Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Harry Potter and the Five Transfer Students ❯ New Friends in Diagon Alley ( Chapter 2 )

Title: Harry Potter and the Five Transfer Students (for lack of a better title)

Author: Alexis - mezzomonkey@earthlink.net

Pairings: Ron+Hermione, 1+2, 3+4, 5+Meilan, perhaps others

Rating: let's just say R to play things safe, yes?

Warnings: hmm…crossover, AU, shounen ai/yaoi, het, potential bad language, some degree of violence, fangirly Japanese, corny jokes, sap, angst of the romantic nature, magic

Archive: At FFN and MediaMiner under LexaRose, and if anyone else wants me, just ask!

Disclaimer: Don't own the GWing boys, don't own Harry Potter…I'm just playing for fun!

Notes: This story is AU for the Gundam Wing boys (sorry, no time travel or mechas here, unfortunately!)

~*~*~*~*~

Duo Maxwell arrived in Diagon Alley, thanks to a wonderful portkey set up by his old teacher, Professor G. Grinning like a madman, he went straight to the Leaky Cauldron, and reserved himself a room for the night.

Coming out of his room to go get his shopping over with, he ended up crashing into a blonde boy leaving the room across the hall. "Oof! Man, I'm sorry! I didn't even see you there!"

The blonde looked up at him and smiled. "That's quite alright, I didn't see you either. My name is Quatre Raberba Winner; I'm transferring to Hogwarts this year. Do you go there?"

"Wow, you're a transfer too? So am I; the name is Duo Maxwell. I run and I hide, but I never tell a lie. That's me in a nutshell. What school are you transferring from?"

"I used to attend Madhdhab Ghaib [1] in Saudi Arabia. That means, roughly, School of the Unseen."

"Very cool, I never would have guessed that you were Arabic though, must be the blonde hair. I'm from the Salem Witches Institute of Salem, Massachusetts. I know, I know, I'm a guy; they just kept the name since the school has been there since the founding of Salem back in the 1600s. Hey, I still have to get my books and stuff, wanna come along?"

"Sure, that sounds great. Shall we go?" Quatre swung his arm out in a grand gesture, pointing the way towards the stairs.

"But of course, my good man. Let us be off!" Duo said this with a jaunty little wave, and made his way down the stairs and out of the building.

Once outside, the two foreigners paused to get their bearings and decide where to go first. Both were feeling slightly overwhelmed in their new surroundings, but were excited at the same time. Quatre grabbed the sleeve of Duo's robes, tugging him in the direction of Flourish and Blotts. "Let's go get our books, and get that part over with."

The pair weaved their way through the crowds of people and eventually ended up inside the crowded bookstore. "Whew. Glad we got through that mess! Now let's see, what do we need? You're a sixth year, right," Duo asked. Quatre nodded in reply, which earned him a grin. "Good, so am I. That means we need two copies of the Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six, Advanced Transfiguration, um, what other classes are you taking?"

"I'm continuing with Divination, so I need Toying with the Tarot, and -" Quatre suddenly cut off, looking towards the doorway of the shop. "Duo, look," he said in a low whisper. "There's Harry Potter! We're going to be in the same year as him."

Shooting a bored glance over at the newcomer, he looked back at his companion, somewhat reproachfully. "Now, Q, I'm sure the guy has had enough of all that hero-worship bullshit from everyone else at the school. Let's not fall in with that, and just treat him like anyone else, I'm sure he'd appreciate not being goggled at by even more people."

Quatre looked properly chastened. "You're right; it does seem rather silly, since he is still just a sixteen year-old just like us. What do you say we go over there and do the friendly thing, and introduce ourselves?"

"Now that sounds like a plan, my man!"

~*~*~*~*~

Harry walked into Flourish and Blotts with Hermione and Ron in tow, the two of them bickering over the fact that Hermione didn't think Ron did enough studying over the summer. Tuning them out, Harry noticed a blonde boy his age looking at him, and he groaned internally. The new boy looked about his age, and seemed to be speaking with a girl with long chestnut hair drawn into a braid.

The pair turned and headed towards Harry and his friends, both wearing large smiles. Harry was in fact surprised to note that the one with the braid was in fact a guy, not a girl. "Hey there! You folks go to Hogwarts, right?" This inquiry from the braided boy brought and end to Ron and Hermione's argument in favor of inspecting the newcomers. "The name's Duo, Duo Maxwell. I'm a transfer student from the good ol' US of A."

"And I'm Quatre Raberba Winner, and I'm also a transfer student, but I come from Saudi Arabia."

Hermione seemed ready to jump on the two new students in an effort to gain more knowledge due to different teaching practices at different schools. "I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Ron Weasley." At this, Ron waved and greeted them.

"I'm Harry Potter; it's nice to meet you both." Harry held back on a cringe, waiting for the inevitable questions and adulation from the new students. Instead he just got a grin and a slap on the back from Duo.

"Cool, but I hope you don't expect me to kiss your ass because of that. I figure you're a guy, just like me, and you don't need a flock of fair-weather friends that want a piece of your fame. Don't get me wrong, I still wanna make friends, but only because you seem like a cool guy, and let me tell you, Duo Maxwell does not lie."

Harry grinned at the mouthful from the violet-eyed American. He found Duo's blunt honesty quite refreshing, and so different from so much of the double-talk back at school. "That sounds perfect to me; I have enough of a fan club already, without cultivating more members."

Quatre and Ron had braced themselves for a potential confrontation, and they both sighed in relief when it didn't come to pass. However it seemed that their relief was a little early, because a voice dripping in sarcasm came from behind Duo.

"Did Potter find himself a new girlfriend, since he got dumped by Chang?"

Harry growled, "Malfoy." He took in the sight of his most hated rival, his green eyes sparking with anger.

Duo, on the other hand, whirled around, his long braid swinging in an arc, smacking into Draco. "Excuse me, but I'm a guy. Do we have a problem with that?"

Draco sputtered, surprised that the slim girl that Potter was talking to was in fact a boy with a three-foot long braid and wide violet eyes set in a delicate, heart-shaped face.

Quatre took this moment to cut in, falling quite easily into the role of peacemaker. "Guys, there's no need to fight about this. Duo, he only saw you from behind, he couldn't tell if you were a guy or a girl. I'm sure that, oh I'm sorry, I didn't get your name?"

The Slytherin's silver gaze slid over to the blonde with the trusting aqua eyes. "Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Quatre nodded. "My name is Quatre Raberba Winner, and this is Duo Maxwell. We're both transfer students. But anyway, I'm sure that you meant no insult to Duo when you made your statement. So why don't we all just put this little incident behind us like it never happened?"

The whole group stared at Quatre, amazed at how he thoroughly defused the situation in a matter of minutes, without anyone drawing wands or attempting to pummel each other into the carpeting. Duo then grinned and ruffled his new friend's hair. "Well, Q, you're a good guy to have around, I think we'll keep you." He then walked away, guiding the others to follow him, leaving Draco behind.

"Boy, is that guy always that irritating?"

Ron scowled, "No, he's usually much worse. Nasty piece of work, he is, all about pure-blood supremacy and his family's wealth. We even finally had proof last year that his father was in league with You-Know-Who."

Duo and Quatre looked at each other, blinked, and then laughed. Quieting down, Quatre shrugged. "Well, I'm sure he won't like me. I've definitely got much more money than he does, and I'm Muggle-born. Not that I'm complaining, I wouldn't want to know him anyway."

With a rather sardonic smirk, Duo commented, "Hey, at least you know if you are or not. I'm an orphan, so I don't know if my parents were magic. I was lucky enough that a kind old witch adopted me because she realized that I wasn't a muggle. Else, I wouldn't be here today with you fine people. And that, my friends, would be a tragedy in itself."

The five new friends then gathered the books they'd need for the upcoming year and paid for them, coming back out into the sunlight with their arms heavier and their pockets lighter. "What else does everyone need to get?" Hermione inquired. "Remember, we still need to pick up parchment, quills and ink."

"I need more wood polish for my broomstick."

"We HAVE to go by Fred and George's shop; I want to pick up some Skiving Snackboxes."

"I think I would like to pick up an owl good for long-distance deliveries."

"ICE CREAM. I definitely need ice cream. Anyone else game?"

So the three Britons, one Arabian, and one entirely too happy American made their way to Florean Fortescue's to have an ice cream treat before continuing with their shopping. After ordering, they all sat down at an outdoor table so that they could watch the different people go about their business.

Happily munching on his strawberry and chocolate sundae, Duo suddenly paused, his violet eyes wider than normal. He just sat there staring incredulously, his mouth hanging open. Ron, who happened to be sitting next to him, pinched the braided wizard in the side which caused him to yelp indignantly. "Oi! What was that for?"

"You just kind of froze, what happened? Did you see someone you know, someone you don't want to see?" Harry looked at his new friend, confused at what could elicit such a reaction.

Duo shook his head vehemently. "No, quite the opposite, someone I don't know, and someone I DEFINITELY want to see. Look over there, outside of Flourish and Blotts."

The others complied, trying to see what had floored Duo so much. Hermione's eyes widened, let out a small "oh", and then had a kind of goofy smile on her face. Quatre looked over, then back at Duo, snickering. "Cute," he said, and continued to snicker at Harry and Ron's looks of utter confusion.

"Who is it, mate? I don't see anyone over there except for that foreign-looking guy." Ron scratched his head at this, wondering if the girl Duo was looking at had walked inside the store.

"Exactly!" Duo grinned at the dawning looks of comprehension on both the other boys faces. "He's gorgeous; do you know who he is?"

Ron stuttered, whereas Harry recovered much more quickly. "No, sorry, I don't recognize him from Hogwarts, but maybe he's a transfer like you." He then gave Duo a sly smile. "You could always go and talk to him." Quatre and Hermione quickly joined in, nodding to indicate their agreement to that plan.

Now it was Duo's turn to stutter. "Wh-what? No, I couldn't! He probably doesn't even like guys, and he looks like he could kick my ass! Plus, he probably doesn't even speak English. And I doubt he's another transfer, there are only five of us. What are the chances of meeting another of them today before getting to school?"

Ron finally collected himself enough to speak, or rather, tease. "What, are you telling me that you're scared? You had no trouble talking to any of us, why not have a go with him?"

"No offense, but I wasn't exactly so thrown off-kilter as to be speechless with you guys, like this guy did to me. And believe me, to make me speechless is quite a feat. Also, I'm a friendly guy, I like meeting new people. This guy, however, is making my heart beat so fast I can hear it pounding in my ears. I'll probably do something so remarkably dumb, that he'll think I'm a total moron."

"No offense taken," Hermione said with a smile. "I quite agree with you, he is rather good-looking." This of course earned her a sharp glare from Ron. "Besides, since we don't recognize him, and he is school-going age, I'm almost positive that he must be one of the transfers. That means he won't know anyone here, so you should go and introduce yourself, maybe invite him to join us."

At this point, Harry, Ron, and Quatre joined in with Hermione, and they finally convinced Duo to go up to the stranger. "Man, with friends like you guys, who needs enemies?" The only answer he got to that was four angelic smiles. Shaking his head, he stood and made his way over to the bookstore they just left.

~*~*~*~*~

Heero Yuy had been watching the braided boy since he walked into Flourish and Blotts with another young wizard around his age. He had been browsing through the titles, observing the good-looking teen at the same time, and overheard his conversation with the three Hogwarts students, as well as the confrontation with the other one.

Hmm, he thought. He and his companion are both transfers like me. Good, that means I'll have the opportunity to get to know him better. Heero finished that thought with a slight quirking of the lips that could almost be considered a smile. After watching the group leave the store, he made his purchases and exited as well.

He stood outside, trying to decide where to go next, hoping to run into the braided teen again, when he felt eyes on him. Scanning the crowds, he found out that it was none other than the very object of his thoughts looking completely dumbstruck.

A small smile curved the Japanese boy's lips. Well, this does make things quite a bit more interesting. And it looks like his friends are trying to get him to come over here. When he finally saw the boy stand up and come over, the smile became infinitesimally larger.

"Hey there, I couldn't help but notice that you're all by your lonesome over here. Would you like to join me and my friends?"

"Sure."

"Great!" Duo began to lead Heero back to Fortescue's, stealing a covert glance at his new companion. "The name's Duo Maxwell, I'm transferring to Hogwarts for my sixth year. Do you go there?"

Heero nodded. "Heero Yuy. I'm a transfer also."

A huge smile broke out on Duo's face, which made Heero's breath catch in his throat. "That's awesome! I bet we'll have some classes together then." By then they had reached the table at the ice cream parlor where he had left his new friends. "Hey guys, this is Heero, he's a transfer too. Heero, this is Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Quatre. Quatre is also a transfer student. I wonder who the other two are." When each of their names was mentioned, the others waved in greeting.

Quatre smiled at the new person in their group. "Where are you transferring from, Heero? I'm from Saudi Arabia, and Duo is from the States."

"Japan."

This immediately caused Hermione to pounce, almost literally, on him. "Did you go to Gakkou no Houou [2]? I've read that that's the best magic school in the East. I wonder what differences there have been in all of your training as opposed to ours."

Duo, who had just returned from fetching a chair for their newcomer, placed it down next to his and sat down, looking forlornly at his rather melted sundae. "Heero, sit down, take a load off. Do you want an ice cream, mine's all melted."

Heero shook his head, "I'll get it; you just wait here." And with that, he disappeared into the parlor to get ice cream.

Duo, in the meanwhile, automatically ducked from the bombardment of questions flying at him.

"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

"Aren't you glad you didn't chicken out?"

"I bet he's really smart, so he'll be a good friend to have." That one was unmistakably Hermione.

"He's coming back, and look, Duo! He got you another ice cream!" Quatre grabbed Duo's arm to point this out, acting like a giddy school - erm - boy.

Duo peeked over, and then immediately turned back to Quatre, his cheeks turning a rather attractive shade of pink. "Shhh!" he hissed. "Don't make too much out of it, he's just being nice!"

Heero came back to the table, and set one of the ice creams in front of Duo. "Here, your ice cream melted because of me, so I thought I'd get you another one."

Duo shot Quatre a glance that said, "See? I told you so," and then looked back at Heero. "Thanks man, that was really nice of you." Duo then noticed that Heero's eyes, which were shaded by his overly long bangs, were an astonishing shade of blue, and not brown like he originally thought.

Harry then cleared his throat, bringing the attention of the two boys back to the rest of the group. "So, Heero, have you run into any of the other transfer students yet?"

Taking a bite of his mint chip, Heero shook his head in response. Swallowing, he continued, "I just arrived today. I did all my shopping; you five are the first people I've spoken with besides shopkeepers."

Hermione waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Well, meeting three out of five in one day is pretty good, and we'll see the other two at the feast, if not before then. I wonder where they are from."

Duo took a large bite of ice cream, closing his eyes in pleasure. "Mmm…ow! Oh man, brain freeze! This sucks." He then pouted, rubbing his temples in a soothing manner.

Everyone at the table laughed. "Well, I'm sure none of them will be quite like you; you're one of a kind, Duo." Ron managed to cut down his sniggering enough to get that sentence out.

The aforementioned American shot a glare at Ron, and then went back to rubbing his temples. After another moment, he sighed, and started eating his ice cream again, at a much slower pace.

"Mmm, so you're all staying at the Leaky Cauldron for the night, right?" Four nods was the reply. "Good, we can finish up with our shopping, and then meet Ginny there for dinner later." At the three identical looks of confusion, Harry grinned. "Ginny is Ron's sister, she's a year behind us. She went to meet up with her friends earlier."

"I still can't believe that she became such good friends with Tonks, even though she's so much older than Ginny."

Quatre then interjected politely, "Who is Tonks? Is she another student?"

This caused the three Britons to exchange glances, and then Harry shook his head. "No, I guess you could call Tonks a sort-of relation, or a friend of the family. She's my godfather's cousin."

"Well, we can go to the stationary store and pick up parchment and quills and whatnot, and then head next door to Quality Quidditch Supplies for the wood polish for Harry's broomstick, and across the way is Eeylops Owl Emporium, where Quatre can find himself a long-distance owl. Anywhere else we need to go?" After a significant look from Ron, Hermione added, "Besides Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes?"

Heero looked thoughtful, and then added, "I need to stop by the apothecary and pick up some ingredients for my potion-making kit. Other than that, I have all my supplies." The others nodded, and after finishing their ice cream, left the parlor to finish their shopping.

After picking up everything except for Quatre's owl, they went into Eeylops'. The blonde Arabian was drawn immediately to a large golden and black Eagle owl. "This is it, he's perfect!" Finding a salesperson, he immediately purchased the bird, a cage, and a supply of Owl Treats.

The group made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron after a long day of purse-lightening. "So Quatre, what are you going to name him?" Duo inquired of his newfound friend.

"I think I'll call him Sandrock. His coloring reminds me of the desert back home."

"Well, I hope he gets along with Shinigami."

This remark caused Heero to look sharply at Duo, as if stunned to hear what he said. "Did you say, 'Shinigami'? Who's that?"

Duo scratched at the back of his head, embarrassed. "Oh yeah, you're Japanese, you'd know what that means. Shinigami is my cat, she's pure black, and it just seemed like an appropriate name for personal reasons."

Everyone else looked at the pair with varying states of confusion. Ron finally decided to be the one to go out on a limb and ask the question that was on the rest of their minds. "So what does this 'Shinny Gammy' thing mean?"

Heero and Duo both laughed at the mispronunciation. "No, it's 'Shinigami', and it means God of Death, and no, before you ask, I'm not going to get into why I named her that. Maybe sometime I will, but not now."

The other five looked worried, but accepted his explanation for now, hoping that they'd find out the story sooner rather than later.

They had a quiet dinner with Ron's sister and mother, and all promised to meet up in the morning, so that they could make their way to Kings Cross station together to catch the train. Saying their goodnights, Quatre and Duo made their way over to their rooms, which were on the opposite side of the floor than the others.

"Hey, Q-man, I'll catch you in the AM, alright?"

"Sounds good to me, Duo. I'll see you tomorrow. 'Night!" Quatre then disappeared into his room and closed the door behind him.

Duo leaned up against his door for a moment, closing his eyes. "Yeah. 'Night." Turning around, he opened the door and went inside.

~*~*~*~*~

[1] Madhdhab is the Arabic word for "school of thought" and Ghaib is Arabic for "unseen". Now, I know nothing about grammar and sentence structure as far as that language is concerned, I just wanted something that sounded right and kinda wizard-y. I thought it worked nicely!

[2] Gakkou is Japanese for "school", and Houou means "Legendary Phoenix", so ta-da! School of the Legendary Phoenix. I thought it was quite cute, I've been having lots of fun naming the different wizarding schools (well, except for Duo's, because that was mentioned briefly in GOF, and one other, but you'll see, probably next chapter)