Winter
"Awesome! Hockey time!" Mathew cheered seeing the frozen lake from the window looking at his brother pleadingly.
"No way dude, I am never going to play hockey with you again. Not after last time."
"Hey that was just payback for the baseball incident, eh."
Everyone was sitting merrily eating in the main dining room, most eating their last meal before boarding the train home.
"I do feel sorry for those without proper homes to go home to for Christmas." Draco screeched, aiming for the twins in that remark.
Sadly for him, while Harry looked down embarrassed because he had to stay over the winter, the nations were still talking happily.
They too had signed up to stay too.
Mostly because leaving would mean facing the wrath of Arthur, who they realized they had not written in almost a month.
They continued eating until a booming voice echoed through the hallways.
"Where is the bloody yank and his brother!?"
"Hide!" squeaked America and Canada and they ducked under the table.
"Angleterre relax. You can release your sexual tensions when you see your little Ameriquen." a French accent called.
"Shut up frog! Will you stop being a sodding pervert for god damned five minutes! Why are you here anyway?"
"Because I like to mess with your magic along with your needlework, and to see my little Mathieu."
The entire cafeteria looked towards were the two were hiding under the table and giving them the classic 'Ohh you're in trouble look'.
Draco was ecstatic that he finally would meet what he assumed would be the infamous 'England' and 'France'.
"Where the bloody hell is twat who can't read the bleeding atmosphere and his ghost-like brother" Arthur screeched stomping into the cafeteria, purple aura and France in his wake.
The whole room pointed to the two and they reluctantly came out from under the table.
"H-hi Iggy. What are you doing here? And I see you brought Francis, we just dropped our glasses so we were under the table".
"Oh like I buy that, I know what you were doing" France giggled like a school girl. "I can't wait to tell Elizeibeta and Kiku and the CanAme is real!"
"Shut Up" they both yelled, inching away from each other, turning red and not able to look the other in the eye.
Draco prides himself on being able to read people and when seeing the twos reaction he wasn't failed by his abilities.
"That's what CanAme is, I thought he was some underground drug ring, not that" He laughed, drawing the eyes of the entire cafeteria.
"But this is even better!"
"Great now the while school knows, I'm going to kill you France!" and Alfred was about to launch himself at the Frenchman, but luckily was pulled back by Britain.
Mathew who was still blushing was trying to tell the crowd it wasn't true, but the gossip had already started.
"Is that the boy you threatened?" demanded England.
They both sheepishly nodded.
Britain turned towards Draco and put on a polite smile.
"I am very sorry for my young colony's behavior; I did raise him like this. That part of him must come from his French quarter" he said scowling at France.
"Hey!" America yelled. "I'm not your colony anymore. Unless you forgot I won that war! The Revolution ring a bell?"
"Calm down L'Americque" France whispered. "You know how he gets when he's in mother bear mode."
Mathew and America shudder at the memory.
A few years ago when visiting Britain, England accidentally cast a spell that turned them into little kids again.
For that entire week, he would scream and attack anyone who looked at them, and scolded them for everything from how they ate, to how they breathed and, their posture, their language and even their blinking patterns.
"Maybe I can fix them by raising them right the second time?" he told everyone.
The two almost went nuts, but thankfully it only lasted a week and after that Arthur went right back to just yelling and the two North Americans went back to ignoring it.
England didn't really fix anything, except now Mathew and Alfred do sit a little straighter.
"And you two!" Britain yelled turning back to the nations.
"Three bloody weeks without a letter. Three Weeks! Where did I go wrong with you Alfred? I raised you right, why did you turn out like this?"
It took everything in him not to stand on the desk and remind him that America is the world superpower, not England, or France. Am-er-i-ca!
Canada tried slipping into the background but Francis would have none of that.
"Oh my dear Maple Leaf, did you miss me?" and gathered him into a hug.
"Yes papa" Mathew said dejectedly, squirming to get out of his France's embrace.
"Good, because big brother missed you, little Canada, oh how you look so cute as little boy. I remember those days."
Luckily for their cover, the room was focused on the fight that had broken out between Arthur and Alfred.
"I'm not a little kid anymore. I'm independent!"
"Your twelve and not even half my age!"
"Your food sucks!"
"You're a brat!"
"You were a pirate; I don't think it gets any brattier than that!"
"Yes I was, and a bloody good one at that! At least I didn't run around playing cowboy and having shootouts. When I settled a fight it did it the gentleman's way."
"You only dueled with swords because you have no aim!"
Arthur stepped forward and looked down on America.
"I like you better like this, now I get to look down on you."
The two launched at each other and started choking and kicking at each other.
Completely ignoring the common occurrence to them, Mathew walked Francis over to the trio.
"He guys this is my Big brother Francis, Francis this is Hermione, Harry and Ron."
"Nice to meet, misorés, Madame" he said knelling down and kissing Hermione's hand.
Heroine blushed, shuttered and retracted her hand and discreetly wiped it on her dress.
"Uh... should we try to stop that?" Harry asked pointing to the two who were now strangling each other.
"Don't worry; this happens every time they see each other, eh. They'll live" Mathew said.
"This is how zey release sexual tension" France cooed.
The three looked at him disgusted and Mathew kicked his shin lightly and sent him a look that clearly said to shut up.
"Sorry aboot that, don't listen to papa, he's had a little much wine".
"Mathieu" he cried, "You wound me so. You used to be so kind and gentle and polite, but then the Black Sheep of Europe took you away from me. You must come home at once and I will reintroduce you to the wonder and majesty of France".
Before he could reject, he heard a crash from behind and saw there was a large hole in the Raven claw flag, and America holding a smoking wand.
"That's it!" Britain shouted grabbing America by the ear.
"We are going to discuss this in privet".
On the way out he also latched onto Frances ear and dragged him along too.
"But I wanna stay here Artie" Alfred whined.
"Well then you shouldn't have been such a rebellious nuisance." Britain argued back.
"Your mean Artie and I don't like anymore" America pouted.
England's face actually started to sadden and America lost his resolve immediately.
"Fine, I like you and I'll come, now let go of my ear".
Arthur smiled again and let go of Alfred and Francis ear.
"I love you too, my little colony".
Did he mention that England was also a Bi-Polar mother?
Well now they did.
"Stop calling me that!"
Reluctantly the FAC of the FACE family followed the E out.
But not before the two letters in the middle looked back to their friends and mouthed "Family" and rolled their eyes.
Everyone in the room now had a new found respect for the twins.
No One could come out of a family like that and not have a few screws loose.
"You're an idiot, you know that?"
The four were now in the room they had gone to on the night of the three headed dog.
"I told you England, I put the bottles in my bag, and they just disappeared!"
When they approached the door, England turned to Alfred and smiled.
"Well, I'm waiting".
"Oh hell no!" America shouted. "I had to do it in front of Canada and my pride was obliterated, you should just change the password."
"I can only change it from the inside" Arthur smiled.
"Fine."
He took his headphones that he keeps with him at all times off, connected it to his phone and shoved them into Britain's arms.
"I could live with Canada hearing me say that since he still says things like that about you two, and I don't care about France's opinion of me, so you just put these on."
"So you care about my opinion of you" Arthur cooed. "Oh how wish you never you grew up, you are so cute and obedient at this age."
America bit his tongue, letting his old man have his moment.
Reluctantly Britain put on the stars and stripe themed headphones.
"Enwand is the best big bwuber evew and his scwones awe dwelicious."
The door opened and they stepped inside.
"By the way" England noted stepping in and shutting the door, "I didn't know your password so I couldn't turn on the music."
"So you heard…"
"Yes America and I completely agree with everything you just said. You are such a good child sometimes".
America walked over to what he is now calling his 'emo corner' and sulked.
Draco
"I told you England, I put the bottles with the blue stuff in my bag, and they just disappeared!"
Draco had followed the family out from the dining room and were listening and taking notes.
· I was correct the blue liquid was the medicine I stole.
"I could live with Canada hearing me say that since he still says things like that and I don't care about France's opinion of me, so you just put these on."
"So you care about my opinion of you."
· I think Alfred feels guilty for something he did to 'England', maybe he left him when the 'revolution' as he called it happened. See if I can exploit thatguilt.
· Mathew apparently still acts like a 'mamma's boy' around France/Francis and Arthur/England.
· Alfred doesn't give much weight towards France/Francis (he didn't even bother to change the first 4 letters of his name?) opinion.
When all four were inside Draco crept over and checked to see if anyone was there.
Seeing that the coast was clear, since everyone was still in major gossip session in the cafeteria, Draco pressed a plastic cup up against the painting.
"Now come on my little bunny, stand in the circle like a good child."
"Stop calling me that!" Alfred yelled.
· Alfred doesn't like being called Bunny.
"My country is two hundred and thirty one years old. And that's not including the couple thousand years before the English even came, or even my time as a colony. I think I'm old enough to not be called a 'bunny'!"
"Well unless you have forgotten 'bunny', the United Kingdom is a few Thousand. So will always have the right to call you my bunny".
· Referring to each other's ages by ages of their countries?
"The same way I'll always be able to call my sweet little Canada, my little Maple Blossom" a French accent called out.
"Actually I'm fourteen times bigger than you" Mathew noted, but went unheard.
· Refer to the size of their countries.
"Ugh fine I'll stand in the circle, just hurry up ok".
Draco stood leaned up against the door and heard some strange sounds that he hadn't heard before.
After a few seconds, he saw that a bright green light was shining from the cracks behind the painting and was curious what it was.
When all was done the three began talking again.
"That spell should last you a few weeks, and since I see that America cannot be trusted not to lose the medicine, I will send them when the time comes."
"What about giving zem to my little Canada, he is very responsible, unlike the one you raised."
"Hey" Malfoy heard Alfred shout indignantly, "How many times do I have to remind you who's the superpower in the room, oh right it's me!"
"Children should be seen not heard" A British accent called out.
"For once France is right, you should learn to be more like… uh…"
"Canada, eh" He heard Mathew sigh.
'Wow' Draco thought. 'He wasn't kidding when he said his brother forgets him, if I didn't want to kill them, I would feel bad for him'.
"Dude I'm not sure I could ever love moose and drag my ass as much as he does" The American teased.
"Hey!"
From outside he heard a series of what sounded like slow, weak punches.
"My grandmother taught me the true spirit of the maple leaf and it's in her honor I defend your stupidity America and…"
"Ha-ha dude your grandma sounds hot".
"But you don't even have a grandmother?" a French accent reminded.
Draco wanted to listen for more, but the bell rang and there was an announcement made for all students leaving to head to the train. So he grabbed his book and started reviewing his notes.
He sure had plenty of research to do over break.
And for once he was happy with the homework.
"So first here Alfred, if any of the symptoms of your… condition come back, just drink this" Britain said handing him a blue bottle like the ones he lost.
Then he pulling up a green and purple chair and sat down.
He had very 'interesting' taste in furnishing.
It all looked very magical, but not like the stone and old types you would see around the castle, it was the bright blues and purples and greens in Disney's the princess and the frog.
"Since you haven't reported in a bloody month, I'm assuming you have plenty to say."
Canada nodded and began to speak.
"Fist Ame' and I made the paired quibich team seekers."
"Onhonhon my little Mathieu I am so proud, and of my little Amerique. Finally putting your French genes to work."
"That's not what paired quibich is Frog! It's a sport."
"Oh" France said defeated, "Well I am still proud".
"Any way" Mathew continued, "A group of kids had us take off our jacket and saw our scars".
"What!" the two elders yelled.
"Did zey hurt you? What did you say? Did they just want to steal your amazing fashion style? Who do I have to skin?" France rambled.
"Don't worry, it was truth or dare, not an ambush, and you know Alfred is an amazing liar when he wants to be. We think everyone believed our story and if they didn't, no one has confronted us about it, eh."
The other two looked slightly less antsy, but were now listening much more intently.
"The Slytherins went to war against us and that boy named Draco that you apologized too has been stalking, harassing and trying to kill us since the first day,"
"Oh?" Arthur mumbled. "What happened to my old house, have they all gone off their rockers?"
"And last but not least" America interjected, "We heard from the trio that there is a three headed dog in one of the rooms in the castle and something about Nicolas Flannel."
Arthur quickly perked at the mention of Nicolas and the dog.
"All this and you haven't bothered to send a letter in three weeks!"
"Sorry" Alfred apologized, "We were a little busy trying to not blow our cover".
Arthur looked down at the little boys, and remembered the old days of endless amber fields and scurrying little rabbits and moose.
"It's quite alright" he sighed. "Your only here to learn to defend against a threat that shouldn't have been yours to face" he said leaning down to hug them.
"Excusez-Moi" said France regretful to break the touching moment, but having to anyway. "But don't you think we need to discuss ze whole Potter business".
The three tensed and Britten released his little brothers from their hugs.
"You are quite right France" he said stiffly, "Boys, are you sure this is the correct Harold, because as far as I knew, he was dead."
It was obvious that he was on the verge of tears, but no one commented on it.
They all were too, even France who although had not been there that evening due to work, was also very close to the Potter family.
They were the only non-officials other than Joan to ever know he was a country.
He wishes everyday he had come to that dinner and been at least able to say a last goodbye.
"It is" squeaked out Alfred.
"He had the scar, the name and the memory. I guess he didn't die." He concluded.
"I also can't help but feel like you have mentioned Nicolas before"
"Yes I have" answered Arthur, happy to have switched from the previous depressing subject.
"Remember when I told you boys the story of the fountain of youth."
The boys nodded.
"Well what I never did tell you was it was found. It just wasn't what they had expected."
"Instead of a fountain, it was a small stone that was found in the Northern regions of what is Maine today." "Nicolas Flannel, who had discovered it figured out that it was made from what he called 'The essence of the new world'. And if it was mixed with 'life force of the new world', which we have figured out would be you two, but he never did, it would give the user eternal youth."
The boys nodded in understanding and Mathew asked.
"So where is it today?"
"I don't know, I gave it to Nicolas to guard and haven't seen it since he went into hiding. Maybe it's hidden in the school and that's the dog is guarding." Britain answered walking out the doorway.
"Now I am sorry to have to leave so abruptly, but we have a train to catch".
He started strolling down the hall until he noticed some one wasn't following him.
When he turned back he saw France talking to a group of senior girls.
"Francis get your arse up here!"
"Sorry ladies but you know how zoose Brits with a crush get." Francis apologized to the ladies.
"I heard that Frog!"
"Coming black sheep. Au revoir Mon petite fleurs, and may we meet again"
Francis sashayed up to the fuming Brit.
"If you were jealous, you could have just let me know".
Britain stomped ahead cursing under his breath and left the Frenchman to chase after him.
"L'angleterre, I only kid".
Arthur, without even turning around, gave him a middle finger and stormed forward.
"Well zat wasn't very gentlemanly".
"Hey CanAme" a fellow Gryffindor girl giggled.
"Hey Sammy" Alfred waved and slung his free arm around his brother as he entered the cafeteria, deciding now might be a good time to turn on Mr. Oblivious in order to save his ego.
The room went into another round of hysteria.
"Ame', please take your arm off me" Mathew whispered. "I don't think that is the best idea considering our situation."
"What situation?" asked Alfred, sending him puppy eyes.
He looked at his brother and mumbled "never mind".
Mathew was just as able to defend against Americas puppy eyes, as America is against his.
In other words, can't.
Not releasing him Alfred skipped back to his seat across from Harry.
"Hey dude, we're back, Sorry for the delay. 'Family', you know how it is. He still treats me like I'm a little kid".
"Well, you are twelve" commented Ron.
"But that's beside the point; I practically went to war with Iggy for my freedom. And I won!"
'How could a twelve year old win a war against his older brother?'
"He never let me have any freedom and he was always away. For the few weeks he wasn't, I couldn't do anything! I still love him, it's just were equals now and I hate being treated like less, and you agree with me too right Mattie".
"In all honesty, eh. The only times he would remember I exist is when I was with you or Francis. The few times when we were alone together he either ignored me or talked aboot you."
Harry looked between the two.
Looks like he wasn't the only one with a hard family life.
While his couldn't care less about him, they at least acknowledged him unlike Mathews, and he had a feeling that Alfred couldn't handle not having free will. Smothering must be the worst form of torture for him.
"I know how you feel, my family is awful. I'm treated like a servant around the house and my room is literally a cupboard under the stairs".
The nations downcasts their eyes guiltily.
'If we hadn't led Voldemort to his house, he would still be living with his parents.' They thought.
When Harry saw their faces, he thought it was sympathy and said.
"It's alright though. I've lived this long and now that I go here, there's not much they could do about it. Considering their hatred of Magic I doubt they'll come here to scold me."
Knowing how much he hates to feel like he's being pitied, Alfred raised his eyes and smiled at him.
"Well now you got a new family"
Harry smiled at him, Mathew and Ron and nodded.
"Yes an international one at that".