The Arrival

Remus and Sirius arrived just as Riley and Robin forced the door open. The three lay in a heap giggling. "You girls really shouldn't be playing at a time like this," Remus scolded. "I sensed several Dementors earlier. They could attack again."

Riley stood up and patted Remus on the shoulder. "Thanks for the concern, but we got rid of them. So, it's smooth sailing until we get to Hogwarts."

Remus admired her confidence, but he didn't appreciate the lack of respect. 'Sure these girls are the Tenshi, but they should still respect their elders.' He thought bitterly.

"Riley, we're on a train, not a ship," Nicole stated, giggling.

"Smart-aleck! You know what I mean."

"So, how much longer until we get to Hogwarts?" Nicole asked.

Harry looked at his watch..."Probably half an hour. Why?"

"Just anxious, that's all." Nicole replied. She distractedly glanced out the window.

"I'm starving," Robin complained.

"This is just like you two—the worry-wart and the whiner!" Riley laughed.

"Like you have any room to talk, Miss Bossy," Robin countered. "And, I am not a whiner!" Robin whined with extra emphasis.

"You hardly ever eat, no wonder you're starving. I told you to eat before we left!" Nicole teased Robin. "And, I'm not a worry-wart," Nicole stated though her smile said otherwise. "Oh, Rob, Riles isn't being bossy."

"Thank y-" Riley began.

"She's being a royal pain." Nicole said, nodding wisely.

"A pain? Is that so?" Riley asked raising her had with a look of mischief in her eyes.

Robin quickly jumped between them. "Oh no you don't, missy. No spells in small spaces!"

"Girls, this is really no way for you to behave," Remus tried using his professional voice.

It was too late. Everybody watched as Nicole mumbled a spell and aimed it at Riley; she realized too late that it was going to hit Robin instead.

Robin suddenly started hysterically laughing. "What did you do, Nicole?" Riley asked stifling her own giggling as her friend wiggled uncomfortably between them.

"Just a harmless, tickling spell. She'll get over it about the time we get to Hogwarts," Nicole laughed.

Riley led Robin to a seat where the poor girl continued laughing uncontrollably. "Won't she be mad?" Ron asked Nicole, who had taken a seat beside him.

Nicole looked at Robin then back at Ron. "Yeah, but she'll get over it. Probably better than that spell Riley was going to use." She stated matter-of-factly, and then giggled.

"I'm glad that you think this is funny," Sirius scolded.

"Sirius," Remus started, but Sirius was determined.

"This needs to be said. You have all been acting very immature and childish. This is serious business. People have died," He finished with less angry and more sadness. Riley and Nicole quit laughing and hung their heads uncomfortably. "You need to realize the gravity of what you are and what that means."

"What's going on?" Harry asked meekly. Everyone turned and looked at him. He was the first ask what all were thinking. "How did the Dementors get on the train? We didn't stop. And, they spoke! Who are you three?"

Nicole and Riley looked at each other, then at everybody else. "Um...it's sorta a long story." Nicole said.

"I think we have a right to know," Hermione said. "We're risking our lives too, you know?"

"Go ahead, Riles. You're a better storyteller than I am."

"Gee, thanks, Sis," Riley muttered. She took a deep breath. The silence was only interrupted by Robin's outbursts of laughter. "Where to begin? It's only a thirty minute train ride, right?" Her meager joke received no laughter. Sirius and Remus looked on expectantly.

"I guess you could start with 'Once upon a time...' If it's good enough for fairy tales..." Nicole said, trying to lighten the mood. Again, it didn't work.

Riley nodded grateful for the attempt. "The truth is...we don't know," Riley said reluctantly. "We were only given certain bits of information. This new development with the Dementors...Dumbledore will have to tell us more."

"Wait, how do you know Dumbledore?" Ron asked.

"You don't know?" Hermione asked at the same time as Ron, her voice raising a pitch. "Then why are you walking around like you know what's going on. Why were you so sure to tell everyone what to do when the Dementors attacked? There is something you're not telling us!"

"Dumbledore brought us to England. We're supposed to be transfer students; well that's our cover story." Nicole answered. She turned to Hermione. "We knew what to do; we just didn't know they were coming or that they'd be so powerful. And yes, what we're not telling you is that we're powerful. We're strong. We're wanted by Voldemort. We have the power to stop him—that's why we were attacked. We're Tenshi." Her speech was greeted by silence. "Well, that went well." Nicole muttered.

"Tenshi?" Hermione finally stammered.

"What's Tenshi?" Harry asked sheepishly. Remus felt for the boy. He knew that once again Harry's ignorance of the magical world was leaving him behind the others. 'If only Lily and James were still here,' he found himself thinking.

"The Tenshi? As in the legendary beings of power that pretty much saved our kind from extinction centuries ago? The Tenshi that vanished off the face of the Earth?" Ron asked.

"No," Hermione answered. "The Tenshi are not real. They're legend, myth, FICTION," she stated.

"Don't all legends have a base in reality and fact?" Nicole asked.

"She's right," Remus interjected. "The Tenshi were real, and they," he pointed to Robin, Riley, and Nicole, "are their reincarnated spirits, so to speak."

Ron gaped at Remus. "What?"

Nicole sighed. "This is going worse than I thought it would."

"Well, what did you expect, Genius? How do you explain that you are the reincarnated spirit of an Angel of Mercy sent to earth to probably give your life at its greatest time of need? That you have been endowed with such awesome powers that you are virtually unstoppable? And, that you are now a target for the worst creature that ever walked the earth?" Riley snapped.

After a beat, "Like that," Nicole muttered.

Remus realized that everyone's eyes had gone wide, including his own. These girls were more informed than he could have imagined. That kind of knowledge was dangerous. 'If they know how powerful they are, they really are virtually unstoppable,' he thought. 'I have to make sure that they stay on our side.'

"Smooth, Riley. Really smooth." Nicole snapped. "First Dementors, now this. What else is going to happen today?"

Suddenly, the train stopped. Riley pulled out her wand. "Nic?"

"It's okay, Riles. We've reached Hogsmeade."

Robin giggled. Riley relaxed and put her wand away. "Shouldn't you untie her?" Sirius asked pointing to Robin.

"Right, sorry Rob," Riley said as she bent to untie Robin.

As soon as she was released, Robin grabbed Riley's shoulders and pushed her against the wall. "What were you thinking?"

"Hey, let go of me. I didn't do anything. It was her!" Riley said, narrowing her eyes in defiance and pointing at Nicole.

Nicole gulped. "Oh crap." The group watched as Nicole bolted out of the train. "THANKS A LOT RILEY!!"

Robin gave Riley her best you-know-what-I'm talking-about look and then followed Nicole. Riley sighed and looked around the compartment. All eyes were still on her. "Well, we're here. Let's go." Riley said as she grabbed her purse and followed her friends.

"Come on you three," Remus finally managed. "We'll talk about this later. Right now, let's focus on the feast at hand." Slowly, Ron, Hermione, and Harry stood. After they had left, Remus turned to Sirius. "What are you thinking?"

"They know their strength. That worries me," Sirius said gravely.

"I was thinking the same thing. We will have to keep a close watch, especially on Robin and Riley—they worry me. Any sign of trouble from them, and we go to Dumbledore."

"Very well," Sirius agreed. Suddenly, Sirius was gone and a big black dog was there once more.

"What a great way to start the year," Remus said as they headed out of the train.

With Nicole and Robin not talking to her, Riley had plenty of time to think as they stood in line with the first years to be sorted. She felt ridiculous. She stood at least a foot above all these children. 'Children?' She smiled. They were only four years younger, and yet Riley felt easily twice their age.

Why had that Remus and Sirius guy seemed so shocked at what she said? She couldn't quite understand them. She knew that they didn't trust them. "Well, Robin and me, at least.' She thought.

She glanced over at the teacher's table. Dumbledore was there looking older than when she had seen him only two weeks earlier. To her surprise, Remus and Sirius, in dog form lying by Remus' side, were there as well. 'So, he's a teacher here?' She thought. 'I wonder-' her thoughts were cut short as Dumbledore began to welcome everyone.

Eventually, another teacher, a stern-looking woman, was introduced and placed an old hat on a stood center-stage. She began calling names, and it wasn't long before Riley was up. "Riley Devon," the voice called.

Nicole's head jerked up when Riley's name was called to be sorted. She caught Riley's eye and wished her luck knowing Riley would get the message.

'Please let me get into Ron, Harry, and Hermione's house,' Riley thought. She wasn't sure why, but she was comfortable with them, almost like she felt with Robin and Nicole.

As the hat slipped over her head, she heard a voice, "Interesting. I can see that you are a Tenshi...very powerful. Slytherin loves power, you know?" It suddenly dawned on Riley that she had no clue which house Harry and the others were in.

"Loves power?" She asked. "Then count me out." She was taking a gamble, but that didn't sound like Harry and the others.

"Very well," said the voice. "Then GRYFFINDOR it shall be." The hat was pulled off to reveal Harry's table cheering loudly for their new recruit. Riley sighed with relief. She smiled at Nicole as she headed toward her new house. "Come on. We HAVE to stay together," Riley muttered out loud as she took a seat between Harry and Hermione.

After a few more students, Nicole's name got called. She took a deep breath and sat on the stool. She started laughing when the hat on her head began talking to her.

"Another Tenshi," it said in a whimsical voice. "Very powerful...Slytherin perhaps?"

"Are you kidding? I don't like snakes. I can deal with them...but I don't like them. I like red-heads, thank you very much!" She blushed when she realized she'd said that out loud.

"Very well...GRYFFINDOR it is...and to your precious Ron, no doubt!" The hat exclaimed. Of course, only she could hear any words beside the house announcement, but she warily watched Ron as she approached the table for any sign that he had heard too much. A silly grin suggested he had not, and she sat beside him with a sense of relief. She sighed and thanked her lucky stars that he apparently had no clue about her true feelings.

Nicole grinned proudly as she was welcomed by her new housemates. She refused to think of the seriousness of her situation as Sirius had suggested. 'What does he know?' She thought. 'I have to stay positive for Riley and Robin. They always seem so worried.'

Nicole glanced over at Riley. Even now, Riley looked apprehensive. She focused on Riley willing their feelings to connect. Nicole suddenly felt nervous for Robin. She knew that meant that Riley was worried that Robin would get separated from them.

Nicole also felt terribly wary. She wasn't sure who Riley didn't trust, but she worried for her. Hogwarts was the last place that they would probably ever feel safe.

Nicole turned to the stage. "Good luck, Robin," she said quietly.

Finally, Robin was called. She saw the looks of apprehension and hope on her two best friends' faces. 'Let me be with them,' she thought and then the hat was upon her.

"The final Tenshi? Very powerful..." It began.

"Yes, I am." Robin answered. She hoped was allowed to respond.

"I see...very well...SLYTHERIN it is. For that is where power belongs."

Robin smiled, but, as the hat was raised, she saw that the table to her left, not Riley and Nicole's table was wildly cheering for her. "Wait. That can't be right," she mumbled. "What did I do wrong?"

She was pushed toward her housemates by the professor who stood behind her, Professor McGonagall, Robin thought she was called. "But, Professor!"

Robin looked across the room and saw Nicole jump up. It looked like she was yelling, "RE-SORT!! I demand a Re-sort!"

Robin looked at Riley. "Yeah," Riley was demanding. Her blue eyes were flashing more angrily than Robin had ever seen.

Something was wrong with this. They shouldn't be separated. Sadly, their voices were lost to all, besides possibly Harry and Ron. The Sorting Hat was finished for the year; it suddenly became lifeless and was removed from the room.

"But..." Nicole turned to Robin with glistening eyes.

Robin was pulled onto the bench by two mean-looking girls from her new house. "You're lucky. You could have been put in with those disgusting Gryffindors," one of the girls sneered.

'But, I want to be with them,' Robin thought sadly. Robin focused on Riley. "I'm sorry," she said using Riley's ability as a telepath to let her know that she hadn't chosen to be here.

Ron patted Nicole on the back sympathetically as Dumbledore stood for another speech.

Nicole found it hard to focus on what he was saying. She couldn't believe they wouldn't be together.

"Congratulations, students," Dumbledore began silencing Nicole's thoughts. "You have all been placed in wonderful houses. Once again, congratulations to you all."

'Yeah right,' Nicole thought bitterly.

"This year is bound to another exceptional year in Hogwarts history. However, as I stated at the end of last term, Lord Voldemort has risen again." Dumbledore paused as the students tensed and gasped at his words. "Because of this, there are some new rules that you need to be aware of. Everyone must be in their respective dormitories at dark. Anyone caught violating this rule will be severely punished. Also, no one should go anywhere on the grounds without other people. Please travel in groups," he glanced at the teachers' table.

"I'd also like to welcome back Professor Lupin. He'll be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. You may notice that he has a large dog with him. It is appreciated if you don't pet him without Professor Lupin's permission. We also have three transfer students from America. They're joining us as fifth years and will remain with us until they finish. Please make them feel welcome. I think that covers everything. Now, let's enjoy a wonderful feast."

So, it was decided. There would be no arguing. If Dumbledore didn't have a problem with Robin being in Slytherin, then how could they argue?

"Oh! I can't believe she screwed up!!" Nicole said grumpily. "I'm never talking to her again."

"Calm down, Nic," Riley said. "I don't think it was her," she muttered to herself as she lifted her fork and began to eat.

"How do you it wasn't her? For all we know she could have smarted off to the stupid hat, like I almost did." Nicole said.

"What did you say to the hat, Nic?" Riley asked.

"Um...nothing important." Nicole answered before shoveling food into her mouth. "Just something about how stupid it is for a hat to talk. Especially when it thinks I have a thing for snakes."

Harry choked on his food. "What do you mean, snakes?"

"Oh, the stupid hat wanted to put me in Slytherin—the same house that Robin got. Although, now that I think about it, I can see why she got put in there." Nicole mused. She shrugged and continued eating. Everybody had started to leave, when Hermione jumped up and gasped.

"Oh no! We forgot. Ron, let's go!" She and Ron quickly went through and found all the first years and pulled them away from the crowds.

"Where are they off to?" Nicole and Riley asked at the same time.

"They're prefects. They have to show the first years to the dorm." Harry replied.

"Oh."

Riley looked at Dumbledore then at Nicole. "Umm...I think Dumbledore wishes to speak with us. Oh...Harry, he wants you to come along as well." All three of them turned around and headed towards Dumbledore.

"And here comes Miss Goodfellow." Nicole looked at Robin, and then with a huff, she turned back towards Dumbledore. Dumbledore gave a small grin. "Now that we're all here, would you follow me please?"

The group walked behind Dumbledore and into a room with a large fireplace. Standing in front of the fire, wearing long, pale blue robes, were three people. One was Remus and Sirius was standing beside him. The other one was a woman. She was in her mid twenties, early thirties and had short brown hair. She was tall and slender and graceful.

Dumbledore introduced her. "This is Miss Adrienne Lange. She's part of the Order of the Phoenix and will be your mentor this year."

"Great, another baby-sitter." Nicole muttered before getting jabbed in the ribs by Riley's elbow. "It's a pleasure to meet you Ma'am." Nicole said.

Robin sighed; this was going to be a long year.