Hermione's POV
This cannot be happening. I swear to god that if that goddamned letter is not supposed to be mine, I'll castrate every single horse my eyes can see.
But anyhow, here I am, already on the red train to Hogwarts!
Yup, no takesies-backsies right now!
The all-familiar scenery was hard to pass by as the sky gets ready for sunset. Well, I wasn't. The others were practically squirming in their seats. We were halfway there already. The exorcists, Komui, Link, Tevak, Madarao, Tokusa and my siblings, were happily enjoying themselves with a huge cart of sweets courtesy of the food cart lady. She seemed to be so happy to see me again that she had to give her whole cart for free so that I and the others would indulge ourselves. We gave her some galleons, so it wouldn't be a waste and just dove in. By far, we've already had two accidents: a hole on Allen's tongue and a waterfall of bile courtesy of cockroach clusters from Kanda. Link was positively disgusted, but he had to write everything down.
Anyhow, I packed everything I needed for this trip—
Oh, yeah. I forgot to tell you why we were going to Hogwarts.
Apparently, there had been akuma sightings throughout Hogwarts. There was one by the Quidditch Pitch and by the towers. Officials said that they didn't look like dementors, so they asked the Black Order to investigate. Plus, they've said that there were two murdered Aurors just right outside Diagon Alley; their bodies were, like they said, broken like crystals. The letter Dumbledore gave us merely said that he would like all of us at Hogwarts. At least they put up enchanted shields all across the magical realm, so that's good. And after we figure out the problem, we get the chance to watch the first Quidditch match of the season!
But I want you to know, everybody didn't even think for even a second as they agreed.
"Oi, Hermione. What does this 'Hogwarts' look like?" Lavi asks as he sits next to me. All of us had to wear our exorcist uniforms since this was to be a formal meeting.
"It's like a medieval castle with a few bats here and there," I said nonchalantly as I played with my fingers on my lap. "You'll see real ghosts there and moving paintings, so don't get your knickers in a twist, okay?"
"Of course, we'll do anything that won't make you cry again," Lavi nodded solemnly until he grinned like a fox. "Len says that you have a crush there in that school. Is that true?"
I felt the heat rise up my face. "I-I do not!"
"A-a-ah! You answered so quickly! That does mean that you do have a crush!" Lavi laughed, giving me a nudge. I pushed him off, but altogether laugh with him.
"I'll kill him, I swear I will," I heard someone whisper on my ear and I jumped and turned, only to look at the deadly face Edward is giving to Lavi.
"Edward, you shouldn't be too rash—"
"Rash? He's flirting with you!"
"Like you don't flirt with Deana when we were kids," I slyly said to him, causing him to blush.
Deana Peters. Ah, she brings back good memories. I was four back then and I would always notice how Edward looks at Deana, our neighbour. She left the town when I was about eight. Apparently, her family moved to Galia and she's working there now as a librarian at the kingdom's library. I would visit her in most afternoons, and she would always ask me how my brother was with his new job. Those two love birds couldn't even take a hint when it was time for their prom when they were both sixteen years old. Anyhow, Edward seemed to sober up.
"I miss her," He me honestly. "I haven't sent her a letter for what, ten years?"
"Twelve," I corrected him, looking at the window as the lamps light up. "Come on guys," I said with a smile on my face as I stood up. "Fix yourselves. We're almost there."
"Do we have to wear our cloaks?" Lenalee asked curiously as she poked her cloak. Every one of us has our own cloaks now, courtesy of my dear mother, who doesn't cease to amaze me. All of our cloaks are made from black leather sewn with silver. That's good for us.
"Yes," I said as I drape the cloak over my shoulders and insert my arms in the sleeves. "I want to give them a good scare."
"Ah, scaring," Len sighed wistfully as he draped his own over his black clothes. "It's one of my sister's uncanny habits. Did you know that she made the whole family pee their pants when she came in in the most grotesque costume in our family get-together slash Halloween party?"
"I remember that," I mumbled, frowning at the memory. "My costume was sold the next day to a treacherous lowlife."
"Yeah, so don't you ever do that again if you want us to flood this cabin with pee."
Ron's POV
"So, what do you think about those exorcists coming around?" Neville asked casually, sipping on his pumpkin juice. "It'll be a blast, won't it?"
"I think it's a bunch load of crap," I replied sourly, rolling my eyes as the twins up front just exploded another crate of fireworks. I do not know why Fred and George visited, but hell; this is making everything just go down the bloody drain. "Hell, why can't the ministry just get it done?"
"It's because they can't kill those bloody things, Ron. They've already got two Aurors down in their graves, and that wasn't even the worst part," Ginny scoffed, biting her peanut butter and jelly sandwich down. "There're more from were Anyhow, I'm amazed that you aren't still depressed about Hermione not giving you a reply."
"I'm still upset, I'll have you know," I grumbled. Yeah, ever since I sent that last letter, she hasn't responded. At all. I couldn't even give her new charm since she sent nothing in return. We were worried and when we first stepped in this castle, we asked Dumbledore if he may know something. He only gave us his wise old grin and only told us to be patient. And yes, it was not much of an answer. Anyhow, we managed to get a new set of Professors. Flitwick, McGonagall, Snape (I actually thought he'd be sacked right about now, but no), Sprout and all the other teachers were still here, but we did have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts, our very own Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. Their classes are, shall I say, the best by far. "She isn't the Hermione I know at all. She would have sent her reply before now."
"Oh hush, she'll reply," Ginny whispered as Filch, the Squib-and-the-most-horrible-caretaker, ran towards the headmaster's table. He was whispering something to the headmaster until we heard a thump from behind the doors. "Well, this is really going to be interesting..."
Dumbledore just smiled and walked in front of the table, Filch walking slowly to the other side of the room.
"May I have your attention, please?" Dumbledore boomed out. Every student stopped their chit-chat and turned to look at him. "Tonight, my dear students, we will be joined by our friends from the Black Order. Now," He raised his hand when the others started to chat again, either in excitement or irritation. I could see Professor McGonagall as she pursed her lips, trying to contain her irritation and anger when she heard 'the Black Order'. You could actually see her aura every time a student says the word 'exorcist'. "I want all of you to be in your best behaviour—that also imparts to the both of you, Mr. and Mr. Weasley—for they will be staying with us for the next two weeks."
"'Two weeks'? I can't get used to that," I muttered under my breath. I was still glaring at Dumbledore when I felt someone grab my shoulders. "Fred, if you do one more trick, I swear I'll—"
"Oh come on Ron, have a bit of fun," Fred smirked, his hands still clutching my shoulders. I shoved them off. "Aw, IckleRonniekins is sad."
"Just lighten up, Ronnie! These exorcist fellows know what they're doing," George said as he squeezed himself between Harry and me. "Besides, if they're being snobs, we could literally take out the big guns."
"I'm not sad about them. They just make me totally happy," I sarcastically said, rolling my eyes.
"Eh? This place is so big!" Allen mused as they walked in the stone hallways of the school. All, minus Hermione, they were amazed at the moving paintings of ancient wizards and witches, a ghost named Sir Nick, and lastly the gleaming suits of moving armour. "Gosh, now I know why the twins wanted to come here. This is the most awesome place I've ever been!"
"Agreed," Lenalee hushed, her head turning sideways then again. After a moment of the tour the ghost was giving, they stopped in front of two large doors. One can faintly hear the chattering of students, and Hermione gulped in nervousness and excitement.
"Well, this is our stop. I'll just glide in there and tell them that you are ready," Sir Nick declared, looking at the group. As his eyes dropped onto Hermione, he gave a sincere smile and said. "It is good to have you back, Miss Granger."
"The pleasure is all mine," Hermione whispered trying to prevent the tears that could pass by her cheeks. As the ghost glided away inside the hall, Hermione looked at the others with anxiety. "Okay, guys. It's showtime. Everyone hoods up and keep a straight face. Make sure that the hood can cover your eyes and can only see your nose and mouth."
"This is going to be epic," Lavi whispered excitedly as he draped his hood over his head just before the doors opened wide and a booming voice welcomed their valued guests.
"And may I present to all of you, the exorcists of the Black Order!"
"And may I present to all of you, the exorcists of the Black Order!"
Dumbledore declared those words just as the doors opened and I craned my neck to see twenty hooded figures march in. Two figures were at the back, four in the front and seven on each side. I looked at them thoughtfully, but somehow, I saw a face that made me entirely curious. Anyhow, they stopped in front of Dumbledore and gave a deep bow. Dumbledore returned the bow and gave them all a sincere smile.
"I welcome all of you to our humble abode," Dumbledore announced, looking positively gratified.
"It is our immense pleasure to serve you sir," A man's voice, one of the four in front, replied. All of them weren't bowing anymore and was looking straight ahead. "Thank you, for welcoming us here at your school."
"As are we," Dumbledore chuckled, his gaze now fixed at the last one of the four to the left, a knowing smile. "How are you my dear?"
Sais 'dear' replied slyly, "As good as you can bet, Professor Dumbledore." The voice was a bit muffled from the cloak, so I can't have heard the voice clearer, but since Dumbledore called it 'dear', it should be a girl. Professor Dumbledore guffawed lightly, hugging the said 'dear'.
"I've heard that you were coming her as a representative, but I did not expect you to be one of them," Dumbledore chuckled as he relinquished his hold. "You've surprised me so. But at this precise moment, my girl, I believe that we should all bow to you."
"No way am I bowing," I immediately growled, crossing my arms in annoyance. What is she? Royalty?
The said dear laughed and somehow, it was terribly familiar. She walked—actually skipped—away from Dumbledore and just stopped right in front of me. I still couldn't see her face as I stared at her with a scowl.
"What do you want?" I asked cautiously, looking at her. The dear huffed and placed its hands on both sides of its hip. She 'tsked' on me loudly, every 'tsk' resulting with a shake of the head. And before I knew it, she removed her hood, making me stare all a while.
You could actually hear a pin drop from one of the tables.
"Come now Ron, can't you even remember me?" Hermione asked, her not-so-curly brown hair cascading down her shoulders.
"Merlin's Beard," I heard George gasp in surprise. "What in the bloody world...?"
Hermione, the girl who made me worry, removed her cloak just only to make me gaze intently. She was wearing a silver sleeveless leather jacket with black trimmings, a one-piece black tube dress that ends mid-thigh, a silver belt-bag hanging on her waist, a pair of black combat boots and black leather fingerless gloves.
"Hello to you too," She replied huffily at George, rolling her eyes fondly. "Really now, I come back and all you guys do is stare at me as if I'm Voldemort in a dress," Hermione grumbled in annoyance, now looking at me sternly. My mouth was very wide open right now. She smiled. "But at least I got to see you guys."
Before I could comment, she skipped away as the other exorcists removed their cloaks entirely, showing every gender in different ages. She stood right in front of Dumbledore and grinned to the fullest.
"Alright everyone, as a fellow exorcist, I am to say that we are all, very delighted to serve the school. But please do know that we have a schedule to keep, so everyone—whether you like it or not—will participate in the self-defence classes we're to partake and tutor, to help you prepare yourself when you see an akuma. Akumas are those demons that have been seen around school. No magic can defeat an akuma nor can you even cast a spell with them attacking you. If one bullet grazed your arm—even the slightest—your body will slowly crystallize and you will crumble to pieces," As Hermione declared those words; everyone gasped and gaped, including me. "And I've already tried that, so," Hermione said loudly, cutting off the chatter. "I would like everyone to follow our instructions in hope that there will be no accidents. Is that clear?"
"Yes ma'am!" We all shouted in reply, but somehow it felt weird. Not just me, but everyone who knew her. She nodded in appreciation before turning back to the professors' table, shrieking in joy as she hugged Sirius and Lupin.
"Somehow, I am horribly terrified of what she's going to do," A boy with red hair and an eye patch laughs as he walks over to us with a white-haired boy, and two blondes that look like they're ten year olds. The other members walked around, talking to the other tables. The boy with red hair and an eye patch covering his right eye looks at me intently before he grins. "So, you're the boy who Hermione's having a crush on."
I felt the heat rise up intensely. "She has a what with me?"
"You're Ron Weasley," The blonde girl giggled until I finally I recognized her face.
"Katherine? Is that you?" I asked in amazement, finally standing up from my seat and looking at her. "Merlin, you've grown!"
"Hey! Why does everyone forget about me?" Her twin, Len, demanded, looking put out. I grabbed his body and lifted him up in the air. "Yes! I missed this!"
"I'm sure you did, twerp," I laughed ruffling his hair as I put him down. I looked at the two boys. "I don't know anything about Hermione having a crush on me—"
"I don't!" Hermione shouted in my ear, suddenly at my side, a red blush appearing on her face. "Don't believe them Ron, they're ly—"
"Hermione, half the school knows that you have also crush on this ball of canoodles," Ginny said calmly, standing up and giving Hermione a bear hug. Do I even have a say in this? Anything? "And darn, I missed you so much!"
"It's good to see you too!" Hermione laughed as all her female friends started to hug her immensely.
"Damn, no hugs for the Chosen One?" Harry asked sarcastically, opening his arms. Hermione rolled her eyes before hugging him too.
"Hey, that's unfair! We also deserve a hug!" My twin brothers practically whined. Hermione glared at them both. "Oh, what did we do now?"
"Did you, or did you not disguise love potions into med pills?" Hermione whispered menacingly towards them. The two paled and, of course, hid behind me. "You gave my guards a huge fit! I didn't know that you sent them love potions instead of energizers!"
"Come now, Hermione," Fred whimpered, looking over my shoulder. "It's not a big deal—"
"It is a big deal! Being chased by a dozen of guards around the castle is a big deal!" Hermione shouted, looking venomously at them. I whipped my head in anger towards them and saw them pale considerably.
"Hm, is she this scary when she's mad?" The white-haired boy asked to Ginny, who nodded in reply. "Well, all's well ends well badly when Hermione's around. I'm Allen by the way. This red-haired bunny is Lavi—hey, where'd he go?"
Apparently, he's courting some Hufflepuff girls with a grin.
"Um," Allen shrugged his shoulders in an embarrassing way. "He isn't supposed to be that way?"
"He's feeding you lies!" Hermione declared happily, before looking at me with a smile, her hands open wide. "Well? Are you going to hug me or am I to hug you?"
"I'm fine either way," I plainly said before grabbing her and hugging her. "Merlin, I missed you so much," I murmured into her ear.
"And I you," She replied, in my ear. I felt something soft peck my cheek and yes, the heat rushed up and I felt a volcano exploding in my head. "Thank you for the charms Ron, they're very beautiful. Though, I'm so sorry that I didn't reply back. We had a job and—"
'Just like you', I think at the back of my head. "Doesn't matter now, though. You're here and you being here makes it all good. Now, how about you tell us about your new job?"
Hermione stiffened and let go of me. She started fidgeting her hands. "C-Classified?"
"Uh-uh, you don't keep secrets Hermione," Neville uncharacteristically teased. We burst out laughing, leaving Hermione incredibly red.
"Come on, Hermione, you can show them if you want," Allen said encouragingly. Hermione rolls her eyes on him before looking back at us.
"Do you promise not to freak out?" Hermione asked, her voice wavering. We all nodded. She took a deep breath.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let us present, Hermione the exorcist—"Fred and George shouted playfully in the hall until two sharp looking blades was pointing down their chins.
"Merlin's beard," I muttered in pure horror and amazement as two sharp looking protruded from her wrists.
"Don't shout it," Hermione growled, taking a step back and letting Fred and George breathe. "By the way, meet my innocence!" She added sarcastically.
"How did you—?" Allen asked blankly. Somehow, every exorcist is staring at Hermione as well as the Great Hall.
"Hey, don't look at me. It reacted on its own. I didn't even think 'Activate' in my head," Hermione grumbled irritably. A man with brown hair and startling blue eyes came over with a man with violet hair and glasses.
"Hermione, didn't I tell you not to activate those weapons of yours?" The man with brown hair scolded exasperatedly.
"Hello to you too, Edward," Hermione countered, her weapons disappearing. She shook her head and looked at us. "Oh right, this over-protective oaf here is my brother, Edward. The one with the glasses is my boss, Komui Lee."
My jaw dropped.
"Where's this Ron fella that the twins keep bugging me about?" Edward asks, clapping his hands and looking around. "I would love to put his head under the masher."
I gulped and moved closer to the table.
"Boy, you're in for it now," Harry and Ginny snickered, making me glare at them. Edward looked at me with ferocious eyes.
"So you're the one that has a cru—"Edward started to say until he got hit by a black boot on top of his head.
"Please stop embarrassing me," Hermione said with finality, making her brother fall to the ground. "I'm embarrassed enough."
"Are we supposed to be scared of you or just really happy? Too be honest, I'm happy with both," Ginny laughed, giving Hermione a high-five. "Now, how about you introduce me to those wonderful friends of yours before we can make peace, yeah?"
"Sure. As you can see, this is my boss, my brother, the twins and Allen and Lavi. The girls talking with the Hufflepuffs are Lenalee, Alma, and Tevak respectively," She pointed out the green-haired one, the black-haired one and the dirty blonde-haired one. "The man with white bangs, the lady with brown hair and the man with headphones that are talking to Professor Flitwick and Sprout are Arystar Krory the Third, Miranda Lotto and Noise Marie. The Chinese looking man and the small old man are Chaoji Han and Bookman. And apparently," She mused as a blue-haired pretty boy went up to Allen to pry him off the food, a man with long bangs and dirty blonde writing this whole scene on a notebook. "That's Kanda Yuu and Howard Link."
"Yes, yes, Hermione. We all are spectacular," Komui Lee laughed, ruffling her head a little. "Now, how about we ask permission from your headmaster to patrol the area as well as asking where were sleeping for the night? My head's becoming more of a tornado right now."
"Right on it chief," Hermione rolled her eyes and walked away, leaving us with the family.
"So," Neville asked tentatively, scooting a bit in his seat so there's room. "Do you want to eat?"