AN: I do not own anything from the Harry Potter series. It all belongs to JK Rowling. I am in your debt for creating such a wonderful series. Please don't sue me!!!!

AN:(3/1) updated (not alot though) for your reading pleasure.

white raven- Thank-you-ever-so-much for your review! Can't you see me dance in joy?! hahaha... yes, I know, the prologue was rather creepy. I think it has to do with something about my hobby of scaring little children... last week I told the 7 year olds I was TA-ing that braces were contagious and started snapping my jowls.... okay... maybe i'm just weird... and creepy. And yes, I am a cat owner myself and my cat DARED me to write it. Go ahead and just try she glared at me, see if I snuggle with you anymore!... oh it's so cold at night now. _ lol.


Chapter 4: Arrival

Ah! Hogwarts! I haven't been here and felt your ancient magic in many years. My skin shivers sometimes because I can feel your power at my finger tips. Headmaster Dumbledore assured me of your safety, but your power both astounds me and scares me. Well, hopefully, you will welcome me with open arms.... and Peeves will learn to stay away from me this time.

I came with the rain pouring in sheets outside the castle. I thought I had left behind the typhoon season in Japan, but it seems to have followed me for the day. It was the first time Kitsu had traveled by portkey, and I think he's still trying to figure out whether he liked it or not. It certainly surprised him. I laughed when I saw that his eyes were the size of saucers as he held onto me tightly. We walked up from the gates, an anti-rain spell upon both of us so we could walk between the rain drops and trek in mud. I wonder if there are any spells to make the ground firm so one would not have to drag their feet through that awful amount of mud?

Kitsu stood in awe in front of the large castle, the tall stone towers standing quietly on gaurd with their regal pennants blowing in the wind. I thought that Kitsu would enjoy living here, especially with all the hidden walkways and rooms, it would be a healthy environment for a curious and energetic boy like him. We walked quietly to the entrance, the castle seemed to be in a deep slumber that afternoon; it was a calm quiet, the kind after such a storm we were expirencing would pass. One door creaked open when we approached the large double doors, carved with the crest of the school. I peaked around the corner, afraid of what might be awaiting me. Kitsu ran out from behind me and stopped in the large entrance way, gazing up at the tall ceiling. It was his first time seeing Hogwarts and he was excited upon hearing that we would go to England for my work. A house elf (or should I say a castle elf' perhaps?) was sitting on the stone steps that lead to the dinning hall and jumped up upon seeing us. I still had mixed feelings about these creatures. It certainly would be a simple life to just do what you were told, and it would certainly keep one occupied to keep busy and do housework... but admiration of those others who could walk about freely and do what they please with their own money would wrench my heart out and kill me.

In any event, he stood up quickly, his slightly tan Hogwart's towel skirting about his knobby knees, and approached us at a skitter and a dash.

Miss Neoma Mortar? His eyes were filled with a dull luster.
Yes, that is my name. I proceeded to walk toward the center of the room, the sound of my mud caked boots creating hollow sounds against the walls.
Let me show you to your rooms miss, the last of your luggage arrived earlier this morning and we have set your room up for you. The one trunk you indicated, we have left alone and packed. The accommodations are situated near the Ravenclaw main room. If you would follow me? and he then continued to skitter down the hall.

I grabbed Kitsu by the arm, who was sniffing the suit of armor that was getting uneasy at the unwanted attention, and followed quicky after the house elf. A large painting was hidden in the far end of a corridor; it depicted a large floating castle in the sky and a girl carrying a milk pail in the corner on the edge of a cliff, her back toward us. A giggly and annoying little girl. She showed us the brick at the bottom to kick for Kitsu to enter, seeing that he can't talk. The house elf left me to my own devices after bowing at the steps to my chambers and skidded down the hall to report my arrival to the Headmaster.

The children arrived two weeks later. The sorting hat ceremony had not changed after all these years except maybe the hat looked a little shabbier, if that's possible. I hid behind Hagrid's large figure with Kitsu between us. It was a lot scarier to be up at the staff table than to hide among the throng of students at the house tables. I tried to calm myself by pointing out the enchanted ceiling to Kitsu, he smiled and leaned against my shoulder as I told him about each of the constallations quietly as the sorting ceremony commenced. No one had asked about Kitsu, although they are staring at him, looking back and forth between him and me. Perhaps they are being polite. I caught the glance of one child who was looking at us, and I knew that look in his eyes...they thought he's my child?! Oh, what an amusing thought! I almost laughed out loud there and then, but I just sighed deeply, my eyes softening, my smile a little sadder, and my heart felt fuzzy. I would love to believe that Kitsu was my child and would stay with me forever. Perhaps I should continue this charade of being his mother... but Hagrid seems to know what Kitsu is to me, a man such as himself who is so knowledgeable with magical creatures would certainly know that Kitsu is a Japanese fox. Hagrid's however has not said anything about it to me. But, those sparkling eyes of his are giving him away.

It was that night in which I had time to look at him closely. I had tried to avoid him the past two weeks, only to see him at the staff meeting yesterday. I have always been afraid of seerers, despite what I have heard about Trelawney's reputation of not having any such talent. I fear that they will discover how unclean I am with this sin that will never wash away, this blackness of my soul. I panicked and for a brief moment I did not think and snapped back at her. I was angry... then scared... then embarrassed and ran out of the room as soon as the meeting was over with. My thoughts were too occupied with my actions to notice him then.

Subtlety was his nature, however after 8 years anyone could notice he had lost weight. His cheeks had hallowed, his hands had lost all appearance of youth, but they still held power, they still could caress, if he would be so bold, just like those bottles and vials which he held to carefully, as if he's holding the world in those containers. Tonight, that frown was set in his features more strongly, his raven black hair matching those angry eyes of his. I could hardly remember that one brief moment where those eyes held a hint of sadness, and another time with pain and confusion. But I knew they were there. Perhaps that is what brought me back, useless as it was. I just want to look at him from a distance, instead of running away from it all, I want to see him satisfied; that is all I hope for... and I then I will be happy..... then I will stop pushing myself in this useless direction.

AN: Hope you enjoy the story so far. Please review!!!