what?"
"Sports, food, and the Simpsons."
"Really, what's the Simpsons?"
"It's this hilarious cartoon, I'll have to send you some episodes, we had a Simpsons marathon Saturday night, I don't think I'd ever laughed so much in my life!"
Hermione laughs, "So how are Ron and Neville?"
"Yes, Ron is still afraid of the phone, and he's acting weird, I don't know if he's been on a date all year!"
"Your kidding, but your right, I don't think he'd been on one since early December, last I remember...."
"Think he has a girlfriend?"
"Ah... that could explain it, maybe, he was writing an awful lot of Owls."
"I know! He keeps borrowing Hedwig, and his owls always off."
"How about Nev?"
"I went to ask him something the other day and his room is practically a green house, no wonder he's always in the living room or kitchen.."
"Or dining room," Harry added sarcastically.
"Smart Alec."
"My names Harry."
"I know."
"Hermy, Hermy."
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! If you call me that one more time, I can't promise I won't come straight to Michigan to hex you!"
"Fine, Hermione Jane Granger," he replied mockingly.
("So are you talking to your GIRLFRIEND, there Harry?")
"Shut it, Isiah!"
"What'd he say?" Hermione asked, though knowing exactly what he said.
(Isiah starts making obnoxious kissing noises while jumping on his bed)
"Sorry, Zeke's bugging me."
(Louder noises)
"Zeke?"
(And louder, followed by "Harry," seductively)
"Sorry, Isiah's nickname."
(More noises, louder)
"Why Zeke?"
"QUIT IT! Oh, cause, there's this basketball player, who he has the same first name as, so his buddies started calling him Zeke."
"What?"
"Sorry not you."
"Basketball? Is that the sport where they run up and down the court shooting through a basket with an open bottom?"
"Exactly, I'm going to watch a basketball and hockey game at Zeke's parent's this weekend."
"Hockey, with the ice, and the nets and the little rubber thing, and the hitting each other?"
"Yeah, basically, it's really cool, the Wings, have some amazing players, what they can do with the puck, WOW!"
"Wings?"
"The pro team in Detroit, the Red Wings. They won the championship last season, then lost one of their defensemen, in a car crash."
"That sucks!"
"I know, it's a wicked sport though!"
Hermione laughed. "Sounds like your having a great time!"
(Isiah puts a tickling charm on Harry)
"I am, plus I don't get gawked at all the time!" followed by insane laughter.
"Wow, shocking. Why are you laughing?"
"Sorry, I know!" More laughter so much so he cannot speak
"Sorry Hermione," Crazy laughter, "bye."
"Bye Harry, talk to you soon."
"I'll call you," laughter consuming him, dial tone sound.
Isiah removes the charm.
"Have a nice chat with your friend who your in love with?"
"Shut it Isiah, she's just my best friend. Why'd you do that?"
"Keep telling yourself that man, that's why you write her everyday. Do what?"
Harry just looked at him as if he was an escaped mental patient.
Saturday, Isiah's parents home.
They apparated into town, a block away from the Gibson's home, and walked the rest of the way.
Isiah knocked.
"Isiah, so is this the roommate? How's it going son?"
"Great, Dad, this is my roommate."
"I'm Harry, nice to meet you, Mr. Gibson.
"Call me Leroy."
"Alright sir."
"Come on inside boys, want somthin' to drink?"
"That'd be great Dad, pop."
"Got it, 2 Vernors? Or we've got lot's of Faygo?"
"What kind of Faygo, Dad?"
"Orange, Red pop, Root Bear, Lemon lime,"
"I'll have a Root Beer, Dad."
"What about you, Harry?"
"Um... I'll try Red pop."
They settled in on the couch with, "Hey Joshie!"
"Eh, Isiah, who that?"
"My roommate Harry."
"Sweet, come to watch the game?"
"Hell yes bro!"
"Always a good one, like basketball, Harry?"
"Uh, yeah, what I've seen."
"Sweet."
"Joshua did you do your homework?"
"Yes Ma, did it last night."
"Isiah, when did you get here?"
"Just a little bit ago, Ma, this is my roommate, Harry."
"Nice to meet you Harry, I'm Paige."
"Nice to meet you as well, Paige."
"Here's your sodas boys," Leroy came in and handed them around.
A round of thanks greeted him.
"So, Harry where are you from?" asked Paige.
"England."
"Really, how was your growing up?"
"Urgh..."
"Mom, don't grill him, he's not comfortable with that stuff."
"Sorry Harry."
"It's okay, Paige, but after I started magic school, everything got better, my friends, there great, they're why I made it through the seven years of school, with a lunatic after me."
"Har." started Paige.
"Games back on!" cheered Josh.
March, "We've gotta go to a ballgame!"
"What?"
"Baseball, we've gotta go downtown and catch a Tiger's game this spring."
"Okay, cool.... what's baseball?"
"Sorry, forgot, well you'll just have to come and see."
"Fine with me."
"So how are your friends?"
"Good, how'd you know I was talking to them?"
"You were talking to Hermione, cause your other buds, don't know how to use a phone."
"Yeah, true."
"What's the plan today?"
"How about we head into town?"
"Mall?"
"Yeah, which one?"
"Oakland?"
"Why not, how about lunch? There's not much to eat in there."
"Taco Bell or McDonalds across from Toys 'R' Us?"
"Taco Bell."
"Good."
"Shall we head out?"
"Yeah, what shops are we gonna hit?"
"I don't know just wander around."
"It's gonna be packed."
"Doy it is a Saturday, should we catch a movie instead?"
"Maybe, let's figure it out when we get there, alright?"
"Yep."
"How about the Mask of Zorro?"
"Sure."
April, they went to that game, bleacher seats at Old Tiger Stadium.
"So, who's playing in this... baseball game?"
"The Tigers and the Yanks."
"Yanks? What kind of name is that?"
"Yankees, the Bronx bombers," Harry just looks at him clueless, "There the, let's just say most dominant team in baseball history, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, DiMaggio, and at the moment they're coming off a season which they didn't make the series."
"Series?"
"World Series, baseballs' championship."
"Okay."
"'HOME RUN JETER"' over the loud speaker.
"WHOA!"
"Yeah he really hit that one outta here, damn Tighs, haven't had a winning season since 93'."
It's now about the seventh inning, "Cecil's up!"
"Who?"
"Cecil Fielder."
The pitch, "HOME RUN TIGERS! CECIL FIELDER!"
"Whoa!!!"
Games over Tigers lose 7-3. "That was cool!"
"Yeah, I love baseball, Josh plays."
"Really! Sweet, we should go to one of his games."
"One of these days, yeah."
"I can see why it'd make you a good beater, the hand-eye coordination."
Isiah smiled.
A week later, at Josh's High School, "Yeah! Joshies up!"
"Ha ha," Harry laughed, "Did they call you Isiaee?"
"No, preposterous!" Which cracked them both up.
"Come on J you can hammer it, eye on the ball Lil' bro!"
"Let's go Josh!" Harry cheered.
Consequently, Josh hit it out of the park, "Did you know he's being recruited by Michigan?"
"Is he really that'd be sweet."
"I know, Mom and Dad would love it if he went there."
"YES! CAN YOU GUYS BELIVE IT! BACK TO BACK! BACK TO BACK! We've gotta go to that parade" Isiah cheered.
"Hell yeah we do!"
Tuesday following the previous exclamations, Woodward Avenue, Harry, Isiah, a bunch of there buddies, and Isiah's family, all standing, cheering watching as the Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings go by. "I wonder who has the cup?"
"I know Stevie Y went by with the Conn Smythe, and wasn't that sweet when Vladdy and Mnatsakonov went by!"
A few hours later, that question was finally answered as, "Shanny!" or Brendan Shanahan went by.
Heading back to the cars, "Sir?" asked a reporter.
"Yeah?" asked Mr. Gibson.
"How did you come about being here today?"
"I called in sick to work," he answered happily, "Had to come down with my kids, to see the Wings!"
The school year ended, Harry decided to stay over until late July or early August.
Early July, "Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm going over to Kendra and Satch's wanna come along?"
"Yep."
"Let's go then."
"What are we going for?"
"Kendra's gonna dred my hair."
"Like Rube has?"
"Yeah, like Rube!"
"Sweet!"
"She'd probably do yours too."
"Yeah, that'd be fun to go home with, Love to see Mrs. Weasley's face."
"So ya up for it."
"Yeah man!"
"Sweet!"
August third-"I'm gonna miss you man, it's been a blast, your gonna have to come visit!"
"Hell yeah, and you'll have ta come back as well, maybe bring your girlfriend," he teased.
"Ah, shuddup, see ya, e-mail ya."
"For sure."
And Harry went through and got on the plane. Flying home.
~~~~~~~~
AN: Hey thanks to my couple o reviewers. I had fun with this chapter; Did the Tigers really play the Yankees in April of 98? No clue, Did the Wings play the Blues or Pistons the Bulls in February of 98? No clue, but it doesn't really matter now does it. Hope you guys enjoyed Harry's time in the u.s., now he's going back home, to.... what now? Hmm, any guesses what will come next? I went to both Stanley Cup parades, 97 and 98, my dad was interviewed by Fox, he skipped work to bring me to the parade. PLEASE REVIEW, I have had one reviewer the past what three chapters, thanks Gryfindor 620, and thanks to my beta, Kendra. ~~~ears91
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry arrived back in London, and caught a cab back to the apartment; he pulled out his keys and unlocked the door, entering, "Hello? Hermione? Ron? Neville?" He walks on in, no lights on, nobody's home, "I told them I was coming back, and I wonder where they are?"
"Why are you talking to yourself, Harry?" asked Luna.
He jumped, "Ah, Hi Luna, what are you doing here? Where is everyone?"
"Everyone meaning Ronald, Hermione and Neville, I suppose? Yes, they, Ronald and Neville are seeing Hermione off at the airport." Staring at him oddly.
"What? Where's she goin'?"
"China, yes that's where she's headed."
"When will she be back?"
"A week before Christmas I presume."
"Why didn't any one tell me?"
"Your have to ask them."
"What are you doing here, Luna?"
"I came to see Ronald."
"Uh.... okay.... well I'm going to go unpack, see ya Luna."
"Yes... see you?"
"Sorry, adios, hasta luego."
"Well bye see you later as well."
"Yes, what are you doing now?"
"I am waiting for Ronald."
"No, now that you've graduated?"
"I am working with my father on the Quibbler."
"That's fantastic!"
"Thank you, I'll leave you to your unpacking Harry."
"Thanks Luna."
Harry unpacked his trunk, then hit the kitchen for some food, "Damn don't they grocery shop?" He asked aloud, "I want some tacos, I wonder if there's any taco place around?"
He looked in the phone book, didn't see anything, so headed to the grocery store, and came back with everything he needed.
He finished his tacos and sat in front of the TV to eat, when... in came Ron and Neville, "Hi," Harry greeted.
Neville's jaw dropped upon seeing Harry, while Ron sputtered out, "What'd you do to your head?"
"Dreadlocks Ron, that's all."
"A... okay.... so how was your.... flight?"
"Fine, why didn't anyone tell me Hermione was going to China?"
"Didn't think about it, you didn't tell us you were leaving."
"Yeah I did! A month before hand!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, he did, I think you were too drunk singing about... some girl."
"Luna," a stupid smile came over Ron's face.
"Are they dating?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, it's rather disgusting," Neville added.
"So how long have you been dating?"
"Year and a half."
"Huh, how... in Hogwarts?" Harry sputtered out.
"Uh huh."
"So have I missed a lot?"
"Depends what you wanted to miss."
"Why what happened?"
"We all got to watch Hermione in a horrible relationship with some arse, and then Ron and Luna, which shocked us all, 'cepct them."
"Who was she dating has anyone kicked his ass?"
"Oh, I think he got what he deserved, she cursed him something good."
"Wonderful!"
"Unless your him." Which cracked them all up.
"What are you eating Harry, it smells good."
"Taco's, wish there was a Taco Bell around, but I guess this is the next best thing, making them yourself."
"Taco's?"
"Muggle food, Mexican."
Ron and Neville looked clueless, "Mexico is a country in North America."
"Okay..."
"So how were the states?"
"Great, my roommate was a blast, I wish we had some of there television though."
"Like what?"
"The Simpsons and some of the sports."
"Quidditich not enough for you anymore, mate?"
"Quidditich is great and all but there's more things then Quidditich."
Ron looked shocked; Neville broke into sidesplitting laughter from the look on Ron's face.
"Oh, Ron, Luna was here for you when I got in."
"What time is it?"
"Twelve."
"No, Harry it's eight."
"Oh, sorry I'm still on eastern time zone."
"Tired?"
"Yeah, I'm going to go crash."
"Why would you want to do that? From what Hermione says it'd hurt to crash."
"Ron, I don't mean in a car, I mean like sleep."
"Oh, alright, night, see you."
"Night Harry."
"See you guy's tomorrow."
Next day around noon, "Hiya Harry, Mrs. Weasley wants you to go to the burrow for dinner tonight, floo her for sure."
"Thanks Neville, what day is it?"
"Thursday."
"Okay, Thanks."
"Oh by the way, Happy Birthday."
"Happy Birthday to you as well."
"How'd you know?"
"Remember the prophecy, one born as the seventh month dies? You or me? So are you the thirty-first as well?"
"Thirtieth. So I'm a day older, you and Hermione are the youngest," he joked.
"Ha ha, so we are nineteen now, yay," he kidded.
"Oh boy, no change eh?"
"Yep, nothin's different."
Harry showed up at the burrow at seven o' clock sharp, dressed in jeans and a Tigers jersey.
Harry knocked on the door of the Burrow, Ginny opened the door, "What did you do to your hair?" is how she greeted him.
"Dreadlocks, how's it been Gin, congratulations on graduating!"
"Thanks, Harry, come on in, Mum's in the kitchen and Dad's in his shop, and the twins and Bill are in the living room."
"Welcome back Harry, Love the hair mate!" greeted Bill, with a handshake.
"Harry!" cheered the twins.
"Harry you do realize she's going to grill you over the hair, right?"
"Oh well." he took it in stride.
"Did you see everyone?"
"Ron and Nev and Luna, guess I just missed Hermione, probably in the airport, can't believe no one informed me!"
"Ya you'd think they'd inform their best friend, of something like going to China," said a twin.
"And I heard she kicked some guys ass."
"Oh yeah, that was priceless," added the other twin.
"So everyone saw that but me?"
"And me," added Bill.
"I was still at Hogwarts, rats!" Ginny piped in.
"Dinner, Oh hello Harry dear." She stared at him a moment longer then necessary.
"Harry! How was America, any new muggle things?"
"Yes, I learned about baseball, hockey, basketball, and American football."
"Really, what are those things?"
"Sports."
"How do you play?"
An hour passed in which Harry described how to play and the rules of each of the muggle sports mentioned above.
"Bill dear, can I please just shorten your hair a bit?"
"NO Mum!
"How about you, Harry and what is it you've done to your hair?"
"I'm content with my hair as it is, dread locks is my present style, my roommate in the states had an Afro, then we both got dreads."
"A what?"
Harry then had to explain the concept of an Afro, then gave up and said, "I'll bring a picture next time."
"It's getting late, and I'm still on eastern time, so I'm going to head out, see you all again soon."
"Have a good night Harry dear," after a round of hugs and good byes, Harry apparated back to the flat.
The next day Harry went to Hogwarts, to find out, what he had to do to be accepted to a Muggle University, as well as his present Magical one.
Essentially, he wanted to take different classes, a change from the norm.
He brought along the Marauder's Map, Professor Dumbledore, was not presently at the school, but Professor McGonagall was in her office, so he went there.
He knocked, "Come in," she looked up from her paperwork, "Mr. Potter, what brings you here?"
"Professor McGonagall, I was wondering, if there was any way I could take classes at a Muggle University?"
"Oh, yes, we can easily get you the right papers by tomorrow, the next day at the latest."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Your welcome, Mr. Potter. Good luck, what is it your majoring in?"
"Nothing at the moment, I've just taken numerous different subjects, I'm considering art."
"That's a change from the days of wanting to become an Auror."
"I know that ma'am."
"I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors, Mr. Potter, I hope I have a new batch of Gryfindors who've made me as proud as yours."
"Thank you, Professor, I hope so too."
"So how are your flat mates?"
"Ron's playing for the Chudley Cannons, Hermione's in China, or so I've been told, and Neville's going to Diagon University, as am I, and I spent last term in the states."
"How was that?"
"A fantastic experience."
"Is that where you got your new hair style?" She asked amused.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Well I best be getting back to work, till the next time, Mr. Potter."
"Yes, till the next time, give the other Professors, my regards."
"I'll be sure to, Good day, Mr. Potter."
"Good day, Professor McGonagall," and he went back out through the still familiar halls of Hogwarts.
Once out the Great Oak doors, he saw smoke billowing out of the chimney of Hagrid's Hut, he headed across the grounds towards his 'great in more ways then one' friends hut.
He knocked upon the door. "Stay b'ck Fang," Harry heard Hagrid shouting.
"'Arry!" and he crushed his friend in a hug.
"Hagrid, I can't breathe," he gasped out.
"Sorry there 'Arry. Ome in, ome in."
They went inside the familiar hut.
"Ould ou like some tea?"
"Sure."
Hagrid bustled at his stove, and brought over two cups and a plate of his infamous Rock Cakes.
"How as it be'n, 'Arry? When id you get back from 'merica?"
"Couple days ago, had a great term, made a wonderful friend, my roommate, Isiah."
"'Ats onderful! Id you know 'Ermione ent to China?"
"Only after I got back, the morning she left, and to top it off not a one of them told me anything about her going, the way it sounds everyone but me knew of her leaving."
"Don' take it to 'ard Harry, let er ave er fun in China."
"Why would I have a problem with it? It just would have been nice to know, to know where I could reach her."
"She idn't no exectly ere she'd be, she's onna owl us ull, en she inds out."
"Oh, good, does she know I'm back? I sent them all owls, and told her on the phone, and e-mail."
"She'll et ack to ya 'Arry, on't orry, she'll be fine, I hink she'll be umong muggles."
"So I should e-mail her, I'll hit the public library then."
"'Hy ould you it a lib'ary?"
"Sorry figure of speech."
"Lowl, I et it. Hat are our lans or the ear?"
"I'm going to enroll in a muggle University as well as Diagon, take half my classes at each, had to get the proper papers, Professor McGonagall said she'd have them to me in the next few days."
"Xcellect 'Arry."
"Thanks."
"Hat are ou studing?"
"Art, history, literature, anything really."
"Hat is ood, earn 'bout 'any things."
"That's my plan, now as long as I don't end up with some uptight girl who wants me to have steady, reasonable employment, I'll be fine, or maybe I'll end as a bachelor, like Remus, who knows, I don't."
"Oh, ou'll ind someon 'Arry, I know ou ill."
"Uh, thanks. How's Grawp?"
"Grawpy oin reat!" And Hagrid, rambled on about Grawp the rest of the afternoon, till Harry took his leave, and walked through and out of the grounds of Hogwarts, and up by the Shrieking Shack, before apparating home.
~~~~~~ Well this was originally going to be two chapters, but what was originally chapter 13 sucked, so I added what were to be 14 to it, so there you have it, a nice long chapter.
Well review please.
This wasn't beta read, couldn't get a hold of her, so I'm just posting this, she did read parts of it, just not all of it as far as I'm aware, so if there any obvious mistakes, sorry, or typos, which I make often, sorry, I did spell check it, going through Hagrid's section of speaking was a riot, review, please, maybe you'll brighten my very dreary days lately.