Chapter 2: New Places; New Faces
"A friend is a second self."-Aristotle
Harry, Ron and Hermione left the next day. They each had one duffel bag, filled with clothes, books, and, of course, their wands.
"Okay, you three. Now, you simply step through the portal, and you will come out the other end in Central Park. I think you can find your way from there." McGonagall explained. "And, be careful." She added. They nodded, and Harry was the first one through. As he stepped through the icy blue portal, he felt it suck him in. He was suddenly freezing cold, and he felt as if he was lying on his back. He felt wind everywhere, and couldn't have opened his eyes if he'd wanted to. After about five seconds, the cold feeling disappeared, and he was standing in a sunny park. He heard a swish, and Hermione appeared out of thin air. A few seconds later, Ron followed. The three young sorcerers blinked in the bright sunshine, and ducked for the shelter of a nearby tree. Once their eyes had adjusted to the immense amount of light, Hermione, after a quick consult with the map, led them out of the park.
"Okay," Hermione stated authoritatively. "We are on Main Street, and we have to get to Canale Street. It seems if we just keep going straight, and then turn right on Baker, we'll be there in two waves of a wand!" So they took Hermione's route, since she was almost never wrong. Within ten minutes, they had reached the address indicated on the paper. It was an old shop that looked like it had seen better days.
"Canale Street Electronics?" Ron said. "We're at an electronics shop!"
"That's a bit obvious!" Hermione exclaimed. "I guess we'll just have to go in and check out the situation." With that, she led the two boys into the store.
As she opened the old wooden door of the electronics shop, a bell clanged. There was a ruckus from the backroom, and a boy rushed out. He had black hair with green tips, and fiery black eyes. He wore a white tee shirt, red jacket, and blue and gray sneakers. He looked around thirteen and half Chinese, though he spoke like an all-American.
"Welcome to Canale Street Electronics, never had a customer, never had a sale!" He said, surprised.
"You've never had a sale?" Ron asked.
The boy arched one eyebrow, "Yo, does it look like we have?" He said, indicating the stock-piled floors with a sweep of his arm.
"Umm," Hermione spoke up. "We're looking for someone, and we were given this address."
"Who were you looking for?" The boy asked. He watched the three exchange worried glances.
"We weren't actually given a name. We were given a title." Hermione said a little anxiously.
"And…" The boy persisted.
"Have you heard of the American Dragon?" Hermione blurted out hurriedly.
The boy looked taken aback. He eyed them suspiciously, then asked, "Who are you?"
"Answer our question first," Harry said. This boy probably thought they were nuts.
"Yes, I know him. Now, who are you?" The boy repeated.
Harry answered quickly, "We're from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Our Headmaster told us to visit the American Dragon. Can you take us to him?"
The boy grinned. "You're looking at him. American Dragon: Jake Long, at your service."