Part Twelve: The Guardians and The Past, Part One
The hour bell rang and Heero packed up his things. Beside him, Harry was doing the same and listening to what Heero had to say eagerly. He knew, from what Heero had told him earlier, that this was more talking than he'd done in a long time.
"..and if this supposed Prophecy that Mr.Dumbledore told us about is true, you and Draco will require extensive training. I don't know how much time we have, but I have to fit more than five years of knowledge in the fields of physical combat, computer technology and guerilla warfare in to both of you somehow. These new combat classes with Lupin-sensei will help, but I think that..." Heero continued, closing his school satchel and slinging the strap over his head to rest on his shoulder.
By the time Heero was done, he had an entire schedule planned out for all of them, starting at the end of the day and continuing indefinitely until Voldemort's return. Heero drew a breath. "So, what is our next class?" he said.
Harry grinned. "We have Defense Against the Dark Arts. I wonder how this teacher will be? We've gone through six since I started school. Some say the DADA post is cursed, but I think its merely coincidence, because three years ago..." and Harry rambled on about the old Professor Remus Lupin, of apparent relationship to Romulus Lupin, and when he was done they stood in front of their next class. "Hey, how'd we get here so fast?" he asked, confused.
"We walked," Heero said. "I followed the stream of Gryffindors."
"Oh, okay," Harry said. "Well, let's get in there. If I remember right, we have all have a free period next, so maybe we can talk more before lunch." Harry led the way into the DADA classroom and plopped into his usual seat in the front. Heero slid into the seat beside him, immediately searching through his bag for his Defense book. A moment later, Hermione entered with Parvati Patil and they slipped into the seats directly behind the two boys.
"Hi, Harry, Heero. How was your first class?" Hermione immediately shot off, her book already pulled out and open. Harry rolled his eyes but answered, also taking out his book.
"McGonagall is still as relentless as ever. She made us read up on the History of Transfiguration and she wouldn't even let us use the Auditorius spell!" Harry basically whined. He wanted sympathy from Hermione, and he usually got it. Well, not today.
"Stop being such a baby, Harry. I'm sure every once in a while you can read the book for a change. It has been proven that reading the words yourself instead of hearing them allows for a larger chance of the material sinking in and become part of your cerebral processes. In fact, I have a report on that somewhere..." Hermione began. Parvati, Harry and Heero stared at her. Evetually, Parvati broke out of the stupor and turned to Heero.
"How did you like it, Heero," she said softly, like she was afraid he would hurt her like he'd hurt her boyfriend, Ron. Her eyes apologized for Ron's behavior where her boyfriend could not. Surprisingly, Heero took the initiative and calmed her. He gave her a small but genuine smile.
"I liked it. Considering that I know all there is to know in any Muggle school on the Earth Sphere, it is refreshing to learn something new for a change. I fear it will not be the same with Duo, though," he said.
"What won't be the same with me?" asked a jovial voice to the side. All four teens looked up in surprise to see Duo, Draco and Blaise standing in front of them (they were turned around talking to the girls). "Well?"
"Heero was just saying that it was refreshing to learn something new for a change. But since you yourself know so much about the magical world already, you probably won't learn anything," Harry said, already noting the fact that Heero withdrew into himself.
"Ya think so, Hee-chan? I dunno, I think someone might be able to teach me something here," Duo said, looking thoughtful (and very good in his close- fitting Slyth robes *wink wink*). "So I guess you like it here then, huh, Hee-babe?"
"Hn," Heero said, folding his arms and sitting rigidly in his seat.
"Really? That's cool. That too? Wow, Hee-chan, I can't wait to see you in this class. Did you? Wow," Duo said cheekily, drawing his own conclusions of what Heero really could have answered. The Hogwarts students watched curiously as a very light blush rose on Heero's cheeks.
"Baka," the Japanese boy said, then attempted look more relaxed and actually answered Duo. "Yes, I enjoyed Transfiguration, though all we did was read. Happy, baka?"
"Extremely," Duo said, grinning. He slipped into the seat beside Heero. "This seat taken, angel face?"
Heero's blush darkened and the others stared. Angel face? "Baka, don't call me that!" Heero snapped, actually unwrapping his arms and holding one hand to one burning cheek. (A/N: OOC Heero, I know. If you have a problem with this, too bad! It's my fic! MWAHAHAHAHA!!! *cough* ^_^;)
"Sorry, babe, but you signed up for a nickname when you made friends with me," Duo said, laughing. Before he could say anymore, the Japanese man from the Welcoming Feast, entered the room. He had black hair pulled back in a smooth ponytail that reached about midwaist, and clear black eyes. Eyes that were currently looking at them all in a kind of muted disdain. The look passed and the cheerful man from the feast returned.
"Good morning, class. As I'm sure you recall, my name is Mucha Yukan. You may call me Professor Yukan or just Y. I will be teaching you the basics and a bit more of the average Defense Against the Dark Arts class," he said. Then his black eyes latched onto Harry and narrowed slightly. "And yet I here stories of last year being much less than desired, with Delores Umbridge coming in from the Ministry and putting a damper on your studies. But a Mr. Harry Potter fixed that problem right up, ne?"
Harry blushed, but also watched Yukan closely. It could be just his paranoid self, but the new Professor seemed to hate him at some level or other. Harry promised himself to ask Hermione later about the subject. "Um, yes, Professor Yukan. I taught a small group of students what I could until Umbridge could be removed," he said.
"Is that so...," Yukan muttered, a thoughtful look on his face. "Hm, well that is neither here nor there. Today we will be talking of Defense and only Defense. Have you got your books opened? Good, go to page...." And Professor Yukan continued the lesson.
***
Wufei entered the Potions classroom with no little amount of anticipation. Was this class to be like Transfiguration, with an obliging teacher and riveting facts? Too excited to contain himself, Wufei arrived to the dungeon classroom a full five minutes early, and almost choked at the sight that met him. It was Professor Snape, the rude, greasy man that had taken them to Diagon Alley earlier.
Not one to judge too quickly, unless it came to women anyway, Wufei decided to give the somewhat sinister professor the benefit of the doubt. If he liked his class, then so be it. Decided, Wufei slipped into a seat in the third row, near the end, and placed his bag beside his desk. Pulling out his Potions textbook, labeled Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, Wufei began to read.
A few minutes later, other students began to filter in, some wearing different crests than the raven his own House sported. From the badger symbol Wufei guessed it was Hufflepuff, then remembered that Ravenclaw had what was called Double Potions today with the Hufflepuffs. Wufei was sure to see Trowa and Quatre now.
"Wufei!" came a high male voice. Speak of the angel, it was Quatre. The small blond boy hurried over to his Chinese friend, looking adorable every time he almost tripped on the hem of his robes. Trowa came behind him, walking sedately and looking serene. Quatre sat beside Wufei, a soft smile on his glowing cherubic face. Trowa sat behind his blond lover, the better to see him if anything happened.
"Hello Wufei. Anything new?" Trowa asked in his usual quiet way.
"Transfiguration is such a great class! Did you know that Circe, and many of the mythological creatures we've been taught about are real!? I mean, I knew there had to be some fact to that but..." Wufei began excitedly, waving his hands for emphasis. When he realised he was exclaiming and other things he never did, he abruptly stopped, a blush blooming slowly on his face. Quatre giggled and Trowa sent him a slow smile.
"Looks like this world agrees with you, Wufei," Quatre said slyly. "I knew you'd like it." Wufei just coughed in embarassment and turned to the front of the class.
"I've been wondering..." Trowa began. Both Quatre and Wufei turned to him quickly. It isn't every day that Trowa speaks. Sometimes the green-eyed boy went weeks without saying a word. "Remember those guardians we acquired at the wandshop?" Both of the other pilots nodded. "Haven't you noticed that they haven't been around in a long time?"
Wufei looked surprised, then slightly annoyed. "Actually, yes. I'm not one to forget things like that so easily, but I've been so caught up in this world that I completely forgot." And you'd think you'd remember a firedrake, ne? Actually, the thought made Wufei uneasy that this world so caught them they'd forgotten something as important as the guardians.
"It worries me, Wufei. As Heero would say, we are out of practice and may need some retraining. I say before lunch we look for them," Quatre said. "We have a free period next It's around 10am now. At 11am we get out of here, then have an hour free before lunch. We can go to the Room of Requirement."
"...?" Trowa asked.
"The Room of Requirement. It's this room on the 7th floor that stays hidden until you need it. Once you enter, whatever you require of the room at the moment shall be done," the blond explained. "For example, if you require a soft fluffy bed because you are tired, whips and chains for a little torture, gags and ropes for some playtime, handcuf--"
"Mr.Winner, I suggest you keep your sick pleasures to yourself while a class is in session," said a cold, amused voice. The three pilots turned slowly and carefully to see Professor Severus Snape hanging ominously over them, a sinister smile on his face. "10 points each from both your Houses for disrupting my class." A protest immediately rose all around them. "I'll make it 50 if the lot of you don't shut it!" Seeing as the Potions Master was unhappy, the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs did just that.
"Now that we have the fantasies of Mr.Winner out of the way..." At this Wufei and Trowa glared while Quatre blushed pink. "..we may actually begin what we came here for. As I'm sure most of you know, I am Professor Severus Snape. You are not to say my first name under any circumstances. We are not friends, and since you are not in either Slytherin, or are far advanced in age, we shall never be such. Therefore, I do not expect you to like me. I tell you freely that I do not like you and never will. So, please do not waste breath or emotions hating me. It is a lost cause, as I'm sure Mr. Potter has told you.
"Now, to the subject at hand. I will be reinstructing you in the area of magical drafts and potions, as you may have concluded from your textbooks. As I said in my speech during your first year, I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper on death. But, I will not. Hogwarts students over the years have proven much too incompetent to handle such a thing as death bottled. I also strongly believe that giving you a potion to brew now, N.E.W.T. level, of course, would be disastrous, and cause you to lose many House points." Here Snape almost smiled. "I leave that to my class with the Gryffindors. Now, since you are obviously not brewing a potion this morn, allow me to take a page out of other professor's books. Turn to page 11 and start reading up on the Forgetfulness Potion. We will be brewing it on the morrow. You may begin."
His riveting speech, though morbid, finished, Snape turned in a swirl of inky black robes and entered his office. The door shut with a resounding slam. Talk began immediately. The door slammed open again and Snape stuck his greasy head out. "And absolutely NO talking!" The stunned students shut up, and the door slammed once again.
"That man...is creepy," Wufei said decisively. Quatre and Trowa laughed quietly. They didn't want to see Vengeful!Snape anytime soon. Their mirth past, the three settled down to do as Snape commanded and read the text.
***
(A/N: Okay, this is the schedule for all the 6th year Hogwarts Houses for the summer programme, just so you guys can know what to expect. Also, I happen to like dictating classes and awful lot, so expect to learn a lot about the different subjects during the duration of this story. But I know I've been slacking on the plot and I plan to develope in during the next few chapters. Also, the time will go faster. Anyway, here it is:
(Each class is one hour, except for 4th hour, which is 2hrs and 5th hr, which is 3.)
Gryffindor: Mon/Weds: Double Transfiguration (w/ Ravens), Double DADA (w/ Slyths), Free Period, Lunch, Double Potions (w/ Slyths), Extra Class (E/C), Dinner, Bed Tues/Thurs: Double Care of Magical Creatures (w/Huffs), Double Hist. of Mag (w/Slyths), Free Period, Lunch, Double Charms (w/Ravens), E/C, Dinner, Bed Friday: Arithmancy (Free for all - FFA), Divination, Free Period (FP), Lunch, Double Herbology (w/Huffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed
Heero's E/C classes, in order according to days: M/W: Runes, T/Th: Dragons, F: Astrology
Head of House: McGonagall Prefects: Hermione Granger
Ronald Weasley
Dean Thomas
Parvati Patil
Guimera Paltron(OC)
Hufflepuff: Mon/Weds: Charms, Double Potions (w/Ravens), FP, Lunch, Double DADA (w/Ravens), E/C, Dinner, Bed Tues/Thurs: Double CoM (w/Gryffs), Divination, FP, Lunch, Double Transfig. (w/Slyths), E/C, Dinner, Bed Friday: Forbidden Forest Study (FFA), Double Hist. of Mag. (w/Ravens), FP, Lunch, Double Herbology (w/Gryffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed
Trowa's E/Cs: Runes, Dragons, Alchemy (the study of magic's beginning ^_^) Quatre's E/Cs: Runes, Dragons, Wandless Arts
Head of House: Sprout Prefects: Susan Bones
Sandra Hardaway (OC)
Rellina Pemberton-Dorci
Ephraim Clements (OC)
Michael Williams (OC)
Ravenclaw: Mon/Weds: Double Transfig. (w/Gryffs), Double Potions (w/Huffs), FP, Lunch, Double DADA (w/Huffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed Tues/Thurs: Double Herbology (w/Slyths), Double Divination (w/Huffs), FP, Lunch, Double Charms, (w/Gryffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed Friday: Muggle Studies (FFA), Double Hist. of Mag (w/Huffs), FP, Lunch, Double CoM (w/Slyths), E/C, Dinner, Bed
Wufei's E/Cs: Runes, Dragons, Alchemy
Head of House: Flitwick Prefects: Terry Boot
Lisa Turpin
Melanie Easter (OC) (!!!DO NOT STEAL THIS NAME!!!)
Suiren Zao Po
Constance Lonestar (OC) Head Girl: Gladys Micheals
Slytherin: Mon/Weds: Divination, Double DADA (w/Gryffs), FP, Lunch, Double Potions (w/Gryffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed Tues/Thurs: Double Herbology (w/Ravens), Double Hist.of Mag (w/Gryffs), FP, Lunch, Double Transfig. (w/Huffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed Friday: Arithmancy (FFA), Charms, FP, Lunch, Double CoM (w/Ravens), E/C, Dinner, Bed
Duo's E/Cs: Runes, Dragons, Wandless Arts
Head of House: Snape Prefects: Marcus Gilmore (OC)
Stacey Doerner (OC)
Draco Malfoy
Blaise Zabini
Pansy Parkinson Head Boy: Diego Donehue (OC)
And there you have it, kinda long and detailed, but I just wanted you to know what to expect. Also, Melanie Easter is a character I plan on using many more times, so do not use her name, but you are free to use any of the other OCs. ^_^ On with the story!)
***
Time seemed to fly for the Gundam pilots, and soon it was time for their one hour free period. Heero, Harry, Duo, Draco, Hermione and Blaise left the DADA classroom together, planning on heading to the Entrance Hall to see if they could meet up with the others. It turned out Harry's instinct was right, and Wufei, Quatre and Trowa soon rounded a corner and approached them. They were talking animatedly about something, and Wufei was actually waving his arms.
"Ohayo!" Duo said, grinning and waving at the three. Quatre smiled and waved back.
"Ohayo, Duo. What are you guys doing here?" he asked.
"Waiting for you," the braided boy answered. "How was your classes."
"I like them. Especially Charms. There are some nice people in Hufflepuff," Quatre said happily. The others noticed the stiffening in Trowa's posture and cringed. Quatre's friendliness seemed a lot more friendly to Trowa than most, and the blond cherub didn't seem to realize that.
"We also had Potions, with Professor Snape. He is a hard man. I firmly believe he needs some kind of relaxant before he burns himself out with an overdose of malice," Wufei said informationally.
"Well, all you really have to do is brew the relaxant, and keep Harry here away from the Professor for awhile, and that just might work. Professor Snape's hatred for Harry is what triggers so much tension, so a lack of the antagonist might just do it," Hermione answered likewise. Both teens' eyes gleamed and they moved into a corner to conspire as only scholars can.
"About Potions class," Trowa said. "I brought up the subject of the guardians we had acquired during our Wand Choosing. Haven't you wondered where they are?"
"I know where Kokatsu is," Heero said, in his usual flat voice. "He's been living with Peeves for the last two days causing mischief. I can call him, if needed."
"It's needed, Heero. We need to discuss their origins and what they have to do with us. If you can, tell Kokatsu to meet us in the Room of Requirement on the 7th floor," Trowa continued. Heero nodded and turned away from them.
(A/N: ^blah^ denotes Chinese. {blah} denotes Japanese.)
{Kokatsu. You are needed.}
{For what? I'm kinda busy here, Master.}
{We have much to discuss, brother of demons}
{Yeah, I suppose we do. Where?}
{The Room of Requirement, now. Ask Peeves for the location.}
{Okay, sure. See ya there, Master.}
{Understood.}
"Wow, Hee-chan, rapid fire conversation, ne? So, from what I could get from all the jibberish and the disembodied voice in the hall that was Kokatsu, he'll be there?" Duo said, pulling his braid over his shoulder and wrapping it around his hand. He didn't notice Heero's eyes following the heavy silken object almost obsessively.
"Hai. Kokatsu will be there," he said. "I believe Wufei may do the same as me, simply call out your guardians name and he or she will either come to you or answer. Make sure you do so in their native language."
"Understood," said Wufei. ^Noble Akha-banakh?^
^Master Wufei?^
^You are requested to be in the Room of Requirement now, O noble one^
^Of course, Master. This One shall see Master there.^ (A/N: Note, I decided to make Akha a bit more like this dragon I read about long ago that referred to himself as This One. I think it makes him more mysterious. Whoever created that, sorry for using it.)
"Akha-banakh will also be there," Wufei said.
"Good. That only leaves Alecea Greenleaf, and my own guardian, Kiaarah," Trowa said.
~I am right here, Master~ said a rumbling female voice. Trowa turned around, unable to locate the voice. ~Look up, young Beast Master~ Trowa obeyed, and say a now full-sized Kiaarah flapping her wings gently as she kept herself aloft just above them. ~I heard you, Master. I will meet you at this room you speak of, if Master desires it.~
"I do, Kiaarah," Trowa said. He had already given up telling her not to talk to him as such a lord, but he could tell she was set in her ways and would not change. The gryphon bowed from her place in the air, then flew away up the stairs of the Entrance Hall and disappeared. Trowa turned to Duo and Quatre. "Now you guys. Quatre, you go first."
"Alright," said Quatre. "I read in a book somewhere that faeries are attracted by beautiful music by a pure heart. Everyone's always saying I have a heart of gold so..." Quatre blushed.
"Go one, little one. You can do it," Trowa said reassuringly, putting an arm around the blond's shoulder.
"Yeah, Q! You have a wicked good singin' voice," Duo pitched in. Quatre smiled tremulously, then opened his mouth...and sang.
It was like nothing they'd heard before. Instead of words, a soft, clear note left the blond's mouth, melodious and strong. Sevral notes followed, 'til Quatre was singing his heart out to a song they'd never heard. It made them think of leaves, grass, sunshine and happiness. It was magic woven into song. Hermione and Blaise looked especially spellbound.
After several moments of this pure singing, the Entrance Hall door out to the Hogwarts grounds opened and a small form flitted in, the door slamming shut. It was Alecea Greenleaf. She had a dazed, dreamy look on her small face, and floated slowly toward Quatre, her mouth whispering the words to the song only she and Quatre knew.
"Fuin Fanyar Faina Haraan Heri Isil," Alecea whispered. She landed on Quatre's shoulder and hugged his neck for balance. "It means 'Dark clouds radiationg rays of light guard Lady Moon.' It's and old elvish prayer for safe passage. How did you know it, Heru?"
Quatre flushed and smiled softly. "I don't know how I knew it. It just seemed like a good time to sing it," he said. Then his brow creased with confusion. "Heru?"
"Lord in elvish, as you are, Heru," Alecea said with a smile. "Did you need me for something that you needed to sing to me to get me to come? Most know faeries are sensitive to beautiful, pure singing. It was a little extreme."
"I apologize, Alecea, but I need you to meet us in the Room of Requirement. It is of the utmost importance," Quatre said. Alecea nodded, curtsied, then disappeared with a small pop. "Well, I'm done. How about you, Duo?"
The group looked curiously at Duo, and Harry said something that had been nagging him. "You know, we never learned the name of your dark pixie," he said thoughtfully.
Duo frowned, then nodded. "You're right. So how am I supposed to call someone I don't know?"
"Just try to feel his presence and call him to you," Draco said matter-of- factly. Everyone turned to him. "What? My family has pixie blood, especialy dark. It's how they keep tabs on each other, by their magical energy. Go on, try it."
Nodding, Duo focused on the picture of his pixie he had in his head, then concentrated. Soon, he thought he felt a glimmer of a presence at the back of his mind. He pulled at it until it came to the forefront, and he was greeted with a image of his pixie. Seeing the manic grin of his guardian, Duo did what Draco suggested, and Called (caps intended).
"What is it you require, wizard," the pixie spat.
"Whoa, there, little pixie dude, don't snap at me. I didn't do anything," Duo exclaimed, confused.
"Nothing, hm? What about the fact that I was dragged from my home, where I was having a great time by the way, and forced into becoming your Guardian by Dumbledore? What about that, wizard?"
"Look pixie, I'm sorry for whatever it is you blame me for, but you yourself said it was Dumbledore who did it. I definitely don't want any trouble. Heero would kill me," Duo answered back.
The pixie looked thoughtful, it's blue eyes swirling. Then it grinned. "Heero, you say? The boy who takes up most of your mind?"
Duo choked, surprised that the pixie knew this. "How did you--"
"Simple. You Called me, I heard, and now our minds are connected. Interesting stuff you have in here, Shinigami," the pixie said with a smirk. "You know, it might just be worthwhile being your Guardian. I want to understand you." The pixie bowed. "Ilfirin at your service." And suddenly the image of the pixie winked out.
A weird lethargy fell over Duo's mind and he felt like he was floating, as if he had bat like wings much like his guardians. The cries of his companions barely registered as Duo felt himself begin to spin. Abruptly the feeling of floating changed to a feeling of being buoyed up by something. Duo opened eyes he hadn't realized he'd closed... and met Prussian blue eyes that were so close they filled his vision. Duo freaked.
"AHHHHHH!" he yelled, struggling. Surprised arms dropped him and he hit the carpeted ground with a thud. With a groan of pain, Duo sat up and looked around him. Heero stood directly in front of him, suggesting that he was the one who had been holding him. Quatre was on Heero's left, looking concerned, Trowa beside him. Wufei was on Heero's right, leaning against a stone wall. Behind them, Harry, Draco, Hermione and Blaise looked anxious.
"Duo, are you okay?" Quatre said, aquamarine eyes wide with worry.
"Yeah, Q-bean. Don't worry about me. Don't we have a Room of Requirement to be in?" the braided boy asked, leaping up agilely and shaking his muscles loose. "Let's go. Free period already started." Actually nodding at Duo's suggestion (Quatre still watched him worriedly), the boys headed for the Slytherin dungeons, and from there, the secret passage that would transport them to the sixth floor.
***Tsuzuku or TBC***
The hour bell rang and Heero packed up his things. Beside him, Harry was doing the same and listening to what Heero had to say eagerly. He knew, from what Heero had told him earlier, that this was more talking than he'd done in a long time.
"..and if this supposed Prophecy that Mr.Dumbledore told us about is true, you and Draco will require extensive training. I don't know how much time we have, but I have to fit more than five years of knowledge in the fields of physical combat, computer technology and guerilla warfare in to both of you somehow. These new combat classes with Lupin-sensei will help, but I think that..." Heero continued, closing his school satchel and slinging the strap over his head to rest on his shoulder.
By the time Heero was done, he had an entire schedule planned out for all of them, starting at the end of the day and continuing indefinitely until Voldemort's return. Heero drew a breath. "So, what is our next class?" he said.
Harry grinned. "We have Defense Against the Dark Arts. I wonder how this teacher will be? We've gone through six since I started school. Some say the DADA post is cursed, but I think its merely coincidence, because three years ago..." and Harry rambled on about the old Professor Remus Lupin, of apparent relationship to Romulus Lupin, and when he was done they stood in front of their next class. "Hey, how'd we get here so fast?" he asked, confused.
"We walked," Heero said. "I followed the stream of Gryffindors."
"Oh, okay," Harry said. "Well, let's get in there. If I remember right, we have all have a free period next, so maybe we can talk more before lunch." Harry led the way into the DADA classroom and plopped into his usual seat in the front. Heero slid into the seat beside him, immediately searching through his bag for his Defense book. A moment later, Hermione entered with Parvati Patil and they slipped into the seats directly behind the two boys.
"Hi, Harry, Heero. How was your first class?" Hermione immediately shot off, her book already pulled out and open. Harry rolled his eyes but answered, also taking out his book.
"McGonagall is still as relentless as ever. She made us read up on the History of Transfiguration and she wouldn't even let us use the Auditorius spell!" Harry basically whined. He wanted sympathy from Hermione, and he usually got it. Well, not today.
"Stop being such a baby, Harry. I'm sure every once in a while you can read the book for a change. It has been proven that reading the words yourself instead of hearing them allows for a larger chance of the material sinking in and become part of your cerebral processes. In fact, I have a report on that somewhere..." Hermione began. Parvati, Harry and Heero stared at her. Evetually, Parvati broke out of the stupor and turned to Heero.
"How did you like it, Heero," she said softly, like she was afraid he would hurt her like he'd hurt her boyfriend, Ron. Her eyes apologized for Ron's behavior where her boyfriend could not. Surprisingly, Heero took the initiative and calmed her. He gave her a small but genuine smile.
"I liked it. Considering that I know all there is to know in any Muggle school on the Earth Sphere, it is refreshing to learn something new for a change. I fear it will not be the same with Duo, though," he said.
"What won't be the same with me?" asked a jovial voice to the side. All four teens looked up in surprise to see Duo, Draco and Blaise standing in front of them (they were turned around talking to the girls). "Well?"
"Heero was just saying that it was refreshing to learn something new for a change. But since you yourself know so much about the magical world already, you probably won't learn anything," Harry said, already noting the fact that Heero withdrew into himself.
"Ya think so, Hee-chan? I dunno, I think someone might be able to teach me something here," Duo said, looking thoughtful (and very good in his close- fitting Slyth robes *wink wink*). "So I guess you like it here then, huh, Hee-babe?"
"Hn," Heero said, folding his arms and sitting rigidly in his seat.
"Really? That's cool. That too? Wow, Hee-chan, I can't wait to see you in this class. Did you? Wow," Duo said cheekily, drawing his own conclusions of what Heero really could have answered. The Hogwarts students watched curiously as a very light blush rose on Heero's cheeks.
"Baka," the Japanese boy said, then attempted look more relaxed and actually answered Duo. "Yes, I enjoyed Transfiguration, though all we did was read. Happy, baka?"
"Extremely," Duo said, grinning. He slipped into the seat beside Heero. "This seat taken, angel face?"
Heero's blush darkened and the others stared. Angel face? "Baka, don't call me that!" Heero snapped, actually unwrapping his arms and holding one hand to one burning cheek. (A/N: OOC Heero, I know. If you have a problem with this, too bad! It's my fic! MWAHAHAHAHA!!! *cough* ^_^;)
"Sorry, babe, but you signed up for a nickname when you made friends with me," Duo said, laughing. Before he could say anymore, the Japanese man from the Welcoming Feast, entered the room. He had black hair pulled back in a smooth ponytail that reached about midwaist, and clear black eyes. Eyes that were currently looking at them all in a kind of muted disdain. The look passed and the cheerful man from the feast returned.
"Good morning, class. As I'm sure you recall, my name is Mucha Yukan. You may call me Professor Yukan or just Y. I will be teaching you the basics and a bit more of the average Defense Against the Dark Arts class," he said. Then his black eyes latched onto Harry and narrowed slightly. "And yet I here stories of last year being much less than desired, with Delores Umbridge coming in from the Ministry and putting a damper on your studies. But a Mr. Harry Potter fixed that problem right up, ne?"
Harry blushed, but also watched Yukan closely. It could be just his paranoid self, but the new Professor seemed to hate him at some level or other. Harry promised himself to ask Hermione later about the subject. "Um, yes, Professor Yukan. I taught a small group of students what I could until Umbridge could be removed," he said.
"Is that so...," Yukan muttered, a thoughtful look on his face. "Hm, well that is neither here nor there. Today we will be talking of Defense and only Defense. Have you got your books opened? Good, go to page...." And Professor Yukan continued the lesson.
***
Wufei entered the Potions classroom with no little amount of anticipation. Was this class to be like Transfiguration, with an obliging teacher and riveting facts? Too excited to contain himself, Wufei arrived to the dungeon classroom a full five minutes early, and almost choked at the sight that met him. It was Professor Snape, the rude, greasy man that had taken them to Diagon Alley earlier.
Not one to judge too quickly, unless it came to women anyway, Wufei decided to give the somewhat sinister professor the benefit of the doubt. If he liked his class, then so be it. Decided, Wufei slipped into a seat in the third row, near the end, and placed his bag beside his desk. Pulling out his Potions textbook, labeled Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, Wufei began to read.
A few minutes later, other students began to filter in, some wearing different crests than the raven his own House sported. From the badger symbol Wufei guessed it was Hufflepuff, then remembered that Ravenclaw had what was called Double Potions today with the Hufflepuffs. Wufei was sure to see Trowa and Quatre now.
"Wufei!" came a high male voice. Speak of the angel, it was Quatre. The small blond boy hurried over to his Chinese friend, looking adorable every time he almost tripped on the hem of his robes. Trowa came behind him, walking sedately and looking serene. Quatre sat beside Wufei, a soft smile on his glowing cherubic face. Trowa sat behind his blond lover, the better to see him if anything happened.
"Hello Wufei. Anything new?" Trowa asked in his usual quiet way.
"Transfiguration is such a great class! Did you know that Circe, and many of the mythological creatures we've been taught about are real!? I mean, I knew there had to be some fact to that but..." Wufei began excitedly, waving his hands for emphasis. When he realised he was exclaiming and other things he never did, he abruptly stopped, a blush blooming slowly on his face. Quatre giggled and Trowa sent him a slow smile.
"Looks like this world agrees with you, Wufei," Quatre said slyly. "I knew you'd like it." Wufei just coughed in embarassment and turned to the front of the class.
"I've been wondering..." Trowa began. Both Quatre and Wufei turned to him quickly. It isn't every day that Trowa speaks. Sometimes the green-eyed boy went weeks without saying a word. "Remember those guardians we acquired at the wandshop?" Both of the other pilots nodded. "Haven't you noticed that they haven't been around in a long time?"
Wufei looked surprised, then slightly annoyed. "Actually, yes. I'm not one to forget things like that so easily, but I've been so caught up in this world that I completely forgot." And you'd think you'd remember a firedrake, ne? Actually, the thought made Wufei uneasy that this world so caught them they'd forgotten something as important as the guardians.
"It worries me, Wufei. As Heero would say, we are out of practice and may need some retraining. I say before lunch we look for them," Quatre said. "We have a free period next It's around 10am now. At 11am we get out of here, then have an hour free before lunch. We can go to the Room of Requirement."
"...?" Trowa asked.
"The Room of Requirement. It's this room on the 7th floor that stays hidden until you need it. Once you enter, whatever you require of the room at the moment shall be done," the blond explained. "For example, if you require a soft fluffy bed because you are tired, whips and chains for a little torture, gags and ropes for some playtime, handcuf--"
"Mr.Winner, I suggest you keep your sick pleasures to yourself while a class is in session," said a cold, amused voice. The three pilots turned slowly and carefully to see Professor Severus Snape hanging ominously over them, a sinister smile on his face. "10 points each from both your Houses for disrupting my class." A protest immediately rose all around them. "I'll make it 50 if the lot of you don't shut it!" Seeing as the Potions Master was unhappy, the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs did just that.
"Now that we have the fantasies of Mr.Winner out of the way..." At this Wufei and Trowa glared while Quatre blushed pink. "..we may actually begin what we came here for. As I'm sure most of you know, I am Professor Severus Snape. You are not to say my first name under any circumstances. We are not friends, and since you are not in either Slytherin, or are far advanced in age, we shall never be such. Therefore, I do not expect you to like me. I tell you freely that I do not like you and never will. So, please do not waste breath or emotions hating me. It is a lost cause, as I'm sure Mr. Potter has told you.
"Now, to the subject at hand. I will be reinstructing you in the area of magical drafts and potions, as you may have concluded from your textbooks. As I said in my speech during your first year, I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper on death. But, I will not. Hogwarts students over the years have proven much too incompetent to handle such a thing as death bottled. I also strongly believe that giving you a potion to brew now, N.E.W.T. level, of course, would be disastrous, and cause you to lose many House points." Here Snape almost smiled. "I leave that to my class with the Gryffindors. Now, since you are obviously not brewing a potion this morn, allow me to take a page out of other professor's books. Turn to page 11 and start reading up on the Forgetfulness Potion. We will be brewing it on the morrow. You may begin."
His riveting speech, though morbid, finished, Snape turned in a swirl of inky black robes and entered his office. The door shut with a resounding slam. Talk began immediately. The door slammed open again and Snape stuck his greasy head out. "And absolutely NO talking!" The stunned students shut up, and the door slammed once again.
"That man...is creepy," Wufei said decisively. Quatre and Trowa laughed quietly. They didn't want to see Vengeful!Snape anytime soon. Their mirth past, the three settled down to do as Snape commanded and read the text.
***
(A/N: Okay, this is the schedule for all the 6th year Hogwarts Houses for the summer programme, just so you guys can know what to expect. Also, I happen to like dictating classes and awful lot, so expect to learn a lot about the different subjects during the duration of this story. But I know I've been slacking on the plot and I plan to develope in during the next few chapters. Also, the time will go faster. Anyway, here it is:
(Each class is one hour, except for 4th hour, which is 2hrs and 5th hr, which is 3.)
Gryffindor: Mon/Weds: Double Transfiguration (w/ Ravens), Double DADA (w/ Slyths), Free Period, Lunch, Double Potions (w/ Slyths), Extra Class (E/C), Dinner, Bed Tues/Thurs: Double Care of Magical Creatures (w/Huffs), Double Hist. of Mag (w/Slyths), Free Period, Lunch, Double Charms (w/Ravens), E/C, Dinner, Bed Friday: Arithmancy (Free for all - FFA), Divination, Free Period (FP), Lunch, Double Herbology (w/Huffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed
Heero's E/C classes, in order according to days: M/W: Runes, T/Th: Dragons, F: Astrology
Head of House: McGonagall Prefects: Hermione Granger
Ronald Weasley
Dean Thomas
Parvati Patil
Guimera Paltron(OC)
Hufflepuff: Mon/Weds: Charms, Double Potions (w/Ravens), FP, Lunch, Double DADA (w/Ravens), E/C, Dinner, Bed Tues/Thurs: Double CoM (w/Gryffs), Divination, FP, Lunch, Double Transfig. (w/Slyths), E/C, Dinner, Bed Friday: Forbidden Forest Study (FFA), Double Hist. of Mag. (w/Ravens), FP, Lunch, Double Herbology (w/Gryffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed
Trowa's E/Cs: Runes, Dragons, Alchemy (the study of magic's beginning ^_^) Quatre's E/Cs: Runes, Dragons, Wandless Arts
Head of House: Sprout Prefects: Susan Bones
Sandra Hardaway (OC)
Rellina Pemberton-Dorci
Ephraim Clements (OC)
Michael Williams (OC)
Ravenclaw: Mon/Weds: Double Transfig. (w/Gryffs), Double Potions (w/Huffs), FP, Lunch, Double DADA (w/Huffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed Tues/Thurs: Double Herbology (w/Slyths), Double Divination (w/Huffs), FP, Lunch, Double Charms, (w/Gryffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed Friday: Muggle Studies (FFA), Double Hist. of Mag (w/Huffs), FP, Lunch, Double CoM (w/Slyths), E/C, Dinner, Bed
Wufei's E/Cs: Runes, Dragons, Alchemy
Head of House: Flitwick Prefects: Terry Boot
Lisa Turpin
Melanie Easter (OC) (!!!DO NOT STEAL THIS NAME!!!)
Suiren Zao Po
Constance Lonestar (OC) Head Girl: Gladys Micheals
Slytherin: Mon/Weds: Divination, Double DADA (w/Gryffs), FP, Lunch, Double Potions (w/Gryffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed Tues/Thurs: Double Herbology (w/Ravens), Double Hist.of Mag (w/Gryffs), FP, Lunch, Double Transfig. (w/Huffs), E/C, Dinner, Bed Friday: Arithmancy (FFA), Charms, FP, Lunch, Double CoM (w/Ravens), E/C, Dinner, Bed
Duo's E/Cs: Runes, Dragons, Wandless Arts
Head of House: Snape Prefects: Marcus Gilmore (OC)
Stacey Doerner (OC)
Draco Malfoy
Blaise Zabini
Pansy Parkinson Head Boy: Diego Donehue (OC)
And there you have it, kinda long and detailed, but I just wanted you to know what to expect. Also, Melanie Easter is a character I plan on using many more times, so do not use her name, but you are free to use any of the other OCs. ^_^ On with the story!)
***
Time seemed to fly for the Gundam pilots, and soon it was time for their one hour free period. Heero, Harry, Duo, Draco, Hermione and Blaise left the DADA classroom together, planning on heading to the Entrance Hall to see if they could meet up with the others. It turned out Harry's instinct was right, and Wufei, Quatre and Trowa soon rounded a corner and approached them. They were talking animatedly about something, and Wufei was actually waving his arms.
"Ohayo!" Duo said, grinning and waving at the three. Quatre smiled and waved back.
"Ohayo, Duo. What are you guys doing here?" he asked.
"Waiting for you," the braided boy answered. "How was your classes."
"I like them. Especially Charms. There are some nice people in Hufflepuff," Quatre said happily. The others noticed the stiffening in Trowa's posture and cringed. Quatre's friendliness seemed a lot more friendly to Trowa than most, and the blond cherub didn't seem to realize that.
"We also had Potions, with Professor Snape. He is a hard man. I firmly believe he needs some kind of relaxant before he burns himself out with an overdose of malice," Wufei said informationally.
"Well, all you really have to do is brew the relaxant, and keep Harry here away from the Professor for awhile, and that just might work. Professor Snape's hatred for Harry is what triggers so much tension, so a lack of the antagonist might just do it," Hermione answered likewise. Both teens' eyes gleamed and they moved into a corner to conspire as only scholars can.
"About Potions class," Trowa said. "I brought up the subject of the guardians we had acquired during our Wand Choosing. Haven't you wondered where they are?"
"I know where Kokatsu is," Heero said, in his usual flat voice. "He's been living with Peeves for the last two days causing mischief. I can call him, if needed."
"It's needed, Heero. We need to discuss their origins and what they have to do with us. If you can, tell Kokatsu to meet us in the Room of Requirement on the 7th floor," Trowa continued. Heero nodded and turned away from them.
(A/N: ^blah^ denotes Chinese. {blah} denotes Japanese.)
{Kokatsu. You are needed.}
{For what? I'm kinda busy here, Master.}
{We have much to discuss, brother of demons}
{Yeah, I suppose we do. Where?}
{The Room of Requirement, now. Ask Peeves for the location.}
{Okay, sure. See ya there, Master.}
{Understood.}
"Wow, Hee-chan, rapid fire conversation, ne? So, from what I could get from all the jibberish and the disembodied voice in the hall that was Kokatsu, he'll be there?" Duo said, pulling his braid over his shoulder and wrapping it around his hand. He didn't notice Heero's eyes following the heavy silken object almost obsessively.
"Hai. Kokatsu will be there," he said. "I believe Wufei may do the same as me, simply call out your guardians name and he or she will either come to you or answer. Make sure you do so in their native language."
"Understood," said Wufei. ^Noble Akha-banakh?^
^Master Wufei?^
^You are requested to be in the Room of Requirement now, O noble one^
^Of course, Master. This One shall see Master there.^ (A/N: Note, I decided to make Akha a bit more like this dragon I read about long ago that referred to himself as This One. I think it makes him more mysterious. Whoever created that, sorry for using it.)
"Akha-banakh will also be there," Wufei said.
"Good. That only leaves Alecea Greenleaf, and my own guardian, Kiaarah," Trowa said.
~I am right here, Master~ said a rumbling female voice. Trowa turned around, unable to locate the voice. ~Look up, young Beast Master~ Trowa obeyed, and say a now full-sized Kiaarah flapping her wings gently as she kept herself aloft just above them. ~I heard you, Master. I will meet you at this room you speak of, if Master desires it.~
"I do, Kiaarah," Trowa said. He had already given up telling her not to talk to him as such a lord, but he could tell she was set in her ways and would not change. The gryphon bowed from her place in the air, then flew away up the stairs of the Entrance Hall and disappeared. Trowa turned to Duo and Quatre. "Now you guys. Quatre, you go first."
"Alright," said Quatre. "I read in a book somewhere that faeries are attracted by beautiful music by a pure heart. Everyone's always saying I have a heart of gold so..." Quatre blushed.
"Go one, little one. You can do it," Trowa said reassuringly, putting an arm around the blond's shoulder.
"Yeah, Q! You have a wicked good singin' voice," Duo pitched in. Quatre smiled tremulously, then opened his mouth...and sang.
It was like nothing they'd heard before. Instead of words, a soft, clear note left the blond's mouth, melodious and strong. Sevral notes followed, 'til Quatre was singing his heart out to a song they'd never heard. It made them think of leaves, grass, sunshine and happiness. It was magic woven into song. Hermione and Blaise looked especially spellbound.
After several moments of this pure singing, the Entrance Hall door out to the Hogwarts grounds opened and a small form flitted in, the door slamming shut. It was Alecea Greenleaf. She had a dazed, dreamy look on her small face, and floated slowly toward Quatre, her mouth whispering the words to the song only she and Quatre knew.
"Fuin Fanyar Faina Haraan Heri Isil," Alecea whispered. She landed on Quatre's shoulder and hugged his neck for balance. "It means 'Dark clouds radiationg rays of light guard Lady Moon.' It's and old elvish prayer for safe passage. How did you know it, Heru?"
Quatre flushed and smiled softly. "I don't know how I knew it. It just seemed like a good time to sing it," he said. Then his brow creased with confusion. "Heru?"
"Lord in elvish, as you are, Heru," Alecea said with a smile. "Did you need me for something that you needed to sing to me to get me to come? Most know faeries are sensitive to beautiful, pure singing. It was a little extreme."
"I apologize, Alecea, but I need you to meet us in the Room of Requirement. It is of the utmost importance," Quatre said. Alecea nodded, curtsied, then disappeared with a small pop. "Well, I'm done. How about you, Duo?"
The group looked curiously at Duo, and Harry said something that had been nagging him. "You know, we never learned the name of your dark pixie," he said thoughtfully.
Duo frowned, then nodded. "You're right. So how am I supposed to call someone I don't know?"
"Just try to feel his presence and call him to you," Draco said matter-of- factly. Everyone turned to him. "What? My family has pixie blood, especialy dark. It's how they keep tabs on each other, by their magical energy. Go on, try it."
Nodding, Duo focused on the picture of his pixie he had in his head, then concentrated. Soon, he thought he felt a glimmer of a presence at the back of his mind. He pulled at it until it came to the forefront, and he was greeted with a image of his pixie. Seeing the manic grin of his guardian, Duo did what Draco suggested, and Called (caps intended).
"What is it you require, wizard," the pixie spat.
"Whoa, there, little pixie dude, don't snap at me. I didn't do anything," Duo exclaimed, confused.
"Nothing, hm? What about the fact that I was dragged from my home, where I was having a great time by the way, and forced into becoming your Guardian by Dumbledore? What about that, wizard?"
"Look pixie, I'm sorry for whatever it is you blame me for, but you yourself said it was Dumbledore who did it. I definitely don't want any trouble. Heero would kill me," Duo answered back.
The pixie looked thoughtful, it's blue eyes swirling. Then it grinned. "Heero, you say? The boy who takes up most of your mind?"
Duo choked, surprised that the pixie knew this. "How did you--"
"Simple. You Called me, I heard, and now our minds are connected. Interesting stuff you have in here, Shinigami," the pixie said with a smirk. "You know, it might just be worthwhile being your Guardian. I want to understand you." The pixie bowed. "Ilfirin at your service." And suddenly the image of the pixie winked out.
A weird lethargy fell over Duo's mind and he felt like he was floating, as if he had bat like wings much like his guardians. The cries of his companions barely registered as Duo felt himself begin to spin. Abruptly the feeling of floating changed to a feeling of being buoyed up by something. Duo opened eyes he hadn't realized he'd closed... and met Prussian blue eyes that were so close they filled his vision. Duo freaked.
"AHHHHHH!" he yelled, struggling. Surprised arms dropped him and he hit the carpeted ground with a thud. With a groan of pain, Duo sat up and looked around him. Heero stood directly in front of him, suggesting that he was the one who had been holding him. Quatre was on Heero's left, looking concerned, Trowa beside him. Wufei was on Heero's right, leaning against a stone wall. Behind them, Harry, Draco, Hermione and Blaise looked anxious.
"Duo, are you okay?" Quatre said, aquamarine eyes wide with worry.
"Yeah, Q-bean. Don't worry about me. Don't we have a Room of Requirement to be in?" the braided boy asked, leaping up agilely and shaking his muscles loose. "Let's go. Free period already started." Actually nodding at Duo's suggestion (Quatre still watched him worriedly), the boys headed for the Slytherin dungeons, and from there, the secret passage that would transport them to the sixth floor.
***Tsuzuku or TBC***