Edited for some severe, grievous errors: 9/26/2012
The Sorting and Some Words of Wisdom
Professor McGonagall looked out the window and saw a jet of red sparks erupt just beyond the forest. "The students are here," she said at once. "To your seats everyone. Negi and InuYasha, you're at the Head Table with us, Edward and Alphonse, you too. The rest of you, the ends of the House Tables. The returning students will be here in five minutes, and Hagrid will arrive shortly after with the first–years. Filius, please get ready to meet the first–years in the entrance hall."
The diminutive teacher hurried out of the room to await Hagrid's arrival. It was the school tradition to have the returning students arrive first. While they were whisked to the castle on carriages drawn by creatures known as thestrals – black, skeletal, winged horses that were invisible to all except those who have seen someone die, Hagrid brought the first years across the big lake in small boats. That way, the first years would get there after their older classmates.
Everyone had tried to put on the best clothes they had. Negi had put on his best suit and wore his finest white cloak over it. He joined the teachers at the Head Table, taking a seat next to Professor Takahata, who had joined on as the new Muggle Studies teacher, one of which Hogwarts had lacked for several years, for whatever reason. Kagome and all of Negi's students had put on their most formal clothing, except for Eva, who donned her favorite black Gothic Lolita outfit – she kind of looked like a dress–up doll. Kagome had tried to convince InuYasha to change out of his cloak of the fire rat and into something fancier, but he refused to take off his father's heirloom cloak or put away the Tetsusaiga. "If those kids are afraid, that's their problem," he had said. Sango had on her most beautiful kimono and it looked like Miroku had borrowed and size–modified one of Negi's tuxedoes. There was nothing Alphonse could do, being a suit of armor. Ed just wore his black outfit and red coat; it was the most formal attire he owned, and it was the wardrobe he felt attached to the most. Koga and Ayame wore just their armor and fur like usual; wolf demons didn't care much for formalities, at least not formalities that involved mourning the death of a comrade.
They had barely taken their places when the big doors opened and the older students walked in and took their seats at their House Tables. Many of them looked around the Head Table and noticed all the unfamiliar faces. They wondered what a kid, a hulking suit of armor and a teenager were doing sitting with the teachers, and why so many foreign people were already there, not to mention why some of them were wearing such strange attire.
Ten minutes later the doors opened again and Professor Flitwick walked in, leading a long line of young boys and girls, no older than Negi himself. A stool and an old witch's hat were waiting in front of the Head Table. The hat was meant for sorting the students into their houses – put it on, and it scans your mind and shouts out the house that suits you the most. There was a rip in the hat that resembled a mouth, it was through that mouth that it made itself heard. Being sorted was as simple as putting on a hat, because it was just that! He took out a roll of parchment and started calling names in alphabetical order. As every student was sorted, Negi and the rest of the teachers watched and applauded as each student's house was selected by the magical hat, and the students ran to join their new families.
Harry felt nostalgic as he watched the rookies go up one by one. If only he could start over without all the responsibilities associated with "taking down the Dark Lord." Every adult wishes to be young again at some point in time, and this was Harry's. But no one always got what they wanted, and Harry had an even bigger responsibility now: to work together with his friends, both old and new, to defeat a universal threat. This is gonna be quite a year.
When the sorting was finally done, little Professor Flitwick lifted the stool and hat over his head and marched them away as Professor McGonagall rose to address the students before the start–of–term feast.
"Welcome students old and new," she started in a booming voice, "to another year at Hogwarts. There is much to be said, but there is always time for that later. First and foremost, before we dig into our excellent feast, I am pleased to announce that Hogwarts shall be home to not only all of you, but to some special guests as well. Let us give a kind welcome to Professor Takahata –
"Did I say that right?" she whispered to Takamichi, who sat at her left. He smiled and gave her the thumbs–up.
"– who shall be teaching Muggle Studies this year," she continued.
Takahata stood up and gave a pleasant wave and nodded in greeting to the students, who responded with thunderous applause.
"As well as our newest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and the youngest teacher Hogwarts has ever seen, Professor Negi Springfield," she continued. "Accompanied by their lovely young students from Mahora Academy in Japan."
Takahata motioned to Negi to stand up, which he did, only to be met with indistinct whispers among the students old and new. Negi knew all to well what they must have been thinking. They must think it's outrageous to have a child as their teacher, he thought pensively.
"Now I assure you, while it is unusual, appointing a child to teach, Professor Springfield is –"
"No, Professor," Negi said softly. "Let me speak to them." And before McGonagall could stop him, he leaped high in the air, whipped his staff off his back, and with a big WHOOSH of wind, there he hung, suspended in midair, the staff held near–vertically at his side, one foot planted on the jagged end.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat, at which point silence fell. Even the Slytherins held their tongues. "I understand your feelings, and know all too well what you must be thinking. Believe me, my students here thought the same thing when I started with them, but they quickly grew to accept me as their teacher, as, I'm sure, will you. Perhaps this will demonstrate me abilities magic–wise to you." He snapped his fingers once, conjuring a floating magical projector out of thin air. Everyone, teachers included, was in awe at this spectacle and applauded the boy's talent. "Actually, that wasn't what I meant," he said with a cheerful laugh. "Chachamaru, the disc, please."
Chachamaru stood up and activated the rocket boosters in her back and feet, rising up to where Negi floated. She reached into the folds of her maid uniform and withdrew a single compact disc, placing it in Negi's hand. "Here you are, Professor."
"Thank you, you may be seated," Negi thanked her as she returned to her seat at the Ravenclaw table, sparks noticeably flying from the rockets on her back. "This is a 30–second montage of scenes from my performance in the finals of a grand Magical Gladiator tournament known as the 'Nagi Springfield Cup,' named after my father. For reasons that will remain confidential, I was forced to compete under an assumed name and an altered appearance, but I assure you, the young man you see fighting in this video is me," he said as he inserted the CD and turned the projector around to point it at the wall. With a wave of his hand, the candles lighting the Great Hall were instantly dimmed.
The video only lasted moments, but when the lights were relit, everyone's eyes, teachers included, were exploding out of their sockets. Finally, all of the students started talking at once.
"Did you see that standoff?"
"Did you see the size of his opponent? Holy muscle! Not an once of fat on that guy. Not one!"
"That beat down was like human Quidditch!"
"And every time he struck, there was a flash, just like lightning."
"And that huge spear of light!"
"And that fake–out."
"He sucked up that huge beam like it was nothing!"
"Don't forget all those huge explosions!"
"And that slugfest at the end! They were both smiling and laughing while they sucker punched each other!" The whispers went on and on for several minutes.
Even the teachers, with all of their experience, were appalled at what they had seen. "Do you see now?" Flitwick blurted out. "This is the power of one who masters the power of Dark Magic. And yet he's still so kind–hearted and gentle; you almost wouldn't believe he could do such a thing."
"No, Filius," McGonagall said, still a little wide–eyed from what they had all just witnessed. "It's not just the magic. It's his fighting ability. Absolutely absurd! Such capabilities in someone so young."
"Professor Springfield?" Professor Sprout said, looking up at Negi. "Was that –?"
"Yes, Professor," he stopped her. "It was all real. Even though I was bleeding from every visible orifice I had and even some that I didn't start out with, I still managed to fight an invincible opponent to a stalemate. And I believe the opponent we will face may be even stronger still. But don't fear. With me teaching this school the next level of Western Magic, we WILL be ready."
There was a long silence. "Very well, just be careful. We're not all built like you." She stood up and quieted the students, who were still rather shaken by what they'd seen. Best to move things along.
"Next," she went on, "I'd like to welcome a pair of exceptional young men who will be taking my place as Transfiguration teachers, Professors Edward and Alphonse Elric."
Ed stood up and raised his gloved right fist to the air. Al just reached behind his head and looked down in embarrassment.
"And finally, this young man shall be teaching an extracurricular course in physical education this year. I'd like you to give a warm welcome to Mr. InuYasha, Mr. Koga and their friends."
Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Ayame and Shippo stood up, smiled and waved as the students cheered. InuYasha stood up, but didn't smile – it wasn't his style. Several people were staring at InuYasha's ears, and some were even pointing. He didn't like that at all. Koga just smirked and gave a small wave; he never considered himself InuYasha's friend, but he never turned down an invitation to show off how cool he was.
"To repeat the words of Hogwarts' finest Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore: though some of us may come from distance lands, speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one. The bonds we forge this year shall be of crucial importance in the coming year … but more of that later. Now that we've all been introduced, tuck in everyone," she finished with a clap of her hands. Suddenly, every platter on every table was filled with chops, potatoes, chicken, turkey, and everything else imaginable.
Everyone started eating at once. Edward grabbed a handful of everything within arm's reach and started ravenously shoveling it into his face. InuYasha took a big slab of steak, and was about to start chomping away when Kagome pulled his ear and handed him his utensils. He behaved better after that, but he was still a little sore about having his ear pulled. He pressed so hard on his plate with his knife that he came close to breaking it in half. Kagome had to grab his ear again, making Kotaro laugh – he found it quite amusing. Ayaka simply couldn't believe that there was someone on this planet with worse manners than Asuna or Kotaro. Negi was a little worried – if everyone ate like that, there wouldn't be enough food or dishes for everybody.
Over at the Gryffindor Table, Choji was attacking the meat, grabbing drumsticks and pork chops from wherever his hand could reach; anything meaty was his favorite. Naruto was no different, but he was missing his favorite ramen. That was until the Hogwarts ghosts came out to meet the new students and their old friends in the older students. Naruto was shocked when Sir Nicholas de Mimsy–Porpington a.k.a. Nearly–Headless Nick poked his head up through the table from under the tray of roast beef right in front of Naruto. He let out a cry of surprise and fell backwards off his seat. People stared at him as he straightened himself up and slowly stood up again. "Sorry about the fright, dear boy," the ghost apologized pleasantly.
Harry and Ron laughed. "Hello, Sir Nicholas," Harry greeted the ghost, still laughing. "How've the last few years been since we left?"
"Ah, Harry my boy," Nick said turning to find his favorite trio of Gryffindors beaming at him. "And Ron and Hermione. Good to see you children."
"You too, Sir Nicholas," Hermione returned his kind greeting. "How've you been?"
"Dismal, sad to say," Nicholas said with a hint of depression in his voice. "This year makes my 400th request to join the Headless Hunt to be denied."
"This is Sir Nicholas," Hermione said to Naruto, helping him back into his seat. "Also known as Nearly Headless Nick."
"If it's all the same to you, I prefer Sir Nicholas.
"Um, what do you mean, 'Nearly Headless'?" Sakura asked him curiously. "How can you be 'nearly headless'."
Déjà vu, thought Nick, and said, "Like this," taking himself by the left ear and pulling on his head, causing it to swing off his neck about half–way down the throat. This made Naruto go blue in the face and pass out right into his plate of potatoes. When Nick had been killed, his neck wasn't entirely severed, so his head was still connected, but only by a mere hinge. Despite being hit 45 times with a blunt axe, his neck wasn't severed completely, and that prevented him from being accepted into the Headless Hunt.
"Ask a silly question," Nick said, flipping his head firmly back into place. "Get a silly answer." Then, he glided away, leaving Sakura to try to revive her potato–faced friend.
When all the food was gone, Professor McGonagall stood up once more and began to address the students. "Now that we are all fed and watered, I have some pressing matters to enlighten you all to.
"Over this past summer, a new threat to not only our world but the entire planet has arisen and has begun exterminating all of wizard kind," she started grimly. Many students gasped, some looked close to tears.
"Now, I don't want you to be alarmed, for as you know, Hogwarts would normally be the safest place for you all. However, these enemies seem to be attacking all forms of magical beings. For that reason as well as many others, when the opportunity comes, most of you will be evacuated to safe haven until all is well again. I have assurances from Professors Springfield and Takahata that the first priority will not be to build up an army against these new foes, but to save as many lives as possible."
She paused impressively, letting that first wave of bad news sink in. Whispers began among the students. "Silence, please," she boomed with authority, and the chatter died down.
"As far as we've seen, these foes have been primarily killing magic folk, and so far, they have mostly left Muggle dwellings alone, and therefore, if and when the need arises, you will be sent home to rejoin your families and be sent into hiding amongst the Muggles. All those willing to stay and fight will be trained in the most advanced form of magical self–defense. The faculty, as well as everyone who still remains in one year, will be prepared when the time to fight comes along.
"But enough with the bad," she said finally, reminding Harry of Professor Dumbledore, the finest Headmaster that Hogwarts had ever had in its 1000+ years of operation, who always ended his speeches with some inspiring words of wisdom. "Whether you go into hiding with your families or stay here to train with us for the oncoming war, you would do well to remember that, even in the darkest of times, when many small lights join together, they form a powerful light that even the greatest darkness cannot penetrate."
Hearing this could only made Negi smile. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so, he thought. There's hope for us all, yet. He stood up and gestured that he would like to speak. When McGonagall nodded, he smiled and said, "Remember everyone," as confidently as he could. "Our magic is powerful, but not absolute. Courage is the one and only true magic.
"I'd like to recite a short poem for you, if you would allow me, that I discovered during my studies in the last few weeks. It is from an old Greek text, and when translated, it reads:
'Out of every hundred men
Ten shouldn't even be there
Eighty are just targets
And nine are the real fighters.
And we are lucky to have all of them
For they make the battle
But the One
One is a warrior
And he will bring the others back.'
"When we go to war with our enemies in one year, wherever you all are, whether it is fighting alongside us, or in hiding with your families," he paused impressively, slapping the table and leaning forward. "Let me be that warrior! No matter what happens, I swear I will find a way to bring everyone back to their loved ones, alive!" He made this last statement with an absolute enthusiasm and confidence that the teachers could not help but admire. "Remember my words: What is worthwhile cannot be destroyed! And what is good and right must be defended! You are the future, and the future WILL survive! I swear it on my honor as a Magister Magorum!"
Several Professors smiled, including McGonagall. This boy was a true leader, as well as a great warrior. Surely, he would find a way to ensure everyone's safety. The students seemed to agree; their whispers of not–so–silent approval seemed to prove that to be true.
"Now, off to bed. We've got a busy term ahead of us," McGonagall finished. "I must say, Professor Springfield, you're very powerful, and very wise, for one so young," she said, turning to Negi. "It's rather terrifying, actually. Terrifying, but brilliant!"
"Thank you," Negi could only say with a modest smile.
"Well, that was cheerful," Ron said sarcastically as they got up with the rest of the crowd.
"Why did McGonagall's last bit of wisdom sound so familiar?" Harry thought out loud. But Hermione quickly answered him.
"Dumbledore told us something rather similar in our 3rd year, remember? 'Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light'."
"Yeah, I remember that," Ron burst out. "I'll never know how, but Dumbledore always seemed to know something would happen before it did. It's brilliant … but scary, you know?"
"Never mind that," Neville interrupted. "What about Professor Negi's speech? Was that inspiring or what? 'You are the future, and the future will survive.' Wow!"
"And that poem," Justin piped in. "That was some pretty powerful stuff. Leave it to a warrior to deliver a warrior's speech."
"Well, powerful or not," Seamus added. "If we're all going to live through the year, we're going to need more than just one 'Warrior' among us."
He's right, Harry thought pensively. He's already super, ultra, mega–strong, but if our enemies are stronger still, we're going to need help. Maybe I can …
A small group of 1st years passed them by on their way to their common rooms. They were whispering to each other. Some were worried about their families, and some were worried about school, which Ron could not understand. Some were pointing at Harry. Harry just smiled at them; he never thought he'd miss people admiring him like this, but now that Neig was around, and getting so much attention from the students, his friends and the teachers, he felt himself starting to get jealous. He'd gotten so used to people treating him with the usual respect that it had just started to seem like a dream to be the "famous Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived."
Next update: in two days. Just letting you know, it'll be short. Also, I'll be up most of the night, so I'll keep my eye out for Negima updates.