A/N: God... no I didn't die. Sorry about how late this is... I should have had it out a LONG time ago. I was busy; moving in, redecorating, school... sorry. ANYWAYS! I am getting into CSI: Miami (getting into? Obsessed is more like it...), so expect stories in that genre if you're into it. But anyways, here's chapter five.
BTW: I gave Gaara and Temari a last name. Rather, the teachers did so that's why... don't bug about how late this chapter was... I know it's late, I should've had it out a while ago, but my computer decided to be a retard on me... Oh! And I wanna dedicate this chapter to my beta, Dragonwings114, who is amazing! Thank you so much!
Hat talking in someone's head.
THANK YOU ALL FOR GIVING THIS STORY SUCH A HIGH REVIEW COUNT!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!
Disclaimer: Let me check... hmm... I don't own Naruto, or Harry Potter. I only own Maerin... and the plot. That's it! Okay? THAT'S IT!
Chapter 5: Sorting and Professors
The sky was clear, and the stars could be seen sparkling above them. The shinobi hardly noticed them, Dumbledore had given them orders to follow the older students and take the carriages to the school where McGonagall would recieve them to be sorted.
Somehow, they all were in the same configuration for the carriage trip to the hospital. Each casting a suspicious glance at the strange horses that were pulling the carriages before climbing in. Sasuke took a seat by the window, with Sakura by his side.
Neville nervously glanced at them, obviously he was unnerved by Sasuke's rather... cold manner, but Sakura had assured them he was friendly, so they'd have to take his word for it. Although... they were doubting it heavily.
It's so dreary... Sakura thought. The clouds were heavy in the sky, and it looked as if it might rain at any moment. She sighed. Weather like this... it always brought her down.
Sasuke squeezed her hand reassuringly, his eyes never left the scenery, and his face never shifted from its blank slate. She squeezed back, smiling softly.
Sure, the only people here that Sasuke felt comfortable around were her and Naruto; although Naruto and he argued and fought often, she knew that they thought highly of each other and regarded each other (secretly on Sasuke's part) as brothers.
After the briefing from the students who they were sharing the carriage with on the houses, Sakura was wondering which house each of them would be in. Of course, for the sake of the mission, she knew that it would be perfect if they had someone in each house, but she hoped against that. Apparently, those in Gryffindor and Slytherin got on terribly and could possibly strain their ties.
Finally, the carriage pulled up in front of the school. Regrouping with their fellow shinobi, they headed inside. As soon as they got inside, a water balloon dropped on a first year to their right.
Looking up, they spotted the source of the disturbance. A ghost was floating above them, he was holding a basket full of water ballons. He gave them a loopy grin, "Wee little firsties we have here!" he cackled. Then spotted the shinobi, "Oh, these be to old to be firsties!" He flew over, hovering upside down above them.
Sasuke glared up at him, as did Neji and Gaara. Obviously the poltergeist was unaffected, as he lobbed one of his projectiles at Sakura. Jumping out of the way, she nearly careened into Professor McGonagall.
"Miss Haruno please do watch where you step!" she admonished, before turning on the ghost. "Peeves!"
Cackling, Peeves dumped his entire caseload of ballons over a knot of first years before zipping off up the grand staircase.
Watching him go, the shinobi relaxed before turning their undivided attention to McGonagall.
"Follow me please," she commanded. "You will all line up single file. Would the transfers please stand in the back. Thank you, now follow me."
Leading the line, she lead them into the Great Hall.
Immediatly upon entering, Sasuke, Neji, and Hinata checked the area out with their respective kekkei genkai. Making note of any abnormalites.
Neji noted that one of the students at the table on the far right had an unusual chakra point on his upper arm. Stowing the information in the back of his mind, he continued his examination.
Another student had an abnormal point on his forehead. There were one or two others, but that was it.
"When I call out your name you will come forward and sit on this stool," McGonagall indicated the stool beside her that had a very ratty looking hat on it. "I will then place the Sorting Hat on your head; when your house is called, proceed to that table."
She pulled out a long roll of parchment and began to read off of it.
"Aberman, Kylie."
After, "Zelain, Michael" was sorted into Hufflepuff, Dumbledore stood up, "As many of you have noticed, we have several new students joining us this year. These students have come all the way from the Japanese Imperial Institute of Mana. I hope that you all help them out, and to those of you who will soon become their housemates, I expect you to help them out until they are well aqquainted with our school." He took his chair again.
"Haruno, Sakura."
Everyone's gaze zeroed in on the pink haired teen, who bravely approached the stool. McGonagall placed the hat on her head.
Well, well. A ninja? Ignoring that we'll see where you should belong... plenty of courage and intelligence. Either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw would do for you... as such, it will be...
"RAVENCLAW!"
Removing the hat, Sakura scuttled over to ther table that had erupted into clapping. Cho moved over so that she could sit down.
"Hyuga, Hinata."
The shy girl stepped up, a pink hue in her cheeks.
Another one, eh? Let's see... this shouldn't be too hard...
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Hurriedly, Hinata went over to her table and sat down, ducking her head slightly.
"Hyuga, Neji."
Many girls, and even a few guys, were oggling him as he stepped up to be sorted. Obviously there was an interest in them, they were pretty good looking.
Now let's take a look here... mhmm... a genius, eh? Well then... courageous as well. I'd say it would be...
"RAVENCLAW!"
Removing the hat, he walked calmly over to the Ravenclaw table, taking a seat beside Cho Chang, who blushed as he did.
"Nara, Shikamaru."
All eyes were now glued on Shikamaru, who had his hands in his pockets and was slouching forward a little. He muttered something as he took his turn at being sorted.
Tsk, tsk. Don't like tests now do we? An IQ of 200? Well, then. It is...
"RAVENCLAW!"
Shrugging as the hat was removed and he stood up, he walked over to the table and sat beside Neji, who had to move closer to Cho to accomodate him.
"Sabaku, Gaara."
The red-head stepped up. He cast a cool, don't-mess-with-me look around the hall before allowing the hat to be placed on his head.
Now let's see about this one... kazekage, hm? Lots of courage... you've had a dark past, but you are moving away from it. It will be...
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Apparently satisfied, he stalked away from the stool where he took a seat between Sean and Hermione, then returning his jade eyes to the front.
"Sabaku, Temari."
Several boys wolf-whistled as she took her turn at sorting.
Of course, no one in the vicinity of Gaara did, the aura and look he was giving off told anyone that he'd kill them if they dared.
Eldest sibling of three? Well, there's wisdom there, I would venture to say. Hm? Ah, very well. Since you seem somewhat suited to that house...
"RAVENCLAW!"
Temari smirked and headed over, squeezing in beside Shikamaru. The Ravenclaw boys gloated their victory.
"Uchiha, Sasuke."
All eyes were on Sasuke. Girls were drooling, mouths wide open, Sasuke was unaffected, he was used to these things happening to him.
I'd say you have one of the most interesting minds yet. Dark past, you long for revenge and to restore your family to its former state... only two others left? Well, you seem overprotective of your cousin, even though she's older, and you long to kill your brother for what he did. It seems you are perfectly suited for Slytherin... ah, not there, eh? You're only the second person who has insisted on not being in that house... very well, then it'll be...
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table erupted into loud clapping and applause, just as the other houses had, several girls gave lovestruck sighs, guys glared jealously at the raven haired Uchiha.
"Uzumaki, Naruto."
Giving a large grin, Naruto punched the air, giving a loud, "Finally!" as he did so. Several girls giggled and then sighed. Harry heard someone comment, "He's so lively!" And then another replied with, "But look at him! He looks so handsome and mature..."
Is there something hiding in your mind, boy? You seem almost desperate that I get this over with as quick as possible. Ah. That is it then, this demon you have within yourself? If so... there was a flash of a book in Naruto's mind, you might find that quite useful. But let's get this sorting done with, shall we?
Ron glared at his watch for the fifth time, "It's been almost ten minutes! Why is that hat taking so long?"
Just as Ron finished his complaining, the hat proclaimed, "SLYTH-GRYFFINDOR!"
Naruto tugged the hat off and looked to McGonagall for an explanation, she pointed to the Gryffindor table. A huge grin broke across his face and he came over, rather fast. He shoved his way in beside Sasuke, "I thought that hat would never sort me!"
Dumbledore stood once more, the hall fell silent once again, "Thank you and welcome back! Now is not the time for speeches as I am sure we are all very hungry and it would not do for this wonderful feast to go to waste! But first! A few new staff appointments!" Dumbledore indicated Slughorn, "Professor Slughorn, an old collegue of mine has agreed to fill the position of Potions master!"
A few people applauded.
"And Professor Snape has agreed to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts position!"
Silence.
Dumbledore smiled before continuing, "As many of you might have noticed, we have another new face among us today!" The young woman beside him gave a small smile, Dumbledore gestured for her to stand, which she did, "Professor Maerin Uchiha and Professor Kakashi Hatake have agreed to teach the students in the art of practical defense! Unfortuantly, Professor Hatake is not here at the moment, but should be here soon!"
The hall burst into applause, Maerin blushed and inclined her head before taking her seat once again.
"Now let us eat!" Dumbledore sat back down and flipped his beard over his shoulder. Food appeared on the plates in front of everyone.
Naruto commented to Sasuke, "It's just like Kakashi-sensei to be late."
Sasuke grunted before going back to his food. Hermione, who heard this, jumped on this piece of information, "You know Professor Hatake?"
Naruto shrugged, before saying, "He was our instructor back at our old school, he was always late."
"What about Professor Uchiha? Is she somehow related to Sasuke?" Hermione added.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "Yeah, she's his cousin. She's older then him though."
"Oh."
God! I thought I would never finish this! Anyways, I have my thank you list for this time! Neji, tell everyone what they get! (goes to get some sleep) I've got to stop pulling all-nighters to finish my chapters... especially on school nights... (yawn)
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