Notes: As of this posting, I've just finished the rough draft for ch 20, so I have plenty more to go before we run out of chapters. I believe there are going to be about 23 to 25 chapters total for this story as well so keep up those great reviews and let me know what you think!
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Potter – The Stone
Chapter 10
By Cory D. Rose
(c) 2005
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For the last several days Ranma spent much of his free time during the day doing a number of things to keep himself occupied. Most of the morning, after Harry left, was spent finishing his own practice. Ranma's own practice was quite different than what Harry did
Ranma was advanced enough that his body would perform moves much more efficiently than Harry. So he spent his time working on advancing his Ki abilities and thinking of new ones. This was how Happosai had created the Anything Goes style so long ago. The Yamasenken and Umisenken schools, created by his father, could also be included, but Ranma tried not to think about the old man unless had to.
After an intense practice and a shower, he would head down to Harry's library and grab two books and speed read them, usually finishing by the time lunch time rolled around. He went through the books and basically absorbed the information in them. He was determined to figure out how the magic worked.
So far he hadn't had much luck, but with every book he read he would gain a few more ideas and clues. Supposedly he wasn't even supposed to be able to cast magic because he was a muggle, or non magical person. Ranma wasn't about to accept that idea and give up.
Magic of one kind or another was always popping up around him. The Jusenkyo springs where he got his curse, Cologne and her thrice cursed potions designed to turn him into a brainless toy for her grand daughter. Then there was that dragon whisker thing.
The books they had grabbed in Harry's vaults were of all types and uses. Ranma liked the theory and history books the best because they always gave him new ideas to try. Ranma also liked to keep Harry up to date on what he read and would leave out books with sections to read.
After that Ranma would leave the trunk and go out and explore the castle. It was during these explorations, using the Umisenken to walk around invisibly, that Ranma would learn more about the magical world than the books mentioned. After spending the afternoon doing that, he would head back to the tower and wait for Harry to get back for their afternoon practice and study sessions
Keeping Harry busy was paramount to Ranma's training. The kid had a lot of anger to work through and every year it seemed to get just a little worse. Ranma could tell that Harry was starting to tap into the wrong kind of Ki, but getting him to change meant dealing with the boy's anger.
He'd have to take it one step at a time. Dealing with that potions master was high on Ranma's list.
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"You're as bad as I was when I was younger." Ranma said in an amused tone as he wrapped Harry's hand in thick gauze.
"That arrogant little…" Harry growled.
"Yep, just like me. Though it was usually my enemies that said that about me."
"I can't believe he would even have the gall to try and point his wand in my face like that. The bastard, I already want to break every bone in his body and he goes and pulls this crap." Harry muttered and sighed. "I just don't understand why."
"He doesn't like you of course."
"That's not a good enough reason. I couldn't care less about him or his little gang, but he just won't stop provoking me."
Ranma nodded. "Well I'll look into it. I don't like being cooped in this trunk all the time so I'm going to start exploring the castle after everyone is asleep."
The boy turned to give Ranma a surprised look. "They don't like anyone wandering around after hours. You could get in trouble."
Ranma laughed. "Me? You have to be kidding?"
This made Harry smile a little. "You are good, but remember that book we read. There are wards in place around the school to keep track of everyone and protect the school."
"They won't see me. I have my ways. Trust me."
"Right." Harry said and shrugged. "Well be careful at the very least, the caretaker Filch has this cat…"
Ranma shuddered.
"…and it likes to find students and get them in trouble. Filch is a very mean person. He'll give out detention for things that haven't even happened. I don't know what he would do someone that isn't a student. He's always muttering about torturing the students, chaining them to the wall and such."
"Not to worry, I can sense a cat a mile off."
"Then that stupid duel is going to be a problem." Harry muttered. "Perhaps I'll just ignore it."
"You must show up." Ranma said in a serious tone. "As my student you must never turn down a challenge."
"He probably won't even show up himself, he challenged me as he was running away after all."
Ranma shrugged. "I was thinking the same thing. These Slytherins seem to be a dishonorable bunch, but we will still show up."
"Yes sir."
"That is why I'm going out to explore a bit more after hours. I still haven't gotten used to all these hidden doors, moving staircases, and ghosts running around. I want to see what the conditions are like at night. That way if he does show we will have the advantage. If not we are out a few hours sleep and the win is ours."
"No problem, but we still have to avoid Filch and that blasted cat of his."
"Feh, way too easy." Ranma said. "Now do your homework so you can get a few hours of sleep before the fight."
Harry nodded as he stood up and went to the library. He wasn't really in the mood to do his homework, but he wouldn't have time to finish it later. His hand was still a little sore as well, but Ranma tapped a few pressure points while wrapping it, so he could still use it in an emergency.
By the time his hand was cramping up from over use he was finished with his homework. After that he read from some of the books Ranma left out for him before he put everything away, ran through a few minutes worth of stretches, and headed for bed.
"Get at least three hours; I'll wake you up half an hour before midnight." Ranma said from the doorway.
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-Seven years ago-
"Bed them all."
The words echoed in Ranma's head for some time. Considering what he knew of his mother, the request wasn't that far fetched. He knew that she wanted grand children more than anything in the world. Ranma wasn't even all that surprised now that he had time to think about that idea.
Happosai wasn't one to sit around waiting for anything either, he just went and did anything he wanted. So he wasn't about to let Ranma wiggle his way out of this request. Not when there was a possibility he might watch. "Boy, you will do this."
"But why?" Ranma whined.
"So you can start your quest. It will take you some time to pull it off and the sooner you begin the better. Bedding several girls is simple enough and they even want you to do it. I don't' see the problem."
"Son, this is such a small thing. This was the price the girls wanted to break the engagements." Nodoka explained, almost mimicking Happosai. "You can do all of them by tonight if you want. Now get to work."
Ranma could only gape at the woman.
"You've already done all of them anyway Ranma; this will just be the final time." Akane snarled, her jealous anger starting to raise its head once more.
The other fiancée's all turned to glare at the girl, but she was always saying something like that. This time Ranma could tell that she actually seemed to mean it. Ranma could feel several battle auras flaring up and knew that this wasn't going to end well. He had to prevent that. His mother wouldn't be safe if the others let loose inside the house.
"Now everyone calm down." Kasumi said gently. "Akane, that was uncalled for."
"I know the pervert better than all of you." Akane growled. "I know where he goes when he's not here."
Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Yes Akane, I bet you do. Usually you mallet him out of the house, through the roof, where he lands some distance away. Anyone else would be killed from that kind of thing, but not Ranma, he usually wakes up after a half an hour or so buried in a crater."
The youngest Tendo sister snorted. "Yeah right, he's always spending time at Ukyo's place, probably in her bed."
"I serve him dinner." The girl stated, though having Ranma in her bed wasn't a bad idea.
"Yeah right."
Ranma really wondered where Akane got these ideas and if she was agreeable to this supposed deal, how he was supposed to actually pull it off was a different story. She would kill him before he even got her clothes off.
"If Shampoo bedded Arien, then we be in China already." The Amazon snapped, smirking at Akane.
Akane snarled. "I've seen him feel you up. Every damned day when you jump on him on the way to school!"
Shampoo blinked and grinned, suddenly lost in a fantasy. It didn't help when she started giggling and drooling a few seconds later and mumbling about playful hands. Cologne had to bop her on the head to wake her up though. "Calm yourself child."
"Yes Great Grandmother."
At the same time Happosai was glaring at Akane. "Well, I guess you want to withdraw from the deal then."
"No way." Akane snapped. "Ranma will give me one full night, and then I never have to see the pervert again."
Ranma could feel his heart breaking and didn't really understand why. He always thought he would end up with Akane in the end, but this wasn't anything like the Akane he knew. She wasn't usually this cold or calculated either. Ranma focused his eyes and looked at Akane's aura.
What he saw was a bit of a surprise. He almost gasped aloud, but controlled himself. Akane was frightened, very frightened and that fear was coiling around her and turning into pure rage. The one emotion she seemed to channel the best.
"Akane, haven't you been doing those techniques I taught you?" Ranma asked.
"Why should I do anything you say?" Akane growled.
"They are supposed to help you control that growing rage of yours."
"I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP!" Akane screamed.
Cologne's staff snapped out and tapped Akane about five times in the stomach. The girl groaned and fell to the floor as all the Ki in her body left her. Within seconds she couldn't even stand. Instead, she struggled to get up and failed completely.
"Sure, take away all my fun." Happosai muttered. "She was just about to lose it completely."
"We don't need a berserker in the house right now." Cologne snapped. "Really, who taught that girl how to access that much Rage Ki?"
Nodoka stared down at Akane in shock.
"I've been teaching her how to meditate and control her anger." Ranma said. "I never showed her how to focus her Ki that way."
"We'll have to look into it, but this may be a good excuse to remove her from the deal completely." Cologne suggested. "The fewer girls that Son-in-Law has to bed the better."
Kodachi hadn't said a word in several minutes seemed to just be waiting for Ranma to take her right there and then. She had large hearts in her eyes as she stared at him. Ranma was really trying to ignore her, but the line of drool dripping off her chin made that almost impossible.
Then Nodoka shook her head. "Well Ranma, I think we should get started."
"What!" Ranma yelled.
"Take one of the girls up to the guest room and bed her." Nodoka ordered.
Nabiki suddenly jumped up and ran for the stairs. "I have to set up my equipment first! I'll make a fortune!"
"Butbutbutbutbutbutbut…" Ranma sputtered.
"Now, I think Little Kodachi here wants to be first." Nodoka said, smiling at the girl.
Kodachi beamed as she stood up and let her kimono loosen around her shoulders, showing off a bunch of skin. "Ranma-sama I'm yours forever. OHOHOHOHOHOHOH!"
"Do me proud son." Nodoka said. "I expect to hear plenty of noise too."
Ranma wanted to start crying, he really did. Since when was Kodachi a fiancée? The aristocratic girl grabbed him by the pig tail and started dragging him away from the table and up the stairs. "I've been waiting a long time for this day Ranma-sama."
He tried to get away, he really did, but Kodachi was a woman possessed and wouldn't let him. Even when Ranma grabbed the stairs, she just gave a yank and the wood shattered under his fingers. Seconds later they entered the guest room and the door shut.
"Pervert!" Akane yelled.
Ukyo and Shampoo looked a bit put out, but calmed down after Kasumi gave them some tea.
"OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOH!" Kodachi was well known for being a very loud girl and she certainly proved it here.
Nodoka just beamed at everyone.
Happosai looked like he was about to explode as he looked up the stairs at the closed door to the guest room.
Ranma on the other hand, was attempting to crawl out the window, but Kodachi had other ideas.
"Now Kodachi, there's no need for whips and cuffs…"
"OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!"
oooooooooo
-Present-
Several hours later Harry felt a weird feeling around his ankle. Opening his eyes in confusion, he was asleep after all, he yelled out in shock as he realized that Ranma was holding him upside down, out the window. By the ankle.
"YAHAAA!" Harry screamed.
"You awake yet?" Ranma asked.
"Ranma, pull me back in!"
The pigtailed man laughed and dragged him back inside and dropped him on the floor. "Now you're fully awake."
Gasping for air, Harry looked around the room and noticed that Ron and the others were still asleep in their beds. "Why didn't they wake up?"
Chuckling some more, Ranma just folded his arms. "It's a secret."
Huffing, Harry jumped to his feet. "You cast a sleep charm on them."
"Nope."
"Silence charm?"
"Nope." Ranma smirked.
"What the heck did you use then!"
"I'm the best martial artist in the world." Ranma said, as if that explained everything.
Glaring at the man, Harry snorted. "Whatever. You better show me one day though."
"I might." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Now get dressed, you have a challenge to attend in twenty minutes."
A set of clothes lay on the bed next to his pillow. Over the last few years Harry had figured out that Ranma didn't think like a normal martial artist and figured it had something to do with his own training. For instance, there were more important things to worry about than clothing, which was worn for convenience. Things like style just didn't factor into the problem unless it was for a reason.
A combat uniform had two uses, maneuverability and a possible combat advantage. Ranma once said he trained girls to use their uniform as a distraction by showing off lots of skin. Men on the other hand had to look intimidating and this meant leather.
Black leather with studs.
So a few minutes later Harry was dressed in a black silk shirt, loose pants, boots, and a black leather coat that hung down to his knees. Ranma handed him a bandana with the Saotome family symbol on it and grinned as Harry tied it around his head.
"I look ridiculous."
"You look great. That little punk will run from you in fear, you won't even have to raise your hand. He just has to see your aura and he'll we himself in fear."
Harry snorted. "Yeah right." Forgetting that is what Malfoy did last time.
Pretending to ignore him, Ranma headed for the door to the room and vanished in mid step. "Let's go."
"Wha!" Harry gasped.
"Move!" Ranma's voice echoed through the room. "Now!"
Harry ran for the door, down the stairs, and out the portal without thinking. The fat lady said something to him, but Harry didn't have time to think about it. He gasped for air as the portrait closed and fat lady looked at him in confusion.
"Mr. Potter, you shouldn't be out of bed this late.
"I gotta take care of something." He said as he ran down the hall and around the corner.
"Well!" The portrait said, looking affronted.
Harry heard Ranma's amused voice. "Lead the way kid."
Harry and Ranma walked down the hallway with the light from the moon streaming through the overhead windows and lighting up the corridor in bars of light and dark. A deep silence filled the school as they walked towards the trophy room. Harry was positive that Filch or his cat Mrs. Norris would be around every other corner they took. By the time they reached the right area his nerves were ragged. Ranma didn't seem to mind though. He was invisible after all.
The trophy room was near the third floor, where the forbidden corridor was located, but Harry didn't really think of it. The Trophy room was several rooms away and it had several entrances. Ranma enjoyed the moving staircases and rode one around several turns before he jumped off next to Harry.
"This place is great for training."
"You just like to play around." Harry snapped.
Ranma grinned. "Everything is training, even having a bit of fun."
"Feh."
Ranma just chuckled as they entered the room. Unlike in other areas of the castle, this room didn't have the ever burning torches. The only lighting came from an overhead skylight that sent beam of moonlight to the center of the room. They were able to see old, crusty looking cases full of weird items. Some of the items were gold, a few silver, and even something that looked like polished wood.
After several minutes Harry started to look even more nervous. "What time is it?"
"Nearly midnight." Ranma said.
"They aren't coming."
Ranma shrugged. "That was a possibility; we'll head back to the classroom in a few minutes."
As midnight came and went, Harry cussed under his breath, and Ranma whacked him on the back of the head. Then they turned as one as they heard a noise in the next room. Harry started to feel a little relief as he thought Malfoy was going to show up after all, but then they heard a voice. It wasn't Malfoy or any of his friends.
"We will get them my sweet."
"Meow." Ranma's head snapped around he growled.
Harry paled and mouthed 'Filch' to Ranma.
They raced out of the room, using the corridor on the other side of the room to make their get away. Harry glared at Ranma as they heard foot steps quickly following them. "We have to get out of here. Now."
Perfectly calm, Ranma grinned a little. "This is more like it. We needed a bit of excitement."
"Excitement!" Harry nearly yelled.
"Yeah, I was getting bored."
The kid just gaped at him. "You have got to be kidding."
Ranma smirked and pointed to the light at the end of the corridor. "There we go, we're home free."
It was obvious that Filch was on their tail a few seconds later. He certainly didn't know how to move around silently either. The man liked to yell a the top of his lungs too. There was no sign of Mrs. Norris, but that worried Harry even more. That cat seemed to be around more than Filch. Ranma just grinned as they ran.
They moved down several corridors, whipping around corners, through empty classrooms, and at one point Ranma had them hanging from the ceiling as Filch and the ragged looking cat passed by underneath. Ranma had this large grin plastered to his face as if he was having the time of his life. They stayed on the ceiling for several minutes before they started moving again, crawling along the ceiling.
"This is the 'cling to the ceiling and hope they don't look up technique." Ranma explained.
"You have to be kidding."
"Nope, it's a lot of fun. I used it in the girl's rooms the other day." Ranma said.
Harry nearly fell off the ceiling. "What!" He hissed.
"I was just exploring." Ranma insisted as they crawled along. "They didn't suspect a thing. I was female at the time anyway, so it didn't matter."
"Yeah right." Harry muttered.
He sighed and tried to forget that Ranma could be quite odd at times. He was sure he would weigh ten pounds less in the morning by the time he stopped sweating. A few minutes later they dropped to the floor and backtracked down several corridors before stopping for a rest. Harry leaned up against the wall gasped for air.
"You're insane." He gasped out.
Ranma just laughed. "Just a little adventure, it's good for the heart."
Harry snorted.
"I'm pretty sure we lost him." Ranma said, and then whipped his head to the side when a nearby shadow seemed to move. Harry turned to see a girl standing at the end of the hall, the moonlight reflecting off her glasses. It gave her a very dangerous look as she moved towards them.
"So you came out here anyway." She said in a whispering voice.
"Who?" Ranma asked, surprised that some little kid could sneak up on him.
"Hermione Granger, we met on the train." Harry said. "I haven't seen much of her since the sorting though."
Hermione ignored Harry. "Malfoy tricked you."
"I know, but I had to show up."
"No, you didn't. All you're going to do is lose your house points and get into trouble. Filch was told that someone would be out tonight. Malfoy went right to him after you threw his wand."
Now Harry was giving her weird look. "How did you know I threw the wand?"
Ranma suddenly smirked. "Ah, I see."
The girl turned to look at him. "You're not a student, why are you here."
"I'm Harry's guardian." Ranma said. "You've been following Harry around haven't you? Ah, look at that blush! I knew it."
Hermione, blushing like mad, stomped her foot tried to ignore Ranma as Harry gave her a closer look. "Y-You need to get back to your tower."
"What about you?"
"I can get back to Ravenclaw easily." She said. "Please hurry."
Harry certainly wasn't going to tell her that she was right. So he settled on just doing what she said instead. "Let's head back Ranma, this whole situation is a trap."
The older man gave Harry a look. "I guess you're right. We'll be more careful next time this happens."
"There won't be a next time!" Hermione almost yelled, and then blushed again.
Ranma was smirking at her again. "You're a bit of a tomboy, ain't ya?"
She glared at him as he smiled.
"I'll see you later." Harry said to Hermione as they headed down the corridor, but they didn't make it far before they heard something odd. Even Ranma stopped to look around a little.
"What was that?"
It happened again, a door was rattling, then the door opened up and Peeves flew out of an empty classroom cackling. Hovering in the air it looked down on Harry, Ranma, and Hermione with wide eyes. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" It laughed in glee.
"Go away." Harry hissed at it.
"Peeves should alert Filch, yes Peeves should." It muttered and started to look like it's greatest wish had happened. "It's the 'right' thing to do after all."
"There is no need; we were just on our way back to our common rooms." Hermione said.
The poltergeist gave her a closer look. "A little snog session, eh?"
Hermione gasped at the poltergeist then blushed so red that it lit up whole corridor. "I…I…never…you…"
Cackling, the poltergeist turned to Ranma. "You…"
"What's up, misty?" Ranma asked.
"Oh, you want to insult ol'Peeves? Well I can play that game too! STUDENTS OUT OF BED! STUDENTS OUT OF BED AND A STRANGER IN THE CASTLE!" The poltergeist yelled out, incredibly loud.
Cursing, the three of them ran under the screaming trouble maker, turned a corner, and vanished down a long hall. Seconds later, they nearly ran into a door. Hermione suddenly grabbed Harry's wand from his pocket and pointed it at the door. "ALOHOMORA!"
They heard a loud click and the door swung open. Running inside, they quickly shut the door and listened to Filch's running footsteps as he headed for Peeves. Harry took his wand back, leaned up against the door, and gasped for air. "I'm too young for this."
Ranma tugged at Harry's sleeve. "Um…kid?"
"Piss off, this all your fault!" Harry snapped.
"Um…Harry, turn around." Hermione said in a fear filled voice.
Giving the girl a look, he turned around and found himself about three inches from the eye of a monster. It towered over him, teeth bared, as drool dripped off the teeth. He gaped at the thing in shock.
"We're in the forbidden corridor." Hermione squeaked. "We're doomed! The Headmaster said we would die!"
"Well that's different." Ranma said as he looked up at the giant, three headed dog. "It doesn't look so tough."
The kids gave him a 'yeah right' look.
"It's a Cerberus." Hermione said, slightly awed.
Each of the giant dog's three heads was looking at them, ropy lines of drool dangled off the thing's yellowing teeth and gums as it started to growl. They could feel the sound in their bones. Hermione paled as she made herself one with the wall. Harry had no idea what to do and just gaped at the thing as he tried to ignore the dog breath.
Suddenly Harry grabbed the door handle and gave it a twist, the door opened and all three of them fell through. He just managed to see the surprised look on the large dog's face before the door shut itself and locked with a click. Then Harry realized that Filch wasn't there to meet them and sighed in relief.
Ranma jumped to his feet, walked over to the door, and grabbed the old lock between his fingers and squeezed. They winced as the lock was crushed under Ranma's fingers, a loud screeching sound filling the air. He stopped a few seconds later and made sure it would be impossible to open the door anytime soon.
"Much better."
"Who, are you again?" Hermione asked, her eyes were as wide as plates behind her glasses.
"He's my teacher and guardian." Harry reminded her as he dusted himself off. "Now let's head back to our common rooms and forget this night ever happened."
Hermione nodded and turned to Ranma. "I won't push, but I will find out who you really are."
"Good luck." Ranma said.
Then she turned around, ran down the corridor, and vanished before they could say anything else. Harry was quite surprised when he realized that he couldn't hear the girl's foot steps as she ran. "She's had some training."
"Yep, she's better than she lets on. I wonder who her teacher was? I'm not sure, but something about the way she moves is familiar." Ranma asked as they made their way back to Gryffindor. "She also doesn't trust me."
Harry nodded.
Ranma pulled his disappearing trick again just before they reached the portrait of the fat lady. A few minutes later Harry descended into his trunk and was glad he didn't have any homework left. He was too tired to worry about it.
Ranma reappeared in the kitchen and made a couple of sandwiches. "Well the kid was a no show, we had some fun, and you met a girl. Not bad for one evening."
"Is all this a game to you?"
"A game? No, but I'm here to teach you kid. You need to learn how to defend yourself after all, and we had some fun too. It's better than ending up in a cast for days on end after losing a fight."
"Yeah, but sheesh."
"That girl was really eyeing you too." Ranma teased.
"Hey!"
"Every time she looked at you her heart rate would go up just a little bit, her cheeks would get flushed, and her ni…"
Harry decked him one. "DIE!"
Ranma rubbed his chin, smirked a little, and just started laughing.
Ignoring him, Harry stomped out of the room and headed for bed. He really didn't want to think about what had just happened in that corridor. However, the thought of that dog did send a shiver of excitement through him. He wanted to see that thing again. And see what was under that trap door that it was standing on.
oooooooooo
With a careful hand, Professor Snape poured the last ingredient into the cauldron and stirred it several times. The mixture suddenly turned a white and started glowing. After that he quickly took it off the fire to let the potion cool.
A few minutes later he set ten bottles on the table so that he could give them to Madam Pomfrey. About ten minutes later, after dropping them off, he was heading back down into the dungeon when he heard an odd noise. He spun around, his robes billowing perfectly.
"Who's there?"
He pulled his wand and cast a couple of spells. Snarling, he quickly checked a few of the nearby rooms, but they were empty as well. Then as he was exiting a room he felt someone trip him. He went down with a curse, but managed to keep his wand in hand.
Half a second later he was back on his feet. He sent several hexes flying down the corridor, but they didn't hit anything. "Where are you?"
"Bwha HAHAHAHAHA!"
Snape nearly jumped out of his skin at the unearthly sounding laugh echoed throughout the corridor. He fired off about a dozen more spells, but they didn't hit anything. Then he noticed that a breeze was starting to ripple his clothing. Snape turned and ran down the hallway as the wind started to pick up speed, causing several of the wall mounted torches to go out.
Whoosh!
The wind suddenly hit hurricane strength, sending him flying into the air. It picked him up and spun him around dozens of times, ripping his robe to shreds. Snape yelled as his wand was pulled form his hand and he slammed into the wall at the end of the corridor. Groaning, Snape fell to the floor wearing only his underwear, a pair of snake motif boxers.
They were completely untouched by the wind while the rest of his robe filled the corridor like confetti.
"Bwha HAHAHAHAHA!"
Snape's wand fell to the floor in front of him and rolled a few inches before stopping as it reached the wall.
oooooooooo
Notes: Poor poor Snape. Yeah right.
There IS more to Hermione than meets the eye. I wonder what it could be? Ranma is only about ten years older than he was in the show, so he's around twenty six or so and still likes to play around when he gets a chance. He's Harry's guardian, but he also tries to be Harry's friend as well. Something Harry hasn't had much of during his life.
As you can see I expanded more on Ranma's past with this chapter. The idea once occurred to me that all the girls, if they worked together, that Ranma wouldn't stand a chance. Think about how Ranma reacted to that woman at Diagon Alley earlier in the story. He wasn't shy or nervous around the woman. His time with the fiancée brigade is the cause of Ranma's maturity.
oooooooooo
Omake:
Ranma looked down at his foot. He glared at it, but it didn't want to cooperate with him. He grabbed his leg and pulled, but it wouldn't move. He was stuck. His foot was stuck in a trick step on the stairs, burried up to his knee.
He glared at his foot again, but it didn't want to move at all. He was invisible, he was stuck, and he was late getting back to Gryffindor Tower.
A bell rang and suddenly the hallways were full of running kids, all of them heading in his direction. He saw them coming and started to yank and pull on his leg frantically.
It didn't work.
"Ah &$#." He muttered just as the kids ran down the stairs and proceeded to...
RUN HIM DOWN.
Stomp Stomp Stomp!
It lasted for nearlyfive minutes, but they didn't appear to even notice. Groaning, he lay there, one with the stairs...when his leg popped free. This just wasn't his day.
Now his arm was stuck in the step...