Hi there everyone! I'm sorry that this came in late! I was struggling with a writer's block, but now I think I've got the gist of things :)
V.V Thank you to those who are supporting me!
Disclaimer: I do not own Barajou no Kissu nor Harry Potter
Chapter 3: Schooling days… Part 1
I groaned loudly into my text book. It was near dinner and there are still so many spells that I have yet to master, but I still need to learn the basics! Hermione and I sat in the common room with a couple of others. Hermione sighed beside me; I could tell she was shaking her head without even looking.
"I can't help you if you don't try!" She exclaimed. I rested my chin in the middle of the book and snorted. I'm still struggling to do the levitation spell, the easiest of the spells.
"But I am!" I whined. It was not my fault the other guys were naturally gifted with magic.
Hermione sighed and stood up. "Maybe a break is needed. I have to pick out a few more books for research. See you later?"
I nodded tiredly and got up to stretch. "Sure, I was thinking about taking a walk." My butt was starting to numb. I followed her out of the hole and watched her go the other direction. I entered the center of the school where a square area that was borders by strong pillars that held the second level. I strolled around the first sets of pillars, admiring the cool air in the night sky as the moonlight was the only source of light.
In the center was a fountain that spewed water from a vase an animated stone lady was holding at her waist. I saw that her lips were moving, but no sound was coming out. Intrigued, I began to enter the center of square. That's when I saw that I wasn't alone.
"Kurama-san?!" I said, jumping in the air.
The black-haired teen casually looked up from the leather book he was currently reading.
"Uh, can I sit here?" I pointed at the empty seat next to him.
He nodded back to me and went back to his literature. I sat on the cool bench and glanced at Mutsuki. His black hair was very dark, having a hint blue under that moonlight. It made his skin look even paler than it was.
Mutsuki looked at me with his deep red eyes without flinching. "Is something the matter?"
I blushed, realising that I was staring intensely at his face. "U-um, no! Sorry, I was just wondering what book you are reading…" I quickly said.
There was silence for a minute before he answered, "It's a poem story about the tragic life of a Knight who fell in love with the Prince's woman."
"What's wrong with loving someone?"
Mutsuki remained unresponsive. "He knows that loving someone who has been politically arranged would trouble both families. The Prince was also a man he respected; the Knight is not one to step out of line."
"Wow, I never thought of that you would be into romance novels."
Mutsuki closed his book with a snap. "You should get to bed. It's nearly past the curfew."
"O-oh yeah, I will," I stuttered, wondering if I offended him. I watched the elegant teen stride away.
I sighed in frustration and crossed my arms and legs.
"Anis, wake up."
I groaned and pulled on my blanket. Just as I was warm and comfortable, the warmth got sucked up, allowing cold to embrace me. I tried to feel for my blanket.
"Enough, Anis," Professor McGonall flicked her wrist making me lift in the air. She suddenly dropped me on the floor, feet first.
"Oof!" I exclaimed. "What's the big deal?!"
"Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office," the cranky-looking woman explained without a stumble. She added that she would be waiting outside while I changed, thus asking me to hurry up.
"Ugh, alright," I mumbled grabbing my uniform and swiftly changed into it.
Once down the staircases to the lounge area, McGonagall took no time for me to breathe, and exited through the hole. We passed from corridors to moving stairs to more corridors, until finally arriving at the entrance where two gargoyles sat.
"Lemon droppings," McGonagall said to the gargoyles. They turned and the path was leading to the Headmaster's office.
I dodged the flying books as they zoom around his magical office. Day or night, this place was always bright and cheerful with magic. Just ahead was the Headmaster sitting at his desk with his both hands entwined in front of him, though he wasn't alone.
"Oi," the annoying Kaede said with a smirk. "Finally, we were all waiting for you."
I harrumphed. "Hey! I wasn't expecting to wake up so early!"
"Anis-sama, please have a seat," Seiran gestured to a seat between him and Kaede.
Hesitantly, I sat down and watched the Headmaster. He nodded to me.
"Good, now that everyone is here, I will explain the reason why you are here."
He stood up and waved his wand. A wrinkly hat floated down and landed on the desk.
"As you know, we called you here to experience the school of magic. To help with that, we want to put you all into your proper houses for the year."
"I'm fine with it if the guys are good," I responded immediately. Maybe this is a chance for me to take a break from being a dominion!
"If milady is fine with it, then so am I and Mutsuki, right?" Tenjoh said to Mutsuki.
"Mhmm," was his response.
"I'm alright," Kaede replied next.
Seiran nodded. "Me, too!"
Dumblore smiled and reached for the hat. "Fantastic! Anis, would like to go first?"
"Sure?" I said unsure what he had planned. Dumbledore placed the hat on my head.
"Oh? Interesting…," the hat suddenly became animated and talked out loud!
"Eep!" I shrieked, throwing the hat off my head. "What was that?!"
Dumbledore chuckled as he picked up the hat and patted the dust off. "This is the Hogwarts Hat. It looks into your past experience and how you think, then decides which house is best suited for you." He hands it back to me. "Don't worry; he won't go too far into your past if it makes you uncomfortable."
I flushed at my action and wore the hat again.
"Anis Yamamoto, I presume?" The hat said. I nodded.
"Um, sorry I threw you on the ground," I apologized meekly.
"No worries, I got used to it after awhile," grumbled the hat. "I'm going to start to look through your mind, so please, don't be alarmed."
I just sat there, watching the expressions from the Rhode Knights. Both Seiran and Kaede were intrigued while the two eldest, Mutsuki and Tenjoh, were unaffected by the magical item.
"Hmm, you definitely have courage and a large heart. Oh! You are a little conflicted with your friends, aren't you? No problem, I just know the path that will guide you to the right way… GRYFFINDOR!"
I winced from the volume of his voice. Dumbledore took the hat off and patted my shoulder.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, young Gryffindor."
In the end, Seiran was in Hufflepuff, Kaede was in Gryffindor, Mutsuki was in Slytherin with Tenjoh.
I was worried about leaving them alone, especially Seiran since he's shy, but a part was relieved. I can finally have some time alone!
"About your cards," the headmaster added. "I shall give you permission to use them inside the school, but for emergency uses only."
"Yessir," I said, respectful to his rules.
He smiled as he sat back down on his chair. "Have a nice day, Anis and company."
I dragged my feet as the five of us, Kaede, Hermione, Ron, Harry and I, exited Transfiguration. The guys were trying to explain Quidditch to Kaede, while Hermione explained the lesson to me on the way to Potions class.
"Uh oh, trouble," Ron pointed out up ahead. I looked up from my Transfiguration notes and saw the dreadful group heading in our direction. Malfoy and his gang of snobby Slytherins, though that's not what surprised me. What did was the teen in the middle of the group.
"Mutsuki?!" I nearly shouted out loud. What was he doing mingling with them?
The dark teen saw me and with quick steps was in my face.
"Help me," Mutsuki mumbled, a vein pulsing on his forehead. "They were following me since this morning." I looked at the Slytherins behind him, all smiles when they saw me looking.
"How exactly am I suppose to do that?"
He sighed. "They were asking questions about you." I raised an eyebrow.
"Did you say anything?"
"No," he said without hesitation.
"Well-, hey!" I said while someone was pulling on my arm. I looked back and saw Kaede dragging me towards the class.
"Come on, we'll be late," he mumbled in clenched teeth.
Upon arriving inside, he forced me to sit and sat next to me, glaring into space.
"Kae-idiot," I said, ticked off at his action. "Is there something on your mind?"
Kaede looked at me and said nothing but stared at me. I felt my cheeks starting to burn. Before I could ask again, Professor Snape walked inside and slammed the door behind him, stopping the chattering in the class.
"We are going to be learning about the Truth Serum. Page 209, I will not repeat it again," He explained as he stood in front of the class with his hands behind his back. "And, as of today, everyone will be getting new partners every once a week. No complaints or whining. This is so that minimum conversations are exchanged between you noisy bunch. I shall be the one that put you into pairs."
I heard Ron hiding his groan behind me. "Great, I hope that I'm not with…"
"First, Weasley and Malfoy," Snape announced. This time Ron had an audible groan.
"Is there something wrong, Mr. Weasley?" The annoyed Professor asked.
"No, Professor Snape," Ron grumbled as he got up and gathered his things.
Snape continued to read out the list of pairs. I ended up with Neville, who was also a Gryffindor.
"You may begin," Snape said once everyone settled down.
I carefully read the instructions and gathered my ingredients. I'm glad that I used to help Seiran in his lab during my free time, though I never understood the measuring bit.
Many minutes later, I was stirring the liquid inside the cauldron. It was a murky white but was also slightly clear.
"Neville, please tell the class what color the serum is suppose to be?" Snape asked coldly, breaking my concentration. Neville was sweating with nerves.
"W-white, sir."
"And what color is yours?"
"G-green."
Snape taps the cauldron. "Do something about it." He continued to walk around, checking the other students.
I glanced at Neville, who was nearly spilling tears. I tapped on his shoulder, making him flinch.
"Hi Neville, do you need some help?" I said, trying to be helpful. He shook his head.
"I-I can manage," he voice choked as he said the words. I nodded, not believing him. Just as I was going to go back to my own, I saw him reach for a root and drop it inside the cauldron. I think Snape had seen him, too, though I'm not so sure because the next thing I saw was a burst of flames and a loud bang.
Great way to start school, am I right?