When Swords Meet Wands

Big Men and Boat Addicts.

Hermione

The Americans ran outside before the train even stopped moving. Hermione followed them in a more dignified pace, pulling Ron along with her, who was pulling Harry, who was holding on to Ginny. Hermione immediately spotted Hagrid, who was herding the first-years.

"HAGRID!" She shouted, trying to get his attention. Hagrid turned, searching for the source of the sound. He finally spotted them, a huge smile spreading over his hairy face. "Hermione! Harry! Ron! What're yeh doin' here? And Ginny!" He waded through the throngs of students and enveloped them in a bone-crushing hug.

"Hagrid. Stop. Can't. Breathe," Ron managed to say through Hagrid's coat. "Ah, sorry, Ron. Alright there, Harry, Hermione, Ginny?" He asked, letting us go. "Couldn't be better," Harry said. "Good ter hear, good ter hear."

Hagrid then spotted the exchange students and asked, "Who're those kids? An' yeh 'aven't told me yet, what're yeh doin' here?" "We've come back for our seventh-year, Hagrid. And those are the American exchange students, didn't you know they were coming?" Hermione replied, looking over at the Americans as well. She noticed that they were looking rather furtive, throwing suspicious glances toward Hagrid.

"No, I jus' got 'ere this mornin'. Been spendin' some time with Olympe, up at Beauxbatons. She said she needed help with some magic creatures. Wasn' much there ter help. Anyway, better I go ter the castle with the firs'-years," Hagrid said, walking away to the boats.

Hermione, Harry, Ron and Ginny caught up with the Americans, who were all holding weapons. Swords and daggers and bows and arrows.

"Are-are those swords?" Hermione stuttered.

"What is that giant doing here?" Hazel asked, in a guarded voice. She was holding a long golden sword, crouched in a defensive position.

"Hagrid's only a half-giant. He's the gamekeeper for Hogwarts and our friend. And what are you doing with those weapons?" Harry answered, ready to defend Hagrid if they insulted him.

"So he's friendly?" Percy asked, who was holding a wickedly-sharp bronze sword, which was glowing in the dim light.

"'Course he's friendly!" Ron cried, indignantly.

"It's, it's just that, most of us have had very, very bad experiences with giants," Frank explained, looking relieved. He lowered his bow and arrows which had shrunk to fit inside his bag.

"WHY ARE YOU HOLDING WEAPONS? TELL US!" Hermione yelled, adamant to know the answer, no matter how long they ignore their questions. Percy touched a pen cap to the tip of his sword, which immediately shrunk into a pen. Jason flipped his lance-like thing which, midway through the flip, morphed into a large golden coin. Hermione was gobsmacked.

Annabeth looked at Thalia and Hazel meaningfully, both of whom nodded in consent. Thalia walked up to Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Ron. She snapped her fingers right in front of their faces and murmured, "You did not see our weapons. You will not ask us about the giants."

Hermione immediately felt a bit sleepy, but recovered soon. Her memories of the last few minutes were blurry, but she did not think much of it. She noticed that Harry, Ron and Ginny were also looking a bit disoriented. She saw the Americans standing simply and said, "Come on, what are you waiting for?"

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The group went over to the carriages. Annabeth was marvelling over the exterior structure of the castle, spouting facts and telling everyone about how marvellous the columns were. Hermione was happy to discuss it with her. Finally, someone who understands English. As they reached the carriages, Nico spoke up, "What are those horse-y thingies over there?"

"Those are Thestrals. Can you all see them?" Hermione asked. They nodded, confused. "Yeah, we can. Why are you looking so surprised?" Leo asked. "They can only be seen by people who've seen death." Their expressions changed drastically. Hermione was surprised they could see the Thestrals. Then again, she did note a lingering sadness in everyone's eyes.

"Can I go by those boats those kids are going by?" Percy asked. Right then Hagrid came over. "Exchange students, aren't yeh? Come on, yeh gotta go by the boats. Firs' time ter Hogwarts, yeh go by the boat."

Percy immediately lit up, his eyes shining. He pumped his fist in the air and whooped. Annabeth laughed and said in an apologetic tone, "Sorry. Percy loves water and anything water-related."

He ran off towards the boats, pulling a horrified Nico with him. Thalia, Jason and Hazel didn't look very excited about the prospect of going by boat, too. The other Americans followed, some more excited than others.

Hermione noticed Luna up ahead, talking to Neville and ran up eagerly to catch up with them.

All of them got into one carriage and rode to Hogwarts. They met with the Americans again at the entrance. Hermione was surprised they got there before them and asked them so.

"Oh, Percy is very good at water magic, he made the boat come quicker," Annabeth replied hurriedly. "Mm, okay," Hermione replied, not entirely convinced. She'd never heard of spells which could directly manipulate water.

"Alright, come on, let's go inside. I'm hungry!" Ron exclaimed, running into the Entrance Hall.

Hermione laughed at his antics and followed him.

A/N 124 reads. 124 reads! 124 READS!!!!! I couldn't be happier. I never thought this story would pass even 50 reads. Thank you so, so much for sticking around with me. On a sadder note, I will only be able to update once a week, now that online classes have started back up. I'm really very sorry. My schedule is once a week, but, if possible, I will update twice. No promises, though! Next chapter on Tuesday, not Friday :( Once again, thank you so much for 124 reads. Love you, bye :)

P.S. Header art is not mine. Just found it off Google. Credit goes to the artist.

-Lightshadowkitty