A/N: Hokai. Here's chapter 2. I really hope you guys will like this story.
I think it's actually turning out pretty good (as does my good friend and
wonderful writer Mikazukino Hikari – go read her stuff! It's awesome!).
Anyways, I wont prattle on. Enjoy! And leave a review or two!
Disclaimer: I don't own any lucrative Anime/Manga or book franchizes (I.E. Card Captor Sakura, Harry Potter). If I did, I would've retired to New Zealand long ago.
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Chapter 2: The Transfers
September 1st, 10:50 A.M., King's Cross Station, London
"Hurry, Sakura-chan! The train leaves at 11 on the dot! We don't want it to leave without us!!!" Tomoyo and Sakura pushed their carts through the crowds towards platforms nine and ten. Luckily Eriol had stopped by that morning to wake the two up and tell them how to board the train.
The two girls reached their destination and stared at the wall. "Do you think we'll really be able to run through the wall, Tomoyo-chan?"
"Well, that's what Eriol-kun said to do, and I trust him." Tomoyo smiled at her best friend.
Sakura nodded, resolute. "Alright then. I'll go first. I just hope this works." Sakura closed her eyes and lowered her head as she broke into a full run at the barrier. To her surprise she ran right through and onto a platform where there were other students pushing carts and hurrying onto a scarlet colored train. A few moments later she was joined by Tomoyo. "Come on, Tomoyo-chan, we better get on the train before it leaves us." They grabbed their bags and their owls and hurried onto one of the last cars of the train.
Luckily they were able to find an empty compartment. They stowed their bags and sat down. It wasn't long before the train lurched forward and began its journey to Hogwart's.
They amber-eyed boy stared at his cousin as the train started to leave the station. She was reading a book entitled "Hogwart's: A History". He leaned back in his seat and folded his arms over his chest. "Syaoran, quit sulking."
"Why would I be sulking, Meilin?"
Meiling closed the book for a moment and looked her cousin in the eyes, "Because you were expecting her to be here, and she isn't."
Xiao Lang Li glared at his cousin before turning to stare out the window. "If you were invited, then she should've been." "Syaoran! Don't be so mean!"
"Well it's true, Meilin." He sighed softly. Why wasn't she here? He closed his eyes and thought about her. If she had come, she would've rushed to his compartment and found him, wouldn't she? He began to feel something familiar on the train... something that felt pink and happy... He got up and ran from the compartment.
"Syaoran! Where are you going? Wait for me!" Meiling ran after her cousin as he bolted down the train. He stopped when he reached the second to last car, "What is it, Syaoran?" He proceeded down to the last door on the left and simply stood in front of it.
"I still can't believe I convinced Yue-san to stay at home. He really wasn't very happy about it."
Tomoyo giggled, "I bet. But he's always grumpy."
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura giggled, too. "He isn't grumpy... He's just over- protective." She stood to take out a textbook to read (so she'd be prepared when she got to school) when there was a knock at the door. She turned to the door, "Hoe? Who'd be knocking on our door, Tomoyo?" Her best friend shrugged. "Come in," Sakura called in English.
The door slid open and Sakura dropped the textbook. "Sakura! Tomoyo!" Meiling Li rushed into the compartment past her cousin and hugged Tomoyo. Before Sakura knew what was happening, she was in Syaoran's arms.
"Syaoran-kun?" She hugged the boy tight. "I missed you," she whispered.
"I knew you'd be here. I knew you'd be invited. How could they not invite the most powerful sorceress in the world?" Syaoran smiled. He finally released her, only so he could look at her more properly. She had grown even more beautiful than he had imagined. He felt himself blush very slightly, "I missed you too, Sakura-chan."
Sakura couldn't believe how tall Syaoran had gotten. He was nearly as tall as father, and he was devastatingly handsome. Her train of thought was interrupted by a fit of giggles coming from Meiling and Tomoyo. She blushed lightly as she turned to hug Meiling. "Meilin! You've got magic, too! Isn't this great?" Meiling simply giggled and hugged Sakura.
Syaoran and Sakura sat down together across from Meiling and Tomoyo, and the four began to catch up on all the goings on since they had last seen each other.
Across the hall, Harry sat with Ginny, Neville, and Luna Lovegood. Neville was going on about his newest plant, which had moments earlier spewed some kind of puss or sap all over the occupants. Harry sighed, and the door slid open. "Oh... hello, Harry," said a rather familiar voice, "Um... bad time?"
Harry wiped the lenses of his glasses and replaced them on his face. He looked up at Cho Chang rather blankly, "Oh... hi."
"Um, just thought I'd say hi... 'bye then." She closed the door again and departed. Harry groaned and sank down in his seat.
Ginny sighed and pulled out her wand, "Scourgify!" The stinksap vanished, and Neville mumbled an apology.
It wasn't long before the door to the compartment slid open again and two prefects squeezed in. "I can't believe they made him a prefect," said the red haired boy as he sat next to Harry.
"Ron, you're just going to have to learn to live with it," replied Hermione as she sat next to Neville.
"What's he going to have to learn to live with, Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Malfoy's one of the Slytherin prefects." Ron crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yes, and you're going to be civil to him this year." Hermione was very firm, "I don't care how much we don't like him and he doesn't like us. We are prefects now, Ron, and we have to set a good example."
Ron sighed, "Yeah, yeah. I know. At least this year won't be boring." Ron nudged his best friend, "Guess what, Harry."
Harry looked at Ron, still upset about the Cho incident that had occurred moments before Ron and Hermione had shown up, "What, Ron?"
"They just told us we've got four new students!"
Neville looked up from his plant, "There's a whole year full of new students though, Ron..."
"What he means," Hermione began, "is that there are four transfer students. Three of them are going to be fourth years, and the other will be a fifth year."
Harry pondered for a moment before saying, "Well, that's a bit odd, isn't it?"
"You should've seen the look on the Elders' faces when they found I had magic after all!" Meiling was relating the arrival of their letters to Tomoyo, who was listening intently. Across from them, Sakura was telling Syaoran about all the training she'd been doing, how Eriol came to visit just about every other month to help her train, and how well she was able to control her magic now. He nodded, telling her of his training as well.
Sakura stood, grabbing a photo album that she had taken with her (for memories sake), and handed it to Syaoran. As she was about to sit again the door to the compartment slid open, revealing a tall boy with blonde hair and grey eyes. Behind him were two very large, very imposing looking boys. The blonde boy held out his hand to Sakura, "Draco Malfoy. This is Crabbe and Goyle," he said, motioning to the two boys behind him.
Sakura tentatively took his hand and shook it, "Kino- er, Sakura Kinomoto." Her voice had a very light British accent. Draco smiled wickedly, looking the girl up and down. Her eyes were the color of emeralds, and her hair was a beautiful honey color. Sakura released his hand. "This is Tomoyo Daidouji," Tomoyo bowed slightly as Sakura said her name, "Meilin Li," Meiling bowed also, "and her cousin, Xiao Lang Li." Syaoran just stared at the intruder.
Draco stepped closer to Sakura, "Well, it's very nice to meet you all. I just wanted to welcome you, as a prefect, and to tell you about Slytherin house."
"Slytherin house?" Sakura repeated. "What's that?"
Draco sneered, "Oh, you're mudbloods then, eh?" He took a step away from Sakura. "Never mind then, Slytherin is too good for the likes of you."
Sakura stared at the boy, rather confused. Apparently Syaoran understood what the boy was talking about and he stood quickly. Sakura put a hand up and stopped Syaoran.
"That's right, call off your body guard, little girl."
Sakura smiled sweetly, "What makes you think I need a body guard?" Malfoy grabbed her arm and pulled her close. She winced, he was hurting hurt. "Let go of me."
Draco gave a short laugh, "Or what, mudblood?"
The star key on Sakura's necklace began to glow with a golden light, and it blinded Malfoy. He let go of Sakura and took a step back. For no apparent reason, Malfoy was thrown back into his comrades and against the door across the hall. Sakura smiled and whispered, "Thank you, Kero-chan."
"I think I'm going to go say hello to the new students," Hermione said as she stood. "Are you coming, Ron?"
"Yeah, 'course." Ron stood and looked at Harry, who nodded and stood to the unasked question. Hermione reached to open the door when it sounded like something heavy had just hit it. She quickly slid the door open and looked out into the hall only to see Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle running towards the front of the train. The door across the hall slid shut quickly. "Bloody hell, what happened to Malfoy?"
"Maybe it has something to do with the people across the hall," Harry ventured.
"I think that's where some of the transfers are..." Hermione stared at the door. "Well, let's find out."
Ron knocked on the door of the compartment and waited a moment. "Come in," said a warm voice. He slid the door open only to find a green-eyed girl in a fighting stance. She relaxed and stood when she got a good look at the three Gryffindors. She laughed a bit nervously, "Sorry. Thought it was Malfoy again."
Hermione smiled, "Hi. I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Ron Weasley. We're the Gryffindor prefects," indicating herself and the red haired boy next to her. She held out a hand to Sakura.
Sakura smiled and shook her hand, "Nice to meet you." Meiling, Tomoyo, Syaoran, and Sakura all turned to stare at the boy with messy black hair and green eyes. He looked uncomfortable under their stares, and his aura gave away the fact that he seemed rather upset by all the attention that was focused on him. Sakura smiled politely and held out her hand to him, "And you are...?"
He blinked for a moment, then looked at Ron and Hermione. "You mean... you don't know who I am?" Sakura glanced back at her comrades who all shrugged, and then turned back to Harry. He took her hand, quite surprised, "I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
"It is nice to meet you, Harry Potter-san. I'm Sakura Kinomoto." She looked to her friends, and it appeared that she was once again elected spokesperson for the group. She sighed quietly and turned back to the Gryffindor trio. "This is Tomoyo Daidouji, Meilin Li, and her cousin Xiao Lang Li." Each bowed as they were introduced. Sakura sat down next to Syaoran and indicated for the visitors to sit. Ron quickly sat down next to Tomoyo, and Hermione sat beside him. Harry sat down quietly next to Sakura.
They all sat in silence for a moment. Hermione finally spoke up, "So where are you all from?"
"Tomoyo and I are from Tomoeda, Japan. Meilin and Syaoran are from Hong Kong." Sakura smiled brilliantly. Ron was in awe – he suspected she and the other two girls must be part veela.
"Then how do you all know each other?" Hermione looked a bit puzzled. "You seem to know each other..."
Tomoyo giggled, "Li and Meilin were transfers at our school in Tomoeda for a while. But we haven't seen either of them in about two years."
Ron kept staring at Sakura, which made her giggle a bit, and it made Syaoran glare. Hermione nudged him slightly to get him to quit staring. He snapped out of the trance, "So uh, where did you learn English. You speak it very well... and you've even got a bit of a British accent."
Sakura nodded, "A friend of the family taught Tomoyo and myself."
Syaoran motioned to Meiling and himself, "We're from Hong Kong."
Ron stared at him blankly, as if that was supposed to mean something. "Right, mate, got it."
Harry was being uncharacteristically quiet. Sakura turned to the boy on her left, "Are you feeling alright, Potter-san?"
He was a bit startled, "Uh, yeah. I'm fine. Thanks. I was just wondering what all that with Malfoy was about."
Meiling laughed haughtily. "He seriously underestimated who he was dealing with." Ron, Hermione, and Harry exchanged confused glances.
"He wasn't being very nice to Sakura-chan," Tomoyo began, then paused, her eyes beginning to shine with that familiar adoration.
Syaoran smirked, "He and his friends left rather abruptly."
Ron stared at the amber-eyed boy, "So did you hit him hard? We heard him crash into our door."
"I didn't do anything. Sakura did." Syaoran folded his arms over his chest once again.
Sakura laughed, turning slightly red. "Well, uh, I really didn't do anything..." She stood and bowed slightly, "Gomen, but I think that it's probably time to change into our robes. Please excuse us."
Hermione stood, "Of course. We'll see you at the sorting. Maybe one of you will be in Gryffindor with us!" Hermione ushered Ron and Harry out of the compartment and back across the hall. She heard Sakura scolding Syaoran in Japanese and Sakura closed their door.
The Gryffindors settled down in their compartment once more. "So what were they like?" Ginny asked. Ron began to describe the three beautiful girls to Ginny and Neville, while Harry just kind of stared off into space. After a while, Hermione told Ginny about the boy, and they did the girl talk thing. Harry pondered what the year was going to be like.
September 1st, 3:14 P.M., Hogwart's School
Snape stepped into Dumbledore's office, "You needed to see me, headmaster?" He stopped short when he saw a woman sitting in one of the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were busy."
"That's quite alright, Severus. Come in, please, come in." Dumbledore smiled and his blue eyes twinkled. "Severus, I'd like you to meet Alanni Jade." The woman stood and turned to Snape. She was fairly tall, with shoulder lengthed red hair, and jade colored eyes with bits of sliver mixed into them. She held out her hand to him, and he took it. "She's agreed to be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"A pleasure," Snape said, not really meaning it. He had always wanted to teach DADA, and Dumbledore knew it.
"I called you up here, Severus, because I need you to help Alanni get set up before the students arrive. We are very lucky to have her here on such short notice." Dumbledore smiled broadly at Jade.
"Yes, we are very fortunate," mumbled Snape.
Dumbledore must have over heard and cleared his throat, "Severus, I want you to show Alanni to the teachers dormitories, and then help her get a classroom set up. The students will be here in a matter of two or so hours, and I'd like for you both to be able to attend the feast."
"Of course, headmaster. Please, follow me, Professor Jade." Snape turned to exit the office. Jade hung back for a moment, whispering something to Dumbledore, who simply nodded and patted her on the back. She then followed Snape down the stairs and out of the office. The two headed towards the teacher's dormitories.
"So, Professor Snape, may I call you Severus?" Jade smiled her most charming smile.
The effort was lost on Snape. "If that is really what you'd like to do..." She giggled like a school girl, "Yes, I would like to. And please, Severus, call me Lani."
He surveyed her with cold eyes as they arrived at the teacher's dormitories. "Alright, Professor Jade, pick any available room you'd like." She looked a bit hurt at the way he addressed her, but she wandered off to find a room anyways.
A few moments later she returned, "Found one." She smiled, and he noticed her eyes were no longer green, but silver... "Will you help me with my things, Severus? Please?" She walked to the fireplace of the teacher's common room and picked up a couple of bags. Reluctantly, Snape went over and picked up a trunk which was much lighter than it appeared. He followed her towards the room she had picked out for herself.
He saw that it was about half the size of his own room. Each teacher's room was actually more than just a single room – it had a private bathroom, a bedroom, and a "living room" type area. Still, Jade's chambers were considerably smaller than his own. He wondered why she would pick out such a small room when he knew that larger ones were available. He shrugged to himself and proceeded into the bedroom and set the trunk at the foot of her bed.
"Well, would you like to pick out a classroom now, Professor Jade?"
"Please, Severus, call me Lani." She smiled still, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes (which were green again – he wondered at that). "Yes, let's go."
They left her chambers and the teacher's dormitories. "Do you know what part of the castle you'd like best?" he queried.
She thought it over for a moment, "Yes. Let's head towards the south end of the castle. I'd like something either near the courtyard or the lake..."
He nodded, "I know of a room that looks out onto the lake. Follow me, please." He quickened his pace a bit, anxious to be rid of the new teacher.
The two professors walked in silence for a bit. As they neared the room, Jade spoke up, "Severus? Do you remember me at all?" His pace slowed slightly as Jade caught up to him, "From where, Professor Jade?"
She sighed quietly as they reached the empty classroom. "From here, from grade school..." He narrowed his eyes at her... she did look rather familiar. Then it hit him. She had always followed him like a lost puppy dog when they were at Hogwart's. Jade was in his year, and she had been a Gryffindor. She saw the recognition in his eyes, "You do remember me..." She smiled sadly.
"Yes, I do, Professor Jade." He turned towards the door, "Now that you have a suitable classroom I will be going. I have a few last minute preparations to make myself. I suggest you get as much set up as you can." He glanced back at Jade briefly before he left.
She sighed and walked into the office that was connected to the classroom. "Missed you too, Severus..." She left the classroom and headed back towards her new rooms to get her things.
Snape sat in his office, making a few last adjustments to his lesson plans, and thinking about his years at Hogwart's. Jade had always followed him around school, and had even stood up to James Potter and his gang more than a time or two on Snape's behalf. Snape could never understand why she had always been so nice... She was still nice. It put Snape in an even worse mood.
There was a knock on his office door. "Come in," he called grumpily. Professor Dumbledore entered Snape's office, a tea pot in his hand.
"I thought you might like a cup of tea, Severus," the headmaster smiled warmly.
Snape stood and turned to a cabinet behind him. He opened it and pulled out two teacups and saucers. He set them on the desk as Dumbledore sat down. "Thank you, headmaster, I could use a cup of tea."
The headmaster chuckled softly and poured two cups of tea. He set the teapot down and picked up one of the cups. "I trust you helped Alanni find a place to sleep and a place to teach?" The old man smiled and sipped his tea.
Snape picked up the other cup and took a sip, "Yes, headmaster. But you know, I really could've taken up the position. Who better than a former servant of the Dark Lord to teach defense against the dark arts?"
"Exactly, Severus." Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled.
Snape was a bit confused, "Well, then why didn't I get the position?"
Dumbledore set the tea cup down and refilled it. "Did you think that you were really the only one to turn against Voldemort?"
His eyes widened as he set his cup down, "Professor Jade was a spy?"
"She still is, Severus," the headmaster nodded. "In fact, she became a death eater only to spy on Voldemort and his inner circle."
Snape was slightly taken aback. "I didn't know..." He had suddenly found himself feeling a bit more respect for Jade... but only a bit.
"She's been with him all summer, and I was very lucky to be able to get her to teach this year."
"Why so lucky, headmaster?" Snape refilled his own cup of tea.
Dumbledore sighed quietly, "She's in a very delicate position with Voldemort, Severus. She is like his right hand..."
Snape thought back to all those meetings (or, rather, torture sessions) with Voldemort. There had always been a death eater standing just behind and to the side of Voldemort, even when the dark lord had sent all his other servants away, that one would remain. "I see..."
"Severus, I just came to ask you to keep an eye on her. Things are going to be very difficult for her this year. The ministry has passed new educational decrees, and will most likely target her." He sighed, finishing his second cup of tea, "She has been through a lot, Severus, more than even you have. I ask you to show her a bit of compassion." Snape nodded slowly, "I'll do what I can, headmaster, but only because you've asked me to."
Dumbledore smiled and rose, "Thank you, Severus." He turned and headed out of the potions master's office. "And who knows, maybe you'll actually become her friend," he said quietly to himself as he left the office.
Snape leaned back in his chair, barely catching what the headmaster had said as he had left.
Disclaimer: I don't own any lucrative Anime/Manga or book franchizes (I.E. Card Captor Sakura, Harry Potter). If I did, I would've retired to New Zealand long ago.
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Chapter 2: The Transfers
September 1st, 10:50 A.M., King's Cross Station, London
"Hurry, Sakura-chan! The train leaves at 11 on the dot! We don't want it to leave without us!!!" Tomoyo and Sakura pushed their carts through the crowds towards platforms nine and ten. Luckily Eriol had stopped by that morning to wake the two up and tell them how to board the train.
The two girls reached their destination and stared at the wall. "Do you think we'll really be able to run through the wall, Tomoyo-chan?"
"Well, that's what Eriol-kun said to do, and I trust him." Tomoyo smiled at her best friend.
Sakura nodded, resolute. "Alright then. I'll go first. I just hope this works." Sakura closed her eyes and lowered her head as she broke into a full run at the barrier. To her surprise she ran right through and onto a platform where there were other students pushing carts and hurrying onto a scarlet colored train. A few moments later she was joined by Tomoyo. "Come on, Tomoyo-chan, we better get on the train before it leaves us." They grabbed their bags and their owls and hurried onto one of the last cars of the train.
Luckily they were able to find an empty compartment. They stowed their bags and sat down. It wasn't long before the train lurched forward and began its journey to Hogwart's.
They amber-eyed boy stared at his cousin as the train started to leave the station. She was reading a book entitled "Hogwart's: A History". He leaned back in his seat and folded his arms over his chest. "Syaoran, quit sulking."
"Why would I be sulking, Meilin?"
Meiling closed the book for a moment and looked her cousin in the eyes, "Because you were expecting her to be here, and she isn't."
Xiao Lang Li glared at his cousin before turning to stare out the window. "If you were invited, then she should've been." "Syaoran! Don't be so mean!"
"Well it's true, Meilin." He sighed softly. Why wasn't she here? He closed his eyes and thought about her. If she had come, she would've rushed to his compartment and found him, wouldn't she? He began to feel something familiar on the train... something that felt pink and happy... He got up and ran from the compartment.
"Syaoran! Where are you going? Wait for me!" Meiling ran after her cousin as he bolted down the train. He stopped when he reached the second to last car, "What is it, Syaoran?" He proceeded down to the last door on the left and simply stood in front of it.
"I still can't believe I convinced Yue-san to stay at home. He really wasn't very happy about it."
Tomoyo giggled, "I bet. But he's always grumpy."
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura giggled, too. "He isn't grumpy... He's just over- protective." She stood to take out a textbook to read (so she'd be prepared when she got to school) when there was a knock at the door. She turned to the door, "Hoe? Who'd be knocking on our door, Tomoyo?" Her best friend shrugged. "Come in," Sakura called in English.
The door slid open and Sakura dropped the textbook. "Sakura! Tomoyo!" Meiling Li rushed into the compartment past her cousin and hugged Tomoyo. Before Sakura knew what was happening, she was in Syaoran's arms.
"Syaoran-kun?" She hugged the boy tight. "I missed you," she whispered.
"I knew you'd be here. I knew you'd be invited. How could they not invite the most powerful sorceress in the world?" Syaoran smiled. He finally released her, only so he could look at her more properly. She had grown even more beautiful than he had imagined. He felt himself blush very slightly, "I missed you too, Sakura-chan."
Sakura couldn't believe how tall Syaoran had gotten. He was nearly as tall as father, and he was devastatingly handsome. Her train of thought was interrupted by a fit of giggles coming from Meiling and Tomoyo. She blushed lightly as she turned to hug Meiling. "Meilin! You've got magic, too! Isn't this great?" Meiling simply giggled and hugged Sakura.
Syaoran and Sakura sat down together across from Meiling and Tomoyo, and the four began to catch up on all the goings on since they had last seen each other.
Across the hall, Harry sat with Ginny, Neville, and Luna Lovegood. Neville was going on about his newest plant, which had moments earlier spewed some kind of puss or sap all over the occupants. Harry sighed, and the door slid open. "Oh... hello, Harry," said a rather familiar voice, "Um... bad time?"
Harry wiped the lenses of his glasses and replaced them on his face. He looked up at Cho Chang rather blankly, "Oh... hi."
"Um, just thought I'd say hi... 'bye then." She closed the door again and departed. Harry groaned and sank down in his seat.
Ginny sighed and pulled out her wand, "Scourgify!" The stinksap vanished, and Neville mumbled an apology.
It wasn't long before the door to the compartment slid open again and two prefects squeezed in. "I can't believe they made him a prefect," said the red haired boy as he sat next to Harry.
"Ron, you're just going to have to learn to live with it," replied Hermione as she sat next to Neville.
"What's he going to have to learn to live with, Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Malfoy's one of the Slytherin prefects." Ron crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yes, and you're going to be civil to him this year." Hermione was very firm, "I don't care how much we don't like him and he doesn't like us. We are prefects now, Ron, and we have to set a good example."
Ron sighed, "Yeah, yeah. I know. At least this year won't be boring." Ron nudged his best friend, "Guess what, Harry."
Harry looked at Ron, still upset about the Cho incident that had occurred moments before Ron and Hermione had shown up, "What, Ron?"
"They just told us we've got four new students!"
Neville looked up from his plant, "There's a whole year full of new students though, Ron..."
"What he means," Hermione began, "is that there are four transfer students. Three of them are going to be fourth years, and the other will be a fifth year."
Harry pondered for a moment before saying, "Well, that's a bit odd, isn't it?"
"You should've seen the look on the Elders' faces when they found I had magic after all!" Meiling was relating the arrival of their letters to Tomoyo, who was listening intently. Across from them, Sakura was telling Syaoran about all the training she'd been doing, how Eriol came to visit just about every other month to help her train, and how well she was able to control her magic now. He nodded, telling her of his training as well.
Sakura stood, grabbing a photo album that she had taken with her (for memories sake), and handed it to Syaoran. As she was about to sit again the door to the compartment slid open, revealing a tall boy with blonde hair and grey eyes. Behind him were two very large, very imposing looking boys. The blonde boy held out his hand to Sakura, "Draco Malfoy. This is Crabbe and Goyle," he said, motioning to the two boys behind him.
Sakura tentatively took his hand and shook it, "Kino- er, Sakura Kinomoto." Her voice had a very light British accent. Draco smiled wickedly, looking the girl up and down. Her eyes were the color of emeralds, and her hair was a beautiful honey color. Sakura released his hand. "This is Tomoyo Daidouji," Tomoyo bowed slightly as Sakura said her name, "Meilin Li," Meiling bowed also, "and her cousin, Xiao Lang Li." Syaoran just stared at the intruder.
Draco stepped closer to Sakura, "Well, it's very nice to meet you all. I just wanted to welcome you, as a prefect, and to tell you about Slytherin house."
"Slytherin house?" Sakura repeated. "What's that?"
Draco sneered, "Oh, you're mudbloods then, eh?" He took a step away from Sakura. "Never mind then, Slytherin is too good for the likes of you."
Sakura stared at the boy, rather confused. Apparently Syaoran understood what the boy was talking about and he stood quickly. Sakura put a hand up and stopped Syaoran.
"That's right, call off your body guard, little girl."
Sakura smiled sweetly, "What makes you think I need a body guard?" Malfoy grabbed her arm and pulled her close. She winced, he was hurting hurt. "Let go of me."
Draco gave a short laugh, "Or what, mudblood?"
The star key on Sakura's necklace began to glow with a golden light, and it blinded Malfoy. He let go of Sakura and took a step back. For no apparent reason, Malfoy was thrown back into his comrades and against the door across the hall. Sakura smiled and whispered, "Thank you, Kero-chan."
"I think I'm going to go say hello to the new students," Hermione said as she stood. "Are you coming, Ron?"
"Yeah, 'course." Ron stood and looked at Harry, who nodded and stood to the unasked question. Hermione reached to open the door when it sounded like something heavy had just hit it. She quickly slid the door open and looked out into the hall only to see Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle running towards the front of the train. The door across the hall slid shut quickly. "Bloody hell, what happened to Malfoy?"
"Maybe it has something to do with the people across the hall," Harry ventured.
"I think that's where some of the transfers are..." Hermione stared at the door. "Well, let's find out."
Ron knocked on the door of the compartment and waited a moment. "Come in," said a warm voice. He slid the door open only to find a green-eyed girl in a fighting stance. She relaxed and stood when she got a good look at the three Gryffindors. She laughed a bit nervously, "Sorry. Thought it was Malfoy again."
Hermione smiled, "Hi. I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Ron Weasley. We're the Gryffindor prefects," indicating herself and the red haired boy next to her. She held out a hand to Sakura.
Sakura smiled and shook her hand, "Nice to meet you." Meiling, Tomoyo, Syaoran, and Sakura all turned to stare at the boy with messy black hair and green eyes. He looked uncomfortable under their stares, and his aura gave away the fact that he seemed rather upset by all the attention that was focused on him. Sakura smiled politely and held out her hand to him, "And you are...?"
He blinked for a moment, then looked at Ron and Hermione. "You mean... you don't know who I am?" Sakura glanced back at her comrades who all shrugged, and then turned back to Harry. He took her hand, quite surprised, "I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
"It is nice to meet you, Harry Potter-san. I'm Sakura Kinomoto." She looked to her friends, and it appeared that she was once again elected spokesperson for the group. She sighed quietly and turned back to the Gryffindor trio. "This is Tomoyo Daidouji, Meilin Li, and her cousin Xiao Lang Li." Each bowed as they were introduced. Sakura sat down next to Syaoran and indicated for the visitors to sit. Ron quickly sat down next to Tomoyo, and Hermione sat beside him. Harry sat down quietly next to Sakura.
They all sat in silence for a moment. Hermione finally spoke up, "So where are you all from?"
"Tomoyo and I are from Tomoeda, Japan. Meilin and Syaoran are from Hong Kong." Sakura smiled brilliantly. Ron was in awe – he suspected she and the other two girls must be part veela.
"Then how do you all know each other?" Hermione looked a bit puzzled. "You seem to know each other..."
Tomoyo giggled, "Li and Meilin were transfers at our school in Tomoeda for a while. But we haven't seen either of them in about two years."
Ron kept staring at Sakura, which made her giggle a bit, and it made Syaoran glare. Hermione nudged him slightly to get him to quit staring. He snapped out of the trance, "So uh, where did you learn English. You speak it very well... and you've even got a bit of a British accent."
Sakura nodded, "A friend of the family taught Tomoyo and myself."
Syaoran motioned to Meiling and himself, "We're from Hong Kong."
Ron stared at him blankly, as if that was supposed to mean something. "Right, mate, got it."
Harry was being uncharacteristically quiet. Sakura turned to the boy on her left, "Are you feeling alright, Potter-san?"
He was a bit startled, "Uh, yeah. I'm fine. Thanks. I was just wondering what all that with Malfoy was about."
Meiling laughed haughtily. "He seriously underestimated who he was dealing with." Ron, Hermione, and Harry exchanged confused glances.
"He wasn't being very nice to Sakura-chan," Tomoyo began, then paused, her eyes beginning to shine with that familiar adoration.
Syaoran smirked, "He and his friends left rather abruptly."
Ron stared at the amber-eyed boy, "So did you hit him hard? We heard him crash into our door."
"I didn't do anything. Sakura did." Syaoran folded his arms over his chest once again.
Sakura laughed, turning slightly red. "Well, uh, I really didn't do anything..." She stood and bowed slightly, "Gomen, but I think that it's probably time to change into our robes. Please excuse us."
Hermione stood, "Of course. We'll see you at the sorting. Maybe one of you will be in Gryffindor with us!" Hermione ushered Ron and Harry out of the compartment and back across the hall. She heard Sakura scolding Syaoran in Japanese and Sakura closed their door.
The Gryffindors settled down in their compartment once more. "So what were they like?" Ginny asked. Ron began to describe the three beautiful girls to Ginny and Neville, while Harry just kind of stared off into space. After a while, Hermione told Ginny about the boy, and they did the girl talk thing. Harry pondered what the year was going to be like.
September 1st, 3:14 P.M., Hogwart's School
Snape stepped into Dumbledore's office, "You needed to see me, headmaster?" He stopped short when he saw a woman sitting in one of the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were busy."
"That's quite alright, Severus. Come in, please, come in." Dumbledore smiled and his blue eyes twinkled. "Severus, I'd like you to meet Alanni Jade." The woman stood and turned to Snape. She was fairly tall, with shoulder lengthed red hair, and jade colored eyes with bits of sliver mixed into them. She held out her hand to him, and he took it. "She's agreed to be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"A pleasure," Snape said, not really meaning it. He had always wanted to teach DADA, and Dumbledore knew it.
"I called you up here, Severus, because I need you to help Alanni get set up before the students arrive. We are very lucky to have her here on such short notice." Dumbledore smiled broadly at Jade.
"Yes, we are very fortunate," mumbled Snape.
Dumbledore must have over heard and cleared his throat, "Severus, I want you to show Alanni to the teachers dormitories, and then help her get a classroom set up. The students will be here in a matter of two or so hours, and I'd like for you both to be able to attend the feast."
"Of course, headmaster. Please, follow me, Professor Jade." Snape turned to exit the office. Jade hung back for a moment, whispering something to Dumbledore, who simply nodded and patted her on the back. She then followed Snape down the stairs and out of the office. The two headed towards the teacher's dormitories.
"So, Professor Snape, may I call you Severus?" Jade smiled her most charming smile.
The effort was lost on Snape. "If that is really what you'd like to do..." She giggled like a school girl, "Yes, I would like to. And please, Severus, call me Lani."
He surveyed her with cold eyes as they arrived at the teacher's dormitories. "Alright, Professor Jade, pick any available room you'd like." She looked a bit hurt at the way he addressed her, but she wandered off to find a room anyways.
A few moments later she returned, "Found one." She smiled, and he noticed her eyes were no longer green, but silver... "Will you help me with my things, Severus? Please?" She walked to the fireplace of the teacher's common room and picked up a couple of bags. Reluctantly, Snape went over and picked up a trunk which was much lighter than it appeared. He followed her towards the room she had picked out for herself.
He saw that it was about half the size of his own room. Each teacher's room was actually more than just a single room – it had a private bathroom, a bedroom, and a "living room" type area. Still, Jade's chambers were considerably smaller than his own. He wondered why she would pick out such a small room when he knew that larger ones were available. He shrugged to himself and proceeded into the bedroom and set the trunk at the foot of her bed.
"Well, would you like to pick out a classroom now, Professor Jade?"
"Please, Severus, call me Lani." She smiled still, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes (which were green again – he wondered at that). "Yes, let's go."
They left her chambers and the teacher's dormitories. "Do you know what part of the castle you'd like best?" he queried.
She thought it over for a moment, "Yes. Let's head towards the south end of the castle. I'd like something either near the courtyard or the lake..."
He nodded, "I know of a room that looks out onto the lake. Follow me, please." He quickened his pace a bit, anxious to be rid of the new teacher.
The two professors walked in silence for a bit. As they neared the room, Jade spoke up, "Severus? Do you remember me at all?" His pace slowed slightly as Jade caught up to him, "From where, Professor Jade?"
She sighed quietly as they reached the empty classroom. "From here, from grade school..." He narrowed his eyes at her... she did look rather familiar. Then it hit him. She had always followed him like a lost puppy dog when they were at Hogwart's. Jade was in his year, and she had been a Gryffindor. She saw the recognition in his eyes, "You do remember me..." She smiled sadly.
"Yes, I do, Professor Jade." He turned towards the door, "Now that you have a suitable classroom I will be going. I have a few last minute preparations to make myself. I suggest you get as much set up as you can." He glanced back at Jade briefly before he left.
She sighed and walked into the office that was connected to the classroom. "Missed you too, Severus..." She left the classroom and headed back towards her new rooms to get her things.
Snape sat in his office, making a few last adjustments to his lesson plans, and thinking about his years at Hogwart's. Jade had always followed him around school, and had even stood up to James Potter and his gang more than a time or two on Snape's behalf. Snape could never understand why she had always been so nice... She was still nice. It put Snape in an even worse mood.
There was a knock on his office door. "Come in," he called grumpily. Professor Dumbledore entered Snape's office, a tea pot in his hand.
"I thought you might like a cup of tea, Severus," the headmaster smiled warmly.
Snape stood and turned to a cabinet behind him. He opened it and pulled out two teacups and saucers. He set them on the desk as Dumbledore sat down. "Thank you, headmaster, I could use a cup of tea."
The headmaster chuckled softly and poured two cups of tea. He set the teapot down and picked up one of the cups. "I trust you helped Alanni find a place to sleep and a place to teach?" The old man smiled and sipped his tea.
Snape picked up the other cup and took a sip, "Yes, headmaster. But you know, I really could've taken up the position. Who better than a former servant of the Dark Lord to teach defense against the dark arts?"
"Exactly, Severus." Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled.
Snape was a bit confused, "Well, then why didn't I get the position?"
Dumbledore set the tea cup down and refilled it. "Did you think that you were really the only one to turn against Voldemort?"
His eyes widened as he set his cup down, "Professor Jade was a spy?"
"She still is, Severus," the headmaster nodded. "In fact, she became a death eater only to spy on Voldemort and his inner circle."
Snape was slightly taken aback. "I didn't know..." He had suddenly found himself feeling a bit more respect for Jade... but only a bit.
"She's been with him all summer, and I was very lucky to be able to get her to teach this year."
"Why so lucky, headmaster?" Snape refilled his own cup of tea.
Dumbledore sighed quietly, "She's in a very delicate position with Voldemort, Severus. She is like his right hand..."
Snape thought back to all those meetings (or, rather, torture sessions) with Voldemort. There had always been a death eater standing just behind and to the side of Voldemort, even when the dark lord had sent all his other servants away, that one would remain. "I see..."
"Severus, I just came to ask you to keep an eye on her. Things are going to be very difficult for her this year. The ministry has passed new educational decrees, and will most likely target her." He sighed, finishing his second cup of tea, "She has been through a lot, Severus, more than even you have. I ask you to show her a bit of compassion." Snape nodded slowly, "I'll do what I can, headmaster, but only because you've asked me to."
Dumbledore smiled and rose, "Thank you, Severus." He turned and headed out of the potions master's office. "And who knows, maybe you'll actually become her friend," he said quietly to himself as he left the office.
Snape leaned back in his chair, barely catching what the headmaster had said as he had left.