I'm back again. Sorry it took so long but life is hectic with uni applications and practice papers (why we're starting them now when the exam is in Jan is a mystery to me).

You get the warning that Kanda's language is a little rough in this chapter, although better since I felt the need for censorship. It's also completely unbetaed. Unfortunately my usual critics are either not answering my messages or haven't seen/read -man. I will eventually tempt them back with jaffa cakes and updates.

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Luck was on Allen's side, if only slightly. He'd read his timetable wrong and didn't have a lesson until second period. Which was a good thing, especially as he was absolutely lost. There wasn't even anyone around to ask and despite the years his sense of direction was absolutely nonexistent.

The sound of beating wings reached his eyes followed quickly by a feathery touch flitting past his ear and then a weight settling on his head. Reaching up he patted the golden golem that nestled itself in his snowy hair. It nipped at his hand affectionately and a soft smile slipped onto his lips.

"Which way Tim?"

The golem swished its fluffy tail in a neutral way.

"Guess we're both lost then."

Allen carried on wandering. He had to admit that the castle was beautiful, perhaps not as grand or homely as the cathedral the Black Orders home base, or central, resided in but it had its own charm. The stone hall ways were filled with exotic tapestries, moving suits of armour and chattering paintings, the like of which Allen had never encountered despite his wide spread travels. He'd even seen a ghost or two drift by which made a nice change to the souls he usually saw chained to the body of an akuma by their loved ones.

"Moyashi, what are you doing?"

Allen's head snapped round faster than would be possible for a normal human, slipping easily in an almost unnoticeable defensive stance. Kanda just stood behind him with a raised eyebrow and a smirk on his lips. Allen couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Which way are the dungeons?"

Kanda didn't give a verbal answer but instead spun on his heel and headed in the opposite direction to where Allen had been going. Quickly glancing around the young General hurried after his supposed master. There wasn't really a need for words, the two of them had been working together long enough to no longer require them.

Over the years Kanda hadn't really changed. At most his features gained a slightly sharper look and his body finished fully maturing into the man he would always be. Allen had to admit though that his views of the temperamental samurai had altered drastically. He now seemed completely different from the teen threatened to cut him down outside of head quarters.

He now appreciated the muscular lithe body that prowled ahead of him. The long flowing raven hair that billowed behind him like a cloak of glistening silk. He held a grace that Allen couldn't help but envy. It was a warriors gait. Strong and predatorily like watching a panther stride forwards towards its prey.

His thoughts were knocked off of track as the silence slipped away.

"I'll give Tim a map so he can guide you from now."

Allen just nodded, not wanting the male in front of him to notice the slight rosy hue his cheeks had gained from his thoughts.

He wasn't as naive as he seemed. Having Cross as a Master for so many years tended to wipe out like innocence and his knowledge of Cross's extracurricular activities left no doubt in his mind. He was attracted to Kanda.

It didn't really surprise him either. Kanda had always been considered attractive but Allen's hormones hadn't kicked in enough for him to really notice. And the fact that he'd fallen for a guy wasn't either. His cheeks flushed a healthy crimson as some of his dreams floated to the forefront of his mind. Now he considered it, a surprising number had contained Kanda despite the length of time since he had actually seen the other Exorcist.

By the time they reached the door he assumed was to his first class he'd managed to get his completion down to its normal paleness. There were three other student queued outside the door. One that was eyeing him nervously and two who were sniggering at something he expected was at his expense. They were all from the lion house he had observed that were rivals to his own serpent one.

Unknown emotions bubbled to the surface as he caught Kanda glaring at them and couldn't help but let a small smile creep onto his lips before watching the samurai's retreating back. Allen was just glad he'd be back at the end of class to give Tim the maps and show him where to go.

---

Allen had to admit that the class was doing nothing for his nerves. His merge with the Fourteenth had opened up a natural tendency towards darkness, violence and a rather alarming amount of bloodlust. It certainly helped to explain the actions of his so called family.

The way the teacher, his Head of House, was talking about the dark arts. With a caressing, almost loving tone was calling forth all the parts of his Noah personality he tried so hard to suppress. Even the man's song was stirring those unwanted feelings within him.

The songs had taken a while to get used too. Everything had a song, objects had a simple melody based on its shape and what it was made of. People were a lot more complex. Each person had an individual song based on their personality, past and nature. He could use it to identify people or, as he thought with a shiver, control them. He could force them to bend to his will, do whatever he wanted, and they could do nothing about it. His power was absolute and inescapable.

Professor Snape's song was low and gothic sounding. It was filled with darkness and misdeeds with a wisp of light shining through and oh so delicious. By the time the class ended Allen was lad to escape the classroom. His control was slipping and a desire to see the glorious crimson liquid that flowed through his classmates veins spilt across the floor was becoming too much.

He staggered out before the rest of his class mates had made it out of their seats, rounded the corner and pressed his forehead against the cool stone wall. If every class was like that then he was going to have issues, he was just grateful that none of the physical changes wrought by his noah had appeared. It wasn't till he noticed an oddly calming song approaching that he remembered Kanda was meeting him.

The soft song, like lotus flowers dancing on a river, was a great contrast to his scowling outer appearance but Allen couldn't help but smile at the samurai as his control returned.

---

Kanda could tell there was something wrong with the moyashi but he couldn't tell what it was. He'd been leaning against the wall looking sick and then did a complete u turn and was smiling. Although he had to admit that whatever it was, it obviously hadn't affected his appetite as the mound of food quickly vanished.

Sighing he put it in a corner of his mind for investigation at a later time. It was time for his first lesson now. He supposed the only consolation was having Allen as an assistant. He wouldn't even have that for with the other two years.

Heading out of their chambers and out into the castle grounds he conjured the equipment he would be using. A few of the students who had finished lunch eyes him curiously, confused looks on their faces at the large balls and elevated rope he'd set up.

Glancing over at Allen he settled down to meditate. There was a ruffle of cloth and he didn't have to look to know who it was.

---

Half an hour passed in what seemed like minutes to the General and Apprentice. Distantly Allen heard the bell ringing to signal the end of lunch and the start of the lesson. With a gentle sigh he brought his mind and awareness back to his surroundings.

By now the grass around them was filled with his rather noisy year mates. It was an optional course so he was surprised by the sheer number of people there. From a cluster of giggling girls though he realised some of them weren't there for the class but the teacher. Mentally Allen chuckled wishing Kanda luck as he stood and joined his peers.

He recognised the blond boy from the feast the night before and memorised those surrounding him to work with later, having been told of house rivalries and not wanting to become the victim of some childish prank. Not he thought that they could be any worse than Lavi, over the years Bookman Junior had made little progress in maturing.

He sensed Kanda stand in a single smooth movement, glaring down at the students to get them to shut up, although Allen had no doubt Kanda would use much less dignified and appropriate language in front the children, he'd never learnt to filter his words no matter his company.

The entire lawn suddenly went deathly quiet, Allen was sure he even heard some squeaks coming from some of the students.

"I am Professor Kanda and I am running this Self Defence class. From what I've seen you're all fucking lazy, ill mannered brats without an ounce of fucking respect."

There were a few shocked gasps throughout the student body. Allen wasn't sure if it was the language, as he expected Kanda hadn't bothered to filter his language for the younger more impressionable ears, or the general fact he was openly insulting them.

"This course is designed to change all that. I'm not here to coddle you. I'm here to run you into the fucking ground and then a bit bloody more. If you can't hack it leave now. You turn up to the next lesson and you're in for the long run. That clear. You don't turn up and it'll be Mugen you answer to not those lame detentions or points." The metallic clink as Kanda's much loved sword was pulled out rang through the air.

"Now get fucking moving, a lap round the lake. Complain and you'll be doing another bloody one."

Allen felt a small sadistic grin slide over his lips as he watched them all scurry off. "I'll do three laps to make a point of how unfit they are." He called over his shoulder as he set off.

The grunted reply he presumed was an affirmative but he didn't really care. Wizards seemed incredibly lazy to him, relying on their magic for everything and barely lifting a finger if they could do it another way. He found it rather annoying.

Back at Headquarters he'd do everything physically and trained for extended periods of time. He'd only been at Hogwarts for a day and already he could feel his muscles ache with under use. In fact it was rather annoying and as he raced ahead, quickly overtaking and then lapping his year mates, Allen couldn't help but relish the feeling of exhilaration and release. In fact he was rather disappointed when he had to stop.

Slumping down on the floor next to his 'Master' Allen watched the others as they came in having done a third of his distance but still lagging behind. They were all panting for breath and sweating heavily. A snide part of his mind, which he was pretty sure was influenced by the Fourteenth, was laughing at them.

In the end Kanda didn't even both waiting for them all to get back, with half an hour wasted already he carried on, ignoring the protests from those whose friends were yet to make it.

"This class will concentrate on two key things before we go into anything else. The first being stamina, which we've just assessed you are crap at. My apprentice did three times the distance faster than the lot of you brats. The second will be balance which you'll be just as bad. Start by walking across that rope then standing on the ball for ten minutes. Do that and I won't kick you're lazy arses into detention. Allen, demonstrate."

The young General started having grown unaccustomed to taking orders over the years, especially from Kanda, but the logical part of his brain kicked in before he could break his cover, besides it was something that he enjoyed. The performer in Allen stepped forward, egged on by the lust his musically gifted noah had for attention. Sure he was probably supposed to give them a realistic demonstration but no one said he couldn't show off a little bit.

Memories filled with high wires and tight ropes from his rather unusual childhood danced in the front of his mind as he positioned himself. His class mates looked confused as he positioned himself ten metres or so from the actual rope, even Kanda frowned.

Grinning he launched himself straight into a series of cartwheels with a back flip up and straight onto the rope in a handstand. Shimmying half way across, still on his hands, the former clown started another set of cartwheels this time across the rope ending it with a somersault off the end and into a one handed stand one of the balls Kanda had left nearby.

He grinned at the startled gasps and smattering of applause from the audience in front of him, it almost felt like the old days when he was performing most nights with the circus. Sometimes he couldn't help but miss it, hell life would be a lot easier if he could just go back.

"That's enough, Allen."

He righted himself in one swift movement and leapt off of the ball, smirking at the irritated samurai. While the others wouldn't have good enough ears to hear it, innocence enhanced hearing clearly picked up mutterings about a baka Moyashi and showing off.

Allen just rolled his eyes and weaved his way over to the blond boy he'd spoken to the night before joining that half of the class in balancing on the ball. Watching the attempts of a few of them Allen was startled by simply how bad they were. Admittedly he'd grown up with this stuff and his body was an innocence infused weapon but still, it really couldn't be so hard.

With a sigh he went over to help the others he recognised from his house. There was a red haired boy grumbling about Slytherins never helping others but he was quickly shushed by a bushy haired girl, still Allen could see him and the black haired boy from the train glaring in his direction from the corner of his eye. Honestly, did people have no manners in this place? They weren't exactly subtle in their dislike,

"You need to centre your weight first else it just rolls." He instructed a Mediterranean looking youth at the edge of the blonds group. He looked surprised but nodded his thanks. The girl stood next to him with long black hair sent a small ghost of a smile his way and held out her hand.

"I'm Daphne Greengrass and this is Blaise Zanbini. A pleasure to meet you Allen Walker." So maybe some people did have manners. He could grow to like them, nowhere near as snobby as the blond boy.

Allen gave her one of his legendary sunny smile and took her hand. "Charmed." Kissing the girls hand he drew a giggle from her and a raised eyebrow from the boy. It was Kanda's reaction that surprised him most, a slight almost jealous narrowing of the eyes. It was a thought to consider.

The rest of the lesson passed quickly with an increasingly agitated Kanda setting detentions for almost half of the class, something Allen suspected would include physical torment and Mugen. He had agreed to spend his following free with his two new associates, Allen wasn't sure if they counted as friends yet, in his houses common room, something he had yet to see.

---

Allen had to admit that it was a sight to behold. Decked up in greens, silvers, greys and black the room had a spacious and grand feeling about it. Still it was nothing compared with the cathedral Headquarter's was located in but regal none the less. He supposed it was because of the house being filled primarily of the wizarding version of nobility.

He idly watched his Head of house discus something with a small gaggle of children in hushed voices but most of his attention was on the game of Wizarding Chess in front of him. It was fascinating to watch two obviously skilled players face each other off. He would have to acquire two sets as a gift to Lavi, he was sure the Bookman would find it highly amusing.

He got so caught up he barely noticed it was time for potions until Blaise, who was taking the class with him, called him to hurry up. It was probably a good thing he had as while being fairly close to the classroom it would have taken Allen at least an hour to find it, Tim had wandered off with the maps...again.

Upon arriving Allen was pleasantly surprised. The rumour he'd heard floating round described the classroom as cold, damp, dingy and filled with a variety of bizarre objects suspended in jars. While it was a bit cold the classroom was fairly well lit and the shelves filled with books and the odd mislaid ingredient. The teacher he recognised from the train journey.

He followed Blaise in sitting besides the boy. Glancing around he recognised the blond haired boy- he really needed to remember the boy's actual name- and a girl from his house. There were four from the raven house, one from the badgers and three nervous looking lions. He'd expected more from the raven house with its title of being the most intelligent house but supposed the course looked at more practical skills than book learning. This was a fact that made him slightly nervous and send a small prayer that cooking counted as practice.

Listening to the professor's booming voice he got his equipment out glancing at the various cauldrons already prepared. He hoped it wasn't a pop quiz.

"...ought to have heard of 'em, even if you haven't made 'em yet. Anyone tell me what this one it?"

Allen let out a sigh of irritation and looked over the one nearest them. It was clear and bubbled away like boiling water this was not in the books. He watched as the bushy haired lion girl thrust her hand up enthusiastically.

So maybe the books had mentioned Veritaserum. He was so going to fail this course. Glancing at the next one his first thought was bubbling mud, which was evidently wrong when the same girl answered Polyjuice Potion.

The next one had a shimmering surface with steam that twisted into intricate designs. This one he could smell, the sharpness of air on a crisp snowy day, the sweetness of freshly spilt blood and underlying it all the delicate scent of lotus flowers. He vaguely remembered this one from the book, something about love. Amortentia, the lotus flowers made a fair bit of sense then.

Allen ignored the praise the professor was poring over the girl, Hermione he corrected himself, and instead stared into the second from last potion with an increasing sense of dread. He didn't know how the man had gotten hold of it but he was sure it was bloody.

"Even you Miss Granger won't have encountered this one. It's not a potion but a very rare ingredient I thought you'd be interested in seeing. Can anyone take a guess?"

The liquid was a congealing black mass, glinting red in the light, and giving off a sense of foreboding. Allen suppressed a shiver as he stared at the stuff. His voice came out as little more than a whisper.

"Akuma blood."

Allen barely registered the teachers suprise and praise at him knowing it. Nor really the other potion or the rest of the lesson, only vaguely remembering the instructions to go to the hall after the lesson. He supposed he must of produced a fairly decent potion, nothing exploded at least, but he wasn't paying attention.

Akuma blood was dangerous, sharing the same properties as the poison some of them released. The same one that attacked and destroyed living cells with the only survivors being parasitic Innocent wielders. Why did a magical school have such things, surely they knew people could die from it.

It wasn't till Blaise lead him into the Great Hall that Allen started to regain his senses. He would remove it tonight on his own, not wanting to risk any of it spilling and hitting Kanda. Settling down on the bench he waited.

It wasn't long until the Hall filled with babbling teenagers, followed by the Headmaster standing and calling for silence with a surprisingly grim expression.

"Sometime last night five members of this school vanished from their dorm rooms. Should you see anything suspicious report it immediately to a teacher. As a precaution there will be extra security on the dorm rooms so those of you prone to midnight wonderings need to rethink their routines."

Allen was trying to disappear amongst the crowds flowing out of the hall when Snape stopped him and gestured towards Kanda and the Headmaster.

"Allen, we'll need to discuss your safety with you sleeping separately to the other students. If you and Professor Kanda will come to my office."

Great Allen thought. This was the last thing he needed.

---

3,500 words! Even if some of it is a bit rough, not a bad start.

The next chap may take a while again. School is evil and keeps setting me lots of work. That and I haven't actually planned what's happening next. Critic is welcomed as always, feel free to be honest.

Finally if there's anything you'd like to see in the story just message me, or put it in a review and I'll see if it can be fit in with the general plot I have in mind. Where ever possible I'm happy to add extra things in.

Bye,

Silver xxx