Chapter 5: Conglomeration of Feelings and Mysteries (Part Two)

By: Sokai

Disclaimer: To be short and frank, I do not nor will I (sadly) ever own the great workings of Harry Potter, Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon, or W.I.T.C.H. I'm not that talented. I am, however, talented enough to manage to concoct this chaotic fanfic combining all three worlds, and manage to make it all look good/easy, owning the storyline and any new spells or attacks I might create (although, clearly having been inspired by said series/book). So, alas, I dare you not to enjoy this undoubtedly bumpy ride alongside me! Ha! Okay, okay; I'll shut up now, especially since this wasn't short OR frank. HeHe Still . . . enjoy reading (AND leaving massive reviews!).

Note: And here's part two of chapter five that I never bothered to post until now, and saddens me, cuz it'll just get brushed off as well. :Shrugs: Oh, well.

This chapter was written/created in November 2005.

Hay Lin heaved a heavy, impatient sigh as she continued to sit alone at her desk within the spacious and dimly lit library (which was slowly diminishing in its fellow occupants). She'd been waiting for the past twenty minutes for Taranee to show up, so that they could get a head start on their Care of Magical Creatures project, before having to head to their dual, night lessons.

The minutes ticked on, and still the usually prompt intellect was a no show.

I'd expect this kind of lax behavior from Irma of all people, not Taranee. The only thing that Irma's ever on time for is the lunch bell or gossiping, the Air Guardian mused silently to herself of her best friend, as she idly flipped through the pages of her textbook.

Although, technically, it was not with her skinny fingers that she was turning them, but with the help of the steady supply of air surrounding her -- as well as the magic within her that willed it to do so. She knew that she was tempting the major risk of exposure by using one of her innate gifts in public (not to mention an immense scolding from her friends if they could see her now -- or worse, her grandmother, seeing as she was now a resident of the school as well); however, as her naturally creative mind was constantly in need of proper stimulation, she could not help herself.

And besides, this place is quickly becoming a Ghost town, thanks to Taranee's making me wait like this, she thought dryly. Her happy, almond shaped brown eyes watched as the little, silver puffs of air steadily emitting from her extended index finger gaily turned another page in her book for her with ease.

Despite that fact, however, Hay Lin was quickly finding it hard to defy the urge to openly practice her magic whenever she pleased (that is, whenever she pleased around those who were not in on her well kept secret of being a Guardian of the Veil).

She'd only been within there for less than a day, and already did Hay Lin find the supernatural school of Hogwarts to be so intriguing. The unique teacher conglomerate; the breathtaking scenery; and the fellow, well versatile magical students. Even her textbooks managed to hold her in awe, what with the multitude of spells to cast and historical witch and wizards to learn about.

It was all so overwhelming, by the same token that it was also liberating to the jubilant Asian, that she could hardly contain herself. Best of all, however, no matter what happened, she would have her friends with her to share in the experience . . .

Too bad Irma didn't get sorted into the same house as I had, though, Hay Lin thought with slight melancholy, still watching the familiar stream of her silver magic continue to do its work.

We could've caused some of our usual, major mischief together. Then again, we still can! Although, we might want to wait until we've been here for more than one day . . . or even perhaps after we graduate, just in case . . .

But at least Makoto is in Hufflepuff too-- she seems pretty cool. I should have asked her to come to the library to work on this project, even though she's not my partner. I'm sure she'd probably show up on t --

"Hay Lin! Are you insane? What if someone saw you!"

Startled, Hay Lin's book stopped flipping straightaway as she'd then lost her concentration. Her formerly racing heart immediately began to slow down, once she'd looked up to see a perplexed and anxious looking Taranee peering down at her with accusatory eyes.

"Oh. How nice of you to show up at long last. What were you doing, sightseeing or something, since my 'mental memo' obviously made no impact upon you," she said flatly as she closed her book and watched her friend take a seat next to her. "Oh yeah, and no one would catch me, given that everyone who was here has just about gone, thank you very much."

". . . Sorry, Hay Lin. I didn't mean to be late-- I kind of got sidetracked . . ."

Hay Lin's formerly sour mood instantly melted away and was replaced by her traditionally cheerful, carefree attitude (with the usual pinch of mischief mixed in).

She smirked suspiciously at the African American woman, who was now mysteriously blushing.

"'Sidetracked,' huh? Must've been something else, that unexpected turn of events, to make you blush so much and make you uncharacteristically late. In that case, I forgive you."

Hay Lin watched in amused delight as Taranee's brown eyes widened in surprised embarrassment.

"What? He didn't-- I mean --"

"-- Ah ha! So it is because of a boy! I knew I was right in my assumptions! So, spill! I want to hear all of the deets!" Hay Lin gushed, pleased that her psych-out had actually worked.

She inwardly marveled at how she was now actually willing to talk about boys, let alone be the one to bring the topic up. It was but a mere three years ago that, while she would have still done so, it would have been sans true interest.

But, I guess after being best friends with Irma since kindergarten and hanging around Cornelia -- who have both always been so guy-oriented -- some of that was bound to rub off on me sooner or later, the erstwhile late bloomer mentally chewed over, at the same time that Taranee hastily cleared her throat.

"Hey! Shh! Not so loud! But, anyway! There's nothing to 'spill,' because it's not because of a boy I was late. I was reading a book in the common room to kill time."

Hay Lin's face fell in disappointment.

"That's it? That's why you were so late to get here? What a slap in the face! I mean, at least if it had been a guy that caused you to almost forget about me, then I guess I could understand. But, it was over some book -- that you can read at any time, I might add? How anti-climactic," she expressed with mock hurt riddled within her voice.

Taranee merely rolled her eyes heavenward at this and smiled softly, knowing that it would take a lot more than that to ruffle the Asian girl's proverbial feathers.

"Not exactly, no. I guess I should first apologize for giving you hard time for using your magic so openly . . . since I sort of got carried away and willed a few flames to 'dance,' as it were, around my fingers while seated in front of the fireplace in my common room," she began, her blush returning. "And that's when I kind of . . . got caught by both Minako and Ami . . ."

"Are you serious? Yeah, you're right to retract your scolding of me, Taranee-- at least we're seated in a far corner of the library, and no one's hardly here anyway to have seen me in the act like I'd said," Hay Lin reasoned breathlessly, before lowering her voice and leaning forward. "So then . . . How did you manage to get out of it? Or, didn't you?"

"I didn't, no. Some Ravenclaw guy took care of that for me," revealed Taranee, not bothering to wait for Hay Lin's confused inquiry, as it was then riddled upon her face.

"Yeah, see, apparently just about everyone else in the room also saw me in the act, but didn't even care -- which was why Ami and Minako were the only two to have rushed to my side to 'put the fire out.'

As it turns out, there's a 'Fire Illusion' spell within this world that can mirror my power-- at least, in the respect of summoning fire that will give off the illusion of harming you, when in actuality does nothing of the sort."

Hay Lin giggled profusely, watching the older girl at last take a seat next to her.

"Oh, wow! Talk about lucky! So, what did Ami and Minako have to say about that?"

"Nothing, really. Except now I'm their personal 'Go to' girl for perfecting that spell after they've eventually learned it, themselves -- since, according to that Ravenclaw kid, I'm a natural at it," said Taranee, lightly tugging at her braid as she always did whenever feeling apprehensive or frustrated.

Hay Lin grinned, reaching out to playfully pull upon it herself.

"Well, you are the best girl for the job, after all. Of course, now you actually have to locate the spell in whichever book of ours it's in, and successfully perfect it before they do come to you for help. But if anyone can master any and all fire spells while here, it'd definitely be you, hands down."

And if there's any air oriented incantations to explore, everyone else better watch out, because it'll be no contest against yours truly, she thought with an amused gleam within her brown eyes.

"Thanks, Hay Lin. Maybe we'll all learn something pretty basic at tonight's lessons. Although, it's sort of weird how we're learning everything in reverse, don't you think? I mean, instead of starting at square one like the first years here, we get jump started into a seventh year level as Ron and his friends," commented Taranee, thankful that the rosy hue that was steadily returning to her cheeks at the mention of the crimson haired boy's name had seemingly gone unnoticed by Hay Lin.

Indeed it had, for the smaller girl was now too busy with her own curious thoughts upon the matter.

" Y'know, I didn't think of that. I mean, I do know that we're not the only ones doing it and that it's part of the 'Inter-Wizard Exchange Program' like Hagrid had told us, but . . . now I sort of feel even more overwhelmed by the school's overconfidence in us to excel right off the bat like this. I'd better make sure that I take extra superb notes tonight and in general so I don't flunk out," she said through slight nerves, reopening both her textbook and notebook as though for added emphasis and sincerity.

"Do you think that tonight's lessons will be a tough one, though?"

Taranee shrugged lightly as she followed suit with her own textbook.

"Can't be any harder than today's lessons, I'd imagine. We'll just have to wait and see in . . . twenty-five minutes. Until then, let's just see if we can't get started in our project already . . . Where's the egg?"

"What're you talking about? It's right here -- oops . . ."

Here I was, so busy being upset that Taranee was late to get here, and I'd managed to forget the very thing we'd decided to meet for in the first place! Hay Lin thought with abashment, smiling sheepishly at the taller girl as she watched her slap a disbelieving hand to her forehead.

I guess I can take the role of "carefree, rolls-with-the-punches" Guardian of Air a bit too seriously at times! I hope I don't do this often throughout the school year, otherwise I just might flunk out!

YYYYYYYY

"I'm just telling you what I saw! Why don't you believe me?" huffed a very agitated Hermione to her friends inside of the Gryffindor common room later that evening before bed.

She was gradually finding that her patience was fleeing from her, as she continued to try to explain herself to her two best friends. And while it was mainly due to her increased fatigue more than anything else, it was still depleting itself nonetheless.

Not but several minutes before had Hermione come barreling through the door and into Harry and Ron's company by the window (where they lazily sat, playing a round of Wizard's Chess before turning in) to alert them of the surprising turn of events she'd come across while in the library.

It had been a mere few minutes after she'd finished her homework session with both Ron and Neville (who were both more than eager to leave her to put their used books back onto their proper shelves) that she'd noticed their new friend, Hay Lin, sitting by her lonesome.

Of course, that had not been the surprising part.

However, what had shocked the outspoken intellect was the fact that, not only had Hay Lin been idly turning page upon page within one of her textbooks, but she had not been doing so manually.

By that respect, Hermione thought glumly to herself, I can understand Harry and Ron not being phased by my news. I mean, after all, we are surrounded by far more impressive feats than that everyday. Still, there was something distinctly different about it . . .

As though sensing her thoughts, Ron sighed heavily after destroying one of Harry's Bishops.

"It's not that we don't believe you, Hermione. It's just that, so what if you caught Hay Lin using magic to read her book? She is a fellow witch, after all."

Following suit with her own frustrated exhale, Hermione stopped pacing about the now empty common room and sat upon the couch that was in front of the slowly dying fireplace.

"And I agree, Ron. But what I saw was . . . different than the typical magic we're used to seeing . . ."

"How so, Hermione?" asked Harry through a sleepy, slightly bored yawn, after successfully earning his revenge by completely demolishing one of Ron's Knights.

Hermione stared at the raven haired lad a moment before responding.

If ever there would be a poster child for the most consecutive mood swings in less than a week, Harry would most assuredly acquire the job, hands down.

First, last night at the Sorting Hat Ceremony feast, he had become deathly quiet while brooding , absolutely refusing to speak to anyone. Then today, while still obviously upset for reasons unknown, he had a vaguely better disposition. And now, this evening, the boy who lived was teetering either between nonchalance, or sarcasm -- even more than Ron possessed, if at all possible.

Hermione both knew and understood that there was greatly more than enough upon the green eyed hero's mind at the moment -- what with worrying about passing his final year successfully, in addition to deciphering when Lord Voldemort would strike the inevitable final blow . . .

Still, after having known him for as along as she had and just as well, Hermione was also aware that whatever's been eating away at him lately had nothing to do with either plight -- and, as always, would be up to her to figure it out precisely.

Until then, however, she would have to first take care of this little matter.

". . . Well, for one thing, Harry, I've never seen a 'Zephyr' charm worked the way that Hay Lin had, assuming that that's what it had been," she began, idly biting upon her lower lip in reflection.

"I mean, she'd performed it without her wand, and everyone within the wizarding world knows that only the best of the best witch or wizard can cast spells successfully without the aid of his or her wand."

"Ah! And now the picture has become crystal clear, ladies and gentlemen!" exclaimed Ron suddenly, as he veered his attention momentarily away from the game to smirk at the perplexed brunette.

"What's that supposed to mean, Ronald?" breathed Hermione with an increasingly accusatory tone within her voice.

Ron's playful grin broadened as he wagged a long, skinny finger at her.

"I would think that it'd be rather obvious to you, 'Miss Knows-All-Sees-All!' It's been pretty clear since yesterday that you're not exactly as 'okay' with this whole Inter Wizarding program as you projected all summer alongside Ginny.

Yeah, because first, you tried to blame your natural clumsiness onto Rei, just because she had a stroke of lucky by predicting it beforehand. And now, you're wanting to attack Hay Lin, and all because she might some big shot powerful witch where she's from, and possibly a lot stronger than even you are.

Relax, though, Hermione, because that would mean that she'd have to be ten times stronger than ol' Harry, here, and everyone knows that he's as powerful as they come! Isn't that right, Harry? I mean, your bloody name means 'power!' Guess your parents definitely hit the nail on the head with that one, huh?" astonished Ron in good humor, having then turned his back to Hermione and resumed the game with Harry by that point (who merely nodded faintly, clearing far too into the game to have paid any proper attention to what was going on).

Hermione, upon hearing this, instantly felt the familiar pang of anguish she'd regrettably feel whenever dealing with the cardinal haired young man. Standing from her seat, she glared daggers at the back of his head at the same time that she had planted both feet firmly onto the ground.

"Is that what you think? That because I feel as though my 'territory' is being threatened, I'm now going to go on a rampage against every exchange student here? Then how come I didn't do anything of the sort during the the Triwizard Tournament?" she fumed, becoming intensely annoyed all the more that the back of Ron's person continued to be the only part of him she was addressing.

Ron's shoulders elevated momentarily as he shrugged, nearing the end of his game with the more or less mute Harry.

"I don't know. Probably because that barely had anything to do with just smarts or anything else you're irritatingly good at. Besides, you were too young at the time to have taken part in it even if you wanted to -- not to mention that the cup wouldn't have chosen you, anyhow. Oh, and I seem to recall you resenting my future sister-in-law, Fleur Delacour, at first when we first met her. Now, why was that, again?"

It was all Hermione could do to refrain herself from charging over to Ron and ring his skinny neck at this, the rage within her building as her cheeks grew painfully hot with greatly unwanted embarrassment and hurt.

"You mean, like how you went from idolizing the very dirt Viktor Krum walked upon, to 'mysteriously believing him to be some sort of cad after merely having taken notice of me? Let's explain that, shall we?" she heatedly countered, rushing forward to face him and catching his own face turn beet red in turn.

"I-I . . . I don't know what you're talking about . . ." he mumbled bitterly, watching Harry add insult to injury as he'd just finished conquering his last line of defense, successfully winning the chess game in the process.

"Oh, don't you? Then again, you never do, then, either! Perhaps, maybe if I had sparkling blue eyes or shimmering ebony locks you'd miraculously know, right?"

And before either men could utter a word (although it was highly unlikely that Harry would have made any kind of verbal motion, as he'd been like a mime the entire time), Hermione instantly flew past them in a blind fury, straight up the stairs that would lead her to the girls' dormitory.

Once inside her room, she felt momentary gratitude that her roommates, Will, Usagi, and Rei were fast asleep. She simply did not have any remaining energy, nor any proper explanations for the steady flow of tears that were now deplorably cascading down her pale cheeks.

Sometimes Hermione truly wondered why she even bothered to continue to communicate with the red haired man after all these years, the way he'd always manage to misconstrue the things she would say.

You know why, she thought sadly to herself as she changed into her pajamas.

It's the very same reason that that awful Pansy Parkinson regrettably called you out for upon the train in front of everyone -- in front of him: it's because you secretly hope that maybe, just maybe he'll finally say the words you've been longing for him to say for the past seven years . . . The words you know are somewhere within his heart but is just too immature, afraid, and oblivious to voice . . .

"Oh, but how I wish he would," Hermione softly whispered to herself, wiping a tear away from her face as she tiredly climbed into bed.

". . . Because, then I could finally express what's been within my own heart all this time . . . But now that all of these new exchange witches are here -- especially two in particular -- what chance have I got?"

Exhaling slowly as a final tear escaped from her glassy, forlorn brown eyes, Hermione sadly rolled onto her side and curled into a tight ball, before plunging into a sad slumber that would (if only for a few hours) help to ease the perpetual pain of an increasingly breaking heart . . .

-- End of Part Two

(A.N. So that's part two of chapter five, yet another eight pages. Imagine if I kept the chapter whole. It'd probably be thirty pages of writing that no one would read yet again. Oh, well. Hermione's scene I enjoyed the most to write, because it was the most touching and insightful -- plus, I can definitely relate to her plight, so yeah. Anyhow, stay tuned for part three . . . which should be the final part, I believe to chapter five. I'd appreciate the reviews and support, but they hardly come, so yep.)