Note in response to the review on how Harry got his morpher - Harry became a Ranger in the prequel, 'From Dark Paths Have We Come' chapter 28. Zordon gave Harry the Power Coin while all the Rangers were trapped on the Island of Illusion, making him the White Raptor Ranger while Tommy wasn't there to complain.

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CHAPTER 27 - FLOURISH AND BLOTTS

Tommy and Harry took their time in Flourish and Blotts, leisurely browsing for anything of interest and wondering further from each other than they had in any other store. Tommy was out of sight when Harry came across a small section of books on elemental magics. Thinking of the Thunder Rangers and wondering if the books on individual elements would be of use for them, Harry turned to ask Tommy, only then noticing his absence. Closing his eyes, it took less than a second to find him through the slight pull Harry always felt in his brother's presence. Glancing over the shelves, he grabbed a book titled 'Elemental Battle Magic' then hurriedly followed the call to Tommy's side. Rounding a corner, he ran into a girl who was also rushing through, carrying too many books to possibly see over. Harry stumbled but managed to catch himself from falling. The girl fell back into an oriental girl who was stretching up to get a book off the top shelf. Before the girls could hit the ground, Tommy was suddenly there, catching them both easily.

"I'm ever so sorry," the girl Harry ran into apologized as she knelt to pick up her books.

Harry knelt to help her. "No, it's my fault," he responded. "I wasn't aware enough of things."

Tommy reached up and grabbed the book the other girl was reaching for before the accident, offered it to her.

"Thank you," she said, glancing down shyly. Tommy's eyes caught on her bracelet when she accepted the book from him. He'd seen one like it before - or rather very close to it. It looked like the mark of the Third Dragon except the dragon on hers moved.

An older boy joined them, stepping rather obviously between the girl and Tommy. From the 'Grade 4' book of spells in his hands, Tommy assumed him to be around fourteen years old, his appearance was similar enough to the girl Tommy assumed him a brother or cousin.

"It's okay," the girl assured. "He helped me when that girl fell into me."

"I saw," the boy responded.

"It was no problem," Tommy said, speaking around the boy. "My brother running into the other girl started the whole issue. Tommy Oliver." He offered her his hand, causing the boy to glare at him.

The girl hesitantly took it. "Su Li. This is my brother, Sheng."

Tommy offered his hand to Sheng Li next, only smiling when the boy only glared at him harder. "Are you by any chance related to Lee Wang-Lung of New York?"

Harry glanced up at this, then quickly grabbed the last of the fallen books and led the other girl away. The girl, who introduced herself as Hermione Granger, didn't notice the manipulation and followed him easily.

Su looked surprised. "You know our cousin?"

"Su!" Sheng berated.

"Not really," Tommy answered easily. "I know of him more than anything though I did meet him a couple times while hanging with my friend Ash." He stressed the word friend purposely, proclaiming them as equals. It was a subtle code, their reactions would tell him if they were part of that life or if they were just distant family.

Sheng froze for a second, easily missed if you were watching for it. Then in a soft breath he questioned, "Ash Lynx?"

"Is there another?"

"Who are you?" Sheng asked. He thought back to what he knew of Ash Lynx. The American branch of the family were all interested in the boy despite the fact he's white. Ever since he first drew the attention of the family, there hadn't been a single family meeting where the name of Ash Lynx wasn't brought forth at least once. They'd mentioned several people around Ash Lynx as well, most too old to be this boy, or of the wrong ethnic background. There was definitely no one mentioned by the name Tommy Oliver.

Tommy smiled and gave the same answer he had while in New York. "Depends on who you ask."

With those words, Sheng worked it out. "You are the one they called the Ghost. I told them it sounded like you were magical."

"Rather different than around here. My brother and I will be starting at Hogwarts this year … if it's worth our time."

Sheng thought over these words, looking for all the hidden meanings. This was a great opportunity for him. The Ghost was almost legend, anything he could learn about him could increase his standing in the family though what he'd tell his family would be determined by whatever relationship grew between them. If they were no more than acquaintances, he would share as much as gave him more power. As allies, there would be both more known and much less shared with the others. If they became friends however … Sheng Li stood strong with his friends, he would never share anything more than his friends wished. There were other possibilities, Sheng couldn't help but think as his eyes roved over Tommy's form, but he pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind. Those things might be possible in the future but only based upon whatever they built now. Tommy was just starting Hogwarts, was just eleven years old, Sheng reminded himself.

"You will be in Su's year," Sheng said. "I have no doubt Su will be in Ravenclaw as I am. Should you be in our House, we would be honored if you allowed us to show you our school."

"And if I'm in another House?"

"Scheduling would be more complicated however the offer remains. I believe I can help you find that which is worth your time." Sheng turned to the shelves, picked out a couple nearby titles which he offered to Tommy. Tommy accepted the books with a small smirk. Without another word, the two boys drifted down the aisles together, Sheng taking great care in what books he suggested to the mystery beside him.

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Continued - Let me know what you think. Review