AN: Two weeks as promised 3 I'm really excited about this one and I hope you are too SORTING CEREMONY COMING UP, Y'ALL!
Disclaimer: I don't own this, I promise, but it's good practice for when I get round to the original ideas in my writing docket (which, btw, Reviews, Favs, and Follows all let me know what kind of a reader market there might be for those... also the authorial ego is like a high maintenance woodstove – it needs constant refuelling and only occasionally bakes unburnt bread…err, stories.)
Of Steam Trains & Sorting Hats
September first came too soon for the first time in Harry Potter's memory. He grudgedly pushed his trolley past the barrier with a million thoughts in his head, chief among them that it really wasn't fair that he'd gotten barely a month of living with Sirius.
"Constant Vigilance," Moody muttered as he slipped by Harry and the other students into the crowd of parents and relatives. "This is exactly the type of crowd they'd exploit."
"As if they'd have a clear shot," Ron whispered. "Think Mad-Eye's got more suspicions about him than wits."
"You would too if you'd been locked up in a trunk for a year." Ginny countered. "I think he's got a point."
Ron grunted what might have been a concession, his eyes scanning over the crowd on the look out for anyone they knew. "Hey – who're they?"
"Who?" Harry asked, moving his eyes away from Snuffles' shadow weaving through the mess of families and luggage.
"Those girls – blimey they're new, but they aren't first years."
"It's them!" Hermione gasped, pushing between Ron and Harry to see better. "Gosh I didn't think they'd be taking the Express! How many are there?"
"You know them?" Ron asked.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "You'd all do well to pick up The Prophet once in a while – the paper's been talking about it for weeks. Those are the new transfer students – first ones at Hogwarts since 1974 unless you count last year's…event." Hermione said and she glanced at Harry to see if mention of the fateful Triwizard Tournament had any effect on his mood. But Harry, though his insides had twisted painfully at the reminder of last year, continued staring staunchly over the crowd. He was sick of all of them walking on eggshells around him.
"Do you know what year they're in?" asked Ginny.
"There's some in fifth for sure – I heard they're going to be sorted and everything. It's very exciting. They're from Japan!"
"Isn't that Mahoutokoro, then?" Ron asked "Dad's mentioned it – says they've got way fewer restrictions on adding magic to muggle stuff. It's supposed to be a really good school."
Harry stood on his toes to see the transfer girls over the crowd. There were at least eight students. They were a…colourful bunch, he decided, at least judging by their hair. "Do you think that one's a metamorphagus?" He said, pointing to one girl with turquoise hair.
"Or part Veela," Ron said and grunted when Hermione elbowed him hard in the ribs.
"It could be a simple color charm," Hermione said.
"That one there's definitely gunning for Ravenclaw," Ginny chuckled, pointing out one girl with bright, short blue hair who was just then boarding the last car of the train.
~SMH~
Hogwarts' nine transfer students and their luggage were a tight fit in the aisle of the last car. In particular, Minako's largest pink suitcase banged against every other door as she dragged it behind her. The two smaller ones in front had been banging at Rei's heels until the other girl had lost her patience and started dragging them herself.
"Here we are," Setsuna announced from the front as she set down Hotaru's bag. She turned towards the last compartment and raised her rowan wand, moving it through the air in a complicated twist. The scouts gasped, watching through the open door as the compartment before them warped and stretched, the rows doubling in size and the walls pushing further apart – even the window expanded. Setsuna muttered something and flicked her wand at the floor, raising it slowly as if under strain. The others exclaimed in awe as a section of the floor rose up until it formed a small table in the center of the compartment. It was only a block made of the same wood as the floor, but when Ami rushed up to put her hand on it they could see it was as solid as anything.
"The second one is amusingly enough the harder spell," Setsuna said. "Though I suspect my personal relationship to dimensional space can account for the ease of the expansion charm."
"That would make sense," Ami as she walked to the window and slung her one suitcase onto the overhead rack. "I've already tried a few spells – I can't get the fire charms to work at all by my Augumenti is quite powerful."
"And cold," Minako added. Then she looked at Artemis who was still lounging on her shoulder. She scratched his ear. "Alright…I don't think you can follow us any further – unless you and Luna have changed your minds."
"I wanted to," he said, then stood up on her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek. "But we'll need to keep watch for other threats – especially if this wizard magic blinds the rest of you as it does Setsuna."
"The mirror's yet to work here," Michiru confirmed. "It's quite a relief to have you two keeping watch back home."
"We'll keep in touch through mail," Luna promised, leaping from Usagi's arms to Setsuna's. The time senshi smiled and pet Luna on the head.
"I appreciate it too," Setsuna said. And she held out her other arm to Artemis who leapt up onto her shoulder with ease. "I'll drop the two of them off in Tokyo."
"What do you mean?" Haruka worried. She paused from where she'd begun to lift she and Michiru's bags onto the overhead and frowned at Setsuna "You aren't staying there with them?"
"Yeah, hold on," Makoto added. "You're not spending all your time in the Time Dimension are you?"
"It's so boring," Usagi gasped. "Don't do that!"
Setsuna's smile widened as she shook her head. "You needn't worry. I shall be making frequent visits to the time dimension this year, but I won't be staying there."
"Then why would you have to drop off Luna and Artemis?" Ami wondered. "You're staying with them aren't you?"
But Setsuna shook her head again. "Change of plans."
"What? You haven't said anything," Michiru frowned.
"Sorry," Setsuna said, looking out the train window onto the crowded platform. "I'm still not used to sharing sometimes…in any case, nothing has gone wrong. I've just found a better way to be useful in all this."
"Is that why you've got a wand too?" Hotaru asked.
"You'll be in the Wix society!" Ami gasped.
Setsuna only smirked and shook her head as the whistle from the train's engine sounded. "You'll all find out soon enough." And with that she lifted her Henshin wand in her free hand and transformed, trading her henshin wand for the Garnet rod. With Luna and Artemis still on her shoulders, Sailor Pluto slammed the butt of the Garnet rod onto the floor and the Time Doors materialized within the compartment. She stepped through, and in an instant the three of them were gone.
The car jerked forwards suddenly, sending most of them stumbling into eachother, as the steam train began to move.
"I hate it when she does that," Haruka muttered and grabbed the wall for support as the car hit a bump. She lifted her second suitcase off the floor and glanced around the compartment. "Anyone need a hand with their luggage?"
"I do." Minako said, pushing her largest suitcase through the door with her feet. "How did you only pack one bag?"
"How did you pack three?" Ami exclaimed as Haruka hefted Minako's bag into the overhead beside hers with a grunt.
"Just essentials," Minako said with a shrug. And with that she plopped down by the window and looked outside as their car passed the exit of Kings Cross. "After all – Scotland's cold."
~SMH~
"Don't understand how that git got Prefect and not Harry," Ron was complaining as he and Hermione walked down the length of the train. Harry was in a right mood from what they could tell during their brief visit. And though he felt guilty for thinking it, Ron didn't begrudge Ginny and Neville Harry's company at all at the moment.
"Well there can only be two prefects in each house per year, Ron." Hermione pointed out at his side, she peaked into every compartment they passed, eyes out for any treats Fred and George might have passed out on the train. She'd already swiped a canary cream off one unwitting first year.
"But why him – I say Zabini should have got it. And Millicent."
"Millicent bullies the younger years out of their Hogsmeade treats." Hermione scowled.
"Fine then – what about that other girl? Greengrass."
Hermione shrugged at that. "She'd have been alright. I believe Heads of House are the ones that make the nominations though and she's awful at Potions."
"Snape picked Malfoy for his potions my arse," Ron grumbled. And he crossed his arms tighter across his chest as he kept pace with Hermione, raising his nose and the pitch of his voice until it mimicked Malfoy's tone. "If my father was on the board of Governers I'd be a shoe in for Prefect too – First he gets on his Quidditch team, then the broom, and his O in Potions."
"I actually think he earned that one, Ron." Hermione sighed as she pushed open the door to the next compartment.
"Oh Come off it Hermione – you know Snape favours the git."
"Maybe it should've been an E…he has decent marks in most other subjects too."
"And how do you know Malfoy's marks?"
Hermione ducked her head, and it caught Ron's interest immediately. Her ears were red. "Hermione?"
"I may have…caught sight of them when the mid-term marks came out last winter." Hermione muttered, glancing into the compartments on either side of them as they walked through the car.
Ron snorted and began to laugh. "You spied on his marks."
"I did no such thing?" She insisted. "They were just sitting there on his desk. I just looked."
"He sits nowhere near you in any class." Ron countered.
Hermione's face was still red as they moved on to the next car – Fred and George had been here if the disasterous state of the hallway were any judge. "They may have…been carried away by a breeze. But…you know…Moody-eh-Crouch did always keep the windows open and I didn't have anything to do with the draft."
"Oh admit it you summoned them?"
Hermione looked away from him and ran a hand through her bushy hair. "He has a P in Astronomy." She said in a rush and Ron let out another howl of laughter as the moved through the car – catching the attention of a few compartments.
"Hermione, you're amazing." He chuckled as he pulled open the door to the next car for her. Hermione rolled her eyes even as she smiled at him and moved quickly ahead so he wouldn't notice the resurgence of her blush.
She stopped short as she entered the next car and stared hard at the second compartment. There were a familiar group of Slytherins – Ron could see Blaise Zabini and Daphne Greengrass through the door. And there was Pansy – lounging on Theodore Nott's lap – holding her shoulder in such away that the Prefect badge over her chest stood out prominently in the well-lit car. Ron frowned. "Figures she isn't patrolling. Would'ah thought Malfoy'd stay with her."
"And I thought he'd find Harry first?" Hermione pondered. "Did he pass us?"
"Nah couldn't ah." Ron said, "Blimey – he's actually gonna do his job."
"If we're lucky." Hermione said, rolling up the sleeves of her robe and pulling her wand from its Auror-style holster. "Come on, Goyle and Crabbe aren't here they all might be causing trouble."
"Are you gonna hex the git?" Ron grinned.
"Don't be ridiculous – I'm not allowed to." Hermione said.
"Punch him again?"
"Ronald." Hermione sighed.
Ron laughed it off and grinned at her. "If you could hex him though…which one."
Hermione smiled at him. "Well let's see…I've a list."
~SMH~
The senshi had changed into their robes shortly after the train had set off – Ami pointing out that none of them wanted to be rushing as they approached the school. They'd spent the first two hour or so playing cards and chatting but as the Express had travelled on through the second and the third hour, the mood in the compartment had quieted. Hotaru had long since fallen asleep against Michiru's shoulder and Minako had nodded off shortly afterwards – sprawled gracelessly across both Ami and Rei. The two of them, for their part, spent the slow hours winding through the British country side in a quiet and intense discussion about Magical theory.
The hushed whispers of their conversation had actually lulled Makoto to sleep, with her face pressed up against the train window. The second they hit a particularly old bit of the tracks though she was startled awake – her head banging against the glass. She grunted, raised a hand up to rub her forehead, and glanced around.
The rough ride hadn't disturbed anyone else – even the sleepers – and, she noted Haruka and Michiru appeared to have nodded off as well. Makoto smirked. No, she'd bet all her plants they were only faking. She doubted even Haruka could hold her henshin wand that tightly while asleep.
She turned back, readjusting her position to try and get back to her nap (or enjoy the scenery) when her eye caught Usagi's reflection in the window. The other girl was sitting in the seat opposite hers and they'd assumed much earlier that she had simply fallen asleep with her long hair over her face. But her blue eyes, in the reflective window, were wide open. Makoto's heart twisted as she spied the tears staining Usagi's cheeks. She leaned forwards and put her hand on the Moon Princess' knee. "Hey,"
Usagi jumped, sniffed, and tried to smile at her. "Mako-chan" she laughed quietly. "Sorry…I must have dosed off."
"You were not," Makoto said, "what's wrong."
It was Mamoru (why the hell did fate have to play games like this with the two of them.
Usagi sighed. "I miss him," she whispered. Makoto noticed Haruka, Ami, and Rei all look up quickly, though they glanced away again before Usagi noticed.
Don't hover, they'd all collectively decided. They were having mixed success towards that end, Makoto decided.
"I know… but I bet there's a reason he's here right? Wouldn't he love learning magic." She caught Usagi's hand as it darted up to wipe her tears and covered it in both her own. And her heart warmed as her friend cracked a real smile.
"He always did love learning new things."
"He still does," Makoto insisted.
"Mhmm," Usagi bit her lip, glancing again out the window. "I thought if I concentrated hard enough I might sense him on the train." She said, her other hand toying with the Silver Crystal's locket – on a chain tucked within the neck of her robe. "But I can't sense anything – I'm so stupid." She cries.
"Hey stop it," Makoto scolded, leaning closer to her and squeezing her hands. "all our powers probably act a bit funny here. Remember Rei set Haruka on fire?" That earned a small smile, she pressed on. "Why, I bet I'd cause a full-blown thunderstorm in here."
"You would not." Usagi sniffed, her slight smile widened just a tad. "You're so strong."
"You are too," Makoto insisted. "You always are."
"But I could make the crystal work then – I feel like…" Usagi grew quiet for a few minutes. "Like I did when we were just starting. I couldn't even throw the tiara then. I'm just as useless now."
"You haven't even tried transforming in the Wix world yet," Makoto insisted. "Remember – they're even messing with Setsuna and Michiru's Sight – we're all gonna have to adjust to how magic's different here."
Usagi nodded and rubbed her eyes. She smiled her normal, joyful, smile at Makoto, clearly feeling better. "Thank you. I guess everything is just so new."
"I'm wearing a pointy hat you bet it's new." Makoto laughed.
She's about to reassure Usagi again – that Hogwarts isn't a tenth the size of Tokyo and she and Mamoru still found each other there – when their compartment door slams open.
"So, you're the new students Father's been on about then," a platinum blond teenager drawled as he lounged through the open door of the compartment. She spied two much beefier boys at his back – and all three of them with wands casually held in their hands. She stood up in front of Usagi.
"Who are you?"
The blond raised both eyebrows at her, smirking. "Are you protecting your girlfriend there then. I'm not sure how they do it in Japan, but that sorta thing's a bit frowned upon for purebloods." He sniffed. "But then, mother tells me you lot aren't very pureblooded at all.
"You're being rude," Makoto glares. "Do your parents tell you everything you're supposed to think, or do you have anything of your own to say."
He scowls at her and shugs. "Just thought I'd give out a little advice"
"It isn't welcome," Rei said coldly from her seat. Minako stirred in her lap.
"And who says you are," the boy retorted. "Is it true – none of you have studied an ounce of magic before. I suggest you leave when the train stops. Don't embarrass yourselves."
"Hey," Usagi fumed, standing from her window seat at last. She stomped up to the blond boy and pointed her fist at his nose. "Just because we haven't gone to some shmancy school doesn't mean we aren't magic. I'll show you."
"Easy," Haruka hissed too softly for the intruders to hear. She and Michiru had both cracked an eye open, All of the senshi who were awake jumped when the blond boy began to raise his wand.
Heeding Haruka's warning, Usagi stepped back from the intruder, still glaring.
The move appeared only to bolster the rude student's confidence though. He even took a step into the compartment, his two body-guard-like friends still at his back. Makoto itched to throw them over her shoulders but she clenched her fists in an attempt to restrain herself. She'd learned too well that it wasn't a good idea to make enemies on the first day.
"Why don't you just leave," Ami said, glaring at them.
"Oh I will, as soon as I've made my point." He leered at her. "Looks like yours will only get you so far here you mud-bl"
BAM!
The blond was suddenly sprawled out on the floor of the hallway, his body guards rolling over on either side of him like bowling pins.
Makoto flexed her knuckles. It wasn't good to make enemies on the first day. Then again, there was a reason she'd gotten expelled so many times.
She then watched as the three boys hands and feet suddenly froze to their sides and they shrieked as an invisible force punted them down the hallway of the car. They stumbled to their feet, hopping up and down and falling into each other as they scrambled out into the next car up.
Makoto slammed the door shut and turned around. Ami was casually tucking the alder wand back over her ear.
Makoto was just stepping back towards the window seat when a knock sounded against the just-closed compartment door.
The whole compartment was awake now, Minako shaking her head as she pushed herself upright. "What now?" the senshi of love yawned as Makoto opened the door with a harsh jerk.
It wasn't the blond or his lackeys. Instead, it was a startled-looking, lanky boy with ginger hair and a rather tall girl with bushy dark hair and bright brown eyes who was holding a hand out to her. "Hello – I'm Hermione Granger, Prefect," the girl crowed. Everyone close to the compartment door could see the polished red badge on her chest – identical to the blond boy's green one. "I couldn't help but notice – I saw a few students rushing out of here"
"Hopping," the ginger-haired boy laughed.
The girl glared at him. "Ronald, honestly. You're a Prefect."
"And he is a git."
"Anyways, this is Ron Weasley," Hermione introduced him. "We just wanted to be sure there wasn't any trouble."
"Makoto," she said, accepting Hermione's handshake and then extending her hand to Ron as well. Ami got up from her own seat as well as she and Usagi came forward to repeat the greeting.
"And there was only a little trouble," Ami informed the girl. "I'm sorry, I probably wasn't allowed to use magic on him."
"Oh no, you're more than welcome," Ron grinned
"Ron," Hermione said, despite the smile that tugged at her lips.
"We just wanted him to leave." Makoto told them.
"Bloody good job someone did on his eye too. Only ever seen one better shiner on 'im,'" Ron boasted. And they all saw Hermione fail to stifle her grin.
"I just wanted to advise you – technically we're not allowed to perform magic on other students."
"Oh come off it, Hermione. You're not gonna dock them points for that."
"I am an authority figure Ron. I have to be fair." She insisted. "Besides no one can dock points from them yet – they don't have houses." She beamed at all of them. "I'm sorry we didn't get here sooner though, we would have intervened."
"Uhh, don't worry about it." Makoto said.
The other girl nodded and straightened her posture as though to strengthen her authority figure persona. "In any case, making you aware of the rules in case you run into him again at school – and I'm sorry Malfoy was your first introduction to our world."
"Well we're happy to meet you." Usagi said, stepping in front of Makoto. "You seem much nicer."
"Course," Ron grinned. "We're not Slytherins."
"Other houses have nasty people too Ron."
"Not like Slytherin does." Ron warned them "The other three are fine but you don't want to end up there."
"How do you avoid it," Ami asked.
"Oh it's easy you – " but Hermione couldn't answer as Ron put a hand over her mouth and exclaimed loudly "You fight a TROLL – Ow." He jumped back, grinning sheepishly at Hermione and rubbing his hand where she'd bit it. "sorry – but you can't tell 'em. It's a surprise."
"They're not first years."
"I am!" Hotaru pipes up from her seat.
"Tradition still applies," Ron insisted. "Don't tell 'em."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Fine," and she smiled at the senshi. "Anyways, I hope I get to talk to some of you at school – I'm in Gryffindor, by the way. There's just so so much I want to know."
"But we promised Harry we'd check back in," Ron added.
"Oh and we should check on the first years – make sure they've changed into their robes." Hermione beamed at them as she stepped out of the car. "Anyways, I'll see you at Hogwarts."
"Sure," Usagi grinned and waved after them, Makoto, Ami, and a few of the other scouts giving their own, smaller waves as well.
"They were nice," Michiru observed "I wonder what he meant about the troll? For the sorting."
"Probably a joke or something," Haruka said. "I was wondering how the whole sorting thing worked though."
"Ooh!" Ami pondered. "Perhaps it's a test of some kind."
Minako and Usagi groaned. "I'd rather fight the troll," they both declared.
Makoto shut the door once again and returned to her seat by the window – staring out at the pin pricks of light that were just now peaking through the fog that blanketed the highlands.
"I hope there's more people like her than that other git." Makoto said as she squinted at the lights, attempting in vain to determine if they were a town or castle. She felt excitement jumping through her and reached up to pull her oak wand from her ponytail. It mirrored her excitement, small bolts of lightning coursed up the sides.
"I believe there will be," Usagi declared brightly, back to her cheerful self, it seemed. The others grinned at seeing her excitement return. Nothing cheered Usagi up like making new friends.
~SMH~
The rumors about the exchange students, as can be expected on a crowded train of teenage wix, had been spread to the majority of the Hogwarts student population by the time returning students were climbing into the horseless carriages on their way to the feast. Some heard that the newbies could throw people across rooms with just their brains. Others heard they were professionals at muggle-boxing. Still more said they could perform master-grade expansion charms. The entertaining episode of Harry Potter nearly tripping over his own feet in shock as he'd approached the ordinary horseless carriages was nothing compared to the talk going around.
When the doors of the Great Hall swung open every head at every table turned to see if they could spot the students. They were easy to spot, towering over the other first years. And they actual sight of them only spurred more rumors at the house tables. Some said they were mercenaries here to guard the school against Voldemort or dementors. A few Gryffindors wondered if this might be a new Dumbledore approach to cracking the Defense Against the Dark Arts curse. The tallest of them, with her hard-eyes and blond hair, looked imposing enough to be a mercenary. So did the one with turquoise hair, but no, she looked far to refined. Fred Weasley bet the second tallest could be a mercenary though – look at her wand – it was covered in sparks! And all were totally convinced they were no ordinary students when Roger Davies caught a glimpse of the tiny girl flanked by two taller young women who was casually carrying a glaive. A glaive. "What is she Voldemort's kid?" one Ravenclaw speculated, and Slytherin next door enjoyed that theory so much they plotted to bring the tiniest one into the "inner circle." One was noted as whispering: "wait till my Father hears about this."
The transfer students were sharing whispers of their own, which only increased once they had looked around the whole hall and gotten a good look at the staff table. There, sitting next to an empty seat and a man whose robes matched his sleek black hair was…
"What the hell?" Haruka muttered as she and Michiru caught Setsuna's eyes. The other senshi nodded at them from her spot at the staff table and looked away only for a moment to nod her head towards an old man who could only be the Headmaster – beaming at the crowded hall from his seat in the center of the table, a purple, pin-striped wix crowning his head.
"Is Setsuna a teacher!" Usagi exclaimed. As they all gaped at their fellow Senshi. She certainly looked the part – decked out in elegant, burgundy robes with a genial smile on her face as she sat – a bit stiffly – amongst the other faculty.
"Teacher of what?" Minako wondered "Time and…stuff?"
The whispers around the hall immediately silenced then as a tall woman in emerald green entered the hall from the side door. Hogwarts returners gave due respect to their Deputy Headmistress as she strode up to the front of the hall with a stool and the Sorting Hat. They all leaned forward, paying more attention than any returning class ever had to a group of firsties. Where would the transfers be sorted?
The first name on Professor McGonagall's lips "Abercrombie, Euan" was decidedly not interesting. No one noticed which house he was sorted into as they continued to look over the transfer students - 8 of them in total - "Hot?" Gred Weasley was heard murmuring to his brother while dodging an elbow from his sister.
"Most definitely," Forge replied.
"Aino, Minako" Mcgonagall's voice boomed across the restless hall. Everyone shushed each other as the first of the transfer students - a blond with decidedly fashionable school robes and a red bow in her hair - strutted confidently up to the stool and tipped the ugly hat onto her head.
Excuse you, I'll have you know I am the finest bit of magical stitchery this side of the 8th century. A voice - the hat's grumbled in Minako's head. Now where to put you…
Vain, yes quite. No, don't deny it. It's only what's already in your head. You take pride in your looks, in your talents, and in your fighting. Oh, but you've every right to be proud, I see. And you've such a staunch code of honor, dedication to duty, so much passion and a fair bit of impulsiveness here…
Yes, no question.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The red and gold table whooped, stomping their feet and drumming their hands on the table. Many of the boys pushed and elbowed their neighbors to present open spaces. Minako ignored them all and spotted the red haired witch who'd just slapped what must be her brother upside the head. She slid into one of the empty spots next to her.
"Hi, I'm Mina." She said, extending a hand.
"Ginny. Ginny Weasley." The girl shook her hand, smirking at all of the disappointed teenage boys around them. "And – oh, you know Hermione, and"
But Mcgonagall interrupted her with a shout of the next name - a Babbage, Lauren - and their conversation fell silent for a time.
Until they got to H. "Hino, Rei." And the attention of the Hall was drawn again to the second transfer student - a confident looking teenager with long, black hair. Her heeled feet clacked on the stone floor as she approached the hat.
Fire! Oh, that might do it right there. But let's be sure...yes. Your temper, your passion for justice, your brightness.
And you're an intelligent kind of brave, you'll be quite the asset to most of bumbling -
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat boomed again and the red table was struck by rawkus celebration.
As Rei made her way over to Mina, the tall blond transfer student leaned in towards the woman with aqua hair "I sense a pattern."
"Kaioh, Michiru," Mcgonagall called. The aqua-haired young woman drew all eyes in the hall and Gryffindor was gearing up for another round of celebration when she settled the hat delicately on her head.
You're so suspicious of me already, the hat hummed. I'm no more intrusive than your mirror. Ah… but you're no saint yourself, I see. Quite a bit of darkness in here...you've done quite a lot in the name of duty, family…
Oh, don't threaten! I mean no harm. My, so protective...deceptively so. That makes you quite brave but...beyond that I see the means you're willing to take for their protection, to secure a win, no matter the cost. You go after your goals with such determination, ready to gain advantage regardless of...
"You're not putting me in Gryffindor are you?" she questioned the hat.
A beautiful mind like yours, Ha! Don't insult me.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Whispers went up all over the hall as Slytherin clapped loudly with a few scattered cheers. Michiru made her way down to the green table and slid into the first available seat - next to the smirking platinum blond boy. She nodded to them all and glared at the blond until he looked away, then directed her eyes politely back to the sorting.
Keelan, Ida became a Ravenclaw right before "Kino, Makoto." was called up to be sorted.
Strength! Such a dominant trait of yours. Oh yes, and stubbornness too. You're so determined, but…
Oh, but this comes from a much different emotion than your friends. Not staunch commitment to duty, nor passionate love, but devotion, a much softer personality. I see care, compassion, loyalty to the end. And there's grit here, haha. Plenty of it…
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
The Badgers whooped and rivaled the Gryffindors with their excitement. Davies grinned as the tall brunette took the spot he offered her. At the Gryffindor table Rei leaned into Minako. "Told you so."
Another seven first years were sorted before Mcgonagall calls for "Mizuno, Ami." And the shorter, blue haired teenager in her perfectly neat robes rushed up to the stool.
Ahaha! Delightful! So curious. Yes, I am conscious in a way. No, not fully sentient. I reflect only your knowledge of your purest self.
And you - oh you already know where you're going.
"RAVENCLAW!"
Moon, Susanna; Mulligan, Mairee; and Murphy, Sean rounded out the M's and they sat patiently as the gaggle of First Years dwindled down through N, O, P, and all the way down through Tanner, Michael, before Mcgonagall squints at the next name on the list.
"Tenoh, Hair-roo-ka"
The tallest blond - notable for being the only girl in trousers - shook her head as the other exchange students in the hall giggled. "Definitely Gryffindor," Lee Jordan could be heard whispering as she stood beside the stool and jammed the hat down over her head.
Ha! Ha! Brave! No question, and loyal to a fault! So Chivalr-
"Listen here you scrappy hat," Haruka thought "You put me anywhere but the green table and I'll give you a taste of the Space Sw-"
"SLYTHERIN!" The sorting hat shocked the hall by jumping off of the blond's head, sending many of the younger students into discussions of whether she was actually a werewolf or some-such thing. The blond paid the whispers no mind, nor the giggling from her friends at the three other tables. She headed straight for Michiru, who looked completely unsurprised. She made room for Haruka on the bench as the blond slid in beside her, wrapping a possessive arm around her waist.
"Ruka, they're children," Michiru murmured as the next name was called.
"Most of them -" Ruka said, glaring at two staring boys a few seats down.
"I never complain when anyone stares at you," she huffs.
"No, you just threaten them later."
"That was one time…"
Mcgonagall's shout of "Tomoe, Hotaru" put an abrupt halt to their conversation. The two newest Slytherins sat up straighter, and the tall green-haired woman at the staff table leaned forwards as well. All of them stared anxiously towards the small black-haired girl walking with her Glaive up towards the hat.
"Not Slytherin," Ruka muttered, having seen too many unfriendly faces among this crowd.
"Ravenclaw would be good to her," Michiru said.
They caught Setsuna's gaze as the hat fell over Hotaru's eyes.
There's depths to your mind even I cannot fathom. I've seen a fair few old souls in my time. Yours is quite a bit older, but you still find so much delight in this world: In what it has to say, and the people who brighten it.
Life and death aside, there's always more to see, more to understand.
Yes, I know where you'll find your home.
"RAVENCLAW!"
The littlest exchange student beamed at the two Slytherins and the green-haired woman. The blond gave her a thumbs-up as she passed them to sit at the blue table. Other Ravenclaws - even purebloods - jumped as the Glaive abruptly vanished. Some scrambled out of Hotaru's way. But one blond fourth year with interesting earrings stood up from her first seat to sit beside the new girl.
"Hi! I'm Luna!"
"Oh! I have a friend with that name..."
They don't have much time to socialize though.
"Tsukino, You-sagi," Mcgonagall called. The last blond exchange walked up to the stool. The hat sat askew on her head thanks to her curious odangos.
No - I'm sorry. I have never sorted a Chiba Mamoru - at least not by that name. I was not charmed to see people's past lives.
But back to you - you're so sure you shall find him. I see love and loyalty as with your Makoto, but hard work is...no, nothing, nevermind. Knowledge does not seem to mean much to you, not unless it can help a person you love...You believe so strongly in your cause, your morals, your future. You possess such a passion for it - enough to combat even your gravest fears…
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Damnit," Haruka cursed from the Slytherin table as Gryffindor cheers for Usagi. "I thought Hufflepuff for sure…"
"Someday you'll learn not to bet against the psychic," Michiru chuckled as she accepted a few coins off of Ruka.
"But Suna said…"
"No, Darling. Suna let you assume."
The chatter around the hall resumed in earnest as soon as the final first year, "Zeller, Rose," was sorted into Hufflepuff. Only dying down once Mcgonagall had vanished the stool and hat and returned to her seat between the new professor and Dumbledore, cuing the Headmaster to rise.
"To our newcomers - welcome and Hajimemashite," said Dumbledore in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips. "To our old hands - welcome back! There is a time for speech making, but this is not it. Tuck in!"
At once the feast appeared on all the tables and the attention of the hall was on stuffing themselves with roast or getting the greedy third year down the way to pass the rolls. Haruka and Michiru carried on a conversation of their own in Japanese, which took quite a bit of concentration while wearing the translation charms. But the ability to listen to the conversations around them was worth it - amazing how many Slytherins seemed to have assumed they couldn't speak English.
The irritating blond from the train was especially vocal. "My father didn't hear a word of it - not a single one of the governors must've. He'll rip the old coot a new one for this."
Meanwhile at the Ravenclaw table, most students were watching their newest member with unabashed curiosity. So much so that Ami abandoned her original seat to squeeze in next to Hotaru, stern eyes making the more blatant watchers turn away. Luna continued her own conversation with them seemingly oblivious to the scrutiny. She introduced Ami and Hotaru to the unfamiliar English and Scottish dishes with patience and a kind smile. Halfway through the second course she conjured chopsticks for all of them just to practice and got a laugh out of Hotaru due to how poorly she fared with them.
At Hufflepuff, Makoto had eagerly been swept up in the amazing dishes and the amazingly attractive seventh year who'd engaged her in conversation. Her table neighbors, Susan and Hannah, giggled whenever the handsome seventh year, Hamish Stebbins made her blush.
Well into their conversation, he asked: "I say, they do play Quidditch in Japan don't they?"
"Ah...not really," Makoto hedged, unsure what this Quidditch was. "What's it all about then?"
And really that's all it took to get the whole Hufflepuff table talking.
Gryffindor's conversation at the next table was about the same.
"We'll be looking for a couple new players this year." Ginny told them, waving over a girl named Angelina Johnson. "This here's our captain. Angie, Mina's interested in Quidditch."
"How well do you fly then?"
"Extremely well," Minako grinned.
"On a broom…" Rei reminded her.
"Right, yes, and I mean any sport for me's easy to learn. I picked up Cricket right quick the last time I was in England."
"Cricket?" Ginny asked.
"Muggle sport," Angie said. "Might have you as a backup Beater. We'll see how well you do at chasing as well…"
The feast, they all felt, was over too soon.
"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start of term notices," said Dumbledore. " First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students - and a few of our older students ought to know by now too." (Minako, Rei, and Usagi saw Hermione, Ron, and their friend Harry exchange smirks.)
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door.
"We have had three changes to the staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons"
The hall clapped politely for the teacher, though Usagi and company saw many older students frowning thoughtfully.
"Next, as you may have heard, we have eight exchange students among us tonight from Japan. They'll be joining classes in the first, fifth, and seventh year. I expect you all to welcome them with the same warmth as you did our guests from Durmstrang and Beaubaton last year. With them is their Staff advisor Professor Meioh, who will be filling in for Charity Babidge and adding a fresh perspective to our Muggle Studies classes."
Dumbledore had to pause as another round of applause rippled through the student body.
"And we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Another polite, but fairly unenthused murmur of applause circulated through the hall before Dumbledore continued. "Try-outs for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the –"
"Hem, hem…"
~SMH~
Umbridge's interruption of Dumbledore's speech was all the Hufflepuffs could talk about on the way back to their common room. Makoto found herself nodding along and agreeing quite a bit as the new professor was compared to a seemingly-endless list of old ones. That, and Susan and Hannah's string of comments trying to explain the conversation to her, left her with very little idea of how exactly they'd arrived at the Hufflepuff common room (though she did take immediate note when someone pointed out the kitchens.) She was quite surprised when the prefects hustled everyone around the hearth and got all the first years sitting in a semi circle around it, backed by all the older members of the house.
"Makoto should get one too!" Hannah decided, pushing Makoto into the crowd of first years.
"One what?" she asked as the Rose and another first year made room for her between them.
"A Big of course!" One of the seventh year prefects declared, and he waved one hand elaborately in the air – the first years gasped (even a couple of the pure-bloods) when he wandlessly summoned a plastic, black ball into his palm.
"I present to thee," he said, bowing and holding it out to Makoto with a flourish. "Our prized house possession – the Ment-Orb." He said, and many older students snorted or rolled their eyes.
"It's just a magic eighth ball," one first year said.
"It was," the prefect said, depositing it into Makoto's hands. "An enterprising Head Boy of ours thought to charm it towards better uses though. Shake it, and it will reveal the name of another member of this house who shall be your mentor, your "Big" for the duration of your time at Hogwarts They show you the kitchens, help you with homework, buy you shit from Hogsmeade, write you letters – and yes, even after they graduate. Badgers all stay close – am I right? The crowded common room hooted and hollered in agreement as the Seventh-year-in-charge gave a fist-bump to a second year seated in one of the armchairs. "I still promise I'll sent you owls."
"With chocolate!" the second year declared.
"No question." The enthusiastic prefect then gestured at Makoto. "Go on then – You might be a fifth year, but everyone deserves the full experience."
She grinned as she grasped the ball in both hands and gave it a vigorous shake. There was a yellow triangle inside that rippled beneath a shallow layer of water until finally, a name appeared on it.
"Stebbins" she read and the students all around cheered at a deafening volume for the first Big/Little pairing of the year. Then they all laughed when Makoto stood up to shake their Quidditch Captain's hand – she was taller.
"Well a formal "welcome" then." Hamish Stebbins grinned and waved his wand, conjuring a scarf that draped around her shoulders. It had the crest with the rampant badger sewn to both ends and was patterned in bright gold and black stripes. Makoto grinned and clasped his hand as the entire house cheered around her.
He even looks like my Senpai! she thought, laughing as Hannah and Susan dove at her for a round of hugs while the Ment-Orb was passed on to the next eager Little.
Not even after two full years at Juuban had she ever felt this accepted by her non-senshi peers. Hogwarts, she decided, could definitely come to feel like a home.
~SMH~
Haruka and Michiru's reception into Slytherin house goes quite a bit differently. They had anticipated a confrontation. But it appeared not all Slytherins were as brash as the boy they'd learned was named Malfoy. Most were content to glance sidelong at them as they made their way to the common room – in the dungeon (the two of them had raised an eyebrow at that).
They trail behind the first years, taking in every aspect of their surroundings before entering the long, stone room. Small groups of Slytherins have all settled around the various fireplaces, a few of them including a first year or two among their ranks.
"It might be a good idea to stick around out here for a while." Haruka said in Japanese. "If we can."
"Can you do the invisibility charm yet? Because I can't" Michiru replied. "But we should mingle – if only to investigate whether attitudes like Malfoy's are common."
Haruka shrugged, hands in her pockets, each wrapped around a wand – her Senshi one in her left and the new, yet comforting, fir wand in her right.
"Ms. Kaioh," she whirled around noticing a seventh year boy with well-styled dark hair approaching her from the dormitory stairs. "I don't believe we were introduced – Warrington. Maximus Warrington."
"Pleasure," Michiru said, accepting his hand and beaming her best socialite smile.
"Oh the pleasure's mine, I've been dying to meet you since we were told there'd be transfer students here." he continued smoothly, ignoring Haruka's hard glare as he stared, unabashedly, at Michiru. "I just want to apologize for the behaviour of our newest Prefect on the Express and introduce you to a few friends – they were all curious to meet you. Theo there's got a father in the Foreign Magical Relations Department."
As he gestured over towards a group of upper year students, Michiru and Haruka both caught sight of a familiar looking design inked onto his left arm. Michiru looked over at the group of upper years by the fire…all of them wore long-sleeved robes or shirts. She recognized their smiles, for she was wearing one of the same. It was the manufactured smile she'd taught herself early on as the daughter of two socially high-class parents. And the looks trained on her as some of them waved were familiar to her as well, curious and calculating. No doubt wondering if there was any value to be gained from their association.
Well two could play at that game.
"We'd love to join you," Michiru said, batting her eyelashes at Warrington. He stepped ahead of them as they walked over to the gathered students and it gave her a chance to put a gentle hand on Haruka's arm. "Be nice," she cautioned.
"I am nice, when it's warranted," she muttered. "Are we really going to play their game?"
Michiru smirked at her and whispered in Japanese "Not exactly, we're going to play mine."
~SMH~
Ravenclaws, though Ami hadn't thought it possible before, asked far too many questions. "What do you mean you didn't go to magical school?" "what's your wand made of?" "Do you really use wands as forks?" and though it hadn't been asked to her, "Why do you use a glaive?" had been by far the most prevalent question. She and Hotaru had weaved their way through the packed common room with the question coming from everyone from the Quidditch Captain to the other first years. Truly, she had been tired after the feast and after being held up in the common room for an hour by curious students, she and Hotaru were exhausted.
Eventually, one prefect, Anthony Goldstein was kind enough to point Hotaru towards the first year dorms. "And the fifth years are up there," he directed her. She saw a couple other girls who'd introduced themselves as fifth years at dinner were already making their way up the winding stairs. That would mean more questions. Ami sighed. She was desperate for quiet. "What about the library."
Anthony laughed heartily. "you're gonna fit in well here," he said, running a hand through his curly brown mop of hair. "Unfortunately the big library's closed at this hour but," and he beckoned her over towards the stone bust of a regal looking woman with a strange tiara on her head. "We do have Lady Ravenclaw's personal collection." He bowed to the statue. "Wit beyond measure," he said.
She gasped when the bust smiled and said in a low voice "Is the world's greatest treasure." And there was a groan as a section of the wall behind the bust slid away, revealing endless shelves of bookshelves with bronze accents carved into the sides. She could see plush blue armchairs tucked away by the windows and plenty of lit candlesticks at just the perfect height to be reading lights.
This isn't the big library, she thought in wonder as she wandered in between the shelves. "Thank you," she whispered to Anthony.
"Any time…I recommend the magical theory ones in section 25, but you'll find pretty much everything here. And he left her to it, returning to the crowd of Ravenclaws in the common room still perfectly content to gossip the night away.
The section of the wall shut behind him and she was, at last, alone among the shelves. She wandered for some time, fingers running over the ancient spines of books that looked to have been hand-bound and hand-written. It was impossible to pick just one.
Eventually, she settled on one of the smaller bookcases that stood next to a warm – looking candlestick and an empty armchair, close enough that one could lean over to grab a book without leaving the seat. She did just that, grabbing the first book within reach.
Pythagorean Arithmancy: Un-spelling out the Secrets of Giza.
She dove into the book promptly, fingers twitching over the ancient calligraphy and the many diagrams with curiousity. "I wish I'd remembered a notebook," she muttered.
Something shuffled nearby, and she glanced up to see an unrolled length of parchment hovering near her nose and a bottle of ink, and matching black quill, floating near her hand.
If this is just the library, I can't wait for classes! She thought, biting her lip as she concentrated on copying notes with the medieval writing tool. Lack of computers aside, she was definitely going to enjoy school here.
~SMH~
Gryffindor was clearly not built for quiet, Minako decided. Even the common room seemed designed to carry the students boisterous voices as far as magically possible. Even after the clocks struck eleven and many of the younger years had retired to bed, the older gryffindors for the most part remained awake, crowding into the cozy common room practicing spells, playing exploding cards, and, in the case of the two Weasley twins, daring a number of other house members into pranking themselves with what appeared to be trick-sweets.
Minako hadn't fallen for it herself of course, but she'd made sure Rei had. The sight of her briefly turning into a red canary had been well worth the angry outburst. She'd become human again in burst of fire, feathers burning to the ground all around the common room causing many students to stare. The fire senshi had then proceeded to chase Minako all over the crowded common room in a race that sent everyone around into fits of giggles.
"It was funny!" she called behind her, and yipped as a wheel of fire soared past her head. It had only been a month since she'd gotten the Cherry wand and Rei was already becoming a tad too-good at the fire charms for comfort.
"Here try this one" she heard a girl's voice call over the laughter. "Rictusempra"
Suddenly she was falling forwards, clutching her stomach as what felt like a million fingers set to tickling her. She howled with laughter until her ribs hurt, twitching and rolling across the carpet to the amusement of every Gryffindor around.
"It…was…funny." She gasped as the spell continued to tickle her, and she saw familiar red heels step up next to her. Rei loomed above her with her eyebrows turned down angrily and a devilish smirk spread across her face.
"What do you say."
"You…make…an adorable canary." She stammered and shrieked as the tickling intensified. "Alright! Alright! I'm sorry!"
Rei then nodded at someone nearby and the tickling ceased. Minako collapsed onto the carpet grinning.
"What was that spell again," Rei asked.
"Rictusempra," the spellcaster said, and Minako recognized the voice this time: Ginny.
"That was a good shot, Gin." One of the twins said.
"And Miss. Pyro," the other said to Rei
"We have to know,"
"How did you light all the feathers on fire?" the two boys asked together.
"Miss. Pyro?" Rei asked.
"I like it," Minako grinned, sitting up and accepting Rei' hand as she pulled herself to her feet, she ran a hand through her hair as she looked around the common room. "Uh…where's Usagi?" she asked.
"I think she went up to bed," Ginny said.
Indeed she had, Minako and Rei's antics had been amusing at first, until Usagi'd caught sight of the many comfy chairs around the Gryffindor common room filled with couples. It was probably their reunion after a long summer apart and she had needed to look away from the joyful, happy pairs of students cuddled into the armchairs and around the fire. Even in the large crowd of students, they were all she could focus on once her friends hand been distracted.
The quiet, winding stairs up to the girls dorms had been a welcome avenue of retreat. She had made her way up as quickly as she could, just a little angry at her friends for not noticing her leaving.
But really it's not their fault, she sniffed. They're having fun, and of course we weren't going to find Mamoru in one night, I can't blame them.
Since most of the upper years were still in the common room, she had fully expected the fifth year girls dorm to be empty. But that wasn't the case. She and the other occupant of the room jumped as the caught sight of each other. The girl's face was illuminated by a bright jar of blue flames hovering over her seat on the window sill, highlighting her bushy hair as well as the large book balanced in her lap. Hermione, Usagi recognized from dinner and the train.
"Uh, sorry," Usagi said. "I just came up for some quiet."
"Oh no, it's alright." Hermione smiled. "I heard some commotion down stairs though, Fred and George aren't still messing with the first years are they?"
"No just the upper years."
"Well, if they fall for it that's on them – they should be well familiar with those two's antics by now." Hermione said, looking out the window. "I maybe should go down again and keep the peace."
"No," Usagi said. "I definitely saw a few other people with badges down there, you can't expect to do all the peace keeping yourself – after all." She smiled. "You and the other prefects are a team right?"
Hermione cocked her head to the side as she considered this. "I suppose we are… in each of the houses anyways." She sighed. "Some of us take the job more seriously than others."
"Well, I did just get here… but I think, you can let the other prefects handle Fred and George for a while," Usagi said, taking the seat across from Hermione in the window. She stared at the floating blue flames in the jar. "Did you make that?"
"Oh that, yeah. It's one of my best spells. I mean…no one else really puts them in a jar but I find it makes a good reading lamp you know."
"Yeah." Usagi nodded, reaching out and grabbing the floating jar from the air between them. "And it's warm," she smiled at Hermione. "You must be super bright."
"They do call me a book worm for a reason," Hermione said. "Not to be mean anymore."
"Well good." Usagi said nodding. "I mean, I'm super jealous. I wish I were a bookworm sometimes. But," she thought staring sceptically down at Hermione's huge book. "Comics are more fun."
Hermione laughed. "I've never read one."
"WHAT!" Usagi stared at her. "Well…that's that's…we're gonna have to fix that." She decided, slapping her fist against her palm. She set the jar of flames aside and leaned over Hermione's book "What's that anyways?"
"Oh it's nothin…"
But Usagi had already read the title scrawled across the top of one of the books ancient pages. Introduction the theory of Dark Magic.
Hermione slammed the book shut and hugged it close. "I swear it's not – I would never do these spells…well most of them. Anyways. It's not what you think." She sighed, looking out at the moonlit grounds. "There's…lots of dark wizards in Britain these days, and one of them, V-" she cleared her throat. "Voldemort's been after a friend of mine. He…attacked him last year. It killed another student." She looked back down at the book in her hands. "We've been learning how to defend ourselves for years but…over the summer I realized it was so blind of us not to even consider how the magic they use works. I thought it I studied it maybe I could help." She looked up warily at Usagi. "I'm not using Dark magic, I swear!"
Usagi held up her hands. "Hey, I don't even know what's so bad about it. but…I have seen more than my fair share of evil magic people." She looked thoughtfully at Hermione as a grin formed on her face. "Nah…you don't strike me as the evil type. You're hairstyle's too normal."
Hermione laughed. "I swear that's not how it works. Honestly, You and Ron." She shook her head. "You're just going to believe me though? Just like that."
"I am a good judge of character." Usagi said, and then grew serious for just a moment as she looked down at her hands. "I've…lost someone too, lots of times. And I've had to face a lot of bad people too. So I know, even if other people don't understand, that you try everything you can to help…whether that's stop the bad people or get your friends back."
Hermione thought for a moment. "Did you lose someone recently, is that why you're here."
"He's not lost." Usagi said quickly. "Not like that anyways. It's ah…complicated." She shook her head as Hermione looked at her sceptically. "He's coming back. I know it."
Hermione stared at the blond girl, who didn't seem to realize she still had a few tears in her eyes. Then set her book aside and held out her hand. "Well if you need help finding him, I'll be here." She said. "Friends?"
Usagi grinned at her, the widest grin Hermione had seen her sport all night. It seemed as though it made her eyes sparkle. "Yeah…friends."
~SMH~
…They're settling in well on a whole – Usagi's ended up in the same house as Rei and Minako. They're table was the loudest at the feast (which, as you would assume, also put her in good spirits). So I don't think you and Artemis should worry too much about Usagi's mood. Her house seems quite jovial and full of students eager to welcome newcomers. I think we both know nothing cheers Usagi quite like making new friends.
I'll write again soon – please don't try to claw the poor owl if it nips at your tail. He's already given me quite the affronted look for telling him he's to deliver this to the cat.
I hope Tokyo stays quiet for you and Artemis,
~Setsuna.
Setsuna set her pen aside, having forgone the Wix's quills and ink in favour of their more practical muggle counterpart, and reviewed the letter twice over before beckoning to the large, horned owl roosting on her window sill.
"Remember you're to give this to the purple cat," she said as it hopped over to her, feeling just as ridiculous now as when she'd gone to the Owlery looking for a bird who'd be willing to carry the mail. It was unfortunately quite the hassle to hike all the way across the grounds just to use the Time Doors. Setsuna sighed, affixed the letter to the bird's outstretched leg with a bit of string, and carried it back to the window. It chattered and pecked at her ear the whole way as she protested, covering her ear to save it from the bird's affections.
The first knock at her door came as she was holding the stubborn animal out the window. She frowned. She hadn't even told the others where her chambers were. The sharp rap against her door sounded again.
"Go on, go!" She told the stubborn bird, shaking her arm until is shrieked and soared away. "Who the hell even came up with owl post," she muttered and walked to the door, wondering which of her friends had managed to find her room and break their curfew on the first day.
But it wasn't another senshi, she found out, when she pulled the massive door open and revealed the regal looking figure of the Deputy Headmistress standing under the dramatic light of the hallway's many candles.
"I was hoping you wouldn't have retired yet," Mcgonagall said, her mouth twitching upwards though she didn't smile. Setsuna got the impression it wouldn't have been a natural expression on her face. "I just wanted to come round and check in, how are you finding Hogwarts?"
"Oh it's quite impressive," Setsuna said, giving the Deputy a slight nod. "I imagined such a big castle would hold more students though."
"There were…in years past," Mcgonagall said with a sigh, looking out down the winding hall, where the soft light of the candle sticks danced across the many suits of armor. "In any case, I wanted to see how you were settling in. And seeing as you're quite new to our Magical society, a couple other faculty and I wanted to ask if you'd join us for a drink. It's a first night's tradition – only night the whole year when the children are two tired to attempt any after-hours adventures." She smirked.
Setsuna paused, glancing back into her dark rooms and towards the purse at her desk with her henshin wand. It would be quite odd to bring the bag to a simple drink. But what if there's an enemy.
"Unless of course you're tired," Mcgonagall offered. "They'll certainly understand."
There isn't any danger here, Setsuna reminded herself. The world wasn't going to end if she acted like an ordinary teacher for a while.
"I'd love a drink," she said, stepping out of her rooms and letting the doors swing shut behind her. "Thank you, Professor."
Mcgonagall chuckled and rolled her eyes as she led them towards one of the moving staircases. "Just Minerva, Professor Meioh" She told their new faculty member. "To friends, at least."
Setsuna's heart did an uncomfortable flip. She hadn't even considered the other teachers might want to be friends. Certainly, none of her co-workers in the past had ever expressed such an interest.
"Call me Setsuna," she said.
Minerva felt a genuine smile tug at her lips. She directed them up the stairs and up through more stairs and halls. The two of them traversed the labryinth of the castle towards the gathering of professors who would currently be passing glasses of Firewhiskey around Minerva's parlour. Along the way they completely bypassed the newly filled quarters guarded by a portrait of a garish pink cat. Minerva considered whether it was bad form to extend the invitation to only one of their new additions, but promptly dismissed the thought. Setsuna had seemed thoughtful and quite clever at their staff meeting and again at dinner. And sincere – a quality she saw far too little of these days. Dolores Umbridge had made a distinctly less favourable impression on her.
~I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good~
