Madame Pomfrey immediately took Sukina and Shuura to the Hospital wing as soon as they arrived for a 'medical examination.' As everyone else filed into Great Hall, Harry scowled when he saw Draco Malfoy. Hermione caught him and whispered something to him. On the other side, Ron was telling him the password.
The three new teachers were seated at the teacher's table when Harry and the others came in. All of them were quite smug when Draco saw the teachers and his jaw dropped. Anything that made Draco off-balance was good.
Naoko was looking at the students filing in with wonder and amusement. She was smiling openly at any student who looked at her. Hiei, on the other hand, was scowling and on the verge of growling at any who even so much glanced his way. Most of them were terrified. Kurama though, walked the middle path. He seemed to be amused by the behaviour of his companions. He was the main focus of the three though, mainly because of his attraction to the girls and the speculation of his true gender by the boys.
Sukina and Shuura came in later with a jolly teacher who sat them at the Hufflepuff table. They were immediately surrounded by a group of students. The Hall was full of chatter till all the students arrived and then the teachers as well. Seating Hiei in between Naoko and himself was a good idea, Kurama thought. He was restrained in a way, but he also had the best view.
A few minutes after Dumbledore had arrived, bowing deeply to Kurama, Hiei and Naoko, who returned the bow standing, the Hall's Doors, which had been closed, opened to admit two lines of first-years, headed by Professor McGoonagall. None of them listened to the song, paying more attention instead to watching the students and teachers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Hat was singing, but none of the words registered in Harry's, Hermione's and Ron's hearing. They were listening to other voices, voices that came from their dreams. These voices had first called to them during the summer, and during that long holiday, they never told each other what was happening.
As it was, all the sixth years from each House stood up, right after the Hat had finished the song. The voices that came from their lips were a frightening chorus, all the more frightening because they were saying the same thing.
"Dumbledore! I give you your precious children! They are in my power, and I shall do what I want with them! Enjoy them now while it lasts!" the voices ended, but the children slumped to the floor.
"Sukina! 25° up, 17° left!" Naoko stood up and shouted at her sister.
Sukina turned and raised her arms to the angles her sister had said. A blast of pure chi instantly launched itself to the spot. What looked like a blob fell and splattered itself all over the floor.
Kurama and Hiei were out of their seats and running to the blob, which coalesced into a roaring monster. The students began to scream and ran, but before any of them could reach the door, the battle was over and Dumbledore's loud voice was calling for all students to return to their seats. There was a faint burn stench lingering though.
"Take the students to the hospital wing!" Dumbledore ordered some of the teachers, while Kurama and Hiei stared at the wisp disappearing.
"Crystalline Arrest!" Naoko said, and she caught the wisp in a clear crystal, which she pocketed for later examination.
Shuura fell out of the ceiling, landing neatly next to the three of them. His voice was low and for their ears only, and he took the added precaution of speaking in Japanese. What they heard made their faces stormy, but even Kurama knew that they could not keep it a secret.
"I'll send a message to Aunt Mukuro immediately," Naoko said as they walked back to their places.
"I'll scout the place again," Hiei offered without being asked.
"I'll tell Dumbledore now," Kurama said.
It turns out that for the first time in history, the Welcoming Feast was celebrated in silence. Even the ghosts were subdued.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What did they find out? Even I don't know! :P R&R PLEASE!!!
