Author: Chaos Valkyrie
First Conceptualized: December 17, 2003
Posted Chapter 2, v.1: February 2, 2004
Posted Chapter 2, v.2: February 3, 2006
Disclaimer: Lets see… Three storylines, lots o' characters, and no royalty checks in my mailbox… Obviously, I must not own them.
Author's Notes: Anywho, new chapter up! I did make some major changes from the first version… mainly taking out Keith Valentine (vampire from SH). He will be making some major appearances later on, but how could I resist Snape as DADA Professor, I ask you? And I have some plans for Slughorn too…
Chapter Two: The Sorting and New Acquaintances
It was dark and a little chilly by the time the Hogwarts Express reached its final destination. The older students raced towards the thestral-drawn carriages, whilst the new students idled under the canopy at the platform, unsure of where to go.
"Firs' years n' transfers! This way!" A giant of a man shouted out, towering above the milling students. Alice pulled her little brother along with her towards the huge man, who's eyes crinkled as he smiled at the pair. Ben looked relieved while his sister was disappointed – clearly, the man was not as imposing as he looked.
Alice merely raised an eyebrow at the anxious-looking eleven-year-olds surrounding herself and her brother. She snorted in disgust while Ben rolled his eyes at her, his expression clearly saying, "Be Nice." She then turned her eyes to another group of teenagers, about her age, who were joining the giant's group. She smirked then. These students looked like they were more her type.
"Big Brother! That man's even taller than you!" Mokuba whispered rather loudly as they joined the transfer group. Seto only smiled at his little brother, quickly returning his face to its normal cold mask before anyone else noticed.
Seto's eyes widened as he saw the chaotic girl and her brother standing nearby. He hadn't realized that they were transfer students as well. The girl was disdainfully watching the younger students, but her gaze seemed to change when she faced the Domino crew. Her expressions were easy to read, but fortunately she merely seemed interested in the group, in only a slightly malicious way.
"This way, students!" the bearded man called out above the crowd. Seto wished he would walk faster towards whatever shelter they were going to – the wind was cold and some of the others were already shivering. Not that he cared about the others, but he didn't want Mokuba to come down with anything.
His blue eyes widened as they came around the bend of a steep and narrow path to faced the castle for the first time. He had figured it would be large, from what he had read in Hogwarts: A History, but the place simply reeked of magic and mystery.
"On'y four to a boat, now," the giant called, and Seto's gaze was forced back to the situation at hand.
"You have got to be kidding me," was all he said as Mokuba ran gleefully towards the lake. The chaotic girl moaned nearby.
Mai Valentine was very unhappy with the school's uniform policy.
"A girl as stylish as myself can't be seen in nothing but black all the time," she complained to Téa as they stepped into one of the boats. She then winked at Serenity, who had been followed onto a boat nearby by her two attendants and her over-protective brother.
"Pardon me, but may we join you ladies," a young blond-haired boy asked, smiling and stepping into the boat.
"Sure, why not," Téa smiled perkily.
"Thank you. I'm Ben Hyuga, this is my sister Alice," he said, shaking hands. His much taller sister followed suit, reluctantly.
"Téa Gardner."
"Mai Valentine." Alice seemed to perk up at the mention of her name.
"Do you know Keith Valentine, by any chance?" she asked politely.
Mai raised an eyebrow. "No. Why, who is he?"
The girl looked disappointed. "No one important, just an old family friend."
The small boat was silent for a few moments as it left shore and made its way across the waters. Alice looked stonily ahead while her brother chuckled nearby.
"I can't believe you're getting seasick in a boat this small," the boy chuckled. Alice shook her head gruffly.
"Its not the size that counts," was all she could utter. Téa and Mai eyed the girl with misgiving.
"Well, if you get sick, do it over the side," her brother added helpfully. Mai almost chuckled at the dark glare Alice shot her cheeky brother.
"So," Téa made a stab at conversation, "Are you transfers as well?"
"Yeah," said Ben, "we attended the Salem Institute in the US. We transferred here, though, this year."
"I miss it. I hate these uniforms – at our old school, we could wear whatever we wanted. I miss my trench coat," Alice complained briefly.
Mai laughed. "You sound like Kaiba. But I agree, these black robes suck."
Just then, they were distracted by a loud splash from nearby. Téa and Mai laughed, recognizing the perpetrators. Malik and Ryou had made the unfortunate decision to share a boat, along with Yugi, and apparently Ryou's yami had decided that rocking the boat would be a good lake-crossing activity. Naturally, Malik had agreed, and the two trouble-makers capsized the boat. Having caused his trouble, the yami had retreated to the Ring, leaving a sheepish Ryou and a madly-cackling Malik behind.
Téa reached down and with Mai's help, pulled a soaking Yugi into their boat.
"Th-thanks," he chattered, shivering from the cold waters. The group turned as Ben started laughing, watching Alice dive for the side of the boat. Téa wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"You rocked the boat too much when you pulled your friend in," he explained.
Hagrid chuckled nearby as he pulled the other two Item holders from the waters. "Looks like we've found a replacement fer the Weasley twins," he said.
The occupants of Mai's boat, minus Alice, laughed as the boats pulled into the harbor. Alice, meanwhile, was still occupied over the side of the boat.Ron, Hermione, and Ginny waited impatiently at the Gryffindor table for the Sorting to begin.
"We've never had transfer students before," Ginny whispered to the others, excited. Hermione smiled back at her, but still looked worried at Harry's absence.
Just then the doors to the Great Hall opened, and the new students came inside. The transfer students stood to the rear of the group, as they would obviously be sorted last. Three of the boys were soaking wet, wrapped in blankets with their ears steaming. McGonagall gave them a stern look before walking up to the Sorting Hat.
"Looks like Madame Pomfrey got to them pretty quickly," Ron snorted. "I wonder what happened?"
Before anyone could answer, a ripped seam on the Hat began to sing.
Once upon a merry time
When my seams were newly sewn
Four friends did come together
To form a school all their own.
And though their ways soon parted
Their school remained as planned
Bringing students here together
From all across the land.
With many types of magic
Each student comes to me
I just look inside their heads
And tell them where they should be:
Could you belong in Slytherin,
A student cunning and quick,
This ambitious lot uses any means
To always pull the trick.
Or how about trying Ravenclaw,
Whose minds are wise and fair,
This clever bunch values wisdom
Far beyond any other care.
Perhaps Hufflepuff shall be your home,
If your heart is just and loyal,
These students are always diligent
And unafraid of toil.
And lastly proud Gryffindor,
With nerve and chivalry,
They will always lead the battle forth
Against the cruel enemy.
And though I must divide you
I can't help but hope the best
That despite your varied abilities
You'll join to face the test.
For though you've been divided
Your task is to fight as one
For true strength lies in unity
When all is said and done.
Be you daring or resourceful,
Patient or full of wit,
Lend your strength to the cause,
And hope's candle will remain lit.
So step forward, don't be shy,
And let me see where you belong,
For no matter where your heart lies,
You'll help the cause be strong.
"Another warning from the Sorting Hat," Ron whispered to the others over the polite applause. Hermione had no chance to reply as McGonagall read the first name off her list.
"Anderson, Peter." A young boy stumbled towards the stool, pulling the hat low over his reddened face.
"Hufflepuff!" the Hat shouted, and the boy grinned and headed toward his new table.
Most of the Sorting went by unnoticed as the older students stared at the transfers in curiosity, until McGonagall read, "Kaiba, Mokuba," off her list. The little black haired boy from before ran gleefully forward to the stool, while the taller boy, who must be his brother, glared at the Hat with an unspoken threat.
The hat deliberated for awhile, before shouting, "Gryffindor!" The little boy cheered, giving his brother a victory sign before running to join the Gryffindor table.
McGonagall quickly finished with the first years and rolled up her list. She then pulled out another roll of paper and unfurled it.
"We have several new transfer students this year, from the United States and Japan. I will read off the names of those who will be joining the fifth year class first. Hyuga, Ben."
A blond-haired boy stepped forward, politely placing the hat upon his head. "Ravenclaw!" the hat shouted.
"Wheeler, Serenity," a shy-looking auburn-haired girl stepped forward next. "Hufflepuff!"
"Now I will call the names of those joining the sixth year class. Bakura, Ryou."
Ryou was nervous, afraid that his yami would come out to wreak havoc yet again. He was already frigid, wrapping the blanket that Hagrid had given him tightly about his sopping clothes. Malik had tried to refuse a blanket, still highly amused at tipping the boat, while Yugi was shivering nearby. A stern looking nurse had given the three some Pepperup potion, and Yugi was still steaming at the ears. At least he had accepted Ryou's apology – he understood how sadistic Bakura's yami could be, especially when in the vicinity of the pharaoh and his hikari.
"Bakura, Ryou," the stern woman announced, and Ryou stumbled forward, avoiding the glances of those in the hall. He pulled the hat over his nervous eyes, and waited.
"Hmmm," a voice said in his ear, and he jumped slightly. "Quite a conflict of interests within you, isn't there. Not a bad mind, and an interesting thirst for two different kinds of power – the desire of total possession from your darker half, and then your desire for control over your other self. Well, better be,"
"Slytherin!" the hat called, and as Ryou pulled his hat up, he could see the looks of disbelief that such a shy, polite-looking boy would go to that house. As he looked over his new table, he could see why. He gulped as he sat down and turned to watch Duke be sorted next.
From what Ryou could tell, Duke seemed to be chanting something to the hat.
"Ravenclaw," the Hat announced decidedly, and Duke looked disappointed as he walked to that table.
"Gardner, Téa."
"Hufflepuff!" Serenity cheered as Téa joined her.
"Hyuga, Alice!" A lanky girl with black braided hair regally walked to the hat and put it on. It had barely touched her head when it screamed,
"Slytherin!"
The girl grinned wolfishly at her brother before taking the seat next to Ryou.
"Ishtar, Malik."
The hat once again screamed "Slytherin!"
Malik joined Ryou at the table, grinning impishly. Alice grinned back, while Ryou rolled his eyes.
"Kaiba, Seto."
Even Ryou smiled as Seto glared at the hat before he put it on. He knew that Seto wanted to be with his little brother.
"Ravenclaw!"
Mokuba cheerfully waved at his brother as he glared at the hat again and made his way to join Duke. Several of the Ravenclaw girls were squealing in delight, and Ryou chuckled as Kaiba's glares failed to silence them.
"Mutou, Yugi."
Hermione frowned, trying to listen as whispers broke out like wild-fire across the Great Hall among the Muggle-born students.
"Yugi Mutou!"
"You mean the Duel Monsters champ?"
"That's the King of Games?"
Hermione looked at the head table, where she noticed that Slughorn was watching the boy in calculating interest. Hermione rolled her eyes, watching the boy in amusement as he attempted to pull the hat over his incredibly spiky hair. Several of Yugi's friends across the room chuckled to themselves as they watched the young-looking boy struggle. Having finally gotten the Hat on his head, the room waited with baited breath as the Sorting Hat took a good long time, finally announcing…
"Gryffindor!"
The Muggle-borns at the Gryffindor table broke out in wild applause, as Yugi sheepishly joined them.
The rest of the Sorting passed by uneventfully, as "Taylor, Tristan," became a smug-looking Hufflepuff, and the remaining two students, Joey Wheeler and Mai Valentine became Gryffindors. Mai sat down at the table, winking at Ron as she took her place next to Yugi. Hermione glared at her before turning to the Headmaster, who had risen to his feet.
"I'm sure we all wish to welcome our new students, young and old. Now, dig in!"
Over the rattle of plates, Hermione could distinctly here two voices sailing over the crowd…
"That was it? That was dumb!"
"That was obvious!"
"That was… short."
"We liked it!" Hermione leaned over to see past Ron's shoulder. The voices belonged to Malik and Alice at the Slytherin table, who were chuckling together like old friends. Hermione merely rolled her eyes as the others chuckled about her. It looked like the school had found a replacement for the "Resident Troublemakers" vacancy.
The rest of the meal had passed somewhat peacefully. A late student had stormed into the hall after the Sorting, but beyond some bad-natured laughter fromMalik's Housemates, the incident was brief. Malik decided he liked that Alice girl – she was nearly as devious as himself. She hadn't run any major crime syndicates yet, but she was still young and there was plenty of time to plan for that. They instantly hit it off, having many common interests – and a healthy penchant for being the center of trouble.
"That's the Bloody Baron, the ghost for our House," a girl who introduced herself as Pansy leaned over and told Malik as he finished his ice cream. Both he and Alice looked at the ghost in curiosity, before asking,
"How'd he get so Bloody?"
"Shh! Not so loud. No one really knows," Pansy looked a fearfully towards the gaunt-looking ghost who was drifting through the table towards them. Malik and Alice just looked at each other, each silently daring the other.
Alice took the initiative. "Oy! Bloody Baron!" she shouted loudly. Ryou and Pansy were frozen in horror as the ghost drifted nearer. "How'd you get all covered in blood!" Alice asked loudly, causing the conversation to freeze not only at their own table, but those nearby as well.
Malik eyed the other students with a wide smile, as they were all looking over in amazement and fear. Alice was merely grinning in malicious glee as the Baron himself, with his wide, blank eyes drifted over to where they sat. Ryou leaned away from the mischievous pair as the Baron glared down at them. Alice's smile never faltered.
"Well! You gonna answer or what?" she asked impatiently, and the Baron continued to glare in surprise before he opened his mouth to answer her…
And then the Headmaster stood up and cleared his throat. Alice sighed regretfully as the Bloody Baron drifted away through a nearby wall in reprieve, still somewhat surprised, and perhaps angry, at the audacity of the new transfer students. Malik rolled his eyes as he and Alice stared bored at the head table during Dumbledore's speech. That is, until they caught something about a blanket ban on a certain joke shop.
"Let's get their catalogue," Alice muttered to Malik, who nodded fervently. The two conspired for a few minutes until someone shouted "No!" from nearby. The pair looked up and over at an incensed looking black-haired boy at a table across the room.
"What's his problem?" Marik asked aloud. Ryou rolled his eyes.
"If you had been listening," Ryou said, "The former Potions professor has transferred to the Defense Against Dark Arts post," he trailed off before adding, "I guess that boy's not too happy about it."
Pansy snorted. "That's Potter, of course he's not. That's Professor Snape, he's head of our House," she told them before joining in the applause with their other Housemates.
"Now, as everybody in this Hall knows, Lord Voldemort and his followers are once more at large and gaining in strength," the Headmaster continued. Malik looked around, confused at the sudden fearful silence.
"Lord Voldemort," he whispered to Ryou. "Is that the guy..." he managed to get out before Ryou shushed him. They listened in silence as Dumbledore continued his speech.
End Notes: Rather abrupt end, but I this chapter was getting long enough, and I still need to completely revamp the next chapter which finishes off the dinner scene. I had actually planned to write further into the plotline, but the Sorting took longer than I thought. And that poem… I don't know how the Hat does it, maybe because it has a year to plan, but that was a pain to write. Anyway, the next chapter will probably come fairly quickly, and contain some new insights as to why they're all together… mwhahaha.