Author's Notes: Well, here's the next installment of Mission Hogwarts! It's Chapter Eight and I've gotten over 100 reviews. You guys have no idea how ridiculously happy I am at the moment. I'd like to give a huge thank you to every single one of you for being patient while I get my ass in gear to write every single chapter. Some chapters have come out faster, some later. I know it has probably annoyed you all to death when I released one chapter a month so I've done my best the last few chapters to do quicker releases.
Unfortunately, it will be a while before the next one. My uncle passed away and preparations are needed for his funeral which I will be attending. He was a close member of the family to me. So far, I've used this fanfic to keep my mind off of his death but while it does work, sometimes I can't help but remember.
Anyway, onto something a little more cheerful. Once again, I'd like to reply to some reviews that I felt needed a reply here. I find that clicking the reply link on the reviews page every single time I want to reply to a review gets rather annoying and I often forget who I replied to. So to those of you who received more than one reply by PM, I'm sorry!
KyoHana: Thank you and, it's true isn't it? It's what makes Ron seem so human and it does in fact at times make me like him more. I've realized that in most YYHHP crossovers, Ron is given very little parts so I've decided that that will change in mine. Unfortunately, his parts ends up making him seem like the bad guy. Of course, that's my entire fault as the writer but I couldn't figure out how else to put him in without jamming the story and turning everyone into goody two shoes which I definitely do not want.
Shadow929: Wow that was a long review. Once again, I thank you for your support! I'm not sure if mine would be the most realistic out there, but I'm trying very hard to make everyone in character and the situations not too outrageous. You have no idea how many times I've completely deleted scenes because it came off as too much or too out of character or too something else entirely. About Hiei and Kurama's relationship, rest assured, they will not be calling each other pet names. I cannot for the life of me imagine Kurama and Hiei spewing crap like 'honey', 'baby', or even worse 'darling' and 'pumpkin'. Someone stab me if I do that.
Chibi Tsuki Hikari: Thank you! I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Silvermane1: Nooo! What happened to the one word 'cool's I usually get? I was actually waiting for it!
Otakualways: Really? I'm relieved to know that. Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Concubine99: To answer your question, yes they will find out about it. How? I'm not quite sure yet. I've got about a million different scenarios in which they can find out about them but choosing one of them is difficult and, some of the scenarios are just mean, but yes, they will find out about them, but before they find out anything about them being demons or their relationship, I'm going to complicate this story more by throwing in some love triangles? Squares? Octagons? Something like that. The story of course will progress but I want the characters to develop too.
KuroAngelique: Haha… Yes they kissed! Nice surprise eh? As for when they got together, I have no idea. They've been 'together' since before the first chapter. As for before that, just assume whatever you want. I had at first wanted them to get together during the fic but since the fic was going to get complicated anyway, I decided to hell with that.
- - - - -
Mission Hogwarts – Chapter Eight
By Clow Angel
- - - - -
Finding the fox was an easy task. The kitsune was currently sitting in the Whomping Willow. Hiei glanced up at the miraculously still tree, past the many gnarly branches and spotted the redhead sitting with his back to him, swinging his long legs back and forth very much like a human child would. Hiei then knew something must have struck his friend when Ron had said what he said. He could venture a guess at what bothered the kitsune but he certainly wasn't sure he was one hundred percent correct. He could say without lying that he knew Kurama better than anyone else alive, but then again Kurama could say the same thing of him. Sometimes, he wasn't so sure if it was a good move on his part, allowing the other to know him so deeply but he knew that if he didn't at least offer that, Kurama would never make a similar exchange.
"Ne, Hiei…" It was Kurama and it was so low and soft a voice, Hiei almost missed it, so deep in thought he was.
He flickered, image disappearing from the ground and reappearing on the same branch Kurama sat. He looked down at the redhead, concern clear in his eyes but his expression was still blank as ever.
"If everyone was like Ron, there would be no hope for me, would there?" It was a rhetorical question, not one meant to be answered, but Hiei felt the need to say something anyway.
"No, there wouldn't but not every human is like that idiot," Hiei said, his voice also low to match that of his partner's. Hiei plopped down close to the redhead, offering what comfort he could. He knew what this was all about now. Kurama was thinking of telling the truth to his mother and Ron's words weakened his resolve if not totally destroyed it. It probably brought an onslaught of memories of the past as well—his bloody, path of carnage and thievery. It was a life he knew the kitsune both loved and despised.
Kurama sighed wearily, looking up past the leafless branches and into the cloudy, murky sky. It was going to rain soon. "Poor Botan. I hope she never comes to hear what he said. It would make her cry. She's too much of a giving and kind person."
Hiei looked up at the concern lacing his friend's voice. "She won't hear of it. I'll make sure of it. Even a bimbo like her doesn't deserve to have that thrown at her. She hasn't been a very useful ally but she has been a loyal one."
"How mean," commented Kurama still gazing steadily but unseeingly at the darkening sky.
"Don't think too much, Fox. It's not healthy," Hiei said his voice barely a whisper against the howling of the wind. A storm was definitely brewing. He wasn't sure if the fates were against him or not, bringing in weather that matched his friend's mood.
"It's impossible not to think. Thinking is what I spend most of my time doing. My role requires it."
"Fuck your role."
Kurama chuckled mirthlessly.
Hiei glanced over at the depressed redhead in concern.
"I'll get over this soon enough."
"Soon enough isn't fast enough," Hiei said. "You mentioned thinking was your role. Mine is to make sure you're healthy and alive."
"I'm both right now, Hiei," Kurama said. It wasn't often his partner would say such things outright like this so he treasured the moment all the more. He leaned over, tired from the stress, the thinking, everything, and used Hiei as his support for the moment.
"Mentally is included in being healthy," quipped Hiei as he readily gave the support his friend seeked, bringing a muscular arm around to wrap around his friend's back, pulling him even closer. "Rest, Kurama."
"Mm…"
They stayed like that until the flapping of wings disturbed their rest. An eagle owl landed on their branch and offered the letter tied to its leg. Hiei quickly undid the knot and the eagle owl took off. He scanned the note, smirked, and passed it to Kurama who stared curiously at the fire demon before reading it. A smile donned his lips after he was done.
Don't pay mind to what the weasel says.
He never thinks before talking. It's how he bloody is.
I'm speaking from experience.
- Draco
"You told him?"
Hiei shrugged. "Only that the idiot said something stupid."
Kurama smiled.
The fire demon almost smiled when he witnessed his partner do so. "Are you better now?"
"Honestly? No, but I'll get there," Kurama's voice was muffled because he had turned his head and buried his face in Hiei's cloak.
Hiei rolled his eyes at the redhead's actions.
"You smell nice."
The fire demon snorted. "So you've told me millions of times."
Kurama smiled against the surprisingly smooth fabric. "It's true."
Hiei really did manage a smile this time. "We're not doing it in a tree." That earned him a whack in the arm.
"That wasn't my intention," Kurama grumbled playfully.
A single eyebrow rose under the white headband. "I suppose you do learn something new everyday."
The redhead looked up and all but gaped at the fire demon. "Hiei!"
His response was a small laugh.
Kurama smiled fondly at his shorter companion.
Hiei caught the look. "What?"
"Thank you," he said and he meant it from the bottom of his heart at the very moment.
Hiei snorted, a bit embarrassed and slightly uncomfortable at the words.
Kurama only chuckled and swooped in for a sweet kiss which didn't remain sweet for long. It turned wild, heated, and desperately passionate in moments. Hands clawed at each other's back, arms, and chest resisting the urge to tear off clothes in their need for skin to skin contact.
Hiei pushed the redhead away gently before it got too far, catching his breath. His own ruby eyes caught glittering emerald ones. "Kurama, we are not doing it in a tree."
Kurama pouted playfully. "Fine."
"Stop being childish."
"I can't help it. It's in my nature."
"You're infuriating."
Kurama laughed.
Hiei smirked, relieved.
- - - - -
Hermione paced the Gryffindor Common Room while Harry watched and Ron fidgeted.
"'Mione—"
"Quiet, Ronald. I don't want to even start on how stupid and completely insensitive you were," Hermione nearly shouted, only managing to keep her voice down at the last moment.
"I only said the truth," Ron defended himself weakly.
"What truth? Hasn't Botan been every bit nice and friendly to you ever since the beginning of term? She hasn't done a single thing to you to warrant such behavior and outright display of dislike."
"Well, she's going to turn all evil and mean eventually because of those Slytherins," mumbled Ron.
"Oh for—" Hermione screamed, exasperated. "Ron, Botan isn't that kind of person! I can't believe you can't see anything past this stupid House Rivalry. You had better apologize when Kurama returns. I have never seen him this upset."
Harry reflected back on the expression Kurama had and he shuddered and instantly felt guilty for not having said anything. His new friend's emerald green eyes were cold and distant—a mask for hiding his true feelings and pain from prying eyes. Harry sighed and curled into himself on the chair he sat, resting his chin on his knees.
"You really were an idiot," added Harry.
"Not you too! You've seen how those Slytherins always hated us and glared at us. It's no doubt they're trying to turn Botan against us too."
Harry's own green eyes flashed angrily. "That's just stupid! You don't hate people because of their friends. What do you think people say about you for being friends with me Does it hurt? Yes. You're doing the same thing everyone else does!"
Ron's eyes widened and he stared guiltily down at his lap. "I really was an idiot, wasn't I?"
"Oh? So you noticed?" Hermione spat at him.
The sound of the Fat Lady's portrait sliding open alerted the remaining three people in the room, and they looked up just as Kurama stepped through the hole in the wall. The redhead was dripping wet. They looked out the window and noticed it had started raining. Hermione immediately rushed up the stairs and returned with a fluffy towel, handing it to the redhead while guiding him to a seat.
Hermione looked down at the redhead, worry clouding her brown eyes.
"Well, I'll be going to sleep now—" Ron couldn't make it a step before Hermione walked up to him, smacked him across the head and shoved him roughly back in his seat.
"You—," Hermione growled, "—are not going anywhere just yet."
Seeing Hermione's manic gleam in her eyes, Ron stayed put. He sneaked a peek at the redhead sitting across from him who was busily drying his sopping wet hair. He quickly said, "I'm sorry."
The towel stilled, everyone stilled, waiting for the redhead's reply.
"I do not accept your apology."
Ron gaped. Harry blinked in surprised. Hermione was kind of expecting it. Kurama was kind, but he didn't seem to be very forgiving when it came to certain things.
"W-Why?" Ron stuttered, confused.
"You do not truly mean it. I also realized when you called Botan a traitor, what kind of person you are. Your views are too narrow-minded; a one way path. You fail to see the entire picture, only paying attention what displeases or pleases you, disregarding everything else as inconsequential." At this point, Ron was gaping, unsure how to retaliate or even defend himself. "Occasionally, that can be strength, but in this case, it proved to be a weapon against someone else's kind and friendly personality. A person such as Botan is not deserving of such harsh words. I bid you goodnight." Kurama had said each word clearly and coldly. He did not want to speak anymore as it was. It was as good a way as any to end the stressful day.
He handed the towel back to Hermione and said his thanks before ascending the stairs to his dorm room soundlessly.
Hermione frowned at Ron's distraught expression. It served him right.
"I think that hurt more than anything Hiei could ever say," Ron gasped, his face impossibly pale, finally dawning on him that Kurama was extremely angry at him.
Harry had to agree. The words more than stung; it cut like a knife. He knew what Kurama said was true. He was Ron's best friend after all and he could see his friend's faults. In fact, Ron's tactlessness along with his narrow-minded blindness had hurt their friendship on more than one occasion but he had never outright relayed it back to him. In fact, because Ron was his first friend, he had forgiven him more often than not.
The following day seemed to drag by, refusing to end. At least it seemed that way to Ron.
Without realizing it, Kurama had gained a lot of supporters and friends over the month or two he'd been at the school. The students who had witnessed what had happened the previous night at the Great Hall had obviously spread it around school. Even a few Slytherins (although mostly girls) were shooting hateful glares in the Weasley's direction, and this time, not out of Gryffindor hatred.
Kurama made it a point not to look at or be within ten feet of the Weasley although no one had noticed since he did it so naturally and discreetly it didn't attract any attention.
At Lunch, Hiei had taken Kurama by the arm, surprising everyone at the Gryffindor Table and dragged him over to the Slytherin Table instead. Kurama could only blink in wonder. A Slytherin Third Year girl blushed and quickly moved over to allow room for the guest.
Ron gaped like a fish. Hermione flashed him a look that clearly told him she was rather displeased with how he had done nothing to improve the relationship between him and the other redhead all day long.
Harry could only watch as Kurama meekly took a seat at the foreign table. Draco had glanced up from his lunch and frowned when Hiei had dragged the redhead over but looked the other way seconds later, ignoring them in favor of eating his lunch in silence. He realized lately, the blonde Slytherin seemed subdued. He didn't even go out of his way to terrorize him and his friends anymore. He didn't want to notice, but Malfoy's actions always rang loud and clear and in a in your face kind of way.
"You noticed too?"
It was Hermione. Harry snapped out of his trance and glanced questioningly at Hermione.
"You don't need to hide it. I've noticed it too. He does seem different, doesn't he?"
Harry nodded.
Ron didn't even participate in the conversation; too busy ignoring the glares people were throwing his way or making rude gestures in return.
When Botan made to sit with them halfway through lunch, a group of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff girls quickly steered her away to sit with them instead. It seemed as if everyone knew what Ron said except for Botan because she had only babbled in confusion before giving up going over to the Gryffindors. Ron very nearly sank to the floor under the table in his shame.
Ron groaned miserably when a passing group of Ravenclaws threw scathing glares of varying degrees at him when they were heading to Herbology. "I think I angered the devil, Harry…"
"Close enough," replied Harry.
"If you knew this was going to happen, you should have watched your troublesome mouth," scolded Hermione for about the twentieth time that day. "Kurama has a lot of fan girls and Botan has a lot of fan boys. You won't get out of this unscathed."
"Thanks for reminding me, 'Mione…" Ron moaned. His day wasn't going to look up any considering their next class was going to be Herbology with Hufflepuffs and Kurama was Professor Sprout's assistant.
With Ron's bad luck, he just had to meet his twin brothers before class. They had just come from Herbology themselves.
"Hello there Ronniekins!," Fred said in that cheerful, mischievous tone of his.
"Heard you did another idiotic thing—," said George.
"But we had no idea you'd be—," continued Fred.
"—this dumb!" Fred and George chorused together. They laughed loudly and halfway down the hall, they called over their shoulders. "We'll tell mum to prepare you a coffin!"
Herbology was a nightmare, Ron thought miserably. He had never gone through worse days than the one he just had and it wasn't even over yet. Herbology was never a favorite subject of his, but he was okay in it. He never failed but he never did exceedingly well either. However, he was guaranteed he failed his hands on assignment in class that day. Everyone seemed to be against him for one reason or another and the main reason was Botan. That girl really was friendly. She had friends everywhere. Was her laughter infectious? On the other hand, he had to hand it to Kurama. It was known throughout the entire school by now that the red-haired, emerald eyed beauty was furious with him, but during the entire class, he had assisted everyone equally, himself included. His voice gave no hint of anger. It was a purely professional tone.
Hermione and Harry ran to catch up with Ron. "He was surprisingly helpful wasn't he?" asked Hermione.
"He was…" said Ron in a subdued tone.
"Maybe you should go — y'know, properly apologize to him now," suggested Harry.
"How? He won't talk to me, look at me, or even be within ten feet of me!"
Harry almost laughed at Ron's expression. When his best friend got desperate, it was a funny sight. He'd go all red in the face making his freckles stand out, and he'd mess with his hair by tugging at it with his hands. To finish it off, his voice got higher and it took on a very whiny tone.
"Just call out to him. He'll probably answer," commented Hermione.
"Come with me?" Ron turned and looked at the two with pleading eyes.
Hermione frowned and said, "No." It was the tone of voice that forced him to do his homework every night. It brooked no argument.
Ron gulped and looked helplessly at Harry. Harry shrugged as if saying, 'Sorry can't help you. Hermione will only yell at me.'
"Well, if you don't see me back in the Common Room by eight, you'll know to start preparing my funeral," said Ron, his voice trembling. Then he walked off in search of Kurama.
Now that classes were over for the day, Harry and Hermione decided to visit the Hospital Wing to see Miss Yukina. Right when the duo walked through the door, the koorime looked up in distress only to sigh in relief when she noticed who was there, or more specifically, who wasn't there.
"Good afternoon, Hermione, Harry. Would you like some tea?"
Harry nodded.
"Thank you very much, Miss Yukina," said Hermione, smiling.
"Brother—," Yukina called out softly to someone at the back of the room.
Harry and Hermione exchanged a wide eyed look.
"I'll be preparing tea for Miss Granger and Mr. Potter. I'll be right back."
They heard a faint 'Hn' from the back of the room and as quietly as possible approached who they knew to be Hiei hidden behind a sheet that sectioned off Madame Pomphrey's resting corner.
"You two can get over here," snapped Hiei. "I can hear you no matter how quiet you try to be."
Throwing a worried glance at the sheet that separated them from the ill-tempered boy, they lifted one side and stepped through, taking a seat at a round table set up for guests.
"Hi," said Harry, unsure what else to say.
"Where's the idiot?"
Hermione winced. "He's looking for Kurama."
Hiei's expression was blank when he stared straight at the bushy-haired girl causing her to duck her head. "Why?"
"He wants to apologize," explained Harry. "He knows he's wrong now."
"Does he." Hiei stood, set his teacup down with a gentle clink before calling past the sheet. "Yukina, I'm leaving."
"Already?" It seems she looked at the time because the next thing she said was, "Oh! I'm sorry for keeping you, Brother. It's already this late."
"Hn." The sheets rustled and Hiei was gone.
Hermione merely sighed.
Harry blinked. "Well, that went well."
Hermione shot him a sour look.
"I'm sorry Brother had to leave so abruptly," Yukina said as she set down three cups of tea. "He's busy at this time of day."
"We understand," said Hermione gratefully accepting the tea and taking a long sip. It warmed her throat as she swallowed. Sighing in contentment, she set her teacup down and smiled brightly at Yukina.
"What brings you here today?" asked Yukina.
"We were passing by so we stopped for a visit," said Harry. "We didn't expect Hiei to be here though."
"Oh." Yukina's face fell at the thought of her brother. "It seems Kurama-san is angry. As a result, Brother is worried. He came today asking for advice." She shook her head then as if disappointed in herself. "Unfortunately, when it concerns Kurama-san, I don't know what to say. He's very secretive and has yet to speak to me about himself so I wasn't much help to my brother."
Harry almost wanted to bang his head against the nearest wall. His best friend had never caused this much of an uproar before. At times like these, strangling Ron seemed like a good idea.
"It was a good thing Mr. Weasley was not with you. I was afraid that if he were, my Brother would harm him."
"To tell you the truth, I feel like smacking him once or twice," Hermione confessed with a sigh.
"I've not heard details of what happened. Do you mind telling me?" Yukina asked, peering up into Hermione's brown eyes with her bright red ones, pleading. "Brother tells me it is of no concern but I worry."
Hermione caved immediately and relayed the tale to the young healer.
By the end of the story, Yukina had a hand over her mouth in shock. "Surely Mr. Weasley didn't mean it?"
Harry shook his head. "Nope, I'm pretty sure he did at the time which is why I think Kurama got so angry."
"I see. He doesn't take well to discrimination. He despises it. He's suffered from it so it probably hurt him when Mr. Weasley said such horrible things."
Hermione frowned in worry. "What happened?" she asked.
Yukina shook her head once again. "I'm sorry. I don't know the details. Even if I did, I don't have the right to tell you." She looked up suddenly, worried. "Is Botan-san alright?"
"Actually," Hermione smiled sheepishly. "She doesn't know about it so she's fine. Everyone's hiding it from her."
"Oh." Yukina blinked in surprise. "How nice of them."
"Yeah, well she's a nice person. No one wants her hurt," said Harry. "Even some of the Slytherins are defending her. I think I actually like them more now as weird as that is."
"Do you know where Kurama is?" asked Hermione. "He didn't leave class at the same time as us."
Yukina looked down, eyebrows drawn together in concentration. "I believe Brother is with him by now."
Harry stood abruptly, banging his knee against the short table and hissed. "Ron!" he said through the throbbing pain.
"Oh!" Hermione set her teacup down and grabbed her things, dashing out of the room.
Yukina jumped from the sudden rush of things and blinked owlishly down at Harry. "What happened?"
"Ron went looking for Kurama before we came here."
Realization dawned on Yukina. "Oh dear," she gasped, wringing her hands in worry. "I hope Brother won't kill him."
Harry wasn't sure if Miss Yukina was serious or not, but he had never heard the young healer joke about anything. He prayed against all odds that she was joking. Ron was an idiot, but he didn't think he deserved to die for it. He gulped, pale as the sheets on the hospital beds and asked with a shaky voice, "You don't mean Hiei will really kill him, do you?"
Yukina's expression was uncharacteristically blank as she knelt before Harry, placing a hand over his injured knee. A pale blue orb of light flickered under her palm before steadying into a dim glow.
A sensation similar to being slowly submerged into a warm bath after an exhausting day washed over Harry's senses. It felt extremely nice and comforting. From experience at Hogwarts, healing of injuries of both physical and magical types was usually unpleasant. However, whatever Miss Yukina was doing was anything but. He forcefully shook the foreign but pleasant sensations away and looked down at the kneeling healer. "Miss Yukina, you weren't serious, were you?"
"Just like you would defend and protect your friends, my brother does as well. He will not forgive those who hurt Kurama-san, but Kurama-san will not allow Brother to harm Mr. Weasley. He is kind and will forgive when Brother will not. Your friend is safe," she said in a soft tone of voice that wasn't quite reassuring but wasn't exactly the opposite either. She was merely stating a fact.
- - - - -
Ron was sitting nervously under the Whomping Willow of all places and trying very hard to explain himself instead of turning tail and running in the opposite direction as fast as his legs could carry him. He had his extremely pissed off House Mate, a giant attacking tree that very nearly crushed his dad's car and himself, and an ill-tempered Slytherin facing him. Things were not looking good for him.
Kurama, his extremely pissed off House Mate was glaring at him as if he were a speck of dirt from beneath his boots. It made Ron look down ashamed and terrified for his life. The Whomping Willow behind the Japanese redhead was swaying in a most threatening manner as if expressing its anger for the boy before it.
"I'm really sorry. I was wrong. I-I just wasn't thinking and I said those things. I know Botan's always been nice and stuff. It's just that thinking of Slytherins makes me angry," Ron continued babbling, so nervous he was. It was almost like talking to Professor Dumbledore combined with Snape.
Kurama finally sighed wearily, leaning against the large trunk of the dangerous tree. "I understand that, I really do, Ron. I just don't understand how you can let a House Rivalry interfere with your friendships with other Houses. The way you judge them before you understand where they're coming from is disappointing. I had expected more from the brave and noble house of Gryffindor. You shouldn't judge people at face value."
The Weasley redhead's head lowered further, his face a mixture of expressions clashing with one another much like his emotions and thoughts were. On one hand, he knew he was judgemental. First impressions were important to him and it usually dictated how he would behave toward the people he meets. On the other hand, he knew that not all first impressions were correct. One of his best friends and crush (Hermione) was a total nightmare and still occasionally was but the point was he reevaluated his opinion of her and accepted her as a friend. His first impression of Kurama was an extremely good one but he had not expected him to be so harsh and straight to the point concerning his comrades' honor. Actually, that wasn't really surprising now that he thought about it. He realized he would've done the same thing to defend Harry or Hermione. Really, right now, he wasn't even so sure what he was thinking about so deeply. His life could end at any moment and he was pondering on first impressions! Really! His priorities certainly were out of whack. He'd have to rearrange them when he was out of danger, he reminded himself.
"Ron, I do understand where you're coming from," he said gently, lowering himself to the ground facing Ron.
Ron slowly raised his head and meekly peeked out from underneath his lashes at the other redhead.
"I don't mean to scold you like a child. I wasn't raised here in the British Wizarding Community so I and the rest of my friends disregard the House Rivalries. We don't see the need for them other than to promote some friendly competition which I believe is the point of their existence."
"Well, yeah, they are but the Slytherins kinda take it a step further a lot of the times. They don't have a very good reputation," said Ron.
"I'm aware but after being pegged as the 'bad' house for so long, I assume they naturally fall into the steps of their predecessors without much of a choice. It's expected of them now. Their House isn't as kind as the rest of ours. It's more like an army. Everyone is watched." Kurama paused and turned to Hiei. "Isn't that what you said?"
"Something like that."
"Watched?" Ron gaped.
"There are parents of Slytherin children that are — what do you call them here again? — right, Death Eaters. Many of the Slytherin House members probably don't have much of a choice but to join Voldemort—
Ron flinched.
"Oh, sorry," Kurama apologized sheepishly. "I forget you don't call him by name here. Well, my point is, if they don't want to be killed or estranged from their families, they must follow orders. They can't befriend who they want to. Their situation is a sad one — one they can do almost nothing about. Family to many of us are most important in our lives. They don't have anyone else to turn to for help or support. They use their reputation and family names to shield them, to create a mask. Someone like Botan is a breath of fresh air in their watched and monotone lives. I hope you understand now, Ron."
Ron had never thought of it that way before. The situation of his rivaling house members never crossed his mind. He just figured all of them were snots because that's just the way they were. He didn't think some of them had no choice in friends or personal lives, that their every move was watched. He'd have wanted to jump off the Astronomy tower if that happened to him. Everyone in Gryffindor was relatively supportive of each other although sometimes rifts do appear but eventually, everything would go back to normal. It was just the way things were in Gryffindor.
"Yeah," whispered Ron, still in shock. "Yeah, I do understand. Thanks. Thanks for telling me."
"You're welcome and you're forgiven," Kurama said kindly, standing and brushing off the dirt. "Come. The Willow is most unforgiving unless I'm around. I don't want to leave you here alone with it."
"Oh, right." He had completely forgotten he was sitting in front of the violent magical tree, so absorbed in the conversation he was. He quickly got up and stumbling a few times in his nervousness to get away from the tree.
"Why didn't it attack you?" Ron asked breathlessly once they were safely inside Hogwarts Castle.
"I'm a Plant Master. It wouldn't attack me unless I ordered it to."
"You mean you can just order plants to do things?"
Kurama nodded. "Although some need a little bit of persuasion, most are willing to do anything I ask."
"That'd come in handy in Herbology," Ron grumbled. Plants never did seem to like him very much in class. In fact, they tended to hate everyone except Neville. His head swiveled this way and that, searching. "Where'd Hiei go?"
"He returned to his room. He still has to finish up his assignment with Mr. Malfoy. He only joined me because he was untrusting of you," he said bluntly.
"He won't kill me now will he?"
"No, I do not believe so."
Ron breathed a sigh of relief.
When they returned to the Common Room, the Weasley twins let out an exaggerated groan of disappointment.
"We were just getting ready to write to mum—" said George mournfully.
"—telling her to prepare to you a coffin," finished Fred.
"Too bad," said George with a shrug.
"We were so looking forward to it too," said Fred, exchanging a ridiculously sappy look.
"Guess we won't be attending our first funeral," they moaned together before turning and marching up the stairs to their dorm howling in laughter.
Ron rolled his eyes, all too used to his brothers' antics, and joined his friends who were doing their homework together at their usual table.
Kurama inclined his head at the three before ascending the stairs to his room too. He was probably going to bring down his homework to work on too.
Harry looked up when Ron took a seat, completely forgetting his homework. "How'd it go? Your head's still on. Hermione left to find you but she couldn't find you anywhere. We were scared you might've died or something."
Hermione glared at Harry then turned her glare on Ron. "Where were you? I looked everywhere! Do you know how worried I was?"
"Well, you wouldn't have found me. I was at the Whomping Willow," said Ron, laying his head on the small table. He was feeling very tired all of a sudden.
"The what!" Hermione screeched.
"The Whomping Willow."
"You're alive," she gasped. She stood, knocking her chair over and shakily stumbled over to Ron and looked him over. "You're not hurt?"
"No actually, I'm not."
Hermione engulfed Ron in a bone crushing hug causing Ron to turn an unhealthy shade of red. "Thank Merlin!"
Harry who was watching could only try to quell the bubble of laughter that was threatening to spill from his lips which were twitching into a smile.
As abruptly as she hugged him, she let him go and held him at arms length. "How did it go?"
"He accepted my apology," said Ron although he didn't sound as happy as he should've been.
"Why do you sound so miserable then?" asked Hermione. She righted her chair and took her seat again.
"Learned some things." He then told his two friends what he had learned less than half an hour ago.
Hermione sighed sadly. "I was aware of it actually. It was impossible every single Slytherin was bad to the bone," she whispered lowly so no one would overhear.
Harry wasn't aware of it so he turned wide eyes to Hermione.
Hermione caught the look and frowned at him. "You couldn't seriously think every single Slytherin was horrible and mean because that was how they were born to be."
Harry shrugged. "How was I to know?"
"Slytherins are sly, cunning, and selfish. At least, that's what it seems. They put themselves first before anything else. It's not possible all of them want to throw their lives away by joining the biggest evil known to the Wizarding world. They're not stupid. One of the reasons they would join his side would be because there was no other way other than death to escape and not many are willing to help them because they already have a bad reputation. Being in Slytherin is almost like a test to see if they're capable of being Death Eaters. It's a network of watching and being watched." Hermione sighed forlornly, her eyes gliding over her two friends to stare out the window. "I wouldn't wish that kind of life on anyone. Of course, some Slytherins really do join You Know Who because they want to."
It reminded Harry a little bit of how it was every summer. He was constantly being watched. Even here in Hogwarts, he was being watched by teachers, students, enemies, and Voldemort. Being Harry Potter, he also had things that were expected of him. He could understand what the Slytherins might be going through except their situation sounded worse.
- - - - -
Hiei wordlessly strolled into him empty room and pulled out his parchments, quills and ink bottles from his dresser. Draco Malfoy walked in behind him and closed the door, locking it with a spell and casting a silencing charm on the room. His untrusting eyes landed on Hiei.
Hiei immediately was aware of the magic cast on the room, but chose to ignore it. Instead, he sat on his bed and started on his homework.
"You're a demon aren't you?" Draco asked at last. It had taken him a while to figure out. Growing up in a family that practiced and excelled in the Dark Arts, his house was filled with artifacts and information. The Malfoy Manor had an extensive library on almost everything related to the Dark Arts — demons included. When he had met Hiei, he was suspicious. Who was this Hiei really? His speed was inhuman, his magic deadly and destructive. At first, like everyone else, he assumed he was trained in a different kind of wandless magic. He had heard Eastern magic was different for everyone and volatile. But as time went on, he realized the other boy's abilities were beyond just wandless magic. It was an entirely separate realm of magic — one that was otherworldly.
So now, his unwavering gaze was settled on the suspected demon who only smirked evilly at him in return.
- - - - -
Author's Notes: Okay, I dropped the bomb. I had actually intended for Hermione to find out first, but it just didn't turn out that way. Hermione's smart and all, but Draco was surrounded by the Dark Arts throughout his life. I figured he'd have come across some book or artifact that simply screamed DEMON and being curious about the Dark Arts as he is, he'd eventually research into it. So, tada!
