Spirit Magic

Author's note: Here is the next part, and to those of you who are wondering if this will be a Harry/Kurama fic, I'm sorry. I agree that they would make a cute couple, but I just can't write gay stories. I come a very strict family, and they are homophobic, so if they ever caught me writing a story with a gay couple…well, it just wouldn't be pretty. But if you guys would like to see some romance, then let me know. I was thinking about having Ron/Hermione, Harry/Hermione, Kurama/Hermione, one sided Kurama/Cho, or Kurama/Botan. Tell me what you would like to see, and why. Well anyway, enjoy the story.

WARNING: This story takes place in Harry's sixth year, which means there are spoilers to the fifth book!!!!!!!

Note: When the sorting hat is talking to Kurama, it will be quoted like this: "Abc" When Kurama is conversing with the hat mentally, it will be quoted like this: /Abc/

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or Harry Potter

Part Two: The Sorting

Harry couldn't help but grin proudly as the boy stared at the castle. Even though technically Harry lived with the Dursley's he had always considered Hogwarts to be his home, and he took immense pride in the school. He had risked his life to keep the school safe, and couldn't help but feel pride.

The boy, Kurama, was a rather strange sort of boy. He seemed so mature, but Harry was sure the boy was his age. But the way Kurama studied the area around him with that calculating look made Harry wonder. Kurama had seemed nice enough on the train, even if Kurama had been studying his school books, but then again Hermione did the same thing. The thing that made Harry nervous was how Kurama didn't seem affected by the fact that he was "the boy who lived." There was no gawking, or nervousness from the boy, and even though Harry was thankful for it, it was a little unnerving that the boy barely showed any emotion. The thing that really interested Harry was the way Kurama talked about death. He was able to brush off his father's death like it meant nothing, and he didn't seem shocked when Harry had explained Cedric's and Sirius's deaths. Of course it was very brotherly of him to hug him like that, which was another thing that Harry couldn't understand. The boy seemed so cautious, and yet he had hugged him, a perfect stranger, like he was family. Kurama really was something else, and Harry couldn't help but feel excited that they might even be in the same house together. Finally he had someone to talk to when he needed advice. Sure Hermione and Ron where great, but they couldn't understand what he was going through, and now with Sirius gone… Harry's thoughts began to drift away as he was once again reminded that the only adult he really trusted was no longer there to help him.

Common, lets get seated, I believe those are your friends over there," Kurama's voice said putting a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder and giving it a little squeeze. Harry looked up to where Kurama had indicated and a small smile crossed his face. Hermione and Ron where waving at him frantically, while the other kids from his house gave him a wave in greeting. Harry waved back as he started moving toward them only to stop when he realized that Kurama wasn't following him. Turning around, Harry's emerald green eyes looked at Kurama questionably.

"Aren't you coming?" Harry asked only to see Kurama shake his head.

"I'm sorry Harry, but I'm not yet a part of your house, I have to wait to see where the sorting hat shall put me," Kurama pointed out watching as Harry suddenly became anxious.

"Well I'm sure you'll be put into Gryffindor, all you have to do is ask the hat to put you in there," Harry said trying to sound convincing. Kurama only smiled and shook his head.

"We shall see, now go to you friends," Kurama urged before turning back to the entrance of the great hall.

Harry sighed in frustration. Kurama really was strange and mysterious, but he was sure Kurama would be put into Gryffindor. The only other house he could be put in was Ravenclaw, but that was only because Harry got the feeling that Kurama was very smart. Sighing again in nervousness and frustration, Harry made his way to where Hermione and Ron had saved a spot for him.

________________________________________________________________________

Kurama watched as the first year students were sorted into different houses. But his mind was far from the ceremony. What Harry had said about the sorting hat putting people into a house because they wanted to go there made things a little more complicated. If he was put into Slytherin, then Harry would feel like he betrayed him, but Kurama was determined not to influence the hat's decision in any way. Mentally Kurama went through all of the pro's and con's of the two houses, and was still trying to determine which house would help aid his mission the most. It was because of this that he totally missed it when the deputy headmistress called his name.

"Mr. Shuuichi Minamino!" Professor McGonagall yelled for the second time finally catching Kurama's attention. Blushing slightly in embarrassment, Kurama made his way to the front of the room. After bowing apologetically, Kurama allowed the women to put the battered old hat on his head.

"Interesting, very interesting…"

Kurama sat up stiffly on the stool as the voice of the hat echoed in his head. He could feel as the hat tried to gain access to his memories and he had to force himself to allow the hat to enter his mind. But even though he wasn't fighting it, his mind still had protective walls in place that prevented the hat from seeing his darkest secrets.

"You're not really human are you?"

The hat's voice sounded sure of the answer to its own question, and Kurama figured it was only sharing its thoughts in an effort to gain his trust for a moment.

/No, I'm a demon and a human,/

Kurama explained by sending his thoughts through telekinesis. Kurama could feel the hat tense in shock, and figured that he really didn't need to use psychic abilities to communicate with it. After all, Harry said that the hat knew exactly what he was thinking, and the only thing he had to do was think what he wanted to say.

"I see, you really are a powerful person Shuuichi, or should I say Youko Kurama?"

/I see that you have been able to access the majority of my memories. Impressive, not very many things are capable of reading my mind,/

Kurama grinned as the hat released an amused chuckle.

"Yes, you are very interesting. But this will also make it harder to place you…"

Kurama tensed underneath the hat as he waited for the hat to continue its assessment.

"You have been known to be extremely powerful and ruthless. A real killer, and always striving to be the best. You were even considered to be evil among other demons. A trait that is best seen in Slytherin…"

The hat paused for a second as it continued to pry deeper into Kurama's mind.

"You were also an outcast, and was almost always shunned from those around you, but…you have also made true friends. You have the rare trait of true loyalty, and would sacrifice yourself for a friend just like they would sacrifice themselves for you. A trait that is worthy of a Hufflepuff."

Again the hat paused as it continued to observe Kurama's history.

"You have a knowledge that far surpasses the wise. Your knowledge of life is even deeper then Dumbledore, and yet you are still willing to learn. You would learn so much more in Ravenclaw…"

Kurama held his breath as he felt the probing end. He wasn't sure if the hat had come to a decision yet, and he wasn't quite sure if he was ready to except what the hat had concluded.

"I have a feeling though. I feel that you don't want to be in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. Your could learn so much in Ravenclaw, and you could make some loyal friends in Hufflepuff, but I agree that those two houses really aren't the ones for you,"

Kurama clenched the edge of the stool. His hands were turning white from the pressure, but he hardly noticed. The hat's decision was drawing nearer. Soon he would know where he belonged.

"You have an extreme amount of courage, and I can see a true Gryffindor in you, but you also have that evil past that makes you a Slytherin. Tell me Kurama, which one would you prefer?"

Kurama gasped in shock, the hat was asking him which house he wanted to go into. Again Kurama's mind wandered back to the mission. He would prefer Gryffindor over Slytherin, and he would be able to keep a better watch on Harry, but Slytherin would be a better choice for him to learn about Voldemort's movements and plans. If he was in Slytherin, he would know about any plans that Voldemort might have to harm Harry before he would if he was in Gryffindor. But Kurama knew that Harry would be hurt if he wasn't put into his house.

"I see that I really have my work cut out for me. I can feel the conflict inside of you. Your rational mind says that Slytherin would be the best place to fulfill your job, while you know that you would be more comfortable in Gryffindor. Just like you are both the human Shuuichi Minamino and the demon Youko Kurama; you are also a Slytherin and a Gryffindor. Take my advice Kurama, even though your duty is important, in dark times like these, you will need true friendship. In Gryffindor you will make friends that you can count on, and that is what will save you in the end. Harry Potter isn't the only one in danger, when the enemy finds out about you, you will also find yourself in great peril,"

/If what you say is true, then Gryffindor sounds like the best place for me,/

Kurama felt relief flow through him as he announced his decision, and he was finally able to relax. Koenma would probably be disappointed, but at the moment, Kurama could care less. Koenma had a tendency to ignore the minor details, and sometimes it's the minor details that make the most difference.

"A wise choice indeed. I shall love to converse with you a little longer, but this has taken a lot longer then normal, and the children are hungry. Maybe we could continue to talk later, it has been a long time that I have been able to talk to someone that was around for as long as I have been,"

/Agreed,/

Kurama couldn't help but smile at the anxiousness in the hat's voice, he understood that the hat was just looking for someone to talk to, and that was a good thing since the hat could probably give him some very useful information. So after an agreement was made, the hat was ready to make it's announcement.

In a loud booming voice the hat yelled out "GRYFFINDOR!"

TBC.

Author's endnote: So how was the sorting? I kind of wanted to put Kurama in Slytherin because it would make the story more challenging to write, but for the purpose of the plot, I really couldn't do it. Tell me what you guys think so far, I'd love to hear suggestions on how to improve the story, and if you have any ideas, feel free to share them. And if there is anybody else who would like to see my picture of wizard Kurama, just tell me in the review, and give me your e-mail address. I will send you the picture as soon as I can. Well I hope you like it so far, and don't forget to review.