Shinrei was now standing beside the bald Chinese boy. He immediately felt a hot twinge of jealousy. This "Hupi-san" seemed like someone not to cross. Luis had watched more than enough Muggle movies of Shaolin monks--and those movies said the very least they could about the extent of these monks' powers. Hupi's outfit was more than enough indication of his origins.

"Well," he said to the group, "why don't you let me go with you into Diagon Alley? I'm Fourth Year as well, you know."

Jon had been a little surprised at the way Nathaniel had walked off.

Jon was also feeling a little jealous of 'Hupi-San' - not over Shinrei as a girlfriend because he didn't think it likely that the Chinese boy was interested in girls and Jon didn't think in such terms about Shinrei. No, it was because he was so obviously closer to her in terms of upbringing and culture. Jon had longed for that same kind of formality and structure and found some of it in the Sinclair clan traditions but not to the extent he wished.

Then Luis hit him with his news dropped so casually into the conversation: 'I'm Fourth Year as well' *Oh, Terrific!*

Jonathan covered his surprise as best he could, he couldn't think of a single excuse not to include Luis Verga in their little expedition and so with good grace said, "Oh...umm well yea sure I have no objections. More the merrier eh? As long as you don't mind being seen with Gryffindors."

It might be a strong or weak 'card' depending on how much Luis cared about such things. Snape, he knew, disapproved of fraternisation between Slytherin and Gryffindor Houses but then Severus Snape wasn't here to take offence.

Shinrei sighed. What was fine with Jon was fine with her. If Luis Verga wanted to go with them, she had no power to object. There wasn't any plausible reason to do so. Besides, she didn't want to appear like a spoiled brat in front of Jon and the new student from China.

"Very well," she said stiffly. "I will leave my things at the parlour first. Where is this parlour, Jon-kun?"

"Miss Hikari is correct." Jian's eyes widened in shock as his brain registered the words he had just spoken. Something about Shinrei Hikari had definitely struck a chord of affinity within him. Perhaps it was the way she had looked at him when she asked him to go with her; it had been a silent plea, not an order like the kind that he always got back at the temple.

And it struck him to know that he did have the ability to read the eyes of females. Much more the eyes of this small girl, who was not unpleasant to look at. In fact, she was...very pleasant to look at. Unlike those girls with the high-pitched laughter and the revealing clothes that he saw whenever he and the brothers went to the cities.

Feeling suddenly very warm, he added: "I need to leave my luggage, like Miss Hikari. I need to buy plenty of things for Hogwarts, yes."

Good god. Luis would bet all his Hogsmeade earnings that "Hupi-san" definitely had been won over by Shinrei's "damsel-in-distress" bit. Luis wasn't blind as not to see the way she had silently tried to convince him to leave their little group.

He wondered why Shinrei always wanted to get away from him as fast as she could. Was Sinclair right, that he was being too "forward"? The Gryff had told him so in the past term, at the very steps of Hogwarts.

He was very tempted to go into this "parlour" with them, but he had no excuse. He always had to keep his bag close by, especially in a public place like Diagon Alley.

"I'd like to go with you people anyway," he drawled. "You better tell the kids where they could leave their precious luggage in, Sinclair, so we could get a move on." He narrowed his eyes at Hupi Jian, as if in warning, then looked away.

It seemed obvious to Jon that the two younger students were starting to feel some common bond whether it was because of their common culture, being both strangers in a strange land or their ages/years.

He had been hoping that Shinrei would start to feel more at ease with her classmates. He knew it had been hard for her to arrive right at the end of the school term as she had and in the midst of a crises just before exam week. Hopefully, the start of a new year would make a difference

"The parlour is just over there." Jon indicated a door that had panels of frosted decorated glass in its top section. Tom the Landlord had made this room available to the Hogwarts students for storage, though some students were staying at the Leaky Cauldron so would use their own rooms until checkout time. Of course, not all had left their shopping so late and would be heading directly to Kings Cross later that morning.

"Luis and I will wait here for you." Jon had smiled at Luis reference to the Fourth Years as 'kids'. After all at their ages, 3 years could seem like a generation gap.

After Shinrei and Jian had moved off, he turned to Luis, "I hope you don't mind me saying but aren't you going to feel a little odd being in with a bunch of 'kids' in the Fourth Year? OK, they are a good bunch and obviously some of them know their stuff saving the school like they did at Yule but fourteen year olds? How much fun is that going to be for you?"

Luis watched, almost with bated breath, Shinrei and the new Chinese boy walk away from where he and Jon stood. He was so very sure that the bald monk had caught his warning look. In his mind, he chuckled with satisfaction. The monk would not dare pick a fight--he was new at Hogwarts and was seemingly trying to make a good impression.

He shifted his attention back towards Jon. "Oh, lots of fun, amigo," he drawled, casting his eyes around the room. "I really don't mind being a little behind, if that's your concern." He rolled his eyes for good measure. "I'm sure the rewards for my little sacrifice of pride would be more than enough, no?"

********

Shinrei walked towards the door that Jon had indicated. On her way, she spotted a group of Hogwarts students seated around a table. Her roommates Madison Avalon and Yvette Monclere, with a boy she did not know by name. She smiled and waved at them before moving on.

She reached the parlour and deposited her bag onto a chair. Unburdened, her back felt so much lighter. She turned to Jian.

"Perhaps you have noticed what a diverse sort we all are at Hogwarts, Hupi-san," Shinrei said, attempting to make conversation with the rather quiet Chinese boy, "Have you been sent to study in other magic schools before you came to Hogwarts?"

Before he and Shinrei left Jon and Luis at the main area of the Leaky Cauldron, Jian did not miss Luis's sharp warning look. What was that all about? he thought. What was the older boy's problem?

Jian followed Shinrei, taking care of not being so close to her. He kept a respectable distance. He trailed behind her as she walked into the parlour and placed his luggage sack on the floor beside a soft-looking chair. He looked around the room, marvelling at the comfortable setting, very different from that of the temple, with rough wooden furniture everywhere.

He jumped when she asked him her casual question. It took several long, deep swallows of breath before he turned to answer. "No. I am always at Mian-Ju-Tao, Miss. The brothers decided I go to Hogwarts same as my uncle."

He dared to meet her eyes and turned quickly away. His head was spinning, but his well-trained body moved slowly out of the room, in a sulky manner.

Shinrei was about to ask about the extent of his training in magical (and perhaps martial) arts when she noticed that Jian had already cleared quickly out of the parlour.

*It would seem he does not like to make conversation* she decided. *Or he is not supposed to talk to females.* Some ex-monks who took refuge at Kossawa were also like that, but they always made Shinrei an exception.

Kossawa as a whole treated Shinrei without much concern about her being female. Then again, she was not much of an ordinary female.

Shinrei took the flask of Chishio draught from within her robes and quickly drank. She replaced the flask and checked her small pouch of money. It was four times as much as she had expected to make from tending Melanie-chan's garden...plus she had also been given some very beautiful Western clothes.

She straightened her robes and walked out of the parlour, following Jian back towards Luis and Jon.

***********

A few moments later, Luis watched Jian emerge from the parlour, looking confused. Too quickly. His eyes narrowed once more. Shinrei got out of the same room seconds later.

"Well, well, well," he said softly to Jon, as the two others made their way back towards them, Shinrei bringing up the rear, "looks like you have little competition with the chiquita. And he--" Luis looked pointedly at Jian "--seems to be gaining ground so much faster."

Jonathan also noted that Jian and Shinrei were heading back so he had little time to say anything much to Luis on the subject. His little twinge of concern that Jian and Shinrei might become good close had obviously been picked up on and Jon, true to his own martial nature, refused to show any weakness in front of the Slytherin.

"I think it's you who have the competition, Luis." he said with a smile. "Shinrei and I are friends. That's it! I think it is good that she is making other friends especially as I have every confidence that Jian will be placed in Gryffindor. He is a trained fighter like Shinrei with strong convictions."

**********

Twice. Luis Verga had given him the same warning look twice. The Hispanic boy was still glaring at him with narrowed eyes as he made his way back from the parlour.

There was something very wrong, thought Jian, for Luis Verga to look at him this way. He could very well be angry about something...Jian did not know what.

Jian reached the two older boys. Not looking at Luis, he addressed Jonathan Sinclair. "Where is this Diagon Alley, Jonathan? Where are the students now?"

"Right - well the entrance to Diagon Alley is right out the back and that's where we most of the students are."

With a smile at Luis, he then led the way out to the back of the pub into the small enclosed courtyard with a high wall. He tapped the brick in the far wall that allowed entrance to Diagon Alley and the brick quivered and wavered and suddenly a hole appeared in the wall. It expanded very quickly to form an archway - through which could be seen a cobbled street that wound away from them. It was filled with shops and with people doing their shopping.

"Diagon Alley!" he said for Shinrei's and Jian's benefit.

"Sugoi," Shinrei whispered in amazement. She was glad she had decided to walk faster and ended up beside Jon-she was able to witness the door open and reveal the breathtaking hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley.

"So this is Diagon Alley. I am most impressed, Jon-kun." She grinned up at him, enthusiasm lighting up her entire face. "Where do you suggest we go first?"

Luis walked up beside Jian and gave him a very Snape-like sneer, gesturing to Shinrei and Jon who stood before the Diagon Alley archway like newlyweds preparing to walk down the aisle.

"Be very nice as not to get in the way of the Couple of the Year, 'Hupi-san,'" he said in a very Snape-like silky voice. "What a bunch of guides you have opted to go with to Diagon Alley."

Jon could not help but overhear Luis but chose to ignore him.

He had smiled warmly at Shinrei but then turned to include Jian and Luis in his remarks. "Well I suggest the robe shop first for Jian to be fitted and then to Flourish and Blotts for schoolbooks."

He then moved forward into the cobbled street itself. Looking back at Luis he said, "Are you picking up school robes as well Luis?"

"Yes. I need new robes, too," Luis answered, striding into Diagon Alley and looking around with interest. "Been a long time since I've been here..." he murmured, thinking about his promise to Dumbledore about not going into Knockturn Alley.

It was true that he had no intention of going to that part of the place. He had more than enough Dark Arts experience to impress even Voldemort himself.

"Madame Malkin's it is then." said Jon and leading the way down the Alley they came quickly to the impressive shop. 'Robes for Any Occasions' -some very sumptuous robes were on display in the window along with a sign - 'Hogwarts School Robes available here'.

Black standard robes were required for students and Madam Malkin had a selection of these already made up just needing slight alternations for each student. Those students who had 'special requirements' in terms of fabric often had them ordered and made up in advance.

He said to Shinrei, "While Luis and Jian are getting fitted, we can pop down to the Quidditch shop." He then smiled broadly at Luis.

"Very good, Jon-kun," Shinrei replied in almost the same beat as Jon had made the suggestion. "We will see you later, gentlemen."

She nodded at Jian, ignored Luis, and turned away, hooking her arm through Jon's and effectively steering him in the opposite direction. She did so even if she had no idea where the Quidditch shop was.

"Let us go look for the perfect broom for you, shall we, Jon-kun?" she said to her escort brightly.

Jian watched as Jon and Shinrei walked off, then turned to Luis.

"We go inside?" Jian asked, moving towards the shop door. "I need Hogwarts robes, yes" he added, reading the sign at the shop window.

Luis made a face at the ridiculous declaration. It was just terrific of Head Boy Sinclair to leave him at a robes shop with a *monk* Good god.

"Yeah, me too, man," he replied resignedly. "Gotta have 'em or we won't fit in."

He walked ahead of Jian and pushed the door to Madam Malkin's shop. He turned to address the Chinese boy, still standing on the street in his bald, saffron-swathed glory.

"I've been here before, Hupi," he said a little impatiently, "and I do know a few things that Prefects like Sinclair do. One of them is not to stand there looking like you're lost."

It took several seconds for Luis's words to make sense to Jian. Expressions, he thought.

He had caught himself staring at Jonathan and Shinrei as they walked away, and was still trying to come to terms with himself at the experience of wanting to be in Jonathan's place. With the black-haired girl holding on to his arm.

Blessed Buddha. He felt like running straight back to the mountains and to kneel on hot, pointed rocks as self-punishment for his unforgivable thoughts. He had wanted to touch a female.

What have you sent me to, great-uncle? He wondered. My damnation?

He turned to look at Luis Verga. "Yes, of course. I do not want to be lost. Forgive me."

Jian hurried up the steps of Madam Malkin's and followed the Hispanic boy inside.

Luis led the way into Madam Malkin's and indicated to the waiting tailors and seamstresses that they were both from Hogwarts.

They were both made to stand on separate circular platforms. Luis found it extremely funny that most of the robes they initially tried to fit him with barely reached down to his knees.

"He is from China," he explained to those who were moving around fitting them with robes, sneering in his Snape imitation at Jian, "hence the colour sense."

"By the by, how much have you got on you, Hupi? You know, if you have any money or...?" he allowed his voice to trail off, raising an eyebrow at the Chinese boy.

Jian's thoughts were not with Luis, or in the robe shop for that matter. He had lost count of the many black robes that people in the shop made him wear. They pinned and they muttered and looked Jian up and down, but he seemed oblivious to these.

"I have brought enough Galleons," he replied almost carelessly, "if that is what you ask." Jian had a hundred Galleons, a sort of scholarship allowance allotted by the temple, but he did not want to say this.

His mind was still outside the shop, on the street, with a certain girl who had possessed that plea in her eyes...

*********

Jon was a little surprised that she'd taken his arm and steered him away from Madame Malkin's - back the way they had come which was the correct direction. He expected that she had noticed the sign for the shop as they had come up the street.

"Steady on Shinrei" he said as they approached the shop, "do you think Jian will be alright with Luis? He spoke good English but he is very new to our culture. I thought we would have least seen him into the shop."

Still it was too late now. Jon caught a glimpse of Nimue, Kat and Marvo coming out of the Owl Emporium. Perhaps they were headed in the direction of the robe shop anyway. Nimue and Kat were both prefects they would provide assistance to the newcomer.

"Right here we are - Quality Quidditch Supplies. What do you think? I guess a Firebolt is too extravagant if I'm try out for Keeper. Something reliable that is good at hovering and short bursts of speed."

"Mr. Verga can answer for Hupi-san," Shinrei replied lightly, turning away so Jon would not notice her face reddening. She had behaved so impulsively and childishly, it was very embarrassing. "They are both newcomers, in a way. Besides, if something does happen, I will know. We are close enough to Madam Malkin's. Do not worry, Jon-kun."

Shinrei looked up at the sign of Quality Quidditch Supplies and down at the display on the window. Cleansweeps, Comets, Nimbus. The Firebolt. "I am not certain, Jon-kun, but I have always been a little partial to Cleansweeps--they are always steady and are easily navigated for the most part. Most of the men at Kossawa have Cleansweeps, as they want strong brooms."

Jon knew Shinrei was right about Jian and Luis though he still felt he had neglected his duty as a prefect in leaving the Chinese boy on his own.

He looked at the brooms, "I was thinking pretty much along the same lines myself. Strength and reliability in a broom over the speed associated with the more flashier models."

Of course, Jon was well aware that he could not compete with the likes of Luis and his kind and this situation was about summed up in his recognition of what broom was best suited for him. He knew he wasn't flashy or the type to set anyone's pulses racing just like the Cleansweep broom. Dependable but a little dull.

"Let's go in and buy one shall we and see what other things they have this year?" he said.

"Of course, Jon-kun," Shinrei agreed, following Jon into the shop. "I would like to get a broomcare kit for my Rakurai. I hope I have saved enough money for it. The rest I have allocated to my books--and perhaps future trips to this Hogsmeade that everyone is always so excited about."

"Reliability is one of the best virtues that a human--Muggle or wizard--could ever have, Jon-kun," Shinrei assured. "It is no different with a broom that you plan to place much of your trust on."

She gave him a smile, then turned away and began to inspect the brooms up close in their display cases.