Hee hee hee. Sorry it took so long all you peoples who reviewed. As I said in my Kenshin fic, my disk with all of these chapters broke (it was brand new!) and destroyed all my files. So. . . A word to the wise. . . always have a backup file!
This chapter is actually going to be long!! With another appearance by Myrtle {maybe}!
Note: Forgot to mention – Hermione and Ron are the Gryffindor Prefects, just like in book 5, k? Nothing else of book five applies (as of yet) So previous notes in earlier chapters for more information on what in book four applies and doesn't
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Harry Potter and the Secrets of a Princess
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Chapter 10: The New Captain and Keeper
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Setsuna's appearance was entirely unexpected in the school. Over the next coming days, the students questioned the relevance of information taught by a Japanese teacher. Would the information presented be relevant to them after this year? No one really knew why she was even there. She was silent in the halls, except when telling off a student for running and she was not even around at the meals. Setsuna was basically invisible, but she was always there at classes.
September was slowly slipping by as the student's workload steadily grew. The fifth years had a bulk of the work as they had OWLs in April of the year. Complaints were thrown and the workload just kept getting bigger, not to mention the Gryffindor Quiddich team was seeking a new captain and a new keeper. Since Oliver Wood's graduation two years before, nothing had been done with the vacancies. Tryouts were ensuing, keeping the team busy.
Makoto, too, was boggled down in the work and having trouble keeping up. She had never had this magical history and background and was struggling to keep on top of four years of work and spells. Not only that, but she spent a lot of time in Dumbledore's office as she needed help to translate her essays for the teachers.
The stress was mounting high for the Hogwarts fifth years, who were now looking forward to the first weekend in Hogsmeade, the small wizarding town outside of Hogwarts. The first trip was on the upcoming Saturday, and many were racing to get there.
"I'll be glad when the weekend comes!" Harry exclaimed as he started writing an essay for Potions.
Hermione was finished and staring at him and Ron, a look of utter disappointment. "We go the essay a week ago and you're just now starting it?" She shook her head disgusted.
Ron laughed. "We don't have your brain, Hermione, or your discipline. Besides, it's hard to concentrate with Hogsmeade weekend coming up." He smiled, but quickly dropped his glance when Hermione gave him a reproachful eye.
"Still! The fact of the matter remains—" she was cut off by the portrait slamming shut behind them. She jumped, and automatically turned around to tell off the first year.
Only it wasn't any of them.
~Meanwhile~
Dumbledore was certainly a huge help when it came to schoolwork. None of the teachers were willing to help Makoto with her language barrier, not even Setsuna. So she was stunck, going every evening to Dumbledore's office for homework. First she wrote in Japanese Kanji and he tapped it with his wand and it translated into English. She was learning this skill slowly and was grateful for it, though she was getting incredible grades with Dumbledore's help.
"That's all the homework for now," she said, in Japanese, yawning. "Thanks so much again!"
"Let's not do the lessons tonight, Mako-chan," his warm voice said. "It seems you're tired."
She tried to stifle the yawn, but it was still obvious. "No, Dumbldore-sama. I'm fine. I need to learn this."
Dumbledore sighed and nodded his head, saying "Alright, but only for a little while, hai?" He still had his wand in his hand and pulled out a sheet of paper covered in kanji. He tapped it with his wand, Makoto staring intently, as he said, "Translarto Japan." Immediately the paper switched into English words. "Translarto English" and it switched back.
Makoto's eyes widened as she carefully watched Dumbledore work his magic. 'Too bad there isn't one for language,' she thought. When he told her to give it a shot, she pulled out her wand, waved it like his, touched the tip to the paper, reiterating his words. The words changed into English and quickly jumped back, just as they had done before. She sighed, and tried again, and again.
Dumbledore's crystal blue eyes glittered as he watched her try again and again. His gaze followed her actions, carefully scrutinizing her movements and the pronunciation of the spell. 'She's doing this right,' he thought. 'So why can she not do this spell? It is complicated, but with her level, she should be able to do this.' His gaze raised to her face, which was contorted in concentration. 'What's going on inside her head?'
After ten minutes of strenuous work, Makoto dropped to her knees, worn and tired. "I cannot do this, Sensei. I just can't."
"It's only you're third time, Mako-san," he said, his warm blue eyes glittering. "Most would not even be able to hold the spell for the few moments. You're doing great so far." He paused, thinking for a moment. "You should get going though, and get some sleep."
She sighed, but nodded her head. He was right, she did need the sleep. "Hai, Sensei. Konbanwa." She gathered her books and left the room, slightly let down and torn.
Walking down the hall at midnight was an interesting ordeal. The halls were dark and the metal knights around the walls were snoring. No one was up, but noises were still heard from hallway to hallway. Most nights were uneventful, and tonight seemed the same, but up around the corner a loud, resonating sound was heard, echoing up the corridor.
Instinctively, Makoto dropped her bookbag and pulled out her transformation rod, crying, "Jupiter Starlight Power!"
She dashed around in the corner, her sailor fuku swaying around her. "Who's there?" she demanded after coming to an empty corridor filled with cackling. Her green eyes darted around the room.