Okay, I know. This took a reallllly long time to update. I'm sorry. Blame school and parents. I hope this chapter is long enough to compensate, though I highly doubt it. I promise though to update reallllly soon. Really soon. K? anyway enjoy this chapter. As always Disclaimer: I own nothing but Ravyn, a bag of cookies, and Ravyn's little shadow Jack. You'll grow to love him. ^_^
The group of five stepped off the train and watched as the majority of the students drifted off towards horse draw carriages. Not that you could call them horses.
"What the hell is that?!" Yusuke yelled rather loudly as his eyes caught the winged horses.
"Later Yusuke, for now you three head off towards the boats with the first years. Hiei and I will see you at the school." Kurama said ushered one confused boy, one frightened boy, and one half asleep girl away from the carriages and towards a giant of a man near the dock.
"First years!" the giant called. "First years this way now!"
"You three be good now."
"Yes mother. Jeez Kurama, lay off already. It's just a little boat ride." Yusuke said rolling his eyes and pulling Ravyn along.
Ravyn rubbed her eyes as they made their way to the boats. "Why are we going to the boats? We're not first years...." Ravyn mumbled. Her question fell onto the deaf ears of her brother and friend.
They were guided into the boats by fours. With them sat a young and frightened first year. While Kuwabara and Yusuke sat in the front, looking over the edge to figure out how the boat moved on its own, Ravyn sat next to the frightened boy. The younger boy grew even more frightened as the two up front started shifting the boat from one side to another.
"Would you two stop it already?!" Ravyn snapped, now fully awake from the movement of the boat and the trembling child next to her. The two stopped immediately. "Thank you. You okay?" Ravyn asked turning towards the boy next to her.
The boy nodded and thanked her quietly. "No problem. Ravyn Urameshi." She held out her hand to the boy.
"Jack Connor." He said taking her hand and shaking it lightly.
"Nice to meet you Jack. That's my brother Yusuke and our friend Kazuma Kuwabara." Ravyn said introducing said boys. They shook hands and made idle chit chat as they made their way across the lake. With half an ear on their guide, they heard of the giant creature that lived in the lake. Whether it was a squid or an octopus, Ravyn couldn't recall, but she did know that it was a tentacled creature when one of its arms came up from the water's surface. She nearly had to tackle her brother down before he shot the thing with his spirit gun.
When they caught sight of the castle built school a collected gasp traveled through the small group of boats. It was indeed an amazing sight for the trio, though they had to admit that they had seen bigger, which included Koenma's residence. Then again that was only because King Enma was such fairly large being.
Carefully they got off the boats and Ravyn noticed Jack stuck by her as they traveled away from the boats and into the school. The group of first years and the Spirit team were lead to a set of stairs where a stern looking woman stood. She reminded Yusuke of a taller version of Genkai and winced slightly, rubbing his chest.
The woman welcomed the group and spoke to them breifly of what was to happen next before leading them to a pair of large doors. Within would reside the Great Hall. The doors opened and they stepped through.
As they were led through the Great Hall, Ravyn scanned through the students already within and motioned Yusuke and Kuwabara to a table. "There's the Potter kid. The one with the glasses next to the red head and brunette." She whispered. The two looked over without seeming to and nodded slightly. Throughout the hall there were whispers of the two of the three as it was obvious that they weren't first years. It seemed Ravyn was the only one short enough to fit in. They listened and the boys snickered as Ravyn scoffed.
Soon the small group was lead to the front of the Great Hall and they gathered together in front of the teachers table. Ravyn, Yusuke, and Kuwabara spotted Kurama and Hiei at the end of the table. They made eye contact and nodded slightly to one another in greeting. The stern teacher placed a ratty old hat onto a stool.
"That looks like one of Kuwabara's old gym socks." Yusuke whispered causing the few nearby to giggle slightly.
"Yeah, well I'm sure it smells like on of yours." Kuwabara but back. Ravyn shushed them as the hat came to life and started to sing.
The hat sang of the new year and bonding, as well as new lessons to be learned. It sang of old and new combining and the far reaches of learning. New dangers waiting ahead with old cautions rising. The school was silent as they listened to its warnings. As the hat finished a slow clap began before cheering erupted. They were soon quieted and the sorting began.
Ravyn's new shadow was one of the first few and with some surprise was sorted into the Slytherin house. They had all read up on the four houses at the school and she was certain the boy would have ended up in Hufflepuff. Proved wrong, she didn't mind considering that she had only known the boy for a few moments.
Soon it was only the three spirit warriors who stood waiting to be sorted. Whispers hushed as the headmaster of the school, Dumbledore stood.
"This year we have exciting news concerning the three still standing and waiting to be sorted." He started. "These three come from a school in Japan and have transferred here to learn Western Magiks. . They will be entering as sixth year students. I hope to see you all give them a warm welcome and make their stay enjoyable." He sat down and looked at the group with a twinkle in his eye that nearly made them roll their eyes at his lie. Of course he knew why they were really here, Koenma said so, but still did he really have to look at them that way?
Kuwabara was called up first and he gingerly sat on the bench, thinking he might break the small things. He sat nervously as he heard the hat talk to him. It was weird enough being able to see spiritual things but feeling a hat sift through your head was an entirely new feelings. After a few more minutes the hat spoke in almost a grudgingly tone. "Gryffindor!" Kuwabara stood and placed the hat carefully on the stool before sitting down at the table that was cheering happily.
"Yusuke Urameshi." The woman called. Ravyn watched curiously as Yusuke sat down at the stool. From what she noticed, they were suppose to be sorted in order. She shrugged slightly when she caught her brother looking at her. As soon as the hat settled on Yusuke's head it seemed to take on a look of shock before taking on a look of deep consideration. Yusuke seemed to be in concentration as well leading Ravyn to believe that they two were arguing. Soon enough Yusuke had a look of victory while the hat muttered to itself about demons and spirits. "Gryffindor!" The hat soon called out.
Ravyn stepped forward as her name was called out and sat on the stood. She really did seem to look like she belonged with the first years. As the hat was placed on her head a voice entered her mind.
"Another transfer then. Well let's see where to put you. Ah so you're the sister of that demon I just sorted. I don't understand why Albus allowed such a creature into Hogwarts, but I'm sure there's a good reason. Your brother saw it fit to not let me know. What about you? Alright, alright. I won't ask again. Well you have the qualities of both a Gryffindor and Slytherin, but it seems that your reason to be here is a bit more then the other two. Let's not forget about your little shadow. He seems to have taken a liking to you. Well that settles it, not that you'll be there much anyway..." The hat carefully left Ravyn's mind and called out her new house. "Slytherin!"
Ravyn smirked slightly as she heard whispers under the loud cheering from the Slitherin table. She stood and glanced towards her brother. He nodded slightly to her and she nodded back. Her eyes caught sight of Potter and his friends. They seemed to look at her with a curious yet untrusted gaze. She mentally shrugged and took her place at the Slytherin table next to her shadow, Jack Connor. He seemed pleased to have her in the same house as him, almost relieved. From the corner of her eye she spotted a certain blond seething at her. Another smirk donned her face as she turned back to the teachers table.
Once more Dumbledore stood with a smile. His eyes scanned the hall his eyes landing on a certain few before speaking. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts, both to the returning students as well as the new. Before we begin our feast I'd like to mention a few rules. The forbidden forest is as stated forbidden. I advise all of you not to enter the forest without a professor. Ideally you shouldn't be going in there at all." This statement seemed to be aimed towards Team Urameshi and they knew it as they gave one another knowing looks. "Mr Filch would also make it known that there is a list of items posted on his door that really shouldn't be on campus, mainly those created by a certain pair of red heads." At this a few laughs and knowing smiles littered the Great Hall. "Now as most of you have noticed there are two new faces within our staff. Like our transfer students our new professors come from Japan. They will be our new Defence Against the Dark Arts instructors." Whispers took hold throughout the hall about there being two professors for one subject. Dumbledore seemed to have an answer as he held up his hand. "Professor Minamino will be instructing those in years one through 4. His companion Professor Jaganshi will be instructing those in years 5 through 7." Within the hall there was a mix of groans and squeals of pleasure. It seemed that the population of the school was either happy or sad at the news. The news being either who they were being taught by or finding out the gender of the red headed professor. Ravyn had to bite back a laugh at the things she heard from her table unlike her brother and friend who openly laughed at the situation. "With that I hope this year will be most enjoyable. Tuck in." With that food appeared at the tables and everyone had their fill. Some more then others.
When the meal finished Headmaster Dumbledore instructed everyone to head to the dorms for a fitful night of sleep for classes in the morning. As Ravyn moved to follow the Slytherin prefects there was a slight tingling in her brain, then a voice. "Stay here, Dumbledore wishes to speak with us." Ravyn knew the voice and nodded slightly before stepping back to let the other pass her. Jack seemed to stick to her side. "Go on Jack. You'll need to know where the common room is more then me. Don't worry I'll be there shortly." She told the boy and he hesitantly moved away and followed the rest of the group. Ravyn shook her head with a smile and waited for everyone to leave till it was only herself, her brother, Kuwabara, Hiei, Kurama and Dumbledore left in the hall. The five gathered to where Dumbledore now stood where the stool and hat had been.
"I'd like to thank you all for coming here on such short notice." Dumbledore said with a smile on his face.
"It's not a problem sir, but I should advise that we not talk now. My companions and I are in need of rest after the long journey." Kurama said respectfully.
"I agree, we shall meet again soon after you all have settled in. I've instructed a few students to guide you to your common rooms. As for you two I'll take you to your living quarters and show you to your classroom." Dumbledore spoke as he lead the group out of the Great Hall. As they stepped outside two students stood glaring at each other nearly ready to kill the other. "Ah Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy, thank you for staying behind to lead out transfer students to their new living quarters." The two teens stopped glaring at one another for a moment. One seemed happy to lead while the other mutters a whatever and glared in another direction. With that Dumbledore walked away with Kurama and Hiei with a small wave.
"Alright sis, I'll see you in the morning." Yusuke said as he gave her a short hug. Kuwabara gave a hug as well and they were soon led up a flight of stairs by Potter. Ravyn looked back to where Malfoy had been and found he wasn't there. Instead he had gone ahead down the hall. Ravyn scowled at the boy's immaturity before following quickly after him.
As she caught up to him with no less breath taken away from her, much to the boy's surprise, she rolled her eyes. "Real mature. Leaving a girl behind without so much as a noise. Told ya I wouldn't be in Hufflepuff or Gryffindor."
Malfoy pointedly ignored Ravyn and continued on into the depths of the castle hoping that she'd get lost along the way. Unfortunately for him it didn't happen and Ravyn memorized the way down. Going back up would be the hard part. They stopped in front of a bare wall which quickly opened, revealing a common room decorated in black and green. Malfoy stepped through and didn't bother with Ravyn as he made his way into the common room without her. Once more she rolled her eyes and stepped through, making sure the door was closed behind her.
As she turned around she quickly found herself surrounded by a group of girls with glares on their faces. They seemed to think Ravyn had done something with their precious Malfoy. Though the girls were taller then Ravyn, she would have easily handled them. Instead she simply pushed passed them and made her way to where she assumed the bedrooms were. The girls followed her and the eyes of the rest followed them. Before Ravyn reached to where the rooms were she felt a tug on her sleeve. She turned and saw Jack with a small smile on his face.
"Hey there Jack. Did you need something?" The boy shook his head and pointed at the girls that were following her. "Yeah, I know. Don't worry about me. I wasn't put into Slytherin because of my looks." She joked and continued on to the rooms. "Come on girls, I know you're dying to get a piece of me." It seemed to anger the girls further as they stomped after her. Before curfew was called the girls that had followed Ravyn learned exactly why she was placed in Slytherin and by the end breakfast the entire school would know.