Gosh, sorry I didn't upload yesterday, I start college tomorrow and I'm kinda-only-just-a-little-bit-FREAKIN' OUT! To put it in perspective, I graduated High School in '16. So it's been four years since I've had class. I have no idea how I'm going to do! I'm also worried I won't have time to work on this very much, so I'm not sure how long the gaps between updates will be...*Sad face*

Anyways, enjoy!

~Silverleone

"It's. A long story." Akumu said.

I placed my hand on her shoulder and directed her towards the front of the castle.

"Well, we have time to talk. Class doesn't start for a while." We found an empty classroom and sat down to talk. She explained how growing up, it was just her and her brother. He was older than her by quite a few years, but he insisted she was his sister, and not his daughter or something else. She was shocked they were still alive at most points, having been living on the streets.

"...The horror of it starts about 5 years ago. We were scavenging in an alleyway. We, being idiots, didn't check for an escape route, and got cornered by some strange guys. He fought them with everything he had, even taking down three out of the four. I was too small to fight guys like that. That's when the fourth guy just pointed his hand and shouted something. My brother turned to me, calling my name as a blood red light hit him in the back. He immediately dropped, dead. The man pointed at me, then sighed and walked off." She quickly wiped a single tear that fell, sniffing. I could only imagine the trauma she experienced that day. "I didn't want to admit he was gone. There were no wounds on him, and his eyes were open, his face still holding the same expression as when he called my name."

"..."

"I stayed there for as long as I could, not wanting to leave him. But I had to move. The cops were coming so I couldn't stay. So I, left him." Her hair fell to cover her face as she fully opened up, letting it out. I pulled her against me, gently rubbing her back. I stayed silent as she cried. She had gone through some painful memories, and needed to release it. Eventually, her sobs slowed down. She raised her head, her eyes red. I sighed.

"Oh Akumu..." She sniffed and rubbed her eyes.

"Don't go making some snide remark. I can still kick your tail."

"I'm so glad you told me." She paused.

"...What?"

"It's never good to keep things bottled up. You need to let it out occasionally." We waited for a few minutes, before getting up. The bell had rung again just a couple of minutes ago, so we could still make it to class. "Do you want to go to class?"

"Where else are we going to go?"

"Mope in our room?"

"Yeah, no. I need some fresh air." We stepped out of the room and walked outside, feeling a cool breeze rustle our clothes. We saw a group of students standing near the edge of the forest, a small hut sitting right on the forest edge. We walked down, noticing a few students look back as we got closer. Hagrid noticed us as well and motioned us forward.

"Ah! Rai, Amuku, would you two come forward please?" We glanced at each other and stepped through. Hagrid patted our shoulders. "Alright class, we have these two 'ere joinin' us. Let's go and see the Thestrals. Stay close, we don' need ya gettin' lost." He started walking into the forest, and I followed without hesitation. Hagrid seemed to know the forest like the back of his hand and traversed over the easiest paths. Me, I like a challenge, so I jumped over creeks and flipped off tree trunks, showing off a little. I heard a few students gasp when I jumped high, grabbing a branch and swinging up into it. I surveyed the area and noticed a herd of creatures ahead. I dropped down next to Akumu, who gave me a dark smirk.

"I think you have some admirers." I smirked.

"Please, they wish they could do half that stuff." We walked into a clearing, and Hagrid turned around.

"These 'ere Thestrals are very special creatures. They can only be seen by those who have seen death." I froze and looked over at the creatures. They had a horse like body shape, but that's about where the likeness ended. Bones were sticking out everywhere. It was as if they hadn't eaten since they were born. The bones were covered by taut, leathery black skin. Large wings were folded in on their sides. A haughty voice spoke up and I groaned.

"What do you mean? There's nothing there!"

"As I said, only those who have seen death can see 'em. Oh look at tha', one is 'ere to say 'ello." A large one had wondered over. Hagrid gently scratched it under the chin, the Thestral almost chuffed. Hagrid pulled out a large slab of raw meat, tossing it at it. I blinked when it snapped it up without hesitation. I leaned over to Akumu.

"Can you see them?"

"Duh. Remember what I just talked about?"

"Right. My bad."

"Can you see them?"

"Yeah."

"How?" I did my best not to grimace.

"I think that would be pretty obvious." She winced.

"Right...my bad..."

"Oi, Rai, why don't you come over 'ere and say 'ello?" I shrugged.

"Sure." I stepped forward, making eye contact with the black creature. It snorted and turned to me. I raised my hand slowly. It sniffed my hand, sticking its tongue out and licking it. It snorted again and I smiled, petting its bony jaw. "You are incredible..."

"Right you are. Now, who else can see 'em?" A few raised their hands. "A'ight, I'm going to let you lot go first, so you can help the others who can't see. Rai, will ya help?"

"Yeah, I'd love to." I motioned to the nearest student with their hand up. She was young and carefree, almost skipping up to the Thestral. Bouncy blonde curls fell around her shoulders. She held out her hand to me, which I shook. She spoke with an airy voice.

"Luna Lovegood. Though others call me crazy." I raised an eyebrow and decided this girl was either insane(welcome to the party) or delusional. "Don't worry about me, I already know these ones. I'll go find a little colt I found wandering the halls one day. Very playful." She bounced off and I hesitated in stopping her. Hagrid motioned to not worry about it so I turned to the crowd.

"Who can't see them?" A stressed looking young man stepped forward, and I grabbed his hand when he blindly shoved it into the Thestrals face.

"Calmly, and slowly. Otherwise you might get bit." The young man hesitated but nodded. I helped to guide his hand towards the Thestrals nose as it stood still. The student flinched slightly when it bumped his hand, breathing hot air over it. He placed his whole hand on its bony nose, his eyes widening in awe. He ran his hand over it, bringing the other one up as well.

"I-it feels like, leather?"

"They are really thin and bony. Their skin is black and stretched over them. They have wings too."

"Is it a pegasus?"

"Looks kind of like one. But I doubt riding one would be very comfortable." The Thestral bumped me with its nose. "No offense intended." I pet its jaw. "Alright, next." The boy stepped away and another student, female, stepped up. I guided their hand to the creature, only for them to jerk back when they touched it.

"Oh! What is that?" I put my hand on the Thestral's nose to keep it calm.

"The Thestrals are horse-like creatures."

"...Sorry...I didn't expect it. I've never been around wild animals before."

"It's all right, take your time."

She slowly raised her hand, then did something that blew me away. She closed her eyes and turned her head away. I froze.

'That's Hiccup's thing! How does she know that?!' The Thestral placed its nose in her hand, snorting lightly. She opened her eyes in wonder and noticed me staring.

"Are you okay?" I mentally slapped myself out of it.

"Oh, yeah, s-sorry. Just got lost in thought." I caught the heat of a glare from Akumu and snapped one at her when the girl wasn't looking. The student smiled and ran her hand blindly down the Thestral's neck.

"Wow. They are really bony. ...Are they getting enough to eat?" I looked to Hagrid, who had keyed into the conversation a little earlier.

"Aye. They get plenty o' food, I make sure o' that."

"That's good. But why are they so skinny?" Hagrid paused, and I cut in.

"It's probably because they can't pack that much weight on their wings as easily. They've probably adapted to being naturally skinny."

"Aye, right you are Rai! Couldn't o' said it better myself." He went back to his own Thestral, bring up the next student. I went through a few more before I saw Princey walk over, stopping a few feet from me.

"Bet there isn't actually anything there."

"I would, but I don't gamble." He titled his head, confused. "Sorry, foreign term. Now come on." He stalked forward and stared straight ahead, I guess wanting to stare down the Thestral. Only problem was, Hagrid had dropped another slab of meat so its head wasn't where it normally would sit. I almost snickered and patted the Thestral on the neck, making it raise its head. "Now you're staring it down."

"I don't think there is anything there." He lazily swung his arm out, which I slapped away before he hit the Thestral, making it mad. "Oi!"

"You almost slapped it. Don't make these guys mad, alright." He glared at me

"Then there really is nothing there. If you're so insistent upon it, prove it." The Thestral glanced at me and stepped forward, head butting him and knocking him over. "Oof! What was that?!"

"Proof." He scrambled to his feet, glaring at anyone who dared laugh.

"That wasn't proof of anything." I rolled my eyes.

"You are so thick-headed." He turned red in the face and reached into his robes. "Don't. Even. Think about it." He froze. "There is a herd of magical creatures you can't see standing behind me. Hit one of them, and being expelled will be your last worry." We stared off until he slowly lowered his hand. He took a breath and glared at an empty space.

"Bloody creatures." That did it. The Thestral reared up and just about roared, I leaped forward and tackled Malfoy.

"You moron!" Luckily I hit him hard enough to knock us both out of the way. The other students gasped, but I ignored them. I scrambled to my feet and held my hands up, trying to calm down the creature before someone got hurt.

"Hey, hey, hey. Calm down. It's alright. Calm down." It snorted and stomped its hoof. I placed my hand on its nose, calming it down as I looked it in the eye.

"OI! WHAT GIVES Y-!" I rounded on Malfoy, my presence very oppressive. I may be shorter than him by a few inches, but I could easily floor him again.

"You see those?" I pointed at two deep impressions in the earth. "That would have been your skull if I hadn't moved." He went from red to pale rather quickly. "Go to the back of the class now and take some time to cool off. Otherwise I might not be able to stop the Thestral next time you insult it." He returned to his red color and stormed off. Hagrid walked over.

"Blimey Rai, that was some quick thinkin'. You a'ight?"

"Frazzled, but yeah I'm fine." The Thestral nudged me, looking sorry. I patted its neck. "Don't worry about it. It's not your fault he's a baka." The Thestral snorted and nudged me again, then walked off to rejoin the herd. Akumu walked over to me, keeping her voice low.

"You shouldn't have stopped it."

"I didn't need Umbridge coming at me or Hagrid for the death of an idiot." She snorted.

"What's she gonna do? Make you wear a pink scarf?" I shuddered in pure horror.

"Don't say that! You'll speak it into existence!" She grinned darkly. "You're cruel. Stop it." She sauntered off, walking over to pet a Thestral with another student. The bushy-haired girl from a couple of days before walked over to me.

"Hello again."

"Hello again. Sorry, I'm terrible with names."

"That's alright, Hermione Granger. And you're Rai Taiki, correct?" I nodded.

"Yup. So, can you see them?" I gestured to the Thestral herd. She shook her head.

"I've seen pictures of them in the library, but I've never gotten to see them in person."

"Consider yourself lucky. Wanna meet one by touch at least?" She nodded.

"They aren't dangerous, are they?"

"Only to a blonde who adds hair to his gel every morning." She took half a second, then slapped her hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh.

"That is terrible!" I shrugged nonchalantly.

"But not untrue. Back on topic, here comes our next Thestral." What was probably the largest one was walking up. Its back stood over my head. I reached up and petted its nose. It snorted and moved directly over to Hermione. "Careful bud, she can't see you. Here." I took her hand and held it up. It breathed on it for a second before calling lightly, pushing into it. Hermione gasped at the feeling. It snorted and ducked its head, pushing into her stomach gently. "Wow, this one likes you." Hermione nodded, blindly feeling the tight skin.

"I guess so." She gently ran her hands along its neck. She found its wing and it raised it out partially, careful of any other people. She felt the leathery skin stretching along the bones. "Wow, this is, amazing." The Thestral nickered and bumped her from behind. She turned around and reached out, placing her hands on its nose. "You are incredible." It snorted and I blinked when it bent its forelegs, dropping to its knees. Hagrid looked over and laughed.

"'Ermione, I think 'e wants to give ya a ride!" Hermione looked at Hagrid in horror.

"What?! A ride? Um. I don't do heights very well." I chuckled and patted the Thestral on its neck. It shook its head and looked at me. I winked at it.

"Hagrid, I think she means she can't get on it easily. Would you mind giving her a boost?"

"Well o' course. Up ya go!" Before she could protest, Hagrid grabbed her under her arms and hoisted her up, ignoring her squeal of surprise and panic. The Thestral stood up before she could get off, making her hold on. I chuckled as she yelped.

"Hagrid! Let me down!" I laughed and patted the Thestral.

"Can you carry two of us?" It snorted and fluttered its wings. I jumped up, using a knee to boost myself, and swung my leg over its back, settling in right behind Hermione.

"Rai?! What are you doing?!"

"Making sure you can enjoy this! Alright! Let's go!" I'd been itching to fly for a while.

"Rai! I swear! If you don't let me down-!" Her breathe hitched in her throat.

"And I swear, if you don't stop shouting, I'm going to go deaf." I stared at her as she glared at me. The Thestral called out and walked forward, the crowd of students parting much like the Red Sea, the ones who could see it moving the others back. I settled in, grateful I knew how to ride thanks to a certain dragon. "Alright, whatever you do, remember to breathe." Panic renewed her lungs and she made it well known.

"Rai! Stop! Let me down!"

"Oh come on, he offered. You gonna be rude and reject this gift?"

"Rai!" She jumped when tight muscles shifted, its wings spreading out. It flapped them and started trotting, then cantering, soon it was in a full-on sprint, running up the hill. Hermione's shouting was increasing in volume. The Thestral hit the top of the hill and leaped, flapping its wings. I whooped as Hermione let out a large scream. We took to the skies as she ducked her head, closing her eyes. We leveled out and flew over the lake. Luckily there was only a calm breeze, so we had a smooth flight. I tapped Hermione on the shoulder.

"What?!"

"Open your eyes."

"No! Take me back!"

"Hermione. We're not even 10 feet off the ground." She hesitated, but slowly raised her head. She gasped when she saw we were flying low over the lake.

"W-what?"

"Kind of cool, isn't it?" I leaned sideways, reaching down as the Thestral swooped low. I dug my hand into the cold water and splashed it on her, making her squeal.

"I'm going to hex you once we're off this thing!" I rolled my eyes.

"Alright, alright, let's take her back." The Thestral called out and banked around, flapping hard to gain some speed. We flew back to the bank and landed smoothly. We trotted back to the edge of the forest, moving back into the herd. A large bell sounded in the distance and a few students groaned. I hopped off the Thestral as Hagrid lifted Hermione off, setting her down. She stormed over to me as I ran my fingers through my hair.

"I ought to hex you into oblivion!" I winced at the wand at my throat. Someone called out behind her.

"Hermione! No!" I cracked an eye.

"You wouldn't hex a wandless guy with glasses, would ya?" She glared at me.

"...Ask Harry." I glanced at the kid, who made a 'cut it out' motion. I slowly raised my hands.

"Alright. I'm sorry. ...Did you at least enjoy the ride?" She reaffirmed her glare, then dropped her arm.

"It...wasn't...terrible." She turned and walked away without another word, grabbing Ron and Harry by the arms and heading to the castle. I slumped against a tree, sighing. Akumu walked up to me.

"Almost lost you there."

"Almost lost my head." I rubbed my neck, still feeling the spot where the wand was pressed into it. Hagrid placed a massive hand on my shoulder.

"Now ya know not ta mess with her, doncha? There's nothing scarier than an angry witch who knows her magic." I chuckled.

"Noted, highlighted, and bookmarked." He laughed as the students filed back to the castle. Akumu and I followed as she occasionally broke into a smile, giggling a little. "Alright chucklehead, get it out before we get back to Dumbledore's office." She snapped a glare at me, to which I crossed my eyes. She rolled her's at me and pushed the doors open. We walked through the hallways, the air around us light. ...Until a dark presence turned the corner. Dark, and blindingly bright all at once.

"Hem hem."

"Umbridge." I said curtly.

"I believe that you forgot 'Professor', young man." I decided to drop one of my philosophies on her.

"I have two kinds of respect, the first, I give to anyone and everyone. The second, people earn over time. I'm afraid you haven't earned the second kind. And you very quickly dashed the first to pieces." She looked shocked that I would speak to her with such boldness.

"Whatever do you mean?" I held up my hand, raising one finger at a time.

"You broke into our room. Stole my necklace. Tried to attack us. Then sicced the Minister of Magic on us." I had four fingers up, and she went slightly paler at each one. She coughed into her fist and straightened her jacket.

"It was for the-!" I held up my hand.

"Professor, Umbridge," My patience was running very thin. I had been in long, grueling interrogations before, but this was the shortest my patience had ever been, the foul interactions with her spoiling any chance for her to gain my trust. Which I would only come to understand why much later. "I was trained by the top government agency to read people who have far better acting than you. To me, compared to them, you are like reading a common novel." She looked appalled.

"How-! Did you just refer to me as parchment?!" I shook my head.

"I did not. I meant that I can tell when you are trying to hide something. And you are trying to hide a lot." A dark look came over her.

"Mr. Taiki, I warn you to be careful of how you speak to me." I shifted my stance, deciding to go against everything I had been trained to do.

I was going to negotiate with the enemy.

"Professor Umbridge, we will not have any problems as long as we avoid conflict. I do not cause trouble unnecessarily. We do not speak to each other; you will not have to worry about me." She huffed and stared me down for a moment, then held out her hand. I looked at it and blinked when I saw our wands. I took hold of them, but she held a firm grip. I made eye contact with her.

"I am holding you to this, Mr. Taiki. The Headmaster explained your situation. And while I am not fully pleased with it, it appears that you will be staying here for the time being." I raised an eyebrow as she released her grip.

"And what exactly did he tell you?"

"Simply you are boarding students from outside of this country, wanting to learn more until you need to go home." She gave me her signature smile and walked past. Once she was out of sight, I handed Akumu her wand and collapsed against the wall.

"It took every fiber of my being not to punch her in the face." I sheathed my wand, a slight hum coming from it before I let go. Akumu did the same and we continued walking.

"...Did you just negotiate with the enemy?"

"Had to break every rule in the book to do it." I said without looking at her.

"You really are desperate."

"Desperate for a moment of peace that is." She 'hmmd' and we entered our room. I collapsed onto the armchair and she dropped onto the couch, both of us exhausted. I closed my eyes.

"...So how was the ride with the bushy-haired girl?"

"Hermione?"

"Oh, so NOW you remember her name." I didn't move, trying not to leap at her.

"...Akumu?"

"Yeah?"

"Shaddap." I said with a harmless scowl.

««{{¤}}»»

"Wait. You want us, to attend classes, here?" Akumu asked the Headmaster.

"That is correct."

"HAH!"

"Akumu please." I said, my head bowing slightly as she laughed. Dumbledore had invited us to the Dining Hall for dinner and was discussing our stay. He had mentioned that because we both have access to magic, it would be good to learn. "Professor, I appreciate the offer, but don't you think it would be a little distracting to have us in the classes?"

"Nonsense, I think the Professors would love to help you learn. Isn't that right Severus?" I looked over at the greasy brooder and saw him roll his eyes while blinking, hiding it from all who weren't looking for it. He turned to us. When he did so, I noticed Akumu's face grew shadowed.

"...As long as they, are competent enough, to follow, basic. Instructions..." I smiled. He was the Potions Professor. His speech could put a grandfather clock to sleep, which is probably why so many students messed up their potions.

"If you would prefer it, Professor Snape, we could sit in the back and take notes. Then we aren't wasting your supplies and you don't have to worry about us screwing up. We won't need the extensive knowledge of potions, so there is no reason to waste precious resources on us." He was silent for a minute.

"...That would be...acceptable..." I nodded, a small smile on my face. I turned back to Dumbledore.

"Well, we might as well learn." Akumu glowered at me and I shot a look at her. I was in a fairly good mood after riding the Thestral, and I wanted to stay on that high as long as possible. After all, it's not like I could fly with Tesla or Sting anymore.

'Crapbaskets. There it goes.' I imagined my good mood flying away. 'No...come back...' I groaned mentally, only to blink when my imaginative mood turned around and changed into an owl. 'Well. That's new...' I yelped when I realized it was an actual owl, a snowy owl to be exact. It landed on the edge of the table, dropping a note. I reached over and picked up the note, only for the owl to chitter at me, eyeing the food. I raised an eyebrow and gave it a small piece of meat from my plate. It snapped it up and chittered a thanks before taking off out of the hall. I shook my head and started to untie the note. Before I could even read it, I felt eyes on me, and my own eyes shifted over to the Gryffindor table. The dark-haired boy with glasses from earlier was staring at me. I quickly read the note.

'Hello again,

Quick note, be careful of Snape, you can imagine why he is the Slytherin Head of House.

Second, meet me here about an hour after dinner. There is something we need to show you.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter'

I looked back to the boy, who nodded at me. I nodded back and folded up the note, tucking it in my coat pocket. Akumu leaned over.

"Is he stalking you?"

"More like he's got something to tell us, from what it sounds like." I turned back to the Headmaster. "We will attend classes, if it is not too much trouble."

"Wonderful! We will set up your schedule immediately."