A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter story is a product of my pure imagination.
Welcome to New York, it's been waitin' for you.
Welcome to New York, welcome to New York
Welcome to New York, it's been waitin' for you.
Welcome to New York, welcome to New York
~ Welcome to New York by Taylor Swift
*~*~* August 21, 1999 *~*~*
A light breeze blew through Hermione's hair as she sat under a tree at the Burrow, her back against the tree as Ron dozed with his head on her legs. She was reading a book she found in the Burrow about the Weasley family. The Weasley family Grimoire held spells that Ron's ancestors had created and the family history. When Ron said once that Ginny was the first Weasley in generations, it was the truth. His great-great-great-great-great Aunt was the last Weasley girl born into the family in generations.
"Ron?" Hermione looked down at him.
"Hm?" He stated, not opening his eyes as he unfolded his arms from his chest and reached towards her.
"Did you know that your Great-Great Grandmother was a seer?" Hermione asked him.
Ron opened one eye and looked at her, "No, what are you reading?"
"The Weasley Grimoire, family books of spells and histories," Hermione said, flashing it towards him, "I found it, and your Mum told me I could look at it to see if any spells had been lost over the years. The family magic in it is amazing; your Mum hasn't touched it since it was given to her, and Victoire is listed in this."
Ron sighed as he sat up, slid behind her, and pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair, "I'm not ready for you to leave."
Hermione sighed, "I know, I can't believe we leave tomorrow either."
"All this sometimes feels like a dream," Ron confessed.
"Why?" Hermione asked as he rubbed her hip with his thumb.
"When I was in the tent with that horrid locket around my neck, I would relive my worst memories. It would twist some of my best ones, so I would lose track of reality," Ron told her, "Some days like this are just so good, I'm afraid that I will wake up and we will be back in that tent still."
Hermione reached behind her, putting her hand on his neck, and kissed him, "It's real. We are here together. He is gone, and so are all his horcruxes."
Ron nodded into her neck and sighed, "I can't believe you are gone tomorrow."
"Just for a week, and if we get everything settled, we will be back on the 28th," Hermione said as she grabbed his fingers and rested her head on his shoulder.
"But you are going to be across the world," Ron said, "You and Harry, and this time I'm left behind. Only fair since I left the two of you behind."
Hermione turned around, "Ron, you need to stop feeling so guilty. It was the Horcrux."
"No, not completely. I wanted to leave Hermione. While being together, just the three of us in the house was nice, I wanted to leave. I was miserable and hungry. It's no excuse," Ron said, shaking his head, "I'm a coward for leaving you two, and I will forever be trying to make it up to you both."
*~*~* August 22, 1999 *~*~*
Swallowing hard, Hermione shrunk her last bag down into her duffel.
"Got everything?"
Hermione looked at Harry, who had come to the frame of her door, "Yeah, everything that I can think of, at least. We will return in a month, at least if I forget anything. Is Luna here yet?"
"Ron and Ginny were bringing her and her Dad in about 30 minutes," Harry told her as he came and sat down next to her, picking up a Jumper, "Wait, this is my missing Quidditch jumper!"
Hermione blushed, "I may have stolen it from your room when I got cold one night."
Harry fake gasped, "How dare you?"
Hermione looked at it. "You can have it back."
Harry looked at it, then said, "No, you can keep it. It would probably be slightly small on me at this point."
Hermione grinned, "You know, with all your bulging muscles."
Harry glared at her and grabbed her pillow.
"Don't you dare," Hermione gasped.
"Fine, I won't-" Harry said as he threw the pillow at her.
Hermione squealed as she grabbed her other pillow and hit him back.
Harry's glasses flew across the room, and Hermione covered her mouth in surprise as Harry looked at her wide-eyed.
"Voldemort didn't even knock my glasses off!" Harry said as Hermione screamed and ran, and he ran after her.
"This is a quaint little home," Xenophilius stated, looking around Hermione's living room.
"Thank you, Mr. Lovegood," Hermione said as she set her duffle down in her living room, suddenly filled with things that were not hers.
The living room was filled with trunks and luggage as Harry brought his rucksack out that he had shrunk all his belongings into. Luna was humming a song only she could hear as she slowly shrunk her belongings into a singular suitcase.
Ron walked over to Hermione and pulled her into his arms, "Ready for the big adventure?"
Hermione chewed on her lip as she laid her head on his shoulder, "It will be weird without you there. It's always been you, me, and Harry," Hermione sighed as his arms went around her waist.
Harry kissed Ginny's head as she wrapped her arms around him.
"You'll owl, right?" Ginny asked.
Harry looked at Hermione, then back at Ginny, "I don't think owls can travel that far."
"Long-distance owls can, but it takes forever. We should get cell phones," Hermione suggested, "It would be easier for us all to communicate."
Ron frowned, "A group of Aurors talked about them the other day. Are they like the fellyphone?"
"Telephone, but yes. A telephone that you can walk around within your pocket," Hermione said as she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket, and Ron took it, "I call my parents the same as calling down the street. Instantly."
Ron looked at the phone and then at Hermione, "No waiting?"
"Well, until they pick up, at least," Hermione told him as she took it back.
"Luna dear, are you all set for your journey into the unknown now?" Xenophilius asked Luna as she packed the last shrunken trunk.
"Everything is packed," Luna told him with a smile.
"Nargle repellent?" Xenophilius asked.
"With my charmed Quibbler to protect it," Luna told him.
Xenophilius looked at them as Neville hugged Luna, "Oh, everyone is so grown up now. I remember when you were just as small as a Niffler."
Hermione looked at her watch, "We have three minutes until we have to be at the airport."
Harry picked up Hermione's bag and handed it to her as he put his rucksack on his back. He turned to Ginny as Luna picked up her bag, "I'll see you at the end of the month."
Ginny threw her arms around his neck as she kissed him. Hermione sighed as she looked at Ron, "Don't forget about me."
Ron tugged on one of her curls, "How could I forget about the brightest witch of our age?" Ron told her as he kissed her, "I love you."
Hermione swallowed hard, looking up at him, "What?"
"You said it at Leaky, and I didn't," Ron said as he rubbed her arms.
"Hermione, we have to go," Harry told her.
Hermione swallowed hard and stepped back, turning to Harry and Luna, "Take Luna. I'll meet you two there."
Harry held out his arm, and he and Luna disappeared.
"See you soon," Hermione said as she closed her eyes and disappeared.
"Welcome to New York!"
Hermione looked around the room where she, Harry, and Luna had landed. While Heathrow airport was busy, the room they landed in at MACUSA only had one wizard.
"Welcome to the MACUSA, I am Jake. I assume you are…" He said as he looked at his clipboard, "Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Luna Lovegood coming from England?"
"That is us," Hermione said as they approached the desk.
"Can I see your passports and VISAs, please?" He asked.
After checking their documents, he gave them a map and directions, "You could walk, but I would just take a taxi."
"Thank you, sir," Harry said as he picked up Luna's trunk, "I got yours, Luna. Hermione, are you good?"
"I'm good. I have a lightening charm on my bag anyways," Hermione told him as she checked her watch, "Let's go. I want to get there before it's too late."
Walking out of MACUSA, they reached the sidewalk and took in all the cars rushing by.
"This reminds me of London, but dirtier," Luna stated.
"How do you get a cab?" Harry asked, confused.
Hermione stepped out to the sidewalk's edge and raised her hand, "This works in the movies."
"I highly doubt it is that… easy," Harry said as a taxi stopped before her.
Hermione looked at him, "What were you saying?"
The boot popped open, and Harry helped Hermione and Luna load their bags into the back, then climbed into the backseat after they did.
"Where to?" The driver asked.
"New York University," Hermione told him as she looked at her paper, "Alumni Hall?"
"First day?" The driver asked as he pulled away from the curb.
"Yes, sir," Harry told him as he looked at the passing buildings out the window.
"Look is a Museum of Ice Cream!" Luna said, excited.
"Welcome to New York. There will be a lot of weird things for you guys here," The driver said as he slowed to a stop, "Here you go."
Harry opened the door as Hermione paid with the Muggle money they had exchanged at MACUSA. He walked around to the boot and pulled their bags out. After he shut the boot, the cab drove away. Looking up at the tall building, Hermione breathed, "Ready?"
"Ready," Harry said as he walked up and opened the door for her and Luna.
Walking inside, they got in line at the window. After a few minutes, they reached the window to complete their paperwork.
"Alright, you are all in Lipton Hall. Let's see, Harry Potter, you are on floor three, room 302A," She said as she handed Harry his key, "Hermione, you are on the fourth floor, room 406, Luna is on the eighth floor, room 809A."
Hermione took her key and stared at it.
"Here is a map of the campus. Lipton Hall is here," The lady told them as she circled in. Just go down 3rd to Astor, then cut left on Broadway. After you go down Waverly, that will take you to Washington Square Park, where your residence hall is. You can't miss it."
"Thank you," Harry said as he led them outside, "Are you okay, Hermione?"
"I'm glad we are in the same building, but I was hoping we'd be on the same floor," Hermione frowned.
"Life of a real uni student, I guess," Harry told her.
After a 20-minute walk, they made it to their residence hall. Many cars were lined up outside as people unloaded their vehicles.
Harry froze, "Hermione, I just thought of something. Luna has never lived Muggle."
Luna stared at him, confused.
Hermione smiled, "We are all in a wizard dormitory."
Harry nodded, "Smart."
"It's part of our program. Just in case they matched us with other… people," Hermione said as someone walked past and approached the building.
Riding the lift up to the third floor, they looked around to see any identification on the rooms, "This way, Harry," Hermione told him as she saw 303 and led him down to 302.
"But I'm 302A," Harry said, looking at the key.
"If I recall, they are triple shared rooms. You have two dorm mates," Hermione said as he unlocked the door, and it opened.
Inside was a narrow hallway that led to a door marked 302B, with its door closed, and next to it was a door marked 302A. Walking over to the door, Harry opened it, "Well, at least I don't have to share rooms with anyone."
"Perks of being the chosen one, I guess," Hermione snarked.
"Ha, ha," Harry said, throwing his rucksack onto the mattress, "Let's go see your rooms."
Walking out of his room, the door to the other room opened.
"Hi, I heard you were coming from England, so I wasn't sure when you were getting in," His roommate stated, "I'm Josh Ambrose."
"I'm Harry, and these are my friends, Hermione and Luna," Harry introduced, "I'll be back. We are going to go check out their rooms."
"Sounds cool. Our other roommate isn't here yet, so just knock when you get back," Josh told him as he walked back into his room.
"He seems friendly," Luna stated as they waited for the lift.
"Let's hope it stays that way," Harry commented as they entered the lift to the next floor for Hermione's dorm.
Getting out on the fourth floor, they walked down the hallway as the numbers increased.
"Here it is," Hermione said as she took her key to unlock the room. She paused as she saw her two roommates already set up. "Hello."
One of them jumped up, "Hello, I'm Rachel Martin, and this is Becky Duke," The blond-haired girl stated as Hermione set her bag on the only remaining bed.
Hermione sighed, "Nice to meet you. These are my friends, Harry and Luna," She told her as she looked around, then at Harry, "No space for my bookshelves."
Harry laughed, "You can put them in my room."
Hermione grinned as she hugged him and kissed his cheek, "Thanks!" Looking back at her roommates, she smiled, "I'll be back. Come on, Luna, let's check out your room."
After taking the lift again four more flights up, they found themselves in Luna's room, where she shared the room with one other person, "I'm okay," Luna told them as her roommate stared at her, "I know where to find you two if I need you."
Hermione looked at her watch, "Meet us in the dining hall at 5?"
Luna hugged her, "See you then, friends."
Hermione and Harry walked out of Luna's room, and Hermione bit her lip, "I worry about her."
"I know," Harry said as he put his arm around her, "I worry about her too. Come on, let's get you settled."
Later that night, after she and Harry had helped each other get their rooms settled, Harry even set up four of her bookshelves in his room for her. Hermione climbed into her bed.
"So Hermione," Becky said as she sat back against the wall and looked at Hermione, "What is England like?"
Hermione shrugged, "It's home. I'm from London."
"Did you go to Hogwarts?" Rachel asked.
Hermione nodded, "Graduated in May."
Becky looked at Rachel, then back to Hermione, "Were you there when that war happened? It was all Salem would talk about for weeks. I heard the castle was destroyed."
"I was there, and yes, it was destroyed," Hermione told her pointedly.
"So you fought?" Becky asked, surprised.
Hermione nodded, "I don't like talking about it, I'm sorry, but I lost friends in the battle that day."
"I'm sorry," Rachel said, "Hopefully, not close ones?"
Hermione glanced over at her desk, where a picture of Teddy, her, and Harry, "My godson's parents, my boyfriend's brother, and many other good people. I'm sorry, but it's two AM back home, and I'm exhausted."
"I'll put up a silencing barrier," Rachel told her, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Hermione said with a yawn as she rolled over to sleep.
*~*~* August 23, 1999 *~*~*
Hermione came downstairs early in the morning to Harry's dorm and knocked on the door. When the door opened, a man was on the other side that she hadn't met yet, "Hi, you must be Harry's other roommate."
The man scoffed and walked inside, leaving the door wide open. Hermione frowned as he stepped into Josh's room and shut the door. Walking to Harry's room, she knocked and opened the door, "Harry?"
Harry rolled over and stretched, "What time is it?" He asked with a yawn.
"Eight in the morning. It was a rough night for me," Hermione told him as she sat on the edge of his bed.
Harry nodded as he moved his head to her lap, "Same here. The nightmares were really bad last night being in a new place."
Hermione ran her fingers through his hair, "Same. Breakfast goes until 10, I believe. Here, get up. I'll enlarge your bed."
Harry got out of bed and let Hermione take her wand out of her holster to enlarge his bed to the size of a Queen, "Is that allowed?"
"We will just shrink it back when you move out of this dorm in the summer," Hermione told him as she climbed into his bed and laid her head on his chest, "Just an hour more."
Harry sighed, "Sounds good to me."
Harry led Hermione out of his room after their nap, and Josh was sitting on the small couch in his room watching TV.
"Morning…oh, I thought you were having nightmares last night," Josh told him with a laugh as he saw the two of them.
"Oh, I did. Sorry, did I wake you up?" Harry asked, concerned, "I'll remember to put a silencing charm up from now on."
"Don't worry about it. I figured out who you were with your names," Josh told him. "I just didn't figure you would come here to New York. Do you want to work with MACUSA?"
"Back home, there are no programs for higher level wizarding education other than going straight into the Ministry. I wanted to come here for a more well-rounded education to become a solicitor for the Ministry or Muggles," Hermione told him.
Josh frowned, "Solicitor? Like in advertising?"
"No, for law," Hermione told him as she sighed, "I forgot they call them attorneys here."
"We also call non-magical people no-majs," Josh told her, "Are you going to the Presidental welcome at Radio City Music Hall tonight?"
Harry looked at Hermione, who nodded, "Of course, we might learn some important information." Harry looked at his roommate, "Guess so. What is our other roommate's name, by the way?"
Josh frowned, "He doesn't talk much, but I got him to tell me his name is Jeremy."
Hermione bit her lip, "Hopefully, he warms up a bit to you both."
Josh shrugged, "So far, he is just playing his video games and staying to himself," Josh told them, "Where are ya'll headed?"
"The dining hall," Harry told him, "Want to come with?"
"Sure," Josh said as he got up, "What was Hogwarts like?"
"Well, we had a bad experience, so we aren't the best judges of the totality of it," Hermione said honestly as Harry opened the door.
"Yeah, nearly dying a handful of times wasn't a great way to go to school, but we learned a lot and enjoyed ourselves when the threat to our lives wasn't hanging over our heads," Harry told him as they shut the door behind them.
"Threat of dying?" Josh said, surprised.
Hermione hit the button for the lift, "Let's see, a Troll, Quidditch, Voldemort, a Basilisk, Quidditch, Voldemort again," Hermione said as the lift opened, "And that was only our first two years."
"You play Quidditch?" Josh asked them.
Hermione laughed, "No way, but Harry does."
"What position?" Josh asked.
"Seeker," Harry informed him as Josh told them about American Quidditch teams.
After sitting together in the dining hall, Josh asked them, "So, what are your majors?"
"Right now, I'm majoring in Jurisprudence but leaning towards legislation and political theory," Hermione said after she swallowed a bite of her food, "I want to take some Equality and Egalitarianism seminars as well."
Josh looked at her surprised, and Harry shook his head, "Just don't question it. Hermione took every course that she could in our third year, and it aged her nearly a whole year, and she nearly had a mental breakdown. Somehow, she will be able to do everything she wants."
"What about you, Harry?" Josh asked.
"My advisor suggested sociology with a minor in Law and Society. When we return home, we want to change the system. I'm not sure what it is like here, but blood matters over there. Whether you are a Pureblood or not, blood talks," Harry explained, "One of our friends is the Minister of Magic and is trying to change things. Still, I want to do everything I can to change things for our future kids so they don't have to go through what we had to do without much adult support."
Hermione grabbed his hand and smiled.
"Harry! Hermione!"
Luna ran over and sat beside them, "I'm so glad to see you both!"
Hermione took in Luna's bright, colorful outfit and radish earrings, "Hello, Luna, how did you sleep?"
Luna frowned, "There is a Wrackspurt infestation in my room, I will have to deal with that. My roommates seem nice but keep to themselves. I'm used to that with how most of my roommates were in Ravenclaw." Luna looked at Josh, "Hello, I'm Luna Lovegood. You have a great energy to you."
Josh looked at her, surprised, "Thanks?"
Hermione smiled, "Luna is our friend from back home. She is studying Animal Studies."
"I am sorry, but I'm not available sexually," Luna informed Josh, making his eyes go wide, "My boyfriend is back home."
"Good to know," Josh said as Harry coughed on his water.
*~*~* August 24, 1999 *~*~*
Hermione barged into Harry's room, where he sat with Josh, who was sitting on Harry's desk chair, "Harry! The library is open 24 hours a day! 24 hours!"
Harry laughed as he looked at Josh, "When I can't find her, I know where to find her now."
Hermione sat beside him on his bed, hitting him, "Quit it." Hermione turned to Josh and said, "Josh, are you from this area?"
"No, I'm from the Carolinas. My mother's family is from here, so I came here for school since they have a great computer science program," Josh told her.
Hermione frowned, "You can use a computer?"
Josh looked at her, surprised, "Well, of course, why couldn't I?"
Hermione looked at Harry, then back to Josh, "Magical people cannot use electronics."
Josh looked at them and laughed, "Is that what they think in England?" Josh pulled a phone out of his pocket, "I use a computer, a cell phone. Ilvermorny can't have them there because too much magic is concentrated on the campus. However, one of the Wampus students' dads was trying to create a magic-powered cell phone."
"Wampus?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, that's right, Ilvermorny has four houses. I was a Thunderbird, then there is Wampus, Horned Serpent, and Pukwudgie," Josh told them.
Harry looked at Hermione, "Pukwudgie has to be Hufflepuff, Horned Serpent is Slytherin, Thunderbird is Ravenclaw, and I guess we'd be Wampuses."
Hermione looked at Josh, "The four houses of Hogwarts are Gryffindor, which is what we were, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff."
"What animals were those?" Josh asked, interested.
"No, they were named after the four founders. It was their last names," Harry told him.
Josh shook his head, "I can't believe how different the two countries are. You had an evil wizard teaching you and Gilderoy Lockhart of all people."
Harry scoffed, "He was a fraud. As adults, we now realize how much the adults in our lives let us down."
"What do your parents think? Mine would have pulled me," Josh said.
Hermione bit her lip, "Mine are Muggles. They didn't realize what was happening because I didn't tell them. Harry's parents were lost in the first war."
"Aww shit, I'm sorry," Josh said, looking at Harry, who shrugged.
"You didn't know. It's weird talking to another wizard who doesn't know my story. It's nice," Harry told him as Hermione got up and walked over to one of her bookshelves, "Don't tell me you have a book on me."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "You were mentioned in the History of Magic and many other resources. I only brought the History of Magic, though."
Harry leaned back against the wall, "If you haven't picked up on it, Hermione is a bookworm." He caught the book as she threw it at him, "Not that it's a bad thing."
Josh laughed, "You must be a good seeker."
Hermione climbed back on the bed next to Harry, "The best. The leagues were trying to recruit him but got Ginny instead. She was recruited by the Holyhead Harpies."
Josh looked at them surprised, "You know a professional Quidditch player?"
Harry nodded, "Well, she is on the reserves so far. I'm biased, but she will make the starters fast."
"What is she? Your sister?" Josh asked as Hermione laughed so hard she snorted, "What?"
"No, she is my girlfriend," Harry told him.
Josh looked at them, confused, "Wait, I thought you two were together."
Hermione wiped her eyes, "Harry and I? No, I'm dating Ginny's brother. We may be brother and sister, well in-laws in the future."
Harry frowned, "In-laws?"
"That is if I marry Ron," Hermione sighed as she looked at her watch and got off the bed, "There is a huge party tonight. I will go explore the Kimmel Center instead of the library."
Harry got up, "I'll come with you."
Hermione looked up at him, "Harry, I'm 19. I'm a fully grown adult. I'll be fine. You can't go everywhere with me."
Harry slowly sat on the bed, "If you are sure."
Hermione kissed his forehead, "Positive. Enjoy the party," Hermione said, looking between him and Josh. "Just not too much."
Josh shook his head as Hermione left, "Your girlfriend must be the best damn woman out there."
Harry frowned, "She is, but why do you say that?"
Josh laughed, "I thought you were dating Hermione. You guys are so close. At dinner yesterday, you two were just passing stuff back and forth without saying anything to each other."
Harry leaned back on the wall, "When you live with a person for 10 months out of the year for 8 years, and they keep you alive by some miracle, you end up close with them. I wasn't going to school, but I didn't want her taking this jump alone when she said she was coming here. She protected me for the last eight years. It's time I protect her for the next eight."
"So four years here at school, then four years back home? What will you be her bodyguard?" Josh asked.
"Nah, she plans on going into the Ministry, and I'll become an Auror and keep everyone safe. I told myself that I'd give it four years after I'm done here. That took me through 99-2000, 2000-01, and 01-02. We graduate in 2003 and hopefully get into the Ministry after graduation. I'll decide if being an Auror is right for me in 2008. If not, I will teach at Hogwarts," Harry told him.
"That's a big jump from being an Auror to a Professor," Josh told him.
Harry shrugged, "Hogwarts is the only home I knew growing up. That Ministry professor we told you about from our fifth year? We didn't tell that Hermione and I came up with this quasi-operation under her nose. I taught everyone practical Defense Against the Dark Arts," Harry explained.
"A quasi-operation at what? 15?" Josh asked, surprised.
"No one else would teach us. We had to teach ourselves," Harry told him, "By that time, I had already fought against Voldemort in some form three times and lived. Hermione believed that I was the best to do it." Harry took his Dumbledore's Army galleon out of his pocket and threw it to Josh, "This is how we communicated. Hermione charmed it to heat up with a date and time when we would meet."
Josh looked at him, "Hermione is really smart, isn't she?"
Harry smiled, "They don't call her the Brightest Witch of our age for nothing."
*~*~* August 27, 1999 *~*~*
Hermione knocked on Harry's dorm door, and the mysterious Jeremy opened it, "Hello, Jeremy, is it?"
Jeremy held up a key, "Take it."
Hermione frowned as he returned to his and Josh's shared room and shut the door.
Staring at the key, she walked to Harry's room and knocked, opening the door, "So Jeremy talked to me."
Harry looked up from his desk, "Really?"
Hermione walked over and saw he was studying, "Oh, you are studying. I can come back."
Harry pushed his book away, "No, stay. I was just looking over the first chapter," He got up and walked over to his bed and sat down where she joined him, "So Jeremy talked to you? He's only nodded to me."
"He said 'take it' and gave me his key," Hermione said, holding it up.
Harry laughed, "He always seems to be in his room with his headphones on playing games, but he is the first one at the door."
Hermione grabbed some of the crisps from his bedside table, "Probably has a monitoring charm on the door."
Harry nodded, "Probably. Want to go get dinner since we aren't going home?"
Hermione looked at him as she chewed on her lip, "You aren't mad that I wasn't going, were you? You could have gone with Luna."
"No, I agree. We just arrived, and I was considering finding a store to get a couch and TV. What do you think?" Harry asked.
Hermione looked at the window, "Oh, it could go right there under the window!"
"That's what I was thinking. There is just nowhere for someone to sit other than on my bed. I'm fine with you, but if I made friends, I don't want everyone on my bed. There isn't a couch out there in the hallway," Harry told her as he stood up, pulling her to her feet, "Josh recommended the place he got all his furniture from. It's over by Union Square Park. Let's go explore and find it."
Harry smiled as they walked down University Place arm in arm after purchasing a couch and TV stand for his dorm. Hermione looked over at him, sweeping her braid back as it blew into her face, "What are you smiling about?"
"This is just so refreshing, you know?" Harry said as a bus drove by, "It's loud and busy, but we are just two people lost in the crowds. No one here cares a bit about who we are."
Hermione hugged his arm to her, "I know, it's wonderful, isn't it? Even at school, people think that the fact we are from England is neat but nothing too crazy. It's like the war barely was mentioned here."
Walking past the New York University Deutsches Haus, Hermione noticed someone staring straight ahead as they walked right into a gate. Then they disappeared, "Stop, stop."
"What?" Harry asked, looking at her.
"Where is the wizarding area of New York? Did Josh tell you?" Hermione asked, watching for anyone else.
"No, he said it was close, but…" Harry trailed off as someone appeared through the gates, "I think we found it."
"How do we get into it?" Hermione wondered as they slowly walked over to it, and she pretended to lean against the gate falling through. Harry quickly followed, and they took in the busy, hidden shopping area dated at a similar time as Diagon Alley but more updated.
Hermione took Harry's hand, "Let's go exploring!"
After walking through the long street for at least five minutes, seeing everything from an apothecary, a stationery store, a cauldron store, and even a robe shop for every occasion, Hermione frowned as she looked around.
"What?" Harry asked.
"There is no joke shoppe," Hermione remarked as a wizard walked past them.
He paused, "Are you thinking of a store similar to Zonkos in Hogsmeade?" The wizard asked.
"Yes! Is there one here?" Hermione asked him.
"You'll have to go to the Time Square entrance. It's closer than Central Park," He informed them as he walked off.
Hermione huffed, "So there are two wizarding areas here in New York? There is so much to explore."
Harry laughed, "We have a whole four years. We have time."
After returning to Harry's dorm, they enlarged the couch, television, and stand they had purchased.
"Here goes nothing," Harry said as he went to plug it into the wall, then turned attempted to turn it on with the remote, "Bollocks."
"I guess magic and electronics don't mix," Hermione commented as she took the remote and turned it over to check the batteries, "Or Harry, you need to put batteries in the remote!"
"Fuck," Harry said as he grabbed the batteries that were on the floor and handed them to her.
Hermione turned on the television and laughed, "You forgot the batteries."
"Shut up," Harry said as he sat on the couch, and she sat beside him, "What should we watch?"
"Let's just flip through the channels and see what we can find," Hermione said as they landed on basketball. Then the next channel had a show called 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' ending with going to an advertisement, "Want another slice of pizza?"
"Sure," Harry said as she took his plate, "Why did Hogwarts never have pizza?"
"No clue," Hermione said as she grabbed a slice for each of them and then sat back on the couch as the next show started. It showed a woman sitting at her kitchen table as another walked into the kitchen, walking past the toaster. A piece of paper popped out of it, "Why would paper be coming out of a toaster?"
The woman took the paper, "Oh, we have to send out our magic for its 25-year overhaul." *Sabrina the Teenage Witch Season four
A talking cat made a reply, and Hermione laughed, "It's a show about magic!"
"Well, I think I know what we will be watching on Friday nights," Harry said as the young witch pointed her finger and ice cream appeared, "They can just do wandless magic, it appears."
Hermione frowned, "You can't create food."
"This is a muggle show, Hermione," Harry told her with a laugh.
Hermione sat back as another commercial came on, "When we aren't heading home, we should do this on Friday nights. We can even invite Luna for pizza or dinner and watch TV."
Harry nodded as he chewed his pizza, "Do they have co-ed dorms?"
"Here? I'm not sure why? Josh isn't too bad," Hermione told him.
"I'm just thinking of in the spring or next year. It would just be easier if we could choose our dormmates," Harry told her as they heard tapping on his window.
Hermione looked over in surprise, "Is that an owl?"
Harry opened the window and said, "Hello there." A large black bird hopped in the window, "Nope, not an owl, but it does have a letter." After untying the letter, he unrolled it and sat beside her, "It's from Ron and Ginny."
Hermione took the letter from Ron and read it. He stated how he missed her and what he did that week. He explained how he bought this bird that could cover longer distances to let it rest for one night in between, and it would be fine afterward.
"Does this break the no animals clause for our dorm rooms?" Hermione asked him as he laughed.
*~*~* September 24, 1999 *~*~*
Hermione unlocked Harry's dorm, so she and Luna could enter, "Girls present!"
Harry's bedroom door opened, "I'm almost ready. I just had to finish my essay."
Hermione sighed, "Is it the one that is due Monday?"
"No, I finished that one. This one is due Thursday," Harry told her as he put his backpack on his back.
"Ready?" Hermione asked him.
"Yep, let me just go tell Josh I'm heading out," Harry told her as he walked out of his room and knocked on the other room's door, "Josh, Jeremy, I'm heading out for the weekend."
"Have fun!" Josh replied.
Harry walked back into his bedroom, shut the door behind him, and locked it. "What time is the portkey activating?"
"It's a private portkey, so whenever we are ready," Hermione told him, pulling out the roll of parchment with the coordinates on it and holding it out to them. They each grabbed onto it, and Hermione took out her wand, "Portus." The parchment glowed blue, then they were sucked into the portal.
Fifteen minutes later, they landed on the ground in Hermione's backyard. Hermione got up on her hands and knees, trying not to vomit, "I hate Portkeys."
"What time is it here?" Harry asked.
"A little after 2 am," Hermione informed him as she slowly stood up with Luna's help.
"If you two don't mind, I'm going to apparate to Neville's apartment," Luna informed them.
"Goodnight," Hermione waved her off, "See you tomorrow."
With a pop, Luna disappeared. Harry got up to his knees, and they started popping. Hermione frowned, "You alright?"
"Yeah, one thing I hate about Portkeys is they are so rough," Harry complained as they walked up to the backdoor, and Hermione disabled the charm that locked the house.
Hermione yawned as they went inside, setting her bag down on the ground, "I'm going to go straight to bed. I'll see you in the morning."
Harry followed her upstairs after locking the house back up, "Ginny has some players breakfast in the morning. I don't know why I agreed to it. I'm only going to get a few hours of sleep."
"I told Andromeda that I would watch Teddy tomorrow. I was thinking of taking him to the zoo. I'm picking him up at 10," Hermione told him as she stopped at her bedroom.
"Mind if I join you guys after Ginny's breakfast?" Harry asked her.
"Not at all," Hermione said, "Goodnight."
"Night," Harry said as he went towards his room.
Hermione walked inside hers and gasped as someone was in her bed. The person sat up, wand lit in hand, "Ron!" Hermione gasped, "How did you get in here?"
"I know your warding spells. I didn't mean to fall asleep. You got in late," Ron told her as he got up and walked over to her, as her bedroom door opened, and Harry came in, wand at the ready.
"Oh, it's just you. Don't scare me like that," Harry said as he shut the door behind him.
"Thanks, mate. I missed you too!" Ron yelled.
"Yeah, yeah," Harry replied from the other side of the door.
"Is Ginny here too?" Hermione asked, kicking her shoes off.
Ron shook his head, "No, she had practice until late and said she was just going to head home afterward."
Hermione sighed in defeat, "My bag is downstairs with my pajamas."
Ron unbuttoned his shirt to his striped pajama set and set it on the bed. Slowly, he pulled her shirt over her head, then unbuttoned her jeans, slipping them down her hips. She wrapped her arms around his stomach and rested her head on his chest, breathing in the unique smell of Ron, freshly cut grass, mint, and his lemon-scented shampoo.
"Are you inhaling me?" Ron asked, chuckling as he unfastened her bra.
"Shut it," Hermione breathed out as the exhaustion from pulling a long night the night before to finish her assignments to have the weekend free started catching up to her as she relaxed into his arms.
Ron kissed her head, "Come on, arms in," Ron said.
Hermione stepped back to slide her arms into Ron's pajama top and let him slowly button it up.
"Let's get you to bed," Ron said as he pulled the covers back.
Hermione laid down and rolled over onto her side as he pulled her into his arms. Fighting with her eyelids, she ran her fingers over the scars on his arm from the splinching and the brains in the ministry.
Ron kissed her forehead, "Go to sleep. I'll be here in the morning."
*~*~* September 25, 1999 *~*~*
Hermione slowly woke up to kisses on her shoulder. Blinking her eyes, she looked over to see Ron with a sleepy smile, "Hi."
Ron went to kiss her, and she put her hand over his mouth, "What?" He asked, muffled behind her hand.
"I haven't brushed my teeth yet," Hermione told him.
Ron moved her hand and kissed her, "I don't care," He said against her lips, "I made you breakfast. Well, I brought breakfast."
Hermione laid back as he got out of bed and grabbed the tray that her Mum used to use to serve her soup and crackers in bed when she was sick. On it was a cup of tea, orange juice, a bowl of fruit, and some scones. Setting it on the bed, he climbed back in, nearly making the orange juice and tea splash out.
"You have whatever you want, I tried getting a Portkey for your birthday, but I wasn't allowed away that week because of a raid. So this is your belated breakfast in bed," Ron told her.
Hermione smiled as she climbed onto his lap, straddling him, and tangled her fingers in his hair, "Thank you, this is so sweet."
Ron wrapped his arms around her, cupping her behind, "You deserve it," Ron said as he kissed her.
Reaching over, Ron grabbed a grape and held it out to her. Hermione opened her mouth, and he popped it in, "What's your plan for the morning?" Ron asked as he kissed her cheek and then down to her neck.
"I have to pick Teddy up at 10," Hermione said as she looked at the clock to see it was 8:45. Ron ran his hands up and down her legs, "Eat, then shower. We'll go pick him up together. It's time I met the kid. Turns out I'm pretty good with kids. Victoire loves me even if she is only four months old."
Hermione pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, "It wouldn't be hard for a girl not to."
Taking her coat off after she and Ron had made it to the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione laid it on the back of her chair. Hannah Abbott came into the room, "Hi, Ron, Hermione!"
Hermione looked at her, "Hannah, what are you doing here?"
"I started working here. Helping Tom with bookkeeping and general running of the inn," Hannah told her as she leaned closer to her, "He's joking even that he is thinking of retiring."
Hermione laughed, "It's good to see you."
"How is it across the pond? Neville and Ron were in here drinking last month, pouting without you and Luna," Hannah said as Ron scoffed and she glared at him, "You were."
"It's interesting. I've learned a lot already," Hermione told her as George entered the Cauldron's door, "George!"
George laughed as Hermione launched herself at him, "Little brother, you better watch out. Your girlfriend might like me better."
"The sex we had-" "Ron!" "says different," Ron told him as Hermione gasped and hit him, "What? It was amazing, just saying."
"I can't believe you!" Hermione said, storming off towards the restroom.
"Smart Ron, so smart," George said as he hit the back of Ron's head as he sat down, "What an idiot."
"What did Ron do now?" Ginny asked as she and Harry walked into the room.
"Bragging about his and Hermione's s-e-x life. She wasn't pleased," George told them, looking up at them.
"Ron, we just left you guys!" Ginny said, shocked, "And you already pissed her off?"
Hermione came out of the loo glaring at Ron, "Get Teddy dropped off safely?" She asked Harry and Ginny.
"He didn't want to give up that little wolf you got him at the zoo," Harry smiled, "It was cute."
Hermione looked at George and sat beside him, "I wanted to ask you something, George. Have you ever thought of expanding W3s?"
George frowned, "Making it bigger?"
"No, making more locations," Hermione stated as she looked at Harry, "When Harry and I went to wizarding New York, there were no joke shops. Right next to our campus is a wizarding district that I think would be perfect for a location."
George looked at her wide-eyed, "Really? Near a uni campus?"
Harry sat beside Ginny, "Within a five-minute walk of our dorm hall."
George sat back in his chair, "I might have to arrange a Portkey to check out the area. I don't want to go into Hogsmeade with Zonkos. Is it a high-traffic area?"
"New York, in general, is a high-traffic area," Harry told him, "Everyone is walking somewhere."
Ginny frowned, "That must suck with you getting recognized so much."
Harry smiled, "But I'm not. No one gives a shit who I am there. It's wonderful," Harry explained, "My one roommate's name is Josh, and he went to Ilvermorny. He kind of knew who I was but no specifics. Just the fact I was involved in a war."
"My roommates knew a bit more. I guess Salem was interested in the war, but they didn't even have details. They knew Harry defeated Voldemort, and they go nuts every time he comes over," Hermione explained as Neville and Luna came in.
After everyone greeted each other, Neville and Luna sat at the table.
"How is uni for you, Luna?" Ginny asked.
Luna shrugged, "My roommates are worse than the girls in Ravenclaw. They aren't taking stuff from me, but they are rude. I end up staying the night on Harry's couch a lot."
Neville looked at Harry, "Thanks, man."
"I talked to them, but she is right. They are just rude," Harry shook his head, "My one roommate, Jeremy, has only said maybe ten words to me the whole time. Josh is better. They don't care if the girls are there. Plus, I have the single room in the suite, so it works out."
Hermione touched Luna's hand, "I already requested a dorm transfer for her in the Spring semester. My dormmates are basically having Parvati and Lavender all over again, but they are nicer. They are going into fashion and design. They want to dress me like a doll."
"How are the classes?" Neville asked.
Hermione sat up, "I'm learning so much about law. It is so interesting to hear all these perspectives. I'm taking 20 credits and five classes. Two are wizarding classes, three are muggle."
Harry looked at Neville, "The library is open 24 hours a day."
George laughed, "Do you ever see her?"
Hermione huffed, crossing her arms, "We have a class together. I see him and Luna every evening at dinner. We also have pizza nights on Friday."
"Pizza nights?" Ron asked.
"We order pizza and watch TV. There is this American show called Sabrina the Teenage Witch. It's hilarious to see how they view magic," Harry said as he took a sip of his Butterbeer, "I go work out at the gym most nights."
Ginny grinned, "I noticed you have abs now."
"Lalala," Ron said, covering his ears, "I don't want to hear this."
Hannah approached them and smacked Ron's head, "Grow up, Weasley. Alright, anyone else wants anything?"
"I'll take a glass of wine, please," Hermione told her.
*~*~* September 26, 1999 *~*~*
"So excited to go back?" Andromeda asked, sipping her water as they sat down for lunch together as Teddy slept.
Hermione looked at Harry, "Honestly, yes. It's freeing there." Harry nodded. "The pressure isn't there like it is here."
Andromeda set her glass down, "I cannot imagine what the pressure here is like for the two of you. The expectations that people have for you two and Ron, a lesser bit. Why do you think that is?"
Hermione bit her lip, "Honestly, I think it's because he is a Pureblood. That's my assumption, honestly, but people expect things from Purebloods, no offense."
"None taken," Andromeda told her, "But I think you are correct. You two are muggle-raised and powerful. Half our world doesn't understand it, so you are interesting, and the other half hates you for it."
Teddy started crying, and Hermione said, "I'll get him."
Walking up the stairs, she walked into Teddy's room and saw him standing in his crib, "Hi, Teddybear."
Holding up his arms, she took him and rested him on her hip as his little thumb went into his mouth and his hair turned his favorite curly, inky black that it often did around her and Harry. Walking back down the stairs, his head laid on her shoulder.
"Is our little monster awake?" Harry asked as he saw them.
"May have been a bad dream. He just wants some cuddles," Hermione said as she sat back down at the table, and he lay on her chest looking at Harry.
"I know you've said that you don't want to be a mother for a while, Hermione, but I think you'd be a great one. You are great with Teddy," Andromeda told her.
Hermione smiled as she looked down at the little boy, as his hair faded to his sandy blond hair as he fell back asleep, "When my time comes, I'm more confident that I'll be ready. After Harmony and Teddy, I don't feel like I'll be a total failure at it anymore."
Harry reached over and ran his hand over Teddy's head, then brushed her cheek, making her magic react, "I'm going to use the loo, then we can head out."
Andromeda watched him go, then turned to Hermione, "Does he know?"
Hermione looked at her, "Know what?"
"I even saw that spark fly," Andromeda stated as Hermione sighed, "No, he doesn't know what it means. He is with Ginny, and it doesn't have to be romantic. Our magic is just evenly matched."
Andromeda sat back, "Keep telling yourself that, Hermione. Eventually, it will catch up to you."
"What will?" Harry asked as he walked back into the room.
"The lack of sleep," Hermione told him as he gently took Teddy from her, "Do you need help cleaning up?"
"No," Andromeda said as Harry left the room to put Teddy back in his crib, "I'm serious, Hermione. Eventually, as your magic strengthens, it will get stronger if you resist that magnetism."
"I'm with Ron," Hermione hissed as she sat back, "He is with Ginny. My magic needs to understand that."
Andromeda let Hermione stand up and then followed her to the front door. Glancing back towards the stairs, Andromeda leaned forward, "Just don't settle for a man because the one you want is with someone else."
Hermione stepped back as if she had slapped her, "You don't know what you are talking about."
"I do, I was supposed to marry a pureblood. I was supposed to marry Lucius Malfoy. I was groomed by his family and my own on the expectations of a pureblood marriage and what it was to be a Malfoy. Then, in my seventh year, I was matched with Ted for the child-rearing project. Don't ignore your heart, Hermione," Andromeda said as Harry's footsteps echoed as he came down the steps.
"Ready?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded as Harry hugged Andromeda.
Andromeda looked at Hermione, "Thank you for coming to visit him. Will I see you next month?"
"We are planning on it. Every month, we will be playing it by ear," Harry told her.
"Safe travels," Andromeda said as they walked outside the house, and she locked the door behind her.
"You okay?" Harry asked.
Hermione gave him a fake smile, "Yeah, I'm okay."
Hermione landed next to Luna as Harry fell on the floor in his dorm room, "You okay?"
Harry put his glasses back on his face, "Eventually, I will get used to Portkey travel."
Hermione held a hand out to pull him up and bit her lip, "Shouldn't it have been harder to leave?"
Harry dusted himself off as Luna said her goodbyes and then left. "Yeah, it was easier this time to say goodbye to Ginny. I guess that's part of long-distance relationships, getting used to the goodbyes."
a/n: So sorry for it being so late. It was a long day, long week. Having a girls weekend this weekend with my best friends. Well timed. Monday is the solar eclipse and we have the day off. Then next week's chapter will be on Friday as well because next Saturday I am meeting Neville Longbottom himself, Mr. Matt Lewis... I'm so excited.
Thank you EmilyWoods and Yaw613 for the follows/favorites.
Also thank you for the reviews nattieb002 and Yaw613
Preview of Chapter 15- Story of Us
"So many do. There are dorms for married couples," Hermione told him as she sat back down, "When you talk about your parents and how young they married, I can't see myself doing that for at least five to ten years. They must have loved each other so much."
Harry took her hand, "Look, Hermione, do you love Ron?"
Hermione looked at him, "Of course I do on some level. Do you love Ginny?"
Harry shook his head, "I don't know. What is love, and what is infatuation? Can you tell the difference when you've never experienced it?"
Hermione chewed her lip, "If you aren't sure, I'm guessing the answer is you aren't sure."