Author's Note: This chapter is more like 2 chapters in one. It is more informative, but in an unhelpful way. Also time goes a lot quicker in this chapter. So enjoy and don't forget-R&R!
~Chapter 2: An Earth Trembling Entrance
Everyone is close to being finish with his or her dinner when Professor Dumbledore stood up from his seat. The room became unusually quiet.
"Earlier today I have receive a message that the three Americans will arrive tonight," Dumbledore began. "In approximately 3 hours they will arrive. If you feel that you cannot keep awake that long or you have other business to attend to you may be excused. It is now 7:00 pm. The wait begins now. Are there any questions?" They glanced at one another daring one another to ask the question. Hermione impatiently wanting to know asked. She raised her hand as high and visibly as she can from her seat.
"Miss Granger, do you have a question?"
"Yes, I do. In fact I have several."
"Ask away," Dumbledore said as he sat down and leaned forward in his seat. Hermione stood up from her chair and cleared her voice.
"I understand that they are Americans." Hermione began. Dumbledore and the other teachers nodded. "How exactly are they going to get here?"
"Excellent question, Miss Granger." Dumbledore merely replied. "An excellent question deserves an excellent answer which I don't have."
"So are you telling me that they traveled here entirely on their own?"
"Of course not. One of the child's grandfather arranged all the traveling plans. From what I understand when I last spoke to him, they will go Muggle. Meaning, they will travel on transportation devices created and run by Muggles."
"But couldn't they fly on broomstick or Floo powder?"
"Flying approximately 6000 miles on broomstick is not the best idea. There are weather problems and also Muggle aircrafts that get in the way. The Floo powder system in America only connects fireplaces in America as does the Floo powder system in Britain only connects fireplaces in Britain. Perhaps I am not the most sufficient person to be asked those questions, Miss Granger, for I do not know all the answers. I believe this threesome would answer all your questions."
"Do you know their names? Because I was wondering if we could make a welcoming sign."
"No, I'm sorry. I do not know their names. It is a wonderful idea though. Perhaps we can make a welcoming sign nevertheless." Dumbledore abruptly turn towards down the staff's table. "Professor Flitwick, would you please make a banner or something of the sort. I know you are admirable at charms so try to make it the very best." Professor Flitwick nodded his head once and exited out towards his office.
"Any more questions?" Dumbledore asked. His eyes were glittering with amiability. Hermione was still standing and continue to ask more.
"Professor Dumbledore sir?"
"Go right on."
"Yes, thank you. Um, if they were traveling Muggle then how would they get to Hogwarts? They don't know where it is because it is suppose to be hidden."
"I am sure they have found a way. But just in case, Professor McGonagall would you please send an owl?"
"To whom sir?" she asked. "The names and identity of the children are not known."
"Not to worry. I am certain they are able to find their way. But send an owl to the Ministry and inform them that the American children might not know their way to Hogwarts and may need assistant." McGonagall nodded that she understood and left. Hermione then sat down.
"No more questions?" Ron whispered to Hermione.
"I have loads of questions but there is nobody here to answer them. Even Professor Dumbledore doesn't know the answers."
"It must so really top secret stuff." Harry said. "No one knows anything. We don't even know if it is human."
"Stop talking rubbish, Harry." Ron said. "They probably got lost anyways. Even we don't know where Hogwarts is. How do they expect foreigners to find Hogwarts?"
"Maybe it's instinctively found. Perhaps these Americans have natural instinct to find magical places."
"Honestly Hermione," Harry said. "How do you expect to find anything when you are in a different country where you don't know where anything is?" Hermione went quiet for a moment. In the Hall, it is almost impossible to know if anybody has left. Certainly nobody wanted to be the person who missed the arrival of Americans or admit that they cannot stay awake. Students were up and moving. Some were discussing the Americans.
Up at the staff's table, the professors were talking to one another either about lesson plans or students or summer break. Snape was having a surprising friendly conversation with Dumbledore.
"No, it can't be." Harry said in a flabbergasted voice. "Snape is smiling."
"It's an evil smile." Ron quickly said as he looked at Snape. "He is planning something evil."
"Oh come off it, Ron," Hermione said. "Look, he is talking to Dumbledore! He can't be thinking of something evil."
"Herm, stop defending him!" Ron exclaimed.
"Sorry! I didn't even know I was." Ron just stared at her.
"Honestly!" Hermione said quickly.
"Ron, Hermione isn't lying. Sometimes she gets that way." Harry put in.
"How long has it been?" Ron asked loudly.
"It's 8:03." Seamus replied. "How much longer do we have to wait?"
"About 2 more hours," Hermione answered.
"Isn't there anything to do?" Neville asked. Everyone around seemed to be weary. There were many discussions being held but many were restless.
"I have homework to do." Hermione complained loudly. Everyone who was in hearing distance groaned. Neville's arm gave way and his head banged loudly against his plate. His head jumped and his eyes popped open.
"Huh? What?" We turned and stared at him. He rubbed his eyes and asked, "What time is it now?"
"8:57." Seamus announced. Most of the 1st and 2nd years have fallen asleep. The 3rd and 4th years are struggling to stay awake. The older students are awake but restless. Some of the teachers have left to do whatever it is they are doing. Dumbledore, Snape and Merry were the only 3 that stayed there during the whole period. Hagrid had fallen asleep at his seat and snored softly into his plate. Many kids push their plates and goblets towards the center of the tables so they had room to rest their elbows and heads.
"Hey guys," Harry said. They all look up at him. "Let's do something useful while we wait."
"Like what?" Ron replied.
"Like stacking these plates and goblets. Everyone has either pushed them away or have fallen asleep on them." He began stacking his plates and Ron's. Soon everyone was stacking plates.
"I wonder what they do with them after we are sent to bed?" Dean asked.
"I bet they leave it here all night." Hermione answered. "The dishes clean themselves so there's no reason to take them a way and wash them."
"You're probably right." Dean said. "Then again, you're always right." Silently they stacked up plates. They were nearing the staff's table when Dumbledore said, "Thank you children for piling those plates. Just leave them at the end of table and I will put them away myself." As they were close to finishing, when the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs notice them clearing up and began stacking their plates and placing them near the ends of their table closest to the staff's table. Soon all the plates were stack except for the Slytherins.
"Look, the Slytherins are too lazy to do anything." Ron muttered. "I bet if it was allowed, they would be tossing plates around like Frisbees."
"At least we're doing a good deed." Hermione said. "What time is it now? After all that stacking I'd say it is close to 10."
"Why are you always right?" Dean asked. "It is in fact, 10:13. They are late."
"By only 13 minutes," Hermione stated. "And it was only and approximation."
"Perhaps they got lost." Harry shrugged ignoring Hermione's answer.
"Most certainly did." Ron replied sleepily.
"Shouldn't we be off to bed?" Hermione asked. "All the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years are asleep except those who are fighting off sleep right now. We still have homework to do."
"Oh, come off it, Hermione." Ron said. "They would probably excuse us for not doing our homework since we are staying up for these Americans."
"I highly doubt Snape or McGonagall is going to excuse us." Seamus said. At the staff's table, McGonagall came back with a note in her hands. She handed it to Dumbledore and he read it quickly. Then Dumbledore stood up and the other teachers came filing in. He cleared his throat and magically everyone who was asleep is now awake and yawning. When everyone gave them their full attention, he spoke.
"Our Americans are due any minute now." He said with pride. "I have just received word from the Ministry that they are indeed traveling on foot, but their exact location now is unknown. They may perhaps be arriving in the morning if not tonight." There were quiet murmurings and complaints of staying up for nothing.
"Furthermore," he continued, "I thank those who kindly stacked up these plates," and pointed to the table ends, "so as a reward, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff are awarded 50 points each." At this point the Slytherins seemed very surly.
"Now if they do not arrive by 11-o-clock, you are all sent to bed. Also you would be excused from all homework that is due tomorrow." A small cheer arose from the students but quickly died down when Snape gave a menacing glare.
"I thank you all for staying up this late for people you do not know, it is--" He broke off as they started to shake. Soon everyone was on their hands and knees under the tables. An ominous roar began howling. It seemed as if Hogwarts was about to be split apart. Everyone had their hands over their ears but nothing could stop the noise from thundering in more volume.
"It is impossible for Hogwarts to have an earthquake!" Hermione screamed over the thunderous roar. Her hands over her ears pressed tightly as they began to shake up and down instead of side to side.
"What?!?" Harry yelled back at her.
"I SAID IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HOGWARTS TO HAVE AN EARTHQUAKE!!!" She shrieked even louder because the roar has grown louder.
"WHY?!?" Ron and Harry both shouted.
"BECAUSE IT IS MAGICALLY EARTHQUAKE PROOF!!!!"
"TELL THAT TO THE EARTHQUAKE!!" Ron yelled. The shaking went on for what appeared to feel like hours. The first years began to cry, as they could not handle it. Harry looked around under their table. He could see tears streaming down the first years' faces.
"LET'S FIND DUMBLEDORE!!!" He hollered as loud as he can to Hermione and Ron. They both nodded their heads and gave thumps up as in understanding. He tried to crawled out under the table with his hands in his ears but couldn't. Deciding that his eardrums could be replaced with the help of Madame Promfrey, he put his hands down. The din was making his head hurt and ears ache. He leaned against he table to help hold his footing and stood back. Ron and Hermione crawled out with more trouble than him, because the trembling grew monstrous. With much effort they were standing on their feet.
At the staff's table, the teachers and Dumbledore was nowhere to be found. Everywhere else everyone was under the table. Shakily they move inch by inch towards the staff's table. The plates they have stacked earlier have tumbled off and got dented when they hit the ground. The candlelights flicker on and off giving an eerie glow through out the trembling. Then all of a sudden the shaking stopped and the roar disappeared. Before anyone could get out from the table, another quake came but only with less force. Harry, Hermione and Ron all stood there waiting for it to pass, but suddenly what seemed like a rip in the ceiling appeared.
The rip became a pale blue circle suspending in the air. The little quake now is shaking with more force that dropped Harry, Ron and Hermione to their knees. Then it flashed white three times and out came three hurtling figures. Before the rip disappeared, Harry thought he saw a dragon flying towards the hole as if it was meaning to come out, but the tear closed up before it could. Then the trembling earthquake stopped.
Standing in a circle, so they could watch each other's back, in front of the staff's table was three figures wearing cloaks of red, blue and green. All three were breathing heavily and stoop there waiting for something. Soon everyone came out under the tables and sat in chairs to help steady themselves. Many were still quivering in aftermath. They all stared at the three figures that loomed before them.
One had long, straight black hair and was facing the staff's table. The two others were boys, one with thin red hair and the other with spiky blonde hair. The red head was facing the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs. The blonde one was facing Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. Their clothes and themselves were all giving off smoke and looked burnt. Their eyes were furrowed in concentration and look about as if they were waiting for anyone who might jump at them. All three were brandishing extra-large wands.
The teachers, who are less coordinated than the students, slowly reappeared from under their table. Immediately they found themselves looking at the long haired girl. Quickly they pulled out their wands. The one who stood before them wielded her wand in both hands and asked in a clear voice, "137?"
All wore a face of confusion and uncertainty including the teachers. Dumbledore looked at her for a moment and the realized what she meant.
"No." He said in a calm and steady voice. They all lower their wands in relief and then fainted into a crumpled heap.
~Sorry it is so long. I wanted to split it but then the next chapter would be too short. I know I left you hanging, sorry about that. Oh yeah, disclaimer thingy. Now I'm going to write it at the end of the chapter so I don't spoil it for anybody. Let's see. Everything that is J.K. Rowling's is J.K. Rowling's. The plot is mine. The earthquake is mine. That little rip in the ceiling is also mine. The number 137 does have a meaning and that is mine too. And if I forgot anything and you know it is not of J.K. Rowling's then it is mine. Laterz~