Chapter 2
The Great Escape
Hermione Grainger sat on the porch enjoying the warm summer day and a good book. As a reward for her excellent grades in school, her mother has taken her to Foyles Bookshop on Charing Cross Road in London and let her loose. Although there weren't many books on magic there were tons of other books that kept Hermione entranced for much of the morning. It was very difficult to keep within the budget her mother had given for the shopping trip but Hermione managed to get most of what she wanted with a small bit of begging for an extra couple of pounds to cover the cost of the just released volume of her favorite girl detective series. If her friends at Hogwarts saw her curled up with an Amanda Blue novel they'd probably laugh her out of the library. But Hermione loved Amanda Blue. She was a very clever and pretty and always managed to get out of nasty situations by using her brains instead of brawn, a gun or magic.
The storyline was just starting to get intense when the loudest chirping she ever heard took Hermione's attention off her book. She looked up and saw a sparrow sitting on the rail not three feet from her and it was looking at her while singing its little loud song. She noticed it had a note tied to its tiny leg and she carefully approached the bird, which didn't shy away from her but allowed her to remove the small scroll that was tied to its foot with a piece of ribbon.
The moment she removed the note, the small bird fluttered off. Hermione had gotten owls before but this was the first time she had ever gotten a message via a sparrow. She unrolled the parchment and it read:
Miss Grainger,
Harry Potter is in need of rescuing from a dreary summer. If you were planning on returning to Hogwarts for the summer session, would you be able to help him escape from those wizard-hating people he lived with? I did what I could to help (I got him his invitation to return to school) but I don't have the means to get Harry and his things to the train – the boot on my motorbike isn't large enough to carry his things and mine together.
I know you don't know me at all – I am a new student at Hogwarts – but I am being honest with you about Harry's situation. Please do what you can to help.
Thank you and I hope to see you at Hogwarts.
Sincerely,
a
¶
J
¾
HIRO YUI
Hermione had no idea who this Hiro Yui was but it did not surprise her that Harry was having a hard time getting away for the summer. She was going back to Hogwarts – it was because she was returning for the summer session that she was hurrying to finish the Amanda Blue book – and knew from past years how difficult it was for her friend to get to school each fall. Her parents were delighted to have a witch in the family. She was the first one in the Grainger clan to be born magical and it thrilled her mother no end. It also was the cause of much discussion as to whose side of the family Hermione got the magical genes from. Not that it really mattered but it was funny to hear them trying to figure out which ancestor was responsible for their good fortune.
Even so, as lucky as she was to be in a family that loved her for who and what she was, she felt sorry for Harry whose only loving relation was a godfather. She knew she had to do something. She looked down at the book she was reading. What would Amanda Blue do in a situation like this? Hermione picked up the book and sat down again intending to read but unable to put Harry and his plight out of her mind. After a few minutes of distracted reading, Hermione dog-earned the page she was on and closed the book.
I'll finish it on the train, she said to herself. Harry needs my help. Its time for me to come up with an Amanda Blue plan to save him! She hurried into the house and raced up to her bedroom tossing the Amanda Blue novel on her bed. She pondered for a moment and, catching a glimpse of her Speculum – the magic mirror that allows wizards two way-communication almost like a Muggle phone – she got an idea. She went to the Speculum and spoke the phrase that would set up communication between her and Ron Weasley.
The mirror's usual reflective image blurred for a moment and then Ron Weasley's image came into view. He looked windblown and was out of breath when he said sounding both surprised and pleased to see her, "Hermione! What's up?"
"I need your help," she began." We've got to get Harry to Hogwarts for the summer and you know what that means…"
"Yeah, getting past those Muggles he lives with," Ron stated knowingly. He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment then asked, "Did you get a message about Harry? Saying he needed help?"
"Yes," she replied. "You too?"
"Yeah," he said. "A sparrow carried it. Mum said only Chinese wizards use sparrows to carry letters, like we use owls. Surprised the heck out of her when the little bugger flew in the window this morning and dropped a scroll on her head!"
Hermione laughed. "I was outside when my note got delivered. Do you know the person who sent the letter?"
"No, never heard of him. But when I read my note, I know he knows Harry. Has to, I mean, there isn't any other way a bloke from China could know about us being Harry's friends unless Harry told him."
Hermione agreed. "True. Even so, that still leaves the problem of how do we get Harry to school?"
"Your parents are Muggles," Ron began. "And what Muggles would call professional people. Maybe your Mum could talk to Harry's Aunt and Uncle. You know, show them the good side of having a wizard in the family."
"I don't think they'd listen to that, at least, not from what Harry has said. However….if my Mum was to maybe show up early on the day we're supposed to go ready to give Harry a ride to the station…."
"Yeah!" Ron brightened. "Have your Mum make it look like it was all planned. Like you all already arranged for her to take you both to the train and see you off okay. That could work. And your Mum's car has a big boot from what I recall. Could easily carry all your stuff and Harry's too!"
Hermione thought about it for a moment. "You know, it just might work. I'll discuss it with my Mum when she gets home from the office tonight. She might be willing to do it, especially since she knows about Harry's situation. I am pretty sure I could talk her into helping us out."
"Would work out much better than the time I used my Dad's car to break Harry out and get him to school," Ron said as memories of nearly being beaten to death by the Whomping Willow came flooding back. "Bloody thing is still wandering the forest, far as I know."
"You're right. It would be safer if this was left to my Mum and me," agreed Hermione. "As soon as I have a firm plan, I'll let you know."
"Send an owl, okay?" Ron asked. "We only have the one Speculum here at the Burrow and we might not be home when you've got it all plotted out. Charlie's back for a visit and we're going to be off with him until he's got to go back to the dragon reserve."
Hermione nodded and signed off. She glanced back towards her bed and the half finished Amanda Blue book. Getting her mother to help would make things go easier, she thought. From what Harry had told her about the Durlseys, having Harry getting a ride to the train from Doctor Grainger - a very respectable English dental professional - might be, to coin a phrase, exactly what the doctor ordered!
When she saw the burgundy Jaguar pull up in front of 4 Privet Drive, Petunia Dursley stopped pruning her rose bushes to see if she recognized the lady stepping out onto the curb. She was an attractive woman of middle years with shoulder length chestnut hair that was thick and wavy and she was wearing a nicely tailored navy pantsuit. Peering out from the back seat was a teenage girl who looked vaguely familiar.
The lady came up the drive and approached Petunia Dursley saying, "Hello, I'm Doctor Elizabeth Grainger, Hermione's mother. I'm here to give Harry a lift to the train."
Petunia Dursley almost dropped the pruning shears she was holding. Doctor Grainger? Now she knew why the girl in the car looked familiar. She was one of Harry's friends from that school. But the woman was obviously not one of them. She seemed perfectly….normal.
"Doctor," Petunia Dursley stammered. "I had no idea you were coming. The train? Today?"
"Yes," Doctor Grainger continued in the same pleasant voice. "The children leave today at one o'clock for summer school. "The school mailed all the students a letter inviting them back for the summer. Surely you received one."
"I don't recall…" she pondered. No strange mail came from that school since Harry came back. Nothing flew down the chimney nor was dropped on her head by an owl as it flew past. That school sent them nothing by what passed for them as the normal post. "No…we got no letter." She said finally.
"Well, I'm sure it was an oversight," the doctor continued. "Anyway, may I give Harry a ride? It is early, so he'll have time to gather his things. If he isn't sure what he needs, I have Hermione's letter hear in my bag and it specifies what the children will need. It's actually a short list, since this summer session is going to be more recreational than educational. Which I think is just as well. Hermione spends way too much time cooped up inside with her nose in a book. Fresh air and sunshine will do her a world of good. I think your Harry would benefit from some time out of doors as well."
Petunia dusted herself off and set aside her gardening things. "If you don't mind a personal question, Doctor, what sort of doctor are you?"
"I'm a dentist," Elizabeth Grainger answered. "My husband and I are both dentists. We share an office. It's a family practice. My husband is covering for me while I'm seeing Hermione off."
"Is she…your only one?"
"Only child? Yes, she is. And you?"
"I have a son," Petunia answered with forced politeness. "Harry is my nephew."
"I see. Well, unless you object, the cousins are going to be apart for the first summer in a long time."
"No, if you don't mind waiting in the parlor, I'll get Harry packed."
Elizabeth Grainger smiled and nodded and followed Mrs. Dursley into the house. She was led into the very small but pristinely neat parlor and shown to the sofa.
"I'll be right down with Harry," Petunia Dursley informed her and went upstairs.
Hermione's curiosity got the better of her and she left the car and went up to the house. She peeked in the window and through the lacy curtains saw her mother sitting on the sofa with her eyes cast upwards towards the ceiling. From where she was Hermione could understand why her Mom's attention was focused up. Even through the glass she could hear the sounds of furniture moving, things being hastily gathered and general upheaval. Harry must have thought he wouldn't be able to get away, thought Hermione as she listened through the glass. Apparently he forgot how resourceful his friends are! When she saw Harry enter the parlor, Hermione quickly ducked back out of view. She dashed back to the car before anyone noticed she had been spying through the glass.
Elizabeth Grainger raised an eyebrow as she looked at Harry, who was clad in dockers and a polo shirt that was obviously two sizes too big for him. Harry had his trunk, cauldron and Hedwig in her cage and he looked befuddled by what was going on. "I'm Hermione's mother," she told Harry. "I'm giving you a ride to the train. Summer school? It begins today."
Harry nodded. "Right. Thank you."
"Well, lets get all this to the car," she said in a friendly tone and helped Harry drag his trunk out to the Jaguar. The trunk fit in the boot quite nearly and so did the cauldron which surprised Harry because Hermione's things were in there already and the car didn't look like it would have a storage area big enough to hold all their wizarding things. Hedwig's cage was placed on the front seat and the owl looked around taking everything and seemed much calmer now that she was outside than when she was cooped up in Harry's room.
"I think she knows she's going back," Harry said when he saw how quiet and calm Hedwig was.
Hermione agreed. "Yes, she seems happy. And so do you."
"You have no idea," Harry said with a long sigh.
He climbed in the back seat and buckled up. Doctor Grainger buttoned everything up and then climbed in saying, "You all tucked in back there?"
"We're fine, Mum," Hermione said.
"Good. We're off then,"
And so they were. As they were on the drive to the train Harry asked, "How did you get it all to fit? We had a lot of stuff."
"Oh, a wizard we met in Diagon alley put an enlargement spell on the boot," Doctor Grainger explained. "We can now carry what you would normally need a truck to haul around."
"Pretty awesome, don't you think?" commented Hermione.
Harry nodded. "You're lucky. Your Mom is good about magic."
Hermione smiled but made no comment. She was lucky to have parents who not only understood but also were actually pleased to be a part of the magical world. It made life away from school almost as fun as being in school. She wished Harry's family could be more understanding and supportive but she knew that were they way they were and not much was going to change their opinion. The only thing she could do was be there for Harry and help him out whenever he needed it.
When they got to the train station and offloaded their belongings onto the carts, the Weasleys met Harry and Hermione. Fred and George were in one of their pranking moods and were having fun trying to pawn off some of their concoctions on unsuspecting Ravenclaws while Ginny and Ron made their way over looking very happy to see them.
"You did it, Hermione!" Ron crowed delighted. "This is going to be the best summer ever!"
Hermione blushed at the compliment and Harry said, "It is going to be a good summer. The best one I know I've ever had."
"Even Potions with Snape is better than staying in your house all summer!" Ron declared and Harry was very quick to agree.
Ginny piped up, "We'd better get going or we'll miss the train!"
They all quickly got moving because they were running a bit late. The trek over to Platform 9 ¾ was uneventful but the train ride itself was anything but boring. Too many canary creams made their way into unsuspecting mouths and there were soon yellow feathers billowing out into the halls as the spell wore off and each victim molted pounds of canary feathers everywhere. Ron was less than happy about the situation and got the sneezes from all the tiny feathers floating in the air and about the cabin. Hermione knew better than to eat anything the twins offered but Neville Longbottom wasn't so wise and wound up becoming a canary for a while. Once he molted and was normal again he thought it was a great jest but even he, too, felt the long ride to Hogwarts wasn't going to be much fun while they were forced to wade through feathers and inhale yellow down.
It was getting close to sunset when they made it to Hogsmeade Station. The air was still warm and fresh and Ron breathed a sigh of relief as the fresh air hit his lungs. Too many hours breathing bird down had gotten to him. Ron knew he would feel better once he got to Hogwarts. The others were feeling equally woozy from inhaling dusty feathers. As they disembarked they were greeting by their fellow Gryffindors who were looking forward to a summer full of sun, friends and lots of Quidditch.
Hagrid was at the station and the large gamekeeper was easy to spot since he towered over even the tallest student by an easy foot and a half. He exchanged greeting with everyone he passed and, when he got to Harry and his friends, he gave them all a big hearty hug.
"Welcome back," he said warmly.
"Hello Hagrid," Harry said smiling up at him.
"School has never been open in the summer before," Hagrid commented. "This is a first."
"Any idea why Dumbledore is doing this?" asked Hermione.
"Well, if you ask me, I think it's because You-Know-Who is alive again and making trouble," Hagrid replied din a hushed tone. "I think Dumbledore feels all of you would be safer here."
"It said in the letter that we'd be having new teachers. Have you met any of them?"
Hagrid shrugged. "Well, the only new to the school person here is Master Yui. He's going to be teaching some classes in Chinese magic or something like that. But the lady who is to teach Dark Arts in the fall is here too. And she is someone I think all of you are going to like very much."
"Who is she Hagrid?" Harry asked.
"Cassiopeia of the Great Lake," he stated like her name would mean something to them. "She a Sidhe, one of the Elven people. Over here special from the Arcadia."
"Whoa," Ron breathed. "Is it true what they say about the Sidhe? That they're really beautiful?"
Hagrid smiled and nodded. "Aye, lad, its true. And all their beauty isn't just on the outside. The Sidhe have good hearts as well."
The revelation was a surprise but not totally unexpected. Dumbledore knew a lot of interesting people and it seemed every time they came to Hogwarts there was something or someone new to learn about. The friends followed Hagrid as he led the way for all those returning and soon they were sitting in the great hall at the Gryffindor table about to dine on the traditional succulent Hogwarts "welcome back" dinner. Gazing up at the head table they saw all of their professors were there but they also saw two new faces: the beautiful flaxen haired elven woman Hagrid had told them about and a bald ancient looking man clad in saffron robes.
The room fell quiet when Dumbledore stood to address the room. "Welcome back, one and all, to Hogwarts. This is the first time in our thousand-year history that we have opened our doors in the summer. It is a historic occasion and one that is being marked with special activities planned that will make this a most memorable time for each and every one of you." He gazed around the room at the expectant faces and stated, "Although you are all back in school you will have plenty of time for recreation. I've negotiated with the residents of the Great Lake to allow us a section of the lake for our use this summer. As long as you stay in the clearly marked area, you will not be eaten. Also Madam Hooch has Quidditch matches planned for our teams and also lessons in game play for those of you who have aspirations of trying out for a spot on your house teams come the fall. As you well know, some very good players graduated and there are openings on every House team, so if you ever wanted to go out for the team, now is your chance."
Ron looked over a Harry and whispered, "Think I have a shot?"
"You know more about Quidditch than I do," Harry whispered back. "You should definitely try out for the team!"
Dumbledore continued, "Your days will vary but for the most part half of each day will be educational with classes in the mornings and then recreational with special activities planned for the afternoon. We will be offering some new classes this summer that will be taught by our visiting faculty. Master Yui, who is here with us from the Celestial Temple of the Akashic Buddha, will be teaching Spellcraft and Healing Magic and Lady Cassiopeia of the Great Lake will be your Dark Arts instructor. Lady Cassiopeia is has traveled all the way from the Arcadia, a realm that few wizards ever visit but, if they are fortunate enough to venture there, it is said they never have a desire to return." A murmur went through the crowd at that pronouncement and Dumbledore concluded saying, "Schedules will change weekly and will be posted by your House Head each Monday morning. So, on this very pleasant note, I bid you welcome and eat hearty!"
No one needed to be told twice and as one they all dove into dinner with aplomb.
Harry looked up over the multitude of heads trying to see if he could spot Hiro Yui in the crowd. He didn't see him at the Gryffindor table and, after carefully scanning the room; he wasn't seated at any of the other tables either. He was supposed to be coming to Hogwarts. That was what he told Harry but Harry was beginning to think things might not have worked out for his new friend. Then again, thought Harry, he may have come with his father and was just someplace else at the moment. Yui senior was at the head table eating what looked like a plate of rice and vegetables with chopsticks and talking to Professor Flitwick. He seemed to be quiet content so Harry wondered if he was worrying for no reason.
What Harry didn't know was that, although Hiro Yui had made it to Hogwarts, he was occupied elsewhere at the moment. Francois, the wizard transfigured into a Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle, was leaking fuel and Hiro was doing his best to repair the damaged line. If it was possible for a motorcycle to moan in pain, the Ninja was doing exactly that while Hiro was replacing the damaged part with a fresh one. Hiro ignored the fussing while he worked. He was so focused on the task he didn't notice Hagrid entering the shed.
"Everything coming along?" Hagrid asked.
"Yes, Hagrid, its all good," Hiro replied as he tightened the connection.
"You did come to the right place," Hagrid began as he approached Hiro. "If anyone can set things aright, its Albus Dumbledore."
Hiro smiled and the motorbike stopped whining. "That's why we're here. And we would have been here a lot sooner if Francois didn't have this nasty fear of heights."
"Can't get him to fly, eh?"
"He gets nervous going over bridges," Hiro fumed. "I am going to be very happy when Francois becomes human again." The bike's lights fluttered and Hiro translated, "He says he'll can't wait to be human again either. He thinks petrol tastes like mud."
Hagrid chuckled. "Soon enough," he told the motorbike giving its seat an affectionate pat. He looked at Hiro saying, "You're missing supper."
"So are you."
"I don't always eat in the great hall," Hagrid told him. "Some nights I just like a quiet supper at home. Care to join me?"
Hiro smiled up at the large man. "Thanks, but I think I should go to the Great Hall. Master Dumbledore and my father need to know I'm here before it gets too late. Wouldn't want them to worry."
"Aye, I understand. When you're finished here, I'll walk you up."
"Thanks Hagrid. Just give me a few minutes to get myself and Francois cleaned up and put these tools away and I'll be right along," Hiro said as he checked to make sure his workmanship was perfect before putting the cover back over the engine. After he was certain the bike was back in perfect working order, he gave it a good wiping down with a shammy cloth so it sparked in the torchlight. When he was finished he commented, "You look like you're still in the showroom Francois."
The light flickered in response and Hiro smiled. Hagrid raised an eyebrow asking, "You really understand what he's saying?"
Hiro nodded, "Yes, I do. He can talk, well, not like we do but there are times when I hear his voice in my head. He used to talk to me mind to mind all the time when I first got him but it seems the longer he's been a motorbike the less able he has been to communicate telepathically. The engine rumbles and light flickers have become a way for him to talk to me when he can't use the mind speech." Hiro looked at his metal friend and let out a sigh. "He has to get his humanity back before he loses all his magic. My mother said that the longer he is trapped inside this Muggle machine, the less likely he is to ever become himself again. If a way isn't found to restore him before all his magic goes away, we'll lose him forever."
"That is not going to happen," Hagrid reassured Hiro with a friendly squeeze of the shoulder. "Come on, I'll walk you up to the castle."
"Goodnight Francois," Hiro called as he left the shed with Hagrid and closed the shed door behind him. The lights of the bike flickered in farewell before going dark as the machine-man rested for the night.
"Don't worry about Francois," Hagrid said as they walked to the castle. "I'll keep an eye on him for you. And mark me, a way will be found to bring Francois back, just you wait and see…"
Ron was on his third sweet cake when he spotted Hagrid coming in through the Great Hall's main entrance. Through a mouthful of cake he said, "Hagrid's here."
Harry and Hermione both at once looked where they saw Ron facing and spotted the large man leading someone considerably smaller up towards the main table. Hagrid recognized the young man in black, blue and silver riding leathers immediately; it was Hiro Yui.
"That's Hiro," Harry said indicating the leather clad Chinese youth with Hagrid.
"I told you about him on the train. He's the one that got me here, more or less."
Hermione smiled. So this is the person who wrote to me asking me to help Harry, she thought. She craned her neck for a better view. The tight leather he wore left little to the imagination. He was, in terms her fellow Gryffindor Susan Bones was fond of using, a serious hottie. She also noticed she wasn't the only girl in the room who was giving Hiro Yui the eye. It seemed all of the Fifth Years and some of the Sixths were also trying to figure out who he was and if he was unattached.
Susan Bones leaned over and whispered to Hermione, "I got one word for him…beefcake."
"Susan!" chided Hermione.
"Oh, come on! He's got to be the cutest boy here at school right now. And if he looks this good in leather I can only imagine what he'll look like in a swimsuit!"
"Or out of one!" teased Hannah Abbot from behind them at the Hufflepuff table. She was finding all of this naughtiness serious fun.
Hermione rolled her eyes as the Gryffindor girls giggled making comments that made any of the boys within earshot blush with embarrassment. I can't believe I'm friends with these people, Hermione thought to herself glad that Hiro was no where near their table and was not able to hear any of the things being said about him.
Hagrid led Hiro to the head table and introduced him to the Headmaster. Dumbledore got up from his chair so he could get a better view of Hiro, who at fewer than five and a half feet tall was considerably shorter than his escort. Hiro Yui gave the Headmaster the traditional martial arts student to sensei bow and Dumbledore smiled slightly at the young man.
"Good to see you made it safe and sound," Dumbledore said.
"Thank you Master Dumbledore," Hiro replied. "Thank you for allowing me the honor of attending your school."
"The honor is ours as well. It has been a long time since an Akashic Wizard has graced these hallowed halls with his presence. And now we have not one but two Akashic here as our guests." Dumbledore's blue eyes met Hiro's and Hiro smiled up at him. Hiro saw the wisdom behind those gentle eyes and was beginning to feel that Hagrid's confidence was rightly placed. Maybe you will be able to help Francois, thought Hiro as he gazed up at Dumbledore.
Hiro was feeling quite happy and content until his eyes met those of Cassiopeia of the Great Lake and then it was like the Marianis Trench opened up beneath his feet. He could see that she, too, was feeling what he did and knew it took all her self-control to keep from dropping the wineglass she was holding in her hand. Duty to the Temple had kept him from her side. The Temple would forever command his mind and body but it would never rule his heart. Even though he had been ordered never to return to the Arcadia, that place and Cassiopeia were never far from his thoughts.
"There is one thing to be settled before you can join your classmates for dessert," he heard Dumbledore say. "You have to be sorted."
"I have to…what?" Hiro looked up at Dumbledore bewildered.
Dumbledore motioned to Professor McGonegall who was carrying a rather ratty looking pointed hat and, when she reached Hiro, the hat began to twitch and turn. A rip near the brim opened like a mouth and the upper parts near the peak almost contorted to look like the vague semblance of a face. It looked to Hiro like the thing was inspecting him.
"What is this…thing?" he asked.
"The Sorting Hat," Professor McGonegall told him. "It will tell you in which of the four houses of Hogwarts you belong. Although you are only here for the summer, you will need to be placed and the Hat has been the means by which students here have been sorted into their houses for many years."
Hiro nodded and allowed Professor McGonegall to place the hat on his head.
The hat looked like it was thinking. In his ear Hiro heard a small voice saying, "You are much older than anyone I've had to sort before. Do I go by the face you show the world or by what lies within? The wizard or the great Wyrm? I'm not sure what house to put you in so I think I'll go with SLYTHERIN!"
Hiro heard the hat shout the last word to the whole hall. He took of the hat and handed it to Professor McGonegall. He didn't have to hunt for the Slytherin table because every fifth and sixth year girl was on her feet cheering like they were at a rock concert. When he got close enough to accost without it looking like a mauling, Pansy Parkinson grabbed Hiro's arm and made sure he sat right next to her. Hiro soon found himself surrounded by Pansy and the Slytherin girls who made him feel like he was blood in the water and they were the sharks. When he dared to look past them he saw that they weren't the only girls giving him the predatory eye.
No one back at the Temple ever looked at me this way, Hiro thought. Then again, they all know I'm a monk. He looked down at his riding clothes. Or maybe it's these clothes. They'll probably act normal once they see me in my robes. He gave the ladies hovering around him a nervous smile while he edged around them towards the food.
The ladies let him eat and drink his tea in peaceful silence for a while. But the men at the table weren't so polite. Draco Malfoy was less than happy with the way his girlfriend was looking at the newcomer and demanded, "So, what's your story?"
"I'm here for the summer," Hiro replied. "My father thought I might find studying at a Western magic school interesting."
"What is an Akashic wizard?"
"The Akashic Order is an ancient tradition of Buddhist wizard monks," Hiro explained. "Our Temple is hidden high in the Himalayas and cannot be reached on foot for much of the year because of the rough terrain and high winds. Members of our Order very rarely leave the holy ground. The last time an Akashic wizard came to Hogwarts was well over a century ago."
"But you are here now," Pansy put in looking very pleased at the prospect of getting to know the Akashic wizard seated next to her. "And…are there any Akashic witches?"
Hiro nodded. "Absolutely. Our Order isn't based on gender but on a combination of faith, magical traditions and history. Any Buddhist witch or wizard can ask to study at the Temple. Our doors are always open to those who seek us out."
"What House are you in at your school?" Malfoy asked.
"We don't have houses. Students are divided by age and gender, nothing more. And, unlike this school, we don't have different teachers for each subject. Each apprentice witch or wizard studies under a Master witch or wizard. Much of our training is one-on-one. We do some things as a group, like our physical training and sports, but all of our education is given to us by the Master chosen for to be our teacher."
"How do you get a Master chosen?" Pansy asked finding all of this fascinating.
"The Abbot of the Order chooses your Master when you are accepted into the school. I was a rather special case, since I was born at the Temple and my father is one of the Masters there. The Abbot allowed my father to teach me but he also gave Master Po, one of our eldest Masters, the responsibility for being my primary instructor. So, you see, I had two Masters where most students only have one."
"So…your Master said it was okay for you to be here?"
"He agreed with my father's judgment that this experience would be enlightening. So he gave his permission and the Abbot released me from my duties to the Temple so I could join my father here at Hogwarts."
"What duties?" Malfoy asked.
Hiro looked at Malfoy, who was eyeing him skeptically, and replied, "I am one of the three Temple Guardians. We are responsible for the physical safety of all those who live and study within the Temple walls. The Abbot was being very generous in allowing me to leave. I have never heard of a Temple Guardian ever leaving the sacred grounds."
"Well, since this is a special event for you, I think we should make the most of it," Pansy said giving him a knowing eye. "We'll give you a summer to remember."
"Thanks," Hiro stammered nervously turning away from her and focusing his attention on his tea. He didn't have to use any of his Mind magic to know what any of the girls sitting there was thinking. Hiro wasn't bound by any vows of celibacy and he liked a roll in the hay as much as the next man but he had absolutely no interest in any of the women hovering around him. The only women he cared about was sitting thirty feet away from him but she might as well have been thirty miles considering the chances he had of getting back together with her. Out of the corner of his eye he saw she was looking at him and he tried very hard not to look back.
It hurt less when he didn't see her.
When the meal was declared officially over, Hiro followed his new classmates out of the Great Hall. He had an idea of where the Slytherin dormitory was so, when he saw the chance to slip away from the crowd, he did a quick sidestep and used a camouflage spell he knew to disappear into the wall. Once the hallway was clear he unmasked himself and headed back towards the Great Hall hoping to get a moment alone with Cassiopeia.
Harry walked with Ron and Hermione to Gryffindor tower. He had been disappointed that Hiro had been sorted into Slytherin. He knew they all would have had a lot of fun with him as a member of their house. It didn't make sense, Harry thought. Hiro isn't like the others in Slytherin. Why did the Hat put him in there?
When Ron stopped short both Harry and Hermione nearly crashed right into him. "Ron, what is it?" Harry asked.
"My wand!" Ron cried looking petrified. "I lost my wand!"
"What do you mean lost it?" Harry asked.
Ron reached into his pocket of his robe and showed them by poking his finger though it the hole that was just large enough for a wand to fall through. "Has to be in here somewhere. I had it at dinner!"
"We'll retrace our steps," Hermione said taking charge of the matter. "If you had it at supper it has to have fallen out somewhere between the Great Hall and here."
They all agreed on that and quickly doubled back towards the Great Hall.
The Great Escape
Hermione Grainger sat on the porch enjoying the warm summer day and a good book. As a reward for her excellent grades in school, her mother has taken her to Foyles Bookshop on Charing Cross Road in London and let her loose. Although there weren't many books on magic there were tons of other books that kept Hermione entranced for much of the morning. It was very difficult to keep within the budget her mother had given for the shopping trip but Hermione managed to get most of what she wanted with a small bit of begging for an extra couple of pounds to cover the cost of the just released volume of her favorite girl detective series. If her friends at Hogwarts saw her curled up with an Amanda Blue novel they'd probably laugh her out of the library. But Hermione loved Amanda Blue. She was a very clever and pretty and always managed to get out of nasty situations by using her brains instead of brawn, a gun or magic.
The storyline was just starting to get intense when the loudest chirping she ever heard took Hermione's attention off her book. She looked up and saw a sparrow sitting on the rail not three feet from her and it was looking at her while singing its little loud song. She noticed it had a note tied to its tiny leg and she carefully approached the bird, which didn't shy away from her but allowed her to remove the small scroll that was tied to its foot with a piece of ribbon.
The moment she removed the note, the small bird fluttered off. Hermione had gotten owls before but this was the first time she had ever gotten a message via a sparrow. She unrolled the parchment and it read:
Miss Grainger,
Harry Potter is in need of rescuing from a dreary summer. If you were planning on returning to Hogwarts for the summer session, would you be able to help him escape from those wizard-hating people he lived with? I did what I could to help (I got him his invitation to return to school) but I don't have the means to get Harry and his things to the train – the boot on my motorbike isn't large enough to carry his things and mine together.
I know you don't know me at all – I am a new student at Hogwarts – but I am being honest with you about Harry's situation. Please do what you can to help.
Thank you and I hope to see you at Hogwarts.
Sincerely,
a
¶
J
¾
HIRO YUI
Hermione had no idea who this Hiro Yui was but it did not surprise her that Harry was having a hard time getting away for the summer. She was going back to Hogwarts – it was because she was returning for the summer session that she was hurrying to finish the Amanda Blue book – and knew from past years how difficult it was for her friend to get to school each fall. Her parents were delighted to have a witch in the family. She was the first one in the Grainger clan to be born magical and it thrilled her mother no end. It also was the cause of much discussion as to whose side of the family Hermione got the magical genes from. Not that it really mattered but it was funny to hear them trying to figure out which ancestor was responsible for their good fortune.
Even so, as lucky as she was to be in a family that loved her for who and what she was, she felt sorry for Harry whose only loving relation was a godfather. She knew she had to do something. She looked down at the book she was reading. What would Amanda Blue do in a situation like this? Hermione picked up the book and sat down again intending to read but unable to put Harry and his plight out of her mind. After a few minutes of distracted reading, Hermione dog-earned the page she was on and closed the book.
I'll finish it on the train, she said to herself. Harry needs my help. Its time for me to come up with an Amanda Blue plan to save him! She hurried into the house and raced up to her bedroom tossing the Amanda Blue novel on her bed. She pondered for a moment and, catching a glimpse of her Speculum – the magic mirror that allows wizards two way-communication almost like a Muggle phone – she got an idea. She went to the Speculum and spoke the phrase that would set up communication between her and Ron Weasley.
The mirror's usual reflective image blurred for a moment and then Ron Weasley's image came into view. He looked windblown and was out of breath when he said sounding both surprised and pleased to see her, "Hermione! What's up?"
"I need your help," she began." We've got to get Harry to Hogwarts for the summer and you know what that means…"
"Yeah, getting past those Muggles he lives with," Ron stated knowingly. He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment then asked, "Did you get a message about Harry? Saying he needed help?"
"Yes," she replied. "You too?"
"Yeah," he said. "A sparrow carried it. Mum said only Chinese wizards use sparrows to carry letters, like we use owls. Surprised the heck out of her when the little bugger flew in the window this morning and dropped a scroll on her head!"
Hermione laughed. "I was outside when my note got delivered. Do you know the person who sent the letter?"
"No, never heard of him. But when I read my note, I know he knows Harry. Has to, I mean, there isn't any other way a bloke from China could know about us being Harry's friends unless Harry told him."
Hermione agreed. "True. Even so, that still leaves the problem of how do we get Harry to school?"
"Your parents are Muggles," Ron began. "And what Muggles would call professional people. Maybe your Mum could talk to Harry's Aunt and Uncle. You know, show them the good side of having a wizard in the family."
"I don't think they'd listen to that, at least, not from what Harry has said. However….if my Mum was to maybe show up early on the day we're supposed to go ready to give Harry a ride to the station…."
"Yeah!" Ron brightened. "Have your Mum make it look like it was all planned. Like you all already arranged for her to take you both to the train and see you off okay. That could work. And your Mum's car has a big boot from what I recall. Could easily carry all your stuff and Harry's too!"
Hermione thought about it for a moment. "You know, it just might work. I'll discuss it with my Mum when she gets home from the office tonight. She might be willing to do it, especially since she knows about Harry's situation. I am pretty sure I could talk her into helping us out."
"Would work out much better than the time I used my Dad's car to break Harry out and get him to school," Ron said as memories of nearly being beaten to death by the Whomping Willow came flooding back. "Bloody thing is still wandering the forest, far as I know."
"You're right. It would be safer if this was left to my Mum and me," agreed Hermione. "As soon as I have a firm plan, I'll let you know."
"Send an owl, okay?" Ron asked. "We only have the one Speculum here at the Burrow and we might not be home when you've got it all plotted out. Charlie's back for a visit and we're going to be off with him until he's got to go back to the dragon reserve."
Hermione nodded and signed off. She glanced back towards her bed and the half finished Amanda Blue book. Getting her mother to help would make things go easier, she thought. From what Harry had told her about the Durlseys, having Harry getting a ride to the train from Doctor Grainger - a very respectable English dental professional - might be, to coin a phrase, exactly what the doctor ordered!
When she saw the burgundy Jaguar pull up in front of 4 Privet Drive, Petunia Dursley stopped pruning her rose bushes to see if she recognized the lady stepping out onto the curb. She was an attractive woman of middle years with shoulder length chestnut hair that was thick and wavy and she was wearing a nicely tailored navy pantsuit. Peering out from the back seat was a teenage girl who looked vaguely familiar.
The lady came up the drive and approached Petunia Dursley saying, "Hello, I'm Doctor Elizabeth Grainger, Hermione's mother. I'm here to give Harry a lift to the train."
Petunia Dursley almost dropped the pruning shears she was holding. Doctor Grainger? Now she knew why the girl in the car looked familiar. She was one of Harry's friends from that school. But the woman was obviously not one of them. She seemed perfectly….normal.
"Doctor," Petunia Dursley stammered. "I had no idea you were coming. The train? Today?"
"Yes," Doctor Grainger continued in the same pleasant voice. "The children leave today at one o'clock for summer school. "The school mailed all the students a letter inviting them back for the summer. Surely you received one."
"I don't recall…" she pondered. No strange mail came from that school since Harry came back. Nothing flew down the chimney nor was dropped on her head by an owl as it flew past. That school sent them nothing by what passed for them as the normal post. "No…we got no letter." She said finally.
"Well, I'm sure it was an oversight," the doctor continued. "Anyway, may I give Harry a ride? It is early, so he'll have time to gather his things. If he isn't sure what he needs, I have Hermione's letter hear in my bag and it specifies what the children will need. It's actually a short list, since this summer session is going to be more recreational than educational. Which I think is just as well. Hermione spends way too much time cooped up inside with her nose in a book. Fresh air and sunshine will do her a world of good. I think your Harry would benefit from some time out of doors as well."
Petunia dusted herself off and set aside her gardening things. "If you don't mind a personal question, Doctor, what sort of doctor are you?"
"I'm a dentist," Elizabeth Grainger answered. "My husband and I are both dentists. We share an office. It's a family practice. My husband is covering for me while I'm seeing Hermione off."
"Is she…your only one?"
"Only child? Yes, she is. And you?"
"I have a son," Petunia answered with forced politeness. "Harry is my nephew."
"I see. Well, unless you object, the cousins are going to be apart for the first summer in a long time."
"No, if you don't mind waiting in the parlor, I'll get Harry packed."
Elizabeth Grainger smiled and nodded and followed Mrs. Dursley into the house. She was led into the very small but pristinely neat parlor and shown to the sofa.
"I'll be right down with Harry," Petunia Dursley informed her and went upstairs.
Hermione's curiosity got the better of her and she left the car and went up to the house. She peeked in the window and through the lacy curtains saw her mother sitting on the sofa with her eyes cast upwards towards the ceiling. From where she was Hermione could understand why her Mom's attention was focused up. Even through the glass she could hear the sounds of furniture moving, things being hastily gathered and general upheaval. Harry must have thought he wouldn't be able to get away, thought Hermione as she listened through the glass. Apparently he forgot how resourceful his friends are! When she saw Harry enter the parlor, Hermione quickly ducked back out of view. She dashed back to the car before anyone noticed she had been spying through the glass.
Elizabeth Grainger raised an eyebrow as she looked at Harry, who was clad in dockers and a polo shirt that was obviously two sizes too big for him. Harry had his trunk, cauldron and Hedwig in her cage and he looked befuddled by what was going on. "I'm Hermione's mother," she told Harry. "I'm giving you a ride to the train. Summer school? It begins today."
Harry nodded. "Right. Thank you."
"Well, lets get all this to the car," she said in a friendly tone and helped Harry drag his trunk out to the Jaguar. The trunk fit in the boot quite nearly and so did the cauldron which surprised Harry because Hermione's things were in there already and the car didn't look like it would have a storage area big enough to hold all their wizarding things. Hedwig's cage was placed on the front seat and the owl looked around taking everything and seemed much calmer now that she was outside than when she was cooped up in Harry's room.
"I think she knows she's going back," Harry said when he saw how quiet and calm Hedwig was.
Hermione agreed. "Yes, she seems happy. And so do you."
"You have no idea," Harry said with a long sigh.
He climbed in the back seat and buckled up. Doctor Grainger buttoned everything up and then climbed in saying, "You all tucked in back there?"
"We're fine, Mum," Hermione said.
"Good. We're off then,"
And so they were. As they were on the drive to the train Harry asked, "How did you get it all to fit? We had a lot of stuff."
"Oh, a wizard we met in Diagon alley put an enlargement spell on the boot," Doctor Grainger explained. "We can now carry what you would normally need a truck to haul around."
"Pretty awesome, don't you think?" commented Hermione.
Harry nodded. "You're lucky. Your Mom is good about magic."
Hermione smiled but made no comment. She was lucky to have parents who not only understood but also were actually pleased to be a part of the magical world. It made life away from school almost as fun as being in school. She wished Harry's family could be more understanding and supportive but she knew that were they way they were and not much was going to change their opinion. The only thing she could do was be there for Harry and help him out whenever he needed it.
When they got to the train station and offloaded their belongings onto the carts, the Weasleys met Harry and Hermione. Fred and George were in one of their pranking moods and were having fun trying to pawn off some of their concoctions on unsuspecting Ravenclaws while Ginny and Ron made their way over looking very happy to see them.
"You did it, Hermione!" Ron crowed delighted. "This is going to be the best summer ever!"
Hermione blushed at the compliment and Harry said, "It is going to be a good summer. The best one I know I've ever had."
"Even Potions with Snape is better than staying in your house all summer!" Ron declared and Harry was very quick to agree.
Ginny piped up, "We'd better get going or we'll miss the train!"
They all quickly got moving because they were running a bit late. The trek over to Platform 9 ¾ was uneventful but the train ride itself was anything but boring. Too many canary creams made their way into unsuspecting mouths and there were soon yellow feathers billowing out into the halls as the spell wore off and each victim molted pounds of canary feathers everywhere. Ron was less than happy about the situation and got the sneezes from all the tiny feathers floating in the air and about the cabin. Hermione knew better than to eat anything the twins offered but Neville Longbottom wasn't so wise and wound up becoming a canary for a while. Once he molted and was normal again he thought it was a great jest but even he, too, felt the long ride to Hogwarts wasn't going to be much fun while they were forced to wade through feathers and inhale yellow down.
It was getting close to sunset when they made it to Hogsmeade Station. The air was still warm and fresh and Ron breathed a sigh of relief as the fresh air hit his lungs. Too many hours breathing bird down had gotten to him. Ron knew he would feel better once he got to Hogwarts. The others were feeling equally woozy from inhaling dusty feathers. As they disembarked they were greeting by their fellow Gryffindors who were looking forward to a summer full of sun, friends and lots of Quidditch.
Hagrid was at the station and the large gamekeeper was easy to spot since he towered over even the tallest student by an easy foot and a half. He exchanged greeting with everyone he passed and, when he got to Harry and his friends, he gave them all a big hearty hug.
"Welcome back," he said warmly.
"Hello Hagrid," Harry said smiling up at him.
"School has never been open in the summer before," Hagrid commented. "This is a first."
"Any idea why Dumbledore is doing this?" asked Hermione.
"Well, if you ask me, I think it's because You-Know-Who is alive again and making trouble," Hagrid replied din a hushed tone. "I think Dumbledore feels all of you would be safer here."
"It said in the letter that we'd be having new teachers. Have you met any of them?"
Hagrid shrugged. "Well, the only new to the school person here is Master Yui. He's going to be teaching some classes in Chinese magic or something like that. But the lady who is to teach Dark Arts in the fall is here too. And she is someone I think all of you are going to like very much."
"Who is she Hagrid?" Harry asked.
"Cassiopeia of the Great Lake," he stated like her name would mean something to them. "She a Sidhe, one of the Elven people. Over here special from the Arcadia."
"Whoa," Ron breathed. "Is it true what they say about the Sidhe? That they're really beautiful?"
Hagrid smiled and nodded. "Aye, lad, its true. And all their beauty isn't just on the outside. The Sidhe have good hearts as well."
The revelation was a surprise but not totally unexpected. Dumbledore knew a lot of interesting people and it seemed every time they came to Hogwarts there was something or someone new to learn about. The friends followed Hagrid as he led the way for all those returning and soon they were sitting in the great hall at the Gryffindor table about to dine on the traditional succulent Hogwarts "welcome back" dinner. Gazing up at the head table they saw all of their professors were there but they also saw two new faces: the beautiful flaxen haired elven woman Hagrid had told them about and a bald ancient looking man clad in saffron robes.
The room fell quiet when Dumbledore stood to address the room. "Welcome back, one and all, to Hogwarts. This is the first time in our thousand-year history that we have opened our doors in the summer. It is a historic occasion and one that is being marked with special activities planned that will make this a most memorable time for each and every one of you." He gazed around the room at the expectant faces and stated, "Although you are all back in school you will have plenty of time for recreation. I've negotiated with the residents of the Great Lake to allow us a section of the lake for our use this summer. As long as you stay in the clearly marked area, you will not be eaten. Also Madam Hooch has Quidditch matches planned for our teams and also lessons in game play for those of you who have aspirations of trying out for a spot on your house teams come the fall. As you well know, some very good players graduated and there are openings on every House team, so if you ever wanted to go out for the team, now is your chance."
Ron looked over a Harry and whispered, "Think I have a shot?"
"You know more about Quidditch than I do," Harry whispered back. "You should definitely try out for the team!"
Dumbledore continued, "Your days will vary but for the most part half of each day will be educational with classes in the mornings and then recreational with special activities planned for the afternoon. We will be offering some new classes this summer that will be taught by our visiting faculty. Master Yui, who is here with us from the Celestial Temple of the Akashic Buddha, will be teaching Spellcraft and Healing Magic and Lady Cassiopeia of the Great Lake will be your Dark Arts instructor. Lady Cassiopeia is has traveled all the way from the Arcadia, a realm that few wizards ever visit but, if they are fortunate enough to venture there, it is said they never have a desire to return." A murmur went through the crowd at that pronouncement and Dumbledore concluded saying, "Schedules will change weekly and will be posted by your House Head each Monday morning. So, on this very pleasant note, I bid you welcome and eat hearty!"
No one needed to be told twice and as one they all dove into dinner with aplomb.
Harry looked up over the multitude of heads trying to see if he could spot Hiro Yui in the crowd. He didn't see him at the Gryffindor table and, after carefully scanning the room; he wasn't seated at any of the other tables either. He was supposed to be coming to Hogwarts. That was what he told Harry but Harry was beginning to think things might not have worked out for his new friend. Then again, thought Harry, he may have come with his father and was just someplace else at the moment. Yui senior was at the head table eating what looked like a plate of rice and vegetables with chopsticks and talking to Professor Flitwick. He seemed to be quiet content so Harry wondered if he was worrying for no reason.
What Harry didn't know was that, although Hiro Yui had made it to Hogwarts, he was occupied elsewhere at the moment. Francois, the wizard transfigured into a Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle, was leaking fuel and Hiro was doing his best to repair the damaged line. If it was possible for a motorcycle to moan in pain, the Ninja was doing exactly that while Hiro was replacing the damaged part with a fresh one. Hiro ignored the fussing while he worked. He was so focused on the task he didn't notice Hagrid entering the shed.
"Everything coming along?" Hagrid asked.
"Yes, Hagrid, its all good," Hiro replied as he tightened the connection.
"You did come to the right place," Hagrid began as he approached Hiro. "If anyone can set things aright, its Albus Dumbledore."
Hiro smiled and the motorbike stopped whining. "That's why we're here. And we would have been here a lot sooner if Francois didn't have this nasty fear of heights."
"Can't get him to fly, eh?"
"He gets nervous going over bridges," Hiro fumed. "I am going to be very happy when Francois becomes human again." The bike's lights fluttered and Hiro translated, "He says he'll can't wait to be human again either. He thinks petrol tastes like mud."
Hagrid chuckled. "Soon enough," he told the motorbike giving its seat an affectionate pat. He looked at Hiro saying, "You're missing supper."
"So are you."
"I don't always eat in the great hall," Hagrid told him. "Some nights I just like a quiet supper at home. Care to join me?"
Hiro smiled up at the large man. "Thanks, but I think I should go to the Great Hall. Master Dumbledore and my father need to know I'm here before it gets too late. Wouldn't want them to worry."
"Aye, I understand. When you're finished here, I'll walk you up."
"Thanks Hagrid. Just give me a few minutes to get myself and Francois cleaned up and put these tools away and I'll be right along," Hiro said as he checked to make sure his workmanship was perfect before putting the cover back over the engine. After he was certain the bike was back in perfect working order, he gave it a good wiping down with a shammy cloth so it sparked in the torchlight. When he was finished he commented, "You look like you're still in the showroom Francois."
The light flickered in response and Hiro smiled. Hagrid raised an eyebrow asking, "You really understand what he's saying?"
Hiro nodded, "Yes, I do. He can talk, well, not like we do but there are times when I hear his voice in my head. He used to talk to me mind to mind all the time when I first got him but it seems the longer he's been a motorbike the less able he has been to communicate telepathically. The engine rumbles and light flickers have become a way for him to talk to me when he can't use the mind speech." Hiro looked at his metal friend and let out a sigh. "He has to get his humanity back before he loses all his magic. My mother said that the longer he is trapped inside this Muggle machine, the less likely he is to ever become himself again. If a way isn't found to restore him before all his magic goes away, we'll lose him forever."
"That is not going to happen," Hagrid reassured Hiro with a friendly squeeze of the shoulder. "Come on, I'll walk you up to the castle."
"Goodnight Francois," Hiro called as he left the shed with Hagrid and closed the shed door behind him. The lights of the bike flickered in farewell before going dark as the machine-man rested for the night.
"Don't worry about Francois," Hagrid said as they walked to the castle. "I'll keep an eye on him for you. And mark me, a way will be found to bring Francois back, just you wait and see…"
Ron was on his third sweet cake when he spotted Hagrid coming in through the Great Hall's main entrance. Through a mouthful of cake he said, "Hagrid's here."
Harry and Hermione both at once looked where they saw Ron facing and spotted the large man leading someone considerably smaller up towards the main table. Hagrid recognized the young man in black, blue and silver riding leathers immediately; it was Hiro Yui.
"That's Hiro," Harry said indicating the leather clad Chinese youth with Hagrid.
"I told you about him on the train. He's the one that got me here, more or less."
Hermione smiled. So this is the person who wrote to me asking me to help Harry, she thought. She craned her neck for a better view. The tight leather he wore left little to the imagination. He was, in terms her fellow Gryffindor Susan Bones was fond of using, a serious hottie. She also noticed she wasn't the only girl in the room who was giving Hiro Yui the eye. It seemed all of the Fifth Years and some of the Sixths were also trying to figure out who he was and if he was unattached.
Susan Bones leaned over and whispered to Hermione, "I got one word for him…beefcake."
"Susan!" chided Hermione.
"Oh, come on! He's got to be the cutest boy here at school right now. And if he looks this good in leather I can only imagine what he'll look like in a swimsuit!"
"Or out of one!" teased Hannah Abbot from behind them at the Hufflepuff table. She was finding all of this naughtiness serious fun.
Hermione rolled her eyes as the Gryffindor girls giggled making comments that made any of the boys within earshot blush with embarrassment. I can't believe I'm friends with these people, Hermione thought to herself glad that Hiro was no where near their table and was not able to hear any of the things being said about him.
Hagrid led Hiro to the head table and introduced him to the Headmaster. Dumbledore got up from his chair so he could get a better view of Hiro, who at fewer than five and a half feet tall was considerably shorter than his escort. Hiro Yui gave the Headmaster the traditional martial arts student to sensei bow and Dumbledore smiled slightly at the young man.
"Good to see you made it safe and sound," Dumbledore said.
"Thank you Master Dumbledore," Hiro replied. "Thank you for allowing me the honor of attending your school."
"The honor is ours as well. It has been a long time since an Akashic Wizard has graced these hallowed halls with his presence. And now we have not one but two Akashic here as our guests." Dumbledore's blue eyes met Hiro's and Hiro smiled up at him. Hiro saw the wisdom behind those gentle eyes and was beginning to feel that Hagrid's confidence was rightly placed. Maybe you will be able to help Francois, thought Hiro as he gazed up at Dumbledore.
Hiro was feeling quite happy and content until his eyes met those of Cassiopeia of the Great Lake and then it was like the Marianis Trench opened up beneath his feet. He could see that she, too, was feeling what he did and knew it took all her self-control to keep from dropping the wineglass she was holding in her hand. Duty to the Temple had kept him from her side. The Temple would forever command his mind and body but it would never rule his heart. Even though he had been ordered never to return to the Arcadia, that place and Cassiopeia were never far from his thoughts.
"There is one thing to be settled before you can join your classmates for dessert," he heard Dumbledore say. "You have to be sorted."
"I have to…what?" Hiro looked up at Dumbledore bewildered.
Dumbledore motioned to Professor McGonegall who was carrying a rather ratty looking pointed hat and, when she reached Hiro, the hat began to twitch and turn. A rip near the brim opened like a mouth and the upper parts near the peak almost contorted to look like the vague semblance of a face. It looked to Hiro like the thing was inspecting him.
"What is this…thing?" he asked.
"The Sorting Hat," Professor McGonegall told him. "It will tell you in which of the four houses of Hogwarts you belong. Although you are only here for the summer, you will need to be placed and the Hat has been the means by which students here have been sorted into their houses for many years."
Hiro nodded and allowed Professor McGonegall to place the hat on his head.
The hat looked like it was thinking. In his ear Hiro heard a small voice saying, "You are much older than anyone I've had to sort before. Do I go by the face you show the world or by what lies within? The wizard or the great Wyrm? I'm not sure what house to put you in so I think I'll go with SLYTHERIN!"
Hiro heard the hat shout the last word to the whole hall. He took of the hat and handed it to Professor McGonegall. He didn't have to hunt for the Slytherin table because every fifth and sixth year girl was on her feet cheering like they were at a rock concert. When he got close enough to accost without it looking like a mauling, Pansy Parkinson grabbed Hiro's arm and made sure he sat right next to her. Hiro soon found himself surrounded by Pansy and the Slytherin girls who made him feel like he was blood in the water and they were the sharks. When he dared to look past them he saw that they weren't the only girls giving him the predatory eye.
No one back at the Temple ever looked at me this way, Hiro thought. Then again, they all know I'm a monk. He looked down at his riding clothes. Or maybe it's these clothes. They'll probably act normal once they see me in my robes. He gave the ladies hovering around him a nervous smile while he edged around them towards the food.
The ladies let him eat and drink his tea in peaceful silence for a while. But the men at the table weren't so polite. Draco Malfoy was less than happy with the way his girlfriend was looking at the newcomer and demanded, "So, what's your story?"
"I'm here for the summer," Hiro replied. "My father thought I might find studying at a Western magic school interesting."
"What is an Akashic wizard?"
"The Akashic Order is an ancient tradition of Buddhist wizard monks," Hiro explained. "Our Temple is hidden high in the Himalayas and cannot be reached on foot for much of the year because of the rough terrain and high winds. Members of our Order very rarely leave the holy ground. The last time an Akashic wizard came to Hogwarts was well over a century ago."
"But you are here now," Pansy put in looking very pleased at the prospect of getting to know the Akashic wizard seated next to her. "And…are there any Akashic witches?"
Hiro nodded. "Absolutely. Our Order isn't based on gender but on a combination of faith, magical traditions and history. Any Buddhist witch or wizard can ask to study at the Temple. Our doors are always open to those who seek us out."
"What House are you in at your school?" Malfoy asked.
"We don't have houses. Students are divided by age and gender, nothing more. And, unlike this school, we don't have different teachers for each subject. Each apprentice witch or wizard studies under a Master witch or wizard. Much of our training is one-on-one. We do some things as a group, like our physical training and sports, but all of our education is given to us by the Master chosen for to be our teacher."
"How do you get a Master chosen?" Pansy asked finding all of this fascinating.
"The Abbot of the Order chooses your Master when you are accepted into the school. I was a rather special case, since I was born at the Temple and my father is one of the Masters there. The Abbot allowed my father to teach me but he also gave Master Po, one of our eldest Masters, the responsibility for being my primary instructor. So, you see, I had two Masters where most students only have one."
"So…your Master said it was okay for you to be here?"
"He agreed with my father's judgment that this experience would be enlightening. So he gave his permission and the Abbot released me from my duties to the Temple so I could join my father here at Hogwarts."
"What duties?" Malfoy asked.
Hiro looked at Malfoy, who was eyeing him skeptically, and replied, "I am one of the three Temple Guardians. We are responsible for the physical safety of all those who live and study within the Temple walls. The Abbot was being very generous in allowing me to leave. I have never heard of a Temple Guardian ever leaving the sacred grounds."
"Well, since this is a special event for you, I think we should make the most of it," Pansy said giving him a knowing eye. "We'll give you a summer to remember."
"Thanks," Hiro stammered nervously turning away from her and focusing his attention on his tea. He didn't have to use any of his Mind magic to know what any of the girls sitting there was thinking. Hiro wasn't bound by any vows of celibacy and he liked a roll in the hay as much as the next man but he had absolutely no interest in any of the women hovering around him. The only women he cared about was sitting thirty feet away from him but she might as well have been thirty miles considering the chances he had of getting back together with her. Out of the corner of his eye he saw she was looking at him and he tried very hard not to look back.
It hurt less when he didn't see her.
When the meal was declared officially over, Hiro followed his new classmates out of the Great Hall. He had an idea of where the Slytherin dormitory was so, when he saw the chance to slip away from the crowd, he did a quick sidestep and used a camouflage spell he knew to disappear into the wall. Once the hallway was clear he unmasked himself and headed back towards the Great Hall hoping to get a moment alone with Cassiopeia.
Harry walked with Ron and Hermione to Gryffindor tower. He had been disappointed that Hiro had been sorted into Slytherin. He knew they all would have had a lot of fun with him as a member of their house. It didn't make sense, Harry thought. Hiro isn't like the others in Slytherin. Why did the Hat put him in there?
When Ron stopped short both Harry and Hermione nearly crashed right into him. "Ron, what is it?" Harry asked.
"My wand!" Ron cried looking petrified. "I lost my wand!"
"What do you mean lost it?" Harry asked.
Ron reached into his pocket of his robe and showed them by poking his finger though it the hole that was just large enough for a wand to fall through. "Has to be in here somewhere. I had it at dinner!"
"We'll retrace our steps," Hermione said taking charge of the matter. "If you had it at supper it has to have fallen out somewhere between the Great Hall and here."
They all agreed on that and quickly doubled back towards the Great Hall.
