I sat down on my bed, sighing as I looked around the room I was staying in. A wardrobe sat adjacent to my bed; a desk was in the corner next to the head of the bed. I moved myself to the center of the bed and crossed my legs, closing my eyes and taking a breath.

I soon slipped into a meditative state and held my hands in my lap, palms facing each other. I focused on the space between them and felt a tiny spark of energy form. I made it jump to my left hand, then to my right. Back and forth it danced, gaining speed and size. I pushed more energy into it, feeling it connect as a beam in between my hands. I pushed a little farther, feeling a buildup in the middle. A ball of pure electricity was soon sitting in between my hands. I cut off the beams and had the ball of electricity floating.

I felt the static in the air, and my mind turned to a certain dragon. My eyes started stinging with emotion as memory after memory appeared in my mind, getting the better of me. My power flashed and a bolt lashed out, hitting the ceiling with a snap. I jumped and reigned myself in before I blew something up.

"Thinking about Sparky?" I jumped again when I opened my eyes to see Akumu leaning against the door frame. Her arms were folded, and her eyes were slightly red. She looked miserable. I let the ball of energy die down and dropped my hands into my lap.

"Tesla? Yeah..."

"What? No shouting at me?" She taunted weakly, not meaning it.

"You know I feel bad about that Akumu." I pushed myself backward and motioned to the open spot on my bed. She hesitated but pushed off the doorframe and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I shouldn't have hit you, and I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I'm sorry." She stared at the bedsheet, twirling a lock of hair between her fingers. "And I'm not mad. I just wish you wouldn't pick on my friends like that. It is still a touchy subject, and I'm really defensive of them." I paused, running my fingers through my hair. "I guess it's because I feel like I have to protect them in any way I can because I can't be there in person..." We both went silent for a while, while she gathered her thoughts. She looked up at me.

"How?" My brow furrowed and I tilted my head slightly.

"'How' what?"

"How can you say that...and mean it?" I got what she was asking.

"You want to know how I can forgive you so easily?" She nodded, still confused. "Akumu..." I thought about it hard, wanting to put my feelings into proper words. I remembered that night on the island right before we left the other dimension. She was either still confused about it, or forgot. "Don't you remember that night on the island before we came over here?" She thought about it, and tilted her head back and forth, giving me a 'sort of' look. "Forgiveness is not always easy... But I have made a promise with myself that I MUST forgive. If I don't, then it weighs on me. Eventually, I could get so bogged down from all of the hate and malice...it would destroy me from the inside." I held up a finger. "But I also forgive because it is the right thing to do." She took what I had just said and mulled it over in her mind. Eventually, she looked up, confusion replaced by thoughtfulness.

"...Thank you." I gave her a small smile.

"What are brothers for?"

««{{¤}}»»

Akumu and I were once again walking through the halls to the Headmaster's office. We had gotten a rather rude and sudden awakening when a House Elf popped into both of our rooms. So sudden, in fact, the poor creature had almost been speared by one of her knives. It took a serious amount of convincing the poor thing it truly didn't deserve death in order to get the reason it came.

"..."

"Don't, say it." She was still rather cranky after being woken up like that.

"I wasn't!"

"Uh-huh." I huffed, then noticed a faint glint in her eye. I turned to her and squinted my eyes. "What?"

"Don't play dumb with me, I'm more observant than that."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Uh-huh."

"Don't mock me Rai!"

"Fine fine, oh look we're here." I said the password and we stepped into Dumbledore's office. I saw said person pacing, and noticed another man sitting in a chair.

"Ah. Miss Tanaka, Mr. Taiki, so nice of you to join us. I hope the House Elf wasn't too much of a surprise."

"Not too bad. At least for me. It might be better to wake her up with a knock on the door."

*Whack*

"Ow! Why me?!" I said as I ducked my head defensively.

"I was woken up just fine thank you!"

"That's not the story I gathered!" The other man in the room spoke up.

"Why wouldn't the Headmaster want to wake her up?"

"It's not a good idea to sneak up on her. Learned that the hard way." The nervous looking man looked even more nervous now. I stepped forward and held out my hand. "The name's Rai, and this my sister Akumu." Akumu put on the sickest grin she could, and I saw the man shrink a little. He straightened his jacket a little.

"But the Headmaster called you by different surnames?"

"Adoptive sister." A new look passed over the man's face.

"What happened to her parents, might I ask?"

"No. You may not." Akumu shot fire at him through her eyes. He shrunk back farther due to her glare. I stepped between them and gave her a look, whispering harshly.

"Down girl." She bristled.

"Taiki..." After a moment, she decided it wasn't worth it and promptly turned her head with a huff. I sighed and turned back to the man.

"Understandably tough subject. I would recommend not poking the sleeping bear again." He looked a good bit paler than a few seconds ago.

"Um, yes, duly noted." He coughed into his fist. "I am Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic." Thankfully he held out his opposite hand, which I shook.

"Ah. It is nice to meet you."

"And it's nice to put a face to the name." I raised an eyebrow at the response.

"Has the Headmaster been talking about us?"

"Not exactly. Professor, if you could come out here please?" Umbridge stepped around the corner, a sickly-sweet smile on her face.

"Ah. If it isn't you." I bristled before taking a slow breath. I grinned at her, my canines sharp.

"Professor." Her smile faltered slightly, and I saw a flash of fear cross her face before she straightened her jacket and renewed her smile.

"Shall we begin the meeting with the standard procedures?" The minister nodded.

"Yes, if everyone would hand over their wands." I tensed up and almost reached for it to defend myself. I was able to control the urge and keep my hands at my side. Akumu's hand twitching was the only sign she made to move as well. Umbridge stepped forward and handed the Minister her wand. She turned to us, speaking in her falsely sweet tone.

"Now children," Akumu tensed beside me.

"Rrr..." A warning sound escaped before she could stop it. I took a step forward.

"I would kindly ask you to refrain from using such labels." The Headmaster held up his hands, understanding where we were coming form.

"Now Mr. Taiki, there is no need to be short with Delores, she is only trying to make sure that Hogwarts is not in danger." Akumu leaned forward and hissed in my ear.

"If I'm going down, I'm taking Pinky with me." I mentally rolled my eyes and pulled my wand from its holster, stepping forward and handing it to the Minister, Akumu doing the same.

"Now, shall we all sit and introduce ourselves?"

"What is this, an intervention?" Akumu mumbled as Dumbledore conjured up a few chairs. We all sat down and Fudge coughed into his fist.

"Delores, could we bring out some water please?"

"Of course." Soon waters were passed to us by a house elf, whom I thanked. Wasn't its fault it was stuck working for the woman.

"Right, I believe we shall start with you, Mr. Tiki, was it?" My eye twitched and I forced myself to smile.

"Taiki. Rai Taiki."

"Apologies, may I ask how exactly you were introduced to the Headmaster?"

"He caught us falling form the sky."

*Crack* My head turned so fast my neck popped. I stared at Akumi. Her eyes were as big as mine. Sickly sweet Delores stepped in.

"I, see. And how, may I ask, did you get into the sky? A broomstick, perhaps?"

"I transported us from another dimension." Akumu gasped and slapped her hand over her mouth. I froze to the core. Why was she saying that?!

"What do you mean, another dimension?" I stood up, my chair moving back a little from the force.

"I want to know what you did. Now." I glared fire at the toad, ready to leap at her without hesitation. She went a few shades paler than normal, and shifted back slightly.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Akumu wouldn't say that to anyone she doesn't trust, much less know. What spell have you put on her?" Delores looked a little nervous, but tried to pry herself out of the situation.

"Well I-!"

"That is quite enough." Dumbledore to the rescue. "Delores, might you explain what has happened? I may not know Miss Tanaka well, but I know she would not disclose this information so freely. Especially considering her posture right now." Akumu had her hand firmly clamped over her mouth. I watched Umbridge closely, and noticed her eyes flick to the water. I snatched Akumu's glass and examined it. Clear, and it didn't smell funny either. I held the glass up.

"What is in this water?" Umbridge's eyes widened a bit.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Gr!"

*Smash* The glass shattered in my hand, a few small cuts bleeding lightly.

"I will handle this, Mr. Taiki." Dumbledore stood up, placing his hand on my shoulder. "I will call for you when everything is solved." He waved his wand over my hand, a simple healing spell to stop the bleeding. He had us step outside of his office and wait. After a few minutes of trying to calm myself, I looked over at Akumu. She looked miserable.

"Has it worn off yet?"

"I want her hanging from the highest tower on this forsaken castle." I blinked.

"...Still not sure." She glared at me then sighed.

"I don't feel like dropping my darkest secrets in your lap. So whatever she put in my drink must've worn out."

"Good. Too bad it's a little late for that." I went to scratch my head, and felt my wand sheath move. "Crapbaskets."

"What?"

"We didn't take our wands."

"I! You! Augh!"

"Probably for the best though. We might blast a hole in a wall."

"Or through her." She growled.

"Yeah, let's not do that."

"And say we did?" I rolled my head slightly.

"Whatever makes you happy." I stood up. "Come on, I wanna see what the Dining Hall is like."

"Can't we just call a house elf?" I smirked, knowing what would get her moving.

"We could. Or we could scare High 'n Pompous." Knowing who I was referring to, she grinned.

"Well, why didn't you say that in the first place. Let's go check out the Dining Hall." She hopped up and we started walking.

"Any idea on how to scare Princey?"

"I've got so many." I raised an eyebrow.

"Been planning since we first met him eh?"

"You have your hobbies, I have mine." She said matter-of-factly. I snorted.

"Please, that's not a hobby, that's a task on the side." I lazily waved my hand in the air. "I've got a few myself. Think of them when I'm bored."

"Oh really? Let's hear it then."

"Uh-uh."

"What? And why not?"

"'Cause when we actually do it, you'd claim it was your idea." She placed her and on her heart and stage gasped.

"How could you think so lowly of me! I am horribly offended."

"Couldn't fool a blind, deaf man with that act."

*Conk*

"Jerk."

"Ow?" I rubbed the back of my head. We climbed a staircase and arrived at a massive pair of French doors. "Ready?"

"Is Sparky a lizard?"

"Not giving you the satisfaction of a response." She snorted and we pushed open the doors. The bustling hall turned and looked at us. I leaned over and spoke out of the side of my mouth. "...And the crowd goes silent..." She shifted in her stance slightly, trying to keep a straight face.

"I hate you." My face showed a feral grin as harsh whispers began to wash through the crowd. Professor McGonagall stood up, taking the Headmaster's place while he was away.

"Well isn't this a nice surprise. If you two would come forward please?" I started over to her, Akumu following after moments hesitation. We made it to the front, where I bowed my head slightly to the woman. I turned to face the crowd, almost shivering from feeling the hundreds of gazes. Akumu followed my lead, albeit not as smooth, and I slightly leaned towards her again.

"Still hate people being able to boss you around?" I kept my eyes forward, scanning the crowd.

"I was the leader of a gang. I 'kicked out' anyone who tried."

"Fair enough." I decided not to think about it that much. Professor McGonagall stepped up next to us, raising her hand to gather attention and order.

"As I see everyone is listening intently, thank you, by the way, I would like to introduce two guests. They are Rai Taiki and Akumu Tanaka." She gestured to us in turn. "These two are under Headmaster Dumbledore's care, and as such, is off limits to any mistreatment." She looked pointedly over at the table covered in red and gold. A couple of familiar red heads stood out, pretending to look appalled. I snuck a wave at them when the Professor wasn't looking. They nodded back slyly. Professor McGonagall continued. "As these two are guests, I expect each of you to be on your best behavior. Failure to do so will result in loss of House Points." A few students groaned. "This is nothing new," She stated, "So don't think it is just while they are here." A few more groaned and I chuckled. The Professor shot me a side glance and I ducked my head slightly. Man, she was practiced in that look. "That will be all, return to your meals as lunch is over soon." She turned and ushered us over to a few empty seats at the end of the table. Akumu took the end seat, so I sat next to this really large man. He turned to me.

"'Ello there! The name's 'Agrid. Rubeus 'Agrid. I'm the Care for Magical Creatures Professor and groundskeeper fer 'Ogwarts." Decyfering his thick accent took me half a second, but I was pretty sure I got it. I took his massive hand, feeling the strength behind it as it completely swallowed mine.

"Well it's good to meet you Rubeus."

"Oh please, call me 'Agrid."

"Hagrid it is then. As I'm sure you've heard, my name is Rai and this is Akumu."

"It's nice to meet such a wonderful young lady." She blushed like crazy as she shook his hand.

"Um, it's good to meet you too." She was feeling beyond awkward. Plates appeared in front of us, along with a feast.

"Wow. That's, a lot of food." I snagged a few things and began eating, Hagrid keeping the polite conversation going. Akumu avoided eye contact, chipping in only when talked to directly. She was grabbing rather small portions.

"So yer from out of town, where did ya come from?"

"Oh, another country, if you couldn't tell by the accent."

"Really? That's fascinatin'! And what are ya here for?"

"It was kind of an unexpected drop in, we are just lucky the Headmaster is kind enough to let us stay for a while." Hagrid nodded.

"Oh Dumbledore is a big ole softy, kind of like me. He couldn't let ya wander around. That's why I'm still here." A large bell went off throughout the school. "Oh! That'd be my cue to leave. I'll be heading out to prepare fer class." He stood up, and up, and up. "Oh! There's an idea! Why don't ya join my class today? We'll be going over the Thestrals. Very misunderstood creatures." I tilted my head.

"Well, I will ask Professor McGonagall if that is allowed. If so, I'm interested." Hagrid nodded.

"Sounds like a plan. See ya there." He walked off. I glanced at Akumu, who was still huddled around her plate.

"You alright?"

"Bad memories." She slowly uncurled herself, letting out a slow breath. I glanced around to notice only a Professor clothed in all black staring at us, no, her. I kept eye contact as I quietly placed my hand on her back, squinting at him.

'Who are you? And why are you so intrigued by Akumu?' We both broke eye contact at the same time. I finished up my meal and stood up, calmly walking behind the table to where Professor McGonagall was sitting.

"Excuse me, Professor McGonagall?" She paused her conversation with another teacher.

"Yes dear?"

"Hagrid invited us to go to his class today. Would that be allowed?" She thought for a moment, but was interrupted by the man in black. He spoke low and slow, in a dramatic, monotone voice.

"If you wish to maintain some serious injury, then by all means." I lowered my brow at him. Professor McGonagall retorted.

"Severus, that was uncalled for." McGonagall turned to me. "I'll admit, it wasn't a shock you asked. Hagrid is a very friendly person. But I do warn you, sometimes his creatures can be a bit...strange."

"They're magical creatures, I'm sure we'll be fine." She gave me an over the glasses look. "We will be careful." She sighed and pointed a smile at me.

"Hagrid's class is out near his hut on the grounds. It shouldn't be too difficult to find. Just be careful." I nodded.

"We will, and thank you Professor." I walked back over to Akumu, who had finished eating and was awkwardly sitting there. I placed my hand on her shoulder and she stood up. "We can go to Hagrid's class." I tilted my head. "You want to?" She hesitated, and her head was bowed slightly. "...Akumu?" She looked up at me through her hair, a bit of emotion showing in them.

"Rai." Her voice was barely a whisper.

"What's wrong?"

"...That man in black...I...I think I know him." I blinked.

"Did you meet him in the halls at some point?"

"No. I...not from this world..." My eyebrows shot up, and my voice almost went to full speaking volume before I reined it in.

"What?! Wait. Hold that thought." I grasped her arm and we walked down the middle of the Dining Hall. I snapped a look at anyone who stared for more than a second as we passed. We stepped out the doors and rounded a corner. "What do you mean?"

"Rai, that man looks like my brother." I almost stumbled.

"What?!" She flinched.

"...I don't know..."

"Akumu...?" I turned slightly and noticed a shoe peeking around the corner. Someone wasn't good at hiding. I stormed over and heard them run off. I came around the corner and saw no one. "Hmm..." I walked back to Akumu. "Akumu, since when do you have a brother?"