Hi! I'm back with a new chapter! Hope you enjoyed the previous chapter XD. Tell me what you think! I'd love to hear suggestions. Enjoy! I'm jst uploading the chapters we've aready written right now. :)
CHAPTER 2- Keith POV
The train was… odd, for lack of a better word. The entire thing was bright red on the outside, which I appreciated; it was the same color as Red after all.
She's not even yours anymore you idiot, a voice in the back of my head whispered. I shook my head, clearing the thought from my mind. Okay, back on topic. The train was red, with smoke billowing everywhere, and the platform had seemed incredibly crowded with the sheer amount of people crammed onto it. And that wasn't even the oddest thing! The technology was primitive, though that might just be me being used to the Blade's tech. The compartment that Hunk, Allura, and I had been in was really tiny, so I was really glad for a chance to get out of it when Allura sent me to fetch Pidge and Lance. I… just... wasn't used to being around them anymore, which hurt more than it should've. I found them laughing with another boy around our age, and a pang of… something… went through my chest at the sight. Lance and Pidge both looked so… happy and relaxed with this boy...who had a scar on his forehead in the shape of a lightning bolt. I sighed. This was obviously Harry Potter, the so-called savior of the Wizarding World, and so I frantically shoved my feelings, instead opting for anger. Anger was easy. I didn't have to try to be angry, and if I tried enough, I could forget how I felt for just a little bit.
Mura seemed to sense how I was feeling and slithered over to Lance before climbing up his body, causing him to shriek. He's helpful like that. Not as intuitive as Red, but..I laughed at the scene before informing both Paladins that Allura wanted to go over stuff with them. They said goodbye to their new friend Harry, and followed me to our cramped carriage.
"So, what does Allura want to talk about?" Pidge asked, stretching their arms as we walked. Nice to see that certain things hadn't changed.
"She wants to go over everything, and she doesn't feel like repeating herself, so that's why I came to get you," I replied, hunching my shoulders a little at the chill of the train. I could feel it through my thick robes, which made me wonder how normal humans could stand it. I shot my hands a quick look, thankful for the gloves covering them.
"Okie! Sounds good to me! Let us go save our princess from the terrible fate of repeating the same thing twice!" Lance exclaimed, slinging an arm around my shoulder. I tensed. Like, full body tensed. Luckily Lance didn't notice. I forced myself to take a deep breath, and melted slightly into the touch. I calmly told my stupid brain that it was because he was very warm and I was very cold, so if my brain could kindly fuck off, it would be appreciated very much.
"Gayyyyyyy," Pidge snickered beside us, and I erupted into a blush as red as, well, Red.
"Fuck off Pidge. I'm not even out and I'm not announcing my sexuality to a whole school on the first day," I hissed, while Pidge just snickered and walked into the carriage that… was right in front of us. Damn, how long had I been zoned out for?!
"Oh, Keith, there you are. We were starting to get concerned," Allura said when we walked in. I pulled my robes closer around me, let Mura curl around my arm, and sat in a corner of the carriage next to Shiro.
"So, are we all agreed that we do NOT discuss anything to do with… Keith's mother's side of the family?" Shiro offered. Everyone nodded, and Lance frowned a bit at that.
"Wait… so, what if Keith turns purple while we're here?" he whispered, and I rolled my eyes at his question before shooting back, "That's why I have gloves, LANCE. I can quiznacking control everything else." Well, one reason I have gloves, but oh well.
"Exactly. And I've covered my markings with my magic, so that takes care of that. Now, Shiro will be teaching a class on Self-Defense, as I'm sure you all recall." Allura said, and we all nodded. "We are here because certain people wish to take advantage of the chaos that Voldemort has been causing."
"And no one believes that Voldemort is back!" Pidge jumped in while adjusting their glasses.
"Yes, thank you Pidge. Our goal is to thwart those mentioned before in their plan to take over."
I shifted a bit in my seat. "Actually, my goal is to gain information on why and how they are taking advantage of this chaos, and to stop Voldemort." Silence. I felt my distance from the team even more profoundly then I had before, and winced an imperceivable amount.
"That makes sense! If this Moldy-shorts or whatever is killing people then isn't it in the job description to stop him?" Lance said, breaking the awkward, tension-filled silence. I shot Lance a (rare) grateful look and stroked Murasaki with my fingers. Knowledge or Death. That was my job description, and, it had been so close. And I'd do it again. My hands started to shake slightly and I clasped them together, hoping no one would notice. Mura curled around my hands in a show of comfort, and I smiled down softly at him.
The train pulled to a stop right then, and Allura stood while grabbing her bags. "Time to go, Paladins. Remember, no one can know who we really are."
"Awwww we missed the candy cart!" Lance complained as he grabbed his trunk. "Yeah, got it Princess." Pidge and I both rolled our eyes and smacked him in response to his comment about the candy cart.
"There are things that are more important than your stomach, Lance," I grumbled, stalking out of the carriage before the other boy could reply.
"Come on, Keith! Lighten up!" I heard him yell, but I ignored him. Pidge quickly caught up to me even though they were carrying a huge trunk and a large duffel bag.
"You good? You seemed a bit… off," they ventured, blinking up at me. Shit.
"Yeah. I'm good. Just, you know, new school and all. The last one didn't end very well for me. Plus, you know my opinions on new people," I quickly replied, desperately praying that the Green Paladin dropped it. They did, and soon our little group was following the rest of the non-first years as we walked to Hogwarts.
"Oh! Lance! Pidge! Keith! You want to ride with us?" Harry's voice called. Our group all turned to look and found… Harry, a blonde girl, a brunette girl, and a red-haired boy in a wooden carriage pulled by… HOLY SHIT WHAT WERE THOSE DEAD BAT-LIKE HORSE THINGS?!
"Oh! Sure! Thanks guys! By the way, what are pulling the carriages?" Lance inquired, jumping up next to Harry. Pidge and I quickly followed suit, with Allura, Hunk, and Shiro deciding to take another carriage that was less full.
"I don't know. I've never noticed them before." Harry said, sounding confused.
"Are you guys bonkers? There's nothing there!" the red-head exclaimed, looking at Harry worriedly.
"No, I see them too." The blonde said. Her voice reminded me slightly of Allura's, a bit more musical than the norm.
"But… what are they?" Pidge asked, looking like Christmas had just come early. They loved learning about new creatures and technology, a passion shared only by Coran.
"They're called Thestrals. They're quite gentle, really… But people avoid them because they're a bit…" the blonde girl explained.
"Different," Harry broke in. I mean, I would have used a stronger word, but that worked too. "But why can't the others see them?"
"They can only be seen by people who've seen death," she explained. Oh. Well, that makes sense. A flash of Naxzela hit my mind and I stiffened. That wasn't what she meant, but still…
"Creepy," the red-head answered. The brunette was giving Pidge, Lance, and I suspicious looks, but I steadfastly ignored her.
Along the way, introductions were made. The red-head was Ron, the brunette was Hermione, and the blonde was Luna. I had a sneaking suspicion that Luna and I would get along decently; she seemed just as antisocial as I am, after all. I also found out that Luna was a Ravenclaw while Ron and Hermione were both Gryffindors like Harry.
After a few minutes of mindless chatter, Hogwarts came into view. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the massive stone castle. It was sooooo beautiful.
"Magnificent, isn't it?" Harry commented. I found myself nodding dumbly in shock. We were lead into the castle and into a huge hall with four freakishly long tables.
"Mr. Kogane, Mr. McClain, and Miss Holt, I believe?" a tall, severe-looking older witch queried as she approached us. Lance opened his mouth to correct her on Pidge's pronouns, but Pidge merely elbowed him into silence.
"That would be us," they answered. The witch nodded before extending her hand to us.
"Hello, I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, head of Gryffindor House. Since you three, along with Mr. Garrett and Miss Heiwa are transfers, you will still be Sorted, only after the first-years. If I could ask you to follow me to a place to wait, we can get this ceremony underway," she said before turning around and walking away. The three of us followed after her.
"Ah, Keith, Lance, Pidge. We were wondering where you three went!" Allura called when she saw us, beaming. The Professor left us to go deal with the first-years.
"So, where's Shiro?" Lance asked. Allura merely pointed to the table at the front, and I saw Shiro sitting between two other professors in his new robes. "Ahh, that's where he went," Lance answered, nodding.
The first-years took a very long time to sort, but eventually, it was our turn. McGonagall announced how this year was a bit different before calling out "Garrett, Honi!" and Hunk walked up to the stool.
The weird enchanted hat had barely touched his head before it was screaming "HUFFLEPUFF!" Hunk jumped up and practically ran over to the table, most likely thankful that that was over.
"Heiwa, Allura!" McGonagall called, and Allura regally walked up to the front of the hall.
The hat had to take a couple minutes to ponder her Sorting, but eventually it yelled out "SLYTHERIN!" The table erupted in cheers as Allura walked over, and Lance was grinning from his spot next to me.
"That seems appropriate," he commented, and I quickly smacked him into silence as McGonagall called out "Holt, Katie!" Pidge quickly walked up, probably eager to get this over with and get back to their own ideas. Just like Hunk, the hat made up its mind in seconds, yelling out "RAVENCLAW!" Luna jumped up from her table to pull Pidge into a hug as the Green Paladin walked over, and Pidge only looked mildly peeved. Progress.
"Kogane, Jungmin!" McGonagall called, and I winced at hearing my legal first name. Looks like I would be telling my teachers to use something else. Regardless, I walked to the hat, and clenched my fists tightly as it started to rifle through my head.
Interesting. You are loyal to a fault and incredibly intelligent, yet those are not your main qualities. You are also incredibly brave, as befitting someone of your... station. And your almost sacrifice, that was the most selfless thing I have ever seen.
Ok? I don't exactly see it...Stop reading my mind!
I can't help it. And I need to see to place you where you will fit best. Oh? What's this? Feelings of abandonment? You definitely need people who will stick with you through thick and thin just as you do for are incredibly cunning! Incredible. And you are willing to do whatever you have to to achieve your goal. Very good at espionage as well… It is clear where you belong, though you may not agree. I can tell that you will do best there. You'll be able to guide those who need guidance.
What?
"SLYTHERIN!" the Hat screamed, and I saw Harry and Lance's faces slacken in shock. I numbly felt the hat being removed from my head, I barely registered the walk to the table, and I barely acknowledged the cheers and welcomes of my new House. Allura gently wrapped her arm around my shoulders and quietly whispered in my ear "Daijoubu desu ka (are you okay)?" in Japanese. "You sat there for 5 minutes." I nodded, somewhat in disbelief at the time, and she pursed her lips in a look of disbelief before hugging me tightly and letting the subject drop.
"McClain-Ortiz, Lance!" McGonagall called. Lance shot me one last concerned look before walking up front. The hat was placed on his head, and silence reigned in the hall.
The murmurs started up after about two minutes, and Allura frowned in concern next to me. "What is taking so long? Again?" she murmured. Finally, after four minutes of impatient waiting, the hat cried "GRYFFINDOR!" and the table that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting at exploded in cheers. Lance basically bounced over, vibrating in happiness.
With the Sorting done, dinner commenced. My new Housemates tried to talk to Allura and I, and after a little prodding, I finally started engaging with the dark-skinned boy named Blaise who was sitting across from me, and the blond named Daphne next to me. Allura seemed to have all of the girls in Slytherin wanting to be her friend within minutes, and the two of us quickly got a run-down on how our House functioned. I glanced over to the other tables to see Pidge, Hunk, and Lance laughing as they made new friends, and I smiled. At least they were happy. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and turned back to my dinner, mentally going over the plan. This was going to be a rough school year for all of us if I made even a tiny mistake, and I couldn't let that happen.