Author's Notes: I sincerely apologize for the damn long wait. My computer crashed and I lost all my stuff which includes all my stories' chapters and works in progress. I sadly could not find a way to restore it. So, instead, I have to start this chapter all over again. I was only a few pages away from completing it too… Well, I can't really remember what I wrote anymore so I'll have to start anew. Gomen!
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Mission Hogwarts – Chapter Three
Written by Clow Angel
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Botan stifled a yawn as she and everyone else in the group filed out of the Headmaster's office. It was late and they had spent hours discussing plans on how to counter what Voldemort might have in store for them and what measures should be taken in securing the castle grounds to prevent invasion. Needless to say, it was a tiring meeting. Kuro and Rena, her two shinigami friends were almost completely silent during the entire thing and she couldn't blame them. Suddenly dragged from Reikai and sent on a mission when they've never been on such missions before had them confused and unsure of how to fit in with the group.
Kurama and Dumbledore had been the most talkative unsurprisingly. They had quietly discussed what actions might need to be taken in the future and what should happen right now. For once, the old headmaster had on a serious expression, completely dropping his playful and seemingly mad ways. Although she herself was normally talkative and cheerful, she knew nothing of strategy so she had quietly sat with Kuro and Rena and giving their opinions when asked. Yukina surprisingly had a bit to put in, surprising everyone with her active participation in the discussion. While she spoke, her eyes often wandered to her older brother and Hiei would give encouraging nods for her to continue. The short man himself did not say much, only pointing at certain points on an old map of the entire Hogwarts grounds and grunting at Kurama to translate which the redhead did so readily.
Now, everyone was stiff, tired, and annoyed at having been pent up in a room for so long. Botan ran up to her two friends that were walking in front of the group and started a small conversation with them.
Yukina glanced at her brother, drawing his attention. He paused and motioned for Kurama to go ahead before waiting for his sister to catch up.
"Onii-san, is everything okay? You were very quiet."
"I'm fine, Yukina. That's how I normally am. Why bother talk at all when the fox can do it for me?"
"I understand. Sorry. I was just worried."
Hiei's eyes softened a bit. He almost looked like he was smiling. "Sorry for worrying you but I really am fine."
Yukina smiled brightly. "Hai, onii-san."
The siblings continued down the hall, bumping into Filch on the way. Yukina immediately hurried over to the hobbling man and asked if she could play with Mrs. Norris. During the few weeks they've stayed at Hogwarts, the young ice apparition had managed to befriend the gruff old man and his cat. Filch readily handed his precious cat over to Yukina to stroke and coddle. Hiei leaned back against a conveniently placed wall and watched.
"Filch-san, Norris-chan, how was your day?" she asked politely, soft red eyes shining. She steadily and softly stroked Mrs. Norris' fur. The feline meowed contently in response.
"We're fine." His voice was raspy as usual, although it didn't hold the edge it usually did.
After a few minutes, Hiei nodded at his sister as a goodbye and disappeared into the dark corridors of the old castle. Tracking down Kurama, he found the redhead seemingly asleep on a couch sitting up, in the Gryffindor Common Room. How the fire demon managed to get in there, no one will know.
"Hiei." It was a soft murmur of a greeting. The pair had also reverted back to Japanese incase anyone happened to be listening to their conversation.
"Thought you were asleep." Hiei smirked at the tired redhead, who was trying to rub some sleep out of his eyes.
"Not quite. I was just dozing for a bit. It has been a long day."
"Is Yukina with Filch again?"
"And that mangy cat," Hiei added, also taking a seat on the couch next to Kurama.
The redhead smiled at the fondness in Hiei's normally harsh voice.
"That's nice." Kurama managed to somehow yawn elegantly, stretched his stiff arms and shoulders, then softly plopped his head on his friend's lap, assuming a more comfortable position.
Hiei smirked. "That tired?"
"Yes. Harry is a hard person to befriend sometimes. He is suspicious and wary of me but I suppose that is normal. I will need to try and befriend other Gryffindors as well to make it less suspicious."
"Sounds like tough work," he replied while his hand stroked Kurama's silky red tresses splayed across his lap.
"How are you doing in Slytherin?"
Hiei chuckled dryly before saying, "They hate my guts," laughter in his voice.
"What am I going to do with you?" Kurama groaned, closing his eyes for a brief moment.
Hiei only smirked once more. "They're brats. Not to mention they tried to jinx you several times already."
"Yes, well none of the curses and jinxes hit me now have they?"
"It's only because it's you, fox."
"Of course," Kurama replied in good humor, smiling to himself. He was going to fall asleep at this rate because it was so comfortable. Hiei's calloused hands felt nice against his hair and skull. He sighed and snuggled further into Hiei's lap.
"Shut up already and you're acting like a cat." Still, his hand didn't stop their ministrations.
"Well, I'm a fox so close enough though not quite."
Hiei resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His hand stilled in his friend's hair when the redhead made to get up and stretched much like a cat would. In fact, he probably made cats jealous with how graceful he was.
"Well, I need to go to bed. Although your lap is more comfortable," here, he winked, "my room mates will get suspicious if I'm not in bed or at least look like I was in bed. I am tired as well." Green eyes sparkled, the fire in the fireplace reflecting in his emerald pools.
This time, Hiei did roll his eyes and stood up. "Goodnight then fox." Leaning forward, he placed a chaste kiss on soft red lips before seemingly disappearing into thin air not a second later.
Kurama was left sitting there on the couch stunned into silence. Well, there's always rare displays of affection from him. Smiling to himself, he got up and climbed the stairs to his room.
The next morning, Harry was surprised to find his redhead room mate still in bed. It was unusual since he usually woke up with the sun. Shuffling over to the redhead's bedside, he noticed the bags under his eyes. He must be tired. I guess going to a new school with new people can do that.
Over the last month or so, it was true that Harry had grown a little suspicious of the redhead and his friends. However, he couldn't seem to dislike them either. Even Hiei now that he sort of understood him more. Sort of. Kurama was especially friendly and had helped him with homework multiple times when Hermione wasn't around and too busy studying. The teen really was good at almost everything and a whiz at Herbology. Although hanging around with Hiei had gained Kurama many enemies in Slytherin. First, Hiei didn't like his house and didn't stay around them often other than when it was time to sleep and instead hung around his redhead friend. More than a few times, Harry had spotted one or two Slytherins aiming their wands at his room mate only to miss or have the redhead coincidentally suddenly stop and turn the other way for something. He was pretty sure it wasn't all luck but it sure seemed like it to bystanders.
Once or twice, he found Hiei had caught a Slytherin or two and had threatened them with death or setting them on fire. Harry soon noticed that there were never the same Slytherins trying to prank Kurama. In fact, they avoided his path. He couldn't really blame them. Sure they were Slytherins but so was Hiei and a pissed off Hiei was scary. He could admit that now after having been on the receiving end of his anger.
"Nng…" Kurama slowly sat up in bed. A hand covered his mouth as he yawned.
Harry shook his head and wondered how someone could manage to make a yawn look graceful.
"Harry? You're up?" Sleep laced his soft alto voice.
"Yep."
Kurama looked slightly confused for a split second before it hit him that he had actually slept in a bit. "Oops. It's 7AM isn't it?"
"Just about."
Kurama fell onto his back, his head hitting the pillow with a soft thump. "Ugh…"
"Tired?" Harry asked as he pulled on a pair of socks and slipped on his robes.
"Very."
"Still not used to Hogwarts life?"
"Not really. Having a hard time adjusting. People are so different here. At least I made a few friends right?"
Harry shook his head and smiled. "Well, you'd have an easier time making girlfriends."
Kurama blushed lightly causing Harry to laugh.
"You're embarrassed! Don't see that often."
"Yes, well, those girls are, well—," Kurama didn't know how to put it.
"Pushy?" Harry suggested as he took a seat on his own bed. He didn't dare sit on Kurama's bed. The roses attack people. He had found out the reason why Kurama grew the roses on his bedpost. They were wards; strange but effective. How he found out? Neville was in the room with him and Kurama was in the bathroom. Fascinated by such beautiful flowers, the boy had approached the bed and tried to examine a fully bloomed rose closely for himself. The vines retaliated and wrapped around his hand and arm, thorns piercing into the thin human skin. Kurama came out not moments later and immediately ordered the roses to let go. Harry had watched in surprised as the roses immediately let go and rewound itself around the bed post. Now, he no longer found plants and flowers to be so girly.
"That's about right."
"Maybe if you wore a mask or grew warts, you wouldn't have that problem. Most guys would find it flattering for so many girls to throw themselves at them."
Kurama blushed again. "Well, they're nice and all but not my type."
Harry didn't want to bother asking what his type was. Kurama was just too much of everything outstanding. Whatever girl could match up to him would probably have to be equally amazing.
Harry soon left the room and everyone else finally started to wake up. Breakfast that morning was nothing unusual except for a visit from Fawkes. She immediately landed on Hiei's head. Surprisingly, the phoenix had taken a liking to Hiei the moment she had set eyes on her when they had first entered Dumbledore's office weeks ago. It was probably a fire thing everyone concluded. Hiei said he found it to be a nuisance but never did anything about it. He had probably secretly taken a liking to the fire bird. Dumbledore had been delighted his pet had found a playmate and even offered to let the fire bird visit Hiei more often.
Yukina had been so happy. She giggled behind a hand politely and said, "Isn't that nice, Onii-san? Fawkes-san likes you!"
Hiei didn't know what to say so instead, he had nodded stiffly.
Now, Fawkes sat quite happily on the fire demon's head preening himself and sometimes Hiei's hair. This was the third time the bird had dropped by for a morning greeting so most people were somewhat accustomed to the sight of the majestic creature. However, it was still unusual enough to attract many stares and whispers.
Kurama shook his head, a grin plastered on his handsome face. "Here Fawkes," he offered a piece of bacon which the phoenix readily gobbled up.
Hermione soon slid into an empty spot at the table near the two friends and joining her two best friends. "Good morning everyone," she greeted crisply. The owls flocked in through the open windows not a minute later and dropping a copy of the Daily Prophet on Hermione's lap. She quickly opened up the magical newspaper and began reading and eating at the same time.
"Anything interesting in the news, Hermione?" Kurama asked.
"Hm…" She flipped through the pages quickly, brown eyes scanning the pages with expertise. "Well, it seems there's been a sighting of a large magical blue bird although no one was quick enough to take a picture of it."
"Blue? How unusual. How large is large?" Kurama wondered aloud, eyes staring off into the distance. Of course, he knew it was probably Puu with Yusuke. The delinquent never could stay out of mischief for long and also had probably wanted to see what a magic school looked like. He'd have to tell Dumbledore that a guest was dropping in soon.
"Not sure. They said it was probably the size of a muggle jet."
"Really? That is pretty big," Kurama commented.
Hiei simply smirked at the news and fed Fawkes a piece of toast.
Hermione scanned through a few more pages. "Let's see what else there is…" She flipped through them quickly and paused a few pages later. "Well, other than a few normal everyday crimes, nothing too unusual."
Across the room, Draco Malfoy was watching the group discreetly. He wasn't sure what was going on with the new students and Gryffindor House but, he didn't like it one bit, especially not with the position he was in. He had hoped to 'befriend' the only Slytherin new student but the kid had ignored him extremely well. His eyes landed on Hiei as his thoughts strayed to him. He was used to such behavior from Gryffindors but hadn't expected one of his own to completely ignore him. The next thing he knew, the boy had the nerve to sit with the Gryffindors and next to his redhead friend who had gotten sorted into the damn House as well. His gray-blue eyes landed on the redhead next.
However, he could understand why the forever scowling boy was hanging around the redhead. Draco had always been attracted to beautiful things be it a vase, clothes, or people. On the list of beautiful things, Kurama was somewhere up there on top and Draco would be foolish to deny it. He could care less that the source of beauty was male. He had never seen a more beautiful person in his life. Although he could admit that he was very fond of how the redhead looked, he could also see how sinfully beautiful the redhead was as a person and Malfoys rarely ever cared about what was 'inside'. Still, at the moment, it seemed impossible to get near the redhead. Hiei had been so overprotective of him.
He had told Crabbe and Goyle to pretend to jinx the redhead when Hiei was nearby. Not a second later, the two idiots found themselves at the point of a sword and threatened with death by hot flames. Needless to say, they were scared shitless and swore to never try anything like that again. Draco who had been watching from behind a corner scowled. That Hiei was very quick to notice things.
Draco's scowl deepened further and he tore his eyes away from Gryffindor Table. He knew he didn't have time for such things but he couldn't help himself. He mentally sighed. He seriously should be thinking about how to escape his seemingly inescapable future. Sure, he was a Slytherin but no matter how much of a Slytherin he was, he didn't find it too appealing to sign his life over to the devil himself. His eyes strayed towards the Staff table and ultimately landed on the Headmaster. As if sensing his very thoughts, Dumbledore caught his eyes and winked before turning to talk with McGonagall acting as if nothing had happened. Perhaps he did need to enlist the help of the Headmaster despite his annoyance at the old fart's seemingly mad ways. There was probably no other way for him to get out of his family's mess alive.
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Later that night, Hiei, Kurama, Botan, Yukina, Kuro, and Rena were all over Hogwarts Castle ground checking on their traps, wards, and whatever else had been set up, tweaking some things here and there, and adding a few more things to the big picture.
"Botan-chan, did you tell Dumbledore Yusuke was probably going to drop by?" Kurama asked.
"Yep! He said it was no problem as long as he didn't do anything to the students or say anything about our mission. He also wanted to meet him."
"I see. That should be no problem."
A few miles away, one Urameshi Yusuke sneezed. "Must be because it's pretty damn cold up here," he muttered to himself. He looked down at the view of London from his position on Puu's back; the clouds rushing past him as they picked up speed. "This place looks pretty nice at night!"
Kurama thanked Inari many times the next morning. It was finally Saturday and he had slept in until 9 in the morning until Hiei jumped in through the window and slammed it shut with a bang, scaring Harry and Ron shitless.
"Bloody—!" Ron had darted out of bed and grabbed for his wand before Harry, who had put on his glasses the instant the window was slammed down, grabbed a hold of him and told him it was only Hiei.
After everyone calmed down, Ron asked the shorter man, "What do you think you're doing breaking into our room like that and giving us all heart attacks?"
Hiei smirked toothily, a long pointy canine glinting under the morning sunlight streaming in through the now closed window.
Ron gulped and quickly exited the room claiming he needed to use the toilet.
Kurama's roses had uncurled from the bedpost, poised to strike when they felt their master's reiki spike up in the presence of false danger. After realizing it was Hiei, Kurama gently persuaded the roses to rewind themselves around the bed post.
"Hiei, what on earth do you think you're doing?"
"I would've let you slept in more if Yusuke wasn't going to literally drop in, in a few minutes."
"What? A few minutes? Oh Inari," Kurama moaned. He slid out from underneath his warm covers and slipped on a pair of slippers. "Take my stuff out for me while I get cleaned up."
Hiei complied readily and went through the dresser and drawers, grabbing an outfit and whatever else he thought the redhead might need.
Harry sat dumbfounded on his bed, his brain still clouded with sleep. The name Yusuke sounded familiar for some reason. He stared off into space trying to remember for a few minutes before it dawned on him that he was in some of the stories Botan told him.
"Can I meet him?" Harry asked without thinking.
"Hn," Hiei replied without a pause as he made Kurama's bed without problems and laid out Kurama's things on it.
"When?"
"After Kurama and I beat some sense into him," he replied matter-of-factly. "The idiot is an idiot."
Harry blinked.
Kurama came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Thanks, Hiei."
"Hn. Just hurry up."
"Of course." Kurama gently rolled his eyes and quickly pulled on his clothes, tossing his night clothes at Hiei who caught them and threw them in the laundry basket.
"Ready." He placed his brush down on his night stand and tugged at the end of his sleeves to straighten them out.
"We're leaving the short way." Hiei walked over to the closed window and pushed it open.
"What? You don't mean through the window do you?" Kurama peered out the window dubiously.
Hiei eyed his friend with a raised brow. "What else?"
Harry jumped out of bed at that. "Don't be crazy! You'll die! That's a long drop! Not to mention we're in a TOWER!"
"We'll live," Hiei replied.
Harry was forced to believe him. He knew that if Hiei was anything, he was pretty serious and if he said he could live after jumping out a window from the top of a tower, he would believe him no matter how unbelievable it might be. After all, he did come through the window. But the problem was would Kurama survive the fall?
"Oh, fine," he heard Kurama say in a huff. "After you."
Harry watched with wide eyes as Hiei hopped onto the window ledge and hopped off. Then Kurama followed suit and leapt off, doing a graceful flip in midair before landing on his feet several dozen feet below on the ground. He shook his head wondering if he was dreaming.
Ron who had returned from the bathroom right when Hiei made his jump, screamed and ran towards the window right after Kurama jumped. When he saw they landed safely on their feet on the grassy field, he turned to Harry, mouth agape. "Did you just see that?"
Harry nodded mutely.
"Bloody hell… I'm surprised their bones didn't shatter!"
Through all the commotion, Neville and Seamus remained asleep.
"Let's go down and see what's going on."
Harry couldn't agree more and the two best friends scrambled out the door. As they ran down the many flights of stairs, Ron asked breathlessly, "Why'd they jump out the window?"
"Hiei said Yusuke was coming any minute," Harry replied just as breathless.
When they reached the giant doors of the castle entrance, they could spot a silhouette in the distance drawing closer and closer by the second. They realized it was blue bird, a very large blue bird.
"Hey, isn't that the bird Hermione read about in the Prophet?" Ron asked, eyebrows drawn together as he concentrated on getting a better look.
Harry nodded, words having escaped him.
When the bird finally landed, blowing dust and grass in their faces, a black-haired teen with chocolate brown eyes, jumped off its back and bellowed, "Yo Kurama, Hiei!" The bird also let out a loud and sharp cry as a greeting. It echoed off the stone walls.
Hiei's greeting was rather different. He disappeared into thin air, reappeared behind the teenager and punched him across the fields and into a conveniently placed bolder. Needless to say, it shattered.
Harry and Ron were speechless. Their mouths had fallen open so far, they were sure it was going to touch the grass very soon.
"What are you doing here?" Hiei stood over the pile of rocks, arms crossed and eyes narrowed.
"I don't think he can talk… He's probably dead," Ron commented dryly. He really should be running off to call for a professor but he was rooted to the ground unable to move, staring in morbid fascination.
Kurama walked up to the two and made a motion for them to be quiet.
The pile of rubble moved, an arm shot out and soon an entire body was recovered and standing. Yusuke dusted himself off. "Maa, Hiei. Calm down. I just wanted to see how you guys were doing. Kuwabara was starting to annoy me too and I've been itching for a real fight."
"…" Hiei stood staring at Yusuke with disbelieving eyes.
Kurama coughed lightly, drawing Yusuke's attention. "Yusuke, you came all this way for a fight?"
"Yeah!" the dark-haired teen raised his fist up energetically. "I've been bored as hell!" He grinned cockily. "Kuwabara's no match for me so I came looking for you guys."
Ron gaped some more, his face oddly pale. "Harry, I think this Yusuke's mad…" he whispered.
Harry couldn't agree more. Who flew all the way to a castle in the middle of nowhere from Japan for a fight?
"Yusuke, maybe later. I still haven't had breakfast," Kurama replied. "You also woke me up."
"Oh. Sorry. It's pretty early in the morning, isn't it?" He rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment with that grin still plastered on his face.
'No, really?' rang through their heads as they stared at Yusuke.
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Review Replies: Basically replying to reviews that had questions or I felt the need to reply to.
Darksaphire: I've read many YYHHP crossovers and noticed that some took a ridiculously long time to progress so I decided mine shouldn't be so slow but I won't make it ridiculously fast paced either because I want the plot to be at least a little deep. As for picking up the story, I'm picking it up and wondering where the hell I'm going with this at the same time. Quite frankly, I didn't have a story planned out. Oo; But let's see where my imagination takes me. Wish me luck!
Neko1kitty: I hope you're happy with this chapter! I began implementing Draco into it this chapter. He only had a small part but his part will get bigger soon. I hope. I still have no idea where I'm going with this but ideas are forming. And yes, there are pairings in this fanfic. Mainly HieiKurama, but as you can see, I'm trying to make it more interesting by adding a little bit more into it and hinting at things. It'll probably develop into something more complicated later.
Mizukihikari: It's okay! No need to be sorry. Glad to know you're still with me even though it's not KuramaYukina. Thank you for your support!
Book-manga-freak: Keeping Hiei in character is very hard for me. I often don't even know if he's in character or not and it drives me crazy. He's a very hard character to write. I hope I kept him in character this chapter as well. And as for scenes with them in class, I'll try. I don't remember many spells and I stink at making spells up. But I'll try anyway. Let's see how that turns out. Ha ha…
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Author's Notes: Well, Yusuke made an appearance after all. I felt bad for leaving him out but Kuwabara will definitely ONLY be mentioned. And you notice I added Fawkes into the story! I want to make a part of the story in which Fawkes would be a significant part of it. How though is the question. I'm sure I'll figure it out. I think.