Blue flame of the east, Red flame of the west

Chapter 8: The New Instructors … and Company.

Harry sent letters for both the Kuzes and Nakajawa by muggle post next morning. He worded the letter for Nakajawa carefully so he didn't let out much, but made it sound interesting enough for Nakajawa to dig in. He asked Mrs. Weasley to send him all letters from the Kuzes to him via owl after he went to school. Mrs. Weasley was only happy to agree.

Harry quickly learned about the incredible uproar in the magical community after Harry 'disappeared.' There were no magic markers to indicate what had happened, but the blood splattered on the walls and floors and ripped flesh was enough for everyone to be convinced that 'the boy who lived' was killed by forces of evil. Despite the actual evidence that said the contrary, public opinion was the ministry was hiding the real facts to reduce mass hysteria. Because of public demand for an explanation of the disappearance, the ministry was forced to acknowledge the possibility of the return of Voldemort.

Soon after Harry was 'found,' the ministry happily announced to the public 'The Boy Who Lived' was alive and currently residing in an undisclosed location. The Weasleys were left alone from a swarm of curiosity seekers and the 'jackals of the press.'

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"YES!! I blocked fifty two shots out of sixty!!" shouted Ron.

The Weasley brothers and Ginny were playing Quidditch on the paddock up the hill. Hermione choose to stay at the Burrow and study for OWL. Harry, who couldn't join because of his incompletely healed thighs and still heavily bandaged hand, was sitting cross-legged on the grass with an Ancient Runes text and muggle legal notepad propped on his lap, watching them.

Ron was showing a lot of promise in the position keeper. Ginny was quite a competent Chaser as well. According to George, Alicia was sitting out Quidditch this year to study for her N.E.W.T.s. Bottom line: they needed a keeper and a chaser. Harry hoped Ron and Ginny will fill those up positions.

Harry turned his attention to his Ancient Runes book. He already told Ron and Hermione about his attention to take Ancient Runes. As he suspected, Ron was shocked and Hermione was pleased. Harry didn't expect to get an OWL in Ancient Runes, but after finding out he had a knack with languages, Harry thought it was worth learning a new language. Besides, it's kind of fun …

Harry started to read the text intently as he idly scribbled down the important points on the notepad. He slowly slipped into a trance-like state and forgot about everything else. Then someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Oh, it's you Ginny," mumbled Harry, finally looking up.

Ginny's face turned into the most interesting shade of magenta.

"Umm … Mum's calling us for dinner," said Ginny in a rather small voice.

"Oh …" said Harry closing his text. "Where are Ron and the twins?"

"They already left," said Ginny, her voice getting smaller.

Harry finally noticed it was quite dark.

"Damn, is it this late? No wonder they left. OK let's go …"

Harry started walking down the hill with Ginny. Harry looked through the trees with a renewed feeling. He liked it, walking through the trees. It reminded him of the forest near by the Kuzes house and the song Jiho always seemed to hum whenever he was in it:

Aar-ri-raang - Aar-ri-raang - Aar-raa-ri-yoh~~
Aar-ri-raang go-gae-roh nuhm-uh-gan-dah~~.
Naah-luhl-buh-ri-go gah-shi-nuhn-nim-un
Ship-ri-doe moht-ga-suh bahl-byung-nan-da-.

"That was nice," blurted out Ginny. Her eyes were a trifle misty.

"Wha ---? Was I singing it out loud?" stammered Harry.

"Well … yeah," said Ginny VERY quietly, her face turning very red. "Is it a foreign song?"

"Yeah … A Korean folk song actually …" muttered Harry, embarrassed of himself for singing out loud in front of Ginny.

"Do you know what it means?" asked Ginny a bit more calmly.

"No … I just heard Jiho and Ryo humming it all the time. I really liked it … I never got to ask what the song meant. I never wanted to anyway. It … just didn't seem right."

Ginny simply nodded. Then she asked wistfully:

"Can you sing it again?"

Harry nodded and started softly:

"Aar-ri-rang ~~~,"

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When they were back at The Burrow, Ron and the twins were waiting for them. Harry did NOT like the looks on their faces at all.

"How did it go?" asked Fred/George, smiling evilly at the two of them.

"Go what?" asked Harry wearily.

Ginny turned scarlet again and ran upstairs. Harry heard a door slamming shut.

Ron and the twins tormented Harry the rest of the evening by dancing around him and singing, "His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad." Hermione didn't seem to disprove the three Weasley brothers behavior, but she wasn't amused at it either.

The first day of school came a bit too soon, but then again, it was only five days. The trip to King's Cross station was uneventful. The Ministry provided them with cars (probably because of the hwe-seng-ma incident) and everyone got on the train without much trouble.

"I wonder if we'll ever have a normal school year." Harry thought out loud.

"'Normal?' What kind of language is that?" said Ron, in a mock-inquiring tone.

"Did I say something foreign?" said Harry his eye wide and mouth open with mock-surprise.

"Some word in Sanscript, I think." Ron replied mischievously.

Both of them started to laugh. Hermione tutted loudly.

"It's Sanskrit. Honestly Ron, can't you get it right for once?"

"Sanscript sounds more natural." Ron retorted.

"Funny--," said Harry.

"Shh!" hissed Hermione, cutting Harry.

They fell silent and heard a familiar drawling voice through the open compartment door.

"… then I met this person who came from Japan at Madam Malkin's. He sort of looked like Potter, but a bit older and with very short hair. His name was Shew Shirakawa. Rather interesting fellow. I rather liked him … Had the most sensible attitude towards Potter -- didn't think much about of him. He knows how to show proper respect, too. Even Father thinks he's a good fellow. Pity he doesn't attend Hogwarts … We could've had so much fun …"

Hermione shut the compartment door.

"A boy Malfoy approves? I just can't imagine it," said Hermione with a shudder.

"Thank god this Shew person doesn't go the Hogwarts," said Ron in disgust. "One Malfoy is enough. Two will finish me."

Harry didn't say anything. He wore Nakajawa's wig ever since he got it and never took it off, even for a shower. He forgot to mention his haircut to Ron and Hermione. He didn't mention the little encounter with Malfoy at Madam Malkin's either, because in retrospect, he did something extremely stupid. Harry thought about telling them now about the haircut, but something held him back. As soon as my hair grows back to normal, there won't be any Xiu Shirakawa.

Harry let the matter slide.

The train ride to Hogwarts wasn't fun; at least for Harry. Almost everyone in the train wanted to know what caused Harry's 'disappearance,' but Harry didn't really want to tell them because it made him feel sick. Hermione, Ron, the twins and Ginny had to ward off a swarm of curiosity seekers coming to their compartment. Overall, not fun. At least Malfoy didn't show his face in the train …

"Isn't it weird? Malfoy didn't come to rat at us on the train!" said Ron, sounding amazed.

"Maybe he was too preoccupied with thought of being a Death Eater to rat at us."

"Or maybe Malfoy misses this Shew person so much he didn't want to remember him by looking at you, Harry. He did say that that he looks like you."

"Hermione, is that a sympathetic tone, or a sarcastic tone?" asked Ron.

"Guess," said Hermione mischievously.

"For your safety, I hope it's sarcastic,"

"Bah."

Everything went Malfoy and co. free until they were in front of the Great Hall.

"Well look who's here --- Harry Potter, the murderer," said a drawling voice all too familiar.

It was, of course, Malfoy --- his new prefect badge agleam. Harry wasn't surprised at Malfoy being a prefect; he could trust Snape to make his favorite student a prefect (Harry and Ron could not. Alas, alas). At any rate Ron was about to jump on Malfoy, but Harry stopped him. Harry glanced at Malfoy with a pained expression on his face.

"Hello Malfoy. Has your father finally made you do your first kill, or did you volunteer?" said Harry, in a theatrically pained voice.

"What do you mean by that Potter?" said Malfoy, obviously not expecting such a response from Harry.

"An Asian adage says: 'Buddha sees others as Buddha's and a pig see others as pigs.' Since you obviously think I'm a murderer, you must be a murderer. Well, I see you as another human being. You have my sympathy Malfoy." Harry turned away, leaving Malfoy sputtering with rage and disbelief.

"That was brilliant Harry!" said Ron, awed. Hermione was nodding with approval.

Harry gave them a small smile.

They entered the Great Hall without further incident. The Great Hall looked its usual spectacular self. The Sorting ceremony started in what felt like no time at all (thankfully there were no more Creevey brothers to be sorted) as the sorting hat started singing.

Welcome, new students from places far and near,
I see you are shivering,
But there is nothing to fear.
You might think how I know that when I am but a worn and filthy hat,
But once I tell you I have sorted every student in this school
You will think of me more then that!
Indeed I have sorted more students then I can see,
And try as the students might
There was nothing in their head they could hide from me!
You might belong to Gryffindor:
They are daring and chivalrous,
Who knows how much bravery they have in store?
You might belong to Hufflepuff:
They are loyal and true,
Who knows where they got their lack of fluff?
Or maybe in Ravenclaw:
They are quick in mind and wit,
Who knows whether they noticed more then what we just saw?
Or perhaps in Slytherin:
They are cunning and ambitious,
Who knows what they are thinking behind that smiling grin?
So go on! Put me on your head!
I'll tell you where you belong and don't worry;
I won't be sending you back instead!

"The sorting hat is loosing its touch," remarked Ron. "To make a song like that …"

After the first years were sorted, Dumbledore did his before-feast speech, ("Two words only for now: DIG IN!!") and their plates magically filled up with food.

Harry surveyed the teachers' table. Alastor 'Mad-eye' Moody was back to teach. Harry briefly wondered what the real Moody would do for Defense against the Dark Arts. He only saw one new person, an old witch in her sixties, but she definitely didn't look like she was going to teach foreign magic studies. Not Asian sorcery at any rate.

"She doesn't look like our new foreign magic studies teacher …" said Hermione, glancing at the old witch.

"Maybe the real professor is a bit late." Ron said through a mouthful of mash potato.

"Yo Harry! Ron! I don't see Snape at the teachers' table," called Dean Thomas.

They surveyed the table again. No Snape.

"Whoa … where is he?"

"I dunno…"

"That's weird … Nobody decided to land on the Whomping Willow with a flying car again, did they?" joked Seamus. He was referring to a similar incident that happened during Harry's second year.

"As far as I remember, the Whomping Willow was car free."

"Maybe he's on sabbatical," suggested Hermione.

"Oh good, no Snape this year!" said Ron happily.

"Unbelievably wonderful prospect," smiled Harry.

Neville Longbottom looked very happy at the prospect as well. Perhaps Neville could get some potion points this year.

Harry turned his attention at the food. He looked at the steak. The image of a chunk of blood covered flesh landing on his hand flashed in his head, and he blanched. Ron looked at him in alarm.

"What's wrong, Harry?!"

"No-nothing," said Harry, covering his mouth with his hand. He felt like he was going to be sick. He turned his glance away from the steak. He felt better. For the rest of the feast Harry studiously avoided looking at or eating meat. Ron and Hermione kept sneaking concerned glances at him.

When everyone was done with their dessert, and the remaining food faded away, Albus Dumbledore stood up again.

"Welcome! Welcome to Hogwarts! I would like to especially welcome this year's new students; I hope you will have an exciting first year in Hogwarts, and hopefully you'll learn something on the way …" the corners of Dumbledore's mouth twitched and there was a small buzz of laughter. "Now I must ask you to give me your attention, for I must give out a few notices.

"The forbidden forest is, as the name implies, out-of-bounds to all students. Visits to Hogsmeade is out-of-bounds for students bellow third year. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, wants me to remind you that magic is not allowed on the corridors and hallways. There is a list of forbidden objects in Hogwarts on Mr. Filch's office. Anyone who wishes to see what they are may go there.

"I also regret to inform you that Professor Severus Snape, due to illness, will be absent for an indefinite period of time. During his absence, Professor McGonagall will be overseeing the Slytherin house and a substitute will be overseeing the potions class."

There were quite a few silent cheers from the students. Harry could see Neville ready to dance a happy jig at the news and Ron doing his best not to whoop violently in the air. Malfoy and the Slytherins, of course, didn't look happy. Now Dumbledore indicated the old witch.

"Professor Hagrid will not be this year as well to attend pressing business. During his absence, Professor Lynn will be over seeing the Care of Magical Creature classes."

Everyone applauded politely for her.

"Starting from this year, Hogwarts will be offering a new subject, namely foreign magic studies. As many of you were informed during summer holidays by letter, this new subject will allow you to learn various other forms of sorcery other then our own. Moreover, for the first time in recorded magical history, the Asian and Indian confederation of magic has consented to provide us with masters of their own arts of sorcery."

A lot of the students were now whispering excitedly to on another, their eyes shining with anticipation. Dumbledore smiled at them.

"Yes, you will be the first European students that will formally learn about Asian sorcery. The professor and his teaching assistants of the new subject will be arriving soon. I believe they're having trouble with transportation … Ah, I think they're coming now!"

Every head turned to doors of the Great Hall. The doors were open. There was a short and lean old man with a ruddy face and long silvery beard and hair, just like Dumbledore. Unlike Dumbledore, the old man looked stern and formidable, with brisling whiskers that drooped on the ends. Behind him followed six younger men and women, all looking like they were in their twenties or thirties. Two were wearing traditional Chinese outfits, two wore kimonos, and two wore white han-bok: traditional Korean outfits.

The group silently walked towards the teachers' table and everyone followed their progress. At the teachers' table the old man bowed briefly at Dumbledore, who bowed back. The younger men and women bowed more formally. The old man took a seat on the table while the rest stood behind him, facing the students.

"This is Professor Wu; your primary foreign magic studies instructor and the one of the greatest sorcerers of China," said Dumbledore indicating the old man.

There was an enthusiastic applause.

"And these are his teaching assistants. Starting from the left, that is: Chen Hsue and Yimay Wang; JinHwee Lim and AanJi Kim; Yuri Ottodake and Ryosuke Kuzeyamashiro."

Everyone applauded heartily. Harry stared at the last TA with disbelief.

"Ron, Hermione -- that's Ryo!"

"WHAT?!" shouted Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the twins, stunned.

"I should have known," muttered Harry. "How many Asian sorcerers can Britain have?"

When the applause died down, Dumbledore raised his hand to get the students' attentions. His face was a bit somber.

"Yes, you are very lucky to have this experience. I hope everyone will make much out of it. Don't let past events hinder you from living today," he added. Harry lowered his glance as he felt many pairs of eyes falling on him. Harry saw Cho in the corner of his eye. She looked pained. "Don't let it stop you from enjoying future days. Then rest assured," Dumbledore brightened his voice "This castle will remain unified and friendly to everyone. That is all. Chop, chop!"

Hermione stood up and started leading the new Gryffindor first years to the Gryffindor tower (she was prefect: no surprise here). Harry was about to leave with Ron when Ryo tapped him on the shoulder.

"Kuze-sama?" said Harry, a bit surprised.

"Ryo will be good enough, Potter-goon. Oh, hello; you must be Weasley-goon," said Ryo, nodding at Ron. "Potter-goon told me a lot about you. He says you are quite a strategist," (Ron's ears turned into an interesting shade of red at this) "Anyway, Professor McGonagall says she wants to talk with both of you."

Before either of them could say anything, Ryo steered Harry and Ron towards the teachers' table. Professor McGonagall was waiting for them.

"Thank you Mr. Kuze-yama …"

"Ryo please, McGonagall-sensei-sama," interrupted Ryo.

"Professor McGonagall to you," said Professor McGonagall in a severe tone. She must have thought Ryo called her by her last name only. Ryo, who obviously sensed this, patiently explained what the honorifics 'sensei' and 'sama' meant. After the explanation, she looked a bit sheepish and apologized to Ryo for her tone.

"There's no need to look worried, you two. You're not in trouble yet."

Ron and Harry looked at each other as they followed Professor McGonagall to her office. Once they were in her office, she motioned them to sit down. She settled herself behind her desk and said abruptly, "I called you both to tell you about the appointment of the second Gryffindor prefect."

Harry was bewildered. What did he and Ron and to do with the appointment of the second Gryffindor prefect? He glanced at Ron, and noticed he looked nervous but not bewildered.

"As you know, there are at most two Prefects in each house. Usually we select the one male student and one female student in top academic standing within the house. Now to the point: you, Potter, were originally selected as the second Gryffindor Prefect."

Harry felt his jaw drop. Me, a prefect?

"Yes, believe it or not you were. But---," continued Professor McGonagall as she glanced at Harry. "But before we could inform you of the decision, you disappeared and were assumed … dead. Under the circumstances we had to select another student as the second Prefect. Mr. Weasley was next in academic standing after you amongst the male students in Gryffindor so we selected him. Mr. Weasley, however, asked to suspend the official appointment to after it was beyond a doubt you had … deceased, Potter."

Harry stared at Ron with wide eyes. Ron shrugged sheepishly.

"Now that it's quite clear you are very much alive Potter, the school is in a rather awkward position," said Professor McGonagall looking at both of them. "We have to honor our first appointment, but we can't ignore the second one."

Professor McGonagall suddenly gave them a tiny smile.

"Under these circumstances, the Headmaster decided to bend the rules a bit and appoint three Prefects in Gryffindor. You two are appointed as the second and third prefect of Gryffindor. Congratulations Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley."

The looks on Harry's and Ron's faces must have been classic: Professor McGonagall actually laughed at them.

"Well, aren't you going to take your badges?" said Professor McGonagall as she showed them two shiny Prefect badges.

Harry and Ron took the badges as if they were in a trance and slowly pinned it on their robes. Harry woke up from his trance long enough to tell Professor McGonagall about his attention to take Ancient Runes. They were about to leave when Professor McGonagall said something to Harry.

"Mr. Ryo informed me you need medical attention, Potter. Madame Pomfrey is expecting you. Go the hospital wing immediately."

Harry nodded and left the office with Ron. The two of them walked towards the Hospital wing in silence for a while.

"You refused to be a prefect while I was gone?" said Harry at last.

Ron just shrugged.

"Why?" asked Harry staring at him.

"Then what was I suppose to do? Take the opportunity or something?" said Ron indignantly. Then he shuddered and started ranting, like he wanted to tell Harry about it long ago.

"I just couldn't accept it. I mean, I knew you were most likely to be prefect since you were obviously better then most of the boys in Gryffindor, and you being … well you, you know? But when I got the Prefect letter … I felt like I robbed the dead!" said Ron with another shudder.

Harry continued to stare at Ron, now with an open mouth. Ron ranted on.

"I mean, I-I thought you were dead, for crying out loud! How could I accept something you would have got if you were alive? I would've hated myself for the rest of my bloody life if did that! I was bloody miserable as it was … Kept going on what a stupid, moronic prat I was during the Triwizard tournament, what I should have done before you were gone, what I should have said before …"

Harry slapped Ron on the head.

"What did'ya do that for?" demanded Ron, rubbing his head.

"You were ranting," replied Harry. Ron turned beet red at that.

Harry smiled serenely at Ron.

"To tell you the truth, I feel like ranting too. I was worried out of my mind all the time while I was at the Kuzes: how were you taking my disappearance, whether the Death Eaters attacked you and your family, whether you and Hermione were OK … the list goes on and on. But I doubt I felt as miserable as you."

Ron let out a sigh.

"I was bloody miserable, yeah. Hermione more then me I think. I heard about people getting all guilty and depressed when someone close to them dies, and I never imagined it would hurt that much. But what hurt me the most was regret: I never regretted so much for such a long time in my entire life. I'm telling you, regret in the worst human emotion in this planet. I don't plan to do something I'll regret later for a long time."

Harry nodded slowly. He could understand Ron perfectly.

"Next time if I start acting like a prat, just punch me on the nose or something, will you?" said Ron with oddly sad looking grin on his face.

"And you to me, too" said Harry, nudging Ron with his elbow.

The two friends walked down the corridors laughing.