DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all of its characters, concepts, spells, and places are the property of J.K. Rowling. Azumanga Daioh and all of its characters are also not my property and belong to their rightful creators. The only spell that is my creation from HP is the Minimundus Charm. Enjoy Chapter 3
The Hogwarts Express, after its usual journey, arrived safely at Hogwarts and all of the passengers got off board, eagerly awaiting their next lessons followed by the opening ceremonies. Chiyo had to separate from Harry and the others temporarily, as she was a first year and had to ride a boat with all of the other first year students.
Chiyo stuck out like a sore thumb, even among the vast collection of new students preparing for their first year at Hogwarts' School of Wicthcraft and Wizardry. This was because of Chiyo's age, as it made her smaller then everybody else attending the school. Though the house elves were most likely smaller than she was.
"Promise to meet back up with me?" Chiyo said, close to tears.
"Yes, we promise," Harry said, "Right guys?"
"Right," Hermione and Ron said in unison.
"Okay," Chiyo said, going off with Hagrid and the other first year students to the boats.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all went to the Thestral pulled carriages, to go their own way to the school grounds. Hermione let out a sigh and Harry looked to her.
"Something wrong, Hermione?"
"No, nothing," She replied, cautiously, "I'm just tired. I was up all night last night reading an interesting book about Magical Ailments and well known as well as rare cures for them."
"Honestly, why would you stay up ALL night just to read a book?" Ron asked, shaking his head, "No matter how many years I know you, I'll never understand that about you, Hermione."
Hermione just sighed in response.
Later that evening, when they arrived at the school, they proceeded directly to the great hall for the opening ceremonies. They all sat at the Gryffindor table, and waited for the sorting to begin.
"I wonder where Chiyo is going to be sorted to," Ron said curiously.
"Probably Ravenclaw, though I'd prefer her to come to Gryffindor," Hermione said in an "It-should-be-obvious" sort of way.
"Why do you say Ravenclaw?" Ron asked impatiently.
"Honestly, and you call yourself a sixth year student," Hermione huffed, "She'll probably be sorted to Ravenclaw because of her intelligence, though she probably has qualities for all houses aside from Slytherin."
Harry nodded, "Yeah, she certainly has a lot of energy to back up her intelligence too, and she seems dedicated too."
Hermione and Ron both nodded in response to Harry. Just then Neville walked up to the three of them.
"Hey, have you seen the little girl here?" Neville asked.
"Yeah we have," Ron sighed, "She's with us."
"Huh?" Neville said, befuddled.
"She came here with Harry," Hermione added, "She wanted to study magic, and Dumbledore admitted her as a unique child with a lot of potential."
"Oh," Neville said. He paused for a moment then added, "Well the sorting should be starting soon, so I'm going to take my seat, See you around."
"Bye," The three of them said almost in perfect unison.
Right on cue, the great hall fell into a hush a few minutes later, as the sorting was about to begin. The sorting hat was brought out, and after a short pause, the hat broke into song.
"This world is a quite intriguing place,
filled with more than just one race.
Break apart and hold in hate,
You'll make no progress at that rate.
Accept them all for what they be,
Half, pure, squib, or Magic free.
Judge them not by how they look,
Or surely you'll be renowned a crook.
Accept them all for how they art,
Or soon thy world, shall fall apart."
The great hall broke into a roar of applause and cheers, as the sorting hat ended his song. As soon as this cheering all died down, named began to be called in alphabetical order to be sorted.
"Abigail Alexandria... Slytherin!"
"Beatrice Antra...Hufflepuff!"
"Say Harry, what IS Chiyo's last name?" Ron asked.
"Uh, I forget, but it started with an M I believe," he replied.
"Daniel Claus...Gryffindor!"
"I see," Hermione said quietly to herself."
"Hm?" Ron mumbled to her.
"Ah, nothing. I just figured out a complicated problem," she replied defensively. Harry looked at her suspiciously.
"Cedric Jackson...Ravenclaw!" A slight cry could be heard from the Ravenclaw table through the applause. Harry sighed sadly.
Cho Chang, a Ravenclaw student in the same year as Harry. Harry's former crush, and a talented girl. Cho had lost somebody very near to her heart two years ago, at the Triwizard Tournament. Somebody by the name of Cedric Diggory. The boy that was just sorted into Ravenclaw, probably woke up memories for Cho.
"Allison Limiter...Slytherin!"
"Samuel Longwind...Hufflepuff!"
"Melissa Marifort... Ravenclaw!"
"We're getting close to Chiyo's sorting," Hermione said excitedly, as Sara McDinny was just sorted into Gryffindor.
"Yeah," Harry replied with a nod, then turning his head back to the sorting.
"Joseph Melsin...Slyhterin!"
"Charlie Midway...Gryffindor!"
"Chiyo Mihama..." Harry, Ron and Hermione all held their breath.
"Please Gryffindor," Chiyo thought to herself.
"Please Gryffindor?" The sorting hat repeated to Chiyo, "You seem quite suited to both Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, but I. personally, was leaning towards Ravenclaw. You are, after all, quite intelligent, and Ravenclaw could help the flame burn stronger than ever. However, if Gryffindor is what you desire, then let it be so...Gryffindor!"
The entire Gryffindor table broke into applause at their new prodigy. Chiyo jumped up and down excitedly screaming "YAY!" then skipped her way back to the Gryffindor table to sit next to Harry.
Malfoy leaned over to the Gryffindor table, "Potter!" Harry turned with a sigh and Draco continued, "Bet you're glad, eh? Got your new girlfriend in your house with you!"
"You'll eat those words, Malfoy," Harry replied confidently, "When Chiyo shows you and all of Slytherin up!" Chiyo smiled.
"Oh, I doubt that, Potter! Though I'm sure she'll surpass you soon enough!" and he turned back to his table laughing.
"Just ignore him, Chiyo," Hermione said with a smile, happy that Chiyo was sorted into the Gryffindor house, "Welcome to Gryffindor."
Chiyo smiled cutely, "I know, and thanks."
After the sorting of Madeleine Zan, a lot of Gryffindor students came over to welcome Chiyo, which made her very happy. Shortly afterwards, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts walked up to make a speech. The headmaster always makes a speech before the great feast begins. Every student always looks forward to the array of delicious delicacies that appear before them.
Dumbledore raised his arms and the entire hall fell silent, "Students!" He paused for a very brief moment, "This year at Hogwarts is guaranteed to be a very interesting one indeed. With the addition of a very special student from Japan, Chiyo Mihama, the year's excitement will only grow anymore.
"It is also, in great excitement, that I announce exactly why this year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be extra exciting," Every student in the hall was holding his or her breath in eager anticipation. Dumbledore continued, "We will be hosting an event this year. An event known solely as The Scavenging. The ruled shall be announced, when the time comes. For now, let us just enjoy our feast," Dumbledore waved his hand and the tables were instantly lined with all sorts of food.
"Whad'yoo figger da scavengin' is?" Ron asked while stuffing his face full with mashed potatoes.
"Who knows," Harry said, somewhat dreading the possibilities. The last time Hogwarts hosted an event, The Tri-wizard tournament to be precise, Cedric Diggory died, and Harry almost did as well.
Hermione seemed to sense Harry's discomfort and decided to try and console him, "Don't worry about it, Harry. Dumbledore is smart, he wouldn't make the same mistake twice. It's rare enough that he makes any mistakes at all."
"I suppose you're right," Harry said, grabbing a freshly baked bread roll and putting it in his mouth all at once.
Chiyo smiled, "I can't wait, it sounds like fun! I wonder if it's like our usual culture fests or sports fests, back at High School!"
Harry sighed, "Yeah, I can't wait either."
Hermione was once again lost in thought, this time in curious wonderings of The Scavenging that Dumbledore made such a big deal about. However, it was only a matter of time until everybody knew what it was, so she thought herself silly for wondering and began to eat and talk merrily.
