A.N.: Rating is now M. My deepest thanks to all readers, specially chibi-Clar, KEdakumi, Minogaki TenTen and Clarisse Mayumi.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter Seven - Family
George, Fred and Kagome were back at school. Due the time difference, they got back just in time for breakfast with no sleep at all. They have already eaten back in Japan. Their 'exorcism' took them less than two hours, which left some time for Kagome to catch up with her little brother and mother, who showed up after Shippou's call. George was slightly confused by the Kagome's antics. She cried hard, embracing her mother and brother tightly, asking for her grandfather, who was out in a trip to some temple out Tokyo.
The three plus Souta and Shippou ended helping to reorganize the furniture while Mrs. Higurashi cooked their lunch (they left Hogwarts around midnight, arrived Japan around 9 a.m.). With magic, they had to wait for over half an hour until their meal was ready. While Kagome went to pick a few personal things in her room, Souta showed the two red haired his new PlayStation and some games. Shippou left promising to come back when it's time for their departure.
Souta used their time alone to question the twins about their intentions with his sister. He said he was not stupid and understood that something was going on between the three of them the moment they stepped out of the house earlier. He didn't reproached or anything when told about the nature of their relationship, just accepted their words and asked them to protect and make his sister happy.
Kagome came down with a case. She clearly have taken a shower for her damp hair and fresh clean smell. Her happiness for been home made her almost glow and Fred and George had to refrain themselves from kissing her mind out right away. Pleasant things can be done later, in private.
The meal was delicious, even with their struggle using hashis. They once again were questioned about their relationship. Kagome choked and blushed hard, but her boyfriends proudly told her mother about their current status. Mrs. Higurashi, as the kind woman she have always been, just joked about having redhaired grandchildren. Kagome said nothing but smiled and squeezed her boys' hands.
As soon the meal ended, Shippou was back, tailless, dressed in normal clothes, the previous white and red kimono missing, telling the trio that it was about time to go back and not miss the day's classes that were just an hour away to start. Mrs. Higurashi embraced each one and said goodbye with a invitation to come again soon. Souta reiterated the invitation with a promise of showing them all cool places in Tokyo.
Shippou demonstrated his expertise with magic apparating the four of them back in Hogsmeade Station since he couldn't do the same in Hogwarts Grounds. He chaperoned the trio back to school, said something in Kagome's ear, grinned and apparated to somewhere else.
After lunch (again, now in Hogwarts timezone), George was drowsy but not near as much as Kagome. It didn't help that their afternoon classes were the boring History of Magic. He took rounds with Fred to nudge her to stay awake. In the end, they skipped the following classes to take a nap. They sneaked to the boys dorms and Kagome immediately dropped on his bed and fell asleep. He and Fred joined on her sides. They still have the night practice for the coming quidditch match.
George eyed his brother and then back to their girl, who was already asleep. He didn't know her for long, barely two months, still it felt like much more. Those life-and-death situations helped to improve their closeness. There were still lots of unanswered questions, like Shippou's bloody tail, why she sucked that much in Charms and Transfiguration if she is in the same grade as them (to be honest, she really improved, but still almost bad as a second year student) and why that weird wasp left her so uneasy earlier. But since she confessed to be in hiding from some Creep, He and Fred agreed to not question much.
About his twin, when he came to him suggesting this triad he was skeptical. They didn't knew Kagome that well to guess if she would accept it or not. Most people, specially girls, are stuck in the concept that a romantically relationship must have only two individuals involved, be it of opposite genders or not. For him, he never thought about doing something without his brother. It may seem childish, but it never crossed his mind that someday he would have to move somewhere to start a married life without his brother by his side. Call it creepy, odd, almost incestuous (no, he don't have this kind of fetish), but there never had been George Weasley, it was always Fred and George, Gred and Forge, and he now knew that he wished for things to be that way.
Deciding stop thinking too much, he adjusted to his side and sleep.
It was in a rainy dark windy saturday morning the first quidditch game of the school year. Kagome found a seat next to Ron and Hermione. The game started, but things weren't good, specially for Harry, who was blinded by the water in his glasses. After a quick stop and Mione's help, it seemed the match was going well until she felt the evil presence of the dementors. They were getting too close to the pitch and apparently only she noticed.
"Hermione, Ron, something really bad is going to happen." Kagome said in a low tone. She was dead serious.
"Why do you say that, Kagome?" asked Hermione.
"Are you taking Divination classes? If that's the case don't worry, that woman is nuts." assured Ron.
"Yes, I am taking but it's unimportant. Those dementors, they are getting close. I can feel them." Kagome explained already standing and searching a way to get to the camp fast.
"But Dumbledore banished them from the school grounds!" Exclaimed Hermione.
"They don't seem to care much about his orders." Ron was remembering the incident on the train.
"Then we must tell Dumbledore!" Concluded Hermione.
"No time! Let's go down and try to stop those weirdos!" Kagome had no idea of what those creatures were capable of, but lack of knowledge was never a hindrance to her. She fought youkai in a daily basis with no archery skills.
"What?! We have no chance against them!" Ron was frightened.
"And you will just wait here for the worse? Your friends and brothers are there!"
Ron could not retort her statement. "Fine, let's go!"
The trio stood and hurried to the ground level. When they stepped out, the dementors were already in the pitch and Harry was struggling to hold his broom.
Kagome was going to cast a spell mixing her miko powers to try to make them withdraw when one dementor turned to her and images flooded on her mind. Memories from Feudal Era, but not the good ones. She felt herself once again losing her soul, the worse pain she have ever endured. She saw when Kikyou tried to drag Inuyasha to hell, Inuyasha possessed by his youkai blood. Miroku almost sucked by his wind tunnel, Sango fighting her little brother. All memories plagued by Naraku's evil laugh.
By her sides, Ron and Mione were shaking her trying to call her back. To regain conscience, Kagome lifted her hand to her mouth and bite it hard enough to draw blood. The pressure was still strong but she managed to cast Levicorpus (one of the spells she learned about while doing those damned papers) to prevent a possibly fatal wound in Harry. She then passed away.
Kagome woke sometime later in a dejà vu. By her side was Albus Dumbledore. "I knew your presence here would be a bless to my students."
"Is Harry ok? I saw him fall." Kagome could not remember well what happened.
"Thanks to you, he'll be fine. Probably in pain, but no further damage." Dumbledore answered in a calm tone, almost relieved.
"Thank god." She breathed deeply. "And the game? We won?"
"No, Cedric got the Snitch. He wanted a rematch, but it was a fair game." Seeing Kagome's sad face, he said. "Lose is also learning. You might have to learn to deal with whatever feeling the dementors called in you."
"What about Harry? He must be devastated for losing."
"He and the team will get over it or else the Quidditch Cup is already lost. You should worry about yourself. I won't pretend to know the full extent of your situation but you must train your mind to accept and get over the memories that haunt your soul, whoever is after you can use the same trick to do worse." He stood. "Farewell, Miss Higurashi."
After the headmaster departure, a very face down Oliver Wood came to see her. Clenched fists and wet hair. He probably was torturing himself in the shower.
"Oliver, I'm sorry for the match." Kagome didn't like to see Oliver in such a low spirit.
"No, it's my fault. I could have lost a teammate if not for you. I came to thank you for saving Harry." Oliver said in a brittle voice.
"No problem. I would do anything for a friend."
"Now you must think I'm a terrible captain. I was so focused in winning that didn't paid attention to my surrounding."
Kagome held his hand. "Don't be that way! The team adores you! You just would never imagine those creeps to interfere that way."
"You really think so?"
"I sure do. You should tell Harry not to blame himself too. I know the team can get over it and win the cup." She smiled for him and Oliver flushed. He was about to say something when the sound of two throats being cleared called his attention. Two mud-covered redhaired twins not looking very pleased with the display. Oliver quickly let go of her hand. If rumors were right, she was dating the Weasley twins and the last thing he wanted was to upset his beaters.
"I'll take my leave. Thank you, Kagome. Hello, Fred, George." And he left.
George took Oliver previous seat while Fred sat in the bed next to her hips. They seemed concerned and she could not blame them. If it was any of them in her place, she would be worried too. She was wondering about what Shippou said last time they met. He warned her about been honest to Fred and George regarding her problems. If she was indeed trying to establish a relationship with them, she should let them know the truth and have the choice of leave before getting involved.
"So Oliver used our time cheering Harry to try to steal you from us?"
"How cunning. I would expect no less from captain."
Kagome laughed. They always find the right words to lift her mood.
"How are you, babe?" asked George in a loving tone. The butterflies in Kagome's stomach in turmoil.
"We would have came sooner, but the team went to check on Harry together." Fred explained their delay. He was urging to go see her first, but he went along the team to not have his time with her shortened.
"I'm fine." They eyed her, suspiciously. "Really. I'm hoping Madam Pomfrey will release me today."
And she did. Not half an hour later, Kagome was out the hospital wing. Before leaving, she went to check Harry while the twins took a shower. She couldn't stand to see them so dirty anymore.
"Hey, Harry, Ron, Hermione." She greeted the three inseparable friends.
"Hi, Kagome!" Greeted Harry. "Ron and Mione told me what you did. You saved my life. I don't know how to repay."
"You should have seen, Harry! She felt the dementors coming and we run to the field. She was almost out and still released the spell that stopped your fall." Said Ron lively.
"It was nothing. I'm glad to be able to help. I'm sorry if it wasn't so smooth and you are in pain."
"Better in pain than gone, Kagome." cheered Hermione.
"You shouldn't belittle your actions, Kagome. I'm really thankful." Harry smile at her. His green eyes showing gratitude.
"And the team too!" Added Hermione.
"They couldn't be more relieved when you prevented Harry from kissing the ground." Stated Ron.
Kagome was thrilled for having helped her friend. In the past, her lack of skills in battle always bothered her. She was sure that if she went back to Sengoku Jidai now she would be of much more help. Unfortunately, it's impossible and she wouldn't dwell in impossibilities.
"Just take care and kick asses in the next game!" Her eyes went to the wall clock. "I guess Fred and George already finished their shower. I'm going for them. See ya!"
"Kagome is awfully close to my brothers. She's nice, I hope one of them date her." Said Ron.
"Too late, Ron. Don't you hear the rumors?" Asked Mione.
"What rumors?" Asked Ron and Harry at the same time.
"She's dating them!"
"Both of them?" Harry inquired.
"At the same time?" Wondered Ron. "How do you know that?"
"After the Halloween Party, Kagome, Fred and George were gone for hours. No one saw them until next morning. Then, one boy saw the three sharing George's bed." Hermione explained.
"How bawdy! As expected from Fred and George. Mum will love to know it" Ron said excited.
"Don't be a gossiper, Ron!" Snapped Harry and Hermione.
Kagome waited for Fred and George at their drom. She laid in Fred's bed thinking about how to approach such a touchy subject after all that happened that day. She didn't know how they will react about her lie and if they would even believe her words. In truth, have it happened with someone else, she wouldn't believe too.
"With a beautiful lady lying down in my bed, I would have trouble in waking up every day." Kagome was so immersed in musings that she failed to notice the two entering the room.
"A penny for your thoughts." Teased George.
"I have to tell something. You have to promise me you will believe everything I say and won't stop me until I finish. Do we have a deal?"
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