DISCLAIMER: I do not own Negima or Harry Potter. Negima is the property of Ken Akamatsu, and Harry Potter is the property of J.K. Rowling.
Italics text = character thinking to themselves.
Underline+Italics = character communicating with telepathy
Bold text = shouting
Bold+Italcs = Casting Spell/Ability
Chapter Three
The Introductions
As Dumbledore stood up, everyone went silent, even the noisy 3-A girls.
"Welcome and Welcome back to Hogwarts. This year we will be hosts to some friends from afar, and when I say afar, I really mean it, since they came from the other side of the planet! From Japan's Mahora Academy, the Ala Alba!
At that, Negi and Evangeline stood up and the rest of their group followed. As Dumbledore and most of the other teachers began to clap their hands, Harry's group did the same, followed by everyone else, except Draco and his minions for obvious reasons.
As he stooped clapping his hands, Dumbledore continued his speech "Also, mister Negi Springfield and his assistant will teach the Defense Against the Dark Arts class..." everyone else went silent and some even stopped breathing "as well as the new Elemental Magic course" he finished clapping his hands again, but only McGonagall and Hagrid followed, while the others were staring at him and the two children beside him.
After a few seconds Draco and many other Slytherins started laughing. Dumbledore chuckled himself, before saying "I'm serious".
At that, everyone went silent, except for Draco who was laughing so loud he didn't hear.
As he continued to laugh, Eva lost her patience and snapped her fingers. At that moment, Malfoy was encased in a block of ice. No one dared move or make sound as Eva said with an evil smirk "Deadly serious".
As if nothing unusual happened Negi cleared his throat "Hm, Asuna..." he began.
"On it" the red-head responded, heading towards the ice.
As she knocked on the block, the ice shattered, leaving Draco trembling from both cold an fear.
After Asuna returned to the table, Dumbledore continued his speech "Thank you Miss McDowel for your demonstration. As I was saying, professor Springfield will also teach the new course called Elemental Magic. Professor, please explain the concept" he finished, making a slight bow towards Negi who began his explanation.
"Well, as the name implies, it's about controlling the natural elements. The elements are water, fire, earth, wind, ice, lightning, light and darkness. Yes, darkness" Negi smiled at their startled reaction "but not the kind you are used to. There are also some other elements, but let's leave it here for now. Spell casters that use the elements are called mages."
Negi made a pause before continuing "The primal goal of mages is to help the people of the world, more often the mundane, or mugles, rather then the magic population. Stopping wars, terrorism, natural calamities, that kind of work. Also, the highest rank and honor is that of a Magister Magi, or Master Mage.
Also, there's the political stuff that I really don't want to discuss" Negi added, making many of the students smile, and even some teachers.
"As I was saying, Elemental Magic is mostly used for combat, but there other applications as well. Some you are already familiar with, such as flying a broom. That would be an application of wind magic, and sometimes gravity. I may add that the next step to that would be levitation."
Just as Negi intended, everyone, even the defrosted Draco, was interested. Pleased of the effect he made, he continued.
"While some of you may be compatible with just one while others with many, remember that for each element you must work hard in order to grasp it, control it, and eventually master it. At any rate, I'm still working on the control part for wind, so beware of hurricanes!" Negi finished with a half-joke, setting everyone back in their party mood.
Everyone, well almost, started applauding the young teacher, and Dumbledore said "Let the feast begin!" and food appeared on the table.
After he sat down, Eva leaned towards him and said "No, really, his sneeze is truly a sight to see", making McGonagall freeze for a second and the old man gigle amused.
While they ate, they chatted a little and discreetly explained why Chachamaru wasn't eating and why there was a talking and smoking ermine on Negi's shoulder.
Also discreetly, Dumbledore asked Negi to come to his office with the rest of his group after they were done with the festivities.
Soon after that, the Headmaster gave the usual "don't go into the forest" and "listen to Filch" speeches and the party ended.
Immediately, the Ala Alba followed McGonagall towards Dumbledore's office.
At the Gryffindor table, Hermione was deep in thought "Dumbledore never mentioned why the others are here...and then there's that girl's gun..." she whispered before Ron reminded her of her Prefect duties.
At the time Negi's group was entering Dumbledore's office, Hermione as well as the other students, found out why the Ala Alba were at Hogwarts.
"Are you serious, professor?!" Hermione asked scandalized.
"He's lost it after all, hasn't he, Dumbledore I mean!" Harry added.
"Watch it Potter", McGonagall stopped the out roar with a glance. "Some of them aren't as young as they look. Some of them have more battle experience then all the teachers combined, if not the entire school. They've seen more overwhelming odds then most adults."
"So have I, but..." Harry started.
"Dare say that to their face and you might get worse then Malfoy. " she warned him. "There are few as gifted as them. They will share some of their experience with you during your first class tomorrow. Me and Dumbledore will be there to observe" she added with a smile.
Meanwhile, in the headmaster's office, they just handed over the introduction letter.
"Well, it's a pleasant surprise to have the heirs to the throne of Vesperatia here." Dumbledore smiled.
"In name only, sir" Asuna corrected him.
"Neither of us intend to rule a country" Negi added.
"Since you're here, I'm not to complain!" the old wizard continued.
"Just don't do any permanent damage to the students".
"You mean let them live" Eva smirked "That's no fun".
"I'm sure we'll manage" Negi hurried to add.
"I'm sure you will do just fine. Now, about where you will all sleep. I'm sorry, but for now you will have to sleep in pairs. Don't worry dough, as large as they are, even four could fit easily. It's in one of the towers. As for the offer miss Lingshen made, for adding a barrier around the school, it was, after long debates, accepted. Also, the Control Room can be in your tower. Oh, by the way, professor Springfield's office also has sleeping quarters."
"It's alright, I prefer staying with my students" Negi said as McGonagall and Snape came in the office.
"Yeah, Konoka and me shared our dorm room with Negi for almost a year. I don' mind sharing my bed with him. I mean, we're all his partners, except Kotarou." Asuna said without thinking.
"What?!" the newcomers yelled. "That's outrageous!" McGonagall added.
"Calm down, lady!" Kamo said. "Partners doesn't mean lovers".
"But the ceremony does require a kiss" Dumbledore added with a low voice.
The silence that followed filled the room with so much tension and embarrassment that one could cut it with a knife.
"Hm, moving on." Kotarou said, ending the awkward silence.
"Yes, well, as you requested, the Defense Against the Dark Arts and the Elemental Magic class scheduled one after another for everyone" Dumbledore said. "But are you sure two hours per week is enough? Usually, there would be at least two hours for each course." he said with concern.
"Yes sir, with my way of teaching, two hours of their school time will be more then enough. Actually, I might finish in one hour, but let's save some insurance." Negi said with confidence, while Eva grinned.
"Preposterous, that's impossible" Snape commented, drawing all eyes towards him.
"Actually, Severus, he invited me and professor McGonagall to assist his first lesson. Care to join us? If that's alright with you, professor Springfield?" Dumbledore proposed.
"But of course, I don't see why not." Negi answered cheerfully.
"Very well, I'll be there" Snape accepted without a second thought. "I'll tell my students to prepare a project and let them study alone."
"Well, see you tomorrow. Minerva, please guide our guests to their quarters."
As they left, Snape remained alone with Dumbledore for a few seconds, before turning around and storming out.
"Tomorrow will be show like none of them have seen before." Dumbledore said with a small voice, before turning towards his work.