Hey I'm back! Thanks for the reviews! About the wands, I know Pink Ivory isn't an canon wand wood, but it actually does have the same shade of pink as Nanoha's magic, along with a pale cream color. Also, while it is one of the nicest looking wood, it is also one of the hardest woods available, similar to how Nanoha, while one of the nicest people you could meet, is also one of the toughest fighters there is. I picked Black and White Ebony for Fate because, while similar to Bardiche, it is also the wood for one who has the courage to be themselves, signifying the difference between my Fate and cannon. The fact that their cores, and the dragon's relationship to the one for Shiro's, is pretty important to the plot, and shall be explained later. Feel free to guess! You'll get another free question if you guess right!
One more thing, I'm changing Nanoha's age to just under eleven, and her and Fate's age when they first fought to eight.
Enjoy!
Chapter 8: Train Rides and White Devils
Nanoha awoke to the sound of light shuffling. She rose sleepily, looking at Fate, who, having dressed in her standard workout outfit of black TSAB gym shorts and a black Underarmor Tee, was doing her morning exercises.
"Morning Fate," Nanoha said sleepily in Japanese, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Morning Nanoha," Fate replied as Nanoha stretched, raising her hands far above her head. "Want to spar a bit? I've already set a anti-sound barrier."
Nanoha nodded as she dressed in her own black shorts and white tee shirt. "Let me warm up first."
After a brief warm up of stretches, one- and two- handed pushups, situps, and multiple workouts to increase flexibility, Nanoha and Fate faced one another.
Nodding briefly, the two shifted to a stance, and began. Nanoha and Fate were both well trained in martial arts, but Nanoha's... unique... method of fighting, not to mention her other physical ability, gave her a distinct advantage.
Fate rushed in, relying on her superior speed to gain a hit. Nanoha was expecting it however and dived downwards. Placing her left hand on the ground for leverage as if vaulting an obstacle, Nanoha twisted on the axis, kicking out with both her feet. Fate quickly twisted aside, grabbing Nanoha's legs. Before she could yank them Nanoha twisted her right leg out of Fate's grip and aimed a swift kick at Fate's nose, forcing Fate to push backwards, letting go of Nanoha's other leg to bring up her hand in a block, her hand meeting the bottom of Nanoha's foot. Fate pressed, trying to force Nanoha's leg back. Nanoha resisted a moment, then she abruptly collapsed on her arm, twisting to fall on her back. Off balance, Fate fell on top of Nanoha's bent knees, Nanoha's bare feet poised to fling Fate off.
They froze, the two mages staring into each others eyes. Fate shook her head as she pushed herself off. "Even after three years I still can't understand how you can fight on your arm like that."
Nanoha shrugged, her breathing slightly heavier than Fate's due to her still recovering body. "I have known Parkour for years you know," she said with a grin. Having been unable to learn her brother and sister's combat style due to her different frame, Nanoha had learned Parkour, a method of travel in an urban environment, and turned it into her own fighting style. Her years of practicing Parkour had given her an insane sense of balance and agility, even more than she'd had before. Before her accident, Nanoha could have rivaled the top acrobats and tightrope walkers, and could jump nearly ten feet without really trying. All this, coupled with another ability of hers, gave her a distinct advantage in melee combat due to her uncommon methods. "It's not as easy as it once was though."
"Probably 'cause you're still recovering," Fate said. "Let's take a shower and head downstairs. Maybe Harry will be up, and we can head to the station together."
"Hai."
Twenty minutes later, Nanoha and Fate were sitting in a booth in the pub, plates of scrambled eggs and sausages before them.
They had dressed in the white button downed dress shirt and plaid, pleated skirt of the Hogwarts uniform, opting not to wear the hooded cloaks for easier movement, and to not stand out on the way to the station. They had set the length of the skirt to half way to their kneecaps, and had modified the pleats of the skirt. Fate had also modified the pockets, creating a pocket dimension where the two mages had stored their practice swords for easy access in the Wizarding world.
"What'd you think of Dumbledore-sensei," Fate asked Nanoha in Japanese. The young mage had a knack for sensing people and their intentions, almost magical; Fate herself was an example, and wouldn't even be there were it not for Nanoha's uncanny senses and blunt methods of talking.
"He seemed nice enough," Nanoha replied, also speaking Japanese, "I know he's hiding something from Harry-kun and I, but it's probably because we're children and not adults. He probably thinks we're too young to think about being targeted by a murderer."
Fate snorted. "I don't like that, but you have to admit it's kind of funny. If he knew what we've been doing since we were eight, he'd probably flip, especially you before then."
Nanoha snorted, thinking of how each of her opponents she'd fought after joining the TSAB had looked when she performed Starlight Breaker. Even before joining, she was a well known fighter in her brother and sister's bodyguard business, though she was just backup in the city since she was still underage. "I'll wait a while and see if he'll say anything. If I find out anything on my own though I'll talk to him about it."
Though Fate agreed with Nanoha, she was glad that Nanoha couldn't use her higher end spells for a while. A conversation with Nanoha about something that they didn't want to explain usually ended with them getting the business end of Raging Heart; though she had to admit getting an up close look at Nanoha's knuckles or shoe soles wasn't much better.
Just then, Harry walked up, dragging his trunk behind him in one hand and holding Hedwig's cage with the other. Seeing him struggling with the truck, Nanoha and Fate were glad that they were using duffles.
"Good morning Harry-kun," Nanoha said, switching to English, "How are you?"
"Fine thank you," Harry replied, still not quite used to being referred to by the honorific.
"Would you like to sit with us," Nanoha asked, moving over.
Harry took that as a sign and nodded, dragging his trunk to the end of the table before sitting. "How are you getting to the station?"
"We are taking a cab," Fate said, "You may come with us if you like. Since neither one of of us knows anything about this world, it would be best to say together."
Harry nodded.
About two hours later found the three new friends walking through King Cross Station, searching for Platform 9 3/4's.
"I wish we could just come out with our ability to sense magic," Nanoha complained slightly. She, Fate, and their Devices could sense the Barrier, but getting Harry to it without giving themselves away was another matter.
"Tell me about it," Fate replied.
Suddenly Nanoha's Spacial Awareness alerted her to a large pack of a family headed towards them. She stepped to the side, Fate and Harry following a moment later, and a pack of scurrying red heads pushing trolleys came into view. "It's the same every year, filled with muggles of course," the rather rotund mother said a little too loudly, apparently not noticing Hedwig.
"Come on," she motioned to her straggling children, a pair of flame haired twins, "Platform Nine and Three Quarters this way." They hurried off in the direction the mages were sensing the Barrier from.
Harry immediately started after them.
"Talk about subtle," Fate critiqued in Nanoha's head as they hurried after Harry, only stopping as they came into view of the Barrier, situated in a wall between Platforms Nine and Ten. "Might be dangerous too. That was way too convenient for them to just show up like that and talking about Wizarding stuff."
"Dumbledore-sensei probably sent them," Nanoha reasoned to her foster-sister, going of the family of six with her eyes. "They seem nice enough."
The blonde clone shrugged as the motherly woman said, "Alright Percy, you first."
The red head with a sharply pointed chin pushed his round, wire rimmed glasses further up his nose and pushed his trolley towards the wall only to disappear right through it as Fate replied, "If you say so Nanoha." If Nanoha said they were alright, Fate was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. After all, Nanoha had done the same with her and Precia, and it had led to Precia saving their lives at the Garden of Time.
The look on Harry's face as the red head vanished was priceless.
The matriarch then waved to her one of the twins. "Alright Fred, you next."
"He's not Fred I am!" the other twin said indignant.
"Honestly woman you call yourself our mother," the first one said with hurt sadness.
Their actions caused Nanoha to bite back a giggle at their little joke- she already knew which twin was which due to her Spacial Awareness, and she could tell that neither was telling the truth.
"Oh I'm sorry George," she apologized, patting the boy on the back as he went passed her. He paused a moment before he grinned at her. "I'm only joking, I am Fred!"
The before his mother could reply the trickster ran through the Barrier, quickly followed by his twin.
"Pair of pranksters those two," Fate said with a laugh, causing Nanoha to giggle and Harry to snort.
The woman seemed to hear them and turned to them.
"Excuse me," Nanoha asked in her accented English, "But could you tell us..." She pointed at the wall where the three boys had vanished, not bothering to hide her curiosity.
"How to get onto the Platform?" the woman asked with a kindly laugh.
Nanoha nodded.
"Not to worry," The elderly woman said, "It's Ron's first time to Hogwarts as well." The young boy holding the hand of the girl next to the woman beamed at them. "Now what you do," she said, placing an arm around Nanoha and aiming her at the wall, "is walk straight at the wall, between Platforms Nine and Ten. It's spelled to prevent Muggles from noticing. Best do at a bit of a run if your nervous," she added reassuringly.
"Good luck," the little red haired girl next to her said with a broad smile.
Nanoha smiled brightly at the young girl before hefting her duffle and walking through the Barrier with firm, calm strides. Nanoha felt a rushing sensation similar to the Floo, brick walls rushing passed her vision, and she suddenly found herself standing on another platform, thankfully without the soot. In front of her was a huge scarlet steam engine, the kind that she'd seen only in old films, coupled to four, matching coaches. Nanoha felt the Barrier activate and Fate stepped out, followed by Harry a moment later, pushing his trolley.
"Come on," Nanoha said, with a wave, "Let's get a seat."
The three hurried to the third coach, Fate and Nanoha helping Harry with his trunk.
They soon found an empty compartment, and about twenty minutes later the train gave a lurch and started with a belt of steam.
"So Harry-kun, what do you think about all this." Nanoha gestured with her arm, meaning the whole magical world.
"It's certainly a lot to take in, Nanoha-chan," Harry said from his seat across from the two mages, scratching his head. "At least it's good to know that I'm not a frea..."
He paused for a moment, not sure of what to say.
"He was about to say 'freak' wasn't he," Fate sent venomously, her protective instincts kicking in.
"Easy Fate," Nanoha admonished, "We can't do anything unless he asks us. If we try to butt in and fail we'll just make things worse."
"I know...It's so frustrating."
"Well, save it for when we actually can interfere. Believe me, it'll be a lot more fun to take out your frustrations then."
Fate nodded as a brilliant red haired head poked itself into the doorway, a nervous look on his face, a grubby hand planting itself on the doorframe. "Do you mind," the boy in the Hogwarts uniform, complete with black robe, asked nervously, "Everywhere else is full."
Nanoha and Fate looked at each other. "He's lying," Fate sent, "You can see it on his face."
"I know, but do you see how pained he is? He's obviously nervous about something. He's a good person. I can feel it."
Fate shook her head in response. Nanoha was certainly a good judge of character.
"Not at all..." Nanoha paused.
"Ron Weasley," the boy said, sitting on the other side of Harry, across from Nanoha.
"Harry Potter," Harry offered.
Ron's eyes widened. "Really?"
Harry nodded.
"Do you really have the..." Ron leaned closer. "The scar?" he whispered.
Harry smiled, raising his bangs and exposing his lightning scar.
"Wicked!" Ron exclaimed. He turned to Fate.
"Fate T. Takamachi," she replied. "Your turn." she said to Nanoha.
"Nanoha Takamachi," Nanoha said smiling, "And before you ask, I do have a scar as well." With a slight giggle like Harry's, she closed her left eye, exposing her own lightning scar in all it's glory.
"Why did you ask to sit in our compartment Ron-kun?" Fate asked.
Ron hesitated a bit before turning to look at her, saying "I told you, everywhere else is..."
SLAP!
The sound of flesh striking flesh echoed throughout the compartment as Nanoha slapped the boys right cheek.
Ron rubbed his reddening cheek. Rounding on Nanoha he started, "OI! What was that..."
His words caught in his throat as he saw Nanoha's expression: her eyes had lost their previous exuberance, instead carrying disappointment and hurt.
"Lie to us again," Nanoha said, her tone, a cross between a load whisper and a hiss, was hard and cold as ice, laced with hurt and disappointment, but thankfully not anger, "and what you got will seem like a... how do you say..."
"A love tap," Raging Heart put in.
"a love-tap," Nanoha finished.
Ron paled, while Fate shook her head in both amusement and sympathy- she knew what it felt like to be on the receiving end of the White Devil's method of helping/ interrogating, and she mentally thanked the gods that Nanoha wasn't mad; she'd seen Nanoha pissed off only twice, and it was something that Fate never wanted to see again.
Harry, though, was staring at Nanoha in shock; He'd never seen the normally cheerful mage turn a complete 180 like that; granted, he hadn't known her for longer than a day, but she hadn't given an kind of sign.
"I am not mad," Nanoha said, her tone and expression much kinder than before, "You are a good person, and I am positive that you have your reasons, but that is the only thing that is stopping me from pushing you out that door and into the hall." She pointed at the entrance to the compartment.
Ron nodded, knowing it was better to tell the truth; he hadn't wanted to lie to them anyway, but hadn't wanted them to take his reason for being there the wrong way, and had thought it best. Personally, he was happy to be honest with them. "Okay. Yesterday, Professor Dumbledore came to our house. He was worried since you three didn't know anything about this world and wanted me, who was born and raised as a wizard, to befriend you to help you along."
At the mention of befriending, Fate started mentally laughing. "Oh the irony."
Nanoha smiled. "Is that why your mother was so loud Weasley-san?"
Ron nodded. "Yes, she wanted to make sure you would follow us. And you can just call me Ron."
Nanoha smiled, her expression returning to normal. "So, what can you tell us Ron-kun?"
The discussion of the wizarding world, including an interesting game called Quidditch that quickly gained Nanoha's and Fate's interest, continued for hours as they alternated between that and explanations of Japanese culture.
As the sun began to set, a woman pushing a trolley of odd looking snacks knocked on the door. "Anything off the trolly dears?"
Nanoha, Harry and Fate, interested in the snacks, went over. Sensing Ron's dejected look behind her, Nanoha looked at him and said brightly, "Would you like something Ron-kun?"
Ron quickly went over, choosing a box of different flavored beans.
After paying for the candy the group of four sat back down in their seats. After sitting down, Ron pulled out a shabby looking rat from his pocket. Nanoha and Fate could sense a faint aura of magic from the rat, faint enough that Nanoha's Spacial Awareness had missed it completely since she was used to the bigger emissions of Mid-Childan and Belkan magic.
"That's odd," Nanoha sent as the fat rodent start eating the beans. "What is that," she asked aloud.
"Scabbers," Ron replied. "Pathetic isn't he." He looked at them "Fred gave me a spell to turn him yellow. Want to watch?"
Nanoha shrugged, inwardly grinning at the thought that it could me a prank. As Ron pulled out an old, beat up looking wand she sent, "I wonder what that magic from him is. Hedwig doesn't have the same thing."
"Don't know. We should research it."
Ron started to speak. "Sunshine, daises..."
He was interrupted by a knock at the door. The four looked up to see a brown bushy haired girl with buck teeth standing next to a pudgy, timid looking brown haired boy. "Has any of you seen a toad? Neville lost one." Before anyone could reply, she caught sight of Ron's wand. "Oh. Are you doing magic," she asked excitedly, "Can we watch?"
Ron nodded. Pointing the tip of his wand at the munching Scabbers. "Sunshine, daises, butter mellow... turn this stupid fat rat yellow."
Scabbers flashed briefly, but nothing happened.
"Fate..." Nanoha sent half whining, wanting to help them find the toad.
Fate shrugged. Dumbledore already knew about her Spacial Awareness. "Make sure that they won't tell anyone."
"I have something to locate objects." Nanoha said, gaining Hermione's attention.
"Really?" the girl asked with interest. When she saw Nanoha's she said. "Holy Cricket! You're Takamachi Nanoha."
Nanoha frowned. "How did you know that?"
The girl pointed to the scars around her eye. "I recognize that formation. It's matches the pattern of Harry Potter's over there. I'm Hermione Granger by the way."
The others, including the new boy Neville Longbottom, introduced themselves.
"About the toad," Nanoha said, "I can find it, but please don't tell anyone about this. I can't teach it to anyone else."
"Family spell," Ron asked, intrigued.
"More like a special ability. If I may..."
The rest of the group nodded. "Be careful Nanoha," Fate sent.
To the others' surprise Nanoha closed her eyes to process the images that where about to come. Nanoha then began to push the range of her Spacial Awareness. Her Awareness spread, images of different people, compartments, and luggage flying past her vision. Soon she spotted what she was looking for in the front of their coach. "Is he green with black stripes and a rather large yellow wart on the tip of his nose?"
"That's Trevor!" Neville exclaimed, "Where is he?"
Nanoha made a face. "Eew! He just jumped into one of the toilets at the end of the car. Thankfully he's in the boys bathroom. Third stall on the right. Better hurry though, some people just went into the room."
Neville quickly bolted.
"What was that?" Hermione asked.
"An ability of mine called Spacial Awareness, or SA for short," Nanoha explained, opening her eyes, which were surronded by a quickly fading pink light, "I can sense things within a certain area around me. I usually keep it at twenty meters, but I can expand it further if I need to." She did not mention that she used to keep it at its max range of three thousand meters, but her accident had forced her to shrink it.
"Interesting. You have to tell me about it sometime." Hermione looked at Harry. "You had better change. I expect we'll be arriving soon." With that the girl left.
Harry quickly headed to the bathroom to change, Nanoha, Fate- who simply placed their cloaks around themselves and did the clasp of the Hogwarts crest and Ron following close behind, waiting for him outside.
As they exited the train, Harry, Fate and Nanoha heard a familiar voice shouting, "Firs' years! Come on Firs' years! Don't be shy!"
Nanoha didn't need her SA to tell her that it was Hagrid. The eight foot hairy giant of a man was hard not to spot.
"Hello Hagrid!" she called out cheerfully.
Hagrid waved at them and the and the rest of the first years followed him down a wooded path to gravely shore of a lake. Numerous boats where beached along the shore. "No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid said.
The four quickly claimed a boat, while Nanoha's senses picked up Hermione and Neville along with a set of twin red headed girls in one, and a platinum haired boy, a scraggly black haired pug faced girl, and what looked like two black haired boys who both looked like a young version of the Incredible Hulk.
Once the new students were seated, the boats suddenly began moving forward. As they rounded the bend, Nanoha, Fate, Harry and Ron gasped at the sight of the ancient medieval castle, looking majestic with it's tall towers and ancient regal walls. They ducked underneath the entrance to a subterranean tunnel, which terminated at the bottom of a worn stone staircase that had cracks running though it. Hagrid led the group of first years, Nanoha, Fate, Harry, and Ron in the lead, up to a heavy door made of hard, weather beaten oak, stretching so far above them that it went past Nanoha's light setting.
Hagrid pounded on the ancient oak, the sound echoing ominously. The door creaked open, and stern looking witch with a sharply pointed nose, piecing grey eyes, her salt and pepper hair in a tight bun and dressed in midnight blue robes stepped out.
"Da firs' ye'rs Professor McGonagal."
The Witch nodded gravely. "Thank you Hagrid. You may leave now."
As Hagrid bowed and headed back to the boats, Nanoha thought, "She reminds me of Lindy-san on a bad day."
"I'll say."
"Welcome to your first year at Hogwarts. The school is separated into four houses based on your attributes: Griffindor for the brave and courageous; Hufflepuff, for those loyal, and hard working; Ravenclaw, for the smart, and studious, and Slytherin, for the cunning, and ambitious. While you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs, will earn you points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points.
"So they basically pit the students against themselves?" Nanoha sent.
"Seems like it," Fate said, "Kind of stupid if you ask me."
"Please wait here quietly." McGonagal said, drawing the two mages' attention before she slipped behind the massive door.
As soon as she left a male voice behind them said, "So it's true then; the rumors on the train...The Children that lived have come to Hogwarts."
Nanoha and Fate turned to see the blonde boy Nanoha had sensed flanked by the two muscular boys. "This is Crabbe, and Goyle," The boy continued, motioning to the two hulks on either side of him. "I am Malfoy; Draco Malfoy." he said, oozing arrogance as he stepped closer to Harry. Harry backed away a bit, and Nanoha stepped in front of him. Ron chuckled.
The Draco turned on him. "Think my names funny do you," he spat, "Red hair and a worn robes... You must be a Weasley."
Nanoha's narrowed at the way he said Ron's last name, almost like a curse.
Draco turned to them. "You'll find some familys are better tan others. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He extended a hand.
Nanoha didn't really like the boy. He stank of arrogance, selfishness, and he was definitely selfserving, but there was something about him that called to her. However, she didn't like the fact that he seemed insulted by the mere presence of someone she now considered a friend.
She smiled at him, hoping that what she said wouldn't upset him. "I think we can tell the wrong sort for ourselves; Right Harry-kun?" She looked at her new friend, and counterpart. Harry nodded.
Malfoy was livid. "Why you..." He went to grab her, but he had the misfortune of testing the White Devil.
Nanoha grabbed his wrist and twisted around, lifting his arm over her shoulder she pulled, arching her back as he went over. Fate, Ron, and Harry barely had time to get out of the way as Malfoy found himself sprawled on the floor a few feet to the side in front of Fate.
Fate shook her head. "Great. Now you befriended a prick," she remarked in Japanese.
Nanoha shot her a glare as he picked himself up. Mistakign her glare for himself he scrambled back from Nanoha, Professor McGonagal returned. She had heard the commotion, but also knew that Malfoy had provoked her so McGonagal didn't say anything. "Follow me please."
With a look that said it wasn't over, Malfoy spun on his heel and followed the elderly witch, followed by his thugs.
"Remind me not to get you mad at me," Ron said.
Nanoha giggled. "Don't worry. I don't get mad easily. And I really don't like fighting."
"Your point?"
That got a laugh as the four when in with the rest of the first years.
Nanoha's other abilities shall be explained later.
See ya next time!