Aya-chan was inside a castle. A large one. And though she had been inside it for quite some time, she had not been able to find her way out yet, try as she might. It was all one big maze. She DID manage to find a few important places: behind a painting of a fat lady in a pink dress, there was a dormitory. It had a fireplace and nice comfy chairs, and nice and comfy beds. Not TOO far away, there was what appeared to be a large banquet hall set up with long tables. Food instantly appeared on it whenever Aya-chan sat down. When she wasn’t sleeping or eating, Aya-chan spent her time trying to get out. She normally became hopelessly lost by the time her stomach told her was "lunchtime", and gave up, but sometimes, something different happened. She could hear her nii-chan’s voice. She couldn’t quite make out what he was saying, but it was definitely Ran’s voice, and Aya found it encouraging. She didn’t feel quite so muddled when he was with her. Inevitably, though, nii-chan would leave before she’d found the exit.

Today, Aya-chan was DETERMINED to find the way out, nii-chan or no nii-chan. She wandered aimlessly for a time, and found herself at a dead end.

"Oh great. NOW where do I go?" She asked no one in particular.

"That depends on where you want to get to." Answered a painting on the wall, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. That was another thing Aya still hadn’t gotten used to. The paintings here could talk.

Aya knew it was childish, but by this point she had had it up to HERE. She was fed up with this place, with the absence of a clearly-defined exit, with not being able to understand her brother. She threw a temper tantrum.

"I want to get OUT!" She stomped her feet and yelled at the painting. "I WANNA GO HOME TO MY NII-CHAN!"

The painting smirked as though it were insufferably proud of itself for knowing something that Aya didn’t.

"Well, why didn’t you say so?" It asked. "Right this way."

It swung forward like a door to reveal a lush green lawn underneath the warm summer sun. Aya rushed forward enthusiastically only to find herself lying in bed in a castle again. Great. She’d dreamt the door-painting, hadn’t she?. . On further inspection, there was something different about this place. It didn’t look quite like she was the only person here. The beds beside her needed to be made, and absent minded humming drifted her way from an adjacent room. Soon the woman humming came into view. She seemed like a nice lady. Aya was glad she wasn’t alone anymore.

"Well hello. I’m glad you decided to join us." She said when she saw that Aya was awake.

Aya was confused. She didn’t know much English. She understood ‘hello’, but nothing else.

"What? Where’s my nii-chan?" She asked, but clearly the woman didn’t speak Japanese.

"You just sit tight one minute, and I’ll go and fetch your brother." The lady said. Aya understood the word ‘brother’. The lady gave Aya a reassuring smile before she left again.

If he had to pick one subject as his favorite, Seamus Finnigan would have to pick the class he was currently in, muggle studies. This year, it was especially interesting. Japanese muggle studies. Today, Professor Fujimiya was talking about how they celebrated English holidays, such as Christmas. He was just getting to the good part when Mme Pomfrey entered the room. Fujimiya stopped his lecture and went to her, rather anxiously from Seamus’ point of view.

"I have some good news." Pomfrey said. "Your sister has decided to come back to us. She said something, but I’m afraid I didn’t understand."

Fujimiya’s entire face lit up. He was even smiling.

"Aya. . ." he said. For a moment he just stood there. Then he remembered himself.

"CLASS DISMISSED!" He shouted, and hurried out of the room, Pomfrey hurrying behind. Most of the class was left stunned, unsure whether to take him seriously or not. Pretty soon most packed their things and left, trying to leave before Fujimiya changed his mind. What was going on? Seamus didn’t get it, but he couldn’t wait to tell Harry.

Crawford was pacing around in his office. He considered it most fortunate that he did not have a class right now, allowing him plenty of time to devote to working around this tiny problem that just arose. Why didn't his powers tell him this was going to happen? This made their whole plan much more difficult. Aya was awake. Their entire plan was going to have to change. There was no way Fujimiya would let his sister out of his sight now. With the girl asleep, only a few students would have known about her - much less of her kidnapping. Now that she was awake, she would obviously be making her presence known to the entire student population. And then if she were discovered missing, nosey little students would probably investigate. Most inconvenient.

All of Schwartz was in his office yet again. Schuldig of course was incredibly amused that the all-knowing Crawford was…wrong. "Funny Crawford…last I heard she wasn't going to wake up any time soon."

"Hit him with something, Nagi." Crawford snapped as a retort.

After dodging the paperweight coming after his head, Schuldig stood up from his usual chair. "Well, I'm off to my class to teach…after all, have to keep up appearances. When you come up with a plan let me know. Until then, I'm off to make some Gryffindor and Ravenclaw sixth years miserable!"

Crawford was about to say something but Schuldig closed the door before he could speak.

Seamus ran straight to Harry, Ron, and Hermione when he saw them already in the Telepathy classroom. For some reason everyone was required to take the class. Dumbledore had said something about forming mental barriers to keep unwanted things out. Like Death Eaters, most assumed.

"Did you hear?! Professor Fujimiya has a sister! And she just awoke from…something. Pomfrey didn't say! Do you know anymore about it?"

Their eyes all met. "I can't wait to meet her!" Hermione said excitedly. "I hope she's friendlier than her brother!"

"It certainly seemed to make his day. He let us have a free period!"

"Well, you can't blame him, can you? According to a friend of ours, she’s been in a coma for a couple years. She was in some kind of car accident in the Muggle world." Harry added.

Ron looked speculatively. "Think she'll join the school as a student when she's feeling better? She's got to be a witch…unless she's a squib."

"She's a witch." Ron gulped and turned around to see the source of the unfamiliar voice. "You must be Ron Weasley. Nice hair. And you Harry Potter," the orange haired professor added, noting the scar on his forehead. "That leaves this young lady as Hermione Granger. Miss Granger. Is your mind always on books? And yes, Seamus Finnigan. And look! Bombay!"

Hermione swiveled to face Omi who had just joined the group. "Bombay?"

Omi's face drained of color. How was he going to explain that? Why was Schuldig so open with it? It could bring consequences to him too. Not that that had ever bothered him, come to think of it.

The young professor chuckled. "Mr. Tsukiyono and I are old friends. That just happens to be my pet name for him."

"How cute!" Lavender sighed.

Omi's eyes widened. Were they ALL in this conversation now? He could just see it now. "Uncle Persia… I need a new code name. Schuldig exposed me and now I think all the girls are going to call me 'Bombay' because they think it's cute!" Yohji would roll on the floor in laughter and never let him live it down. Neither would Schuldig. This year was going to be horrible!

He was brought out of his reverie with Harry poking him in the back telling him to go sit down somewhere. Apparently he was the only one still standing up.

Schuldig waited for Omi to sit down before he started, of course. Omi was sure he did it just to make him feel even more nervous.

"Good morning, class. My name is professor Schuldig. Welcome to Telepathy." He passed around the room, reciting the little speech he’d prepared earlier.

"Some of you may find this class enjoyable." He brushed his hand along Lavender’s desk and winked. He was rewarded with a wave of hormone-induced giddiness, and a shy grin. It was at this point that Omi stopped paying attention, and found himself thinking about Hermione. Omi thought her the nicest girl he’d met at Hogwarts. And very pretty, too. And. . .

And that was when Schuldig stopped at Omi’s desk, and slammed a fist down on it. Omi was startled, but the desired effect was achieved. Omi’s attention returned to Schuldig.

"Then again, others may not. And Bombay, kindly get your mind on class and off of Miss Granger."

Omi blushed, and the rest of the class giggled. Except Hermione, who blushed as well, and Ron, who gave Omi a questionable look.

"Either way, I can promise you an interesting year. So let’s get started." Schuldig continued. For the rest of the class, he dictated the course outline, including a description of their final exam. They would have to develop mental defenses, and if Schuldig could get into their minds past them, he would share an embarrassing story out of their past with the rest of the class. Omi wasn’t sure whether Schuldig would tell them about his kidnapping, or about Weiß, but he WAS sure that he would tell them something, regardless of the outcome of his test.

Schuldig also made it a point to call Omi by his codename through the whole class.

"My name is Tsukiyono Omi." He corrected once, resentfully. Schuldig assumed an indignant pose.

"Don’t correct ME. Do you want a detention?" Omi shot him an angry glare worthy of Abyssinian.

"No, sir." He muttered and said no more. He felt sick. He just KNEW he was going to hate this class.

By the time lunch rolled around, Aya-chan and Ran Fujimiya were joined by Professor Dumbledore, who entered the room with the sorting hat tucked neatly under his arm, and Madame Pomfrey, who entered with an old, dusty bottle in her hands. She handed it to Ran.

"Be a dear and give her this for me. Make sure she drinks every last drop. It’ll make her good as new again."

It proved to be quite a slow and tedious process, due to the fact that Aya-chan’s muscles had atrophied somewhat in the two years she’d spent lying in bed. Eventually the task was done, and Aya’s muscles were impaired no longer. She sat up with ease.

"AAh! That feels so good!" She said, giving her brother a hug. "nii-chan! I missed you!"

Ran smiled back. "I know." He said. "I missed you, too."

It was at this point that Professor Dumbledore spoke. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Fujimiya." He said.

"Who’s the old guy?" Aya asked. Thankfully, Ran was the only one who understood. Dumbledore shook his head slowly.

"No, this just won’t do." He pulled out his wand. "Loqui Angles."

It was amazing. Suddenly, all the background chatter, which was indistinguishable from nonsense to Aya-chan previously, made sense to her. She could understand what they were saying as plain as if they were all speaking Japanese.

"Much better. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts." Dumbledore continued.

Hogwarts was, of course, the name of the school that Aya was in. Her Nii-chan told her all about it.

"I am pleased to count you as one of Hogwarts’ students, but in order to do so, you’re going to need to be sorted into a house." Dumbledore explained. "This hat will do so. Just place it on your head."

The hat Dumbledore had seemed rather old and ugly to Aya. How could it ‘sort’ her? She looked over at Ran, but he nodded that it was okay, so she did as she was told.

"A little late to be sorted, isn’t it?" The ratty old hat asked once Aya-chan had put it on her head.

"I – I’m sorry." Aya apologized in a small voice. "I’ve been asleep for a long time, and I’ve only just woken up."

At this, the hat took on a more soothing tone.

"Oh, it’s quite alright. Let’s just see here. . . I sense a strong bond with your family, but not with your friends. That’ s odd."

"They’re on the other side of the world, if they even remember me." Aya sighed, bowing her head.

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"I’m going to study hard, make lots of NEW friends, and make my Nii-chan proud!"

"That settles it." Said the hat. "GRYFFINDOR!"

Meanwhile, Yohji walked along the halls with a purpose, Draco Malfoy in tow. They were off to the hospital wing to arrange Draco’s detention. Professor Dumbledore had been the one to suggest the odd timing.

"Professor Kudou, why can’t I go to lunch? Can’t you just tell me what I have to do after school?" He complained, lagging behind.

"Because I said I would arrange your detention now, Malfoy-kun. That’s why." Yohji didn’t even look behind. They arrived at the hospital wing just in time to see Aya-chan be sorted into Gryffindor.

Great, thought Malfoy. Just what Hogwarts needed. ANOTHER Gryffindor.

Dumbledore took back the sorting hat and tucked it back under his arm once more before greeting the new arrivals.

"Mr. Malfoy, just in time. I’d like you to meet Aya Fujimiya." He said. Fujimiya? Why did that name seem familiar?

"She happens to be a relation of Professor Fujimiya," Dumbledore said. The red-haired Japanese man sitting with the dark-haired Japanese girl nodded. That explained it. Fujimiya was that new teacher who never smiled.

"She is going to be joining us as a 6^th year student. Your job will be to escort her to classes and the surrounding areas until she becomes more familiar with the school."

"Meaning no disrespect or anything, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Kudou, but wouldn't it be better for her if a fellow Gryffindor were to show her around?"

"Why? Are you just trying to get out of showing me around? That's fine by me! I wouldn't want to be shown around by some pompous, frilly, brat! I bet you couldn't even do it if you tried!" She turned her back to him, ignoring him completely while trying not to smile.

She was familiar with those kinds of people. The ones that thought they were better than the rest of the world. He oozed pride. She'd show him! "And no, Nii-chan, I refuse to apologize."

Aya, or Ran as he would tell everyone to call him from now on, closed his mouth. "Apparently two years later I still act the same way I used to with you."

"Frilly! I am not frilly! I am a Malfoy and Malfoys are NOT frilly! They are poised and elegant, and-" He stopped as soon as he realized he was being led on.

Aya was nodding at his outburst. "Obviously so."

The adults were attempting to refrain from laughing.

Draco knew he should be upset. In fact, he wondered why he all of a sudden...wasn't. Maybe it was because he knew he couldn't do anything about it. "You know what? You're right. I'll take you around. And the first thing I'll do is introduce you to some of the other Gryffindors." Why was her brother glaring at him? It's not like he wanted to do it either.

Madame Pomfrey looked worried. "Mr. Malfoy, are you feeling all right? Do you think you have a fever?"

Come now! He wasn't being that much out of character! He could be helpful when he wanted. "I'm fine," he got out through gritted teeth.

Aya smiled sweetly at him. "Well? Let's go!"

While not necessary the easiest of his classes, Care of Magical Creatures always proved to be the most eventful of Harry’s classes. Today, Hagrid had containing one small, grey, knobby, sneaky-looking thing. Harry could also see that he held something metallic in its hands.

Soon, the whole class was watching the strange creature. That was when it crept over to the wall of the pen closest to Hagrid’s cottage and snatched the hook off of a fishing rod that was leaning across the fence. The creature crept back to its spot. Hermione wasted no time going up to Hagrid, who had just come out.

"Hagrid! That… thing of yours. It’s got the hook from the fishing rod over there." She told him, pointing.

Ron rolled his eyes. Leave it up to Hermione to spoil the fun. He was hoping that Malfoy would annoy it, so it would try and stab him with it.

Hagrid was not amused.

"Bloody Hell!" He said, and took off into the pen and chased off after the thing, which had started running away. At one point it came close to where Harry and Ron and company were watching, and the thing dropped what it had been holding originally, in order to clutch the hook closer. Ron picked it up. It was a coin. On the large side, it had a centre of gold bearing the picture of a polar bear on one side, and a portrait of the Queen engraved on the other. It was surrounded by a silver ring. On the heads side, the Queen’s name was written, along with a small maple leaf, and the year 1996. On the tails side, "Canada 2 Dollars" was written.

"What IS it?" he asked, admiring it.

"Muggle Money." Said Hagrid, coming up behind him, hook in one hand, and the thing under the other. "From Canada."

"MY PRECIOUS!" the creature struggled like mad to free itself and to grab the coin from Ron. "We must have it!"

Hagrid walked past Ron and tossed the thing back into the pen.

" ‘Ang on there, Déagol. You’ll get it soon enough."

With that, he took the coin from Ron.

"See him? He’s a Gollum. Gollums aren’t too far off from House Elves. The thing is, they like shiny things. Get rather attached to them, too. Wizard who had ‘em in their houses would soon go broke."
Hagrid tossed Déagol back his coin, and he scampered off to the far corner.

"So that’s how Gringotts got started."

Today’s lesson involved feeding it.

"What do they EAT?" Pansy Parkinson asked, with a disgusted look on her face.

"Fish." Hagrid said. He fetched a large bucket that was sitting beside the house. Inside were two live trout.

"Aren’t you even going to kill them?" She asked again.

"Nope. He likes to kill ‘em himself."

Pansy turned green. She wasn’t the only one.

"Who’s first?" Hagrid asked.