One Hundred Years

Chapter Two

~*~

Old Tappan and Shocking Surprises

He rented a car and got a map. He decided on a town called Old Tappan, not really thinking about living but just surviving until he could sort himself out. He was thankful he had learned how to drive and drove for a while before reaching a Bed & Breakfast in the small town called Old Tappan. He slept for nearly twenty-four hours before rising and dressing in a Muggle fashion. He looked through the local newspaper and found several jobs openings in the area. He called the places and arranged for appointments. He dug out his Muggle-Excuse forms he had obtained after graduating Hogwarts. They gave him a college education in law enforcement and other needed excuses.

He cruised the town for flats and found, instead, a small house up for rent for a relatively low cost. He had exchanged his pounds for dollars at a bank earlier in the week. And, after living there only three weeks, he had a small, three bedroom house and a job as the manager of a security personnel company making fairly good money. He wasn't exactly happy but this new transition would be hard.

He ventured into New York City often and found shops and places of all sorts. He visited all the famous Muggle sites on the weekends and loved to eat dinner in Little Italy. Slowly, time passed.

~*~

Ginny had read the letter and had cried for hours. She understood why he needed to leave; she just didn't want him to go. She explained this to her family and Hermione. They were as devastated as she. She kept from them the information that they had been on a date when the phoenix arrived. Ron wondered why he hadn't called upon him during all this but Ginny's explanation was simple: he was not an Auror. He was the second-head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports.

She continued with her life the best she could but she could not say she was happy. For months it seemed, life was an endless hole; she was not living, just existing. But slowly, time brought her spirits back to life and she was able to live again, just a little at first and then more - slowly.

~*~

A year passed for them both. It had been the longest year either had endured but they had survived apart. Harry's spirits were rising again, too. He had friends, though none of them British or wizards. He became accustomed to the Muggle, American way of life. It was strange but it did have its benefits. New York was lovely; the beach was great fun with his friends; driving around did have the benefit of seeing things. He still missed them all with every bit of soul in him but he couldn't go back. It didn't seem right.. He didn't believe that he belonged there anymore. He had done what the prophecy said; now it was his turn to make a decision. True, his decision had been made depending on Ginny but he had made it without help from a Seer or a crystal orb or the greatest evil ever on earth.

It was November again when a young woman, perhaps twenty-four, came into his office looking for a job. She did not have a college degree but had earned a GED for high school. She seemed bright and very professional. Harry saw no reason not to hire her as the new secretary for the department. The job paid somewhat well but was not an outstanding number, only about 30,000 a year. He soon met her daughter when she came in to pick up some files late on a Friday. The little girl was quite pretty. She was six and in the first grade. Her eyes were a very deep blue and her hair was nearly golden. Her skin was dotted with freckles and her smile never faded.

Surprisingly, on this day, Lisa, the secretary, was called in by the boss for a few moments regarding the paperwork of a certain file. Harry was asked to entertain this little girl in the meantime. Adrienne was a talkative child and very bright. She was amused by Harry's British accent just as much as he was amused with her East Coast American one. He showed her how to play a card game while Lisa was talking to the boss. Finally, she came out looking relieved.

"Hey, sweetie! You ready for pizza?" she asked, swinging the little girl up into her arms.

"Yep! Can Harry come with us?" she asked. Harry was just as taken back with the request as Lisa.

"Would you like to come, Harry?" asked Lisa. Harry agreed and grabbed his coat.

Dinner was pleasant. Adrienne was delightful and very polite. Harry helped her play a game of pinball. There was something about this little girl that captivated him. After she had eaten her pizza, she fell asleep with her head resting in her mother's lap.

"She's a cute little kid, Lisa," Harry complimented.

"Yep, she's my Adri. I think she's a bit too smart for her own good though," Lisa laughed.

"No such thing as being too smart!" he returned. She nodded in agreement..

"She wants to be a teacher when she grows up, along with a writer and a violin player." He was surprised with Adrienne's big dreams. Someday, he knew, she would get there.

~*~

Not long after that, Lisa and Harry began to date. He was still aching for Ginny and they both knew they would never marry but had fun. Adrienne usually went with them. It was more a very close, platonic relationship. Harry became very attached to this small child. But what surprised him the most happened the following May, at a fair. Adrienne had gotten an ice cream cone and was eating it eagerly. Suddenly, it began to fall. Lisa wasn't looking but Harry was. Just as suddenly as it had begun to fall, it was back in Adrienne's small hand. She looked confused but did not say anything.

Is she a witch? Harry wondered.

~*~

"Ginny, may I come over? I need to speak with you immediately," said Dumbledore from the fireplace of Ginny's flat in Diagon Alley.

"Of course, come in," she replied, setting down her book. The old man entered and took a seat in the armchair. "What did you need?"

"Well, this may come as a surprise to you but the Malfoy's were found dead mere hours ago. Well, Lucius, Narcissa, Draco and Pansy were all found dead," he explained. Ginny was confused. That was four, wasn't that all of them?

"Well, that's all of them. Why should there be a problem?" Ginny asked. Everyone had known for years that these four were Death Eaters, and they were the Death Eaters that wanted revenge for what happened to their Lord.

"Draco and Pansy's one-year-old son is now an orphan," he finished. Ginny's heart opened to the little boy. "He's at Hogwarts right now and I can think of very few people I would trust to raise him without prejudice..." he continued but Ginny didn't even hear.

"Albus," she started. Since her graduation, he had demanded she call him by his first name. "Are you asking me to adopt him?"

"Yes, Ginny, I am." Ginny smiled at the thought. She would have to move to a bigger place but she could afford it and the child was only one; he hadn't been poisoned by his parents yet. He was only a little helpless boy, like Harry had been once.

"Then, yes! I would be more than happy to... adopt him," she replied. Dumbledore's face lit up.

"Wonderful! His name is Sean Thomas Malfoy but we'll have his last name changed to yours. Would you like to come visit him at Hogwarts? I know your not quite ready to have a baby boy in your flat yet."

"Absolutely, let me just grab my cloak." She rose and slipped on her cloak. It had been the one she wore the night of Voldemort's defeat.

They took Floo Powder to Dumbledore's office. There, sitting in a conjured bassinet by Professor McGonagall, sat a little baby boy with blonde hair and deep blue eyes.

~*~

It was the night of Adrienne's seventh birthday. She was having the party the next day. Harry had stayed for a special dinner and she begged Harry to tuck her in. He agreed without a fight and went in to tuck her in.

"What do they call daddies in England?" she asked.

"Daddy."

"What about mommies?"

"Oh, they're called mummy," Harry explained.

"Can I call you Daddy, Harry? 'Cause I don't have a Daddy and I think you should be my Daddy!" she exclaimed. Harry smiled, feeling honoured.

"I think that would be a good idea, kiddo," Harry replied.

"Yay!" she smiled. "I got a daddy for my birthday!"

"Well, you'll get lots more tomorrow if you go to sleep!" Harry told her joyfully.

"Okay," she replied, turning on her side. Harry kissed the top of her head. "Good night, Daddy."

"Good night, Adri."

~*~

Adrienne's birthday passed and after three months, she entered second grade with the reading level of a fifth grader. Ginny quickly adjusted to being a mother and fell in love with Sean within a matter of seconds. She moved them into a house in a mostly wizarding town called Alton, just an hour away from Ottery St. Catchpole. Her family loved the new addition as well. He loved them, too. He always giggled and soon started calling Ginny 'Mummy.' It was his first word.

November came and went with the second year anniversary since Voldemort's defeat and Harry's leave. Adrienne was getting excellent grades. Lisa and Harry weren't really dating anymore but still remained the best of friends..

Lisa had become a mother at barely seventeen. Adrienne's father had left the moment he discovered Lisa was pregnant. Upon moving to New York from Nevada, she struggled in New York City for a while before renting a flat in Old Tappan from a friend for a low price. She and Adrienne had always had what they needed but rarely much more. Harry couldn't help but spoil Adrienne whenever he got the chance. For Christmas that year, Harry and Adrienne decided it was time for Adrienne to start her dream of becoming a violinist. Together, they got her a violin and lessons. She fell in love with a single bow stroke.

~*~

Sean had turned two and was very talkative. He loved to be outside and adored all his cousins. He and Ron were both obsessed with Quidditch, and even at his young age he liked to ride on the play broomsticks. He didn't even remember the Malfoys anymore; it wasn't his life anymore.

Ginny was happy being with him too. Now, she didn't have so much free time to wonder about Harry. Sean gave her more pleasure than she had imagined.. Sometimes, at night, she would watch him sleep and smile. He was so sweet and peaceful.

~*~

June had come again, bringing Adrienne's eighth birthday with it. She passed the second grade with the highest grades in her year and was reading at nearly a sixth grade level. In that way, she reminded Harry of both Hermione and Ginny. She loved to play football (though she, as an American, called it soccer), reminding him of Ron and Quidditch. But July did not bring such pleasures.

One night, the phone rang in Harry's office. He picked it up. Since Lisa had left a little early that day, he was in charge of the phones.

"Hello, Vert's Security," he answered.

"Daddy?" cried a little voice.

"Adri, what's wrong?" he asked immediately, alarmed by the sound of her voice.

"It's Mommy! Jamie says to tell you that it's really bad and you have to come here immediately!" she cried into the phone. Harry agreed and dropped everything. He raced through the streets of the town to Lisa's flat. Outside were two police cars and an ambulance. Everyone was just standing around.. A car he recognized to be Lisa's was completely smashed along with a second car, facing the head of Lisa's. He bolted out of his car and straight to the nearest police officer.

"What's going on?" he demanded. He then saw the black bag over the figure of a person in the street. He could only hope it wasn't Lisa.

"Are you...um...Harry Potter?" asked the police officer.

"Yes, is Lisa all right?" he asked concerned.

"Sir, I'm very sorry to report that this was a head-on collision and neither of the drivers made it." Harry choked back tears. "I believe your daughter is upstairs with her babysitter and is asking for you. I'm very sorry, sir."

Harry didn't bother to thank him but ran to the building. Originally, it had been a house but had been broken up into two apartments. Lisa and Adrienne had the top floor. He took the steps two at a time and walked in to see Adrienne crying Jamie was trying to comfort her but when she saw Harry, she ran into his arms.

"Daddy, what's going on? Where's Mommy?" she asked. Tears began to slip down Harry's cheeks. How could he tell her that her mother was lying dead in the street?

"Sweetie, I need you to listen to me very carefully," he began, choking back tears. Jamie patted him on the back and walked out. She was the teenager who lived with her mother downstairs. Adrienne nodded and wiped away her tears. "Mummy...she got in an accident, honey. She went up to heaven but she's still with you in your heart. Oh, honey, do you understand?"

"So, Mommy isn't coming back to me?" she asked. Harry shook his head, unable to speak. Adrienne burst out sobbing again. "But I don't want her to leave!"

"I know, sweetie, I know, but she isn't completely gone. She'll still be with us in our hearts."

~*~

A few days later, the funeral was held for Lisa. Adrienne wore a black dress and coat. Tears streamed down her cheeks through the procession. She was only eight years old; why should she have to loose her mother? At the funeral, it had been a week since that fateful Friday. Harry had stayed with Adrienne at the flat and taken time off work to go through her things. She didn't have any family. It seemed Adrienne had no one now. But then Harry saw Lisa's will. The only thing that wasn't worthy of the bin was Adrienne, and Lisa wanted her to be with Harry. Harry was infinitely happy with this; he didn't know what he would have done if Adrienne had to be shipped to some foster home.

He went into her room where she was staring out the window and into the rain. Harry pulled up a chair and sat next to her. "Hey Adri," he began.

"Hi Daddy," she replied solemnly.

"I found this just now. It's your mum's will. She said that she wanted you to come live with me but you don't have to if you don't want to..." he was cut off.

"I want to be with you!" she exclaimed, throwing her small arms around him.

So, they moved her things into his second bedroom. He made sure there were pictures of her mother around so she wouldn't ever forget. She had one that had been taken only weeks ago in New York City. As a birthday present, Lisa and Harry had taken Adrienne to see a Broadway Play. She had wanted to see one for years but it was incredibly expensive so it took a while. She loved it. They got a picture of her with her mother and the backdrop was the Winter Garden Theatre. They both looked so alive. Extensive make-up had to be used to make Lisa look even presentable at the wake. Adrienne was still depressed about it and looked like a forever depressed little girl.

Soon, Adrienne had adjusted to living with Harry, though she still missed her mother terribly. She entered third grade, which helped to lift her spirits. Over the course of the school year, it slowly got easier, though Christmas was hard without Lisa. Somehow, she managed to keep her grades incredibly high through her trauma. By the end of third grade, her reading level was that of the late seventh grade year and Harry was positive she was a witch.

It was just little things that had clued him in on it. If something fell, somehow it would stop falling just long enough for her to catch it. If she desperately wanted something, occasionally it would just appear. Those were the simple things Harry had gone through in his childhood. He knew that soon, she would need to know.

To get her to sleep at night, Harry would tell her stories of his life. She loved to hear about Ginny, perhaps because of the way Harry spoke of her. Sometimes, he would tell her about a world of magic, one she believed was make-believe but it was all real. He told her about Hogwarts and Quidditch and travelling through fireplaces. It excited her, a good sign.

~*~

Sean had turned three and then four and was growing quickly. He had become a part of the Weasley family easily. He loved to draw. Ginny had given him what she had not received in her childhood - a few Muggle pleasures she had always enjoyed. She gave him the videos, and a computer. They had a telephone and a telly.

Sean learned to swim during the summer of his third year with some of the other Weasley grandchildren. He found it quite amusing to splash everyone.. Ginny couldn't help but smile when he drenched the twins, Fred and George.. They quickly jumped in the pool with their clothes, and even their trainers, still on and chased the little boy around the shallow end of the swimming pool. He giggled and ran around wildly, still splashing.

~*~

It had been over a year since Lisa's death. Adrienne was nine. It was late summer and she had spent the night with a friend the night before. She still slept with a precious bear her mother had given her but during that overnight, she had left it at her friend's accidentally. She didn't realize this until she crawled into bed but when she did, she started crying. Harry calmed her but she was still upset when suddenly, the bear we in her arms. She looked at it amazed and then at Harry.

"Daddy, what just happened?" she asked.

"Erm..." Harry began. Now was the time but how. "Well...Adri...you just did a little magic."

"Dad, that's ridiculous! Magic isn't real!" she told him.

"But it is and I'll prove it." Harry stood and went into his room. He got his wand from the nightstand drawer. He hadn't held it in so long. It felt good to hold it again. He walked back into his daughter's room and showed it to her.

"What is that?"

"It's my wand. I got it when I was eleven," he said seriously.

"You still played with wands when you were eleven?" she questioned. Harry laughed at the thought. Oh, how he wished trying to vanquish Voldemort was just a game.

"No. I actually used it and I did that all the way until the year before I met you. That's when I ran away."

"Prove that it can do real magic," Adrienne insisted, sitting up in bed. Harry held it carefully and pointed to the clock across Adrienne's bed.

"Accio clock," he ordered. The clock flew to him and Adrienne's eyes got wide. "See, it is real."

It was the first time Harry had used magic in over four years. And he was using it to explain that the little girl he had grown to love as his own was a witch. What were the odds in this? How could that even happen?

But it had.

"So...is Hogwarts real?" she asked. He nodded. "Did you go to Hogwarts?"

"Yep, I went there from age eleven to eighteen along with Ron and Hermione and Ginny and all the rest of the Weasley clan. They're all wizards and witches in England. Best of the lot, as well," he explained, a bit of a dazed expression forming on his face.

"Then why did you leave?"

"Oh, it's a long story."

"Please tell me, Daddy, its Saturday! We don't have to get up in the morning!" she begged.

"Well, Ginny and I were on our first and only date when my old Headmaster's phoenix came flying in." The look on her face demanded to know what a phoenix was. "It's an amazingly gorgeous bird. In the wizarding world, we communicate with owls instead of the post...er - mail. Well, in one of my old teacher's handwriting, a note said that Albus, my old Headmaster, had been kidnapped. Both of us knew who had taken him. So, eventually, we ended up at this old mansion in Wales and we had to save my old Headmaster but in the process we...erm...vanquished this Dark Wizard - finally. But, Ginny had been there when it happened and we both almost ended up dead. So, I decided I could not put her in that danger and I left the next morning, never to return. That was just over a year before I met you." He left out many details that were far too graphic for this little girl.

"Did that mean you loved Ginny?" she asked, almost begging he would say yes. "Like, not just as a friend?"

"Well, it started out as loving her as a friend but as we started to work together more, it did grow to be more than that, so yes, I did love Ginny," he explained. He hoped she would understand. He knew that for some reason, she loved the idea of him and Ginny being together but what about her mother? Had she really understood that they were only friends for the better part of the time they knew each other?

"Did you love Mom like a friend?" she inquired.

"I love your mum as a very, very good friend."

"Do you still love Ginny?"

He thought about this for a moment. Of course he still loved Ginny! He would never stop! But should he tell Adrienne that?

"I haven't seen or talked to Ginny in over four years. I don't know," he replied. "But I do know that you should be getting to sleep!"

He left her room a few moments later. He sat on the couch with a coke, his favourite soft drink, and thought about everything. Originally, he had believed that it would get easier as time passed but it was precisely the reverse. It only got harder, especially now that Adrienne knew she was a witch, as did he. With the latest event, he was sure she would be leaving for school in a matter of two years but he wasn't sure if he wanted her to attend Hogwarts or some American school.

~*~

It had been nearly half a year since Harry explained to Adrienne that she was a witch. Harry had taken the afternoon off as he had not done so in a very long time. It was just after two; Adrienne would be home in an hour. He was sitting at the dining room table, going through papers for countless bills and the like. Suddenly, he heard a loud tap at the back door. He stood and went to investigate this noise only to see a very familiar owl. The owl that belonged to a certain Hermione Granger. He opened the door and the bird flew in, perching itself on a chair. He held out his leg and Harry removed the letter. He saw the neat penmanship of Hermione on the envelope addressed to him. He opened it and removed the two pieces of parchment.

Dear Harry,

Well obviously this has found you - finally! I told Versace not to come back until he found you and had a lengthy letter in return from you.

Potter, you have been gone for FOUR AND A HALF YEARS! Don't you think that's a bit long? You just disappeared after defeating the most evil...bastard on the face of the earth. That was your greatest accomplishment ever! And it was Ginny's too! That should have been one of the best days of her life but no, Potter ruins it! I know you put something in that letter to her, which she let none of us read, and somehow you explained it to her or something because she's not nearly as furious as I am!

When are you coming home? And if you say 'never', dammit, I'll find you myself and drag you home, even if I have to get on one of those damned aeroplanes! This has gone on for far too long! A few weeks or even months I might have been able to understand but four YEARS? That's just absurd!

All right, I'm done ranting and raving now. I'll tell you a little about everyone here - except Ginny. I'm not dumb you know; I know you two had something when you left so maybe she'll be the one to bring you back!

Ron's married now, to Lavender Brown. She's actually quite delightful now that she's not obsessed with Seeing things. She's due to have a baby in May, just a few weeks away! Ron's terrified of parenthood. I think they'll actually be rather good at it. What with all the nieces and nephews they get to practice with!

I'm doing well. Viktor and I have been married since about nine months after you left. He's retired from Quidditch now and he and Ron work together in the Department of Magical Games and Sports. I wouldn't be surprised if they're arguing to be head of the department sometime soon!

Now, there are somewhere close to twenty Weasley children. I loose count...I know Charlie and Percy both have four and I think Bill has three. Fred has three and George has two...Ron has one as of next month...yes, well, something like that.

The whole country misses you, you know. Well, except the Malfoys but they can't miss you anymore, since they were all killed about three years ago. I won't go into more of that! You'll just have to see for yourself WHEN you come home!

So, how are you? Are you doing all right? Where are you? I don't even know the country! It's not England, that's for sure. Are you married or anything? I find it unlikely. If you felt the same about Ginny that she felt about you, then I'm not sure you'd even date someone! But, I won't say anymore than that, on this subject! Do you have kids? You're not in our world so what are you doing to make a living? Oh, Potter, just write back or I swear, the next time you hear from me, it won't be nearly as pleasant!

You'd better write back soon!

Love,

Hermione

He nearly laughed at it. He could hear her shouting at him. He read it over a few more times before going into the small attic of the small house to find his trunk. He lugged it downstairs and pulled out some parchment and a quill just as Adrienne walked in the door.

"Dad, why is there an owl in the dining room?" she asked.

"I told you wizards and witches use owls to send letters, right?"

"Yeah..." she was confused for a moment, and then grasped the idea. "Who sent you a letter? Was it Ginny?" she demanded, throwing down her things and grabbing the letter. She read it and laughed at certain things, especially some of the language. "So, are you going to write back?"

"I think so, yeah. Mostly because I think I'm a bit scared of what would happen if I don't." She laughed again.

"What's all this?" she asked, referring to the trunk, parchment and quills.

"Those are all my old robes and cloaks and books and everything else. You can look at it if you like. There's a photo album somewhere in there with moving pictures." She dug into the trunk and found the photo album. She was able to figure out who everyone was according to Harry's descriptions. Harry wrote back.

Dear Hermione,

Hello to you as well. Glad to hear you doing all right. I suppose I shouldn't start like this; it's my own fault anyway. You have perfectly good reason to be shouting at me. I'm surprised you didn't send a howler - and please don't. I think that might disturb the Muggles around here!

It was so long ago; I don't even recall the true reasons I left anymore. I just felt horrible for everything that had happened, making Ginny see all that. Both Albus and Ginny almost ended up dead - again, thanks to me. I just wanted to protect all of you and...oh, I don't know! But, it was a long time ago and I know you're still angry with me and you have the right to be but let's just be friends again, all right?

I'm thrilled to hear you and Ron are married but furious you won't say a word about Ginny. I know I should send her a letter myself but I can't get up the nerve! After how I left her, I've got no right at all! Tell me this - is she happy? I hope she is; she deserves to be more than anything! After what she went through, because of me, she deserves to be the happiest of us all.

Ron? A father? Now I know I've been out of our world too long! I can't just picture him pacing constantly. But he'll be a good Dad, I know it. It just might take him a while. And whether their child is a girl or a boy, we all know he or she will be a Quidditch star with his obsession!

I can't believe I missed your wedding! I am SO sorry, Hermione! But, a belated congratulations from me! Just wondering, not to be offensive, but can he say your name right yet? If he can't, I think I might miss it...how did he say it again? Her-mio-ninny?

I'm doing quite well. I moved to New Jersey, Old Tappan. It's quite close to New York City and I must say, that city is amazing. It's very green here, and incredibly humid in the summer but I admit I'm used to it after living in London all those years. I live in a three bedroom house with my daughter, Adrienne.

Yes, Hermione, I have a daughter. Her mother died almost two years ago. Her mother and I were great friends and when she passed, Adrienne came to live with me. She's nearly ten - jeez, that time flew by quickly! And as I've figured out, she is, in fact, a witch! She's thrilled with the idea of magic and wands. She's looking at the old photo album now, the one of our Hogwarts days. Her eyes are as big as walnuts! Other than the 'movies', I don't think she's ever seen moving pictures before.

I've been thinking about coming home more and more lately. It has been an eternity since I saw all of you, it seems. Four and a half years, really? Has it been only that long? At first, I believed it would grow easier but it doesn't. Knowing Adrienne is a witch just makes me miss England more and more. She loves to hear about all of you. You'll be thrilled to know that she is in the fourth grade and reads at a ninth grade level - and also reads constantly. In that way, she reminds me of you. She's got Ginny's outgoing attitude and love of music - she plays the violin. She'd love to learn to play Quidditch after learning how much it is like football, or as they call it here, soccer.

Please don't tell anyone about this. I'm not quite ready for the whole country to know where I am - not yet. I promise that someday, I'll be back. I can't stand being away much longer.

Please write back soon,

Harry

He let Adrienne read it before putting it in an envelope and letting the owl fly away.

~*~

From that moment on, they kept in touch with countless letters. As he learned from Hermione, Ron named his daughter Elizabeth. For Adrienne's birthday, they planned a great surprise. Harry hooked up his fireplace to the Floo Network so Hermione could come for the weekend of June the sixteenth. So, when Adrienne sat down to watch the telly in the lounge, she was startled by a commotion from the fire place.

"You're Hermione!" she screamed, running to hug her father's friend. Harry came in, smiling happily. He and Hermione hugged before he grabbed her things and brought them into the lounge. Adrienne was thrilled to finally be meeting this person and Harry was thrilled to see someone from his old life.

As soon as Adrienne had given her the grand tour, she said something to Harry. "First thing I have to say is not a word is coming out of this mouth about Ginny, Potter, got it? I know that's the only reason you're going to come home so, if you want to know, come home!" Harry burst out laughing. "What is so bloody funny?" she was so involved in her lecture to Harry; she didn't bother to forget the British word.

"You!" Harry laughed. "You sound so...British!"

"I am British, Harry!"

"No, the accent!"

"Harry, I do not have an accent! You're just so used to the New Jersey accent that you don't realize it," Hermione told him. Adrienne was trying to stifle her giggles.

~*~

Hermione stayed for the weekend before returning. They were all sorry to see her go but Harry promised he would take Adrienne to England soon.

And the summer continued to pass for everyone. Sean turned five and began to prepare for primary school. He was thrilled but knew he couldn't say a word about magic to any of the Muggle students. Ginny was a little nervous: what if the secret slipped? But, that was what Obliviators were for. Before he started school, she promised to take him on a Muggle vacation to the coast of New Jersey.

Before fifth grade began for Adrienne, she and Harry drove the two hours to the shore. They did this every year. Harry knew that this year would be the last of her Muggle school years. Next year, they would probably be in England getting school supplies at this time, whether she decided to go to Hogwarts or another American school.

They had been on the beach for three days when they decided to venture the boardwalk. They were heading for the bumper cars; Adrienne was running ahead, when a little blonde boy of about six bolted past Harry giggling. Harry noticed that his blonde hair looked remarkably like Draco Malfoy's, and his eyes like Pansy Parkinson's. Next, a redheaded woman flew past him. He did a double take.

"Sean Thomas Weasley! Come back here!" said the woman in an obvious British accent. Harry's jaw dropped. He watched as this redheaded woman swung the little boy up into her arms.

"Mummy! Put me down!" replied the little boy, also British. The woman was looking at her son and not where she was going. Harry was paralyzed and barely noticed that she was coming straight at him. She nearly ran into him before she looked up and stopped short.