-------------------------

Chapter 2: The Great Hall or Something Like It

On the steps to the castle, Harry and Hermione took the opportunity to point out some of the major landmarks around Hogwarts.

"That's the Forbidden Forest. Best of you to steer clear of that."

"There is the Whomping Willow. It would be a good idea not to get too close to it either."

"And that of course is the lake. Brilliantly beautiful in the spring, but it's best not to swim in it. Giant squid."

"Is there anything here that isn't gonna try and kill us? Not that it could," Kuwabara said, parading his famous goofy grin as Lavender and Parvarti walked by whispering to each other and giving the boys sideways glances.

Before Harry could reply, however, the group was broken in half by two blundering bullies shoving a path clear on the stairs for their master-in-commander.

"The only thing you really need to be afraid of here is me," Draco smirked, spinning on his heals to face the group.

"Shove off, Malfoy," Ron ordered, rolling his eyes. He definitely wasn't in the mood to deal with the greasy haired, blonde git. "When did you understand Japanese, anyways?"

"Exactly what I was going to ask you, Weasel. I didn't think your little brain could handle another language."

Ron electrified with anger.

-----------------------

Sensing the fight brewing between the two English boys, who obviously had a habit of sharing nasty comments like this, Yusuke didn't have the patience to wait out their scuffle. Plus, he was starting to like these three kids. He shoved between the giant, bodyguard like cronies and surprised Malfoy with a quick grab of his shirt.

"Apparently you were wrong, kid," he said in clear English, lifting Malfoy from the step. The surrounding kids all seemed to hear his declaration and stopped to watch the scene, as if someone had screamed "Fight!"

"Oh, this brute's got more in his mind than he looks too. Bravo," the blonde retorted unwisely, as Yusuke lifted him another foot, with only one hand. Kurama could tell that Yusuke was in a bad mood already, and the greasy blonde kid's attitude had really ticked him off. All of them could only pray that he could control himself.

"You bet your ass, I do," he glared, and, surprisingly, set Draco back on his feet, three steps below himself. "Now shove off, kid."

---------------

Completely surprised and confused by the scene they had just watched, Harry, Ron and Hermione could only stare, open-mouthed, as Yusuke led the way up to the castle, Kurama, Kuwabara, and Hiei following nonchalantly. As Crabbe and Goyle went to pick up their master, they found their feet again and followed behind the group of foreigners, the whispers of the other stunned students pushing them faster up the stairs.

Before they reached their new friends, however, Professor McGonagall had seized Yusuke's arm.

"This way, young men," she commanded, giving a little tug to his red jacket, which stuck out like a sore thumb in the sea of black robes. The three friends bounded up the remaining steps to the main hall, but McGonagall and her new prisoners had already disappeared through a side door.

With nothing more they could do for the Japanese boys, they took their seats at the Gryffindor table, hoping that McGonagall would go easy on the new students.

"I feel just awful for those poor boys. They seem so lost in our world. And they had to meet Malfoy and McGonagall before they even got inside!" Hermione worried, as the rest of the room chatted care-free around them.

"Yeah, they really do seem lost. Which worries me."

"They are kinda dubious, but at least we know they hate Malfoy too. Did you see that death-glare the short one was giving him? What's his name? He-man?"

"Hiei, Ron."

"Right, him. And that other one, Kuwabara, he . . ."

But the freckled boy stopped, distracted by the arrival of the first years, followed by McGonagall and the sorting hat. And trailing behind the group were four very surly looking boys in black Hogwarts robes, each with their pointed hats in their hands.

-----------------------

"These are the stupidest looking hats I have ever seen," Kuwabara snorted, his face red with embarrassment, standing in front of a room full of kids trying to crane their necks to get a look at the exchange students.

"We are forever dishonored," Hiei growled beneath his breathe.

"I think this is rather fun," Kurama interjected, placing his wizard cap on his head in the fashion of the other students.

While his other team members snorted through the entire ceremony, Kurama watched with intrigue as the first year students were taken up, one by one, to be sorted by the giant, old hat. Everything here had surprised and interested him so far. As of yet, he could not decide if the magic used by the English was anything like the "magic" he and his team members used.

Finally, the ceremony was coming to a close. As the last first year waddled off to his seat edged on by furious clapping by his new roommates, the blue-robed old man at the center of the staff table approached the podium.

"Students! Students!" he cried, his arms in the air shushing the kids. "This year, we have an extra sorting ceremony to go through. These four young boys," he motioned toward the group, Kuwabara turning bright red as people began to point and snicker, "have come all the way from their homes in Japan to learn what it is to be a wizard in our land. As I'm sure they have already learned, the witchcraft schooling is quite different from where they come from, as is the way they use their talent of magic. So, it is hoped that each of you can help in their quest of learning, and perhaps, in turn you may learn something special from them."

The room hung in silence, completely confused.

"Now, Yusuke Urameshi, please try on our humble Sorting Hat!"

--------------------------

[[[hope you like it so far. . . well, acctually, i don't cause i'm writing this for myself really! next chapter up soon. please tell me if you are reading this by REVIEWING IT.]]]