Disclaimer: I own neither Ranma or Harry Potter. If I did, Akane would have been out of the running as a fiancée from the beginning and Sirius never would have been killed.

Chapter 8

Though the trio asked several times, Ranma wouldn't explain what she and Shampoo had been talking about with the springs. Ranma did answer Harry's question, though. "You asked why, if I give everyone nicknames, I remember the names of some people but not others.

"It's a bit complicated, but I've always been like that. If I like or respect someone, I will give them a nickname. It doesn't have to be respect for them as a person, it can just be respect for the skills they have. If I only respect them for something like the skills they have, I will forget their real names. If I think they are important in some way, I will remember a person's name, but rarely use it."

She paused a moment to take in their reactions. Hermione seemed confused about something. "Ranma, you said if the person who you give a nickname is important, then you will remember their name, right?" Ranma nodded. "How do you mean 'important'?"

Ranma grinned. "I don't much care if someone is the poorest of the poor with hardly anyone knowing them or if they are someone whose name is known by all." Ranma glanced at Harry to see if he understood. He seemed to, so she went on. "If I consider someone important, it is because I think of them as a friend."

Shampoo nodded agreement beside her. "Is true. Ranma give nickname, she respect you. Ranma give nickname and remember real name, she like you. But if Ranma give real name and no use nickname, she hate you. Is her way." She smiled calmly at Ranma. "If you friend with nickname, watch. Ranma say sorry, she truly mean it when she use real name."

Shampoo could see that Ranma was getting embarrassed by all the attention, so she decided to change the subject. "So, what you do here? You no seem bored."

Ranma grinned. "Bumblebee-san asked me if I would start a type of physical defense class."

Hermione nodded in agreement. "Yes, the Headmaster said that he thought we could use a way to defend ourselves if we were unable to use magic for some reason." She paused for a moment. "I haven't heard that one. Bumblebee-san?"

Ranma grinned. "A bumblebee seems harmless until it stings you. Bumblebee-san always seems to try to make himself look like a harmless old fool, but he has a nasty sting when he feels like using it. I know, because he has blinded me every time I use my aural sight."

Harry snickered. "What did he say the first time you called him that?"

Ranma also snickered softly. "He gave me a surprised look and asked me to explain."

Ron waved his hands. "Wait, you managed to surprise him? And you never told us? Most people thought he was impossible to surprise!"

Ranma shook her head. "No, just very hard. He just doesn't show it very often." She shook her head and turned back to Shampoo. "Anyway, I started it a few days ago. First thing I did was tell them that if I caught anyone bullying or otherwise abusing their skills, I would kick them out of my class before they could ask why."

Shampoo nodded. "Is good thing. They no listen if you tell them later."

Ranma nodded in agreement. "Then, I started a small debate about which would give you more advantage in a fight, strength or speed."

Hermione spoke up again. "Yes, it was very interesting. I think you might get more of the Ravenclaws in if you do more debates like that."

Ranma nodded in agreement. "Yes, they seemed very interested. After we had argued for a while, I decided that there was still enough light out to be able to give a demonstration."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, and I got to be part of it." He turned an annoyed look on Ranma, who just smiled angelically. "I thought I wouldn't have to run for my life from anyone but Deatheaters anymore."

Ranma snorted softly. "You were not running for your life. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't know that you would be fine."

Shampoo looked around and snorted in exasperation, accidentally slipping into Chinese as she spoke. "Well, are you going to tell me, or are you going to drive me crazy with hints?"

Ranma snorted softly and answered in English. "I'm sorry, Xian Pu, I almost forgot is all."

Shampoo rolled her eyes. "You forgiven, but tell!"

Ranma laughed. "Alright, it went like this…"

Flashback

Dumbledore stood up towards the end of dinner. "Excuse me, but I have an announcement to make. Anyone interested in being in a new Physical Defense class, stay after dinner. That is all."

After dinner, the majority of the Gryffindor and Slytherins were still seated, as well as some of the Hufflepuffs and a few Ravenclaws. They were all whispering among themselves, wondering what this would involve.

Ranma stood in front of the teacher's table and watched in satisfaction as the remaining students quieted down. "Alright. As you heard, I will be teaching a Physical Defense class. Anyone who feels that they don't want to learn under me, can leave." There was some fidgeting, but no one left.

She nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Now, first of all, I need to explain a few things. I will probably be breaking these groups up somewhat, but I refuse to go along with House rivalries. I will break the groups up along more physical lines. For example, I don't care if you hate each other, but all Seekers who are here will be in the same group, along with whoever else has a small, light build. This is because they are more likely to be faster instead of stronger."

Ranma grinned as she watched all of them whisper among themselves, confused. "Having said that, lets have a debate. Which would be of more advantage in a fight, speed or strength?"

One of the Ravenclaws raised her hand and Ranma nodded to her. "Are you asking if a fighter who focused on speed might have a greater advantage over one focused on strength, and vice versa?"

Ranma nodded. "Exactly. Which would have the greater advantage?"

Hermione spoke up. "I think that a fighter with greater strength would have a hard time hitting a faster opponent, and could just wear himself out."

Ranma nodded in agreement. "Good argument, but what if the stronger fighter had greater endurance? He or she could just wait for their opponent to tire, and catch them when they slowed down."

With that, the debate took off, and everybody seemed to be having some fun. After a while, Ranma glanced up at the ceiling and decided that there was still enough light for what she wanted to do. "Alright, we can continue this later. For now, I want to set up a demonstration of sorts."

Ranma led the group outside to the Quidditch Pitch and stopped at one end. "Now, I want to show you something, but I'll need a couple people." She calmly walked around until she found the people she wanted. "You're Goyle, aren't you?" she calmly asked a large, hulking boy. When he nodded, she asked him. "Would you mind being a part of my demonstration?" After a moment, the boy nodded and followed her back to the goal posts. Ranma then went looking for a different group and soon found them.

"Snaketongue! Glad you could make it. Care to participate?" and she had hauled him over to the goal posts before he could say a word in protest. "Great! I don't think I could use anyone else. This is perfect!" Harry just sighed and decided to go along with it.

Once she had both boys situated, Ranma turned to the rest of the group. " Okay, we are going to have a small demonstration to show one side of the debate. Harry is going to run to the end of the Quidditch pitch and back, with Goyle chasing him. I will be giving Harry a small head start, and he can use whatever maneuvers he wants to. Goyle will do his best to keep up. Harry will be safe only when he makes it back here and grabs my hand."

She grinned and looked at the two, only to find Harry staring at her. "Good luck, Harry. Goyle, you can do whatever you want to catch him, but please try to avoid squishing him. I don't think anyone will be too happy if you do."

Harry rolled his eyes, obviously wondering when she had gone crazy. "Alright, ready, set, go!" Harry took off running, and many were already surprised by his speed. Some seconds later, Ranma let Goyle take off. He was obviously no where near as fast as Harry.

At the other end of the field, Harry swung around the goal posts, having slowed down slightly to let Goyle catch up. He swung wide, and Goyle found that while Harry could slip between the posts quite easily, he could not. While Goyle was trying to get himself unstuck, Harry took off back down the field. By the time Goyle was free, Harry had a good head start.

Goyle managed to close the gap between them, and Harry watched with quick glances over his shoulder. When he saw Goyle attempt a tackle, he zigged with a hard left and left him sailing by. By the time Goyle was on his feet once more, Harry had again gotten a good gap between them. Harry was only a few feet from Ranma when he saw that Goyle was once more going to try a tackle. This time, Harry zagged right, and snagged Ranma's hand, twisting into a backwards slide as he barely managed to stop.

Ranma nodded happily and let go of Harry so she could go help Goyle up. "Good, both of you." She turned toward the rest of the class. "As you could tell, Harry used his speed and ability to dodge to lure Goyle into trying for a tackle, twice. Goyle was led to believe that Harry was tiring, and thought he would make mistakes. Instead, Harry was able to get some space between them so that he could afford to not go at full speed. He did something similar when he dodged between the goal posts, taking a chance that Goyle would not fit easily."

She turned back to the two. "I may not honor house rivalries, but you two can both take five points for your houses." She was still speaking loud and clearly enough that all could hear her, but was still obviously talking only to them. "By the way, Harry, I think we need to work on your brakes." Harry rolled his eyes, and several people snickered.

End Flashback

Shampoo laughed when they finished telling. "Snake boy have good tactics. Use enemy speed and size against them. Is good idea for fast fighter."

Harry grinned at the compliment but still rolled his eyes at the event told. "Yeah, I had to use it a lot with my cousin Dudley. He and his friends use to chase me all the time."

Ranma nodded. "Yeah, and we've already done some work on Harry's braking. He can stop reasonably well now if he tries, but it's harder at high speeds." She turned back to Xian Pu. "Do you think Grandmother will give me some advise? I usually don't have a class this big, and it's really different."

Xian Pu nodded slightly. "Yes, I think Great Grandmother be happy to help. She say teaching good experience."

Ranma nodded in agreement. "I'll also try to help you with English and Japanese some more." She grinned happily. "It'll be fun to have you two around again."

Xian Pu smiled slightly. "Now I meet friends, but where is teacher? Cat-lady sound nice."

Ranma happily jumped to her feet. "Of course! Come on. See you later, Reader, Snaketongue and Fireheart!"

The trio was left staring after her. Finally, Ron asked. "Where does she get all the energy from?" The other two just shook their heads, not able to answer.

Out in the hall, Ranma was using the link she had to her Auntie Min. It was the same feeling that had led her to Hogwarts, but stronger. Ranma used it whenever she wanted to search her out.

Shampoo shook her head but knew better than to ask as she was led on a maze-like journey to find the one Ranma had claimed as teacher. Eventually, they were in front of a door and Shampoo had long since decided not to bother trying to figure out where they were. Instead, she simply followed Ranma in when she opened the door.

Ranma looked around the teacher's lounge and soon spotted her Auntie, leading Shampoo over with her. "Hello, Auntie Min."

Minerva looked up from grading papers and smiled slightly. "Hello, Ranma. Who's your friend?"

Ranma grinned happily. "Auntie Min, this is my adopted sister, Xian Pu. Xian Pu, this is my aunt, Minerva McGonagall."

Xian Pu smiled slightly. "Hello, Miss Cat-lady. Is good to meet you."

Minerva smiled in turn. "Hello, Xian Pu, it's nice meeting you as well."

Ranma grinned happily as the two seemed to be getting along.

> > > > > > >

AN: Sorry I took so long with getting this chapter out. I've had it written for a while now, I just kept forgetting to post it. And since I don't have a lot to say, on to the Review Responses.

Ebona Nite: To be honest, I don't know yet what exactly Mousse did to piss off Ranma. For all I know, he might have mistaken Ranma for Shampoo one time too many. Mousse hasn't shown up to tell me what he did to Ranma yet.

Dragon Man 180: With Malfoy, who knows how long it will take him? He might insult Shampoo's English, or he could hit on her and really piss her off. I don't know yet. Everybody will be learning Ranma's secret soon enough, but not for a few more chapters. Genma will show up at Hogwarts, I'm just not sure when. And I won't argue the point about the Musk, but I will point out that this is Ranma talking.

Rubberneck: Like I said before, I am sure that Malfoy would be pissy about the whole thing, but why make him angry when he can be embarrassed totally? Permanently being cursed would probably end up with him using the gender swapping as an advantage, a bit like Ranma often does in canon. Just think of how paranoid he could get if he didn't know if the next cold water that hit him would change him or not! It'd be so funny to watch him get twitchy and then splash him with Instant Jusenkyo powder just when he starts to relax.

Dairokkan: To be honest, I have absolutely nothing against Mousse. I'm just trying to make them reasonably in-character. And you have to admit, the crack about his glasses probably isn't too far off base. I like Mousse as a character, but he did something to piss off Ranma, and Shampoo has never made any bones about how annoying she thinks he is. I really like Ryouga, and Ranma was just too interesting to ignore. Ryouga will have a part in this story, I just don't know how big it will be.

jewels: Hey Chuwy! Thanks for reviewing. Yes, I think I could be considered a fireheart, if only for the fact that I'm a redhead. So : P.