Chapter Two: Try Not to Piss Off the Creepy Kid.

Kiyoshi sat quietly in the back of three of Draco's four classes, eyes on his desk, listening to the droning teachers. It was in Draco's favorite class-- potions-- that the first hints of Kiyoshi's immense magical power began to show through.

Draco sat at his own desk, scribbling down notes as Snape lectured near the front of the classroom. Harry seemed to be doing the same, but kept glancing over his shoulder at Kiyoshi. The new boy had his hands folded on top of his desk, and was staring at them, his white hair hanging over his face. Snape started to stalk around the classroom as he spoke, weaving around the desks and peering at what the students were writing. He moved like a viper in tall grass, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

"--Thus the snakeroot breaks down in the maiden's foot to form a paste that, when used correctly, will enable one to breathe underwater. Mister Kamagaki." Snape loomed over the boy, who glanced up at him, still looking as passive as ever. "You seem to know this procedure well enough, seeing as you haven't taken any notes. Would you care to demonstrate it for the class?"

Kiyoshi lowered his eyes again and stood, his uniform dropping back into its hanging folds. He made his way to the front of the classroom amongst stares, whispers and giggles. Snape followed him, then stood over him as he began to mix the ingredients for the spell.

The students had watched Snape prepare and mix ingredients a thousand times, but when this boy did it, it was art. His fingers flew over the snakeroot and dipped in the maiden's foot, blending them perfectly and setting them out for Snape to inspect. He spread a hand over them as the teacher stooped to check his work. The whole class held its collective breath for a moment.

"This is not the right spell," Snape concluded, straightening with a smirk. "Mister Kamagaki, I'll have to ask you to stay after--" He stopped, staring at the boy.

Kiyoshi's eyes were glowing with a cool blue light as he moved his fingers gently over the ingredients, as if weaving something into the air. His uniform floated about him slightly. Snape grabbed his wrist. "That's enough," He began, but Kiyoshi jerked away from him and made a final, sweeping motion with his hands.

Draco remembered thrashing amongst a storm of bubbles, then realizing he was underwater. He fought his way out of his heavy coat and grabbed onto something that was floating by. It thrashed, too, and they wrestled underwater. Draco grabbed at the thing's face and came away with something hard and round in his hand. He opened it to find-- glasses?

They'd been under the water for too long-- his lungs were burning for air. Finally, he could stand it no longer, and opened his mouth to take a deep breath. Bubbles surged up around him. And he was still alive. He took another breath, and more bubbles tickled him. "Whoa..." His voice was distorted, sounding as if he were-- well, underwater. The other students were making the same discoveries, swimming around the classroom. Snape was still near the front of the classroom, looking slightly less than pleased. Kiyoshi was sitting on one of the desks, his hair floating around him. "Mister Kamagaki, that is inappropriate," Snape burbled.

***

Dumbeldore sighed heavily and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Kiyoshi, Hogwarts has taken you in at great peril to ourselves," He shook his head. "We've waived tuition and boarding fees, and granted you schooling here despite your lack of formal education. All we're asking in return is that you please--" He paused, clasping his hands together and looking at Kiyoshi's burning eyes. "--Please try to behave yourself. No more of this." He gestured at Snape, who was standing near the door, dripping.

Kiyoshi only stared at him, looking neither sorry nor angry. His cool, collected, unblinking gaze made Dumbeldore's shoulders itch. He shivered. "All right, that's all. Professor Snape, Potions will be held in the library until your regular classroom has er--" He smiled weakly. "-- Dried out. The Owls will send notices. Now--" He sighed again. "Both of you get back to the Slytherin dorm and change into something a little drier."

As Snape and Kiyoshi headed for the door, they brushed past a tall, dark man with Otherworldly eyes. He flicked a glance at them, then seemed to dismiss them and continued to Dumbeldore's desk. "Ah, Mister Wolf," Snape heard Dumbeldore stammer just before the door shut them out.

"He was too easy on you," Snape growled at Kiyoshi as they walked back to the dorm. "If it were up to me, you'd be scrubbing floors like the rest of them."

Kiyoshi stared up at him for a moment, then lowered his eyes again. His scarf swung and swayed in the wind, as if rebelling against the boy's even, measured steps. "You have a lot of raw talent," He continued, gazing out at the gathering fog. "With a little guidance..." He stopped and looked up as three white owls flew out overhead, followed closely by two more. Kiyoshi glanced up, too, looking slightly perplexed. "Messengers," Snape mumbled as a way of explanation. Kiyoshi returned his gaze to the ground, satisfied. It was a relief when Snape could finally get away from those eyes of his.