(Hello again! XD Anyway... There's some Zack bashing in this chapter, and the usual Malfoy is an idiot stuff... But aside from that, there's nothihng much else to say... except that anything in means in Japanese.)

Harry was sufficiently scared of the new students. Did that last one just say he was related to a dark lord? Does that mean he's evil, and Sephiroth isn't? But, then again, the students that were sorted into Gryffindor seemed somewhat normal. Somewhat. Aside from the insane and or hyper ones. Harry decided to simply zone out and ignore the hard questions going through his mind at the moment.

(Break)

Hermione was a little confused that Zack had been put into Slytherin. Maybe she should ask Aeris or Yuna why they thought Zack did that, but would that freak them out that she knew their secret? Wait, wasn't Aeris dead? Oh, well, might as well try to become friends with them. Hi! I'm Hermione Granger. How do you like the UK so far?

Aeris, glad to be pulled out of the conversation between Neo and Serena, replied with a smile. I like it here. It's very nice to meet you. I'm---

Aeris Gainsborough. Hermione smiled.

Aeris immediately thought the truth: their cover had been blown. But, just in case Hermione didn't know, she didn't draw that conclusion in her reply. Right! It's sort of obvious because of the Sorting Hat, right? However, Aeris wasn't doing a good job on damage control since she started laughing nervously.

Hermione picked up on Aeris' agitated state and guessed that she was the genuine article. Therefore, she would know about why Zack would have gotten himself sorted into Slytherin. Uh... If... Well... Um... I, uh, was wondering why you friend Zack would get sorted into Slytherin... Cuz, I mean, he seems more the type to get sorted into this house...

Yuna started listening into the conversation and decided that Hermione knew. Aeris noticed, but continued like there was nothing wrong. You're right, he's not the type to go into Slytherin, but he just wanted to annoy Seph. Aeris then realized her slip, and tried to correct herself. I meant Seth, not Seph.

Oh... That makes sense in some demented way shape or form. It's practically obvious! Why wouldn't Zack want to get sorted into the same house as Sephiroth just to annoy him? Hermione was thinking out loud. Aeris sat there wide eyed for a few seconds processing the information, and Hermione realized she had said the last sentence, not just thought it.

Yuna, the formerly silent observer, started laughing. Oh my god, that's so funny! I didn't think anyone here would be tech literate enough to actually recognize any of us! Well, besides Seth'. Evil people know him on sight. They are scared crapless by guys who wield six-foot katana and have eyes that look like twin green flashlights.

Aeris glared at Yuna, but she then switched her attention to Hermione. Please don't tell anyone! Aeris exclaimed, quietly.

Hermione, all jazzed about actually meeting her favorite game characters in person, was glad to oblige. I haven't told anyone besides my closest friends, and they don't really know what the hell I'm talking about anyway. Well, Luna and I knew all you guys except Luke' and the lady who came with you on sight. Nice name for Seph, by the way.

Yuna started giggling uncontrollably. It was Cloud's idea, Aeris said.

Yuna nodded her head in agreement, and explained a little more. Seth' was the closest thing to Seph', but Cloud had to come up with a name with some bad words in it.

I'm glad someone sane found out it was us and not some rabid fan girls... Or... After Aeris said that, both she and Yuna shuddered. Fan boys... Wait, you aren't a rabid Seph fan girl, are you?

Hermione, still on a high from meeting them, replied in a super high speed. No, of course not! Seph's all evil and stuff! Hermione realized that she was talking to Aeris and quickly added, And, uh, Cloud's cool, but I like Zack better.

Yuna started laughing again. Aeris elbowed her. Sorry, we had to give Yuna some happy pills to get her here. But, well, maybe your feelings on Zack will change after you meet him... Trust me. He'd an idiot.

So's Cloud!

True... But Cloud's cuter! And he did kill Seph to avenge me! Yuna shot Aeris a look, which was noticed. It is true!Yuna continued staring. Ok, so maybe it wasn't just for me...

(Break)

Ravenclaw was having the easiest time adapting to the new students. According to popular belief so far, Squall was a mute, Rufus was smart but a perv, and Tifa wasn't all that happy she was put in Ravenclaw. So, that meant that no one would bother Squall, all the girls would stay away from Rufus, and everyone would try to be Tifa's friend. The plan so far had been working, but Loony Luna had to screw it up.

She sat down next to Rufus and started talking to Squall. Hello, Leonheart-san, I'm Luna Lovegood.

Squall, surprised that someone was talking to him besides the three in the house that actually knew him, replied. Hello... How do you know my name?

It was announced for the Sorting Hat.

This girl was being too friendly, and Squall just knew she had to know. You know, don't you?

Yes. As does a few friends of mine from Gryffindor, but it means nothing to all but one.

Hm... I take it that everyone thought I was a mute?

Tifa looked at Squall. Whatever gave you that idea?! she said to him sarcastically.

Everyone thinks I'm a mute until I speak? Squall blinked a few times. Tifa just rolled her eyes and tried to divert her attention. Unfortunately, her gaze drifted to Rufus, who was staring at her, and drooling. Tifa felt like kicking him.

Luna was completely unfazed by it all, but felt like telling them everything she didn't know about the group. In case you were wondering, Hermione and I know who all of you but the lady that was with you and Luke' are. That comment caught all three of the Final Fantasy character's attentions.

Rufus spoke first. Wait... So you are saying that you recognized us, but didn't recognize... Huh. Maybe we shouldn't say anything about them.



Squall spoke this time. They have pretty quick tempers, and asphyxiation is not a pleasant way to die... Not that I know first hand, but I've heard rumors.

So they're not video game characters?

Tifa was getting a little bored. Yeah, they're from a very well known American SF movie, hence why it is strange that you'd recognize us, being from a japanese video game, before them.

So they're two of the main characters of a certain SF movie that has a Dark Lord in it that kills people by asphyxiating them with psychic powers and a giant space station capable of blowing up a planet?

Squall looked at Tifa. They are going to kill you, Tifa, you do know that?

Luna piped in. I won't say anything. I had decided it was them without you saying anything. I just didn't tell Hermione. Luna still had the exact same expression on her face as she had at the beginning of the conversation. Besides, who else would have such a funky hairstyle other than Princess Leia?

Tifa nodded her head in agreement. She does have a point... Except, you do know what Cloud's hair normally looks like, right?

Very spiky?

Squall started laughing. You have no idea how much hair spray we used just to keep it from even vaguely giving the appearance of defying gravity... And I'm not even going to go into how much Rath resisted getting rid of his hair dye...

(Break)

The students in Slytherin were completely hostile to the new students, not that any of them really cared. Malfoy was the one with the brilliant idea to see if the new students would care to work for evil, or if they had some lame excuse for transferring themselves into the house. Malfoy struck up a conversation with Zack. Oh, was that a bad idea. So.. Where are you people from?

Zack looked surprised. Us people?' What do you mean? Are you grouping me in with them?! Zack pointed at Cloud and Sephiroth, who glared at Zack, who was pretty sure he'd pissed Sephiroth off. Sephiroth hit Zack. ...We're from a place very far away from here... Called--- Zack's face mysteriously hit the table without a warning. Or anyone touching him for that matter. Never mind...

Malfoy decided that it was useless speaking to Zack. Sephiroth spoke up at that moment. Pardon him. He's a very ...simple... person, and I use the term person' quite freely.

Well pardon me for not being a freak of nature like you, Zack stuck his tongue out, and Cloud tried to pretend he didn't know either of them. Sephiroth stared and then said, Be glad Vincent confiscated my musical instrument'.

Malfoy decided that it was also a bad idea to speak to Seth', and tried to talk to Cloud. Before Malfoy could say anything, Cloud decided to make an enemy of him. Is that your natural color, or are you a wannabe bad ass? Cuz you look like a suck up.

You mudblood!

Cloud, having no clue what that meant, replied with a word that was in his lexicon.

Ninny hammer! Another word Cloud didn't know existed. Sephiroth nor Zack knew neither, for that matter.



Luke recognized this word: it was used in some of Shakespeare's plays.

Cloud came up with the perfect come back (in his opinion, at least). Malfoy and almost the rest of Slytherin gasped, sans Luke, Rath, Zack, and, of course, Sephiroth, who felt very tempted to try to kill Cloud ...again. But, Sephiroth restrained himself to see what Malfoy was gonna say next.

You're not half bad. The reply confused Cloud. There had just been a cussing match, and the idiot on the other end was complimenting him? What the fuck was going on?! Was it the apocalypse?! Wait, no, it couldn't be that. Seph and Aeris had to be friends for that to happen...

Rath, still in mourning for his hair dye, felt this was as much as he could take, so he yelled, Could you all shut the fucking hell up?! Can't you tell I'm trying to be all dark and mysterious here?! Everyone sat down and shut up, except for Luke, who just went back to reading the latest volume of Samurai Deeper Kyo. Malfoy decided that it as a good idea not to talk to Luke, since he didn't seem like to type of person who wouldn't mind if they were disturbed while they were reading.

(Break)

After all of the first years were sorted and the feast was over, the Great Hall quieted for Professor Dumbledore to make the normal announcements. Now that the feast is over, I feel obliged to make the start of year announcements yet again. First of all, to all the new students, none of you are allowed into the Forbidden Forest, although some students need to be reminded of that year after year. Hermione, Ron, and Harry smirked at that. Also, Mr. Filch wanted me to remind you that there is no magic allowed in the halls. If you would like to see a complete list of rules, consult the copy on the door to his office.

There is also a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher this year. Actually, I should say teachers. He gestured to Vince and Cid, who stood up. This is Professor Valentine, and this is Professor Highwind. They sat down. They will be teaching you the normal curriculum in addition to some highly unconventional ways to combat the dark arts.

As most of you already know, there have been some transfer students this year, and I expect you to make them feel welcome here. To make a short speech is a teacher of theirs from their country. Leia stood up, and smiled.

She just stood there for a second, then began speaking. Uh.. Hello. My name is Leah Suul. Luke hid a smirk. Leia was using Han's fake last name. My students are from America. And she was blaming all their weirdness on America. They come from many different backgrounds... Like being part demon or Sephiroth. ...But are overall very friendly... Except for Sephiroth. ...I hope you all have a good year, and you learn from them... But not how to be suicidal, homicidal, masochistic, or sadistic. ...And I'm sure they'll learn from you... When hell freezes over. ...It's nice to meet you all... How much longer was Leia gonna act all diplomatic? ...Oh, and, though it may not seem like it, Mr. Highwind and Mr. Valentine do know what they're talking about. They fought against Sephiroth. Leia sat down.

Leia... You do know they're going to kill you, right? Luke asked his sister.

No, they aren't. Now some of the Slytherin students might listen to them.

Or plot how to kill them.

Well, all Vince has to do is have Alucard show up and let the students interview him. That would stop all of it. Especially since the two look so much alike the students wouldn't be able to tell who was who.

Luke stifled a laugh. I'd pay to see that. Even Dad would pay to see that!

Luke, it isn't that hard to get our idiotic biological father to pay for blackmail of others. But, if Vince does drag Alucard in, could you get someone to film it and send me a copy?

Luke pretended to start reading SDK to try to keep Malfoy from talking to him. Hell... why not?

(Break)

Rath noticed Luke was in his I'm not here right now because I'm talking to someone telepathically, so please leave a message after the beep mode, and started talking to Cloud to avoid Malfoy. In Japanese. Isn't that Malfoy guy annoying?

I'd say so... Cloud took a sip from his drink. What really confuses me is that he ended up complimenting me after the name-calling match.

Sephiroth hit Cloud. Of course he would! Do you have no common sense?!' Seph realized he was talking to Cloud. Never mind... It's one of those things in the ranks of evil where you are technically higher up in the food chain if you can hold a name-calling match for more that three exchanges. Or use the name of someone that is interdicted. Like me, but, unlike you, they hate me because I screwed up other evil' people's plans (Shinra), plus because I'm non compos mentis and therefore couldn't be controlled.

Rath decided to leave the conversation, but before doing so, asked what a word meant. I take it non compos mentis' means something around the lines of not all there'?



I thought so.

(Break)

After some more trading insults between Cloud and Sephiroth, awkward silence in the near vicinity of Tifa, Rufus, and Squall at the Ravenclaw table, and some not so deep conversations between Hermione, Yuna, and Aeris, the call was given to go to everyone's respective dormitories. So, the four groups of students went their separate ways.