Sorry for over a year long wait for the next chapter, my muse went on strike andthen took a 6 month vacation and just recently came back.
A.N.: Anyway I don't own Harry Potter or Negima! Magister Negi Magi, now without futher adue the next chapter
Chapter 3
The sound of thunder echoed in the Great Hall as dinner concluded, while another autumn storm raged over Hogwarts, drenching her mercilessly. Dinner time had concluded and the remaining food had vanished. The four houses slowly began to vacate the room and head back to their dormitories for the night after the late dinner.
The students were abuzz over the prospect of the Wizard's Duel to be held tomorrow after school, and were already placing bets on who they thought would be victorious in the "friendly duel." Unsurprisingly the students from Slytherin were betting on the Head of their house, joking about how Professor Snape would wipe the floor with the puppy dog like Professor Springfield.
One member of Slytherin did not join in the bantering braggadocio with his house mates. Diggory McCabe, the new transfer student, wasn't interested in Professor Snape's prowess with a wand and was even less interested in placing any clandestine bets. Instead he turned to watch the teacher's table as the rest of Slytherin began to leave. Professor Springfield was engaged in some conversation with a tall witch with Coke bottle glasses and the most unruly hair he had ever seen. The strange woman was reading the professor's palm, and was in the process making her pronouncement. The young Slytherin boy whispered an eavesdropping spell and his ring briefly glowed. He was then able to hear everything spoken at the table as if he was standing right next to Negi.
"Of course Professor Trelawney, I would be delighted if you told me my fortune." Negi beamed at her.
The spacey fortune teller examined Negi's palm while Anya watched with a jaundiced eye.
"I see great tragedy ahead for you Professor Springfield."
"Do you?" Anya asked with a hint of cynicism in her voice.
"Oh yes, I have never seen such lines in a palm before."
"Really?" Anya asked. "How fascinating. Where did you say you learned to be a fortune teller?"
"I didn't." Trelawney replied absentmindedly. "Professor Springfield, I'm afraid to say this, but you won't live to reach adulthood. Death awaits you …"
"WHAT A LOAD OF BOLLOCKS!" Anya shouted. "I'll have you know that I'm also a fortune teller and your interpretation of Negi's palm is incompetent to say the least."
Trelawney glared at the young sorceress.
"I'll have you know that I've been telling fortunes long before you were born young lady."
"Maybe, but you still suck at it."
Negi jumped between to the two females.
"Ladies please, not in front of the students!" Negi castigated the two females.
"Thank you Professor." Dumbledore interjected, chuckling. "Perhaps we could have as the Americans would say: a "doubleheader" tomorrow during tomorrow's Wizard Dueling match?"
Anya picked up her staff and glared at Trelawney.
"I would be delighted, headmaster."
Diggory was still eavesdropping when Crabbe shouted at him.
"Oy! Get a move on, exchange student, unless you want to get locked out of the dormitory!"
The young boy gave Crabbe a bored look.
"I'll leave when I'm ready." He replied in a deadpan monotone.
"You'll leave when you're told to do so!" Crabbe howled at him as he swung his arm, aiming a sharp slap at the diminutive boy's head.
To Crabbe's immense surprise, the tiny boy trapped his hand and with an effortless and fluid motion worthy of a jujitsu grand master he threw the bulging bully who landed with a loud thud on the ground, which attracted Malfoy's attention.
"Crabbe! What are you doing?" Draco snarled.
"He fell down Mr. Malfoy." Diggory replied as Crabbe got back onto his feet. "He tripped."
"Quit fooling around Crabbe! We need to leave, now!" Malfoy reprimanded his goon.
Diggory decided he was done eavesdropping on the Professors and quietly followed Malfoy back to the Slytherin dormitories. Draco led his group of goons and sycophants down the castle's many hallways. Some of the portraits gave Diggory a queer look, especially the fat lady who guarded the entrance to the Gryffindor student quarters, but none mentioned a word.
They crossed paths with two girls, one pale blond girl and the other appeared to be Indian. Malfoy ignored them as he led his groupie on. The pale girl locked eyes with Diggory and shivered, and continued to watch him until group rounded a corner as was gone.
"What is it Luna? You're shivering. What did you see?"
"I don't know Parvati. There's something about that transfer student I can't put my finger on."
Draco and his group finally reached the entrance to the Slytherin House.
"Pay attention, because I'm only telling you this once. The password is 'Potter sucks', you got that?" Goyle grilled him.
Diggory nodded his understanding as they entered the common area, where Malfoy plopped himself down on a couch and addressed the exchange student.
"So Diggory McCabe, where are you from?"
Diggory still had the bored look on his face.
"From Aberdeen, Scotland."
Malfoy smiled.
"I've heard that the magic school in Scotland is even worse than the ones in Wales and Ireland. It was smart of you to come here. If you play by our rules I'll recommend you for a permanent transfer."
"Thank you Mr. Malfoy."
"So tell me Mr. McCabe, why did you select Slytherin as your guest house?"
Without skipping a beat, Diggory replied.
"Because Tom Riddle was a Slytherin."
Malfoy grinned at the young boy.
"McCabe, I think you're going to fit in here just fine."
He then addressed a second year boy.
"Cothey, show McCabe to his quarters."
The underclassman snapped to attention and obeyed Malfoy's orders. He gestured to Diggory to follow him, and they both left, heading up the stairs to the level where the 2nd years had their rooms. He led him into a large and gloomy suite, which had 3 four poster beds.
"That one over there is yours. There's an all hands house meeting at 9 o'clock tonight, and attendance is mandatory. The lavs are down the hallway. Do you have any questions?"
Diggory paused before replying in his bored monotone.
"Tell me about the Malfoy family."
"You mean you've never heard of them?"
"They aren't well known where I come from."
Cothey whistled his surprise.
"I thought they were famous everywhere. Anyway, Draco's father, Lucius, is one of the most influential and wealthy wizards in England."
"Was he a Deatheater?" Diggory calmly asked.
Cothey shushed him as he looked around.
"Don't ever ask that question again!"
Diggory nodded his head.
"Forgive me for my impertinence. If you'll excuse me, it's been a long day and I would like to rest before the house meeting."
Cothey nodded.
"No worries. As long as you stay on Draco's good side, you'll do fine here."
Cothey left the suite without saying another word. Diggory walked around the room, inspecting his roommates' belongings, opening their magically sealed trunks with a mere flick of his wrist. It didn't take him long to surmise that the two other absent boys he shared the suite with were unremarkable and with another flick of his hand he resealed their trunks. He then climbed into his bed and drew the drapes so that he had complete privacy.
He reached into his coat and withdrew a Pactio card, which he held to his forehead.
Shirabe, can you hear me?
I hear you Fate-han. Was your infiltration successful?
It was. Where are you now?
Tsukuyomi and I are staying at an Inn in Hogsmeade. What are your orders?
Stay put and wait for the others to arrive. There has been a complication. Negi and the Ala Alba are also here. They are posing as exchange students, but there is no doubt that they are here because of us. We need to remain hidden for now. In the meantime I am making contacts with potential allies. Remain hidden and keep Tsukuyomi out of sight, even disguised as a westerner she is too reckless and will blow our cover.
Yes Fate-han, I will do as you have ordered.
Good, I will contact you around this time tomorrow.
Fate Averruncus restored Shirabe's Pactio card back into his coat pocket. He then jumped out of his bed and headed back down to the common room. As he came down the stairs he was greeted by an upperclassman.
"You're McCabe, right? I'm Adrian Pucey. I saw you throw Crabbe. Good show, the man is a brute. Where did you learn to do that? I wish they would teach us martial arts at Hogwarts. Do you think you could show me a few moves?"
Fate gave Pucey a bored look.
"I'd be more than happy to teach you or anyone who is interested Mr. Pucey."
-(scene break )-
"Good Morning Severus!" McGonagall called as she and Snape crossed paths in one of the hallways in the castle.
"Good Morning Minerva." He mumbled in reply as he made his way to the morning's 4th year potion's class.
Snape was in his usual mood, that is to say foul and impatient. That afternoon's duel was on his mind, but he pushed it back as he entered his classroom and dropped his stack of books on his desk. Before he could utter a single word, he heard a female voice with a pronounced Japanese accent bark the command: "rise".
He turned in time to see the Japanese contingent from the night before rise from their seats in unison, while the regular Hogwarts' students watched somewhat dumbfounded.
"Bow!" Ordered a violet haired girl with bangs that covered part of her face.
The Japanese students, who were now wearing their new Hogwarts' uniforms, obeyed the command and bowed as one in the Japanese form of greeting a teacher.
"Good morning, Snape-sensei." They greeted him in unison. They stood, waiting for his reply.
"Good morning … students." He replied, barely able to conceal his surprise.
He then addressed his class.
"As you can see, in Japan students are expected to properly show respect to their teachers … did I say something amusing Mr. Weasley? Or shall I just deduct some points from Gryffindor to save us both the suspense of wondering when you will do or say something … stupid?"
"No sir, it's just that the exchange students … well sir … they're different."
"Thank you Mr. Weasley for sharing that thought provoking insight."
Snape looked at the list of the exchange students and their pictures Dumbledore gave him the night before.
"Miss Ayase?" He called out. Yue stood up.
"Yes Professor?"
"It says here that you attended Ariadne Academy on the Mundus Magicus. Would you be kind enough to tell us what Eleazar's Elixir is used for?"
"Yes Professor, Eleazar's Elixir, which is named after the famous Babylonian Wizard Eleazar Enmeduranki, is a potion that can be used to fake one's death. The effect is perfect as even rigor mortis will set in within a few hours. The elixir wears off after 24 hours without any adverse effects."
"Very good Miss Ayase. I would like you and your fellow students from Mahora to prepare a cauldron of Eleazar's Elixir while we all watch."
"We don't know how to do that." Asuna whispered to Setsuna. "We're sunk."
"Professor, may I use my own reference materials?" Yue asked.
"You may." Snape snickered, knowing well that the recipe for Eleazar's Elixir had been lost to history.
Yue produced her Pactio card and in her monotone she said: "Adeat"
The class gasped as Yue's attire was transformed into her Mahora uniform and she wore a traditional witch's hat and cloak. But what really garnered the oohs and ahs was her artifact, the Orbis Sensualium Pictus, which floated in the air, emanating a supernatural glow. Hermione stared at the book mesmerized, as she was the only student in the class who understood what it was: a magical, all encompassing encyclopedia of magic. It contained more information than all of Hogwart's library. Perhaps it even contained the recipe for Eleazar's Elixir. Hermione recalled Chamo's invitation to enter into a Pactio with Negi. Suddenly she thought it didn't sound like such a bad idea. Yue's artifact also hinted that Negi was a very powerful wizard, especially if his Pactio partners had such magnificent artifacts.
"Miss Ayase, you did not ask for permission to use your Pactio card." Snape reprimanded her. "We do not allow students to enter into Pactios at Hogwarts.
"But Professor, you gave me permission to access my references. The Orbis Sensualium Pictus is my reference."
Snape walked up to Yue and briefly examined her book. After also identifying the Pactio artifact he addressed the diminutive bluenette.
"Very well, I will make an exception this time. You may proceed Miss Ayase, but keep this book close to you at all times. There are insufferable know it alls who might be tempted to steal it from you, or at least borrow it without your permission." He said as he glanced at Hermione.
-( scene break )-
"Come on, let's go! I want to get a good seat for the duel!" Malfoy snarled at his entourage as they hurried to the commons outside the castle.
The skies were cooperating and the sun was actually shining for a change as they reached the commons. He frowned as a large crowd had already formed and they were watching Negi and Fei Ku perform what appeared to be a dance.
"Bloody hell! What is that supposed to be? A Japanese Waltz?" Malfoy grumbled.
Fate, still disguised as McCabe, addressed the Deatheater's son.
"They are practicing Chinese martial arts Mr. Malfoy. They are practicing their forms or katas as the Japanese call them."
"Katas?" Malfoy replied.
"Forms, or patterns as they are also known, involve a set of predefined steps that recreate a fight with imaginary opponents."
"It looks stupid to me." Goyle chuckled.
Fate ignored his remark and continued with his lecture.
"The purpose of forms is to learn balance and for more advanced practitioners it helps develop mastery of the Chi, the life force all living beings carry within."
Malfoy smirked at the young boy.
"Is that the kind of rubbish they teach you at Aberdeen Academy? To learn how to brawl like a muggle? We're wizards in case you have forgotten McCabe. All we need are our wands."
"Balance and clarity of vision are essential to any warrior, mundane or wizard."
Negi and Fei concluded their form and bowed to each other. They then adopted their own preferred fighting stance and began to spar. The students present gasped as the two warriors kicked and punched at each other with unbelievable speed and accuracy. Their blocks, jumps and stances defied belief. After a few minutes Asuna leaped into the fray, forcing a small flag between them.
"Time's up" She shouted.
Negi and Fei ceased their sparring and once again bowed to each other.
Hermione, Ron and Harry were standing at the front of the crowd.
"Harry! We need to learn how to do that! What did you say it was called again?"
"It's called Kung Fu, Ron. It takes years to master, much like magic. There's a Kung Fu academy in Little Whinging, but the teacher there couldn't hold a light to them. I've also watched tournaments on the telly and even those people weren't as good as Professor Springfield or the Chinese girl."
Hermione looked troubled. Like the staff at Hogwarts she believed that fisticuffs and brawling was something best left to muggles. Still she could see that the art that Negi and Fei were practicing was not brawling and it made her wonder if perhaps her teachers might be wrong on relying only on their wands when they battled.
"Here they come!" A voice in the crowd shouted.
The three Gryffindors turned on time to see the crowd part, making way for Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Lupin, who were followed by Snape.
Lupin led Snape to Negi, who gestured to Ku-roshi to retreat, which she did. The two duelers faced each other. Negi bowed politely. Snape did not and instead muttered to Negi: "This isn't Japan, you're British so would you please act like one."
Lupin stood between the two wizards.
"May I see your wands?" Lupin asked.
Snape handed his wand to Lupin who examined it carefully before returning it to the Potions teacher.
"Professor Springfield, where is your wand?" Lupin asked.
Negi removed his ring, a gift from Evangeline that she gave him before the Mahora Budokai nearly a year and a half ago, and handed it to Lupin. The Defense Against the Dark Arts examined the ring with a puzzled look, and gestured to Dumbledore and McGonagall, who approached him. He handed the ring to Dumbledore who studied it carefully. When he was done he smiled and addressed Negi.
"Professor, would you mind telling us where you procured this wand?"
"It was a present from my Master."
"Do you mean from the fictional Maga Nosferatu?" Snape sneered in his monotone.
"Evangeline is not fictional, professor." Negi replied.
Snape chucked.
"And neither is the Easter Bunny."
"Are you both ready to duel?" Lupin asked.
"Yes." They both replied.
"This goes without saying. This is a friendly duel, whose sole purpose is to showcase skill and not to maim your opponent. The duel will last until one of your either capitulates or can no longer fight. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Negi replied.
"Perfectly" Snape added.
Lupin stepped back to a safe distance, and gestured the assembled crowd to do the same.
"Begin!" He shouted.
-( scene break )-
And we have our first cliffhanger!