Surprise! This story is not dead!
Before anything else I'd like to apologise to my regular readers for that long hiatus. I know some people must have thought this was a dead story – I would too if I were reading a story that hadn't been updated in a year and a half. But it's still very much alive, and I've got big plans for its future.
As for me, I have been busy over the last year and a half. I decided to go back to university to do my post graduate certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) to add to the bachelor of primary education that I already have. In my undergraduate I got a credit average across all subjects, so you can imagine my (pleasant) shock when I got high distinctions for each subject in my post graduate. I think it's partly because in the 2 years I was away from uni (while I lived in Japan), I was writing the first few chapters of this story, which while they are very different from writing a academic paper, still kept me in the habit of writing and editing. So last year, I was really focusing on my study and so got very little Fanfiction writing done.
The second reason this took so long to come out was the editing, and rewriting of some of my existing chapters that had to take place before this chapter was released. When you keep in mind that Arthur was originally in third year, you'll see that it was necessary for me to rewrite those sections before this chapter came out.
So without anymore from me, we'll begin that chapter (I'm so excited to hear about what you think of it!)
Hogwarts
2nd September, 8am
Harry's POV.
The following morning, Harry found himself, along with Hermione and Ron, leading Alfred down to the Great Hall.
"Thanks again for showing me how to get here," Alfred said as they waited for a moving staircase.
"Well, you said yourself that it took you and Francis two hours to find the Gryffindor dormitory last night." Hermione replied. "It's not like we'd make you wander the halls like that this morning too."
"I did tell you that you'd get lost," Ron grinned.
"What was so important that you decided to stay behind?" asked Harry.
"Oh, well, we decided to catch up with Mattie before the night was over – lost track of time." Alfred said explained vaguely.
"Well, next time, make sure you can actually find your way back," Hermione advised as she led the way into the hall.
Looking up at the enchanted ceiling, Harry noted that while the storm had blown over during the night, heavy cloud still lingered. He looked over to Alfred, who was watching how the ceiling changed for the first time. The new student looked upwards with a mixture of interest and… Something Harry could only place as a mix of intrigue and distain.
Moving down the Gryffindor table, they passed Fred and George, who had accompanied Francis down. Harry noted that despite being the only new transfer student in the sixth year, he certainly didn't mind the attention it gained him. Francis was currently engaging his fellow sixth years with some eccentric story that he couldn't quite hear.
Harry and the others continued down the table until they came to a large enough space. Just as he was sitting, a screech announced the arrival of the first owl service of the year. He looked up and scanned the influx of owls for the familiar flurry of white he had last seen almost three weeks prior. Where are you girl? He thought as the last of the owls entered the hall. Trying not to appear too disappointed he reasoned. I'm sure she's just been delayed, I'd know if anything had happened to Sirius. Plus, with Alfred right here, it might have been difficult if I had gotten his letter right now.
"Hello? Harry?" said Hermione, pulling Harry from his thoughts. "Would you hurry up and take it? I'm not going to stand here holding it for you all day."
Harry looked down at the fourth year timetable she offered. Already Ron was complaining.
"Ugh, double potions followed by double divination? What did I do to deserve such a shitty Monday?"
"Seriously?" questioned Harry, looking at his own timetable in the hope Ron was wrong. He wasn't. "The worst two subjects, doubled and next to each other."
"Well at least you've got transfiguration to end the day with," said Hermione optimistically.
"Hermione – its double potions and divination," said Harry dubiously.
"That's four hours of torture," Ron added.
"And transfiguration isn't exactly easy."
Rolling her eyes, Hermione turned away from her currently depressed friends. "What subjects did you choose Alfred?"
"I have potions too – everyone had to choose that one, right?"
Hermione nodded in reply.
"Aside from that I have arithmancy and transfiguration."
"Oh, you'll be with me for arithmancy – smart choice choosing that over divination. That subject's such a waste of time."
"Yeah, smart choice man," commented Ron. "How did you know to avoid divination?"
"Well, I don't like spoilers," explained Alfred. "What if I get too good at divination and can never play another game or watch another movie without having the ending spoiled?"
"Uh, I don't think it works that way."
"So, you don't like divination." Alfred continued. "If you say it's a waste of time, then fair enough. But, what's so bad about potions? I thought it'd be kind of cool, you don't need much magi – I mean it's a bit like cooking – just throw a bunch of ingredients together and make something new."
"It's not the subject so much," Hermione began.
"It's the people," continued Harry. "The professor, Snape is basically a big jerk who favours his old house, the Slytherins, who are also all jerks."
"All of them?" Alfred questioned, a hint of doubt in his voice. Looking over towards the Slytherin table he continued, "So I guess none of you are on friendly terms then?"
Harry followed Alfred's gaze to where Kiku and Arthur were talking with some of the Slytherins, including Malfoy.
"Are you kidding?" asked Ron, who'd seemingly failed to notice where Alfred's attention was currently directed. "As if we'd be friend with any of them. Can't trust them as far as you could throw them."
"My friends were sorted into Slytherin last night," said Alfred coolly looking back at Ron. "And you seemed to get along with them well enough before that happened."
"Ah, yeah," said Ron a little awkwardly, remembering the connection the transfer students had. "Sorry – maybe new Slytherins won't be as bad as ones that are there from the start."
Alfred took in this somewhat lame apology for a moment. "Ah, don't worry about it. If the only ones you've met are assholes, it might be hard to believe some of them are decent." Alfred paused for a moment, a reluctant smile spreading across his face. "For the record though, I probably do trust my friends about as far as I can throw them."
Alfred's POV
After finishing breakfast, Alfred, Harry, Ron, and Hermione hurried off to their first class. As they took the staircase leading down to the dungeons, Alfred looked around nervously.
"So, ah, do all those ghosts hang around in the dungeons when it's not opening ceremony?" he asked in a would-be casual voice.
"Not particularly," answered Hermione. "You'll find them anywhere in the castle. Most of them like to move around a bit, but some prefer to stay in one spot, like Moaning Myrtle who's usually in the girls' bathrooms on the second floor, or that ghost that hangs around the Astronomy Tower."
"Brilliant." Alfred said sarcastically. I guess it's good that not all of them are down here – the place would be swarming with them. He thought. But still, if they're all throughout the castle, it's going to get hard avoiding them – at least I don't have to worry about the one in the girls toilets– But what if it gets bored with the girls and decides to visit the guys toilets instead – Gahh! – It's like what I said last night! Maybe I should ask for France's advice after all…
"You're not – You don't have a problem with the ghosts do you?" asked Harry. "Because most of them are fin-"
"Oh look! It's Kiku and Arthur!" Alfred said suddenly and with unnecessary enthusiasm, pointing out his friends who were lined up outside the potions class with the other Slytherins. "Let's go say 'hi'." With that Alfred quickened his pace, leaving Harry, Ron, and Hermione behind.
"Did…he just avoid the question?"
Alfred strode past a couple of Gryffindors and up to the Japanese nation who had been speaking with a pair of Slytherins. Upon seeing him, Alfred noticed slight smirks spread across the two Slytherin's faces – clearly word of Alfred's 'heritage' had spread. Just ignore them. Alfred told himself, taking in a deep breath. They're just a bunch of dumb kids, don't let their crap get to you.
"Yo, Kiku, Arthur 'sup?" Alfred greeted his friends cheerfully.
"Alfred san, we thought we would see you here," Kiku smiled.
"It seems that we'll be having a fair few classes together." Arthur added.
"Sweet."
"Not when you're having to put up with Mudblood stench for all those extra lessons," said Malfoy, who had also noticed Alfred's presence.
"Shut your face Malfoy," said Ron who, along with Harry, had joined Alfred's side.
"Oh, I see. Weasley's been around Mudbloods for so long now that he forgot the stench." Malfoy looked around at his fellow Slytherins, clearly enjoying the attention they gave him. "I'd be careful being around them anymore Weasly, you don't want the smell to rub off on you."
"You weren't so talkative on the train yesterday," said Harry. "Did you forget to mention how you turned and ran when Alfred went to punch you? You like to talk crap about Muggle borns, but we both know that if one's about to hit you, you get running."
"What I did tell the others is that Jones isn't just a Mudblood, but a psycho too."
"You think I'm a psycho?" said Alfred, stepping forward.
"Alfred," said Arthur in a warning tone.
"Alfred san, do not get worked up by what this boy says. It's not worth it," Kiku said quietly, switching to Japanese.
Alfred gave Malfoy another hard look. "Fine." He said in a tone that did not at all suggest that he was 'fine'.
However before anything else could happen, the dungeon door swung opened. A greasy-haired man who Alfred assumed to be Professor Snape stood in the doorway. His gaze swept over the Slytherin and Gryffindor students as though sensing the almost-fight, before briefly landing on the three nations.
"So, you are the new students. I can only hope that you will not be as useless as some of your peers."
Alfred scowled, noting the way Snape's eyes flickered toward Neville Longbottom.
"Know this;" the potions master continued. "You will not receive any special treatment as transfer students. You will be expected to participate in lessons at the same level as those who have always been in my class. If it so happens that Illavormy was satisfied with a lower level of ability for its 4th years, you will be required to catch up to Hogwarts standards in your own time."
Snape looked around at the other students, now addressing the class as a whole. "This term you will be required to work in small groups. When you enter, you will draw your name from the box at the front of the room to determine which of your classmates you will be assigned with."
Ten minutes later, Alfred found himself sitting at a small table alongside Ron and Neville. Snape gave the final students a moment longer to be seated before waving his wand, causing a list of ingredients and a method for the potion to appear on the board.
"As the theory behind the Binding Potion was included within your summer reading, I expect you should all have an adequate understanding of how it must be correctly brewed. Therefore there are no excuses for any failed batches. Begin."
The class set to work, preparing the ingredients for the Binding Potion. Alfred looked around the room momentarily, taking in his first class of the year. At the table to his right sat Kiku along with Hermione and Harry. Although a little difficult, with the other background noise within the classroom, Alfred could still decipher Hermione's voice saying; "No Harry, it says dice the aconite, not slice it!"
Alfred looked down at his own sliced aconite.
Meh, slice – dice – as if it makes a difference.
Closer to the front of the room sat Arthur along with the Malfoy asshole and some other likely asshole, who, according to Ron, was called Zabini. Arthur, Alfred noted, really seemed to be enjoying the task, not that Alfred was too surprised by this. He had known (and chosen to ignore) the fact that Arthur brewed the occasional potion in the basement of his home for decades now. Alfred wondered briefly how Arthur had managed this prior to his acquisition of the Seidhr gem. Maybe he'd ask one day. He watched as Arthur said something to Malfoy and then as Malfoy began stirring, while Arthur added the aconite that Zabini had prepared.
Alfred looked away, he couldn't lie. Watching the way his former guardian was seemingly working so well with such a magicist kid was really pissing him off.
"Ok, so where're we at?" Alfred asked, distracting himself with the task that he was actually suppose to be doing.
"I've got the billywig sting ready," said Neville, showing a small pot of what looked like purple slime.
"I've scooped out the 2 cups of doxy eggs," said Ron.
"The water in the pot's just starting to boil," noted Neville.
"And I've got the aconite," said Alfred, showing his team the sliced flower root.
"Great! Looks like we're ready to put it all together."
Following the instructions, Ron slowly added the billywig sting and doxy eggs while Neville stirred.
"Ok, it's changed blue. Now add the aconite and leave to rest for ten minutes," Ron read.
"I got this," said Alfred, reaching for the root. "So, add them in one at a–"
BOOM
As one the entire class watched as the contents of the cauldron exploded outwards, coating Alfred in a blue goop.
"Shit, that hurts!" Alfred exclaimed, jumping up and brushing what goop he could off his skin, which was already reddening.
"Language, Jones," said Professor Snape, now closely examining what remained. "It would seem that none of you are able to tell the difference between slicing and dicing. Had you diced the aconite root as instructed, the mixture would have –"
"Dude, I totally don't care right now," Alfred said, temporarily removing his goop covered glasses. "I just want to get this crap off."
Snape's nostrils flared in annoyance. "Longbottom, Weasly, take Jones to the Hospital Wing before his burns get too deep. I will also see the three of you this evening for detention."
"What?"
"Dude, that's totally not fair."
"It was an accident," added Harry.
"That's enough from you Potter, unless you want to join them. As for Weasley and Longbottom, they easily could have warned Jones he was making a mistake had the simple fact not been lost on them. And Jones, by 4th year you should at least know how to correctly prepare your ingredients. Furthermore, I do not know how things were done at your previous school, but here you will refer to your teachers as 'professor', not by some idiotic American slang. Now escort him up to the Hospital Wing."
Alfred stood rooted to the spot for a moment, very tempted to say something to Snape that he would probably later come to regret. The remaining blue goop gave another painful throb. Deciding it would be better to find a bathroom and remove the rest of goop, he turned to leave with Ron and Neville, but not before making eye contact with Arthur.
Alfred groaned. I don't know what Snape has planned for detention – but I am not looking forward to listening to Iggy's whinging about this later.
Kiku's POV
Half an hour later, Kiku looked at his small ocean blue vile of the completed Binding Potion. Despite the drama at Alfred's table, the rest of the lesson had passed smoothly, and Kiku found that he had quite enjoyed both brewing the potion, as well as working with Harry and Hermione.
Kiku brought his completed potion to Snape's desk as instructed, and looking at the time, noted that there were still a few minutes until class ended. Alfred, Ron, and Neville still had not returned, and their cauldron was still a mess. Something that Hermione had clearly noticed too, as she had suggested that she, Kiku and Harry clean the area after they had finished their own.
Ten minutes later (and still with no sign of Alfred or the others) the bell, signaling the end of class sounded. Figuring that he had better speak with Arthur, Kiku bid Harry and Hermione goodbye and rejoined Arthur, who had just finished packing his equipment away.
"So, that was an interesting first lesson," Kiku began tentatively.
"Not right now Kiku," said Arthur, shoving his book back in his bag with more force than necessary. A moment passed. "Seriously, we haven't even finished the first lesson of the year, and already that pratt has gotten himself sent to the Hospital Wing – I'd have better luck talking to a brick wall given how much he seems to listen!"
Fair point, Kiku reasoned. They had all agreed that due to the hyper healing capabilities of nations, that the Hospital Wing was one area that should be avoided. And now Alfred has blown potion up in his face. Surely he'll find a way out of going to the Hospital Wing though.
"Alfred san knows how important it is to keep –"
Kiku was interrupted by Malfoy sniggering behind him.
"Well can you really be surprised that Jones stuffed up like that?" he asked smugly. "The Mudblood wouldn't have even known about magic until a few years ago. Only makes sense that he'd stuff up something simple."
Kiku frowned, feeling annoyed at himself for failing to notice Malfoy's presence, thereby almost revealing confidential information in front of him. This feeling of annoyance also extended to Malfoy himself for the boy's casual use of the magical slur.
"Actually, I was working with Hermione-san today. She really had a good understanding of how to correctly prepare the potion. Without her in our group, I do not know if Harry-san and I would have completed our potion correctly – and we definitely would not have been the first group finished." Kiku said before adding, "So from what I can see, a Muggleborn is the most capable person in our class."
Clearly stumped by this, Malfoy frowned as though trying to find a flaw in Kiku's statement.
"Well, I'm ready," said Arthur, finally picking up his bag. "It's time for our next class right?"
Wondering vaguely why Arthur had not properly contributed to his and Malfoy's 'discussion', Kiku followed Arthur out of the potions classroom.
"I noticed you got stuck with Granger and Potter for potions this term. Rather you than me – don't think I could stand being with the know-it-all Mudblood and attention-seeking Potter all term."
"Actually I enjoyed working with them," commented Kiku as they walked up the first flight of stairs. "Hermione-san was the first student I met and both she and Harry-san were really nice when I sat with them and Ron-san on the journey here."
Malfoy looked down at Kiku.
"I don't think you properly understand the way things are done at Hogwarts. I don't know what they've told you in America, or Japan, or wherever it is you come from, but here in England, respected families know to keep their distance from Mudbloods. I don't understand how other real wizarding families like the Weasleys and Potter can tolerate them. Like my father always says, if your parents aren't magic, then you have no place studying it."
Malfoy continued, his voice taking on a more accusing tone. "You need to remember that if you're going to be in our house. The last thing we need is some blood traitor insulting the memory of Slytherin by associating with Mudbloods who have no place learning magic."
"It sounds as though you have a strong opinion about this."
"I'm saying that if you want others to accept you in this house, you might want to reconsider your relationship with Mudbloods like Granger or Jones. Hey – you might even end up thanking me for it," Malfoy added with a laugh. "If that lesson was anything to go by, looks like Jones is an even bigger danger than most Mudbloods. He'd probably blow you up when trying to use a simple levitation charm."
"Alfred does behave like an idiot sometimes," said Arthur, finally speaking up. "And it's true that he makes his fair share of mistakes, but he's a good guy. Smart when he bothers and dependable when it matters," he looked at Malfoy, disapproval evident on his face. "I have been friends with Alfred for many years now, and I am not going to give up on our friendship because you have something against his heritage."
Malfoy, Kiku noted, looked taken aback by Arthur's words.
"Well, I guess in the end it is your choice," Malfoy agreed after a long pause. "Doesn't stop Jones from being a Mudblood though."
They reached the top of the stairs for the second floor.
"That's my class," Malfoy nodded to the classroom to their right. "See you both at lunch."
"I thought we were about to have some trouble with him, and now he is saying that he will 'see us at lunch'," said Kiku as he and Arthur continued walking up the stairs. "That seems like a pretty fast turnaround."
"Draco Malfoy clearly has some very strong views about blood supremacy. My guess is that his upbringing has strongly influenced this. However, it seems as though the boy is loyal."
"Ah."
It made sense to Kiku. It was a well known fact among the nations, that while citizens who where loyal to their country, could still disagree with their personification, the individual would begin to feel uncomfortable if they began to argue with them. Citizens couldn't usually place where this sense of unease came from, but Kiku suspected it was because a citizen who was loyal to their country, couldn't then dislike its personification.
This feeling however, would only work if the citizen remained unaware of the nations' status.
"Too bad it doesn't work if they already know what we are," Arthur lamented. "It'd make my life so much easier if Fudge didn't try arguing with me every time we meet."
"And that is exactly why it works that way. If the ones in charge could not argue their point without feeling bad, there would be no point in having them to start with," Kiku pointed out.
"I guess so," Arthur agreed reluctantly as the pair began up another staircase.
"I think this is the floor for the arithmancy class, you'll need to go just in there" Arthur said, stopping at the fifth floor platform and pointing at a nearby class. "Let me know if you see Alfred."
Kiku nodded, waving his goodbye as Arthur continued ascending the stairs.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter – especially after such a long wait. Good news! I actually have already written the next chapter. It's up to the editing phase and will be out soon! Sooooo…
Next Time: Alfred, Arthur and Kiku are of course not the only nations at the school… Francis finds that some things can be almost impossible to do – even when you've suppose to do it, while Matthew teachers his first class – fourth year transfiguration.
NEW – Character Profiles.
So I've been thinking about the character profiles/ facts of the five nations for a while now. While some of the facts are canon (as found on Hetalia Wiki), other 'facts' are more of my own head canon. It helps me better envision this version of the Hetalia characters, so I decided to begin posting them, one character a chapter, which may help you get a better understanding of them too. Today I'll be starting with Arthur, aka England…..
England - Arthur Kirkland
Year of Birth: 450 AD (This was the year that the Anglo-Saxons invaded Britan, which brought in the Old English period, so I thought this would be a good time for England to have been born)
'Birthday': 23rd April (St George's Day) (To my English readers: This date will be negotiable for a while, if you think his birthday should be a different English public holiday, let me know in the comments section and I'll think about changing it)
Age: 1544 years (as of 1994)
Appearance (normal): 23 years old (Canon – Hetalia Wiki)
Appearance (at Hogwarts): 14
Height (normal): 175cm (5.74 feet) (Canon – Hetalia Wiki)
Height (at Hogwarts): 162cm (5.31 feet)