What, mayhap, shall it be, this instance? Another mishap of catastrophic substance, perhaps? Or, maybe, a lasting panacea this time? - Diwa
Kagome sinks into her office chair. She hadn't expected so many students to visit the Infirmary on the first day of term.
A few came out of curiosity, wanting to meet the new healer. Others came with various injuries acquired during the school day. The sixth and seventh years were especially prone to accidents. They were attempting more advanced spells— with more severe consequences. It hadn't failed Kagome's notice that the majority of these injuries were sustained in Professor Taisho's class.
A practical knowledge of defensive magic is necessary. Kagome understands this. What she doesn't understand is how Professor Taisho can't take the necessary precautions to ensure his students are safe while learning these tactics. When Professor Myoga taught Defense Against the Dark Arts, there had rarely been an injury. She's beginning to understand why Kaede wants to leave.
She sighs. The pile of scrollwork on her desk reminds her of the case files she used to fill out during her shifts at St. Mungo's. Only these are far more detailed. Student safety is a priority for the Board of Governors. The lower the injury rate is, the more likely they are to be re-elected, which translates into massive amounts of administrative work for the Hogwarts' staff.
With an internal groan, Kagome unravels the first scroll and begins to fill in the blank fields. The report layout is similar to the hospital's form. After completing one, she finds that the scroll isn't difficult, merely tedious. Kagome's quill scratches along the parchment, adding her neat scrawl to the necessary sections while her thoughts wander.
Rin came by during the lunch period with Jaken. Kagome had been too busy setting a broken wrist to visit with her. She promised to return tomorrow. Kagome hopes there will be fewer accidents then.
Her first class was fairly smooth. Bokuseno had given her a classroom on the first floor so she would be close to the Hospital Wing. Kagome had gone there straight from breakfast, energized from her conversation with Jinenji, or Professor Egawa, as the students called him. When she stepped inside the classroom, her excitement morphed into determination.
The chamber had clearly seen better days. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust. Cobwebs decorated every available corner and nook. The windows were so dirty, barely any light was coming through. It looked more like a mausoleum than a classroom. Kagome rolled up the sleeves of her robe and instantly began cleaning.
She had just finished removing the cobwebs when Kohaku entered.
"Morning, Professor," he greeted her with a smirk.
When he saw what Kagome was doing, he lifted his wand to assist.
Preparing the classroom went much quicker with two. While Kohaku cleared out the cupboards, Kagome scrubbed at the windows. They required a rather forceful use of Scorgify, but soon the classroom was lit with warm sunlight.
"You've got to teach my sister that one," Kohaku remarked.
"It's not a question of knowing the spell, it's how you use it. Sango is an accomplished witch. If the house seems a bit dusty, I'm sure it's only because she's busy with the twins and Hisui," Kagome returned.
"Yeah, she's got her hands full with those kids," Kohaku agreed. "So, what do you have planned for your first lesson?"
"An introduction to the course, followed by a review of the Episkey charm. I assume you've learned that already."
"Well, I have," he admitted, "but we aren't due to learn healing spells until next semester."
"Sango taught you," Kagome surmised.
"Actually," Kohaku said, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly, "it was Miroku. Sango broke three of his fingers when she gave birth to the twins. He wanted me to be prepared when Hisui was born— didn't want to bother the Labor Healers."
Kagome laughs. Sango never told her that part of the story.
The Infirmary lighting is dim. During the day, it is brighter due to all the windows but currently, the only source of light is from the dozen or so wall sconces. Kagome isn't sure how they stay lit. They do not hold candles or even bowls of oil. She imagines the answer lies somewhere within the dull pages of Hogwarts: A History.
As she finishes another scroll, a shadow falls over her desk. "Good evening."'
Kagome glances up to find Professor Taisho looming before her. His presence startles her, though not enough to show. She would rather toss herself into the Black Lake than allow that man the satisfaction.
"Quite a rigorous syllabus you have. Nine mishaps in one day. I doubt the headmaster will be pleased by the news. I'm certain the parents won't," Kagome comments, resuming her scrollwork.
"Bokuseno is aware of my tactics. As for the parents, if they wish to allow their children to practice sub-standard magic then they should have sent them to Ilvermorny instead," he mutters.
Kagome resists the urge to roll her eyes. Professor Taisho's life must be exhausting. Maintaining his pompous attitude alone must require a full night's rest.
"These are your office hours, are they not?" he inquires.
"They are."
"Good."
He transfigures a chair out of a privacy curtain and settles in across from her.
Kagome arches a brow at him. "Did you need something?"
"You mentioned that if I had a problem with you, it would be addressed here, during your office hours," Professor Taisho states evenly.
Kagome sets down her quill and studies him. His aura is an explosion of color. Like a kaleidoscope, it contains all the shades, constantly twisting and turning as each emotion vies for dominance. She's never seen someone so lost.
"And what exactly do you have a problem with, Professor?" she questions, holding his gaze.
"You were Head Healer at St. Mungo's, were you not? Why leave such a prestigious hospital and such a position to come teach?"
"I don't believe my personal life is any of your business," Kagome returns stiffly.
"When it intersects with my personal life, it does," he responds.
"Rin is a student which means her health falls under my purview. If you take issue with that, I suggest that you speak with the headmaster about a transfer."
"Indeed. I heard Norway is beautiful this time of year," Professor Taisho quips.
"I believe Durmstrang Institute will be a much better fit for your cold demeanor," Kagome replies, resuming her work.
"Ah, I see there has been a misunderstanding. I will not be the one transferring out of Hogwarts."
"I apologize. I thought I made myself quite clear, Professor. I have no intention of leaving these children unattended, especially considering the dangerous teaching methods in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class," Kagome says with a false smile.
"I am preparing them for what lies beyond these walls. What are you doing?" he demands.
"Teaching them how to stay alive," she answers.
He leans forward, glaring at her. "If they are well-versed in counterattacks, they will not need to mend themselves."
"If they die while learning those attacks, they won't be well-versed. They'll be six feet under!" Kagome snaps, slamming her palms down on the desk.
"What's going on in here?" Kaede appears in the archway, her focus flickering between them. "Professor Taisho, Healer Higurashi, do you mind telling me what's so important that you both felt the need to shout at this late hour?"
"Sorry, Kaede."
"My apologies, matron."
"You," Kaede says, pointing a finger at Professor Taisho, "out. Don't you have rounds to perform with Professor Egawa? And you," she turns her attention to Kagome, "finish up your reports."
"Yes, ma'am."
Professor Taisho returns his chair to its prior form and gives Kaede a bow. "Matron."
He doesn't offer Kagome the same courtesy. He just walks out.
"Do you want to explain what that was?" Kaede asks.
"Professor Taisho is under the delusion that I'm a proprietor of the Dark Arts," Kagome shares.
Kaede snorts. "That man is so blinded by his past that he can't see what is standing before him."
"What do you mean?" Kagome asks.
"Never mind. You still have scrolls to complete, yes?"
Kagome nods.
"Then you best get to work," Kaede suggests. With a wave, she departs for her chambers, leaving Kagome to fester with her increasing frustration.
Strolling through the eastern corridor are two imposing wizards. The first is slim with metallic eyes and an impressive length of silver-white hair that he wears bound with a small leather cuff at the base of his skull. His gaze is hard and the way his jaw is clenched makes him appear ready to hex anyone who crosses his path.
The other is intimidating due to his size. He is a full head taller than the first man and nearly three times as wide. Unlike his companion, this man's expression is gentle like the way the summer breeze teases flower petals as it weaves through a garden, which makes sense as he is the Herbology Professor.
Jinenji Egawa is content to remain silent during patrols— the prime reason Sesshomaru tolerates completing the exercise. The other is because it is mandatory. Even with the Prefects and Heads, Professors conduct nightly patrols of the castle. It's an added security measure that all the wizarding schools put in place after the Mahoutokoro.
They go in pairs, like Aurors do, in case they come across a threat that requires immediate backup. Due to his temper, none of Sesshomaru's other colleagues agreed to do rounds with him. Jinenji is the only one who isn't intimidated. Whether that is because the half-giant has never given Sesshomaru a reason to dislike him or because Jinenji is too kind-hearted to say no, he isn't certain.
What Sesshomaru does know is that he is grateful. Jinenji never questions him about his moods or attempts to speak with him under false pretenses. They keep their conversations brief.
"Which route should we take tonight?" the Herbology Professor asks.
"I suggest we go around past the secret passage near the North Tower," Sesshomaru decides.
Jinenji nods and the silence resumes.
Sesshomaru's thoughts drift from the task at hand to the brazen woman he argued with earlier. It appears that Healer Higurashi is not intimidated by him either. The witch was forceful in her rebuttal, to the point of earning his respect.
Almost.
He acknowledges that she is clever. She has to be in order to keep up with him. Following each retort, Healer Higurashi was quick to respond. She didn't hesitate. She didn't stumble. She was poised and collected in her delivery. Very few have ever been that calm in his presence. It makes Sesshomaru even more suspicious.
As they approach the North Tower, they spot Professor Nogami descending from the Divination classroom.
"Good evening, Kanna," Jinenji greets her. "How was your first day of term?"
The white-haired witch turns her dark eyes upon them. Then, in an emotionless voice, she says, "Mars is entering retrograde, causing misunderstandings and increased assumptions. If left unresolved, a period of destruction and chaos will follow."
Jinenji glances at Sesshomaru, evidently at a loss for words.
"Exams are always a troubling time," he responds.
Kanna stares at him. Her impassive face leaves him with no signs to discern her reaction. He cannot sense any ire in her aura so he assumes his theory was correct.
"Be careful of the Autumn Equinox," she warns.
Without another word, the young Seer glides down the hallway and out of sight.
"What do you think that was about?" Sesshomaru asks Jinenji.
His patrol partner shrugs. "Kanna has always been different. I can't imagine it is easy to live with a gift like hers. Would you want to know everything before it happened?"
Sesshomaru considers the potential to avoid perilous situations. If he had captured Juromaro before the werewolf struck Halifax, Rin would never have been injured. And she also wouldn't be his daughter. He sighs and answers, "No."
"Me either. Living with that knowledge must be a burden," Jinenji agrees.
While they pass in front of a portrait of Circe, Sesshomaru hears a rustle of clothing. Eyes narrowing, he waves his wand across the painting. A pair of sixth years are yanked out from hidden alcove. Their robes are wrinkled and a few buttons have been missed in their haste to redress.
"Ms. Watson, Mr. Felton,"
"Professor," the witch squeaks.
"Fifty points each and detention with the Caretaker Bradley tomorrow night," Sesshomaru orders. "He's still trying to clean-up the dungbombs your lot set off at the Close of Term feast last semester."
The two students start to protest but one sharp look from him silences their argument. They mutter their acknowledgments and scurry off, both red-faced and sufficiently chastised.
Sesshomaru waits until they are gone to ask Jinenji, "Who won?"
The Herbology Professor smiles. "I believe it was Totosai who guessed correctly this year."
"Why am I not surprised?" Sesshomaru grumbles.
He can't stand the History of Magic Professor. Like Bokuseno, Totosai was friends with Sesshomaru's father. Unlike Bokuseno, Totosai doesn't know when to leave Sesshomaru alone. The eccentric old wizard is constantly complaining to Sesshomaru— telling him that his tactics are too advanced, his punishments too severe, and his temper too brash. Bokuseno may enjoy meddling but Totosai is a complete annoyance. Sesshomaru avoids him at all costs.
Jinenji doesn't attempt to console him. He is aware of Sesshomaru's feelings and wise enough to let them be.
They finish their pass of the North Tower and head down the staircase to the ground floor.
"I saw you speaking with the new matron this morning," Sesshomaru remarks.
"You mean Kagome?" Jinenji asks.
Sesshomaru nods.
"She's kind," Jinenji says wistfully before adding, "And clever. She approached me about conducting a cross-educational class where we would teach the students how to grow the necessary plants to brew Healing Potion."
The Herbology Professor appears thrilled by the proposal. Sesshomaru suspects it has more to do with being included than the actual topic, though, begrudgingly, he admits it is a good idea.
Jinenji is a gifted Herbologist— the best Sesshomaru has ever come across —but his size and stature dissuade people from hiring him. Bokuseno was the first to award him a role at the school. Once students began praising his program, others owled Jinenji with offers, but the half-giant refused. He remained loyal to those who were loyal to him.
"It's a practical application for what they learn throughout the curriculum," Jinenji informs Sesshomaru. "If the students enjoy it, I can see other courses overlapping as well. Potions, for example."
Sesshomaru frowns. He doesn't like the idea of Higurashi working with Hitomi. There are too many unanswered questions about the pair. The most concerning is the fact that he can't read either of them. Their minds are closed off from him, impenetrable lest he tries to breach their defenses a different way. Dueling usually provides a sufficient diversion.
Considering Higurashi's quick rebuttals, Sesshomaru expects it would be an interesting fight. Her accomplishments are impressive. She is clearly a powerful witch but he is confident in his abilities. Sesshomaru will emerge the victor. When he does, the opportunity for answers will be in his grasp.
An explosion sounds several meters ahead of them. Jinenji glances at Sesshomaru. Together, they charge down the corridor to the boys' lavatories.
Sesshomaru swings the door open to find a mess inside. Water splatters across the stone flooring, making it slick as he enters the chamber. Jinenji follows behind, his wand at the ready. Around the corner, they find the source of the leak. A shattered stall reveals an exposed pipe— all that remains of the white porcelain toilet it once supported.
"Phelps," Sesshomaru snaps.
The Gryffindor seventh years are a constant nuisance. They lack a respect for the rules, especially where school property is concerned.
The Phelps twins are the polar opposites of the A-Un twins. Instead of a reserved demeanor paired with advanced intelligence, they are obnoxiously loud and extremely incompetent— except when it comes to pranks. That is the one area where the Phelps twins excel.
Much to his displeasure.
"This will give that troll something to think about the next time he— oh, Professor Egawa! Didn't see you there and— bollocks!"
"Language, Phelps," Sesshomaru growls.
"What was it this time? Dungbombs?" Jinenji inquires calmly while Sesshomaru seethes.
"Uh...not exactly," the first twin says, unable to make eye contact with them.
"Then what?" Sesshomaru barks.
"Exploding Snap," the second reveals.
Sesshomaru blinks. They destroyed a toilet with a children's card game?
"How many?" he questions.
"Twelve," the second twin reveals. "Shoved up the U-bend with—."
"That's enough," Sesshomaru grouses. "I'll be deducting one hundred points from Gryffindor for this misdemeanor. You will replace the toilet and help clean up this mess."
The twins exchange a glance, appearing relieved.
"And serve detention with Madam Margoyles for the rest of the semester. I believe she could use assistance organizing the stacks."
The pair groans, slumping forward. Madam Margoyles, the school librarian, values silence above all else.
"Is that a problem?" Sesshomaru asks, leveling his gaze at them.
The boys jolt upright. "No, sir! Errrr, Professor. Err, Professor, sir?"
"Clean this up," Sesshomaru orders, "without magic."
"What? You can't do that. It's just plain cruel!" the first twin objects.
Sesshomaru leans toward them, lowering his voice as he informs them, "I can do whatever I want."
He holds their gaze until Jinenji appears between them. "Gentlemen, I suggest you pay the broom closet a visit. You should be able to find what you need there."
"Yes, sir," the twins chorus dejectedly.
With downtrodden expressions, they slink out of the bathroom.
"You always let them off the hook so easily," Sesshomaru mutters, shaking his head.
"And you always sentence them as if they deserve to stand trial at the Ministry," Jinenji retorts.
"They should. If I had defiled school property when I was at Mahoutokoro—."
"You were eleven, Sesshomaru," Jinenji interrupts in an even tone. "All you wanted was your parents' approval, especially Touga's. You don't know what you would have done had you grown up with a brother or best friends like the Phelps twins."
Sesshomaru scowls. "I would never have been friends with them. As for my brother, he's tethered himself to Kaede's granddaughter. Foolish whelp."
"What's so foolish about being in love?" Jinenji asks.
"It's an uncalculated risk— a weakness."
"So is being a parent," Jineji observes.
Sesshomaru has no response. To argue would be petulant. However, he refuses to agree.
Even if Jinenji is correct.
"We still need to check the Viaduct entrance," he reminds the Herbology Professor.
Jinenji gestures for him to lead the way. Sesshomaru walks out, trying to ignore the Phelps' mess and his partner's words.
By the time Kagome returns to her chambers, she can barely keep her eyes open. She drags herself into her bedroom. Her cloak is the first item to be discarded, followed by her boots, and then her blouse and skirt. She hates wearing dresses and skirts. Pants are more practical for dueling, not that she has any reason to duel during class hours.
Save one.
Kagome slams her trunk closed harder than she means to. She doesn't intend to take out her frustration on her belongings. Acting like this only causes more problems. Which is why the scrollwork took longer than she anticipated. Kagome kept snapping her quills in half. Or setting them on fire.
She hasn't had this many outbursts of magic since she was a child. She's not sure what it is about Professor Taisho that gets under her skin. The man is more temperamental than a pregnant dragon. Just speaking with him is exhausting. She doesn't know how Rin can stand to live with him.
The little witch possesses a gentle soul, much like Midoriko had. Rin is kind, thoughtful, and unhindered by the perception of others— as demonstrated in her preference to choose a toad over an owl. Kagome can't picture her being raised by Professor Taisho.
He is cold and unfeeling. From what she's seen, he doesn't appear to care about anyone but himself and Rin. During meals, he barely speaks and when he does it is only to Bokuseno and Jinenji.
Kagome finds this odd. Jinenji is quiet, if not a bit withdrawn. He's a talented wizard with an expansive knowledge of plants— both magical and non-magical. When she approached him about a joint class instruction, he'd been extremely agreeable. Kagome had been relieved. She'd thought she'd need to propose it multiple times before he accepted the idea. He even had some thoughts of his own that could improve the overall collaboration. They had had great dialogue.
She isn't sure why Jinenji tolerates Professor Taisho. Kagome is convinced that if she proposed a cross-educational class to him, the man would flatly refuse. He probably wouldn't even consider it.
Unreasonable jerk, she thinks angrily.
She puts on her pajamas. The soft material feels comforting after a long day up in the Infirmary. Pulling back the covers, Kagome crawls into bed. She reclines onto her pillow and closes her eyes.
The castle hallways are quiet. Everyone else had probably been asleep for hours. Kagome should be resting too. She has a full day of shadowing Kaede tomorrow and a lesson plan to rewrite before Wednesday. Sleep is necessary for both of those items.
Kagome turns on her side toward the Black Lake. Slowly, her eyes open. From where she lies, she can see the moon's reflection on the mirror-like glossy surface. It is a sliver of light, brilliant against the twinkling stars surrounding it. In a couple of weeks, it will be full. And then it will be the Autumn Equinox.
The changing of the seasons is a holiday for many but, for Kagome, it is the anniversary of her family's death. Naraku spared no one within the Higurashi household, not even her baby brother.
All because of me.
She rolls over. Kagome doesn't want to be reminded about the full moon or the approaching holiday. Neither holds particularly fond memories for her.
Full moons have become synonymous with Juromaro attacks. Kagome always dreaded working that shift at the hospital. Each month, the carnage she saw grew worse. She'd almost been sick when Rin was brought in. Seeing such brutal violence against a child made her want to go after the feral werewolf.
Kagome vows if she ever comes across the beast, she will incapacitate him. There is no place in this world for a man as vicious as Juromaro. His aura is as tainted as Naraku's signature, black with malice and death. She will not give him the opportunity to continue assaulting innocent people. Kagome will turn him over to the guards of Azkaban.
She adjusts her pillow, trying to get comfortable. Given the number of hours she has been awake, sleep should come easily. Yet it prowls along the edge of her mind, remaining an elusive beast.
Kagome contemplates venturing into the kitchens to request some tea. A piping hot cup with a dollop of honey would soothe her rattled nerves.
Before she can think things through, she is changing into her favorite jumper and jeans. Kagome slips on her trainers, forgoing her cloak. It is a quick trip downstairs. It is unlikely anyone is awake beside the house elves and they won't care what she's wearing.
She lowers the wards on her chambers only long enough to leave. Hogwarts may be one of the safest places in England but Kagome refuses to take any chances. She checks the corridor, then proceeds down the staircase.
When she hits the second-floor landing, she remembers the staff room. She only visited the chamber briefly but it contains a wide fireplace and spare kettles. Kagome doesn't need to bother the house-elves. She can brew a cup herself.
The staff room is a cozy chamber with an assortment of dark wood furniture and a wardrobe of spare robes. It is decorated in the main four house colors. Banners from past House Cup winners hang from the rafters and a miniature replica of the current year tally sits centered upon the mantle.
Kagome notes that the level of gems in Gryffindor's tube is significantly lower since breakfast. Though she doesn't know exactly what happened, she can guess.
Professor Taisho.
Kouga told her that the staff takes bets on how long it will take for him to administer the first detention of the year. Apparently, not long. She wonders who won and how Professor Smith will react to the sudden loss of House points.
Grabbing the kettle off the side table, Kagome waves her wand over the copper container. She conjures enough water to fill it to the brim, then hangs the pot in an iron rod in the fireplace.
As she waits for it to boil, Kagome sits on a plush-looking sofa. Behind her, the residents of the paintings snore. The portrait over her right shoulder is of Professor Botan with her sister, Momiji. They were the first Japanese professors at Hogwarts, long before Naraku's rise. Over Kagome's left shoulder is a depiction of the former headmaster, Janis Imajanees, sitting by the Black Lake. Her blonde hair blows in the wind, even while she sleeps.
It's strangely soothing to hear their labored breathing. The sound makes Kagome feel less alone. Returning to Hogwarts hadn't just meant a career change, it had offered her the chance to leave Midoriko's lonely cottage. Kagome wanted to remember the place for what it had been in her youth,— a welcoming home full of life and happiness —not the silent, solitary shack it had become.
She misses normal things like the gardens, Midoriko's knit blankets, and her endless attempts to bake a pie. Midoriko had been a natural witch but she wasn't a natural baker. No matter how many times she tried, the woman never managed to create the dessert.
Kagome smiles, recalling the time Midoriko had taken a Muggle cooking class to try and learn the secret of baking. Memory modification had to be used after her guardian's pie exploded in the oven. Mixing Boom Berries with blueberries was not advised.
She misses other things too— the way the house smelled like lilac and sage whenever Midoriko was around, how even rainy days felt warm, and their lessons. Midoriko was more than a guardian. She had been Kagome's second mother.
"I wish you were here with me," Kagome whispers to the fireplace. "I feel so lost without you."
The tea kettle responds with a shrill cry. Steam shoots from the spout, signaling her tea is ready.
Kagome removes it from the heat. She levitates a fresh cup onto the side table. There are only a few selections available. Kagome lands on green tea. It's the least likely to keep her awake.
She pours the water over the leaves and waits a few moments before extracting them. The used tea leaves are added to the hearth, leaving behind a steaming cup that is ready for consumption.
Kagome sips the brew, savoring its flavor. While some consider the tea bitter, she enjoys the subtle notes of nuts and the overall freshness. Kagome takes another sip, trying to pick out each individual flavor when she tastes something unique.
Ginger.
She sets her cup aside, searching for the tea container. Ginger isn't a typical ingredient for most blends because of how overwhelming it can be. The only reason to add it to the mix would be to cover up something else.
A stabbing pain hits Kagome's side. It steals the breath from her lungs and she hunches forward, knocking her cup of tea over. The porcelain crashes onto the floor. Tea stains the area rug but Kagome doesn't raise her wand to repair it.
She can't.
The poison is fast-acting. It burns through her body like wildfire, making every single movement agony. Kagome can barely draw a full breath without tears coming to her eyes. All she can think of is getting back to her room.
She crawls across the staff room, vision blurry as she fights to remain conscious.
Opening the door takes effort. Kagome struggles to pull herself up, using the handle as leverage but once she does, she doesn't have the strength to yank it backward.
"Alohomora," she says.
The door swings open. Kagome collapses into the corridor. The chilly stone floor feels wonderful against her feverish skin. She blinks several times, attempting to clear her bleary vision. Details fade until all she can make out are shadows and shapes.
"Vermillious."
Red sparks spring forth from her wand. They scatter about, like miniature fireworks, dancing along her line of vision.
Kagome hopes Jinenji is still on patrol. If he sees her signal, he'll be able to help her get upstairs.
She isn't familiar with this poison. It's not as potent as Basilisk venom but it's likely derived from a magical beast. Given its almost immediate effects, Kagome guesses that the toxin may have come from a Manticore or a Streeler. Only a select few would have access to such dangerous creatures.
Naraku is at the top of that list.
Kagome refuses to let him win. She claws her way forward, dragging herself to the stairwell. If she can just reach her chambers, she can go into her medi-kit where her bezoar is stored.
The small mass looks like a stone to unsuspecting Muggles but in the wizarding community, it is a fail-safe. The only poison it can't counteract is Basilisk venom. All magical families keep at least one hidden in their home in case of an emergency. In Kagome's case, she has a half-dozen.
She is hauling herself up the first step when footsteps announce someone approaching.
"Higurashi."
Bollocks.
"What in the name of Merlin—?" Professor Taisho doesn't finish his question. He mutters an incantation and Kagome finds herself floating above the steps.
"I'm taking you to the Hospital Wing," he states.
"No! My chambers are closer," Kagome insists, wincing at the pain her words cause.
"Where?" Professor Taisho asks.
Kagome manages to give him directions. It costs her the ability to see. Her breathing sounds like a snake, with each inhale and exhale hissing in a brief burst of air.
When they arrive, she places her hand on the door, withdrawing the wards so they can pass. Professor Taisho doesn't remark on her advanced security, nor does he leave her alone. He guides her down the spiral staircase into her suite.
Kagome feels herself being placed on the floor. With an unsteady hand, she points her wand toward the bedroom. "Accio medi-kit."
The metal box flies into her hands. Relieved, she drops her wand to fight with the clasp. The metal clinks with each attempt. Her fingers are too unsteady to open it.
"Give it to me," Professor Taisho orders. He yanks the kit out of her hands. A second later, he is placing the bezoar against her lips. "Swallow it."
Kagome does.
The effects are instantaneous. Her fever breaks, the pain ebbs, and her vision clears. She takes several deep breaths, willing her body to quit shaking. Only once her pulse returns to normal does Kagome open her eyes.
She is met with a penetrating gaze. Professor Taisho's golden eyes are fixated on her.
"Thanks," Kagome says weakly, sitting up.
He doesn't respond right away. His focus is elsewhere as if he's staring directly through her. Kagome starts to wonder if he's in some kind of trance.
"Why do you suspect it was Naraku who poisoned you?" Professor Taisho inquires.
"Because he wants me dead. Now that he knows where I am, it's only a matter of time before— hey, wait a minute! How did you—," Kagome trails off. That's when she feels it— the itchy sensation of someone poking around in her mind. Immediately, she slams her mental walls down. "Get out!"
Professor Taisho staggers backward. His surprise is fleeting. Upon recovering, his eyes narrow. "What are you hiding?"
Kagome grabs onto her sofa as she stands. "I said, get out."
He opens his mouth to try again.
She flicks her wrist, reenacting her wards. Instantly, he is thrown out of her chambers. The door slams after his expulsion. That noise is the last thing Kagome hears before she collapses from exhaustion.
Author's Note: Thanks to originalone73 for betaing. Just in case I need to say this here: Harry Potter, and the Potter universe, belong to J.K. Rowling and no money is being made from the use of anything associated with said universe.