Chapter 5...Hogwarts
By: Mikairi
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and InuYasha do NOT belong to me. I'm not making any profit from this fanfiction...sadly... :-P
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Kagome whirled her head around, startled by the voice. She came face to face with a pale, blonde-haired boy. It was Draco Malfoy, the boy she had met in Diagon Alley. He was staring at her from his seat next to the window with an eye brow raised. Obviously thinking she was a complete klutz for her ridiculous entrance.
"You could've just knocked." He drawled, the corners of his lips curling in a sly smile.
A rush of anger filled her, how DARE he talk to her! Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy. It was Draco's father who helped kill her own father. And why shouldn't she be angry? She had the right to, after all, like her grandfather said, it runs in their blood... The whole family's rotten to the core. Kagome was furious...at Draco... Who was still staring at her, as if waiting for an explanation for her presence.
Pure blood gone bad... now where had she heard of that before? Oh yes, she knew. She knew from past experiences...literally, about 400 hundred years in the past experiences... In her heart, whether she wanted to admit it, she knew that blood had little to do with someone's personality. Kagome turned her head away from him. She was torn, completely.
Torn, because hating Draco Malfoy would go against almost everything she believed in. She had always believed that people-and demons alike-were all different and that blood didn't make any difference. Hating Draco Malfoy for his father's actions-('Betraying my father!' she reminded herself.) would be like hating Inuyasha for his brother's (Sesshoumaru's) actions. It didn't make sense.('It does make sense!' Kagome tried to convince herself.) Not that she planned to warm right up to him, no possible way.
'But hate...It's such a strong and dangerous emotion, like anger, it can compel people to go to such extremes, they become black-hearted and lost in their own misery...' Kagome thought, an image of Kikyou appearing in her mind's eye. 'I don't want to become like that, so full of hate towards one person...It will only end badly...'
Kagome focused her attention at the blurred scenery, she was still sitting on the floor. This would take some serious thought.
'I was the one who offered to start over... But still...What if he's just like his father? What if he ends up hurting me or my family...' Kagome's mind just kept kicking up ideas and after a while a dull ache had settled in her temple. 'Perhaps, perhaps he doesn't know what his father did? If Draco did know, surely he wouldn't be talking to me.'
"Why don't you get up off the floor, you didn't hurt yourself after that spectacular ballet, did you?" Draco asked sarcastically, but he was smiling, a cocky little smile.
"I'm fine." Kagome muttered. Well, that wasn't all true. Now that she was recovering from her shock she discovered that the lump on her head was walnut sized, and that she had twisted her wrist upon falling. She remained quiet, it was too awkward. She still wasn't sure how she was going to treat him.
She returned her gaze back to the blurred green hills and pale blue sky. 'It won't be blue for long...' she thought, when she caught sight of the dark clouds creeping in from the west. She was snapped back to reality when she saw a hand extended to her. She looked up, Draco had his hand out waiting impatiently for her to grab hold. Kagome looked at it, then back up to Draco.
'It's crazy but, even though, his father......I just can't blame him...not now. I don't have a reason to be mad at him, logically, at least. Every time I think about blaming Draco for what happened...I think of Inuyasha. I won't judge him. I'll get to know him for myself, there's just something...different... If he turns out to be like his father, then, I won't feel guilty for being angry at him...' Kagome shakily grasped his hand and he pulled her to her feet. 'I guess I'll find out now...'
She managed a weak smile, "Thank you."
Draco shrugged and sat back down across from her.
Kagome straitened her shirt and smoothed her skirt, choosing the seat opposite, and sitting down carefully, trying to make up for her tumble earlier.
Draco was staring out the window looking very bored and rather surly, or maybe he always looked like that? Kagome wondered, he seemed to have a very indifferent attitude...
"I'm guessing you, at the very least, know the Hogwart's Houses by now?" Draco quarried, a glint of amusement shining in his eyes. "Of course, the only real House worth getting into is Slytherin, but I'm sure by now you've heard how "horrible" and "evil" Slytherins are."
Kagome turned her face away from the glittering river they were just passing to stare at him, he had caught her attention. Maybe he would tell her about the other houses, she didn't really know much about them, except for Slytherin...sort of. Recalling her conversation with her grandfather about Slytherin House, was it really that bad? What was he getting at?
Draco's face was now scowling and the amusement had died away. "Then there are those Hufflepuffs; pathetic little jellyfish," he said viciously, "and not the brightest lot you'll ever meet either." He added as an after thought. "Then you have the Ravenclaws, with their perfect grades, they're the "extraordinarily smart ones", and they won't ever let you forget it."
Draco's dislike for the other houses was quite apparent, 'Why does he hate them all so?' Kagome wondered, starting to feel very anxious about arriving at Hogwarts now.
"Gryffindor House," He said scrunching up his face in disgust, "The most stuck up of the lot. They strut the halls thinking they're the greatest things since self-stirring cauldrons. You see, they're known for their "bravery," but I doubt they could last less than a day in Slytherin House." Draco scoffed.
"Why do you say that?" Kagome asked. Draco made Slytherin sound like the only half-decent group of people at Hogwarts School. But from what she had heard about it, she had her doubts.
"Slytherins," Draco began proudly, "are known for their cunning and all, well, most of us, are very ambitious. Besides, it takes a different kind of bravery to be a Slytherin..." Draco said this part rather more to himself than to her, but he quickly recovered and continued, " Some call us "power hungry," but they're the same way aren't they? I've seen it happen loads of times, look at the Ministry of Magic...complete hypocrites." Draco sneered. "Father always said that..."
But Kagome didn't know what Draco's father "always said" because she found herself so furious at the mention of Lucius she was no longer paying any attention to Draco.
Kagome snapped back to reality when she realized that Draco was waving his hand in front of her face. "Oh! Sorry, what were you saying?"
Draco rolled his eyes and flopped back against his cushioned seat. "Honestly, Higurashi, please don't do that again, just now you horribly resembled Goyle, that git."
"Who?"
"Never mind, he's a sixth year, too. I'm sure you'll have the--pleasure--of meeting him later, once we get there," Draco explained, "whether you get sorted into Slytherin or not, we'll probably have a double class together."
Kagome nodded, trying to get an idea of Hogwarts in her head, which right now, was a very jumbled and double-sided image.
Draco suddenly stood up and stretched, "You'll want to get sorted into Slytherin, remember that, Higurashi. But I have to go find Crabbe and Goyle, it's getting late," he said glancing at the late morning sun, "and I thought they would've turned up by now." He slid back the compartment door, "Those two," he added rather disgustedly, "wouldn't remember their own names if they weren't constantly reminded every day."
Kagome smiled faintly.
Draco grinned at her, "I suppose I'll see you in the Great Hall if not sooner." He said before sliding the compartment door closed behind him.
She let out a long sigh. Well, she had suspicions that he might possibly be a good person, but besides his sarcastic sense of humor, she had yet to see it. 'I'm not going to speak out until I get to Hogwarts and get "sorted," then I'll no where I stand in the school. I seriously doubt Malfoy would ever speak to me again if I'm sorted into Gryffindor." Kagome was suspicious that she just might be sorted into Hufflepuff, she thought about her grades at school and grimaced.
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"Hermione, I swear, that cat is, its, its--"
"--Beautiful? Smart? Wonderful?" A girl with thick, brown curls cooed.
"A nightmare." The red-headed boy across from her spat out dryly. He was clutching a rather nasty scratch above is left eye, and was sporting a surly scowl.
"Hmmph! Oh, honestly, Ronald, Crookshanks barely scratched you!" The girl shot back defensively while cuddling the said "nightmare."
"Ba-barely, BARELY scratched me?!! ARE YOU BLIND?! He tried to gouge my eye out! AND he nearly got away with it!" The boy sputtered furiously, while revealing the bloody cut as proof of the assault.
Emotions were running high in compartment number thirty-two. Mostly between Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger who were once again arguing over the cat who had nearly cost them their friendship back in third year. Crookshanks, on the other hand, was sitting lazily in Hermione's lap, licking his paw and occasionally sending unblinking glares in Ron's direction.
Ron looked as if he was ablaze with his brilliant red hair, face, and ears. Hermione, looking much more cooler, but just as annoyed, glared back at him.
"Will you two give it a REST?!"
They tore their gaze from each other to stare surprised at the exasperated boy sitting next to Ron. Harry had been quiet the whole train ride thus far, listening to the banter of his two best friends, who had been bickering for an hour now. But enough was enough.
"Hermione, apologize to Ron for what Crookshanks did to his eye." Hermione bristled at this before apologizing quietly.
"Ron, apologize to Hermione for yelling at her and Crookshanks." Ron opened his mouth to speak, thought better of it, and closed it.
"Sorry." Ron said grudgingly.
The compartment had now settled into a very strained and awkward silence. It was obvious that Ron and Hermione were both still angry at each other, and that they had only apologized for Harry's sake. Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out Cho's necklace which glittered in the sunlight, Harry looked up at the sky to see that storm clouds had rolled over the sun. 'Odd...' He thought, the little bead was still shining brightly. 'Whatever it is, it belongs to Cho, I should go find her...' Harry was relieved to have an excuse to leave. He stood up before announcing, "I'm going to find Cho, she dropped her necklace when I, err, saw her in Diagon Alley." Harry finished lamely, trying to ignore the smirk growing on Ron's face.
"Good luck with that, mate." Ron said before muttering, "We know you'll need it." Ron sniggered as he dodged a playful blow from Harry. Hermione looked up from her book, with an annoyed expression.
"He'll be just fine, I'm sure," she said smiling at Harry.
"Oy, what are you reading now?" Ron asked reaching for the thick, old book Hermione had her face hidden behind.
Hermione pulled it out of his reach before answering in a cool tone, "Magical Mysteries of the Ancient and Modern World." she added, "It's absolutely fascinating."
Ron snorted at this, earning himself another dirty look from Hermione.
Harry, noticing the warning signs of yet another argument, stepped out into the corridor and slid the door shut behind him.
Cho Chang was a sixth year and he wasn't entirely all too sure where he could find her. He knew that she was good friends with Marietta Edgecombe, Harry scowled thinking about her. She was the one who had sold out the D.A. to Umbridge last year. Harry was hoping he wouldn't run into her, when he accidentally did walk right into someone. Luckily it wasn't Marietta, unfortunately it was Malfoy.
"Watch where you're going, Potter." Malfoy sneered, his face twisted in resentment at the sight of Harry.
"Shut up, Malfoy, I don't have time to deal with you." Harry bit back, although he was just itching for a good reason to pop Malfoy one these days...
Harry made to move past him, but Malfoy stepped in his way.
"Move." Harry gritted out, trying to keep his breathing even. Malfoy was grinning wickedly, as if Christmas had come early...
Malfoy smirked, "In the way am I, Potter? Draco Malfoy, stopping the brave and gallant Boy-Who-Lived? I didn't think it was possible..."
Harry glared at him with cold dislike, he pulled his wand out of his pocket and pointed it straight at Malfoy's head.
Draco's smile dissolved and his face paled at the same time. It seemed he had remembered that Crabbe and Goyle were not around, and he was alone. And unarmed.
Malfoy quickly stepped to the side, but not before hissing out as Harry passed, "Haven't read the papers lately have you? You're days are numbered, Potter, just you wait until my father-"
"Until you're father WHAT!" Harry bellowed, his wand still raised. A couple compartment doors had slid open and curious heads were gazing intently at the brewing fight. Harry glanced backwards at them and lowered his wand.
Draco was smirking again, "This year will be very interesting, Potter." He drawled before turning around on his heel and stalking down the corridor, glaring at the curious onlookers as he passed.
Harry stuffed his wand back into his robes. He looked up the corridor and spotted a sheet of black, shining hair, it was Cho, and she was leaning out of the doorway talking to none other than Marietta, in the compartment across from her.
Harry decided he would wait another time to give Cho her necklace back. He took a step backwards and stumbled into the candy trolley, he tried turning around but instead was jolted by some invisible force. The candy trolley tipped precariously towards him, before it finally fell, pushing Harry to the ground and dumping all its contents on him; including a number of pumpkin pasties, chocolate frogs and to his aggravation, several glasses of pumpkin juice and pudding. Harry looked up past the little, old witch who was apologizing profusely, to see Draco Malfoy reunited with his gang. They were rolling on the floor laughing. Malfoy held his wand up in mock salute to him.
Harry glanced back nervously to see Cho gazing right at him, or was she looking at him? He looked behind him but, no, only Malfoy was there, and that wasn't much to look at by any terms, Harry thought.
He quickly jumped to his feet, the little witch had gotten the cart off him, and he dodged into the nearest compartment, hoping he would find Ginny and Neville inside. He slammed the door and cursed under his breath. Why was it every time he saw Cho, he made a fool out of himself? "Malfoy." Harry snarled. Oh yes, he would pay for that one.
"Why hello, Harry." Harry jumped at the sound of Luna Lovegood's floaty voice. She was sitting comfortably with a magazine-The Quibbler no doubt-in her hands and her wand was stuck in her hair holding her wavy blonde hair in a loose bun. "Did you know you have a bit of cream on your shirt?" She questioned him with a serious look on her face, "It might be a good idea to get that off fast, you might attract some kidney-eating Nympheralls."
Harry smiled faintly, and glanced down at his shirt. He realized that "a bit of cream" was an understatement. He as if he had taken a dip in a pool of it.
"Scourgify." He muttered pointing his wand at himself. Harry looked back up to see Luna inspecting the spine of her magazine. He glanced to the adjacent seat and was surprised to see a person laying down across it asleep.
"I found her there when I walked in, there were no other empty compartments you see." Luna said simply not looking up from her magazine.
The sleeping girl had a mass of black, shiny hair and her face was hidden in her arms as she was laying on her stomach.
"When did you come in here?" Harry asked.
Although Luna Lovegood was extremely eccentric, Harry had discovered a valuable friendship in her. So far she was the only one who he had talked about Sirius's death to, although, he didn't want to think about that now...
"Oh, only just a few moments before you walked in. I saw someone knock over the trolley, it was very tragic, did you happen to see who it was?" Luna asked with concern evident on her face.
Harry just stared back at her. "Neville." He finally said, although she didn't seem to catch the sarcasm in his voice.
"Luna, I'll talk to you later," Harry said over his shoulder, sliding the door open. He felt kind of bad for her. She didn't seem to have a whole lot of friends, she was sitting by herself, sort of... "Ron and Hermione are in compartment thirty-two if you want to go sit with them," Harry offered.
"All right, maybe when she," she nodded at the unconscious girl, "wakes up, I don't want to leave her by herself." Luna said in her sing-song voice.
Harry shut the door behind him and reached his hand into his pocket, he was going to give Cho her necklace back before anything else happened. He took a deep breath, took several steps down the corridor, and stopped. Cho's necklace was gone.
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Kagome looked up, it was so dark she couldn't see her own hands. She whirled around, and was startled at the loud splash her shoes made. Splash? The silence pressed on her head and ears. She bent down, trying to feel what she was standing on, she jerked her hand up when she felt water, smooth as glass, beneath her feet. It was as if the ground was covered in an inch of water but, no. There was, what seemed, an entire lake beneath her. A small glow was rising from its dark depths. Kagome gazed intently until she was able to see her silhouette, then her eyes, then-she jerked in surprised and fell on her back.
Breathing hard and fast, she felt her hair fanning out around her head. She hadn't seen her reflection, it wasn't her eyes that were staring back at her; the eyes she had seen were smoldering.
She tilted her head to the side, feeling the cold water trace the outline of her cheek. And suddenly, like a blast, light erupted from beneath her. She pulled her arms over her face, and heard a cold low voice right against her ear. It whispered deathly calm, "Only one of us shall have this kind of power, Kagome..."
Kagome screamed outloud as the water came to life and sucked her under, many hands grasping at her ankles. All she could feel was the sharp cold, and the bubbles erupting from her mouth...
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Luna looked up as the girl across from her shot up and toppled off the train seat.
"Oh good you're awake," Luna said completely ignoring the girl's spastic actions, "You should get changed, you know, we're almost at Hogwarts. Oh, who are you by the way?"
"Higurashi, Kagome." Kagome said without thinking. She was shaking but she didn't know why. She remembered talking to Draco, then he had left and she had tried to sleep... But who was this girl?
"Umm, who, who are you?" Kagome asked trying to sound polite and normal at the same time. Although she needn't have worried about seeming normal-this was Luna Lovegood she was talking to, but Kagome didn't know that...yet.
"Luna Lovegood, although people call me "Loony." I'm actually not sure why, I don't ask them to call me that..." Luna replied wistfully.
Kagome smiled politely, "Really? I don't know why either."
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The Hogwarts Express slowed into the station billowing puffs of steam that mixed and swirled through the torrential rain. A bolt of lightning streaked the sky, and was followed by a rumbling clap of thunder.
Kagome had on her black school robes and was now weaving in and out of the crowded corridors. She managed to squeeze past a large Gryffindor girl and nearly tripped over a boy who had tripped himself, taking down six others with him. She was both excited and anxious and she felt like she had something more like Naraku's tentacles banging around in her stomach, rather than a few "butterflies."
She had noticed that she was receiving a lot of curious stares from people, 'Do I really stand out that much?' She wondered nervously. "Where am I supposed to go?" she said out loud to herself. But it was useless as the doors were heaved open and students flocked from the cars dragging her along with them. Kagome fought until she pulled herself from the crowd. It was pouring out, making it very difficult to see. But she saw something that made her jaw drop.
It was a giant, wait, that was a man? Whatever it-he was, he was directing "first year" students down a steep path. Kagome watched as the older students all trampled into carriages, being pulled by horrible demonic horses. A chill ran up her spine as she noticed their black, scaly heads and pure white eyes. She tore her gaze from them and fought her way over to the giant-man.
"Umm, Excuse me, excuse me, sir!" Kagome shouted as the rain beat against her face.
The giant turned around slowly and squinted down at her, "Yes, what can I do fer ya?" His voice boomed easily through the wind.
"Im, I'm new here, and I'm not sure where I'm supposed to go! Can you help me please?" She shouted as politely as she could.
"'Course, I can help ye, transfer student, eh?" He said jovially, "Bes' follow me and the firs' years, this way now, mind yer step there." He ushered her after a group of small boys.
Kagome hopped carefully down the path, her time wandering and climbing through ancient Japan aiding her in the downhill struggle. They turned a steep corner and Kagome found herself gazing at a massive stone castle like she had never seen before. Towers and turrets of stone rose high into the sky, each window glittering as if encrusted with jewels. Through the thick rain it appeared rather blurry, giving it a sense of mystery and magic. 'That's why I'm here, it's supposed to feel magical.' Kagome reasoned.
Ever since she had arrived she had sensed a strong energy, at first she had thought demons, but now she had realized it was magic. The Hogwarts Grounds were thick with magical energy, it prickled the back of her neck, making her hair stand on end. She could also see what looked like a barrier, it stretched over the castle, forest, and what looked like all of Hogwart's grounds. She had walked right through it, completely unharmed. It was like passing through a soft velvet curtain, rippling slightly as she disturbed it. Kagome stopped in time before colliding into the boys in front of her. They were facing a dark lake with many little boats bobbing on the turbulent white caps. Just beyond was Hogwarts castle, a welcoming beacon through the storm.
"Alrigh,' look out now, mind yer step, bunch up there would ya?" The giant-man called as he cleared a path through the clustered group of children. "Now, two per boat," He jerked his thumb at the many little boats that bobbed on the turbulent white caps, "I don' want any pushin."
The boats began to fill slowly and Kagome crossed her arms, trying to keep warm. Kagome found a boat to herself and sat shivering, wiping the water from her face. 'Water?' Kagome thought to herself as she tried to dry her hands off on her sopping robes. 'Why did I just get this feeling, like dejavou?'
Her boat rocked as someone clambered in and knocked against her side. She looked up and saw a small boy with wet, brown hair matted to his head. He was shivering and little puffs of steam escaped his mouth as he tried to warm his hands. He looked up at her and his eyes widened in surprise. He quickly scuttled over on the bench so that he was no longer squishing into her. Kagome smiled at his shyness and looked ahead just before she was jerked backwards. The little fleet of boats were now sailing towards the castle at a surprising speed, considering no one was rowing them and no motors could be seen. Kagome concentrated on keeping warm and keeping her nerves in check.
She couldn't help but notice as they sailed over the lake that the shivering boy next to her kept gradually sliding closer to her. She smothered the smile that was forming as he pressed against her shoulder, as if the rough waves had knocked him that way. 'He seems really shy, I guess he must be really cold." Kagome contemplated as he huddled against her.
The boy almost went sailing over the edge a few times if Kagome hadn't grabbed hold of his robes. The boats approached the cliff and they all ducked as they passed under a tangle of ivy and into a large, dark tunnel. It was much calmer inside the tunnel, and Kagome managed to smooth her tangled hair from her face.
The fleet of boats abruptly stopped with a thud against the pebbles and rock shore. Kagome clambered out, helping the boy up as he had toppled out in his excitement. They climbed up several narrow steps coming out onto the grounds, where they were again bombarded by harsh winds and rain. Hagrid lead them up the flattened, wet grass to the castle's front door. He knocked three times and stood back where they waited in frozen silence.
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"All right, all right enough, Ginny. So you went and tried to give her necklace back- Ginny shut up!" Ron barked at his sister who was in fits of laughter next to Hermione. Hermione, on the other hand, seemed to be ignoring everything around her as she was still hidden behind her book.
Harry looked gloomily out of his carriage window, it rattled and shook as the thestral pulling it trotted up the bumpy path. He sighed, "It was a complete disaster."
"Don't worry, we'll get Malfoy back for this one, you see-" Ron dropped his voice and leaned toward Harry, "I've been talking to Fred and George, and they've got a right idea for that nasty git. They say they have something in development. That it could rival last year's fireworks display." Ron sat back grinning wickedly, and Harry couldn't help but feel better knowing Malfoy's fate was resting in the Weasley Twin's hands...
Ron turned to his window, "Oy, look at them down there, almost feel bad for them." He said, pointing to the boats sailing through the storm. Ron waved cheekily out the window.
"Leave the first years alone, Ron." Hermione sighed, as she leaned over the front of her book. "Hagrid's out there, remember?"
"Oh, right." Ron muttered his ears turning a light shade of pink.
"Ginny do you have a quill on you? I nearly forgot..." Hermione asked while rummaging in her pocket and pulling out a slightly crumpled and water-stained letter.
"Sorry, they're packed away in my trunk, what do you need it for?" Ginny asked still searching her robes for one.
Hermione grabbed Ginny's arm and pulled her head close so she could whisper. Ginny pulled away giggling, Hermione blushed furiously and mouthed something to her, which set Ginny off in more squealing giggles. Harry glanced away from his window, and Ron eyed them both suspiciously.
"Why do you need a quill?" Ron demanded loudly. But his question remained unanswered as the carriage had pulled to a stop and the doors flew open.
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Kagome stood shivering in the cramped little room, waiting. The first year students were whispering to one another and wringing out their robes and hats. A teacher named Professor McGonagall, (who's name Kagome found very difficult to pronounce), had led them through part of the castle and told them to wait for the "Sorting Ceremony" to begin.
'What is the Sorting Ceremony? Some kind of test? What if I don't pass it? Oh no, maybe it will be like that horrible algebra test...when I had no clue what I was doing..." Kagome frowned in worry. She turned to her left and saw a small girl with curly, blonde hair. She had her arms crossed and was standing by herself, her teeth were chattering giving her the appearance of a drowned bunny rabbit. "Umm, excuse me," Kagome said while tapping her on the shoulder, "do you know what the Sorting Ceremony is?"
The girl shook her head silently, stepping back, wide-eyed.
Kagome smiled at her before turning away, there must be someone who knows...
"My older brother told me all about it."
Kagome whirled around, where had she heard that voice before? She saw the same group of boys that she had nearly knocked over on the path. They were grouped around one boy in particular, he was leaning casually against the stone wall.
Kagome walked closer to the boys and listened in, trying to be discreet about it.
"My older brother," the voice drawled, "said that all you had to do was put on a silly hat. Nothing very spectacular about it, but what can you expect from this school."
The boy speaking had dark brown hair, and stone gray eyes. His pale white skin gave him an ethereal glow, and his smirk reminded her of someone...
'That's...Draco's little brother? I didn't know he had a brother...' Kagome wondered. The boy was definitely a relation to the Malfoys, although he lacked Draco's fair, blonde hair.
"I'm probably going to be sorted into Slytherin, after all, the Malfoys have been in that house for generations. I feel bad for those who get sorted into Hufflepuff-I think I'd transfer, if it were me." The boy said smirking, ignoring the glares he was getting from the many of the other first years. Although, the boys around him and some others were sniggering.
The door opened and Professor McGonagall strode. "Form a line, now, quickly please." She said briskly, "Excuse me," Professor McGonagall passed the merging line of first years and made her way over to Kagome. "You are the foreign student, Kagome Higurashi?"
Kagome nodded in reply.
"You'll need to be sorted into a house as well, you'll just go up when your name is called." She moved back to the door, "Now, all of you, follow me."
Kagome followed the train of first years out of the chamber, down the hall, and into the Great Hall. Kagome looked around in awe. The room was alit by thousands of floating candles and under which were four long tables, where the whole school sat. Whispers echoed through the hall as they walked past, and Kagome couldn't help but notice the stares she was receiving from most of the student body. Kagome caught a glimpse of a sheer, blonde head, she looked away quickly. She was sure it was Draco Malfoy.
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"Oy, who's that?"
"I don't know, must be new here."
"She's really pretty..."
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, put your eyes back in your head!" Hermione kicked him in the shin under the Gryffindor table.
"Ouch, woman! I was just curious who the new girl was..." Ron said defensively, massaging his leg.
"I know her, I met her in Diagon Alley the other day, her name's Kagome Higurashi. Funny though, I didn't see her on the train." Harry explained craning his head to get a better view of the Sorting.
They sat in silence while the Sorting Hat recited its annual song. The Hall broke out into applause when it had finished. Professor McGonagall then stepped forward with a long scroll of parchment.
"Tamara, Adams!" A girl approached the stool on which the Sorting Hat sat, she sat down and Professor McGonagall placed it on her head. It was a few moments before the hat shouted, "RAVENCLAW!" and the table on the right clapped as Tamara made her way over to sit with them.
It went on like this: "Beudre, William" became a Hufflepuff; "Bernashe, Sarah" became a Ravenclaw; "Demure, Elizabeth" became a Gryffindor; "Francesca, Damaris" became a Slytherin; Henry, Fiona became a Hufflepuff; "Gandy, Alyssa" became a Hufflepuff; until Hermione elbowed Ron and Harry; a mysterious grin on her face.
"Granger, Matilda!" A girl with wet, blonde curls sat down on the stool, the hat fell over her eyes then-"GRYFFINDOR!" Hermione stood up and clapped the loudest as her little sister jogged over to the Gryffindor table.
Ron looked at Hermione in surprise, "You never told me you had a sister!"
"Well, to be perfectly honest I never thought Matilda was going to be a witch and the subject never really came up..."
Ron rolled his eyes before exchanging a look with Harry, who seemed to be just as shocked.
Hermione hugged Matilda, who was pink in the face and smiling.
"Nice to finally meet you." Ron said, while shooting a glare at Hermione and sticking out his hand to shake Matilda's.
Matilda blushed even more so, before timidly shaking Ron's hand in return. She shook Harry's as well, before sitting down and just as "Higurashi, Kagome" was called. Harry, and it seemed the rest of the students, snapped back to attention while craning their necks to watch as she walked up to the stool.
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Kagome took in a deep, calming breath before sitting down carefully on the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head, she was surprised when it slid over her eyes and the rest of the hall vanished. She waited, gripping the sides of the stool tightly.
'Let's see...where should I put you...' Said a small voice, 'Very clever, I can see, talent and power, very rare qualities...and courage- my, there's plenty of that. But which house do you belong?' Hmm...I'd have to say..."GRYFFINDOR!"
The hat was whipped off her head, and Kagome smiled weakly as she walked over to the clapping Gryffindor Table. She looked up and down it for a place to sit before she spotted a familiar face- it was Harry Potter. She strode over to the side of the table. "Mind if I sit here?" She asked, smiling.
Harry glanced at Ron and Hermione-Ron was nodding his head fervently and Hermione smiled in agreement.
"Sure." Harry slid over so she could sit down.
Kagome smoothed her robes and watched as the Sorting continued.
"Malfoy, Demetrius." The boy Kagome had suspected of being related to the Malfoys walked forward to the stool.
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"Oh, not another one!" Hermione exclaimed exasperatedly.
"'Demetrius', that's not much better than 'Draco'." Ron said sniggering.
"-I hope he isn't like his brother, otherwise I don't know if I could stand it!" Hermione said savagely.
"-I mean who's naming these kids? Are they picking random letters out of the alphabet and just sticking them together-"
"-Last year was horrible now there's going to be two?! Matilda, make sure you stay away from him, he's pure evil-"
"-I think there should be a law somewhere against horrible, made-up names that no one can pronounce-"
"-And Malfoy is a prefect again this year, too! Of course he's going to go easy on his little brother! Matilda, if he ever takes points from you unfairly just tell me and I will personally-"
"-If my mum named ME Demetrius I'd-"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"WHAT?!!" Harry looked back at Ron and Hermione in shock. "A Malfoy in Gryffindor?!"
"Yeah, take a look at Malfoy, he looks just like he did that day Hermione popped him one in the face..." Ron said grinning hugely. "Wait till "His Father" hears about this..."
Harry leaned over far enough so that he could see Draco at the Slytherin Table. Malfoy's eyes were wide and his mouth has hanging open; he looked completely dumbstruck. Although Demetrius didn't look much better, his face was screwed up in the most sour look as he plopped down at the farthest end of the Gryffindor table. None of the Gryffindors clapped, they whispered furiously to one another and sent glares in Demetrius's direction.
"But I thought, Draco-Malfoy, told me that everyone in his family was in Slytherin?" Kagome questioned.
"Well, it looks like that's changed." Ron said cheerily.
After "Wolffe, Patricia" was sorted into, "SLYTHERIN!" An old man with a long white beard stood up from his chair.
Kagome leaned over to Harry, "Who's that?"
"Albus Dumbledore, he's the headmaster." Harry explained.
Kagome nodded and straightened up just as he began to speak,
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! I have many announcements to announce, but let us first begin with our long awaited feast, Tuck in!"
With those words said, the four tables magically filled with foods of all kinds.
Harry smiled when he heard Kagome gasp, it was her very first time at Hogwarts. He remembered how everything was on his first day; It was the best thing that ever happened to him.
"Cheers!" Ron exclaimed before digging into the steak and kidney pie.
Hermione jerked back as food flew her way. She rolled her eyes before carefully reaching for the plate of potatoes.
Kagome looked at the food hesitantly, it smelled good, in fact it smelled delicious. She just didn't know what most of it was.
"Here, try some, it's good." Harry said handing her the plate. "It's steak and kidney pie."
"Ibt's weely goob bebeeve mye." Ron said thickly through a mouthful of it-.
Kagome decided to try a bit of everything. Amazingly, it didn't take very long for her to load up her plate and clear it. When she finished she placed her fork down and looked around the Great Hall, getting a good look at it. She looked up at the ceiling startled to see storm clouds raging overhead.
"You know it's not really the sky, it's just a spell."
Kagome looked back down, the girl called Hermione had finished eating as well, "I read about it in book once."
"Really? What book?" Kagome asked eagerly.
Hermione smiled, "It's Hogwarts: A History, I'm sure they have it in the library if you want to read it."
"I probably should, considering, I don't know a very much about Hogwarts to be honest." Kagome said sheepishly.
"Oh, don't worry, many people don't know about Hogwarts or the wizarding world until they get their letters. Like me, I'm muggle born, my parents are both dentists. But, I do own a copy of it, if you want I can dig it out of my trunk tomorrow. But you got your letter rather late, didn't you?" Hermione asked curiously.
Kagome's stomach clenched. "Yes, I should have started at Hogwart's years ago, but..." She trailed off not wanting to go into detail about Voldemort and her secret years in hiding.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" Hermione began, catching the tense expression on her face.
"Don't worry about it," Kagome said smiling weakly back. She looked at Ron and giggled, "How's the barbecue chicken?"
Ron looked up, his chin covered in sauce, "Excellent." He replied before taking another chicken leg from the platter.
"Ron, honestly." Hermione sighed before smacking a napkin to his face, which stuck there.
Harry grinned at their antics. He had just finished eating himself, and he leaned back, yawning and stretching. Suddenly he was feeling extremely tired.
"So when do classes start?" Kagome asked.
"Tomorrow." Harry replied.
Ron groaned.
"Ignore him," Hermione said nodding at Ron, "I'm sure you'll like it, most of the teachers here are very good," She went on, ignoring Ron's snort, "My favorite class is Arithmancy. Do you know what classes you're taking?" She asked eagerly.
"Oh no." Kagome groaned.
Hermione smiled, "We all get our schedules at breakfast tomorrow, you'll probably find out then."
Harry and Ron had gone into a deep discussion about quidditch this year, ("Do you think you've still got that life-time ban from quidditch?"-"I better not that old toad is gone now so...hopefully...")
Hermione was explaining the classes to Kagome and Matilda, (Potions, Arithmancy, Herbology, Muggle Studies, Divination, Care of Magical Creatures...) Kagome had explained all about how much studying she had been doing at her home in Japan for High School entrance exams only to find out it was all a waste. Hermione was in the middle of a story about her third year, involving a time turner, when Dumbledore stood up again and the hall went silent.
"Time travel was such a pain, I gave it up and now I have a normal schedule."
"Sounds like a lot of trouble." Kagome said smiling wryly. 'Of course, I know just how troublesome it can be....'
"Ahem...Just a few more start- of-term notices, and you're free to go," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "First years-and some of the older students-should know that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils."
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term, and for those who have been given a lifetime ban by our previous, Hogwarts High Inquisitor, I am happy to say it has been taken off." Dumbledore's eyes stopped to rest at the Gryffindor Table.
Harry and Ron grinned.
"Looks like your seeker again." Ron said, "That'll wipe the smiles off Slytherin all right."
"What about you, still going to play as keeper?"
Ron's ears went red. "Errm...No I don't think so. I've heard enough choruses of, "Weasley Is our King," to last me a lifetime." He muttered quietly.
"-Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch." Dumbledore continued, "And now that all the announcements have been announced and all have been fed and watered, bedtime! Off you go!"
The students all rose lazily from their seats, tired and full. Kagome yawned as she looked from the group of exiting first years to Harry, Ron, and Hermione who were leaving out another door. Harry turned around, spotting her, and waved her over. Kagome gladly followed, nearly stumbling over Demetrius as he stormed after the retreating Gryffindor first years.
As Kagome wound her way through the students she got a glimpse of Draco who was hissing something angrily to many of the other Slytherins. By the look on the other Slytherins faces, they were just as furious as Draco was. They pushed passed her and she was able to catch a glimpse of the conversation.
"He should be ashamed of himself, having to live among those foul mudbloods." A girl with an upturned nose exclaimed shrilly. "I know my father wouldn't hear of it, he'd disown him, if it were his son, and your father- Well, I expect he'll be writing to complain to Dumbledore once he's found out."
Draco looked very disgruntled. "It's none of your business, Pansy. So If I were you I would just stay out of it." He managed to shake the Slytherin girl off, and stepped into place with Crabbe, Goyle, and another brunette boy. The brunette boy muttered something that Kagome could barely hear, she strayed a little ways from Harry to listen.
"I'd be careful if I were you." Kagome watched as Draco looked up sharply, "Demetrius is in Gryffindor and from the rest of the Slytherin's point of view, it doesn't look good.
"What are you going on about, Nott, I'm in Slytherin and he's the one in Gryffindor." Draco drawled trying to sound casual, but Kagome could hear the anxiety in his voice.
"You of all people should realize how this looks for your family, Draco." Nott continued even more quietly, "Imagine the Dark Lord discovering one of his own servant's son, traipsing around Hogwarts with the likes of Mudbloods, muggle-lovers, and Harry Potter."
"Don't be thick. Demetrius is not "traipsing" with any of the likes, he knows better than that." Draco cut in with an edge to his voice.
"Well, we'll see about that won't we? Oh and as for you-" Nott retorted sounding unconvinced.
"What about me." Draco asked darkly his voice dangerously low.
"I'd stay away from that new girl, Higurashi."
Kagome's eyes widened in surprise, she held her breath. They obviously didn't know she was right behind them, listening.
"I know you sat with her on the train, and if you knew what I knew, well you certainly wouldn't want to look at her, never mind sit with her." Nott finished an ominous smirk on his face.
'He knows.' Kagome thought in horror, she felt her insides freeze over, and her heart was pounding in her chest. 'Who else knows? That boy said the "Dark Lord," is he talking about Voldemort? He really is back. That means, I'm not safe anymore- my family isn't safe anymore.' Kagome kept walking, though they were nearing a split hallway, one going down, another going up a flight of stone stairs.
"What are you talking about? I don't know why the Sorting Hat placed her in Slytherin, she's pure blood-"
"It doesn't matter now does it? Your brother and her are Gryffindors and you're a Slytherin, watch the company you keep, Malfoy. Best forget about the both of them." Nott hissed back, before he stalked down the stone stairs.
Kagome stopped and watched as Draco paused, shaking in rage, before he too disappeared down the stairs, scattering a group of second year Hufflepuffs as he went.
"Oy, midgets, this way!"
Kagome looked up the other stairwell to see Ron directing students.
"Ron! They are not midgets! Don't call them that." Hermione scolded from across the hallway and she stalked over to him.
"Hermione they really are, look how little they are-" Ron replied while brandishing an arm at a group of small, frightened looking students.
"Ronald! You're going to scare them! Really." Hermione exclaimed as she pulled him away from the students, who were eyeing them both nervously. Hermione glanced back and noticed Kagome standing indecisively at the split hallway. "Kagome, Gryffindor Tower is this way!"
Kagome smiled gratefully and followed them up flights of stairs, hidden passageways, and concealed doors, until they reached a portrait. Kagome looked at it in awe. The woman in the portrait was extremely fat and wearing a pink, satin gown. The surprising thing about the picture was that the woman kept smoothing the folds in her dress and looked at the group of Gryffindors expectantly before she actually spoke, "Well, the password?"
"Sluos Foror Rim" Hermione piped up from the back. She blushed as some of the others looked questioningly back at her.
"Slous for-what??" Ron questioned.
"Well, I read it in my book, you see." Hermione muttered still rather pink.
"Oh no..." A rather pudgy boy muttered despairingly.
"Should of known." Ron said rolling his eyes and exchanging looks with Harry, who too was wondering how he was going to remember the new password.
"Cheer up, Neville I doubt any of us besides Hermione will remember that one." Harry said as he scrambled through the hole the Fat Lady had revealed.
Kagome climbed in after Harry, and glanced around the circular room. It was very inviting, especially the large squashy couch perched right in front of the roaring fire...
"The Girl's Dormitories are up this stair case," Hermione explained to her through a stifled yawn. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen, just this summer, why?" Kagome asked puzzled.
Hermione smiled, "Then that means you're going to be in sixth year. Harry, Ron, and I are too. We'll be sharing a dormitory together. With Lavender and Parvati also, they're nice except," Hermione frowned slightly, "they can be...rather, interfering and a bit annoying, but I'm sure they think the same about me." She smiled wryly.
Kagome smiled as well, 'Sounds like my friends back home.' She thought wistfully.
Kagome climbed the spiral stairs into a room full of four-poster beds with red velvet curtains. She looked around and found her trunk placed at the foot of one of the beds. She dug a pair of pink, satin pajamas and threw them on. She pulled the blankets back a flopped into bed. She listened to the other girls as they rustled and settled into their own beds. Kagome closed her eyes and fell swiftly into a deep, dreamless sleep.
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A/N: wow that was long, took up 18 pages on microsoft works, but I figure the longer the better, right? :)
Okay, I want to take a quick poll: who thinks this is going along too slowly? Do you like it? Is it going good? please review! (so far my reviews have been nothing but good, which is, well, good :) lol) thanks to all you readers and reviewers, I like getting suggestions from people and so far they've been about pairings, I'm not going to tell you who gets with who because it would ruin the surprise! Not to mention the K/H and K/I shippers suggestions are always interesting :D lol, but don't worry I'll update ASAP! Bye for now!
-:- Mikairi -:-
By: Mikairi
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and InuYasha do NOT belong to me. I'm not making any profit from this fanfiction...sadly... :-P
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Kagome whirled her head around, startled by the voice. She came face to face with a pale, blonde-haired boy. It was Draco Malfoy, the boy she had met in Diagon Alley. He was staring at her from his seat next to the window with an eye brow raised. Obviously thinking she was a complete klutz for her ridiculous entrance.
"You could've just knocked." He drawled, the corners of his lips curling in a sly smile.
A rush of anger filled her, how DARE he talk to her! Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy. It was Draco's father who helped kill her own father. And why shouldn't she be angry? She had the right to, after all, like her grandfather said, it runs in their blood... The whole family's rotten to the core. Kagome was furious...at Draco... Who was still staring at her, as if waiting for an explanation for her presence.
Pure blood gone bad... now where had she heard of that before? Oh yes, she knew. She knew from past experiences...literally, about 400 hundred years in the past experiences... In her heart, whether she wanted to admit it, she knew that blood had little to do with someone's personality. Kagome turned her head away from him. She was torn, completely.
Torn, because hating Draco Malfoy would go against almost everything she believed in. She had always believed that people-and demons alike-were all different and that blood didn't make any difference. Hating Draco Malfoy for his father's actions-('Betraying my father!' she reminded herself.) would be like hating Inuyasha for his brother's (Sesshoumaru's) actions. It didn't make sense.('It does make sense!' Kagome tried to convince herself.) Not that she planned to warm right up to him, no possible way.
'But hate...It's such a strong and dangerous emotion, like anger, it can compel people to go to such extremes, they become black-hearted and lost in their own misery...' Kagome thought, an image of Kikyou appearing in her mind's eye. 'I don't want to become like that, so full of hate towards one person...It will only end badly...'
Kagome focused her attention at the blurred scenery, she was still sitting on the floor. This would take some serious thought.
'I was the one who offered to start over... But still...What if he's just like his father? What if he ends up hurting me or my family...' Kagome's mind just kept kicking up ideas and after a while a dull ache had settled in her temple. 'Perhaps, perhaps he doesn't know what his father did? If Draco did know, surely he wouldn't be talking to me.'
"Why don't you get up off the floor, you didn't hurt yourself after that spectacular ballet, did you?" Draco asked sarcastically, but he was smiling, a cocky little smile.
"I'm fine." Kagome muttered. Well, that wasn't all true. Now that she was recovering from her shock she discovered that the lump on her head was walnut sized, and that she had twisted her wrist upon falling. She remained quiet, it was too awkward. She still wasn't sure how she was going to treat him.
She returned her gaze back to the blurred green hills and pale blue sky. 'It won't be blue for long...' she thought, when she caught sight of the dark clouds creeping in from the west. She was snapped back to reality when she saw a hand extended to her. She looked up, Draco had his hand out waiting impatiently for her to grab hold. Kagome looked at it, then back up to Draco.
'It's crazy but, even though, his father......I just can't blame him...not now. I don't have a reason to be mad at him, logically, at least. Every time I think about blaming Draco for what happened...I think of Inuyasha. I won't judge him. I'll get to know him for myself, there's just something...different... If he turns out to be like his father, then, I won't feel guilty for being angry at him...' Kagome shakily grasped his hand and he pulled her to her feet. 'I guess I'll find out now...'
She managed a weak smile, "Thank you."
Draco shrugged and sat back down across from her.
Kagome straitened her shirt and smoothed her skirt, choosing the seat opposite, and sitting down carefully, trying to make up for her tumble earlier.
Draco was staring out the window looking very bored and rather surly, or maybe he always looked like that? Kagome wondered, he seemed to have a very indifferent attitude...
"I'm guessing you, at the very least, know the Hogwart's Houses by now?" Draco quarried, a glint of amusement shining in his eyes. "Of course, the only real House worth getting into is Slytherin, but I'm sure by now you've heard how "horrible" and "evil" Slytherins are."
Kagome turned her face away from the glittering river they were just passing to stare at him, he had caught her attention. Maybe he would tell her about the other houses, she didn't really know much about them, except for Slytherin...sort of. Recalling her conversation with her grandfather about Slytherin House, was it really that bad? What was he getting at?
Draco's face was now scowling and the amusement had died away. "Then there are those Hufflepuffs; pathetic little jellyfish," he said viciously, "and not the brightest lot you'll ever meet either." He added as an after thought. "Then you have the Ravenclaws, with their perfect grades, they're the "extraordinarily smart ones", and they won't ever let you forget it."
Draco's dislike for the other houses was quite apparent, 'Why does he hate them all so?' Kagome wondered, starting to feel very anxious about arriving at Hogwarts now.
"Gryffindor House," He said scrunching up his face in disgust, "The most stuck up of the lot. They strut the halls thinking they're the greatest things since self-stirring cauldrons. You see, they're known for their "bravery," but I doubt they could last less than a day in Slytherin House." Draco scoffed.
"Why do you say that?" Kagome asked. Draco made Slytherin sound like the only half-decent group of people at Hogwarts School. But from what she had heard about it, she had her doubts.
"Slytherins," Draco began proudly, "are known for their cunning and all, well, most of us, are very ambitious. Besides, it takes a different kind of bravery to be a Slytherin..." Draco said this part rather more to himself than to her, but he quickly recovered and continued, " Some call us "power hungry," but they're the same way aren't they? I've seen it happen loads of times, look at the Ministry of Magic...complete hypocrites." Draco sneered. "Father always said that..."
But Kagome didn't know what Draco's father "always said" because she found herself so furious at the mention of Lucius she was no longer paying any attention to Draco.
Kagome snapped back to reality when she realized that Draco was waving his hand in front of her face. "Oh! Sorry, what were you saying?"
Draco rolled his eyes and flopped back against his cushioned seat. "Honestly, Higurashi, please don't do that again, just now you horribly resembled Goyle, that git."
"Who?"
"Never mind, he's a sixth year, too. I'm sure you'll have the--pleasure--of meeting him later, once we get there," Draco explained, "whether you get sorted into Slytherin or not, we'll probably have a double class together."
Kagome nodded, trying to get an idea of Hogwarts in her head, which right now, was a very jumbled and double-sided image.
Draco suddenly stood up and stretched, "You'll want to get sorted into Slytherin, remember that, Higurashi. But I have to go find Crabbe and Goyle, it's getting late," he said glancing at the late morning sun, "and I thought they would've turned up by now." He slid back the compartment door, "Those two," he added rather disgustedly, "wouldn't remember their own names if they weren't constantly reminded every day."
Kagome smiled faintly.
Draco grinned at her, "I suppose I'll see you in the Great Hall if not sooner." He said before sliding the compartment door closed behind him.
She let out a long sigh. Well, she had suspicions that he might possibly be a good person, but besides his sarcastic sense of humor, she had yet to see it. 'I'm not going to speak out until I get to Hogwarts and get "sorted," then I'll no where I stand in the school. I seriously doubt Malfoy would ever speak to me again if I'm sorted into Gryffindor." Kagome was suspicious that she just might be sorted into Hufflepuff, she thought about her grades at school and grimaced.
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"Hermione, I swear, that cat is, its, its--"
"--Beautiful? Smart? Wonderful?" A girl with thick, brown curls cooed.
"A nightmare." The red-headed boy across from her spat out dryly. He was clutching a rather nasty scratch above is left eye, and was sporting a surly scowl.
"Hmmph! Oh, honestly, Ronald, Crookshanks barely scratched you!" The girl shot back defensively while cuddling the said "nightmare."
"Ba-barely, BARELY scratched me?!! ARE YOU BLIND?! He tried to gouge my eye out! AND he nearly got away with it!" The boy sputtered furiously, while revealing the bloody cut as proof of the assault.
Emotions were running high in compartment number thirty-two. Mostly between Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger who were once again arguing over the cat who had nearly cost them their friendship back in third year. Crookshanks, on the other hand, was sitting lazily in Hermione's lap, licking his paw and occasionally sending unblinking glares in Ron's direction.
Ron looked as if he was ablaze with his brilliant red hair, face, and ears. Hermione, looking much more cooler, but just as annoyed, glared back at him.
"Will you two give it a REST?!"
They tore their gaze from each other to stare surprised at the exasperated boy sitting next to Ron. Harry had been quiet the whole train ride thus far, listening to the banter of his two best friends, who had been bickering for an hour now. But enough was enough.
"Hermione, apologize to Ron for what Crookshanks did to his eye." Hermione bristled at this before apologizing quietly.
"Ron, apologize to Hermione for yelling at her and Crookshanks." Ron opened his mouth to speak, thought better of it, and closed it.
"Sorry." Ron said grudgingly.
The compartment had now settled into a very strained and awkward silence. It was obvious that Ron and Hermione were both still angry at each other, and that they had only apologized for Harry's sake. Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out Cho's necklace which glittered in the sunlight, Harry looked up at the sky to see that storm clouds had rolled over the sun. 'Odd...' He thought, the little bead was still shining brightly. 'Whatever it is, it belongs to Cho, I should go find her...' Harry was relieved to have an excuse to leave. He stood up before announcing, "I'm going to find Cho, she dropped her necklace when I, err, saw her in Diagon Alley." Harry finished lamely, trying to ignore the smirk growing on Ron's face.
"Good luck with that, mate." Ron said before muttering, "We know you'll need it." Ron sniggered as he dodged a playful blow from Harry. Hermione looked up from her book, with an annoyed expression.
"He'll be just fine, I'm sure," she said smiling at Harry.
"Oy, what are you reading now?" Ron asked reaching for the thick, old book Hermione had her face hidden behind.
Hermione pulled it out of his reach before answering in a cool tone, "Magical Mysteries of the Ancient and Modern World." she added, "It's absolutely fascinating."
Ron snorted at this, earning himself another dirty look from Hermione.
Harry, noticing the warning signs of yet another argument, stepped out into the corridor and slid the door shut behind him.
Cho Chang was a sixth year and he wasn't entirely all too sure where he could find her. He knew that she was good friends with Marietta Edgecombe, Harry scowled thinking about her. She was the one who had sold out the D.A. to Umbridge last year. Harry was hoping he wouldn't run into her, when he accidentally did walk right into someone. Luckily it wasn't Marietta, unfortunately it was Malfoy.
"Watch where you're going, Potter." Malfoy sneered, his face twisted in resentment at the sight of Harry.
"Shut up, Malfoy, I don't have time to deal with you." Harry bit back, although he was just itching for a good reason to pop Malfoy one these days...
Harry made to move past him, but Malfoy stepped in his way.
"Move." Harry gritted out, trying to keep his breathing even. Malfoy was grinning wickedly, as if Christmas had come early...
Malfoy smirked, "In the way am I, Potter? Draco Malfoy, stopping the brave and gallant Boy-Who-Lived? I didn't think it was possible..."
Harry glared at him with cold dislike, he pulled his wand out of his pocket and pointed it straight at Malfoy's head.
Draco's smile dissolved and his face paled at the same time. It seemed he had remembered that Crabbe and Goyle were not around, and he was alone. And unarmed.
Malfoy quickly stepped to the side, but not before hissing out as Harry passed, "Haven't read the papers lately have you? You're days are numbered, Potter, just you wait until my father-"
"Until you're father WHAT!" Harry bellowed, his wand still raised. A couple compartment doors had slid open and curious heads were gazing intently at the brewing fight. Harry glanced backwards at them and lowered his wand.
Draco was smirking again, "This year will be very interesting, Potter." He drawled before turning around on his heel and stalking down the corridor, glaring at the curious onlookers as he passed.
Harry stuffed his wand back into his robes. He looked up the corridor and spotted a sheet of black, shining hair, it was Cho, and she was leaning out of the doorway talking to none other than Marietta, in the compartment across from her.
Harry decided he would wait another time to give Cho her necklace back. He took a step backwards and stumbled into the candy trolley, he tried turning around but instead was jolted by some invisible force. The candy trolley tipped precariously towards him, before it finally fell, pushing Harry to the ground and dumping all its contents on him; including a number of pumpkin pasties, chocolate frogs and to his aggravation, several glasses of pumpkin juice and pudding. Harry looked up past the little, old witch who was apologizing profusely, to see Draco Malfoy reunited with his gang. They were rolling on the floor laughing. Malfoy held his wand up in mock salute to him.
Harry glanced back nervously to see Cho gazing right at him, or was she looking at him? He looked behind him but, no, only Malfoy was there, and that wasn't much to look at by any terms, Harry thought.
He quickly jumped to his feet, the little witch had gotten the cart off him, and he dodged into the nearest compartment, hoping he would find Ginny and Neville inside. He slammed the door and cursed under his breath. Why was it every time he saw Cho, he made a fool out of himself? "Malfoy." Harry snarled. Oh yes, he would pay for that one.
"Why hello, Harry." Harry jumped at the sound of Luna Lovegood's floaty voice. She was sitting comfortably with a magazine-The Quibbler no doubt-in her hands and her wand was stuck in her hair holding her wavy blonde hair in a loose bun. "Did you know you have a bit of cream on your shirt?" She questioned him with a serious look on her face, "It might be a good idea to get that off fast, you might attract some kidney-eating Nympheralls."
Harry smiled faintly, and glanced down at his shirt. He realized that "a bit of cream" was an understatement. He as if he had taken a dip in a pool of it.
"Scourgify." He muttered pointing his wand at himself. Harry looked back up to see Luna inspecting the spine of her magazine. He glanced to the adjacent seat and was surprised to see a person laying down across it asleep.
"I found her there when I walked in, there were no other empty compartments you see." Luna said simply not looking up from her magazine.
The sleeping girl had a mass of black, shiny hair and her face was hidden in her arms as she was laying on her stomach.
"When did you come in here?" Harry asked.
Although Luna Lovegood was extremely eccentric, Harry had discovered a valuable friendship in her. So far she was the only one who he had talked about Sirius's death to, although, he didn't want to think about that now...
"Oh, only just a few moments before you walked in. I saw someone knock over the trolley, it was very tragic, did you happen to see who it was?" Luna asked with concern evident on her face.
Harry just stared back at her. "Neville." He finally said, although she didn't seem to catch the sarcasm in his voice.
"Luna, I'll talk to you later," Harry said over his shoulder, sliding the door open. He felt kind of bad for her. She didn't seem to have a whole lot of friends, she was sitting by herself, sort of... "Ron and Hermione are in compartment thirty-two if you want to go sit with them," Harry offered.
"All right, maybe when she," she nodded at the unconscious girl, "wakes up, I don't want to leave her by herself." Luna said in her sing-song voice.
Harry shut the door behind him and reached his hand into his pocket, he was going to give Cho her necklace back before anything else happened. He took a deep breath, took several steps down the corridor, and stopped. Cho's necklace was gone.
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Kagome looked up, it was so dark she couldn't see her own hands. She whirled around, and was startled at the loud splash her shoes made. Splash? The silence pressed on her head and ears. She bent down, trying to feel what she was standing on, she jerked her hand up when she felt water, smooth as glass, beneath her feet. It was as if the ground was covered in an inch of water but, no. There was, what seemed, an entire lake beneath her. A small glow was rising from its dark depths. Kagome gazed intently until she was able to see her silhouette, then her eyes, then-she jerked in surprised and fell on her back.
Breathing hard and fast, she felt her hair fanning out around her head. She hadn't seen her reflection, it wasn't her eyes that were staring back at her; the eyes she had seen were smoldering.
She tilted her head to the side, feeling the cold water trace the outline of her cheek. And suddenly, like a blast, light erupted from beneath her. She pulled her arms over her face, and heard a cold low voice right against her ear. It whispered deathly calm, "Only one of us shall have this kind of power, Kagome..."
Kagome screamed outloud as the water came to life and sucked her under, many hands grasping at her ankles. All she could feel was the sharp cold, and the bubbles erupting from her mouth...
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Luna looked up as the girl across from her shot up and toppled off the train seat.
"Oh good you're awake," Luna said completely ignoring the girl's spastic actions, "You should get changed, you know, we're almost at Hogwarts. Oh, who are you by the way?"
"Higurashi, Kagome." Kagome said without thinking. She was shaking but she didn't know why. She remembered talking to Draco, then he had left and she had tried to sleep... But who was this girl?
"Umm, who, who are you?" Kagome asked trying to sound polite and normal at the same time. Although she needn't have worried about seeming normal-this was Luna Lovegood she was talking to, but Kagome didn't know that...yet.
"Luna Lovegood, although people call me "Loony." I'm actually not sure why, I don't ask them to call me that..." Luna replied wistfully.
Kagome smiled politely, "Really? I don't know why either."
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The Hogwarts Express slowed into the station billowing puffs of steam that mixed and swirled through the torrential rain. A bolt of lightning streaked the sky, and was followed by a rumbling clap of thunder.
Kagome had on her black school robes and was now weaving in and out of the crowded corridors. She managed to squeeze past a large Gryffindor girl and nearly tripped over a boy who had tripped himself, taking down six others with him. She was both excited and anxious and she felt like she had something more like Naraku's tentacles banging around in her stomach, rather than a few "butterflies."
She had noticed that she was receiving a lot of curious stares from people, 'Do I really stand out that much?' She wondered nervously. "Where am I supposed to go?" she said out loud to herself. But it was useless as the doors were heaved open and students flocked from the cars dragging her along with them. Kagome fought until she pulled herself from the crowd. It was pouring out, making it very difficult to see. But she saw something that made her jaw drop.
It was a giant, wait, that was a man? Whatever it-he was, he was directing "first year" students down a steep path. Kagome watched as the older students all trampled into carriages, being pulled by horrible demonic horses. A chill ran up her spine as she noticed their black, scaly heads and pure white eyes. She tore her gaze from them and fought her way over to the giant-man.
"Umm, Excuse me, excuse me, sir!" Kagome shouted as the rain beat against her face.
The giant turned around slowly and squinted down at her, "Yes, what can I do fer ya?" His voice boomed easily through the wind.
"Im, I'm new here, and I'm not sure where I'm supposed to go! Can you help me please?" She shouted as politely as she could.
"'Course, I can help ye, transfer student, eh?" He said jovially, "Bes' follow me and the firs' years, this way now, mind yer step there." He ushered her after a group of small boys.
Kagome hopped carefully down the path, her time wandering and climbing through ancient Japan aiding her in the downhill struggle. They turned a steep corner and Kagome found herself gazing at a massive stone castle like she had never seen before. Towers and turrets of stone rose high into the sky, each window glittering as if encrusted with jewels. Through the thick rain it appeared rather blurry, giving it a sense of mystery and magic. 'That's why I'm here, it's supposed to feel magical.' Kagome reasoned.
Ever since she had arrived she had sensed a strong energy, at first she had thought demons, but now she had realized it was magic. The Hogwarts Grounds were thick with magical energy, it prickled the back of her neck, making her hair stand on end. She could also see what looked like a barrier, it stretched over the castle, forest, and what looked like all of Hogwart's grounds. She had walked right through it, completely unharmed. It was like passing through a soft velvet curtain, rippling slightly as she disturbed it. Kagome stopped in time before colliding into the boys in front of her. They were facing a dark lake with many little boats bobbing on the turbulent white caps. Just beyond was Hogwarts castle, a welcoming beacon through the storm.
"Alrigh,' look out now, mind yer step, bunch up there would ya?" The giant-man called as he cleared a path through the clustered group of children. "Now, two per boat," He jerked his thumb at the many little boats that bobbed on the turbulent white caps, "I don' want any pushin."
The boats began to fill slowly and Kagome crossed her arms, trying to keep warm. Kagome found a boat to herself and sat shivering, wiping the water from her face. 'Water?' Kagome thought to herself as she tried to dry her hands off on her sopping robes. 'Why did I just get this feeling, like dejavou?'
Her boat rocked as someone clambered in and knocked against her side. She looked up and saw a small boy with wet, brown hair matted to his head. He was shivering and little puffs of steam escaped his mouth as he tried to warm his hands. He looked up at her and his eyes widened in surprise. He quickly scuttled over on the bench so that he was no longer squishing into her. Kagome smiled at his shyness and looked ahead just before she was jerked backwards. The little fleet of boats were now sailing towards the castle at a surprising speed, considering no one was rowing them and no motors could be seen. Kagome concentrated on keeping warm and keeping her nerves in check.
She couldn't help but notice as they sailed over the lake that the shivering boy next to her kept gradually sliding closer to her. She smothered the smile that was forming as he pressed against her shoulder, as if the rough waves had knocked him that way. 'He seems really shy, I guess he must be really cold." Kagome contemplated as he huddled against her.
The boy almost went sailing over the edge a few times if Kagome hadn't grabbed hold of his robes. The boats approached the cliff and they all ducked as they passed under a tangle of ivy and into a large, dark tunnel. It was much calmer inside the tunnel, and Kagome managed to smooth her tangled hair from her face.
The fleet of boats abruptly stopped with a thud against the pebbles and rock shore. Kagome clambered out, helping the boy up as he had toppled out in his excitement. They climbed up several narrow steps coming out onto the grounds, where they were again bombarded by harsh winds and rain. Hagrid lead them up the flattened, wet grass to the castle's front door. He knocked three times and stood back where they waited in frozen silence.
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"All right, all right enough, Ginny. So you went and tried to give her necklace back- Ginny shut up!" Ron barked at his sister who was in fits of laughter next to Hermione. Hermione, on the other hand, seemed to be ignoring everything around her as she was still hidden behind her book.
Harry looked gloomily out of his carriage window, it rattled and shook as the thestral pulling it trotted up the bumpy path. He sighed, "It was a complete disaster."
"Don't worry, we'll get Malfoy back for this one, you see-" Ron dropped his voice and leaned toward Harry, "I've been talking to Fred and George, and they've got a right idea for that nasty git. They say they have something in development. That it could rival last year's fireworks display." Ron sat back grinning wickedly, and Harry couldn't help but feel better knowing Malfoy's fate was resting in the Weasley Twin's hands...
Ron turned to his window, "Oy, look at them down there, almost feel bad for them." He said, pointing to the boats sailing through the storm. Ron waved cheekily out the window.
"Leave the first years alone, Ron." Hermione sighed, as she leaned over the front of her book. "Hagrid's out there, remember?"
"Oh, right." Ron muttered his ears turning a light shade of pink.
"Ginny do you have a quill on you? I nearly forgot..." Hermione asked while rummaging in her pocket and pulling out a slightly crumpled and water-stained letter.
"Sorry, they're packed away in my trunk, what do you need it for?" Ginny asked still searching her robes for one.
Hermione grabbed Ginny's arm and pulled her head close so she could whisper. Ginny pulled away giggling, Hermione blushed furiously and mouthed something to her, which set Ginny off in more squealing giggles. Harry glanced away from his window, and Ron eyed them both suspiciously.
"Why do you need a quill?" Ron demanded loudly. But his question remained unanswered as the carriage had pulled to a stop and the doors flew open.
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Kagome stood shivering in the cramped little room, waiting. The first year students were whispering to one another and wringing out their robes and hats. A teacher named Professor McGonagall, (who's name Kagome found very difficult to pronounce), had led them through part of the castle and told them to wait for the "Sorting Ceremony" to begin.
'What is the Sorting Ceremony? Some kind of test? What if I don't pass it? Oh no, maybe it will be like that horrible algebra test...when I had no clue what I was doing..." Kagome frowned in worry. She turned to her left and saw a small girl with curly, blonde hair. She had her arms crossed and was standing by herself, her teeth were chattering giving her the appearance of a drowned bunny rabbit. "Umm, excuse me," Kagome said while tapping her on the shoulder, "do you know what the Sorting Ceremony is?"
The girl shook her head silently, stepping back, wide-eyed.
Kagome smiled at her before turning away, there must be someone who knows...
"My older brother told me all about it."
Kagome whirled around, where had she heard that voice before? She saw the same group of boys that she had nearly knocked over on the path. They were grouped around one boy in particular, he was leaning casually against the stone wall.
Kagome walked closer to the boys and listened in, trying to be discreet about it.
"My older brother," the voice drawled, "said that all you had to do was put on a silly hat. Nothing very spectacular about it, but what can you expect from this school."
The boy speaking had dark brown hair, and stone gray eyes. His pale white skin gave him an ethereal glow, and his smirk reminded her of someone...
'That's...Draco's little brother? I didn't know he had a brother...' Kagome wondered. The boy was definitely a relation to the Malfoys, although he lacked Draco's fair, blonde hair.
"I'm probably going to be sorted into Slytherin, after all, the Malfoys have been in that house for generations. I feel bad for those who get sorted into Hufflepuff-I think I'd transfer, if it were me." The boy said smirking, ignoring the glares he was getting from the many of the other first years. Although, the boys around him and some others were sniggering.
The door opened and Professor McGonagall strode. "Form a line, now, quickly please." She said briskly, "Excuse me," Professor McGonagall passed the merging line of first years and made her way over to Kagome. "You are the foreign student, Kagome Higurashi?"
Kagome nodded in reply.
"You'll need to be sorted into a house as well, you'll just go up when your name is called." She moved back to the door, "Now, all of you, follow me."
Kagome followed the train of first years out of the chamber, down the hall, and into the Great Hall. Kagome looked around in awe. The room was alit by thousands of floating candles and under which were four long tables, where the whole school sat. Whispers echoed through the hall as they walked past, and Kagome couldn't help but notice the stares she was receiving from most of the student body. Kagome caught a glimpse of a sheer, blonde head, she looked away quickly. She was sure it was Draco Malfoy.
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"Oy, who's that?"
"I don't know, must be new here."
"She's really pretty..."
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, put your eyes back in your head!" Hermione kicked him in the shin under the Gryffindor table.
"Ouch, woman! I was just curious who the new girl was..." Ron said defensively, massaging his leg.
"I know her, I met her in Diagon Alley the other day, her name's Kagome Higurashi. Funny though, I didn't see her on the train." Harry explained craning his head to get a better view of the Sorting.
They sat in silence while the Sorting Hat recited its annual song. The Hall broke out into applause when it had finished. Professor McGonagall then stepped forward with a long scroll of parchment.
"Tamara, Adams!" A girl approached the stool on which the Sorting Hat sat, she sat down and Professor McGonagall placed it on her head. It was a few moments before the hat shouted, "RAVENCLAW!" and the table on the right clapped as Tamara made her way over to sit with them.
It went on like this: "Beudre, William" became a Hufflepuff; "Bernashe, Sarah" became a Ravenclaw; "Demure, Elizabeth" became a Gryffindor; "Francesca, Damaris" became a Slytherin; Henry, Fiona became a Hufflepuff; "Gandy, Alyssa" became a Hufflepuff; until Hermione elbowed Ron and Harry; a mysterious grin on her face.
"Granger, Matilda!" A girl with wet, blonde curls sat down on the stool, the hat fell over her eyes then-"GRYFFINDOR!" Hermione stood up and clapped the loudest as her little sister jogged over to the Gryffindor table.
Ron looked at Hermione in surprise, "You never told me you had a sister!"
"Well, to be perfectly honest I never thought Matilda was going to be a witch and the subject never really came up..."
Ron rolled his eyes before exchanging a look with Harry, who seemed to be just as shocked.
Hermione hugged Matilda, who was pink in the face and smiling.
"Nice to finally meet you." Ron said, while shooting a glare at Hermione and sticking out his hand to shake Matilda's.
Matilda blushed even more so, before timidly shaking Ron's hand in return. She shook Harry's as well, before sitting down and just as "Higurashi, Kagome" was called. Harry, and it seemed the rest of the students, snapped back to attention while craning their necks to watch as she walked up to the stool.
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Kagome took in a deep, calming breath before sitting down carefully on the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head, she was surprised when it slid over her eyes and the rest of the hall vanished. She waited, gripping the sides of the stool tightly.
'Let's see...where should I put you...' Said a small voice, 'Very clever, I can see, talent and power, very rare qualities...and courage- my, there's plenty of that. But which house do you belong?' Hmm...I'd have to say..."GRYFFINDOR!"
The hat was whipped off her head, and Kagome smiled weakly as she walked over to the clapping Gryffindor Table. She looked up and down it for a place to sit before she spotted a familiar face- it was Harry Potter. She strode over to the side of the table. "Mind if I sit here?" She asked, smiling.
Harry glanced at Ron and Hermione-Ron was nodding his head fervently and Hermione smiled in agreement.
"Sure." Harry slid over so she could sit down.
Kagome smoothed her robes and watched as the Sorting continued.
"Malfoy, Demetrius." The boy Kagome had suspected of being related to the Malfoys walked forward to the stool.
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"Oh, not another one!" Hermione exclaimed exasperatedly.
"'Demetrius', that's not much better than 'Draco'." Ron said sniggering.
"-I hope he isn't like his brother, otherwise I don't know if I could stand it!" Hermione said savagely.
"-I mean who's naming these kids? Are they picking random letters out of the alphabet and just sticking them together-"
"-Last year was horrible now there's going to be two?! Matilda, make sure you stay away from him, he's pure evil-"
"-I think there should be a law somewhere against horrible, made-up names that no one can pronounce-"
"-And Malfoy is a prefect again this year, too! Of course he's going to go easy on his little brother! Matilda, if he ever takes points from you unfairly just tell me and I will personally-"
"-If my mum named ME Demetrius I'd-"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"WHAT?!!" Harry looked back at Ron and Hermione in shock. "A Malfoy in Gryffindor?!"
"Yeah, take a look at Malfoy, he looks just like he did that day Hermione popped him one in the face..." Ron said grinning hugely. "Wait till "His Father" hears about this..."
Harry leaned over far enough so that he could see Draco at the Slytherin Table. Malfoy's eyes were wide and his mouth has hanging open; he looked completely dumbstruck. Although Demetrius didn't look much better, his face was screwed up in the most sour look as he plopped down at the farthest end of the Gryffindor table. None of the Gryffindors clapped, they whispered furiously to one another and sent glares in Demetrius's direction.
"But I thought, Draco-Malfoy, told me that everyone in his family was in Slytherin?" Kagome questioned.
"Well, it looks like that's changed." Ron said cheerily.
After "Wolffe, Patricia" was sorted into, "SLYTHERIN!" An old man with a long white beard stood up from his chair.
Kagome leaned over to Harry, "Who's that?"
"Albus Dumbledore, he's the headmaster." Harry explained.
Kagome nodded and straightened up just as he began to speak,
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! I have many announcements to announce, but let us first begin with our long awaited feast, Tuck in!"
With those words said, the four tables magically filled with foods of all kinds.
Harry smiled when he heard Kagome gasp, it was her very first time at Hogwarts. He remembered how everything was on his first day; It was the best thing that ever happened to him.
"Cheers!" Ron exclaimed before digging into the steak and kidney pie.
Hermione jerked back as food flew her way. She rolled her eyes before carefully reaching for the plate of potatoes.
Kagome looked at the food hesitantly, it smelled good, in fact it smelled delicious. She just didn't know what most of it was.
"Here, try some, it's good." Harry said handing her the plate. "It's steak and kidney pie."
"Ibt's weely goob bebeeve mye." Ron said thickly through a mouthful of it-.
Kagome decided to try a bit of everything. Amazingly, it didn't take very long for her to load up her plate and clear it. When she finished she placed her fork down and looked around the Great Hall, getting a good look at it. She looked up at the ceiling startled to see storm clouds raging overhead.
"You know it's not really the sky, it's just a spell."
Kagome looked back down, the girl called Hermione had finished eating as well, "I read about it in book once."
"Really? What book?" Kagome asked eagerly.
Hermione smiled, "It's Hogwarts: A History, I'm sure they have it in the library if you want to read it."
"I probably should, considering, I don't know a very much about Hogwarts to be honest." Kagome said sheepishly.
"Oh, don't worry, many people don't know about Hogwarts or the wizarding world until they get their letters. Like me, I'm muggle born, my parents are both dentists. But, I do own a copy of it, if you want I can dig it out of my trunk tomorrow. But you got your letter rather late, didn't you?" Hermione asked curiously.
Kagome's stomach clenched. "Yes, I should have started at Hogwart's years ago, but..." She trailed off not wanting to go into detail about Voldemort and her secret years in hiding.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" Hermione began, catching the tense expression on her face.
"Don't worry about it," Kagome said smiling weakly back. She looked at Ron and giggled, "How's the barbecue chicken?"
Ron looked up, his chin covered in sauce, "Excellent." He replied before taking another chicken leg from the platter.
"Ron, honestly." Hermione sighed before smacking a napkin to his face, which stuck there.
Harry grinned at their antics. He had just finished eating himself, and he leaned back, yawning and stretching. Suddenly he was feeling extremely tired.
"So when do classes start?" Kagome asked.
"Tomorrow." Harry replied.
Ron groaned.
"Ignore him," Hermione said nodding at Ron, "I'm sure you'll like it, most of the teachers here are very good," She went on, ignoring Ron's snort, "My favorite class is Arithmancy. Do you know what classes you're taking?" She asked eagerly.
"Oh no." Kagome groaned.
Hermione smiled, "We all get our schedules at breakfast tomorrow, you'll probably find out then."
Harry and Ron had gone into a deep discussion about quidditch this year, ("Do you think you've still got that life-time ban from quidditch?"-"I better not that old toad is gone now so...hopefully...")
Hermione was explaining the classes to Kagome and Matilda, (Potions, Arithmancy, Herbology, Muggle Studies, Divination, Care of Magical Creatures...) Kagome had explained all about how much studying she had been doing at her home in Japan for High School entrance exams only to find out it was all a waste. Hermione was in the middle of a story about her third year, involving a time turner, when Dumbledore stood up again and the hall went silent.
"Time travel was such a pain, I gave it up and now I have a normal schedule."
"Sounds like a lot of trouble." Kagome said smiling wryly. 'Of course, I know just how troublesome it can be....'
"Ahem...Just a few more start- of-term notices, and you're free to go," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "First years-and some of the older students-should know that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils."
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term, and for those who have been given a lifetime ban by our previous, Hogwarts High Inquisitor, I am happy to say it has been taken off." Dumbledore's eyes stopped to rest at the Gryffindor Table.
Harry and Ron grinned.
"Looks like your seeker again." Ron said, "That'll wipe the smiles off Slytherin all right."
"What about you, still going to play as keeper?"
Ron's ears went red. "Errm...No I don't think so. I've heard enough choruses of, "Weasley Is our King," to last me a lifetime." He muttered quietly.
"-Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch." Dumbledore continued, "And now that all the announcements have been announced and all have been fed and watered, bedtime! Off you go!"
The students all rose lazily from their seats, tired and full. Kagome yawned as she looked from the group of exiting first years to Harry, Ron, and Hermione who were leaving out another door. Harry turned around, spotting her, and waved her over. Kagome gladly followed, nearly stumbling over Demetrius as he stormed after the retreating Gryffindor first years.
As Kagome wound her way through the students she got a glimpse of Draco who was hissing something angrily to many of the other Slytherins. By the look on the other Slytherins faces, they were just as furious as Draco was. They pushed passed her and she was able to catch a glimpse of the conversation.
"He should be ashamed of himself, having to live among those foul mudbloods." A girl with an upturned nose exclaimed shrilly. "I know my father wouldn't hear of it, he'd disown him, if it were his son, and your father- Well, I expect he'll be writing to complain to Dumbledore once he's found out."
Draco looked very disgruntled. "It's none of your business, Pansy. So If I were you I would just stay out of it." He managed to shake the Slytherin girl off, and stepped into place with Crabbe, Goyle, and another brunette boy. The brunette boy muttered something that Kagome could barely hear, she strayed a little ways from Harry to listen.
"I'd be careful if I were you." Kagome watched as Draco looked up sharply, "Demetrius is in Gryffindor and from the rest of the Slytherin's point of view, it doesn't look good.
"What are you going on about, Nott, I'm in Slytherin and he's the one in Gryffindor." Draco drawled trying to sound casual, but Kagome could hear the anxiety in his voice.
"You of all people should realize how this looks for your family, Draco." Nott continued even more quietly, "Imagine the Dark Lord discovering one of his own servant's son, traipsing around Hogwarts with the likes of Mudbloods, muggle-lovers, and Harry Potter."
"Don't be thick. Demetrius is not "traipsing" with any of the likes, he knows better than that." Draco cut in with an edge to his voice.
"Well, we'll see about that won't we? Oh and as for you-" Nott retorted sounding unconvinced.
"What about me." Draco asked darkly his voice dangerously low.
"I'd stay away from that new girl, Higurashi."
Kagome's eyes widened in surprise, she held her breath. They obviously didn't know she was right behind them, listening.
"I know you sat with her on the train, and if you knew what I knew, well you certainly wouldn't want to look at her, never mind sit with her." Nott finished an ominous smirk on his face.
'He knows.' Kagome thought in horror, she felt her insides freeze over, and her heart was pounding in her chest. 'Who else knows? That boy said the "Dark Lord," is he talking about Voldemort? He really is back. That means, I'm not safe anymore- my family isn't safe anymore.' Kagome kept walking, though they were nearing a split hallway, one going down, another going up a flight of stone stairs.
"What are you talking about? I don't know why the Sorting Hat placed her in Slytherin, she's pure blood-"
"It doesn't matter now does it? Your brother and her are Gryffindors and you're a Slytherin, watch the company you keep, Malfoy. Best forget about the both of them." Nott hissed back, before he stalked down the stone stairs.
Kagome stopped and watched as Draco paused, shaking in rage, before he too disappeared down the stairs, scattering a group of second year Hufflepuffs as he went.
"Oy, midgets, this way!"
Kagome looked up the other stairwell to see Ron directing students.
"Ron! They are not midgets! Don't call them that." Hermione scolded from across the hallway and she stalked over to him.
"Hermione they really are, look how little they are-" Ron replied while brandishing an arm at a group of small, frightened looking students.
"Ronald! You're going to scare them! Really." Hermione exclaimed as she pulled him away from the students, who were eyeing them both nervously. Hermione glanced back and noticed Kagome standing indecisively at the split hallway. "Kagome, Gryffindor Tower is this way!"
Kagome smiled gratefully and followed them up flights of stairs, hidden passageways, and concealed doors, until they reached a portrait. Kagome looked at it in awe. The woman in the portrait was extremely fat and wearing a pink, satin gown. The surprising thing about the picture was that the woman kept smoothing the folds in her dress and looked at the group of Gryffindors expectantly before she actually spoke, "Well, the password?"
"Sluos Foror Rim" Hermione piped up from the back. She blushed as some of the others looked questioningly back at her.
"Slous for-what??" Ron questioned.
"Well, I read it in my book, you see." Hermione muttered still rather pink.
"Oh no..." A rather pudgy boy muttered despairingly.
"Should of known." Ron said rolling his eyes and exchanging looks with Harry, who too was wondering how he was going to remember the new password.
"Cheer up, Neville I doubt any of us besides Hermione will remember that one." Harry said as he scrambled through the hole the Fat Lady had revealed.
Kagome climbed in after Harry, and glanced around the circular room. It was very inviting, especially the large squashy couch perched right in front of the roaring fire...
"The Girl's Dormitories are up this stair case," Hermione explained to her through a stifled yawn. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen, just this summer, why?" Kagome asked puzzled.
Hermione smiled, "Then that means you're going to be in sixth year. Harry, Ron, and I are too. We'll be sharing a dormitory together. With Lavender and Parvati also, they're nice except," Hermione frowned slightly, "they can be...rather, interfering and a bit annoying, but I'm sure they think the same about me." She smiled wryly.
Kagome smiled as well, 'Sounds like my friends back home.' She thought wistfully.
Kagome climbed the spiral stairs into a room full of four-poster beds with red velvet curtains. She looked around and found her trunk placed at the foot of one of the beds. She dug a pair of pink, satin pajamas and threw them on. She pulled the blankets back a flopped into bed. She listened to the other girls as they rustled and settled into their own beds. Kagome closed her eyes and fell swiftly into a deep, dreamless sleep.
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A/N: wow that was long, took up 18 pages on microsoft works, but I figure the longer the better, right? :)
Okay, I want to take a quick poll: who thinks this is going along too slowly? Do you like it? Is it going good? please review! (so far my reviews have been nothing but good, which is, well, good :) lol) thanks to all you readers and reviewers, I like getting suggestions from people and so far they've been about pairings, I'm not going to tell you who gets with who because it would ruin the surprise! Not to mention the K/H and K/I shippers suggestions are always interesting :D lol, but don't worry I'll update ASAP! Bye for now!
-:- Mikairi -:-