Jian bowed low and formally to the Headmaster and looked at the elderly man with awe.

So this was the Albus Dumbledore that his great-uncle spoke so greatly about. The Headmaster radiated with subtle yet unmistakable power, with the way his eyes twinkled behind those half-moon spectacles. Very wise and powerful, was Jian's first impression in looking at the Headmaster up close.

"Good morning, Headmaster," he answered. "Yes. I am Jian Hupi." He might as well get used to saying his name with the given name first. "It is my honour to be at Hogwarts School representing the Mian-Ju-Tao Northern Order."

"I have the task to deliver a message for you, Headmaster. It is from my Order, yes."

The Headmaster smiled, "We are honoured that Hogwarts continues to attract students from other parts of the world who bring with them the traditions of their cultures. Now most of our students are addressed here by their surnames but if you are more comfortable with another title, I am sure that most of our staff will be most happy to consider that.... I travelled a great deal in my youth and I always recommend to my students that make the most of such opportunities. Now as for this message you bear from the Mian-Ju-Tao Northern Order as it is such a beautiful morning shall we take a walk outside?" He indicated the entrance door.

"I can also take the opportunity to point out some of the features of the castle and the grounds. We are very proud of the gardens here at Hogwarts as well."

Jian was very surprised and very flattered at the Headmaster's offer. "Yes, of course, Headmaster."

He bowed again, flustered. "It would be my honour to walk with you at the Hogwarts grounds, Headmaster. It is also all right if they call me Hupi or Jian. As I said last night to a schoolmate, being at Hogwarts school is already a great honour in itself."

"My message concerns my great-uncle and myself. He attended Hogwarts fifty years ago and now I am here to attend Hogwarts as he had. There is a story behind this, Headmaster."

"One I shall look forward to hearing." said the Headmaster leading the way outdoors. As they walked Dumbledore spotted in the distance the small group of students gathered by the lakeside. It looked peaceable enough. Probably just the young people getting to know one another and making plans.

"Not that direction I think." giving a friendly wave to the party and leading Jian away in the directions of the formal gardens and greenhouses beyond.

Jian followed the direction of the Headmaster's wave. The lakeside. He saw a familiar slender form, with the familiar pile of black hair on her head. They had not spoken since last night, he and Shinrei, since what very strange exchange on the school grounds.

Even until now he had no clearer idea of what actually happened, with the owl always warning him whenever she was "troubled." Why did he have a suspicion that it would happen again? And soon?

As they reached a more secluded section of the grounds, the Headmaster halted and suggested they sit on a nearby stone bench so that Jian could begin.

He obediently and quietly followed the Headmaster and sat down on the stone bench as indicated.

How to begin? How would he sum up Chinese prophecies and the stars and their meaning? He did not want to sound like a fool. Hupi Xian had never sounded like a fool.

"Headmaster. I..." His voice trailed off. He looked skyward. The heavens were clear, so different from the dark, raging skies of the night before. At a time like this, he found it difficult to reconcile the prophecy with such peacefulness that the surroundings presented.

"I am sorry, Headmaster. I do not know how to say it correctly, yes." His Chinese accent was beginning to swallow up some of his consonants. "Headmaster, have you heard of an Evil Star? If Western people make a wish on falling stars, the Mian-Ju-Tao pray for good to strengthen when they see an Evil Star. The falling star that burns a blood red path in the sky, leaving death and destruction."

"Our elders see Evil Stars. They saw one fifty years ago, shortly before Hupi Xian was sent to Hogwarts. They saw another last winter, Headmaster. It fell in the direction of the West. 'In the land of the fog and the moors,' says Chen Shun'u. 'Again.'"

"I was sent here because of the Evil Star, Headmaster. Same reason why Hupi Xian was sent here fifty years ago."

Dumbledore smiled, "Yes, our students are also taught to observe the heavens as well as take note of prophetic signs. I dare say many discount such lessons and then there are those who take things too far and won't get out of bed in the morning if their horoscope warns against it. Wonderful excuse but carries no weight with the teaching staff here."

He paused, "And yes - without doubt we did have a 'spot of bother' last winter, which was kept somewhat quiet within the magical community. Many of our students, as I am sure Hupi Xian recalls, find their time at Hogwarts interesting and, as I am sure you recall, 'may you live in interesting times' is a Chinese curse."

His face grew grave for a moment and then he addressed Jian again, "Jian, what do you know of the events during Hupi Xian's time here?"

The Headmaster's statement about students trying to get out of lessons was meant to be a light comment, an attempt to maybe lessen the gravity in Jian's own demeanour. He was thankful at the Headmaster's kindness, of course, but he did not know how to smile the way other people could.

"In my uncle's time, Headmaster, the Evil Star came to pass. Even in China and the whole of Asia, there were battles and deaths. But most of all here in the West, there was so much terror. My uncle said he failed in his duties, but he lead the ranks of Mian-Ju-Tao and other warriors in a successful fight years later."

"Now another Evil Star threatens, in the very same place." If others could see Jian at this moment, it
would seem he had grown much older all of a sudden. His face, only almost fifteen, seemed to have
developed the lines of age and worry and the burden of a big responsibility.

Jian continued to explain the Mian-Ju-Tao prophecy in the minutes that followed, hoping that he did not sound foolish. He stated as simply and as humbly as he could the reasons why he was at Hogwarts as an "exchange student."

"Headmaster, please accept my apologies for saying all these to you without any other word before," he said very quietly when he had finished his 'piece.'

"Armando Dippet, the Headmaster during my uncle's time, did not know any of these. He took Hupi Xian's stay here without question. The Mian-Ju-Tao think it is different now. Now I have to tell you. Because maybe if I do not, it may soon be too late and we could not bear that."

The Headmaster listened carefully to Jian's words. He spoke quietly yet with a serious edge to his voice. The power that often lay concealed behind his half-moon glasses was more visible now and yet
held in balance.

"Your uncle did not fail, Jian for your Order remains even if much of your people's traditional culture was swept away in the first years of the Cultural Revolution. In the West the wizarding world was forced to withdraw much earlier due to persecutions. It was a hard road to come to the understanding we now share with elements of the non-wizarding world, which allows us to live in relative harmony. Yet always such alliances are fragile and ours was tested sorely during the time of Voldemort's rise to power."

He paused, "It is true that those who sought to place the wizarding world under the rule of tyranny and to likewise subjugate the non-magical world set their sights upon many lands aside from this one. Their ultimate desire for the secrets of immortality as well as limitless power led them upon quests to capture objects of magical significance as well as knowledge from those repositories where such are held warded from those who would ill-use them. Many brave wizards and witches died in that defence and helped to hold back the dark times."

He sighed, "Yet such ambitions rarely die with one generation or with the death of a leader and there re always those who seek to inherit the mantle. This is why 'constant vigilance' is the watchword of our Aurors - even in times of apparent peace and plenty."

He continued, "There is obviously a difference between now and the time when Professor Dippet was Headmaster. The Office that I hold in terms of the guardianship of these lands means that it was right and proper that the purpose of your Order Elders was declared to me at the start of your studies here at Hogwarts. To do otherwise would have been poor etiquette. I shall in turn convey this message to my
comrades who work with the inner powers. There may well be portents which will link to this prophecy."

Pausing for a moment his eyes took in the castle as well as the Forest, "Hogwarts is a nexus point in the West. While I spoke somewhat frivolously of what had occurred here last autumn and wintertide in truth, powerful forces were unleashed against Hogwarts and in its defence great powers were called from their slumber.

He waited to see what Jian's response would be.

"As long as Evil exists, there will always be good to rise and fight against it," Jian said softly, in agreement. "Yin and yang. I have felt strong protective powers at Hogwarts, Headmaster, exactly as my uncle had said. This place is a magical sanctuary in itself, yes."

"It surprised me yesterday to see another Oriental Order here in the West, Headmaster. The Clan Kossaw and their ninjas at the train. Do they have the same theories-prophecies-about the Evil Star's threat? The East has its own magic schools...but this place, at this time, seems to be a point of convergence. It has been for a long time now. The Mian-Ju-Tao Elders say so and I...I believe it is so."

"Ah yes, the train." said Dumbledore in response to Jian. "That incident surprised a lot of people. There is quite a flap about it so I hear. I did receive a letter explaining its purpose linked to Miss Hikari's betrothal but it was poor judgement on their part to do so upon British soil."

He smiled, "Our courtships are a little less dramatic. However, I do not believe it was related to the Mian-Ju-Tao Elders prophecies. Shinrei Hikari has been sent to Hogwarts, as it is a place of safety. I think it unlikely Master Kanjou would knowingly send her into danger considering his intention to wed her."

Jian acknowledged the Headmaster's statements with a nod. He did not know how to respond. All he knew was that he and Shinrei had a strange connection somehow, with the way her equally strange owl had the habit of summoning him to her side.

That and Shinrei's spirit being troubled. But somehow Jian felt like he should not voice such concerns to the Headmaster. He was certain he would sound like a fool to someone so wise.

"I shall be on my guard at all times, Headmaster," he finally said. "Whenever I sense something of concern, I will tell you and inform the Mian-Ju-Tao at the same time. That is my first purpose at being sent here."

"Thank you for your time-and your understanding, Headmaster," Jian added with a solemn bow of his head. "Hupi Xian and the rest of the Mian-Ju-Tao send their regards to you and the Hogwarts staff."

"You are most welcome and I shall write to Hupi Xian expressing our gratitude for their concern as well as for sending their brightest and best to us."

Dumbledore rose from his sitting position in readiness to depart to his office to handle other business. In parting he said, "You are part of an extraordinary Year in terms of students, Jian and I trust you will forge strong bonds of friendship with some of them.

Now Mr. Ward of Gryffindor House is someone with whom you can discuss your purpose for being here as he is himself bound to the service against the Dark Arts as an Auror. His position here at school is in a guardian capacity and he is in my confidence."

Dumbledore did not mention Randal Fudge, as Randal's role was more covert as well as him being in another House. Malcolm Ward was the visible presence while Randal was the invisible.

Jian rose along with the Headmaster and gave him a low, formal bow.

"It is my greatest honour to be of service to my Order, my country, and the wizarding community, Headmaster," he said. "I shall indeed speak to Marvo Ward about this, yes. I was advised to ally myself with the ones concerned about the protection of peace in this land."

"I would like to thank you, Headmaster, for receiving me. The Mian-Ju-Tao say you and the Hogwarts teachers are also always welcome to visit and stay at the temple, if ever you journey to our land someday."