Chapter One - Unexpected Additions
Normal POV
The Great Hall was buzzing with activity. It was roughly a week after the Sorting Ceremony, and breakfast was served. Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat at the Gryffindor table, laughing and rehashing the events of the summer. "Blimey, 'ermione!" Ron spoke around a mouthful of food. "'arry's muggles 'ere tryin' t' starve 'im!" Hermione, ever practical, rolled her eyes at Ron's antics.
"Honestly, Ron!" She snapped in exasperation. "Could you at least swallow before you speak?" Ron snorted, and a drop of gravy splattered against Hermione's cheek. In disgust, she wiped it off, muttering about idiots under her breath. Harry decided to intervene just as the doors to the Great Hall opened, halting all activity.
"Look!" Harry nudged Ron and Hermione, seated on either side of him. Six students in various types of dress were following closely after Prof. McGonagall. McGonagall stopped briefly in front of Dumbledore, speaking in hushed tones. The Headmaster nodded, extending a hand. Filch, grumbling under his breath, brought the tall stool forward, setting the Sorting Hat down on it. Hermione tipped her head.
"The have to be new students! But... they've arrived a week after the Ceremony. Hogwarts: A History never mentioned anything like this happening in the past!" Ron rolled his eyes in response, and Harry managed half of a smile, adjusting his round glasses. Right when he was about to reply, McGonagall clapped her hands.
"May I have your attention, please!" She waited until the excited murmurs faded before speaking. "Joining us from today are six additional students!" The students in the Hall erupted with questions and exclamations, the clamoring din rising until Dumbledore stood, raising his arms and calling for silence. When the noise descended into quiet once again, he nodded at McGonagall, reseating himself to watch the proceedings.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, these six have come to Hogwarts. They will be Sorted into their respective Houses today, and I expect all of you to treat them with UTMOST respect!" The woman cast a stern glance at several students. Satisfied that her admonishment was taken to heart, she beckoned the students up. Hermione smiled excitedly, turning her head to look briefly at Harry over her shoulder.
"These students, before coming to Hogwarts, were enrolled in other schools of Magic. As a result, their pets are different from what we have allowed at Hogwarts. Due to their late enrollment and unprecedented situations, they will be permitted to keep their creatures." A general grumbling from the student body filled the Hall, and McGonagall raised her wand to the ceiling, darkening the bewitched sky until the sound ceased.
"From Japan, we welcome the twins, Rin and Mei Kurosawa." The Professor smiled as the twins, holding hands, bowed low, their miko robes flowing from the motion. Standing straight again, they blinked in unison, brushing their black hair out of their faces. Their red eyes scanned the tables, their faces pale from anxiety. Harry noticed their hold on one another tightening.
"From Scotland, we welcome Coira Lusk." The next student stepped forward as the twins stepped back. She stood straight, her chocolate brown hair falling to her waist. The long braids framed her face on either side, and her bangs parted to reveal a thin scar on her forehead. Purple eyes coolly appraised the crowd, her face blank of emotion. Seamus Finnigan jerked in his seat momentarily, and Ron shot him a confused look. The boy shook his head as his eyes strayed back to Coira. There was a tangible air of mystery about her, and she seemed untouchable, radiating an icy aura. In one hand was a box wrapped in cloth, and in the other arm, a griffin rested its head against her shoulder. Her eyes rested on Seamus momentarily before she gave a single nod, stepping back into line.
"From Spain, we welcome Javier Lucian Valerio Cortez." Professor McGonagall coughed slightly after Javier's name, unused to the Spanish pronunciation. A boy dressed all in black came forward slowly. His hair was long, hanging down to the bottoms of his shoulder blades, and a dark brown. Brown eyes scanned the crowd, never lingering too long in one place or one person; he swallowed hard, and his lips pressed tighter as he drew back in line, his bangs hiding his eyes.
McGonagall cleared her throat, drawing the attention of all the students back to her. "From a village near London, Vida Blacktree joins us." A bounce in her step, Vida stepped forward, her blonde bob swaying. Eager green eyes searched the tables, landing on Harry. Her eyes widened, inhibited slightly by the strange scars beneath her left eye, and a grin broke out on her face. She waved energetically at the occupants of the Great Hall, beaming, and stepped back in line.
A snort echoed through the room, and Vida's head whipped around to look at the last student, hostility crackling in her aura. The sixth student strode forward, already marking herself as different. "From America, we welcome Mari-" Mari raised a hand sharply, cutting off the Gryffindor Head. McGonagall's lips pressed tightly together in blatant disapproval, but let the girl do as she wished.
The American flipped her hair behind her ear, her mocha skin glimmering under the enchanted sky. Golden, catlike eyes appraised the different Houses, resting on Harry, much like Vida's had. However, where Vida had shown excitement, Mari showed hatred. Darkness covered her aura for a split second before she plastered a cloyingly sweet smile on her face, dipping into a strange curtsy in her tight jeans. She glared at Vida as she swept back into her place.
The Sorting Hat looked up and began to sing its raspy welcome song for the second time in a week. When the melody faded, McGonagall beckoned to the twins. As one, they stepped up towards the stool, but released each other when the professor shook her head. While one stood back, the other walked forward, standing tall and alert, and seated herself on the edge of the stool. The Sorting Hat descended.
"Ah, wonderful, wonderful!" Its gleeful voice rang out, filling the curious silence, and the girl jumped slightly. "Hmm, I can see many things inside your head, girl. A distant land, your sister," the Hat inclined slightly towards her twin, "and many admirable qualities. I can tell that you've got fire, Kurosawa Rin, determination, and a desire to prove yourself." Harry exchanged a glance with Ron and Hermione, the Hat's assessment triggering the memory of his own Sorting. "Let's see... GRYFFINDOR!" The girl sighed in relief, glancing at her twin with a reassuring, yet slightly troubled, smile. She took a seat at the end of the House table, and the Weasley twins welcomed her, slipping a joke balloon into her hands. She thanked them with a smile, then turned back to watch her sister, anxiety in her eyes.
"The other half appears." The Hat sounded highly amused, but intrigue entered its tone when the brim touched her hair. "Kurosawa Mei. I've heard about you." The girl stiffened under its revelation. "Yes, yes! I remember it all, girl. Your mother would be most proud of you. I know just what to do with you! SLYTHERIN!"
Rin gasped. Harry turned his head to look at her, and was shocked to see tears in her eyes. Mei's pet, a small, sinuous black dragon, purred, rubbing its head on her cheek, sensing her distress. Her shaking hands were her only companions as she walked slowly to the Slytherin table. Pansy Parkinson scooted over, clearing a spot, and the girl took her seat, gazing blankly at the table. Tracey Davis spoke quietly, and a brief smile lit up the twin's eyes before all attention went back to the Hat.
Without any reaction, Coira ascended to sit upon the stool, closing her eyes briefly as the Sorting Hat dropped on her head. "Hmm... interesting... very interesting. I can feel the power in your veins, girl. Such a mix! Potent, and full of curiosities. I do wonder." The Hat mused, and Coira fidgeted, a grimace on her face. "Ah, you wish me to choose quickly? Does my rambling unnerve you, girl? Hmph. Let's see... RAVENCLAW!" With a silent sigh of relief, the Scottish girl moved to her table, perching gingerly on the edge. Her eyes darted to Seamus before she stroked her griffin affectionately, murmuring to it.
The boy from Spain approached the stool hesitantly, nerves in his figure. The Sorting Hat spoke before the brim touched his head. "Dear me, boy! How long it's been since I encountered such blood! You ought to have been placed last year. Such power in you, and a desire to please one important to you. A thirst for knowledge, I see, and strength. You've got the qualities fit for only one House, boy! SLYTHERIN!" Almost flipping the Hat off his head, Javier darted to his table. The Hat grumbled moodily as it straightened up.
Vida bounced up to the stool, her smile bright. "Blacktree, Blacktree, give me a spell, to break a single curse most foul." The Hat chuckled somberly. "I remember your mother, and your father, Blacktree. Admirable wizards who met a tragic end." Vida's eyes were hidden beneath her bangs at this point, and her smile had disappeared. "There is such determination in you, child. A dedication to your memory, and a secret to be revealed in time." Harry glanced at Hermione, askance; she shook her head, listening intently to the dialog of the Hat. "A family lacking blood, but happiness forging bonds. A ferocious spirit and fiery resolve that can only be placed in... GRYFFINDOR!" Vida sighed in relief, a small, but troubled, smile blooming on her face. She bounded over to her new House, nestling by Rin and taking her hand, whispering in her ear. The Japanese girl broke into a smile.
The Hat changed character when Mari seated herself on the stool. "What a history you have, witch. And a future to beat the past." Mari frowned severely, her golden eyes narrowing dangerously. "But wait, child. There is potential, a dark thirst for power, a longing for glory that you were deprived of. A hatred that is deeply rooted in your heart, and admiration for one that has come before on your path." The Hat sighed, but continued confidently. "SLYTHERIN!"
Mari smirked, striding haughtily to her table, and seating herself opposite Mei, who bristled slightly. She stroked her pet, Astaroth, as Mei's dragon, Ryuu, hissed, sensing his mistress's anger. A predatory gleam in her eye, she leaned forward, whispering. "And so it begins."
A/N - A.T. here. I thought it was fitting to upload this again, considering I've finished the second chapter and can post that as well. :) I'm sorry for the sudden transition, and I hope you'll forgive me. In the meantime, enjoy my version of the HP series, re-written with new characters. I'll try not to make it OOC, but some needs to be done. Please tell me what you think as we go. :D