Life went on as normal.
With all World Conferences over for the time being, America spent his days sleeping in, eating hamburgers, watching horror movies and then crying on the phone about them to Japan and Canada, eating more hamburgers, and keeping tabs on Russia.
Of course his boss had found out about this and had blown a gasket. Something about not wanting to start another Cold War...America hadn't really been listening. Finally his boss had ordered him to send a gift to Russia, what with Christmas coming round the corner and all.
America complied, without much of a fuss. After all, this presented the perfect opportunity to get that little spy camera into Russia's house. Hopefully the other Nation didn't search the presents he received thoroughly.
America had been considering the best place to hide the camera, when he'd heard about the attack.
"...It was the most horrific thing I've ever seen; it makes no sense..."
America glanced up at his television, which had been turned onto the News channel. He stared at the screen, the words being spoken piping at interest for him.
There was a trembling woman on the screen, her eyes wide and her hair resembling a birds nest.
"These people, they just came out of nowhere. They started shooting green lights at us...oh god, people were just dropping to the ground, dead..."
America's mind immediately blanked out all of his previous thoughts about stalking Russia, and focused his full attention on the words coming out of the woman's mouth. Green lights?
Russia's words filled his mind.
"There were so many of us in the area at the time" the woman was replaced by a young man, who appeared to be in his twenties. "They killed so many..."
America bit his lip, his mind whirling. What the hell had happened?
"When they first came, no one really cared. I mean, they looked fucking strange but who the hell cares, right? I mean, this is New York. But then they pulled out these sticks, and started yelling these strange words...and these green lights started flashing all over the place, and people were just dying everywhere..."
America leapt from the ground and hurried to his computer. He fumbled with the 'on' switch and waited impatiently while it loaded up.
Once it had, he immediately opened up at internet page and went to check the news. Information about the attack had been displayed across the page and America allowed his eyes to scan over it, trying to make sense of what had happened.
There had been an attack in New York, on a busy street. Survivors claimed that people dressed in black cloaks and wearing skull masks had entered the area, and had soon after began to shoot out green lights from sticks. The green lights had killed people upon touch.
It was almost identical to what Russia had told him about the attacks in his country. America shook his head in disbelief; did this mean the other Nation had been telling the truth all along?
For some reason the word's 'skull masks' struck a chord in his mind. He struggled to remember what was significant about them; he was certain that Russia hadn't mentioned anything about it in their conversation.
A moment later he remembered a conversation he had once shared with England, a few years back. England had been complaining about a group of people...Death Eaters. Yes, that was it. The other Nation had been ranting on about the mess that they were causing, taking about how many people they had killed; about how they and their Master needed to be stopped...
America looked back to the screen, re-reading the news report. Was it possible that they could be responsible for this? It certainly sounded like magic, there was no doubt about that...but why would a bunch of English wizards be attacking his country?
He shook his head, wishing that he'd paid more attention to England's rant.
He sighed in frustration. Maybe it wasn't them...but how many groups of wizards could there be, that ran around wearing skull masks?!
America stood up and walked over to his phone. As much as he didn't want to do this...he needed to know more about the attack. Confirming that it was the same group that had been responsible for the attacks in Russia was a good place to start.
He held the phone up to his ear, listening to the ringing for a moment. Soon after, the sound of a hated voice filled his ears.
"Hello?"
"Russia" he gritted out.
"...Ahh" America gritted his teeth at the sound of his enemies voice. "America. It is good to here from you. I hope that all is well, and you have stopped stalking me?"
"I wasn't stalking you!" America snapped, defensively. "And I need to talk to you...about those attacks."
"What attacks?"
"The ones in your country!" America replied, sounding annoyed. "What the hell do you think I'm talking about?!"
"Ahh...you mean the attacks that never happened?" Russia sounded amused. "Or, at least, that is what you claim..."
"Shut up" America grumbled. "Look, the attackers...what were they wearing?" there was an awkward pause. "I mean, did they look...strange?"
"Why the sudden interest?" Russia asked, curiously. "And I am surprised that you aren't shooting out accusations about World War three..."
"There was an attack on my country" America replied, hesitantly. "It sounded just like you said...and I think I might know who did it. But I just want to be sure."
Russia was silent for a moment. Then: "You will tell me who did it, da? Or I will beat you to death with my pipe."
"Whoa!" America's eyes widened. "What the hell!?"
"Someone had the nerve to attack my people" he snarled. "I want to know who it is, so I can end them."
"I don't know who they are!" America protested. "I mean, why would I?!"
"You are inquiring about how they look" Russia replied, his voice deadly calm. "That gives me the idea that you know who they are...or at least have some idea. So tell me."
"I don't know!"
"Does my pipe make you happy, America?"
"Stop that!" America cried, sounding frustrated. "I'm not scared of your fucking pipe!" he went silent for a moment. Then: "...Ever heard of 'Death Eaters.'"
"Death Eaters?" Russia didn't answer for a moment. "No. I haven't" he said, at last.
"Yeah...well" America hesitated for a moment, before continuing. "I don't know much about them either. England was talking about them once, and I remember him mentioning what they wore. Skull masks; the people who attacked were wearing them as well."
"Yes; it was the same here" Russia murmured. "So, what you are saying is...England was behind these attacks?"
"What?!" America's eyes widened in alarm. "No that's not what I'm saying!"
"But they are English wizards" Russia pointed out.
"England hates Death Eaters!" America was mentally cursing; why the hell had he thought it was a good idea to call Russia of all people?! God dammit, he was probably planning on declaring war on England now...
"My country has been attacked" Russia said, a dangerous note present in his voice. "And from what you are saying, it all leads back to England."
"No it doesn't!" 'Dammit, dammit, dammit...'
"Look, just talk to him, alright?" America said, sounding frustrated. "He'll clear it all up for you..."
"Alright then" Russia said, calmly.
"...When he gets back" America added, remembering that the other Nation was at Hogwarts at the moment.
"So he is unavailable at the moment, hmm?" Russia questioned. "That is quite convenient."
"England didn't attack us!" America cried in frustration. "Look, I know where he is. I'll send him a letter and ask him about it, okay?!"
"No" Russia replied. "I will find him and talk to him."
America's eyes widened. Oh shit...Russia was going to murder England...and then England was going to murder him when he found out that he'd fueled Russia on...
"Look, don't do that, okay" America said, trying to hide the desperation in his voice.
"I do not want this happening again" Russia replied, coldly. "I won't have England killing more of my people -"
"- But he didn't."
"I do not care" Russia snapped. "I will find him."
"Then I'm coming!" the words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself. "I mean..." he added, in a more subdued tone. "I know where he is, and I know the way there...so I can, er, lead the way." 'And stop you from murdering and/or declaring war on England.'
'Or not...' his mind added, as an afterthought. Various scenarios ran through his head; Russia smashing him with his pipe, Russia forcing him to become 'one' with him, Russia smashing him with his pipe and then forcing him to become 'one' with him...
America shuddered at the thought of what could happen on the journey to find England. Besides, he wasn't even sure if he knew where Hogwarts was. All he really knew was that it was big and somewhere in England.
...Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Russia murdered England...
"Da" America jumped at the sound of Russia's voice. "You can come."
"Well actually, maybe that's not such a good idea -"
The phone hung up.
"Goddammit" America cursed.