The 2nd years gathered around the table as Gilderoy Lockhart started preaching. Shouta looked at Hitsugaya from across the table and rolled his eyes sarcastically, earning a smirk from the other.

The DADA professor began bragging a bit as Snape stepped up, giving a wary glance to both of the transfers as he passed. The 2 of them soon began their 'deul', Shouta sneakily pulling out his cell and texting. Hitsugaya received a message a moment later on his own phone from Shouta. 'This reminds me of the time I got Madarame to do an organized kendo match with some Squad 4 kid. Poor guy had the daylights scared out of him.' Hitsugaya looked up at Shouta, raising an eyebrow. The brunette just grinned goofily.

"Expelliarmus!" Snape shouted, blasting Lockhart backwards. The man quickly got back up and regained his confidence, bragging about how he could've stopped Snape if he had tried. "Perhaps it would be prudent to first teach the students to block unfriendly spells, Professor." Snape sneered. Lockhart nodded, walking away as if he was pacing.

"An excellent suggestion, Professor Snape! Let's have a volunteer pair… erm… Potter! Weasley! How about you?" Lockhart suggested, both boys looking at him with a mix of emotions.

"Weasley's wand causes devastation to the simplest spells. He'll be sending Potter to the hospital wing in a matchbox. Might I suggest someone from my own house?" Snape interrupted, raising an eyebrow. He held his hands up in a questioning manner. "Malfoy perhaps?" Snape gestured to the blonde, who got onto the table along with Harry.

Shouta rolled his eyes, thinking of the disaster that was bound to happen. Both Professors walked to either end of the table, turning around to watch as Harry and Malfoy stepped up. "Wands at the ready!" Lockhart called, both of them holding their wands up in the same manner as the professors had before. The 2 of them muttered something to each other that Hitsugaya didn't quite catch, and soon enough they had started the duel, turning around and walking a certain distance. They turned back around and got into a position. "On the count of 3, cast your charms to disarm your opponent, ONLY, to disarm, we don't want any accidents here." Lockhart explained, before beginning the count. "1… 2…"

Before he could say 3, Malfoy made a move, hitting Potter and making him fly backwards. Harry quickly sat up, gasping slightly. He cast a similar spell, making Malfoy fly back himself. Snape roughly pulled him up and pushed him back towards Harry. His next move created a snake, which landed in between them both. The crowd of students shuffled back nervously. Harry slowly lowered his wand in surprise.

"Don't worry Potter, I'll get rid of it for you." Snape spoke up, walking towards the snake.

"Allow me, Professor Snape." Lockhart proclaimed loudly. "Alarte Ascendare!" He shouted, making the snake fly into the air before landing unscathed back on the ground. The snake hissed at the surrounding students, Harry's eyes narrowing slightly as he slowly walked towards it. He began speaking in an unrecognizable language to the snake, which looked at one boy and began moving towards him. Harry kept speaking, before Shouta and Hitsugaya suddenly jumped onto the table. Hitsugaya stepped on the snake, effectively freezing it, and Shouta walked over to Harry and slapped him.

Everyone looked at the brunette in stunned silence, who was glaring at Harry. "Harry Potter, you will not speak in Parseltongue around me. It is extremely offensive to both my school and my family." He snapped, Hitsugaya nodding in agreement as he crushed the ice sculpture he had made. Everyone than looked at the confused Harry in fear and anger.

"What are you playing at?" The boy who was almost attacked by the snake asked. Harry looked at him in confusion, before turning to an angry Shouta and Hitsugaya. He looked at the professors, who stared at him suspiciously.

"What are you talking about? What's Parseltongue?" He asked worriedly.

"Parseltongue is the language of snakes. You were speaking it just now." Hitsugaya explained. "Our school in Japan was plagued by a horde of poisonous snakes a few years back, which were all controlled by a Parseltongue speaker. They killed several students, and Shouta's family was accused, since they could speak Parseltongue. Several of his family members were executed before they found the real culprit." Hitsugaya explained solemnly.

Harry, Hitsugaya, and Shouta were held back after the class, and with Lockhart's permission, Hermione and Ron stayed too. "I have many things to ask you 3, but I must say I am most curious to hear this story about your school, Mr. Hitsugaya, Mr. Watanabe." Dumbledore said as he looked seriously at the 2 transfers.

"I'd rather not talk about the details." Shouta muttered, his eyes downcast.

"I would at least like to hear a few." Dumbledore replied, his kind eyes boring into the boy.

"Our school is run very differently from yours." Hitsugaya spoke up, as it was obvious Shouta would not. "We're trained in mortal combat, sword fighting, and healing spells in addition to the things you teach. Our teachers are much more strict, and some give out physical punishments. We are also allowed to talk back to a teacher, if we can back it up with a plausible cause. That would explain Shouta's rudeness to you, Professor Lockhart, so I'm sorry if he has offended you in any way." Hitsugaya bowed to the teacher respectively.

"No, no, it's quite alright."

"Our school takes mortal combat very seriously, since if we lost our wands, we would be virtually powerless. It has happened to several teachers and students, and many lives have been lost due to this fact. 3 of our teachers have… defected, and are plotting against the school as we speak. I believe you all wanted to know the reasons behind our suspicious actions on campus." Hitsugaya eyed McGonagall, who nodded furiously. "Shouta and I are considered one of the few prodigies in the school, besides Ichigo Kurosaki, a special case. We were sent here to learn foreign magic and perhaps seek help here at Hogwarts."

"Nice lie. Detailed, believable, and even a little of the truth twisted in." Shouta muttered, raising an eyebrow. Hitsugaya shook his head in irritation.

"Well maybe if you hadn't let a few things slip, I wouldn't have to lie like this. Especially about your outburst towards Potter just now, as well as the fact that the teachers are already suspicious enough as it is." Hitsugaya snapped back. When they noticed the confused (and slightly suspicious) stares they were getting, Shouta quickly closed his mouth, and Hitsugaya sighed in exasperation.

Hitsugaya and Shouta sat with Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the library, the transfers ignoring the odd and suspicious stares they were getting. Harry, however, seemed extremely bothered. "I'll see you back in the common room." Harry muttered, gathering up his stuff and heading out the door. Shouta sighed and the transfer students followed him out, Shouta sneaking the books he stole from the restricted section back into his bag. They ignored the prying eyes that followed them out the door.

The 2 of them watched Harry curiously as he paused and looked around just as the voice they'd been hearing spoke up again. It stopped, and Harry sighed and turned a corner, Shouta glancing at Hitsugaya before they raced after him. Shouta skidded to a stop as they came upon the still forms of Nearly Headless Nick and another student. Harry bent down to touch the body curiously, before Shouta shot his hand out and stopped the boy, although Hitsugaya himself began prodding the body.

"Caught in the act." Filch muttered, the 3 boys whirling around. "I know you're conspiring together, Potter. Mark my words, I will have you exposed." He muttered, before walking off.

"No, Mr. Filch! Y-you don't understand!" Harry started before Shouta cut him off calmly.

"Leave it, Harry. He's hysterical enough because his cat's been petrified. He just wants someone to blame." The brunette muttered, standing up. He let go of Harry's wrist, who stood up curiously and watched as a line of spiders escaped through the nearby window in the hall. Mr. Filch came back a moment later with Professor McGonagall. The woman rushed towards the body of the student, and Shouta yanked Hitsugaya up.

"Professor, I swear, we never…" Harry trailed off as the deputy headmistress shook her head sadly.

"This is out of my hands, Potter."

She led the 3 of them through the school, and to the statue of an eagle in the hall. "Professor Dumbledore will be waiting for you." She said, gesturing towards the stone statue. Harry hesitantly followed the transfers to stand next to the statue, looking up at it as McGonagall said the password and the eagle began rotating upwards to reveal a hidden staircase. The boys stepped on it as it slowly spun upwards, and they stepped off when it stopped in front of a passage. They opened a door at the end and stepped into a large room, the walls, like half of the school, covered with those (In Shouta's opinion creepy) strange moving paintings.

The transfers followed Harry as he walked towards the big desk in the middle of the room, looking around in curiosity. Hitsugaya glared at the sorting hat placed in between the few bookshelves as it conversed with Harry. Shouta walked up to a phoenix perched behind the desk, smiling softly. Hitsugaya stood farther off, looking slightly uncomfortable in the small room. Shouta pet the bird softly, Harry coming up behind him and grinning. Shouta pulled back reluctantly as the bird burst into bright flames, falling to ashes on the plate beneath its perch. Harry stared at the ashes in shock as both Hitsugaya and Shouta just sighed.

"Harry? Shouta? Toshiro?" Dumbledore's voice inquired from the balcony above them.

"Professor! You're bird, it…" Harry looked dumbfounded as he gestured towards the ashes.

"It was nearing its time of death, Harry." Shouta said quietly, Harry looking at him in confusion. "When a phoenix dies, they burst into flames, and are then reborn through the ashes." He explained as Dumbledore joined them. Harry stepped closer as a baby phoenix popped out of the ashes.

"Ah, fascinating creatures, phoenixes… They can carry immensely heavy loads and their tears have healing powers…" Dumbledore murmured as Harry grinned at the newborn creature.

Hagrid suddenly burst into the room hysterically, rushing up towards them. "Professor Dumbledore sir, wait, listen. It wasn't Harry."

"Hagrid."

"And I'm sure these boys didn't do it either. I'd be prepared to swear in front of the Ministry of Magic." The large man babbled.

"Hagrid!" Dumbledore shouted, and the man shut up instantly. "I do not believe that these boys attacked anything." Dumbledore clarified, Hagrid opening his mouth to say something, before Shouta butted in.

"Hagrid-san, we understand your concern, but whether anyone believes us or not, the truth will remain the truth." Hagrid nodded in slight surprise, walking away as he muttered something about going to wait outside.

"You don't think we did it, Professor?" Harry asked, turning back to the older man.

"No, Harry, I do not think it was you, but I must ask you, is there… something you wish to tell me?" He looked at Harry, who shifted uncomfortably under the older man's stare. After awhile, Harry shook his head. At that moment, Hitsugaya's cell buzzed, and he read through the message, his frown growing deeper as he read.

"Headmaster, there's something we need to speak to you about privately." The shinigami captain spoke up, looking at Harry as he said 'privately'. The older man nodded.

"Alright then… off you go." He gestured towards Harry, who scuttled out of the room.

As Harry walked through the corridors towards the Gryffindor tower entrance, he noticed a boy of about 15 or 16, not wearing the school uniform and looking oddly out of place. His long, messy brown hair gave him an out-of-bed look, and half-lidded hazel eyes behind large, round glasses similar to Harry's own.

"Excuse me, but who are you?" Harry asked, the boy looking up curiously as he spoke.

"You can see me?" The boy asked, smirking. Harry nodded, confused. "I'm Manabu Hara, a Ravenclaw 5th year. I'm in my spirit form, so it's surprising you can see me."

"Spirit form?"

"It's a Japanese magic in the form of meditation. Of course, you can't do it when you're dead. When you do this, you're spirit will leave your body, and you can move around at will. Most people shouldn't be able to see you, and if you will it, you can pass through walls." Manabu explained, grinning impishly.

"Then what are you doing here?" Harry asked, suddenly fascinated by this strange boy.

"I'm waiting."

"For who?"

"Shouta. I have something to say to him." The boy frowned angrily.

"You mean he can see people in spirit form too?" Manabu paused, as if debating how to answer.

"Shouta isn't what he says he is." The boy started, earning a puzzled look from Harry. "To put it bluntly, he's a murderer. He's killed thousands of people, even the girl he loved, all mercilessly. He says that it was to protect his sister and those he cared about, but I don't believe him. He murdered my parents right in front of my own eyes, and he got away with it all claiming it to be self-defense. I want to confront him and deal with him myself." Fury and raw hatred flashed over Manabu's features, Harry taking a step back in fright. "Also, he's not Shouta Watanabe. He's Shouta Izu-"

"Hara!" A familiar and angry voice shouted, stopping him in midsentence. Harry and Manabu whirled around to see a shocked Shouta and pissed off Hitsugaya nearby. Shouta stomped over, shoving Harry out of the way. aH"What the hell are you doing here?!" He snapped angrily.

"I'm a student here, what else?" The boy retorted, venom lacing his voice.

Shouta glared at him, before glancing at Harry, fear showing as he backed away. Shouta's eyes widened before whirling back to Manabu, his emerald eyes now mere slits. "You didn't…" Shouta hissed angrily.

"I only told him most of it. He still doesn't know your true identity. Though he would've known if you hadn't shown up." Manabu sneered back. "I will get my revenge, Shouta. And there's nothing you can do to stop me." He seethed as his spirit slowly dissipated, going back to his body in the dorm room.

"Dammit." Shouta hissed, his hands now balled into fists. He glared at Harry, his expression softening as he saw the boy's fearful expression. "I haven't seen someone look at me like that for a long time…" He murmured, memories flashing through his head. He pushed the memories out of the way, slowly stepping towards Harry, who took backed up twice as fast.

Sighing, Shouta took off his ring and pulled out his wand, handing them to Hitsugaya. He held his hands up as he slowly began stepping back towards Harry. "C'mon, Harry. I'm disarmed, I won't hurt you." He soothed quietly, Harry regaining his confidence and pulling out his wand, pointing it at the brunette.

"Explain. What was he talking about? You're a murderer?!" Harry demanded, hurt blending with his harsh and angry tone. Shouta looked at him sadly, slowly bringing his hands down.

"Was, Harry. Was. I never killed innocent people, only criminals who had gotten away without punishment. That's all."

"But then what about Manabu's parents?"

"They… weren't killed by me. At least, his mother wasn't. I was after his dad, who pulled out a pistol before pointing it at me. When Mr. Hara realized that his threat wasn't working, he shot his wife before shooting at me. I killed him out of anger, since he had mercilessly killed the woman he loved." Shouta explained, his soft voice turning harsh when he talked about the wife's death.

"Didn't you kill the woman you loved too?" Harry snapped. Despair, sadness, and fury flashed through the brunette's stricken face, and Harry had a feeling he had made the wrong move. Seeing this, Hitsugaya dove towards them, pushing Harry aside as he held the infuriated Shouta down.

"Don't you ever talk about that with him, Potter. It's forbidden. Taboo." Hitsugaya snapped, before turning to the struggling boy underneath him. "You'll find her, Shouta. You can't kill anyone, for her sake. She doesn't want you to hurt others, Shouta. She doesn't want you to hurt yourself." He soothed, Shouta slowly calming down as the fury slowly left his eyes, leaving only an unbearable sorrow. Hitsugaya slowly got off of the boy, helping him up.

"Harry… leave, please... Just… go." Shouta leaned against the wall, looking worn and tired, as he slowly slid into a sitting position.

If you're wondering, Shouta and Hitsugaya were telling Dumbledore that their 'Headmaster' thinks that their enemies and Voldemort (Moldy-mart!) have teamed up, or something like that. And we have drama! This turned out to be a really long chapter, but I'm really pleased with the part with Manabu and Shouta's dramatic scene.