Writing this for my awesome, fantastical, amazing friend Bailey for her birthday in April. I hope you like it, Bailey!

I don't own Hetalia or Harry Potter.

The stars blinked as Arthur finally finished his notes. Had he chosen his classes, Astronomy would have been rejected in favor of an extra Potions course. He had not been so lucky. Alfred had been particularly insistent that they take the same courses and now here he was.

"'Ey, Artie!"

The cheerful voice made him turn, dropping a page of notes. It fluttered down to the lake where it would most likely disintegrate into pulp or be eaten by a Grindylow—not exactly known for their intelligence.

"You idiot," Arthur spat, looking remorsefully at his lost notes. Alfred, however, didn't seem to share his sentiments.

"So, Artie," he continued, falling into step with Arthur as they made their way down the staircase to the corridor, "'dya think you'll enter your name?"

"No."

"What?" Alfred's face dropped. "But why?"

"I don't want to," replied Arthur simply. "I have better things to do with my time than get chased around by various dangerous creatures."

Alfred looked disappointed. He sighed, hanging his head.

"Well, I was gonna enter my name today, so… I'd best be off, then."

He sulked away, boarding a staircase to take him to the first floor before he had a chance to think better of it. It was a stupid thing, really, Alfred rationalized, but it seemed like so much… fun?

Arthur stood behind him, arms crossed in impatience.

"I'm coming with you, idiot," Arthur said, cheeks flushing slightly. Alfred's grin returned and he slung an arm across Arthur's shoulders.

"Thought you never would, man."

"I won't if you don't unhand me this instant," Arthur grumbled, swatting the arm off. "Git."

The staircase stopped in place none too gently and the two stepped off. A horde of first years scrambled on and Alfred smiled.

"Remember first year, Art?" he asked as he folded his arms behind his head, a wave of nostalgia hitting him.

"Do I remember you hitting on Moaning Myrtle before getting scared out of the bathroom? Yes, I do."

Alfred blanched.

"That was… interesting, to say the least," he amended after a while. Shaking his head to rid himself of the thought, he turned to Arthur again, smiling.

"What?"

"Nothing," replied Alfred. "Just smilin'."

One of the things Arthur hated most about his American companion was his accent. His stupid, American accent. It rather grated on his ears. At least it wasn't Southern; otherwise he'd have to pull his hair out.

That wasn't to say they were enemies. From their first year, Alfred and Arthur had been best friends and virtually inseparable, different houses be damned.

Arthur tightened his hold on his schoolbag and followed Alfred to the Great Hall, where the Goblet took residence. Alfred found a piece of parchment, scrawling his name upon it before exchanging nervous glances with Arthur.

"Well, he said, hands shaking, "Here goes nothing."

He stepped over the Age Line, hand immediately going to his chin.

"Don't be stupid. You're of the required age."

"Yeah. Well. Never hurt to check."

Arthur rolled his eyes.

Can't say you weren't worried.

Touché.

Alfred finally put the scrap in the Goblet, lingering for a moment. When no fireworks or anything of the sort appeared, he shrugged and stepped back, matching Arthur's stride as they made their way to the main corridor. They bade each other farewell, Arthur proceeding to the dungeons and Alfred continuing upstairs to the third floor. He muttered "skrewt" to the portrait and it swung open, the Fat Lady giving a merry giggle in return. She had always been fond of him. But then, she had always been fond of foreigners. Too bad Beauxbatons students were rooming with the Ravenclaws this year and the eastern Europeans preferred to stay in the Durmstrang ship. There was a blond Dane in Gryffindor, but he was awfully loud and obnoxious, even for Alfred's standards.

His brother stood from the overstuffed armchair where he had been doing his homework and confronted him.

"Did you enter?" His eyes were panicked.

Alfred merely grinned in reply, eyes twinkling behind wire rims. Matthew shook his head slowly.

"Oh, Alfred," he groaned, "it's dangerous. Remember that Hufflepuff from a while ago…?"

"Chill, Mattie," Alfred reassured him with self-righteous confidence. "That was way back when. They've got that shit under control now."

Still Matthew looked unsure. His eyes scanned Alfred's face for and sign of uncertainty.

"If you're sure," he finally conceded, finding none. "Take care, though."

"Never fear! Care is my middle name!"

"Funny, I thought it was Frederick."

"… You're no fun at all, you know."

First chapter of my first multiple-chapter story. I'm going to be putting random canon HP characters as professors; hope that doesn't make anyone murder me in my sleep. If you guys have any ideas, please let me know.

Reviews are pretty nice. (hint hint)