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Chosen Ones
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Chapter Twenty-two – First Day of Term
9 AM, first day of term. A scream is heard throughout the castle, echoing through the halls and scaring the wildlife. The source of the scream was the Divination-classroom where Professor Sybil Trelawney has just fled the tower, screaming at the top of her lungs that the world was ending, and the Grim Reaper had come to take her. Minutes later, Tatsumi finds herself in McGonagall's office for the second time in two days.
"You'd think Trelawney would've checked the attendance-list a little sooner." Tatsumi thought. She was still in awe of how shocked Trelawney had looked when she saw her.
Meanwhile, McGonagall was pinching her nose. "I told Albus this was a bad idea." She thought. "He knew how Sybil reacted to the girl, so why did he insist on allowing her to take the class?"
McGonagall sighed. "Is there any way I can convince you to drop Divination?" She asked.
Tatsumi thought about it. She had genuinely wanted to take the class, but she couldn't deny it would be difficult to learn anything if the professor kept running off like that. Then there were the translations that Hermione was hounding her about, as well the stuff for Oberon's Army.
"I guess I could study on my own." Tatsumi said. "It's not like I'd learn anything in the classroom anyway, if she keeps reacting like that."
McGonagall sighs in relief. "Is there another subject you'd like to take?" She asked.
Tatsumi shook her head. "I don't need Muggle Studies, and math isn't really my thing." She said honestly. "I also have a few personal projects that I'm working on, so I'll keep myself busy."
McGonagall nodded. "Very well." She said. "I'll update your schedule and hand it back to you by your next class."
Tatsumi stood and bowed slightly before leaving. She now had a free period and thought about heading to the library as she walked. In the end, however, she decided to go for a run in the Forbidden Forest; the Dementors shouldn't bother her in fox-form, and she felt like hunting something.
o000o
Tatsumi was one of the last to arrive for Transfiguration-class, and was still in fox-form when she noticed the gray-haired tabby sitting stiffly on McGonagall's desk. The cat hadn't seen her, and Tatsumi decided to have some fun by propping her fore-legs on the desk and sniff at the cat, who nearly jumped out of her skin. Tatsumi just wagged her tail and panted playfully at the cat, whom was actually McGonagall herself.
A whistle caught her attention and she looked back to where Draco snapped his finger close to the floor next to his desk, beckoning her to come over. She pushed of the desk and bounced over to enjoy a few scratches behind the ears before the bell rang. She then transformed and took the vacant seat next to her friend.
McGonagall, who had been completely unaware of Tatsumi's ability, was so shocked that she nearly forgot her own demonstration, until Ronald burst through the door, late for class, and sighed when he saw the 'teacher' wasn't there yet.
McGonagall regained her composure and jumped off the desk as she transformed, much to Ron's surprise. "Five points from Gryffindor for being late, Mr. Pride." She said. "Now, please take a seat."
o000o
"Miss Kurosaki, a word, if I may?" McGonagall asked as the students packed up and headed to lunch.
"What's up?" Tatsumi asked once they were alone.
"I'm just wondering how you find the class-work." McGonagall asked. "I've noticed that you have very little challenge in your assignments, and I must say I was floored when I saw you in your Animagus-form. I don't recall seeing your name in the registry, however; how long have you been able to transform successfully?"
"It's not required for citizens of other countries to register with the British Ministry." Tatsumi explained. "As for how long; the first time I transformed – that I know off – was at 16 months old."
Seeing McGonagall's shocked face, she sheepishly continued. "I apparently saw my Godmother transform into a cat and tried to mimic her." She explained. "You see, the Potter's had a block placed on my Core the day I was born, but we removed it so the Blood-adoption could settle properly; so I had a bit of extra energy at the time. My Godmother has since taught me how to control this ability."
"I see." McGonagall said still recovering from the shock.
"As for the assignments." Tatsumi continued. "We start our magical education at age 5-6 in Japan, so I have more theory under my belt, and better control over my magic than most of my peers, so I get the spells down quicker. I admit it's a bit boring, not just in this class, but all my subjects; but I usually keep myself busy with other things."
McGonagall tilted her head curiously. "Such as?" She asked intrigued.
"Well, Hagrid asked me to help out a bit with the animals, and Draco and I help out Professor Snape in the Potions Lab about three times a week, though sometimes we just experiment with random ingredients. Also, we'll be helping with the Wolfbane Potion for Remus." Tatsumi said. Remus didn't really need the potion after merging with his Inner Wolf, but they weren't willing to reveal that fact. "I also go through my vaults in Gringotts and read the books in there. I also spend a lot of time with Hagrid; and, as of today, there's also my self-study of Divination, and then there's the other personal projects I mentioned earlier."
McGonagall nodded, remembering their earlier conversation. She then pulled out Tatsumi's new schedule and handed it to the girl. "I look forward to seeing the results of those projects, Miss Kurosaki." She said. "Now head to lunch."
Tatsumi bowed politely and left the classroom to catch up with her friends.
o000o
After lunch, the students made their way outside for their first 'Care of Magic Creatures'-class. Tatsumi took a deep breath through her nose, savoring the smell of yesterdays' rain, which still lingered in the damp vegetation. Hagrid was waiting for them outside his hut with Fang, and appeared impatiently eager to get started.
"C'mon now, get a move on! Got a real treat for yeh. Great lesson comin' up." He said eagerly. "Is everyone here? OK. Follow me."
"He barely took any time to see if everyone was here." Hermione said as they all followed. "He's not taking us into the Forest is he?"
"He's not." Tatsumi assured her. "We're headed to a small paddock near the forest. Though I have to wonder if Hagrid is starting off with a bigger bite than he can chew."
"Why's that?" Lisa asked. Almost all third-year members of the Courts where here, with the exception of Draco, Juvia, Susan, and Ernest.
"The animals in that paddock are Fifth-year level." Tatsumi explained.
"How do you know that?" Tracy asked.
"I helped Hagrid practice yesterday." Tatsumi explained. Despite the late hour, Hagrid had been so nervous that she spent more time calming him down more than anything else.
"I-it's not something dangerous, is it?" Neville asked.
"Not if you follow Hagrid's orders and read the book." Tatsumi said. "But the main concern is being polite. These creatures are very vain and proud, so don't insult them."
After five minutes of walking, Hagrid finally stopped aside a small, seemingly empty paddock near the pumpkin patch. A bunch of dead ferrets were hanging from an iron rack inside the paddock.
"Gather 'round. Find yerself a spot." Hagrid ordered as he stood by the fence. "That's it. Now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books-"
"And exactly how do we do that?" Parkinson snapped with a sneer, but a flurry of pages made her look back at the other students, who, much to her shock, had already opened their books without any problems. Well, except for Ron, who was currently wrestling with his in the background, and losing badly.
Hagrid beamed while Hannah turned to Parkinson. "You mean you haven't figured it out yet?" She asked innocently. "You just stroke their spines, of course."
Parkinson blushes in fury and embarrassment. "Well, excuse me for not wanting to get my fingers bitten off!" She yells. "How was I supposed to know we had to cuddle with them?!"
"You could've just asked." Millicent said. "Didn't you see us reading our books in the common-room yesterday? Even your trolls were smart enough to ask." She said pointing to Crabbe and Goyle who also had their books open, even if they both had bandaged fingers.
Hearing the students laughing at her expense, Parkinson turned an even darker red and groaned like a spoiled brat as she turned around crossed her arms, ignoring everyone as she sulked like a three-year-old who had just been denied a cookie.
"Alright everyone." Hagrid said bringing the attention back to him. "I'd like yeh all to turn to page 258 and start reading. In the meantime, I'll be getting the animals ready."
Hagrid then turned around and walked into the paddock before heading into the forest. But, while the other students read their books – or trying to in Ronald's case – Parkinson was still furious.
"God, this place is going to the dogs!" She said snottily. "I can't believe that oaf is allowed to teach!"
"Then quit the class, if your' so unhappy!" Someone snapped at her.
But, before she could turn around to identified who it was, a strange beast emerged from the forest. Parkinson was the only one surprised to see it was a Hippogriff; an animal with the torso, hind legs, and tail of a horse, while the front legs, wings, and head was that of a giant eagle. Then, another dozen Hippogriffs stepped out of the trees with Hagrid shooing them towards the students, who looked at the animals in awe from the other side of the fence.
"Hippogriffs!" Hagrid yelled excitedly. "Beau'iful aren' they?"
The students agreed. Though the creatures' front talons were large and positively deadly, the Hippogriffs were stunning, with shinning coats of both feather and fur in various colors; stormy-gray, bronze, white with a hint of pink, and even shinning chestnut, as well as pitch black.
"Now, I hope yeh read yehr book carefully." Hagrid said. "Hippogriffs are proud creatures, they are. Easily offended too, so don't ever insult one, 'cause it might be the las' thing yeh do. Right then, who wants ter come an' say hello?"
The entire class stepped back from the fence, except for Hermione and Tatsumi. Hagrid frowned in discouragement, but remembered what he had practiced yesterday and asked Tatsumi to come up and demonstrate the proper way to great a Hippogriff. Tatsumi flipped over the fence while Hagrid brought forward a different Hippogriff from the one they had practiced with.
Tatsumi stopped a little distance away, then Hagrid introduced the Hippogriff. "This here's Buckbeak." He said, then turned to the students, who had stepped back to the fence. "Now, it's important ter let the Hippogriff make the first move. It's polite, see? Also, once yeh got eye-contact, make sure not to blink too much; Hippogriffs won' trust yeh if yeh blink too much."
Hagrid then turned back to Tatsumi, who was waiting for his signal. He gave her a nod, and she nodded back. She then made sure to make eye-contact with Buckbeak before taking a step forward and bowing slowly and politely. When she straightened, the Hippogriff was staring at her with its orange eyes, judging her. Hagrid was just about to tell her to step back, when Buckbeack unmistakably bowed to her.
"Well done, Tatsu!" Hagrid praises. "Go on. Give 'im a pat."
Tatsumi gently reached out and stroked the beast's beak with a smile. The students applaud her, except for Parkinson who looked disappointed, and Ronald who muttered something about a 'Show-off'. Tatsumi ignored him, and continue to pet the Hippogriff, who closed his eyes in pleasure as she started scratching him under the chin.
"Look at that!" Hagrid exclaimed proudly. "I reckon he might' let yeh ride 'im!"
Tatsumi blinked, and titled her head inquisitively at the Hippogriff while Hagrid walked over. "We'll jus' set yeh behind the wing joint. Mind yeh don't pull any feathers out. He won' like that." He said as Tatsumi climbed up on Buckbeak's back. Hagrid then slaps the Hippogriff's hindquarters. "Off yeh go!"
Buckbeak gallops forward, unfolding his giant wings, and soared up into the air, going higher and higher. With a wide grin, Tatsumi lifted her arms into the air and yelled ecstatically into the winds as they flew passed the Whomping Willow, passed Hogwarts Castle, then swooped down towards the Black Lake where Buckbeak's talons gently tickled the surface of the water, before a whistle could be heard in the distance, and Buckbeak returned to the paddock, galloping to a halt. The students cheered as Tatsumi slid off Buckbeak's back, giving her new friend one last scratch.
"Good work, Tatsu!" Hagrid praised, then whispered. "How'm I doin' on me first day?"
"Brilliantly." Tatsumi said grinning, then turned serious. "But I'd recommend you not letting Parkinson near the Hippogriffs; she hasn't read the book, nor was she listening to your instructions. She's an accident waiting to happen, so watch her."
Hagrid nodded, taking her advice seriously as he turned towards the rest of the class. "Who wants to meet some Hippogriffs?!" He asked.
The students, encouraged by Tatsumi's success, climbed over the fence and Hagrid introduced them to the other Hippogriffs. Parkinson, however, was asked to stay by the fence, and instantly started acting like a spoiled brat who had just been denied a toy. She argued with Hagrid when he told her to read her book – as she wouldn't be let close to the Hippogriffs before she read the safety-instructions – which lost her five points for disobeying a Professor, and another five points for insulting said Professor. The threat of doubling the points finally shut the girl up, but as soon as Hagrid's eyes were focused on Neville, who kept running away from his assigned Hippogriff, the brat strutted straight up to Buckbeak.
"I'll show that oaf. If the pink-haired Mudblood can do it, it must be easy." She muttered, then she turned to the Hippogriff, and said loudly; "You're not dangerous at all, are you, you great ugly brute-"
Her words had made everyone turn to look at her, and the students gasped as Buckbeak's eyes flashed in anger before he rose up on his hind legs, slashing down with his large, deadly talons. Some of the girls screamed and put their hands over their eyes, not wanting to see those talons ripping into Parkinson's flesh.
But it wasn't Parkinson whom the talons sunk into, it was Hagrid's shoulder. Though his moleskin coat protected him somewhat, blood still spattered onto the grass as he shielded Parkinson with his own body. At the same time, Tatsumi dashed forward, causing Buckbeak to whip around, raising his talons again, but – as he sees Tatsumi standing in front of him – he lowers them and ducks his beak. Once the Hippogriff is calm, Tatsumi turns to her classmates and starts barking out orders.
"What are you just standing there for?" She yells. "Get Hagrid to the Hospital Wing immediately! Daph, Tracy, take Parkinson to Snape; tell him exactly what happened and let him deal with her. I'll stay here and take care of the Hippogriffs!"
The students ran into action, most working together to help Hagrid towards the castle, while Hannah was trying to control the bleeding. Meanwhile, Daphne and Tracy both grabbed Parkinson by the arms and lead the ghostly pale girl to their Head of House's office. Tatsumi then gathered the Hippogriffs, fed them, and made sure they had plenty of water before leading them back to the forest. She then headed back to the castle.
o000o
When the Courts met later that night, Tatsumi was the last to arrive, having talked to Hagrid and Severus in the Hospital Wing. She had also talked to Hogwarts, who had bad news for her.
"How's Hagrid?" Was the first question she was asked as she walked through the doors to the RoR.
"He's fine." Tatsumi said and the Courts sighed in relief. "His coat took most of the damage. He's gotten a few stitches, and is going to be on anti-infection Potions for a few days, but other than that, he's just bruised. No broken bones or anything."
"And Parkinson?" Draco asked.
"Well, on top of the points she lost during class, she's lost an additional 50 points, and will serve detention for at least a month." Tatsumi explained. "Severus said he's going to be teaching her just how dangerous her little stunt was, but if the message doesn't sink in until the detention is over, he's going to extend her detention until it does. She's also lost all Hogsmeade-privileges for the remainder of the school-year, and was forced to drop out of Care-class."
"I bet Lord Parkinson is going to be pissed." Adrian said. "The family get most of their money from raising animals, whose body-parts can be used as potion's ingredients; she needs that class if she wants to take over the family-business one day."
"If so, he might try and have Buckbeak euthanized." Cedric realized. "He'll blame the Hippogriffs, and Hagrid, to make his daughter look good."
"He won't succeed." Tatsumi said determined. "Everyone present saw how Puggy acted, and the fact is that she disobeyed a direct order to stay away from the Hippogriffs."
"I'll send a letter to my dad." Cedric said. "He works in the Ministry and has friends in the Committee that deals with cases like this. Mind if I send him the memories?"
"Does he have a pensive?" Susan asked. "They're really rare."
"Yeah, but we never use it." Cedric said. "I think it's in the Family-vault at Gringotts, unless he sold it."
"Have him ask my Aunt to borrow hers, if he needs to." Susan said. "She uses ours for her job, as the Ministry doesn't have one."
"Speaking of your aunt." Hermione said. "Anything about Black?"
"Nothing I've been informed of." Susan said. "But, I'm sure she's started investigation into Skeeter's claims. The 'Kiss-on-Sight'-order has been canceled though. Officially, anyway."
"We can count on her to make sure he gets a fair trial this time then." Percy said pushing his glasses up.
"Let's hope so." Tatsumi said. "On an unrelated note, I have some bad news."
"What is it?" Millicent asked.
"Hogwarts has informed me that Dumbledore found the RoR over the summer." Tatsumi explained. "He knows we use the room to meet and tried to spy on us."
"So, we officially move to our back-up?" Susan asked.
"Yes, but I want all of you to continue entering and leaving through the RoR." Tatsumi said. "The room will provide passages to Godric's Hall, but the last thing we need is for Dumbledore to find out that we're on to him, and start searching for whatever room we're using. We want him to continue believing that we're using the RoR."
"Understood!" The Courts chorused.
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Hey Guys.
I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. There has been some bad (though not quite unexpected) medical news regarding my mother and, as you can probably understand, this might affect my uploading schedule. Luckily, I do have the next 2-3 chapters semi-finished, so, hopefully, you won't notice it right away. That being said, my will to write isn't exactly strong at the moment, so I may or may not miss the next scheduled upload due to my mood.
I'll try to keep my schedule as best I can, but I can't promise anything, and I hope you understand. Prayers will be appreciated, and welcome, but there is good treatment for this stuff with usually good results (so I've been told), so we're hoping for the best.
Anyway, thanks for listening, and I'll, hopefully, see you guys next month.