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 Five: Diagon Alley
Severus Snape stepped out of the fireplace, quickly casting a cleaning spell, and swiftly observing the area, before he stepped to the right side of the fireplace. A second later, the green fire engulfed the large fireplace, before it seemed to explode. In an instant, a boy was flung out of the flames, and would have crashed into the ground if Snape's prepared hand hadn't shot out and grasped the boy firmly on the shoulder.
The boy steadied himself, while he coughed and shook puffs of soot off of his robes. Snape shook his head in amusement before pulling out his wand and muttering a cleaning charm.
"Thanks," Kurama muttered, turning around to glare at the magical fire hatefully.
Sighing, Snape turned around and made his way out of the crowded bar. He didn't even bother to turn around, he knew that the boy was following him.
"Well Shuuichi, welcome to Diagon Alley," Snape said gesturing out to the many assortments of wizarding stores that graced the small alleyway.
Kurama's green eyes looked around, studying every detail of the place in a way that fascinated Snape. The professor dwelt with many teenagers Kurama's age, and nobody had the same look of careful calculations, that Kurama's had at the moment. It was something that made the boy stick out in his mind, even if their relationship didn't demand some form of attention.
Clearing his throat, Snape prepared to walk into the throng of wizards, but even his small action didn't seem to draw Kurama's attention away from a display in a nearby window. Following the boy's gaze, Snape found himself looking at the newest version of the Firebolt broomstick.
"I see that you have inherited something from you father besides his looks," Snape said, his voice a mixture of bitterness and amusement.
"I've just been thinking about something Professor McGonagall had mentioned the first day of classes," Kurama said shaking his head and going silent, but not before he had gotten the potion master's attention.
"Oh, do tell me, what did she tell you," Snape said watching Kurama carefully.
"It was nothing really, she just wanted me to try out for the Gryffindor team," Kurama said.
"Well, if you are serious about doing that, I suppose you need a broomstick," Snape said understanding instantly what was causing his nephew's interest in the displayed object. "Well, let's take a look, shall we," Snape said watching the surprise on the teenager's face.
Kurama nodded his head, feeling slightly childish as he was led into the store.
Kurama had to side step a few small children that were playing around on small training brooms, and had to duck as one of the brooms zipped over head, before we was able to catch up with his uncle.
"Tell me Shuuichi, just how much experience do you have with broomsticks?" Snape asked looking at a few displays of the different types of brooms for sale.
"I know that brooms are made in a similar process as wands. Normally its core is from some sort of flying beast. The Nimbus 200 is from a magical cloud said to only carry people who are pure. While the Firebolt was made from a fire bird, or phoenix," Kurama explained.
"Very good Mr. Minamino, but you failed to answer my question. I wanted to know if you have ever flown before," Snape asked getting a "no" for an answer. Snape frowned at the response, before grabbing a Nimbus. "Well then, this broom will be sufficient enough for the Gryffindor team. Most of them are still flying around in Cleansweeps. It is also easier to control then the Firebolt, but fast enough to satisfy your teenage needs," Snape explained holding the broom out so Kurama could inspect it.
"It is a wonderful broom, but I don't think I can afford it," Kurama said handing it back.
"Foolish boy, I didn't expect you to pay for it," Snape said.
Kurama looked at him in confusion before Snape stalked over to the wizard who owned the shop.
"I don't understand, why did you get it. Surely this will put your team at a disadvantage," Kurama said as Snape and he left the shop with a brand new broom tucked under Snapes arm.
"Incase you haven't heard, Potter is back on your team this year. My team is already at a huge disadvantage, I don't see how giving my nephew a gift will make much of a difference," Snape said.
Kurama stared down at the ground feeling guilty for his earlier outburst. Snape really wasn't all that bad, Kurama decided as the two of them made their way toward a little old shop at the end of the alley.
"Here we are," Snape announced opening the door to the wand shop, and being greeted by an old wizard.
"Professor, how may I help you," Olivanders asked giving Kurama a curious look.
"I have a wand that the deputy headmistress would like your opinion on," Snape said watching as the old wizard's eyes grew big.
"Interesting," Olivanders mumbled, closing down his shop before gesturing for Snape and Kurama to follow him into one of the back rooms. "Now Professor, let me see this wand," Olivanders said holding out his hand.
Snape nodded before he pulled out Kurama's wand, and handed it to the wand maker. Olivander's hands twitched as they inspected the beautifully polished wand.
"Amazing, marvelous, I have never seen anything like this, where did you get it?" Olivander's asked looking up from the wand.
"The wand belongs to Mr. Minamino. He got it in Japan, but he doesn't know who made it," Snape explained.
"Beautiful," Olivanders sighed before his eyes narrowed in suspicion, "Why does Professor McGonagall want my opinion of this wand?" the old wizard asked.
"Because that wand backfired on a student earlier today, and it destroyed half of the dueling room, and injured practically everybody that witnessed it," Snape said.
Olivanders shook his head, his hand tightening on the wand. "I'm not surprised, a wand like this is very dangerous if it is in the wrong hands. I myself have never seen the materials that this wand is made out of," Olivanders announced.
"Never?" Snape demanded his eyes wandering to the wand in new fascination.
"The wood is a breed of cedar that is unknown to me, and the core is…" Olivanders said pulling out some tools to extract the core from the wood. Snape watched as a silver strand of hair was pulled out of the wood, and shimmered in the soft candlelight.
"Unicorn?" Snape asked.
"Nope," Olivanders said grabbing a large dusty book off of his bookshelf, and skimming through the pages thoughtfully. "It's a Kitsune hair," Olivanders announced pointing at a picture of a silver fox.
"A Kitsune, but that is only a Japanese legend," Snape said turning to look at Kurama to see what sort of reaction the Japanese boy had to the announcement. Kurama only stared forward thoughtfully, even though underneath, his mind was racing in horror.
"A Kitsune is a rare creature. Their beauty is legendary, and their power is even more unbelievable. Never has anyone captured one of these rare creatures, so it is impossible to create a wand with a Kitsune core," Olivanders said looking at Kurama in wonder. "This is a valuable gift boy," Olivanders said, "Unfortunately, I can't allow you to keep the wand. A wand with this sort of core is very dangerous, I have to send it to the ministry for them to review," Olivanders explained.
"Review, what is that supposed to mean?" Kurama demanded unable to hide his annoyance.
"They will decide if the wand is safe enough to return, or if it will need to be destroyed. Such a pity if they do decide to destroy it, a wand like this is a once in the lifetime object," Olivanders said putting the wand and the hair into a warded bag.
"Well, since you wont be giving the wand back, young Mr. Minamino will be needing a replacement wand," Snape said watching the glee on the old wizard's face.
"Of course, I have just the wand for you," Olivanders announced running his old hand across several wand boxes, before pulling out a rather old green box. "Twelve inch oak wood, very flexible, it's core is that of a Chinese dragon," Olivanders rambled as he offered the wand to Kurama.
Kurama stared at the wand in dislike before he looked at the old wizard. "I will try two of you wands. If they are unsuitable, then I will provide the materials to make a custom wand," Kurama announced.
"Shuuichi, I don't think that that is appropriate," Snape said eyeing the old wizard.
"No, no, that will be alright professor," Olivanders said smiling at Kurama kindly. "I remember every wand I've ever made Mr. Minamino, and I remember every witch and wizard that I sold them to. If my memory serves me, then I recall that both of you parents required a custom made wand," Olivanders said causing Kurama to choke.
"My parents?" Kurama asked barely able to contain his emotions as his family was once again a topic for discussion.
"Yes, your mother required a ten and a half inch white fairy wood, with the core of a snow phoenix. Your father had a redwood fourteen inch wand with the core of a black dragon," Olivanders explained.
"My father," Kurama mumbled before looking up determined and taking the wand that was being offered to him.
"Well, give it a wave," Olivanders said standing back, and observing Kurama carefully as the teen obeyed his command.
A ray of brown light erupted from the wand, and hit the green plant on the old wizard's desk. The plant glowed green for a second before turning brown, and shriveling up.
"Nope," Olivanders said turning back to Kurama, only to blink in surprise as the teen dropped the wand.
Kurama stared at the plant devastated, and barely noticed as the wand master held out another wand for him to try.
"Rosewood, with the core of a wood elf," Olivanders said breaking Kurama away from his thoughts.
Kurama stared at the wand in disgust, before he reluctantly took the wand and repeated the gesture from earlier. For a second nothing seemed to happen, but a moment later the wooden floor turned black, and rotted away underneath him. Kurama gave a frightened yell, before leaping backwards, and tossing the wand as far away from him as he could.
Snape and Olivanders looked at him in concern before dismissing Kurama's odd behavior.
"Well Mr. Minamino, I have tried the only two wands that could possible work, and judging from you attitude, I'm guessing that they aren't suitable," Olivanders said sounding just a little disappointed.
Kurama nodded in understanding, his demeanor strengthening as he reached into his robe, and found the desirable seed. Putting forth a small amount of spirit energy, he manipulated the seed to grow to the wanted item. "Here, this is the wood I want my wand to be made out of," Kurama said pulling out what looked like a perfectly round cylinder. "The wood is from a Sakura tree, a tree that I am very fond of in Japan," Kurama announced ignoring the looks of wonder that the two older men had on their faces.
"If I didn't know better, I would say that you had all of this planned," Snape said looking at the piece of wood, wondering why anybody would carry around something like that.
"I had that piece of wood with me for my transfiguration lesson later today. Professor McGonagall was going to teach us how to transfigure tree branches into a weapon," Kurama explained even though he really wasn't planning on bringing in a tree branch for the class, but the explanation seemed to satisfy Snape and Olivanders.
"Well, now all we need is the core. What animal do you have in mind?" Olivanders asked holding up a small book that had varies cores for Kurama to chose from.
Kurama flipped through the book before setting it down and looking over at the old wizard. "Actually, I was hoping to use one of my own hairs," Kurama said getting a gasp of surprise from the old wand maker.
"Your own hair? But a core like that wont be sufficient enough for the wand to work properly," Olivanders objected.
"I don't see why it can't be done. I'm sure that my hair will provide enough magic to satisfy my needs," Kurama said sounding determined.
Olivanders shook his head in wonder before conceding to the wishes.
"Thank you," Kurama said bowing as he handed the old wizard a couple of strands of his hair.
"Your wand should be finished in a couple of days," Olivanders announced leading the two people out of his store.
Kurama and Snape thanked the old wizard before they made their way to the wizard bank.
Kurama followed Snape, feeling just a little uneasy as his Youko side itched to explore the new place. His eyes wandered around, taking in the place, and analyzing the secrets that secured the wizard's gold, and other priceless items.
"Come Shuuichi," Snape ordered again breaking Kurama's thoughts as the two wizards followed one of the Goblins to a train cart.
"How big is this place?" Kurama asked as they zipped passed hundreds of vaults, too fast for the average human to absorb. But for Kurama, he was able to catch every detail with his demonic skills, and years of experience at watching Hiei fight.
"There are hundreds of tunnels. Many wizards who have tried to steal from here have gotten lost, and several of their bodies still haven't been found. Only one wizard was successful in breaking into here and making it out alive," Snape said, his eyes closed to keep him from getting nauseous.
Kurama stared forward with excitement. This could be an interesting challenge for his Youko skills, Kurama thought leaning back feeling much at ease. At least now there was something to keep that side of himself occupied.
"Here we are, vault 426," the small goblin announced bringing the cart to a sudden halt.
"So what exactly is this thing we are supposed to retrieve?" Kurama asked waiting for the goblin to open the vault.
"It's an old artifact said to have been made by Merlin himself. It was designed to seek out a specific demon, and kill the demon by using it's weakness. If it is an ice demon, it uses fire. If it is a earth demon, it uses air. Or it uses some sort of poison. I'm not exactly sure how it works," Snape admitted as the large vault doors swung open.
Kurama and Snape made their way inside looking around the empty room before their gaze fell on the only object. A golden sphere sat in the center of the room. On its surface lay several weird symbols, and what looked almost like a muggle television screen. Snape kneeled down in front of the machine, and started to type in the name "Youko" on the screen. Kurama watched carefully from behind Snape when he noticed that one of the symbols swung open like a door.
"Look out," Kurama yelled shoving Snape aside as a dart shot out and pierced Kurama's skin. Kurama stumbled backwards, a look of fear crossing his face, before the golden sphere exploded.
TBC.