Since you didn't find the way things changed too sudden I'm free to continue the story without hesitations. What I really like about this story is the fact that most of the time I have no clue as to where this is heading and I just write what I feel will make this story interesting. That's something totaly new to me so just be patient if some things might seem to not make any sense. I hope they will to the future :) For now enjoy!
Outside the Great Hall there was havoc. A group of fire benders was arguing with the earth benders. Flames were lightened and huge masses of marble were floating ready to be thrown at the fire benders. The fact that the wizards were yelling "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" wasn't helping either. A big circle of students was created around the soon to be battlefield and Hermione couldn't see a thing of what was happening. The teachers who arrived only made things worse.
- You Ash-makers should go back to your Nation! You don't belong in the Earth Kingdom! A tan Asian teenager yelled, threatening a female fire bender with a boulder.
- You Earth Kingdom peasants started another war! You attacked us! She snapped back with a flaming snarl. This was getting out of hand real fast.
- We have to do something! Hermione told Harry.
- Are you mad? What can we do against those benders? We are going to get killed before we even manage to speak! Ron argued, looking at her as if she was nuts.
- We have to get Dumbledore. Harry told them and turned around to leave the spot.
- What's with all the noise? A young water bender asked the Golden Trio. He was coming down from the library to have dinner along with a couple of people from his tribe.
- Some fire benders have gotten into a fight with those folks from the Earth Kingdom. Something about a war I think. Harry replied somewhat indifferently. At that answer they were shocked.
- Are they insane?! The war hasn't even started yet! That's why the Avatar and the Fire Lord left in the first place! One of the boys exclaimed.
- We've got to stop them before they kill each other! The first boy ordered. They left for the Great Hall without any further delay.
- Aang and the others left? Harry sounded surprised. I thought they had skipped lessons to be with Iruka.
- That's what's bothering you? They say there's going to be another war! Hermione exclaimed.
- Uh, guys I'm not sure if this is a good time but we don't know were Dumbledore is so … Ron began to say.
- You're right Ron! We have to see Iruka! He needs to know about this! Harry commented and headed straight for the infirmary.
- But he is seriously injured! We can't disturb him. Hermione argued. But her friends didn't listen so she simply followed them to the Hospital Wing. They pretty much barged into the infirmary to see the headmaster talking to Iruka, whose wound was taking care of by Madam Pomfrey. The school nurse was about to shoo them away, scolding them at the same time for not respecting the hospital's sick occupants. Of course only Iruka was there at the time, but that made no difference to Madam Pomfrey.
- It's alright Poppy; They seem to have something important to tell us. Dumbledore said and Iruka looked at his friends curious.
- There is a fight in the Great Hall! The three of them told him at once and they looked at each other for a moment.
- They talk about a war, sir. The benders. Harry said and his friends nodded in agreement.
- What?! Iruka demanded.
- Who? Was all Dumbledore asked.
- The fire benders and the earth benders Professor. Hermione told him.
- Not again! Iruka muttered to himself. "Headmaster quick! The guests are about to destroy the Great Hall!" A tiny man in armor astride a pony yelled.
- Madam Pomfrey I need to get there! Iruka half-ordered, half-pleaded her. She looked at him with disapprove but then she sighed.
- Fine but you will return immediately after and you shall stay in bed tomorrow all day! She told him, not accepting no as his answer. He nodded in agreement and got up. He took his robe to cover his bandaged torso and leaned on Ron for support. They headed for the Great Hall. What they saw as they arrived made Iruka furious. The water benders and the Air Acolytes were trying to separate the fighting fire and earth benders with little success. To the fight had now joined many of the Slytherins, as well as people from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Well of course Gryffindor couldn't be an exception to that and had joined forces with the earth benders. Dumbledore placed his wand to his neck and he shouted a deafening "ENOUGH!" Immediately all heads snapped to his direction and all fighting stopped when they saw the headmaster and the double bender. The water benders seemed relieved and the fire benders bowed in respect, some more reluctantly than others.
- Have you got no respect for our hosts?! What do you think you're doing, destroying their castle after they so gracefully gave us their hospitality?! The war is over and yet you are about to kill each other for something we don't know it's even true! Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko left to make sure peace will prevail. I do not know who started the argument but don't you share the Avatar and Fire Lord's wish for peace? Too many families have suffered from the Hundred Year War, both from the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom. Someone could think that the lust for blood had subsided from the many battles we have fought against each other. Iruka scolded them like they were children fighting over a game.
- They are starting another war! A fire bender shouted. He was the one standing next to the nobleman that Iruka had fought the other day. He eyed him angry.
- Did you not hear me the first time? No war is going on at our homeland. That's only rumors! We must put the past behind us. As for the wizards, it is not my place to say what you must do, but I must ask you to not join sides so quickly. You now nothing of our past and therefore you cannot understand what is happening. You only make things worse. He shot a quick glance to the students, before turning to the headmaster. I apologize for what my fellow fire benders have done here and I hope that this will not affect our, so far, good relationship between our nations. He told him and bowed in respect. The rest of the fire benders followed his example, bowing all as one.
- Damn right you should be sorry, ash makers! An earth bender snapped. Iruka glared at him.
- You are as much responsible for the damages as we are! I cannot force you to apologize for that and you're lucky that Toph Bei Fong isn't here. You know what she would do to you after you had apologized! At that comment the earth bender shivered and bowed to the Headmaster.
- We are sorry for the disturbance we have cost you and will help with the repairs. He told him, leaving the rest of his group speechless. After a brief moment they too bowed. Dumbledore nodded in approve and bowed back.
- I too must apologize for the rush behavior of my students. I would expect them to be more mature than to encourage and join the fight. He stared at the students. They averted their gazes, too embarrassed to look him in the eyes – well except from certain Slytherins.
- However this incident is nothing a good meal and some friendly company over dinner can't fix. He continued with that familiar amused glitter in his eyes. With a few flicks of his wand all fires were out and anything that had crumbled was fixed. The Great Hall was now welcoming all hungry students and guests alike. As the mass of kids and teenagers swarm in the hall, an Air Acolyte remained in his place. The young girl looked at Iruka with worry.
- You really believe that this new war isn't going to happen?
- I don't now. I have faith that the Avatar and his friends will reason with the Earth King. I'd hate to return to the battle field again. Don't worry yourself with that thought. Leave it to them.
- But…
- No buts… The only thing we can do to help them is to make sure we can return home as friends. He told her calmly and shooed her to dinner. She complied unsure.
- Are you okay mate? You look a bit pale. Ron commented as soon as the girl left.
- Yeah just weak from standing all this time. But I had to do it otherwise someone could have been killed. Suddenly his voice grew tired, lacking its previous confidence and power.
- We'll take you back to the infirmary to rest. I can't believe you were able to get out of bed! Hermione stated.
- Well your nurse had an intense healing session with me all day and Katara made sure to check up on me before she left. If that continues I'll be back in action in no time! He told her optimistically. Hermione didn't pressure the matter anymore. As soon as they delivered him to Madam Pomfrey, she left for the great Hall determined to get some information from the remaining benders.
- What's on your head? Ginny sat next to a frowning Hermione.
- Oh, hey Ginny. Nothing, I was thinking about what happened back in dinner.
- Ah the quarrel between those benders. Fred and George said that things in their homeland are getting worse after only two years of peace. They said something about a war with the Earth Kingdom and some Azula person escaping. In my opinion they're just weird. I mean how could Iruka stand after what happened? Ginny shook her head.
- Don't bother yourself with that Hermione. Didn't you hear what he said? We are not supposed to take sides in their fight. Neville suddenly joined their conversation.
- But they are our friends…
- I know and if they need our help we will be there to help them. But we really don't know anything about them and their countries. How do you know we aren't just making the wrong choices?
- Aang told me about the War and what happened then. I know that Zuko wouldn't willingly start another war. I think that what they are most concerned about is the escape of his sister. Maybe it's her who is trying to start another war. And besides how are we supposed to help them if they leave. We don't even know how to get to their countries! She argued.
- Don't get so worked up Hermione. We got our own problems here. Just this summer we defeated You-Know-Who this summer! Ginny whined. Hermione didn't say another thing and simply stared into the fire. For some reason she had a bad feeling about all this. She didn't know how long she was sitting there but when she looked up again, she was all alone in the common room. She stood up to go to her bed as it was past midnight and shot a last glance at the fire. The figure of a tall old man with a long beard in fiery robes and a peculiar hairpiece holding his long hair in a tight bun appeared in the fire. Hermione blinked at the sight but just as the man had appeared he was now gone. Maybe she was just seeing things because she was tired.
How do you feel about cliffhangers? I haven't used any so far. Is that a good thing or it makes the whole update thing a bit boring? Just to remind you, you can always review or PM me your ideas, expectations, dislikes in the story.
Till next chapter guys!