Favorite Crime

1.

The first thing Athena learned about having three Hogwarts students stay in New York was that none of them understood how crazy the city could be. The second thing she learned was that Charlie Gray considered that a challenge.

By the second morning, he had already managed to wake half the apartment.

A loud crash came from the living room.

Athena groaned into her pillow. For several seconds, she considered pretending she hadn't heard it.

Another crash followed. That settled it.

She climbed out of bed, pulled an oversized sweatshirt over her pajamas, and tied her long dark hair into a messy knot. Reading glasses rested low on her nose as she shuffled into the hallway.

"What happened?"

From the living room came Charlie's immediate response.

"I didn't do anything!"

Athena stopped.

Her eyes narrowed "That sounds suspicious."

"It wasn't me."

Millie appeared around the corner, arms folded.

"He knocked over the lamp."

Charlie looked personally offended.

"I barely touched it."

"You were throwing a pillow."

"It slipped out of my fingertips."

Athena looked at the lamp lying sideways on the floor, then back at Charlie.

"You're going to break something."

Charlie grinned.

"Probably."

"That's not something to be proud of."

"I've been here two days. I'm making an impression."

"You're making a mess."

"Same thing."

Millie snorted.

From behind them, a sleepy voice asked, "What's happening?"

Cedric appeared in the doorway, his sandy-brown hair sticking up in several directions. He looked as though he'd been dragged from bed against his will.

Athena glanced at him "Charlie is destroying my house."

"I didn't destroy anything."

"Yet," Athena corrected.

Cedric rubbed his eyes "You've been here less than forty-eight hours."

Charlie spread his arms "And I've already become part of the family."

Athena laughed.

"Come on. We're getting breakfast."

Charlie immediately perked up.

"Breakfast?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"A diner."

He frowned.

"A what?"

Athena stared at him.

"You don't know what a diner is?"

"No."

She looked toward Millie.

"Does he know anything about America?"