Prompt: Language - Write a character that speaks more than one language.
Position: Seeker
Word Count: 1,178
Definition for British Slang and Japanese words will be at the end of the story.
Gomenasai, What Did You Say?
The Great Hall was alive with chatter as the students talk to one another. It is the first day being back at Hogwarts, and everyone was eager to tell and listen about what happened over the summer. Dumbledore stands up and clears his throat. It takes a couple of seconds for the chatter to silence. Once done, Dumbledore opens his mouth to speak.
"Now then, some news before the First Years get sorted into their house. I am pleased to announce that we have a new student joining us this year. She has transferred to Hogwarts from Mahoutokoro, the Wizarding school in Japan. I hope that you give her a warm welcome and help her settle in. She has already been sorted into Hufflepuff house, in a private ceremony. Now then, let's get the sorting on it's way," Dumbledore says as the doors to the Great Hall open and the First Years file in.
Sakura sighs as she glances around from her spot at the Hufflepuff table. She hopes that no one would say anything to her. Though luckily, Professor Dumbledore didn't say her name or what year she's in. Maybe she can survive the year without being made fun of. It won't be the first nor last time that it'll happen. With her Tou-san as a diplomat, she's had to move multiple times over the years. Hopefully, she won't be moving again during the school year.
Sakura fiddles with her ring as Professor McGonagall starts calling the first years to the stool. She tries to pay attention to the sorting, though it's a bit hard with people chatting near her.
"It was a parky today, don't you agree?" a auburn-haired girl says as she looks at her green-eyed friend
"Yeah. It's not my cup of tea," her friend says as the Sorting Hat shouts 'GRYFFINDOR'.
'Parky? Cup of tea? What are they talking about?' Sakura wonders as they continue to chat.
"Can you guys put a sock in it? I'm trying to listen," a raven-haired boy hisses at the two girls.
The first girl rolls her hazel eyes, then turns back to her friend.
"So, you think you'll make the Quidditch team?"
"Please, that'll be a piece of cake," her friend says.
"You said that last year and the year before that. You sure it will be?"
"Of course it will! Have some faith in me."
Suddenly, food appears in front of them. Sakura blinks in surprise, since at her last school the food was floated in from the kitchen.
"Nosh! I can't wait to eat it all up," the Quidditch girl says as she starts to pile different food onto her plate.
Sakura places what she wants on her plate. She then claps her hands together, muttering "Itadakimasu."
Once done, Sakura picks up her fork and starts to eat. She stays out of the conversation that the two girls are having. Not wanting to eavesdrop on what they're talking about, Sakura turns her attention to her journal. She continues to eat as she flips to a clean page in her journal. Taking out a pencil, she starts to draw the Great Hall.
After some time, the food disappears and dessert appears on the table. Sakura grabs a piece of cake. Using her fork, she starts to eat the chocolate cake. She continues to work on her drawing.
"Wow! That looks awesome," a voice says from Sakura's right.
She looks over to see that it's the same auburn-haired girl. Her green-eyed friend looks over, to see what is up.
"She's right! That's bloody brilliant."
"Arigato. I've always been into drawing," Sakura explains.
"Oh yeah! The name's Bella. This is my best friend Margaret," the auburn-haired girl says as her friend waves.
"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Sakura."
"Sakura, eh? Isn't that a Japanese name?" Margaret asks.
"Hai. My parents really like that name and decided to name me that when I was born," Sakura tells them as the desserts disappear.
"Looks like dinner is done," Bella says as Dumbledore stands up.
"Yeah. Hey Sakura, you want to walk to the common room with us?" Margaret asks her.
"S-sure. If that's alright with you guys."
"Of course it is. Looks like Dumbledore is done talking. Let's head on out," Bella says as she stands up.
"H-Hai."
Sakura stands up and follows the two girls as they head towards the Hufflepuff Common Room.
"Hey Bella, did you hear the rumors about Sam and Crystal?"
"What rumors?"
"They got caught trying to sneak to Hogsmeade."
"Bloody hell! Why would they do that?" Bella asks Margaret as Sakura walks silently behind them.
"Rumor is they're dating and wanted some alone time."
"Huh. You think it's true?"
"Who knows. Oh look! We're here," Margaret says as they stop in front of a group of barrels.
Bella taps a rhythm on the barrels. They suddenly move out of the way, revealing a tunnel. The girls crawl through the tunnel as they enter the common room. Sakura looks around the common room in awe. It has an earthy feeling. There were plants all around the room and it is also covered in black and yellow. The fire was steadily keeping the room at a nice, warm temperature.
"Well, we should head off to bed. We got a long day tomorrow," Margaret says.
"Yup. So, Sakura what year are you in?" Bella asks.
"Third. What about you guys?" Sakura asks as they head to the left staircase.
"Looks like we're flatmates. Hey, want to be our mate?" Margaret asks.
"Mate?" Sakura repeats, as she tilts her head slightly in confusion.
"Yeah!"
"Wait, do you know what mate means?" Bella asks Sakura.
"Gomenasai, I'm still new to the English language. My family moved here over the summer. The slang that you use is unfamiliar to me," Sakura says, bowing slightly.
"Oh, so you're the new student."
"Hai. Gomenasai for not telling you earlier. My Tou-san is a diplomate, so this isn't the first time that I had to change schools. The students at the last one weren't very kind when they learned that I didn't understand what they were saying," Sakura explains to them as they reach their room.
"That's alright. How about we help you learn British slang. Hey! How about you teach us some Japanese? I've always wanted to learn it," Bella says as she plops down on the edge of her bed.
"That sounds wonderful! Arigato!"
"No problem! You want to start now? We got some time before our other flatmate shows up. I have a feeling that she'll be willing to help as well," Margaret says as she smiles.
"Hai!"
Sakura smiles as she sits down on her bed. She has a feeling that she's going to like it at Hogwarts.
Flatmates: roommates
Parky: describe chilly weather
Nosh: food
Not my cup of tea: situation that doesn't bring pleasure
Put a sock in it: shut up
Piece of cake: easy to do
Mate: friend
Bloody brilliant: very brilliant
Bloody hell: no way
Itadakimasu: thanks for dinner.
Gomenasai: sorry/apologies/excuse me
Hai: yes/ok
Arigato: thanks
Tou-san: father