Chapter 14
As soon as everyone was asleep, Jason quietly got out of bed and tiptoed downstairs. Once in the common room, he sat down in front of the fireplace. Although he wouldn't admit to it, he was worried. They were 5 years behind everyone else. However, Remus and Sirius, over the summer, had tried to teach them what they would need to know.
Jason was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't hear someone else quietly walk down the stairs. A redheaded girl was about to sit down when she saw him. "Oh!" she exclaimed, startling him out of his reverie.
He looked up at her. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "I was just thinking."
She sat down next to him. "You're Jason, right?" When he nodded, she continued, "I'm Ginny Weasley. Ron's little sister."
"Nice to meet you," Jason replied. "So, why are you down here?"
"Well, sometimes, when I am here, I have trouble sleeping. So I come down here and dream about this guy I like."
"Harry?" Jason interrupted. Ginny turned bright red and looked slightly panicked. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
"Thanks. So, I come down here and think about what it would be like if he liked me back. Then, towards dawn, I go back to my dorm and pretend to be asleep. My friends never notice that I am gone."
"This all sounds very familiar…" Jason mused. "Ginny, I am going to tell you a story. It's about me and Kayla. We grew up together. We lived only a few blocks apart, and we went to the same school. Now, when I was in about 6th grade, I realized that I had a big crush on her, little did I know that she felt the same. Both of our best friends knew, and they did their best to push us together. But, neither of us did anything until the end of November of last year. I won't go into details, but eh short of it is that we found out how the other felt and we have been together ever since."
"That is really sweet, but why are you telling me this?"
"My point is: How do you know that he doesn't like you?"
"Because he is my older brother's best friend!"
"So?"
"So, he only sees me as a little sister!"
"How do you know that?"
"Well, he's never acted like I was anything else."
"Since you have three older brothers, I wouldn't have either."
Ginny laughed as she saw the truth in this. "Actually, it's six."
"Six what?" Jason asked, puzzled.
"Brothers. I have 6 older brothers. Bill works in Egypt for Gringotts. Charlie works with dragons in Romania. Percy works in the ministry. You've met Fred, George, and Ron. I'm the only girl, and the youngest. They can be so overprotective sometimes." After thinking a moment, she amended, "Well, scratch that. They are always overprotective."
"Right. So take things slow. I will try to find out how Harry feels. In the mean time, stop moping. How about trying to help me with my problem?"
"Sure. You helped me, I'll help you."
"Is there anything I need to know before class tomorrow?"
Ginny laughed. "Snape favors his house, Slytherin, and hates us Gryffindors. So don't do anything to annoy him. History of magic is boring. I catch up on the sleep I miss then."
"Is there anyway you can give me a quick lesson so that I am not behind?"
Ginny started to teach him the basics of charms and transfiguration, which no matter how many times they explained it, Jason never understood what Remus and Sirius were saying. They were so engrossed in what they were doing that neither noticed that someone was watching them. Their silent observer quietly went back upstairs to his dorm, and took off his invisibility cloak.
When Jason had left the room, he had woken Harry, who had been a light sleeper since the Voldemort incident in June, up. He guessed that Jason didn't want company, so Harry grabbed his invisibility cloak and followed Jason. He, of course, heard the entire conversation with Ginny.
* * * * * *
The next day, as promised, Hermione woke the girls up so that they would be able to eat before class. "You'll get used to it, I promise," she reassured as the 4 of them made their way to the common room to meet up with Harry, Ron, and Jason. The last looking like he was still asleep.
"Good morning, sleepy," Kayla greeted Jason as she kissed him. He just grumbled in response.
As ordered, Hermione and Ron acted civil to each other. In fact, they were almost friendly to each other. Unbeknownst to the other, they both had talks with their dorm mates about the other. The girls considered it a personal mission to get them together before Halloween.
They all sat down at the Gryffindor table and soon the Weasley twins, the rest of the house team, and Ginny sat down with them. "Oh, yeah, this is my little sister Ginny," Ron introduced as she sat down. She smiled at Jason when no one was looking. They decided not to tell anyone about their talk last night because it could bring up uncomfortable topics.
Professor McGonogall handed them their timetables and they started comparing. "Oh no," groaned Harry and Ron simultaneously. "Divination after lunch."
"Serves you right for taking that class," Hermione told them perkily before asking the Americans, "What do you for have?"
"After lunch today? I have arithmancy," Kayla said to Hermione's pleasure and the boys' utter disgust.
Keri and Tori both had arithmancy with Kayla and Hermione, but Jason was taking divination. "We would be learning fore-telling back home this year. So I figured I might as well see how others do it." Hermione just snorted. She saw absolutely no reason to take divination. At all. Period. End of sentence. No questions asked.
They went back to looking at their schedules. "Well at least we don't have potions till tomorrow," Harry said as optimistically as possible. Then he looked again and nearly screamed with frustration. "We're stuck with the Slytherins. Again."
"We have Care of Magical Creatures tomorrow first thing," Harry said, eager to see Hagrid. He looked up at the others to see them shaking their heads.
"Sorry," Kayla apologized. "We have Ancient Runes." They continued to look over their schedules and they had all the same classes other than those already mentioned.
The group of friends said goodbye to the others sitting near them, and got up and left the Great Hall. They made their way to greenhouse 5 where they were supposed to have Herbology with the 5th year Hufflepuffs. As they walked in, Professor Sprout directed them to take a seat at a table. They sat down at one that had enough room for 6 students. There was a large crate on the table. The box said "FLAME RESISTANT" in big letters on the top. They looked at each other with wide eyes, waiting on the rest of the class.
As soon as everyone was in their seat, Professor Sprout held up her hands to show that she wanted silence. "Alright, everyone, today we are working with a very dangerous plant. It is called Atzei Esh. Can anyone tell me about it?" Immediately, 3 hands shot up in the air. Hermione's, Neville's, and Tori's. "Hermione, you start."
"It grows in the Middle East. The name literally means "trees of fire" in Hebrew. One of its properties is that it will burst into flame when placed in water," Hermione answered.
"Good. 10 points to Gryffindor. Anything else?" Again, the same three hands shot up into the air. "Neville, your turn."
"However, once the leaf goes out, the water is poisonous to drink and could kill someone in a matter of seconds." It seemed that over the summer Neville had begun to gain some self-confidence in himself. He no longer doubted that he was good at some things even though he had a difficult time in Potions. Snape would always intimidate him, but he had seen a therapist about his fear and she had recommended taking his time in potions class so that he wouldn't make careless mistakes so that Snape wouldn't have a reason to yell at him.
"Very good. 10 more points to Gryffindor. Yes, Miss Rose?"
Tori assumed that she was being called on since Keri didn't have her hand in the air. "But, the leaves have a high dose of insulin in them and if they are crushed and made into a potion, it is able to help with diabetes. This potion only needs to be taken once a month and the diabetic would be fine. It is better than shots and insulin pumps but hasn't yet been sold to the muggles yet, since there are some ingredients that would be hard to explain."
"Excellent. Most students don't know that. 20 points to Gryffindor." Tori beamed as her friends smiled. They all knew she had diabetes and was kind of shy about it. "It is very amazing how one plant can be a deadly poison in one form and be a useful medicine in another. Well, what we are doing today is crushing them. Professor Snape and Madame Pompfrey will then mix it into the potion for diabetes. Please wear the gloves provided, because since humans are 90% water, it would not be a pleasant sight. When we are done, please deposit the gloves in the bin up front so that they can be properly washed of any residual substance."
With that, the class went to work. It took a few tries for everyone to get a hang of crushing the succulent leaves. Everyone except Tori that is. She had been doing this since she found out she had diabetes when she was 10. She also knew how to make the potion. She made it instead of buying it since it was cheaper to buy the supplies than the finished product. At first, the doctor made it with her helping. But she soon could make it on her own and had been since.
Soon, the class was over and everyone hurried to put their gloves in the bin and wash their hands so they wouldn't be late to their next class. The 6 Gryffindors hurried to the transfiguration room. They had it with the Ravenclaws so the Americans especially were excited. They really wanted to talk to Jake and James.
Soon, the class was over and everyone hurried to put their gloves in the
bin and wash their hands so they wouldn't be late to their next class. The 6
Gryffindors hurried to the transfiguration room. They had it with the
Ravenclaws so the Americans especially were excited. They really wanted to talk
to Jake and James.
The transfiguration classroom was set up so that two people could sit at each
table. Harry, Ron, and Hermione went straight to the seats they usually sat is.
Harry and Ron sat together at one table. Hermione sat at the table on the other
side of Harry. In front of Hermione sat the twins and in front of Ron and Harry
sat Kayla and Jason. The rest of the Gryffindors took their seats (Neville next
to Hermione) and waited for the Ravenclaws to come.
Soon, they could hear a bunch of students on their way to the door and Jason
turned around expectantly. Sure enough, it was the Ravenclaws and James and
Jake came into the room. They sat down at the table next to Jason and said
"hi" to all of their Gryffindor friends. Then, the six of them just
sat there silently taking all of their supplies out of their bags. Harry, Ron,
and Hermione just stared at each other blankly. They knew that the 6 were good
friends. They wanted to know why none of them were talking to each other.
Little did they know that there was a conversation going on. It was just
silent.
So, how was your evening? Jason asked the guys. They were having a
six-way conversation so that it was the same as if they were talking aloud, but
no one else could have any input.
It was really great. The guys in our dorm are really nice. Anyways, Rachel
is also in our house. James replied.
When they found out that we were part of the international high school
champs, they wanted to know if we would like to be on the Quidditch team. We
said sure. Too bad you aren't in our house though, Kayla. Jake added.
Why? Kayla waned to know.
They have a seeker position open, Jake explained. But they also have
a keeper position and 2 chaser positions. So we can play if we want to.
Gryffindor has a couple openings as well. We definitely are playing, Jason
told them.
So, how was your first class? Tori asked them.
It was really cool! We had Charms. You will never believe the stuff these
people know that they learn here, Jake gushed. What did you guys have?
We had Herbology, Keri answered. It was pretty interesting.
At this point, Professor McGonogall entered the room and began class. She gave
them all a glass and told them to transfigure it into any animal that they
wanted as long as it moved. They would lose points if it was still transparent.
They took out their wands and started to transfigure their glasses.
Hermione, of course, was the first to transfigure her glass into a perfect
hummingbird. The six friends continued to talk to each other while they
attempted to do it. Jason was the first to finally get it (thanks to Ginny's
help from the night before). His glass was turned into a miniature golden
retriever puppy. It would have been perfect except the fur was still slightly
glassy looking.
Jason, how did you do that? Kayla demanded to know.
Jason thought for a minute before answering, Think really hard about what
you are changing this into. Then pick your wand up and use that spell that she
just taught us.
Kayla thought concentrated on her favorite animal. Then she waved her wand and
said, "Glassius Changus!" Before her eyes, her glass morphed into an
adorable little kitten. It was perfect. Er…she was perfect. She had no glassy
appearances or anything.
At the end of class, Professor McGonogall stood up and informed the class,
"If you transfigured your glass into a cat, owl, toad, or rat you may keep
it as a pet. If not, please bring it up front and we will find a way to release
it. Kayla kept her kitten and Harry kept the miniature owl that Hermione helped
him perfect. The rest took their animals up to the front of the room and put
them in different sized cages so that Professor McGonogall could deal with them
all when she had time.
As they walked out of class and headed to the Great Hall for lunch, Hermione
looked a little bit depressed. Kayla noticed this. "Hey, Hermione, what is
wrong?"
"I just got a little attached to the hummingbird I made. That's all,"
she replied, just a little forlorn.
Kayla glanced at Harry and his owl and suddenly got an idea. "Harry,
weren't you complaining about not knowing what to do with another owl?"
"Yes," Harry replied slowly, not knowing where his cousin was going
with this.
"Why don't you give her to Hermione? She is a little upset about the
hummingbird. It would really cheer her up."
"That is a really good idea." Harry jogged to catch up with Hermione
so that he could talk to her. They both stopped and the others could see him
hand her the owl.
As they caught up, they could hear her say, "Thank you so much, Harry. I
absolutely love her. I think I will call her Antiope. Kayla what are you going
to call your cat?"
"I think I will name her Merenwen. I read about someone named that once,
and fell in love with the name." The girls all thought the names were
cute. The guys thought they were disgusting.
They reached the Great Hall and James and Jake split off from the group to go
sit with their table. The rest sat at the Gryffindor table and Kayla and
Hermione started to show off their new animals.
After the discussion about the animals was over, James commented to the girls, "Well, at least we know that James and Jake are enjoying themselves."
"Yeah," Kayla agreed. "You're right."
The Hogwarts trio looked at each other and Ron voiced their opinions, "How do you know that? You only said "hi" to them. If you hadn't told us, we would never have guessed that you were even friends with them, let alone best friends."
The American students burst out laughing. "We were talking to them the entire class," Tori explained. "You just couldn't hear it."
"So how did you do it? ESP?" Ron demanded.
"Exactly," Keri answered. "At our old school we learned how to communicate telepathically. Quite useful when you don't want others to hear you."
"Oh," Ron said, sheepish. Then he looked at his watch. "Oh, we gotta go, Harry, Jason. It will take a little to get to Divination." The guys all stood up to go.
"Oh," Hermione added. "We should go, too. That way we can stop by the tower to put our new pets in our room." The girls got up also. "See you guys in Defense Against the Dark Arts," she called over her shoulder as they walked away.
* * * * * *
Soon, Arithmancy was over and the girls went to meet up with the guys for Defense Against the Dark Arts. They sat down in the same seating arrangement as they had in transfiguration, saving seats for Harry, Ron, and Jason. They came in, Harry complaining about how, yet again, she had predicted his death. This time by doing a tarot card reading. Jason looked absolutely disgusted.
"That was a mockery of fore-telling," Jason griped. "I know a little about the real stuff, and that was about as far from it as I am from the sun! And the worst part is those poor people who actually believe her!"
They had no more time for talk of their other classes, for Hope walked in just then, a black dog trailing behind her, and began class. "This class is called Defense Against the Dark Arts. I am supposed to teach you about dark creatures and how to defeat them. I was also told that 5th years are to concentrate on defense against the Dark Lord. In this class, I will not teach you spells or charms or potions to defend yourselves. This is because I believe that the best defense is to surprise your opponent. If you can keep them guessing, you will have the upper hand.
"In this class, you will learn things that you have probably have never heard of. This is because they are mainly taught in the states. I learned what I know there, and I am most comfortable with it. My goal is to make you comfortable with it so that if you are ever in a situation when you would need it, you will be prepared.
"Specifically you will learn self-defense work, weapon of your choice. I will also teach you teleportation and mental telepathy. Combined these could save your life. All that I ask is that you don't tell anyone about this. The less who know, the more of a surprise. The more of a surprise, the better your chance of survival. Now, I know that this is a lot to absorb, so I won't actually teach anything today. I will have a demonstration. If we have time, there will be two." She said this last bit with a twinkle in her eyes. Kayla immediately knew what was going on.
"What are you going to show us?" Dean Thomas asked curiously.
"Oh, I am not showing you anything," she said mischievously. "Kayla and Jason are. If we have time, Tori and Keri will." Jason and Kayla stood up and walked to the front of the room. They both took off their outer robes. Kayla looked down at her clothes and grimaced.
"Can I change into something easier to move in?" she asked her mother. When Hope nodded, she used her telekinetic powers to change her skirt, blouse, and stockings into black pants and shirt that would give her freedom of movement without getting in her way. The males in the room couldn't help but notice how good she looked. She ignored their stares. As she did this, Hope instructed the class to push the desks to the outside of the room so that no one would be in any danger of getting hurt.
As soon as everyone was far enough away, Hope called out, "You two know the drill. Just like how we practice all the time. Ready, BEGIN!"
The two fighters immediately called in their swords. The class gasped as Kayla and Jason brought them together in a loud crash. They exchanged blows. At one point, Kayla would be winning, and then Jason would turn the tables. They were moving quick as lightning, and they were just warming up. As they continued, they kept getting faster and faster until they were just a blur. The class could barely see what they were doing. Finally they stopped moving. Kayla was practically kneeling on the floor with her arms over her head holding desperately onto her sword. Jason was using his sword to press down on her making it impossible for her to get up. The class let out a collective gasp at what they thought was the end of the demonstration. Hope knew better though.
Suddenly, Kayla disappeared, only to reappear behind Jason. Before anyone could react, she brought her sword down in one, swift motion towards the back of Jason's head. She wasn't planning on hurting him, just knocking him out for a little. She would wake him up. But, just as her sword was about to connect, Jason turned around and pulled his sword up to block against her attack. Surprised, she tried to regain what she had lost. But she knew she had lost. He had gained the advantage. She was right. Within a few minutes, Jason's sword managed to find its way to her neck. They both froze as the blade rested against her neck. They just stared into each other's eyes. The sound of clapping brought them back to reality. They vanished their swords and started to walk around the edge of the room to cool down.
Hope began to talk about what they did, but Kayla and Jason didn't pay much attention. They were carrying on their own conversation silently. How did you know what I was going to do? Kayla wanted to know.
Jason laughed quietly while he answered, You were wide-open, dear heart. You were concentrating so hard that you let your shields slip. And since you were thinking about what you were going to do, it wasn't difficult.
Dammit! I should have been more careful. I would have won, too.
By this point, they would be able to sit back down without their muscles cramping up entirely. So, Kayla changed back into her uniform and they both put their outer robes back on. Hope looked at the time. "Well," she commented. "I think we have enough time for one more demonstration today. Then, we will start the real work next class." Tori and Keri made their way to the front of the room. They shed their outer robes and, like Kayla, changed into more appropriate fighting clothes.
The twins would be fighting hand to hand. Their daggers worked well for some things, but not close range combat with another parson with daggers. When Hope told them to begin, they started to exchange punches, kicks, and blocks. Occasionally they would teleport to another location to attack from. Their bout finally ended when Hope yelled, "FREEZE!" Tori and Keri did so. Immediately they stood upright and started to walk around the room just like Jason and Kayla. "Alright, that is it for today, class. I will see you next time."
The class left the room talking excitedly about what they had just seen. Only Jason, Kayla, Tori, Keri, and the Hogwarts trio remained to speak with Hope. Hope narrowed her eyes as she looked at her four American students. "You did well. But I can tell that you have been neglecting your practice. You have one week to start up again, or I will personally over see your practices outside of class."
They all looked down at he ground. "We promise," they chorused. Mostly they agreed because they knew that if she watched over them, it would be 100 times worse than it should be.
"Good," she said, leaving it at that. She turned to the Hogwarts trio, "We have time before dinner if you would like to come and see Snuffles." Harry visibly brightened, so she led the 7 students to her office and living quarters so that they could see Sirius.
They walked in and she placed a strong shield over the room so that no one looking in would see anything that didn't belong, namely Sirius. He transformed into his human self and embraced Harry in a macho sort of fatherly hug. He looked Harry in the eyes and asked, "Have you been alright?" Harry nodded and Sirius didn't press him for details.
"You know, Sirius," Kayla drawled from her position against the door. "Your godson is entirely too much like you. He asked why I looked like him when I first met him. At least he didn't bring scents into the discussion though." Everyone laughed at this comment, like they were supposed to, and the tension levels visibly lessened. They left soon, promising to return though, in order to go to dinner.