A/N: Ok, I've got relatives in NY and am accustomed to some Yiddish slang used there, but I incorporated unfamiliar terms too, so apologies if it's awkwardly written or too forced. The same applies to British slang in its awkwardness/forced use. Also, I was running out of terms for a "guy" that British people would use. I wanted to put "dude" so badly, but I'm not sure if it would fit the character (Harry). Please, comment suggestions for improvements!
Brits: Do you guys use "guys" as commonplace as we do? And sincere apologies for my horrible use of slang, no offence is intended.
***
We decided to walk home so Percy could show me around a bit more. He pointed out some architectural facets as we strolled home—knowledge he picked up from Annabeth. I hoped to meet her someday. Percy was really head over heels for her. When walking down a particular neighbourhood, I felt a shiver run down my spine—someone was watching me. I looked over to my left to see a small gang of five older teenagers. Three were male and two were female by the looks of it. Because I stopped to look, Percy was now ahead of me, lost in the bustle of people. The most muscular of the group approached me from the steps they hung out on. His friends jeered him on as he strutted towards me.
'Whatcha doin' here, wimp? Little baby looks lost', he mocked.
I looked up at him in apprehension. He was almost three times as large as I was. I couldn't have taken him on, especially without my wand. I desperately looked around for Percy, but he was nowhere to be seen. Others glanced my way but kept walking regardless.
Suddenly, I was pushed onto the ground. Hard.
'I asked you a question, bitch', the thug said.
'I- I- I-' I stuttered. I was scared at this point. I didn't know where I was or how to get myself out of this situation.
'Hey, yo, back up, dude', I heard someone call out. When I turned to the voice I realised it was Percy. Thank God.
'Why don't you mind your own damn business.'
A stare off ensued. It wasn't much of a competition, though. Percy's glare was too intimidating for the other bloke to keep eye contact.
'Whatcha grilling me for, eh?! You wanna take it there?!' asked the wannabe gangster.
Percy adopted a heavier New York accent when he replied. 'Ay, don't be a schmuck, yeah? Just go back over there and sit your ass on the stoop with those pathetic friends of yours.'
The other continued to antagonize Percy. 'You wanna go? Huh? Is that it?'
'Yeah, show 'em who's boss', one of the girls hollered.
'Yeah,' another boy joined his friend, 'show this putz who he's messin' with.'
'Yooz guys are really getting on my nerves ya know', Percy said in a slightly bored, mostly annoyed tone of voice.
That's when the first chap threw a right hook. It would've knocked Percy on the head if he hadn't blocked it with his left arm. In two seconds flat, Percy feigned a punch to the left, jabbed an elbowed to the right instead, hit the other's throat with the heel of his palm, and then swept his legs out from under him. The bloke was sprawled on the ground coughing. His friends were all gobsmacked at the sight before them. I couldn't keep the impressed smile off my face.
When Percy extended a hand to me, I gladly took it and got up.
'That was bloody brilliant', I said.
Percy laughed and clapped me on the neck as he led me away towards the apartment.
'Thanks, Harry. Do me a favour though, will ya?'
'Anything.'
'Don't mention this to Mom.'
'Promise. Aunt Sally'd go bonkers, would she?'
Percy blew out air dramatically. 'You've no idea.' Then his face spread into a grin as we walked the rest of the way home in comfortable silence.
***
The end of summer went by quickly. We had trips to the beach and to the City and to neighbouring states. It was hard to wrap my head around just how big America really was. I mean the state of New York alone is about 10,000 sq km larger than all of England. Percy proudly pointed out that it was exactly 4,254 sq mi larger than England.
That's another thing. The U.S. customary system. It's based on the old British imperial system of measurements. But why? When the whole world, save Liberia and Myanmar, use metric units, why stick with a more complicated system? There is practically no reason for it. (A/N: As an American, I'm way too used to the customary system. I would not want to switch to metric since I've only ever used SI for subjects like chemistry. Just saying.) Percy claims the metric system is too confusing, yet he couldn't tell me how many yards were in a mile. The internet informed both of us that there are 1,760 yards per mile. It's almost as confusing as wizarding currency.
But no matter which system of measurement I used, it began to sink in just how far away England was from America. How far away I would have to travel for school. I was ready to see my friends again, the people I considered family. But on the other hand, I no longer had to find people to be my family. I had a family. Here. In America. There was Sirius, of course, and I missed him dearly, but he was still a convicted man. He couldn't be there for me all the time. Before now, he was the closest thing I had to family. But now... I just couldn't decide which family I wanted. I wanted them both, but I didn't exactly see how that would happen. Sirius wanted me to stay with him, and when I go back, he'll probably push for that to happen. I'm not sure if that's what I want, though. What do I do?
***
I too soon found myself at the airport with my luggage and a teary-eyed Aunt Sally. Uncle Paul, as I'd come to call him, was clearly trying to be strong for her as he guided her through the busy terminal. Percy was carrying my trunk for me and had a sad smile on his lips. I loved my aunt and uncle, but I was going to miss my cousin the most. He was like the older brother I always wanted. The complete opposite of Dudley in every way imaginable. Well, they both loved food, but Percy wasn't a pig about it. Actually, Percy could be forgetful about table manners sometimes, but the point is that he's a better person inside and out. In short, they'd all be missed when I'm at Hogwarts.
The goodbyes were tearful and unwanted, but inevitable nonetheless. I climbed aboard the aeroplane and soon watched as my family disappeared below the clouds. I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing to join them again. But admittedly, I was excited to see my friends. It had been too long since we last wrote to each other, let alone saw each other. In an effort to keep the sadness at bay, I focused on all the things I could tell Ron and Hermione. I'd show them the trinkets I got and the pictures I took. I convinced myself I'd be all right. And so, my fourth year at Hogwarts began.
***
A/N: I'm working on part 2, which will take place the summer before the Order of the Phoenix (Harry's 5th year); thus, you are to assume everything (more or less) that happened in the Goblet of Fire (Harry's 4th year) occurred before part 2 begins. Updates will be on pause until I finalize part 2. Thanks for reading and I hope you stick with me!
YOU ARE READING
Home.
Fanfiction[Completed] Harry Potter's world turned upside down. He no longer had to spend lonely summers at the Dursley's. In fact, he would never again spend his summers at the Dursley's. But was that a good thing? It meant leaving his friends, people he cons...
