A/N: So I've finally updated, and I know that you guys are really frustrated with me for waiting so long to update. However, this chapter is really long, and it begins to introduce the plot! ^^ I'm really excited about that mind you. I found my Harry Potter book, so there are many more HP references, and Dialogue. I played with Seamus's accent, since he is Scottish (I think) and it wasn't portrayed well in the book. So before I bore the snot out of you before you even get to read the chapter, I'll stop and let you enjoy. Thanks to my most awesome and amazingly patient beta CrimsonKitsune333! Without her, this wouldn't be as well written. Oh yes, the Poll has ended, and you'll see what the paring is going to be next chapter. ^^

~*~*~*

Chapter Recap

Lavi tapped his bandanna-ed forehead in a "think, think, think" manner, before hitting his fist in his palm with a realization. "Those are thestrals! You can only see them if you've seen and accepted someone's death. They are thought to bring bad luck, but that's just a pointless superstition. They have a brilliant sense of smell and direction, and can take you anyplace you wish to go." Hermione gave him an almost scathing look, and Harry looked a little sick.

As if to comfort him Luna placed a hand on his shoulder before she climbed into the carriage. "Don't worry Harry; I see them just as well as you do." With that note, Harry wasn't sure if he should be comforted or worried sick.

~*~*~*

Harry and company were some of the last students to enter the castle, and when they entered the doors,a slightly flustered McGonagall was searching the masses. Upon spotting Harry and his companions, McGonagall walked quickly over, regaining her composure with each step that she took. "Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, Miss Lovegood, Mr. Longbottom, I need to escort your companions to their waiting area. If you would excuse us, please follow me." Without waiting for the group to follow, she took off briskly, expertly making her way through the hoard of students, to a smaller room just off the entry hall.

The door shut freely after the last of the Exorcists walked into the room, and McGonagall turned to them, eyeing each in turn. "Welcome to Hogwarts, Exorcists, I am Professor McGonagall; you will have me for Transfiguration. After the first years are sorted into their respective houses, you will be called out and introduced, and then sorted." McGonagall paused, waiting for questions.

Lenalee tentatively raised her hand, "Er, Professor, earlier our companions mentioned something about years, so which years will we be in? We're all of different ages, except for Kanda and Lavi."

"Mr. Walker will be in the fifth year, you Miss Lee, will be in the sixth year, and Mr. Kanda and Mr. Bookman will be in the seventh year. Your superior specifically asked us to put you in those years."

A collective, "Oh Nii-san.", "Damn it Komui.", "Well that's enlightening.", and raucous laughter sounded. McGonagall seemed startled.

"Did he not tell you?"

Kanda snorted rudely, "Che, that idiot doesn't tell us anything half the time." McGonagall raised an eyebrow at his callous behavior and turned away from the Exorcists.

"It's time for me to collect the First Years, so it won't be too long before you will be called." On that note, she swept out of the door, it closing unaided behind her.

Lavi looked at the rather stunned group, before smiling. "Well, this ought to be an interesting mission, ne?"

~*~*~*

It was as if they had been waiting forever, sitting, standing, and pacing aimlessly and restlessly. Lavi appeared to be having he most fun, sticking his ear to the crack of the door, trying to hear what was going on in the room next door. Every once in a while, he would snicker mysteriously, and Lenalee would only shake her head.

Allen tugged at the collar of her robes for it was becoming rather stuffy in their holding room. The calm wasn't to last, for Allen and Lenalee jumped at Lavi's sudden exclamation.

"Hey, I think they just called the last name!" He stood up so suddenly that his headband slid down and covered his good eye. He was straightening it as the door opened by itself, hitting him in the shoulder. A silly pout crossed his face before he opened it fully for Lenalee to exit. Taking a deep breath, Lenalee walked forward confidently, her heels clicking on the stone 's eye glinted mischievously and he bowed, holding the door open for Allen. She scowled but walked through the door anyway, her eyes widening at the sight she beheld. Had she no manners, her mouth would have dropped open in surprise.

Lavi rose from his bow just as Kanda walked by, receiving a scowl and a snort of distain for his troubles. He merely chuckled to himself as he followed behind; Not knowing what was in store beyond the door.

~*~*~*

Eerie harpsichord music played in the background at the elegant dinner as maids bearing pentacles on their foreheads carried trays and platters of food and drinks robotically. Eight figures sat the overly long table, each eating the course provided by the strange servants. Six of those seated at the table were all very similar in appearance, for they all had ash grey skin, dark hair (with the exception of one), and eerie glowing golden eyes. The other two at the table couldn't have been more different from both each other, and the rest of the dining party. One was round, like a beach ball, the other all robes and bones. One wore a beige coat and heavily decorated top hat, the other dark robes and a bald dome. One had glasses that reflected the light and a never disappearing smile, the other a snake-like face with piercing red eyes. But, no matter how different these associates were, they had come together for a purpose and they were planning on fulfilling their goals, no matter the cost.

"Kekekekekekeke, Let's enjoy our dinner together before we get on with business, Lord Voldemort." Voldemort narrowed his snake-like eyes at the man, but nodded his head in agreement. The man clapped his hands together, "Splendid, now let us eat!"

As those seated at the table began to consume the appetizers, a burly man towards the foot of the table grumbled under his breath. He kept mentioning something about it not being sweet enough. Two of the people sitting in the center area of the table pointed guns at each other and began to laugh hysterically. "Baldy needs his sweets!"

"His Swe~ets, Hee!"

"Jasdebi, stop being idiots."

"Now, now Rhode, we all need to be polite, we have company~. " The said girl gave the man a pouty look and slumped down in her chair.

"If you say so Earl." Seemingly satisfied, the meal continued better than those held without company. That is, until Rhode got bored. "Ne, Earl, why are we eating with an akuma?" That's when the dinner took a turn, but not necessarily for the worst, and the Millennium Earl gave a viscous smile.

~*~*~*

If Allen had an Adam's Apple, it would have bobbed noticeably at this moment. It wasn't like she wasn't used to being stared at, but having hundreds of pairs of eyes looking at you in deathly silence gets to you. She glanced at her companions, who all seemed to be rather shaken (except for Kanda, he just looked ticked off), then to the large table just to the group's right. There were a few faces she recognized, with Komui being one of them. She still didn't know how he got permission to join in on this mission, because as far as she knew, Komui had never left the order after getting to his position.

Allen's thoughts were broken up as the grand hall they were in burst into loud whispers before Dumbledore stood, and an uneasy hush fell across the students. "As you can see, we have some guests joining us for this year. They have traveled far, and I wish for everyone to accommodate them. They will now be sorted into their houses." As he took his seat, he nodded gravely to Professor McGonagall, and she unrolled a second sheet of parchment.

"Bookman, Lavi," The aforementioned Bookman apprentice grinned, a jaunty spring in his step as he walked forward and plopped down on the stool. It took several moments after the ratty old hat was placed on his head for a decision to be made.

With surprising gusto, the side of the hat separated from the brim (in what Allen, and apparently Lenalee, thought was just a rip) and yelled, "Gryffindor!"

A table decorated with red and gold burst into polite applause, except for Harry, Ron, Hermione, and one or two others that the group had met on the train, who clapped excitedly. Lavi picked the hat up from his naturally slightly messy hair and placed it gently on the stool before seating himself next to a certain pair of mischievous looking red-headed twins.

McGonagall read the next name on the parchment. "Kanda, Y—"

Kanda stormed the stool before she could finish saying his name and snatched the awaiting Sorting Hat from her hand and placed it huffily on his head, not bothering to take a seat.

After a couple moments, the sorting house stuttered, "Gr-Gryffindor!" Looking rather self-satisfied, Kanda took the hat off of his head and made his way to the same table as Lavi, finding a seat that was fairly isolated.

With her eyebrows furrowed into a scowl McGonagall red the next name from the list, "Lee, Lenalee."

Lenalee walked forward, her boots clicking on the stone floor in the uneasy quiet. Taking the Sorting hat and placing it delicately on her head, she waited a few moments before the Hat yelled, "Gryffindor!" When she took off the hat, her short hair was slightly rumpled and her bright eyes held a great deal of relief in them. She gently placed it back on the stool and walked to the same table as Lavi and Kanda, deciding to take a seat next to the Golden Trio.

Allen gulped as the entire group's gaze switched to her, eyeing her unusual hair and scar. Pasting a pleasant smile on her face, she walked forward as Professor McGonagall recited the last name on the list. "Walker, Allen" The hat was on her head and darkness filled her vision.

Just as she was becoming unnerved, a voice whispered in both her mind and her ear. "Interesting, very interesting…I haven't seen minds like you four since young Mr. Potter, especially you, Miss Walker." Allen stiffened slightly but kept all other reactions inside, she didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea. "Yes, I know your secrets, because I can see into your mind, shift through all of your thoughts, even the ones you don't remember. Don't worry, your secrets and thoughts are safe with this old hat. You are cunning, very cunning, willing to use your lying and cheating skills to achieve your means. However, you are fiercely brave and loyal, especially to your Black Order, even to the case of martyrdom as being the Destroyer of Time. However, I shall put you where you shall be of the most use, for both your reasons, and those you do not yet understand. So that'll be….GRYFFINDOR!"

Allen jumped at the Sorting Hat's last word, for it felt like he (for she assumed the hat was a he) had yelled it into her ear, if only for laughs. Slightly put off and rubbing a sore ear and forehead, Allen made her way to the table with her other comrades, seating herself next to Lenalee.

The applause and chatter ended as Dumbledore stood once more. "To our newcomers," his voice rang through the Great hall, and his beaming smile could have blinded, "Welcome! To our old hands – welcome back! There is a time for speech making, but this is not it. Tuck in." Dumbledore was seated once more as everyone's attention turned to the tables before them.

Allen's jaw almost dropped at the elaborate spread on the table before them, it looked as though Jerry had been cooking for a week to make so much food. Seeing everyone else digging in Allen filled her plate, and began to eat, listening to those around her for events and current happenings.

Sooner than she wished, Allen was sitting back rubbing her stomach. Glancing around the large hall, she noted that many other students were doing the same. Her attention was brought to the front of the hall where Dumbledore stood, clapping his hands twice. The entire student body quieted at the sight of him.

"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices. First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is strictly out of bounds for students – and a few of our older students ought to now this by now too." Allen caught Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanging smirks and cast a slightly confused glance at Lenalee, who merely shrugged before turning back to the headmaster.

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for her tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in the corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door.

"We have had three changes in staffing this year. We are pleased to welcome back Professor Grubby-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are thrilled to introduce Professor Lee, who will be teaching Muggle Studies, as well as assisting Professor Snape in Potions; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher."

There was polite applause, and as Allen's eyes landed on Umbridge, there was a painful twinge. Wincing she looked back to her table-mates to notice Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanging slightly panicked looks for some unknown reason.

Dumbledore continued, "Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the —"

He stopped, giving Professor Umbridge a questioning look. She wasn't much taller standing than sitting, so for a moment, the whole Great Hall was confused as to why Dumbledore had stopped in the middle of his speech. Then Umbrided raised a pudgy, ring-covered fist to her mouth and coughed, "Hem, hem," it suddenly became clear that she was standing in order to make a speech.

Dumbledore looked surprised for only a moment, before he sat and gave Professor Umbridge his full attention, as if he wanted to do nothing more than to listen to her speak. Other staff members weren't as well equipped to hide their surprise. Allen looked around and noticed that some of the students were smirking, so she guessed that this wasn't how things were usually done.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."

Her voice was high-pitched, girlish, and overly sweet, like rancid honey. The annoying sound of her voice drew Allen's eyes to her, and another piercing pain ran through her left eye. It felt as though Rhode had gouged it out with one of her candles again, and she quickly covered it with her left hand. It twitched and pulsed, shuddering as she looked to her DADA professor. She quickly looked somewhere else, leaving only her ears to listen to this, woman's words. Allen disliked this creature, everything from her breathy voice to her awful fluffy pink cardigan. Another throat clearing cough ("Hem, hem") interrupted her thoughts, and Harry's as well as she could tell, and she continued: "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say." Allen felt Lenalee shudder beside her, and cast her a concerned glance. "And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!"

Lenaleeleaned over and whispered to Allen, "Her teeth are very pointy, and she probably disturbs me almost as much as the Earl does." Allen breathed in sharply as Lenalee resumed her regular sitting position.

"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"

Some students snorted and grinned at this, and one comment was made about the hideous cardigan.

She cleared her throat once more ("Hem, Hem") and the breathy quality to her voice was gone, replaced by a much more business-like manner, with a dull learned-by-heart feel to her words.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts of which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down through the generations less we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching."

She gave a small bow to the teachers, but none of them looked thrilled to be acknowledged by her, especially Professor McGonagall, and a woman with slightly grubby flyaway hair. Umbrige gave another "Hem, hem" and continued her speech.

"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for out fried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation…"

Allen's head hit the table with a heavy twunck. Closing her eyes against her growing headache, she tried her best to listen, because for some reason, this woman set her nerves on edge, like Rouvelier. Thinking of him, whatever happened to her assigned shadow, Link? After they had moved into their new headquarters, and had been sent on this mission, she hadn't seen hide nor hair of him, which was surprising considering that the Order didn't trust her one little bit. This brought her thoughts back to Komui who, as far as Allen knew, had never left the order for any reason. Allen glanced around to note that Hermione, Lenalee, Lavi, and Kanda were all listening with concerned attention. Figuring it would be best, she tried to tune in to what Umbridge was droning on and on about.

"…because some changes will be fore the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned, Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness. Effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning where practices ought to be prohibited."

Finally, after her droning speech, the toad woman sat. Dumbledore clapped politely, as did the other professors, but for only one or two before stopping. There was scattered applause throughout the Great Hall, but there wasn't anything really to it. Dumbledore stood before most of the student body could comprehend what had just occurred.

"Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating," he bowed to her. "Now — as I was saying, Quidditch tryouts will be held…"

Allen's attention was quickly brought to Hermione as she murmured, "Yes, it certainly was illuminating."

"Please don't tell me you enjoyed it," Ron groaned into his hand, slowly turning a glazed look to Hermione. "That was one of the dullest speeches I've ever heard, and I grew up with Percy." Allen didn't know who Percy was, but she guessed that he was an older brother of Ron's.

She frowned at him. "I said it was illuminating, not enjoyable. There is a difference Ron. It actually explained a lot."

"Did it? It sounded like a load of waffle to me." Harry clearly shared most of the same sentiments as Ron.

Hermione's face grew rather grim. "There was a lot of important information hidden in the waffle."

Ron gave her a blank stare, "Was there?"

"How about 'progress for progress's sake must be discouraged' or 'pruning where practices ought to be prohibited'?"

"But what does that mean?"

"It means," Lenalee cut in, "that your Ministry of Magic is going to be interfering at Hogwarts."

Before there could be any real reaction from the group, clattering and banging surrounded them as the rest of the student body stood, for Dumbledore had finished his speech. Hermione jumped up, looking very flustered. "Ron, we're supposed to show the first years where to go!"

"Oh yeah," Ron nodded, having obviously forgotten. "Hey — hey you lot! Midgets!"

"Ron!"

"Well, they are, they're titchy…."

"I know Ron, but you can't call them midgets….First years! This way please!" Hermione commanded along the table until all of the first years traveled along the gap between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables. Allen noticed Harry smiling at them, but their frightened looks brought a frown to his face and he stormed off.

Allen was going to follow but a heavy arm landed across her shoulders, and a cheek rubbed up and down against hers. "Ne, Allen, where are you going? Shouldn't we follow Ron and Hermione, since we are first years?" As she was being molested, Allen sent a pleading look to Lenalee who merely giggled before finding Kanda standing off to the side of the first year group. Pushing Lavi off of her, Allen followed, hoping she wouldn't get lost.

~*~*~*

As Allen, Ron, Kanda, and Lavi climbed the stairs to the boys' dormitory, they all heard shouting, "Leave me mam out of this Potter!"

A look of concern crossed Ron's face as he raced up to the Fifth year's dormitory, bursting in, "What's going on?"

Allen peeked in and saw Harry kneeling by what she guessed was his bed, pointing his wand at another boy who had his fists raised.

"He's havin' a go at me mam!" The other boy yelled.

"What? Harry wouldn't do that — we met your mum, we liked her…"

"That's before she started believing every word the stinking Daily Prophet writes about me!"

"Oh," Ron replied intelligently, now coming into comprehension. "Oh…right."

The other boy gave Harry a venomous glare. "Ya know what? 'e's right, I don't want to share a dormit'ry with 'im anymore, 'e's a madman."

Ron's ears began to glow red, and from what Allen could tell, that wasn't a good sign. "That's out of order, Seamus."

"Out of order, am I? You believe all this rubbish 'e's come out with about You-Know-Who, do ya, ya reckon 'e's tellin' the truth?" The other boy, Seamus, was growing paler instead of flushed, like Ron.

"Yeah, I do!"

"Then ya're —"

"Excuse me, but this really seems to be getting out of hand," Allen soothed, delicate white-gloved hands waving in front of her. "Why can't we all just discuss this like gentlemen?" Her head cocked to the side and she gave a charming smile, hoping to disengage the tense atmosphere. "I don't really know what's going on, but I do know that newspapers will say anything to have a good story. That's something I learned long ago from my…teacher as you would say." At the mention of Cross, Allen felt a pang of sadness. He'd been killed for all she knew, especially with all of that blood…

Seamus took a few huffing breaths before flinging himself into one of the beds, jerking the curtains closed. At the same time, Neville sat on the edge of his bed. "My Gran says all of this is rubbish. She says it's the Daily Prophet that's going downhill, not Dumbledore. She canceled our subscription. We believe Harry." He climbed under his covers and pulled them up to his chin and blinked owlishly. "My Gran has always said You-Know-Who would come back one day. If Dumbledore says he's back, he's back." Everything after that seemed to slow down. Ron showed Allen which bed was hers, and they all went to bed silently, Allen hoping that tomorrow would be a better day.

~*~*~*

A/N: Okay another note, I thought I would put this down here in case anyone got confused with how I portrayed Komui leaving the Order, and/or the dinner scene.

(1) As far as Allen has seen, Komui has never left the Order, except for when they moved to the new Headquarters. I believed it was because the Higher-ups in the Order, like those who watched Allen's Synchronization and Rouvelier, didn't want him doing anything detrimental to the order because of his position, guilt, and sister complex. In other words, he might do something stupid.

(2) Crimson brought up a valid point when she was editing the chapter. She believed the Akuma normally ate with the Earl and Noah. I always thought after that dinner scene in the manga that Akuma were treated more like servants, and in a noble household, servants don't eat with their masters. We also decided that as an akuma levels up, it is more able to blend in as a human. For level 1 don't eat anything but the people they kill, like Brother Mark in the first chapter of the manga, and they seem to become more and more human-like as they level up. But I must say, Voldie is special, but for that explanation, you'll have to wait and see.