It's a new story. Yes, I know I should be updating 'Ragnarok,' but what can I say? My muses bit me. I think that it had something to do with 'Paradox of Existence' by DragonLight. Good story, check it out if you don't mind slash. Oh, yes that reminds me.

WARNING: will contain slash, although maybe not between HP characters. Do not flame me if you choose to ignore this warning.

DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling, Warner Bros, and Scholastic. I had absolutely nothing to do with their creation. Ryo and Seiji are not mine; I merely borrowed the characters and twisted them a bit. Any other characters and/or things from their particular anime belong to whoever dreamed them up. I claim no credit.

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Dark Fire and Spirit Shadows

When Harry boarded the Hogwarts Express for his fifth year of school, he was more than a little confused. This had been the most uneventful summer that he had ever had. No house-elves, no horrible aunts, no gargantuan tongues. It had been almost normal. Granted, there was still hostility from his relatives, but that had calmed down a lot since the revelation that Harry had an escaped murderer for a godfather. Aunt Petunia had even started to be nice to him. He wasn't sure what to think.

In the background, he could hear Ron and Hermione having another of their squabbles over really insignificant things, and he sighed in contentment. He was going home.

§§§

When they reached the school, Harry's first reaction was to scan the High Table for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He didn't see anyone new, but there were two empty chairs next to Professor McGonagall.

After the Sorting, Dumbledore stood up to make his usual speech. "As you may have noticed, there is no new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Your new teacher was notified rather late and had a great distance to travel, so it was assumed that he would be a bit late getting here. He will be here by tomorrow morning, I promise. Now, I know how you want your dinner, so I will be brief. In fact, I think that is all that needs to be said. Tuck in!"

Everyone immediately obeyed.

§§§

After the last of the desserts had vanished, Dumbledore again rose to speak. He was interrupted, however, by the Hall doors banging open. Standing in the doorway were two young men, both looking around in puzzlement. One of them consulted a sheet of parchment.

"Yeah, this is it, Ryo. We're here."

That said, both advanced on the High Table. The entire school watched them pass in silence. They looked dangerous. Everything from the knives strapped to biceps, forearms, and God-knew-where-else to the way they walked and carried themselves, screamed don't mess with me. Upon reaching the High Table, they bowed. Dumbledore smiled.

"Allow me to introduce Professor Dante, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, as well as Professor Sanada, the new Martial Arts Professor!" The two bowed again, this time to the school.

Murmurings had started throughout the school at this announcement. Martial Arts? What was that? Why was it being taught at Hogwarts? Wasn't it some kind of Muggle thing?

Dumbledore waved his hand for quiet. "In the light of recent events, we thought it wise to teach students how to defend themselves if they are ever separated from their wands. We are most fortunate to have these two men as our guests. They are ranked as the best in the world, and I would advise you not to antagonize them. Such actions may have painful, even fatal consequences. Thank you, gentlemen." The two teachers moved to sit at the empty chairs, apparently not noticing that the eyes of every student were following their every move. "Now, Quidditch tryouts are to be held...."

Harry stopped paying attention to whisper with his friends. "Who are they? Do you know anything about them, Hermione?"

"No, my family doesn't follow martial arts, but did you see the way they looked at everything in here? They looked all around the room, exits, hazards, occupants....I wouldn't be surprised if they were trained as soldiers."

They heard a sudden increase in the activity level. Evidently, Dumbledore had just dismissed the school.

"Come on, Ron, we have to lead the first years!"

"Hey—you! All Gryffindor midgets over here!"

"Ron!"

As Ron and Hermione began yet another argument, Harry looked back up at the High Table, to find Professor Dante looking at him with a quirked eyebrow. Hastily, he looked away and began making his way out of the Hall.

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Well, like it? hate it? Should I bother continuing? Review, please!