Well, look who decided to update? Tis I!*cue British accent* I apologize deeply and formally for the lack of updating on my stories, I just don't got time sometimes y'all

So, here we have some Hermione action! Whoo hoo!

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing

Are Americans All This Weird?

HERMIONE

We had just gotten into the Weasley's car and started toward the Burrow when I had to ask my first question.

"So, what's your school called?" I asked, directing it to the Americans who were sitting in the same row as me.

Percy thought for a moment. "Uh…Delphi School of…Magic, right?" he said, looking at Thalia for clarification. She just rolled her eyes.

I was confused. "How did you forget you school's name?" I pressed.

Thalia answered this time. "Oh, Percy has a bad memory." Percy looked offended at this. "'Cause his head—is—full—of—kelp!" she said each word hitting Percy on the head.

Percy batted Thalia's hand away. "Bring it, Pinecone Face," he challenged, smiling and kicking her shin back. Thalia kicked. Percy kicked. Thalia kicked and punched. Percy imitated. It was about to become full-on car war when Nico, who was between Thalia and Percy, held up his hands.

"Slow down, guys," he said in a placating manner. "You didn't give me a chance." Nico smiled as he pointed to Percy and Thalia in turn. "Seaweed Brain," he said to Percy (what's with all the sea plants in this kid's head?), "Sparkles," he said to Thalia, who promptly began to strangle him while simultaneously kicking Percy in the shin.

I was just sitting a close to the window as I could, trying to avoid getting nailed in the face by a foot or some other appendage. Harry, Ron and the twins turned around from their row directly in front of mine, which was quickly becoming some cross between the name game and MMA wrestling.

For about five minutes the Americans continued their fight, all of us watching slackjawed as they delivered punches that looked like they could break bones, while laughing the whole time. The fight abruptly ended when the air began to smell like it does before a thunderstorm. I looked around, but I didn't see many storm clouds, only some far away.

There was a quick pop!-ing sound, and Percy let out an angry "Ow!" I looked over as best I could, and I saw a small part of his shirtsleeve gone, the edges smoldering.

"Sorry!" Thalia yelped. I looked harder and noticed that not only was Percy's arm burnt, but he had also been pushed all the way to the other window.

"Um, excuse me, but what the bloody hell just happened?" Ron said, sounding apprehensive.

Nico rolled his eyes. "Looks like Thalia here needs some anger management," he joked.

"Big time," Percy added, rubbing his arm. "Wow, that was powerful, you know how hard it is to burn me." Percy winked at Thalia and Nico, like they had an inside joke.

I, on the other hand, wasn't feeling the love. "So you're saying Thalia caused that?" I demanded, gesturing to Percy's arm.

The Americans jumped and turned like they had forgotten I was there. I hate when people do that. I gave an irritated sigh. "Am I still here?" I asked to the ceiling.

Fred nudged my arm. "Be polite," he snickered. Meanwhile, I was looking at him like he had just sprouted an extra arm out of his head and an extra head out of his…never mind. After a moment though, he gave me one of those better-watch-out-or-I'll-put-a-firecracker-down-yo ur-pants looks, and I relaxed. I hadn't been transported to an alternate universe.

"Uh…yeah," Percy responded, sounding uncertain. "With her magical witchy-powers…" he faltered when Thalia gave him a look that could burn a hole through titanium.

Harry blinked. "You're not allowed to use magic outside of school," he stated, matter-of-factly. The Americans shot each other panicked looks.

Nico took a deep breath. "Oh, you know, American rules and stuff…" he trailed off, the rest of us looking at him, dumbfounded.

"In America you can use magic outside of school?" Ron asked incredulously.

Percy shrugged and nodded. "Yeah, that's sort of how we roll, like, democracy and stuff."

"Awesome!" Fred and George said at the same time, while Thalia raised her eyebrows at Percy, and I mentally did the same. Democracy had nothing to do with the Wizarding world in America. I furrowed my eyebrows in thought. Or does it? I was about to ask another question when the car screeched to a halt.

"We're here!" Mrs. Weasley announced, hopping out of the car. The twins stumbled out, heads together, no doubt planning a prank on the Americans, and I followed them after Ron and Harry exited as well. Behind me, the Percy, Nico and Thalia were slow to get out, having a conversation that was in a language that took me a moment to recognize. Latin? No, Greek. Why in the world were they speaking Greek? I cleared my throat, and they looked up.

Thalia coughed. "Right," she mumbled and climbed out of the car, Percy and Nico following suit. As they caught sight of the Burrow, their mouths dropped open in astonishment.

"How in Hades does that thing stay up?" Nico scoffed.

Ron looked offended and confused at the same time. "Magic, perhaps?" he said sarcastically. "And what do you mean by 'Hades'?"

Nico shot a look at Percy and Thalia, and they all simultaneously responded. Percy said, "It's an American thing…."

Thalia answered, "Camp joke…"

And Nico replied, "Family saying…"

I raised my eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

Percy fidgeted. "It's an American thing that turned into a camp joke from one of Nico's family sayings," he sputtered suddenly. I snorted. I didn't buy that Hippogriff poop for a second.

Much to my surprising surprise, Ron nodded. "That makes sense now," he mumbled, completely believing Percy. He is so dumb sometimes. I turned and faced my friends, disregarding the Americans for the time being.

"Let's head inside," Harry suggested. Ron and I nodded and started towards the Burrow, the Americans trailing behind, talking amongst themselves. As soon as we were out of hearing range, I looked at the boys.

"Do they seem at all-?" I began, but I was cut off.

"Weird? Awkward? Violent?" Ron supplied.

I sighed. "I was going to say odd, but what Ron said works too." I directed this question at Harry, who shrugged.

"They were acting a bit strange, but you know, Americans, right?" I bit my lip. That could be all it was, but something told me there was more to these kids than we thought. After a moment, I gave up.

"Just keep your eyes open for anything…weird," I mumbled as Percy, Nico and Thalia approached. Ron and Harry nodded, and we continued inside.

We were greeted by Mrs. Weasley, who welcomed the Americans and had them sit down on the sofa. Harry, Ron and I were about to head upstairs when Mrs. Weasley caught sight of us.

"Don't leave just yet you three!" she called. We slowly made our way back to the couch, wondering what she wanted us for. "As you probably know, Hogwarts starts on September 1st, in three days. Tomorrow, we will be visiting Diagon Alley to get your robes and books and such." She stopped when Percy raised his hand, like he was in school or something.

"Yes?" Mrs. Weasley asked slowly.

Percy shifted in his seat. "We also have to get some, um, wands, I think," he said hesitantly. Meanwhile, my jaw hit the floor.

"You don't have wands?" I exclaimed. I probably would have said more, but Mrs. Weasley gave me a silencing look.

"Okay, we can take you to Ollivander's," she said dismissively. "I trust you all have a vault set up in Gringotts?"

The Americans looked baffled, but they quickly covered it up. "Chir—I mean, Professor Brunner gave us some money to use in Diagonal Alley," she said a little too quickly.

I snorted. "Diagon Alley," I corrected. These kids were getting weirder by the second.

"Well, that's good," Mrs. Weasley said, putting one hand on her hip. "Sleeping arrangements will be Percy and Nico with Harry and Ron in Ron's room, and Thalia with Ginny in her room." She dismissed us and headed to go make dinner. For a moment, we just sat there awkwardly.

Then, Percy cleared his throat. "Should we head upstairs?" he asked. Harry and Ron shrugged.

"Sure," I said, starting toward the staircase. As I walked, I shot Harry and Ron a look, then sighed.

This was going to be an interesting year.

Ooh, suspicions are rising! I tried to make it different from most of the other fics I've read like this by making Hermione be the suspicious one, which I saw wasn't as common. Also, it just made perfect sense. We will have some friend-making and Percy awkwardness in ze next chapter, I'm thinking. Haha I get to make fun of Americans even though I am one. It's still fun though!

-HorseHat out