Chapter 4...Uncomfortable Stares and Wizard Wears
By: Mikairi
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K.Rowling and Inuyasha belongs to Ruhmiko Takahashi, respectively. I'm not making any profit from this story whatsoever. :-P
"Err, sorry about that, I guess I didn't see you there." The boy replied sheepishly.
"That's all right," Kagome said smiling, "Oh! I hope they weren't ruined." She pointed to a particularly soggy text book that had splashed into a nearby mud puddle.
"Oh," the boy began to wipe it furiously with the end of his shirt sleeve. Kagome reached into one of her inner pockets of her robe and pulled out a pale pink handkerchief.
"Here let me help." She reached for the book and attempted to dab the grubby water from the pages.
"Thanks," the boy answered.
"That's the best I can do though, I mean without magic or anything." Kagome said rather softly, she felt heat creeping to her cheeks, 'Not that I can do any real magic...' she thought miserably.
The boy noticed her downcast expression, "Err, it's really all right I can have my friend clean it for me when I get back to Hogwarts, she knows loads of good spells." The boy reassured her.
Kagome's face brightened, "You're going to Hogwarts?"
"Yeah I'm in sixth year, but I don't think I've seen you before?"
"Oh!" Kagome mentally kicked herself, "That's because I'm new this year, I'm Kagome Higurashi by the way, and you are...?"
"Harry Potter." The boy said quietly as he glanced around at passersby.
"Harry Potter!" Kagome exclaimed, excited that she knew at least something about the wizarding world.
The boy winced at her shrill and rather loud exclamation, and Kagome immediately regretted her outburst. She couldn't help but notice the heads that whirled in their direction and the whispers that accompanied the gawking stares.
She covered her mouth with one hand, "I'm sorry about that, it's just...I don't really know much about this place and you're the only thing, well person, that I know about." Kagome said this while examining a very interesting pebble. "After all, you're famous and, and...and you probably really don't want to be talking about this in the middle of a crowded street." Kagome answered looking up rather sheepishly. 'Wow, Kag, just stop talking, please, please? First Draco Malfoy now Harry Potter...' Kagome thought gloomily as her face, again, radiated with heat that she was sure he could feel.
The boy couldn't help but grin, she was so awkward he couldn't help it. But there was just one thing about this girl, something very different, what was it? Maybe it was the fact that she was the few who realized that he wasn't a display at a zoo, that she had held herself back instead of bombarding him with the usual questions about his scar and past. It was a nice change, really.
Maybe that's why he had no problem asking her, "You're taking the train, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yes, I think so..." Kagome thought hoping beyond hope she would not have to be going by that horrible Floo Powder...
"Well, then if you don't know anyone, maybe you would like to sit wi-"
"Kagome, There you are! I was trying to explain to you about the train and when I turned around you were gone! But I have to stop at one more store, sorry, I just remembered I promised your grandfather and brother I'd get them-." Mrs. Higurashi was explaining in rapid Japanese as she appeared by her daughter's side, but upon seeing Harry, she quickly stopped and said, "But I'll let you have a few minutes." She smiled at Harry before turning to a store displaying self-cooking cutlery that had caught her attention.
That's when Harry felt it, it was fleeting and rather faint, but he could now put into words what it was about the Japanese girl before him. She had a very strong aura, that's the best way he could put it now, and he found himself a little curious to know why. A dangerous thing curiosity was, Harry knew from experience, but also an extremely tempting thing as well.
"Well, I should be going, now." Kagome said, "It was nice meeting you, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Sure," Harry replied, "Bye then."
Kagome walked over to her mother and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Kagome, I am very impressed with your English, you sound like a native." Mrs. Higurashi commented admiringly.
Kagome beamed. As she began to walk away she turned around and waved back at the boy, Harry, before disappearing into one of the many stores.
Harry waved back, and just as he was about to turn to leave, he saw Cho. Although Harry didn't like Cho Chang as much as he used to anymore, the sight of her stunned him for a moment, and that's when he lost his balance. It was like in slow motion: Cho walked by in a light green dress, a dainty necklace flashed brilliantly in the sunlight. She flipped her sheet of black hair behind her shoulder, and her face was lit with a dazzling smile. Harry froze, was about to wave, instead he trod on the ends of his shoe laces and fell into the mud puddle-arms flailing.
'Perfect,' He had thought, but at least Cho had not seen him. She had walked right by him, as if he were invisible, and that's when something flashed in the corner of his eye. He scanned the ground before it flashed again. He lifted up his hand, and there, a polished piece of chipped glass lay. He looked at his palm and realized it was bleeding slightly, he must have flattened his hand on it when he fell. 'Cho dropped her necklace,' Harry thought as he picked the little glass bead up and saw the dangling chain. 'Where'd she go?' Harry scanned the thickening crowd but from his position, not much could be seen. Once again he collected his books and stood up, searching for an ebony head bouncing down the street, nope she was gone. 'I'll give it back to her on the train then.' He thought simply before tucking it in his pocket and turning to meeting the brown eyes of a bushy haired girl he knew so well.
The store Kagome and her mother had walked into was a clothes and robe shop, complete with a display of shirts brandishing the title, "I'm with the WEIRD SISTERS" that flashed different colors and when read out loud, began to play loud rock music. ("They're the latest in wizard music, from what I've heard," Mrs. Higurashi had told her.) There was a rack of "Wardrobe Wonders" which was a simple, pale cloak that, with "the simplest spell," would transform into a pair of pants, shirt, skirt, etc., for when the modern day witch is in a, "clothes crisis," or so the sign said.
"Kagome, why don't you come and pick some clothes out that you like." Mrs. Higurashi called as she dug through a bin of clearance items. Occasionally it omitted strange noises and Kagome giggled when she heard at least twenty WEIRD SISTER shirts go off in the clearance bin, followed by a crash as someone toppled over in surprise.
Kagome must have tried on every garment in the shop twice before she had decided on her purchases, which included two Wardrobe Wonders, 'It's a miracle, everyday is a clothes crisis for me.' Kagome had thought as she happily carried out her many parcels and bags.
"Kagome, those dress robes will look so lovely on you, pink has always been your color." Mrs. Higurashi had lamented as they made their way back to Flourish and Blotts. In the shop, Kagome's list had required her to buy dress robes. She had picked out a gown of soft, pale pink, made out of floaty material. The gown fitted her snugly around the middle and then blossomed like a bell, so that it just swept the floor. The robe had sleeves of the same floaty material with a few well placed diamond jewels. Of course, it had been very expensive, and it was a combination birthday/good-luck gift, her mother had told her. They walked five minutes time before they reached the familiar cauldron shop and then they were at Flourish and Blotts. Inside, the evening sun's golden rays reflected around the little shop making it appear to be glowing. Mrs. Higurashi had insisted upon carrying all the parcels through the fireplace.
"Kagome, you go first. You know how to do it." Mrs. Higurashi ushered her as she tried to juggle all the bags.
Kagome hesitantly stepped into the fire place, her hand closed tight around the Floo Powder. She braced herself and closed her eyes she threw her powder down and shouted forcefully, "Higurashi Shrine!"
Green flames, blurred colors, distorted voices, and the sensation of fiery ash whipped her face-'I can't believe people actually travel like this!!!' Was Kagome's only thought as her stomach rose up in her throat. She wanted to scream, or let whatever it was inside her out, but experience told her that that was a bad idea. Until, once again, she was thrown carelessly out of the fireplace and landed sprawled on the cream colored carpet. Kagome opened her mouth and sucked in air-clean, fresh air. She creaked her eyes open to see her living room, as normal and ordinary like any other. Kagome pulled herself up, while massaging her hip where it had connected with the floor first.
Another blast of green flames and Mrs. Higurashi stepped gracefully out of the ornate fireplace and deposited her bags neatly on the floor. Mrs. Higurashi caught a glance at Kagome and chuckled softly before pointing to a mirror hanging over the grand fireplace. Kagome cautiously stepped toward looked up and-
"Kyyyaaaii!!!" Kagome shrieked. "I hate Floo Powder!" Kagome exclaimed turning to her mother who was laughing heartily now. Kagome looked back at the filthy girl, whose face was smeared with ash and who's hair was fried and sticking up in places. Kagome couldn't help but laugh, she looked absolutely ridiculous.
"How would you like a nice, hot bath, Kagome?" Mrs. Higurashi asked, the corners of her mouth still twitching slightly in amusement.
"That, would be wonderful mama."
"Now another thing you should know about, hmm, let's see here...well the Hogwarts Express." Mrs. Higurashi pondered out loud. Kagome and her family were sitting in the living room discussing the next days events. Kagome was just trying to soak in all this new information. So far they had discussed Diagon Alley, quidditch, purebloods, half bloods, wizard words ("mudblood" included), Hogsmeade, spells, famous wizards and witches ("Harry Potter and Dumbledore, Kagome" Mrs. Higurashi had told her right away.), and now they were discussing the school, Hogwarts.
"The wha?" Kagome asked. "A train, are you serious?"
"Yes, tomorrow we'll go by Floo Powder to-oh, Kagome it's not that bad-King's Cross Station. Then you will take the train to Hogwarts and they'll sort you into a house-they're like your "home room", so to speak." Mrs. Higurashi explained before taking a sip of her tea. "The houses are-
"I know about this!" Kagome exclaimed excitedly, "Draco Malfoy told me all about the houses." Kagome said trying to sound casual and off hand like her mother.
The corners of Mrs. Higurashi's mouth twitched slightly and her peaceful expression flickered, but only for a moment.
"Kagome, you should know that, some wizards, like the Malfoys, well they aren't exactly the most, well they aren't the nicest wizards you could meet." Mrs. Higurashi began cautiously.
Kagome raised her eyebrows, "What do you mean? You seemed friendly with Mr. Malfoy today, I saw you, you and him were talking..."
Mrs. Higurashi cut her off, "It is not my intention to ever strike up a conversation with any Malfoy, Kagome, believe me." Her voice had taken on a sharpness that her family rarely heard.
"Bad wizards, that's what they are, they treat muggleborns and half breeds like scum," Kagome's grandfather had spoken up, "Yeah I knew the Malfoys," He explained to Sota and Kagome who had questioning expressions. "Every single one of 'em came out bad, it explains why they've been sorted into Slytherin all these centuries." He shook his head sadly, "Since we, Higurashi's, are pure blood wizards, and witches," he added nodding at Kagome, "He tried to get us to join him and others to follow..." He and Mrs. Higurashi exchanged dark looks.
"He tried to get us to follow Voldemort didn't he?" Kagome asked dreading the answer. They both flinched at the name before nodding sullenly.
"But we were already in the Order, so of course we didn't join, never. Well, except for, you're aunt, she became good friends with Lucius." Kagome's grandfather continued coldly, "You're aunt, Naoko Higurashi, betrayed us, we were never on bad terms with the Malfoys but she told Lucius why we weren't going to follow Vol-You-Know-Who. That was around the time they found the list of the Order members. They knew that the Potters were in hiding, that we were in the Order, and that you're father had been very good friends with James Potter back during school years. It was the perfect reason for You-Know-Who to come and expose the secret-keeper. They came in the night, and demanded for your father to tell them where the Potters were, when he denied being the secret keeper and refused to tell them who it was, they killed him."
Mrs. Higurashi sniffed loudly from her chair, her tea cup had fallen from her lap and she had her head down.
"Fuhjiko..." Kagome's grandfather wrapped an arm around her, comforting her.
Kagome suddenly became aware of Sota pressed against her side, and she looked down trying to figure out how her shirt had gotten so soggy. She brought her hand to her face, and it was no longer a mystery.
"That, that-Naoko ," Kagome had brought herself to say, "is she, where is she?"
"Dead, I hope," Kagome's grandfather said darkly.
"But, we're okay now, right?" Sota piped up through his tears.
Mrs. Higurashi gave him a sympathetic look before saying gently, "Right now we are, don't worry, Sota." She stood up, "Sota, come with me, I'll tuck you in, and I'll stay with you until you fall asleep." Mrs. Higurashi whispered while drying her eyes, "Kagome, the train leaves at eleven so make sure you're ready by ten, Good night, honey."
Sota ran to his mother and they went upstairs together. Kagome's grandfather heaved a long sigh. "Well, that's not entirely true." He said quietly.
Kagome looked at him sharply, "What isn't true?" Kagome never really took what he had to say seriously, but his solemn expression chilled her.
"About being safe, no one is, he's back."
Kagome stared, fear creeping through her like a terrible chill. "But Voldemort's gone, Harry Potter-"
"Harry Potter. That boy did do something amazing that night, I'll give him that much, but he only delayed Voldemort's rise to power. I've been sensing it for years. The spirits on the Shrine grounds are restless. It irks me." Kagome's grandfather said, looking rather detached and far away. Something big is about to happen Kagome, and I want you to be prepared."
"Prepared for what?" Kagome asked, her voice quavering like a weak guitar string.
"For the worst war this world has yet to see."
After her conversation with her grandfather Kagome went up to bed, exhausted. She had fallen asleep to the wind through the trees, perhaps that's why her dreams were so bizarre that night.
She was in a dark room, she looked around, but her eyes couldn't see through it. She turned around and saw a small port hole of light. The only light shining in front of her, like a silver orb. She ran towards it, feet echoing, heart pumping, and her gasping breath. It kept where it was, as if she wasn't moving. And Suddenly it rushed up to greet her, as if drawn to her. It was only a few feet away now. Something pulled at her throat, it wanted out-what? a scream? a cry? She didn't know, 'Just get it away...whatever it is...' The silvery surface rippled, and she stopped dead. Everything faded to black and she heard whispers, all chanting:
Beware, dear child, for what comes this way,
Is something with ambitious desire
Destruction and murder for whoever lay,
In the path of the Dark Lord returned to power.
None are safe who oppose his force,
He shall rise again like the darkest tower.
The brave are first to stand and fight,
The innocent are first to die and fall.
And the weak live only to see a sight,
Of fear and havoc wreaked upon all.
Remember this dream for if you do not
We will lose this chance and be left to rot.
Remember the word that was said long ago:
We are as strong as we're united.
As weak as we are divided...
Kagome woke up sweating, cold and wet. She fell back against her damp pillow and slept on. When dawn filled her room the next morning, she had no recollection of the dream, whatsoever.
Kagome had lain in bed nearly twenty minutes, she could feel her stomach writhing and everytime she glanced at her packed suit case, a stab of fear jolted through her.
'I need to get up, I'm going to miss the train, but I don't want to leave my bed quite yet...' Kagome pulled herself up and looked around the room. 'This is the last time I'll be in my own bed. I won't be back for a long time,' she thought sadly, 'And Inuyasha and the others...' An unexpected wave of guilt washed over her. She wiped her face with her hand before pulling herself up to stand. 'We're leaving at ten so let's see, that gives me...forty minutes to get ready.' Kagome slapped her hands together confidently before she grabbed her luggage and left the room. She did not notice the small letter jammed in the frame of her window.
The cool shower had helped her relax, and as she began blow drying her hair, she found herself becoming just as excited as she was nervous. Then suddenly a loud beeping rang shrill through the house and shouts could be heard downstairs.
"What in the world is going on down there!" Kagome exclaimed before switching off the blow dryer and, wrapping a bathrobe securely around her, dashed downstairs. The smell of smoke filled her nose, thick like a wool blanket.
"Urggh!" Was all she managed to choke out before covering her face. Baffled, Kagome followed the billowing cloud into the kitchen where she found her grandfather wearing her mother's pink-flowered apron. He was frantically smothering tall flames that had erupted inside a pan full of what must've been breakfast. Kagome winced at the burnt marks covering the table and, oddly, the walls.
"Uhh, Grandpa? What, what are you doing?" Kagome asked carefully, dreading the answer.
Kagome's grandfather looked up, and instantly broke into a large, warm smile.
"Kagome! I made you breakfast since you're leaving today for school. Look, I made your favorite: toast and those little ramen cups you're always taking with you!" Kagome's grandfather said proudly while indicating to a bowl of putrid looking water containing chunks of mystery meat, (was that hot dog?), while shriveled noodles bobbed on the surface. Kagome's face paled as she took a look at the toast, or, it might've once been toast. As of right now, it was pure, steaming, carbon.
Kagome was just about to ask if she would get food poisoning from eating her grandfather's cooking, when her mother slid the shojo back and gave her a meaningful look. Kagome inwardly groaned.
"Uhh, thanks gramps, it uh, looks absolutely...appetizing!" Kagome said, putting on her best fake smile.
Kagome's grandfather beamed.
"Of course, I added a few things, ancient Higurashi recipe, Kagome. One day I shall pass it on to you and Sota." He said mysteriously.
Kagome and her mother sweat-dropped at this.
"What a shame that Kagome won't have time to eat your excellent cooking, Grandpa. I'm really sorry but if she's late she'll miss her train." Mrs. Higurashi said apollogetically.
"Oh my, you're right! Out, Kagome, go get ready!" Her Grandpa commanded, while shooing her out of the kitchen. Kagome didn't have to be told twice, she was out of the there in a heart beat.
She opened the door to her room, now thinking of what to wear.
"Ugh! It still smells!" she exclaimed. Her room was hazy with the smell of "Higurashi's secret recipe."
She looked at her clock, it was 9:30. 'We're leaving in half an hour...' She chided herself. She walked swiftly to her bedroom window and threw it open, something white caught the corner of her eye, but when she glanced back there was nothing.
"Ahhhh, she sighed as the smell was quickly diluted by a light breeze that ruffled her hair. Kagome strode over to her closet and pulled it open.
"Okay, now what am I going to wear...let's see..." Kagome had torn into her bags of new clothes that hadn't been packed yet. "No...hmm...ehh, not for today.....nooo...ugh, did I really buy this??"
Kagome finally found what she was looking for: A short, dark jean skirt and a light blue sleeveless shirt. Hurriedly, she threw them on and stepped into a pair of white sneakers. Checking her reflection in the mirror she smoothed her hair, grabbed a sweater and ran out of the room. The kitchen clock on the wall told her it was nearly ten thirty.
"Ten Thirty!" Kagome exploded, "Mom! We have to go!" Kagome dragged her luggage into the living room and looked up just in time to see a mahogany mantle and slate fireplace appear in front of her. Kagome whirled around to see her mother waving her wand.
"All ready? Kagome, you go first, and don't worry about your luggage, I'll take care of that."
Kagome grabbed herself some Floo Powder and stepped inside the fireplace, wishing that they could've just taken a plane.
Kagome was very surprised when she stepped casually out of the fireplace, not a scratch on her. She expected to be chucked violently out, but she didn't mind the change all that much.
'Wait a minute, we're in the middle of a train station, how would there be a fireplace here?' Kagome whirled around, expecting to see a fireplace or a heater at the most, but was most shocked when she came face to face with a very solid stone wall. Though, the stone wall looked suspiciously older than the surrounding concrete.
'How is it no one saw me appear? The muggles...can't see it, can they?' And sure enough people passing by didn't look twice at the wall nor at her.
"Weird..." Kagome whispered.
"Alright, here we are, now we need to get to platform nine and three quarters." Mrs. Higurashi had appeared beside her daughter. "Follow me, Kagome."
Kagome did so. Glancing around, she occasionally caught sight of a boy or girl pushing a cart carrying a trunk and owl.
'An owl...I should get one...' Kagome thought.
Mrs. Higurashi stopped in front of the wall seperating platforms nine and ten.
"Kagome, what you have to do to get to platform nine and three quarters is to walk straight at the wall." Mrs. Higurashi explained. "It's a secret way to get to the Hogwarts Express, are you ready?"
Kagome nodded, now that she was starting to understand the wizarding world, it almost seemed perfectly normal, almost.
Kagome readied her trolley and began to walk swiftly at the wall. 'Please work...please...' Kagome begged. She shut her eyes and when she opened them, she found herself gazing at a shiny maroonsteam engine.
"The Hogwarts Express..." Kagome murmured to herself as she read the neat lettering on the side of the train.
Kagome's mother stepped out of the wall behind her, "Ready?" Was all she said.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Kagome replied uncertainly.
After her luggage was loaded onto the train, she turned back to her mother, who had bright eyes, shining with pride.
"Kagome, I know you'll do fine this year. So don't worry too much, about us-or Inuyasha." Kagome smiled at this. "You can write to us, stay in touch, just use a school owl to send letters, alright?"
"Alright, Mom." Kagome answered. Mrs. Higurashi pulled her into a tight hug, she let go only when the whistle sounded.
"Bye, Mom!" Kagome called as she boarded the train.
Through the windows she could see her mother waving from the platform, until the train billowed out steam, and Mrs. Higurashi's figure faded from view.
Kagome looked up the corridor, trying to find an empty compartment proved very difficult.
'Where am I going to sit? I wonder if that boy is somewhere around...' Kagome found herself wondering.
"Kyyyaaaa!!!" The train gave a lurch as it began take a turn, Kagome stumbled and flew backwards. She collided with a compartment door, it gave way, and she flew inside to the floor.
"Itaaiii..." Kagome mumbled, she was laying flat on the floor. She rolled over on her back before sitting up. She gingerly placed a hand to her head where a golf ball sized lump was forming.
"I found an empty compartment, atleast." Kagome mumbled gruffly.
"Not quite." said a familiar voice next to her.
Little bit of a cliffy there, but I had to. Sorry ;;
But anyways I want to thank all you guys for reading and I owe you a HUGE apology for being gone so long, and I'm glad to say I know how this fic is gonna go :-D
Do you like my lil poem? hehe, I'm no Robert Frost, but hey, I try ;;
But anyways here's thanks to all my reviewers:
Katsumi-Leostar, I'm glad you liked it! :); Moonyasha, thanks for the suggestion, I'm not sure what I am going to do with Inu yet... ;) but I'm thinking around same the lines you are, thanks!; Silverbluenchantress, updated and more chapters on the way, don't worry!; H A 619, as always glad that you enjoyed the story!; Whatasungoddess, have a lil faith! lol, I'm going to finish this, It's on my very long to-do list ;;; lol; Ruth 4 kai, thanks for the review and I'm very glad you liked it :-); Killiara, my very first reviewer sniff lol, I'm very happy you're enjoying the story and I'm gonna have the summer to continue working on it
Comments, ideas, flames cringe, or suggestions go ahead and send 'em! :-)
Well till next time which will be much sooner, I expect, happy reading!
-:- Mikairi -:-