Chapter 7... Blessing in Disguise
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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"Higurashi, you're late."
"I'm sorry Professor, I was kept late in class and-"
"Enough. Ten points from Gryffindor, and I don't believe that is the proper dress code?"
Kagome glanced down and realized she was still in her miko robes. Her cheeks warmed pink as Snape's lip curled in cruel amusement.
"Do you intend on passing my class," he looked her up and down and smirked, "or are you trying to make some sort of a statement with those ridiculous clothes? I daresay, as of now, you're failing both miserably."
Kagome's cheeks reddened in embarrassment, and as the Slytherins began to snicker loudly, she gathered her pride and stood taller.
"Excuse me, Professor, but I was under the impression that you were a professional teacher. After all, the reason why I came here is to learn and not be insulted." Kagome walked to an empty desk near Hermione who, like the rest of the class, was gaping at her in amazement. "My clothes are that of a miko and I'm sorry for being late, but if I had changed I would have been even more late for your class, and surely that is not what you would have wanted." Kagome replied calmly as she sat down and opened her Potions book.
She chanced a glance up at Snape, though, she wished she hadn't.
Snape was standing at the front of the room shaking with suppressed fury, he was gripping the end of his desk so tightly his knuckles were white and the contents of the desk rattled loudly.
'I'm in so much trouble now...' Kagome thought anxiously.
A nasty silence had settled around the room, and Kagome was trying to ignore Hermione, who was trying to mouth to her what her words had just done.
"Miss Higurashi," Snape said calmly, although it was impossible to miss the ice frozen to every letter. "I believe you already have had one detention so far this year?"
Kagome nodded, timidly, fretting the worst. Last week had gone smoothly and was for the most part very enjoyable. Except for the day she had had her detention. Kagome had to clean the potions classroom, apparently someone from Snape's last class of the day had managed to ignite their potion and effectively blow it up. It was her job to scrub the film of slime from the desks, walls, and shelves.
"You're getting another one, see me after class." Snape hissed. He turned abruptly from the students and waved his wand over the chalkboard. "Copy down these notes." He barked. There was a shuffling of bags, books, and quills before the class settled and began writing.
Everyone except Kagome; she was staring at Snape in utter confusion. 'That was a pretty nasty thing I said, it's odd, but he didn't take any points away.' She thought, 'Not that I'm complaining, but, he only gave me a detention. It's weird...'
But Kagome quickly ducked her head down as Snape looked up to stare around the room. For some reason, she didn't like the way he looked at her. Whenever she looked directly at him, she felt the creepiest sensation. As if he was looking right through her or scanning her thoughts...
'Yeah, right.' She thought irritably she dipped her quill into the ink well and began to write, 'I hope not.'
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Half an hour later the bell rang and there was a great shuffling and scraping of chairs as the students got up to leave as quick as possible. Kagome packed her bag up and had just stepped into the aisle when someone knocked into her, making her stumble into the desk opposite her.
"Watch it, miko." A voice said gruffly as they pushed past her.
Kagome looked up to see Draco Malfoy, a smirk on his face, he paused to look around the room. All the other students had filed out and Snape, who had left to the teacher's room twenty minutes ago, had yet to return.
Kagome straightened her bag on her shoulder and glanced at him wearily. She wasn't quite sure what kind of relationship, if any, she had with Draco. Sometimes he was all right, and other times, she wanted to smack him. She had come to the realization that it all depended on who was around and watching him. Not to mention she was still angry that he had disowned his little brother.
'Perhaps he doesn't know?' Kagome thought, but gossip flew around Hogwarts so fast and she was sure Draco had heard a good deal about it.
"You know, Snape really did have a point. At least about the statement you're making with this." He tugged on one of the corner of her voluminous sleeve. "And red...whatever those are...how Gryffindor." Draco finished nodding at her pants.
Kagome sighed, "The pants are called hakama and they're always red. I have to wear this for my Miko Training class, which was today and was right before Potions. Besides, why are you talking to me, I'm a Gryffindor. Remember how horrible I am?" Kagome asked testily.
Draco smirked, "Glad to see you've got that straight."
Kagome rolled her eyes and pushed past him, heading towards the door, "Great I'm going to be late for my next class."
"Wait."
Kagome turned around her eyebrows raised in surprise.
"I did have a reason for talking to you." Draco said staring at the floor. He reached into his robe pocket and pulled out an envelope. "Listen, what you said last week about Demetrius, well." He stopped, and held out the letter, "Could you just give this to him for me?"
Kagome looked at him, to the letter, and back at him again. "Why do you want me to?" Kagome asked.
Draco glanced nervously at the door and dropped his voice, "You just don't get it do you? If I talk to Demetrius, a Gryffindor, I will be completely shunned by the Slytherins. And Demetrius-"
"Demetrius is already disowned." Kagome shot back hotly. "He told me so. Last week, he told me no one will talk to him, not even his family. It's disgusting. You're his brother, aren't you supposed to watch out for him?" Kagome asked, her voice rising.
But Draco didn't answer her, and when he looked back at her, the usual smirk on his face was gone. He looked totally different at this moment. Maybe it was because it was the first time Kagome had ever seen him show any kind of remorse.
Draco stuffed the letter in her hand and walked out of the classroom, leaving a stunned Kagome in his wake.
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"That was absolutely brilliant, Kagome." Harry said grinning.
"Bloody brilliant, I don't suppose I've ever seen Snape that mad." Ron said in amazement.
"Maybe you went a tad too far." Hermione said frowning.
"Hermione, how can you say that? Snape was completely picking on her for no reason. He was asking for it." Harry argued.
Hermione cracked an unusual mischievous smile, "Well, I suppose so, but I wouldn't do it again, if I were you."
"Did he give you a detention?" Harry asked.
Kagome shook her head.
"That's odd. I mean, it isn't like Snape to not punish students, especially when he has a reason too, is it?" Ron asked, puzzled.
"No, its not, especially since you're in Gryffindor." Harry added to Kagome.
"I thought he hated me though," Kagome wondered out loud, "But he did take ten points for me being late."
"Well whatever is up with Snape, it's for the better." Ron said brightly, "And I wouldn't worry about it if it means that he's going to lighten up more on us Gryffindors." They all nodded in agreement as they trudged down the steep lawns to their Care of Magical Creatures Class.
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Kagome enjoyed Care of Magical Creatures class much more than potions. It might've been because Hagrid, her Professor, had them look after some recently hatched Rimphs.
The Rimphs were extremely pleasant mannered creatures. They were very small, about the size of a brick. They looked like they were a mix between cat, horse, and dolphin. They had a cat like face with midnight blue fur that shimmered brilliant red in the sunlight. It's body was like that of a horse, and the legs turned to sleek webbed fins where the hooves should have been. The fur turned to shimmering blue scales the closer it got to the legs and fins, which were black.
"Now, Rimphs," Hagrid explained holding a Rimph carefully in his giant hand, "are born from these 'ere eggs. Ya see the purple lookin' ones?" Hagrid pointed to the violet shells on the ground, "They look jus' like normal bird eggs, and if ya ever run into a nest of 'em, bes' move out of tha' area. Mum's pretty protective, ya see."
Hagrid set the Rimph into the large crate of water. "Now what yer goin' ter do, is come up and get yerself an egg. It takes eight days fer em to 'atch, then yer goin ter take care of 'em." Hagrid instructed. "O course, yer goin ter 'ave to monitor their behavior, take daily notes an' the like."
The class peered curiously into the crate. The surface was calm and smooth and the only sign that something was darting beneath its surface was the tell tale ripples. Hagrid motioned them over to a another smaller crate on the ground filled with frosted, violet eggs. The students carefully picked an egg up with a pair of cushioned tongs, (the eggs were too cold to touch), and they placed them in little cartons lined with a special cooling fabric.
"Now then, take yer notes, an jus' put 'em carefully in here." Hagrid said pointing to a cage-like cupboard on the side of his house. "An' don' ferget to lock the cage!" Hagrid called as the students started to talk amoungst themselves.
Kagome sat down on the grass with her egg and placed it gently in front of her. She began scratching in the color of the egg, when she lifted her head in alarm. She jumped to her feet, her quill and ink fell to the ground, splattering her egg with black speckles. Kagome's breathing quickened and the familiar sensation came rushing over her. The hair on the back of her neck was on end and as she took several steps towards the woods. She gazed into the darkness, and she was almost sure of it.
"Hey watch it!"
Kagome stumbled over a pair of Ravenclaws as she stared unblinking at the Forbidden Forest. The trees's leaves were rustling in an ominous way, their pale undersides waving in warning. She stopped, and listened as hard as she could, trying to block out the chattering of the students around her. She waited and then she heard a dull thud. It wasn't loud or hard enough to attract the other students attention, but Kagome had a pretty good idea. Something had just knocked over a tree, and by the sound, it was something large.
She reached around her shoulder and realized her bow and arrows were still in her bag. She dashed back across the student strewn lawn and grabbed them. She notched an arrow in her bow and turned back to the woods.
"Kagome?" A questioning voice asked from behind her.
It was Hermione and she was staring at her with a furrowed brow. "Is something wrong?"
Kagome looked at her and glanced around. A few students had paused to look at her strangely, and Kagome lowered the bow. She leaned in and whispered quickly. "There's something in the woods, and it's not good."
But Hermione's face relaxed greatly, "Of course there's something in the woods, there's werewolves, unicorns, centaurs, and all sorts of magical creatures in there."
"No, I know." Kagome answered quickly, "I've sensed those kinds of creatures before, but nothing like this. It's an evil presence and," She paused as she peered into the wood's dark shadows, "I'm sure it's getting closer."
Kagome turned back to Hermione but she was staring somewhere else. Kagome followed her gaze and it led straight to Harry. He was standing the farthest from the other students, he was right on the edge of the forest, and he seemed to be gazing intently into the trees.
"Whats up with Harry?" Ron asked as he joined them still holding his egg carton. "Hermione, my egg has a crack do you think you could-"
"Shhh!" Hermione hissed, as she cocked her ear towards the forest listening.
Kagome walked towards Harry, followed closely by Hermione, and even more so by a bewildered Ron.
"There's something in there." Harry said, his wand raised.
Kagome lifted her bow and peered as hard as she could through the foliage.
"Will someone please tell me, what this is all about!" Ron hissed, as he too, pulled out his wand.
"It's a demon." Kagome said, "And a strong one at that." She shivered, 'It feels similar to Naraku, except, colder somehow.' She thought.
"Kagome leaned forward, "I can't see anything but I-"
But just as she was mid sentence, a scream like no other rang out across the grounds. It was shrill and it sent a shiver rippling down her back and the hairs on her arm and neck stood on end. It sounded like a bloodcurdling scream combined with fingernails on a chalkboard. Ron dropped his carton and Hermione stumbled backwards. The students had jolted at the sound and they now stared fearfully at the Forest.
Kagome had released the arrow in surprise which went horribly off course and had planted itself firmly in the door frame of Hagrid's hut. Hagrid had disappeared inside and emerged with a large cross bow, he like the students, wore an expression of tense worry. He ripped Kagome's stray arrow from the frame and notched it into the crossbow. "Fang, come." He barked, and a black boarhound trotted out from the inside of the house. "All, righ.' Evryone, get back up ter the castle now!" The students needn't telling twice, they were packed within seconds and they ran wildly up the sloped lawns.
"You four!" He growled angrily, "I said, get up ter the castle, this is dangerous business, this is!"
"But, Hagrid are you-"
"Get yer stuff and get outta here!" He bellowed.
Hermione and Ron walked away from the wood's edge and picked up their bags. But Harry and Kagome didn't move.
"Hagrid, I know what's in there." Kagome said after a moment.
"Higurashi, go." He said.
"Please, it's a demon. Let me help, I can purify it and-"
"And yer also a student who's in me class and I 'ave dismissed ya, now go."
Their attention was pulled back to the woods as a loud grating crunch erupted and tree branches rained down on them.
"GO!" Hagrid boomed.
Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Kagome fled from the shower of branches. They turned around and watched as Hagrid shot arrow after arrow at the tree line.
"We can't just leave him like this." Harry said impatiently. "We have to help him."
They nodded in silent agreement.
The trees calmed and the grounds were still for a few moments. They waited in tense silence for an attack, but none came. Instead a slouched figure emerged from the dark bushes.
Kagome watched as Hagrid readied his crossbow. The figure staggered forward. It was a mere girl with short black hair. Her face was pale and weary, her robes torn and filthy. She was a student. She fell to her knees as she gasped for breath.
Hagrid rushed towards her. "Someone, go an' get some 'elp!" He shouted.
"I'll go!" Ron yelled as he ran up the lawn to the castle.
"Are you all righ,' miss?" Hagrid inquired as he helped her to her feet.
Harry and Kagome were walking cautiously towards the scene, when Kagome shot her hand out in front of Harry, "Wait! Stop Hagrid!" Kagome shouted horrified, "Get away from her now!" She notched an arrow and let it fly, it grazed the girl's face and she let out the same horrible scream they had heard earlier, this time, in anger. "She's a demon in disguise!"
The demonic girl clutched the side of her head, and as she did, she made a slashing motion at Hagrid who was blasted back into the side of his hut, and was knocked undoubtedly unconscious.
"Hagrid!" Harry shouted in alarm as he ran over to him.
The demon looked up, revealing a ghostly white face, with burning eyes of red, her lips were curled back inhumanly, revealing long, pointed fangs, a dull color yellow. She lifted her hands, which were making horrible ripping noises as the fingers grew long, complete with sharpened claws.
"You are a miko, are you not?" The demonic girl hissed.
Kagome stood her ground, she notched another arrow, "I am, who are you?" Kagome asked in a threatening tone.
The demon smiled wickedly, "I am the Demoness, Wann. Do you carry the Sacred Jewel?" The demon took a step forward and in an instant was standing right in front of Kagome.
Kagome gasped and she stumbled back, her arrow slipped from her pinched fingers and fell to the ground. The demon was truly even more horrid looking up close. It's gaunt figure towered over Kagome even though it was slouching. It raised a gray, clammy hand and ran one if its long fingernails down the side of Kagome's face. Kagome winced as she felt blood trickle down her cheek and down her neck.
"Get away from her!" Harry bellowed, he waved his wand, "Expeliarmus!"
The spell hit the demon square in the back and knocked her head over heels. "You, boy!" she shrieked, "Stay out of it!" The demon struck the ground with her arm and it erupted and rippled like a wave; straight at Harry. The ground bucked him high up into the air and he fell and landed with a sickening crunch.
"Harry!" Kagome and Hermione shouted out in unision. They rushed towards him and dropped beside him. His arm was sticking out at an odd angle from beneath his prone form.
"Harry, wake up, please wake up!" Hermione whispered hoarsely, but Harry lay still.
Kagome bent her head low, and was happy to hear his shallow breathing. "He's breathing! Hermione, get yourself and Harry out of here now."
"Nonsense, what about yo-"
"Don't worry I'll be fine, no go to the castle, and get some help-get Professor Sinistra!" Kagome said quickly. She sat back on her heels and glared up at the demon.
Wann was laughing, clearly enjoying herself, "I have not had this much fun in years, silly boy, like spells could affect me. Honestly what was he thinking." The demoness chuckled.
Kagome was shaking with rage. "Shut up!" She bellowed. Kagome watched Hermione out of the corner of her eye as she dragged Harry slowly out of harm's way. Hermione slung his good arm over her shoulder and began walking slowly up the hill. 'I have to distract the demon so she doesn't go after them.' Kagome thought.
The demon stopped laughing and fixed her red eyes on her, a murderous glint shining in them. "I know for a fact you do not have the Jewel, no, it is in that tower." The demon said pointing at the castle. "You are of no use and you know not your place. Good bye, miko." The demon lunged back and sprung, her arm raised above her head.
Kagome shielded her face with one arm and held the other out on instinct. She squeezed her eye lids shut, "St, Stay away!!" The next moment, a blinding light was blazing through her closed eye lids. She opened them quickly and saw a familiar purple light emitting from her outstretched hand. Just above it was the demon, stopped in midair and shrieking in pain.
"Violent wench, what have you done to me!!?" The demon screeched, "What is this!!?" The demoness shot through the air as if caught in a high power wind, where she landed hard, twenty feet away.
Kagome didn't waste anytime, she scrambled to her feet and made a mad dash to her bow and quiver of arrows. She could hear the demon fuming behind her as it got back to its feet. She snatched up her bow and fumbled for an arrow. The demon roared as it lunged at her again. She notched her arrow, aimed, and with as much force as she could muster, released it. The lawns were momentarily engulfed in the dazzling purple light that was the arrow as it streaked up at its target. The Demoness Wann gasped in surprise then let out a final ear splitting scream. The light diminished and all that remained of Wann was a shower of dust that drifted to the ground harmlessly.
The grounds fell into silence for a moment, then the birds began to chirp happily again, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Kagome sank to her knees, breathing heavily as relief flooded over her. 'For a second there, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it.' She thought darkly. She turned to look at Hagrid, who was still slumped against his hut, 'I hope he's all right.' Kagome thought, now remembering about him and Harry. She got shakily to her feet and stared at her hand, 'How was I able to produce that light again, the only time I was able to, was when I had the jewel.'
Kagome walked over to Hagrid and gently prodded his shoulder, "Professor, err, Hagrid?" Kagome asked gently. But he remained still, she sighed and turned back towards the castle. She was extremely happy to see a group of people emerging from the opened doors, and coming in her direction.
Then a thought struck her, 'The demoness! She said I didn't have the jewel shards, but that's what attracted her in the first place, meaning that they must be really close by!' She stared back at the castle and tried to remember which tower the demoness had pointed to. 'She said the jewel was in a tower... It must be that one!' Kagome broke out into a large smile, she knew exactly where the jewel was and now she could find it. After all her worrying, it would soon be over.
She quickly stopped smiling as her head began to ache, as if she had been hit with a fry pan, or in this case, 'more like a cauldron...' She thought drowsily. She sank to her knees, all of a sudden she felt incredibly exhausted. Her eyes drooped and blurred and the last thing she remembered seeing was a very upset looking Professor McGonagall...
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Images of the Demoness Wann and the fight floated through her mind, her horrible scream kept replaying over and over in Kagome's dreams. The tower, that was currently home to the jewel, seemed to grow farther and farther away whenever she tried to run to it. She thrashed in her sleep, as her dream shifted and changed to the familiar dark room with the floor of water. The orb that always hung out of her reach and that icy voice...
"I swear to ya I'm alrigh' already!"
Kagome opened he eyes and quickly closed them, as she was blinded by sunlight. She creaked them back open and at once knew where she was. She was in the Hospital Wing, and by the sound of it, so was Professor Hagrid.
"Oh, all right," A waspish voice replied, "But make sure you drink this, now I'm serious!"
Hagrid mumbled something in reply and the door creaked open and closed. Kagome sat up and rubbed her cheek. It was bandaged and it stung when she touched it. She looked around the room at the other beds, most were empty except for one at the far side where a girl with bright red hair lay asleep. The bed across from her was also occupied, a mass of tangled black hair was sticking out on the pillow...
"Harry!" Kagome choked out in a weak voice. She shoved the sheets off of her and slid out of the bed.
"What do you think you're doing!?"
Kagome looked behind her to see Madam Pomfrey bustling over with a goblet in hand. "He's asleep, don't go waking him!"
"Sorry." Kagome said quietly. "Is he okay?" She asked.
"He'll be all right, his arm has been mended, luckily, those are the worst of his injuries." Madam Pomfrey explained as she smoothed the blankets on Harry's bed. "And as for you," she gave Kagome a pointed glare, "what on earth were you thinking, taking on a full fledged demon. You could've been killed." She clicked her tongue in disapproval. Madam Pomfrey handed her the goblet, "Drink up, the Headmaster has asked me to escort you to his office as soon as you have awoken." Madam Pomfrey said, "Though I must insist that you rest afterwards."
Kagome nodded as she gulped the contents of the goblet. It tingled her nose, almost like soda, and she soon felt wide awake and full of energy. She looked at her night stand and found fresh clothes, she pulled the curtain around her bed and quickly dressed, a knot in her stomach. Why did the Headmaster want to see her? What if he was angry at her? Madam Pomfrey seemed to be upset about the incident... Surely, it had been her fault that she had endangered the lives of her professor and fellow classmates. It felt like a brick had dropped into her stomach as a sudden realization came over her, what if she was expelled?
"Damn that jewel." Kagome muttered angrily under her breath. Wherever it went, future or past, havoc seemed to rise in its wake. It was only September, how many other disasters would occur throughout the school year? 'But I don't have to worry about that, Inuyasha is coming for it at Christmas.' This thought comforted her, though, not for too long, as Kagome remembered that she had lost it. 'I have to get to that tower as soon as possible.' Kagome thought with determination.
Kagome pushed the curtain aside, walked to the front of the Infirmary, and placed the empty goblet on her desk. Madam Pomfrey emerged from one of the back rooms, "Drank it all then?" She asked.
Kagome nodded in reply.
"Very well, this way." Madam Pomfrey said. She opened the door and walked out, Kagome followed in her wake.
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Kagome stood facing a large gargoyle statue, waiting as Madam Pomfrey glanced around and muttered the password. Which was now, "Spew." Hidden behind the gargoyle was a slow rotating staircase, winding upwards.
"Remember, Miss Higurashi, after this, get some bed rest." Madam Pomfrey ordered as she turned and walked off down the hall.
Kagome stepped onto the staircase and waited as she was carried up and up. She was rather dizzy when she stepped off the staircase and walked to a large door. She paused as she heard muffled voices from the other side and knocked politely.
"Enter." A voice replied through the door.
Kagome pushed it open and stepped in. The first thing she saw was a large desk at the far side of the circular room, and an old man with a long white beard sitting behind it, his hands folded under his chin as he smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling. Kagome noticed Professor Sinistra sitting gracefully in a large squashy arm chair, her hands were folded neatly in her lap and she looked serene as always, though Kagome couldn't help but notice her foot tapping in a rather nervous way.
"Ah, Miss Higurashi, please have a seat." The headmaster, inquired motioning to a second arm chair.
Kagome sat down, not quite as nervous as before. The headmaster didn't seem at all angry, as she had believed he would have been. In fact, he looked quite the opposite.
"I am Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, as you may have deduced." He smiled. "You may believe that you are in some sort of trouble for this afternoon's events. And I must tell you, that you are not. Quite the contrary, actually. Indeed, Professor Hagrid and Harry Potter were injured, but I fear they may have experienced worse, had you not been there."
Kagome looked at the floor. "Excuse me, Professor," she spoke up timidly, "but it was my fault the demon attacked Professor Hagrid and the others in the first place."
"How so?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Sir, you do know about the jewel?" Kagome asked.
Dumbledore nodded, "A true object of mystery, with powers beyond the most imaginative dreams, it's understanding how tempting something of that nature could be."
"Yes, sir, and that's why Wann attacked. She was looking for it, because I brought it here with me, by accident. But I don't have it any more. I, I lost it." Kagome said feeling worse than ever.
She looked up at Dumbledore, who's eyes were glinting in a bemused way. "I trust that you understand the consequences of the jewel, as you have had much experience?"
Kagome nodded, "I think I know where to find it, sir, and I've made plans to have it taken to a safe place during the Christmas holiday."
Dumbledore looked at her curiously, before answering, "I believe that you can undertake the protection of the Jewel of Four Souls. But, I must impress upon you the importance of locating it, which in truth, might prove a more difficult task. I shudder to think of what could happen in the wrong hands..."
Kagome nodded, "I'll find it, sir, it's my job to protect the jewel."
"I also want it understood that, help is always available from either myself or Professor Sinistra." Dumbledore replied, "Now, I believe I heard Madam Pomfrey talking about bed rest, I myself find it wise to follow her requests." He mused, his blue eyes twinkling.
Kagome smiled, "Thank you, sir." She bowed respectfully.
Professor Sinistra rose from her chair, and motioned for Kagome to follow her. Kagome left the office, feeling confusingly better and yet worse. She was glad that she was not going to be expelled and that Harry and Hagrid were going to be all right, but she also felt horribly guilty that the incident occurred because of her lack of responsibility.
Professor Sinistra stopped and turned to Kagome when they had reached the base of the Astronomy Tower. "You know, I was standing about here when brilliant light filled this hallway. It was as if someone had lit off a giant crate of filibuster fire works." She mused. "But it was not, it was your arrow, your purifying powers. Your abilities and courage are great, Kagome, but-" She stopped and smiled faintly.
Kagome looked at her in surprise, "but what Professor?"
"Nevermind, I have faith." She answered in a serene and mysterious voice.
Kagome smiled weakly.
Professor Sinistra pushed aside a tapestry that covered the door to the hidden staircase, "Find the jewel, Kagome, I know you understand why." As she began to climb the stairs she called over her shoulder, "Perhaps, the appearance of the Demoness Wann was a blessing in disguise?"
Kagome walked away puzzled, at the Professor's last words. A blessing in disguise? Surely, it was the demon was no blessing... But Kagome took off at a run, as she realized the full meaning of these words...
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A/N: Finally! Chapter 7 is complete and surprisingly a lot shorter! lol, but no worries, plenty more to come, believe me :) I want to give a BIG Thank You! to all my reviewers, and I hope you are enjoying this story so far! I've been a bit busy, I'm trying my hand at a Harry Potter parody story, but I'm not sure if I'm going to post it, yet... it's rather silly... lol, I never realized how much work it is to write fanfic until now, and I only hope it's paying off...so until next time, and hopefully it will be soon, happy reading :)
-:- 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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"Higurashi, you're late."
"I'm sorry Professor, I was kept late in class and-"
"Enough. Ten points from Gryffindor, and I don't believe that is the proper dress code?"
Kagome glanced down and realized she was still in her miko robes. Her cheeks warmed pink as Snape's lip curled in cruel amusement.
"Do you intend on passing my class," he looked her up and down and smirked, "or are you trying to make some sort of a statement with those ridiculous clothes? I daresay, as of now, you're failing both miserably."
Kagome's cheeks reddened in embarrassment, and as the Slytherins began to snicker loudly, she gathered her pride and stood taller.
"Excuse me, Professor, but I was under the impression that you were a professional teacher. After all, the reason why I came here is to learn and not be insulted." Kagome walked to an empty desk near Hermione who, like the rest of the class, was gaping at her in amazement. "My clothes are that of a miko and I'm sorry for being late, but if I had changed I would have been even more late for your class, and surely that is not what you would have wanted." Kagome replied calmly as she sat down and opened her Potions book.
She chanced a glance up at Snape, though, she wished she hadn't.
Snape was standing at the front of the room shaking with suppressed fury, he was gripping the end of his desk so tightly his knuckles were white and the contents of the desk rattled loudly.
'I'm in so much trouble now...' Kagome thought anxiously.
A nasty silence had settled around the room, and Kagome was trying to ignore Hermione, who was trying to mouth to her what her words had just done.
"Miss Higurashi," Snape said calmly, although it was impossible to miss the ice frozen to every letter. "I believe you already have had one detention so far this year?"
Kagome nodded, timidly, fretting the worst. Last week had gone smoothly and was for the most part very enjoyable. Except for the day she had had her detention. Kagome had to clean the potions classroom, apparently someone from Snape's last class of the day had managed to ignite their potion and effectively blow it up. It was her job to scrub the film of slime from the desks, walls, and shelves.
"You're getting another one, see me after class." Snape hissed. He turned abruptly from the students and waved his wand over the chalkboard. "Copy down these notes." He barked. There was a shuffling of bags, books, and quills before the class settled and began writing.
Everyone except Kagome; she was staring at Snape in utter confusion. 'That was a pretty nasty thing I said, it's odd, but he didn't take any points away.' She thought, 'Not that I'm complaining, but, he only gave me a detention. It's weird...'
But Kagome quickly ducked her head down as Snape looked up to stare around the room. For some reason, she didn't like the way he looked at her. Whenever she looked directly at him, she felt the creepiest sensation. As if he was looking right through her or scanning her thoughts...
'Yeah, right.' She thought irritably she dipped her quill into the ink well and began to write, 'I hope not.'
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Half an hour later the bell rang and there was a great shuffling and scraping of chairs as the students got up to leave as quick as possible. Kagome packed her bag up and had just stepped into the aisle when someone knocked into her, making her stumble into the desk opposite her.
"Watch it, miko." A voice said gruffly as they pushed past her.
Kagome looked up to see Draco Malfoy, a smirk on his face, he paused to look around the room. All the other students had filed out and Snape, who had left to the teacher's room twenty minutes ago, had yet to return.
Kagome straightened her bag on her shoulder and glanced at him wearily. She wasn't quite sure what kind of relationship, if any, she had with Draco. Sometimes he was all right, and other times, she wanted to smack him. She had come to the realization that it all depended on who was around and watching him. Not to mention she was still angry that he had disowned his little brother.
'Perhaps he doesn't know?' Kagome thought, but gossip flew around Hogwarts so fast and she was sure Draco had heard a good deal about it.
"You know, Snape really did have a point. At least about the statement you're making with this." He tugged on one of the corner of her voluminous sleeve. "And red...whatever those are...how Gryffindor." Draco finished nodding at her pants.
Kagome sighed, "The pants are called hakama and they're always red. I have to wear this for my Miko Training class, which was today and was right before Potions. Besides, why are you talking to me, I'm a Gryffindor. Remember how horrible I am?" Kagome asked testily.
Draco smirked, "Glad to see you've got that straight."
Kagome rolled her eyes and pushed past him, heading towards the door, "Great I'm going to be late for my next class."
"Wait."
Kagome turned around her eyebrows raised in surprise.
"I did have a reason for talking to you." Draco said staring at the floor. He reached into his robe pocket and pulled out an envelope. "Listen, what you said last week about Demetrius, well." He stopped, and held out the letter, "Could you just give this to him for me?"
Kagome looked at him, to the letter, and back at him again. "Why do you want me to?" Kagome asked.
Draco glanced nervously at the door and dropped his voice, "You just don't get it do you? If I talk to Demetrius, a Gryffindor, I will be completely shunned by the Slytherins. And Demetrius-"
"Demetrius is already disowned." Kagome shot back hotly. "He told me so. Last week, he told me no one will talk to him, not even his family. It's disgusting. You're his brother, aren't you supposed to watch out for him?" Kagome asked, her voice rising.
But Draco didn't answer her, and when he looked back at her, the usual smirk on his face was gone. He looked totally different at this moment. Maybe it was because it was the first time Kagome had ever seen him show any kind of remorse.
Draco stuffed the letter in her hand and walked out of the classroom, leaving a stunned Kagome in his wake.
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"That was absolutely brilliant, Kagome." Harry said grinning.
"Bloody brilliant, I don't suppose I've ever seen Snape that mad." Ron said in amazement.
"Maybe you went a tad too far." Hermione said frowning.
"Hermione, how can you say that? Snape was completely picking on her for no reason. He was asking for it." Harry argued.
Hermione cracked an unusual mischievous smile, "Well, I suppose so, but I wouldn't do it again, if I were you."
"Did he give you a detention?" Harry asked.
Kagome shook her head.
"That's odd. I mean, it isn't like Snape to not punish students, especially when he has a reason too, is it?" Ron asked, puzzled.
"No, its not, especially since you're in Gryffindor." Harry added to Kagome.
"I thought he hated me though," Kagome wondered out loud, "But he did take ten points for me being late."
"Well whatever is up with Snape, it's for the better." Ron said brightly, "And I wouldn't worry about it if it means that he's going to lighten up more on us Gryffindors." They all nodded in agreement as they trudged down the steep lawns to their Care of Magical Creatures Class.
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Kagome enjoyed Care of Magical Creatures class much more than potions. It might've been because Hagrid, her Professor, had them look after some recently hatched Rimphs.
The Rimphs were extremely pleasant mannered creatures. They were very small, about the size of a brick. They looked like they were a mix between cat, horse, and dolphin. They had a cat like face with midnight blue fur that shimmered brilliant red in the sunlight. It's body was like that of a horse, and the legs turned to sleek webbed fins where the hooves should have been. The fur turned to shimmering blue scales the closer it got to the legs and fins, which were black.
"Now, Rimphs," Hagrid explained holding a Rimph carefully in his giant hand, "are born from these 'ere eggs. Ya see the purple lookin' ones?" Hagrid pointed to the violet shells on the ground, "They look jus' like normal bird eggs, and if ya ever run into a nest of 'em, bes' move out of tha' area. Mum's pretty protective, ya see."
Hagrid set the Rimph into the large crate of water. "Now what yer goin' ter do, is come up and get yerself an egg. It takes eight days fer em to 'atch, then yer goin ter take care of 'em." Hagrid instructed. "O course, yer goin ter 'ave to monitor their behavior, take daily notes an' the like."
The class peered curiously into the crate. The surface was calm and smooth and the only sign that something was darting beneath its surface was the tell tale ripples. Hagrid motioned them over to a another smaller crate on the ground filled with frosted, violet eggs. The students carefully picked an egg up with a pair of cushioned tongs, (the eggs were too cold to touch), and they placed them in little cartons lined with a special cooling fabric.
"Now then, take yer notes, an jus' put 'em carefully in here." Hagrid said pointing to a cage-like cupboard on the side of his house. "An' don' ferget to lock the cage!" Hagrid called as the students started to talk amoungst themselves.
Kagome sat down on the grass with her egg and placed it gently in front of her. She began scratching in the color of the egg, when she lifted her head in alarm. She jumped to her feet, her quill and ink fell to the ground, splattering her egg with black speckles. Kagome's breathing quickened and the familiar sensation came rushing over her. The hair on the back of her neck was on end and as she took several steps towards the woods. She gazed into the darkness, and she was almost sure of it.
"Hey watch it!"
Kagome stumbled over a pair of Ravenclaws as she stared unblinking at the Forbidden Forest. The trees's leaves were rustling in an ominous way, their pale undersides waving in warning. She stopped, and listened as hard as she could, trying to block out the chattering of the students around her. She waited and then she heard a dull thud. It wasn't loud or hard enough to attract the other students attention, but Kagome had a pretty good idea. Something had just knocked over a tree, and by the sound, it was something large.
She reached around her shoulder and realized her bow and arrows were still in her bag. She dashed back across the student strewn lawn and grabbed them. She notched an arrow in her bow and turned back to the woods.
"Kagome?" A questioning voice asked from behind her.
It was Hermione and she was staring at her with a furrowed brow. "Is something wrong?"
Kagome looked at her and glanced around. A few students had paused to look at her strangely, and Kagome lowered the bow. She leaned in and whispered quickly. "There's something in the woods, and it's not good."
But Hermione's face relaxed greatly, "Of course there's something in the woods, there's werewolves, unicorns, centaurs, and all sorts of magical creatures in there."
"No, I know." Kagome answered quickly, "I've sensed those kinds of creatures before, but nothing like this. It's an evil presence and," She paused as she peered into the wood's dark shadows, "I'm sure it's getting closer."
Kagome turned back to Hermione but she was staring somewhere else. Kagome followed her gaze and it led straight to Harry. He was standing the farthest from the other students, he was right on the edge of the forest, and he seemed to be gazing intently into the trees.
"Whats up with Harry?" Ron asked as he joined them still holding his egg carton. "Hermione, my egg has a crack do you think you could-"
"Shhh!" Hermione hissed, as she cocked her ear towards the forest listening.
Kagome walked towards Harry, followed closely by Hermione, and even more so by a bewildered Ron.
"There's something in there." Harry said, his wand raised.
Kagome lifted her bow and peered as hard as she could through the foliage.
"Will someone please tell me, what this is all about!" Ron hissed, as he too, pulled out his wand.
"It's a demon." Kagome said, "And a strong one at that." She shivered, 'It feels similar to Naraku, except, colder somehow.' She thought.
"Kagome leaned forward, "I can't see anything but I-"
But just as she was mid sentence, a scream like no other rang out across the grounds. It was shrill and it sent a shiver rippling down her back and the hairs on her arm and neck stood on end. It sounded like a bloodcurdling scream combined with fingernails on a chalkboard. Ron dropped his carton and Hermione stumbled backwards. The students had jolted at the sound and they now stared fearfully at the Forest.
Kagome had released the arrow in surprise which went horribly off course and had planted itself firmly in the door frame of Hagrid's hut. Hagrid had disappeared inside and emerged with a large cross bow, he like the students, wore an expression of tense worry. He ripped Kagome's stray arrow from the frame and notched it into the crossbow. "Fang, come." He barked, and a black boarhound trotted out from the inside of the house. "All, righ.' Evryone, get back up ter the castle now!" The students needn't telling twice, they were packed within seconds and they ran wildly up the sloped lawns.
"You four!" He growled angrily, "I said, get up ter the castle, this is dangerous business, this is!"
"But, Hagrid are you-"
"Get yer stuff and get outta here!" He bellowed.
Hermione and Ron walked away from the wood's edge and picked up their bags. But Harry and Kagome didn't move.
"Hagrid, I know what's in there." Kagome said after a moment.
"Higurashi, go." He said.
"Please, it's a demon. Let me help, I can purify it and-"
"And yer also a student who's in me class and I 'ave dismissed ya, now go."
Their attention was pulled back to the woods as a loud grating crunch erupted and tree branches rained down on them.
"GO!" Hagrid boomed.
Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Kagome fled from the shower of branches. They turned around and watched as Hagrid shot arrow after arrow at the tree line.
"We can't just leave him like this." Harry said impatiently. "We have to help him."
They nodded in silent agreement.
The trees calmed and the grounds were still for a few moments. They waited in tense silence for an attack, but none came. Instead a slouched figure emerged from the dark bushes.
Kagome watched as Hagrid readied his crossbow. The figure staggered forward. It was a mere girl with short black hair. Her face was pale and weary, her robes torn and filthy. She was a student. She fell to her knees as she gasped for breath.
Hagrid rushed towards her. "Someone, go an' get some 'elp!" He shouted.
"I'll go!" Ron yelled as he ran up the lawn to the castle.
"Are you all righ,' miss?" Hagrid inquired as he helped her to her feet.
Harry and Kagome were walking cautiously towards the scene, when Kagome shot her hand out in front of Harry, "Wait! Stop Hagrid!" Kagome shouted horrified, "Get away from her now!" She notched an arrow and let it fly, it grazed the girl's face and she let out the same horrible scream they had heard earlier, this time, in anger. "She's a demon in disguise!"
The demonic girl clutched the side of her head, and as she did, she made a slashing motion at Hagrid who was blasted back into the side of his hut, and was knocked undoubtedly unconscious.
"Hagrid!" Harry shouted in alarm as he ran over to him.
The demon looked up, revealing a ghostly white face, with burning eyes of red, her lips were curled back inhumanly, revealing long, pointed fangs, a dull color yellow. She lifted her hands, which were making horrible ripping noises as the fingers grew long, complete with sharpened claws.
"You are a miko, are you not?" The demonic girl hissed.
Kagome stood her ground, she notched another arrow, "I am, who are you?" Kagome asked in a threatening tone.
The demon smiled wickedly, "I am the Demoness, Wann. Do you carry the Sacred Jewel?" The demon took a step forward and in an instant was standing right in front of Kagome.
Kagome gasped and she stumbled back, her arrow slipped from her pinched fingers and fell to the ground. The demon was truly even more horrid looking up close. It's gaunt figure towered over Kagome even though it was slouching. It raised a gray, clammy hand and ran one if its long fingernails down the side of Kagome's face. Kagome winced as she felt blood trickle down her cheek and down her neck.
"Get away from her!" Harry bellowed, he waved his wand, "Expeliarmus!"
The spell hit the demon square in the back and knocked her head over heels. "You, boy!" she shrieked, "Stay out of it!" The demon struck the ground with her arm and it erupted and rippled like a wave; straight at Harry. The ground bucked him high up into the air and he fell and landed with a sickening crunch.
"Harry!" Kagome and Hermione shouted out in unision. They rushed towards him and dropped beside him. His arm was sticking out at an odd angle from beneath his prone form.
"Harry, wake up, please wake up!" Hermione whispered hoarsely, but Harry lay still.
Kagome bent her head low, and was happy to hear his shallow breathing. "He's breathing! Hermione, get yourself and Harry out of here now."
"Nonsense, what about yo-"
"Don't worry I'll be fine, no go to the castle, and get some help-get Professor Sinistra!" Kagome said quickly. She sat back on her heels and glared up at the demon.
Wann was laughing, clearly enjoying herself, "I have not had this much fun in years, silly boy, like spells could affect me. Honestly what was he thinking." The demoness chuckled.
Kagome was shaking with rage. "Shut up!" She bellowed. Kagome watched Hermione out of the corner of her eye as she dragged Harry slowly out of harm's way. Hermione slung his good arm over her shoulder and began walking slowly up the hill. 'I have to distract the demon so she doesn't go after them.' Kagome thought.
The demon stopped laughing and fixed her red eyes on her, a murderous glint shining in them. "I know for a fact you do not have the Jewel, no, it is in that tower." The demon said pointing at the castle. "You are of no use and you know not your place. Good bye, miko." The demon lunged back and sprung, her arm raised above her head.
Kagome shielded her face with one arm and held the other out on instinct. She squeezed her eye lids shut, "St, Stay away!!" The next moment, a blinding light was blazing through her closed eye lids. She opened them quickly and saw a familiar purple light emitting from her outstretched hand. Just above it was the demon, stopped in midair and shrieking in pain.
"Violent wench, what have you done to me!!?" The demon screeched, "What is this!!?" The demoness shot through the air as if caught in a high power wind, where she landed hard, twenty feet away.
Kagome didn't waste anytime, she scrambled to her feet and made a mad dash to her bow and quiver of arrows. She could hear the demon fuming behind her as it got back to its feet. She snatched up her bow and fumbled for an arrow. The demon roared as it lunged at her again. She notched her arrow, aimed, and with as much force as she could muster, released it. The lawns were momentarily engulfed in the dazzling purple light that was the arrow as it streaked up at its target. The Demoness Wann gasped in surprise then let out a final ear splitting scream. The light diminished and all that remained of Wann was a shower of dust that drifted to the ground harmlessly.
The grounds fell into silence for a moment, then the birds began to chirp happily again, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Kagome sank to her knees, breathing heavily as relief flooded over her. 'For a second there, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it.' She thought darkly. She turned to look at Hagrid, who was still slumped against his hut, 'I hope he's all right.' Kagome thought, now remembering about him and Harry. She got shakily to her feet and stared at her hand, 'How was I able to produce that light again, the only time I was able to, was when I had the jewel.'
Kagome walked over to Hagrid and gently prodded his shoulder, "Professor, err, Hagrid?" Kagome asked gently. But he remained still, she sighed and turned back towards the castle. She was extremely happy to see a group of people emerging from the opened doors, and coming in her direction.
Then a thought struck her, 'The demoness! She said I didn't have the jewel shards, but that's what attracted her in the first place, meaning that they must be really close by!' She stared back at the castle and tried to remember which tower the demoness had pointed to. 'She said the jewel was in a tower... It must be that one!' Kagome broke out into a large smile, she knew exactly where the jewel was and now she could find it. After all her worrying, it would soon be over.
She quickly stopped smiling as her head began to ache, as if she had been hit with a fry pan, or in this case, 'more like a cauldron...' She thought drowsily. She sank to her knees, all of a sudden she felt incredibly exhausted. Her eyes drooped and blurred and the last thing she remembered seeing was a very upset looking Professor McGonagall...
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Images of the Demoness Wann and the fight floated through her mind, her horrible scream kept replaying over and over in Kagome's dreams. The tower, that was currently home to the jewel, seemed to grow farther and farther away whenever she tried to run to it. She thrashed in her sleep, as her dream shifted and changed to the familiar dark room with the floor of water. The orb that always hung out of her reach and that icy voice...
"I swear to ya I'm alrigh' already!"
Kagome opened he eyes and quickly closed them, as she was blinded by sunlight. She creaked them back open and at once knew where she was. She was in the Hospital Wing, and by the sound of it, so was Professor Hagrid.
"Oh, all right," A waspish voice replied, "But make sure you drink this, now I'm serious!"
Hagrid mumbled something in reply and the door creaked open and closed. Kagome sat up and rubbed her cheek. It was bandaged and it stung when she touched it. She looked around the room at the other beds, most were empty except for one at the far side where a girl with bright red hair lay asleep. The bed across from her was also occupied, a mass of tangled black hair was sticking out on the pillow...
"Harry!" Kagome choked out in a weak voice. She shoved the sheets off of her and slid out of the bed.
"What do you think you're doing!?"
Kagome looked behind her to see Madam Pomfrey bustling over with a goblet in hand. "He's asleep, don't go waking him!"
"Sorry." Kagome said quietly. "Is he okay?" She asked.
"He'll be all right, his arm has been mended, luckily, those are the worst of his injuries." Madam Pomfrey explained as she smoothed the blankets on Harry's bed. "And as for you," she gave Kagome a pointed glare, "what on earth were you thinking, taking on a full fledged demon. You could've been killed." She clicked her tongue in disapproval. Madam Pomfrey handed her the goblet, "Drink up, the Headmaster has asked me to escort you to his office as soon as you have awoken." Madam Pomfrey said, "Though I must insist that you rest afterwards."
Kagome nodded as she gulped the contents of the goblet. It tingled her nose, almost like soda, and she soon felt wide awake and full of energy. She looked at her night stand and found fresh clothes, she pulled the curtain around her bed and quickly dressed, a knot in her stomach. Why did the Headmaster want to see her? What if he was angry at her? Madam Pomfrey seemed to be upset about the incident... Surely, it had been her fault that she had endangered the lives of her professor and fellow classmates. It felt like a brick had dropped into her stomach as a sudden realization came over her, what if she was expelled?
"Damn that jewel." Kagome muttered angrily under her breath. Wherever it went, future or past, havoc seemed to rise in its wake. It was only September, how many other disasters would occur throughout the school year? 'But I don't have to worry about that, Inuyasha is coming for it at Christmas.' This thought comforted her, though, not for too long, as Kagome remembered that she had lost it. 'I have to get to that tower as soon as possible.' Kagome thought with determination.
Kagome pushed the curtain aside, walked to the front of the Infirmary, and placed the empty goblet on her desk. Madam Pomfrey emerged from one of the back rooms, "Drank it all then?" She asked.
Kagome nodded in reply.
"Very well, this way." Madam Pomfrey said. She opened the door and walked out, Kagome followed in her wake.
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Kagome stood facing a large gargoyle statue, waiting as Madam Pomfrey glanced around and muttered the password. Which was now, "Spew." Hidden behind the gargoyle was a slow rotating staircase, winding upwards.
"Remember, Miss Higurashi, after this, get some bed rest." Madam Pomfrey ordered as she turned and walked off down the hall.
Kagome stepped onto the staircase and waited as she was carried up and up. She was rather dizzy when she stepped off the staircase and walked to a large door. She paused as she heard muffled voices from the other side and knocked politely.
"Enter." A voice replied through the door.
Kagome pushed it open and stepped in. The first thing she saw was a large desk at the far side of the circular room, and an old man with a long white beard sitting behind it, his hands folded under his chin as he smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling. Kagome noticed Professor Sinistra sitting gracefully in a large squashy arm chair, her hands were folded neatly in her lap and she looked serene as always, though Kagome couldn't help but notice her foot tapping in a rather nervous way.
"Ah, Miss Higurashi, please have a seat." The headmaster, inquired motioning to a second arm chair.
Kagome sat down, not quite as nervous as before. The headmaster didn't seem at all angry, as she had believed he would have been. In fact, he looked quite the opposite.
"I am Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, as you may have deduced." He smiled. "You may believe that you are in some sort of trouble for this afternoon's events. And I must tell you, that you are not. Quite the contrary, actually. Indeed, Professor Hagrid and Harry Potter were injured, but I fear they may have experienced worse, had you not been there."
Kagome looked at the floor. "Excuse me, Professor," she spoke up timidly, "but it was my fault the demon attacked Professor Hagrid and the others in the first place."
"How so?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Sir, you do know about the jewel?" Kagome asked.
Dumbledore nodded, "A true object of mystery, with powers beyond the most imaginative dreams, it's understanding how tempting something of that nature could be."
"Yes, sir, and that's why Wann attacked. She was looking for it, because I brought it here with me, by accident. But I don't have it any more. I, I lost it." Kagome said feeling worse than ever.
She looked up at Dumbledore, who's eyes were glinting in a bemused way. "I trust that you understand the consequences of the jewel, as you have had much experience?"
Kagome nodded, "I think I know where to find it, sir, and I've made plans to have it taken to a safe place during the Christmas holiday."
Dumbledore looked at her curiously, before answering, "I believe that you can undertake the protection of the Jewel of Four Souls. But, I must impress upon you the importance of locating it, which in truth, might prove a more difficult task. I shudder to think of what could happen in the wrong hands..."
Kagome nodded, "I'll find it, sir, it's my job to protect the jewel."
"I also want it understood that, help is always available from either myself or Professor Sinistra." Dumbledore replied, "Now, I believe I heard Madam Pomfrey talking about bed rest, I myself find it wise to follow her requests." He mused, his blue eyes twinkling.
Kagome smiled, "Thank you, sir." She bowed respectfully.
Professor Sinistra rose from her chair, and motioned for Kagome to follow her. Kagome left the office, feeling confusingly better and yet worse. She was glad that she was not going to be expelled and that Harry and Hagrid were going to be all right, but she also felt horribly guilty that the incident occurred because of her lack of responsibility.
Professor Sinistra stopped and turned to Kagome when they had reached the base of the Astronomy Tower. "You know, I was standing about here when brilliant light filled this hallway. It was as if someone had lit off a giant crate of filibuster fire works." She mused. "But it was not, it was your arrow, your purifying powers. Your abilities and courage are great, Kagome, but-" She stopped and smiled faintly.
Kagome looked at her in surprise, "but what Professor?"
"Nevermind, I have faith." She answered in a serene and mysterious voice.
Kagome smiled weakly.
Professor Sinistra pushed aside a tapestry that covered the door to the hidden staircase, "Find the jewel, Kagome, I know you understand why." As she began to climb the stairs she called over her shoulder, "Perhaps, the appearance of the Demoness Wann was a blessing in disguise?"
Kagome walked away puzzled, at the Professor's last words. A blessing in disguise? Surely, it was the demon was no blessing... But Kagome took off at a run, as she realized the full meaning of these words...
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A/N: Finally! Chapter 7 is complete and surprisingly a lot shorter! lol, but no worries, plenty more to come, believe me :) I want to give a BIG Thank You! to all my reviewers, and I hope you are enjoying this story so far! I've been a bit busy, I'm trying my hand at a Harry Potter parody story, but I'm not sure if I'm going to post it, yet... it's rather silly... lol, I never realized how much work it is to write fanfic until now, and I only hope it's paying off...so until next time, and hopefully it will be soon, happy reading :)
-:- Mikairi -:-