Disclaimer: Inuyasha and Harry Potter belong to their respective authors/owners.

A/N: Very late, was supposed to be submitted around Christmas... That was originally intended, but then I ran into some trouble that included no internet access ;3;

(Um...I haven't quite ironed out everything but I think I've kept you waiting long enough. Sorry again!)

Just A Riddle Away

-Chapter 10-

..:XI:..

Those few months leading up to Christmas were quite 'normal' according to Hogwarts' standard. With no further attacks, the student and staff population swiftly drifted back to their usual behaviour. The pranks were as expected, with the Weasley twins heading up on the successful prank count and several frustrating occurrences of thievery for Professor Snape.

Christmas at Hogwarts was planned to be a wonderfully white event, but Souta and Kagome Higurashi had decided to return to Japan for the holidays. Perhaps that would lighten up Tom's current attitude; he was still rather…short about everything. Souta had invited Luna and Colin to spend a day or two at the shrine, which they reluctantly declined but promised that they'd take up the offer next year. Colin's family already had plans and Luna said something about a quest she must undergo. Their mother had also requested that Kagome invite her Potions Master, but Professor Snape declined too, though he did seem rather regretful.

Presents were still exchanged.

…o…o…

(Japan)

Tom was presently possessing Souta's body and leaning against the Goshinbuku tree. He had his eyes closed and a pensive demeanor. Kagome's footsteps drew nearer until they stopped in front of him. He spoke first, "Kagome…due to my current hindrances, I must warn you in advance that danger is approaching for the Wizarding World." He opened his eyes to look at her, his presence influencing Souta's eyes to become a dark blue (something that was only recently noticeable after prolonged attachment).

Kagome's eyes widened and she bit her lip, but made no reply. Tom patted the ground next to him, wordlessly asking her to sit beside him.

When she sat, Tom began talking, "After gaining magic from the both of you for so long, I've accumulated a reasonable reserve. It's still not enough for my own body yet, but this tree has ancient magic and being near it allows me more leeway…such as…" Tom smirked and closed his eyes again, summoning a mixture of magic.

Kagome saw strands of magic weaving into Souta's body and finally pushed out a semi-translucent image of a young man. Souta's body slumped unconscious against the Goshinbuku tree while the young man, who Kagome presumed was Tom, held a familiar smirk.

"This…" He waved his arms, "…is me, my spirit."

The miko curiously edged closer and placed a hand against Tom's chest. Her palm came into contact with something solid, but with more pressure, they sank past the outside layer and Kagome hastily pulled back. He chuckled and she could see his throat vibrating, "I felt that."

She quickly brightened and smiled, "This is wonderful! Merry Christmas indeed! I should wake up Souta so he can see you…"

Tom grabbed her wrist, "This won't last long and I can always attempt it again later. This time…I wanted to give you a present."

He pointed upwards and Kagome turned her head up and saw mistletoe. She immediately turned back to Tom and he had already moved closer, near enough that the skin on her face tingled from his presence. "Tom…?" Her question was broken off as their lips touched.

It was a ghost of a kiss, just a bare brush, but it made Kagome's cheeks burn and her breath quicken. He pulled back just before his spirit was reabsorbed into Souta's body and Tom grinned, "Merry Christmas."

…

Even before knowing this new development of Tom's, Kagome and Souta had organised it so that Tom would receive an extra boost of magic. Now with this recent knowledge…Kagome blushed at the memory, thankfully nowhere near Souta and his cheeky grins.

There were presents from family, friends and a Potion Master too. The usual and unusual thoughtful gifts to the Higurashi siblings and their family ranged from chocolate, to annotated books, to photographs and even a handmade dream-catcher of sorts. They were all much appreciated…Tom certainly liked it when Souta slipped the magical photographs of them into the diary. Tom could 'see' the moving pictures now.

The Christmas holidays also brought an unexpected but not unwanted visitor to the shrine; Mr. Remus Lupin. The werewolf came to satisfy a little curiousity and had unknowingly come upon the Higurashis' location. Like with Tom, his demeanor was more positive, positively influenced by the festive season. Kagome and Remus chatted about the little things, both not quite wanting to ruin the atmosphere with serious inquiries, but they both guessed that the other's problems were still unresolved. He had other business elsewhere and missed meeting Souta, who went (with Tom in his bag) and his friends somewhere.

…x…x…

(Elsewhere)

"Ah, Lucius, I must commend you on the exquisite taste of your wines and work at the Ministry."

"Thank you, my Lord, only the very best."

"And Severus, fine potion work to allow me the opportunity for this…" A hand gestured at the rest of its body, "You have both done well. I am pleased."

Severus Snape bowed his head, "It's our honour to serve you, my Lord."

"My-my Lord…?" The short figure barely restrained its trembling.

"Yes, Wormtail…?" The Dark Lord addressed his servant flippantly, "Is the limb to your liking?"

"Ah, err, too good…too good for me, my Lord. I can't thank you enough, my Lord. Your work is always brilliant, my Lord. You…" Wormtail stopped with a 'squeak'. The large body of a snake slithered its way near the ratty man to curl at Voldermort's feet.

"Do you have anything important to report, Pettigrew?" The Potions Master sneered at the man, "Or do you intend to waste our Lord's time and patience?"

"Well! Well…The Chamber of Secrets!" At his master's nod, Pettigrew continued, "It was opened, but there hasn't been any activity since…but, but!" He stammered at Snape's glare, "The rats and spiders are still scattering, the basilisk is alive and hungry."

"Only a Parslemouth can open the Chamber and even so, only I can control the basilisk. Go to Hogwarts, find me the culprit and report back."

"Yes, my Lord!" Wormtail quickly scurried off.

Just as the door closed, the Dark Lord spoke, "Severus, Lucius, I trust you will provide better results with this investigation."

"Of course, my Lord," they both intoned.

…o…o…

(Hogwarts)

It was the first morning back to Hogwarts and Kagome just opened her door when…

"Kagome!" Two identical Weasley faces grinned brightly at her.

From the left, "Our favourite Potions Apprentice…"

Continued by the right, "…defender of little brothers…"

"…sisters…"

"…and students…"

Kagome simultaneously pinched the nearest cheek of both brothers, effectively ceasing their enthusiastic greeting…so they moved onto enthusiastically wrapping themselves on either side of her. She threw both arms up dramatically, imitating a sign of defeat, but really it was to make room for a little wand-waving and temporarily restrain the twins. Kagome closed the door and counted silently, sure enough, they soon burst back into her room wearing matching pouts. She laughed, they laughed and everyone made their way to the little coffee table…it was a regular thing.

"So…what brings you here?" Kagome sipped a bit of her morning tea, lounging comfortably on the couch so that there wasn't any room for a twin or two, "Considering you usually wait until after breakfast."

Opposite her, Fred and George sighed at her stubbornness, "We couldn't wait, not this time…"

"…to see your lovely face…"

"…hear your beautiful voice…"

"…and simply bask in your presence."

At Kagome's raised eyebrow, Fred, or at least the twin who she thought was always a little more impulsive, suddenly cried out, "You might be in danger!"

"Oh? What makes you think that?" Kagome had quietly placed down her cup of tea and was observing the twins' faces.

George looked earnest when he spoke, "You must not tell!"

"We overheard..."

"…but if you tell, we might not be able to gather more info!" Fred whispered.

"...though, it's not like that would stop us," George continued in the same low tone.

"Because we like you!"

Kagome smiled reassuringly, "Thank you and I won't, but…why am I in danger? And from who or what?" Her smile weakened slightly, "What about Souta, is he safe?"

The two redheads faced each other and then back to Kagome. "Well…" George began.

"How much do you trust Snape?"

"Professor Snape?" The Potions Apprentice asked, confused, "He is my Potions Master."

"Yes, yes, but do you trust him with your life and your brother's?" Fred demanded.

"Fred, Professor Snape has given me no reason to suspect him of anything of that degree. True, he may be bias, but…"

George covered Fred's mouth with both hands and hurriedly said, "Please, don't follow him to any weird places and be cautious of things that may be Port-keys. Tell Souta that too."

Fred shoved George aside, "We'll be watching over both of you…"

"…but remember to be careful."

Kagome, puzzled at the twins' behaviour, nodded, "Souta and I will." They silently stood to leave and stepped just outside the door when the apprentice stopped them, "If you have any problems or concerns, I'm here."

The twins didn't even turn around when they replied, "It's you we're worried about."

…x…x…

(Souta's perspective)

It was first day back to school and it felt like it too. His body was still feeling sluggish and his mind was still lazy…Souta stiffled a yawn. He, like many others, had stayed up late the night before, to make most of the last moments of the holidays. Kagome's sleeping habits were quite flexible, a lasting effect from her adventures in the Feudral Era (though it didn't mean that she liked waking up…), but Souta was a growing boy and combined with listening to the Slytherin next to him brag about something useless…Souta's eyelids drooped again.

"Good morning Souta."

"…hmning," Souta yawned, "Luna." Opening his eyes after each blink was becoming a little more difficult each time.

She helpfully poured him something brown with caffeine for him, even getting Souta some pancakes and flooded them with syrup. The Ravenclaw's presence next to Souta was a usual occurrence now, so few made comments about them. Other reasons included Kagome, Miss Higurashi, Potions Apprentice and Professor Snape's apprentice.

After two gulps of the coffee, Souta's speech was more coherent, "Thanks."

"Sou…" An arm wrapped around the First Year.

"…ta." And another on the other side.

"We have a question for you." Identical faces grinned at him.

Now that Souta was more awake, his Slytherin response kicked in, "But that doesn't mean I have to answer you."

A few eavesdropping Slytherins nodded in satisfaction and approval, though still slightly surprised at Souta. They glanced at the staff table to observe Ms Higurashi's reaction, but she was busy talking. Another factor to add to their caution was because these particular invading students were not only from another House…and Gryffindor at that, but these two were the infamous Weasley Twins.

…

"…you see, it's very important…" Fred trailed off at his twin's change of expression, "There's a monster behind me, isn't there?"

"The correct answer is professor, who will be giving the both of you detention very soon…if you do not return to your table." As the twins sulked, Professor Snape added, "Oh, five points from Gryffindor for being incorrect."

"You're right, monster," George whispered.

"Five points from each."

…

As the twins were too busy sulking and the Syltherins were too busy gloating…no one noticed a rat scamper past.

..:XI:..

A/N: Oh, you probably already guessed, but the fluff-ish moment was supposed to be your Christmas gift. The twins were a bonus. ;)

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If anyone has any suggestions they want to throw at me (for this or any of my other projects), I'd gladly accept! (There's a TwinsKagome on its way!)

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The other problems I'll sort out in time.

But really, it's very encouraging that you're still reading :D

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A belated 'Happy New Year', but an early 'Happy Chinese New Year'! :P

Airily

Edited: 04/07/09

Many thanks to my beta for this project, aislin94!