35 Chapter 35: Festival arrangements

Monday, July 2, 1976.

Severus was back to the routine of the SCoP program, but it wouldn't last long.

It was already 20:30 and Severus and Ethan had just finished with their dueling class.

"Hey, Grimprince, what do you plan on doing in the 6 days of the midterm break?" asked Ethan as they both walked out of class.

"Well, I plan on seeing the 4th of July festival along with the potions exhibition that SCoP will be doing and also I want to participate in the potioneers contest and you Sparky, do you have plans yet or will you stay studying, from what I was seeing you're not doing very well in classes" teased Severus.

"Man, you're horrible at giving nicknames, Sparky doesn't look good at all" complained Ethan.

"Too bad, I've already decided it fits you perfectly."

"You..., you know, I feel like every day I spend with you I'm practicing my patience" sighed Ethan.

"I'm glad to be of help Sparky."

"Tch, at least Grimprince sounds better" Ethan muttered to himself.

"Well, never mind. And yeah, like you said I'm not fully understanding the classes, so I'm sure going to spend every day studying, but at least for the festival I'll be there, I wouldn't miss it for the world" Ethan commented.

"I understand that Ilvermorny is going to participate in the festival, maybe some of your classmates are going to be there".

"Yes, in fact, I heard from some friends that they are putting on a whole show to impress the different magical representatives from each country that will be attending the festival, the MACUSA wants to show off in front of the other magical communities" explained Ethan.

"Oh, that can only mean that this festival will be very impressive."

"Of course, it will be, it is the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the USA independence, if President Fischer of MACUSA fails to honor this anniversary it will not go well at all with the American magical community, I have also heard that Vicência Santos the supreme head of the International Confederation of Wizards might come to the festival and I wouldn't hesitate to say that the most powerful wizard himself, Dumbledore who is your Headmaster at Hogwarts will be attending," Ethan said confidently.

"Yes, I guess that would be possible to happen."

"Grimprince, tell me, how is Dumbledore in person, I never asked you, but having the most powerful wizard in the magical world as headmaster must be something else"

"I wouldn't know, at first glance he seems like a kind and wise old man, but once you get to know him you know it's not that simple and besides, my personal experience with him is not the nicest, so it's quite a tense relationship" Severus explained remembering the many times Dumbledore preferred his beloved Gryffindors over him.

"Pfff haha, wow you're smart, any other wizard would seek to get on well with the most powerful wizard in the world, but I see that's not the case with you, maybe you're not as clever as I thought" laughed Ethan.

"I've asked myself that same question many times" sighed Severus.

"Come on man it's not that bad either, you just don't get along with your headmaster, I don't actually have a good relationship with the headmaster of Ilvermorny either, even though he's not the most powerful wizard in the world"

"Very funny Sparky."

They both went to their dormitories to change while still chatting about the festival.

At dinner time, they both split up as usual and Severus went to his table with Freyja and Gwen.

As the three of them were eating dinner, the courier began to arrive.

When the courier arrived, Severus proceeded to read first the news from The New York Ghost newspaper which, on Gwen's recommendation, he had been subscribed to keep up to date with what was happening in the USA.

--------------------The New York Ghost----------------

Exclusive-Exclusive: MACUSA President Fischer confirms the presence of Chief Supreme Vicência Santos at the 4th of July festival in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the USA.

On July 4, all wizards and witches will be able to attend a variety of festivities including elaborate fireworks displays in the skies over major U.S. cities.

The show that will be hosted in Washington, D.C. will be presided over by Muggle President Ford and televised nationally throughout the Muggle community.

And if you're a naval enthusiast, a large international fleet of traditional ships will arrive in New York on July 4 and then be around for a week in Boston.

This nautical parade will be witnessed by several million spectators both Muggles and wizards, the Muggles call this parade "Operation Sail" and this is going to be the second event held of this type, as in 1964 something similar was held.

It is even known that the sailboats will anchor and allow the public to board the ships in both cities.

In other news we also informed you that the U.S. Congress, and thus the presidency, was formed in 1693 as a direct result of the Salem Witches and the Trackers; almost a century before the United States declared independence from the United Kingdom on July 1, 1776, the Salem Potions College, which is a supporter of the Salem Witches who were involved in the formation of the U.S. MagiCongress as an intermediary between the magical community and the populace, will be hosting an exhibition of ancient potions from Native American wizards at the SWI facility.

So all those wizards and witches who wish to know the Salem Witches Institute and see all kinds of potions that are native to the USA, can not miss this opportunity.

—--------------------------

'It seems that Ethan was right, the supreme boss does come to the festival, but for now, nothing was said about Dumbledore nowhere' thought Severus while reading.

"Prince, with Freyja we were planning to go to the festival together, do you want to join?" asked Gwen, as Freyja gave him a suppliant look.

"Yes, sure, although I promised my cousin to bring her to meet SWI if you don't have a problem with her joining..."

"No problem at all, we can go all 4 of us together it's going to be mega hyper fun!" happily commented Freyja.

"If Freyja doesn't have a problem neither do I, besides, I want to meet this first one of yours."

"This, just one thing, keep in mind that Hermione can be a bit...well...a bit intense to say the least" Severus warned not knowing how to explain that Hermione was extremely studious and liked to correct everything one said along with the fact that she could sometimes sound like a total nutcase.

'Well, I guess they can get along, what's the worst that can happen' Severus thought.

"Come on Severus, don't worry, I'm sure we'll get along excellent, won't we Gwen?"

"Sure Freyja, unless Prince thinks differently," Gwen said looking at Severus jokingly.

"Hey, I was just warning," said Severus.

"Great, now all that's left is to define where to meet and what time," said Freyja.

"We would have to meet at 7am if we want to make it on time and since Freyja is staying at my place the two of us would already leave together, where does it fit you like Prince?" asked Gwen.

"Well, if you have a fireplace connected to the Floo Network at your house Gwen I can give you the address of my house in New York and meet you directly there" proposed Severus.

"That would be fine, we have Floo Network at home so we can do that."

"Perfect, it's defined, July 4th at 7 am at Severus'" defined Freyja with a smile.

On Tuesday, July 3rd, Severus finished his classes and then together with Freyja and Gwen took the boat back to the magical port of Boston.

They arrived in Boston quite late.

"Severus!" said a young woman approaching Severus who was getting off the ship along with Freyja and Gwen.

"Hermione, may I introduce you to two friends I made in the SCoP program, Gwen Stacy and Freyja Jinlǜ."

"Hi, you can call me Freyja, I guess Severus must have already told you about me" Freyja greeted with a warm smile.

"This, it's nice to meet you Freyja, I'm Hermione, Hermione Prince and I'm sorry to tell you that Severus doesn't usually tell me much about his life, so I didn't know about you."

"Nice to finally meet you, Hermione, I'm Gwen, and don't worry, Prince doesn't talk to us much about his stuff either, if it wasn't for him letting your name slip in a conversation we probably never would have known about you," Gwen said jokingly.

"I'm happily not the only one then, Gwen... Wait, Stacy is your last name?" said Hermione suddenly.

"That's right," said a doubtful Gwen.

"Is your father George Stacy?" asked Hermione with wide eyes.

"Yes... do you know my father?"

"Do I know your father? George Stacy is the overall head of all auror divisions in the USA, he's a great symbol of strength in the American magical community, I can't believe he's your father" said an astonished Hermione.

"Well, I'm sure my father would be happy to hear that he is known even by witches in Britain" replied Gwen not knowing what else to say about it.

"What do you mean he is Head General of the Auror divisions, isn't he head Auror Hermione?" asked Severus not understanding what Hermione was referring to.

"Oh come on Severus, don't tell me you didn't even read how the American Magicongress is composed?" reproached Hermione.

"I may have only read the gist of it at the time."

Hermione rolled her eyes and then proceeded to explain.

"You seem to know a lot about our country Hermione, but I can't blame Prince for not knowing that, the USA is the only country that has this system and only implemented it after the conflict with Grindelwald."

"It's good to know that some do learn from conflict" Hermione muttered to herself as she thought about how Britain's Magical Ministry in her time did nothing to improve security or prevent the possible arrival of another Dark Lord when they had already been through that situation.

"I see, I hadn't read about that, it seems your parents are on another level Gwen" Severus scoffed.

"That Gwen, your parents are great, and to think I'm going to your house today with the two of them, what nerves," said Freyja as she jumped up and down anxiously.

"Well, we already talked a lot don't you think, it's already late, tomorrow we have to get up early and Prince, don't forget to tell Hermione everything, see you tomorrow" finished Gwen grabbing Freyja who was still jumping anxiously and appearing at her house.

Once Freyja and Gwen had already left Hermione looked at Severus.

"So, looks like we have company tomorrow then don't we?"

"Oh, you seem to get the idea already, that saves me having to explain a lot of things to you."

"Severus."

"Yes?"

"Sometimes you can be a big idiot,"

Hermione said appearing in the manor and leaving Severus confused.

'Looks like tomorrow is not going to be as quiet a day as I would like it to be' sighed Severus as he appeared in the mansion as well.