Author's Notes –

This is an AU fic for both Ranma and Harry Potter. Hell, it's a cross over, expect lots of surprises. No, I do not own either series. Oh, and I don't own Card Captor Sakura or Pet Shop of Horrors.

On a side note, I can't believe it – Full Metal Alchemist is finishing up. Such an original and well thought out series is ending. I will miss reading new chapters, but I do plan on buying all the manga when they're released state-side. Please support your favorite manga/anime by buying legal copies. I know that many writers (and readers of fan-fiction) write because we enjoy writing or sharing our ideas and not for money, but the actual writers, animists, and everyone who works to put out the series that we read/watch/follow aren't doing it for free – please support their efforts by buying their products legally.

Of course Harry Potter, Ranma ½, Card Captor Sakura and the original Pet Shop of Horrors each have completed their series and I'm pretty sure that everyone has already read all of Harry Potter, and I'm fairly certain that the only way to get Ranma ½ is to actually buy the manga as none of the places that I read manga online have it, CCS, or Pet Shop. But if you haven't read or enjoyed those series, I encourage you all to do so. Still, it's not necessary to enjoy this fic.

X X X X X

The remainder of the Winter Holidays couldn't pass soon enough for Neville, Ranma and Syaoran. Though they had always thought that they were doing the right thing they had never thought that their actions might lead to someone dying as a result.

"There is no known corrosive that could dissolve a man that quickly that couldn't dissolve metal," Syaoran tried to reason. "Even magically enhanced or fortified metal would have corroded a bit after being exposed to the dissolving remains."

Ranma simply looked up at his friend questioningly.

Neville simply stared at the ground. If this Lord Voldemort was willing to kill his own servants while in his weakened state, what was he willing to do once he was back to his full power? "We need to find out what did that to him," Neville said as he stood up and looked at Syaoran. "That way we'll know how to counter it if we ever have to face or deal with it in the future."

The raven haired boy looked up and nodded.

"We research all known poisons, potions and curses that we can get our hands on," the sandy haired youth declared.

"But we don't have access to the Restricted Section," Syaoran countered.

Ranma grinned, "We don't need to – we have access to the Room of Requirement."

"And we've got the Weasleys," Neville added. "We also know that Voldemort likes to use snakes or serpents."

Ranma and Syaoran looked at Neville.

"What?" he exclaimed.

"Snakes," the raven haired martial artist said. "Like the kind that your cursed form can create and talk with."

"Hey, your cursed form can talk to all animals," Neville added.

Syaoran nodded, "But yours can actually command snakes. We've got two days to get enough venom to do our tests."

"Two days?" the young heir to the Saotome branch of Musabetsu Kakuto Ryu asked.

Realization dawned within the sandy haired boy's mind, "In two days the Holidays end and Hogwarts will be filled with students."

X X X X X

The warm sun mid winter morning pierced the thick curtains of the boy's dorm room for the first year Gryffindors. Though it was a weekend, many voices could be heard below as the excitable third year students prepared themselves for their third Hogsmead visit.

"Oy, you look like a mess Neville," one of the third year girls exclaimed.

"Did ya at least get a good shot on Saotome and Li?" one of the fourth year boys asked.

Though he was never one to boast about his sparring matches with his friends, the first year smiled and nodded.

"You'd think that Saotome would be taking it easy since we're their next opponents," another forth year boy remarked. "Oliver says that they're already gearing up for us even though we have to play Ravenclaw still. I suppose they're going to scout our match to see what we're capable of. But with Ranma as Keeper and Harry as Seeker, I know that we're going to shut them out."

Neville shook his head. "Quidditch is easy for him," the sandy haired boy replied. "He's a natural in the air – well, he's a natural at most sports. But it's the Art that he loves."

"Oy, I've seen you sparring with Li and Ranma," one of the older girls interjected, "your reflexes are better than most - I'm sure you could play beater or keeper next year if you wanted to."

Neville shrugged, "Maybe next year."

"Maybe," Fred Weasley added as he and his twin appeared at the stairwell.

"But you'd have to learn to work well with us," George finished.

Fred smirked, "That's if you can beat us for one of the Beater spots."

The sandy haired boy eyed the other boys, "That would mean that I'd have to start thinking like you blokes… I'd rather not take a few bludgers to the head…"

Fred and George smirked despite being on the other end of the first year's sharp tongue.

"Yeah," George said, still smirking, "but I've seen some of the punches and kicks that Li and Ranma throw… I gotta say, I'd rather get hit with a bludger."

"Isn't it about time for you two to get to practice?" the bushy haired first year asked, announcing herself to the boys present. "I may not like Quidditch much, but even I know how important this game is if Gryffindor wants to keep Slytherin from winning the House Cup."

Despite two disappointing losses and possibly ceding the Quidditch Cup, Slytherin was still leading the other houses in the House Cup, and that was taking into account that Fred and George hadn't been losing points for Gryffindor for their antics. No, the Slytherins had buckled down academically, earning themselves points during their classes and exams while all but conceding the Quidditch Cup.

"Well, we'll see you later then," Harry said as he appeared next to the twins.

"Make sure you don't use all the hot water," George teased as his twin opened the entrance guarded by the portrait of the fat lady.

"You're up early," the lanky youth stated as he eyed the cleverest witch in his year.

"I'm still looking for Nicolas Flamel," she grumbled as she turned her attention back to the thick book.

Eyeing the empty common room, Neville spotted a discarded Chocolate Frog card. Grabbing it, he tossed it to the book smart witch.

"Nicolas Flamel," Hermione hissed as she read the famous wizard's name. "I can't believe it was right under our noses all this time. How long have you known?"

"The Holidays," he replied as he walks towards the boys' bathroom and his long overdue bath.

X X X X X

The steadily falling snow of the mid-winter storm flew by the window, illuminating the night as it reflected the light from the fireplace and the lamps that lined the room. With most of the older students in Hogsmead for the last scheduled visit until the end of the term Hogwarts felt fairly vacant and cold.

Packed into one of the smaller study rooms, it was clear to Neville, Ranma, and Syaoran that most of the other students had long forgotten about the incident over the Christmas Holidays. It helped that some of the younger students (like Ron) had older siblings who were reportedly getting treats for them in Hogsmead.

There was also the fact that there would be another Quidditch match next month. With Gryffindor and Hufflepuff both entering their match undefeated for the season, the match between Ravenclaw and Slytherin had little importance to anyone but their respective houses as both teams were still seeking their first (and only) victory of the season. Neither one wanted to be last or winless, prompting the teams to push themselves even harder during their practices. Beyond that there was also the fact that both Ravenclaw and Slytherin needed a win just to increase their respective house's standings in the House Cup considering their slight lead over Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.

The significance of the match forced the usually witty and reliable Ravenclaws to be on their best behavior around Professor Snape as the Head of House for the Slytherins clearly wanted to give his team any edge they could get. Though everyone knew that he hated Quidditch with a burning passion, the Potions Master had taken to handing out detentions to many of players regardless of their house (his own players were forced to endure detentions as well as schedule daily practices as a result of their losses to Gryffindor and Hufflepuff) for even the slightest infractions. Many believed that the only reason that Slytherin maintained their lead in the House Cup was because Professor Snape tended to take points from the other houses very liberally.

For the two young Hufflepuffs and their Gryffindor companion though things weren't that bad. With their focused attention on solving their little mysteries the trio did little to stand out. Their usual early morning sparring sessions and involvement in the Dueling Club kept them busy and out of most people's way.

Well, Syaoran and Neville were successful anyways.

"I can't believe he gave me detention just for sneezing in class," the raven haired martial artist grumbled.

"You did sneeze into Malfoy's potion," Li rationalized.

"But I didn't do it intentionally," Ranma huffed. "I seriously think someone was talking about me."

Neville shook his head. "Your snot caused Malfoy's potion to explode."

"And Malfoy's bald now," the brown haired boy added. "I think they said he wouldn't be able to grow hair until the end of term. He doesn't even have eyebrows thanks to you. And Crabbe and Goyle look like Friars with their baggy robes."

Neville repressed a smirk. "Face it, you got off light."

The heir to the Saotome Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū continued to sulk.

The other boys glanced at each other, then at Ranma. Having known him as long as they did, they knew that Ranma would not let something like this pass.

"Don't do anything stupid," Li cautioned.

Neville nodded, "Yeah. He's a Potions Master and a fully trained wizard."

Seeing the glint in Ranma's eyes, the other boys knew that they hadn't convinced their friend at all.

X X X X X

It came to no surprise to most of the students that few of their number liked Monday mornings. Most preferred to stay in bed and sleep, especially on a snowy day like today. The mid-winter storm that had begun on Saturday afternoon had yet to relent despite dropping over a meter of snow on the grounds. Exhausted as most of the students were from the seemingly endless number of snowball fights that had occurred over the weekend, few of the students were prepared for the long week ahead.

"How come you got so much energy?" Justin Fitch-Finley asked as he watched Ranma wolf down sausages, eggs, and toast with abandon.

The other first year Hufflepuffs simply shrugged. Unlike the youngest Weasley son, the young martial artist did not spray his companions with stray bits of food, though that was probably due to the fact that Ranma seemed to inhale his food and didn't appear to bother chewing. It was common belief that Ranma could out eat the entire Weasley clan (though Percy Weasley appeared to be the only Weasley that anyone knew of who didn't wolf down his food).

"Well, they did wake up and spar again this morning," Hannah offered as she reached for a pitcher of juice that wasn't close to Ranma. Everyone in Hufflepuff knew by now that sitting beside Ranma meant that the speedy martial artist would consume virtually all the food on the plates within reach. Rumor had it that the House Elves were hard pressed to keep up with the young Hufflepuff's now legendary appetite.

For his part, Neville had learned to pace himself as he knew that at Hogwarts his food and plate were not being threatened by other martial artists (unless he sat with Ranma). Even Syaoran had learned to sit a good distance from Ranma who had been asked to sit at the end of the table, thus limiting the number of students that he could steal food from.

Unfortunately Justin had been one of the late stragglers from Hufflepuff who had been forced to sit within Ranma's reach as the rest of the table (even Syaoran) gave the pigtailed boy room to eat.

"Best to eat quick when you're sitting close to Ranma," Susan suggested as she plucked some sausages from a plate outside of Ranma's sphere of influence.

"He should be finishing up soon," Syaoran stated. "He's already cleaned out two plates of sausage, toast, and eggs, and an entire pitcher of juice."

"Where does he fit all of that?" Cedric asked as the older boy got up from his seat.

"Martial art's secret," Ranma smirked as he finished the last of the sausages before him. Eyeing the empty plate it was clear that he was waiting for the House Elves to refresh the plates.

"Why don't you take my seat?" the second year student asked as he grabbed his books. "We're got to head out for Care of Magical Creatures anyways."

Justin nodded as he stood up, ready to take the older boy's seat.

"AAAHH!"

Hundreds of heads turned towards the entrance of the Great Hall at the sound. Even Ranma had to stop eating as he looked up.

"Stay calm!" Professor Dumbledore shouted calmly, reassuring everyone.

Everyone turned to look at the ancient wizard, who in turn looked down the table.

For the first time that morning, Syaoran realized that Professor Snape and Professor Quirrell were missing. Both professors tended to head down to their respective classes early as they both taught morning lessons.

The sound of spells being fired off told them that whoever was out there clearly had drawn their wand.

"Prefects, tend to your houses and make sure that everyone is present," Dumbledore ordered. "Mr. Young, Miss Washington, you shall be in charge while the teachers investigate this."

Ranma eyed Syaoran. This had never happened before – a situation where the teachers left the Head Boy and Head Girl in charge of the student body…

The large double doors began to close, barring the students from leaving the Great Hall. Suddenly two figures could be seen scrambling for cover as though they were being assaulted by some unseen aerial barrage.

"Ma-magnets!" one of the figures shouted.

Syaoran blinked, as did many of the students. "Magnets?"

"Jars!" Dumbledore shouted, ordering the assembled teachers to conjure the glass containers.

"Magnets? Jars?" Justin exclaimed, still not sure what was happening.

"Magnets?" Hermione muttered, her confusion mirroring that of the majority of the student body.

"Dad's fascinated with Muggle things," the redheaded boy stated as he grabbed a silver plate full of sausages and up-ended it. "He thought it would be nice to put magnets attached to the notices that the Ministry sends out to Witches or Wizards that have to come in for meetings. The problem is that magnets react to magic. They just fly around and break things."

"So what'd they do?" Harry asked as he watched Ron hold the plate as though he were about to hit someone or something with it.

"They put them under glass," the redhead replied. "Don't use magic because it's just going to make them madder!"

Unfortunately one of the Ravenclaws had not heard Ron. Sitting as close as they were to the double doors leading out to the castle as they were, they were the first to see shiny metal objects that swarmed the two professors.

"Immobulus!" a blond girl shouted, pointing her wand at air over the two professors' heads.

The glittering jet of blue and white magical energy that erupted from the end of the wand hit the magnets, temporarily suspending them in the air. Suddenly the magnets rushed the blond Ravenclaw, an angry hum filling the Great Hall as they entered the grand chamber.

Moving quicker than most expected, Ranma and Syaoran leapt over the Hufflepuff table. Despite the difference in their size, Ranma deftly swept the taller Ravenclaw off her feet before carrying her over towards the Slytherin table.

Syaoran stopped atop the Ravenclaw table, shielding the others with the silver platter that the toast had been brought in on, forcing the flying particles away from the startled witches and wizards.

"This isn't good," Ron muttered as several magnets flew towards the Hufflepuff table. "Don't break them!"

Syaoran eyed the flying fragments, noting that none of the black discs were broken. "They're not attracted to metal?" he asked.

"They're flying," Ranma countered as he set the Ravenclaw down. Clearly these magnets weren't playing by their normal rules.

Using his prized Seeker reflexes, Cedric plucked a magnet out of the air, trapping it in his hand. Despite his greater size, the Hufflepuff Seeker was sent flying as his ambient magical energy powered up the frenzied magnet, lifting the second year over the table.

Fortunately he flew towards the Gryffindors, allowing Neville to tackle him before pulling the older boy's fingers apart, freeing the magnet and Cedric. Considering his options, landing on a pile of scrambled eggs wasn't the worst that could have happened.

"Jars," Neville suggested as he pulled himself onto his feet, wiping bits of juice and egg from his face.

"Yeah," the older boy agreed, "jars."

"We haven't learned to transfigure jars," Hermione grumbled as the boys around her ducked under the table.

"We haven't either," Cedric added as he rolled off of the table, making sure to avoid any forks or knives that remained.

"So-sorry," Professor Quirrell apologized as he clutched at his turban, dashing by the students, "ma-magnets a-aren't d-da-dark m-ma-magic."

"Everyone," Professor Dumbledore's booming voice called out, "please exit the Great Hall cautiously. Prefects, ensure that your houses exit without incident while the teachers draw the magnets' attention."

X X X X X

With the chaos of the magnets now contained in the Great Hall, the grand chamber was no longer safe for students. Thus it had been decided that the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes would take turns cleaning out the Great Hall. From all estimates there were over two dozen magnets, none of which had yet been caught by the first two classes. With the threat of the magnets terrorizing the school, lunch had been served in several study rooms throughout the ground floor in the smaller chambers around the Great Hall and the main entrance to Hogwarts.

"T-en p-points for each m-ma-magnet c-caught," Professor Quirrell stated as he guarded the entrance to the Great Hall.

Syaoran sighed. This was definitely going to be a practical lesson in DADA.

Each student had a glass jar or glass tube with a rubber stopper to capture the flying magnets. Though they still had their wands, few had dared to use them against the magnets after seeing what happened during breakfast.

Several students wore Quidditch pads, though the older students had also brought brooms in an attempt to capture the magnets as they flew through the three story room.

Glancing over at Ranma, Syaoran knew that the confident martial artist was reveling in the chance to earn himself and the house more points. In truth, even catching one magnet more than Syaoran would give Ranma the lead in their personal challenge, though Neville currently lead the trio as he'd already caught six magnets while most of the students had left the Great Hall.

Given the fact that Ranma probably the better flier and much more athletically inclined than he was, Syaoran knew he had to be smart about this. Watching the raven haired boy expertly leap off the wall before snagging two magnets, Syaoran had a flash of inspiration.

Pulling out his wand, he hoped that had enough time to react. With his left, he took aim at the largest cluster of flying magnets. "Immobulus!" he shouted, sending a jet of sparkling air at the already frenzied magnets.

Just as expected, the spell failed to stun or stop the magnets. But it did draw their attention to him. Grabbing his jar, Li hoped that the thick glass was capable of enduring the barrage that it would soon be facing nearly a dozen of the magnets came speeding towards him.

Holding his ground while those around him scrambled for cover, Syaoran held the jar, waiting for the right moment to capture as many of the magnets as possible. In one deft swipe, he captured seven magnets, the sound of the tiny objects hitting glass telling him that his jar would hold up. Spinning out of the way of the other five that flew at him, he slammed the stopper on the jar, trapping his captured magnets.

Like a cobra waiting to strike, Ranma struck - snagging three of the five magnets that suddenly veered off from their bombarding run at Syaoran.

Both boys grinned at each other.

"Six," Syaoran proclaimed.

"Six," the raven haired boy countered.

"Good job," Hannah interjected as the blond girl approached them. "That's more than any of the other houses have caught."

"Yeah," Justin said, joining the conversation, "these magnets might net Hufflepuff the lead in the House Cup."

X X X X X

"What do you suppose they're going to do with the magnets?" Hermione asked as the first year Gryffindors passed by the Great Hall.

"Don't know," Ron replied with a shrug. "At least we don't have to eat with the Slytherins today."

Harry nodded.

Forced to eat yet another meal in one of the empty classrooms while under the supervision of a Gryffindor Prefect and several ghosts, there was little for them to do other then speculate on the magnets.

"I heard Professor Quirrell took a few magnets to the head," Seamus chimed in.

"Yeah, that's why Professor McGonagall had to take over after suspending her classes," Dean added. "Too bad she didn't suspend the homework though."

Ron nodded as he eyed their assignment on how to effectively deal with magnets. "This isn't even covered in any texts," he grumbled.

"How do you suppose Peeves got his hands on them?" Harry asked. Like everyone else, the primary suspect had been the resident poltergeist as this wasn't really above what he was capable of doing.

"I suppose plenty of Muggle born students brought radios and headphones," Hermione answered as she kept her eyes glued to the text. "Since electronic equipment like personal radios don't work here many of the students probably set them aside and eventually forgot about them. He's probably been collecting the magnets inside of them for a big trick."

"But he's a poltergeist," Seamus countered, "as soon as he takes out the magnets wouldn't they start to go crazy?"

The sandy haired Gryffindor was thankful that no one was paying much attention to him as he caught wind of what Seamus was thinking about. Clearly no ghost could have done it, so it had to be an actual person. And Professor Snape had been caught up in the initial incident…

X X X X X

"I swear," the pigtailed boy said as he nimbly dodged a flying, spin kick from the brown haired fighter, "it wasn't me."

The sandy haired boy was slightly skeptical.

"What about the RoR?" Syaoran asked as he flipped over a low leg sweep from Neville.

"What about it?" the raven haired boy replied as he side-stepped Syaoran's flying fists. "You've been with me pretty much ever since I started to plan to get even with Professor Snape. Besides, we haven't been to the RoR since the term started. Only the Weasleys have been up there since we cleaned our stuff out of there."

"And we've been so busy with our tests that we haven't kept an eye on the maps," Neville added, his moment of insight cut short as Ranma connected with palm strike to his chest.

"Sorry," the shorter boy said as he pulled his blow at the last moment, knocking Neville off his feet rather than sending him flying.

Landing in the cold snow drift, Neville was glad that he'd applied liberal amounts of water-proof soap before sparring as freezing cold water somehow ran down his neck and spine. Pulling himself out of the drift, he eyed the others, "So, if you didn't do it, and Peeves couldn't do it, who did?"

X X X X X

A/N

I think I'll just leave things where they're at for now.

Please Read and Review.

Dreamingfox