The newspaper, headline being "Black Still at Large", was discarded on the table as the team of Nations debated on what to do.

"I still think this is a bad idea."

"We know, Norway. You've been saying that for the past twenty minutes," Vlad snapped back.

"Calm down, Romania," England chided.

"How can I be calm knowing that there is now a mass murderer on the loose? This mission was already going to be a handful! Now this guy has made it even worse! And to think, I was going to spend a nice relaxing year with Bulgaria and Moldova…" Romania trailed off, muttering about wishful thinking.

"There is no such thing as relaxing in any of our households," Norway said. No one could really argue either.

The room stayed silent for a few moments.

Scotland abruptly stood up and made his way to the door.

"Well, if you lot are just going to sit around and wait for the answer we all know is coming, I'll just head my way up to bed. It's been a long day and I've done what I intended to do."

England was quick to catch his brother before he fully left the room.

"No way are you just going to up and leave on us. This is a serious matter. If you are in on it, you will stay in this here room. No questions asked," he said with certainty.

"I've given the bracelets and given my wisdom *You don't have wisdom- England* I have nothing else to contribute. I, for one, know that no matter what you will not leave a boy in harms way. Even more so that he is from your country, Arthur. If you'll excuse me."

With that, Allistair left the living room.

…

"I'm half surprised you let him leave, Arthur," Norway said. "You can never let things go."

"He's right."

"What?" Romania sputtered. "Never thought I'd see the day when you agreed with one of your older brothers!"

"Oh, shut up. I do mean it though. I mean, are we just going to let a kid potentially die? Even if our secret gets spilled, we have enough control over things to keep the spread of news to a minimum," Arthur explained.

"That ends it then? We're officially going to Hogwarts de-aged to practically spy on a kid that is in danger of dying in more ways than one?" Norway deadpanned.

"I've told you to stop doing that Lukas! It makes things seem more intimidating!"

"You didn't seem to have a problem doing it yourself earlier."

"Be quiet!"

"That's it!" England's voice called from the kitchen. "I've come up with a cover story for the other Nations!"

Two head poked around the corner.

"Mind sharing your fancy ideas, Artie?" Romania teased.

"Don't call me that. I don't know why we hadn't thought of this before, but what about those times when we went off on those adventures. The ones where we said we didn't know when we would be back and go on for years. The others never questioned us. This one shouldn't be any different then!"

"I feel stupid now…"

"Don't. You've done worse, Romania," Norway jested.

"That definitely makes me feel better about myself," Romania said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

England sighed, "If you're going to be like this the whole time, I might as well do this by myself. Never mind. Worst idea. I've heard rumors about some of the kids at Hogwarts. I couldn't survive without any sane people."

"You think any of our kind are sane? That got to be the best joke of the century!" Romania cackled.

"I'm not even going to defend myself."

Apparently, Norway has no self-respect.

"Ignoring that, can I ask both of you to accompany me in this revamped mess of a mission?" England queried.

"You can count on us Iggy!"

"Don't call me that, Romania!"

"You've quite a sense of humor tonight, Vlad," Norway remarked.

"Thanks. I got it from my grandmother."

"You don't have a grandmother, Vlad."

"I know."

"You know, we still haven't tested out the Age Stones. What if they don't work anymore?" Romania said, reaching the last step.

The trio had agreed to do a bit of review on the basics of magic practice. They didn't want to be caught off guard when they arrived at the school, of course.

England had taken the time to buy some of their supplies beforehand, though he just bought books. Who knew that the Care of Magical Creatures course required a book that wanted to chomp your face off?

Much of the curriculum had changed in Magical Britain since England had last ventured there. It was much more short-and-sweet compared to the thousand-page books of the 1800s. A little too short and sweet for his liking. Some of the dates were incorrect as well. He'd have to bring that up with the minister if they ever came in contact.

Snapping out of his daze, England found Romania trying to reach the bracelets from on top of a cupboard.

"Curse this world for making me short!"

"You are of average height, Vlad. If anything, curse this world for making the cupboard so tall."

"Shut it, Norge."

England wasn't amused. "There's a step stool in the corner."

"Norge, get the stool!"

"I'm not your personal maid."

"Fine then. I'll get it!"

"I have no problem with that."

"Don't you two ever shut up!?"

…

"I've got the bracelets!" Romania declared.

Somehow, within the three seconds England and Norway were staring at each other, Romania made his way across the room to grab the stool and made it back with just enough time to get the stones.

"I really hate how you can do that. It doesn't follow any logic."

"None of us follow any logic, Norge," Romania countered. "Anyways, here."

Romania dropped the green stone into Arthur's palm and the purple one into Lukas'.

"Are we just going to do it?" Norway asked.

"I don't see what the problem would be. If I correctly recall it also shrinks clothes along with it," England remembered.

"Then let's not just stand around for a hundred years! Put the damn thing on!" Romania demanded, swiftly slinging the bracelet around his wrist.

A bright light filled the room as he did so. Norway and England covered their eyes with their sleeve to avoid the light.

When the light had finally died down, a tiny voice filled the room.

"I think it worked. Maybe a little too well."

Where the old Romania was once standing, a small child sat. He still wore the same clothes, only they were more child-sized as England had predicted.

"Now that I think about it, I was a late bloomer."

"You… You're so…You're very- "

"Small? I know that already no need to rub it in, Artie!"

"Don't call me that. I was going to say adorable, but now I think I take it back."

Romania silently looked over to the Norwegian.

"Are you going to say anything?" he asked.

Apparently, Norway was not going to say anything. Instead he took matters into his own hands and put on his bracelet. Once again, a light filled the room.

Before it was over, England had also slipped on his bracelet. He looked around and noticed how differently everything looked with his change in size.

Lukas sat where he used to stand with usual expression of apathy, though you could see a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"I-I guess it worked as usual. It read our minds. Romania you're small," England faltered a bit, not used to hearing that high of voice fall from his mouth.

"We're going to wreck that school."

"No, Romania."

Make that two weeks...

Holy mother have I been swamped with work this past few weeks. At first ai thought this whole online work would make things easier. Big mistake. I'm a known procrastinator for all things work related. I'm glad I was able to find the time today to finally make a chapter.

These first few chapters will address the many conflicts this story might have (Aka my reference pages for when I don't know what the headcannons are)

Thank you for taking time out of your life to read this lonely human being's story.

I'll be done with all of my work within the next week! yay...

Anyway, bye lovely people!

XXX