The incoming students were introduced to Professor McGonagall and shown into a side room. They watched as some ghosts talked before being let back in. Most were talking about the sorting, but Kiro wasn't paying attention. The walls seemed to be filled with… energy. No one else seemed to notice it. Before long they were lead into the Great Hall. Kiro marveled at the sheer size and magic the room held. The students lined up in front of the staff table.
Kiro shifted uneasily in the line. He disliked being on display like this. He snapped to attention as McGonagall set a stool and hat down in front of them. He wondered what they were for. Would he have to do something to the hat? The next moment it broke into song. It described itself and each of the houses. It also told how it sorted the students. Ron was whispering happily to Harry. Kiro's thoughts raced, So I'll be sorted based on four base characteristics. Courage, loyalty, cleverness, and cunning. This should be interesting.
Soon students were being called down. Kiro watched interestedly. They quickly passed the A's through the E's. The F's had just begun.
"Finch-Fletchey, Justin!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Finnigan, Seamus!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The next name was that of Hermione. She was eventually decided to go into Gryffindor as well. Ron groaned at that announcement. Kiro hoped he would join her. She seemed to be very interesting.
The rest followed. The portly boy, Neville, was sorted into Gryffindor while Malfoy went to Slytherin. They proceeded and finally reached the P's.
"Parkinson…"
Finally, "Pathor, Kiro!"
Kiro moved forward and sat. He closed his eyes as the hat sat on his head. He heard a voice in his ear.
"Interesting what we have here. Loyal to no end. Cleaver too. But you have outstanding courage. Especially in light of what happened."
How? How do you know about it?
"I can see everything in your mind, buried or not. Do not worry, no other shall know. Now it must be GRYFFINDOR!"
Kiro smiled as the announcement was made. Thank you. He took the hat off and made to the table. He was greeted happily by the Weasley twins. He sat down to see twins being sorted into two different houses. After another person came Harry's name. The hat seemed to take it's time before calling out the decision of Gryffindor. Kiro waved Harry over as cheers came over the table.
The twins were basically dancing while singing, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"
After Harry there were five people left. Two girls and three boys. "Thomas, Dean!" went to Gryffindor while "Turpin, Lisa!" went to Ravenclaw. The next two were Ron and a slight girl with short brown hair. She was called next.
"Vogel, Aile!"
She moved forward, looking worried. Almost as the hat touched her head it called out, "RAVENCLAW!"
Ron turned a sickly green color as he stood almost alone in front of the whole school. As he was called he rushed forward and put the hat on. After a moment it called out Gryffindor. He practically ran over to Harry and Kiro. He received slaps on the back from his brothers and a high five from Kiro.
The last student was sorted and everyone started to calm down. At that moment Dumbledore stood up. He looked pleased and smiled at the students.
"Welcome!" his voice carried out over the students, getting all attention. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin the banquet I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
"Thank you!"
He sat as Kiro looked a little shocked. He clapped with everyone else. He looked to Harry as he spoke to Percy.
"Is he… a bit mad?" came Harry's voice with a bit of uncertainty.
"Mad?" said Percy airily. "He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad, yes. Potatoes, Harry?"
Kiro looked around to find all the plates filled with food of all sorts. Every kind of meat and food were there: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, potatoes, fries, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and some mints. Kiro licked his lips hungrily.
Kiro ate quickly and got his fill of meat, potatoes and vegetables. After a bit he started to look around. Everyone was chatting and enjoying themselves. He noticed how normal it all seemed. Despite the fact they were in a building brimming with magic, they all were just acting like the kids and teens they were. He smiled, he might actually fit in.
He only then realized Ron and Harry were speaking with the ghost sitting with them.
"How can you be nearly headless?"
The ghost grabbed his ear and tugged, revealing a severed neck that was barely held on by a scrap of skin. Kiro scooted away a little, disgusted with the sight. It was a horrible wound. "So, new Gryffindors! I hope you're going to help us win the house championship this year? Gryffindors have never gone so long without winning. Slytherins have got the cup six years in a row! The Bloody Baron's becoming almost unbearable, he's the Slytherin ghost."
Kiro smirked at the fact Malfoy looked uncomfortable next to the blood splattered ghost next to him. The ghost himself would be threatening if he had a real form. Somehow the intangible state they were in lessened their scariness to Kiro.
"So how did he get covered in blood?" asked an interested Seamus.
"I've never asked," replied the ghost, Kiro really had to learn his name.
"Wise choice. I wouldn't want to ask him either." Kiro said diplomatically.
As the meal disappeared, dessert appeared. Every kind of sweet was available. Cakes, pies, ice cream, and many more. Kiro filled his plate and dug in. He was starting to get tired as he finished his second plate. Everyone started to discuss families.
When it got to Kiro he shrugged, "I… I'm an only child. Both of my parents are mundane."
Ron shook his head, "Why do you keep saying mundane? Why not use the normal term of muggle?"
"Because, Ron, I find the term derogatory. It feels like an insult to anyone who isn't magical. Mundane covers anything that doesn't have magic in it. It also sounds nicer."
"Sorry mate, I didn't know you didn't like the word."
Kiro shook his head this time, "It's alright. You didn't know. Now you do. No harm done."
Everyone kept the conversation going until the dessert left the plates and Dumbledore stood once again. He outlined some simple rules and guidelines. The one that caught everyone off guard was the warning about the third floor charms corridor. After singing the school song everyone got up and went for the doors. Kiro fell into step with Ron and Harry. Soon they were threading through the corridors. They were only slowed by a poltergeist.
After getting in the first years were lead into their dormitory. Kiro sighed at the sight. There were six four-posters in the room. Kiro located his trunk at the last in line and pulled out his night clothes before climbing into bed.
Kiro was managing to figure out the pathways of the castle better then his two cohorts. While he still got lost, he was able to steer them away from several mishaps with trick doors. His sensing of magic helped his spotting of fake doors and trick staircases. He still didn't like it when ghosts popped through the doors he was trying to open. He tried to ignore Peeves when he appeared, but it only made it worse. Peeves took it as a challenge to drive Kiro nuts. Every prank seemed to slow him down more.
Filch was worse still. They got in trouble with him the very first morning. He caught Kiro trying to convince Ron and Harry that the door they were trying wouldn't open. It turned out to be the forbidden door to the third floor corridor. They were rescued by Professor Quirrell who happened to be passing by.
His cat was named Mrs. Norris; she was a scrawny, dust-covered cat with bulging, lamp like eyes. She seemed to be more intelligent then she let on. She also shared a bond with her owner. If you broke a rule within her sight she would disappear and return almost right away with Filch on her heals. He knew his way around the school to a terrifying extent. Only the twins seemed to know the school better.
Classes proved to be very interesting. Charms and Transfiguration were both enlightening on what wizards and witches could actually do to the world around them. Astronomy soon became a delight for Kiro. Staring at the night sky in the tower rivaled the view form the mountains of home. Herbology turned out to be more interesting then just tending plants. They learned about the uses of all the magical plants they had there.
Rivaling the most boring history class in grade school was History of Magic. At first Kiro had looked forward to knowing about the wizarding world, he was disappointed by the droning lecture of Professor Binns. The old ghost spoke in a monotone that put even the most attentive students, Kiro and Hermione, into a bit of a stupor. They each only could take notes and try and to absorb what was said.
Potions turned out to be more of an ordeal then Kiro had first thought. The day began well enough. It was the second day in a row they managed to make it down to breakfast without a hitch.
"What the schedules have for us today?" Harry asked as the sat down to eat.
"Double potions with the Slytherins," said Ron. "Snape's Head of Slytherin House. They say he favors them. We'll be able to see if it's true."
"Well, I'm not looking forward to it. I had a look at some of the potions. I don't think I'll have the patients to make them. I can't hold still long enough to make eggs let alone make a potion for two hours."
Harry shrugged. "Wish McGonagall favored us."
The mail arrived at that moment. Kiro looked up and was delighted to see his owl, Garan, amongst the owls arriving. He flew down and sat on Kiro's shoulder. He stroked his chest before pulling off the letter. "Thanks Garan. I was hoping my parents would write back." He read the note, seeing that his parents were doing fine. He had told them about all of his classes to this point. He looked over to see that Harry had a letter as well.
"What did you get Harry? Just a routine letter for me."
"Hagrid wants to know about my first week. Want to come meet him?"
"Sure, sounds like fun. What time?"
"He wants to meet at three for tea."
The three left for the dungeons for the class. They sat down only to look back to see the Professor stalk in the room. He immediately began taking role call. He stopped at Harry's name.
"Ah yes," he said softly, "Harry Potter. Our new… celebrity."
He continued while Kiro glared at him. He considered treating Harry differently because of what happened wrong. And here was a Professor, no less, acting cruel to him.
Snape gave a lecture about the class. Kiro rolled his eyes. He knew this class was going to suck. After finishing he quickly turned to Harry.
"Potter!" Snape snapped, "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry sat there with an astonished look on his face.
"I don't know, sir," he stammered.
Snape sneered.
"Tut, tut, fame clearly isn't everything."
He ignored Hermione's hand and Kiro's glare.
"Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
Kiro let out a growl of anger. How does he expect Harry to know some of this? I read the book start to finish! I barely know it!
"I don't know."
"Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming eh, Potter?" said Snape with a dark sneer, "What is the difference between Wolfsbane and monkshood?"
"I don't know…"
Kiro lost it right then. He stood and yelled, "This is ridiculous! How do you expect a first year to know this in the first class? I read the book cover to cover! I don't know the answers to what you are asking! Personally I think you are a sadist who enjoys tormenting students!"
Snape looked insulted at Kiro. "Twenty points from Gryffindor for that outburst Mr. Pathor. You will serve detention tonight at seven o'clock tonight."
He turned back to Harry and smirked. "For your information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfs bane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite. Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?"
The rest of the class continued to get worse from this point. They began to brew a potion to cure boils. He downplayed all of the students' work, other then the Slytherins. Halfway though the class the room was filled with acidic green smoke. Neville came out coughing as the potion spilled across the floor. Everyone jumped up on their stools. Neville was moaning in pain as he broke out in boils.
"Idiot boy!" Snape snarled, clearing the spilled potion with his wand. "I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?"
Neville whimpered as boils started to pop up all over his nose.
"Take him up to the hospital wing," Snape said livid. He turned to Ron and Harry, who had been working next to Neville.
"You, Potter, why didn't you tell him not to add the quills? Thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That's a point from Gryffindor."
Kiro made to stand again and was pulled down by Hermione.
"Don't. You are already in enough trouble with the Professor as is. You don't want another night's detention with him do you?" she hissed in his ear.
"This is unfair. He has no right to accuse Harry like that!" Kiro whispered back.
When they left the dungeon and hour later, Kiro was livid. Not only had he cost his house points, he discovered that Snape was a complete prick. He had a detention that night; no doubt it would be unpleasant.
Ron tried to cheer them up, "Don't worry about the points, He's always taking points off Fred and George. His detention shouldn't be too bad. He won't do anything to hurt you."
Kiro sat heavily at the table. "Thanks Ron. Just what I needed to hear. I mean that relieves my anxieties about him being a complete prick and sadist," he replied sarcastically.
Harry merely chose to shrug. They ate quickly and went back to the common room to start their work.
At five to three they got up to visit Hagrid. They approached a rustic style hut and were greeted by booming barks after knocking.
"Back, Fang, back!"
Kiro smirked as the door opened to reveal the giant of a man that lead them to the boats. He held the collar of a large boarhound. Kiro held his hand out to the dog and was rewarded with a sloppy lick.
"Well what do you know? He likes ye'. Make yerselves at home," said Hagrid with a smile. He motioned for them towards the single room.
"This is Ron and Kiro," Harry motioned to each of them as Hagrid put a kettle on the table and a plate of rock cakes down.
"Another Weasley, eh?" said Hagrid, glancing quickly at Ron. "I spent half me life chasin' yer twin brothers away from the forest."
Kiro skirted around the rock cakes. They looked to be as hard as their namesakes. They all talked about their lessons. Kiro chuckled as Fang drooled over Harry's leg. He sipped the tea politely. He still hadn't gotten use to the taste of tea.
They all laughed as Hagrid called Filch "that old git."
"An' as fer that cat, Mrs. Norris, I'd like ter introduce her to Fang sometime. D'yeh know, every time I go up ter the school, she follows me everywhere? Can't get rid of her, Filch puts her up to it."
"Why don't you bring Fang in? I'm sure he would scare her off." Kiro asked.
"Well… I never thought 'bout it. I'll try it next time. Should prove to be quite 'musing."
Kiro grinned wickedly, "You'll have to tell us about it."
Harry then mentioned Snape's lesson. Hagrid was a bit upset at Kiro for speaking like that to a professor, but told them not to worry. He claimed that Snape had great dislike for most of the students.
"But he seemed to really hate me."
Kiro nodded in agreement.
"Rubbish!" said Hagrid. "Why should he?"
Kiro noted that Hagrid looked distinctly at the table when he said that. There was more to this then what was said.
Hagrid changed tracks after that.
"How's yer brother Charlie?" Hagrid asked Ron. "I liked him a lot, great with animals."
Kiro smiled and joined in the conversation about the magical creatures in the world. They continued for a minute or two before Harry spoke up again.
"Hagrid!" said Harry, "that Gringotts break-in happened on my birthday! It might've been happening while we were there!"
Kiro looked shocked at Harry's statement. He looked at Hagrid to see him clearly looking away from Harry and the others. The only response was a grunt and an offer for another rock cake.
They left not long after that, all loaded down with rock cakes they couldn't refuse. Kiro shuffled towards dinner, his detention hanging over his head.
At five to seven he left the common room with a short wave to Ron and Harry. He made his way to Snape's office slowly. About half way there he was stopped by Filch.
"What do you think you're doing at this hour? Trying to get into the forbidden corridor?" snapped Filch.
"No, I am on my way to detention with Snape. Would you please step out of the way so I won't be late?" replied a bored Kiro.
"How do I know you aren't up to mischief?"
Kiro held out the detention slip and then moved past the stuttering Filch. He managed to knock on Snape's door at the last second.
"Enter."
Kiro stepped into an eerie room that was lined with jars. Each one held a misshapen mass that might have once been living things. Kiro shivered. Snape motioned to the chair in front of his desk.
"Do you know why you are here boy?"
"Because I spoke my mind about your opinions?"
Snape hissed. "Another word like that you will be spending another night here. You are here because you insulted me, a professor, and spoke out of turn in class. You will now be doing lines for the next two hours. You will write 'I will not insult another professor. I will not speak out of turn in class.' You may begin."
Kiro let his head drop as he pulled out his quill. This was going to be a long night. Not only was he mindlessly writing the same thing over and over, he was being insulted by Snape. He started to write slowly. After about forty-five minutes Snape spoke up.
"Tell me boy, are all Americans as foolish as you or are you a special case like Potter?"
Kiro gritted his teeth. He knew he was being taunted. He closed his eyes before he let out the answer he wanted. No, don't let him get you in more trouble. He let out a slow breath and kept writing.
Just before Kiro left Snape spoke up one more time. "Why did you get up in class like that? You had no reason, Pathor."
Kiro looked back at Snape. "I spoke up because what you were doing was unfair. I would have done it again when you were insulting Neville if Granger hadn't stopped me. I dislike bullies and people who abuse power. You are supposed to be a professor. You should be helping your students instead of belittling them. But what would I know? I'm just a foolish American." With that Kiro turned and walked out before Snape could respond.
When he got back to the common room he was greeted by his friends. They began to inquire about what had happened.
"So what did he have you do? Did it hurt?" asked an exasperated Ron.
"Did he say anything? Insult you?"
"Guys calm down. He had me do lines. All two hours I was writing. Trust me, writing the same two lines for that length is no fun. He tried to get a rise out of me but I didn't take it. At the end he asked me about my reasons for insulting him. I told him about my dislike of those that abuse their power. That was it."
"You got off lightly. I'm surprised you didn't get in more trouble." said a voice behind him.
Kiro turned to see Hermione standing there, looking unhappily at him.
"I received the punishment he thought was best. Besides, being in his presence and being surrounded by those creepy jars is punishment enough."
"Well you might want to think about that before you lose Gryffindor any more points."
"I will do what I think is right. Nothing will stop me from doing that."
Hermione decided that was enough and huffed away.
"Mental that one," said Ron.
"She seems to really be on your case Kiro," Harry stated as he looked back at his friend.
He shrugged. "Just a little too uptight. She should loosen up after a bit."
"Mental."
After a few weeks Kiro started to get a real feel for his classes. His initial feel for the classes had been fairly accurate. Potions seemed to be a trial by fire. Insults and downplaying of effort went towards all of the Gryffindor students while the Slytherin were praised.
Transfiguration was an entirely different matter. While still difficult, it was fair. Professor McGonagall always pushed each of them to do their best in class.
"Today class, we will be changing thread into a solid ring. Everyone keep trying, you will get it soon."
The class was soon filled with people pointing their wands at small loops of string. Before the class was half over there was an excited yell from the front of the class.
"Professor! I did it!" Hermione was nearly jumping out of her seat.
Ron groaned. "There goes the teacher's pet again. She's such a know it all."
Kiro nudged him. "Shhh. Don't talk so loud. You'll get in trouble. So what if she got it down first? She knows the material better then anyone else."
Harry ignored the argument for the time and kept trying. After a minute more of work he let out a sound of surprise. Before him lay a ring of pure silver.
"Nice Harry. Professor. Harry got it to work as well."
McGonagall came over and picked up Harry's ring.
"Excellent work Mr. Potter. Five points for Gryffindor for the excellent design of the ring."
Ron and Kiro both patted Harry's back before going back to work. Beside Kiro, Neville sighed and dropped his wand on the table.
"I'll never get it." Before him lay the string, still completely unchanged.
Kiro slapped his shoulder lightly. "Don't give up. You can do anything you put your mind to. Try and think of what you want and focus on that."
Neville nodded and picked back up his wand. He pointed it at the string and muttered the spell quietly. The string became rigid and had a slight sheen to it. Kiro picked it up.
"Good work. See what you can do when you put your mind to it?" Kiro smiled and turned to go back to his own work.
A mumble came from the boy next to him.
"What was that Neville?"
"Thanks. No one said that to me before."
"Not a problem. You're my friend. I want you to do your best."
By the end of the class most of the students had produced a viable ring. Harry's and Hermione's were the best of the bunch.
Charms proved to be the most amusing class of all the others. The most recent class the Gryffindors were treated to had the goal to get some balls to roll through a small maze. Each student was given three tries to get the ball start to finish. They had to avoid small holes and other things to stop the ball.
Hermione had just finished her turn with two tries before she completed it. Kiro was standing to do his try at it next. He looked at the maze nervously. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on mate. You got this. You got this charm down easy." Ron gave him thumbs up as he placed the ball at the start.
He waved his wand and got the ball rolling. He eased it past each hole and around each obstacle. He let out a slow breath as it rolled out the exit.
"Amazing work Mr. Pathor. I believe that is five points for extraordinary control with that charm and the best time in several years."
Kiro blushed at the praise. He stepped aside to watch Harry and Ron try. By the end of the class, only four students made it to the end of the maze. Besides Kiro and Hermione, only Neville and Lavender hand managed the maze. Hermione was beaming at the end.
"Congrats on getting through the maze Hermione. You too Neville and Lavender. That maze was difficult."
"Yea, but Kiro you got it in one try. It took me all three to make it through." said Lavender.
"True, but I played a mundane game that was similar. This was much easier. In the game you controlled its tilt with two wheels. This I controlled the ball. It made it much simpler."
"Neville, your charms are really good. You seem to be a natural. How did you get it to jump the last hole?" asked a curious Hermione.
"Oh," Neville blushed a bit, "it sort of happened. I gasped a little and flicked my wand. The ball moved with it. Luck for me it went over the hole instead of in it."
Kiro laughed and patted his friend's back. "Luck or no. You did well."
Astronomy was a true joy for Kiro. It was one of the only classes they shared with the Ravenclaws. The first couple lessons they learned how to set up the telescopes and properly identify the stars. It was their third class when they actually discussed the magic of the stars.
"Now, who knows why all witches and wizards must learn about the celestial bodies?" asked Professor Sinistra.
A few people looked confused at her words. Without a doubt Hermione's hand was in the air along with several Ravenclaws. She smiled and called on Aile.
"We learn about them so we will be able to cast spells and brew potions in proper times. Many potions depend on lunar cycles while some spells require certain positions of stars to work. It is also used in the laughable practice of divination." Aile answered calmly.
Sinistra looked a little disappointed, "That is correct, but I do ask that you don't insult other classes. Five points to Ravenclaw. Now all of that is true. We will learn how to identify the stars and planets that have the greatest magical significance. What planet is named for the Roman god of war?"
Kiro's hand shot up. "Mars. It is the planet closest to earth in distance and similarity. So it holds some of the most power for spells."
"Five points to Gryffindor. Now everyone take a spot and continue to mark down planet positions from last class."
People groaned as they all sat up and set up their telescopes. Kiro ended up between Harry and Aile. As they all started to write down names as they found the planets. After a minute Aile spoke up.
"How did you know so much about Mars?"
Kiro smirked as he said, "I always liked looking at the stars. I picked up a book about Mars when I was younger. Mind you it was mundane. I learned about how Mars could possible had life on it. Since then I have always loved looking at the other planets."
They continued to chat idly throughout the class. Near midnight they all went back towards their common rooms.
"I enjoyed talking to you Kiro. Want to work on the essay together?"
"Sure. How about Saturday after lunch?"
"Works for me. See you then," Aile turned off with the other Ravenclaws.
"Well looks like you have a date Kiro," said Ron with a teasing tone.
"No I don't!"
Dean chipped in, "Kiro and Aile sitting in a tree!"
"K… I… S… S… I… N… G…" sang Lavender.
"Shut up!"
Everyone laughed as the entered the common room for the night.