Spirit Magic
WARNING: This story takes place in Harry's sixth year, which means there are spoilers to the fifth book!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or Harry Potter.
Part Twenty Four: Shiori's Past
Dumbledore's office glowed in a golden mixture of colors. It was a peaceful room filled with interesting items that could catch anybody's interest in some way. But perhaps the most intriguing thing about the room was the many portraits that decorated every inch of the wall. On each portrait sat and old wizard or witch, but the peculiar thing about the portraits was the drawing on them moved. Most of the time the old magical person would lazily be snoozing, or gazing with little interest around the familiar room, but for some reason the wise eyes drawn on the faces of their owner, seemed worried and anxious about something. They peered out from behind their frames to the other portraits, all asking the silent question of "Do you know what that explosion was?" The answer was the same all around, none of them could provide an explanation.
When the office doors were swung open, several drawn eyes simultaneously shifted to the group that entered the room.
Professor McGonagall could instantly feel the tension in the room, but she ignored it as she made her way to the headmasters desk, and addressed the other people in the room. "Mr. Minamino, could you please explain to me about what just occurred in defense?" McGonagall inquired in her stern mannerism that could penetrate the most stubborn of students.
The boy she was addressing shifted slightly from where he was standing, but he didn't look up, or make any other reaction to show that he had heard her.
Sighing, Professor McGonagall decided to try another approach. "Mr. Minamino, half of the dueling room was destroyed in a single blast. All of you classmates, and the headmaster have been seriously injured, and still haven't gained consciousness. You're the only one that can provide some answers to this disaster," Professor McGonagall pointed out hopping that the new approach would seem less threatening to the teenager.
"I'm sorry professor, I'm afraid that I have nothing else to offer then what you have already assumed," Kurama said refusing to make eye contact with any of the other people in the room with him.
"What do you assumed happened?" Shiori asked curiously as she looked away from her son to the older women.
"I believe that Mr. Minamino's wand misfired," Professor McGonagall said unable to miss the look of anger that crossed the Japanese women's face.
"And what led you to that conclusion?" Shiori demanded getting a startled look from her son.
"The trace of magic that filled that room matched the magical signature from the wand in Malfoy's hand. Shiori, the wand belongs to Shuuichi," Snape said providing the answer in a carefully thought out explanation that didn't upset the young mother anymore then she already was.
"So what do you want with me?" Kurama asked, his eyes peering at McGonagall with fierce determination. McGonagall met his eyes, before she faltered and looked away.
"I just want to know what happened…" McGonagall admitted before she gained control of herself, and got back to her instructor persona. "Can you tell me Mr. Minamino, where you got this?" McGonagall asked holding up Kurama's black cedar wand.
Kurama's eyes flashed at the sight of the women holding his wand, but he was able to push his Youko instincts back with much practiced self control. "I…I don't know who made it. It was a gift."
McGonagall gazed at him thoughtfully from behind her spectacles before she turned to face Snape. "Severus, I need you to take this wand to Ollivanders. I want his opinion on it. And I want you take Mr. Minamino; incase Ollivanders decides that the wand is unsafe to keep, you will need to purchase him a new wand," Professor McGonagall announced.
"What?" Kurama demanded unsure if he was more mad at the possibility of losing his wand, or the idea of being forced to be with Snape. He decided it was the former. "I don't want to go anywhere with him," Kurama spat flinching at how childish his statement sounded.
"Shuuichi, I want you to get to know Severus better. I need you to," Shiori said.
Kurama stared at his mother in shock. Both for the reason that he couldn't believe what his mother was asking him to do, and for the look of desperation that reflected on her petite face. "Why? Why is this so important to you?" Kurama asked worried when his mother turned away.
"Please Shuuichi, just do as I say," Shiori mumbled.
"Of course mother," Kurama replied turning away when Snape brushed passed him.
"Let's go," Snape ordered not even bothering to look back as he strolled casually out of the office.
Kurama clenched his fists in annoyance before he followed the potions master.
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For awhile the pair made their way down Hogwart's dark hallway in silence. But eventually Kurama had enough. In a manner that was uncharacteristic for his normally calm human side, Kurama grabbed Snape from his robes, and forced him into the nearest room.
"I refuse to go any further with you until you tell me what you are to my mother," Kurama stated firmly.
Snape's lips curved into a triumphant sneer, before he brushed Kurama's hands off of him. " I bet not knowing really burns away at the little genius that is supposed to know everything," Snape said smirking at the jest.
Kurama glared at him with a cold emerald glare before he turned away. "You're right. I am used to knowing more then the average person, but ever since I came here, my control over reality has slowly been slipping," Kurama admitted before turning around and facing Snape again. "All I know is that nobody messes with my mother, so you better start talking before I lose control," Kurama threatened.
"You wouldn't," Snape snarled back in an attempt to hide his fear.
"I'm curious to know why you would make that assumption," Kurama said watching in satisfaction as Snape began to squirm slightly under his stare.
"Because I know what your mother and father would think," Snape blurted out.
Kurama smiled before taking a step forward toward the frightened potion master. "Good try, but my father has been dead for years, and I really don't care what he thinks," Kurama said.
"No, your father has only been dead for a few months," Snape protested.
"You lie, I saw my father…"
"The muggle you saw die was only a decoy," Snape yelled paling suddenly as his eyes wandered to the doorway.
Kurama took in his gaze before spinning around and staring at the eyes of his mother.
"Mother…" Kurama gasped paling.
"Shiori, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to tell him," Snape pleaded watching fearfully as Shiori made her way toward Kurama.
"It's alright Severus, it is about time that I tell him the truth," Shiori said softly.
"Mother?" Kurama murmured allowing his mother to lead him to the dusty couch across the room.
"Shuuichi, please forgive me for not telling you sooner. I was going to explain everything after class tomorrow, but considering the current circumstances, I can't put it off any longer," Shiori said pausing before she continued. "Look around this room, tell me what you notice," Shiori ordered watching as Kurama took in the dusty trophy room.
Kurama ended his observation and turned back to his mother with a confused look.
"This room holds the history of Hogwarts. Every award that has ever been rewarded within the castle walls has been duplicated and placed somewhere in this room. Every picture ever taken on the castle grounds has a replica in that large book in front of the fireplace. All the answers you need is in this room," Shiori explained seeing Kurama's interest as he stood and made his way to the book.
"I don't understand. Why wont you tell me the answers to my question?" Shuuichi asked flinching when his mother turned away in guilt.
"Sometimes you have to figure it out on your own. If I tell you everything now, you would deny it, and I would never be able to convince you otherwise. If you were to find the answers on your own, and draw your own conclusions, it will be easier for you to except it. That is why I have waited to long to tell you, I needed you to find out on your own," Shiori explained looking up just in time to see her son nod in understanding.
Kurama smiled at his mother softly to show that he understood her reasoning, and forgave her for deceiving him; before he opened the large book, and flipped through the many pages of wizard photos.
"Here, let me help you," Shiori said putting her hand on her son's shoulder, while her other hand flipped through the pages. "Ah, here it is," Shiori said stopping, and pointing at the mixture of photo's. "These are all of the pictures taken in my seventh year in Hogwarts," Shiori explained.
Kurama stared at the pictures in interest as he gazed at the faces of several teenagers; looking for any sign of his mother. "Wait, that's Harry's father and mother," Kurama mumbled instantly recognizing the description that Harry had given him about his parents.
Behind him Snape made a disgusted snort that caused Shiori to sigh in annoyance. "James and Lilly, they were quite popular from what I could remember," Shiori said fondly before her eyes widened.
Kurama stared at his mother startled before he looked at the photo that had caused his mother's strange behavior. On the photo was a picture of two teenagers in a soft embrace. The girl was dressed in a light blue silk robe with pink roses intertwined in a breathtaking design. Her dark hair was twisted into an elaborate bun, that was held in place by small vines with small roses matching the roses on her dress. The boy was dressed in dark blue robes that matched his eyes, and his dark black hair hung over his eyes in elegant grace.
Kurama's eyes widened in recognition as he studied the girl's soft features. His head spun around to face his mother. His eyes asking a silent question.
"Yes, that was me and my boyfriend, Sirius Black," Shiori announced.
Kurama shook his head, trying to absorb the information before another thought struck him. His eyes narrowed as he again studied the picture. "It can't be…" Kurama gasped seeing the unmistakable similarities between himself and the teenage Sirius. But there was no denying the fact that Kurama shared the same elegance as the boy in the photo. Sirius's face was lean, and his figure was slender, but the thing that made the similarities undeniable was the eyes. Even though the eyes were different colors, both eyes were almost exact replicas of each other.
"Then this is the man Professor Snape was talking about…" Kurama said watching his mother carefully. "Sirius Black is my father."
Shiori nodded before turning to look at a plaque on the wall, "That's not all," Shiori said directing Kurama's gaze to the award.
Kurama stared at the plaque, carefully studying it before he read the information on it.
Valid Victorian
Rewarded to:
Shiori Snape
"NO!" Kurama yelled his head wiping around to glare at his mother and Professor Snape. "This is all a trick!" Kurama yelled.
"I'm afraid not Mr. Minamino, or should I say Mr. Black," Snape said receiving identical glares from Shiori and Kurama.
"Shuuichi, Severus and I are twins…" Shiori tried to say.
"No, I refuse to accept that I'm related to him," Kurama spat pointing at Snape as though he was ready to blast him with an invisible gun.
"Do you think I'm happy with the idea that my nephew is Black's son?" Snape demanded.
"That's why you hated me so much in potions. Because I look almost exactly like Sirius Black did when he was a teenager," Kurama yelled in sudden realization.
"You and Potter are exact replicas of the two people that I hated since I first started school, and your father was the worst," Snape spat back. "Your father lost all right to marry Shiori when he became a Gryffindor and traitor to the Black name…"
"Stop it!" Shiori yelled stopping the argument as her gaze shifted from her son to her older brother. "That is enough, both of you," Shiori said, her voice softening as she wiped her eyes. "We are all family, and we should be adult enough to look past each other's faults. Severus, Sirius is dead, why can't you just get over your damn grudge. He has suffered enough already. And Shuuichi, I understand that your bitterness toward Severus is based off of rumors that you have heard from your classmates, but you can't base your opinion off of what other people say. I want you two to get to know each other, and to put aside your grudges long enough to see past what other people see. At least try, for me," Shiori begged.
"I'll try mother," Kurama said grateful to see his mother smile at the announcement.
"Shiori, was there a reason why you came here?" Snape asked avoiding the current subject, and growing serious as he studied his sister.
"Actually, there was," Shiori said, her mood changing in such a way that Kurama couldn't help but be reminded of a certain blue haired girl. "Minerva has decided to start the search for the demon that the ghosts have been talking about. She says that there is an item in vault '426.' I was supposed to catch up with you two before you left, so you could pick it up. Here is the key," Shiori said pulling out an old brass key from the inside of her robed sleeve.
Snape took a step forward and carefully studied the key before taking it. "I guess we have wasted enough time playing family reunion. Come Shuuichi," Snape ordered turning suddenly and strolling out of the room.
Kurama stared at him in dislike before turning to face his mother. Shiori watched Snape go with an amused smile, before she turned to face her son. "Don't worry Shuuichi, he really isn't too bad once you get to know him," Shiori said laughing at the look of disbelief on Kurama's handsome face. "He's almost like that small friend of yours that comes and visits you sometimes," Shiori added watching as Kurama flinched.
"Snape like Hiei, I highly doubt that," Kurama mumbled before turning to look down at his hands. "I promise I'll try to get to know him, but I can't promise anything," Kurama said giving his mother a small peck on the cheek before he took off after his newly discovered uncle.
TBC.
Author's endnote: @_@ OMG. Another totally unexpected plot twist. Where in the world are they coming from? Well anyways, stay on your toes, because who knows what sort of surprises are coming up. And please let me know if there is something that doesn't make sense. I'll be happy to explain it to you. And for everybody who has been wondering, yes, I will still send you a picture of wizard Kurama if you e-mail me and label it with "Kurama picture" (That way I don't delete it). And for all of you who have already e-mailed me, and haven't received it yet, I'm so sorry. I have been gone in the army for seven months now, and I wasn't allowed on a computer for a good five months of that time. Many of the e-mails that I have gotten over that time frame have been lost, so if you still want to receive the picture, you're going to have to e-mail me again. Sorry. Also on a brighter note, I have completed Brotherhood of the Fox for all of you who have been reading it, so you will be able to read the completed story before the end of April. It also means that I can spend more time on this story. ^_^ Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review.