Disclaimer: All characters except for Rose Potter come from the oh so amazing author J.K. Rowling, also I used a bunch of ideas from other fan-fics, to name a few, Potters Stand United by Fairywm, and the whole Dangerverse series from Whydoyouneedtoknow. Anyways enjoy!
Gryffindor Tower, Hogwarts, September 2nd 1991
"Harry get your arse down here before I come up and get you myself!" Rose hollered from below the steps leading to the boys dorm. "Eeek!" Rose shrieked as she jumped 5 feet in the air to turn around looking for who had tapped her shoulder, only to find her prat of a brother grinning at her. "Next time," Harry began, "don't holler."
"Yes, don't holler, it could interfere with poor Ron's beauty sleep." Ginny agreed mockingly. "Anyways, get any new candidates?" Ginny asked referring to the mutineers.
"Obviously not Ron, and Seamus is almost nearly as bad as he is. There is Dean Thomas, the muggleborn, but we'll have to wait and see. How about you guys?" Harry replied. "Well, we already have four members in our dorm but the other girl, Lavender, she's way too gossipy and annoying. I can't see many people getting along with her, especially not our resident ice queen. Aren't I right lover boy?" Rose answered, smirking as she made fun of Harry's crush on Daphne. Their time in the room had not only matured them but it had gotten them past the whole "girls are weird, and girls are icky" stage and straight to "girls are cute" stage, a topic which the boys were teased relentlessly about.
Luckily for him, Harry was saved by Fay and Parvati making their way downstairs. "You girls ready?" He inquired. With four nods, the group made their way to the great hall.
They were greeted by their friends as they stepped off the last staircase, which had been moving to help them, thanks to the fact that Harry and Rose were founders. The group quickly exchanged hugs, until Harry's sharp eye noticed someone leaning against the wall observing them nonchalantly."Who's that?" Harry asked Draco, who adorned the same robes as the stranger. "His name is Preston Li, he's pretty quiet and chill, not sure how trustworthy he is but he woke up early to go for a run, I saw him when he came back, he's nearly as fit as you and Neville." Draco replied.
"Master SharpShard spoke highly of your combat techniques, not your stealth. I can see why now." The stranger, Preston, Harry reminded himself, said casually. "What are you talking about?" Ginny asked indignantly, clearly insulted.
"Oh, that's not my secret to tell." Preston replied ominously. "It's nothing guys." Harry said, "Let's get something to eat, but real quick Daphne, Blaise, and Susan could you stay behind for a sec, I have something to ask you." The group made their way in, Hermione, Rose, Neville and Draco all finding one excuse or another to stay behind. As 8, they turned to the mysterious figure. "So, you're clearly goblin trained." Draco stated.
"Master of the obvious here." Was the monotone response. Harry took a long look at his opponent, sizing him up, he wasn't skinny, but he wasn't heavy, he had the body of an assassin, someone that fought well but wasn't used for brute force, an accurate description of someone such as Draco or Blaise, but most noticeably where his hazel brown eyes, and his dark brown hair. His eyes showed calmness, as if he was used to taking on groups of nine, and his hair went just barely past his ears. "Bones, Zabini, Greengrass, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Master SharpShard had hoped you would be joining him in lessons, seeing as how that isn't the case, he gave me permission to train you, if you wish." Preston finished.
"You can't do that." Hermione said, confidently to an untrained ear, but to a well trained one a little bit of fear was mixed in. "You have to be a master to train someone."
"Ah, Master SharpShard spoke highly of you Miss Granger, always able to use logic and clear thinking. Now maybe you can answer me this with that intellect of yours. What is the punishment to offer someone training if they are not a master in goblin culture?" Preston replied casually.
"You're fed to dragons unarmed." Rose replied before Hermione could open her mouth, impressed at what this person was implying. "Very good, Miss Potter." Was her only reward. "I wish you well, have a good day." With that he entered the great hall and found his way to the Slytherin table.
"That was strange." Neville remarked.
"You think?" Draco asked sarcastically. "You know, we could actually have some fun."
"Just what are you thinking of Draco?" Hermione asked, having sen his face before, mainly just before a devious prank.
"Well if he's a master he should be able to hold off an attack, including an attack between five warriors." Draco replied with a evil smirk on his face. "What do you say?"
After another four nods of confirmation they made their way into the great hall, Susan, Daphne and Blaise following behind, having decided that depending on this person's skill would decide if they were trained or not.
As Dumbledore saw them each approach their house table, he rose to give a welcoming feast when Draco dropped his fork which clanged loudly. Suddenly, Hermione had a bow in her hand, an arrow drawn aimed at Preston as Neville and Harry advance swords, having grown from the daggers, in hand. Rose, staff in hand, stopped as she saw the smirk on Li's face, Li, that's right, he's the enemy, you don't humanize the enemy, it was part of the goblin training, to learn to hold back without humanizing the enemy. She suddenly became wary, an opponent who smirked when against five enemies was not some one to be taken lightly. Silent as a snake, Draco approached dagger in hand, before lunging to land a blow, Preston quickly side stepped him, holding out his arm causing Draco to run into it, hitting him in the gut, Draco attacked vehemently as Hermione tried to aim a shot without hitting Draco or another student. Abruptly, a pair of nunchucks were in Li's hands as he twirled them masterfully, they quickly jolted out hitting Draco's pressure point on his wrist, disarming him. Harry and Neville who had previously been sizing up their opponent, attacked swiftly as a well organized pair stabbing and swinging violently yet controlled. Casually Li flicked his hand causing his nunchuck to grow into a whip of sorts which quickly wrapped around Neville's sword, with his other hand Preston used a hidden dagger to defend himself against Harry's attacks.
Hermione, having finally found a shot, released her arrow, as it flew masterfully towards Li's shoulder when suddenly Neville's sword, now trapped in the whip blocked it's fight. Hermione made to aim another arrow, before one voice interrupted them "Stop!" Rose's voice rang out. "Very good, Miss Potter. Able to tell your opponent's abilities and confidence level is a very important part in a fight." Wordlessly and endlessly, Preston flicked his hand, sending all weapons back to their rightful owners while shrinking his nunchucks. "8 of you, you know who you are, meet me outside the great hall after the headmaster finishes with his speech, whatever use that'll be." Preston said before walking out, leaving behind a stunned crowd.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Potter, Mr Malfoy, Mr Longbottom, Miss Granger, Mr. Li, report to my office immediately after breakfast." The headmaster instructed, his eyes holding a nearly uncontrolled fury. Preston stopped, mid step, and turned around facing the headmaster, his magic barely controlled, "And just why is that headmaster?" He asked, clearly using the title as an insult. "Want to mind rape us with your, oh so powerful, legilimency, or no perhaps you want to give us some truth serum lemon drops?" Preston inquired sarcastically. "Know this, headmaster," Li spat out, "if the goblins hear a word of the mind raping you do to students, they will start a war, and it will only end when one head rolls… yours." With that, he left the hall before anyone could say anything.
Furious whispers sounded out through the crowd, some having to do with this mysterious Li figure, others questioning his knowledge on the goblins, yet others were more interested in the fight that had just happened. Harry, Rose, Draco, Neville and Hermione all locked eyes and asked each other the same question, Just who was this mysterious person? They all got up and headed towards the doors to get to the headmaster's office. "Ah, there you are, let's get going, and if you're gonna ask questions, instruct the portraits not to tell anyone." Preston said as he saw the group exit the great hall. "How do you know all of this?" Draco asked after making sure Harry had told the portraits to not spy.
"Two reasons, I'm a slytherin and I'm goblin raised. Goblins have far more contacts than you'd think possible. I'd rather not get into why I'm goblin raised at the moment, just know I am. I was never particularly adept at goblin magic so I spent much of my time training in combat, hence the reason I'm a master at such a young age. Of course, being a goblin I know of your heritage and what vaults you have access to. Now as to my slytherin comment, goblins know the real Salazar, not that bullshit story they feed you now. So while I am ambitious I'm more cunning, knowing how to work a situation to my favor. For example, I more or less just exposed Dumb Dork for what he is, while at the same time didn't make people cower in fear, my message was simple, mess with me and you'll pay. " Preston explained. "I've been much like your resident Ice Queen for a lot of my life, cold and closed off unless you really get to know me. It helps, but it can be quite lonely, when I heard that five of Master SharpShard's best students would be coming, well I figured I'd test your abilities before deciding anything. From what I can tell, you're all pretty good at group fighting but one on one you're much worse. Take Draco for example, it was a good attack but you expected there to be someone to pick up the slack when your attack missed, not something you should do, treat every fight like a solo fight and hope that others are with you and blend in with their style. It's strange, but useful. And yes, I do know quite a lot about your whole group, again we goblins have contacts in places you wouldn't expect and I'm decently well known as a skilled fighter, something that gets you respect, so I've been informed about your group. Ah here we are." Preston stated as they arrived at the gargoyle that led to the Headmaster's office.
"Listen carefully, erect your strongest occlumency shields, don't accept anything from the headmaster and have your weapons able to be quickly drawn, I wouldn't put it past this old coot to attack you." Preston warned before starting to list off various candies, causing the gargoyle to suddenly reveal a set of stairs on "Mars Bars."
He's a natural leader, yet far too cautious and untrusting, he's constantly on edge, I wonder why? Rose thought as she entered the office, noticing Preston's tense shoulders. Unknown to her, the person in question was thinking about her, just in the opposite direction, She's so relaxed, and trusting in her friends, wish I could develop a friendship like that. Fat chance that's gonna happen after this morning, I really shouldn't rise to a challenge so often, probably scared half the great hall. Preston thought to himself as he inspected the room, looking at all possible weapons and escape routes as he had been trained to do. "Mr. Li, perhaps you would like to inform me about your little outburst earlier today?" The headmaster asked he entered the room. "Perhaps." Came the one worded response. "STOP THIS AT ONCE! You will explain to me about this threat at once or I'll… I'll expel you!" The aged headmaster threatened, losing his temper at this student who dared question his authority. "On what grounds?" Preston's smooth tongue asked, clearly enjoying this little predicament.
Draco was able to identify someone playing a situation well, after all, he had done the same on multiple occasions, but the finesse with which Preston was able to control the situation with the underlying insults was stunning. Hermione narrowed her eyes, but a calming touch from Neville prevented her from an outburst about how someone could dare undermine the headmaster's authority, sure he was manipulative but he was still powerful and important.
"Detention, Mr. Li, with Mr. Filch, 9pm tonight." The headmaster, stated, clearly unsettled, he was able to recognize a powerful figure easily and this slytherin radiated power. "Very well, now please explain why you called the other five up here. Surely not to impress them with your , oh so great, power?" Preston asked contently, a small smirk making an appearance on his otherwise neutral face. "Of course not, I would simply like to know why you decided to cause such a commotion during breakfast." The headmaster replied serenely, clearly thinking he had the situation under control.
"Oh, that, they were simply testing if I was worthy of my title of Master, they of course found I was." Preston replied. "Ah, of course, but surely you realize I can't let this disruption happen without punishment? No, you tried to egg them on into a fight." The headmaster stated, as if fact, while his hand discreetly held his wand under his desk. Preston, feeling the attempt of a compulsion charge immediately stiffened, "Hermione, aim." He instructed. Hermione followed the command wordlessly and had her impressive bow with an arrow notched, aiming straight for the headmaster's forehead. "Headmaster, let me make one thing clear. If you ever dare use a single charm or potion on me or any of your students, you will surely regret it. Now then, we will be leaving, have a nice day." Preston reprimanded, as he turned, trusting Hermione enough to cover his back, and made his way towards the door. "Come on guys, we have to get our schedules." With that, he exited soundlessly, with the elegance of a pureblood yet the casualness of a muggleborn.
A/N: Yes I know that Li seems extremely powerful, but not all is as it seems and I do explain his attitude later.