Title: Yes Bobbi, there is a curfew at Hogwarts. Characters/Pairings: Simmorse, Fitz-Simmons. mentions of Skye and Ward. Also Skyeward. Summary: Bobbi Morse is an American exchange student, newly arrived at Hogwarts. Jemma Simmons is the Ravenclaw who’s been assigned to show her around. There have been hints of romance before but it’s thanks to a curfew when they finally accept their real feelings. Notes: I have several theories for American wizarding schools as well as how they fit into American life (like, there are at least two wizards in the secret service presidental detail and the only president to have ever been a wizard was FDR). Really though it’s a lot more free-form then Hogwarts. --- Jemma was nearly six feet tall with blond hair cascading down her shoulders and a devil may care attitude that stuck her squarely in Hogwarts where every boy was instantly drawn to the girl’s dorm the moment she walked downstairs. As part of inter-house unity however none of them were held to the task of escorting her, showing her classes. I think it’s prudent to demonstrate a sense of unity for our American cousins.. Professor McGonagall had already asked one of the teachers from the American school, Phil Coulson who had apparently served on the president’s security detail (and wasn’t that fascinating?) to teach transfiguration for the semester. Someone named Garrett was overseeing the Quidditch field, the school was overrun with Americans and Bobbi… “So you’re ravenclaw huh? Wit and measure is man’s greatest treasure right?” Bobbi parked herself next to Jemma with a shrug, daring any of the other Ravenclaws to say boo. Breakfast was their first introduction. “That’s right.” she was just so intimidating. The way the sun hit her hair, the way she walked as if every person was looking at her, “I um-well. It’s a real pleasure.” “Tell me about it. Y’know the whole point of this semester is to make friends and uh - given the rest of my classmates.” She gestured to the majority of the American students. Tripp - who gave Simmons a friendly wave, Grant Ward, who was sitting next to Garrett and staring at Skye from Gryffindor. The problem was they were all sitting together. Apart from Ward’s cow eyes and Tripp’s friendly look in Simmons direction none of them were...mingling. “Ward seems … interested at least.” Jemma shrugged then gestured to the boy sitting across from her,“This is Leo Fitz. We all call him Fitz.” “I love it. Adorable.” He grinned sheepishly, “...It’s - um. It’s...nice to meet you miss…” “Bobbi. Bobbi please. “she sipped her coffee. She leaned close, “...Is he okay?” “He’s fine. Shy but fine.” Bobbi scratched her chin, “I gotcha.” Breakfast was interrupted by a storm of eagles, Bobbi reaching up to catch a package. “Bald eagles? Isn’t that a bitch much?” She frowned, “...I-” Bobbi smirked as a golden eagle landed in front of her, “Oh he’s beautiful!” “She. Say hello to Hera.” “...Does Mr. Ward and Tripp-are those- “ Fitz blinked, “Bald eagles?” Tripp was opening his package with a grin on his face. Ward just opened his letter, crumpled it up and threw it over his shoulder. “Tripp’s dad is military. Grant’s dad is a US senator. Most of them use eagles.” Simmons watched Tripp pass Ward some cookies just in time for him to push them away, wrapping his arms around his chest as Garrett put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “My dad’s a cop.” She offered Simmons a cookie, “Chocolate chip?” Smart, beautiful, the way the sunlight caught her hair. Out of every new exchange student Bobbi was officially her favorite. She broke a cookie and passed it to Fitz with a grin. ---- So it was perfect, and new, and the more time she spent showing her the grounds the more Jemma realized she was reliving everything beautiful about the school. Seeing it through a fresh pair of eyes filled her heart with warmth. Rolling green hills and the squid, classrooms and the portraits. Apart from the initial creep factor (according to Bobbi, living in a castle and all that) they were settling in. And she was coming to enjoy Bobbi’s company. Walking with her she had people asking her out for the first time since arriving at school. She turned them all down, sheepishly, tugging on her hair just in time for Bobbi to sling an arm around her shoulders. She had to chose someone however. Bobbi’s demure denial of everyone from Lance Hunter (and how did that happen?!) to Mack was on Jemma’s mind as she finished up her charms homework. Conjure a rabbit and have it hop across the floor. Simple enough. Never mind trying for three hours, sitting in front of a crackling fire. “This is hopeless. I’m giving up for the night-” she closed the book and started the walk toward her common room just in time to see Bobbi on the stairs to the great hall oblivious to her presence. “Bobbi what-” Jemma would later deny she squeaked. Bobbi didn’t say anything. Instead she slid out her wand and waved it over herself in time to fade from sight. Maybe Americans did things differently. Maybe she didn’t really understand how house points worked. Jemma grimaced and bolted after her into the darkness. --- She had to admire her spirit however. She followed her all the way to the forbidden forest and stopped, hesitating amid the gloom. “Bobbi stop.” her voice was soft, “Bobbi- Bobbi!” The last word was shouted as the vague shape turned to look at her, “...Jemma?” She ran back toward her, waving her wand again, “Oh god what the hell are you doing out here? You’re a freakin’ idiot you-” she glanced back at her, checking something on her wrist, “...You’re gonna get busted.” “You’re going to get busted! There’s a curfew and you’ll lose points for your house you- I don’t want you to get in trouble Bobbi. “ “...I’m not gonna get in trouble.” “Sure of that are you?” her eyes went wide, “Because there’s something behind you…” Bobbi blinked, “Big? Scary?” It’s shape was vaguely humanoid, looming large through the forest. Jemma managed a nod, pulling out her wand, “There are spiders in there.” “Stay behind me, you-” she checked her watch, “Damn it. Ward!” The shape resolved itself into a teenage boy carrying a package under his arm with blood dripping from a cut into his eye, “...There’s gotta be an easier way to get into the village.” “You went to the village!” “I told you to apparate.” “You can apparate?!” The two Americans looked back at her, “...Don’t tell Coulson. Garrett taught all of us to do it. We just had to get off the grounds and there’s a barrier line apparently in the forest.” “That’s after I fell into a brook and nearly broke my ankle.” He groaned. “You’re trying to sneak out, breaking all of our rules, and for what- a trip to Hogsmeade?! what could you possibly be out there doing?” “Look lady, calm down…” “No I will not calm down! I want to- oh Bobbi you’re so perfect I knew, I just knew you had a darkside and now that I see it…” Bobbi and Grant exchanged glances, looking angry and sad and ashamed all at once. Ward scratched the back of his neck. “So there goes all of our secret plans.” Bobbi sighed, “So I guess you’ll say no to the fudge right?” Simmons blinked, “w-what?” “How the hell else do you get candy? You did pay didn’t you Ward?” “I’m not stupid. British money too.” “...What is this?” Ward removed fudge from the sack, offering it to Bobbi who shrugged and looked ashamed, “...I was going to ask you to the Yule ball Simmons.” “Wh-you ask me?” “don’t you guys do that here?” “Lollipops for Tripp, Fudge for you, and for me - every flavored beans and a stuffed Hippogriff. My brother sent it to me.” “...You have a stuffed hippogriff? You-” “It’s not for me!” Jemma put a hand to her head, “...Skye.” “He was going to ask her. Tripp’s asking some girl your pal Fitz introduced him to. And I was...going to ask you.” Bobbi held out the fudge, “...Although I understand if you have morals and scruples. Or if...your morals and scruples differ from ours.” “Not a lot of people like us.” Grant lowered his head, “I ended up sorted into Slytherin and I’m-used to being disliked. Just not...that much.” Jemma frowned, “...I just didn’t want you to get in trouble Bobbi. You move about with such freedom, the thought of people...placing restrictions on you…” She twisted her hands, glaring at them before stalking back towards the castle. ---- Bobbi ignored her for two days, just in time for her to come upon Grant and Skye. Skye was hugging the Hippogriff, which she promptly abandoned in favor of hugging Ward who looked happy for the first time since she’d seen him. The two held each other in the sunlight. “...Guess he did it.” Jemma blinked, “Where’d you come from?” she’d just appeared, “Did you use that invisibility spell?” “My dad taught it to me. It’s taught to all cops by our AMA. American Magical Agency? Same people Professor Coulson worked for.” She lowered her head, “...You still mad at me?” “I can’t stand the thought of you in trouble Bobbi.” Jemma crossed her arms, “That’s all there is to it. You have to promise to never do anything like that again or at least-” she shrugged, “at least tell me.” “In case there’s a next time?” “In case there’s a next time.” “Because there’s a chance there’ll be a next time?” Bobbi grinned broadly and Jemma grinned right back, “So...what color will you be wearing to the Yule ball? So we can match?” “ I have a black and white dress. “ “I think that’d look great. I wear blue. Usually. This is my first year with a date though.” “I can’t wait to see it. I think you’ll look beautiful.” ---- Ward wore green and silver, Skye wearing red and gold and twirling across the dance floor. Bobbi and Jemma led the dancing. And none of them ever broke curfew again - unless the occasion called for it.