There's not to much to say at the moment. Just that this chapter is longer than the previous two. Just, thanks for the support. The help, and ideas. (You know who you are!)
Italics: They're speaking in Japanese.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Team Minato.
New Note!
If you are a returning reader and this is your first time reading after the update, please read through this. Don't just skip it. I changed a couple events from before. I felt the story was moving at an uneven pace, that I was jumping around too quickly, so I did my best to fix it.
"Look at this!" Obito gawked. "The candles are floating!" His single dark eye seemed to shine with the yellow candlelight he was staring at. But something about the reflection was... off. The candlelight looked brighter than the natural shine of his eye. Maybe it was just the dark color of it?
"Yeah. Were you not here for the feast yesterday?" Ron asked.
Obito shook his head. "Nope." He was dressed in the Hogwarts uniform, looking like a normal student. The only odd thing was his headband, and his covered eye. He refused to take those off. "I was with my friends getting our personal...introduction...I guess to Hogwarts."
"Let me guess. Your friends are wearing the headband as well?" Hermione asked, looking around to spot the flash of metal. Shouldn't be too hard to spot.
"Yeah! At least, they should be." Obito looked around. "You should meet them! Well, maybe not Kakashi he's a jerk." His lips pressed into a thin line as he said that last bit about his comrade. He had been advised to return to the childish rivalry he had Kakashi held when they were younger.
Ron laughed. "You said he was in Slytherin, right? I'd expect him to be mean. The whole lot of them are gits."
"Ron." Hermione sighed, shaking her head but not disagreeing. "Come on. Let's just sit down so we can get our schedules."
"You were saying something about a... Hagrid?" Obito asked, looking at Harry and Ron as they split to walk on separate sides of the table.
"Oh yeah." Harry glanced at his best friends. "As we were saying, do you think any of us are going onto his N.E.W.T. class? We never really...showed enthusiasm for it."
"That's just it, innit." Ron said. "We were the ones who made the most effort because we liked Hagrid. But he thinks we like the bloody subject."
Obito looked at them, single eye showing pure confusion. Should he jump into the conversation or just listen? "Should I take his class?"
"Depends." Hermione answered as they sat down. So joining in was good. Hermione and Obito sat on one side, Harry and Ron one the other. "His class is Care of Magical Creatures. So it's all about magic creatures. You feed them, learn their behaviors and stuff like that."
"Sounds like fun!" Obito grinned.
"It's dangerous," Ron said. "One year we had a book that would bite us if we didn't rub its bloody spine."
"I've handled dangerous animals before."
"Like what?" Harry questioned, genuinely curious what kind of creatures they had in Japan. Maybe there were small Chinese dragons like he's seen in books.
"Like...um..." He frowned, thinking of the words he was looking for. He was ready to say jumping green things and big flying not-owl birds instead of the actual English words for them. "Toads... snakes... cats... hawks... dogs... and bugs," Obito answered, his voice faltering ever so slowly. "Doesn't sound very impressive, now that I think about it." These guys didn't have the kinds of animals like back home. According to the books, these wizards had worse.
"That's perfectly fine." Hermione said as she kicked at a laughing Ron. "You can ask McGonagall to take it if you want to."
Obito nodded. "Okay. Tell me about the other classes here." He grinned at them as he began eating small bites of food.
"Okay, there's the core classes DADA, Herbology, Potions, History of Magic, and Charms." Hermione began her long explanation. Harry and Ron would occasionally join in and add their own comments. Like what the teachers were like.
After they finished eating and discussing, McGonagall began walking down the Gryffindor table and handing out schedules. It was taking a bit longer than usual because this is the year where everyone split off into different classes depending on their O.W.L. grades. And Harry's year appeared to be one of the biggest here.
Hermione got into everything she wanted just fine. Her first period was Ancient Runes so she left with barely a goodbye. Her hands already reaching into her bag for a book.
Obito had asked plenty of questions when it was his turn, which McGonagall answered patiently. Most of his questions were repeats of what he asked the trio.
When he got his schedule all together, he waited for Harry and Ron.
"What do you have, Obito?" Ron asked. "We have a free period."
"Defense Against the Dark Arts." Obito said. "I think I have the book for that."
"Good luck," Harry sighed. "Professor Snape is charge of that class this year."
"What's so bad about him?" Obito asked.
"You'll see," Ron said. "Come on. We'll show you the way."
(=====++======)
Kakashi looked down at his schedule then up again at Draco. "So, this is the Ancient Runes classroom?"
Draco nodded. "Yep. This will be a good opportunity to increase your English vocabulary."
"Vo-cab-you-larry?" Kakashi repeated.
"How many words you know." Draco sighed as he opened the door and walked in.
Kakashi walked in behind him, his eye scanning the whole room. It looked like your standard classroom. A bit like the ones back at the Academy. Students sat in desks that all faced one direction with different writings on the wall. Ancient Runes should be a good class to increase his learning.
"Oh! It's do good to have you back Draco!" A woman approached Kakashi and Draco. "And who might you be? I don't think I've ever seen you in any of my classes."
Kakashi straightened his back out of politeness for one older than him. "I am Kakashi Hatake. Transfer student from Japan."
"It's nice to meet you, Kakashi. I am Professor Babbling. Take your seats and we'll get started shortly." She said. Kakashi was getting a feel of someone who had a lot of patience when it came to students, and took really good care of her classes as a whole.
Draco motioned for Kakashi to follow him as they sat down near the back. "I can give you some books from previous years if you want." He said softly, as if not wanting to be caught offering Kakashi books. "In addition to this year's book as well."
Kakashi nodded. "Understood."
The door opened again and in came a girl with bushy brown hair and wearing the Gryffindor colors. Draco groaned immediately, this was something he didn't bother hiding.
"Who is that?" Kakashi asked, guessing he didn't have to whisper either.
"Hermione Granger." Draco switched back to whispering, much to Kakashi's confusion. "She's such a know-it-all. Thinks she's better than everyone just because she's friend with Harry Potter." Oh that's why he's whispering.
"I heard about Potter. Is he..." Kakashi paused, not knowing the word he needed.
"Popular, The Boy Who Lives, The Chosen One, ignorant, trouble magnet, need I go on?" Draco helped, his tone bitter.
"Yeah..." It was obvious that Draco hated Harry. Maybe he should keep an eye on him. Childish disputes are bound to happen. And trouble magnet didn't seem like too far of a stretch.
"Malfoy." The girl greeted dismissively, sitting down a row in front of them.
"Mud-blood." Draco replied in the same cold voice.
"Did Crabbe and Goyle get replaced by the transfer student?" Hermione asked, not even turning around.
"E-"
"Of course not," Draco interrupted. "He's with me by his own free will."
"Yeah right." Hermione said and Kakashi could hear the eye roll.
"Now, now! Class is beginning!" Professor Babbling said, clapping her hands together. "I'm so glad to see so many familiar faces, and you're all in your seats from last year as well! That makes it so much easier for me."
If they were going to be in these seats for more than a week, Draco and Granger would be at each other's throats every day. This was something Kakashi was not looking forward to.
(=====++======)
"I'm not sure I like that Snape guy." Rin said as she walked out of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Even though she knew full well that Snape was "on her side". It didn't have to be spoken, or said through eye contact. They just knew it was a front. Can't have the teacher known to hate everyone outside of his own House suddenly not throw around shade at the transfer students. But it was just ridiculous.
"Yeah. He's always been like that." Hannah said.
"You get used to it." Susan shrugged.
"It was very interesting how he talked." Rin put on an act that made it look like she was nervous about this opinion she spoke.
"He wasn't very nice to you at all, though. Most would've left or at least shown fear."
"Really? Oh. I didn't notice he was trying to scare me." Rin said. "He was just being mean with all those names. I didn't understand half of them!"
"And you weren't bothered enough to snap back?"
"Wow! I'm so glad we're friends!" Hannah laughed. "Sure you aren't a brave Gryffindor like your brother?"
Rin smiled. "But he did have a point in his teaching," She forced a sudden subject change. "Not saying the incantation does have many advantages in a duel."
"True. You did so well at the nonverbal jinx," Susan said with a grin. "I never saw it coming!"
"Come on." Hannah smiled. "We can talk about DADA later. Now, you have Potions. We didn't do so well in that class last year, so you're on your own. But I believe your brothers will be there. Because you are, you know. Unless they aren't as smart as you said they were."
Rin nodded with a smile. "Okay. And I promise they're as smart as I said they were."
"We can show you the way. We have a free period anyway." Hannah said. "Do you need a book?"
Rin shook her head. "No. I got one." She pat her bag and glanced down the hall. She was excited to see her teammates again. She also learned a lot about this place. Because she woke up a bit earlier than everyone else, she was able to practice a few spells using her wand and read. Potions class was actually a class she was looking forward to. If she could use potions back at Konoha, it would be a huge enhancement of Konoha's military strength. And while they are in the aftermath of a war, this is sorely needed. Especially the potions that looked to have medicinal or any positive qualities.
"Okay. Here it is. Have fun, and you better hope that your sense of smell is bad."
"But he might actually leave a window open." Hannah pointed out to Susan. "It's a new teacher, remember?"
"Right, I forgot. Anyway, have fun! And don't make your cauldron explode." Susan smiled before she and Hannah began walking in the opposite direction.
"How did you forget if we just walked out of DADA with Snape?"
"I don't know!"
Rin looked between the door and her housemates before she walked in behind a group of Gryffindor's.
"Ah! Hello there!" Professor Slughorn greeted the students as a whole. "Take out your scales, and potion kits. Don't forget your copy of Advanced Potion-Making."
"Sir." Came the nervous call for attention near the back of the group by the door.
Rin looked towards the voice to see it was a Gryffindor boy with messy black hair and glasses.
"Yes, Harry m' boy?" Professor Slughorn seemed delighted to see the Gryffindor.
"I haven't got a book or scales. Or anything. Nor's Ron. We didn't realize we'd be able to take the N.E.W.T. class, see-"
"Ah, yes. Professor McGonagall did mention..." Professor Slughorn mused. "Not to worry. You can use ingredients from the store cupboard, and I'm sure we can lend you some scales. And we've got a small stock of books here, until you can write to Flourish and Blotts." The Potions Professor strode over to a corner cupboard which he pulled out two very battered looking copies of Advanced Potion-Making. He gave these to Harry and a redhead boy, most likely Ron, along with tarnished scales.
"Now then. I've prepared a few potions for you to look at," Slughorn said walking back to the front of the room. "These are potions you should be able to make after completing your N.E.W.T.s. You ought to have heard of them by now. Anyone tell me what this one is?" He indicated a cauldron nearest the Slytherin table.
Rin had to stand up in to see, and instead of her eyes focusing on the potion like she should have, her eyes focused on a spiky mess of silver hair. Kakashi is here beside our charge. She smiled before sitting back down as a Gryffindor girl's hand shot into the air. She looked towards the Gryffindor table to see Obito sitting near her. As if she had any doubt he would be there. Granted...he did tend to be late. But when it counted, he was on time. Or maybe one of his new friends dragged him here on time.
"Veritaserum." The girl answered quickly and confidently. "A colorless, odorless potion that forces the drinker to tell the truth."
"Very good. Very good." Slughorn nodded. He moved onto another cauldron, near the Ravenclaw table. "Now, this one here is pretty well known." he began to explain what it was when the girl's hand shot into the air again. This was going to be a short demonstration.
"It's Polyjuice Potion, sir."
Rin stood up to look at it and frowned. It looked disgusting.
"Excellent, excellent. Now, this one here is...yes, my dear?"
The girl knew the answer before he even finished asking, and her hand rose to the sky to show it.
"It's Amorentina."
"Indeed. It seems almost foolish to ask." Slughorn looked pleased. "I assume you know what it does?"
"It's the most powerful love potion in the world." She explained proudly.
Rin made sure to note all of this down either on the parchment in front of her, or in her brain for later writing.
"It's supposed to smell liked what attracts us the most. So it's different for everyone," The girl explained like she was the teacher. She might actually do a pretty good job at it, if she kept this up. "For example, I can smell freshly mown grass, new parchment, and..." She didn't continue her thought, which caused a small level of whispers that lasted for less than ten seconds.
"May I ask what is your name, my dear?" Slughorn asked once the whispers died down again.
"Hermione Granger, sir."
Rin barely listened as Slughorn and Granger talked, something about Muggle-born and Harry. She was too busy scribbling down notes.
"And now, it's time for us to start our work for today..."
Kakashi shot his hand into the air, bringing the attention of everyone in the room. Rin assumed it was because now they had a reason to stare at him and look at his usual hair and the fact he was wearing a medical mask. The kind that the sick usually wear.
"Yes, Kakashi?"
"You have not told us about the potion over there." He said, pointing towards a small black cauldron standing on Slughorn's desk.
"Ah, yes!" Slughorn said with a flight flare to his voice once again. "This potion, ladies and gentlemen, is a very curious little potion called Felix Felicis."
Rin stuck to writing down and making notes and such. Like how the potions smelt, looked, and how they moved. Because all the potions were so widely unique in so many ways, it was kind of hard to identify them exactly from what she saw in front of her. She'd be sure to do more research about other potions later in the evening when she had free time.
The potion they made that day was called Draught of Living Death. Slughorn even gave a reward who made the best potion. They got to keep little Felix. Rin can't lie. It would be nice to have the Liquid Luck when she knew she would be going on a dangerous mission. Just a few drops of it might as well ensure everyone makes it alive and the mission would be a success. But, he did say to use it sparingly. He's only used it twice in his life. Best days of his life, he added.
Rin was partnered with a Hufflepuff boy named Ernie Macmillan. He wasn't as nice as Rin would've liked. Actually rude whenever she made a small mistake. Even when he'd make the exact same mistake. But she put up with it.
(=====++======)
"So, what did you think or your classes so far?" Obito asked as the three shinobi walked side-by-side down the hall. They had walked out of Potions with their respective groups, then separated so that they could walk together.
"They were certainly different from the Academy." Rin admitted. "Snape is as mean as they come in Defense Against the Dark Arts. And you know Slughorn."
"Maa." Kakashi waved a hand. "Mine were pretty straightforward. Ancient Runes was all about looking at a character and translating it. And yeah, Potions."
"Yeah. Potions was interesting." Rin nodded in agreement.
"Slughorn is one of those annoying teachers to pick favorites." Kakashi sighed. "Besides that, tell me what you found out so far."
"Okay." Rin nodded. "I've integrated myself into my House very quickly. These guys are so open and trusting."
"It's not just a Hufflepuff thing, it seems." Obito jumped into the conversation. "Same here. They've accepted me very quickly after showing them Minato-sensei's fire tag."
Kakashi nodded. "Good. In Slytherin, they are a bit more wary. But after a run-in with a few Gryffindor kids this morning, it seems I'm not fully apart of their House."
"What happened?" Rin asked.
"Oh! You're the kid they were talking about!" Obito said loudly, pointing at Kakashi in surprise. "Man. Sorry about that, on behave of my House."
Kakashi ignored the boy and turned to Rin. "They came up to me and gave me a taste of what it felt like to be in Slytherin. They didn't know I was a transfer student, somehow. And they thought I was a first-year. A small group of Slytherins were passing by and almost immediately made a sort of protective barrier." Kakashi showed them with his hands, making a semicircle in front of him. "After the Gryffindor's left, they said they would report this to Draco and left. Ever sense then they haven't seemed wary of me."
"Yeah. On the subject of Slytherins, I was warned by a few Ravenclaws to avoid them. They are rude to everyone that's not their friend. The only way to not become a victim is to be strong and get them before they can get you."
"Everyone seems to have the view that Slytherin is the House of evil." Obito mused.
Kakashi nodded. "This is good for just this morning. Let us enjoy our lunch and I will write to Minato-sensei as soon as I can. Draco has an owl I could probably use."
"Got it!" Obito grinned. "So knowing this bit of information, I can trip you and push you around whenever I want?"
"Try it." Kakashi dared, smiling behind his mask as he slipped out of Japanese and into English.
"Please don't." Rin said, getting in between the two boys.
"Who's going to stop me?" Obito followed suit, his voice getting louder.
Kakashi's foot slid back a bit, his hand reaching for his wand. A familiar motion the three knew by heart. It's usually the first move every shinobi makes before engaging in a fight. Except they're usually reaching for a kunai or a tanto.
"Hey, hey, hey. What's going on here?" It seems wizards know the stance's meaning as well. That's good.
Kakashi looked up at the Gryffindor girl from Ancient Runes. He narrowed his eyes in a weak glare, knowing full well why she had decided to approach.
"You should head back to your own table," Hermione said with a hard look at Kakashi. "You should to, thank you for trying to help." She added, looking at Rin with a softer look in her eyes.
Kakashi sent one last glare at Obito. And smiled a bit when the Uchiha sent the glare back. This was how they come to an agreement. And with that one look, it was decided they could take their acting up a notch. Only thing that would hold them back is the underlying fear of getting too carried away.
So! I decided to put a few things down here. It seems the team is fitting in very well with the Hogwarts crowd. Hope you like how this is turning out!
I love the reviews you all leave. I read all of them!