Another Day In Paradise

Another Day in Paradise
One

"Good morning everyone. As it might have occurred to you, all professors except for Professor McGonagall, and myself, are not present on school grounds this morning. It is expected that the finest gladiators in the world of sorcery will join us today. As you all should know, the Amros is the highest level of sorcery. Amros are chosen once every hundreds of years. They have abilities and powers far beyond ours, and far more advanced than High Magic." Dumbledore wore his very serious expression. "There might be war this year. Hogwarts grounds are the safest place for our students since it is invisible to all eyes and allows no apparation or access inward or outward its barriers. The guardians of all students attending have agreed that it is best that the students stay at school. The Quidditch tournament will be postponed till the destruction of the culprit, otherwise it will be cancelled." He looked at all of the disappointed faces. "Our Amros, from the noble Young kin, will be joining us any time today with his chosen ones." He looked around at the stupor-bounded expressions. "His gladiators include students from Durmstrang Institute of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Bulgaria and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic of France, entitled 'Arnotts'. Only some of our students will be promoted to gladiators to battle will and the crowning period will take place for the first five days before training. They will be sorted into Hogwarts Houses and a secret channel of transportation will be open between all three schools." He paused. "More so, the Arnotts will have their own quarters in The Great Hall and the House Towers. Their training will take place on Hogwarts grounds."

The students looked to where Dumbledore pointed. The end of the Hall expanded and furnished with neatly set tables with goblets, plates and utensils of pure gold.

"The Defense against the Dark Arts will take place in the planetarium. When you receive your schedules, fourth years up will find that they will be taught together as one class until the end of the crowning period before receiving new schedules. Professor Remus Lupin will teach other years separately in different classes. This is necessary for this year's events. This year might be a very abrupt and winding experience to all of you, but I assure you that each and every one of you will not be neglected in any way. Upon request and permission, you will be allowed to visit between the three schools when appropriate. You must check in and out wherever you go so a current tracker can tell us where you are, incase of an emergency. Weekly trips to Hogsmaede will be cancelled," he paused and motioned for quiet when sounds of disapproval cut the silence. "I ask you all to take this very seriously," he said glancing at the school tricksters. "Arnotts are very well trained and protected, and I ask you all to sympathize changes of personality as they might seem empty, dry, and lifeless, but they are good people. They will arrive at any moment now in the lead of William Xavior Young."

As if on queue, the doors parted and at the entrance stood students in ivory robes behind Hogwarts professors. Their leader had white robes on and stood at the head of the lot. Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall stood. Dumbledore nodded. At the gesture, the group walked in. The hall gasped at some very familiar faces.

"Look! It's Krum!"

"Fleur!"

"So much for skipping potions!"

"Oh it's Viktor!"

McGonagall tapped her spoon against her goblet for attention. The hall murmured to silence in seconds.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, Arnotts. You will each be sorted into our Houses. The houses are Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. I am Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Professor Minerva McGonagall is our deputy head mistress. The Sorting Hat is ready for you."

"HOGWARTS!"

Everyone looked at The Sorting Hat in surprise. Dumbledore stood.

"That cannot be possible!"

"Are you sure?" McGonagall inquired.

"Doubt you I?! HOGWARTS!"

Minerva nodded and thanked the hat before clicking it away.

The candles and lights all dimmed and the teachers' candles centered their flames above the young newcomer. The candles above the first row to the right shone brightest moments later.

"Slytherin House."

The lights lit the room up again as soon as that was announced and everyone cheered to welcome William.

He had cool air lingering around him, making those he passed shiver at the sudden touch of chill. When he sat, everything gradually resumed. No one heard much of him beforehand except that Young is a very noble and powerful family of elite witches and wizards. The whole mystery about him made it easier to be his companion, and later on, you will understand exactly why.

He sat with the Arnotts and accepted the warm welcome from the school, showing appreciation in response as well.

As soon as Young sat, Dumbledore stood. "At last, I ask prefects to show our Arnotts to the Towers as soon as dinner is finished. Without further dawdling," Dumbledore said, clapping once. The tables were covered with food.

The Arnotts were later lead to their dormitories.

"Excuse me," he said, stopping a girl before leaving the Great Hall. She stopped and turned to face him with a scowl. Her grimace suddenly turned into a bright smile. "What's your name?" he asked, noticing the snake on her badge.

"Pansy Parkinson, fifth year Slytherin. Welcome to Hogwarts."

"Thank you." He smiled and nodded. "Nice to meet you," he said before continuing with the rest.

"Making choices already?"

"Just watching and listening for now."

"Hello Chang."

Draco Malfoy sneered as he walked past. The Arnotts were just leaving the Great Hall and parting into groups.

"Hello Draco," William said. Draco slid to a halt.

"You know my name? Great! It's excellent that you're in Slytherin House, but that wouldn't stop us becoming friends now, would it?" he said, extending his hand.

"It shouldn't," William replied, shaking his hand. Draco smirked.

"We'll be good friends, Young."

"My pleasure, Malfoy."

"See you, Chang," Draco said before walking away, his eyes dancing.

"Mind your attitude, Malfoy."

William calmly looked at the angry prefect, hiding a smile. Cho Chang failed his test, but Draco had passed it.

William's head turned and he grabbed into the nearest thing for balance. His hand held on to someone else's hand and a couple of hands grabbed him around his shoulders before he crashed into somebody. He regained himself seconds later and stood. He looked into the brown eyes, whispered his thanks. The Arnotts were all around them when a breathless "sure" came from the cherry lips.

After a long time, they finally reached the Tower.

"Caput Serpent."

The portrait nodded and swung open. They walked through the common room and ascended to their dormitories, departing at their assigned rooms.

"Here we are."

"The whole room's just for me?"

"These were my instructions. We usually stay in the common room before and after classes. Classes start at 9 and finish at 5. Breakfast is served at 7 and dinner starts at 6. Curfew is at 8."

"Ok, thanks."

The next 7 a.m., Arnotts found themselves walking towards The Great Hall. They silently and automatically sat at their tables. Some students from Hogwarts went to talk to them and/or take some autographs from the famous ones like Viktor Krum, Bulgaria's National Team player. When William walked into the Hall, they stopped all conversation and listened to his instructions. They spoke in another language, unintelligible to anyone.

"Did you notice their expressionless faces when not around each other? When they walk in the hall alone between classes for example. I'd hate to be like that."

"They're going to war, what do you expect? Yellow muggle smiley faces?"

"Very funny, Seamus."

"How would you feel if you were the one going to war, not knowing if end up alive or dead? Moreover, without your parents having much of a say in it?" Seamus Finnigan added to his argument.

"Harry and Ron were caught last night by Young. I don't know what happened to them. They wouldn't say anything else."

Hermione's eyes narrowed. She remembered what she had read the day before, their only weakness is their only strength. What's that supposed to mean?

"It must feel terrible," Neville Longbottom sympathized. Hermione's gaze followed his. A stab of sharp gasps turned their heads to the entrance where everyone else was pointing and/or staring. Their eyes widened.

Draco Malfoy entered The Great Hall wearing ivory robes. He walked straight to the Slytherin Arnott table. Hateful eyes glared at him, as envious gazes landed on his form. When he sat, they all turned back to the entrance when more gasps disrupted the Hall.

"It's Oliver!" Neville squealed. "What's he doing here?!" He quickly turned to Ginny Weasley then pointed away, "isn't that Bill and Charl-"

"Oh my god!"

They watched as the former Gryffindor Legends walked through to the Gryffindor Arnotts table.

"Look at them. They're dead," Hermione sighed.

"Oh my God!" they heard Ginny Weasley gasp then turned back to the entrance. Loud gasps resounded and bounced off the walls. In walked, in no other than ivory robes, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley.

"Oh my..." Hermione started to say in utter disbelief before feeling jealousy boiling within her.

"Wow! Six already, and Five of them are Gryffindors... and it's only morning!" Seamus exclaimed.

Hermione's eyes followed Harry and Ron. They did not respond to her stare but it didn't go unnoticed.

"Guess what we have next?" Lavender Brown said.

"Defense against the Dark Arts," Neville said. "If Snape was teaching it I'd had suicide."

"I'm glad Remus is teaching. He was the only we really learned anything useful from," Seamus said. "Cornish pixies just don't do the trick."

"You just like him," Dean teased.

"He was a fine teacher."

"Fancy a werewolf? Boy, you're unique mate."

Dean and a few Gryffindors laughed. Mail arrived and Hermione couldn't help but notice Arnott owls had fine, thin chains of gold around their neck, probably with their names on.

The Arnotts quieted down after William drew their attention with his aura changing color. He calls them by changing the radiation energy's heat and color. He started addressing them for a few seconds then they all nodded.

Professor McGonagall tapped her goblet with a spoon. "Your attention please." The students turned to her and quietly listened. "Classes will begin shortly. I advise students to start making their ways."

The fourth years approached the planetarium. To their surprise, all the Arnotts were there, already seated.

"They look so strong," Seamus awed. "Look at Young. He's radiating."

"Scary," Neville added.

"Wow..." Seamus breathed.

"If you continue that for one more time, I'm going to start thinking you fancy him, Seamus," Hermione glared.

"Look at his wand..."

Hermione turned to look, faking disinterest. Her eyes widened at the sight of the Celtic Diamond.

"It's the Celtic Diamond! From the most powerful clan of wands..." she mused.

"Your attention please. Everyone will take his or her assigned seat instantly. Thank you," Viktor Krum instructed them from the front of the planetarium. They sat down quietly and waited for the teacher.

"Good morning everyone. As you all know already, or so I hope, I will be teaching Defense against the Dark Arts until further notice. I am William Young. My position is Amros. I lead the finest warriors in the sorcery world," he said, looking around at his proud Arnotts. "Among you are a few I will chose to join my troops and you will qualify according to this criteria: Bravery, mental strength, physical capability, whit and leadership. You will also be chosen according to scholarship, loyalty and purpose." He paused to look at his students. "We will cover basic practice techniques of defense until the Arnotts have completed. Starting this second, you are no longer but Hogwarts students until the crowning period is over. Show your limits and excel in everything you can during this period, that is my advice to you. In this class at this particular time, we will use all the subjects you have known, from Muggle Studies, to Charms, to Divination. Now that that's out of the way, I will develop the concept of healing as an inevitable technique to all Arnotts. Yes Ms. Granger?"

Seamus raised his eyebrows and exchanged a look with Dean.