CHAPTER: V
"Oh, look!" Haruhi exclaimed. "I can see Hogwarts! It looks so beautiful!"
The Host Club scrambled around their seats looking out the window straining to see a glimpse of their new school.
"Well, it's not Ouran standards," Hikaru said in a bored tone. Kaoru glanced at his brother. There was something wrong with him. Ever since he came back with Haruhi, he's been acting very strange.
"Of course it's not Ouran standards," Kyoya said, "But it looks quite exceptional for common standards."
"Yes, friends! Don't be so down. Even with Hogwarts being — well, not as pleasurable as Ouran, we should still try to enjoy our stay here! Who knows? Maybe commoner life may be fun!" Tamaki said reassuringly. The others nodded in agreement. Hunny even clapped impressed by Tamaki's words. 'Rich bastards,' Haruhi thought to herself. Kaoru got up and sat next to Hikaru.
"Sorry Haruhi, I have to discuss business with my partner here," Kaoru said smiling.
"It's not a problem," Haruhi replied, returning the smile.
"Hikaru," Kaoru said quietly so no one else could hear. "What's troubling you? Ever since you came back with Haruhi, you've been acting strange."
"It's just that, when I went to fetch Haruhi, she knew it was me right away."
"What?" Kaoru said in disbelief, "How — maybe it was just a coincidence."
"I don't think so… This girl, Haruhi…. She's different, she's the only one who could tell us apart… " Hikaru said lost in thought. The Hitachiin twins sat together, thinking of this new intruder to their world.
The train gave an abrupt stop.
"Hey, We're not even at Hogwarts yet! Surely they don't expect us to walk," Hikaru said, looking out the window.
"They probably have transportation to the castle," Kyoya replied, "I'm sure the Headmaster wouldn't allow trains to go directly to the school due to security measures."
The compartment door slid open, and a windswept looking woman appeared and surveyed them all before saying, "Transfer students from Japan?" They all nodded. "Follow me." They followed the woman through the corridors of the train. It was quite a hassle considering everyone was trying to get out of the train at the same time. Girls were smiling at the Host Club, impressed by how handsome they all were. Hikaru and Kaoru caught each others eye and winked at the girls, who started making a big fuss screaming and giggling. 'So this is what they do in the Host Club,' Haruhi thought to herself watching the twins flirt with the girls. The sting of the night air greeted them as they stepped outside the train.
"Firs' years over here! Firs' years…" Haruhi looked around to see whom the voice was coming from. She gasped, a giant of a man was standing a few feet away from Haruhi. Completely hidden by a long, shaggy mane of hair, you could barely see his face. Although you could see his eyes, which were glinting like black beetles under the moonlight.
"This," She indicated to the giant-like man, "is Rubeus Hagrid. Since you are new to this school, you will be taking the boat across the lake to Hogwarts — a long-since practiced tradition of our school…Welcome, I hope you will enjoy your stay here," She gave a slight bow and shuffled on to help cease the flow of traffic near the carriages — horseless carriages?! 'How on earth can they pull themselves?' Haruhi thought to herself puzzled. Hikaru nudged Haruhi as Hagrid began speaking.
"All righ' you don't need ter' call me Rubeus. Jus' call me Hagrid," He said smiling, "Anyways back ter' the point, you lot are goin' ter' be crossin' the lake in these boats," Hagrid said pointing to the boats, which had lanterns suspended over the bows. "Yer' only allowed three per boat, an' no rough housin' all righ'? Get into the boats now — yeah, nice an' easy. Watch yer' step…" Haruhi walked over to the nearest boat and made to step into it — she tripped and was falling straight into the lake… Hands enclosed around her and she looked up and saw Mori's handsome face staring down upon her.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah, Err- thanks," Haruhi said blushing, she still wasn't used to these gorgeous guys yet. Mori carried her gracefully into the boat, placed her back down gently, and sat down next to her. Tamaki and the twins were pushing and shoving each other — fighting to get in the boat with Haruhi.
"Agh! Gerroff me Kaoru!"
"I'm Hikaru, my lord!"
"I don't care — Ouch! What in the world — Who bit me?!"
"Not me!" The twins said in unison. The struggle continued for quite a while, and another one of the "Tamaki vs. Twins" boxing matches started up again.
"Can't punch us!"
"We're too fast —"
"You're no match for us, my lord —"
"K-O!" The twins yelled in triumph as Tamaki collapsed out of fatigue. They gave each other a high five and made to go into the boat.
"Haru-chan!" Hunny sang jumping into the boat with Mori and Haruhi.
"Hunny!" Hikaru exclaimed.
"Get out —"
"We had to fight —"
"The Mighty-Ego-King for those seats!"
"Just let Hunny sit there," Kyoya said to the twins, "Besides, there was only room for one more."
"So?" Kaoru said.
"One plus one equals two," Kyoya replied, "Didn't you learn that in basic arithmancy? Surely there is no lower arithmetic class than that." It took a while for the twins to realize they were just insulted. Grumbling, the twins dragged Tamaki — who was still on the ground — to a vacant boat. Kyoya sat in the only available boat left, with shy-looking girls. He smiled at them, who blushed furiously apparently too flustered to return the smile. The boats started to move, carving deep ripples on the glassy surface of the lake.
"Haru-chan! Haru-chan! Look there's the castle!" Hunny exclaimed.
"Wow, so beautiful!" Haruhi whispered. It was in fact beautiful, the castle stood magnificently before them. Golden lights gleaming brilliantly from the windows. Further on, Haruhi sighed as she smelled the scent of pine growing stronger and stronger as they went further. Haruhi looked past the castle and saw a sinister looking forest and she wondered what types creatures dwelled there. The boat ride was quite enjoyable — even though no one was speaking. Everyone was too busy taking in the sights, so there was no room for conversation. Haruhi could have sworn she heard Tamaki's squeal of delight a moment earlier.
"All righ' Everyone! We're here. Careful now gettin' off the boat…" Hagrid called as the boats stopped at the edge of the lake. Haruhi got out — helped by Mori — and stepped out onto the moist grass. A tall, severe-looking woman, wearing square glasses, with her black hair drawn into a tight bun, was waiting for them.
"My name is Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration teacher here at Hogwarts." She surveyed them and spotted the exchange students. "I welcome all of you to Hogwarts — and a special welcome to the exchange students from Japan," McGonagall said, inclining her head to the new students. "Please follow me to the Great Hall. It is time for your sorting," McGonagall said walking up the bank of the lake towards the oak front doors. Haruhi followed silently, a wave of anxiety rushing over her. The reached the magnificent doors and Professor McGonagall opened them. Before them stood a vast hallway ablaze with torches. There were four giant hour-glasses each holding red, green, yellow, and blue gems.
"This is the entrance hall," McGonagall said, "Beyond those two doors you see ahead of you, lies the Great Hall, where your sorting will take place — in front of the entire school." They walked a few steps further and stopped in front of the double-doors. Professor McGonagall turned around to face them and said, "The Sorting is a very important ceremony because while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room. Now line up in alphabetical order — The exchange students will go last, after the first years." Haruhi, with the rest of the Host Club, shuffled to the end of the line.
"Listen up, when we get in there, I will call you up one by one. When I call your name, sit on the stool and place the sorting hat upon your head. Once the hat decides what house you should be in, please join your fellow housemates at that house table," McGonagall explained. She examined the students and said, "Is everyone ready? All right, let's go…"
Haruhi gasped as the doors opened — though, the Host Club didn't look nearly as impressed as her. In the Great Hall, there were four long tables with candles floating in midair all along the them, illuminating the silvery ghosts who were dotted about the hall. Haruhi looked up and stared with awe at the starless black ceiling, which was just like the sky they could glimpse through the high windows. The tables were filled with students — whose eyes seemed glued on to them — each table representing the colors of each house. Haruhi glanced at the faces of the students for the first time. She noticed the girls nudging each other — whispering and giggling pointing at the gorgeous men walking to the front of the Hall. Haruhi was completely oblivious of the guys — more than half — staring transfixed at her.
Draco was bragging about his top-secret missions he had successfully completed in the summer — but the beautiful girl never once left his mind.
"Well, of course I could have done that Crabbe. I'm not an idiot — it's just that I couldn't have done it. It was impossible. If only my father wasn't stuck in jail," Malfoy said through gritted teeth, glaring at Harry Potter, who was sitting at the table across from theirs. The double doors burst open and Draco ceased all conversation at once.
"Malfoy!" Goyle whispered. Draco didn't hear him.
"Malfoy!" Goyle whispered, even louder than the last. "Mal-"
"Shut up!" Draco hissed. He did not want anyone to interfere — this way he surely would find out her name and he wished — with intense burning desire — that she would be sorted into his house, so he could be the first one to enter her heart. Because, surely, with her beauty guys will be attracted to her like flies are attracted to honey. Surely as the double-doors opened, he saw her walking with her long hair flowing behind her. He was under her spell — again. 'How many spells will I be under?' Draco thought furiously. The noise died down as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat upon the stool. The whole school waited holding their breath. At the moment, the rip near the hat's brim opened wide like a mouth and the sorting hat burst into a song…
The hat became motionless once more and applause broke out. Haruhi clapped along with the rest of them. The applause died down, as Professor McGonagall unrolled the piece of parchment containing the lists of the newly enrolled Students.
"Andrews, Zack."
A small terrified boy walked to the stool trembling as he sat down. He put the hat on his head, and looked like he was trying really hard to remember something. After a few short moments of thought, the rip near the brim opened again and shouted, "RAVENCLAW!" Cheers burst from the Ravenclaw table as Zack stumbled to their table and sat down, receiving pats on the back from his fellow housemates. The long line of first years thinned, Haruhi moving closer and closer to the hat with each sorted student. Finally the last of the first years, "Zalenski, Heather" was sorted into Gryffindor and Professor McGonagall stood in front of students and cleared her throat like she was about to say a speech.
"These students" Professor McGonagall said, indicating to Haruhi and the Host Club, "Are transfer students from Ouran Academy — an Academy for witches and wizards in Japan. They transferred due to devastating turmoil in their country, which caused the school to shut down. So, I ask that you treat these students as our guests and treat them with as much kindness and respect you can muster. Please show them that Hogwarts is one of the best schools they could ever hope to attend." Professor McGonagall bowed slightly to the Host Club and moved back towards the side.
"Haruhi Fujioka."
Trembling slightly, Haruhi slowly walked over to the stool — 'Huh?!' She thought to herself. It was like an invisible rope appeared out of nowhere, which rooted her foot to the spot. Before she knew it, she was losing balance — she was falling — again. With reflexes ten times those of a cat, Hunny caught her in his arms — All cuteness gone, replaced with a handsome, serious, mature face Haruhi had never seen before. She blushed — Hunny's face was barely inches away from her. Haruhi quickly got up, ignoring the looks of jealousy and anger girls were giving her, thanked Hunny and sat down on the stool placing the hat on her head as quickly as she could. Hikaru was trying not to laugh. 'Cute, but clumsy, ' He thought to himself grinning.
'Why do I have to be so clumsy?! ' Haruhi asked herself flustered. 'Am I going to fall into each member of the Host Club's arms - or legs?' Haruhi said remembering her incident with Hikaru.
"Ah, conflict I see…" A voice out of nowhere said.
"Huh?" Haruhi thought, she had forgotten her sorting was going on right now.
"Oh, it's nothing," She added.
"Hmm… I see great amount of intelligence here, there's no doubt what house I'm going to place you in - ah, but wait. What is this I see? You are striving for something… You're main desire is pursuing your dream… Something that you have been pushing yourself for your whole life… I can see how important this is to you. In that case, I will put you in a house that will help you achieve your dream. You may not thank me now, but this will be a great deal of help if you still strive for your goal…This house values ambition- ambition, which is what gave you your intelligence…" The sorting hat laughed, "This is ironic isn't it?…"
"SLYTHERIN!"
Draco could barely control himself from jumping up and down. He smiled, but this time it wasn't a fake smile he gave to everyone else. This was a real smile, something he hadn't done in a long time. Draco looked around checking if any available seats were near him, but unfortunately, due to his popularity in Slytherin, he was surrounded by people. He felt like kicking Zabini off his seat, who was clapping enthusiastically like the rest of the Slytherins — well the guys anyway, as Haruhi took a seat near the end of the table. Draco stared around and saw jealous faces from other houses. Draco smirked at them, and they gave him looks of extreme dislike and turned away.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione shared looks of disbelief.
"Bloody hell…" Ron said. "You don't reckon she's you know —"
"No," Harry cut in, "She's not like that… I know she's not," Harry said, but he didn't sound completely convinced.
"Yeah," Hermione said, "Not all Slytherins turn out bad you know… Like I said on the train; the Slytherin House values ambition, cunning and resourcefulness. She might have a strong desire to achieve something that's truly important to her."
"Blimey… I hope so," Ron said looking worried, "On the train she seemed so sweet and nice…"
"Don't worry," Harry said with a more confident voice, "She's not like them…" He said looking over at Malfoy and his goons in disgust.
"Well, Malfoy sure seems happy about Haruhi being sorted in Slytherin…" Hermione said, looking over at Draco with deepest loathing.
"I bet that Malfoy will get his hands on her as soon as he can, that git," Dean said.
"What are you talking about?" Harry said.
"It's Malfoy we're talking about Harry," Seamus said, "Surely you don't think he'll let a beauty like her pass him by right?"
"Yeah, he'll get his hands on her as soon as he can," Dean said, with a dark look.
"If he even puts one hand on her —" Ron said,
"Don't worry Ron," Harry said glaring at Malfoy, "We'll keep an eye on him…"
Haruhi sat down near the end of the Slytherin table. 'Slytherin huh,' she thought herself. She did not know much about the house she was sorted into, and what kind of wizards came out of it. Haruhi looked to the front to watch the rest of the sorting.
"Haninozuka, Mitsukuni."
Hunny hopped to the stool, sat down and placed the sorting hat on his head.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Applause broke out from the Gryffindor table and the girls let out squeals of delight as Hunny sat down.
"Hitachiin, Hikaru."
Hikaru sat walked over to the stool with his hands in his pockets, sat down, and placed the sorting hat on his head.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Haruhi clapped with the rest of the Slytherins. And was oblivious of the jealous looks the girls were giving her as Hikaru sat down next to her.
"Hitachiin Kaoru."
People were murmuring — supposedly that those two were twins. Kaoru walked up to the stool and placed the hat on his head.
"You'd better make room for Kaoru," whispered Hikaru, winking.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Grinning Kaoru walked towards the applauding Slytherin table and sat down on the other side of Haruhi. Now Haruhi could feel the jealous eyes burning through her skin from the Slytherin girls, but ignored them nonetheless as she congratulated Kaoru.
"Of course," said Kaoru grinning, "Nothing can separate me and Hikaru."
"Morinozuka, Takashi."
Haruhi quieted the twins by putting her finger on her lips — So cute! The twins thought as they stopped talking. Mori walked up to the stool and placed the hat on his head.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Screams — from the girls — and applause broke out as Mori sat down next to Hunny.
"Ohtori, Kyoya."
Kyoya adjusted his glasses before walking up to the stool and placing the hat upon his head.
"RAVENCLAW!"
The Ravenclaw table cheered and applauded — the girls looking relieved that at least one of the transfer students was sorted into their house. Kyoya sat down near the end of the table.
"Suoh, Tamaki."
Tamaki walked — or glided up to the stool, sat down and placed the sorting hat gracefully upon his head.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table cheered once more — for they had the most exchange students sorted into their house — as Tamaki sat down next to Mori.
The headmaster — as Haruhi guessed for he was sitting in the middle of the staff table and that she could feel incredible power and warmness from him — stood up, he was tall and thin, and had long silver hair and a long beard. His eyes were blue, and had a very long crooked nose — Haruhi guessed it had been broken at least twice — and wore half-moon spectacles. He cleared his throat and silence fell immediately.
"To our new students, welcome! As you may not know," He said referring to the exchange students, "My name is Albus Dumbledore and I am the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"To our old hands, welcome back! I should be giving a speech now, but this is not the time. Tuck in!"
There was an appreciative laugh along with applause as Dumbledore sat down . Haruhi stared around to see who would be serving the food until Hikaru nudged her and she turned around — food appeared out of nowhere, pies and dishes of vegetables, bread, sauces, and flagons of pumpkin juice. Haruhi's stomach was growling as she piled her plate with as much food as she could reach — ignoring the looks of surprise from the twins.