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 Thirty Two: A Peaceful Sunday.
Hermione huffed as she continued her search. It was at times like these, that she really hated how big the castle was. Thankfully, the one she was searching for had a knack for being the center of attention, and it wasn't hard to trace his footsteps.
"Shuuichi," Hermione yelled entering one of the empty classrooms, only to stop short when she was met with the sight of Kurama and one of his "fan girls."
"Hermione," Kurama said in greeting turning away from the girl looking slightly embarrassed.
Hermione couldn't help but feel jealousy as she caught the smug look on the other girl's pretty face.
"Cho has just offered to show me around Hogsmeade next weekend," Kurama said smiling sheepishly.
"It's nice to finally meet somebody who knows about Eastern tradition," Cho said gloating when she got a nasty glare from Hermione.
"Um, Cho, maybe you should leave us alone," Kurama said shifting nervously as the tension between the two females grew.
"Of course Shuuichi, I'll see you later," Cho said blowing Kurama a kiss before she walked passed Hermione, throwing her a triumphant look before closing the door.
Hermione waited a second before she looked at Kurama, looking almost like she was trying to hold back tears. "We are not dating," Kurama tried to explain trying to look reassuring, "I just didn't know how to say no," Kurama admitted.
"She was Harry's old girlfriend, and she only dates for popularity," Hermione pointed out, her look growing angry again.
"I know, but…" Kurama tried to explain, but he was quickly cut off.
"But what? You're a lustful creature that can't wait to find a willing partner, is that it?" Hermione demanded before a look of shock crossed her face. "I'm so sorry Kurama, I don't know what came over me," Hermione said her face turning bright red.
Kurama smiled at her softly before dismissing the apology, before changing the subject, "Is there something you wanted to talk about?" Kurama asked.
"Yes," Hermione said sounding like her normal self as she pulled out a roll of parchment. "Professor McGonagal gave me this to give it to you. It is the assignment for the competition," Hermione explained as Kurama took the paper and looked it over. "Some of the subjects are going to be done as a report, but some of the subjects will be performed in front of the school. Depending on what grade we get on the report, and how well we perform in front of the judges, the better the chance of winning," Hermione said watching Kurama's response.
"It says here that we will be performing Transfiguration, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and a subject of our choice in front of the school," Kurama said.
"Yes, we will brew a potion and take it in front of the school. We will be graded on the effectiveness of the potion, the originality and how advanced the potion is. For transfiguration, we get points on how hard and effective the thing is that we transfigure. But Defense is still a mystery," Hermione said looking at Kurama.
"Knowing her…she will probably have us duel some sort of demon," Kurama said darkly, before looking at Hermione. "What are you planning on doing for this?" Kurama asked watching as the girl seemed to beam at the question.
"For potions, I'm going to brew the Polyjuice Potion, or maybe Veritaserum. And I want to learn how to transfigure a normal animal into a mystical creature for Transfiguration. What about you?" Hermione asked.
"I'm not sure yet," Kurama admitted noting the disappointed look on the girl's face. "So is there anything else?" Kurama asked.
"Yes, your mother wants you to go to the potions classroom. She needs your help making some potions for her class tomorrow," Hermione said.
"My mother?" Kurama said, his face brightening. "Thank you Hermione," Kurama said taking off throwing Hermione one last smile before he disappeared.
Shiori looked up as the door to the potion's room swung open. "It sure took you long enough," Snape said not even bothering to look up from his work.
"Sorry, I was talking to a friend," Kurama said taking a seat next to his mother.
"It's not a problem Shuuichi dear. I just thought that if you weren't busy, we could spend some time together," Shiori said placing her hand on top of her son's, and giving him a sweet smile.
Kurama smiled back at her, "Of course mother," Kurama said turning to look at the ingredients set out in front of him.
"We are brewing a potion that shows a person's aura," Snape explained as if reading his nephew's mind.
"Oh, and how does it do that?" Kurama asked trying not to show that the potion made him nervous.
"It increases the drinker's power for a brief second, so there aura takes on a more physical form," Snape lectured.
"But can't that be dangerous?" Kurama demanded knowing that in order for an aura to become visible for normal humans to see it; it must be increased, and by increasing it, the students could accidentally use the power as an attack. Or for some, it could start melting anything closed to it; like with Hiei, Yusuke, and Toguro's when they powered up.
/If you drink that potion, your energy will destroy the classroom./
Kurama gritted his teeth as Youko voiced his biggest fear.
"Of course not. It is just a visible aid," Shiori said smiling at her son before turning back to her own potions, totally unaware of the nervous thoughts her son was thinking.
"So tell me Shiori, is the schools in Japan the same? Or are there methods of teaching magic different?" Snape asked causing Kurama to stiffen.
"I'm afraid I don't know," Shiori admitted.
"I don't understand?" Snape said tearing his gaze away from his work to stare at his sister.
"I didn't even know Shuuichi was practicing magic until Dumbledore told me that he was accepted to Hogwarts," Shiori said.
"What?" Snape asked eyeing Kurama suspiciously.
"I was sick for so long, that it would have been easy for Shuuichi to begin learning without my knowledge. He had a tendency to disappear sometimes for long periods of time, but since his school grades were not effected, I never bothered to press the issue," Shiori said proudly, though there was a small hint of regret in her voice.
"So he still went to normal muggle school?" Snape asked in slight disgust.
"Yes, and he was the top of his class. He had already been offered to some of Japan's top colleges," Shiori said beaming at her son's success.
"Mother," Kurama said looking a little embarrassed.
"My Shuuichi is such a good boy," Shiori said smiling at her son, before her expression became curious, "So Shuuichi, what is it like learning magic in Japan, is it different then Hogwarts?" Shiori asked causing Kurama to shift again.
Kurama hated lying to his mother, but she couldn't know the truth. "It is a little different. It is more one on one training, so there is more time to learn, and less time for mistakes," Kurama lied.
"I hear that Master Genkai also teaches martial arts," Snape added.
"The priestess Genkai? I had no idea she's a witch," Shiori said looking between her brother and her son.
"Yes, Master Genkai does teach martial arts," Kurama said not liking the look in his uncle's eyes.
"Has Master Genkai ever mentioned anything about demons, or somebody by the name of Kurama," Snape asked watching Kurama suspiciously.
Kurama tried to hide his shock as he threw Snape a confused look. "Demons?" Kurama asked trying to act innocent.
"Yes, like this Youko that has been roaming around the castle, or that fox spirit in the forest," Snape pointed out refusing to let Kurama squirm out of answering him.
"We've had a few encounters with them, and she had me study many of the Japanese legends about demons," Kurama admitted.
"What about Youko?" Snape asked looking even more suspicious as Kurama sighed.
"According to legend, Youko was a famous thief in the demon world, but he was killed by a hunter several years ago," Kurama explained feeling foolish as he talked about himself in third person.
"A demon thief? What sort of demon was he?" Shiori asked fascinated.
"He was a kitsune," Kurama explained.
"So why are the ghosts acting so weird if this demon is dead? Is it possible that this demon is a ghost too?" Snape asked now looking completely confused.
"No, demons can't become ghosts," Kurama said.
"It's a privilege reserved only for humans that die a horrid death or their death is unexpected. It's an option they are given when King Enma doesn't have room for them in the after life," Shiori said explaining the answer to the shock of the two men present.
The room grew silent again as the family thought about their own understanding of the after life, or in Kurama's case the cause behind the sudden interest in the spirit world. Finally the silence was broken as Snape stood up.
"The first batch is done. Would you mind testing it for us Shuuichi?" Snape said before getting a firm glare from his sister.
"Shuuichi is not testing anything," Shiori stated firmly before smiling, "Let me do it," Shiori offered holding out her hand demanding silently for the vial.
Snape looked at her hesitantly before reluctantly handing the potion to her. Both men watched cautiously as Shiori swallowed the potion. Almost instantly the potion took effect, and Shiori was surrounded by a soft pink glow. Snape watched it stunned; having never seen an aura before. Kurama on the other hand narrowed his eyes as he slowly took in the information.
The soft pink was perfect for his mother, showing the kindness and calm that seemed to radiate from her. But there was something that disturbed him. Every so often there would be a pulsing of strong sliver light, that was so similar to his demon ki. Was it possible that his mother had somehow gotten connected to his demon spirit during the short time Youko had remained dormant inside of her? But surely it would have faded by now if that were the case.
"Well I believe you have brewed another successful potion," Shiori congratulated, as the light glow began to fade, "Now let us head off to dinner," Shiori added waving her wand and clearing up the potion room.
Snape scowled not exactly trusting magic around some of the ingredients, but letting it pass since nothing happened.
TBC.
Author's endnote: I hate this chapter. Grrr. Well hopefully the next one will be better and faster. This is what I like to call the information chapter, necessary, but boring. But no cliffy!! Well, let me know how I'm doing, I'm trying to stay away from getting writer's block, but I can feel it creeping in, so please give me some ideas. Please. . Oh, and the Cho and Kurama thing is just an idea, they wont end up together, Kurama is not ending up with anybody at the end of the fic! There will be some minor pairings, but they are only for the plot, they wont last long. And from what I know of Cho, it wouldn't take long for her to grab onto poor little Kurama, that is just the way if feel from reading the books.