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Disclaimer: Whilst I am a blonde british female, I am not an internationally acclaimed author, and though I try to draw manga, I suck at it.
Herbology Greenhouses, Hogwarts
As the young witches and wizards of Hogwarts' fourth year herbology class were doing their work, many were talking in hushed voices and whispers about the visiting students that were due to arrive that day.
Suddenly, their conversations were interrupted by a sharp cry from Hermione Granger, who was pointing up at the sky. Currently overhead was the hull of a large, blue, flying ship, with the name Christina printed across the bottom.
The students began to talk excitedly, and Professor Sprout told them to be quiet. "Quickly students, remove your gloves and follow me to the lake, we are going to greet them," she said, smiling widely.
Within a few minutes, the class was down by the lake, half of them staring up at Christina and half staring at the large viking-style boat currently coming across the lake.
The viking boat was first to arrive, and many young men and women in fur coats and caps disembarked - Durmstrang, and their headmaster Igor Karkaroff. Soon after, Christina landed, and the students of Mahoutokoro jumped over the sides. The teachers exited in a slightly more dignified way, through the door, as did their headmaster, Makarov. They were all dressed differently, and made an extremely colourful bunch. One particular pinkette was talking animatedly and wouldn't stop moving, before being knocked out by a strikingly beautiful red-head. Hermione had to stifle a laugh at that. Silencing the crowd with a single gesture, Headmaster Dumbledore stepped forward to greet them.
"Welcome, friends, to Hogwarts. If any of you require anything at all, just ask a student or teacher for assistance, and they will at least point you in the right direction. Now, if you would please follow me to the great hall - your classes too, Professor Sprout and Madame Hooch - once the others join us, we will begin the sorting ceremony and welcoming feast."
Hogwarts Great Hall
"Woah, can you believe this place, Luce?! The ceiling's so cool!" Natsu's eyes were practically saucers as he took in everything in the Great Hall - from the charmed ceiling to the magical food and even the students. Lucy giggled at his childish antics, but agreed. Professor McGonagall carried the sorting hat and stool in and placed in front of the teachers dais. Immediately, all chatter ceased as the students waited eagerly for the sorting.
Headmaster Dumbledore rose from his seat. "We will now commence with the sorting, so that our guests can relax and enjoy the feast. Mahoutokoro will go first." He sat back down again.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and read the first name from a very long scroll. "Akatsuki, Ren." Ren strode forward, giving a small smile to his girlfriend, Sherry. He sat on the stool and the hat was placed on his head. "Hmmm...Ren Akatsuki, are you? I see knowledge hidden behind your icy facade, plenty of knowledge. But I don't think Ravenclaw is the place for you to go. No, better be...SLYTHERIN!" Ren stood up and went over to his new table, greeting those closest to him. Professor McGonagall read out the next name. "Alberona, Cana."
As Cana walked to the stool, she got plenty of wolf-whistles from the boys at the Gryffindor table, and winked at them. "Oh my. I applaud your level of alcohol tolerance, young lady. The liquor does cloud your thoughts somewhat, but...I can see you are a strong, brave individual. Yes, you I know for sure belong in...GRYFFINDOR!"
The sorting continued like this for a while, and Hermione zoned out after McGonagall reached the L's. After the last student, Vastia, Lyon, had been sorted, Headmaster Dumbledore stood again, this time with a box in his hands.
He walked down the steps of the dais to a special platform and opened the box, withdrawing the Goblet of Fire. He placed it on the pedestal and faced the students. "As you may already know, this cup is the Goblet of Fire. Any student who meets the age requirements may enter their name in this Goblet, and when the time for the tournament to begin is upon us, it will select a champion for each school. For those of you wishing to know the age guidelines, any Durmstrang or Hogwarts students must be 17 or older, and all Mahoutokoro students are allowed to enter. To enter, simply write your name and school on a piece of paper before putting it into the Goblet. Now, enjoy the feast!" Dumbledore returned to his seat, and began talking with McGonagall about the lack of restrictions on the visiting Japanese students.
The dragon-slayers amongst said Japanese students winced at the noise level and excused themselves for the night. Hermione Granger had also finished her meal, and offered to show them to their common rooms. They accepted, and the seven left the Great Hall.
Hermione led them to the kitchens. "Don't tell anyone I let you in, because no one other than a Hufflepuff is supposed to know about this," she turned towards Wendy, who was holding Frosch. "There are actually repelling charms against intruders, so I can't open the barrel or go in with you, but you should be able to find your way easily enough. Just ask Helga's portrait where your dorm is - you can't miss it. Now, if you're ready to go in, tap on this barrel twice then three times - to the rhythm of Hel-ga Huff-le-puff."
Wendy nodded at her and tapped on the barrel. It opened, and she turned to say good night to her fellow dragon-slayers and thank Hermione. "And Rogue," the young girl said softly, catching the attention of one of the dark-haired boys. "Don't worry - I'll take care of Frosch." She crawled through the barrel and it closed after her. Hermione smiled. "Alright, we'll head to Ravenclaw next. When we get there, you'll have to answer a riddle to enter. It's in one of the towers, like Gryffindor."
They walked to Ravenclaw tower mostly in silence, with a few random facts about the parts of the school they passed through from Hermione. When they got there, Gajeel and Rogue had no problem getting in, and thanked Hermione before heading off to get some rest. The brunette yawned.
"One more stop now." She murmured, eyes half-closed with tiredness. When they reached the Fat Lady's portrait she gave the password, and entered the common room.
She turned to face Natsu, Laxus and Sting, who was carrying a sleeping Lector. "Alright, if there's anything you need to know about, I suggest you ask now. There's an enchantment on the girls staircase that prevents boys from climbing it, so you won't be able to reach me after this." Laxus and Sting shook their heads but Natsu looked confused.
"What about the boys staircase? Is there something to stop girls from climbing that too?" He asked, and Hermione smiled.
"No. The Founders of Hogwarts believed that girls were more responsible than boys, so they didn't feel the need to place an enchantment to stop them." Hermione yawned a good night and went up to the girls dormitories.
The boys shrugged and headed up to their dormitories, asking one of the portraits which dorms they were in. Natsu was in with Gray, and two kids called Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Laxus had a room to himself, as he was much older than the students, and Sting, who was the youngest staff member, was sharing with Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas.
A/N - Just a short chapter to introduce our beloved Fairy Tail to the haven that is Hogwarts. I love to hear your opinions, so leave a review to make me happy •^_^•