OH NEW YORK, Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
Hideyoshi looked at a familiar scene in front of him, his daughter was sitting on her already magically enlarged bag, trying to stuff her library of books into the suitcase. "Hermi, I think we can leave some of your books here don't you."
The witch eyes widened, "b-b-but next year will be the first time I'm taking DADA, I need to prepare for my exams."
The older Mori laid a hand down on the younger's shoulder, giving her 'the face'. "Hermi, you need to calm down" he said gently as she pouted, relenting. "Now now, there's no need to pout like that, haven't I already taught you some offensive and defensive spells."
"You teach me normal spells, and tell me that every spell can be used to attack of defend" she whines.
"And I stand by that. A spell can be used for many different situations if you're smart enough to tweak it in your favour. I have a lot of faith in you mastering the Mori Art of Effective Duelling."
"Is it an art if there's only you and I practicing it" she deadpanned.
Hideyoshi grinned back at her, "it's the very best art because we're the only ones practicing it."
Hermione sighed as her father broke out into a laugh, "well, I'm sure you will find many interesting things to bring back with you from the US, and I'm sure a few of those will be books."
"Fiiiiine, but we definitely have to go to a bookstore. Oooh and I want to see lady liberty and try some of the food like po-boys and rainbow bagels and and….."
"Okay okay, we'll visit as many places as we can and try as much food as possible so don't worry."
Hermione smiles in excitement, "so are we using a port-key to get there again." Closing her suitcase with a click.
The man taps Hermione on the nose, "right you are 'mione, we'll be taking the portkey to New York. In fact…" he looks at a watch strapped to his wrist, "our portkey should be arriving soon, lets go out front."
The duo made their way out of the front door, coming face to face with a…flag. An American flag to be exact, "they must really like their flags" Herrmione mumbles out.
"Oh, you have no idea ~" Hideyoshi replies, his eyes crinkling as he chuckled.
Gripping the pole of the flag their bodies lifted into the air with a sharp tug and they lurched forward. The whiteness around them was dizzying and soon they landed in an alleyway. "Ugh, it smells kinda musty" Hermione said as the two walked out of the alleyway into the crowded streets.
"That's New York for you 'mione, filled with adventure but also filled with less interesting things."
Hermione shrugged, "so will we be heading to Ilvermorny dad? It's in Massachusetts right."
"Not this time Hermi but we will be meeting some of my friends who went to Ilvermorny, so you can ask them whatever you want about it" Hideyoshi clarified their itinerary.
"If we're not visiting the US wizarding school, then why are we in New York?" Hermione asks confused. "Don't we usually visit the schools in different locations."
"Well not all the time, we didn't when we visited the Delacours in France" Hideyoshi replied without much thought.
"We visited the Delacours?" the brunette stated.
Hideyoshi's eyes widen every so slightly, he silently cursed himself for mentioning the trip and tried to play it off, "yeah, remember we don't always have to go to the magic schools to do research. The world is our research oyster" he finished awkwardly.
Hermione looked up at her father incredulously, "uuuuh okay. So where are we going to stay this time dad. A hotel?"
The wizard sighed inwardly in relief, "no, we remember the detour we took last summer before returning home."
"Yeah, we stopped in Florida for two days before we got a portkey home."
"Well, my friend Zelda owns a bar which just so happens to span the whole of the united states" he says with a smirk.
"How does that work dad?"
"Her great great grandfather started it out in the 1920s as a speakeasy during Prohibition. American borders at the time were strict about alcohol being found so the magical community here came together and smuggled alcohol using magic."
"But that's illegal" Hermione squawked in indignation.
"Not everything is black and white 'mione, most things fall in the grey. Her great great grandmother being a witch helped keep the alcohol flowing without being caught and the speakeasy catered to those in the magical and non-magical community."
"So, they just have branches now elsewhere?"
"Not exactly. In order to ensure that they didn't get caught, they created a series of labyrinths that extended from the East to the West Coast. They used the same magic that we use for fireplaces in order to quick travel."
"But wouldn't the Ministry of Magic stop them from doing something illegal."
"The Prohibition was a law made by the non-magical government, and it was something the ministry did not agree with so they helped to set up the floo network here. Now the bar caters to public floo network travel, for ministry official which is why they haven't been shut down yet."
Hermione looked dazzled, she couldn't believe that there was a secret tunnel travel happening right under the governments nose, it was just so cool to the young witch. "So, we're staying with your friend who runs the bar" Hermione asked, thrilled that she could pick someone's brain regarding magical travel.
"Well, you're in luck not only will we be staying with her but Zelda has a daughter that's around your age" Hideyoshi said with a bright smile.
"Oh really, does she go to Ilvermorny then" she asked curiously.
"She just started her this year so she'll be a second-year next year. I'm sure if you ask nicely she'll answer whatever she can about the school."
Hermione fist pumps, "Alright! I can't wait to get there."
"Well, you're in luck then" the raven haired replied, "because we've arrived."
Looking around, Hermione only saw some stairs leading down to a non-descript door, she looks at the door then to her dad then back to the door. "Uuuuuh, this looks a bit suspi….." Hermione chocked slightly as her dad pulled her down the stairs with him.
Hideyoshi smiled calmly as he knocked on the door, Hermione panicked next to him as small sliding door opened to reveal cold eyes, "password" the burly voice demanded.
"Niffler's fluffy bottom" Hideyoshi replied as Hermione shook his arm furiously at what she thought was a joke.
The man closed the little sliding door and the door in front of them opened. The duo stepped in to a well-lit and nicely decorated bar. Some people were drinking were milling about, minding their own business and enjoying the light music that was playing on the self-playing piano and violin combo.
Hideyoshi lead Hermione to the bar and whispered to the bartender, who nodded and went through a door in the back. In a few moments, a redheaded woman burst through with a smile "Hideyoshi! You're finally here. What took you so long" the woman stated in a joking manner.
"Sorry about that Zelda, you know how international portkey travels are, they feel short but take forever."
Zelda shrugged nonchalantly, "big mike didn't give you too much problem did he."
"No, just the normal security check. Nothing to worry about, though my daughter was probably a bit nervous. This is her first time in a place like this" he said patting Hermione's back as she looked up at the woman looking like an innocent bunny.
"Awww she is adorbs Hideyoshi. She definitely didn't get it from you" Zelda said.
At this statement, Hideyoshi laughed boisterously "you're probably right. She's definitely a lot cuter than I am." This caused Hermione to blush in embarrassment, tugging on her father's sleeve slightly to show her displeasure.
"Anywho, lets bring you to on up. Kids shouldn't spend too much times in bars whilst they still have their youth" she said simply as she gestured for them to come around the bar and to go up the stairs.
"My family and I live above the bar. Thanks to a couple of silencing charms the noise at night shouldn't bother you."
"That's nice to know but we're just thankful that you're letting us stay with you whilst were in the city area."
"What's the use of having such an extensive floo network if we can't use it now and again for friends" she said with a smirk.
They were soon met with an apartment like area, seemingly enlarged by magic if the high ceiling was any indication with an open loft concept.
"Welcome to my humble abode" Zelda smiling widely with her arms open. "You'll meet my husband later; he's helping me check inventory for the bar in California today so he'll take the floo later tonight."
"Now then" Zelda seemed to look around curiously "Sam! Sammy where are you, come down and greet our guests" she hollered.
"Mooooom, don't call me Sammy I'm not three" a young girl with mahogany brown hair raced down from where she was sitting in the loft.
Her mother rolled her eyes dramatically at the pre-teen, "then why don't you introduce yourself."
Zelda's daughter rolled her eyes back at her with a grin, before holding her hand out to the duo, "Hi, my name is Samantha Bunch, my friends call me sbunch."
Hideyoshi smiled amusedly at the young girl, "Hello sbunch, my name is Hideyoshi Mori and this is my daughter Hermione." Hermione smiled shyly and waved her hand at the other girl.
Samantha blinked and looked at the two and blinked again before smiling, "cool." She then turned to look at her mum, "so where are they gonna sleep."
"Well, I've cleared out the guest room a few days ago so its completely ready to sleep in" Zelda replied with a thumbs up.
"Whaaat, she can't sleep in the same room as her dad, she already…" the young girl turned to the other, looking at her silently.
Realising that she was probably asking for her age Hermione replied with a simple, "10."
Nodding Samantha turns back around, "she's 10. She should sleep in my room. I'm 11, so it'll be like an extended sleepover."
"Well, that's if she wants to Sammy we can't force her" Zelda said trailing her eyes over to the youngest witch in the room.
Samantha goes up to Hermione and brings out her ultimate weapon, the sad eyes imitating the look of a kicked puppy, "you'll stay with me won't you."
Unable to resist the sad eyes, Hermione relented and was kidnapped by the American girl much to their parent's amusement. "You can just leave your bag wherever, the beds big enough for us to share but if you want I can sleep on the floor instead."
Hermione shakes her head quickly, "no, I can't kick you out of your bed like that. I-I don't mind sharing" she says flustered.
The Japanese witch was then tackled into a hug by the other "this is going to be awesome. I can show you all my favourite spots. Where should we go, its already the afternoon so it will have to be somewhere nearby but we can do a day trip later" the girl rambled on.
"Oh um, S-samantha could I maybe I unpack and take a shower. The alley we landed in was kind of stinky."
"Just call me sbunch Hermione, we're friends now aren't we" she said whilst bringing the other girl over to the bathroom. "Here's an extra towel, I'll be in the living room with my mom if you need anything."
Nodding Hermione grabbed some clothes and cleaned herself up. The warm shower was great in making her fresh after the long travel. After she changed into a pair of shorts and shirt, Hermione went out of the room to see sbunch with her mum and Hideyoshi sitting around a kitchen island. "Hermi, you feeling better after the shower?" the wizard asked.
Hermione nodded and took a seat next to her father and across from sbunch. "Here, try these cookies, we got these from a famous bakery in the city." The older kid passed her a huge chocolate chip cookie, making hermione's iris dilate in joy.
Taking a large chomp of the cookie, the brunette hummed. The chocolate chip cookie was soft and filled with chocolate that oozed with warmth. With cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk, Hermione looked toward sbunch like she had just received a revelation from god. Samantha giggled in amusement as she brought napkin up to wipe the chocolate off the other girls' cheek.
"So, what are your plans for tomorrow" asked Zelda who was drinking some coffee from her mug.
"After resting today, I'm thinking of bringing Hermione to all the normal tourist sites here in New York that way we won't be too time constrained later" HIdeyoshi replied, tapping his finger on his mug in thought.
"Oooh, can we go as well mom. I can show them the magical ways in and out of the tourist traps."
Zelda smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm, "Sorry Sammy but I still have to run the bars so I can't take time off tomorrow."
Before Samantha could reply Hideyoshi cut in, "well, we can bring Samantha here with us around New York. I'm sure she will be a splendid tour guide after all."
Zelda contemplated the proposal for a few moments, "I guess that will be fine. I trust Sammy to take you around plus I know you won't let anything happen to either girls Mori. Alright you can go with them."
The younger bunch smiled and hugged her mum, "thank you, thank you." She then turned to Hermione and said "I can't wait to show you the secret viewing deck on Lady Liberty. If we're lucky we might be able to see some jersey devils flying above the clouds."
Hermione titled her head "jersey devils" she echoed.
Samantha nodded her head, "yeah, they're kind of like flying wyvern goats. If you want I can show you a few pictures in my Care of Magical Creatures textbook" she offered kindly.
Hermione nodded frantically and the two scampered away. The two adults look at each with smiles on their faces.
"Make sure Sammy does not call out to any Jersey devils" Zelda says with a tight smile.
"So she's done it before" Hideyoshi replied in amusement.
"Damn near took her to their nest" the witch said as she pressed a hand to her forehead in exasperation whilst Hideyoshi snickered.
The next day
Samantha brought them to all the famous sites, from time square to the Rockefeller centre. The place was filled with tourists and you really couldn't distinguish the wizarding folk from the non-wizarding folk in these areas. Hermione enjoyed seeing the artwork in grand central station, which much to their amusement moved now and again without the non-maj's realising due to the specialised disillusionment charm casted on the ceiling.
The trio then took a floo network to the nearest bar to the port where non-maj's usually took the ferry to see lady liberty. Witches and wizards however that came to visit the city simply apparated to the island, which Hideyoshi did, holding each girls hand to do so. They were then pulled over to a hidden elevator and asked to show their wands for identification by the elevator operator. Said elevator was huge and could easily fit 200 people in it. And unlike the uncomfortable non-magical elevators it was not filled with people. In fact, the elevator had some plush seats so that visitors could enjoy the view as they rode up.
The top, as they would find was no the crown of lady liberty but her torch that she held high in the sky. It seemed that the magical elevator was not just able to travel up and down but diagonally as well, without its passengers feeling the pull of gravity. Both little girls had their faces pressed up to the window, "Hermione look there there" Samantha pointed exactly at a blurry object in the distance.
The other witch squinted her eyes in concentration but huffed as she could not really see the object. Noticing this Hideyoshi brought out a pair of binoculars from the little backpack he wore. The binoculars were charmed to magnify the sight by over 100 times and could be adjusted to the wearer's preference. Passing the binoculars over to Hermione, the little witch quickly searched the sky for the objects. Soon she saw it, the same creature that was illustrated in sbunch's textbook. The jersey devil.
"Great kami," the brunette muttered as she passed the binoculars to Samantha.
The other girl squealed in excitement, "it is ! a jersey devil. It's summer right now so they don't really come out cause its so hot but they're super cool." As she watched through the binoculars she then stated "oh, I think its flying closer. That's weird."
It was at this point Hermione had flashbacks to all her run in's with magical creatures from the kraken, to the caipora and then the kappa. With her mouth brought into a straight line she knew; it was time to nope out of there. "We need to go."
"Huh? Why, we're fine. We have this reinforced glass to protect us. What's the worse that could happen?"
Hideyoshi then thought back to his conversation with Zelda about Samantha being captured by the jersey devil and nodded gravely, "we need to go" he mimicked, grabbing the duo and walking as fast as possible to the elevator.
Just as they were close to the elevator an ungodly screech sharply cut through the air causing everyone in the vicinity to cover their ears with in pain. The jersey devil was banging onto the glass, and the security guards were ushering people away from the window as elevator operators called for backup. "Why is it always me!" Hermione cried out; the trio having decided to take the stairs down.
The trio ran and ran, the two young girls becoming tired the longer they ran. Hideyoshi then decided to grab the two and casted a feather light charm on them before jumping pass the stair railings. "Aaaaaaah" Hermione screamed; "Weeeeee" sbunch squealed gleefully.
When they reached the ground, the exited the entrance, seeing many magical folks that could only be the backup called by the operators running towards the stairs. The group ignored the trio, as they ran up the stairs. Hideyoshi looked up seeing that the jersey devil was still distracted having not noticed that they were no longer there. He quickly apparated them back across to the port. And the Mori duo sighed in relief. "That was fun, lets do it again" Samantha said with a smile.
"How about we just do some shopping instead. I'm feeling a little toured out" Hermione proposed as she breathed in deeply. The other two agreed and Samantha had helped Hermione choose many different outfits. One of which was a sailor like outfit, with a cute light blue skirt, white shirt and matching hat. The 10 year old blushed as she was not used to wearing such items, and much to her chagrin her father had taken multiple photos to "add to the scrapbook".
They then found themselves in a magical toy store, located in the downtown area. Samantha gasped out as she held up a stuffed animal in front of her, "Hermione look, isn't this adorable."
Hermione looked at the stuffed animal, it was a brown rabbit with floppy ears wearing a blue bow tie. Its nose seemed to wiggle now and again and when placed on the ground it could hop around. Looking at the toy, Hermione's heart warmed slightly and she smiled gently as she patted the stuffed animal on the head "yeah, it really is."
The trio did not end up buying any toys but they did end up in a giant magical bookstore called Barnabas and Nobleton, which spanned 6 floors. Upon entering Hermione felt like she had died and gone to heaven. The store was perfect, it had a small café, reading nook and even had animal reading sessions. Safe to say, Hideyoshi's magical backpack was now filled with plenty of books to last Hermione the whole summer.
So word on the street is that some people need cheering up during this Covid-19 time. To my readers, keep your chin up there is a rainbow once the storm passes. This is Part 1 of a 2 part series. I hope this short update helps, stay safe everyone.