Chapter Text
It was the last week of August and finally time for Hermione, Harry and Luna escorted by McGonagall to move to United States.
Kingsley kept his word and got permissions from the MACUSA for four members from Wizarding Britain to practice magic freely in their territory. They only asked that Luna would share results of her research with them. They didn't want to be unaware it shape shifters pack proved to be a problem. All of this was understandable and they even offered their Aurors if the worst happened and Bellatrix was able to uncover their path.
All legalities out of the way trio concentrated on finding the place to stay in small town Forks in Washington State, while in the safety between the walls of Hogwarts. That was not the easiest of tasks. Because they were suppose to find residence in muggle world and magical means of research was not very beneficial for their task. And muggle ones did not work from the interference with magic.
McGonagall suggested renting the room in Hog's Head to do research. It also provided Hermione with opportunity to teach her friends about muggle technology. Harry already knew some things, but Luna was pureblooded witch and didn't have a lot of chances to get in contact with it.
Because they were short on time lessons were just about essentials of everyday technology they might have to use. But seeing that Luna was very interested she promised that once they settle down she would try to explain with more details. Of course she also had to give them crash course of all subjects they will be taught about in High School. Silently Hermione thanked Merlin that her parent insisted for her to continue learning muggle sciences and read classic literature. And her perfect grades in Arithmancy were proof of her abilities in algebra.
On the last Saturday of summer four people escorted by two highest ranking Aurors in Magical Law Enforcement Department were making their way through the crowded airport, to the gate C. They were flying to New York. There they'll have four hours layover before flight to Seattle. And there they'll have car waiting for them to drive to Forks.
It was decided to travel muggle way to throw off Bellatrix of their scent and also it might be less suspicious for the locals if they won't see them just pop up out of nowhere.
***
Trip over the pond was tiring, albeit it could be worse. At least they had comfy first class seats.
McGonagall spent eight hours flight reading and correcting mistakes in the latest number of 'Transfiguration Today'. It was of course charmed for magical eyes only. Hermione was reading William Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’; she decided to brush up on her muggle literature because her research showed it was something they'll be learning first week in school. Harry was reading notes Hermione readied for him and Luna on biology. Luna was alternating between watching clouds through eliminator and reading about chemistry.
Once they landed in New York they used their time to have lunch in one of restaurants in airport. And after that they boarded the plane headed to Seattle.
In Seattle they found old wizard, who introduced himself as Blue, waiting for them with envelope filled with documents for their new aliases, deed to the house and keys for the car. They thanked him, but he just waved them off saying he was just repaying the favor Kingsley did for him long time ago. Blue left soon after asking to contact him if they find themselves in the bind.
Hermione was the one driving because she was the only one to actually have driving license. Silver Mercedes was a little bit to flashy for her taste, but it was safe and their journey to Forks was smooth.
The house on which they finally decided on was the outskirts of town, surrounded by woods. Remote location provided them ability to set stronger ward around it and even practice magic out in the open. House itself was three stories red brick building with big windows. Garden was just like the ones Hermione imagined reading fairytales as a child. She was already in love with it and they haven't even stepped inside yet.
Inside did not disappoint either. On the first floor there was spacious living room with big fireplace, cozy kitchen fully furnished with newest appliances, dining room meant for ten, media room equipped with top of the line technology – TV, sound system and computer station. There also was laundry room and small bathroom. Second floor maintained McGonagall and Harry’s bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, big study room with three work stations and Hermione’s favorite room – library. Last floor was the smallest there was only girl’s bedrooms with shared bathroom between and balcony with comfortable lounge chairs and telescope for star gazing.
Even though the house was spectacular it still lacked personal touch. So after good night's rest to try to acclimate to time difference, group started to unpack. They came with few suitcases and trunks to give impression of normalcy. But inside was charmed to contain everything they might want or need. Hermione even packed potion making equipment which she set in the basement.
Unpacking and personalizing their space was more tedious that Harry thought. Of course a lot of things could be done with the help of magic, but Hermione insisted that books must be unpacked and sorted manually. He was actually envious of Luna who get out of this by saying that she felt that she needed to repaint room to her liking and she had to do this by hand in specific colors to repel some kind of her imagined creature. So now he was stuck helping Hermione and after almost four hours of work he saw no end. Only half of existing bookshelves were filled and his friend was still pulling book after the book and directing him where to put them.
Not even thinking anymore Harry held out his hand to take more books but he come up empty. Surprised he turned around to see young witch stretching.
"Jean, please tell me we done." Boy Who Lived pleaded, it was easier to fight against Voldemort than put up with Hermione's obsession with books.
"No." She sounded surprised and almost affronted that he could think that. "Look there is still left some space. And I think I'll have to conjure some shelves for my room. But I need a short break to eat."
"Where did get all this books?" Dark haired boy asked motioning around. "You didn't have that much before."
"Grams added to my collection and some of them are Odette's and yours. And I gave Kingsley the list of books I thought would be helpful to have."
"Like what?" He asked wondering what kind of books she didn't already have.
Hermione shrugged. "Just some books about Wizarding America’s history and traditions, book about Ilvermorny and few books on local legends. That's all."
Harry gave her funny look but was prevented from saying something more by Luna who came in library. Clothes covered with multicolored splotches of paint, some was even in her hair but it didn't seem like she minded it, her face was brightened with huge smile.
"Grams says she is taking us out to eat in town. And latter we could familiarize ourselves with the place." After saying that she bounced out of the room, most likely to clean up, but you can never know with her.
Harry and Hermione's eyes met and they both started to laugh. Finally getting control of themselves, they bounded downstairs where duo found McGonagall and Luna, cleaned up and in other clothes, already waiting for them.
"So where are we going?" Hermione asked once everyone was sitting in the car. She behind the wheel, professor beside her, Harry and Luna in the back.
"Just drive through town. Maybe along the way we'll see restaurant or dinner." Older witch ordered.
Town was small and had only one local dinner and restaurant for more formal occasions.
Stopping in front of Carver's Cafe the company climbed out of the car and went inside. It was five o'clock so Sunday's evening crowd was not here yet, but starting to gather. They took the corner table from there they could see the entire place and waited for the waitress to come and take their order.
Meanwhile they talked what else left to do. Tomorrow they planned going to school to fill out all necessary documents for their enrollment. Harry and Hermione as seniors and Luna as junior. After that Headmistress would floo back to Hogwarts to iron out last wrinkles before school year starts.
The waitress was very friendly mid-thirties black woman. She came up to them with wide smile, mirrored in her eyes.
"Hello, welcome to Carver's Cafe. My name is Miranda." She examined their faces. "I never see you here before. Are you driving through our town?" She inquired the older lady.
"Oh, no. We just moved here. My grandchildren starting Forks High School next term." Witch politely replied.
"In that case let me congratulate you. You won't regret it. We, locals are very warm and friendly folk. So what can I get for you, sweeties?"
Giving order for two burgers with fries for Harry and Hermione, veggie burger for Luna and Chicken Alfredo to McGonagall. Soon they had plates in front of them. But service was not the only thing what was fast. In time they started to eat whole place already knew about new people with English accent.
At least they weren’t intrusive and did not come to talk while they were eating. After their plates were empty tall lean middle aged man with dark hair and same colored thick mustaches, wearing police uniform walked up to the table, following his was fair skinned, dark haired teenage girl. Similar face features suggested that they might be father and daughter.
"Good evening. I'm Charlie Swan town's police chief and this is my daughter Bella. She's senior in High school." Girl fidgeted clearly uncomfortable with attention her father's statement got her. "We wanted to welcome you moving in our little town."
"Thank you. I'm Clara Spelman and these are my grandchildren. James, Odette and Jean Spelman." She pointed out them respectively while speaking. "James and Jean are also seniors and Odette are junior."
Knowing that they will be attending school with her helped for Bella to relax and she smiled at them friendly. She knew well what it means to be new kid at school and it would be easier for them if they already knew someone the first day.
Seeing the convenient chance to make a friend and find out more about Forks Hermione extended invitation to police chief and his daughter to join them for dessert. Which they both took. Harry waved his hand to get Miranda's attention and after she took their empty dishes he ordered six pieces of apple pie, five cups of tea and one coffee for chief.
Conversation flown freely and by the end of the evening four teenagers made head start at creating strong friendship bond.