I've returned! This was kind of a challenge. Now that the gang is at Hogwarts, I'm going to have to get creative with what goes on in their classes.
Enjoy!
Chapter 7
First Week
Harry, Ron, and Rin hurried as fast as they could to Transfigurations. The entire castle was like a huge maze. The stairs had a habit of moving on their own, so getting to classes was very difficult.
They managed to barely get to Transfigurations to find that Professor McGonagall was not there yet, but for some reason there was a tabby cat sitting on her desk.
Ron smiled. "Phew! Looks like we made it!" he exclaimed in relief, shooting his friends a grin.
"Yeah," Rin agreed. "Imagine the look on old lady McGonagall's face if we were late."
The cat jumped off the desk and turned into a very unamused Professor McGonagall. All three boys, as well as the rest of the class, stared in amazement.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Ron exclaimed. McGonagall's face did not change a bit as she approached them.
"Thank you for that assessment, Mr. Weasley," she said. "Maybe if I transfigure you, Mr. Potter, or Mr. Okumura into pocket watches, at least one of you would be on time."
"We got lost," Harry defended. Ron and Rin nodded in agreement.
"Then perhaps a map?" McGonagall retaliated. "I trust you three don't need one to find your seats."
All three boys' faces were bright red as they sat down at their desks. McGonagall walked back to the front of the classroom and addressed her students.
"Welcome to Transfiguration. This is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and never come back. You have been warned," she said.
She then turned her desk into a pig and back. Everyone was amazed at this demonstration but then turned into disappointment when they learned that they had to turn matches into needles (after taking many long and complicated notes).
Everyone had a hard time performing this task. The only thing Rin succeeded in doing to the match was lighting it with his wand. Rin was quite surprised that every time he performed magic with his wand, it spurted a blue flame before the effects of the spell took place. The match that Rin tried to transfigure was lit with blue flames. After lighting five matches on fire, McGonagall didn't give him any more to practice on. Only Hermione managed to make her match nice and pointy.
The other classes were just as complicated as Transfigurations. In Charms, Rin learned, that there was more to magic than waving his wand and saying some silly words. The class was very complicated for Rin.
History of Magic was probably the most boring class ever. Besides the fact that the teacher, Professor Binns, was a ghost, there was nothing exciting about this class. Even Yukio, who was the most studious person Rin knew, had a difficult time paying attention. Rin fell asleep within ten minutes of the start of class.
A dumpy witch with flyaway hair named Professor Sprout taught Herbology in the greenhouses outside. The Okumura twins learned about various plants and fungi along with their properties. Rin would have enjoyed the class more if one of the plants hadn't tried to eat his hand when he reached out to touch it.
Defense Against the Dark Arts was taught by Professor Quirrel. Rin had a difficult time following what his teacher was saying due to his stutter. Rin tried to take this class seriously but Quirrel's stutter along with the strong smell of garlic in the classroom (Quirrel said that it was to ward off a vampire who wanted revenge), made everyone's eyes water and smell like garlic bread. Rin, for some reason, was on the verge of fainting by the end of the class.
~0~0~0~
Much to the Gryffindors' chagrin on Wednesday, they were having Demonology class with the Slytherins. The classroom had charts and posters of a variety of demons and monsters.
"Blimey, makes me wonder how morbid last year's classroom was," Ron muttered.
"I wonder how Professor Kirigakure is as a teacher," Harry said as he sat down at a desk.
"I'm wondering whose idea it was to pair the Gryffindors with the Slytherins twice a week," Rin grumbled as he studied his timetable. Later on that week, the Gryffindors would be with the Slytherins again for Potions.
"Don't understand why we have to take these classes to begin with," Malfoy drawled as he and his cronies entered the classroom. "Why study demons at all? Just how many of us can actually see them anyway?"
"I'm looking at one right now," Rin answered snidely. "And he makes hobgoblins look as cute as bunnies."
Ron and Harry snickered at Rin's insult to Malfoy, who turned a little pink.
"Trying to be funny, Okumura?" he challenged.
Rin was about to make a comeback when the classroom door slammed shut. Professor Kirigakure strode into the classroom. Judging by her disheveled appearance, she was still waking up from a hangover.
"What is it with the UK and tea? Would it kill the house elves to serve coffee?" she grumbled to herself. She made it to the front of the classroom and took attendance (although she paused for a moment when she reached Rin's name, something Harry thought unusual since most teachers so far got excited when they reached his name during attendance).
"Welcome to Introduction to Demonology," she started. "My name is Shura Kirigakure as you well know. Please call me Professor Shura. Calling me by my last name makes me sound like an old hag, plus it's a mouthful. First thing's first, I do not tolerate tardiness. The moment the door closes, class has begun. If you're tardy, you better have a good excuse.
"Second, this class is the newest on Hogwarts' curriculum. It was established about ten years ago. Professor Dumbledore thought you guys needed to know at least the basics of Demonology. After your third year, this class will become an elective. Whether you want to continue studying in this class or not is up to you. Now let's begin.
"Who has the ability to see demons?" Only two people raised their hands. "Okay. Now why is that?"
Hermione shot her hand up.
"Granger?"
"They are able to see demons because they have temptaints," Hermione answered.
Shura nodded. "Correct. Five points to Gryffindor," she said. "Now, how does one get a temptaint?"
Hermione raised her hand again.
"Granger again?"
"A person receives a temptaint when they have been wounded or have been afflicted with an illness by a demon," Hermione answered again.
"Correct again. Another five points to Gryffindor," said Shura. She looked around before speaking again. "Well, what are you guys gawking at? Write this stuff down!"
Everyone hastily scrambled to take out parchment and started writing down notes.
Malfoy grumbled something about this class being a waste of time when a purple sword with green gems that looked like snake eyes was jammed into his desk. Malfoy yelped and saw that Professor Shura was the wielder of the sword. Rin dropped his jaw. He didn't even see her draw it. Harry almost felt sorry for Malfoy who was cowering at the sword and its wielder.
"Waste of time, huh? You got a problem with this class, go cry about it to Dumbledore," she said. "You'd be surprised at the kinds of things I can do as an exorcist. Muggles can do this." She smiled sadistically at Malfoy. "I'm going to enjoy teaching you, you little ferret." She removed her sword from the desk and addressed the students.
"Now, for this class we'll be discussing the different meisters an exorcist can receive. Can anyone tell me what those five meisters are? Let's pick someone else, Granger. Give em' a chance to be in the spotlight."
~0~0~0~
"She's bloody mental!" Ron exclaimed as they were leaving Demonology.
"Jabbing that sword into Malfoy's desk was overkill," Harry noted. He didn't like Malfoy but he didn't think the Slytherin deserved that kind of treatment.
"Did anyone see her draw the sword?" asked Rin.
"No," Ron and Harry said at the same time.
"I think I heard her say something, but I didn't hear exactly what she said," Ron recalled.
"Do you think that demons really do exist?" asked Harry. "I've never seen one in person."
Rin nodded. "Demons do exist," he confirmed. "My cat, Kuro? He's a demon."
Ron and Harry's eyes widened.
"How?" asked Harry. "He looks like a normal cat to me."
Rin nodded again. "Yeah, I know. But Dad was able to summon him with a piece of paper with a summoning circle on it. Plus, Yukio has a temptaint so he knows what Kuro really looks like," he explained.
"Until I get a temptaint, Yukio will have to be our demon detector," said Ron.
~0~0~0~
"Hey, Yukio, where were you during Demonology?" asked Terry Boot as they saw Yukio leave the library on Thursday.
"Professor Shura didn't even call your name when she took attendance," Michael Corner noted.
Yukio hesitated. What was he supposed to tell them? They obviously saw him as a friend but would they still think the same if he told them the truth?
"Before I tell you, can you keep a secret? Even from my own brother?" Yukio asked.
Terry, Michael, and Anthony looked amongst each other before nodding.
"Sure, Yukio," Terry promised. "We won't tell anyone." Michael and Anthony nodded, letting Yukio know that they promised too.
Yukio released a breath before telling them. "I'm in Beginner's Demonology II," he admitted.
The three Ravenclaw first years dropped their jaws.
"You're in a third year class?!" Terry asked.
"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Anthony.
"How did you get that far ahead of us?" asked Michael.
Yukio raised his hands defensively. "Shhhh! Keep it down! I don't want word to spread," he said.
Terry was the first to calm down. "Well, how did this happen?" he asked. "Why didn't you tell us?"
Yukio rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I told you guys that my dad is an exorcist, didn't I?"
Anthony nodded. "Yeah, you and your brother were raised in a monastery, right?"
Yukio nodded. "Yeah. My dad's a high-ranking exorcist at the Knights of the True Cross," Yukio explained. "I've been able to see demons for as long as I can remember. Dad told me I could become an exorcist to protect Rin. And I've been training in secret ever since. Dad also told Dumbledore about me and agreed that I should be in a harder class."
"Wow…" the three boys said in awe.
"Please don't tell Rin or anyone else, okay?" Yukio begged. "He'll get really jealous and would want to get involved too. Dad doesn't want that."
Terry, Michael, and Anthony looked at each other again and nodded.
"We won't tell anyone," Anthony promised.
"In return, you have to help us with our Demonology homework from now on," Michael compromised.
Yukio stared at them incredulously. "Wh-what?!"
Terry smiled and nodded. "It wouldn't be fair if we struggle in this class when you already know the material."
"We're your friends, right?" said Michael. "It's only natural you help us with our homework."
Yukio continued to stare at them before giving them a nervous smile. "Okay. I'll help you with your Demonology homework if you promise to not tell anyone that I'm taking harder classes," he clarified.
"Deal," Terry, Michael, and Anthony promised simultaneously.
~0~0~0~
GRRRRGGLLL!
Rin gripped his stomach as it growled at him again, telling him to feed it. He had looked all over the castle and couldn't find a way to get to the kitchens for a quick snack. Harry and Ron had no idea where the kitchens were so Rin was on his own to find them.
He saw Fred and George leaving Transfigurations. Maybe they knew where the kitchens were.
"Hey! Fred! George!" he called out to them.
Both red-headed twins turned towards Rin before smiling.
"How can we help you, Rin?" asked Fred.
"Figuring out your way around Hogwarts?" asked George.
GGRRRGGGLLL!
Rin sweatdropped as his stomach made itself known to the twins. "Does that answer your question?" he asked, embarrassed.
"It's still mid-afternoon," George noted.
"Dinner's still a long ways away," Fred added.
"Looking for the kitchens?" they asked at the same time. Rin's face turned a little red and nodded.
"Just want a snack to tide me over until dinner," he grumbled.
"What do you think, Fred? Should we tell him?"
"I say yes, George," said Fred. The two each grabbed one of Rin's shoulders before leading him away from the other students still lingering outside the classroom.
"There's a painting of a bowl of fruit near the Hufflepuff house entrance," George explained. "Just tickle the pear…"
"And you're in," Fred finished.
Rin smiled. He had a pretty good idea where the entrance to Hufflepuff house was (getting lost on his way to class all week would finally pay off). He thanked the Weasley twins and made his way to the kitchens.
~0~0~0~
Rin stared in awe at how many little people were working in the kitchens. They all had batlike ears and eyes the size of tennis balls. They looked like some sort of subspecies of goblin. The moment Rin closed the door, everyone looked in his direction.
Rin looked at them all. Their huge eyes were starting to creep him out.
"Uh...hi?" Rin greeted nervously.
One little woman came forward and bowed so low, her nose almost touched the floor. "Good afternoon, sir," she greeted. "How can we help you?"
Rin blinked before snapping out it. "Uh, yeah! Um, can you guys make some rice balls or something for me? I need a snack," he requested.
The little woman suddenly looked around, looking panicked. "Dolly's sorry, sir! No one here knows how to make 'rice balls!'" she exclaimed, looking ready to burst into tears.
Rin panicked too and started waving his hands frantically in an effort to calm the little person down. "H-Hey! It's okay! I can teach you guys how to make them if it makes you feel better!" he exclaimed frantically.
The little woman called Dolly started to calm down. "Y-you would teach Dolly and the other house elves how to make these 'rice balls?'" she asked.
Rin nodded. "Sure, I can teach you," he replied. He then looked at all the other house elves in the kitchen. "Is that what you guys are? House elves?"
Dolly nodded. "Yes, sir. We cook all the meals here at Hogwarts," she explained. "We are also responsible for cleaning the dormitories."
Rin's jaw dropped. "That's amazing! You guys are really good cooks!" he exclaimed.
Dolly blushed a little at the praise. "Thank you, sir."
Rin smiled. He was going to like these house elves. "You're welcome. Now, let's get started with those rice balls. We're going to need rice, dried seaweed, and… pickled plums! I'm in the mood for plums in my rice balls."
Several house elves disappeared in a series of cracks! When they reappeared, they were carrying the necessary ingredients.
Rin rolled up his sleeves. "Okay! Step back and I'll show you how it's done!"
~0~0~0~
Rin made more than enough rice balls for a simple snack. Several house elves tried the confections that Rin made. Their tennis ball-sized eyes widened when they took their first bites.
"These are most delicious, sir!" Dolly exclaimed. "Dolly must know how to make these!"
"Please, sir!" another house elf begged. "We must know how to make these 'rice balls' for the next time you come visit."
"Sure!" Rin chirped. He got out a piece of parchment, his quill, and a bottle of ink and wrote the recipe down. "I'll also write down other things you can put into the rice balls besides plums. You can put in other pickled fruits as well as grilled meats."
"Thank you so much, sir!" said Dolly.
"By the way, my name's Rin. Rin Okumura."
"A pleasure to meet you, Rin Okumura," said Dolly. "Rin Okumura is always welcome in the kitchens."
Rin took a bite of a rice ball and smiled. "A pleasure to meet you too, Dolly."
He could tell that this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
So much happened in the first week, huh?
I wanted Rin to display his culinary talents at least once in this story, so I had him meet the Hogwarts house elves.
Now, before you guys throw a hissy fit about the Demonology classes, let me explain. The subject as a whole is divided by Introduction, Beginner's I & II, Intermediate I & II, and Advanced I & II. First years do Introductory, Second and Third year students learn the Beginner's classes. I put Yukio in Beginner's II because I heard somewhere that he became an Exwire at age 13. If a student completes Intermediate Demonology II (when they're a fifth year), they're the equivalent to an Exwire.
Hopefully, you guys understand my explanation. I'm not the best at explaining these kinds of things.
Keep reviewing! The more you review, the sooner we'll meet our favorite Potions master!
