Standard disclaimer remains active through all my chapters…I just am too lazy to copy and paste it. ^_^;;;
Chapter 2
While it was very odd how the weather changed so suddenly, no one really paid any attention to it. Harry had lost track of the new professor named Setsuna and the exchange student named Makoto. He didn't think too much about it as he stepped from the train and caught sight of Hermione and Ron waving to him from one of the horseless carriages. As he sat in the carriage listening to the wind start to howl, he remembered the note and the book that Hagrid had sent him. He slowly took it out of his robes and handed it to Hermione. "Hagrid sent that to me for my birthday. He said something about how the book contained information about the new school year." Harry said as the other two looked through the book.
"I remember reading this once. The whole book goes to explain that the characters in myths and fairy tales are real. Most of them are Squibs. It also goes into explaining that magic was carried down from the Greek Gods and Goddesses' supporters. It was a very interesting read." Hermione said as she started to read the book.
Ron grabbed the book and started flicking through it. The last nine daughters of direct descent of the Gods each had an element which they protected and used if ever in trouble. The daughter called Pluto was given charge over time. The daughter named Neptune had water. Uranus controlled the wind and protected the earth element. Saturn used healing to protect from death, but held charge of the most powerful destructive powers know to the Gods at that time. Jupiter, was the daughter of the great God Zeus and the Goddess Demeter thus having all of nature, including weather at her call. Mars was given power over all fire including the ability to control it to see into the future. Venus was given power over love. Mercury was able to control and manipulate ice and mist. The most powerful of all the daughters was Serenity also know as Moon. She controlled and protected both hope and friendship. This sound like a bunch of rubbish to me." He said handing the book back to Harry.
Harry took the book and put it back in his robes. "I still think it's a bit strange though. I mean, why would Hagrid send this to me?"
"Maybe the school is going to be protected by the Greek Gods." Hermione said as she started looking through her robes for something. She pulled out a small book that she had been reading on the train and began to read again. Ron looked at Harry and just shook his head. Harry just looked at the wand in his hands and listened to the wind grow stronger.
Harry sat at the Gryffindor table watching Ron as he continued to complain about the length of the sorting. He watched as the first year students walked in and looked to the enchanted ceiling in amazement before looking around at the other students in the room. He remembered the first time he had walked through those doors. He had known very little about the wizarding world and the whole atmosphere of the room had been pure excitement for him. He looked to the head table and waved at Hagrid as he sat down at his place. Hagrid waved back with a giant smile on his face.
Harry continued to look down the line of professors. There were two empty chairs to the right of Hagrid. Professor McGonagall's chair was next, though she was now in the back room with the sorting hat. The headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, sat smiling brightly with a twinkle in his blue eyes. Next to him, was the potion master, Professor Snape. Like Dumbledore, he too was looking over the newer students, trying to find the ones that had what it took to be in Slytherin. Next in line was Madam Hooch, the flight instructor of sorts. Next to her the herbologist, Professor Sprout. The next chair was piled with pillows, and the short Charms Professor, Professor Flitwick sat talking to Sprout. Madam Pomfrey, the schools nurse and main medic of all ailments, magic or no, sat at the very end of the table.
Harry watched Dumbledore stand from the table. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. After the sorting I will talk to you all about some changes for the new year."
Clapping began almost as soon as he had finished his short speech and Professor McGonagall walked out of the door from the far left. She placed an old hat down on a stool and stood back. The hat seemed to come alive. What was stranger still, was the song it sang.
Long ago I was given this job to place you into groups,
And now it is time for you to go and win points for those in your troops.
Should you have great cunning and skills of darker wizardry,
Then to Slytherin you shall go and cause others misery.
If it is a great wisdom you have, and knowledge is your guide,
Then to Ravenclaw you get sent with enlightenment on your side.
One so full of loyalty, that's hardworking and is true,
Will find themselves in Hufflepuff, where challenges are new.
Or you could be courageous, a defender and friend,
You'll find yourself in Gryffindor until the very end.
So ends the talk of wonder from the worn and faded cap,
Lets get the sorting over so I can go and have my nap.
The room burst into laughter. The sorting song changed every year, as the hat felt the need to make last minute updates on it or something. Hermione was startled and started looking through her copy of Hogwarts: A History to see if the sorting song had ever been so odd.
Ron elbowed Harry. "Didn't I tell you that the hat would run out of things to say?"
Harry chuckled but kept watch as Professor McGonagall started calling names.
By the end, it seemed that each house had added at least ten new students. Harry and Ron were getting ready for the feast to begin as Dumbledore stood.
"Students, welcome again." The hall erupted into applause. Dumbledore smiled and tried to calm everyone down.
"Before we begin with the feast, I have a few announcements. The Forest is forbidden…hence the name. Filch has added Muggle chewing gum to the list of forbidden items used in the halls, at least if it is magically manipulated." Dumbledore paused before he began again a bit sadly.
"As you all remember what happened last year, I must inform you that changes have been made. The Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is once again Professor Lupin." At that Remus walked calmly out of the back door and took his seat.
"Professor Lupin has been the most capable teacher of the class in these last five years. Although we all know that he is a Werewolf, we have taken precautions with everything. His classes will not revolve around the normal schedule, but a lunar schedule, just to make things safer for both the students and the teacher. Second, as we all know Professor Binns is away teaching at an all ghost school this year, so we now have a new History of Magic teacher, Setsuna Meioh. She comes to us from Japan." The door at the far left opened again and Setsuna walked into the hall and sat at the vacant seat.
"The last thing I am to inform you of, is a transfer student from Japan. She is here to take a few courses that she needs to graduate so you will notice that she is not in all the required classes. Makoto Kino, if you would please come out, we can get you sorted into a house."
A hush fell over the hall as all eyes were on the door. Harry watched as the tall brunette walked quietly up to Professor McGonagall and sat on the stool at the front of the hall. The sorting hat was then placed on her head.
INSIDE THE HAT
"Hmm, very interesting. Not at all what you seem to be are you." The hat whispered in Makoto's ear.
Makoto sat still trying to keep her mind blank.
The hat kept going deeper and deeper into her mind before gasping in her ear. "My, my, my, the reincarnation of a founder of magic. I suppose I shouldn't blurt that out." The hat chuckled.
"I would prefer you not doing that. You know I'm here to watch over Harry Potter, so I would appreciate being sent into whatever house he is in." Makoto said back to the hat.
"Are you sure you want that? You have the loyalty and dedication to match a Hufflepuff. You should be placed there." The hat said with an odd tone.
"I can not abandon my Uncle's wishes, nor can I abandon an innocent that needs my help." Makoto said with a growl.
The hat chuckled. "Protection of friends, and willing of such honorable sacrifices are strong in you too. Then it is my decision that you are placed in..."
"Gryffindor!" The hat yelled.
Makoto smiled as the Gryffindor table erupted into cheers. A space was made next to Fred Weasley, who by chance was also sitting next to Harry. Harry watched as Makoto walked with a smile and sat between Fred and him.
"Welcome to Gryffindor." Hermione said with a smile. "What classes will you be taking?"
Makoto thought for a moment. "I believe I have Potions, Divination, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, and History of Magic."
"Nothing needing a wand." Ron announced as he started stuffing his face with the food that had appeared on the table.
Makoto paled a bit. "Well you see, I don't have a wand."
Those around her froze and looked at her strangely. Harry turned to her. "How can you do magic if you don't have a wand?"
Makoto paled a bit more. "Well you see, I'm not exactly a witch. That's why when I was asked if I was a pure blood or muggle born, I couldn't answer."
"Well, what are you? You must have some magic if you're able to study at Hogwarts." Fred said from her other side.
Makoto held her breath and looked to the head table. Setsuna was looking right at her and nodded. Makoto sighed. "I'm not a witch, I'm an ecomancer." She said quietly. Hermione's eyes grew wide, as did Neville Longbottom's who had been sitting right next to her.
"What's an ecomancer?" Harry asked.
Hermione was about to answer when Neville beat her to it. "An ecomancer is a person who can communicate with nature. They can talk to animals, but can't control them, what they control is plant life. Not only are they able to know what a plant is feeling, they are able to transfer some of their own energy into a plant causing it to grow. Basically they can manipulate plant life. Does Professor Sprout know?" Neville asked a look of awe on his face. Makoto blushed slightly.
"Professor Sprout and Hagrid both know, actually all the professors know."
Harry was about to say something when George Weasley, who had been sitting next to his brother cut in. "Don't worry about that though. We've had non-wizards and witches here before." He said stuffing his mouth.
Lee Jordan, who sat next to Neville and across from Fred, nodded. "I remember in my second year, there was a psychic coming to take Divination and Potions courses. Though she left only after a month when she found out that Trelawney was a fake." Professor Trelawney was the eccentric Divination professor at Hogwarts. Harry was told by Dumbledore himself that she had only spoke of two correct fortunes, one being the one Harry had been witness to. Harry saw Makoto smile in relief. He watched as she looked over the food on the table and started piling it onto her own plate. Dinner continued quietly. Makoto seemed to be getting very little to eat as everyone kept asking her questions about Japan and Asian witches and wizards. Ron was amazed that she had never heard of Quidditch, which caused he and his brothers to go into a lengthy explanation of the game along with the repeated mentioning that Harry himself was chosen as Seeker in his first year, which was unheard of. Harry could tell that Makoto, while listening to all the information, seemed a bit, weary of all the mentioning of flying.
"Makoto, do you know how to fly a broom?" Harry asked. Makoto paused but shook it off.
"I don't like to fly whether it be by broom or plane...especially by plane." She seemed sad, so Harry dropped the subject. Ron on the other hand continued to go into the deeper workings of Quidditch, including the injuries that the bludgers were known to give.
The food disappeared to be replaced with cakes and treats. Makoto's eyes grew bright when she noticed the cake in front of her. She took a piece and dove into it.
"I haven't had pumpkin cake in so long, not since..." She said with a smile that turned into a frown. She shook her head and smiled again finishing her cake.
The others around her said nothing about what she had mentioned, and each just went into their own conversations. When the food was gone Dumbledore stood slowly.
"Students, it is time to go to your dormitories. Prefects, please show the first years to their houses. Everyone have a nice night and we'll all see you in the morning." Applause broke out again. Harry stood and watched as Makoto frowned at having to follow the first years around.
"We can show you the way if you like." Harry said with a smile as Ron stood watching Hermione walk off with some of the first years.
Makoto flashed a bright smile at him. "I'd like that very much."
The group slowly walked along the corridors as each took turns telling Makoto about the living paintings and the ghosts. Hermione was sure to mention the fact that the stairs moved and pointed out at least four alternative ways to get to the Gryffindor common room. As the group approached the painting of the Fat Lady, the guard of the Gryffindor dorm, she smiled at the students. "Welcome again students. Password please." She said kindly.
Hermione cleared her throat. "Everlasting Gobstoppers." Makoto chucked as the painting swung open and revealed the entrance of the common room.
Ron turned to Makoto. "What's so funny about the password?" Makoto smiled.
"It's a candy from a Muggle movie." she said. "Actually it is also a candy put out by Wonka products. It's a type of jawbreaker." Makoto said.
"Jawbreaker, that has to hurt." Ron said with a slight shiver.
"Ron, Muggle candy is just that, candy. It has no magic effects to it at all. Most of it is just named strange names." Harry said with a smile. Though he had never heard or seen the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, he knew enough about candy from Dudley to fill a book. Hermione waved goodbye to Harry and Ron and all but dragged Makoto upstairs with her.
"You know," started Ron. "Makoto's really nice for a girl." Harry shook his head as he went up to the 5th year boys' room.
Makoto woke with a start. Someone was yelling. She couldn't tell who, but she knew it came from the boys' side. She swiftly got up from her bed, not making a sound. She walked quietly down the stairs and across the common room to the 5th year boys' side. Slowly climbing the stairs she saw a lone figure tossing and turning in his sleep. The lightning bolt shaped scar was glowing an eerie red. She crept closer to the bed and knelt down placing her hand on his forehead. She used some of her power and started to read his dream. Death...that's all she could see. She didn't know if it was his or someone he had known, but at that point he bolted up from bed. He was panting and put a shaking hand to his scar, closing his eyes to the pain. He turned slowly to look into the emerald eyes of the girl next to him. "Makoto?" He asked. The girl nodded slowly raising her hand to the boy's head.
"Hold still Harry." She told him. He was about to protest when he could feel a cool towel on his head. He looked slightly surprised to see her there and the fact that she was kind of mothering him was a little strange. He slowly started to fall back to sleep as Makoto started humming to herself. Harry decided that while Makoto was nice, she was also hiding something. No one had ever been there for him when he woke up from a nightmare. Not to say he enjoyed waking up alone, but to find a strange girl in his room, well, it didn't quite sit well, especially after the dream he just woke from. Voldemort was planning something big, and it seemed to have something to do with something called the Gates of Time.
Authors Note: Makoto in the anime is NOT an ecomancer; she just likes plant life. It is rumored that she was supposed to have ESP, so I combined them to make her an ecomancer.
Anyway…thanks for reading and please review.