Hey guys I'm back! Well exams are done, now waiting for results :S Thank you to all who follow the story, review, and favorite it, you are all amazing, love ya! *Hands out candy, and chocolate...*
As usual, I own nothing from the Harry Potter world, only Eva her family, and the stuff I invented for the story.
18. Welcome to Salem
Severus woke up around eight thirty the next morning. The house was not silent, but close to it. He stood up for a moment until a 'pop', and there stood Kristlan in front of him. The elf had the biggest smile on his face.
"Morning, Mister Severus. Missus Lisbeth has sent me to wake you. Missus says time to come down. Missus also adds pajamas are allowed so come in pajamas."
Severus shook his head and started to head towards the door.
"Oh and Kristlan and Danio have made pancakes! Kristlan hopes that Mister Severus likes pancakes, " Kristlan exclaimed before he disappeared downstairs.
Severus opened the door. He felt a little uneasy being in his black pajamas, but he knew Eva would do the same, and decided that it would make her happy. He was right, a few moments after he exited the room, Eva came out of hers.
She had a black top with matching shorts and very bright slippers. Severus figured that's where her obsession for turning peoples' clothes bright colors came from. Her hair was put up in a slightly messy ponytail, but Severus didn't notice it.
"Morning Sev, you must be a morning person. Kristlan got you up I bet."
Severus snapped out of his dream state and answered her. "Morning Eva, you could say that, yes Kristlan got me up. How did you know?"
She made a small smile. "Because Danio got me up. He thought it was a good idea to use ice cold water instead of something else."
"Ice cold water? But you aren't wet."
"How very observant, drying charms remember. I'm not going down there soaking wet."
"Oh yes, right." He said while his cheeks turn a slight pink.
The pair went down the hallway and stairs to the dinning room table. Lisbeth was already there, waiting for them. The table was set with pancakes and syrup all ready for the two. The two elves were bringing out the tea. They went towards the table; Severus decided pull out a chair for Eva, who gratefully accepted. Once he sat, Severus just realized what he did, but put the thoughts at the back of his head.
"Morning Severus, morning Line. There are fresh pancakes on the table and tea. You like pancakes Severus?"
"Yes I do."
"Fantastic. We have already eaten, so it's just the two of you. Today we are going to start to pack for Salem since we leave in four days."
The pair nodded and Lisbeth left the room. Eva handed Severus the pancakes and syrup after serving herself since he insisted she help herself first.
"You are going to love these. Kristlan makes the best pancakes and Danio's syrup is amazing."
Severus smiled at Eva and took a bit of his breakfast. She was right; Kristlan's cooking was fantastic. It was different from his usual morning toast Eileen would make for him.
"So Sev, did you sleep ok?" asked Eva.
"Fine it was rather quiet, I'm not used to it."
"I can understand. When we get to Wickford Mansion, there will be more noise, I can guarantee that. With my cousins running around and all. By the way, if you're going to want breakfast, you're going to have to get up early. They literally fight to get waffles, pancakes, or cakes in general."
Severus let out a small laugh. "Really? Might as well go back to Hogwarts if you want to see that, especially the Gryffindor table."
"Oh yeah! Those crazy Gryffindors! I remember one morning; I came down, and headed to the Ravenclaw table. Out of nowhere Sirius Black turns up. He starts hitting on me, and then takes a bite of his toast. Before he starts talking to me again, he stops and choked on his toast!"
Severus tried to fight back a laugh. He couldn't help but imagine the sight of the all mighty Sirius Black choking on a piece of toast.
"And that's not all, James went behind him to try to get it out. I stood there laughing at him. Now that I think of it, I should have helped but it was nothing. Wrong pipe actually."
"I would loved to see that, when was it?"
"Just this year, around May. I can't believe you weren't there, I thought for sure you were. It was quite a scene."
Severus made a face, on that morning he was in the Slytherin common room with his friends talking about the Dark Lord again. He knew they missed out on something that morning when they entered the Great Hall and saw Potter patting Sirius on the back, telling him to have some water.
They finished up their breakfast and went back up to their room to get ready for the day. Severus had no idea what they were going to do. He remembered Lisbeth telling them to get a few things together because they were leaving in four days for the United States. It would be Severus's first time out of the UK, and he was happy it was going to be with his closest friend.
In her room, Eva was putting the clothes she wanted to take to the US in a small pile next to her travel bag. She was glad Severus was coming with them, meeting new people who didn't know who he was and no Marauders around who could judge him. She was worried by his attraction to the Dark arts. He wasn't fooling anyone, especially her.
Eva knew a Dark passion when she saw it. The thing that probably worried the most when meeting her family is if Isabella is there. Her aunt could talk him in to joining Voldemort. Alexandrina refused to talk about Isabella and her ties with the Death Eaters. Eva didn't want to lose Severus to the Death Eaters or Voldemort, like she suspected her mother losing her sister.
Severus was all ready for another day with Eva's family and quite exited. He exited the room and went downstairs, where Eva followed a few minutes later. Lisbeth had brooms out for them, and other magical equipment's.
"So, grandma, what are we doing today?"
"Well, I have got your broom right here and another one if you wish to flight. There is a wizard's chess, and stuff to play Quodpot. This is just for the two of you, unless you want to duel."
"Can we do all of them?"
"I doubt it will be possible, you can try."
Eva turned to Severus asking him what he wanted to do. He said he didn't mind what activity was chosen. Eva nodded and grabbed both brooms, handing one to Severus.
"What? You said you didn't mind. Let's race then we can do something you want."
They both went outside, it was a clear sunny morning perfect for flying. Before they got on their brooms, Eva's family came out and sat on the chairs in the yard to watch them, and be there in case one of them fell.
"Alright Sev, three times around the house?"
"You, Eva, are on."
Eva smiled and they started their race around the house. They did more than race in the end. The pair flew all over the yard, creek and house. Severus was having fun, he was glad he was spending a big part of the summer with Eva and her family.
The next few days flew by. Severus kept learning wandless spells, and played wizard's chess with Cyrus beating him at almost every game.
"Checkmate." He said as he placed his Queen, blocking any moves from Cyrus's part.
"What?! Already? Eva you never told me he was this good at wizard's chess!" He cried out as Eva came into the room. He then turned his attention back to Severus "Alright Severus, I demand a rematch."
"Your decision Cyrus." The young wizard said.
"You bet my decision. I am going to beat you Severus, I will win one more game."
Eva took a chair and sat by them.
"Sev, how long have you been at this?"
Severus turned to her with a desperate voice. "Nearly two hours. I have lost only once. He is trying to get his rematch."
"Oh, well just let him win."
Cyrus looked up at them "Oh no he isn't! We are going to do this all night if we have too."
"Grandpa, we leave tomorrow morning. You will both be exhausted."
Cyrus didn't want to hear it, and set up the next game, while Eva left towards the kitchen with a deck of cards in her hands. Severus now knew for sure where Eva's competitiveness was from, and her 'hatred' to losing. This time he decided to play 'not as good' as he usually did, making it look like he was trying hard not to lose.
"Checkmate Severus, looks like I finally won."
"Yes Cyrus, I must say it was harder this time."
"I could see that, after two hours straight, I sensed you were getting weak."
Severus excused himself and went to the kitchen to find Eva who was playing a card game with the house-elves.
"Danio your turn."
"Yes missus, Danio changes it to green."
Severus couldn't believe his eyes, Eva was playing the Muggle game UNO with her house-elves, something no one in his house back at Hogwarts would ever believe.
"Ok, here seven green. Oh and Uno!" she said all proud of herself.
"Missus plays well. Kristlan will still play for missus, Kristlan adds five green to cards."
Severus slowly entered, took a chair and sat down.
"Oh hey Sev. Did you know about this Muggle game? Uno is very interesting, with all these plus four color changing cards, and plus twos, skip… I never saw such a fun game."
Severus raised a brow. "You have now. I bet David taught you how to play."
"Yes he did! He teaches me almost all the Muggle board games; did you know in Muggle chess the pieces don't move? And you move them yourself. Also the pieces don't kill each other."
"Yes Eva I know."
"Missus it's your turn, Danio has already played. Danio put down a five blue."
Eva shook her head "Right sorry Danio, lucky me I put down a two blue. I win."
Kristlan and Danio started to clap. "Congratulations Missus. Kristlan very happy for missus since Kristlan won the last game."
The elves cleaned up the game, and served Eva and Severus their dinner. That night they had simple turkey sandwiches and ate outside since it was mild out.
"Sev you ready for tomorrow?" she asked. They sat on the grass with their food and bottle of water with two glasses.
"I think so. What are we taking there?"
"We are going to use either a portkey or a Muggle airplane. I'm pretty sure we are going to use the portkey. I hate them; last time we took it I got sick. Have you ever travelled by portkey Severus?"
Severus thought for a small moment before answering. "No, not really, I guess you could say it will be my first."
Eva nodded "You are in for a real treat then I will tell you that. I always feel a little sick when we use them." Took an other bite of her sandwich. "So…" she started while chewing on her food then swallowing. "Is there something you want to do first when we get there?"
"I haven't thought about that yet, but I would enjoy seeing what the Salem Institute looks like."
Eva smiled at him and put her meal down. "It's not too bad. Compared to Hogwarts it's a 'young thang.' If I remember the history lessons correctly it was founded around 1620'ish. On the contrary to popular belief, Salem is not the first or oldest wizarding school in the states."
Severus raised a brow "Really, I know I heard there were more than just Salem."
Eva finished her dinner, then turned towards Severus. "Ok, in the US, since it's big country with mucho people, there are three main schools. The Salem's Institute of Magic or Witches Institute; The Hawkthorn Academy of Magic in Washington, and SilverWood School of Witchcraft in Missouri."
She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts, then continued "But as you know, there are Native Americans there, and magic existed then too. So they founded the oldest magical school in the states in the 1400's near Lake Superior. I don't know the original name, but in English it's called The Great Lake's School of Magic."
Severus was quite interested in her story about the three different schools in the United States. He knew they were only going to visit Salem, so he wanted to know more about the known school.
"Eva, what are those schools like?"
"Well Salem is a castle like Hogwarts, not the same exact design though. When the wizards arrived they wanted a different school compared to Hogwarts. But there is a sorting ceremony just like here. There are no houses; instead the students are sorted in divisions. It's very hard to explain, but I'm sure the Headmaster will kindly talk about it to you if you ask. Hawkthorn is more modern, being built in the 1810's, same time as SilverWood"
Severus nodded; it was a lot of information to understand. Eva told him the thing she was taught at Salem about the different magical schools and such. Checking their watch again, they both saw it was time to head back inside to get ready for the next day.
At around six in the morning, a small figure walked in Severus's room holding a small cup. Before he could open his eyes, the figure poured the glass over him, waking him immediately.
"Ahhh! I'm up!" he yelled. He rubbed his eye to see Danio looking up at him with a big smile on his face. The house elf appeared proud of his deed. At the same moment, he heard the same scream from Eva's room.
"Kristlan! You get your behind back here! I swear I won't crucio you!"
It appeared Eva just went through the same awakening. Severus shook his head and used the drying spell. Danio told him to be down in ten minutes for breakfast. When he arrived downstairs, he saw his bag packed and ready by the front door. He went to the dining room, and saw Eva sitting at the table waiting for him.
"I'm guessing you got the water awakening as well." He stared.
She turned and gave him a morning death glare.
"A look doesn't answer a question Eva, even if it does a good job enlighten it." He said.
Eva swallowed her cereal then answered Severus. "Yeah same thing. Turns out Mother wanted to be sure we would be awake this early so she asked Danio and Kristlan to do it, although Danio does it without being asked."
"And takes pleasure in doing it."
"That too." She said with a small smile that made Severus forget the glare he earned from her less than five minutes ago.
Once they were finished with breakfast, the entire family met in front of the house. Alexandrina locked the door and put a spell around the house, securing it for the time they were going to be out of town. The house-elves were coming with them as well, something that surprised Severus a bit.
After casting her protection spell around the house, Alexandrina turned towards them.
"Alright you all have your bags in your hands at all times, never let them go. Second, we are taking the portkey in the Ministry's headquarters in Whitehall. We are apparating there, Evangeline and Severus I highly doubt you can both correctly apparate even with those lessons. Line you are coming with your father and I. Severus you are going with my parents. Danio, Kristlan you can surely make it there yourselves, as you have done this multiple times before. We have no time to lose."
She finished her speech dryly. Severus parted from Eva, who gave him a disappointed look, and went with Lisbeth and Cyrus. He watched as Eva held her mother's arm and her bag, then disappeared along with the elves. After a few minutes, he hung on to them and with a 'pop' they disappeared.
Severus opened his eyes to see they were in an alley in Whitehall. He turned to see Cyrus walking out of the alley, signaling them to follow. The walked for a minute until they reached a red phone booth, Lisbeth and Severus were to enter first while Cyrus kept watch for Muggles.
"Alright let's see here, must hurry. Let's see ah 62442 " she said. Suddenly the booth started to move and went underground into the Ministry.
When it reached the floor, Severus and Lisbeth stepped out, and waited for it to return with Cyrus. Once he was out, the three walked towards the elevator to go to the Ministry of International magical travelling, portkey division.
Once they arrived at the office, Lisbeth went directly towards the secretary.
"Hello, we are here for the portkey to Washington D.C in the United States."
"I see, to your left first door, it's the red boot. Hurry up the time is almost out."
"Thank you."
The three went directly to the intended room. Severus had never seen this way of magical traveling before. There was a long hallway, with different labels with the countries names. They went in the one labeled USA, where Eva, her parents and the elves were waiting. Eva let go of her mother and went straight to Severus.
"We were a little worried you weren't going to make it in time."
Lisbeth cut in before Severus had a chance to reply. "Well, we did, enough talking let's take the portkey now."
They all nodded and circled the object.
"On three." Said Alexandrina. "One, two, three!"
They all touched the boot at the same, and then things started to spin around them. The wind picked up and it was as if they were in the middle of a tornado. This lasted for about five minutes. Severus turned to Eva, who was beginning to look sick.
"Alright! You need to let go now!" shouted Henry
Severus shot him a concerned look. "What? Let go?"
"Yes, let go now!"
Eva and Severus let go as well as the others. They went through a portal of some sort landing on the ground in a relatively big room. Severus noticed that in the heat of the moment, he grabbed Eva's hand not letting it go. He helped her up, and they turned to see her family plus the elves 'walk' down from the ceiling.
"After how much portkey travel, and you still cannot land correctly."
"Well, sorry father, you know they make me sick."
Henry rolled his eyes, and they made their way towards the exit. After passing multiple doors, they were now outside in Washington DC, near the Capitol. Severus admired the scenery; it was different from what he usually saw.
"Excuse me," said Eva as she ran to the trashcan, ignoring the looks of the passing Muggles. "What are you looking at?" she said at one man.
After he left, she pulled out her wand, making sure no one would see "Scourgify." Then returned to her family.
"Are you better now?" asked Severus
"A little, I'm sure a nausea potion will help."
Lisbeth went towards her granddaughter "Come on Line, now we apparate, then it's all over, ok?"
Eva nodded and went with her parents and Kristlan, and they disappeared again.
Severus turned to Lisbeth asking if Eva will be fine.
"Don't worry Severus, apparition she can handle, portkeys no. After a day she will get better. Now come."
Severus grabbed Lisbeth hand along with Danio's and they apparated out of Washington. When he opened his eyes, they were in front of a big house.
"Welcome to Salem, Severus." She said.
They entered the house and Severus was brought to the room he was staying in to drop off his belongings, given a quick tour by Lisbeth and then come down for introductions. Severus met Eva's relatives, her Uncle August and his children, her cousin April and many others. Eva came down, with a small vile, looking better than the last time he saw her.
"Hey, I see you met some of my family."
"I did they are, quite interesting. Are you better?"
Eva smiled lightly. "I know they are interesting. Later this week we meet the rest of them, and tour the Institute. And thanks for asking yeah I'm better. I've never seen you this concerned you know."
Severus cheeks went red at her remark. It was true; he was more concerned about her than before. "Well I need to know if my guide won't be returning her lunch tomorrow."
"Very funny Sev, come on I will give you a quick tour of the house"
"No it's fine, Lisbeth gave me one already."
"Oh, then what do you want to do?"
Severus put his hand behind his neck rubbing it slightly. "Well, I heard about the Salem Library having a few books about the town."
"You mean the Muggle library or wizard?"
"Both."
Eva decided they could go to the wizard part of Salem so Severus could see the difference between Diagon Alley and Iron Black Avenue, and then go to Gringotts to exchange some Galleons for Golden Eagles, the currency in the Wizarding America. Before they headed out of the house Eva's mother took her and pulled her aside. Unbeknown to them, Severus could hear everything, or at least most of it.
"Line you be very careful out there."
"Mother, why are you like this. I took my potion, I'm better honest."
Alexandrina shook her head and put a hand on her daughters shoulder. "It's not that, just be aware of your surroundings alright. You-know-who operates here as well."
"Mother I will be fine, Severus is with me too. He's a good dueler you know."
"I know, keep him away from them if you can."
Eva didn't understand what her mother was saying, she found a note her mother dropped when leaving. She decided to open it and gasped.
Dear Drina,
I hear you're back in town, what a coincidence so am I.
I keep telling you, you are making a grave mistake not listening to me. I wonder how you will enjoy if my daughter and I come for a visit. Oh don't worry, we will find you, and the family. I won't ruin anything, after all a visit is a visit. Why attack alone, when my friends can help?
I look forward to meeting your daughter's friend, half-blood right?
Isabella
Eva shook her head. No, not Isabella. If she talks to Severus it could lead him closer to the Death Eaters and how did she know of him being a half-blood? Isabella would bring Lucinda as well. Eva was now sure they were both Death Eaters, using the Wickford magical knowledge for Voldemort so he can control more than anything he could. She knew Isabella married some man called Thomas. But she never knew his last name.
"Eva? Are you alright?"
Eva turned to Severus putting the note in her pocket. "I'm fine, let's go." She said forcing a smile on her face.
Severus nodded and they left the house, with their wands heading to the wizard library on Iron Black Avenue. Eva had a strange feeling in her stomach, what if Severus was closer to the Death Eaters than she thought?
Severus could feel Eva was not the same. Whatever that note was and what her mother meant, it didn't sound good at all. She grabbed his hand, when they crossed the street, making Severus turn a bit. He didn't mind holding her hand, since it seemed she needed reassurance, for what she read, and felt, what was going to happen. Whatever it was, he knew it wouldn't be good.
~~~~~~~~END OF CHAPTER~~~~~~~~
I hoped you liked this chapter. I did more research for this chapter. I hope you all liked the ideas for Wizarding America. Please tell me if Severus is OOC or if the time line is odd. Thank you for reading this and following it as well. PM me if there are some things that aren't clear, or weird.
If you have a request tell me and I will find room for it in later chapters :)
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Until next time *Brews potion* "Guess who's going to get a happy potion..."