DISCLAIMER: Here we go: I don't own Harry Potter, Yu Yu Hakusho (though I wish for all the world that I owned Kurama...sigh).

Chapter 5: Hiei's Musings and the Sorting Hat

Hiei sat in the boat going to the Hogwarts castle and wondered.

What the hell was he doing here? Ah, yes. Just because some foolish human had tried to rough him up and he had retaliated violently. What was the problem with that? But no, Koenma decided to make that worthy of prison time. Pah. It's not like he'd killed the man.

He easily could have. Wasn't that worth a reward rather than a punishment?

The Hogwarts castle loomed up before them, and Hiei was mildly impressed that a human could ever make that type of structure. The key word there was 'mildly'. But he had seen more impressive sights in his lifetime.

As they stepped onto the shore and up the steps to the entrance of the castle, Hiei snuck a look at Kurama. He was seemingly at ease, the way that he always was. His eyes were alert, however, and the fire-demon knew that he was annoyed at being separated from their mission. Hiei personally couldn't care two flying figs about the little twit.

Yusuke and Kuwabara- that moron! –continued the fight that they had started as they had gotten off the train.

Hiei turned his gaze at the newest member of their group, the Thianadel girl. What an odd human. Hiei had thought that the comment he made at the end of her tale would make her downcast at the very least, for it seemed like the type of story one told to gain sympathy. But she had seemed... appreciative of it. Peculiar, to say the least.

And what an annoying little outfit this school had.

"Form a line, now. Transfer students, please stay here until I come back to fetch you again." This was said by a severe-looking woman who had introduced herself as Professor McGonagall.

"D'you think we could make a run for it while she's gone? I hate school," Yusuke grumbled. This earned him a glare from Thianadel.

So, instead of running, they waited for what seemed like eternity. Hiei could clearly hear what was going on inside, and Kurama probably could as well, but it was getting quite boring. Apparently someone was rattling off the first years' names and then something was announcing into which group they were supposed to go. And then finally, the list got to the Z's and the McGonagall woman was waving for them to come in.

"This year we have been granted a treat. There will be five transfer students joining the sixth year class. Four are from Japan and the fifth comes from the United States. Their mentor, Professor Genkai, has been appointed to the position of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and we are very happy to welcome them to Hogwarts. These students will now be Sorted," an old man said. Clearly this was the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, who had asked Koenma's help in protecting Harry.

Senile old fool. I could kill you in an instant, Hiei thought.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and was about to begin when she suddenly stared at the first name on the list. Then: "Hiei."

"Huh?"

"That guy's too short to be a sixth year!"

"Doesn't he have a surname?"

Hiei glared, but went up to the front of the room and sat on the stool there. McGonagall put a hat upon his head before he could protest.

You're quite unreadable, old one.

Of course I am, you ratty old-

Ah, a fiery little spirit aren't you? You know, if you'd just lower that barrier around your mind for a minute, it'd be easier and faster for-

Not a chance in hell.

Slytherin, then?

Whatever. It's not like I care.

"SLYTHERIN!" the hat crowed.

"Kuwabara, Kazuma."

Ah, a lot of courage in that brain of yours. Not an ounce of ill-will, either.

So, uh. Where does that put me?

Not all that clever, though...

HEY!

I think you belong in "GRYFFINDOR!"

 "Minamino, Suichi." Sighs rang out all over the hall.

Ah, another old one. Curious, though, that you choose to show me something. The other one wouldn't give anything.

He's not one for people skills.

Ah. Let's see, there's compassion for others, there's courage, there's ruthlessness, but above all, a desire to learn. That puts you in "RAVENCLAW!"

"Sherwood, Thianadel."

Let's see here. Tragedy runs deep, I see.

Can we keep off this subject, please?

As you wish. Courage, yes, and quite a lot of mental strength. Quick mind, I see. A very quick mind! Almost as bright as the one before you. "RAVENCLAW!"

"Urameshi, Yusuke."

Let's just get this over with, you stupid hat.

Ah, another fireball. An extraordinary amount of courage and loyalty! This one's sure to be in "GRYFFINDOR!"

"And now that the Sorting has been completed, I have but two words for you: Tuck in!" Dumbledore boomed.

"Hey Harry, we can't, like, go to a different table, can we?" Yusuke asked, looking across the Great Hall at Kurama.

"No. How did your friend Hiei get into Slytherin, anyway?" the green-eyed boy asked suspiciously, swallowing a spoonful of food.

"FOOD! Hey, how'd it get here?" But neither Yusuke nor Kuwabara bothered to listen to the reply or to answer Harry's question. Rather, they were downing the cuisine so fast that even Ron, who had previously been the biggest and fastest eater, stared.

Responses:

Slave2anime Thanks! I tried my hardest to make Thia a more... down to earth, just-your-average-adolescent kind of girl. Being perky's Botan's job! About the pairings...I'm thinking very hard about it...cannot decide!!!

Inu-Hakusho Girl, Everqueen, and DaftSageThanks soooo much!

Bar-Ohki You were soooo close! Cool!

xKitsunex Wow! Thank you!!!! About the Rando thing: I figured that if Thia decided to fight Rando she'd get slaughtered (what a bad thought to have! I have no confidence in my character!). I was worried about how everyone would take the 'beautiful' comment! About the Kurama-book thing: I was tempted...sooo tempted.

Author's Notes: Well, I thank you for your support... It's just so touching! (Not being sarcastic... it really is!) Well, anyway, please review!