Cheeto: Hey peeps, what-is-up-o? Sorry it took me so long to update, but I've been a bit busy with things. .
But anyways, I got like . .a bagillion questions (yes, that's a very technical term, bagillion) in my reviews, so I will now answer them.
But real quick, I'd like to give a shout-out to Jessecheaux Kuwabara and Sycogerl64, the best fricken dudes ever!!! I lurve you guys! And if you haven't read their stories, do it, you heathen! XD
Oh yeah, and my condolences, Mayaya Green, but due to the apparent dislike of the Hermione/Hiei pairing in my reviews, I have decided not to make it so. Sorry, my friend, hope you aren't too disappointed. Here, have a cookie! *gives cookies* ^-^
Question #1: **What is a Mary Sue?** A Mary Sue is a demonic character created by authors that tends to be wanted reflections of themselves in their writing, and therefore perfect in every way, beautiful, and everyone loves them blah blah blah . .aka, they are the devil.
Question #2: **Where did you hear the word 'lurve' at?** I have no idea. I think one of my friends was using it and I became addicted. Ironic, ne?
Question #3: **Does Yusuke know he's a demon yet?** Because this story is timed after the first Dark Tournament, no. I think this will eventually work out for the better in this fic, as all the other fics have the whole, *Yes, Lord* thing going on and all kinds of Yusuke being an evil demon crap, when I just prefer the light-hearted-ness of them treating each others as equals and friends, blah blah blah . . . wow, that was sappy. XD
*~Chapter three~*
The group stood timidly in front of a huge marble building, staring in awe at the massive marble pillars towering above them, golden letters embezzled in the dazzling white stone read 'Gringotts'.
"Wow." Kuwabara breathed. "Nice place."
"I heard no burglar has ever been able to rob it and escape alive." Botan said.
"That's what they'll have you think." Kurama mused, heading for the colossal building.
"Wha-"
"I don't think I want to know." And they followed the fox inside.
The group approached the flawless marble counter. Behind it, a brown wrinkly creature with an incredibly long nose and beady black eyes stared at them suspiciously.
"I'm here for money exchange." Kurama said without hesitation, as if he were a regular customer. Digging into his pocket, the fox pulled out a bulging wad of bills.
"Holy crap Kurama! How did you get so much money?!"
"Kurama was forced to pawn off a few of his . . 'artifacts'." Hiei snickered, a pained look crossing the fox's face as he handed the bills to the creature and watched it count the cash. The goblin ducked down, disappearing from sight. Returning a few minutes later, it hauled three bulging bags up onto the counter, fixing them with a level stare.
"Thank you for using Gringotts." Purred the goblin in a gravely voice, "Please come again." Kurama picked up one bag and handed it to Kuwabara, then another to Yusuke, who nearly toppled over from the weight.
"What's in this thing?!" He demanded, supporting the heavy bag against one arm and his chest as he pulled open the top with the other. Staring back at him was a pile of sparkling gold coins nearly overflowing from the sack.
"Holy shit!" Yusuke yelled, drawing a few stares from the surrounding wizards and witches.
"Come on Yusuke, let's get going." They exited the large building, standing in the center of the crowded street.
"So, where to?" Botan asked, looking around at the large number of shops.
"How about there?" Yukina suggested, using the hand that wasn't holding Puu to point at a small, almost shabby looking building. A sign hanging from a pole jutting from the place read 'Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.'
"Of course, pumpkin!" Kuwabara chirped, not noticing the death glare that was boring into his back via Hiei.
Kuwabara and Yukina headed towards the shop, the others following closely behind. Kuwabara pushed open the door, then paused in surprise at the interior.
The tiny main room was crammed full of bookshelves that stretched all the way to the ceiling. But the bookshelves weren't filled with books; instead, they were packed with small, thin boxes, much like shoe boxes. In some places, they were stacked neatly, others they were jumbled incoherently. The group packed into the small, crowded room, looking around in silent expectance.
"Hello!" A voice soft called, a squat man appearing from seemingly nowhere. "I've been expecting you! Professor Genkai's students, correct?"
Yusuke's eyebrow quirked at Genkai's unusual title, but he nodded in affirmation.
"Alright then, who's first?" The group shifted nervous glances at each other until Botan bravely stepped forward.
"Hello, young lady. And you are Botan, correct?"
"Umm . .yes ." Botan shied away from the little man's gaze, his unblinking silver eyes boring holes into her raspberry ones.
"If you would hold out your wand arm . ." Botan judged it the same as the one she wrote with and lifted her right hand. "Mind if I take some measurements?" Before she could nod, a tape measure appeared out of nowhere and began to measure the arm, then moved onto various limbs, all by itself.
"Is all this really necessary?" The deity asked as the tape began to measure her long cobalt ponytail and the distance between her candy colored eyes. Moments later, it disappeared and Ollivander scuttled away, returning a bit later with one of the many boxes in hand. He pulled off the cover to reveal a burnt-red colored cylinder, presumably made out of wood. Gently taking it out, he handed it to her handle-first. She took the wand carefully.
"Rosewood, phoenix feather, seven and a half inches. Very flexible." When she just stared at it, he smiled. "Go on, give it a flick." Botan blinked and briskly twirled the wand in the air.
Boxes rocketed from their shelves straight for the group, who dove to the floor. The boxes slammed into opposing shelves, knocking clouds boxes off their bearings before toppling lifelessly to the floor. Botan shrieked in terror and dropped the wand. A moment later, she flushed in embarrassment and began to babble "I'm so sorry!". Delicately picking up the wand as if it were a knife or gun she practically shoved it into his hands. Ollivander gave her an assuring smile.
"Well, it's definitely not that one." Once again, he scurried away.
An hour later the group exited the shop, wands in hand and a few galleons poorer.
"I don't think that place'll ever recover." Yusuke muttered as they left. After finding wands for all six of them, the store looked less like a store and more like a battleground. But Ollivander assured them it was no trouble and refused the money Kurama offered to pay for the damages.
"Now where to?"
"Flourish and Blotts." Kurama said. "Might as well get our basic supplies."
As they headed through the thinning crowd toward the shop, Yukina stopped abruptly.
"What is it, snookie?" Yukina pointed at a small store, animals ranging from cats to frogs displayed in the front window, a small sign near them declaring 'All Owls ½ Off! Today Only!'
"The note said that owls could be used to transport letters." She turned to Kuwabara." Could I get one?" She asked eagerly. "I would like to stay in touch with Master Genaki while we're away. Please, Kazuma?"
Kuwabara seemed to consider it just to prolong the moment, then broke into a wide grin. "Of course, sweety!" The ice maiden handed Puu to Botan and the two started towards the store. Kuwabara turned back around. "You guys gonna get one?"
Kurama shook his head. "My mother and Hatanaka-san think I'm in an elite school in London. An owl delivering the mail might look a bit . . . odd, to say the least."
"Yeah," Yusuke agreed. "If I sent an owl home my mom would probably cook it for dinner." Popping a thumb at the little blue creature in Botan's arms, he grinned. "Plus, I got the rat. He's kind of like an owl. He can fly . .sort of . ."
Kuwabara looked at Botan, who shook her head a bit sadly, then at Hiei, who just glared. He shrugged. "Suit yourselves." The ice maiden and detective disappeared into the shop, reappearing a few minutes later. Kuwabara carried a half-oval covered cage as he trailed behind the ice maiden in a love struck stupor, both of them rejoining the group.
A few hours later they were finished, having bought robes, cauldrons, potions and supplies. (Yusuke made quite a scene when told he would have to use a quill, ranting "Why can't the English be like normal people and use PENS?!")Now the boys sat in their rooms above the bar of the Leaky Cauldron, preparing for the trip.
"Platform nine and three-fourths?" Wondered Kuwabara aloud. "Back home we only had platform nine and ten."
"That's because Brits are a bunch of freaks."
"Yes, Kuwabara should fit in fine."
"Bite my ankles, shorty!"
"Settle down you two." Botan said as she tried to force the top of her stuffed suitcase down. "We're going to have a long trip tomorrow and we all need our sleep."
***
Kuwabara stretched and yawned, looking around the crowded train station. People shuffled in tight herds from platform to platform, supporting their luggage or morning coffee in haggard hands as they packed into a portion of the never-ending cycle of trains. The group stood between platforms nine and ten, looking around confusedly.
"I don't see a platform nine and three-fourths."
"Well, Mr. I-know-everything-about-everything." Yusuke shot a glare at Kurama, who looked just as puzzled. "What now?" The fox shrugged.
"I'm afraid I'm as confused as you are, Yusuke."
They all stood there, looking around awkwardly as the minutes ticked by. Botan's compact beeped. Scrambling in the pockets of her jeans, she pulled it out and flipped it open.
"Botan, you're on the train, right?!" Toddler Koenma demanded. Botan sweat-dropped.
"Uh, Koenma sir, we seem to be having a small problem-"
"WHAT?!" Botan flushed, then smiled sheepishly.
"Um, we . . can't find it . ." Koenma fell out of his chair. Scrambling back up moments later, he breathed a heavy sigh.
"Where are you?"
"Between platforms nine and ten."
"Are you near the barrier between the two?" They all turned, and sure enough, they were. "Yes."
"Okay, one by one, run into it."
"WHAT?!" Yusuke and Kuwabara yelled into Botan's compact, drawing stares from a few people walking by.
"Just do it." When they continued to stare at him in disbelief, Kurama sighed. "I'll go first." Without another word, he picked up his suitcase and grabbed his dolly full of items, and walked briskly toward the barrier. The group unconsciously cringed, preparing for impact. Suddenly, a swarm of people buzzed out of nowhere, the surge enveloping Kurama. When they passed, he was gone.
"Weird." One by one, they all nervously walked, or more often, ran to the barrier and disappeared. Kuwabara the last one to go.
*Don't worry, if they can do it, so can you.* He started for the pillar slowly, dragging the bundles of supplies behind him. Stepping up the speed, he began to sprint for the stone wall, squeezing his eyes shut.
"Please let this work!" he yelled, a few pedestrians stopping to stare at the charging red head before continuing on their way. Much to Kuwabara's relief, there was no collision. He opened his eyes, suddenly not in the old London train station. A massive red steam engine bearing the name 'Hogwarts Express' was humming with activity, bellowing out large white clouds from the black smokestack as children, all within his age range, boarded it, lugging similar equipment behind them.
"Kuwabara!" He looked to see Yusuke waving at him not far away. "Come on, they're going to leave without us!"
He ran for his friends and they marched up the crowded platform and through the entryway, past seats packed with children to find their own in the back. The girls, Kurama, and Hiei all sat down in one booth, Yusuke and Kuwabara sitting down in another across the walkway.
Moments later, three slightly harried children came scuffling down the hall, two boys and one girl.
"Can we sit here?" One of the boys with reddish, almost orange hair asked.
"Yeah, sure." Yusuke said. The three crammed into the seat across from the two. A few beats of awkward silence passed while the two groups studied each other.
Harry raised his eyebrows. *They don't look like they're from around here.* The boy across from him was leaned back in his seat casually, almost arrogantly, studying him with the same intensity in his chocolate brown eyes as Harry was sure reflected in his emerald ones. Dressed in blue jeans and a white t-shirt, and excluding his slicked hair, he looked no different than many of the students they had passed on the way in, but something about him felt . . odd.
His friend didn't quite pass of as easily in 'normal-standards.' Dressed in a white trench coat over his casual clothes and embellishing in a hair-do Harry had only seen in 80's American movies, he would have been a sore thumb in any crowd. He didn't feel quite right either, the eerie tension emitting from the both of them causing hairs to bristle at the back of Harry's neck.
Opposing the boy, Yusuke was studying their visitors with equal skepticism. He immediately recognized the dark haired boy from the picture Koenma had shown them, though he couldn't seem to recall a name. The other two were much less familiar.
The first, the boy who had inquired about the seat, had flaming red hair and a gangly frame, face sprinkled with freckles like stars in the sky. His robes were frayed and well worn, as well as a couple of inches above his ankles, the sad testimony of a life comprised of hand-me-downs.
Not that Yusuke would know.
The other member, this one female, had whipped a book out of Kami-knows-where and was studying it intently, not bothering to brush away the folds of bushy brown hair that cascaded in front of her bowed head.
"So . . ." Yusuke trailed off, at a loss of words; Harry's thoughts of their foreign origins confirmed when he realized there was a lack of British accent in his voice. A few more moments of silence passed. Kuwabara shifted uncomfortably.
"Haven't seen you guys here before." Harry said cautiously, "You aren't first years, are you?"
"Nah, we're fifths. We got transferred from our old school." He grinned. "Yusuke Urameshi, and he's Kuwabara."
The peculiar feeling dissipated. Harry smiled, dismissing his earlier fears. "Harry Potter." Ron and Harry waited for the normal reaction of 'Harry Potter?! Is it really you?!' or some statement to that extent, but none came. They stared at the two boys.
"Harry Potter." Ron repeated, as if they may not have heard the other boy correctly.
"Woah, you two have the same name?" Kuwabara breathed in disbelief. Yusuke rolled his eyes.
"Don't mind him, he's got a bad case of stupid."
"Hey, shut up!"
"So where *exactly* was this 'old school'?" The girl's eyes peeked up from under her veil of hair apprehensively, hesitant to abandon her reading.
"Japan."
"Oh!" The suspicion quickly faded to fascination. "Were you Professor Genkai's students?" Before Yusuke could answer, the red head jumped in with another question.
"Wow, Japan! What's it like there?"
"Um . .crowded." Grabbing Yusuke's hand, Ron pumped it up and down feverishly. "I'm Ron Weasly." Hermione politely shook Kuwabara's.
"Hermione Granger." Harry then seemed to notice the four across the walkway from them. "Are you guys new too?" He asked a red head, unsure if the term 'guys' was appropriate, as the majority of the members seemed to be of the opposing gender. Kurama's slightly feminine complexion slid into a smile, the voice answering the wizard clearly male. "Shuichi Minamino. But call me Kurama." Harry turned to introduce himself to the short Goth kid across from Kurama, but the apparently moody boy glared pure death at him. Harry shrank back, a confused and somewhat hurt expression on his face.
Yusuke clapped him on the shoulder. "Ah, don't mind Hiei. He's got . .people issues." Hermione and Yukina were chatting civilly while Ron stared at Botan.
"Is that your . . natural hair color?" The ferry girl pulled a stand of cerulean hair in front of her eyes, crossing them to study it intently for a moment.
"Yes, I believe so. A bit strange, isn't it?" Ron sweat dropped. After introductions, someone struck up a conversation and they talked for most of the trip, only taking a small break to change into their robes. When the train finally began to slow, they all stood and prepared to get off.
"Wait, are they supposed to go with the first years, or with us . .?" Ron asked. Harry and Hermione shrugged.
"We'll have to ask Hagrid, I guess." They all exited the train and stepped onto the tiny platform, pausing outside to let their eyes adjust to the fading light.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" They turned to see the giant outline of Hagrid waving to all the students, a lantern clutched in one of his mighty, hairy hands.
"Oy! Yer Professor Genkai's students, aren't yeh?" The detectives nodded. Hagrid grinned and waved them over. "Come wit me." The boys joined the group of seemingly tiny first years, all glancing around nervously, a few of the eleven-year-olds squeaking occasionally.
"Firs' years! Any more firs' years? All firs' years, follow me!" The bulky man started down a steep, narrow path across the hilly landscape, everyone slipping and sliding blindly in the dark after him. Well, everyone except Kurama, Hiei and Yukina, who could see crystal clear in the almost non-existent light and had no trouble scaling the rough outcropping. Yusuke slipped and nearly toppled over into Botan, and began lowly cursing Koenma, missions, and rocks and trails of any sort.
"Jus' round this bend here, an yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts." Called Hagrid over his shoulder.
Suddenly, the narrow path seemed to dissolve into the beach of a flawless black lake; on the other side, high in a snow-capped mountain, a vast castle rested snugly amidst the sharp peaks. It's towers seemed to tear like claws into the night sky, lights flickering like faraway candles in the dark.
"Woah." Yusuke and Kuwabara breathed, the younger students letting out a collective 'ooooh'.
"No more'n four to a boat!" The group turned to a see fleet of little boats resting on the placid lake. Yusuke and Kuwabara got into one boat, followed by two little first-years, while the others found their own.
"Everyone ready?" Hagrid called from his own boat, then shouted "FORWARD!" The boats started off, cutting through the water like a hot knife through butter, rippling the moons silver reflection as they passed under its fluorescent watch. Everyone was silent, afraid to break the fragile façade of the passive night, only the occasional owl or rustle of the breeze to break the hushed reverie.
"Duck!" They bent their heads at Hagrid's command, a curtain of ivy stoking their heads and backs as they passed through the mouth of a cave. Finally, the boats stopped at what seemed to be an underground harbor in the mountain. Hagrid stepped out of his boat and started toward a stairwell at the far end of the room, his lantern casting eerie shadows against the slick rock of the cavern. The first years quickly clambered up the channel after him, afraid to be left behind. After climbing through the passageway for what seemed like forever, it ended, leaving them in a dew-soaked grassy field in front of the castle. They started toward the colossal structure that many members of the group believed only existed in fairy tales.
Climbing up another flight of stairs, they stood in the wake of a huge, oak door. Hagrid raised a burly fist and knocked three times.
*****
I believe I answered your question, EverKitsune! Hee hee, that sly little demon fox. ^-^
Oh, and 12-hour flights do suck (Jordan to England), but I wasn't really sure how many hours their flight would be so I estimated, thanks Rurouni Saiyan. ^-^
Thanks for all the reviews guys, you peeps rock! *huggles all* Don't forget to review, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! ^0^
Oh yeah, next chapter is sorting, so feel free to say who you want in what house! ^-^ Ja ne!
But anyways, I got like . .a bagillion questions (yes, that's a very technical term, bagillion) in my reviews, so I will now answer them.
But real quick, I'd like to give a shout-out to Jessecheaux Kuwabara and Sycogerl64, the best fricken dudes ever!!! I lurve you guys! And if you haven't read their stories, do it, you heathen! XD
Oh yeah, and my condolences, Mayaya Green, but due to the apparent dislike of the Hermione/Hiei pairing in my reviews, I have decided not to make it so. Sorry, my friend, hope you aren't too disappointed. Here, have a cookie! *gives cookies* ^-^
Question #1: **What is a Mary Sue?** A Mary Sue is a demonic character created by authors that tends to be wanted reflections of themselves in their writing, and therefore perfect in every way, beautiful, and everyone loves them blah blah blah . .aka, they are the devil.
Question #2: **Where did you hear the word 'lurve' at?** I have no idea. I think one of my friends was using it and I became addicted. Ironic, ne?
Question #3: **Does Yusuke know he's a demon yet?** Because this story is timed after the first Dark Tournament, no. I think this will eventually work out for the better in this fic, as all the other fics have the whole, *Yes, Lord* thing going on and all kinds of Yusuke being an evil demon crap, when I just prefer the light-hearted-ness of them treating each others as equals and friends, blah blah blah . . . wow, that was sappy. XD
*~Chapter three~*
The group stood timidly in front of a huge marble building, staring in awe at the massive marble pillars towering above them, golden letters embezzled in the dazzling white stone read 'Gringotts'.
"Wow." Kuwabara breathed. "Nice place."
"I heard no burglar has ever been able to rob it and escape alive." Botan said.
"That's what they'll have you think." Kurama mused, heading for the colossal building.
"Wha-"
"I don't think I want to know." And they followed the fox inside.
The group approached the flawless marble counter. Behind it, a brown wrinkly creature with an incredibly long nose and beady black eyes stared at them suspiciously.
"I'm here for money exchange." Kurama said without hesitation, as if he were a regular customer. Digging into his pocket, the fox pulled out a bulging wad of bills.
"Holy crap Kurama! How did you get so much money?!"
"Kurama was forced to pawn off a few of his . . 'artifacts'." Hiei snickered, a pained look crossing the fox's face as he handed the bills to the creature and watched it count the cash. The goblin ducked down, disappearing from sight. Returning a few minutes later, it hauled three bulging bags up onto the counter, fixing them with a level stare.
"Thank you for using Gringotts." Purred the goblin in a gravely voice, "Please come again." Kurama picked up one bag and handed it to Kuwabara, then another to Yusuke, who nearly toppled over from the weight.
"What's in this thing?!" He demanded, supporting the heavy bag against one arm and his chest as he pulled open the top with the other. Staring back at him was a pile of sparkling gold coins nearly overflowing from the sack.
"Holy shit!" Yusuke yelled, drawing a few stares from the surrounding wizards and witches.
"Come on Yusuke, let's get going." They exited the large building, standing in the center of the crowded street.
"So, where to?" Botan asked, looking around at the large number of shops.
"How about there?" Yukina suggested, using the hand that wasn't holding Puu to point at a small, almost shabby looking building. A sign hanging from a pole jutting from the place read 'Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.'
"Of course, pumpkin!" Kuwabara chirped, not noticing the death glare that was boring into his back via Hiei.
Kuwabara and Yukina headed towards the shop, the others following closely behind. Kuwabara pushed open the door, then paused in surprise at the interior.
The tiny main room was crammed full of bookshelves that stretched all the way to the ceiling. But the bookshelves weren't filled with books; instead, they were packed with small, thin boxes, much like shoe boxes. In some places, they were stacked neatly, others they were jumbled incoherently. The group packed into the small, crowded room, looking around in silent expectance.
"Hello!" A voice soft called, a squat man appearing from seemingly nowhere. "I've been expecting you! Professor Genkai's students, correct?"
Yusuke's eyebrow quirked at Genkai's unusual title, but he nodded in affirmation.
"Alright then, who's first?" The group shifted nervous glances at each other until Botan bravely stepped forward.
"Hello, young lady. And you are Botan, correct?"
"Umm . .yes ." Botan shied away from the little man's gaze, his unblinking silver eyes boring holes into her raspberry ones.
"If you would hold out your wand arm . ." Botan judged it the same as the one she wrote with and lifted her right hand. "Mind if I take some measurements?" Before she could nod, a tape measure appeared out of nowhere and began to measure the arm, then moved onto various limbs, all by itself.
"Is all this really necessary?" The deity asked as the tape began to measure her long cobalt ponytail and the distance between her candy colored eyes. Moments later, it disappeared and Ollivander scuttled away, returning a bit later with one of the many boxes in hand. He pulled off the cover to reveal a burnt-red colored cylinder, presumably made out of wood. Gently taking it out, he handed it to her handle-first. She took the wand carefully.
"Rosewood, phoenix feather, seven and a half inches. Very flexible." When she just stared at it, he smiled. "Go on, give it a flick." Botan blinked and briskly twirled the wand in the air.
Boxes rocketed from their shelves straight for the group, who dove to the floor. The boxes slammed into opposing shelves, knocking clouds boxes off their bearings before toppling lifelessly to the floor. Botan shrieked in terror and dropped the wand. A moment later, she flushed in embarrassment and began to babble "I'm so sorry!". Delicately picking up the wand as if it were a knife or gun she practically shoved it into his hands. Ollivander gave her an assuring smile.
"Well, it's definitely not that one." Once again, he scurried away.
An hour later the group exited the shop, wands in hand and a few galleons poorer.
"I don't think that place'll ever recover." Yusuke muttered as they left. After finding wands for all six of them, the store looked less like a store and more like a battleground. But Ollivander assured them it was no trouble and refused the money Kurama offered to pay for the damages.
"Now where to?"
"Flourish and Blotts." Kurama said. "Might as well get our basic supplies."
As they headed through the thinning crowd toward the shop, Yukina stopped abruptly.
"What is it, snookie?" Yukina pointed at a small store, animals ranging from cats to frogs displayed in the front window, a small sign near them declaring 'All Owls ½ Off! Today Only!'
"The note said that owls could be used to transport letters." She turned to Kuwabara." Could I get one?" She asked eagerly. "I would like to stay in touch with Master Genaki while we're away. Please, Kazuma?"
Kuwabara seemed to consider it just to prolong the moment, then broke into a wide grin. "Of course, sweety!" The ice maiden handed Puu to Botan and the two started towards the store. Kuwabara turned back around. "You guys gonna get one?"
Kurama shook his head. "My mother and Hatanaka-san think I'm in an elite school in London. An owl delivering the mail might look a bit . . . odd, to say the least."
"Yeah," Yusuke agreed. "If I sent an owl home my mom would probably cook it for dinner." Popping a thumb at the little blue creature in Botan's arms, he grinned. "Plus, I got the rat. He's kind of like an owl. He can fly . .sort of . ."
Kuwabara looked at Botan, who shook her head a bit sadly, then at Hiei, who just glared. He shrugged. "Suit yourselves." The ice maiden and detective disappeared into the shop, reappearing a few minutes later. Kuwabara carried a half-oval covered cage as he trailed behind the ice maiden in a love struck stupor, both of them rejoining the group.
A few hours later they were finished, having bought robes, cauldrons, potions and supplies. (Yusuke made quite a scene when told he would have to use a quill, ranting "Why can't the English be like normal people and use PENS?!")Now the boys sat in their rooms above the bar of the Leaky Cauldron, preparing for the trip.
"Platform nine and three-fourths?" Wondered Kuwabara aloud. "Back home we only had platform nine and ten."
"That's because Brits are a bunch of freaks."
"Yes, Kuwabara should fit in fine."
"Bite my ankles, shorty!"
"Settle down you two." Botan said as she tried to force the top of her stuffed suitcase down. "We're going to have a long trip tomorrow and we all need our sleep."
***
Kuwabara stretched and yawned, looking around the crowded train station. People shuffled in tight herds from platform to platform, supporting their luggage or morning coffee in haggard hands as they packed into a portion of the never-ending cycle of trains. The group stood between platforms nine and ten, looking around confusedly.
"I don't see a platform nine and three-fourths."
"Well, Mr. I-know-everything-about-everything." Yusuke shot a glare at Kurama, who looked just as puzzled. "What now?" The fox shrugged.
"I'm afraid I'm as confused as you are, Yusuke."
They all stood there, looking around awkwardly as the minutes ticked by. Botan's compact beeped. Scrambling in the pockets of her jeans, she pulled it out and flipped it open.
"Botan, you're on the train, right?!" Toddler Koenma demanded. Botan sweat-dropped.
"Uh, Koenma sir, we seem to be having a small problem-"
"WHAT?!" Botan flushed, then smiled sheepishly.
"Um, we . . can't find it . ." Koenma fell out of his chair. Scrambling back up moments later, he breathed a heavy sigh.
"Where are you?"
"Between platforms nine and ten."
"Are you near the barrier between the two?" They all turned, and sure enough, they were. "Yes."
"Okay, one by one, run into it."
"WHAT?!" Yusuke and Kuwabara yelled into Botan's compact, drawing stares from a few people walking by.
"Just do it." When they continued to stare at him in disbelief, Kurama sighed. "I'll go first." Without another word, he picked up his suitcase and grabbed his dolly full of items, and walked briskly toward the barrier. The group unconsciously cringed, preparing for impact. Suddenly, a swarm of people buzzed out of nowhere, the surge enveloping Kurama. When they passed, he was gone.
"Weird." One by one, they all nervously walked, or more often, ran to the barrier and disappeared. Kuwabara the last one to go.
*Don't worry, if they can do it, so can you.* He started for the pillar slowly, dragging the bundles of supplies behind him. Stepping up the speed, he began to sprint for the stone wall, squeezing his eyes shut.
"Please let this work!" he yelled, a few pedestrians stopping to stare at the charging red head before continuing on their way. Much to Kuwabara's relief, there was no collision. He opened his eyes, suddenly not in the old London train station. A massive red steam engine bearing the name 'Hogwarts Express' was humming with activity, bellowing out large white clouds from the black smokestack as children, all within his age range, boarded it, lugging similar equipment behind them.
"Kuwabara!" He looked to see Yusuke waving at him not far away. "Come on, they're going to leave without us!"
He ran for his friends and they marched up the crowded platform and through the entryway, past seats packed with children to find their own in the back. The girls, Kurama, and Hiei all sat down in one booth, Yusuke and Kuwabara sitting down in another across the walkway.
Moments later, three slightly harried children came scuffling down the hall, two boys and one girl.
"Can we sit here?" One of the boys with reddish, almost orange hair asked.
"Yeah, sure." Yusuke said. The three crammed into the seat across from the two. A few beats of awkward silence passed while the two groups studied each other.
Harry raised his eyebrows. *They don't look like they're from around here.* The boy across from him was leaned back in his seat casually, almost arrogantly, studying him with the same intensity in his chocolate brown eyes as Harry was sure reflected in his emerald ones. Dressed in blue jeans and a white t-shirt, and excluding his slicked hair, he looked no different than many of the students they had passed on the way in, but something about him felt . . odd.
His friend didn't quite pass of as easily in 'normal-standards.' Dressed in a white trench coat over his casual clothes and embellishing in a hair-do Harry had only seen in 80's American movies, he would have been a sore thumb in any crowd. He didn't feel quite right either, the eerie tension emitting from the both of them causing hairs to bristle at the back of Harry's neck.
Opposing the boy, Yusuke was studying their visitors with equal skepticism. He immediately recognized the dark haired boy from the picture Koenma had shown them, though he couldn't seem to recall a name. The other two were much less familiar.
The first, the boy who had inquired about the seat, had flaming red hair and a gangly frame, face sprinkled with freckles like stars in the sky. His robes were frayed and well worn, as well as a couple of inches above his ankles, the sad testimony of a life comprised of hand-me-downs.
Not that Yusuke would know.
The other member, this one female, had whipped a book out of Kami-knows-where and was studying it intently, not bothering to brush away the folds of bushy brown hair that cascaded in front of her bowed head.
"So . . ." Yusuke trailed off, at a loss of words; Harry's thoughts of their foreign origins confirmed when he realized there was a lack of British accent in his voice. A few more moments of silence passed. Kuwabara shifted uncomfortably.
"Haven't seen you guys here before." Harry said cautiously, "You aren't first years, are you?"
"Nah, we're fifths. We got transferred from our old school." He grinned. "Yusuke Urameshi, and he's Kuwabara."
The peculiar feeling dissipated. Harry smiled, dismissing his earlier fears. "Harry Potter." Ron and Harry waited for the normal reaction of 'Harry Potter?! Is it really you?!' or some statement to that extent, but none came. They stared at the two boys.
"Harry Potter." Ron repeated, as if they may not have heard the other boy correctly.
"Woah, you two have the same name?" Kuwabara breathed in disbelief. Yusuke rolled his eyes.
"Don't mind him, he's got a bad case of stupid."
"Hey, shut up!"
"So where *exactly* was this 'old school'?" The girl's eyes peeked up from under her veil of hair apprehensively, hesitant to abandon her reading.
"Japan."
"Oh!" The suspicion quickly faded to fascination. "Were you Professor Genkai's students?" Before Yusuke could answer, the red head jumped in with another question.
"Wow, Japan! What's it like there?"
"Um . .crowded." Grabbing Yusuke's hand, Ron pumped it up and down feverishly. "I'm Ron Weasly." Hermione politely shook Kuwabara's.
"Hermione Granger." Harry then seemed to notice the four across the walkway from them. "Are you guys new too?" He asked a red head, unsure if the term 'guys' was appropriate, as the majority of the members seemed to be of the opposing gender. Kurama's slightly feminine complexion slid into a smile, the voice answering the wizard clearly male. "Shuichi Minamino. But call me Kurama." Harry turned to introduce himself to the short Goth kid across from Kurama, but the apparently moody boy glared pure death at him. Harry shrank back, a confused and somewhat hurt expression on his face.
Yusuke clapped him on the shoulder. "Ah, don't mind Hiei. He's got . .people issues." Hermione and Yukina were chatting civilly while Ron stared at Botan.
"Is that your . . natural hair color?" The ferry girl pulled a stand of cerulean hair in front of her eyes, crossing them to study it intently for a moment.
"Yes, I believe so. A bit strange, isn't it?" Ron sweat dropped. After introductions, someone struck up a conversation and they talked for most of the trip, only taking a small break to change into their robes. When the train finally began to slow, they all stood and prepared to get off.
"Wait, are they supposed to go with the first years, or with us . .?" Ron asked. Harry and Hermione shrugged.
"We'll have to ask Hagrid, I guess." They all exited the train and stepped onto the tiny platform, pausing outside to let their eyes adjust to the fading light.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" They turned to see the giant outline of Hagrid waving to all the students, a lantern clutched in one of his mighty, hairy hands.
"Oy! Yer Professor Genkai's students, aren't yeh?" The detectives nodded. Hagrid grinned and waved them over. "Come wit me." The boys joined the group of seemingly tiny first years, all glancing around nervously, a few of the eleven-year-olds squeaking occasionally.
"Firs' years! Any more firs' years? All firs' years, follow me!" The bulky man started down a steep, narrow path across the hilly landscape, everyone slipping and sliding blindly in the dark after him. Well, everyone except Kurama, Hiei and Yukina, who could see crystal clear in the almost non-existent light and had no trouble scaling the rough outcropping. Yusuke slipped and nearly toppled over into Botan, and began lowly cursing Koenma, missions, and rocks and trails of any sort.
"Jus' round this bend here, an yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts." Called Hagrid over his shoulder.
Suddenly, the narrow path seemed to dissolve into the beach of a flawless black lake; on the other side, high in a snow-capped mountain, a vast castle rested snugly amidst the sharp peaks. It's towers seemed to tear like claws into the night sky, lights flickering like faraway candles in the dark.
"Woah." Yusuke and Kuwabara breathed, the younger students letting out a collective 'ooooh'.
"No more'n four to a boat!" The group turned to a see fleet of little boats resting on the placid lake. Yusuke and Kuwabara got into one boat, followed by two little first-years, while the others found their own.
"Everyone ready?" Hagrid called from his own boat, then shouted "FORWARD!" The boats started off, cutting through the water like a hot knife through butter, rippling the moons silver reflection as they passed under its fluorescent watch. Everyone was silent, afraid to break the fragile façade of the passive night, only the occasional owl or rustle of the breeze to break the hushed reverie.
"Duck!" They bent their heads at Hagrid's command, a curtain of ivy stoking their heads and backs as they passed through the mouth of a cave. Finally, the boats stopped at what seemed to be an underground harbor in the mountain. Hagrid stepped out of his boat and started toward a stairwell at the far end of the room, his lantern casting eerie shadows against the slick rock of the cavern. The first years quickly clambered up the channel after him, afraid to be left behind. After climbing through the passageway for what seemed like forever, it ended, leaving them in a dew-soaked grassy field in front of the castle. They started toward the colossal structure that many members of the group believed only existed in fairy tales.
Climbing up another flight of stairs, they stood in the wake of a huge, oak door. Hagrid raised a burly fist and knocked three times.
*****
I believe I answered your question, EverKitsune! Hee hee, that sly little demon fox. ^-^
Oh, and 12-hour flights do suck (Jordan to England), but I wasn't really sure how many hours their flight would be so I estimated, thanks Rurouni Saiyan. ^-^
Thanks for all the reviews guys, you peeps rock! *huggles all* Don't forget to review, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! ^0^
Oh yeah, next chapter is sorting, so feel free to say who you want in what house! ^-^ Ja ne!