It took forever for me to update this! I hope you guys like this part.
Chapter 03
Surprise, surprise!
My first day, Hermione thought excitedly as she walked to her first class of the day, Japanese Language with Professor Raiel. Supposedly the Professor taught specifically to exchange students, and being as Hermione was the only one this year it would be like private lessons.
As she stepped into the empty classroom that only had one desk placed close to the Professors' desk, Hermione realized how nervous she really was. Surely it was wonderful that she would be learning an entirely different language, but having a class alone with a teacher seemed a bit intimidating.
However as Hermione stood nervously near the door, Professor Raiel smiled and said, "Please sit, miss Grander." And she gestured to the desk in front of her own.
Hermione said nothing in response, but took the seat and took out the language book from her school bag, and sat it quietly on the desktop.
"So, I'm Professor Raiel-oh, you silly girl! You can at least look at me!" She exclaimed in a mid-range, enthusiastic voice as she pushed her ash-brown hair from her chocolate brown eyes and grinned. "Now, I'm Professor Raiel, your language teacher. I'll be teaching you Japanese, as you know. I'm glad to have finally met you! I've heard so much from Professor Dumbledore after all."
Hermione's head shot up. "You know professor Dumbledore?"
"Well of course, all of us, meaning the staff met the Hogwarts staff when we discussed your transfer."
"Oh…" Hermione said, almost in an embarrassed tone. "I see."
Professor Raiel nodded in response and smiled. "Now, shall we begin the lesson?"
Thankfully, the Japanese language wasn't as hard as Hermione had first imagined. She first learned the pronunciation technique; how the E's were always pronounced like "Eh" and I's were always pronounced like "Ee" and so on, so forth. After that, Professor Raiel taught her simple words such as "Arigatou Gozaimasu" for "thank you" and "Gomen nasai" or "Gomen ne" for "I'm sorry". Now she was walking to her second class of the day with Keiro. Her other friends went their separate ways, seeing as they all had different second periods for the day.
"Everyone says Professor Kamiyama is the best!" Keiro exclaimed, clearly excited for this next period. "She's supposed to be really laid-back."
"Well that's a good change from Snape." Hermione mumbled.
"Nani? I mean, what was that?"
"Oh, uhm, yeah! She sounds great." Hermione replied as they walked down the last flight of stairs and into the potions classroom, which was also a dungeon just as Snape's had been but something about it didn't make Hermione nearly as unnerved as Snape's did.
There were quiet murmurs and whispers around the class about where Professor Kamiyama was, being as she wasn't anywhere to be seen as of yet.
But soon after, there was a raspy, almost annoyed grumble of some Japanese words Hermione couldn't understand coming from the dungeon doorway, and a fair-skinned, dark-haired and bored looking woman walked into the room wearing tight black pants with a somewhat loose button-up, long-sleeved shirt. She seemed to be in her mid twenties if anyone cared to guess, and she was holding a cigarette lazily in her hand. She grumbled more words that Hermione couldn't understand.
"Would you like me to translate?" Keiro whispered, leaning a little closer to Hermione so she could here her better.
Hermione nodded and replied, "Onegai." Which was a word she'd just learned the period before, meaning "Please".
"She told us to shut up, and that class has began. Now she's introduced herself as Professor Kamiyama, and now-oh dear!"
"Nani?" Hermione asked, the English translation meaning "What".
"She just said…" Keiro lowered her voice a little more as she leaned in closer. "One thing you should know about me is I don't give a damn."
There was a loud cough, followed by, "You must be Hermione Granger."
Hermione quickly looked forward, her hands clasped together now tightly on her lap as her eyes widened barely and she muttered out nervously, "Y-yes."
"I'm Professor Kamiyama." She said in "Engrish", though the accent wasn't as strong as Keiro's was, but it was still noticeable. After taking another drag on the cigarette as she leaned against the wooden desk, she added, "You know the language thing that the Headmistress set, right?"
"H-hai. T-teachers will announce to o-other students in Japanese, then repeat to me I-in-"
"Hai, hai. So the chatting can cease for now, can't it?" She still looked thoroughly bored as she said this, her cigarette now pushed into the ashtray sitting by her hand.
"O-oh…Gomen nasai, hai, of course."
"Good, now…" And she began speaking in Japanese again. Hermione somewhat felt disappointed at this. When the other students laughed, she couldn't laugh because she didn't understand what they were laughing at. When they were shocked, she couldn't feel the shock because she didn't understand. The thing about Hermione was that she liked to understand things.
But that feeling didn't last long, seeing as Professor Kamiyama ushered Hermione up to her desk. The professor sat down as Hermione stood, ringing her hands in front of her as Professor Kamiyama spoke. "So, Hermione, I know you, you know me. I don't have to explain that again." It seemed she had lit yet another cigarette to occupy herself as she explained to Hermione. "It's the first day, everyone hates homework on first days. So basically, seeing as you're a transfer student and it seems you only know your chat-buddy miss Zeller back there, I suggest you get acquainted with other students."
Hermione nodded. If she wasn't so damn nervous, she would've protested to the "Everyone hates homework on first days" comment.
"Good. Now go on."
Hermione quickly turned around and sat next to Keiro again, who looked a little relieved that Hermione was back.
"So what's this thing between you and teachers? The language thing." She asked curiously, her fist placed gently against her chin.
"Oh, the teachers explain everything to the other students in Japanese and after they just pull me away for a minute and repeat it in English." Hermione explained.
"Oh, well that's cool! Until you learn the language, right?"
"Yeah. I can't wait to finally understand this stu-"
"Hey? Hey!" A whispering voice came from behind Hermione and Keiro. They both turned to face a very pale, very pretty girl. Her light brown hair cascaded passed her shoulder, just above her breasts and her eyes were dark as most Japanese eyes were. She was thin but not sickeningly so, actually it somewhat complimented her. Hermione would've blushed as the girl smiled playfully but managed to restrain herself.
"Granger, is it?" The pretty girl continued.
"Nice eye candy, Ro!" A girl said with the same pale skin tone, but had darker hair than Ro had sat next to Ro and smirked, observing Hermione.
"Isn't she? I'm Ro Kato, this is Reika." Reika only nodded as Ro held out her for Hermione to shake. She did, but soon let go, not feeling very secure around this newly introduced girl.
Keiro didn't respond in any way, but seemed to have turned a little pale as she took notice of Ro.
"So, what year are you?" She asked as she position herself atop the desk now, her legs swung over so they were unusually close to Hermione.
Hermione gulped and replied in a stuttering voice, "S-sixth."
"Ah! Good! Same here. Who's your friend?" She continued, now looking a little coldly toward Keiro. Keiro only glared as a response.
"Oh…uhm, this is Keiro. Keiro Zeller."
"So is she like your best friend?" Ro pried, not seeming to like Keiro very much though they'd barely met, if it could even be called "met" seeing as they were both glaring at each other.
"Well…here, yes." Hermione said in a small voice as she looked from Ro to Keiro and back. Ro's friend Reika only seemed to be enjoying this, seeing as she had her arms crossed over her chest and was smirking still.
"Well, let me introduce you to mine then. Hey, Miiro!"
Now Hermione could've blushed like a mad woman, and she was pretty sure she did when the girl turned slightly to look at Hermione. Previously, her back had been turned to the group as she was talking with someone behind her, but as the girl called Miiro only stared back at Hermione as if she was expecting a response of some kind, Hermione could take in her features. She was as pale as Ro, but it seemed to compliment her more. While it made Ro look "cuter" it made Miiro look…well…Hermione simply hated to admit it, but it made her look sexier.
Her eyes were a lighter brown, her hair wasn't as light as Ro's but not as dark as Reika's, and her expression was so calm that Hermione thought she could fall like jelly to the floor.
"Hm." After still looking as if she were expecting Hermione to react somehow, Miiro finally spoke in a light Engrish accent. "Hey." She said casually.
"H-hey." Hermione said, trying to calm herself at the sudden change of mood but couldn't manage it. It seemed Miiro noticed this, and she smiled slightly in amusement before turning back to her other friends.
"So, Keiro hasn't taken you yet, has she?" Ro said, now looking at Hermione with a pleased smirk crossing her face.
"N-nani!" Keiro all but yelled in surprised at the comment.
"W-what do you mean?" Hermione asked stupidly, though she was sure she knew what Ro meant.
"Ah, now don't play dumb. Are you two together or not?"
"E-eh? I'm not gay, Ro, and you know that!" Keiro yelled as her fists were now clenched and she was suddenly standing.
"Hai, hai. I get it. So, Hermione, what do you think? Wanna' go?" Ro only seemed more satisfied as Hermione only looked shocked at the words, suddenly falling silent.
"I-I…" Luckily, the bell rang, saving Hermione. She quickly stood and said, "Come on, Keiro, or we'll be late!" And she hurried out of the classroom.
"What was that all about?" Hermione asked Keiro, slightly angrily as Keiro was looking nervously anywhere than at Hermione.
Keiro sighed in response and pulled Hermione out of the way from the rest of the students. She now had a somewhat serious expression on her face as she looked at Hermione intently. "That was Ro Kato," She began. "She's…well, you got that drift that she was gay, didn't you?"
"Well, yeah, I can only guess."
"Well, she tries getting everybody to go to bed with her, and last year she tried with me…and…well, I didn't, so she went onto my friend. Her name was Soka, and she transferred to a school in Taiwan after Ro ignored her after their little…event…"
"Oh…" Hermione said nervously, looking down at Keiro sympathetically. "Gomen nasai, Keiro."
"It's all right, now at least. I get to see her over the summer. Now, I'm going to be late for Otsuko's class, and you have Ichiro don't you?" She said, somewhat uneasily.
"Hai."
"Oh…well…good luck." With one last sympathetic look, Keiro walked off to whatever class and Hermione was left feeling a bit unnerved as she walked to this Professor Ichiro's class, Duels.
I hope this day turns out to be better than it's appearing to be. She thought and sighed as she stepped into Professor Ichiro's classroom.
It was very much like the DADA classroom during Hermione's second year at Hogwarts, with the small stand like thing in the middle of the classroom that was fit for two people to stand a good distance across from each other, and to properly duel.
As Hermione made her way to the middle of the crowd, she looked up onto the Dueling stand and suddenly saw a very pale, thin woman standing before them, her arms clasped together behind her back as a monotone expression was plastered on her face. Her hair was very dark, cascading down upon her Japanese, black and red styled outfit.
As she spoke words in Japanese that Hermione couldn't understand, she couldn't help but notice the icy feel to it. She indeed looked like a somewhat bitter woman, and as she contemplated this as Professor Ichiro spoke, she hadn't realized that the teacher had walked before her.
Jumping a little, she bowed multiple times and repeatedly said, "Gomen nasai." She wasn't aware, after all, of how long she hadn't noticed the emotionless woman.
"Stop bowing, Granger, you look like a fool." She spoke with a perfect English accent as she said this. Hermione could only imagine why a Japanese accent didn't accompany her words, but didn't dwell much on this.
"G-gomen nasai." Hermione apologized once more under the cold stare.
"I'm Professor Ichiro, and you know that you're in Duels. Today, you just need to get acquainted, do you understand?"
Hermione nodded slowly, watching the Professor as she walked off. Oddly enough, she somewhat reminded Hermione of Snape though she was much more attractive than Snape, and Hermione felt as if she wasn't nearly as hateful as her greasy-haired potions teacher that was still at Hogwarts.
"Oi! Hermione!" Hermione quickly spun around at the sound of her name, and saw that Keiro's friend Shiko was gesturing for her to come sit with her and another girl she didn't recognize. Hermione didn't know her that well, but she figured it was better than standing around by herself, so she quickly walked toward the tanned girl and bowed quickly before sitting beside her, across from the other girl.
"Hermione, this is Akane. Akane, this is the transfer student Hermione Granger." Kara introduced them politely. "How's your first day?" She asked.
"It's been…interesting." Hermione answered truthfully.
"I heard you met Ro Kato in Kamiyama's class."
Hermione blinked, clearly surprised. "Hai, how did you know that?"
"Word goes around quickly, when it's about Ro anyway." Akane said, with an almost bitter tone.
"And Miiro too?" Kara interrupted, obviously not wanting the conversation to take a cold turn.
"Yes, she wasn't exactly…as talkative as Ro though." Hermione said.
"Yeah, Miiro isn't like Ro, but they're best friends." Kara explained calmly. "She's had a couple of girlfriends here and there but other than that she seems really…well, unattached."
Hermione found that Kara was actually very nice; though she did gossip quite a bit it seemed all in good nature. She was glad that lunch came after Professor Ichiro's class, because she could've sworn her stomach shrunk by the time it was time for food.
"So who do you have next?" Keiro asked as Hermione joined her and her friends once again during a meal.
"Professor Kawasaki."
"She's so nice!" Shiko exclaimed, grinning at Hermione. "And she's so energetic! I don't know who couldn't love her."
"Well good," Hermione said. "Because judging by Professor Kamiyama and Professor Ichiro, I think I need a little more energy."
"You had Professor Ichiro?" Shiori asked curiously, now looking at Hermione along with the other three girls.
"H-hai."
"I heard that her and the Headmistress have something between them." Kara whispered as she bent over her food a little and looked between the other girls. "I've never seen them like that, have any of you?"
The other girls disagreed as Hermione contemplated this subject. It seemed that in this school, it didn't matter that the same gender were going around sexing people up every night or having affairs with Professors.
"Hermione, are you okay? You look a little pale." Keiro asked in a concerned voice.
"Oh, uhm, hai! I'm just fine." Hermione said, smiling a little before continuing to eat.
Hermione could've grumbled unpleasantly as Professor Kawasaki spoke in Japanese. She simply hated the fact that she couldn't understand a word anyone was saying lately, but still felt that Professor Kawasaki was indeed exactly how Shiko had explained. She was very nice, and very energetic. Hermione could've sworn that she hadn't let her grin drop since she began her speech.
"Miss Granger, up here please!" Hermione quickly stood and made her way up to the Professor's desk, and as she did so she couldn't help but think this was a relief compared to Professor Kamiyama and Ichiro.
Her hair was a light blonde, obviously dyed and her eyes either had colored contacts in them or Professor Kawasaki's eyes really were that shade of light brown. Her skin was also pale as most people's skin was at this school.
"So, I'm Professor Kawasaki," She began in a heavy Engrish accent. "And this is Transfiguration! I take it that you know what you'll be doing today?"
"I can guess…" Hermione murmured, smiling a little at the older woman's energetic personality.
"Hai! You'll be getting acquainted so go on now!"
Hermione bowed before going back to her desk, kindly being greeted by other students as "The new transfer student". Professor Kouda's class, for Advanced Users' magic, wasn't much different. Though, instead of the care free energy that radiated off of Professor Kawasaki, Professor Kouda was very business-like and stern, a little like Professor Ichiro but she didn't have the bitter attitude accompanying her.
Hermione sighed as she once again walked into her dorm. Keiro, Kara, Shiko, and Shiori had all insisted upon wandering around the castle after dinner before going to bed, and by the time they'd all made it to their dorms safely, it was around 11.00 at night.
She fell onto her bed disgracefully and buried her head into her pillow. She was very tired, and even as she heard the door open she barely noticed. Until she heard the sound of a quiet "click" behind her, she hadn't taken notice of the person walking in the room.
But, after as she heard no more sounds she slowly raised her head and looked toward the door, almost falling out of her bed in shock as she did so.
"M-miiro!" She all but yelled.
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Mwahahaha! I bet you thought it would be Ro, neeeee? Hm, well, I like Miiro better than Ro. She seems more interesting, IMO. Anyway, if you guys want some pictures of characters from this chapter, you can look up these names:
Keiro Zeller Kumi Kato
Ro Kato Emi Suzuki
Miiro Houraku Misaki Ito
Professor Raiel Emmy Rossum
Professor Kamiyama Hitomi Shimatani
Professor Ichiro Zhang Ziyi
Professor Kawasaki Ayumi Hamasaki
Professor Kouda Kumi Kouda
And for an extra, Headmistress Amura Namie Amuro
You can also just e-mail you and I'll send a pic of each character to you