The River Styx

After having eaten what the Hobbit's called a small lunch at the pub, they happened onto the crazy double decker bus and the Hobbit's were sliding back and forth again. Ms. Fig had handed out the things' of Bott's beans to every one except the Hobbits, who had tossed their frogs into the fountain. Also, Ai and Irumi were to share one.

"Mrs. Figg has offered to take me to the meeting tomorrow afternoon," Harry stated. "Dumbledore's opened a limited floo channel into the Great Hall. If you could come like today…"

"My parents would skin me alive if I skipped school. They start earlier then they do in England," Hermione said, shacking her head at Harry.

"There is always Styx," Ms. Figg pointed out.

"What?" came the chorus from everyone but the Hobbits, who were to busy still sliding up and down the aisle way.

"More like who. When I went to Hogwarts, the trip to Hogsmede was for the whole school and we didn't need permission slips. They were also twice a month," Ms. Figg commented. "Everyone but my parents knew I was a squib, so I never fit in. However, I was able to go and visit my Elven friends, using Styx's ferry."

"Ms. Figg… sorry to sound skeptical, but this sounds a lot like the Egyptian crossing the river Styx after death, or was it Roman or Greek mythology," Hermione said, worry in her voice.

"Actually, that was how he got his nickname… the old mythology about the river Styx," Mrs. Figg commented.

"I thought the Dwarf got his nickname because he liked water too much," China commented. "I also thought it was spelled sticks, like the wooden ones that come from trees."

"No, it is defiantly the other Styx… he knows the dimensional gates that are water links. He even knows how to get to the Lock Ness, you know, in Scotland,"

"Yeah, with the Lock Ness monster," Ainel commented. "I'm surprised that you didn't eaten, Gahnaneth."

"The Lock Ness monster is like the kraken at school," Ms. Figg said, only to have the Elflings' eyes go wide. "...which is most defiantly not like the one Frodo almost got eaten by."

"Good thing… that was a mess to get past, though it did get us so we had no Orks following our backside," Merry stated.

"Anyways… my point is he can get you to Hogsmede, and from there, it isn't that far from Hogwarts," Ms. Figg said.

M

After dropping of Harry and picking up Crookshanks, the group headed back to the train station to go home to Anwe. On the train, there was a small silence. No one talked about what had happened on the bus. Irumi and Ai weren't even speaking to each other, but perhaps with those two it had never been needed. Hermione stroke her cat's chin, making his purring feel up the train. "I'm going to be so glad to get to go to Hogwarts."

This comment from Hermione caused Ainel to frown. "I can't wait to come home next summer for awhile until then, I'm stuck with my father, or those people at that stupid school."

"Hogwart's isn't stupid. It's this huge place, with tons of places to explore," Hermione commented back.

"Whatever… all I know is, my grandfather is so willing to hand me over to my father. My mother… it's a completely different situation with her, as she still loves my father, but he is a dark wizard."

"Not everyone is completely evil, only a select few, like the person… well, the one who caused problems so long ago," Hermione said, which caused China to nod her head in agreement.

"I bet he's some really old far," Ainel muttered, looking away from everyone.

"You know what I think you're really afraid of?" Hermione said. "What you're really afraid of is getting to know him so well that when he passes away, you don't want to be hurt."

Ainel turned to Hermione, giving her a look that said he wanted to slap her. "Don't talk about things you don't know about."

"All of you could come to Hogwarts with me tomorrow after school," Hermione commented.

"Can't… Bilbo says we shouldn't over stay our welcome," Merry commented. Pippen nodded his head sadly.

"No way..." Ainel said, sneering at the idea. "I want nothing to do with that school until I have to go."

"I've always been leery of that old Dwarf," China said.

"That leaves Irumi and Ai…" Hermione said, looking straight at the two.

"They don't like Wizards," Ainel said, leaning back.

Ai pulled out his book and tugged on his sister's sleeve to show him something, she noted the books title and then the picture that he was showing her. She then showed him a piece of parchment and nodded her head. "No, we're going."

"What! What do you mean your going? Ainel said, confusion and surprise in his voice.

"Answers…" Irumi commented. "We're going to get answers. Plus, you might say that Ai wants to go ghost hunting."

This caused Ainel to turn pale when he heard her words. "Ai… I didn't buy you that book so you would go and do something like that!"

"Legolas was not afraid to walk the path of the dead when the war of the ring was going on. Ai and I are not either," commented Irumi.

"Irumi… that is so morbid… you knew what I meant about this!" Ainel protested.

"You're the one not figuring out what I meant by what I said," Irumi commented back.

"What, you… you two are up to something, aren't you two?" Ainel said. He then looked away from them. "Fine, someone has to keep you two out of trouble."

"In other words, you're going…" Hermione stated, only to have the boy glare at her.

M

Irumi and Ai, when they got off the train, showed Hermione where the ferry was that led to the 'free' dimensional gates that were one the water. They watched as a Dwarf rowed his ferry, which was also his home, out into the mists and disappear.

"It's always been Misty down in this cove, never going away. And yes, he always disappears and reappears like that… the kids at school stay away because they think he's a ghost," Irumi commented.

"What does it cost?" Hermione asked sincerely.

"The kids at school say that it costs your soul," Irumi commented. When she saw Hermione's face turn pale, she spoke up again. "Sheesh, I just repeated what they said… he's paid by Anwe's government to take people out to the Mada Island chain, so it's free, though you can leave him a tip."

"You've been on before?"

"A couple of times with my Aunt. She took Ai and me to Sadame for her research,"

"She's a scientist?"

"You could say that, possibly… I'm not quite sure what she studies… animals I think,"

"Well, I'll see the two of you tomorrow at school," Hermione said, waving to the two. She carefully carried her cat in its carrier home. She opened the door and found her parents in the living room.

"Hermione, what is that?" her father asked.

"It's a cat… a kitten to be exact," Hermione stated. "He is in need of a home, and… well, we kind of need a pick me up, our family."

"Let me see… oh, my! Isn't he the most adorable thin!"

"If you can call a flat face adorable. He wouldn't make for a good mouser, but he does seem to be a good lap cat. Why not,"

"Hermione, why don't you go clean up for dinner and let your sister know. It is quite lovely that you've found yourself not just friends, but a pet too,"

"Yes, typically, it's you we're worried about, not Elizabeth…" her father went on, only to stop and shake his head.

Hermione hurried up the stairs, only to pause outside her sister's room. It was opened a crack and she was able to peer in. Her sister was busy staring at the ceiling. She set the carrier down and opened the door.

Crookshanks slunk out and scurried over to the bed. He let out a little mew, causing Elizabeth to glance over the edge of the bed. "Who are you?"

"His name is Crookshanks and he's my new cat," Hermione stated.

"Don't you mean you're familiar?" Elizabeth said, a small hint of displeasure in her voice. "How come you get to have a pet?"

"First off, he is not my familiar. Second, I found… or I should say, was given him. You can play with him if you want,"

"Why should I… and a name like Crookshanks?"

"Anyways, mum says to wash up for dinner," Hermione said, leaving it at that.

Author's note – Professor Snape comes onto the screen. "The author couldn't think of an end note or who to give it… well, that's why I am here… a filler... wonderful."