Chapter Three

Lee looked up at the Hogwarts Express with absolute bewilderment. It was enormous, and seemed somehow…magical. Not to mention the total defiance of the Laws of Physics that had gotten them onto platform 9 ¾. In fact, everyone except for Ireni (who had been at Hogwarts before) looked wide-eyed and amazed. Even Shino had an air of awe about him, though you couldn't tell from his face…since almost none of it showed.

Kankuro, who was standing closest to Lee besides Ireni, was muttering in disbelief. He, along with everyone else in the group, were dressed in robes and looked very different attire-wise. Neji and Shikamaru had taken their hair out, and looked very, very different. Neji even looked…pretty. Shikamaru, Ireni inwardly admitted, was smoking hot with his hair had taken off all of his coats, and was showing more of his face then ever before. In fact, the only thing yet to see now was his eyes. Out of everybody, however, Lee would have to say that Kankuro looked the most different. He had taken off his hat and makeup, and he wasn't carrying his puppets as usual.

Anyway, Snape led the group onto the train. He and Lee had gotten over their initial awkwardness, and were now like a normal father and son. Lee smiled happily up at him, and it was returned with a half-smirk.

The interior of the train looked bigger on the inside than the out-though Lee wondered how this was possible, it was already huge. More people than could fit in the Hokage's Mansion were inside the train, and it seemed like they were all talking at once. Lee loved it.

He, Ireni, Kankuro, Neji, Shino and Shikamaru found a seat in an empty compartment, while Snape went to sit with his fellow professors. The party sat in silence…for about ten seconds, and then Ireni began to blab.

"Ooh! You guys! You're going to love the feast! And the sorting hat-by the way, I wonder what house you're going to get in? I think Professor Snape said we would all be put in Gryffindor, so it would be easier to communicate about the mission." She ranted.

"Hmm, well I do like food…" Kankuro said, licking his lips, "a feast sounds pretty good right about now."

"Ireni, if we are in Gryffindor I will not be able to see…" Lee said, but trailed off.

Ireni, who caught on immediately, replied, "Don't worry! He's our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher! You'll see him every day!" and Lee relaxed. He had grown very close to his father in the single night he had known him, and he wanted to get even closer-he wanted to have a Guy-sensei relationship with him.

Shino spoke for the first time, which was surprising considering he almost never talked anyway. "So…this school…what's it like? I'd like to know a bit more…um, information so that I can complete the mission more efficiently."

"Well," Ireni began, "it's really big. Like, really big. Most of the students are nice…except for a few Slytherin. Anyway, all the classes have to do with magic, which is why you guys were chosen. Um, are Lee and me the only real wizards in this group?"

Lee's jaw dropped, "I-Ireni! I do not even know if I am a wizard! I have never shown any unusual talents-which is exactly why I am a taijutsu specialist-so it could very well be possible that I am not a wizard at all!"

Everyone stared at Lee in shock, "But, if you're not a wizard, then this entire mission is doomed! We're counting on you, Lee! We need a Wizinja!"

Now everyone's gaze moved. Neji was beet-red and he looked at his feet, embarrassed by his involuntary outburst. Then Ireni stood up.

"Neji's right!" she cried, "You have to believe in yourself Lee! It's one of your best qualities-don't lose it now! Be a Wizinja!"

Kankuro stood up next, smirking as usual, "Come on! We all know you can do it! You are a Wizinja!"

Shikamaru smiled in amusement, "You never know you might surprise yourself, Lee. You very well could be the worlds only Wizinja."

"Hello."

Everyone turned to the sudden new voice. It was light and airy, and it was coming from the doorway to the compartment. A girl with very light blonde hair stood looking at the group.

"I…I…" everyone was trying to think of something to say, and it was Shikamaru who pulled the girl in. He squished her between Ireni and Kankuro, and began to talk.

"Who are you?" he snapped. The girl shrugged, and gazed dreamily at the faces around her. She replied very vaguely, not even answering Shikamaru's question.

"I was passing your compartment, and I heard you asking about the school. I was going to tell you a bit, figuring you were first years, but it seems you've just come to spy?" the mystery girl commented.

"Wait…" Ireni was squinting at the girl, "L-Luna?"

The girl looked at Ireni and smiled, "How nice to see you again, Ireni."

"You know her?" Shikamaru asked. Ireni nodded and grinned at her old friend.

"Yes…We've been friends since Ireni first came to Hogwarts…Anyway, you never answered my question." Luna lifted her lightly-tinted eyebrows ever so slightly, "did you say that you were ninja spies?"

Everyone glanced around looking for an answer, but Lee was the one that spoke.

"Of course not! Why would we spy? I speak for all of us when I say that we are normal adolescent wizards going to Hogwarts to learn witchcraft and wizardry!" Lee was very straightforward, and Ireni smiled proudly at him. Luna nodded and left the compartment after saying goodbye to Ireni.

"How did you do that?" Shikamaru asked quietly, now conscious of all the possible eavesdroppers. Lee shrugged and smiled down. Ireni had a guess at how he had convinced Luna so quickly, but she kept it to herself.

Lee, in his head, noted the odd, light sensation in his stomach, and the feeling of control over the Luna girl. Had he been using…magic?

Snape quietly rolled the odd red stone he had gotten the night before between his two hands. It was very warm-unusually warm for an abiotic item. He had awoken that morning to find a dark scorch mark on his dresser where he had left it that night. Now he was a bit nervous to put it anywhere, lest it burn a hole through the resting place.

The teachers sat around the softly bumping table, making small talk about what they had done over their summer breaks. As usual, Snape felt irritated at the fact that he had done almost nothing, and was once again going to endure the entire trip in total agonizing silence. That is, he was until he noticed that every set of eyes at the table was turned to him.

"So…" Professor Sprout asked eagerly, "we've been dying to hear about this mysterious son of yours…"

Snape cocked an eyebrow, surprised that people were taking interest in him for once. He sat up a little straighter in his chair and cleared his throat, speaking in his usual monotone (but with the smallest hint of compassion).

"Well…I found out about him a little over a week ago. An…owl was sent…that I had a son…" The Professor began, almost forgetting to leave out that Lee was actually a ninja, "I met him yesterday….I-I couldn't have asked for a better son…." Snape trailed off, suddenly horrified at his display of emotions. He looked up, red in the face to see that nobody was judging him. They all looked compassionate and understanding. Snape almost smiled.

Suddenly, the train began to screech. Snape turned around and looked out his window, noticing that they were at Hogwarts.

But that's impossible, it hasn't been near long enough for us to be here already…Snape was confused and he looked to the other teachers to see what they had to say. However, when the Professor turned around, he realized he was alone. Snape curiously stepped out of the compartment and made his way down the train towards the exit. Children were already spreading thin, most of them outside. Snape felt this was odd too. It usually took at least a half an hour to unload the entire train.

The night was cool and felt refreshing against Snape's skin. The moon was bright and shone brilliantly on the enormous lake surrounding the castle.

"All aboard! I'll be taken' yer to the castle!"

Snape turned at the familiar voice of Hagrid, and stood several feet away from a man who looked in his early twenties. A small beard sprawled over his face, and his muscle build was developing. His hair was slightly shorter than shoulder length, and was a cocoa color. It was Hagrid 15 years back.

"Hagrid…?" Snape moved towards the youthful man in shock and disbelief, but quickly realized that he wasn't really there. It was a memory.

"No…stop right there."

The hair on the back of his neck stood up as Snape turned around. The Hogwarts Express had departed and the rails were virtually empty. The only thing occupying them was a man with black greasy hair and a wand pointed threateningly at the first years. It was Snape.

*****awwww, see? Neji has a sweet, dorky side too X3.

anyway, yes, i updated. I suppose Firday would be a good day to update this story.

To be honest, i never finished this one. Its like a fourth of the way done as i have it saved (from a few years ago) so when i get to that point, you may notice a sudden change in writing. But fear not, for I will make it as youthful as possible *nice guy pose*

BTW, THANK YOU PEOPLE FOR REVEIWS! They made my day, they really did...*blushes* theres just something that makes me happy when i read such nice things, and to be honest, i didnt think ANYONE would read this (just look it up, its the ONLY Lee Snape fic. AT ALL) but im glad at least some people are enjoying it, and i shall work on finishing this thing!

BAI!