Chapter 1
IN HIND SIGHT, TRAVELLING TO a different city on a different continent without looking at even one map was not entirely a smart idea.
Rory stands confused in the middle of a sidewalk as tourists from all around the world and New York natives push about hurriedly. She doesn’t have the slightest clue where she is.
Turning once more, Rory decides to try back the way she came from. Only to bump rather harshly into someone. They both go down and the crowds simply part to avoid the interference.
"Oh, I'm so sorry."
Rory apologises to the person she bumped into.
As she stands and reaches down to offer her hand, she notes how big the man was. Once he’s standing, she’s blown away at his height and mass. It’s absolutely stunning and Rory can’t help her curious feelings about him. He’s even bigger then her uncle Charlie, who works daily with enormous dragons, so it’s quite impressive.
"No problem."
The man shrugs off. His accent is intriguing, Eastern European, maybe.
"You look lost, can I help?"
He offers. Rory is surprised, it isn’t normal practice to help strangers. At least, not anymore. The world is no longer trusting and kind. It’s now filled with paranoid and violent people who care only for themselves and don’t care whether the planet is destroyed.
Her parents and family have suffered quite a lot because of it.
"Would you? I'm lost, these streets are so bloody confusing."
Rory replies.
"I am Pietro, by the way."
He introduces himself as they set off. Rory smiles at him and shakes his hand.
"Pleasure. I'm Rory. Actually, it's Astoria but that's way too fancy for my liking. So, Rory it is."
The young witch replies, shaking his hand still. Pietro says her name a few times once his hand is released.
"It suits you. Where are you from? Your accent is not from America."
The European muggle asks and Rory feels like slapping him. Of course she isn’t American, her accent points her out as a clear English lass. But she can’t blame the muggle, maybe he’s not well traveled.
"Thank you. I'm actually from Cornwall originally but I spent most of my school years in Scotland."
Rory explains briefly.
"Wow, what is the UK like?"
Pietro asks as they stop at a set of traffic lights. He bounces impatiently, clearly eager to move on.
"Cold and wet majority of the time."
Rory says simply, focusing back on the path ahead of her and signalling the small talk is over. Pietro is impressed but slightly annoyed at her ability to completely change moods. It makes talking to her impossible and the mood awkward. And Pietro feels a very strong urge to get to know this woman with bright hair.
Eventually, Pietro and Rory stop walking. In front of them is a large building that is titled the Woolworth Building.
To the muggles of the world, it’s known for being the tallest building in New York for nearly seventeen years before it lost the title. But to the witches and wizards of the world, it’s home to MACUSA. To Rory's expert understanding, MACUSA stands for Magical Congress of the United States of America and is much like her own Ministry of Magic back in the UK.
Of course, Pietro doesn’t know any of that. He’s just a muggle after all.
"Why come here?"
Pietro wonders but Rory has already disappeared. He shrugs and returned to his task of fetching a drink for his sister. She’s probably very confused that the simple task had taken so long, with his speed.
Inside the Woolworth Building, Rory lets out a sigh. It’s filled with witches and wizards of all nationalities, seeking a visa or something of the same sort. But that's not what Rory wants, she already has a working visa. No, she is there to work as an auror for MACUSA.
The Ministry had been a fine place of work for her first year but she wanted something different. So off to America she’s gone, much to the displeasure of her entire family.
Which is totally unfair considering her father had run off to Egypt after becoming a curse breaker back when he'd left school. And her uncle Charlie had done the same thing when he ran off to Romania to work with deadly dragons. At least Rory'd waited until she'd been out of school for two years before disappearing to another country.
She’s a fully trained Auror already and she knows the dangers of the world, both magic and muggle.
"Ah, Ms Weasley. We've been waiting all day, where have you been?"
Some random wizard huffs as she enters the foyer of the Wentworth Building. Rory takes a step away in case he actually attacks like his tone indicates.
"I got lost."
Rory says simply. She earns a huff of disapproval from the man and he turned on his heel and beckons her after him.
"The President will see you."
He says bluntly and drops her in front of a large double door with a blonde witch at the desk.
"Thank you."
Rory thanks him even though he seems like a rude and pompous prat who doesn't deserve it.
"Damn Brits."
The man mutters to himself as he storms away. Rory frowns after him, confused as to why he seems to hate her.
"Ms Astoria Weasley?"
The pretty blonde witch calls and Rory steps forward, not even bothering to correct the woman of her preferred name.
"Oh, thank god you're here. I've been calling your name all morning and the president is so angry at me because you weren't here."
She rushes out, clearly flustered and Rory feels terrible for causing this witch trouble because of her ability to get lost quite easily.
"Sorry, I got lost. I'm not used to the city yet."
She apologises but the witch waves her off.
"Go through, I don't need to hear your excuses. He's angry enough."
She urges, pressing a button and opening the large doors.
"Oh, okay."
Rory frowns and follows where she’s directed. She has to wonder if all Americans are as rude as the man from earlier and the receptionist. Although, the blonde witch is the president's secretary and here Rory is showing no respect to appointment times.
Samuel G. Quahog is an intimidating looking man. He certainly looks like he runs an entire continent. He sits behind his desk, looking through paperwork and sipping coffee with an irritated expression.
"Yes?"
He says in disinterest.
"I'm Rory... sorry, Astoria Weasley sir."
Rory answers, hoping the President isn’t too displeased with her appalling timing.
The foul expression vanishes entirely as the President looks up.
"Ah yes. The British Minister had a lot of good things to say about you, I think he was actually sad to see you go."
Quahog smiles slightly and urges her to sit.
"Thank you?"
She says, unsure of the compliment and takes a seat.
"I've heard you're an excellent Auror, got a nose for trouble. I think you'll fit just fine."
Quahog reveals and Rory calms down a bit. She wasn't sure how MACUSA would handle a British Auror wanting to join their staff, but the president seems quite welcoming.
"Thank you, sir."
Rory says excitedly.
"Your partner isn't available right now, he got sick of waiting and went out on assignment. You'll meet him tomorrow. For now, I'll have Christoper show you to your desk."
Quahog informs and turns his attention back to his files, signalling the meeting/interview is over.
"Thank you, sir. I'm happy to be here."
Rory says brightly and stands from her seat, almost knocking it over with her enthusiasm.
"Yeah yeah. Get out of here."
Quahog dismisses, waving her away.
"Bye!"
Rory beams and waves back as she leaves the office.
Samuel sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Please don't let me regret this."
He sighs to himself as he watches the young, bright haired witch go. It seems everything about her is bright, from her attitude to her hair. Her time at MACUSA is going to be interesting, to say the least.