Transfer of Magic
Adorned with the golden number 7, stood a plain house, looking like any other on the street. Red-brown brick in need of a clean, red shutters framing the windows, a cookie cutter porch and a single car garage made the house look benign. However, this house, unlike the ones around it, was not completely dark, as one would assume a house should be at midnight. A bright light shone out of two windows on the second story. These lit tiny puddles of yellow glow onto the grass in front of the home. A tall girl sat curled up in a chair in front of a softly humming computer. The monitor cast a pearly white glow onto the girls face, washing her out slightly. She had her curly dark brown hair pulled into a lose pony-tail at the nape of her neck, revealing her slightly pointed ears. Her almond-shaped eyes peered intently at the screen, the gold-green of their depths glittering in amusement from behind black semi-rimless glasses. Her rounded nose sat just above sculpted pink lips, turned up in a half smile. She wore a simple brown tee-shirt, with the words "Queen of Rock and Roll" scripted on the front in gold cursive, and a pair of black shorts. One of her long legs was curled up underneath her, and the other brushed the creamy carpet beneath her feet. Her nimble fingers stroked the keys, an uneven clicking sound arising from them. Every once in a while, she would pause, and wait, before resuming her clicking away at the keyboard. There came a short tapping at the window, startling the girl out of her reverie. She immediately drew away from the pane of glass beside her, her ears perking up, listening intently. However, she relaxed the next second. Opening the window carefully, she drew a small owl inside. The owl dropped a yellow envelope into her lap before taking up residence on the top of the monitor. She picked up the parcel, reading the address written in neat English, her smile returning to her face.
Umimare 'Umi' Kagamine
The Lit Bedroom
Little Winging
Surry
Umi slid her finger under the wax seal on the back, careful not to disturb the lovely indent of a raven, a badger, a lion, and a snake, all inside an ornate shield, that was pressed into the dried wax. The letter inside, written on thick parchment, read thusly.
Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Kagamine:
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in England. The list of supplies has everything you will be needing for your school year. Supplies can be bought in Diagon Alley, situated behind the Leaky Cauldron. The Hogwarts Express leaves Kings Cross September 1stfrom platform 93/4. We will be expecting your owl no later than August31st.
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Minerva McGonagall
"The same letter that Yuugi-chan got." Umi mused, glancing over the list of supplies that remained inside the envelope. "A wand...robes...cauldron...sounds interesting!" she voiced, folding the letter carefully, and placing it back inside the envelope. "Now I don't feel bad about forcing the Yuugi-tachi into that English-language class." Umi giggled. Just then, the computer let out a musical chime, and she returned her attention to the monitor.
XGameKingX:Anyway, Umi-chan, what are you doing up so late?
MirrorQueen:I couldn't sleep...homesick, I guess, but at least I wasn't woken up by the owl...only startled.
XGameKingX:Yeah, we miss you back home in Domino. You said owl? You got a letter to, then?
MirrorQueen:Yup, same thing yours said.
MirrorQueen:Are you going?
XGameKingX:Yeah. Should be fun.
XGameKingX:Yami wants to talk
XGameKingX:Hello Umi-san. Having fun at your cousins?
MirrorQueen:Hey Yami-kun, Yeah, but I miss the gang
XGameKingX:And we miss you, but I digress-Did you sense any odd magic on your letter? Yuugi's is radiating a new, weaker, type of magic
MirrorQueen:I felt a small change in the air, and my item is glowing and flashing something fierce
XGameKingX:The puzzle did that too. Is she awake?
MirrorQueen: She fell asleep a while ago...but I could get her for you...
XGameKingX: I...no, we'd rather you didnt. She's not a fun person when you wake her.
MirrorQueen: Thank Ra. I really didnt want to be on the receiving end of that ever again
MirrorQueen:Hey, Yami-kun, Yuugi-chan, I'm going to try to get some sleep. I need to book a ticket to London tomorrow to get everything.
XGameKingX:Goodnight Umi-san...or is it good morning?
MirrorQueen: Both maybe? Goodnight yourself, by the way.
Umi clicked off her computer, and turned to look at her item, still glowing faintly on the desk. She picked up the Ankh by its cord, and it quieted. Glaring at it, she hung it around her neck "Stupid hunk of gold." she complained. The owl hooted softly from its perch. "Oops, sorry owl!" Umi exclaimed. She grabbed a slightly crumpled piece of notebook paper, and scribbled a quick reply, before tying it to the owl's outstretched leg. The owl flew in a circle around Umi's room once before it passed through the open window and into the night sky. Stretching, Umi closed her window before flopping onto her bed, clicking off the lamp sharply. The darkness consumed the room, blurring the things inside as the hum of the computer quieted and faded away.
Umi stared blankly out the window of the train, eyes glazed over.
|Where did that note say to go?| an ethereal voice chimed through her head.
-| Diagon Alley. I have to find some Leaky Cauldron tavern...pub...hotel place...|- Umi responded in a bored voice.
|Why do I get the distinct feeling your not enjoying this trip at all?| the voice asked, exasperation floating through the words.
-|Mare, just shut up|- Umi snapped. -| Your not helping- you're just me a headache|-
Mare made an annoyed sound, but retreated into her Soul Room. There was a loud clatter as the train jolted to a stop not five minutes later, causing Umi to bang her head up against the Plexiglas window. "Fuck!" she swore loudly, rubbing the spot, which was rapidly turning pink. |Are you alright?| Mare's musical laughter served to annoy Umi more, for she stormed out of the train, a scowl firmly pasted on her face. -| If your not gonna help look, go to your soul room and shut up|- Umi suggested rudely, looking side to side for the Leaky Caldron. |Is that it, next to the book-store?| Mare offered, pointing a ghostly finger at a grubby little building with a wooden sign hanging over the door.
-| That very well could be it...|-
|Well go in then-We don't have much time before term starts, and we need to read all those books!|
-|Why on earth would we do that?|-
|Because I want us to be the top student there. I LIKE being the best|
Umi scoffed, but said nothing. She entered the grimy pub, wiping her hands on her jeans after she closed the door. |Eww, I don't even want to know what was on that handle to make it so sticky...| Mare groaned, giving the door a disgusted look.
-|Lets read the list over, and then we'll ask someone about Diagon Alley|- Umi said, standing out of the way, and glancing over the book list.
Uniform:
1. three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for daily wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
5. One set of dress robes (to be worn at formal occasions) Please note that all pupils' clothing should carry nametags.
Course Books : All students should have a copy of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
By Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic
By Bathilda Bagshot
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration
By Emeric Switch
One Thousand and One Magical Herbs and Fungi
By Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions
By Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
By Newt Scamander
Other equipment:
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, stander size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owlORa catORa toad
|That there is one long school supply list|
~Break~
After a trying afternoon of getting books, -"Damnit! I left my money bag behind"-, selecting robes, "Gah! You stuck me again!" and picking out cauldrons, -| No, you may not send the salesman to the shadow realm|-...-|I don't care how annoying he is|-, Umi had reached the whole reason she had wanted to come in the first place. The wand shop.
She pushed open the door, making the little bell chime softly. The shop looked deserted, but she new better. Mare had told her she sensed the presence of a very ancient soul hiding in the back of the shop. "Come out, I know your there." Umi called. All at once, a short, balding man popped up beside her.
Umi paused, taking in the magical aura flowing off of him-he was only about 2000 years younger than Yami or Mare were. -|I'm slightly impressed...|- she breathed. Mare scoffed. |He has nothing on me. Besides, I'm stronger than he'll ever be.| she boasted. "Welcome to my shop. Here for your first wand, I presume?" He asked, a tape measure snaking around her waist. Umi glared at it, and it backed off.
"Yes, I have come to purchase my wand." Umi answered. She was still slightly annoyed, even as she was taking a slender box (Beach, 14 inches, dragon heartstring, whippy) as it was pushed into her hands. Inside lay a small stick she assumed was a wand. "Give it a wave." the man said impatiently. She compiled, giving the tiny stick a skeptical glare. The glass in the window shattered, spraying all over the wooden floorboards. "No...definately not.." the old man said in a choked tone. This pattern continued through several wands, before the old man paused, and saw her ankh.
Quickly, he turned about, and headed to the back of his shop. "Here. Try this." he said, handing her a box that was easily a yard long, if not longer. Out of this pale silver box, she drew a white-wood staff. "White Maple, 3 and a half feet, unicorn tail hair and golden phoenix wing feather, supple." The instant Umi took the wand, she felt warm and safe. She waved it, and the window repaired itself, good as new. "Yes, that would be your wand." the man said, removing the other wands. He saw her look of concern at the huge-ness of the object. "Don't worry about the size; it will change when you find it inconvenient for it to be so large. It's such an odd combination to. White maple and Phoenix feathers are not usually used together, you know." Umi only nodded, collecting her parcels, and heading out of the shop. "How the heck am I supposed to get all this home with me?" Umi groaned. |Get a room at a hotel someplace. You can go straight to platform 9 3/4 at the station in a few days| Mare suggested, pointing at a small 'muggle' hostel just down the street from the Alley. -|Thanks, I don't fancy a train ride at rush hour|- Umi said, dragging her packages to the small hostel, and renting a room for the night. She paid immediately, so she wouldn't have to return to the desk with her parcels- the woman behind the counter was giving her odd looks.
|Can I send this one to the Shadow-?|
-|NO!|-
|You spoil my fun, my hikari, really you do|
-|My life is complete...|- Umi said, sarcasm dripping from her 'voice'.
|Shut up, I really don't want to drown in your sarcasm|
Umi scowled darkly in return, sliding the key-card into the slot on the door. Upon entering the room, she tossed her parcels carefully into a corner, and flopped onto the bed, pulling the covers around herself.
-|Goodnight, Mare-chan|-
|Goodnight, my hikari|
Just before Mare fell asleep, she cast a bit of shadow magic at the light switch, throwing the room into sudden darkness. "Sweet dreams, love." she breathed, lying beside the tall hikari.
~Break~
The loud ringing of Umi's cell phone woke the pair at 7: 43 in the morning a few days later. Groping for her phone while keeping her head under the sheets was proving to be a challenge for the poor hikari. She tumbled out of bed, landing directly on top of the phone she had been searching for. |Are you alright, hikari?| Mare asked, concerned. -|Fine, but I'm going to kill whoever's on the other end.|- she snarled, picking up the annoying device. "Hello?" she growled "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today."A rich, lightly accented male voice joked. "Malik...I am going to kill you." she hissed dangerously. Mare felt bad for the phone-Umi was squeezing the thing so hard, it looked like it was going to shatter. "Calm, now, girl. I don't think you taking your anger out on your poor phone is the best idea, ya know." it was only then that Umi realized she was, indeed, taking her anger out on the phone. "Oops..."
"But don't worry; you can take all your anger out at me when we go to that wizard school together!" Malik chimed gleefully.
"How did-?"
"- I know? Yuugi called me last night, and mentioned you'd gotten the same letter."
"Remind me to kill the bugger." Umi joked; much less annoyed now that she knew she could beat on Malik later.
"Sure, I'll even help."
Umi smirked. "It would be a pleasure to have you along for the ride, Malik."
"Sometimes I don't understand why YOURE the hikari, Umi. The only time Mare is remotely evil is when someone wakes her up."
"I resent that-YOU hardly act like a light yourself, Malik." "
Hey, little adjectives like 'sane' or 'good' never really applied to me at all."
"Whatever Malik-You two are in Europe now, right? The train leaves today."
"Arrived late yesterday night, in fact. Saw our little Yugi-ou at the airport. He looked pooped."
Umi snickered. "I don't blame him, the time difference took me a week to adjust to."
"Well, I have to go-Isis wants to get going. She can be as scary as Mare sometimes."
"Alright Malik, see you on the platform." Umi closed the phone with a satisfying click. "Pack our stuff, Mare, We're going to wizard school!" she announced. Mare grinned, watching as Umi folded her clothing, and packed all her robes, instruments, and books neatly into her large trunk. Ten minutes later, Mare was watching a frustrated Umi attempting to close the trunk. "Close! Damn! Thing!" Umi grunted, jumping up and down on the lid. There was a click, and Umi quickly snapped the clasps before the thing could decide it wanted to snap open again. "THERE! Stay that way!" Umi shouted triumphantly, her long curls sticking to her forehead, held there with her sweat.
|Fix your hair before you go outside-you might scare people| Mare teased, sitting on the trunk.
Umi scowled, but walked off to shower and fix her hair. After a short while, Umi was wandering down the hall-way, dragging her trunk behind her, reading a small map.
|Where's the nearest place we can get breakfast?| Mare asked, reading over her hikari's shoulder.
-|Right by the station, there's a cafe-We can eat there, then at 10:45, we can go look for the platform.|-
|Sounds good to me-but don't they serve food here?|
-|I was gonna grab something if I felt hungry, but I don't, so I thought we should wait|-
|Whatever you like, Hikari|
-|Help me find a taxi, would ya?|-
Mare sighed. |Sure.|
She floated above the road, looking. |There, just down the road, there's an empty one, beside a taxi letting in a bunch of red-heads| Mare pointed. Umi started down the road, successfully hailing the driver. "Kings Cross, please." she said, handing the man some money. He nodded, helping her load her trunk into the back of the car. The ride to the station was relatively short, considering the amount of traffic on the roads that morning. "Thank you." Umi offered, dragging her belongings out of the taxi, and into the station. "Your very welcome, Miss." the man said, driving away.
-|Where's that cafe...?|-
|There|
-|Thanks Mare. What would I do without you?|-
|Get lost in 'muggle' London, I'm sure|
-|Oh hush up, that was rhetorical|-
Umi made her way to the shop, dragging her stuff behind her. They chose a small table in the front of the cafe, with a nice view of the street. A waitress passed her a menu, before bustling off to help another customer.
-|ooh look, they have fresh apple pie|-
|Trust you to go for the sweets|
-|Hush. They make good breakfast. However, I am going to have a small fried egg sandwich too.|-
|At least that's somewhat nutritious|
-|You got it!|-
"Are you ready to order?" The same waitress asked, standing beside her table.
Umi looked up. "Yes, Can I get a slice of Apple Pie, a fried egg sandwich, and a pot of Jasmine tea?"
The waitress, Joan, according to her nametag, nodded, jotting down the order.
"Your food will arrive shortly. Would you like the pie before the eggs and tea, or after?"
"Humm...before, please."
Joan smiled. "Alright, I'll have that out for you in a moment, then, miss."
Umi smiled at the large slice of pie that was set before her by Joan. "Thank you, Joan-san." she offered, smiling at the woman.
"Your welcome, young miss. Would you like cream for your pie?" Joan asked, holding out a small bowl of whipped cream.
"Most definitely." Umi answered, eyes gleaming.
Joan set the bowl down on the table. "The rest of your order will only take a few more minutes." she informed Umi, before wandering off among the tables.
|That looks good|
-|It IS good!|- Umi exclaimed, taking a bite of warm pie smothered in whipped cream.
|Don't make yourself sick, lo-I mean, light| Mare blushed pink
-|What were you about to say?|- Umi asked, giving the spirit a quizzical look.
|Nothing, don't mind me. I just forgot my English for a moment there| she covered
Umi shrugged, turning back to the table, on which Joan had placed a steaming pot of tea, and a fresh fried egg sandwich on artisan bread. -|Yummy!|- Umi cried, before tucking in to the lovely meal.
A while later, the darkness looked up at the clock. |Umi...| Mare said in a warning tone.
-|Yes?|-
|We have to go now, hurry and finish up|
-|Alright|- Umi had eaten all of her pie, and egg, but insisted she finish the tea as well. She guzzled the last cup, and left the money on the table.
-|Lets go to wizard school!|-
|Yes lets be off|
~Break~
(This is the only part of this chapter that will really have any of the usual Yugi-ou or Harry Potter gang in it)
-|Woahhhh...red|-
|That is one very red train| Mare agreed, feeling awe rising from her light.
-|Lets go find a compartment, the train leaves at eleven sharp|-
Umi lugged her trunk up a small set of steps, and entered the first empty compartment she saw. "Ugh!" she cried, lifting her luggage into the rack above her head. "That is one heavy trunk." she complained.
|Look there...that boy has an odd scar on his head| Mare said, pointing.
-|He's covered in an odd...shell of magic too...he must be special|- Umi agreed, looking pensive.
|HEY! Look, the Yuugi-tachi!| Mare cried suddenly, distracted by Yuugi's pointed hair.
Umi smiled, and waved out the open window. "YUUGI-CHAN! OVER HERE!" she called, catching the chibi's attention. He pulled on Malik's sleeve, and dragged Ryou and the poor blonde onto the train.
"Umi-chan, how have you been?" Ryou asked, sitting beside her.
"I've been great. I had a calm vacation over in Little Winging. Boring though-tons of cookie-cutter houses."
"Well, at least you didnt have to deal with insane blue-haired freaks." Yuugi complained. "They wanted to bring back some god or something. That's why I'm not having as hard a time adjusting as Ryou- I was over in America this whole time- less of a time difference, as far as I know."
There came a knock at the door of their compartment. Malik promptly stood, and pulled open the door. "Hello?" he asked, giving the two outside an apprising look.
"Hello there...um...we were wondering if we could maybe..." A black haired boy began, eyes pasted to the ground
"Could we join you? Everywhere else is full." the red-head beside him interrupted his companion.
"Of course, please, come in. I'm Umi, by the way." Umi called. Malik moved aside, allowing the two entrance. The red-head turned to Yuugi and Ryou. "Is their hair natural?" Yuugi and Ryou laughed and said that it was. "Nice to meet you, I'm Ron Weasley, and this...is Harry Potter." the red-head, Ron, introduced himself, and Harry. The hikari's said that it was a pleasure to meet them as well, except for Umi, who merely nodded, reaching up and fishing a book out of her trunk. Yuugi frowned at Ron. It looked like he had been expecting a reaction.
"Should we know who you are?" he asked, turning to the other boy, Harry
"I'm supposed to be famous." Harry shrugged. "I'm kind of glad you didnt freak out, you know. I've had that happen a few time already." he blushed at the memory.
Yuugi smiled knowingly. "Ahh fangirls and fanboys, huh? I get a lot of fan-personing too, I don't like it either."
"Yuugi's THE world champion at Duel Monsters. It's really popular in Japan." Malik spoke up.
"Who are you two?" Ron asked rudely, staring at Malik and Ryou, who had yet to introduce themselves.
Malik glared. "I'm Malik-don't cross me, or it might hurt...you."
"To counteract my Egyptian friends threatening statement, I am Ryou. In comparison to Malik, I'm a fluffy bunny." Ryou said with a smile.
"With sharp teeth..." Malik muttered under his breath, earning him a whack from Ryou.
"Only to you, Malik, and possibly to Bakura." Yuugi laughed, glancing at the pair.
"Bakura?" Ron inquired, looking about. "No-one here is called Bakura-You're Yuugi, he's Ryou, and he's Malik."
"He's our friend back home- he didnt get a letter." Yuugi covered quickly. Ron nodded, sitting. As he did so, there came a sharp rapping at the door. "Anything off the trolley, dears?" a plump woman asked, pushing a trolley loaded with sweets into view.
"We'll take the lot." Harry said, interrupting Ron's downtrodden "I'm all set," and, pulling out a handful of galleons, he proceeded to buy a bit of everything on the cart, and passing them out.
Ron's eyes were fixed on the large pile of gold, as it passed out of Harry's hands. The only one who noticed was 'Ryou', who also had been eyeing the gold. /Isn't that odd, hikari? Ron seems jealous of his friend there. / Bakura observed, allowing Ryou control.
/Maybe that was just a lot of money..?/
/Maybe, maybe not/
/Not everything is a plot or something, Kura. Relax, even Yami managed to do it./
"Be careful with those beans," Ron warned. "They say every flavor, and they do mean every flavor" Yuugi gave the beans a suspicious look, before passing them to Malik, who took one gleefully.
He chewed once, and then spat the bean into his palm. "I think...that was...diet soda..." he choked." Ron frowned.
"Honestly, that's not one of the worse ones in there, Malik. My brothers reckon they got a boogie flavored one once."
Malik shivered, and closed the bag. "How the heck do these people make money, if the food is so...repulsive?"
"Magic." Yuugi...or was it Yami? said with a grin. One could never really tell these days. The pharaoh had indeed mellowed out a lot since battle city. Bakura suspected it had something to do with Yami's confession to Yuugi. This thought got him a mental glare and an exasperated 'Kuraaa...' from Ryou, however.
"Would you like a sweet, Umi?" Harry asked, moving over to sit beside the brunette. Umi looked up from her book with a scowl. "What the hell do you want! I'm in a good part, too!"
Yuugi turned to Harry, grinning. "I should have told you not to bug her-she's totally out of it when she's reading. And her temper flares when she's interrupted."
"Sorry, I was just offering you a pasty..." he trailed off.
Umi frowned, then gave him a small smile. "Thank you for the...courtesy. If you would allow me..." and with that, she returned to her novel. The compartment was silent for the better part of an hour, before a bushy haired girl opened the door with a clack. "What can we do for you?" Malik asked, turning to face her.
"I'm Hermione Granger. Nice to meet you. Have any of you seen a toad?"
Umi glanced up. "Do you know its name?"
"Um...Trevor, I believe." Hermione answered, confused.
Umi stood, pointing her wand into the hallway. "Accio Trevor the Toad" she intoned. A few seconds later, a large, warty toad, flew into the compartment, and onto Umi's waiting hand.
"Here you are, one Trevor the toad." she said, holding the creature out to Hermione, who looked shell-shocked. Everyone else was either doing what they had been doing (this was Malik, Ryou, and Yuugi) or were staring at the girl in much the same way.
"How did you do that? I thought you were muggle-born first years, since you didnt know about Harry Potter, but that's advanced magic for a first year!" Ron asked, covering his ears as Hermione squealed. 'Teach me!'
"I read ahead. If you want to learn, I'd say you should do the same." Umi said, bored already, and returned to her seat, and resumed reading her book, for the second time.
-|Stupid teenagers, interrupting me while I'm reading!|-
|Lest you forget, you're a 'stupid teenager' yourself|
-|I was never that dumb-I'm happy you want to be the best, I want to show these wizards the right way to learn|-
|As in, actually reading the textbook before school?|
-|Exactly!|-
|Most people don't do that...|
-|Obviously, they ought to.|-
|Yes, apparently...|
"Who are you?" came the voice of the girl...Hermione.
Umi glared. "I should kick your ass for interrupting me. I would like to read my book."
"Umm...Umi, ass kicking should be kept at a minimum, unless you want to endanger your book..." Yuugi called.
|What is it with you and taking your anger out on innocent objects nearby?|
Umi glanced at her book...and found that she had torn a few of the pages. "Damnit!" she shouted, carefully placing the book back into her trunk, marking the page. "I'm Umi, and if you don't want me to harm you, I think you should leave."
Hermione skittered out of the compartment quickly, and they returned to their silence.
~Break~
When they began closing in on Hogwarts, Umi dragged her trunk to a separate compartment to change into her robes.
"See you at Sorting." she called out, closing the door carefully.
|I wonder which house we'll get into?|
-|I don't mind, as long as it's not the same house as that Hermione girl|-
|Perhaps Hufflepuff? Or Ravenclaw?|
-|Gryfindor...doesnt sound appealing, and Slytherin...has a bad rap, so those are out. Out of the other two...I'd say, Ravenclaw|-
|Yes, smart, so we'd be with peers, and the best place to study in peace. No prejudices between houses to deal with.|
-|Sounds like our kind of place.|-
|Now, to convince that hat...|
The train made a mechanical sound as they pulled into the station, stopping slowly. Umi left her trunk, flinging an extra cloak, one with a hood, around her shoulders.
-|We're here, Mare-chan. Hogwarts!|-
"FIRS' YEARS! OVER HERE!" a tall, bearded man shouted. She shrugged, going over to stand beside the growing line of wizard kids.
"Climb in, only three ta a boat, yell be getting ya first sight o' Hogwarts jus over tha ridge."
The teens clambered into the wooden boats, which immediately set off in a north-easterly course across the lake. The view of the castle was spectacular. The lights in all the windows cast gold onto the lake surface, and they glowed like gems from their place in the walls, Turrets reached up to brush the clouds, and the gates stood open and inviting. As they disembarked, Umi noticed a tiny boat-house on the water, with a covered flight of steps going down to it from the castle.
'Interesting...'
The large man led them up the steps to the door, where the first years waited impatiently for someone named 'Professor McGonagall. Umi assumed that this was the same woman who had written her the letter. Several first years were whispering among themselves about the sorting. The quieted when the imposing Prof. McGonagall entered, explaining some rules and what-have you, before leading them into the great hall. Umi swore she heard Hermione whispering behind her, and scowled. The Prof began reading out names that Umi really didnt pay attention to, until she heard 'Bakura, Ryou'. She watched his sorting, (Slytherin), as well as Malik's, (Slytherin), before her name was called; 'Kagamine, Umimare'. -Ah, two souls, just like that young Slytherin...Not as much ambition as the boy Malik, a thirst for knowledge from you both...I'd say"RAVENCLAW!-"
The Ravenclaws cheered, welcoming Umi to their table. The last of the first years were sorted, Yuugi to Hufflepuff, Ron and Harry to Gryffindor. Then the headmaster stood. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. There is a time for speech-making, but this is not it. I only have four words for you before we eat- Nitwit, oddment, blubber, and tweak."
And with that, food rose into the dishes, much to the amazement of the first-years. Umi smiled, and dug in with gusto.
After the last bites of food vanished from the plates, the headmaster once again stood.
"I would like to inform you all that the list of banned items, which can be found outside of Mr. Filch's office, has been extended to include fanged-Frisbees. Also, the Forrest on the grounds is strictly forbidden, as is the third-floor-corridor on the right hand side, to all who do not wish to die a painful death. Will the prefects please lead their first years to the dormitories? I bid you all goodnight."
The prefects, standing, called the first-years to them, taking them along the quickest route, informing them of little things ("These stair-cases like to change") and generally filling them in on need-to know information. They stopped outside the portrait of an eagle on the third floor. "Password is Egyptian." the prefect said, as the picture swung open to admit them.
"Boys dormitories are up those stairs, and to the left, girls, the same to the right. You will find that your belongings have already been brought up" he said, before turning up the steps himself.
Umi sat herself on her bed, the curtains on her new four-poster bed closed tightly, while she held a conversation with Mare.
-|That was a wonderful meal|- Umi said, contented.
|Yes, it was. Aren't you excited to start classes tomorrow?|
-|I'm ecstatic|-
|I can tell|
-|I only wonder what I'm going to do when I finish my homework early|-Umi said with a grin.
|I saw you looking at that boathouse-we should explore the grounds if we have time|
-|Then it's a date, Mare-chan|-
Mare blushed. |A…date...?|
-|Are you blushing? I knew you liked me!|-
|You knew!|
-|Of course, I'm not dense, Mare, no matter how stupid I act.|-
|Do you..?|
-|I'm only bringing this up now, because I finally figured out how I feel.|-
|Umi...|
-|I love you too, Mare|-
|Umi...do you really mean that?|
-|Shut up and kiss me, damnit|-
And Mare complied.
~Break~
Umi wandered out of the dormitory the next morning wiping sleep from her eyes. As such, she didnt see the couple walking in front of her, whom she promptly stumbled into, knocking the girl over. The taller boy caught the girl by the waist, and set her upright. Umi, who had landed on her butt, stuttered an apology to the 6th year standing over her. Unconsciously, she flinched as he extended a hand to her. He instantly looked hurt. "Do you need a hand up?" he asked, holding is hand out farther. Umi blushed, and took the hand. He carefully pulled her upright, setting her on her feet again. The girl beside him grinned.
"Don't mind Alex, he's scary looking, but he wont hurt you." she teased. "I'm Sinead, 6th year. Welcome to Ravenclaw."
Umi smiled. "I'm Umi, it's nice to meet you Sinead, Alex." she said, brushing off her robes. She gave the pair a cursory glance. Sinead was tall, not nearly as tall as Alex, but still a bit taller than Umi. She had cropped purple hair, and pale purple eyes. She was wearing the uniform set of robes, and a pair of designer boots with pale white leather tops, and ebon soles. Alex was tall, even for a 6th year. He had tanned skin, black hair that brushed the tops of his ears, and dark brown eyes. He did not wear the uniform robes. Instead, he wore a pair of black pants, and a tight fitting blue robe with a red and gold Chinese dragon detailed on the back.
"Won't you get in trouble for wearing that outfit?" Umi asked, admiring the dragon on the back.
He shook his head. "The teachers like me, they won't tell me off." Sinead held back a laugh.
"No, Alex, it's more like their afraid to tell you to change." she teased. "You don't only scare first-years, you know."
"I wasn't scared!" Umi protested. "I was startled, is all!"
Instantly, the hurt look that had remained on Alex's face turned into a huge, glowing smile, which Umi immediately likened to the sun. Sinead, noticing the change, grinned, and, catching Alex's hand, announced. "We're going to breakfast, Umi!" and Umi followed after the two, giggling. Their head teacher passed along the schedules during the breakfast hour.
"We have classes with the Hufflepuffs." Sinead said from her right, looking over Umi's list of classes. "You're going to see Prof. McGonagall first, then Prof. Sprout, then Prof. Snape -he hates everyone but his own house, tread carefully with him- than Prof. Quirrel, and then Prof. Binns, then at the end of the day, the care of magical creatures Prof...I can't recall his name." She informed the first year, pointing out the teachers at the head table. "Lunch is after Defense, and Dinner is after CoMC." Alex added from her left, scooping eggs onto his plate. Umi nodded mouth full of toast. Then she smiled, and looked over at Alex.
"Thanks Alex-kun." she said. "And to you too, Sinead-chan, for helping me."
"No problem, we were first years once, we understand your disoriented and way out of your element here." Sinead said, hugging Umi. Umi giggled, and hugged her back.
"Join the hug, Alex-kun!" Umi said, laughing as he enveloped the both of them in a huge bear-hug. The teachers stood, and the students were told to go to their classes. Sinead and Alex went one way together, and Umi walked the other way to her Transfiguration class. She was the first person in her class to transform the matchstick into a needle-on her first try, earning her house twenty points. After that came herbology, outside in the greenhouses, where they studied the various magical plants inside. Here she had a chance to talk to Yuugi.
"Yuugi-chan, how did you like Transfiguration?" she asked, looking over her plant she was drawing.
Yuugi looked up from his picture. "I like it. Congrats, by the way, on your needle."
"Thanks. Mare wanted us to be the best student here, and I would have studied before anyways."
"I'd expect nothing less from she-who-beat-Yugi-ou-in-a-fair-game. Can I see your picture?"
Umi nodded, passing her sketchpad over. "I thought I did pretty well-I was always a fair artist."
Yuugi nodded, looking over the picture appraisingly. "It's pretty good, Umi-chan. But from where I stand, I can say you missed a leaf in this part of the plant...here." He said, marking the spot with his pencil. Umi took back the pad, and drew in the leaf. "Thanks Yu-chan." she said absently, grabbing her colored pencils from her bag. Yuugi returned to his art, and they lapsed back into silence. Following after was Potions, where they were bombarded with random questions by the pisssed off Professor, which ended up taking the whole class. By the time Defense was halfway over, Umi's stomach was beginning to protest the lack of food in her class. So she was relived when class was finally over, and she could run down to lunch. She spotted Alex and Sinead, and plopped herself beside them.
"Hello Sinead-chan, Alex-kun!"
Sinead grinned, turning to Umi.
"Hey there Umi!" she said. "How did your first classes go?"
"Fine, I earned us twenty points in Transfiguration!" she announced proudly, serving herself potatoes and chicken.
"Wow, great-I forgot to tell you about the house cup. Slytherin has won it every year, but if we try hard in Quidditch, maybe we can win it this year." Sinead said.
"I'm on our Quidditch team-beater." Alex said, taking a gulp of pumpkin juice. "If you ask me, I'd say we have a pretty good chance of winning this year. We had tryouts today, right after our first classes, and I was pleased with the talent that made it on the team this year."
"Alex is the team captain of our Quidditch team, Umi." Sinead said in a stage whisper. Umi giggled.
"I'm looking forward to History of Magic-I read the book, and it sounds interesting." she said, taking a bite of food. Sinead choked with laughter.
"Oops, I need to warn you- HoM is really just nap time, the teacher's a ghost, and he makes it so incredibly boring."
Umi frowned. "Why do they let him teach if he's a ghost?"
"We think its Dumbledore being kind to the poor man." Sinead said thoughtfully. Alex nodded his agreement. Umi 'humm'ed and pulled a book from her bag, her HoM text- and proceeded to read it again. "What the heck are you doing, Umi? I thought you said you read that already?"
"I'm reading it again so I can ask as many questions as possible-I want to wake that damn ghost up." her annoyed tone counteracted by the half-grin on her face.
Sinead looked puzzled, and looked at Alex, who shrugged. At that second, Ryou walked up behind Umi. "Umi-chan, reading your text books over again?" he asked, sitting beside her.
"Oh, hey Ryou, you're lucky I wasn't into this book yet..." she trailed off angrily. Ryou flinched.
"I'm glad you weren't...you're scary when that happens."
"Sinead-chan, Alex-kun, meet Ryou, my friend. We meet in Domino, Japan, our hometown." Umi said to the pair.
"Nice to meet you." they chorused.
"Nice to make your acquaintance. Umi-chan, I'll see you at dinner, I need to gather up some books from the library." and with that, Ryou vanished into the hall.
"I don't understand why that boy didnt make it into Ravenclaw...he sounds like grade-A material." Sinead wondered aloud.
"He's had...a darker past. It makes sense to those of us who know him."
Alex and Sinead looked at each other again, shrugged, and resumed eating.
-|I wonder what he wanted...That was a hint for us|-
|Maybe there's an issue with Bakura? The thief might have been an arse, koi.|
-|That could be it...but...|-
|We can ask him later
-|Yes. We will surely do that|-
|Are you worried?|
-|Very. It's not like Ryou to come to me when he needs something.|-
|Yeah, one would think he'd go to Malik-they're even in he same house.|
-|I think we should...investigate the other Slytherins|-
|You think they might be the cause?|
-|Face it, Ryou has an issue with attracting bullies.|-
|The thief would-|
-|Ryou wouldn't let him do anything to them, he's to kind|-
|That will be their downfall one of these days|
The teachers at the head table stood, and the students moved away for their classes. Umi, pretending to be absorbed by the book, waved absently to Sinead and Alex as she walked to Prof. Binns class.
It proved that Umi's plan failed, because the Prof. ignored (or simply didnt see) her hand, so she spent the entire class napping, or reading the textbook over again, which was less boring than listening to the teacher drone on. The class passed slowly, but eventually, Umi shook out her legs, which had fallen asleep, and trekked down to the CoMC class on the grounds. As the light dimmed, and the sun set behind the forest, casting a variety of reds, yellows, oranges, pinks and purples into the sky, the first year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws hurried into the castle for dinner.
Sitting in her dormitory late that night after completing her homework, Umi picked up her drawing pad, and pencil, and sketched out people, places and things she'd seen that day.
|I love your art, Umi|
-|Thank you...did you know that you were the first person I drew?|-
|Really? I'm honored that you chose me| Mare said with a smile.
After a few minutes, Umi set her sketches aside with a sigh.
-|I'm going to bed, Mare. Oyasumi|-
|Oyasumi, koi.|
Umi drew the curtains shut around her four-poster, and snuggled under the blankets