I skipped all of Hogwarts up until the arrival of the schools. It kind of just drags on whenever I try to write it.
Author's Note at the bottom.
Italicized - thoughts, or an emphasis on something
Underlined - speaking in Japanese
Harry was cold. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had already arrived and now they were waiting for this… Sheeno Academy. And it was taking forever. There didn't seem to be any more flying carriages appearing over the Forbidden Forest and no ships popping out of the lake. After what seemed like an eternity (it was about fifteen minutes, in all honesty), Dumbledore's voice called from the back. "It seems that Shinou Academy is delayed. Perhaps we should all go inside and warm our toes." Harry nearly sighed in relief as the students turned and shuffled inside, obediently going to sit at their house tables in the Great Hall.
The students chatted with the foreign schools, enjoying hearing about the different countries. Hot chocolate had appeared on the tables as they waited for the tardy school. Silence then fell over the hall as a glowing light appeared at the Head Table, directly over Professor Trelawney's seat. The form of a sliding Japanese door formed and then slid open. Four figures appeared, cloaked in shadow. The first figure stepped down, narrowly avoiding the Divination professor's face. It was a small white-haired boy, who appeared to be about fourteen years old. Luminous teal eyes looked around warily, taking in all of the sights before him. He nodded, glancing back towards the glowing door as three other figures appeared. The next two were girls. One rather petite and the other fairly average. The three jumped off the head table, not noticing the distressed looks that had crossed both Professor McGonagall's and Professor Trelawney's faces. The fourth and final figure leapt down, bypassing the table completely. He was taller than the others, sticking out like a sore thumb. Of course, the orange hair didn't help.
Yeah, orange.
They were all dressed similarly, with a few exceptions. The boys wore white cloaks with decorative patterns on them and one of the girls – she had brown hair pulled back into a tight bun – had a wooden arm badge with similar designs on her arm. And on – Merlin's beard, are those swords? How is that legal?
Dumbledore stood once they had made their way in front of him. "The delegation from Shinou Academy, I presume?" The one with white hair nodded, stepping forward before speaking.
"Yes, sir. I am Toshiro Hitsugaya. My companions are Ichigo Kurosaki," the orange-haired teen with the dangerous cleaver on his back moved forward to stand with the other. "Momo Hinamori and Rukia Kuchiki." The two girls then followed orang- er, Ichigo's lead, the brown-haired girl doing so first. As if rehearsed, the group of four bowed and then stepped back, leaving a proper amount of room between them and the Head Table.
Harry didn't really know why it mattered. They had already walked over the table, invading Professor Trelawney's space. Hermione had a small smirk when that happened, though she ducked down to try and hide it. Never say that she doesn't hold grudges.
Up at the Head Table, Dumbledore motioned for them to take a seat. Ichigo immediately started towards the Gryffindor Table, his friends following him. As soon as the intimidating teen has looked the brave students' way, a space was immediately cleared for the four foreigners. When seated, the tables filled with a great feast. Some of the foods were familiar to Harry and his friends – turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, etc.. Others… not so much. There was some kind of fish stew (bouillabaisse, they would later learn when a Beauxbatons girl asked for it). Then, some large buns that were filled with what seemed to be cabbage, although the Golden Trio couldn't quite tell. Another strange dish was a kind of soup that smelled delicious.
"What do you think about the other schools?" Harry asked, looking at Ron and Hermione. Ron attempted to speak around his food, but it only came out as garbled nonsense. Hermione shook her head, exasperated, then said, "Well, I think it was quite rude for Shinou Academy to show up so late and then almost step on Professor Trelawney."
"Oh, come one 'Mione! You thought it was hilarious!"
"Yeah, about that." A deep, accented voice halted their conversation. "Urahara didn't get the location right at first, so we had to wait for him to stop messing around. Can I have the miso soup, if you're done with it?" Ichigo towered behind them, motioning towards the delicious-smelling soup. Harry handed it to him, earning a small nod as a thank you. The orange-haired teen turned, heading back to where the other three members of his group sat.
Down at the Shinigamis' area of the table, the group was being bombarded with questions.
"What's your school like?"
"Is it big?"
"What subjects do you take?"
"Can I touch your sword?"
"Why are Toe-shee-ro and Ee-chee-go dressed differently?"
"What does that sign on your arm mean?"
"You're so pretty!"
A flash of light interrupted the questions, coming from a small boy with a rather large camera. The boy was bouncing up and down with excitement. "Hello! My name is Colin Creevey. It's wonderful to meet you all! Mum and Dad are going to be so excited when I tell them that I met the foreigners! I mean, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang are one thing, but people from an entirely different continent? How awesome is that! Oh just wa-" Colin Creevey's incessant talking quickly turned into a loud sound of chattering teeth. The table was iced over, the ice glowing a light blue. There was more ice as one's vision approached Toshiro, who was calmly sipping on green tea.
"It would be greatly appreciated if you could be quiet. That goes for all of you."
"Now, the moment we have been waiting for. Mr. Filch, please bring out the casket." The old grouch rolled a large, ornamental box in front of the Head Table and the students. The top lifted off, revealing a magnificent (if slightly worn) goblet. Dumbledore snapped his fingers, and suddenly the goblet was alight with blue fire. "The Triwizard Tournament – now the Tournament of Four, is dangerous. It is not to be taken lightly, as any and all competitors will be facing life-threatening challenges at every turn. For this reason, only students of age may compete." Cries of outrage could be heard around the Great Hall, the loudest coming from a specific pair of red-headed twins at the Gryffindor Table. "I will be drawing an age line myself. I'd advise you to not cross it if you do not wish to suffer rather unfortunate consequences. House Prefects, if you will show the guests to their chambers within your house, then I would greatly appreciate it. Now, off to bed, all of you. Chop, chop."
When the Gryffindors finally returned to the common room, most of them headed straight to bed. They had exhausted themselves with asking everything about the Shinou Academy students and from the general excitement of the evening. Those foreign students now stood in a darker corner of the common room, conversing in rapid Japanese. The Golden Trio glanced at each other, a silent conversation taking place.
'Mione, cast a translation spell or something.
It's not right to eavesdrop, Ronald!
Guys, they have swords. We are not eavesdropping.
"Kurosaki-taicho and I must submit reports in the morning. However, we should discuss what we want to do with this tournament. Yamamoto-soutaicho never gave any specific orders." Toshiro looked to his three companions. Ichigo was rubbing the back of his head. He sighed.
"Well, I guess that we could all just submit our names and see what happens."
"I agree with Kurosaki-taicho." Momo said, sending a small smile at the tall captain. Rukia nodded in agreement.
"Very well. Get some rest. We shall submit our names in early morning. Good night." Toshiro said, turning with Ichigo and heading towards the boys' dormitories. The two girls did the same, but not before glancing at the three students staring at them. Rukia looked at Momo, the Shinigami pair sharing a nod.
We will have to keep an eye on them.
No definitions this chapter, thank the lord. Thanks to those who favorited, followed, or reviewed. Means a lot!
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Captain Jap