I am so sorry everyone! I promise that I have not forgotten about this story, I just put it to the side for a moment while I worked on another one that was getting difficult to organize thoughts for. I will back to regular posts for Study Abroad soon... hopefully.
I own nothing.
Winter break was closing in on the school and the students were getting ready for a long break with family and friends. Harry and Ron had spent most of the week planning what they would be doing their break at the ginger's house. Mrs. Weasley had already made it very clear that the two boys were going to be joining them for the holidays and there was no option for them in the matter.
They were in the great hall getting some breakfast, it was the last week of classes and everyone was studying any minute they had for final exams. Hermine was buried under a pile of books and would most likely not be resurfacing until a few minutes before the tests. Their stressful morning had been interrupted by a loud squawk of a rather annoying owl. Pigwidgeon crash landed into the scrambled eggs before confusedly giving his letter to Ron before rushing back out the window.
"What is it?" asked Harry as he drank his orange juice with a small chuckled.
Ron opened the letter and began to read it, when he finished the letter his face had lost joy for the winter break. Seeing this Harry snatched the letter from his hand. The letter was from his mom and dad, they were going to go to Romania for the holidays to visit his older brother and his new fiancé. The Weasley sibling would be staying at Hogwarts for the break and they would make it up to them during the summer and take them to a quiditch game.
"I am sorry Ron." Said Harry looking over to his friend.
"It's alright mate. I would rather be hear then hear all about the wedding plans" he groaned.
Harry could not help but laugh as he imagined Mrs. Weasley planning a wedding. Then he continued to eat his food. Hermine joined them later on to inform them she was going to stay at the school for the holidays, she likes to catch up on homework. The three walked back to common room to say good bye to their house mates and wish them safe travels. By the time everyone left it was evening. The three friends were walking around the school trying to avoid the twins when they ran into Yusuke.
"Yusuke, what are you wearing?" asked Hermine in surprise at his attire.
Yusuke gave her a confused look, he was in blue jeans and a white shirt with a green jacket over the top of it, "clothes?"
Hermine rolled her eyes, "I know that. But why are you not in your robes?"
"We are on break right? I doubt Neville is wearing his school uniform at home. So I am not wearing them here" he chuckled as he straightened his jacket.
All of the boys laughed while Hermine rolled her eyes again. The four students decided it was time for dinner and walked down to the great hall. When they got to the hall no one was there, not surprising during the holidays.
"So are you the only one staying for the holidays?" asked Hermine as their food magically appeared in front of them.
"Nah, all of us stayed. It is hard to go back home then have to come back a short time later." Lied Yusuke.
The group had decided that they would be staying for the break when they found out that Harry was too. They thought it best to stay and defend the boy against any possible attacks against Voldemort. Genkai also decided to stay thinking that she needed to keep an eye on her dimwit of an apprentice.
"That makes sense" said Ron as he ate some pasta.
"So where are the others then?" asked Harry noticing that no one else was there.
"O well, Kuwabara is up in the room snoring, I kinda tired him out with our fight today. Genkai is talking to Dumbledore and I think Hiei and Kurama are outside in the snow" said Yusuke.
Hermine gave him a startled look, "It must be freezing out there with the sun already down"
Yusuke shrugged, "nowhere near close to as cold as the place Hiei is from and Kurama should be alright with the shorty"
Hermine still did not like them being out there in the dark, "we should go get them for dinner"
Yusuke sighed "They will come when they get hungry" he knew these kids had a hero complex and was hoping to keep them distracted to ignore their insane urge to run into trouble.
But his plan did not work because instead of replying the witch swiftly stood up and walked out of the dining hall. Yusuke gave a heavy sigh as Harry and Ron followed after her. The spirit detective cursed under his breath before running after the trio.
The four had the forethought to put on their snow gear before heading out of the castle. Yusuke had his hands shoved deep in his pockets, he was not looking forward to Hiei's glare for letting the Potter boy outside when there is someone after him. Yusuke decided to lead the way to prevent the students from getting lost in their search, he knew where the two demons were training. The three wizards followed close behind him so as not to lose him in the falling snow. In the distance they could see an orange glow by the border of the Forbidden forest, Yusuke walked a little bit closer before he stopped.
"This is as close as we get. But see they are fine" he said gesturing to the glow.
Hermine squinted her eyes and saw that the glow was flames. Fire. Her eyes went wide. Harry had the same thought, the two foreign students were in the forest and it was on fire. Quickly Harry and Ron ran past Yusuke to the flames. They could barely hear Yusuke behind them yelling. As they got closer to the fire they noticed two figures running around, the two boys pulled out their wands ready for an attack. They could clearly see Hiei's short stature fighting against someone. But they could not see very well who it was.
Worried that his friend was in danger Harry shouted, "Stupify" in hopes of stopping the attacker. He was surprised to see Hiei's form jump between him and the attacker and get hit instead. The fire went out but not before they saw the attacker close in on Hiei's small form that they had just hit. Harry and Ron ran as fast as their bodies could carry them. When they got closer Ron lit a lumos charm so they could see.
Kurama was staring at the two boys with his arms crossed over his chest and a glare set on his face as he looked at them. Hiei was kneeling on the ground and turned to glare at them as well.
"What are you two doing" he growled as he rose to his feet.
Harry took a step back at the hostility to the two boys where showing him. Ron seemed instantly stunned and his face seemed to pale a little.
"W- we thought you were getting attacked" said Harry shyly trying not to look at him.
Hiei rolled his eyes in irritation, "idiots" he huffed.
Harry took a second to recall what had just happened in the last few moments, "what were you two doing?'
Kurama answered this question, "we were sparing."
Just then Yusuke and Hermine made their way to the small group. Kurama turned his glare to the detective and Yusuke put up his hands in defense.
"Hey I did not know they would come running in trying to be heroes. They just wanted you guys to come in for dinner"
Kurama pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation, "Fine. It seems we won't be getting much practice in today Hiei"
The fire demon rolled his eyes and marched off to the school. Yusuke sighed and followed suite with the fox demon by his side and the confused wizards close behind.
"What were they practicing?" asked Ron extremely confused.
Yusuke turned his head, "We have wandless magic so they like to spar with each other. None of us get to use our real magic very often here"
Hermine seemed delighted by this, "I have never seen Kurama's or Hiei's wandless magic before"
"I doubted you will for a while either. They are both kinds mad now." Whispered Yusuke.
Ron and Harry looked at each other and shrugged. The rest of the walk back to the castle was in silence. The snow seemed to pick up in intensity as they got closer to the doors, signaling a snow storm to be passing through soon.
"Good thing we came to get you guys. You would of froze out there" said Ron as they walked up the stairs to the doors.
Once they were inside Hermine let out a gasp of surprise. She was startled by the fact that Kurama only had on a pair of jeans and a sweater and the Hiei was dressed in black pants and a shirt with the sleeves cut off. But what was more surprising was that Hiei had a bunch of cuts on his arms and face.
"What happened to you?" she screeched.
"hn" Hiei glared at her.
"That would be my fault. I got a little carried away" said Kurama as he shook the snow from his hair.
Yusuke looked at the two and gave an amused laugh, "this is a first. Normally you're the one coming back all beat up"
Kurama gave a small smile, "Hiei felt bad about that one time Yusuke and you know that"
Yusuke ran a hand threw his wet hair, "Ya I know. He never seems to feel bad when he pounds on me and Kuwabara though" he chuckled.
Hermine watched the exchange between the two boys, "do you always beat each other up?"
"No we train with each other. Yusuke and Kuwabara just like to fight" said the red head as they walked down the hallways.
"What are you training for?" Asked Harry.
Yusuke gave him a small smile, "In Japan we have to be on the top our game or Genkai will kill us. She said she is giving us a test when we get back home" he lied.
Hiei rolled his eyes at the lie, like that old woman could threaten him. Hermine and the two boys gave an understanding nod and they continued the rest of the walk in silence to the hall. Dumbledore was just walking through the doors when he saw the group of kids behind him.
"Good evening everyone. Is it just you all that decided to stay for the holidays?" he asked as they all walked in together.
"Yes sir. Along with Ron's siblings" answered Harry giving the old man a smile.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, "I believe it will not a quit break then" he said before heading back to his office.
The only students left in the school met at dinner to eat. All that was left was Harry, Hermine, the foreign exchange kids, Ron and his siblings and a few teachers. After the meal, they returned to their rooms after convincing Hiei to stay in the Gryffindor tower with the permission of Professor McGonagall since no one wanted him to have to room alone during the holidays.
"We are ready my lord" bowed one of the death eaters.
Voldemort gave him a nod and the man back out of the room. The dark lord turned his attention to his business partner who was sitting across from him at the dinner table.
"It seems your recruitments have arrived" he said as he ate a piece of meat.
"So it seems. We will be able to get him for you tonight if you wish" said Yari taking a sip from his wine glass.
Voldemort shook his head, "No, let them enjoy their holiday." He said with an evil smile.
Yari nodded and continued to eat his dinner.
Harry woke up to loud yells from down in the common room. He jumped up out of bed and ran to the railing that over looked the fire place and saw a Christmas tree sitting in the middle of the room with presents underneath it. Ron turned to smile up at Harry and waved him down just as Hermine ran down the stairs from the girls' rooms with Ginny. The twins were rough housing with Kuwabara and Yusuke by the couch while Hiei sat in the window sill and Kurama stood next to him talking softly.
"Merry Christmas" chimed Hermine and Ginny.
"Merry Christmas" replied all the boys, except Hiei.
Yusuke pulled himself out of Fred's head lock and looked at the tree, "what is Christmas?" he asked.
Hermine jumped in to explain to him the religious history of the holiday when Ron cut her off halfway through, "It is a holiday were give gifts to friends and family to show that they care"
Yusuke grinned at the small red head, while Hermine glared at him, "thanks" said the raven haired boy.
For the next hour everyone exchanged gifts, Kurama had bought the other Japanese boys gifts to give to the others. Ron and Harry played with their new toys from the twins. Hoping that they did not get blinded or get their hair dyed by it. The girls received a magic make up kit that they got from Mrs. Weasley and were trying to figure out. The twins received new ingredients from Kurama for some new inventions. Yusuke and Kuwabara attempted to read the books that Hermine and Ginny had gotten them. While Kurama and Hiei watched in amusement. Demons did not really care for material things, especially Hiei.
Harry and Ron decided that they should play a game of indoor quidditch since it was really cold outside. After charming a few objects and setting up some goals they had made a quidditch pitch in the common room. The twins, Yusuke and Hermine were all on one team. Harry, Ron, Kuwabara and Ginny were on the other. Hiei just looked out the window and had no intention of playing.
Fred hit a flying Potions book, the bludger, and it smashed into Ron's face. The small red head fell backward and knocked the tree over, "what was that for Fred!" yelled Ron as he picked his way out of the fallen tree.
"You were in the way. It was not my intentions Ronikins" shrugged Fred as he and George high fived.
Harry rolled his eyes and he and Yusuke picked up the tree. Kuwabara saw something fall out of it, a small red pouch. He picked it up and looked at it with a confused face. Hermine saw the look of the carrot top's face and looked at the small bundle.
"What is that Kuwabara?" she asked curious.
"Don't know. Fell out of the tree" said Kuwabara giving it to her.
Hermine looked at the package and noticed that it had a small tag on it, "This is for Kurama" she said.
After she gave it to the red head Yusuke slapped his hand of the fox demon's shoulder, "even in England you have girls showering you with mysterious gifts" he chuckled.
Kurama blushed a little and the other boys went back to playing their games. Hermine and Ginny sat across the room watching the red head open the package. Wondering who could have been so bold to give the beautiful man a gift.
Inside the small red pouch was a shiny silver chain. Kurama tugged on the chain and attached to it was a perfectly round red gem that had a carving of a fox wrapped around it. The red head eyed the gem like one of the treasures in his past life. He had seen a gem like this before but he could not remember, but he loved the necklace.
"Wow that is pretty" whispered Ginny to Hermine as they watched the red head looking at it.
"I agree. I wonder who gave it to him" she replied as Kurama latched the necklace around his neck.
After putting away all of the gifts they had received the small group decided to walk into Hogsmeade for the day. The castle was too big and lonely for them to just sit around and do nothing. Plus, Mr. Filch was getting annoyed with the twins leaving small surprises for him around the castle. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Harry and Ron had run ahead of the group and were racing into town. The twins had snuck away to play some pranks on the people in town. The Japanese students were shown around the town by the golden trio. Harry and Ron showed them some of the shops to get quidditch gear at and were to get the best candy.
The group was at lunch at the Boar's Head when the twins decided to hex the water and made Ginny's tongue turn purple. As the group began to get loud and out of control Hiei sensed something on the outer edges of the town. He turned to the fox demon to see that he had sensed the same.
Kurama stood up from the table, "I think Hiei and I will be going now. Master Genkai wanted to have a meeting with us sometime today before supper"
Yusuke and Kuwabara nodded not really caring they were just glad they did not have to see the old lady. The two demons left the building and disappeared in a flash as they ran towards the source of demonic energy.
After ten minutes the group began to quiet down and get bored, "Why don't we head back too?" suggested Ron as he played with his food.
The others agreed and they walked out of the shop, "Hey we know a short cut. We could probably catch up to Hiei and Kurama in a few minutes" suggested Ginny.
"Let's do it" smiled Yusuke as they started to head for the short cut.
Ron looked up farther up the path they were walking down when he caught a glimpse of the two boys walking into the forest, "hey they are up there" he announced.
The others sped up to where Ron last saw them. But when they looked through the trees they could not see either boy. Just then they heard an animal like roar. Then thirty seconds later a lot more roars pierced through the air.
Yusuke and Kuwabara looked around themselves and used their spirit sense and discovered that there was an army of demons near them.
"We need to get them out of here" whispered Kuwabara to Yusuke.
Yusuke nodded and looked at the others, "hey guys lets go back to the castle. We can meet up with Kurama and Hiei up there"
Harry, Ron and Hermine looked at each other then looked back to the two Japanese students.
"They might be getting attacked right now" yelled Hermine trying to see the two boys through the trees.
"They are fine" said Yusuke as he tried to shove them down the path.
Harry shook his head, "we have to help them. That sounded like a lot of mad animals."
Ron nodded then looked to his siblings, "Fred, George you take Ginny and go tell Dumbledore"
The twins nodded after a second then grabbed their little sister and ran down the path leaving the golden trio and the foreign students. Yusuke and Kuwabara tried to glare at the three students to get them to change their minds but they realized that they could not change them. Yusuke sighed in defeat.
"Ok. Fine. Have your wands ready." He huffed then they began their slow walk through the forest.
The demonic aura was getting stronger as they ran faster into the woods. Hiei used his Jagan to tell him that there was a small army ready for attack on the castle.
"Hiei, we need to keep them away from Harry" said Kurama as he ran next to the small fire demon.
Hiei gave a small nod then they burst into a small clearing. Across from them stood some of the strongest and ugliest demons from the Makai. In the front of them stood a man in a suit and a man that was wearing long black robes and had blonde hair.
"You must be Yari and Mr. Malfoy" greeted Kurama with a small glare at the two men.
Yari gave a small smile, "You would be correct Kurama."
Kurama pulled out his rose whip and held it at the ready, "what do you want here?"
Lucius gave a small laugh, "the next piece to our plans"
Hiei growled and pulled out his sword, his eyes narrowing. Just then the horde of demons behind the two men cried out in a primal yell and charged at the two demons. Kurama used his whip to slice up the first ten that came running at him. Hiei ran through the lines of demons and after a second all of the demons fell to the ground in pieces.
Lucius had taken the distraction on of the demons to slip behind Hiei and Kurama. He was in the process of pulling out his wand when a vine launched at him and snatched the twig. He fell backward in surprise as he watched the vine carry his wand over to the fox demon.
"Whatever you are after is not going to be easy to get" informed the red head as Hiei finished off the last of the demons.
Yari gave a small laugh, "I did not think it would be. But so far everything is going according to plan"
Just then a familiar ball of blue youkia flew past the red head and in the direction of the Japanese man, followed by the familiar battle cry, "spirit gun" from Yusuke.
Yusuke and Kuwabara burst into the clearing. Yari had managed to dodge the attack. Lucius snuck back next to Yari and the four Japanese boys stared at the two.
"Who the hell are these guys?" asked Yusuke a little mad he missed.
"These are Voldemort's men. The one on the right is Yari and the left is Draco's father." Informed Kurama as he returned his rose whip into a flower.
Kuwabara glared at the blonde man, "Your son is annoying. You should teach him some manners"
Just then Harry, Ron and Hermine came running into the clearing with wands out and ready. Lucius and Yari both gave an evil smile at the three newcomers.
Hiei turned to Yusuke with a death glare, "what are you and them doing here?"
"Well we could hear your fighting and then these three would not let us leave until they knew your both were safe" answer Kuwabara a little annoyed himself.
"What is he doing here?" exclaimed Ron as he pointed to Lucius across the clearing.
"I would assume he is after Harry" answered Kurama as the three shrank behind the Japanese boys.
Yari gave an evil laugh, "actually no. We are after the key that will put us in control of the demon and human world."
Just then another group of demons arrived this time a lot stronger, as well as a lot of death eaters. The enemy drew in close to the small group.
"what is this key you're after?" asked Harry as he eyed one of the scary looking demons.
Without an answer, the demons and wizards attacked. Harry and Ron were sent flying back ward into a tree as a demon with three arms held them by the throat. Within a second the pressure on their necks disappeared as an orange flaming sword cut of its head. Kuwabara, the one holding the sword placed himself between the two boys and the fight.
Yusuke was shooting his spirit gun at the death eaters, trying to keep them at bay when he heard Hermine scream. He turned to the side to see her flat against a tree as a demon ran at her. Just as he was about to fire his gun at the demon, it was cut into pieces by the grass beneath it. The raven-haired boy turned around to see Kurama giving him a smile as he pulled out his whip again and went to cutting demons. Hiei grabbed Hermine and brought her over to Harry and Ron.
"You three stay with the oaf" he ordered with a glare.
Kuwabara was about to protest when suddenly Hiei disappeared in a flash. Kuwabara let a low grumble but did as he was told. He watched as more of the demons fell into little pieces as a small shadow ran around the clearing.
"We have to help them" urged Harry as he stood up and drew out his wand.
"they have it under control" said Kuwabara as he watched more and more of the demons fall.
Just then a demon jumped at Kurama from behind and punched him in the back leaving Yusuke open for a hit by Stupify from one of the death eaters and fell to the ground. Harry saw this and ran past the orange haired boy as he fought off a demon and ran to the spirit detective, Ron close behind him.
"he should be alright" said Ron as he checked the boy.
Harry nodded and looked up. Kuwabara and Hermine were running over to them and Kurama had killed the demon that had surprised him. Hiei was still barely visible to the eye, the only clue to where he is was the trail of dead demons. Just as Harry thought that they were about to defeat all of the demons more came out from the woods and pushed the fox demon back toward the group.
"We need to get you out of here" said Kurama to Harry as he helped Kuwabara lift Yusuke off the ground.
"What are those things?" asked Ron looking at all of the gross creatures closing in on them.
Just as one was about to attack Hermine it was slashed to pieces, "Demons" answered Hiei as he stood in the dead demon's place.
"demons?" asked Harry looking at the small boy.
Hiei glared at the boy without answering and looked back to the approaching demons and summoned his fist of the mortal flame and burnt away the rest of the demons. All that was left was the death eaters and Yari.
"Let's go" said Kurama as he and Kuwabara started to back away into the woods.
But before the two could make it out of the clearing they were hit by a hex and thrown backward and tied up in ropes. Hermine ran forward with a charm on her lips to free them when she was stupefied by a death eater behind her.
"Dammit" growled Hiei as he pulled Ron out of the way of another hex.
Harry shouted some hexes back at the death eaters and managed to disarm a few but they were outnumbered. To his right he saw Ron hit by experliarmus then a stupefy and fell to the ground with the others. Hiei stood to his left with his sword drawn and his eyes drawn to slits.
"Hiei, take Harry and run" yelled Kurama as he struggled with the ropes.
Before the fire demon could act he was hit by the curcio curse from behind by Lucius. Harry could not do anything as he was disarmed by another death eater. Hiei was laying on the ground trying to fight back the groans of pain that wracked his body.
"Now take him and lets go" demanded Yari.
One of the death eaters stepped forward to Harry with his wand raised, then a bright light enveloped the clearing. Harry could hear Kurama and Kuwabara call his name just as he was blinded by the light. When he could see again he noted that he was still in the clearing. He looked around himself and saw Hermine and Ron slowly sitting up. No death eaters were crowding around them then he continued his search and saw that Yusuke was being helped up by a stunned Kuwabara and next to the Kurama had a look of surprise and fear written in his face. Then Harry realized what was wrong, Hiei was missing.