It's luck that one thing works out and one doesn't; it's sort of happenstance. - Richard Linklater
Kagome wakes up, gasping for breath. She is clammy, drenched in sweat, and hyper-aware of every living being within a five-block radius. Placing a hand over her chest, she takes several deep calming breaths. As Kagome inhales, she counts to four. She repeats the same count for her exhale just the way Midoriko taught her. Slowly, her pulse regulates and her sensitivity lessens.
Running a hand through her hair, she sits up. It's been months since the memory of that night has plagued her sleep. The frequency tends to increase the closer she gets to the anniversary of that night.
Each year, the end of September marks the Autumn Equinox. It is the one day a year when the hours of night and day are equal. The magical community practices rituals to find balance and peace.
But no spell can return what Kagome has lost. While the rest of the world finds clarity, she is lost in a sea of turbulent emotions. No matter how many vials of Calming Draught she takes, nothing can dampen the effects of that fateful night.
A knock sounds at the bedroom door. "Kagome?"
"Come in, Sango."
The door creaks open, revealing her host and a pair of identical faces.
"Aunt Kagome, are you okay?" the one on the left asks. She peers into the room from where she stands clinging to her mother's leg.
Kagome looks to Sango, who nods, confirming her assumption. She sighs. This is why Kagome wanted to rent a room at the Leaky Cauldron instead of crashing in the spare room.
"It's only a nightmare, Kinu. Why don't you and your sister give Kagome a hug? I'm sure that will make her feel better," Sango suggests.
Her twin daughters run across the room to jump on the bed. They fling their arms around Kagome.
"Mama always hugs us when we have bad dreams," Kinu's sister, Gyokuto tells her.
"Well, your mother is very smart," Kagome replies, returning their embrace.
"I thought Ravenclaw was the smart house," Gyokuto says, leaning back on her heels.
"You can be sorted into any house and still be smart. It's just that Ravenclaw's founder valued intellect over bravery, loyalty, and ambition," Kagome explains.
"What house were you in?" Kinu asks.
"Hufflepuff," Kagome answers.
"But Mama was sorted into Gryffindor. How did you become friends?"
"We met long before we received our letters," Sango informs her girls. From her spot leaning against the door frame, she smiles.
Kagome smiles too. The days she spent growing up with Sango and her younger brother, Kohaku, are some of the happiest in her life. Kagome met the Kuwashima family after she arrived in Salisbury. They were Midoriko's next-door neighbors.
They had moved to Japan for Mr. Kuwashimam's job. A former Auror, he had been promoted to the International Wizarding Police force and was stationed in Salisbury. Kagome had thought it odd that such an experienced defender would take a role in the country.
That was before she knew who Midoriko was.
"Come on, girls. Time for breakfast," Sango says, beckoning the twins out of the room.
"But what about—?" Kinu
"I'll take care of it," Sango interrupts.
The girls rush out, leaving Sango to take their place at Kagome's bedside.
"How bad was it this time?" she asks.
Sango places her hand on Kagome's arm. "It's nothing that can't be fixed."
"I told you I would have been better off at the inn. You have the girls to think about and little Hisui."
"Don't worry about him. He sleeps like his father," Sango assured her with a smirk.
Kagome's eyes go wide. "Oh, no. Miroku! Is he alright?"
"He's fine. He went down to the store early to double-check the inventory. Busy week and all," Sango replies.
"Yeah," Kagome returns softly.
"Did you see your family?" her friend inquires.
Kagome nods.
"And Naraku?"
Again, she nods. "It's the same memory every time, down to the very last detail, but no matter how many times I relieve it, I keep trying to change things. I still try to save them," Kagome confesses.
Sango pulls her into a hug.
Kagome clings to her friend the way she clung to her stuffed animal in her dream. The Fenghuang was the only possession that she brought to England. She hadn't even worn shoes. Kagome showed up on Midoriko's doorstep barefoot, dressed only in her nightgown and tears.
Her eyes water as she remembers that moment.
"I'm sure they'd be proud of you," Sango consoles her. "You're the youngest Head Healer in St. Mungo's history."
"Yeah, I guess," Kagome replies, turning away to wipe her face clean.
"You guess? You've accomplished so much since we graduated," Sango insists. "You climbed the ranks from Trainee to Head Healer in under four years. The stuff you've seen— the stuff you've done! I mean, do you remember when you first started and they brought in that little girl— the one who had been attacked?"
Kagome swallows thickly. She knows exactly which case Sango is talking about. Only the girl hadn't been scratched like Kagome wrote down in her report. She was bitten.
As soon as Kagome saw the wound, she had known. She should have alerted the Head Healer on duty. She should have gone to the supply cupboard and begun preparing a mixture of powdered silver and Dittany. She should have gathered ingredients for Wolfsbane Potion to send home upon discharge.
But she hadn't done any of those things.
The girl had been so small, so pale. Her patient wore the same terrified expression Kagome saw each time she fell into her memory. The fact that the girl was the same age as Kagome had been the night of Naraku's attack hadn't helped.
She still doesn't know why she did it— or how. There isn't a cure for lycanthropy. The contamination spreads from the werewolf's saliva to the infected's blood, corrupting all the fresh cells it comes into contact with.
Kagome saw it happening. She has always had the gift of Sight. She's not a Seer like Cassandra Trelawney but she possesses the ability to see things most overlook or are unable to perceive. Kagome's skill allows her to read people's auras and it showed her where the infection was rooted.
Focusing her magic on that location, Kagome separated the clean cells from the tainted ones. She pushed and pulled, moving the fluids the way the moon presides over the tides until she had drawn out the infection.
Hours later, knackered to the point of near collapse, Kagome had snuck all evidence of her act outside. She went to the rooftop courtyard, knowing no one would be up there, and destroyed the soiled bandages with a cry of, "Incendio!"
When she returned to check on her patient, two Aurors had joined the little girl. One was sitting next to her, while his partner interrogated the on-call nurse. He glanced up at Kagome as she entered. Before he could ask her about the girl's recovery, the nurse screamed.
"Spider!"
Rolling her eyes, Kagome scooped up the arachnid. "I'll take him outside," she assured the woman, using the witch's inane fear to avoid questioning.
She had never found out what became of her patient. The girl was discharged before Kagome's next shift and her records were sealed.
Even though it's been five years, Kagome still remembers her name.
Rin.
There had been no last name because there had been no family. Rin was the sole survivor of an organized werewolf attack. Juromaro, one of Naraku's former followers, had left her for dead outside her village near Halifax. The Auror who brought Rin in had found her in the woods, barely breathing.
Kagome doesn't remember the Auror's name. If she did, she would have owled him to ask how Rin was. There are still days when she walks past the Ministry and contemplates going inside. She knows no one would let her see the case file, but they could at least tell her if Rin survived. Kagome wants to know that she did the right thing.
She hopes she did.
"Hey." Sango's hand is on hers.
Kagome blinks, coming back to the present.
"I know you're nervous about starting your new job, but there's no need. You're going to do great! Plus, you won't be working such long hours. You'll be able to visit more often, catch up on your reading, maybe even go on a date," Sango suggests with a gentle nudge.
She makes a face. "I doubt I'm going to find anyone to go to dinner with at Hogwarts. Most of the professors who taught us are still there," Kagome points out.
"Maybe you'll bump into someone in Hogsmeade," Sango says.
"Or maybe I'll steal Kirara and turn into an old cat lady," she retorts petulantly.
Sango points a finger at her. "Stay away from my kneazle."
"Yes, ma'am," Kagome returns with a mock salute.
"You're just as bad as the twins," Sango mutters, shaking her head, though there is no disappointment in her tone. If anything, she sounds relieved.
"I'll make it up to you. While you're at work, I'll clean," Kagome offers.
Sango's brow creases. "Don't you need to go shopping for supplies?"
Waving her off, Kagome replies, "That won't take long. Besides, I bet I know a way to remove that stain from the kitchen ceiling."
She sees the exact moment when Sango becomes convinced. "Alright," her friend relents, "but don't worry if you can't tidy up the twins' bedroom. I could hire an entire team of house-elves and it wouldn't even make a dent."'
Kagome laughs. "That sounds like a challenge."
"Kags, no," Sango says, falling back on the old nickname.
"Hey, I owe you and Miroku for letting me crash here."
"You don't owe us anything. You're barely here as it is. I thought people took breaks between jobs. You didn't even take the week," Sango reminds her.
Kagome shrugs. "I don't like being idle. It gives me too much time to think."
Sango squeezes her hand. "I know you miss her."
"Midoriko was all that was left of my family,— not that you and Miroku aren't —you know what I mean. She took me in, raised me, trained me. She was the closest thing I had to a mother after...well, after everything that happened."
"She loved you. She'd be proud of you for doing this," Sango assures Kagome.
"I know her passing is the only reason why Headmaster Bokuseno offered me the job."
"Don't say that! You're more than qualified," Sango tells her.
"But Madam Kaede has so much experience," Kagome argues.
"Because she's ancient! Kags, the witch was was old when we were students. She needs to retire!"
At this, Kagome can't help but laugh. As much as she admires Madam Kaede, Sango is right. The current Hogwarts matron is up there in years. Still, Kagome is surprised the healer wants to retire. She figured Kaede would stay at Hogwarts until her dying day. That seems to be what Headmaster Bokuseno intends to do.
"It's going to be weird being back there," she admits. "The only people I know used to be my professors."
"I'm sure there's been some turn-over," Sango says.
Kagome agrees.
After Mahoutokoro fell, most of the Japanese wizarding population moved to Europe. The school was the last of three major targets Naraku and his followers had destroyed. They started with the Japanese Ministry of Magic, shortly followed by Amaterasu's Hospital. If their goal had been to incite mass chaos, they had succeeded.
"Maybe you'll find your twin flame," Sango tries again.
Kagome rolls her eyes. "What is it with you and trying to set me up, huh?"
"I just want you to be happy. You can't live your whole life for others. You need to do something for yourself too."
"I do stuff for myself," Kagome retorts.
Sango crosses her arms over her chest, eyeing her skeptically. "Like what?"
Kagome attempts to name an activity and fails. Sango gives her a knowing look. "I've been busy," she says defensively.
Sango drops her arms. "Kags, I know you want to help people but no matter how many you save, it won't ever be enough. You can't rewrite the past."
"I know that."
"Do you?" Sango asked, studying her.
Kagome didn't answer.
"Look, I'm only saying this because I care about you. You're like my sister and I worry. I don't want you to end up alone the way Midoriko did."
"She wasn't alone. She had us," Kagome protests.
"You know what I mean," Sango replies. "I don't want you to miss out because you think you don't deserve to be happy. You do."
Kagome can't meet her friend's eyes. She stares at where her hands are folded in her lap.
Sango places her hand on Kagome's shoulder. "Just promise me you'll try, okay?"
"Okay."
Her friend gives her one final hug then leaves, closing the door behind her.
Kagome takes a moment to stare out the window, gazing across the London rooftops.
England has been her home for the last sixteen years. Along with adapting to the lingo, she's learned to appreciate builder's tea, though only in the afternoon. If she has a cup with breakfast, she drinks it plain. She wonders if the house-elves at Hogwarts will bring her green tea or if they only serve Earl Grey.
Tea is the least of her concerns. Accepting the matron position at Hogwarts means moving to the castle. She won't only work there; she'll live there year-round.
Except for Midoriko's cottage, Hogwarts is the only place that has ever felt like home. With its abundant greenhouses, the Black Lake, and the seemingly endless Forbidden Forest, its picturesque landscape reminds Kagome of something she dreamed up during childhood. Kagome is both thrilled and anxious to be going back.
She graduated five years ago, leaving Hogwarts with perfect N.E.W.T. scores and the honor of serving as Head Girl. Sango and Miroku had teased her relentlessly about both accomplishments but Kagome knew they were proud. They'd been her best friends since first year— they were family.
Kagome wasn't surprised when they started dating. Sango may have called Miroku a pervert on more than one occasion but Kagome saw through the witch's criticism. Once they both quit acting like children, the pair became the cutest couple at Hogwarts. They married within a year of graduating.
Miroku had done well in school and opted to take Alchemy in her seventh year. He took over the apothecary shop in Diagon Alley, catering to Potioneers, Alchemists, and Hogwarts students. There was a constant flow of business coming through the door, which kept him busy and his family's Gringott's account full.
Sango, who wanted to follow in her father's footsteps, joined the Auror's Office at the Ministry. The group operates like the police do in the Muggle world. They deal with dark witches and wizards. Sango had just reached her second anniversary with the department when she discovered that she was pregnant. After the birth of the twins, Sango stepped down from active duty. She accepted an administrative position with more flexible hours. It proved to be a wise decision. The twins were barely out of their terrible twos when their brother, Hisui came along.
Kagome can hear him giggling down the hall. Sango must have stopped in the nursery to check on him. Kagome hopes she didn't shatter anything in the baby's room.
With a groan, she flops down onto the bed. Idly, Kagome's fingers trace the wand Midoriko made for her. It was crafted from a cedar tree in their garden. Etchings along the sides mirror the earth's ley lines. The handle has a carving of the gateway. The construct is beautiful but there is no magical substance at its core.
It is a false wand— one of Midoriko's many illusions to help Kagome conceal her powers. The core is hollow and filled with grounding stones. There are three types encased within the wand: hematite (to anchor her abilities and ward off negative energies), black tourmaline (for supporting emotional turmoil), and elite shungite (to maintain the balance between dark and light). Combined, these stones provide a portable, protective shroud around the witch.
Her identity is such a well-guarded secret that Kagome hadn't even known herself. Grams had always told her that she was special, she just never explained why. It wasn't until Kagome showed up on Midoriko's doorstep that the truth came out.
The witch had been the one to reveal the source of Kagome's powers. Midoriko had been there to answer her questions and guide her through coming to terms with it. Even now, the term sounds strange on Kagome's tongue.
Natural witch.
It seems odd that there is a clear distinction between what she can do and what others, like Sango and Miroku, are capable of. Her friends are just as gifted as she is.
Except they don't cause objects to explode when unconscious, Kagome thinks ruefully.
It's one of the side effects of being a natural witch. Her power comes from within. If she doesn't keep her emotions under control, her abilities can manifest in different ways. Joy produces handfuls of fresh blooms. Fear has a less pleasant outcome, which is why Kagome has never bothered with high-end goods.
She has always possessed an affinity for magic. In Transfiguration, Kagome was the first student to turn her match into a needle (which immediately began sewing up a hole in Miroku's robes). In Charms, she made her feather fly (along with the feathers of all her peers). After her first night in Astronomy, Professor Tena told her to come back on Thursday's and join the fifth years.
When the headmaster wrote Midoriko about Kagome's advanced skills, the witch had come to Hogwarts.
Midoriko never got mad. She never raised her voice to Kagome or made her feel ashamed of what she was. Unlike most guardians who visited during the term, Midoriko didn't journey to the school to reprimand Kagome. She came to help her.
She sat down with Bokuseno and told him about the private lessons Kagome had been given. If the headmaster ever suspected Kagome was more than a highly-trained pupil, he didn't let on. He accepted Midoriko's apology and promised to speak with the staff about giving Kagome extra credit assignments.
The work kept her busy, especially when she didn't share any classes with Sango or Miroku. Midoriko had suggested she focus on a goal, so Kagome devoted herself to becoming a Healer. With recommendation letters from all of her professors and the headmaster, securing a role at St. Mungo's had been easy.
Kagome enjoyed her work. She had always wanted to help people. That was one thing that Naraku hadn't changed. She thought she'd be content to serve as a Healer for the rest of her life.
Then Midoriko died.
Kagome felt her entire world shift. Suddenly, the hospital walls looked lifeless. The long hours she kept felt draining. She began to drift through her rotations like a ghost— existing as merely a shell of her former self.
When Headmaster Bokuseno's letter arrived, Kagome assumed he was sending his condolences. She hadn't expected him to include a job offer. Her initial impulse had been to decline it. As she sat alone in the cottage, Kagome realized how disappointed Midoriko would be with her. She decided the best way to help people was by sharing everything she knew.
Kagome wrote back to Bokuseno with a counter-offer. She would take the matron position at Hogwarts if he allowed her to start a Healer training program at Hogwarts. Since Kaede wasn't retiring until the end of term it gave them both time to ease into the transition. Kagome included a proposal with lesson plans and the required supply list for her program. She received Bokuseno's response within an hour. He had accepted.
Now she is hours away from boarding the Hogwarts Express and launching a training program. By this time tomorrow, she'll be on her way to the castle to be inducted as a staff member for the new term.
Moving so far away is a bit daunting. Though she's used to spending time alone, Kagome has never actually been alone. She always had Midoriko or Sango and Miroku. Teaching at Hogwarts means living by herself— her own chambers, her own space. She'll have to reinforce the wards on her walls so she doesn't bother anyone with her nightmares.
Thinking of the preparations she needs to make, reminds Kagome of her promise to clean.
Sango is right. She still needs to pick up her supplies in Diagon Alley. As it is the last day before the start of term, Kagome expects the streets will be crowded with other last-minute shoppers like her. She can't waste time in bed. Tossing the covers aside, she goes to her trunk to get changed.
Today is the first step toward a fresh start. Kagome plans on making it count.
Once Sango is off to work, Kagome waits in the kitchen with the twins and Hisui. Kohaku has been watching them over summer break so Sango doesn't have to take them with her to the Ministry. During the school year, the kids go to the Ministry's in-house children's center. Considering how troublesome the twins can be, Kagome is sure the caretakers there are grateful for a break.
"Ah, Kagome, or should I call you Professor Higurashi? Healer Higurashi? Matron?" Kohaku's face contorts as he speaks.
Kagome laughs. "Healer is fine."
He glances around and runs a hand through his hair. "Did the twins have another tantrum?" he questions, eyeing the broken spice rack.
Her cheeks color with shame. "If you can take these three, I'll clean," she says to avoid answering.
"Brilliant," Kohaku replies.
Kagome hands Hisui to his uncle. The infant coos and babbles trying to pull on Kohaku's ponytail. She stifles a giggle. Kinu and Gyokuto are pouting beside her.
"Come on, let's get out of Healer Higurashi's hair," Kohaku beckons.
"But I wanna stay and watch Aunt Kagome do magic!" Kinu whines.
"Me too," Gyokuto agrees.
Kagome kneels so she is eye-level with the twins. "If you are good for your uncle today, I promise I'll turn your napkins into flying birds at dinner."
Kinu and Gyokuto exchange toothy grins. "Okay!"
"You better be on your best behavior," Kagome says as she straightens up.
"We will," the girls promise. They run over to Kohaku's side, grabbing onto his trousers to prepare for Side Apparition.
Over their heads, Kohaku mouths 'thank you' to Kagome. She bows her head. Then with a pop, all four are gone.
Finally alone, Kagome surveys the damage she caused with her earlier outburst. Including the spice rack, Sango's water goblets, and porcelain mixing bowls have been shattered. Kagome sighs. Those pieces were all inherited from her mother.
Kagome waves her hand over the set. "Reparo."
The mending charm restores the broken bowls to their former state. They show no sign of ever having been splintered.
She repeats the process until every affected object in the kitchen is fixed.
Next, Kagome turns her attention to the stubborn stain on the ceiling. The twins put it there months ago, after an outburst of their own.
Underage magic is highly unstable and often displays itself when the wielder is frightened. This particular incident was brought on by a boggart who had found a new home in Sango's pantry. Unfortunately, the twins discovered the occupant while Miroku was brewing a batch of Dreamless Sleep potion. The result was a large irremovable violet stain on the ceiling.
She tries Scourgify, but the standard cleaning charm doesn't work.
Kagome stares at the spot, considering alternative methods for removal. Evanesco, the vanishing spell, is the most practical. Kagome pairs it with an Eradication spell, Deletrius. She presses her palms toward the ceiling and shoots forth her magic. Instantly, the purple splotch disappears.
Grinning, Kagome finishes tidying up the kitchen.
After conquering the 'permanent' stain, the remainder of the house isn't difficult to organize. The twins' room needs the most attention but it isn't nearly as bad as Sango made it out to be.
The scorch marks on the walls are simple to paint over. A few doubling charms will ensure there is no fighting over the same toy. Kagome even adds extra wards to their beds to keep them from falling out during the night.
When she's done, she feels a sense of accomplishment. It renews her confidence. Kagome finds value in helping others and this exercise has lifted her spirits.
Before leaving, she adds one final touch— a bouquet of honeysuckle and lavender —to spread happiness and serenity. Kagome leaves the flowers in a vase, centered on the kitchen table. She picks up her wand and heads for Charing Cross Road.
It's mid-day when she enters the back alley of the Leaky Cauldron. Kagome glances over her shoulder to make sure she is alone before tapping her wand to the bricks. The wall transforms into an archway, revealing the shopping district.
The street is bustling with the lively chatter of excited students and the frazzled parents who accompany them. School supplies don't come cheap but everything required for a year at Hogwarts can be found in a single location: Diagon Alley.
Kagome maneuvers through the throng, smiling at all the eager faces she sees. She wonders which of them will be seated in her first class.
The Healer Training program will be offered as an elective course beginning in third year. Any third-year student who signs up will be expected to bring a copy of Dilys Derwent's autobiography as well as Omar Abasi's Bites, Boils, and Burns: How to Diagnose and Treat Wounds from Magical Creatures.
Since Healing incorporates multiple skills from other disciplines such as Potions and Herbology, Kagome has included a list of ingredients that should be doubled for those seeking to participate in her class.
Bokuseno informed her that she will have twelve pupils awaiting instruction on Monday morning. It's more than she expected. Kagome is excited about sharing her skills with them but also nervous. What if her lesson plans aren't engaging enough or what if the subject matter is too difficult?
Kagome is so lost in thought that she walks past Ashwinder Apothecary. She chews on her lower lip, contemplating changing the syllabus.
A chill settles over her.
She pauses in the middle of the street, glancing around to find she is alone.
Her vision tunnels. Darkness accompanies the frigid air, forcing Kagome to wrap her arms around herself. The sudden drop in temperature is unnatural for this time of year. It's her first clue that the change is a product of dark magic.
Kagome grasps her wand tighter. She recognizes the signature, a mixture of onyx and scarlet.
Naraku.
She hasn't felt evil like this since that night. The chill penetrates her skin, sinking deeper and deeper until it consumes her. Kagome whips around, wand raised.
No one is there. She spins to her opposite side but the street is empty.
A low chuckling echoes off of the stone walls. "Found you."
Kagome stumbles backward, desperately searching for the red eyes she has seen over and over in her nightmares. Her heart is thundering in her chest. It drowns out every other sound until all she can feel is her instinct to run.
She gives into it. Kagome's arms pump at her sides as she flees, clutching right to her wand. The shops and storefronts blue as she beelines toward the Leaky Cauldron. Once Kagome passes through the brick archway, she will be in Muggle London.
Any illegal use of magic there will show up on Ministry surveillance. Naraku would be a fool to attack then. She just needs to make it there.
Her foot hits an uneven piece of cobblestone, sending her careening off balance. Kagome pitches forward.
A pair of arms encircle her waist, catching her before she hits the ground.
Suddenly, the darkness retreats and the chill dissipates. The ringing in her ears halts. Kagome blinks, uncertain what has happened. When her vision clears, she is staring up into the honey-gold eyes of the wizard who caught her.
"Sorry," she mutters, embarrassed.
Kagome steps away, brushing off her cloak while casting out surreptitious glances. She sees no sign of Naraku in the crowd. The dark wizard is gone.
"Sorry," she apologizes again, barely looking at her savior.
"Kags, over here!"
Her gaze falls to the storefront across the way. Miroku is standing on the steps of Ashwinder Apothecary, waving her inside. She plasters a smile on her face and goes inside.
She doesn't notice the unusual shadows lingering in the alley between the Magical Menagerie and Quality Quidditch Supplies.
Or the silver-haired man who is watching her.
Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has given this story a chance. I honestly didn't expect so many kind comments or notes on tumblr. Thank you! Ongoing thanks to originalone73 for betaing.