Disclaimer: I own nothing. It belongs to the authors and publishers of the original series

Author: I apologise for saying the next chapter was coming soon, and took so long, but I had like 4 hours of homework for the last week and a half… so… enjoy!

Chapter 2: First Impressions

Eragon jumped to his feet when a loud crack sounded and three people appeared in front of him. "Who are you and what do you want!" he yelled. The girl, who had frizzy brown hair and brown eyes replied timidly, "I-I'm Her-rmione, th-this is R-ron," pointing to the tall, red haired boy, "and th-this, is Harry. We're from another world." Eragon was puzzled. Saphira, what do you think? He said in his mind. They smell strange, very strange, said Saphira, and I've never heard of a spell that can transport living things. Either they are very powerful magicians, or they are telling the truth. Eragon thought for a second, and then said, they wouldn't be acting so afraid of us if they had enough power to transport themselves inside my wards. Coming to that conclusion, Eragon said, "What world do you come from?" this time the red haired boy, Ron, spoke. "Um… Earth." "Where?" said Eragon? "Earth. I guess you must live somewhere else, because our magic is different than yours."

"Hmm… how do you use magic?" said Eragon inquisitively. "We use wands," said Hermione, holding up hers. "You do magic with a stick?" said Eragon incredulously. "Yes" Hermione replied, "watch… Wingaurdium Leviosa." she said calmly, pointing the stick at Saphira. Eragon began to panic as Saphira began to rise into the air, totally helpless. "LETA!" he shouted, and with a great effort, stopped Saphira and lowered her to the ground. "How did you do that without killing yourself!" Hermione tipped her head to one side and said, "uuh… why?" Eragon looked thoroughly confused. "So… you don't need energy for magic?" "Well, no." Hermione replied. "So your abilities don't decrease with distance?" Eragon asked. "Well," interjected Ron, who was feeling left out, "you have to be able to see your target, so you can aim your wand. You couldn't shoot a spell across the country, it wouldn't hit what you were aiming at." Eragon marveled at this new magic. It had infinite power. You could lift a mountain with magic tike that! Well, said Saphira, I don't like it. It makes me feel… but anyways, who would want to rely on a silly little twig to use magic! I could swallow one whole and it wouldn't even hurt me! Bah! Eragon also felt a little resentment towards these people, unless… Eragon reached out towards Hermione's mind, and found it totally unguarded. Because he was feeling fairly spiteful, he took control of Hermione and made her dance wildly around the fire, waving her arms and screaming like a banshee. The two boys, Harry and Ron, were staring at Hermione with expressions of pure terror on their faces. Eragon did not notice, a look of determination underneath Ron's fear, and so was completely unprepared when Ron jumped forward, aimed his wand and shouted, "PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" a jet of light flew at Eragon, and suddenly he couldn't move. His hands locked to his sides, his legs snapped together, and he fell over. He could only move his eyes as he watched Hermione stop dancing, and the three strangers to his world walk away into the forest.

Arya really, really hated dresses. Unfortunately for her, she had to wear one while she was in populated areas, because a woman wearing leggings would stick out, and someone was sure to recognize her and report her, and then that would mean a lot of trouble, and soldiers to fight. Of course, She could probably handle them, or at least outrun them. The problem was, a commotion like that would possibly draw Murtag and Thorn to the area, and not even she could defeat a Rider and dragon. So she was stuck wearing a stupid dress until she found Eragon. Luckily, she had managed to locate his camp because Eragon always seemed to include her into the few people who could locate him through his wards. Arya personally thought this wasn't a very good idea, but it made him easier to find. She noticed that the foot traffic was beginning to thin out, which was good. If there was no one on the road, that meant that she could run, which would most likely shorten the journey about an hour or so.

Arya arrived at Eragon's camp around midnight. Even though it was dark, she could see perfectly well. She saw Eragon lying on the ground, but it was obviously not sleeping. He was lying flat on his back; legs clamped together, hands at his sides. Saphira was standing over him, looking worried. Arya stepped out of the trees and said, "what happened to him?" She knew he wasn't dead, but the position he was in was… unnatural. Strangers from another world paralyzed him. Saphira said in her head. What? Where are they? Said Arya. I don't know. They've disappeared. Answered Said Saphira. I was just out looking for them. I can't find them anywhere! Well, said Arya, I'll see if I can undo it myself. Arya knelt down by Eragon and murmured 'release' in the ancient language. She felt a huge drain on her strength. She had seen an image of the strangers from Saphira's memories, and they had been young, about Eragon's age. Even spells that he could cast wouldn't have taken such a toll on her. Eragon began to stir, and she gratefully released the magic. How could that have been so hard for me? They were obviously human… but looks can be deceiving. Arya was jolted out of reality as Eragon woke up, leapt up, and drew his hinting knife, all in the span of a few seconds. He then realized who she was, turned red, and put away his knife. "Umm… hello… when did you get here?" he said nervously. "A few minutes ago." Arya replied. "What happened?" Eragon recounted the events of the evening to her, and when he finished, they sat in silence for a long minute. "Well" Arya said pensively, "That is very odd. I wonder where they went?" I couldn't find them. Saphira said to Eragon. "Well, if Saphira couldn't catch them, we'd do better just to wait until morning," said Eragon. "By the way, Arya… what is that you're wearing?" Arya blushed, glared at him, and said "A dress. Really, what does it look like?" Eragon looked ashamed, but did not reply.

Hermione was extremely exasperated. "We have to go back there! How will Eragon get free?" They had apparated back to the field outside of Hogsmeade. "Well," "that's true. And I did want to meet a few other people there. Like Arya…" Ron got a sort of spacey look in his eyes. "Ron!" Hermione snapped. "So, we're going back." Hermione raised her wand, thought of Eragon's camp, and disappeared.

When she arrived, she barely had time to look around before she was grabbed from behind. She felt a dagger at her throat. Black hair swished in front of her face. Who was it? "Arya! Wha-" Eragon burst into the clearing. "What are you doing here again!" He stared, but didn't ask Arya to let her go. Hermione aimed her wand behind her, and whispered, "Protego". Arya was blasted backwards and slammed into a tree before she had time to react. She slumped over, unconscious. "Sorry! I've never used that at such close range before!" blurted Hermione. Eragon was looking from her to Arya, wide eyed. Harry and Ron appeared with sharp cracks, making them all jump. Arya stirred, then jumped up so fast that she was just a blur. She then whipped her head around, as if looking for an attacker. She then stared around, nonplussed. Hermione pressed her lips together to stop herself from laughing. Arya seemed, at that very moment, to figure out who her 'attacker' was. She sat down gracefully, but still managed to look angry. She sent a piercing glare Hermione's way, and then looked into the fire. Harry, Ron, and Eragon were still staring across the fire, apparently struck dumb.

Arya was fuming, but of course, she didn't let anyone else see it. How could that… that girl have defeated her so easily! How could she, Arya, have been thrown off like a child! It made no sense. Although Eragon had told her about these people, she had never been able to guess that the magic sticks, or whatever they were called, would have broken through all her defenses like that! Nobody seemed to be offering any clarifications on the subject. "Umm… sorry I did that to you." The bushy haired girl said. "I-I really didn't know exactly what would happen…" "I am fine." Arya said, her face a mask of calm, "I was not hurt. Please do not worry yourself." Arya then lapsed back into silence.

"How is that possible?" Arya burst out. The strangers had gone to sleep in a nearby clearing, using a tent that had somehow come out of a little pink bag. "I don't know." replied Eragon. "I really cant think of any-" he broke off. Arya was looking sullen. "Are you pouting?" Eragon said, barely stifling a laugh. "Really, Arya. You had a knife to her throat." Arya sighed. "you're right, and I know that. It's just…" her words faded into her thoughts, how? She got up, and walked slowly away into the woods.

Pleeeeeze review! Thanks for all the reviews I've already gotten, and sorry I haven't replied but I don't know how… I'm new here so…