Another chapter, although a day late as my brother disconnected the internet before I could get it up. Still Emi, the challenge is one. Find it and you get another chapter out of me today.
If she fails, which I suspect, then the next chapter won't be rushed and will be up in a week or so.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter, just Miharu. My two friends own Emi and Asuka. If I did own it, and therefore was JK, then I wouldn't need to do a self-insert as I'd already be in it.
The following morning started with a bit of a bang. It appeared that during the night, someone with a twisted sense of humour and little need for sleep had rearranged the Great Hall in advance for Halloween. It now resembled a morgue more than a place to eat, those among the student who were squeamish decided that it was best to skip breakfast that day.
The tables seemed to have vanished and were replaced by coffins, whilst the benches were now gravestones. On them the cups had become skulls, the bowls cupped skeletal hands and the plates were skeletal feet.
The charmed ceiling remained the same, bar the enchanted demonic toy bats which were flying round. The floor was also the same, marred only by demonic rats, which occasionally bit people. The walls however had defiantly changed; they were dripping in what looked like blood. It in fact wasn't, but was so realistic it even smelt the same, though only one person in the room, its designer, properly appreciated this.
The Weasley twins grinned at the decoration realising they had competition, while only the Slytherins admired the true artwork the decorator, though even they viewed it as a little morbid.
Said decorator was sat at her table continuing to read the book from the night before, although it was now charmed so to everyone else it looked like the Potions textbook, while trying to ignore the argument between her cousin, who had decided to grace her with her presence, and an annoying blond housemate.
She gave up when a combination of the argument, her added sound effects and the intoxicating smell coming from the walls interrupted her once more. Instead she opted for eating a sizable breakfast, something that since her sound effects had been triggered, very few were doing. Apparently screams and moans put people off food.
Glancing around she decided that maybe tomorrow she wouldn't be quite as extravagant and do something that didn't put people of their food, else the House Elves just might decide to get their own back.
So with that, having collected her schedule the Head Table as her Head of House was yet to grace them with his presence, she swept out of the hall and headed for a quiet place to finish reading her book.
…
Emi glanced after her rapidly retreating cousin and sighed. Glancing around the room it was evident that Miharu had done a little redecoration the night before, not that it bothered her.
Getting fed up with her current argument she bit Draco on the arm which, funnily enough, caused him to get louder. She then proceeded to lecture him on the rather course language he had just used as they received their schedules.
Grinning she saw that there were a number of lessons that she had with both her cousins. Glancing up she smirked at Asuka, who was sat at the Gryffindor table.
Stretching she made her way slowly in the way she presumed her first lesson was.
…
Asuka was pretty sure that Emi had done something while she was asleep. The smirk she had just received was one of those 'I know something you don't and you are sooo going to hate it' smirks that only her cousins seemed capable of.
Shaking her head she paid attention to her housemates who were currently discussing the sick mind that the person who had decorated the Great Hall must have and who it could possibly be, they seemed to be eyeing up the two red haired twins. She just snorted seeing as she had a pretty good idea of who it actually was.
It was best if the others learnt this for themselves, that and it was far more amusing to watch that way.
Professor McGonagall came round with her schedule and she noticed a number of her important classes were with the Slytherins and things like Ancient Runes and Arithmacy were a mixed class of all the Houses, at least she'd have those with Miharu whilst Emi was doing whatever Emi decided to sign up for. At least they'd all have Care of Magical Creature (CoMC), Transfiguration, Defence Against the Dark Arts (DADA) and Potions together.
Yawing she rose from the table and having asked directions from the girl she was pretty sure was Hermione, she headed of to where her first lesson was. She had little doubt that her cousins would be late. Emi would get lost and Miharu would be so entangled in her reading that she would forget entirely about the lesson.
…
The first lesson was Double Potions with all three of the girls and despite Asuka's thoughts it was only Emi who was in fact late, and even then it was only by a few minutes.
She came in and settled by Miharu in the Slytherin side, but close to her other cousin, Asuka, who seemed to have paired up with a bushy haired girl.
…
Miharu had to admit that the potions lab made an interesting setting. Perhaps she would approach the teacher about lending it out to her for money making Halloween spooky tours. She was sure with a little help from willing conspirators she could make a significant amount.
Glancing round the classroom she was pretty sure that she was going to enjoy this lesson greatly. The Gryffindors looked terrified and as far as she was concerned it was a more volatile form of chemistry. She was pretty sure that Asuka would be sharing the same thoughts, minus the Gryffindor bit, and Emi, well Emi was Emi and it was hard to know what she was ever thinking about.
The door slammed open to reveal the teacher and as he stalked in the most alluring scent hit Miharu's nose. It was like potions, water and air all mixed together with the tangible, irresistible fragrance of darkness.
Glancing up sharply she saw the man that it came from. Despite what she was sure that her peers would say she found him attractive. Though he was a bit old for her, which in her eyes was easily changed for those with patience and skills and she had both.
He started the lesson and she listened entranced by his sharp, yet smooth voice. He'd set them a potion which was meant to be hard to compare herself and her cousins skills with those in the rest of the class. She even put her glasses on so she could read the board, though it was mainly to read what his name was.
For once she decided that she would not allow Emi to screw their potion up for the sake of the controlled explosion it caused. Instead she concentrated on exactly what she was doing, occasionally adding her own stage to the potion to maximise its quality while reducing the brewing time.
In the end she finished half an hour early having only allowed Emi to stir the cauldron as she was insisting on perfection, which could only be achieved if she did it herself. As she was bottling the potion to give in, while carefully storing the rest in her bag for later use, she felt the Snape's eyes on her.
With a small smile she swept up to the front having labelled their sample to is desk, ensuring that the Gryffindors saw so that they would panic as they had yet to finish. He seemed to catch on and smirked at her, saying that she could sit back down and talk with her partner, aka Emi.
…
Emi was slightly scared by the turn of events. Not only had Miharu stopped her from blowing their potion up like they usually did, she had totally taken over in some deranged attempt at perfection. It was almost like she was trying to impress the teacher. It even seemed to be working.
Miharu settled back at their bench, with an overly happy expression, which made Emi think that she was on something. Deciding that they were in need of a talk she turned to her ow so spaced out cousin.
//What the hell is wrong with you?//
The were a number of sharp looks and people backing away as they recognised that Emi had just spoken in the Serpent Tongue. Miharu grinned and to their shock hissed back.
//I'm just very happy//
//Who is it? It's Professor Snape, isn't it? Really he's a it old for you.//
//But that can be fixed// Miharu smiled evilly, causing more people to back away //After all a de-ageing potion with a few added ingredients could easily be slipped in his food//
Emi smiled. It sounded fun. //Sure. I'll help you with it. Where and when?//
//Not sure but it won't take long to brew. I'm sure I can find a suitable place.//
//And one other thing, what about his nose?//
//It's fixable// ((insert shifty eyes here))
…
At this point from the looks on her cousins' faces she was extremely glad that she was not a parseltoungue, if only for her own piece of mind. They were planning something and she did not want to be involved.
No doubt whoever was involved would not like the outcome.
…
The lesson ended and Emi and Asuka headed off for death by boredom in History of Magic, whilst Miharu headed of to the greenhouse, wondering if she could borrow one or two plants which were no doubt classed as 'Highly dangerous'.
One Harry Potter though, despite usually being the first out had for once stayed behind. After a few curious glances the room empty of everyone but him and Professor Snape.
Harry gulped nervously.
"I know this is irregular and you'll ignore me, but check all your food before eating it."
With that he ran off to join one of the conspirators in History of Magic.
That's all for now folks. Reviews are welcome, but if you don't feel like it don't bother.
I think I might kidnap a muse to do disclaimers for my though. It'd be fun.
