Kuro: Sorry for the over-the-week-update-limit. But somebody (looks at Kaze accusingly) was too tired to do the A/N.
Kaze: Gee, sorry if I was too tired from being on my feet for the whole day Saturday.
Kuro: Lol. At least you weren't on them in heels. That hurts.
Kaze: Not the point.
Kuro: Hehehe. Okie dokie pplz! (just had sugar) Onto chapter...uh, what are we on? (checks the document) Oh yea! Chapter 7!
Kaze: Baka desu nee! No more sugar until after you post the chapter.
Kuro: Kanoshii kao!
Kaze: Ok, enough japanese. We don't want to confuse the readers any further, now do we?
Kuro: Nope cuz they review! Speaking of review...DON"T FORGET TO REVIEW!
Kaze: Be nice! But please leave a review. We own nothing from HP, only our characters and a few others.
Kuro: Enjoy!
Review Responses:
TanyaPotter- Are you online all the time? Everytime I update this I get a review from you not a few minutes later. Just kidding. I know the last chpt was a bit boring. But I think you'll enjoy this one better. At least I hope you do.
Alaskangirl24- Thank you! And I will try to find the time to write more. Although that might bea bit of a problem until after May. But I'll try.
Truth Lies in the Shadows
Chapter 7
As the weeks went by, the two young demons became more familiar with the tricks of the castle and magic in general. They had mini lessons, as Reina called them, with Professor McGonagall almost everyday for the first few weeks. After the girls understood the basics of each subject, McGonagall's lessons grew longer and the material gradually became more difficult. But Reina and Kaze managed to get through them with little mass destruction. In their spare time they worked on the several essays McGonagall assigned. Up until September, their textbooks were the only companions they had.
Two days before the other students were to arrive, the girls finally caught up on six years of work. In that time, Kaze became surprisingly good in Arithmancy, and, to McGonagall's dislike, Transfiguration. Although something made the half-demon think that Kaze was purposely trying to unsettle the professor. Reina, on the other hand, showed no great interest in any particular subject. But she was too worried to really be able to become interested.
"Happy birthday!" Kaze exclaimed as she walked into the sitting room. It was the morning before September first.
"Thanks." Reina said looking up from her copy of 'Magical Drafts and Potions'.
"Here."
Kaze thrust a box wrapped in purple paper at her friend. Reina put her book down next to her and opened the parcel. Inside was a chain with a dark purple crystal pendant hanging from it. Reina hooked the necklace around her neck.
"Thanks, Kaze. It's beautiful." she said.
"You're welcome." The wind demon watched Reina finger the crystal in a distracted manner. "He'll write. He's probably just busy."
"But it's been over a month. What could he be doing that would keep him busy for so long?" Reina sighed.
"Look, Rei. Darikk said he would write when he got the chance, right? When have you known your father to break a promise?" Kaze said trying to reassure her.
"Never! That's why I am so worried. He could be hurt for all we know."
"Or not. Isn't that his shadow-manifested-bird thing, or whatever the hell it is?"
Reina's head whipped around to the window. She scrambled off the sofa, almost tripping in the process. The window creaked as she threw it open. The bird-like thing hovering outside perched itself on the table under the windowsill. As soon as Reina's hand touched the black smoky material that was the creature's skin, it disappeared in a cloud of darkness. When the air cleared there was a piece of parchment left on the table.
The parchment was folded and had the half-demon's name written on it. Reina took the letter, went back to the sofa, and read it.
Reina,
How is your stay at Hogwarts thus far? I apologize for not writing sooner, but I have had a bit of trouble getting settled. On a more joyful note, happy birthday. Your gift is waiting for you in the Shadow Realm. You may have to look around a bit, but it is there. I must be going now. Take care.
With love,
Your FatherP.S.- Do not send any creature from this world with a reply. Use one from the Shadow Realm.
When she was finished, Reina placed the letter inside her potions book. She was grateful that Darikk was unharmed. Rising from the couch, she told Kaze she'd be back in a bit and went to her room.
September came upon the school, signaling the start of yet another year. The castle was bustling with all the teachers who had just arrived that morning. The witches and wizards prepared their classrooms and everything else in need of their attention. While this was happening, Reina and Kaze remained hidden in their room.
The bedrooms were vacant, the things that once adorned them now sat in trunks on the floor of the main room. The place was cleaned up and looked just as it did the day the girls arrived over a month prior. Those girls were sitting nervously on the sofa, waiting for McGonagall to retrieve them. Kaze was playing with Fireball, and Reina mindlessly stroked Mayoke.
Both demons jumped up from their seats when the door opened. McGonagall entered the room and walked over to them. At first she seemed to be in a good mood, but it didn't last. The witch frowned when she examined the two girls in their uniforms. She didn't mind Reina's alteration to her own uniform too much. However, Kaze's lacking of the skirt and instead wearing slacks did not go over so well with McGonagall. But, surprisingly, she said nothing of it.
"Now," McGonagall began. "Your things will be left here. Once you are sorted they will be moved to the appropriate dormitories. The students will be here any minute now, so you will follow me downstairs where you will wait outside the main hall. The first years will be sorted, and then Professor Dumbledore will announce the new students. That is when you will enter the hall and be sorted into a house. Am I clear?"
"Crystal." Kaze mumbled sarcastically.
Reina elbowed her in the side. "Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Now disguise yourselves like you were taught." McGonagall said.
The half-demon approached the mirror that hung on the wall in the hallway. She removed her wand from her robe pocket and held the tip a few inches from her face. "Dissimulo vultus." She watched her reflection in the glass as her appearance began to change. Her ears lost their point, rounding over like those of a human. Dark blue hair dyed brown but keeping its length. And her lavender eyes darkened until they were midnight black.
Reina reached up to rub the tips of her ears. 'No matter how many times I do that spell I am never going to get used to it.' she thought. Her new appearance was strange to her, but she was relieved in a way. This spell allowed her to walk amongst humans without being shunned, without others knowing what she was.
"Why are your markings still visible?" McGonagall asked gesturing to Reina's wrists.
"Oh, these aren't demonic." Reina held up her hands for a better look at the raven tattoos. At the questioning look on the witch's face, she said, "The spell hides our demon traits. These are not demonic markings."
"I see. You're next, Ms. Soran."
Kaze took Reina's place in front of the mirror. She pointed her wand at herself and repeated the spell the half-demon used. Her features changed as well, however, hers weren't as drastic. Her ears became round and the air of power around her dissipated. Kaze unfastened the top two buttons of her shirt to make sure the tornado tattoo was gone. It was, so she fixed the uniform.
"Good. Now come along."
They went downstairs, through the halls, down more flights of stairs, and stopped outside of the main hall. Coming through the doors were numerous kids of all ages. The students continued on into the main hall where they disappeared from view.
"Stay here until Mr. Filch tells you otherwise." McGonagall instructed before walking across the way and around the opposite corner.
The demons looked over to the doors where Filch was standing. He acknowledged them for a moment then switched his gaze back onto the students. Kaze sighed and began twirling her wand with her fingers. While the wind demon occupied herself with that, Reina closely watched the students enter the castle. Her now black eyes darted over them searching for one in particular. She mostly looked over those with red and gold ties since Dumbledore had told her Harry was in Gryffindor house. However, she did consider watching some students from the other houses.
Once all students were settled in the main hall, the double doors closed. Reina turned back to Kaze who was now tossing a little wind ball from hand to hand. Grabbing the ball out of the air, Reina felt it crumble and vanish in her fist.
"What were you thinking? Someone could have see you." She whispered harshly.
Kaze rolled her eyes. "Chill. Everyone's inside and Filch isn't paying us any mind. Besides, what was the point of Dumbledore modifying the castle's enchantments if we can't use our powers?"
"Well, don't be using them around humans."
"Whatever."
The half-demon glanced at the doors then at her friend. "You look like a boy." She commented.
"So?" Kaze straightened her pants and tightened her low ponytail.
It was Reina's turn to roll her eyes. She looked back to the doors to see McGonagall leading a group of young students into the hall. 'Those must be the first years.' she thought. The doors closed again when McGonagall and the children were in.
Filch turned to where the demons were hiding. He saw Reina peeking around the corner and waved her over. The half-demon dragged Kaze to the doors. There they pressed their ears to the door. The spell hid their abnormal features, but didn't diminish their senses so they could hear everything going on inside.
Calls of "Ravenclaw!" and "Slytherin!" reached their ears. There were cheers from the tables when someone was sorted into their house. More calls of "Gryffindor!" and "Hufflepuff!" sounded. This went on for a half hour or so before the commotion died down.
"Silence!" they heard Dumbledore call. "Along with the first years, I would like to welcome two new students that will be joining us here at Hogwarts." There was an explosion of voices, then silence again. "They come here as sixth years from a specialty school that prefers to remain anonymous. I hope that all of you will help them feel right at home."
Reina and Kaze felt the door tremble and begin to open. They pulled back away from the wood, watching as it revealed their presence to everyone in the room. The doors clicked into place when they were fully open. Dumbledore signaled them to come to the front.
"What do we do?" Kaze whispered.
"Go in." replied Reina. She then made her way down the aisle between the tables. Kaze stood there for a moment, and scurried after the half-demon when she regained her composure.
As the two demons walked to the front, the students around them stared. Some people made comments to each other when they passed. Kaze kept her gaze forward, ignoring everyone and everything except Dumbledore. The half-demon, on the other hand, closely studied the people with her peripheral vision.
While searching for her cousin's face, thinking she just missed him earlier, Reina felt a strange sensation up her spine. She slowed her pace and looked over to the Slytherin table. Of all the sets of eyes focused on her and Kaze, one pair stuck out. A young woman stared intently back at Reina with purple eyes not much darker than her own.
"Hey," Kaze's voice echoed in her head. "Hurry up."
Reina tore her gaze from the girl and redirected it to Dumbledore. The wizard gestured for the girls to stand on either side of him. Reina and Kaze obeyed, turning to face the students. At this point McGonagall had picked up the Sorting Hat and stood next to the stool.
"Reina Krone!" the witch called out.
The half-demon cautiously sat on the stool. McGonagall placed the old hat upon the girl's head and stepped back. Reina had to stop herself from moving when the hat came to life.
"Ah," the Sorting Hat exclaimed. "Interesting! More immortal blood to judge. But you are not pure." There was a pause. "A hybrid of demon and human." Reina panicked at the hat's words. She looked around, and was surprised to see no one acting in any manner of fear. Apparently she was the only one who could hear what the pointed hat said.
"A good mind, and brave for someone in your position. Many times you have found yourself in situations where you must fight, but always in self-defense. You accept pity from no one and you are determined to prove yourself amongst others. You want to be separate from everyone else. However, at the same time you seek acceptance."
The Sorting Hat's words were making Reina uneasy. It was creepy how it could know so much, even how she felt. But what really caught the shadow demon's attention was what the hat said about blood. "More immortal blood to judge." "What does that mean?" she thought.
"A challenge is what you need, to test your power and your heart. I know just where to place you." The hat's conscience seemed to severe its tie to Reina's. And then, "Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor table burst into cheer as Reina made her way to an empty seat. She found one next to a bushy-haired girl and across from a redhead boy, both welcoming her to the school. She looked back over to the Slytherin table. That strange girl was still watching her. Reina switched her thoughts back to the sorting.
"Emi Soran!"
Kaze glared at McGonagall for using her real name. She sat on the stool and waited as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head.
"A wind demon. Friends with the half-demon I see." The Sorting Hat said. "You are strong and kind. You're a true friend when it comes to standing up for those you care about. The fuse of your temper reflects your height."
The hat's last speculation made Kaze's eye twitch in frustration. It wasn't enough to be called short by people, so now a ragged old hat was insulting her.
"Gryffindor!"
Kaze hopped off the stool and took a seat next to Reina. The people around her also greeted her. Now that the girls were sorted, Dumbledore announced the time to eat. Food magically appeared along the table and was attacked by hungry students.
"Reina, was it?" the bushy-haired girl asked. The half-demon nodded. "My name's Hermione Granger."
"And I'm Ron Weasley." The redhead stated with a chicken leg in his hand. "So, what kind of a name is Emi for a guy?"
Reina began choking on her pumpkin juice. Kaze's fork halted its travel to her mouth. Once she recovered, the half-demon burst out in laughter. Ron and Hermione stared at the new kids curiously.
"What's so funny?"
The wind demon glared at Ron, but then that soon turned into an evil grin. Reina opened her mouth to explain. She didn't get the chance though. A sharp pain arose in her shin from contact with Kaze's swinging foot. She muffled the curse that threatened to fall from her lips.
"My parents liked the name so much that they didn't care that I was a boy." Kaze said in a lower tone than her real voice. "Just call me Kaze."
Both Ron and Hermione seemed satisfied with it. Reina was looking at her friend suspiciously, but decided to play along thinking it would be a good laugh. So throughout dinner Kaze continued to play the part of a boy while she and Reina became more familiar with their new acquaintances.
Towards the end of dinner, the double doors burst open again. A young man stormed in, ignoring everyone staring at him. He sat down next to Ron.
"Where've you- blimey, what have you done to your face?" said Ron.
Grabbing a spoon, Harry examined his face in the silver. "Why, what's wrong with it?"
"You're covered in blood! Come here." Hermione said. Raising her wand, she stated, "Tergeo!"
The dried blood disappeared. "Thanks." said Harry.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione talked amongst themselves for a few minutes. Harry reached for some chicken, but it instantly turned to pudding.
"You missed the Sorting anyway," stated Hermione. It was then that she remembered the girls sitting to her left. "Oh, I almost forgot. Harry, these are the new students. They transferred here and were sorted into Gryffindor."
Harry looked over to the new kids. "Welcome to Hogwarts. I'm Harry Potter."
"Kaze." the wind demon said and then finished her drink.
"Reina Krone."
"What year are you?" Harry asked.
"Sixth." Reina replied.
"I still can't believe he's a sixth year. I mean, he's as short as a first year." mumbled Ron.
Kaze caught the comment and gave Ron a dirty look. "Excuse me," she said angrily. "Tell me again what I look like."
"You heard me?" Ron stammered. "Heh, sorry mate."
The rest of the feast went by quickly. When it was over, both the food and silverware vanished. Dumbledore stood behind the podium at the front. He spoke to everyone about the troubled times they were in. He warned them of the threat Voldemort posed to the wizarding community. They must be cautious and sage. After his speech, the students were dismissed.
The demons followed the famous trio to the Gryffindor tower. Hermione spoke the password to the fat lady in the portrait who granted them entrance. "Come on. Our rooms are up here." Hermione said to Reina. The two of them began to climb the steps, Harry and Ron doing the same on the other side. Kaze took a few steps towards the girls' dormitories when Hermione turned around and asked, "What are you doing? The boys' rooms are over there."
Kaze smiled her malicious grin and in her normal voice said, "Why would I go to the boys' rooms? After all, I am a girl." She placed a foot on the first step. When the trap didn't spring, the trio's mouths hung open.
"I'm surprised you guys didn't figure it out sooner." Reina said, leaning against the wall with a smirk on her lips. "Come on." She and Kaze went on up, soon followed by a stunned Hermione.
The new girls' stuff was awaiting them in the same room as Hermione's. She was happy to have roommates to hang with.
"I'm sorry we thought you were a boy." Hermione said, as they got ready for bed.
"It's all right. I just thought it would be fun to play a small joke when the opportunity arose." Kaze replied. She crawled into her four-poster bed, Fireball resting on her stomach. The others did the same.
About half an hour later, Hermione was fast asleep. This gave Reina and Kaze the chance to undo the spell hiding their true identities. With whispers of "Absconditus fateor," their demon traits returned. They now were able to sleep in peace, waiting for the start of a new lifestyle.