Shortly after Dumbledores' death, his will is found. In it he states that the only way they could stand a chance against Voldemort and his lackeys, is to unite the various wizarding communities throughout the world. He mentions how they should unite in friendly alliances as the combat the evil that is Voldemort. With the Ministry busy fighting back the death eaters, they have little time to build relations with the communities that have been so long ignored. So Hogwarts and the new headmaster decide to help build foreign relations by inviting students from other schools to spend the year and exchange knowledge. Many invitations were sent out across the globe with the school eagerly awaiting responses. Who will answer there call? So far only three.
(the first part is just candy for the imagination so bare with me)
Chapter 1a) The Storm Rider.
It was a storm of blue and purple colors. The Dark purple clouds clashing fiercely with massive blue spheres trying to penetrate them. White lightning exploded from the purple clouds. Shooting towards blue spheres, trying to grasp them. When one would be lucky enough to grab hold of one, it would attract the spheres and later repel them when they got to close. This mighty storm happened over the numerous clouds and even more numerous blue spheres in every direction you could look.
On occasion a vortex would appear swirling brilliant colors as if they were portals to another place. One particular vortex shown with such brilliance that it put the cracking lightning to shame. Out of this brilliant vortex came from which a small bodily figure traveling fast across the chaos. The object, which was small in comparison to the vortex itself and the massive blue spheres, was tossed around in this chaotic storm, lightning lashed out and threatened the intruder. But the bodily figure remained unharmed, and continued to be violently tossed around by the currents that ruled this strange dimension.
Not to far away from the tortured figure, a vortex opened. Not as willingly as some of the others had but instead looked like it was being forced open, the slowly growing portal shifted slowly to the right……then to the left…..trying to catch the figure as it flew closer and closer. Just when the figure had come within an inch of entering the vortex. A sudden blast of energy stopped the figure and hurled it violently across the never ending storm and right through a purple cloud. The lightning, angered by this intrusion grabbed hold of the object and hurled it through a vortex that readily opened.
Everything became quiet, as he left the chaos. The figure turned out to be a person who was clothed in a grayish cloak with a hood that covered his face and a large bag strapped to his back, along with the bag there was also a long hard case with, what looked like a stick protruding out of it.
Inside the portal was nothing but white nothingness. The person just floated there as if afraid to move, but slowly, ever so slowly, colors began to fade in to his surroundings. Vague at first, but gradually became detailed. Soon different shades of green could be seen, then trees, then a whole forest. The sky itself became bluer and bluer until white clouds and even birds became distinct. The ground beneath him became slowly more visible and more concrete. Not a thing stirred. Time was asleep for this event. The guest of honor was gently lowered to the ground. Closer….closer…..a little more….until finally….his feet had met the ground.
In that instant Time awoke. The birds began to flap their wings, the clouds began to drift, the forest creatures carried on with their business, and the ground……..moved.
Without warning the ground leapt from under his feet and the figure fell back, slamming hard on the ground as it sped up. The cloaked person slid across the slippery floor ,desperately grasping for something to hold onto. Finaly grabbing hold of an indent in the ground and held to it desperately. He looked around and discovered he was on some kind of moving object with a body of steel. Just as he came to the conclusion, a rod next to the figure blew hot steam with a violent screech to the persons side, A males voice cried in pain as he felt the heat through the hood on the side of his head. In searing pain, he let go, flew back violently and landed on his front unto a new set of hard steel. He was again sliding off the object he was on and dug his fingers into the metal for help and was rewarded with a deep indent. He hung on to the indent for dear life, trying to understand his situation. It seemed to him that he was on a moving vehicle. Again just when the figure has come to the conclusion, the man began to slip sideway through the crevice and over the edge of the moving steel box. He gripped with all his might but couldn't grab hold on. He fell over the edge.
The ground was moving swiftly, the rusty metal tracks looked like blurs blending neatly with the brown soil. A few inches above this moving soil was a pair of feet. The boy was clutching on a handle that was, conveniently enough, placed there for mechanics or engineers. He looked around, he knew he could hold on to the thing forever he needed to find a way in this thing. He spied a window that was half open not to far from where he was. Now if he could only get to it…..
Chapter 1b) Two Lasses, a rat and a ferret.
It wasn't bad in the cabin, it wasn't like the dungeons, so dark and damp that even the mice would hesitate to travel down there. It wasn't like the towers above low flying clouds, the sun was always shining there and at night the sun might as well shown because of the millions of stars visible in the clear sky accompanied by the moon. The cabin shook slightly from its movement.
Its not bad in here at all.. Thought a girl in the cabin. Her brother told her stories of these so called trains, none of which would have been classified as a good bedtime story. Her brother talked about uncomfortable cramming, barely enough room to breath. He told her about the uncomfortable seats and the unbearable grinding of metal upon metal.
She had been comparing the cabin t her home all day. She kept making up excuses, saying she was bored, but deep in her heart she knew she would miss home, even though she had been wanting leave that damn castle of hers for years now, and when that opportunity finally came she was happier than she could have been in a while but at the same time was sort of dreading it who knew what was out of the confines of her castle and lands around her. Who knew what her new school would bring her.
She put thoughts of her home in the back of her mind for now, and began to look out the window. Folding her arms and crossing her legs.
The girl was wearing a pair of black climbing boots, and a dark green skirt that barely covered the top of her knees. She wore a long-sleeved black sweater. Her skin was pale white and her hair went all the way to her waist. A small strip of white hair hung over her face as she pressed it against the cold window.
A small squeaking noise came from the luggage that heaped on the seat next to her. She groaned and turned to a caged rat on the very top of the heap.
"Willard! I told you!……were almost there so shut up! When we get there I can give you a decent meal. till then I need you to shut up and be quiet ". The mouse scurried to the edge of the cage and began squeak rapidly.
" Oh shut up you stupid rat….." at this the mouse leapt up and scurried, up, down, and across its cage squeaking till it drove the girl out of her sanity.
"OK! OK!" she yelled. She reached for a bag at the base of the pile. Carefully so as not to disturb the stable heap, she pulled out a bag of what looked like, brightly colored pebbles. She chose a green one and stuck it in the mouse's cage. The mouse quickly took the treat and scampered around playing with it, before huddling in a corner and began to eat it.
" There….that will keep you till we get there….no more till after that. If you keep eating those things you'll turn into one fat rat" The mouse ignored her comment and continued chewing happily on the treat.
Smirking the girl said "spoiled rat" and began stroking the fuzzy creature through the bars of the cage.
The compartment door slid open and a figure stepped inside. It was another girl, Caucasian, somewhat taller than the other girl. She was wearing jeans, a light blue t-shirt, and a long brown trench coat over the attire. Her hair matched her eyes. It was light brown and short. She also wore turquoise colored earrings. At first glance she looked like quite the tomboy. She was clutching something furry in her hands.
"I finally caught her! " She said as she held the struggling creature gently, yet securely so it would not escape again. After placing the struggling creature into a small purple bag and fastening it securely, careful to leave a small opening for air. "Now you stay there and think of what you've done!" she said rather sternly before turning to the other girl" I am so sorry she took your glasses" She said reaching in her trench coat pocket and pulling out a pair of square black glasses, and handed it to the girl, who took them with a slight nod. "You have to understand…ferrets are curious and mischievous by nature, and Skitter over here is rather of the more mischievous ones"
"Its okay" the other girl said putting on her glasses, "Willard over here is a handful himself also." She said pointing to the cage.
The other person laughed slightly, "well it seems that in the midst of this commotion I have failed to introduce myself, she extended a hand and said "My name is Martin, Martin Miggs" The other girl paused for a moment then shook her hand "Martin eh? isn't that a guys name?" The girl said still shaking her hand. Martin just shrugged, "yeah so what if it is? I kind of like it actually." She said smiling, " at least I wont be confused with any other chick." She paused for a moment. "What's your name then".
The girl straightened herself up and said, "My name is Chip Schlange, a pleasure to meet you".
Martin laughed a little. "Chip?, isn't that a guys name" she said with an air of sarcasm. Chip just tilted her head slightly and said " yeah so what if it is? I kind of like it actually?" They both laughed a little. The laughter died down soon, the only sound seem to come from the purple bag where the trapped ferret was in. It gave a soft bump as it tried to hop across the chair and onto the floor.
Martin thought to engage her in enlightening conversation. She wondered if Chip, like herself, received a letter asking her to attend this Wizarding school. Martin thought to ask chip if she knew what this school was and who was heading it? She was also going to talk to her and ask her if she found it disturbing that they were the only two souls on this train, not even an engineer to man the engines. All this she was going to talk about to Chip but something caught her eye. The mouse in the cage on top of the luggage.
"Chip…..is your mouse alight?" She asked with concern as she watched the mouse. Chip turned and jumped slightly. Willard the mouse was running around in circles in her cage, fast….so fast in fact she was a blur of brown and white.
"Oh no!" Yelled Chip grabbing the bag of brightly colored pebbles…."I gave her the wrong…." She didn't get to finish her sentence, Willard gave a long high toned squeak
Before coming to a direct halt and with a slight biffing noise collapsed on the cage floor.
"Oh my! Is she alright?" Martin asked concerned. Chip just sighed deeply. No….I just gave her a mouse treat that was caffeinated. She turned to Willard who was now snoring. "stupid rat….oh well hell learn his lesson soon enough."
Martin was about to comment on the situation when a large THUD interrupted her thoughts. "What was that?" Martin said. "It came from the roof" Chip replied. Martin went and opened the window wide open, and looked around. The train was coming to a large bridge soon. The bridge spanned over a large valley with a large river. Martin looked up to see what little that could be seen of the roof, but nothing was there. She turned and looked at the scenery for a bit before turning her back to face chip. As she turned her back she didn't see a figure fall past the window.
The robed figure leaped for the window and grabbed hold of the ledge. His Feet trying to attach itself to the side of the train, when that failed he tried to find leverage and eventually found it. A small indent on the side of the train. Now if he could only pull himself up.
Martin turned to her companion who had just come back from checking the hallways and other compartments. "Nothing." she said. The black haired girl went back to her seat and sat down ad began to wonder. "That sound must've come from the outside then." Martin closed the compartment door and sat down opposite of chip.
"Geze, do you think its weird that were the only two souls on this train?" Martin began "I meen…if it's a school were going to, where are all the students?"
Chip looked up from brooding, and responded in a monotone " Fair point." and began to stare into space again, lost in her own thoughts. Martin seemed to be doing the same.
A few moments later Martin looked up and said, " do you mind if I close this window? it's the end of August and its starting to get a little chilly." Chip just shrugged. Martin took that as a yes and without looking slammed the compartment window shut.
If they weren't within the confines of the sound proof train compartment, they would have heard the painful yell coming from outside the window. The figure wrenched his hands back in pain and tried to grab hold of the ledge again but failed, and fell
The cloaked figure fell from the train crossing the bridge, clutching his fingers in agony. He fell quite a ways before reacting to his situation( a yelp ) and splashing down into the rapid moving river below.
The girls began talking throughout the rest of the trip, each telling more about themselves. Exchanging stories and embarrassing moments. And eventually exploring the train. In one compartment they found some odd looking pentagonal shaped cards. Martin seemed surprised by the lifelike pictures. She was even more surprised when they began moving. Chip found the cards amusing and attempted to make a card house out of them. Soon Martin joined in and had a competition of who had the best card house. The task seemed impossible because of the constant jerking of the train.
Soon it began to turn dark, and the girls retired to their compartment…little did they know that their train ride was about to end.
Chapter 2a) Ambassadors
Minerva McGonagall sat at her desk, reading over books, that were really pieces of parchment tied together. Her desk was littered with them, and only a small part of the desk was vacant. On this vacant space lay 3 envelopes with three broken seals. Professor McGonagall seemed to glance at them quite often, as if the three envelopes were magically luring her gaze. A few minutes later the professor gave an annoying sigh, took her wand from her robes, and waved over the piles of parchment, which suddenly disappeared into thin air.
"How does one expect to get work done tonight, and at such troubled time," She said putting her wand away. She then turned to look at the letters, examining them with her eyes. She slowly picked up the first one and looked at it…..the letter was in the german language but the professor read it as if it were English. She read most of the letter quietly to herself, all the while keeping a stern face, but read the last sentence aloud. " We hereby grant the permission of our daughter Chip Schlange, to enter the Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry". She sighed, she had read the letters more than once….but she kept rereading them throughout the week.
"Dumbledore….I hope you know what your doing…." She said bowing her head. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
"Come in" Said the professor. The large oak door opened and a cloaked figure carrying a walking stick came through the doors." Good evening professor…" it said in a low and gloomy voice.
"Good evening Alastor…." Professor McGonagall then motioned him to come in and take a seat. Alastor came in and sat down and chose the least comfortable chair in front of the desk. Professor McGonagall let him sit down and placed the walking stick on the ground.
"Any news on the Ambassadors?" The figure said lowering his hood to reveal a face that looked as if it had seen the inside of a meat grinder (over exaggeration I was waiting to use that one! ). And a Large blue eye that was twice the size as the small and beady black one.
Professor McGonagall responded in a stern voice. " Can we not call them that…"
"Just calling them what they are…" Said Alastor, " and call me Mad-Eye…..ive taken a liking to that name lately…"
"very well then….Mad-Eye. The children are arriving tonight"
"All three of them then eh?……" Mad-Eye said. He lowered his gaze seemingly lost in thought for a moment, his magical eye transfixed at the door. " Its just like Dumbledore…" He stood up and picked up his walking stick, then reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a rolled piece of parchment. Courteously, he placed it slowly on the desk. "There's the list of Aurors that will be arriving early tomorrow, I spared no expense for the security measures." Professor McGonagall unrolled the piece of parchment and examined it. After a few seconds, she gave a face that stated cleary, "sparring no expense" was an understatement.
"Alastor! Hogwarts is a school! Not a garrisoned fortress!" McGonagall leapt to her feet still staring at the parchment. Mad-Eye merely look unmoved.
" I don't want to give the students an impression that Hogwarts is going to be attacked!" Mad-Eye just looked at her, and responded with a most foreboding voice " You know they're going to eventually."
McGonagall gave a slight nod. " Yes…I know that very well, but these young children deserve a normal school life. A school life without the interruption of Aurors running through the Hallways. Screaming bloody murder for even the slightest hint of an intruder." Mad-Eye smiled, and in doing so distorted his face entirely so it looked more like a grimace.
"You know my policy Minerva, "Constant Vigilance". As long as I am in charge of this schools security I intend to exercise that policy." The professor opened her mouth to argue more, but Mad-Eye just waved his hand in a reassuring fashion.
"Don't worry about it Minerva, half the Aurors on that list are just hear to help with the security measures, half of them will be gone by the time the students arrive.
At hearing this Professor McGonagall's complexion seemed to lighten, "Yes, these Aurors will be more than enough for security at the moment."
Mad-Eye shrugged and turned for the door. "Ill be going now…I need to prepare for when the ambassadors arrive."
"Yes please do, make sure they get here safely…" The professor said as Mad-Eye opened the door. "Yeah and ill make sure they are carefully scanned for dark objects…I wonder if Filch would lend me his thumbscrews….that will give me an intimidating look." Moody reached the door, but before he could open it. The Professor called his attention again.
"Alastor, these our our guests. Please treat them as such" McGonagall said with a reproachful tone.
Mad-Eye grunted. "Minerva, in Dumbledore's will it states that he wanted to have students from beyond our Magical Community. So that…how did he word it?" He thought for a bit then continued. " to enlighten our students that our magical word stretches beyond the bounderies of the norm. He then said in a very agitated voice.
"Well he couldn't have picked anybody better! Have you read the responses?" He said pointing to the three torn envelopes. Minerva rolled her eyes, she has read it more times than she could count.
One of them is from northern Germany, some isolated castle, and judging by there response it seems they were surprised our Owl's could even come near their castle. You should have seen that poor bird when he came back. It looked like he just finished delivering a letter to hells doorman . We don't know who were dealing with.
The second one is American, for heavens sake. An American Magicians Academy. The ministry hasn't been in contact with those blokes since they broke off from the ministry in 1812. And in their responsethey warn that various organization are after her for whatever reason. She could be the most good willed wizard in the world, but we don't need another group of enemies, we already have our hands full with Voldemort and his death eaters (McGonagall gave a slight cough at the mention of the name).
"And the last one……" Mad-Eye was searching for the words "The last one is from a place none of us have ever heard of before." Mad-Eye stared at McGonagall, he could see that the Professor knew what he meant. "And Heaven knows why his own people call him Storm Rider.
"I think ive made my point have I not." Mad-Eye said turning away. Minerva was about to argue, but was cut off once again by Mad-Eyes waving hand…"Ok, ok…." He said…"I wont use the thumb screws…" He grabbed the door and opened it wide, but before he could step outside Minerva spoke again.
"What security measures are you planning?…id like a detailed report on my desk by tomorrow morning."
"Ill get on it" Mad-Eye said. "But here's a little preview." Minerva listened intently, waiting for his words.
"Dragons" he said, finally stepping out and shutting the door behind him.
Professor McGonagall sat back down on her chair aghast, and began massaging her pounding temple.
Hogwarts….
The train began to slow in front of an old fashioned train station. Vines grew on the walls of a building overlooking the station. The building looked old and was the only building in the area. In the misty distance however lights could be seen indicating a town.
The sun had already set, which made the light glow vibrantly through the mist.
With a final hissing noise from the train, the train stopped fully in front of four still figures. One of the figures towered over the rest. The figure next to him. The huge figure had to bend low to hear what the other was saying. He nodded and walked toward the door of the first compartment. He stopped in front of it waiting patiently. After a few moments his patience was rewarded. As the sliding doors opened and from them stepped out two lasses.
Martin stepped out first, dragging her luggage behind her. She stopped in front of the open sliding door. Obviously intimidated by the four men standing in front of her. (Especially the biggest one)
O voice behind her spoke, "What are you doing Martin? Move aside…." Martin did so not taking her eyes off of the four men in front of them. Chip followed carrying two bags in each hand, with Willard in a cage that she carried in one hand along with a suitcase. She stopped exactly at the spot where Martin had been before she stepped aside. A second of awkward silence came and was broken with a booming, hearty voice.
"Welcome t'eh Hogwarts!", The giant of a man said as he stepped closer revealing his face behind the mist. He had a rather scruffy beard that looked like it merged with his wild hair. His face bore that of welcome, and his eyes friendly. At his words the tension seemed to lift slightly.
"Hagrid…." A hooded figure on the far right of the group said with an amused voice. "Were not even at the school yet." The giant Hagrid, scratched his head. "….well……can't hurt to be early.." The hooded figure just chuckled lowly.
Martin and Chip were both speechless, not out of fear, or surprise, but of the simple fact that they didn't know what to say. Their voices returned however when the figure next Hagrid, lowered his hood revealing a very scarred face and a crazy looking blue eye. Chip raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to say something, but stopped half way thinking better of it, and kept silence.
Martin was the first to speak. " Um…..Hi?". The scar faced man stepped closer and nodded. Martin took it as a sign of greeting and was about to ask questions, but was interrupted by a raised finger. Taken aback, Martin looked at chip. She was too busy eying the giant for them to exchange glances. She sighed and looked back at the scar-faced man, who now held a black rod in his right hand.
He waved it over Martin going from the top of her head to the bottom of her toes, then back up again. After Completing this The Scar faced man turned towards Chip and did the same thing. He repeated this on both of them at least 4 times each from a different angle. Afterwards he gave an approving nod before saying; "There clean, not even the slightest hint……"
"Thanks Professor Moody." Grunted the giant impatiently. Alastor Moody turned to him and said sternly. "I told you I am no professor, at least not anymore." He shifted the staff in his hands. (which Martin and Chip just realized he was carrying.) " and call me Mad-Eye." He said, turning to the two girls. " Welcome friends." His voice didn't have a hint of friendliness in it. " Stop it Mad-Eye you'll scare em off" said the last figure. Mad-Eye gave a nasty growl and tucked the black rod into his jacket.
"It seems were a head short" Hagrid says in a monotone, though his eyes looked worried and strained. Mad-Eye turned in alarm and motioned to one of the figures to check the train. He turned to the two girls. "Was there anyone else in the train with you?".
Chip straightened and spoke. "There was no one else in there, we checked." Martin stepped forward and added; " We spent about an hour exploring all the different compartments. No one else was in there but us." Mad-Eye lowered his head and swore. The figure came back, this time his hood was lowered revealing a dark skinned face with an earing on his left ear. He was completely bald and spoke in a low toned voice. "Nothing"
Mad-Eye swore again. "Hagrid…" Mad-Eye said calling the giants attention. "Take these students to the school, well remain here …"
Hagrid Nodded and motioned for the two girls to follow him.
"Sorry bout all this." He told the girls "were a little tight on security at the moment, surely ya understand? With times such as these…." The two girls made ready to follow him as they clasped their bags securely.
"Oh! yeh don' have to worry bout that…well take em up for yeh" Martin and Chip looked at each other. They both shrugged and lowered there bags to the ground. Chip was extremely carefull not to wake Willard up. Afterwards they followed the giant. He led them past the train station and down a dirt path. They struggled through the muddy paths for a short time, during which Hagrid had tried to engage them in friendly conversation. He became particularly interested when Chip brought the subject of magical creatures.
"Their fascinating aren' they!" Said Hagrid in a loud, friendly voice. "I teach that very subject, Care of Magical Creatures! couldn't have asked for a better job! Dumbledore himself had said that…." a hint of sadness was clear in his cheery voice.
After a moment of awkward silence, the group made its way to the edge of a lake with numerous rowboats along the edge of the dark waters.
"Boats?" said a surprised martin. "Yeh.." replied an amused Hagrid. "you don' expect us to swim over there? ".
"What is there?"
"Oh! Hogwarts o' course! Right beyond the lake. Normally youd be able to see it from here but with this fog you'd be lucky to see two feet in front of yeh"
Hagrid led the two girls to the nearest boat and helped them in. Hagrid pushed the boats off from the edge and got in. Surprisingly, the boat didn't even budge when Hagrid got in. Chip whispered something to Martin about magic involvement.
The Giant pulled a paddle out from under his massive trench coat and began to row. The three of them began to glide across the lake. After a few strokes Hagrid placed the paddle back in his coat and the boat began to glide by itself.
"So…you used magic to move the boats" Chip said staring at the water. "Er…" Was Hagrids response.
"Not necessarily magic…" While chip was staring at the water, she thought she saw what looked like a tentacle, brush against the boat before disappearing. She jumped slightly and when asked what was wrong, she responded with a faint "nothing." Was it her imagination? Or did she actually see that.
After a few moments of sailing across the lake, lights made itself visible beyond the fog. After a few more moments the sailed right out of the fog into the clear night headed towards the opposite shore. Martins Mouth dropped. On the other side of the lake, stood a magnificent looking castle. She gawked at it a few moments and looked from Chip to Hagrid. Chip didn't look the least bit surprised but she also had an air of "ive seen better" around her. Hagrid was beaming however,
"Magnificen' aint it? This is where yeh guys will be livin and study'n for the whole term…."
Martin tried to respond but couldn't and instead, looked at chip, who stared back and said…"what? They don't have massive stone stone structures where you come from?"
b)
A few miles from there location, the cloaked figure pulled himself out of the rapidly moving river. Once out on dry sand he picked himself up. He was completely soaked from head to toe, including the huge bag tied around his back. He shivered slightly and bought his two hands together. He blew in it warming up his hands then pressed them tightly to his hooded forehead.
"Initan…" said a quiet voice from beyond the hood. A light appeared in the center of his folded hands and quickly spread throughout his body. Immediately his body was dry.
Looking around he spoke to himself. "Damn, curse….", "Damn you…." He looked at his surroundings. He was at the edge of a very thick forest. The trees reaching high into the air. After a few moments he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a black piece of paper. He held the paper at arms length, level to his eyes and touched the center with the tip of his index finger. A map slowly began to write itself in black ink.
After staring at it a few moments he looked up into the dense mass of trees that lay before him.
"The Forbidden Forest…." He said, putting the map away and sighing " That sounds pleasant. "
He decided to rest outside the forest noting that night traveling into some unknown wood called the forbidden forest was not a smart idea. He would wait till morning came then would attempt to cross the forest. Seeing as it is the quickest way to the his destination…Hoigwarts.
