Crystal: This may as well be the oddest fic you will ever read. The idea came to me while watching Rurouni Kenshin one day. This idea has always appealed to me, and now I am finally putting it down on paper for the world to see. It may really suck, but that's your opinion, isn't it my friend.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, but NOW I own all five books. The character Cahira Zeva Aiden is my character and is not allowed to be used. She is not based on a real person in any circumstances. Yes, this is boring, but it's important. So you can't sue me. I also do own the people who you do not recognize, so they are mine. No stealing please.

Crystal: Well, I just finished the 5th Harry Potter book, and after I finished the 35th chapter, I went into hysterics for 30 minutes. I am still in hysterics, and I scold myself when I happen to smile. So, I'm in a deep state of depression, and the only thing I now find peaceful is my writing. I do not know if I will let the occurrences in book 5 affect my story, though some seemed to. The fact that Sirius Black died will not be concluded in this story, since I still cannot pass the topic of him de…dea…de, well, you know what I'm trying to say. Hopefully, I will not get flames for my belief, and it would be generally nice of any people who do happen to get as far as this chapter, to give me some comforting words. Thank you for your generosity.       

             

~*~*~

Cahira looked in amazement as the hat continued on with its song, and then go back to stillness once more. The hall of students clapped, and the professors as well, so she followed suit. Then, Minerva began to call names from a large scroll she had in her hand, and a student would walk up to the stool.

They looked very frightened, and would shake as the hat was placed on their head. The hat would sit for a while, or maybe barely touch the head, before shouting out an odd name, such as 'Ravenclaw.' The sorting of sorts finished after a while, and the hall quieted once more. Dumbledore stood from his chair beside Cahira.

"Welcome, to another prosperous year at Hogwarts. Like always, we will enjoy a riveting feast, followed by the school announcements. Tuck in" Dumbledore said, and the food appeared on the tables. Cahira was glad that they had food she might enjoy, and a pair of chopsticks set by her plate. She also saw that everyone else in the Great Hall also sported a pair of chopsticks. Some boys were having a sword fight with them, while some knew what they were. Others were asking others what they were, and many looked up at the staff table.

Cahira giggled, putting rice and shrimp and chicken onto her plate, as well as some bread. She poured soy sauce onto her rice, and picked up her chopsticks, beginning to eat. Many students tried to follow her example, but failed miserably.

When the plates cleared, dessert replaced the dishes, but Cahira didn't touch anything. She looked over at Remus who was talking with Minerva, who was situated beside him.

"Hello Minerva" Cahira said, one of her first words over the last hour. McGonagall looked up startled, and then smiled at Cahira.

"Good evening Cahira" McGonagall said, before going back into her conversation with Remus. Cahira sighed, looking around at all the happy faces. She missed her parents, and Master Keiji. She had hoped on returning to Japan by the end of summer, but from what Master Keiji had explained, it was not possible.

Flashback…

They walked back up to the castle, Cahira re-thinking the actions she had just done. Yes, she thought she would soon be leaving the castle, but from the glances Master Keiji had given her, it told her to at least be able to make home here.

"Why do I need to stay, Master Keiji?" Cahira asked.

"Well, Cahira, they're still spread all over Japan looking for you. Some have caught our trail, but haven't even got close to France. It is still dangerous back home, so you will reside here until they are taken care of" Master Keiji said sternly.

"And what about Akane, Hoshi, and Yoko? What will happen to them?" Cahira asked.

"Well, they haven't been able to detect the other members of the group, so they are perfectly safe at the least. I have notified their parents, though, and they always are ready in case they are asked to move" Master Keiji said.

"To where?" Cahira whispered.

"We'd scatter them, so in that way, none of you will come to harm. But if it does happen, all of you will be transported here, in case the other spots have been grounded. Hogwarts is very safe, out of the eye of harm, so they may never find it. Being that they do posses some magic, it would not be strong enough as to break into Hogwarts or get past the many new defenses Dumbledore has put up to protect it since the Dark Lords' rising" Master Keiji said. Cahira nodded as her Master finished, and they continued on in silence, back to the tower.

End Flashback…

The hall quieted, breaking Cahira from her thoughts as Dumbledore stood once again. The plates had all been cleared, and now everyone had their eyes on Dumbledore.

"Now, as I said before, welcome back to another marvelous year. A quick reminder to first years, and any others who seem to find their selves not in line with this rule, the Forbidden Forest is not to be entered. Also, for this years new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, we give a welcome back to Remus Lupin" Dumbledore said. The hall filled with cheers, and looks of disgust flew from one table.

"Also, many of you may have noticed the young woman sitting beside me, who will be staying with us for this year. She will be teaching a Self Defense class, and signups will take place over the weekend, for 6th and 7th years only. The sign-up parchment is located on the wall by her classroom. Please welcome Cahira Aiden" Dumbledore said. The students clapped out of respect, and Cahira stood and bowed. She sat back down, and Dumbledore finished his speech.

"Also, many new items have been added to the Banned list hanging on Mr. Filch's door, so if any, be sure to check it out. Now, with food in our stomachs, I issue you a good night. Also, as a reminder, will all 1st years follow their house prefects" Dumbledore said, and the hall bustled once more. Cahira watched as all the teachers stood, and she did as well. Some of the teachers stood around and talked a bit, but many left.

Cahira's senses caught onto a familiar aura, but she let it slip as she walked out into the hall. Many people watched her as she walked by, up the marble staircase, and down the 1st floor corridor. She waved goodnight to Remus who was traveling to the 7th floor, and she continued on her way. Never did she notice that a few eyes were following her, till she turned the corner and disappeared.

~*~*~

"So, her class is on the first floor" Hermione said, as they made there way up to the Gryffindor common room.

"I don't think, in all the years we've been here, we have ever been down that corridor" Harry said.

"Yea, maybe it used to be forbidden like the 3rd floor" Ron suggested.

"No, we probably would have heard if it was. Maybe there has just never been a class there" Hermione said.

"Sorry, mate, but Hermione's answer sounds more plausible" Harry said, patting Ron on the back.

"Oi, whatever. Let's just get some sleep" Ron said, and they hurried upstairs.

~*~*~

"What is with her and those weird outfits, do you think?" Hermione asked, sitting down next day, and looking up at Cahira and Remus, who were talking.

"Who knows?" Ron said, before digging into breakfast.

"Well, we have all today and tomorrow without classes, so what do you propose we do?" Harry asked.

"I don't know, but did you guys get those notices by your beds this morning?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, about those job things?" Harry asked. Ron's mouth was to full of food to talk.

"Yea, saying which subjects we'd have to take this year to be able to do them" Hermione said. Harry nodded. "Well, they told us during our interviews last year about what standards we would need to have the job we wished for, but they've added something to mine" Hermione said.

"Mine too" Harry said.

"'e twe" Ron said, swallowing a mouthful of bacon.

"Really, Ron, you're almost as bad as Dudley" Harry said, earning him a glare.

"Well, what subject did they add to yours?" Hermione asked.

"The Self Defense class. So, I guess I'll go sign up when we finish" Harry said.

"It says I'll need to be taking that as well, I'll come with you" Hermione said. Ron just merely raised his hand.

"Hermione, you never told us what job you were looking for" Harry said, looking at her as he buttered his toast.

"Well, I thought about it a lot, and then thought about the people in the" her Hermione leaned in "Order" she pulled back out "and I've decided maybe I'll try for an Auror too" Hermione finished.

"Which means, we'll have almost all our classes together" Harry said.

"Yes, seems so" Hermione said. Ron swallowed his food.

"Rotten luck for me then" Ron muttered. "I though about Charlie's work with Dragons, and decided that sounded like a job that I would like to get into. So, I'll be taking classes concerning that" Ron said.

"I'm guessing that Transfiguration isn't one of them" Hermione said.

"Nope, but potions is" Run muttered darkly.

"Well, we have potions too, so don't worry about it" Harry said, trying to lighten the mood. Finished with their breakfast, they walked into the entrance hall.

"Um, Hermione" Harry said, as they walked into the 1st floor corridor.

"Hmm" was all Hermione said.

"How will we know where the classroom is?" Harry asked, hurrying to keep up with her long strides,

"Well" Hermione said, keeping up her pace, "We'll just have to look where a bunch of students are. Maybe there will be some sort of hint." At just that moment, Cahira passed them without a look, continued to the end of the hall.

"Now that just had to be luck" Ron said, as they followed her. She reached a corner, turned, and they followed her. They were now in a large square hallway, full of nothing but portraits. Cahira was standing near the largest one. The trio gasped.

"Well, we may have been able to find it on our own, considering the picture is of her" Hermione said. Cahira turned at the sound of Hermione's voice, and smiled.

"Hello there" she said. "Are you here to sign up for my class?" She asked. They nodded. "Well, thank you for doing so. You'd be the first ones" Cahira said, looking down at the floor for a moment. Cahira bit her lip, looking up once more.

"I'm Cahira" she said. She noticed how they had not moved from their spot. "You can come over here, I don't bite" she laughed a bit. The trio walked over, looking around at all the paintings. They were all of wizards or witches, except for this one, and the only thing it had in common with the others was the sword. Each picture had the same sword. Cahira smiled. "Anything wrong?" She asked them as they stood in front of her. They shook their heads. She was a half an inch shorter then Harry, half an inch taller then Hermione, about 3 inches shorter then Ron. She was, in fact, their age.

"So, your names are?" She asked.

"Harry Potter."

"Hermione Granger."

"Ron Weasley."

"Nice to meet you" Cahira said. She sighed. "You have no clue how weird this is" she said.

"I can only imagine" Harry muttered.

"So, you're here to sign up for the class. The list is right there" Cahira said, pointing to a piece of parchment attached to the wall. A quill was magically attached to it. They walked forward, adding their names.

"Would you like to come up?" Cahira asked. She had been lonely, and Remus had disappeared after breakfast, as to why she had come back to her tower.

"To where?" Hermione asked, finishing her name and allowing Ron to put his.

"My tower?" Cahira asked.

"You have your own tower?" Ron asked, as he let go of the quill, finishing his name.

"Yes, I live and teach in it, would you like to come up?" Cahira asked. The trio nodded. Cahira stood to the side of the portrait. "Haru kin'youbi" Cahira said, and the portrait swung open a little. Cahira held it, letting the others enter.

It was dark and had an ancient castle feeling and texture to it. The only light came from the hallway, but it disappeared as soon as the portrait swung back into place. They heard footsteps in the outer hall, and people walking towards them.

"Rigufutsu" Cahira said, and torches lit up the spiraling stairs. Cahira began up them, and the trio followed. There was nothing adorning the walls except for the torches, and a few times, there would be an indent in the wall where a vase of red and white roses would sit. A while later, the steps turned to wood, and the walls still stone. They reached the top landing, where it was fully lit with a window. The walls were now a weird material which looked as if see through. The rooms received light from hanging, paper lamps over head.

"Over here, is where you can sit" Cahira said. She led them to the training room. "Take a seat at the table on the far end" Cahira said. She turned to leave.

"Wait, Cahira, what is this place?" Hermione asked.

"This used to only be a training room, but it is now your class room. I ask you to take your shoes off before continuing" Cahira said, and she walked back into the hall. They slipped out of their shoes and socks, walking across the wood that held the 30 cushions. They sat down on the purple cushions, when Cahira came back with a teapot and a bowl. She slipped out of her sandals, walking across the sand. She opened the cabinet, setting the things at her feet. She pulled out four bowls and tea cups. She put them around the table, pouring all of them tea, and then splitting the rice which had been in the bowl.

She gave everyone a pair of chopsticks, and took out two small pouring utensils, one full of lemon juice, and one full of soy sauce.

"Enjoy" she said, before pouring some soy sauce onto her rice and beginning to eat. They followed, and found it quite delicious.

"So, Cahira, what do you plan on teaching the students?" Hermione asked.

"Would you like to see?" Cahira asked, smiling. The trio nodded, and she stood. She stepped onto the sand, facing two sand bag dummies. She did her started routine, like the first time she had done the attack. She had found a flaw with it, and had fixed it an hour after she had discovered it. She left the hand in her right hand, looking between the two opponents.

Letting out a yell, she rushed forward and did a swing so fast, it wasn't visible. Stopping, she twirled with another swipe, looking at her opponents. They seemed to be unharmed, but then their bodies split in half and their heads fell from their bodies.

The trio stared in awe as she slipped her sword away, and made her way over.

"Will we learn to do that?" Ron asked.

"Oh, that's an easy trick I learned to do in a year. Yes, it's quite possible" Cahira said.

"So, there are more advanced skills?" Hermione asked.

"Oh yes, but that one is incredibly easy, so I thought I'd show you that one. It doesn't take much preparation, but I can do some more that are harder" Cahira said.

"Cahira, where are you from?" Hermione asked.

"Actually" Cahira said, setting down the tea she was about to drink, "I really don't know. My names are Irish, and so is my father. But, I was brought up in Japan. My parents died three years ago, and I never really earned of my heritage. All of my father's relatives are deceased, and my mother was disconnected from the world, leaving no one with any information about her family. I call myself Irish, Greek, Celtic, and Japanese, though I am not sure which I am" Cahira said quietly. They all looked at her. She smiled up at them smalley.

"I'm sorry to have made you feel pity towards me, or if I made you feel sad. Whichever topic I seem to be on always leads to dramatic events of my past. But, lets forget about that, shall we" Cahira said. She finished her tea and rice, and the others did as well.

"Thank you for joining me. I get very lonely, and the only friend I've actually made is Remus" Cahira said.

"Oh, Professor Lupin. He's nice, isn't he?" Hermione said.

"Yes, very. He told me not to worry about him if he didn't show up in a long shot of time, but I told him I would anyway. He told me you knew about his situation, and he told me as well. It seems he only trusts his good friends and colleagues" Cahira said. The trio looked at her, surprised at how adult she was. They were also surprised she knew that Lupin was a werewolf.

"I told him about my friend Sagara, who was also a werewolf. I didn't find out till I was 10, and told him I'd help him. And I did. He is no longer a werewolf" Cahira said. The trio looked at her, shocked.

"So you can heal Professor Lupin?" Harry asked, his voice edgy with excitement.

"Yes, but the task is extremely difficult. I need special ingredients, and I've already owled a friend in Japan who can get me some. But, I'm still missing the tooth of a centaur, three hairs of a werewolf, a leave from a dark energy tree, the wing of a cupid, the toenail of a dwarf, and the blood of a pure hearted" Cahira said.

"The spell is very complex, and can be used by any experienced magic user. It's an ancient spell, from the 1700s. It can only be done while the werewolf being used is transformed, and is tied arms and legs down in a bath of moonlight. I will most likely, if lucky, be able to finish by late April, with help" Cahira said.

"We can help" Harry said. "Our friend Hagrid knows the forest very well, and I'm sure we can find the ingredients you're looking for."

"Yes, maybe, but the hardest is the blood of a pure hearted. It is hard to tell who is most pure hearted, so I will have to use my training to find one. The hair we can get from Remus, and the toenail we can get from the dwarfs that patrol the dungeons. I've heard the centaurs live in the forest, so we can get the tooth there, as well as the dark energy. On Valentines Day, I will use my training again and get the wing of a cupid. Well, not a whole wing, but more like five feathers.

"The thing is, they only appear when two soul mates are sitting together, but do not know they are meant to be. So, I'll need two people to get together and see if they are the ones. Will one of you two do it?" Cahira asked. Ron, who wasn't listening closely, scooted away when he heard this. Cahira gave them a pleading look, and they nodded.

"For Remus" Harry smiled.

"Yes" Cahira smiled. "Well, I'm going to go outside for a while. And I can't leave you alone in my tower. But, while I get changed, you can stay in here" Cahira said. She stood and left the room, crossing the hall, and disappearing.

"Well, she's extremely nice" Hermione said, pouring herself some more tea.

"Yea, and doesn't she just have that air of mystery about her" Ron said, sighing.

"Snap out of it Ron. She's a teacher, and you're a student. Even if she is our age, it's still against school rules" Hermione huffed. "Besides, she's probably not single anyway."

"Your most likely right about that" Harry said, as he poured himself more tea. Cahira entered minutes later, looking identical to the picture that guarded her tower.

"Shall we be heading out?" Cahira asked. They nodded, standing and heading across the wood and into the hall. Cahira walked with them down the tower steps, and waited at the bottom.

"Ustufugir" Cahira said when everyone reached the bottom. She opened the portrait, and they all walked out.

"Good-day Master Cahira" the portrait said. Cahira smiled.

"Good-day Lady Cahira" Cahira giggled. She looked at the parchment at the side of the portrait, and sighed happily. "Almost full" Cahira said. The trio looked at it, and groaned when they came to a few names.

"Are all the students together in one class?" Harry asked.

"Yes, it's the only way possible that this would work" Cahira said. Hermione continued to scan the list, and let out a gasp. "What?" Cahira asked her. Hermione sighed with content.

"Calin Caedmon is signed up for the class" Hermione said, her eyes filled with stars. She didn't even notice Cahira's head shoot up at the name.

"Calin?" Cahira asked, looking at the boys who nodded.

"He's in our year, in Gryffindor as well. He just transferred last year" Ron said.

"And h-h-he's in t-t-t-this cla-s-s-ss?" Cahira stuttered.

"I guess so" Harry said. Cahira nodded, and a smile spread on her face.

"That's nice" she sighed. Hermione snapped out of her daze and looked up at Cahira who had a soft smile on her face and a dreamy look in her eyes. She sighed again, and began walking down the hall. The three followed her, and she didn't seem to notice till she stepped out into the heat of the summers day.

"Where are you going?" Hermione asked her. Cahira turned.

"To purify myself" Cahira said, beginning her walk again.

"Mind if we come?" Harry asked.

"Suit yourself" Cahira said simply. She walked all the way around the lake, to a large waterfall hidden in the cliff.

"Has this always been here?" Ron asked. Before Cahira could have a chance to answer, Hermione did.

"I don't think so. I know Hogwarts, A History like the back of my hand. They would have mentioned a waterfall if there ever was one" Hermione stated.

"Well, it wasn't here before" Cahira said. "Dumbledore placed it here for me" Cahira said.

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"Yes. I use this waterfall to purify myself when I feel a need to, and I will be teaching my students to as well" Cahira said. "It's magical, but I cast the spell. Only Swordsmen or Buddhist Monks know the spell, and it's very easy when it is learned" Cahira explained. "You can only sue it once on a source of water, and it will be like that always. You cannot cast the spell on a source of water if another has already done so" Cahira explained.

"If you would like to stay and watch, you have every means to. It may prepare you for my class" Cahira said. She slowly slid out of her shoes, and slipped off her top, to reveal a halter made of bandages. The waterfall came from up high in the cliff, and fell into a small grove filled with smooth, colored rocks. Cahira walked along the few that were first, with perfect ease. She headed towards a white rock which was located in the center, and she held her arm over her head as she sat.

The water fell over her body, leaving the front un-touched by water. She closed her eyes, and let her mind free.

"That looks very complex" Ron joked quietly.

"Actually" Cahira said, her eyes still closed. "It is very difficult."

"How did you hear him?" Harry asked in disbelief. "I could barely hear him."

"Well, as a part of purifying yourself, you must block off one scent. My hearing is my best, and then my sight. I'm not too good at smell. Touch is very easy to learn, but taste is not recommended. Taste and touch cannot be learned through purification. I can do all five" Cahira stated simply. The boys nodded. Thirty minutes later, Cahira walked back along the rocks. She put on her skirt and squeezed the water out of her hair. Where the droplets fell, tiny, white flowers grew.

"Wow" Hermione said, as she watched the flowers grow in a process that usually would have taken a year. And soon, all the flowers had formed, and a large tree with white leaves sat before them.

"Opps" Cahira said, putting a hand to her forehead. "Dumbledore warned me not to do that. In the water, in the water" Cahira repeated to herself. "Shall we be going?" Cahira asked, as she started walking back to the castle. The trio tore their gaze from the tree, and hurried after Cahira.