Chapter 19: First day
Grand Staircase
After the feast, Dumbledore as ordered the prefects to take the students to their dormitories as the evening grows late. Percy, being Gryffindor's prefect lead the others in his House out of the Great Hall and towards the Grand Staircase which is so mentioned as the room itself is towering to the point that you can't see the ceiling from the first floor. Not only that, but the flight of stairs is magically shifting from various angles, from one side to the other, like a changing vertical labyrinth.
"Follow me please, we're almost close to the common room," said Percy as he starts climbing the first flight of stairs which are, for now idle, and the students follows him. As they climb up the stairs, they all notice that on the walls are covered with so many paintings which the figures are moving within the frames. The portraits all notice the ascending students and starts waving their hands and greeting them with "hellos", welcome backs" and "welcome to Hogwarts" to the first years. "Watch your step on the stairs, they like to change."
Harry smiled and laughs slightly in amazement when he climbs up these stairs, especially when it's not the first time he went up the Grand Staircase as he and his parents- Luffy and Nami- came to Hogwarts to see if this is the best place for the young pirate prince to study. He can still remember the freaked out expression from Nami with one time a flight of stairs shifts while she was climbing midway while Luffy laughed while holding the scared Pirate Queen, Harry chuckled from that recalled memory while he kept on following Percy up the flight of idle stairs.
After climbing up the unpredictable stairs, the Gryffindor First-years left the Grand Staircase and are now at Gryffindor Tower. The common room isn't far off now as Percy leads the students though a corridor where it ends to reveal a large portrait of a fat lady dressed in pink. And like the other paintings in the grand staircase, the fat lady moves and looks down to the Gryffindors in a regal yet welcoming expression.
"Password?" Fat Lady said to Percy
"Caput Draconis," said Percy as he relays the password to the animated painting.
The Fat Lady nods as her frame starts to open up like a door to reveal a circular tunnel which is 3 metres in diameter, so it's big enough for the first years to walk in while the taller and older students had to duck down and crouch inside, which is shown as Percy is first to enter the doorway.
"This way, now," said Percy as he calls to the students from inside, helping those climb in until they are now inside a large room decorated with old but beautiful furniture -consisting of maroon couches and settees, varnished cupboards which contains various trophies made of gold, silver and brass, small tables which held various statuettes bearing shapes of dragons, owls, and (to add the house pride for Gryffindor) lions. There is also a large fireplace which a warm fire is lit inside the stone mantel which also has a pair of stone lions standing beside the roaring fire.
And on the wall are covered with beautiful red and gold tapestries and various portraits which are possibly of the Gryffindor's past students long ago, especially of a rare still portrait handing above the fireplace, the portrait is of a man with a short but thick brown beard, dressed is in a suit of armour with a red and gold surrcoat, and leaning on a silver sword with rubies encrusted on the hilt.
"This is the Gryffindor Common Room," said Percy as he speaks to the first years, "This is where you'll be staying in the duration of the term. Boys' dormitories are to the left, Girls' dorm are at to the right. Curfew starts at 9 o' clock sharp, and morning starts at 8 for breakfast until first class starting at half 9. Anyone breaking curfew will be reported to the Head of Gryffindor Professor Mcgonagall and get their house points deducted. All your possessions are always brought up here in the dormitories waiting for you."
With that, Percy takes his leave for the boy's dormitories, leaving the first years speechless and the other upper years groaning with face-palms.
"Typical Percy," said a third year named Lee Jordon shaking, "As soon as he was assigned Prefect, his ego swelled like a toad with dropsy. Then again, he's not best when it comes to warm welcomes."
Fred and George nods in agreement before they decided to give the First Years a, yet unofficial welcome.
"Now that the formalities are done, welcome to Gryffindor, first-years," said Fred
"And especially to you, Harry Potter," said George, "The boy who vanished...now here standing before us after 10 years."
The Gryffindors started to applaud to Harry, which Harry only smiled and waved since he's very well acquainted to those in the Lion crested house.
"And even though there are rules here in Hogwarts," said Fred
"Don't let Perfect Percy's words discourage you from having a good time here," said George. "And don't let the professors scare you -unless it's Snape or McGonagall-, for they are nice once you get to know them...except for Snape."
"Why is that?" said Harry with a tilt head.
"Snape's Head of Slytherin, a miserable, spiteful man who would see any reason to punish us, no matter what," said Fred, "So expect losing house points from him."
"Doesn't seem fair," said Harry with a frown.
"Tell me about it," said Fred with an annoyed sigh. "Potions was a nightmare with him. One time, I mistook dittany for Yarrow when we were brewing Wiggenwald Potion, resulted in making a concoction which causes foul flatulence with the farts reeking of weeks old cabbage. And he takes away 100 house points followed by insulting us for incompetence."
"To me fair, we weren't paying much attention." Said George, "But it's was our first-year, and he expects us to get it right the first time?"
"And did you?"
Fred and George scoffed at Harry's question and replied instantaneously, "No"
"Not unless you're a Slytherin," said Fred
"Trust me, Harry," said George, "Snape will find ways to rile you up and take away House Points from our House. Don't rise to it, you hear?"
Harry nods at the twins, but Ron only scoffed at his brothers as he doesn't believe him.
"And since when do you to give out wisdom?" said Ron
"Oh sweet naive 'ickle Ron," said Fred as he grabs Ron by the cheek and tugs on it. "Once you learn what Snape is like in your first 3 years, then you'll understand."
"Get off," said Ron as he slapped his brother's hand off his cheek. "I'm going to bed,"
"Not a bad idea," said Harry as he begins to yawn, "All that food in the feast does tire me up."
"See you in the morning then," said the twins as they watch Harry, Ron and the rest of the First Years boys head to their appointed dorms.
Night: First Year Boy's Dormitory
In the peak of night and in the highest floor of the boy's dormitory where are 5 four-poster beds are waiting for the newly appointed Gryffindor boys, only Ron, Seamus, Dean and Neville are sleeping in their own beds while Harry is still awake by an open window to look over the night sky and the more blackened lake below where he can see the Sunny moored by the castle's boathouse. He isn't the only one awake for his owl Hedwig is sitting calmly while Harry gently strokes her feathers and waits for a letter which her master is currently writing.
Harry wasn't lying when he said that the food tired him out, he did fall asleep the moment he reached his bed, but a couple of hours later, he woke up and decided to get some fresh air which is slightly cold given that it's in the middle of the night and up in Scotland. But Harry welcomes the cold as it's not the first time he ever felt the cold autumn night breeze on his face, especially when he and the Straw Hats tend to moor by many Autumn Islands during their voyage on both sides of the Grand Line.
Harry finishes off his letter, blows the ink dry before folding it into an envelope and passes it to Hedwig which she holds it with her beak.
"Be sure to take this to the Sunny by morning," said Harry to his Owl, which she bobs her head to gesture a nod before taking off through the open window and heading for the lone tower where you can see many owls fly in and out from. Harry knows that the Tower is where the Owls would roost in between flights, be they delivering letters or going on their nightly hunts to eat. That way, Harry doesn't have to worry about keeping her in the cage while he starts his lessons which the first will stay in the morning.
Harry starts to yawn widely and closes the window shut, he turns to his sleeping Dorm-mates and smiled before heading off to his own bed so he can go to sleep himself.
Morning: Thousand Sunny
When the morning comes, just when the sun slowly shines over the glen surrounding the castle and onto the Black Lake which causes it to illuminate over the moored Pirate ship and through the portholes which are conveniently positioned to beam right into the faces of the still sleeping crewmates of the Pirate King, they all began to sway with mild irritation as they all want to stay in their beds for a few more minutes and starts to cover their heads with their bedsheets so to shield their faces from the accursed sunlight.
Not all are fortunate to earn that privilege of sleeping over when suddenly Brook and Mick starts kicking the doors open and play "Black Handkerchief of Happiness" with their violins so loud that they angrily woke everyone up, specifically Zoro and Sanji, for they jumped out from their beds so they can break the old skeleton's bones despite him doing his job of doing the ship's daily morning call. And just when the annoyed mob of Zoro, Sanji and Usopp chase the poor skeletal musician all around the Sunny's deck, the rest of the crew gets out of their beds so they can wash up and get changed before breakfast. After 10 minutes, with the Straw Hats refreshed, they all gather around the table at the kitchen so they can eat their breakfast which Sanji made after he gave Brook a few kicks in the cranium which the poor skeleton has to mend after drinking a fresh glass of milk.
This breakfast gathering however feels strange for the Straw Hats, because Harry is not among them today, for he is currently in Hogwarts and yet to start his first day studying magic. It's been one night and Nami feels lonely without her son as she stares at the vacant spot where Harry sits between Belle and Tom, same goes for Hinagiku as her spot is vacant due to her stay at Amazon Lily with her aunts. Luffy, while he was helping himself with his 5th place of sausages, eggs and bacon, took notice of Nami's quiet staring at the empty seat where Harry sits and placed his hand onto hers to assure her.
"Don't worry," Luffy said with his mouth full of food before downing it all in one gulp. "Harry will be fine, and we'll see him again during his breaks and on the weekends. After all, our ship is open to all who wants to visit."
"I know," said Nami smiling at Luffy while placing her other hand on top of Luffy's so that both of them sandwiched her husband's own. "But it's feels so strange to me for him not to be here to have breakfast with us."
"I know what you mean, Nami-swan" said Sanji while he continues to work under a hot stove as he fries up another dozens of eggs in a large pan. "it's one thing to not have Hinagiku here but Harry is another since I am use to serving enough food at a certain number. But now...it's a complete waste."
"Oh, I wouldn't say it's a complete waste," said Luffy with a reassuring smile. "At least I get extra portions."
TWANG!
Suddenly, Luffy's face gets whacked by a large pan which Sanji was using to cook more eggs, only for the cook to throw it at his idiotic captain.
"You're NOT helping, you idiot!" exclaimed Sanji before he growls at himself as he regrets wasting the eggs. "Gah, now look what you made me do! They were good eggs."
Luffy peeled off the pan from his face, painfully mind for the heat and the half-cooked eggs that kept it sticking. Luffy tossed the pan over and looks at himself for he is completely covered in egg.
"Oh man, looks like I need a bath again," said Luffy as he steps out of his seat and makes his way to the door to leave. But as he opens the door, Hedwig suddenly flies through and perches on the table with a letter in her beak. "Oh, look who's here."
"Hello, Hedwig," said Nami as she welcomes the owl with a gentle stroke on her head which she welcomes.
Hedwig gently places the letter in front of Nami and hoots calmly at her.
"She said it's for you, Nami," Chopper interpreted for Hedwig while he also turns to Hancock, "Both of you, in fact."
"Oh," said Nami as she picks up the letter and starts to read it. Hancock comes by so she can read the letter also for Harry is also her son.
Dear mum (Nami)
I know it would be weird to not have me around the Sunny for breakfast, but I can assure you that I will go and visit you during breaks between lessons and on the weekends. And I promise to be on my best behaviour and not get a peep from the professors about me during the term. I already made friends in the Gryffindor House; in fact, I made friends while I was riding the train to school. I can't wait to introduce them to you when I invite them on board the Sunny, and I'll be sure they be on their best behaviour...hopefully.
So, I'll be seeing you all soon, and hopefully not too soon.
Harry
P.S
Please tell Mom (Hancock) that I won't be here for her birthday and give her my wishes.
"Aw, how sweet," said Hancock smiling at the thoughtful apology as Harry does remember that today is her Birthday, on September 2nd, which happens to be on Harry's first day at Hogwarts. "Well, it's good to hear that Harry is making friends already."
"Indeed," said Nami, "and with the Weasley boys too. Molly would be pleased to hear of this also."
"She is a splendid woman, and a doting mother too," said Hancock with respect. "7 children, that can't be easy."
"It's bad enough with us to have one daughter each and to share a son," said Nami as she puts the letter down. "Especially when a son has Devil Fruit powers that makes him sneak away whenever he likes, *sigh* I do hope Harry stay out of trouble, for he tends to bump right into it, intentionally or not."
Hogwarts: Transfigurations Classroom
Harry is in trouble, after eating breakfast at the Great Hall and receiving his weekly timetable from Professor McGonagall, he is already late for his first lesson on Transfigurations. The reason of this is because Ron tends to lose his way after offering Harry to lead him the way since the vanishing child doesn't know every nook and cranny of the castle yet to rely on his Blink-Blink fruit to take him there. Plus, the castle tends to change its interior every year so a map would be useless unless it can update on the castle's annual shifting...but what are chance of that happening?
20 minutes after the first bell to announce the first lesson and both Harry and Ron had finally made it to their first class. They open the door to see everyone already in their seats, but they don't see Professor McGonagall at all. Instead, an old tabby cat is sitting motionless on the Professor's desk, looking sternly at the late boys, unaware that the cat is not what they seem.
"Oh, we made it," Ron with relief as he pants tirelessly from the running he had to do after searching for the classroom. "Can you imagine the look of McGonagall's face if we're late?"
Harry wasn't paying attention to Ron for he is looking at the cat and became nervous.
"S-Sorry we're late, Professor," said Harry to the cat, causing Ron to look at him weird.
"Harry, what talking about, McGonagall ain't..." said Ron when suddenly the cat leaped off the desk and shifts into Professor McGonagall, causing the red-head to take a few steps back. "That was bloody brilliant!"
"Why thank you for that assessment, Mr. Weasley," said McGonagall, unamused at the Ron's attempt of brown-nosing in the hopes of avoiding punishment for his tardiness. "Perhaps it would be more useful for both of you if I transfigure Mr. Potter and yourself into a pocket-watch? That way, one of you might be on time."
"We got lost," Harry explained, turning his head at Ron with a slight annoyed look.
"Then perhaps a map," McGonagall stated. "I trust you don't need one to find your seats,"
McGonagall walks back to her desk while Harry and Ron take their seats so they join the others in the lesson. Harry can hear sniggering from behind but doesn't look back to know that it's came from Malfoy and his goons Crabbe and Goyle. Embarrassed by the fact he got lost on his first day, he did learn to not allow Ron to lead or he'll be late for other classes after this one.
"How did you know she was a cat?" Ron whispered to Harry when they sat down.
"Since when do Cats sit perfectly still?" Harry asked. "And no, Mrs. Norris doesn't count."
"Now then, since Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter were kind enough to join us," said McGonagall, "Perhaps one of you can explain to them what we are doing for this lesson?"
A raised hand was shown as it belongs to Hermione.
"We are about to turn a matchstick into a needle, Professor."
"That is correct, Ms. Granger," said McGonagall as she gives Harry and Ron each 5 match sticks. "As you know, Transfigurations is a complex and potentially dangerous form of magic. Care to tell me why?"
A hand was raised up, but this time it was Harry who raised it.
"It... can be difficult if used on a living creature as it may mutilate or kill them if not cast properly?" said Harry.
McGonagall raised her brow by this, only to smile and nod at Harry's answer.
"That's correct, and I'm glad to see you understand the dangers of Transfigurations, Mr. Potter." Said McGonagall. "Please take 10 points for Gryffindor."
"Thank you, Professor," said Harry
"Now, take your wands out," said McGonagall as she takes her wand out also. "As Ms. Granger reminded us, we'll be turning matchsticks into needles. It's a simple spell that doesn't require any incantation but it will take time to master it. So, use whatever time you have to practice it during and after classes. I'll be testing your process in the following week. Now start."
Everyone in class starts waving their wands and tapping it on their matchsticks in the attempt to turn them in needles. Harry tried to turn one of his 5 matches into needles, only for his first attempt to be somewhat successful as he only managed to turn the wooden sticks into metal ones while it retains it's original form. Harry raised his brow by this and chuckled, wow this will take time
And he'd be right, for he keeps on practicing on with his other matches until they all partially transfigured. They aren't completely transfigured but it shows that the boy is making process and Harry hasn't lost heart on it, if only the same goes for Ron as he is getting annoyed at his own flawed attempts as he only gone and snapped them or not change them at all. But at least he hasn't gone and blow them up like Seamus has when he tried to turn his matches into needles, only for his face to be cover completely in soot. Or perhaps Neville, the poor boy couldn't even got one matchstick to change at all, not even slightly like turning metal like Harry's had, snapped in half like Ron's or blow up (which is a mystery to all, I'm not gonna lie) like Seamus's.
McGonagall goes around to check everyone's progress and reverts the attempted transfigured matches back to their original form so that the students can try again. And when she came to check on Hermione's progress, she is amazed to see how perfect the girl's transfiguration on the matches are for there are now 5 needles on her desk. "Well done, Ms. Granger, 10 points to Gryffindor."
Harry looks ahead at Hermione, who looks proud and happy with her quick progress with a look of pride. Ron only scowls from this and decided to give up as he sees it pointless, but not Harry as he knows that transfigurations can be useful magic and goes on with his progress like the rest of the class.
Charms Class
Turning matches into needles was easier said than done for Harry, but he managed to get his matches to change into its intended form, if only he gets them to be in the exact length and to have a sharp point, then they'll be perfect. But as McGonagall said, he has until next week to practice and he'll practice the spell on his free time and in study sessions. Right now, he goes to Charms, which is just up the floor above McGonagall's classroom where Professor Flitwick is teaching, and unlike McGonagall he is charming and welcoming to his students, especially when he starts to teach a couple of basic charms such as Lumos and the Alohamora spell.
But like with the basic transfiguration spell with the matchsticks, practicing these spells do take work but Harry is doing well as he practices by going across a pitch-black corridor by using the Lumos's glow to guide him and try to unlock a chest with the Alohamora. The students were each given turns to light up the dark corridor with Lumos, and unlock the chest with the unlocking spell. Progress showed promise to the students, especially with students like Hermione, Parvati and a few Slytherins such as Malfoy, Daphne Greengrass and Blaise Zabini who only casted the spell easily on their first time, rewarding them house points from the diminutive teacher. Of course, where there's success, failure is not far off behind for only a few – such as Ron, Seamus and Neville- could not get it on their first try...especially when Seamus somehow managed to blow up the locked chest instead. (How? Merlin knows.)
Fortunately, Flitwick cast Reparo on the blown-up chest which repaired it completely so that everyone can still practice their Alohamora, but he had to take points off Seamus for the damages. The poor Irish lad had to sit through this so that he can clean the soot from his face and let his wand stop smouldering from his attempt. Poor Neville is not having any luck at all as his many attempts never seem to work at all. He did the right moves, but the locks on the chest doesn't click and turn and the chest remains locked, which disheartened the boy...especially when Draco and his Slytherin goons sniggers behind his back.
Harry frowned and scowled at pale blonde jerk and decides to give Neville a hand.
"Here, try and give some heart in it when you cast the spell," said Harry as he gives Neville a demonstration. "Alohamora!"
As Harry unlocked the chest with his turn of the spell, the chest locks up again so that Neville can try again. Taking Harry's words in consideration, Neville takes a deep calming breath, points his wand at the chest and then speaks with a little more confidence.
"Alohamora!" said Neville, the spell was cast and the chest finally unlocks for him. This made him smile and feel happy. "I did it, I did it!"
"Indeed, Mr. Longbottom," said the pleased Flitwick. "Well done, and thank you for helping him Mr. Potter. That deserves Gryffindor 10 points, don't you agree?"
"Thank you, Professor," said Harry with gratitude, only for modesty to show up. "But I only wanted to help a friend out."
"And that is why you are rewarded, Mr. Potter," said Flitwick, "Helping friends along shows the loyal side of the House you are in. And despite me being the Head of Ravenclaw House, I am more than proud to see such character."
"Grr, come on!"
Harry and Flitwick turn to see Ron, who is now tapping his wand hard on the still locked chest as he is having trouble with casting Alohamora on it. The diminutive professor sighs slightly.
"However, patience can be a rarity to the House of Lions as it's more than a Hufflepuff trait," said Fitwick shaking his head at Ron's impatient behaviour, "But I'm sure you can prove the nay-sayers wrong, eh?"
"I'm just here to study and have fun, Professor," Harry said with a smile, causing the professor to laugh with amusement.
"Ha, ha, Oh I am going to enjoy your stay here, Mr. Potter," said Flitwick as he pat the pirate prince's lower back since he can't reach his shoulders. "Keep on practicing, children. Practice makes perfect after all, and that includes you Mr. Finnegan."
"Aye, Professor," said Seamus as he joins his classmates so he can once again try and practice the Alohamora...hopefully without blowing up another chest. "And I'm sorry for before,"
"You need to thoroughly pronounce the incantation, Mr. Finnegan," said Flitwick while he waves off Seamus's apology as it's all in the past. "And try to be less assertive when you say it."
"...Okay, here goes," said Seamus as he turns to the chest and his wand at it. His classmates take a step back just to be safe while he gets ready to cast the unlocking spell again. "Ahem, Alohamora!"
Seamus casts the spell, and instead of blowing up the chest, he causes the lock to click and turn and the lid opens up. His fellow Gryffindors gave him a round of applause as he successfully cast the spell.
"Saints be praised, I did it!" said Seamus with a smile, for the first time he did a spell without it blowing up in his face, literally.
"Well done, Mr. Finnegan," said Flitwick, "For that, I will return the points I took from you."
"T-Thank you, Professor," said Seamus, astonished that he managed to do one spell without him either setting things on fire or blowing it up.
Great Hall: Gryffindor Table
After Charms, everyone goes to the Great Hall for Lunch for the past lessons were indeed long and tiring, especially with the study sessions in between when the professors gave the first years assignments and homework already. For example, they had to write an essay on a roll of parchment 1.5 metres long about the uses for Transfigurations and also the dangers of it, which must be done by next week. Harry only managed to do about 4 paragraphs which filled about a third of the required length on the parchment before he had to stop to recover from both brain-fog and wrist cramp. And from Flitwick, the first-years must choose one of the selected charm spells from the Standard Book of Spells to learn and practice for their next Charms lesson to demonstrate.
Harry chose to learn the Reparo spell as he discovered it can be handy with fixing broken items, but learning is easier said than done and thought he bit more than he can chew when he chose that spell. But he'll practice it regardless for he is not a quitter, which he couldn't say for the others who chose what they thought would be a simple spell. But no spell is simple to learn as it takes time.
"I can't believe we get homework on our first day here," Ron grumbled in a complaint while he stuffs his face with everything he can eat. Harry chuckled while Hermoine rolled her eyes at the ginger's grumbling with his mouth full. "I mean, can't they at least wait until we're accustomed to the lessons we just started?"
"I know," said Seamus as he agrees with Ron as he finds having homework so early atrocious. "We only started on two lessons, and already we get extra work to do?"
"Ain't fair, this is," said Dean as he leans on the table and starts twirling his fork between his finger and plate.
Harry only chuckled and goes on with eating his lunch while he has time to do, but as he is about to take a sip of pumpkin juice from his goblet. His drink was suddenly snatched off him before his lips can taste the vermillion fluid.
"What the...oh, hello," said Harry as he turns to confront the person who took his drink, only to see it was Belle who accompanied with Yassop, Tom, Banchina and Sora.
"Harry Potter, you...jerk!" Belle exclaimed as she drenched her brother with his own drink, only for Harry to let it happen and laugh. "What's the big idea with you taking my drink, TWICE!?"
"Sorry about that," Harry said while he laughs like an idiot while everyone looks at him with a confused look as they don't understand why he would just let that happen to him. "I was only showing Ron here what the Blink-Blink Fruit can do."
"Couldn't you've shown him in another way?" said Belle as she then took Ron's own goblet of pumpkin juice so she can toss it at Harry again, twice for the time he stole her drink. "You have any idea how thirsty I was? I had to wait a long time in case you decided to do it a third time."
"Look, I am sorry about that," said Harry as he then rummages through his robe pocket and pulls out a pair of silver sickles. "Here that should cover the two drinks I owe ya."
Belle snatched the two coins off from Harry and walks off in a huff.
"Can't say you didn't deserve that, Harry," said Tom as he pulls out a handkerchief and passes it to Harry.
"I saw it coming," said Harry as he dries his face and returns the handkerchief to his blue haired friend. "Oh, where are my manners? Allow me to introduce you all to my new friends."
"Hi, I'm Ron," said Ron with his mouth still full of food due to him constantly stuffing it. "Ron Weasley,"
"Name's Seamus," said Seamus as he offers his hand to Tom. "Seamus Finnegan,"
"Tom Nico," said Tom as he took Seamus's hand.
"I'm Dean Thomas," said Dean as he gives Yassop his hand.
"Hello Dean, I'm Yassop" said Yassop as he shakes Dean's hand. "This is my sister, Banchina,"
"Hi," said Banchina calmly to everyone.
"H-Hello, I'm Neville," said Neviile shyly to the New Generation. "Neville Longbottom."
"Pfff, bottom," Yassop couldn't help but snigger at Neville's surname for it had the word bottom in it. Only for Sora to smack him on the back of his head for his immaturity.
"Grow up, Yassop!" said Sora before turning to Neville, "I am sorry about that, you know what boys are like."
"Y-yeah," said Neville as he understands clearly how stupid boys can be. "Boys can be silly."
"Hey!" exclaimed Seamus, Dean and Ron in resentment at Neville, causing the poor boy to cower behind the table. Harry only chuckled at this, while Hermione merely muttered "boys" and returns to her lunch.
Sora took notice of Hermione's discreet mutter and decided to sit next to her so she can talk to her. Tom and Yassop saw Sora approach the mousey haired girl and then turned to look at one another with a worried look.
"Uh oh"
"What's wrong?" said Ron to the two pirate boys.
"Banchina, can you make sure that Sora doesn't do anything to upset that girl she's approaching?" Yassop said to his sister. "We don't want another incident."
"On it," said Banchina as she heads for Sora.
"I'm confused," said Ron
"Sora's like her dad...in a way," said Tom, feeling uncomfortable explaining about Sora. "She's quite friendly around other girls, so friendly that it gets out of hand."
"Huh?" said Ron, still clueless at what Tom is trying to say.
"She likes girls, in the way boys like them," said Harry simply.
"Harry!" Yassop said in a panic.
"What?" Harry is looking back at Yassop while shrugging his shoulders, "I don't see the big deal about this."
"You know what she's like if that gets out," said Yassop, "She'll just deny it and beat the hell out of any one who started the rumours."
"Well, it's her fault for not being discreet with it." Said Harry with rolled eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I still don't understand..."
"Oh, for crying out loud, Ron!" Seamus exclaimed as he is sick and tired of the ginger's cluelessness. "They are saying that she's gay!"
Seamus's words echoed throughout the great hall, causing the entire room to go perfectly silent. Tom and Yassop paled in a panicking fright when the Vinsmoke girl suddenly turns to leer dangerously at them, with murderous intent in her eyes.
"Oh, look at the time," Yassop said as he looks at his wrist and take a few steps back. "I'm needed on board the Sunny."
"Aye, me too," said Tom as he also walks back slowly before and the long-nosed boy runs off with the enraged Sora giving chase.
"GET BACK HERE!" Sora exclaimed angrily while she runs after Yassop and Tom who exits the Great Hall with their lives.
Banchina saw this and sighed.
"I am sorry about this, Hermione," said Banchina to Hermione.
"It's fine, I'm not one to judge." Said Hermione
"Yeah, but she's too stubborn to admit it, despite her actions," said Banchina as she stands from her seat. "I better go help my idiot brother before Sora ends up killing him and Tom."
"Of course," said Hermione with a smile. "We'll met again, right?"
"Of course, we'll meet at the Sunny later" said Banchina before she runs off after her brother and friends.
Just as the last of the new generation of Straw Hats leave the hall, the awkwardness that occurred here was suddenly broken by laughter by Harry, Seamus and Dean.
"It's good to see that you're in good company for the pass 10 years, Harry," said Dean
"Aye, they're good people" said Seamus "I hope to see them again."
"Well, we don't have anything on the next hour," said Harry, "We can go pay a visit at the Sunny if you want."
"Really?" said Neville with some excitement before he narrows it down by his nervousness. "I mean I do wonder what it's like to be on a pirate ship."
"Of course, dad's letting anyone to come by to visit...provide that they be on their best behaviour of course." Said Harry
"...I suppose I can come too, since Banchina's nice enough," said Hermione
"No one asked you," Ron grumbled.
"Not like I need to," said Harry to Ron before turning to Hermione. "You're free to come or not, Hermione. Like I said, everyone's welcome if they're on their best behaviour."
Hermione couldn't help but to smile at Harry, in a way he stood up for her when Ron was being inconsiderate.
"Thanks, Harry" said Hermione as she gets back with her lunch and eat before the hour ends.
End of Chapter