Crossing the Pond

Crossing the Pond

Chapter 1: A Message from the Ministry

Nothing in the world could have disturbed the peace of the beautiful July day that warmly graced suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. The sky was a deep blue hue, scattered with fluffy clouds. Green leaves rustled in the warm breeze that kept the air from becoming overly humid. Children rode down the streets on scooters and back up on bicycles, while others swam or boated in the community lake. The atmosphere was perfectly peaceful, and nothing could change that peace.

Nothing except an owl carrying a letter to 18 Lake Claire Court, delivering a very important message to an auburn haired, 15-year-old girl.

Callista Jade Summers was perched cross-legged on the edge of her double bed, brushing out her mid-back length hair and humming softly to herself. The window was open wide, allowing the wind to blow into the room and stir the wind chimes hanging from each corner of the gauzy white canopy. The bedspread itself was sky blue with a white lace covering, half hidden by a mound of pillows and stuffed animals. Sunlight poured into the room, reflecting off of the white furniture and teardrop prisms hanging from the ceiling. The smell of summer and Minnesota lake permeated the air.

Callie finished brushing her hair and shook it out over her shoulders into a wavy, frothy mess. She stood, stretched out her black jean clad legs, adjusted the straps of her royal blue tank top and threw her brush towards her vanity where it landed with a clunk among the clutter. "Lovely," she murmured to herself, posing in the mirror like a runway model. "I almost match my room." She smiled at her reflection, then bent down to pull on a pair of black sandals.

Suddenly and without warning, a tawny brown barn owl soared through the open window and perched atop the canopy. He held a very important looking envelope in his beak. Callie lifted her eyes and smiled. "Hey!" she greeted the bird happily. "Ya got something for me? Is it from Danny?" She straightened, lifted her arm and plucked the envelope from the mouth of the owl. "I don't have any owl treats, but you can have some Twizzlers if you want," she continued, tearing open the envelope and disregarding the seal. The owl hooted indignantly, then fluttered over to Callie's desk and picked up a bronze knut before flapping back out the window. "Hmmph. Picky," the teenager muttered. She opened up the letter and began to read the fancy script.

Dear Miss Summers,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to participate in an exchange program between The Montgomery School of Magic and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for your sixth year of education. You will begin your journey on September 1^st, when you will be expected to board the Hogwarts Express at no later than 10:00 A.M. Upon arriving at Hogwarts, you will be sorted into your house and begin your exciting and educational experience. Please prepare for your year by purchasing the supplies on the enclosed list. The Hogwarts faculty and I would like to congratulate your accomplishment, and are greatly looking forward to having you as a student.

Most Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster

Callie's jaw fell. Her eyes widened, and her body trembled. And without thinking, she let out a great, excited squeal, shattering the peace and quiet that had been dominating the neighborhood all morning.

******************

At this same moment, the city of St. Louis, Missouri was beginning another bustling summer day. The streets were filled with cars, buses, and taxi-cabs, and the sidewalks were crowded with businessmen running off to work and tourists trying to see the sights. The sky was a hazy gray kissed with yellow sunlight, and the air was thick with humidity. In an apartment overlooking the greenish waters of the Missouri River, a 16-year-old girl with waist length, jet black hair and piercing blue eyes was sitting on a scarlet rug, stretching out her legs in preparation for a day of training. Music blared from the stereo next to her dresser, and her single bed covered with a black bedspread lay unmade. Clothes were scattered all over the floor, and posters of figure skaters plastered the wall. The day was incredibly normal and true to routine.

Only an owl carrying a letter to Apartment number 32 in The Silvers complex could break that routine.

Danaya Rochelle Ayanada reached straight forward, touching her nose to her knees and wrapping her hands around her feet. Her hair was tied up into a medium height ponytail, excepting two locks that hung down in front of her ears. She was dressed in black lycra knee-length shorts and a red T-shirt, with red rose earrings as a final touch. A red duffle bag with "Phoenix" monogrammed in black letters on the side lay by the door, abandoned for the moment. It would soon be toted to the local skating rink, where Danaya would start a day of practicing jumps, spins and choreography. Her window lay wide open, allowing the sounds of the city to blend with the high pace music tumbling from the stereo speakers.

Danaya stood and grabbed her foot behind her back, stretching out her quads. As she stretched her muscles, she noticed the tawny owl flying towards her room with an envelope tied to its leg. She quickly switched legs and hopped backwards to give the bird room to land somewhere in the chaotic room. The owl swooped in through the window and landed neatly atop Danaya's desk chair, hooting proudly. Danaya smiled, then walked over to the owl and untied the letter from it's foot. "Thank you, dear," she cooed in a mezzo-soprano voice. She gathered a handful of roasted soybeans and offered them to the large bird, who happily gobbled them up and flew back out the window and into the hazy sky. Danaya smirked a bit, then looked at the seal on the back of the letter. "Hogwarts..." Danaya's heart suddenly started pounding in her chest. This was it. The moment of truth. The moment of acceptance or denial. The teenage girl's muscles tensed as she carefully tore open the envelope and lifted out the hand-written letter.

Dear Miss Ayanada,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to participate in an exchange program between The Montgomery School of Magic and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for your sixth year of education. You will begin your journey on September 1^st, when you will be expected to board the Hogwarts Express at no later than 10:00 A.M. Upon arriving at Hogwarts, you will be sorted into your house and begin your exciting and educational experience. Please prepare for your year by purchasing the supplies on the enclosed list. The Hogwarts faculty and I would like to congratulate your accomplishment, and are greatly looking forward to having you as a student.

Most Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster

A huge grin broke out on Danaya's face. "Oh my gosh!" she giggled, putting her hand over her mouth and beginning to bounce on the balls of her feet. "Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh!" Danaya shrieked in happiness, then darted out of her room to find her mother, her duffle bag and figure skates left abandoned by the door.

******************

"Kick!" Callie screamed into the telephone later that same morning. "Danny, that's so great! I can't believe we both got the exchange! We're going to England together!"

"I know! This rules! Hey, you know that supply list? We'll have to buy about half of those in England, especially the robes. When are you leaving?" Danaya's tone of voice was much calmer than Callie's, but still vibrated with excitement.

"My aunt is taking me to Diagon Alley by Floo Powder August 29^th," Callie answered. "We're going to get all of my supplies, then spend some time in Muggle London before heading out to King's Cross Station. You?"

"Actually, I was wondering if I could tag along with you," Danny giggled. Callie could see the look on Danaya's face in her head; a big goofy smile and eyebrows sheepishly arched backwards. "My parents are both on important business with the Secretary of Magical Defense, and won't be back until after September 1^st. I asked my mother today if she could cancel, but it's no go."

"No problem, I'm sure." Callie held the phone to her shoulder for a moment and twisted around from her perch on the kitchen counter. "Aunt Ellie!" she shouted through the window towards the tall, blonde haired woman in the backyard. "Can Danny come to Diagon Alley with us? She can live in my duffle bag."

"Sure," The blonde replied, smiling in Callie's general direction.

"It's good," Callie said into the telephone. "Come to my house by Floo Powder anytime the week before. This is gonna be so much fun! I can't wait!" Danny laughed on the other end of the line.

"Callie, it's not even Independence Day yet. You are going to be a pain in the arse to live with for the next two months."

"To say the absolute least." Callie sighed, then glanced towards the doorway to the kitchen where her uncle Kenichi Tada, a tall, Japanese man, was standing and staring meaningfully at the telephone. "Danny-kins, I gotta go, Uncle Ken wants the phone. I'll call you back later, okay?" With a final good-bye, the girls hung up the telephone. Callie jumped off of the table and ran towards her uncle, smothering him in a huge hug. "Uncle Ken!" she shrieked. "I'm going to Hogwarts!"

"So I heard!!" Kenichi replied, returning the hug and kissing Callie's head. "You have a lot to get ready, huh?"
"Yeah. Like my CD Player and my laptop and my Playstation and-" Callie was cut off by the door to the backyard slamming and a harsh female voice.

"Your CD Player only, dear," Electra Tada spat. "You're a witch, and I expect you to act like one while you are at one of the most prestigious schools of magic on the planet. I want your muggle tendencies to be at an absolute minimum, understand?" Her brown eyes held nothing but ice for her niece. "American witches will not be misrepresented by all of your electronics." With her mind spoken, Ellie stalked into the kitchen and washed the dirt off of her hands. Callie turned around and looked at Ken, who frowned playfully then smiled and winked at the teenage girl. "We'll work it out," he whispered in Japanese. Callie returned his smile, then skipped out of the kitchen, through the hallway and out the front door to spread the good news to the rest of her wizarding friends.

"What did you say to her?" Electra asked as the door slammed shut and Kenichi followed his wife into the kitchen.

"Can't help you out here," Kenichi replied, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "Don't worry. Callie is a highly adaptable creature."

"And you are a highly sneaky one," Ellie answered, playfully smacking her husband on the back of the head. "Just like every other muggle I've met."

"As if witches aren't sneaky." Ken bopped Ellie on the head, then ran for the back door before she could magically attack him with flying kitchen utensils.

******************

"We have liftoff!"

The voice belonged to a fourteen year old boy with unkempt black hair, round glasses, bright green eyes and a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead. Moments after the shout, a muddy brown potato-sized creature was catapulted through the atmosphere and away from the green garden behind the Burrow.

Harry Potter watched with amusement as the gnome he had tossed into the sky disappeared over the horizon.

"Wow," Ron Weasley laughed as he pushed his red hair away from his sweaty brow. "That one was pretty aerodynamic." He then turned to a sheet of parchment that lay on a nearby rock. "That's your fifth, Harry," he declared, drawing a line on the paper with a piece of black stone. "You're still two behind me."

"I'm not used to de-gnoming," Harry replied, still staring out towards the horizon. "Not to mention the gnomes just don't seem to want to come out and play today."

"I'll say. I don't know why anyone would want to be outside in this heat." Ron looked at Harry, then flopped onto his back, laying in the soft grass and staring into the sun. "Geez, I'm beat. Let's take a break."

"You said it," Harry answered, falling onto his back as well. He let his gaze wander to the white fluffy clouds that floated lazily along the horizon. "Hey, that one kinda looks like the snitch, don't you think?" he asked after a moment, pointing at one of the clouds.

"Hmm... I see a Swedish Shortsnout," Ron mused.

"You've been spending too much time with Charlie."

"You've been spending too much time tuning your Firebolt."

"Probably." Harry sighed and continued to stare at his cloud. He couldn't seem to find Ron's Swedish Shortsnout. Harry had been with the Weasleys at the Burrow for a decent part of the summer. Around the beginning of July he had received a letter from Mr. Weasley stating that he thought Harry would be safer living with a wizarding family than the Dursleys, who would most likely give Harry over to Lord Voldemort without a second thought. Harry, however, couldn't help but wonder if Mrs. Weasley was so worried sick about him that she had forced her husband to invite him over. Either way, the Dursleys had been more than happy to send Harry off, as long as no one came through the chimney this time. Uncle Vernon had taken a record amount of time to determine which he liked better, making Harry miserable or getting Harry out of the way- about 30 seconds. The entire family was desperate enough for normality that they gladly accepted the Weasley's invitation. Harry was picked up by Arthur and Ron in "the normal way"; a red, 1994 Dodge Neon that had been magically altered to the size of a small train car on the inside. "Old friend of mine gave it to me," Mr. Weasley had explained cheerfully as he drove away from number 4 Privet Drive. "Said he was getting a new one and would be more than happy to replace my old Anglia. I think it's an American car." Harry had grinned sheepishly, remembering the Ford Anglia that now ran loose in the woods behind Hogwarts. Harry and Ron chatted happily about all the activities they would have time for this summer- after all, Harry was going to be staying for two whole months. Harry couldn't remember ever being this happy about the summer holidays, even last year when he had attended the Quidditch World Cup. He was definitely in for a treat this year.

As Mr. Weasley pulled up to the Burrow, the whole family, excluding Percy, ran to greet their guest. Fred and George gave Harry great claps on the shoulder and continued to tell him all about their plans for the Gryffindor Quidditch team (they were dual captains) and a 7^th year prank. Bill and Charlie had immediately offered to take Ron and Harry to a Chudley Cannons game later that month; both boys agreed enthusiastically. Ginny simply stood off to the side, but Harry often caught her bright brown eyes gazing in his direction. Mrs. Weasley fawned over anything that seemed slightly off-kilter on the boy; his hair, his overly large clothing, the fact that he was far too skinny. And, amidst all of the pandemonium, Mr. Weasley still managed to ask Harry about his plans for his fifth year in Hogwarts.

It was too much to take in at once. Harry had felt as if his head was going to spin off his shoulders. But after a few days he had settled into the Burrow and now felt as if he were simply one of the family.

"Hey, Harry," Ron said suddenly, breaking Harry's thoughts. "Tomorrow's your birthday, isn't it?"

"It is," Harry responded as the realization hit him. He hadn't remembered his birthday. He had been so busy having fun that there was no time to dwell on the fact that he would be fifteen the next day. "I can't believe I forgot."

"Great!" Ron exclaimed. He sat up and looked back towards the house. "Talk about good timing for that Cannons game. We can make a celebration out of it!"

"Really?" Harry asked, his interest piqued. He sat up as well, looking at Ron with large eyes. "A party?"

"Of course," Ron replied. He cocked an eyebrow and stared at Harry. "You're supposed to celebrate birthdays, right? I bet we could get your name up on the message board at the stadium."

"Oh, sure, and let everyone know that the amazing Harry Potter is in the crowd RIGHT THIS MOMENT!" A voice came from behind. Both boys turned around to see Bill staring down at them. "Not the best idea, you two. But we can go out to a pub later on if you like." He smiled at the two exhausted teenagers sitting on the grass beneath the blistering sun. "Mum says lunch is ready," he laughed. "And there are letters for each of you from Hogwarts."

Ron stood and brushed off the legs of his jeans. "I thought those didn't come until a few days later."

"Well, they're here now," Bill answered. "Come on, before Fred and George eat your sandwiches," he continued, winking and walking back towards the house. Harry lifted himself to his feet and blinked a few times, adjusting to the change in lighting.

"Sounds like a plan," he murmured with a slight smile. "Quidditch and a pub... happy birthday to me." Ron shook his head and smiled, a touch of sadness passing through his heart. He had never imagined life without birthday parties, but was sure that it was perfectly dreadful.

******************

Harry and Ron entered the kitchen with a great deal of relief to be out of the sun. Laid out on the kitchen table were 9 place settings- one for every member of the family excluding Mr. Weasley, who was busy at the ministry. 6 of these places were already filled by the other Weasley children. They were chattering excitedly over a piece of parchment. Harry recognized it to be the kind used for letters from Hogwarts, and wondered what all the fuss was about. "What's going on?" he asked as he and Ron seated themselves across the table from Fred and George.

"Read your letters!" George answered enthusiastically, mouth half-full of turkey sandwich. "It's really cool!" He tossed two envelopes in the general direction of the two boys with a happy grin. Harry raised an eyebrow, then opened his envelope marked with the Hogwarts seal. All eyes were on Ron and Harry as they removed their letters and read them over. It was the same as every year- rules, information, supply list- and then a new paragraph that none of them had seen before appeared.

We would also like to inform all incoming and returning students that, this year, Hogwarts will host two students from the Montgomery School of Magic in the United States. We expect all pupils to be on their best behavior this year, and demonstrate the pride, compassion, and friendship that keeps Hogwarts together.

Harry blinked and re-read the paragraph. "Exchange students!" he exclaimed.

"From the colonies!" Ron added, a grin breaking out on his freckled face. "Oh, this'll be fun!"

"Yeah!" George piped in. "They won't know any of our tricks. Easy targets!"

Ginny laughed at this, nearly spitting out her pumpkin juice. "Now, now, George, that's not the Hogwarts spirit," She scolded.

"Yeah, George, geez. Be nice!" Fred slugged his twin on the shoulder, and was smacked on the back of the head in turn.

"I wonder what they'll be like," Charlie mused. "We never had exchange students while I was at Hogwarts."

"I hope they're both girls," Ginny stated loudly. "We already have enough obnoxious boys in this country."

"Great. American cowgirls. Sounds like a blast," Bill muttered, but a grin was still very apparent on his face.

"I just hope one of them is in Gryffindor," Harry finally said, adding his thoughts to the conversation. "That'll be a nice change from the usual."

"What's wrong with Gryffindor?" asked George. "It's got us."

"Precisely," Percy's voice interrupted. "Perhaps one of these exchange students will be able to keep you two under control."

"Under control?" Fred laughed loudly. "Right! Sorry, Perce, but those two words aren't in my dictionary." Percy frowned in Fred's direction, and Ginny giggled, once again nearly snorting up pumpkin juice.

Harry looked down at his letter and re-read it for the third time. Exchange students, at a time like this. He was amazed the Ministry had actually taken the risk. He bit his lip, concentrating, but not really thinking about anything. Ron once again burst his bubble of thought.

"Harry, pass the pickles, won't you?" Harry glanced towards Ron, then nodded and handed him a plate from across the table. He could ponder the strange motives of the Ministry of Magic later. Now it was lunchtime, and tomorrow was his birthday. Thinking too hard was not an option this summer.