Chapter 1: Problems, Solutions and Diagon Alley
Sitting in a Sakura tree outside their house, were the Minamino triplets.
"We're too good for the school, I can pretend to slide by and usually try to but, you two on the other hand need to either hold back or get into the exchange program." Shuuiichi told his sisters.
"Ooh, but Shuuiichi, we don't want to leave you!" the girls whined together.
"Besides, have you seen how pale momma's been lately? I don't want to sign up for anything until she's better." Kechi announced seriously.
"Mom's really sick and I don't want to leave. It is a life and death situation." Sherrie said jumping up and down, still on a branch of the tree.
"How the hell do you know that?!" Shuuiichi and Kechi demanded in anger. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Well, you never asked. I really think that mom should go to the doctor." Sherrie said sitting down and crossing her legs.
"She had an appointment today and should've been home by now." Shuuiichi said calmly. "I saw her day planner this morning. We'll ask her what she thinks of you going to a foreign school when she gets back." Then glancing at Sherrie, he thought to her /I'll deal with you later Imouto.
/Hey, I only knew because she looked it. I asked the plants in the garden and she's been sick for months. Sherrie thought back with an innocent look. "I still don't want to go to any foreign school but, I don't want to stress her anymore." Sherrie said glaring at her brother.
"Fine, if it's okay with ma, I'll go but, only if she tells (orders) me to." Kechi stated then thought to Shuuiichi: /You stay; if it's serious or gets serious while we're gone, find a way to cure her.
"Understood." Shuuiichi said just as their mom pulled up.
"Konichiwa, Okaa- san, how was your appointment?" Sherrie asked as she hopped off the tree, with Shuuiichi and Kechi tagging behind.
After dinner, they approached their mother about her illness and their schooling. She told them that it was just a virus and she'd be fine. She also told them that she'd think about the exchange program.
Later that night, the girls woke to a tapping at their window and found owls there. After opening their window, they took the letters, watched the owls fly off and, exchanged glances after looking at the letter addresses, then as one mentally yelled /Oni-chan!!
/Huh, what? Why did you wake me? Shuuiichi asked drowsily.
/Get in here and explain. Kechi retorted.
/Explain what? he asked as le left his room, going toward the girl's.
/The owls of course and, these letters. Sherrie thought as he walked into the room.
/What letters? Shuuiichi replied as the letters were thrust into his face.
/Uh-oh, there isn't one for me is there? Shuuiichi asked as his sisters shook their heads "no". /Good, I can't be found, 'sides, one of us needs to stay with mom and we can say that you were automatically signed up for an exchange program at school and that it's also a boarding school for gifted children so, that no one will have to board with us in exchange for this. Shuuiichi said happily.
/Maybe you should explain the letters, we understand about not wanting to be found but, we need the school explained to us. Kechi demanded.
/It was just a rumor--- he began but, he was interrupted when his sisters glared at him and one threw a pillow at him. /Okay, okay, sheesh, supposedly it's a school to teach children with magic some control, though not as much as we already have. he finished with a smirk.
/Shuuiichi's right, it's a good idea but, how do we avoid having them discover our yoko sides? And what about when winter comes, how do we deal with the plants dying? Kechi asked worriedly.
/Well, we could consell our power from our yoko side so, he can live through the winter like we do every winter. Sherrie said seriously.
/Well, that's a plan, we'll discuss it with mom in... then he stopped and glanced at the clock, it read 4:20am /two and a half hours. Shuuiichi finished.
/Why are we still up at 4:20- Can I go to sleep now? Sherrie complained as she crawled into her bed.
Kechi began to laugh as she also crawled into bed. /We got woken by a couple of stupid birds and spent twenty minutes talking... 'night oni-chan Kechi said at last with a smile.
/Night, Imoutou's. Shuuiichi said with a slight smile as he too went to bed.
After discussing being exchange students and telling about the automatic exchange program for the exceptionally gifted, she agreed to let them go, as long as knew what their plans were for the summer and plan "family time" around the pre-arranged plans.
Three weeks later, Sherrie and Kechi boarded a plane for England. As soon as it landed, the girls swore never to fly commercial again.
"Why did it have to take so long? I'll be right back." Sherrie said running toward the restroom.
"Hey, Sherrie! Matte!" Kechi called after her sister as she ran into the boy's room- /That's the men's room...
As Sherrie ran into the men's room, her face went bright red. "Kechi, I'm so embarrassed!" she yelled as she ran into the girl's room instead.
Laughing silently at her sister, she too entered the restroom. /It's not the length of the flight I'm worried about... it's the bumpiness.
Fifteen minutes later, the two had gotten their gear and were looking for a taxi8. They had decided before leaving that they would stay at a motel before writing to their new headmaster for instructions on getting school supplies. They saw a ten foot man with a sign reading "Minamoto", to this they frowned.
/What's he waiting for? I'm going to ask, that's too close to our name for me not to wonder if he's trying to find us for the school. Kechi commented, frowning.
Sherrie walked up to the seemingly giant man and asked "Who are you waiting for?"
"I'm supposed to guard two tiny girls on their way to Hogwarts, o'course..." the strange man began to say before muttering "I wasn' s'posed to say that..."
"You must mean Minamino, that's us." Sherrie said excitedly.
/Can we really trust this guy? Kechi asked, following Sherrie.
/He seems alright and, we really can't know where to go. This is our best bet. Sherrie thought back.
/Oh, okay... wow! Kechi agreed, then exclaimed mentally and aloud as the giant picked up their luggage and told them to follow him. "Wow!"
They made introductions as they walked down the street, and they found out that he was Rubeus Hagrid (Groundskeeper and Keeper of the Keys at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry). They walked the whole way to the Leaky Cauldron. Not once did it not amaze them that he did not tire out.
Once at the Leaky Cauldron, Hagrid, as he insisted he be called, got them rooms and told them that he'd be right back- he had someone to pick up- then they as a group they would go get school supplies.
Sherrie walked around their room then asked "What do you want to do, Kechi?" as she laid back on her bed.
Since it had taken them all day to get there, and they were supposed to have gone to Diagon Alley, they figured that they would go the next day since Hagrid said that he had an errand to run.
Because of the time difference, the girls were not sleepy, so they decided to play a game of poker. Around dawn, Hagrid arrived with a small boy in clothes that were too big for him, the girls were already downstairs for breakfast.
"''ell it's time to ge' school supplies, le's go 'arry, girls." Hagrid announced when he'd returned (after they'd had breakfast). Outside he tapped the stone wall, and Diagon Alley was reveled.
"Wow." the three children breathed in awe.
"So, whereto first?" Harry asked.
"Can we get a pet or our wands?" Sherrie asked, running around. /Kechi, are you excited too?
"Sherrie, quit running in circles please." Kechi said aloud, mentally- /Yes!
"Where did you come from?" Sherrie stopped and asked the boy next to them.
"Uh... Little Winging, why?" Harry asked confusedly.
"We're from Japan." Kechi said. "Oh, by the way, I'm Kechi and, that's my sister Sherrie."
"Oh, I'm Harry." Harry said.
As Hagrid lead them into Gringotts, and, yes, the girls saw the warning on the door about stealing. "Like there's anything worth the trouble." Kechi muttered under her breath.
/Kechi, there are things here worth taking, like a broom or something. Sherrie reprimanded her sister.
/You're talking something outside of the bank. There is nothing here worth the trouble as much fun as the challenge would be. Kechi retorted.
"Hagrid, where are we going first?" Sherrie asked, glaring at Kechi.
"The two of you are going to a teller's while 'arry an' Oi go to 'is vault." Hagrid answered.
"I have a vault?" Harry asked in amazement.
"Why o'course, ye di'n' tink tha' yer paren's lef' yeh not'en' did ye?" Hagrid answered him happily.
So while the girls left to exchange their money, Hagrid and Harry left to get his money. The girls, left alone while Harry and Hagrid got into one of the vaults, got bored.
/Kechi, can we get a pet, please? Sherrie thought-asked.
/Sherrie, wait for Hagrid, we don't want to get lost or kidnapped. Kechi placated.
/Alright but, what do we do until then, I am bored! Sherrie pouted, crossing her arms as she leaned against a wall.
/Let's annoy a goblin... better yet, let's 'capture' anyone who goes near that tree. Kechi recommended, discretely pointing at an indoor palm tree with ivy growing around it.
/Kechi, I'm going to sit back and watch. 'Catch' me a unicorn if you can. If you need help, I'll be right here. Sherrie thought hopefully, still leaning against the wall.
/There are no unicorns in the bank. Kechi thought back irritated.
/I know, I was kidding. Sherrie thought back, smirking.
/Uh-huh. Kechi commented back as she 'captured' a red headed girl out of a family of about six. The child began to scream as the plant held her firmly to the tree.
While the family was distracted with untangling her, the boys, who in the process of trying to help her, got caught themselves. The oldest boy suggested trying to be still as that works for devils' snare.
"Okay, girls, time t' go." Hagrid said upon his and Harry's return. The whole plant incident happened within thirty minutes.
"Yes, Hagrid." Kechi said as the family was shocked when the children went flying into the teller's desk. The ivy proceeded to return to its normal state at the feet of the tree.
/Nice one, Kechi. Sherrie said smirking.
/Thanks sis. Kechi responded back, as they discretely low-five each other.
"What are you two laughing at?" Harry asked, curiously.
"Oh, just the show you missed." Kechi responded.
"Yeah, the tree tried to eat a little girl." responded Sherrie.
"Why would that amuse you?" Harry asked.
The girls exchanged a glance and smirked at Harry before Kechi responded, "Read Tamora Pierce, better still, read any fantasy with magic in it- the best deals with plants." with an evil giggle.
"Hey don't worry about it. Can we go somewhere now," Sherrie wined.
They were already heading toward Madam Malkins clothing store. Upon entering the lady owner told them she'd be with them in a moment.
"Okay," all three of them said.
As the four waited for their turn, another boy was getting fitted for his uniform.
"Are you first years too?" he asked. He was blonde with blue eyes and a very high and mighty attitude.
"Yes." The children responded.
"Are all of you siblings? You all have the same color eyes." He said.
"No just me and her." Kechi said. "We just met Harry here, today."
"Who are you?" Sherrie asked.
"Draco Malfoy, A Pureblood," He replied snobbishly "Who are you and are you muggle born?"
"Name's Sherrie, and I Dunno?" Sherrie retorted innocently.
"Name's Kechi and does...Itai Sherrie!!" Kechi Began only to be pinched be her sister.
"My names Harry and my parents are dead so I don't know" Harry said
"Oh well, bye then," he said and left – after paying of course.
After being fitted and paying they took their robes and left.
"Where to now Hagrid?" Harry asked
"Why to get your school supplies of course." Hagrid said.
"We'll we have the uniforms" Kechi said as they walked into the book store.
"Oh we have to buy our school supplies I totally forgot" Harry groaned.
After they bought their school books they went to the apothercry and bought the supplies needed for potions and Herbology.
"Finally were off to see the wand maker!" Kechi sang skipping slightly in step with Hagrid.
"Nope," Harry said "that's after we get a trunk apiece."
"Ugh..." Kechi said "how long will that take?"
"Not long, I promise." Hagrid said as they entered the store.
In the end the girls bought very expensive very safe guarded well more when the girls finished them-trunks. That have there initials etched into the metal. Kechi's was a large leather-bound wooden trunk with a bronze fringe and an anti-theft spell in thick doses and the leather was a deep green. Sherrie's trunk was like Kechi's but the leather was a dark purple. As they left Harry asked "why the anti-theft spells?"
"Paranoia." Was the answer he got.
"Now wands?" Kechi demanded
"Now wands, think you'll be alright alone for a minute?" Hagrid asked.
"Yes, but..." Harry began then looked at the girls uncertainty when Hagrid left. The kids entered Olivander's with unease. "well I have been waiting for you Mr. Harry Potter," the store keeper says form behind a sack of boxes. After about one hour Olivander finally found the wand that belonged to Harry, it was Holly and Phoenix feather and 11 and a half inches long.
When Olivander finally tuned to the girls "now what hand are you?"
"We are both ambidextrous." They replied at the same time, 'so is our brother' then they giggled they did not tell anyone about their brother, everyone believed they where twins.
"Well let's start, take the hand you use the most."
"Uh... okay" Kechi muttered and held out her right hand, Sherrie did the same wondering what to do next. Like with Harry the tapemeasures began to measure on their own and Ollivander handed the two wands. He imediatly took them back saying " No, no definatly not."
Three Hours later
" Well the cores of these wands are odd at first I thought they were unicorn hairs,but after checking the warding on the box that they came in I realized it wasn't anything I knew or could reacognize. So be very carefull their very picky adn there's three of them. If you have a younger Sibling who might show up someday it may go to him or her, or an enimy of yours." Ollivander said.
"Understood," the girls said in awe of the reacent speach, / Jimminy, Sherrie, that has to be the most this man's said since we got here.
/ Yeah, but... oh well, Can we get our pets yet? Sherrie retorted back.
Ollivander handed them the wands he was talking about and like with Harry's wand they began glowing a pretty color and sparks of gold and green came out of the wands.
" As a tottal for all wands today that shall be twenty five galeons." Ollivander informed them before they left.
" Yes Sir," the girls said as Harry paid for his wand seperately.The Girls paid 12 Galeons apeice and half a galeon each. Thanking Ollivander they left and met hagrid outside.
Hagrid had an owls cage with a buetifull white owl inside. He gave it to Harry saying," Happy Birthday Lad!"
" What? How come you didn't tell us it was your birthday?" The girls demanded in one voice.
" Uh...Well," Harry began turning red." It's nothing special, just another day."
" All Birthdays are special after all its not everyday you turn elevin." Kechi said as Hagrid led the girls to the pet stores. As they walked into the shop, many animals were making noise. " What do you want to get Kechi?" Sherrie asked as she looked around.
/ A fox, She thought, " I don't know, Something Cute."
" well I'm going to look for a kitten and if I can an owl, so that I can keep in touch with mom and shuuiichi." Sherie said with a shrug.
/ I'd Rather use a fox for Shuuichi, "Yeah, Kittens sound nice...Two kittens and an owl. We can share the owl." Kechi replied.
"Ok," Sherrie replied as she picked up a kitten. " I want this one." While she was picking the kitten Kechi Explored a little farther back and really did find a fox pup. /Oh! Wow, Kechi thought as she gasped in awe and picked it up. Taking it to the front she showed Sherrie and Harry, looking at the owner and hagrid she asked." Can I keep him? Onegai?Onegai?" she asked them. (Yes the pup is male.)
" The school list says: Owl, Toad, or Cat. That means No dogs, Snakes, or Finches." The Cashier informed the hyper girl in a bored tone.
" He's Not a Dog!" Kechi exclaimed indignantly, " He's a Fox!" / A red furred Fox. she informed her sister smugly.
" Yeah you can keep him just talk to the teachers at school first." Sherrie replied buying a black and white kitten.
" fine I'll talk to Dumbledore." the cashier said with a sigh and left. He returned fifteen minutes later. " He said you can keep him as long as you take care of him."
"Yeah!" Kechi exclaimed twirling around with the fox pup in her hands like it was a stuffed toy. It licked her nose and yipped. Grinning happily she paid and left tailing after her sister. They stopped by the owl emporium and bought an owl that could fly distances in a record time.
"what did you name your owl Harry?" Sherrie asked as they returned to the leaky cauldron for dinner.
" Hedwig ," Harry Replied after thinking for a few minutes and asking it questions. " Yours?" he asked glancing at their owl.
" How about Yo marwi?" Sherrie asked Kechi.
" Okay." Kechi replied. " So what will you name that cat of yours?" She asked as they sat down to pre-ordered food that tom brought straight to their table. - It had been ordered by Hagrid before they left for diagon alley while Harry and him had been waiting for the girls to go down to breakfast. So they hadn't known about the dinner arrangements but hadn't been surprised when they were served shortly after being seated, they dug in.-
/How about the names Yoko gave our fox sides? Sherrie suggested.
Kechi who had been in the middle of drinking the juice that had been next to her plate started chocking. /Nani!
/Yeah Isn't it a good Idea? Sherrie replied sneaking a sly grin at her sister.
"...." Kechi said in response giving her sister a death glare to rival Yoko's in a bad mood.
" Hey, Sherrie? " Harry began, " You never did answer Kechi's question. What are you going to name the kitten?" he asked into-as he saw it- thier staring contest.
" Kurimu," Sherrie answered while looking at Kechi, " What are you going to name your fox?"
Glaring at her sister she said "Kanri," not letting her voice or face show how angry she was at her sister. Sherrie only knew because she could see her eyes.
Oh Kechi, I'm so scared. Calm down you don't have to be so mad./ Sherrie said giving her a slight smile.
/Don't have to be so mad? do we really want them to find out about us? What if yoko's names for us are discovered or our fox sides? Kechi said as she finished eating. The girls let the table fall into a comfortable silence.
Eventually Harry got tired of the silence and asked Hagrid why people were staring at him and Hagrid told him the story of how Harry got his scar. As he finished the story his very interested audience began asking questions.
" So...What the Hell happend to voldemort?" Kechi demanded. Sis Talk to me after lights out and before sleep./
Don't worry so Kechi who would know our yoko name's anyway? We won't be discovered./
Uh huh... Yoko and whomever he tells./ Was Kechi's Response as Hagrid finished telling them Harry's story and the girls were dismissed to bed while harry was taken home.