Untried Guardians
By Sqweakie the Wonder Mouse
Crossover with Harry Potter and Inuyasha
HP: AU after book four (Harry and company's 5th year)
IY: AU set at least after the Shichinin-tai Story Arc
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Inuyasha. They are owned by people with a lot more talent (and money) than me. sigh
AN: I AM SOOO SORRY! I was trying to be good and get a chapter out every one to two weeks but I've been lazy and haven't done it. The good news is that I'm done with college and I Graduated, I'm getting paid for my job and I'll have time on the weekends to work on this story. I also found this older but beautiful story Harry Potter and the Phoenix's Flight. It's amazing (I was bad and was reading that instead of working on this) but I'm back now.
I am now fielding questions on the Guardians and Ron's Condition (which will get a better name, sister dear). The best way to get a hold of me is sending an email(found on my profile cause the stupid quickedit won't let me type it in) and you can also find me on Yahoo Messenger as starry(underscore)web online occasionally. Not all will be explained but I can give you the basics (good practice for the official explanation which I promise is coming).
The first big thanks goes out to Duzzie. I updated my last chapter and then I checked my email. I felt bad that I didn't mention you last time cause I didn't check my mail. So thank you so much for reviewing for the chapter before. I hope this starts to clear up your confusion
Big Thanks go out to Stinky-chan, blackrosebunny451, HRInuyashaFan16, Misao, Demon Master, AnimeDutchess, and animefreak17171717 for taking the time. I love flattery, it can get you many places and it inspires me to write (when I can get on the computer, grr).
Key-17: I know that I didn't explain why Inu can speak English but I PROMISE I will. If you get really desprate, just write me and I'll give you the rough story of how it happened and I think you'll like it.
Jalison: There isn't much Inu/Kag or learning in this chapter but I plan to have the next chapter be a big one and I'm excited. The two of them are about to enter a strange and powerful new stage in their lives.
InuyashaJunky: you may not believe it but I do case the profiles of the signed reviews. I haven't had the time to really get into any stories (except one or two). I will try to read your story when things aren't so hectic here.
demented-squirrel: I didn't get your inspiration, I don't know if you had typed in a web address or ifI just didn't get it (I have blond days often, good excuse if you are made an honorary blond by a real blond)
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Chapter 9- Instinct
Instinct-1. The innate aspect of behavior that is unlearned ,complex and normally adaptive
2. A powerful motivation or impulse
3. An innate aptitude
Snape glided silently next to him, keeping pace with his slower steps. The amusement that had bubbled up in the hospital wing transformed into dread the farther they walked. They left the sanctity of the hospital wing for the wild labyrinth that was the Halls of Hogwarts. Gryffindor and Slytherin walked side by side, following the dizzying maze of hallways and staircases that were a tradition in many wizarding buildings. On most days of the week the halls were filled with black-wearing students and too-pale ghosts but on weekends it was a different story.
The halls they traveled were empty of bodies but sounds echoed out of hidden alcoves and spaces. Midmornings on Saturdays were always noisy throughout the old castle even if one did not actually see a living person. Students from different years and different houses met often to practice spells and work on homework. Not much homework was actually done at these meetings but it was an excuse to get together. A room could hold just a handful of students or it may be filled with half a house. Occasionally one could get a glimpse of running students that flitted from one spot to another, fleeing a disastrous spell or the gossip that was part of student life.
Ron was passing one of these hidden spots when a stray spell crashed into him. Stray spells were a common danger in the halls. Most of the castle walls were protected from magic so the energy of a spell could easily ricochet the length of the school without damaging the masonry. The spell itself lost most of its potential after the second or third bounce. Without the structure a cast charm or curse was based off of, the spell became raw magic. Raw magic was harmless in most aspects of daily life. Such raw magic may upset a delicate potion or an intricate charm but it never really affected the day-to-day lives of the students. Unfortunately there are always exceptions to the rule and Ronald Weasley was the exception to the 'harmless raw magic' theory that day.
When the magic crashed into him it set off every over sensitized pain nerve and every heat nerve inside his body. The fire that burned when he brushed against magic was nothing compared to this pain. It was like a powerful acid was tearing him apart piece by piece in fast motion. The magic was burning him up with a fire that was much stronger than any blaze created by his own magic. He collapsed onto the hard stone floor but the coolness of the stone could not stop the magic.
He felt something drop next to him on the floor but the teenager was in too much pain to look up. Whatever it was that fell, it started to push at the magic burning him alive. It started out as a fuzzy feeling, a slight drop in the temperature of the inferno consuming him. Then it pushed. The fires died down and a blessed coolness followed in the magic's retreat. The first thing he felt was the cold stone floor beneath him. Then he felt a comforting warmth propping up his back. The warmth wrapped around him, stopping him from falling. He just sank onto the warmth and tried to catch his breath recove from the magical attack.
"Must you make a scene whenever you walk in the halls Weasley." He jumped when he heard the voice behind him, right behind him. He could have sworn he felt the voice vibrate out of the warmth behind his back. Then he looked around. Next to his extended green-clad legs a longer black pant leg stretched past him.
"Oh Merlin."
Well, that was the cleanest thing to come out of his mouth when he realized what he was doing. He, Ronald Weasley, faithful Gryffindor was using the Head of Slytherin as a backrest. He was propped up against the professor and the man in turn was keeping him from falling onto his nose. His ears burned with embarrassment. Thankfully no one looked out into the hallway to see him like that. He probably would have thrown himself off the Astronomy Tower if anyone had seen him.
Once he felt like he wouldn't fall over he pulled away from the man. Breaking out of his hold he scooted along the floor and came to a rest against a nearby wall. He ignored the buzzing feeling he got from touching the cold stone. Snape looked amused at his actions and stood up to tower over him.
"So what did you do wrong, Mr. Weasley?" the voice taunted him.
"I got hit by some stray magic," he grunted out as he fidgeted against the wall.
"Why didn't you duck?" He winced at the tone of the cold voice, acting as if he were a stupid child unable to perform a simple task. He looked up at the man, smirk still pulling at his professor's face.
"Because I didn't see it. How can I dodge magic if I can't see it coming." He was starting to get pissed.
"Luckily for you I can." Ron was pulled upright with his right arm held in a death grip by the older man. Snape then proceeded to lead him down the hallway, occasionally tugging him in different directions. He started to protest when he felt the brush of magic to his left, where he had been walking seconds earlier before his professor pulled him out of the way. He felt magic rush past him other times but he wasn't hit head-on during the trip to the library.
After lots of tugging and one almost dislocated shoulder later they walked into the dry coolness of the library. Passing the threshold he breathed a sigh of relief. The library had its own set of wards besides the standard protections. Most importantly the room was full of magic dampeners that reduced the magic in the air. May of the books were fragile and unrecoverable information could be lost if hit with an uncontrolled spell. A welcome side effect was the reduction of magic in the air and inanimate objects of the room.
For Ron it was like walking out of a fire into summer. Magic still flitted around him but it didn't have the intensity that the halls had. Magic still pressed but it didn't set his nerves aflame, it was just enough that he noticed it. The library was one of his sanctuaries when he couldn't stand magic. No one would think of looking for him in here so it was good place to hide for a number of reasons. He couldn't touch the books or work on his homework but he could sit still and deal with the pain without an audiance.
The library had become one of his sanctuaries even before he started school. Actually, he first came here during Bill's Graduation, almost ten years ago. It was before he could handle real world magic, just months after he left the hospital. He had a reaction after the ceremony and during the dinner afterwards. His dad took him outside, a trick that had worked at home but it didn't work here. Powerful wards that protected the school affected him even outside the castle. Professor Dumbledore had found the two of them out on the front lawn, Ron in tears and his father comforting him as best as he could. The headmaster led father and son through the building to the expanse of the library. The effect was immediate. The pain disappeared ad he was able to lift his tear-stained face off his father's shoulder.
Right before he left for his first year at Hogwarts him and his parents were given a tour of all the 'safe spots' where magic was lessened to a certain extent. The library was the largest 'safe' zone. Other places he could go was the astronomy tower, one of the fourth floor corridors and adjoining classrooms, a large section of the dungeons and all the bathrooms in the separate Houses (girls bathrooms included).
He stood and relished the familiarity before something tugged on his arm. He let out a silent sigh as Snape released him and pushed him on to continue his mission. He instinctively headed to the back right corner of the library near the tall windows overlooking path to Hogsmeade. A small smile crossed his face when he saw the familiar sight. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny were all seated around one of the large study tables scattered throughout the bookshelves. The table itself was piled with open books and pieced of parchment. His friends worked on different corners, writing and reading from the books.
Three pairs of tired eyes glanced up at him as he and Snape approached their isolated corner. "Ron!" Ginny exclaimed as he got closer. She dropped her quill and ran to give him a hug. He caught her as she proceeded to squeeze the life out of her older brother.
"Are you O.K.?" she asked with a slightly scared voice.
"I'll live," he told her to ease her worry. She pulled away with questions in her eyes that she didn't voice. Even if Ginny knew not to ask him anything after one of his bad nights when he showed up pale and quiet, Hermione didn't know to leave him alone.
"What happened?" she blurted out with concern. He flinched and shook his head, trying to avoid her question. He never told his friends about his 'problem' and he wanted to keep it that way. It was easier to deal with Harry's complicated life that took the spotlight and criticisms off of him. If it were found out that he had a chronic condition that affected his magic he would be in serious trouble.
"It does not concern you Ms. Granger. Professor Dumbledore wants you to bring the research to his office." Everyone flinched, all forgetting about Snape's presence. The other three Gryffindors snapped into action, gathering parchment and stacking books.
"Ron, take this set of books. Alright?" Hermione ordered, thrusting said stack into his injured hands. He couldn't stop the yelp that slipped past his lips nor could he force his hands to hold onto the books. The books tumbled to the floor as he clutched his burning hands to his chest, a movement that let his sleeves slip to his elbows and revealed the bandages for the first time.
"Ron?" Harry's hesitant voice asked. The three were staring at him with renewed worry. His long sleeves hid his hands before but now the white wrappings were very visible. They stopped gathering and Harry actually started to approach him before Snape intervened. The overgrown bat swooped between him and his friends, blocking their view long enough to slide the black sleeves over his hands.
Snape didn't stop when he blocked out Ron. He continued to the table and started tapping the stacks of books and parchment. A twinkling of silver shimmered from his wand with each tap and after the last tap the entire table's worth of books disappeared, leaving only half-burned candles and spare quills.
"Dumbledore's office, now!" The others nodded and with obvious questions they started to head out of the library. Before Ron got very far he felt a strong hand grip his arm and pulled him along. They followed behind Harry, Hermione and Ginny as they made their way though the school. Ron tolerated the pulling and jostling from Snape without complaint so he wouldn't draw any attention to himself. He would hate to explain why the Potions Master was leading him around like an invalid.
Finally they reached the gargoyle and rode the stairs to Dumbledore's office. The headmaster's office looked as it always did, full of pictures and trinkets and wonder. The wizard himself was seated behind his large disk in the middle platform of the room. The desk was unusually bare, cleared of everything but the four slim books spread apart on its surface. Another table stood behind the old man on a higher tier and that table was piled with the books found in the library.
Ron tried to pause near the doorway but the hand around his arm pulled him along behind his friends. Only four chairs stood in front of the headmaster, one for each member of the ritual. There were three other people seated on either side of Dumbledore, all looking stern and serious. Professors Sprout and Flitwick sat to the Headmaster's right. To his left sat Professor McGonagall and an empty chair was on the other side of her.
Snape pushed Ron into one of the chairs. Harry sat next to him and Ginny sat on his other side. Hermione walked to the final chair on Harry's other side. Once the four students were seated, Snape took the remaining empty chair on the Headmaster's left.
Ron couldn't help but feel out of place in the eccentric office surrounded by his teachers and friends. All of the adults were wearing stiff robes and old-fashioned outfits. Even his friends and Ginny wore their school robes on over their normal clothes. The school's temperature had dropped with the temperatures outside and it was unusually cold indoors. He probably looked odd with his track pants and oversized black hoodie.
"I am very disappointed in all of you," Headmaster Dumbledore started without preamble. "Over the years I have watched you all learn and grow and overcome obstacles but that does not give you the right to perform dangerous spells without the guidance of a teacher. Your foolish actions caused a great deal of harm."
"But Ron is O.K," Harry tried to argue. The Headmaster turned his stern gaze towards the boy-who-lived and he became the boy-who-was-silent. After looking at the others, he continued.
"Your spell created a large magical repercussion, a large explosion in Tokyo, Japan. People are dead because of the explosion, many more now are wizards even thought they have spent their entire life ignorant of magic, believed to be muggles. We almost lost Mr. Weasley because of your carelessness and lack of research. If you had shown a teacher the spell they may have been able to guard against such problems if they thought it was a viable spell, one that would help our cause.
"We also have the problem of having to teach two strangers magic, one of which isn't completely human and the other may have abilities that we do not know of. I am ashamed at the lack of consideration that you all have shown. Fortunately the school itself cannot be connected to the actual ritual but action must be taken to prevent this from happening again."
"Are we being expelled?" Ginny said with a scared voice, rocking forward and back in her seat with nervousness.
"No you are not."
"Are you going to take away house points then?"
"Taking away house points would not make any sense Mr. Potter. After talking to many of your housemates they told me that they tried to convince you not to perform this spell. Even Mr. Weasley tried. Taking away house points would only punish those who tried to convince you to follow the rules, people that probably should be awarded house points for standing up to you.
"Instead, as your punishment, you all will be denied special privalages. No more Hogsmeade visits. No playing for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Unfortunately Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger you will lose your Prefect status and any chances for Head Boy and Head Girl."
What!" Hermione exclaimed, tears in her eyes after hearing the last
"This act was a blatant disregard for the rules and school prefects should exemplify the rules and show fellow students that all must follow them. Ms. Weasley you also are no longer eligible for Prefect status. All of your parents and guardians have been contacted. The Dursleys have already replied Harry, saying that any punishment is acceptable as long as you are not sent back to their home early. The rest of your parents will be arriving later tomorrow.
"As the final part of your punishment," Dumbledore continued, "is to teach you why we have rules governing the use of magic and the teaching of students. Misses Granger and Weasley and Mister Potter, you all will be appointed as Teachers' Aids for your remaining years at Hogwarts. Mister Potter, you will be assisting Professor Flitwick. Miss Granger, you will be helping Professor Sprout. And Miss Weasley will help Professor McGonagall. For two weeks at a time you will help you assigned teachers with anything they need, including preparing lessons and helping teach classes. You all will also be helping Professor Snape for one week at a time on a rotating schedule. If a teacher wants you to assist in lessons or go into the Forbidden Forest for specimens I expect you to follow their instructions and do so respectfully and to the best of your ability."
"What about Ron?" Hermione prodded.
"Mister Weasley, I have a special job for you." Professor Dumbledore addressed him directly. "You are fluent in Japanese, correct?"
"Yes sir," he answered tentatively.
"The Guardians are both from Japan and I believe it would be easier to instruct them in their native language. What I want you to do is to tutor then in basic magical skills and about the wizarding community in general. You will be working with Professor Snape in starting their education. Once they are more familiar with magic they will start attending classes with other students but in the mean time you will be their tutor and guide into our world."
A small bell sounded from somewhere within the office, breaking the spell of growing horror of the Gryffindors. The headmaster looked towards a clock set high on a wall next to a collection of dancing elephant statues.
"Ah, its lunchtime already. I think a full stomach would help ease the shock. You four will stay here. If you have any questions just knock on the door back there," he said as he pointed to a half-hidden door in the deepest part of the room. "The Heads and myself have much to discuss before we take a look at what you all have discovered about the Guardians."
The headmaster waved his hand and a low, long table appeared in front of the four teenagers. There were three plates of sandwiches and a pitcher of pumpkin juice sitting by three matching glasses. But in front of Ron a bowl of creamy soup appeared and a tall glass of ice water stood next to it. Professor Dumbledore gave them all an encouraging smile and led the teachers out the back door into a hidden part of the office.
He could feel the heat of three sets of stare after the teachers left the room. He closed his eyes in a vain attempt to ignore his friends. He then opened his eyes and concentrated on eating his soup. It was surprisingly spicy with bits of chicken with a hint of cheese.
"You speak Japanese?" a voice accused him from his left. A girl's voice, Hermione's voice tried to question him but he didn't listen or speak. Luckily Ginny spoke up for him.
"He's always been able to talk Japanese. Him and Dad do it all the time during the summer. . . and when he is trying to ignore us. He talked that way the entire summer before his first year just because Percy got an owl on his birthday and Ron didn't get one. Its really annoying when he does it."
"Huh?" was the eloquent response from his best friend. He could see that Harry was leaning towards him, trying to get a better look at his face and burning red ears. He just kept eating his soup and the others started on their sandwiches.
"Well, I think it is wonderful that they made us teacher's aides. I know that it is a lot of responsibility and would look good on a resume but it doesn't make up for losing our prefect status. It's not fair but maybe it will be a good thing."
"Hmph. You have no idea what they are going to do to you. Why do you think that there are not any other Aides. It's a punishment. You're their personal slaves."
"So now you're talking to us? And how are you all of the sudden an expert on teacher's aides," Hermione argued.
"Fred and George had to do it for a week with Professor McGonagall." Ginny paused and a thoughtful look crossed her face. "Come to think of it, they never talked about what happened and they never pulled a prank on her again."
"What does an aide actually do?" Harry asked after finishing one of his sandwiches.
Hermione paused and shrugged. The others shook their heads. The headmaster really didn't have a chance to explain after he got sidetracked with explaining Ron's reprimand. Few other words were said in the time it took for everyone to finish the sandwiches (or soup in Ron's case). Just as the last crust was eaten and the last juice drunk the teachers emerged from the back of the office.
The Heads and the Headmaster all took their seats in front of the Gryffindors. Professor Dumbledor waved away the table and empty dishes so the space between the students and the desk became empty again. The old wizard turned to them and for the first time since they had stepped in the room there was a twinkle in his eye.
"Now lets take a look at what you have found. . ."
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an: BTW The speaking is in English since all of you know that Inuyasha understands and speaks it. I figured that you wouldn't want to read pages of dialog in italics.
Despite Madame Pomfrey's promise that Kagome and Inuyasha would find out their fate later that night, they didn't. In reality they did not officially find out their fate for days. The old man didn't return that night while they were awake, nor did the dark haired man. The redhead did return but he said little. He just picked at his supper and pulled a set of curtains away from the wall and shrouded his bed. Madame Pomfrey did the same for his bed and Kagome's, blocking her from his view. The hanyou was surrounded by three walls of faded fabric and backed by stone and multipaned windows. Light faded as the night wore on and torches were doused.
He didn't sleep that first night. Sleep was a rare commodity in a strange place and he knew it wasn't safe to sleep and leave Kagome without any warning of unforeseen dangers (not that he could see anything but he still could smell). It was late into the night when he heard a far door open. Almost silent steps crossed the stone floor. They stopped not far into the ward near the redhead's bed.
"Are they all asleep?" a whispered a male voice asked.
"Yes. The girl fell asleep hours ago, the demon soon after. I had to give Mister Weasley a sedative to get him to sleep." Madame Pomfrey, the mediwitch, replied with confidence even though she too spoke in low tones.
"I thought he couldn't have any potions?" the man asked.
"I used a muggle sedative. He will not be waking for a couple of hours."
The man sighed and a soft creak sounded as someone sat on one of the metal-framed beds. "The headmaster is insistent. They are to remain here to be taught."
"Why can't they go back to a school in Japan? There are at least four there that I know of."
"Seven, actually. The problem is that the spell your wonderful Gryffindors cast did more than bring our unwelcomed guests. There was a large explosion corresponding to the time the ritual was finished. It ripped up an entire apartment complex. Luckily it was vacant, still under construction, but twenty-three are dead and there are over two hundred cases of emergent magic. The schools are overwhelmed. Its not just a couple kids developing their abilities early, it's all age groups. Most are over thirty years old, all muggleborn. None of the cases are squibs but that may have to do with the area hit. It also appears that the other large schools discovered new Japanese witches and wizards on their steps. Seven at Beauxbatons and at least three at Durmstrang. Some also appeared at a school in Canada but no word on the number yet."
"Is there a reason why that happened?"
"None that we know of. It may be part of the ritual to throw off anyone looking for the Guardians."
"Fudge is going to milk this for all its worth if he finds out exactly what happened. If that man ever finds out that there was a ritual preformed on school grounds he'll have the headmaster out of here faster than you can say 'Quidditch World Cup'."
"It's dumb luck that it worked properly in the first place, if you ignore the demon showing up and Weasley almost dieing. Granger was the ringleader this time and she found one of the few rooms in the entire castle where it could have been preformed. Any other room and nothing would have happened. That room used to be the old rituals classroom centuries ago, before it was turned into a bathroom. The only other really appropriate place would have been the Chamber itself."
"She's very smart, Severus. She would have known what to look for. I'm surprised that she was sorted into Gryffindor. I would have put her in Ravenclaw."
"The hat has been wacked for years. The damn rag wanted to put Potter into Slytherin. Do you know the headaches and howlers I would have gotten if the 'Boy-Who-Lived' was a Slytherin? I'd never get a moments rest."
Silence filled the room as someone took a few steps. Inuyasha could detect the faint smell of magic that accompanied the soft Latin words. "He is doing better. His body is healing and it is starting to tolerate magic."
"It didn't take him this long to recover last time." Some concern colored the quiet voice.
"He also didn't receive that large burst of magic last time either. He is usually good about avoiding magic when he starts getting a reaction. He really didn't get into a full-blown attack until after he woke up. Last night he was in shock from the spell and then the blood loss. I was able to perform a couple of blood replenishing spells during the night so we wouldn't have to worry in the morning. It's just bad luck that he was getting to a point when he would have a reaction. At least it didn't happen when we were draining out the leftover magic from the ritual."
"So now what?" The man asked. Overtones of worry leaked through the controlled voice.
"He'll feel better in the morning and he should be able to cast spells and be around magic by the next day. He will need someone to keep and eye on him for the next week or so." The woman's worn voice answered.
"The teachers will be able to do that," he said confidently.
"So what will happen to Hermione and the others?" the woman inquired hesitantly.
"Dumbledore will announce it at the staff meeting tomorrow. He also wants to discuss how we will proceed with our guests' education. He wants Weasley to start teaching them the basics: magic, culture, and polish their English skills. He is planning to slowly phase them into classes but they are going to have to stay here the entire time. We can't get rid of them and only the Heads and you will know that they are Guardians, not that anyone knows what Guardians really do. He also is worried about the demon's appearance. We can't have a demon, even only a half-demon wandering the halls."
"That problem sounds like yours and Minerva's department." The woman sounded weary and almost overwhelmed. "For the rest of the news I guess I'll just have to wait. I want you to get some rest so you can take over tomorrow afternoon. Caffeine and potions can only sustain a human for so long. I need some rest some time."
"Of course." A step was taken and then there was a pause. "Poppy, if you can, can you keep an ear out for any other strange news? It isn't comforting that the Guardians are a demon and a human girl, neither of which are trained in magic. There has to be something else going on."
"I always do. My little spies in the ministry have been sending me interesting messages already. Nothing for certain but one set of rumors is persistent. If I find anything out I'll let you know immediately."
"Thank You." With that the almost silent steps carried the man out of the Hospital Wing. Louder steps on the other side of the curtain approached his bed. Inuyasha quickly closed his eyes and tried to relax, tried to look asleep. He heard the sound of the metal curtain rings sliding along the track as one of the curtains was pulled open. A small sliver of light struck his closed eyelids but he didn't flinch and he tried not to twitch his ears. His act must have been good enough because a couple seconds later the curtain was closed and the light blocked. He didn't move the rest of the night but he didn't sleep either.
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END
AN2: Remember, I am taking any questions you guys have. If you send me an email (or give me your address) I'll email you back right away otherwise you'll have to wait for the next chapter.
