The Right Reasons

by Spriggan

This is not your typical retelling of Kenshin's story. How was the battousai born? And why did he marry Tomoe? Maybe it was an accident. Maybe both were an accident. Who are Kaoru's parents? Magic is in the air... literally.

4. Off to Kill the Wizard the wonderful Wi...

Disclaimer: Sadly Neither Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X or Harry Potter belong to me. If they did I would be rich. It's a good thing I'm not because I've already stored up my treasure in heaven. I don't need to make money off of Harry Potter. Ha! Beat that J.K. Rowling. No, just kidding. You know I love all of you.

8

Hey yall I've redone the first chapter of this story so many times that you might find it worth your while to read it over again, unless you just started reading it recently. In that case just forget I said anything. I'm rather satisfied with the first chapter now, but when I read the second chapter I got really discouraged "What is this crap" I thought, but I spent about two days redoing it and now I'm confident that there is a significant improvement.

Jerry if you're reading this you've come very far. Don't worry, the next chapter will be out soon.

8

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord, he is a double minded man unstable in all he does.

James 1:6-8

8

Saito stood in the darkened hallway with a half smoked cigarette hanging limply from his thin lips. He was waiting for the student prefects to make their rounds. 'Why should I waste my time fetching the school mediwitch, when a student will be more than willing to do so for me?'

No sooner had Saito finished this thought than he heard footsteps coming toward him from down the hallway. When the tall handsome boy came into Saito's view he looked surprised to see the Japanese wizard leisurely leaning against the stone wall of the castle. The prefect crossed his arms reaching into his right sleeve in the process.

Saito looked the younger wizard in the eye.

"Take your hand off your wand boy. I have an errand for you to run," said Saito lazily.

"Oh, and what might that be?" said the dark-haired prefect in an intrigued manner. 'How did he know what I was planning to do?'

"I need you to run down to the medical wing and bring up your school's healer."

"Why? You look fine to me," said the boy. 'I know he wants the healer for someone else, but the question is who.'

Saito's eyes narrowed as he watched the wheels turning in the teen's head, "The healer isn't for me, but you know that already. Don't try to pry information from me boy, you'll be very disappointed."

The Slytherin prefect smiled at the threat, "Of course sir, I'll bring her right away." He turned away from the ministry associate without another word and headed towards the medical wing.

Saito watched as the tall boy vanished down the stairs. 'He knows something.' Saito sighed, 'Why do I always have to deal with the perceptive ones? They're such a pain in the ass.' The tall man took a final drag on his cigarette and threw it to the floor.

8

Kenshin floundered toward consciousness with apprehension, but when he tested his body for injuries, he found that he was painless. 'My side doesn't hurt anymore' He realized with surprise and an immense amount of relief.

Kenshin opened his eyes a crack and found himself staring up at a vaulted ceiling. He couldn't see much from where he was lying because of the white curtain drawn around his bed. 'This isn't my room and it's definitely not where I passed out, so where am I?' He could tell, however, that it was daytime due to the light streaming in from the large window above his bed.

The warm sunlight shining on his legs was making him a bit overheated so Kenshin threw back the sheets. 'What the? I wasn't wearing this. Kenshin sat up in the twin-sized bed and looked down at his clothing. 'I'm wearing a nightgown? Where are my clothes and more importantly' he blushed, 'who changed me into this?'

Kenshin decided to explore this new environment, so he swung his legs off the side of the bed and stood. He padded to the curtain and peeked around it. He saw beds lining both walls of the room each with a window above, and a chair and a small table beside. A few of the other beds had the curtains drawn and in one there was a student sitting up reading a newspaper. 'I guess I'm still in the school. This must be a hospital wing or something. At least that explains why I'm wearing this.' Kenshin looked down at the white hospital gown.

Kenshin's thoughts on his current attire fled when he heard a familiar voice coming from behind him on the other side of the room.

"Excuse me Wendy, the ministry representative was not in his rooms this morning, and I was wondering if-"

"Oh yes, the poor boy. Mr. Riddle came for me and told me that he was injured. I didn't think it was anything serious, but he had two broken ribs and…" she lowered her voice.

The only hushed words Kenshin could make out were, "unforgivable" and "lung punctured …could've been..."

There was a moment of silence and then Dumbledore broke it with a question. "Madame Wentworth, how did Mr. Riddle know where Mr. Himura was?"

"What?… Oh, I don't know. Mr. Riddle is a prefect, perhaps he found Mr. Himura while he was patrolling the hallway."

"I see… and how is Mr. Himura doing?"

"He's been asleep all night. As soon as he wakes up he can leave. It's a good thing that ribs are easy ones to fix." Madam Wentworth's voice took on a motherly tone, "Just watch him closely Albus. I could tell that he had already begun to heal. That means he's had those broken ribs for at least a week and didn't say anything. What a silly boy! I don't understand why he didn't just come here directly to have them healed." By the end of her speech Madame Wentworth sounded exasperated.

"Amazing, I couldn't even tell that he was injured." There was a thoughtful pause. "I will have to watch him closely from now on." The voice sounded closer than before.

'He's coming over here!' Kenshin took this opportunity to use his nearly godlike speed. He was in bed and feigning sleep with the covers up to his chin when he heard the, "shiiink", of the curtain being drawn back. He squeezed his eyes closed tighter and turned away from the sound, as if he didn't want to wake up. He could hear the swish of robes as someone, presumably Dumbledore, walked up to the bed. There was the sound of a chair scraping against the floor.

'Why is he sitting down? I suppose he's not going to disturb me, so I'll have to 'wake up' on my own.'

Kenshin let out a barely audible sigh and opened his eyes a crack. He blinked a few times and then finally turned his head to look over at Dumbledore.

"Good morning Kenshin" said the man good naturedly as the teen met his smiling blue eyes.

"Good morning Mr. Dumbledore," Kenshin feigned confusion as he looked around the room. "Where am I?"

"You are in the medical wing, Mr. Himura. Apparently you were injured severely yesterday… During your training?"

Kenshin laughed nervously, " Oh yes that, well, um, you see, my previous master broke my ribs the day before I decided to work for the ministry and, well, I guess I kind of made them worse by training so hard yesterday." Kenshin smiled as if to say, ',no big deal.'

"Indeed... so you completely fractured two ribs and punctured a lung by… training hard, as you put it." Dumbledore leveled the boy with a stern look and Kenshin's smile melted off his face at the usually cheerful man's disapproval.

"I'm curious about this training," he continued in the same tone, "You don't normally train that rigorously. Am I correct Mr. Himura?

"Ah, no. Yesterday was a new… experience for me." Kenshin's smile looked more than a little strained.

"Oh, and do you know who it was that informed Madame Wentworth of your condition?" the auburn haired professor now sounded slightly guarded.

"Wentworth?" Kenshin repeated blankly.

"Yes she is the mediwitch in our infirmary."

Kenshin nodded in understanding and then put on a thoughtful expression. "Let's see… I guess it was my instructor. He's the only other one who was around before I passed out." Kenshin looked at the older man, "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, it's nothing important" Dumbledore stood with a smile, "If you're feeling better you can get dressed and come to the great hall for breakfast. Your clothes are here on the table. Come whenever you are ready."

The red-haired boy nodded again. Dumbledore stepped backward, smiled and waved a hand. The curtain drew itself around Kenshin's bed. Dumbledore's voice came from the other side of the curtain, "I'll see you at breakfast."

Kenshin sat and listened to the retreating footsteps.

"GroowwwLL…rumbllrrr." Kenshin's stomach heartily agreed with the future headmaster's invitation to breakfast.

'I think I'll take up Dumbledore on that food. I just hope I can find the great hall from here.' Kenshin hopped off the bed and grabbed his clothes.

8

Kenshin stopped. 'I thought she said the dining hall was this way' He had made sure to thank Madame Wentworth for caring for him and had asked her for directions. She seemed pleased that he had thanked her and gladly gave him the most confusing directions he had ever heard. There were so many left right lefts past the blah blah portrait, up the stairs… or was it down, that Kenshin couldn't keep it straight. He had bravely struck out on his own, trusting his own instincts over the directions of the school medic.

'Just how big is this place anyway?' Kenshin sighed. Maybe I should ask a painting. They're always hanging around. Oh no!' Kenshin groaned mentally, 'I'm cracking bad puns! My blood sugar getting really low.'

Kenshin finally decided to keep walking. At this point he didn't feel like talking to one of those creepy moving paintings. He heard some footsteps ahead of him in the corridor. 'Probably some students,' he mused. Maybe I should ask them how to get to the dining hall. I know I'm not supposed to talk to them but I can't think of any other way and I'm getting desperate.'

Kenshin's prediction was proved correct when three boys about his age came into view. Kenshin stopped where he was and waited for them to reach him. They slowed to a stop in the middle of the hallway and watched him with varying expressions of suspicion.

Kenshin smiled disarmingly, "Excuse me, could you give me directions to the Great hall."

'It's always best to be polite' he thought to himself, 'just in case they're easily offended.'

The blond boy in the center of the group smiled back at Kenshin, though it seemed a tad sinister, Kenshin would not be deterred. He was going to eat, dang it, and no one could stop him.

"Sure I'll help you out" he said in a silky voice. "but what will you give me in return?" He eyed the shorter boy in an irreverent manner.

Kenshin blinked in confusion, "Uhh nani?"

The dark haired boy on his right grabbed the blond's arm and whispered something in his ear. The blond suddenly blushed and shot a glance at Kenshin's upper body.

"I knew that. I was just… seeing if I could profit from the situation that's all," he stuttered in anger and embarrassment. The boy on his left swiped some of his wavy brown hair out of his eyes and gave Kenshin a brief intense stare. Kenshin raised an eyebrow at the scrutiny.

"I know who you are," said the boy with wavy hair. The other two boys turned to look at the speaker and then at Kenshin.

The boy continued, "I heard it last night. You're that Japanese mudblood that's trying to get into our school. You remember right?" He looked at the blond for confirmation.

"Mudblood? What's that? Are you going to give me directions to the dining hall?" questioned Kenshin. 'Mudblood kind of sounds like an insult. I wonder what he heard about me.'

The blond blinked, "Oh, now I remember. He has red hair." He looked at Kenshin with a grin. "I'll help you," he said as he reached up his sleeve-.

Kenshin's eyes widened. 'He's reaching for his wand. What do I do? I'm not supposed to use my sword"

Kenshin waited for the sight of the blonde's weapon before he acted. When the boy whipped out his wand Kenshin ducked down and felt a spell wiz overhead. He leapt for the boy and grabbed his wand arm, twisting it behind his back.

'I hope a bluff works on these guys' He thought as he wrenched the blonde's weapon from his wrist-locked hand. Kenshin held the wand up to the blond boy's head. He stared down the other two who had just drawn their wands and had them trained on the brilliantly complected boy.

"Throw them down or…" Kenshin twisted the blonde's arm making him yelp in pain, "Or I'll make him wish you two were never born." Kenshin very deliberately let ice harden his voice. He made sure the threat seemed very real.

The two boys met each other's eyes in some type of silent communication. Then the wavy haired boy threw down his wand. As Kenshin brought his eyes to the dark haired boy he saw that his lips were moving in an incantation.

Kenshin pushed the blond boy as forcefully as he could into the brunette. The boy's eyes widened in surprise as his spell was interrupted when the blond crashed into him, sending both to the floor in a pile of arms and legs.

The boy with wavy hair watched in amazement as simultaneously his two friends fell to the floor and Kenshin seemed to disappear right before his eyes. The blonde's wand clattered on the floor beside him and he bent down to pick it up. 'I wonder if he used this to make himself invisible' he thought in awe.

Kenshin looked back down the hallway behind him for the fourth time. 'I hope they couldn't see which way I went.' He paused for a moment and sniffed the air. 'Finally! I can smell food. I hope I'm not hallucinating.'

Kenshin followed the smell down the corridor and up some stairs. He was rewarded with the sight of the Great Hall's wide open doors and the heavenly scent of bacon and eggs.

Kenshin made his way to the staff table without looking to either side. He didn't feel like starting any more fights with the students. 'I hope they don't report me' Kenshin worried to himself. He sat down next to Dumbledore and started filling his plate without so much as a hello. The older man watched in amusement as Kenshin ate at mock two and brooded over the incident with the three boys.

When Dumbledore felt that Kenshin had slowed his pace of consumption enough to make a reply possible he spoke.

"Is something wrong Mr. Himura?"

Kenshin barely spared him a glance as he continued eating.

"Why would you ask that?" he replied shortly.

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "You took a bit longer than I expected to get here. The medical ward is rather a straight shot from the great hall you know."

At this admission Kenshin gawked at the transfiguration professor. "But Ms. Wentworth gave me the most confusing directions I've ever heard in my life."

"Oh did she now." The auburn-haired man chuckled. "She must have misheard you my boy. She has rather… selective hearing."

'Then what did she think I asked her?… Whatever, it's better if I don't think about it too hard. I'm already confused enough as it is. At least I made it here.'

Kenshin continued to eat, at a slower pace, until Dumbledore stood and beckoned Kenshin to follow him. The two left the Great Hall through a side door. Kenshin could tell by the noise level and the quickly filling seats that the morning crowd had finally come for breakfast. He was glad to be leaving as large crowds made him uneasy.

"You might find this next class interesting." Dumbledore interrupted Kenshin's quiet thoughts with this opening statement. The older man continued when he was sure he had Kenshin's attention.

"It is a class only for first-years in which they learn how to take flight." Dumbledore stopped his explanation here and both walked down the narrow corridor, presumably towards the next class.

Kenshin gave the wizard an odd look. "People with magic… can fly?"

Dumbledore continued again without answering Kenshin's question. "The instructor of this class is Professor White. She is also the head referee during quiddich matches. She used to be a professional player, but sadly a bludger hit her upside the head and she rather lost her sense of balance. Miss White can still perform simple tasks on the broom, but not the acrobatics needed for professional quiddich. Something about an inner ear problem I believe."

"Quiddich?" Kenshin hoped Dumbledore would start explaining his statements. The young teen was hopelessly lost.

Dumbledore turned to Kenshin with a smile, "It's a game played on brooms. I'll make sure you get to see a game sometime. I find it wonderfully interesting." He put a lemon sorbet into his mouth, effectively ending the conversation.

'Brooms? Wizards are very strange people. I've never heard of such a game anywhere else, and isn't eating that much candy bad for your teeth?'

8

Needless to say, Kenshin did find the broom lesson to be interesting. The first years had all stood next to their school issued brooms in apprehension, but when the teacher came out of the building throwing orders and explanations with a loud clear voice they seemed to relax a bit. Here was a teacher who didn't waste time on silly things. She got right to the point.

"It's easy" she said as she sat side saddle on her broom and floated into the air with one hand resting lightly on the handle. The other was holding a steaming cup of tea.

The students along with Kenshin were awed at her agility and felt immediately that if she could do so complicated a task then they could surely mount a broom normally and float a few feet into the air.

It was then that Kenshin realized that by playing quiddich 'on brooms' Dumbledore most likely meant in the air. 'So that is how they do it. Ha! Well now I understand why I never heard of it before. Only magic users would think to fly on a broom.'

8

The rest of the day passed much like the previous had. Kenshin again observed a charms class but this time he wasn't embarrassed by the gossip of the children, as it was a seventh-year class. It seemed most of the classes he observed were now of the older variety.

'Well I don't mind, I'm more comfortable with older people anyway.'

Kenshin withstood another session with Professor Honoré. Her bear hugs were less painful now that his ribs were intact, but they still knocked the wind out of his small body.

Kenshin didn't really need a guide for most of his classes anymore but Dumbledore came with him anyway. The boy was glad for the company. He really hated being alone, despite his aversion to crowds and felt totally at ease with the odd wizard. It was probably due to the quiet amusement the man emitted. He didn't feel threatening at all and Kenshin had no worries of offending the man. Kenshin knew that he had grandparents once, but he couldn't remember any of his relatives. The only thing he was positive of was that he was an only child. But Dumbledore seemed like a grandfather in the eyes of the lonely orphan. Whereas his master, Hiko Seijuro, was more like an obnoxious older brother than a father. A self-centered, narcissistic, domineering older brother.

8

That evening Kenshin went to the training room as he had yesterday, but this time on his own. He made sure that he was mentally prepared before he entered the wood paneled room. He found Saito leaning against the wall smoking a cigarette and looking menacing. Kenshin frowned at the smell but managed to look at the bright side of his situation, 'Oh well, at least while he's smoking he can't curse me.'

"You're on time today. Good." said his golden-eyed instructor as he lazily pushed off of the wall and flicked his cigarette to the floor.

'I wonder who cleans up all those cigarette butts' Kenshin wondered idly as he watched the imposing man step on the still glowing end of his cigarette's remains in his advancement towards his waiting victim… err student. Saito stopped about twenty paces from Kenshin and waited for the teen's eyes to meet his own.

"Ideally," began Saito in a superior drawl, "you will have the advantage over your opponent. They won't even know that you, the assassin, will attack." Saito paused and watched Kenshin shift nervously under his gaze. "But," he said in a deadly soft tone, "few situations are simple. Yes, most of your targets will be unskilled in the area in which you excel, but all will be trained in the uses of magic."

The wizard began to walk slowly in a wide circle around Kenshin. The boy followed his instructor's path with an uneasy eye.

"If for some reason your presence is detected, or even worse, anticipated, you will be in a different situation altogether. No longer is the prey ignorant and surprised. They are mentally prepared to defend themselves, to make some sort of attempt to stop you from completing your mission. To kill you before you can reach them with your blade."

Saito stopped his lazy circle and drew his wand. "You must be able to disarm me, your target, and have me at sword point before I can cast a spell."

Kenshin gawked at the man, "But that's impossible!" He argued in earnest, "You know how to fight with a sword and with magic. Your wand is at the ready. You are…" Kenshin took a calming breath, "You are half a room away," he finished weakly.

"So if a target happens to know a little swordsmanship you will curl up and die?" Saito sneered at the bewildered teen. "Don't make me laugh. I thought from last nights little display that maybe you weren't so pathetic after all. I've never been that wrong before in all my life." He raised an eyebrow, "Surely you don't think I'll go easy on you because you were injured yesterday?"

"No," Kenshin said angrily, but then continued in a hopeless voice, "but you are so far away. There is no way I could reach you in time to-"

Saito scowled at Kenshin's words and raised his wand in impatience. The boy did a wonderful impression of a deer in the headlights before diving to the side. He was not fast enough, however, and his dive turned into an uncontrolled fall when it was hit by a well aimed curse. Saito stalked slowly over to the fallen boy lying in a boneless heap. "Stand" he commanded. The red-haired boy slowly pushed himself off the wood floor with awkward marionette like motions and stood swaying before the much taller man.

"Draw your sword" came Saito's cold voice.

With a hiss of metal Kenshin drew his katana.

'What am I doing?' Kenshin panicked mentally. 'My body is moving without me.'

"Kill me," same Saito's voice, almost in a whisper.

'WHAT!' Kenshin screamed mentally, but his body had already started to move. Saito stood nonchalantly with his arms crossed and eyes closed as the sword flew to his neck.

'NO!' Kenshin fought against the order with all he was. It was like swimming through quickly setting cement.

The sword bit into the exposed flesh of Saito's neck. The man didn't even flinch as his blood slid slowly down the blade of his student's katana.

Both stood like statues for a moment. With Kenshin holding his sword at his instructor's neck while Saito's eyes remained closed and his breathing even, as if he were in some type of meditation. Only when the blood had trailed down the length of the sword and pooled at the hilt did Saito open his golden eyes.

"Finite incantatum," he said emotionlessly.

With a clatter the katana fell from Kenshin's hands and the boy fell against Saito barely able to hold himself up now that the puppeteer no longer held his strings.

"Hmmff" huffed Saito in a disgusted voice. "We're finished for tonight. But it seems to me that you need extra conditioning. Meet me tomorrow at precisely nine a.m. near the south side of the forest line." Saito stepped back and the boy, deprived of his support post, slid to the floor at his instructor's feet.

"The after affects of the curse will wear off in about an hour and a half. When you're able to move, you can carry your worthless carcass back to your rooms." The boy on the floor made no reply and only stared listlessly at the wall his head was facing. Saito stepped around Kenshin and left the room sliding the door shut behind him.

As Kenshin listened to Saito's retreating footsteps he swore mentally 'Damn it! Why did I freeze like that? Why didn't I get out of the way faster?' None of his anger was displayed on his face, however, because he was not able to move any of his voluntary muscles at the moment.

'A long two weeks...' thought Kenshin with a mental sigh.

8

Kenshin jerked awake, and instantly regretted it. 'I can't believe I fell asleep. Uuug, my neck.' Kenshin pushed himself onto his knees stiffly with one arm while the other rubbed the base of his neck.' His high ponytail had fallen out during the night and now his tangled hair hung wildly about his face like flames licking a torch. 'What time is it?' he wondered groggily. He looked at the pale light shining in from the high windows.' He could tell by the slant of the light entering the eastern facing glass that it was early morning. 'At least I won't miss any classes,' the teen sighed deeply.

Kenshin slowly pulled himself to his feet with quite a few pops from protesting joints. 'I'm young. I'm not supposed to be this stiff in the morning. If this is how old people feel every day, then I never want to grow up.'

After a few stretches and a short sword kata Kenshin left the empty wood paneled room through door and slid it shut behind him with a snap. 'I'd better go back to my room or Dumbledore will never find me. I hope breakfast will be up there because I really don't feel like going down to the great hall.' Kenshin walked briskly down the carpeted hallway. The portraits on the walls were still sleeping for the most part. There were a few kittens running from portrait to portrait and a man reading quietly in a green pasture but the subjects of the other paintings were breathing deeply and evenly in slumber. The overall effect was peaceful yet alien to the Japanese boy. 'This entire place feels like a dream, especially when the hallways are so empty.' Kenshin turned and walked up the staircase with silent footsteps. 'It's a good thing this particular stairway doesn't move every five minutes.'

Once he reached his rooms Kenshin noticed the door was ajar. He proceeded with caution. 'There shouldn't be much to worry about. Only a teacher could open this door… unless its' Kenshin shivered, 'Saito.' Kenshin stood to the side of the door and pushed it open with the sheath of his katana. As he peeked around the corner he noticed Dumbledore's nightcap thingie above the back of the overstuffed armchair by the fire. He breathed a sigh of relief and stepped into the room.

"Good morning Kenshin" came Dumbledore's familiar voice from across the room.

Kenshin smiled and returned the greeting "Ohayo, err Good morning Dumbledore" Kenshin paused as he slid his sheath back into his obi (belt) and then opened with a question. "So when's my first class?"

Dumbledore's voice answered him distractedly, "Your first class… in about forty-five minutes."

"Oh, and what time is it now?" Kenshin walked over to the wizard's side and noticed the source of his distraction. He had a book in his lap and was reading the rather aged volume. The wizard turned a slightly yellowed page and answered.

"Around seven."

"Ah" said Kenshin contemplatively.

After about three minutes of reading Dumbledore closed the book and set it aside on the small table next to the chair. He stood, straightened his robes, and turned to Kenshin.

"It seems there won't be enough time to go down to the Hall for breakfast. I'll have the house elves send it up here."

Kenshin grinned "Oh what a shame. Well I'll just wait here."

The older man chuckled, "If you really don't want to eat meals in the Great Hall then I'll have them sent up here from now on."

"Thanks… Oh I almost forgot! When is the first class over today?"

"I believe it ends around a 8:45… Is there somewhere you need to be?"

"Yes," Kenshin said in an annoyed tone, "training, but I can find my own way there." He switched his irate expression for a smile when he noticed Dumbledore watching him intently.

"Hmmm, do you know when it will end?" The auburn-haired man queried.

"Uh, no" Kenshin blinked. "I hadn't even thought about it and my instructor didn't say..."

"Well then, when you are finished training just find a teacher and ask their help. That is, only if you need directions to get to your next class."

Kenshin rubbed the back of his head in a sheepish gesture. "This place is just so big and confusing so… I might have to put that advice into practice."

8

Kenshin walked in a general downward direction hoping to find an exit from the huge castle. Each time he found a staircase he went down it. 'Maybe there will be an exit on the lowest floor,' he mused. After about ten minutes Kenshin decided to take a shortcut.

'I don't want to be late for a 'special' training session, after all. That sadistic wolf might curse me if I show up late. Well he'll probably curse me anyway, but being on time is a good habit to keep.'

Kenshin saw what he was looking for at the corner of the long corridor. 'A balcony.' The young swordsman looked over the edge of the stone railing. 'Awesome! This is the second floor. Then I'll just do this!' Kenshin hopped over the railing and dropped ten feet onto the soft grass. 'Now to find the main entrance. I think it faces south, so I can find our meeting place from there.'

Kenshin walked away from the castle to get a better idea of which direction he needed to go. Off to the left he noticed a rough-hewn log cabin. To the right he saw the curve of the forest line and some open ground with a few high pillars and hoops.

'Hmm, it looks like some type of arena.' Kenshin chose to go towards the cabin side. 'If all else fails, I can ask an adult for directions.'

Kenshin's choice proved correct, because once he reached the cabin he saw the glimmer of a lake and a large path leading away from the enormous castle. ' I'll go around the lake to the tree line. Hopefully Saito isn't there waiting to ambush me.'

As the short boy (for his age anyway) came closer to the forest he noticed that there were a lot of young robed students walking about looking for something on the ground. Kenshin scanned the area for their teacher and approached her purposefully.

"No, No that's not right. You see the leaves are supposed to be rounded and long. These leaves are jagged and there are only two in each cluster."

"Excuse me Ma'am"

The short middle-aged woman turned from her explanation to look at Kenshin inquiringly. Whisps of light brown hair that had fallen free of her lose bun floated about her round face.

"Yes, Mr…." She waited for a response.

"Himura," Kenshin replied meeting her curious gaze proudly.

"Is there something you need Mr. Himura?" She smiled at the red-haired boy.

"Yes I was wondering if you have seen a tall man," Kenshin extended his arm up all the way in illustration of his instructors height, "with scary eyes and a sword around here anywhere?"

The woman raised a brown eyebrow. "I don't believe I've seen anyone fitting that description around here."

"He also might've been smoking," Kenshin added hopefully. 'Oh I hope I didn't miss him."

The woman smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry sweetie I haven't seen him, but if I do I'll let you know alright."

"Professor Sprout!" came a whiney voice.

The woman turned away from Kenshin to help her student, "What is it Marlene."

Kenshin turned away from the scene in disinterest and looked helplessly around at his surroundings, 'I guess he's not here. I know I'm in the right place. Maybe he's late or something.' Kenshin wandered about between the searching students, gradually drifting towards the forest line. He hoped, foolishly, that he might find Saito if he just went closer to the looming trees.

A slight stirring of the wind carried a disturbance to Kenshin's ears. It sounded like something was rustling past huge branches. When the faint sound continued and in fact increased in volume Kenshin also noticed that there was a steady thumping and what seemed to be twigs snapping. 'Footsteps!' Kenshin realized. 'What ever is making that noise must be huge.'

In a serious lapse of judgment Kenshin walked closer to the forbidding trees and tried to peer into their murky depths for the source of the noise.

What had been once a distant rhythmic thudding grew quickly to a loud crashing racket of something extremely large running through the forest. The students could hear it now and all looked up between the teacher and the woods in alarm, waiting for directions or reassurance of some kind. The teacher stood still listening for a split second, trying to decipher what it was that was barreling toward them. She then pulled her wand free from her belt and yelled so all of her students could hear.

"Get away from the trees! Go back to the school! All of you."

Kenshin backed away from the trees slowly with wide violet eyes. He could see something heading right towards them. The tops of the trees were shaking as it passed them by. He reached for his short sword and drew it, brandishing it in front to ward away the figure as well as his own growing unease. Finally in an intelligent move he turned and ran a short distance away.

Just as Kenshin turned around again he saw the source of the racket burst through the final row of trees. He looked up…and up at its ugly slobbering face. The creature bore a vague resemblance to a man, but its green tinted body was much too large and bulky to be mistaken for one. In its hand, as some sort of makeshift club, it held a tree trunk with dirt clods still clinging to its roots.

Kenshin would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't intimidated by its size alone. It was at least two and a half times taller than he and while it didn't look particularly intelligent it did look very angry. Kenshin couldn't even begin to guess what would make such a creature so irate. He had better things to be thinking about anyway.

"Troll!" Screamed several of the children as they scattered in all directions.

The creature lumbered to a stop. Its great hulking body shifting slightly as it looked about. It seemed to be confused by the students running every which way. Obviously it could not decide to pick one to attack if they wouldn't hold still. If it had bothered to look down the troll would have seen three such vessels to receive its anger as all were within a twenty-foot radius of the beast.

The teacher paled at this predicament. She knew she couldn't protect them if they wouldn't stay together. 'Regular stun charms don't work against trolls!' The professor tried in vain to keep track of her students and nearly fainted when she saw that several of the children nearest to the beast had frozen in terror. 'I can't cast anything powerful when they're practically underneath it! There's no way I could miss such a large target, but the troll would fall on my students.' The professor felt a surge of frustration. 'Hufflepuffs! Those silly children don't even have enough courage to run!'

A bright dash of color just in front of the troll caught her eye. 'Its that strange boy from earlier.' The filtered light from the overcast sky glinted dully off of something in his hand. 'A sword? Why is he using that? What does he think he can accomplish by waving that around?'

The boy stood close to the troll staring up at it.

'He looks like some sort of sprite compared to that beast.' Thought Sprout as she cast an eye over the boy.

His odd colorations and strange clothing made quite the ethereal scene, even to a witch. Though he stood tall in front of the troll it luckily still didn't see him.

The professor watched the boy for only a moment of estranged fascination before she leapt into action.

"Mobilcorpus!" The professor aimed her spell at the closest student to the troll. The child barely even noticed she was being lifted, because her gaze was so fixated on the troll looming over her.

'I have to get the students away from it!' the professor cast another spell.

"Accio Selene," Commanded the Herbology professor and the floating girl flew towards her professor, away from the monster.

The troll who had previously no object on which to vent its anger suddenly had a moving target.

Kenshin's blanched as he saw the creatures squinty eyes fix on the girl. 'With its huge stride this thing will reach her before she makes it to the professor. I have to get its attention somehow.'

The young teen darted in the path of the creature just as it took its first step in the direction of the airborne girl. It blinked stupidly at the slight boy a few times and then its features twisted into a snarl. The troll raised its tree trunk from where it drug on the ground to swat him aside. It brought the great club around with force enough to rival the swing of the whomping willow, but Kenshin was simply to fast for this to work, and he easily dodged the swing.

'It's slow' thought Kenshin as he ducked attempt to remove his head from his body, 'Good!'

The boy threw a glance briefly at the professor before returning his attention to the troll. A plan was already forming in his mind.

'She's got one of the immobile students. I'll just have to keep it distracted long enough for her to get that last one. I can't believe that the male student passed out. I hope he's not too embarrassed about that later.' He again focused on his opponent. 'Maybe if I confuse it a little…'

In a change of tactics Kenshin began running in tight circles around the troll. To all watching, his image seemed to blur as he accelerated rapidly. The beast couldn't follow him with its eyes and this made its fury grow even more. It began blindly swinging the tree trunk. This threw the troll slightly off balance and it took a step backwards to right itself. Kenshin knew that it was unintentionally getting closer to the student lying passed out on the ground.

'Crap! This isn't working the way it's supposed to.' He stopped running around the beast and waited for it to notice him. Once its eyes fixed on him he began a slow retreat. Each time the troll swung its trunk he dodged artfully and backed up several strides. Slowly Kenshin lead the beast away from the unconscious student.

'I think we're far enough away. Now all I have to do is drop it.' Kenshin's breathing was still even as he darted about the grassy meadow avoiding swings from the troll. 'One hit from this thing could kill me,' Kenshin noted as he watched the rippling of the troll's massive muscles with each swing.

The tree trunk smashed down next to Kenshin with bone breaking force. The young swordsman stared in disbelief at the crater it left behind in the soft turf. 'That was a little too close for comfort. I have to get that club away from it.'

Kenshin stood still waiting for the next swing. 'Come on! I'm an easy target. You know you want to squish me.' In answer to Kenshin's thoughts the troll brought the club downwards in another attempt to turn Kenshin into jelly. 'Wait…now!' Kenshin dove forward towards the troll and sliced upward through the ligaments of its wrist. It howled and the club fell to the ground behind Kenshin with a dull thump. The troll grabbed its ruined wrist with its other hand and created such a racket with its yowling that Kenshin winced and was forced to cover his sensitive ears.

'It will never be able to use that hand again' thought Kenshin with satisfaction even as he cringed at the enraged yells of the troll.

As many animals do when wounded, this one attacked again with more ferocity than before. Kenshin hadn't been expecting it to recover quite so quickly and so he hadn't retreated fast or far enough.

The massive creature swung its bloody arm low and made contact with Kenshin's legs. Kenshin ended up doing a pinwheel flip. He landed on his side at an odd angle with a sickening crack. Fire laced up his leg to his knee. An involuntary yell escaped his throat at the initial pain, but Kenshin held fast to his wakazashi. As he attempted to sit up the troll's usable hand pressed him down to the ground with crushing force and knocked the air from his lungs.

The troll grinned triumphantly. It had just trapped the fly.

Kenshin held his sword in a white knuckled grip as the troll leaned in closer to inspect its prize. Its hand held down Kenshin's broken leg(s) but his sword arm was free. In a desperate swing he cut deeply into its throat. The creature let out a strange gurgling noise and a dark red bubble of blood formed in the corner of its large green lips. In a spasm it pushed itself away from the fallen boy and pawed futilely at its slit neck. After about twenty seconds of these meaningless movements it fell hard to the ground… dead, crimson blood still seeping sluggishly out of the killing wound on its neck.

Kenshin stared at the troll in disbelief. 'I didn't know its blood would be red.' As his thoughts gradually came back into focus the boy again felt the burning in his right leg. When he looked down he saw that his white hakama was stained with a generous amount of the troll's blood. His lower right leg lay at an odd angle.

The sight made him nauseous and his head swam. 'I have to go to the healers,' he thought sluggishly. Kenshin used his short sword and his good leg to push himself into an unsteady upright position. He hopped in a state of shock towards the main entrance of the castle. One leg was useless as it drug behind him. He stopped in his progress when he came face to chest with a human wall.

A familiar drawl broke through to his fuzzy brain, "It appears I'm a little late." The ministry instructor took hold of Kenshin's upper arms and held the boy away from his body where he had slumped. "How repulsive. You're covered in blood. I wouldn't want any of that ruining my nice new shirt now would I."

Kenshin just blinked dully at the ministry representative.

"It seems that you are in no shape to practice today." Saito sighed dramatically, "what a bother."

At the sound of nearby shouting Saito turned his head to look over his shoulder then looked back at Kenshin. The teen's violet eyes were staring at Saito's midsection in so comatose a fashion that he might as well have been unconscious.

"Europeans are slow. The reinforcements are just coming now," said Saito more to himself than to the insensible boy he held upright.

Madame Wentworth, Dumbledore, Professor Honoré and Professor Sprout came running into view with their wands drawn. All but Wentworth stopped short when they saw Saito holding up a bloodied Kenshin.

The school mediwitch put on a businesslike face and marched over to Saito, who stood watching the teachers with an unimpressed stare. Kenshin hung limply from his outstretched arms.

"Excuse me sir, but I must examine the pa-"

Saito interrupted the healer with Kenshin's diagnostic, "He has a dislocated knee and has fractured his lower right leg" Saito glanced at Kenshin's glazed eyes. "I also believe that he is in a state of shock."

Madame Wentworth stared disbelievingly at the tall Japanese man for a few seconds and then shook her head.

"Sorry, What did you say your name was?"

"I didn't," replied Saito with an irritated drawl. He released an unresponsive Kenshin and Madame Wentworth out of instinct jumped forward to catch the boy. When she looked up again the man was gone.

Dumbledore watched the exchange while the professors Honoré and Sprout checked on the troll.

8

Saito stalked away from the death scene, 'That didn't go exactly as planned.' A scowl grew on his face. 'He should have killed it much easier than that.'

"Hello" came the cheerful voice of Albus Dumbledore.

Saito continued walking.

The transfiguration professor fell into step beside Saito.

"You would be Mr. Himura's instructor, correct?"

Saito stopped and turned the full weight of his golden glare upon the professor.

"Candy?" said Dumbledore with an innocent smile as he held out a brightly wrapped sugary delight.

In answer Saito began walking again.

Dumbledore watched as Saito disappeared around a corner of the building. 'He seems rather disagreeable,' thought Dumbledore in a mental understatement as he popped the proffered candy into his own mouth.

8

Shinta wandered down the narrow street. The fading red light of the sun made his shadow stretch ahead like an amorphous nightmare. Shinta, a boy of only four years, was not yet capable of complex feelings such as apprehension or suspense. Nonetheless the gritty dilapidated buildings inspired fear in the child. Their darkened windows leered at him with jagged glass smiles.

The few people out in the growing darkness were trying to leave this particular section of town for their more comfortable homes. They didn't even spare a glance for the little redheaded child as he walked aimlessly about the street.

'Mommy and Daddy never came out of their room. I'm hungry. When will they come and find me?' Tears welled up in the tiny boy's eyes. He sat down where he was on the ground and let quiet sobs rack his small frame.

A swish of cloth and the sweet smell of peaches drifted into Shinta's senses. He looked up to see a young woman wearing an off the shoulder kimono. Its bright colors and scanty covering clearly marked her as a lady of the night, but as young as he was Shinta didn't know that she was different from anyone else. The woman was pretty and smiled kindly at him and so the little boy was not afraid.

"Are you lost little one?" the young woman spoke with a voice like water.

Shinta sniffed loudly and nodded, tears still leaking out of the corners of his eyes.

"What is your name little boy?" she asked in a relaxed manner.

"Shinta" he said in a watery voice.

"My name is Akane. I… live around here." She paused and a morose expression covered her face. She looked away from Shinta for a moment. When she looked back her face was smooth again.

"Come with me then." She smiled kindly. "I'll help you look for your parents tomorrow. It is too late to be out searching." She held out a delicate long fingered hand. Her long honey brown hair spilled over her shoulder as she leaned forward slightly.

Shinta's large violet eyes locked onto her willowy hand and without hesitation he placed his tiny hand into hers.

She led him down dark alleys across lamp lit streets and through the deep shadows of unknown buildings. When both finally reached the destination the girl pulled Kenshin through the front door of a dimly lit building. Strange smells and sounds filled the air. At face value the place could be taken as a cheap bar, but the hungry men leering at Akane gave away the true nature of the establishment. Akane pushed Kenshin behind her legs, effectively hiding him as she hurried through the room. They scuttled down a short hallway and through a door at the end.

"Akane what-" a girl dressed in a very short loosely tied robe turned from looking in a mirror and caught sight of Shinta, "-were you doing…out when…" the dark haired girl slowed to a stop and then looked directly into Akane's black eyes.

"What is this?" she pointed at Shinta. "He's a bit young to be in want of service."

"He was lost so I brought him here," said Akane defensively. "It's just for tonight Kasumi. I'm taking him to his parents tomorrow."

Kasumi gave Akane a scowl and then looked at the small boy with a helpless expression. When he lifted his watery eyes to meet hers she turned her back to the pair with a sigh and continued fixing her hair in the mirror.

"Fine do whatever you want Akane. Just keep him from seeing things he shouldn't. I wouldn't want the kid to lose that innocent look.

Akane let out a breath she'd been holding, "Thanks Kasumi."

Akane propped Shinta up on her futon. Her own futon was virtually unused because of the particular profession that Akane had fallen into. She rarely slept in her own room.

"Shinta tell me. Do you know where you live? What the buildings look like around your house."

Shinta answered immediately, "We live by the water. Sometimes Daddy brings home fish."

"Oh you live near a lake," Akane repeated dully. She began to get a sinking feeling that left an uncomfortable weight in her stomach. Only yesterday she had seen smoke over near Sakura lake. From what she'd heard of people's conversations. That section of the city was closed off. It'd been happening more and more lately. Random areas of the town were quarantined and then burnt to the ground in the name of the emperor. He claimed the enemies in Korea were releasing diseases to try to start an epidemic. She looked at the seemingly healthy four-year-old as he turned his head about to look at all the ornaments adorning the walls. Akane looked heavenward in a moment of pleading. 'Please Kami don't let my act of kindness be the death of me.'

8

Kenshin woke slowly. At first he wasn't sure where he was, but once he realized-

'Why can't I wake up in my own bed for once? Is it in my fate to wake up in a cold unfamiliar place?'

By the time Kenshin finally opened his eyes he knew that he was in the hospital wing of Hogwarts. He could easily recognize the smell of medical herbs and clean sheets. He sat up and turned to look at Dumbledore who was sitting in a chair besides the bed reading a newspaper. On the front there was a moving black and white picture of a pretty witch laughing and signing books for a happy looking crowd.

"Mr. Himura, How are you this morning?" said Dumbledore as he lowered the newspaper.

"Fine. If you ignore the fact that I have been knocked out at least three times in a row this week."

Dumbledore chuckled, folded the newspaper and set it on the table beside the bed.

"You're very talented, it seems. I myself have only passed out twice in one week." He paused thoughtfully with a nostalgic smile. "Of course that was a result of my own …ahem overindulgence, instead of bodily trauma."

Kenshin gave the older man an odd look, which Dumbledore returned with an over innocent smile.

Dumbledore coughed and changed the subject. "I hope you're feeling better," he said sincerely. "I'm sorry that after only a few days of being here you've been hospitalized twice."

Kenshin was caught off guard by the shift in conversation. "Oh no, It's fine Mr. Dumbledore. I'm used to injuries."

"Are you?" He raised his graying eyebrows, "I hadn't thought that swordsmanship was so harsh during training. It must be discouraging to be knocked unconscious so often."

"Uhh… yeah, sometimes."

"On the subject of your training," continued Dumbledore in an inquisitive tone, "did you ever get to meet your teacher for instruction yesterday?"

"Oh…" Kenshin blinked as if he had completely forgotten about it, "no, I never found him. I went to the place he said and then I heard the monster in the trees. It ran out and attacked the students so I had to distract it…" Kenshin trailed off with a thoughtful look on his face. He looked Dumbledore in the eye. "Do monsters from the forest often attack students?"

Dumbledore shook his head in answer, "No, trolls do not usually come near to the school grounds. However they will attack anyone who goes off alone in the forest. That is one of the many reasons why the forest is off limits to students."

"Weird." Kenshin flopped back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

"Yes very peculiar. One would almost think that it was led there…" Dumbledore ended as he stood.

"I'll have breakfast sent to you, so just wait here. I'll lead you to your class after."

Dumbledore started to turn away to leave, but then remembered something and looked back at Kenshin. "Oh yes, I almost forgot. I spoke to your instructor yesterday after you were hospitalized."

"Oh," Kenshin sat up in interest, "What did he say?"

"Not much." Dumbledore paused thoughtfully, "but I believe he is a normal sort of person."

Kenshin snorted and looked at Dumbledore disbelievingly.

"What gave you that idea?"

"He didn't accept candy from me," said the older man simply as he turned and left a staring Kenshin behind.

8

As Kenshin stepped out into the emptying hallway from his second class of the day he listened for the familiar footsteps of his guide, but he couldn't hear them over the clamor of the retreating students. The red haired boy stepped into the soft light entering one of the many windows. This one overlooked a small courtyard. He looked down at the tops of the trees and the carpet of dark green grass. Rain sprinkled softly against the window. Kenshin shivered. He knew that Scotland grew colder than Tennessee much earlier in the year, but he wasn't quite prepared for the change. He leaned his head against the cold glass and watched his breath fog the clear image of the courtyard below.

His thoughts drifted slowly to him as if from far away

'Did I make the right choice in coming here?'

"Mr. Himura?"

Kenshin jumped, and turned around quickly to hide his embarrassment.

"Hello, Mr. Dumbledore. I didn't hear you coming." Kenshin smiled up at the older man. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"And here I thought I was being loud."

"ahehe, I wasn't really paying attention.' Kenshin rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"We can't always pay attention to our surroundings," said Dumbledore with a faint smile.

Kenshin watched Dumbledore with a thoughtful gaze. "That makes sense to me," he said after a pause. He looked both ways down the hall. "Where am I going now.

Dumbledore's face lost his smile and he looked a little nervous himself. "It seems that Headmaster Dippet has scheduled a meeting with you. Hopefully it is to congratulate your brave efforts for saving Professor Sprout's class."

"Oh, I didn't think that he would do something like that. I know he doesn't like my being here very much."

"It does seem strange doesn't it?" said Dumbledore quietly as he turned and started walking toward the headmaster's office. Kenshin followed reluctantly.

8

The suit of armor creaked open forebodingly. Kenshin hesitantly stepped in behind Dumbledore.

Dippet sat in his polished desk writing on a parchment. He didn't look up at the entrance of the two supplicants, but motioned with a thin hand for them to sit.

Just as Kenshin settled nervously into his chair, Dippet set his quill down with a "Clack" that made the nervous teen start. He leveled Kenshin with a glare.

"What were the rules I told you to observe during your stay in this school?" he said in a steely voice.

Kenshin's violet eyes widened at the headmaster's hostile tone. "… Umm you said not to let my swords be seen and not to talk to the students more than I had to."

"Was that all I said?" the headmaster articulated slowly.

"No, you said-"

Dippet cut him off, "I said no intimidating the students!"

Kenshin leaned back in his seat at the outburst. His initial alarm at the odd turn in the conversation gave way to confusion.

"When did I break that rule?"

"Several students notified me yesterday that a red-haired oriental assaulted them in the hallway."

Kenshin tilted his head to the side in thought his eyebrows creased in concentration. His eyes widened in recollection.

"I remember…" he began, then paused with a glare at the Headmaster. "They attacked me," he continued in a frosty tone.

"You think that I'll believe you when THREE students say they saw you?"

Kenshin frowned. "It is the truth," he said simply.

Dippet and Kenshin locked gazes in a silent battle.

"Maybe you should explain further" interjected Dumbledore calmly.

Kenshin spoke. "They attacked me after they said they had heard of me and that I was a … um... something… and that I was trying to join the school."

"What did they call you?" asked Dumbledore curiously.

Kenshin ended the staring contest with Dippet and shifted his attention to the transfiguration professor.

"Mmm… began Kenshin, "something to do with blood."

Dumbledore gave Dippet a pointed glance before filling in the blank.

"Mudblood?"

Dippet looked sharply at the auburn haired man.

"Yeah that's the word they used" Kenshin confirmed.

Dumbledore looked at the headmaster. "These students didn't happen to be Slytherin did they?" he asked as though he already knew the answer.

"What does that have to do with anything?" said Dippet defensively.

"Slytherins harbor a certain dislike for anyone of 'questionable parentage' as they so phrase it. They might have exaggerated their case a bit to inconvenience Mr. Himura."

"Still" the headmaster glared at Kenshin, "some type of punishment is in order."

"Not so" Dumbledore interjected. "It's just their word against Kenshin's."

Dippet snorted, "I'll believe the lowliest student over an outsider."

"Then I am glad I am here," said Dumbledore truthfully.

Dippet noticed Dumbledore's familiar expression of unwavering stubbornness and sighed. "Perhaps in light of his aiding in the rescue of Professor Sprout's class from the troll we will overlook his other transgressions."

"Thank you Armando. You are very kind. Now if you will excuse us…"

"Of course by all means go," said Dippet impatiently as he waved a thin hand towards the exit.

8

The next six days seemed to blur together even though the classes were all interesting. Now he mostly audited the older classes but also sat in on some of the younger years. It was fair to say he learned almost as much from the students as he did from the teacher. Teachers didn't usually talk about Quiddich, curses or magical candy. Kenshin hadn't received much conventional socialization with children his own age so he found the antics of the students profoundly interesting.

Evening lessons Saito were not so easy. Saito's strength and magical abilities, not to mention his longer reach made him a formidable adversary, but Kenshin was by no means an easy target. He was fast and light on his feet. Nine years of training made his blade merely an extension of himself. Even with his magic Saito could not take Kenshin lightly as an opponent. And While Kenshin could never seem to defeat the wizard, at least he knew what he was up against. This fact was proved when Kenshin only had to go down to the hospital wing once more in the following six days of training.

8

It was Friday again, Kenshin's last Friday at Hogwarts before he left for Japan. He was once again auditing Care of Magical Creatures. This time it was a fifth year class, Slytherin and Gryffandor.

Professor Ketelburn stood at the front of the class. They were currently standing on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest with the students arranged in a wide half circle around the teacher. At Kettelburn's left side there was a strange gangly creature with protruding bat like ears. It was sitting on the ground staring, mesmerized, at a piece of tinfoil that was charmed to sparkle and dance about. If it had been standing it would have reached about three feet high. It's spidery fingers and toes were tipped with vicious looking black claws. The creatures long devil's tail waved through the air much like a contented cat's. It wore a strange medley of shiny objects around its neck wrists and ankles, mostly just shiny pieces of junk such as soda tabs, bottlecaps, tin foil, and plastic beads.

"Does anyone know what type of imp this is?" Kettelburn looked hopefully around the class for raised hands.

She felt gratified when several hands lifted reluctantly into the air.

"Yes Mr. Johnson" she pointed at a tall lanky boy in the front row.

The boy smiled awkwardly at the teacher and answered her question. "It's a Scottish imp Ma'am."

"Wonderful! five points to Gryffandor." The teacher beamed at the usually quiet boy.

Kenshin shifted his weight onto his other leg and watched the strange creature try to snatch the dancing foil out of the air. He looked around at the students. They watched the teacher and the imp with varying degrees of interest. Some students carried on whispered conversations covertly so the teacher wouldn't see them.

"Can anyone tell me the differences between this type of imp and the South American breed.

At this question the few hands in the air lowered instantly. All the students shifted waiting for someone else to answer the question.

A handsome Slytherin wearing a prefects badge sighed irritably when none of the other students answered the question and raised his hand slowly as if it was an act of charity that he wanted everyone to notice.

The teacher's face broke into a relieved smile when she saw the hand float into the air. She pointed at Tom indicating him to speak.

Riddle stood straighter and brought his hand back to his side. He took a deep breath before entering on the explanation.

"The Scottish imp is less intelligent and the venom from its claws is not fatal to humans. It has a penchant for anything with luster, be it a diamond ring or a piece of broken glass. The South American imp is much more dangerous. It has extremely poisonous claws and teeth. It also has wings, but can hide them at will and is resistant to weaker spells. This type of imp is also more intelligent and has more sophisticated tastes in glittering objects. It covets gold, silver and precious gems. It is able to speak, but is still considered a magical beast because it is too covetous and aggressive to be a part of wizard society."

"Wonderful, Mr. Riddle! Ten points to Slytherin for that detailed description." Ketelburn continued on in explanation of the imp's diet and habitat.

When the teacher said Riddle's name the imp fixed the boy with a brief intense stare before returning it's attention to the sparkly meant to capture its attention. This look did not escape the Slytherin and he monitored the imp from the corner of his eye suspiciously.

'That was a rather focused gaze for a hypnotized imp.' He crossed his arms nonchalantly reaching up his sleeve as he did so. The smooth wood surface of his wand was a comfort to the handsome fifteen-year-old wizard and he visibly relaxed once his fingers were curled around it.

Kenshin's attention had been on Riddle ever since he opened his mouth to answer the teacher. 'It's that guy again, the one with the strange aura. He makes me nervous just standing there,' Kenshin studied the other boy from the corner of his eye. Luckily for him the crowd of students between them made his scrutiny less obvious.

"Mr. Riddle," the teacher stopped her explanation for a moment to bestow a smile on the unsuspecting prefect. "Since you gave such a wonderful explanation earlier I was wondering if you might show the class the proper incantation for subduing the imp." She waited a brief moment for Tom to nod in the affirmative before waving him over. "Good now if you could show the class the proper procedure…"

'Dear God am I the only intelligent one in this class?' Tom sighed as he uncrossed his arms bringing his wand to bear as he did so.

'At least this is another opportunity to show my adept skills in front of the people who really matter.' Tom was of course referring to his Slytherin classmates. His face broke into a satisfied smirk.

'With every display of competence and leadership I come closer to achieving my goal. Once I am free of this disgrace of a school I can realize my dream.'

The tall fifth year walked confidently towards the imp with his wand held easily at his side. He stopped two arms lengths away from the creature and looked over it to the teacher for instructions.

"When I release the charm, cast the proper spell to enchant the foil once more. If for some reason the charm does not work I will subdue the imp accordingly."

Riddle stood at attention. He met the teacher's eyes and nodded for her to release the spell. 'Here it goes,' he thought blithely.

The imp blinked as the foil as it lost its unnatural luster. It's eyes followed the path of the paper thin metal scrap as it floated to the ground. The imp wasted little time staring at the not so interesting piece of metal before turning its focus onto the nearest person.

Tom, seeing that the imp's black eyes were now focused on him, raised his wand and said the proper incantation clearly. "Lustra leviosa." The charm appeared to have worked except the imp didn't seem interested in the foil scrap anymore. Instead it smiled at Tom widely showing him very clearly a row of pointed teeth.

At the imps obvious inattention to the merrily dancing scrap of foil the teacher frowned and raised her wand to subdue the imp before it had the chance to reach any of the students. "Stupify," she said calmly. The imp dropped to the ground unmoving except for the slight rise and fall of its chest.

Riddle breathed a sigh of relief and then felt a flash of anger. 'Why didn't my spell work? I know I cast it properly. With trepidation he looked over at the group of students. The Slytherin's sneered openly at him and the Gryffandor's hid smiles and stifled laughter behind their hands.

'Damn those little traitors! I make one mistake and they discredit my abilities. I'll show them how skilled I really am.' he thought darkly. His thought was interrupted when he saw something rushing towards him out of the corner of his eye. His heart lurched into his throat as he his eyes focused on the imp that was flying at him, its wings fully extended.

'Wings!' the handsome boy's eyes widened as he stumbled backwards.

He raised his wand realizing fully that ordinary spells would be useless against it since the teacher's frightened shouts of "petrificus totalis" were obviously not affecting the situation.

'I don't want to die,' he thought in a rush, 'to hell with explanations.'

The incantation for the killing curse was on the tip of his tongue. He knew he would be questioned for knowing such a curse and using it, but none of that mattered now as the imp's lethal claws flew towards their target with alarming speed.

As the first syllable of the unforgivable had formed in his mouth a red haze passed in front of him and the imp exploded into several pieces. He cringed involuntarily and raised his arm to cover his eyes as a mist of blood spattered his face.

When Tom lowered his arm a strange sight greeted him. Not three feet in front of him stood the strange red-haired boy. His back was to Tom and the imp's crimson blood dripped down the blade of his gleaming short sword.

'I didn't even see him move,' was Riddle's bewildered thought as he stood gaping at the younger teen. For one breathless moment the class stood still, unbelieving.

The teacher was the first to recover. "That…that was no Scottish imp!" She said in a shocked voice. She shook her head and ran to check Kenshin and Tom for injuries.

"Mr. Riddle, Mr. Himura are you both alright?" There was a note of panic in her voice as she voiced her next question. "Dear Lord, were either of you scratched?"

"No," said the redhead as he stared at the remains of the imp.

Riddle, still unable to speak, shook his head, his eyes fixed on the same gruesome picture.

It took Tom only a minute to realize what he'd just been saved from. The Oriental had unwittingly kept him from casting 'Avada Kadavra' and so saved him from revealing to the staff at Hogwarts that he knew the dark spell in the first place. He fought to keep a smile from spreading a cross his face as he knew it wasn't appropriate at the moment.

'No need to have anyone question my sanity,' Riddle chuckled inwardly.

The students now had time to react to the unexpected occurance and as one seemed to back away in revulsion.

Riddle stood straighter and cast a scourgifiying charm on himself. These were expensive robes and he only had a few sets. The sight of blood most certainly didn't bother him. In fact the little beast had got what it deserved. 'It tried to kill me after all.'

It had occurred to him that the imp was of the South American breed and that someone had either made a very big mistake (unlikely) or they deliberately placed it there where it had a prime opportunity to kill anyone it choose.

'There are plenty of students standing about so why did it attack me?…unless I was its intended target from the beginning. It looked at me the moment the teacher identified my name with my face.' His eyes narrowed. 'Who would want me dead?'

His attention focused on the boy in front of him when the red head flicked his sword sending sparkling drops of blood to the lush grass. Amazingly there was no excess blood left on the sword and the young teen slid it cleanly back into its sheath. Finally he tore his unusual eyes from the cooling corpse and looked around 'in fear' realized Riddle, at the faces of the students until his natural line of vision ended on Riddle.

"Thank you" said Tom clearly. "You saved my life."

Kenshin seemed not to hear him and looked away from Tom back to the imp's body with the same wide-eyed expression.

The teacher by now had regained some of her wits and began pushing the students away from the scene all the while muttering things like. "The ministry will hear about this. That company is in so much trouble! Not from Scottland at all." She paused from shooing the other students back to the castle and looked at Kenshin. After giving him a silent once over she spoke.

"Come away from there dear, You to Mr. Riddle. I think both of you should go to the nurse. God only knows what effect an imp's blood has on human skin."

Kenshin gave the woman the same look he gave the students earlier. The professor was obviously waiting for a response and when Kenshin proved unresponsive she looked to Riddle.

He answered quickly for his silent companion. "Of course Professor Ketelburn. I'll make sure we both go there immediately."

"Good." She looked between the two a few times before leaning in to Riddle. "Make sure Madame Wentworth takes extra care with that one. He's acting quite strangely."

"Yes, I'll tell her the whole story. You needn't worry Professor." Tom smiled placatingly at Ketelburn. The witch seemed satisfied with his response and left quickly to follow the class into the castle.

"Well Kenshin shall we be going?" said Riddle in an amused voice.

Hearing his name seemed to snap the younger boy out of his fearful trance and he narrowed his eyes in a confused manner. "How do you know my name?"

"I listen" said Riddle mysteriously as he began walking towards the castle.

Kenshin followed the older boy after several heartbeats. He studiously avoided letting his eyes settle on the imp's carcass.

"So Himura what brings you to Hogwarts?" asked Riddle with a sideways glance at his shorter companion.

Kenshin looked at the passing ground silently.

"You can tell me. Honestly I won't bite."

The prefect's attempt at humor fell flat, but Kenshin answered him nonetheless.

"I…am not allowed to say," he mumbled awkwardly.

"Alright then" Riddle said easily as they walked up the steps. "How old are you?"

"Thirteen" said Kenshin quietly after a pause.

Riddle raised his eyebrows in surprise "You look younger," he stated in a matter of fact voice.

"I know" said Kenshin. He looked both ways down the main hall trying to remember which way to go.

"It's this way" Riddle gestured down the left corridor. The two fell into step beside each other in silence until they reached the infirmary doors.

"Once again I thank you Himura You saved my life."

Kenshin nodded not looking at the older boy.

When Riddle made as if to leave Kenshin spoke.

"Wait, didn't Kettelburn tell us both to go to Wentworth?"

Riddle stopped but didn't look back. "I can decide for myself if I am feeling well. I don't need some witch to confirm it."

The red-headed boy shrugged and passed through the doors to the infirmary. He stood waiting in the entrance looking around the spacious sunlit room.

A movement in the back of the room caught his eye.

"So you came here on your own two feet this time. What's the problem?" The squat form of Madame Wentworth followed her voice out of the back office. The woman was probably only a few inches taller than Kenshin and had light brown hair pulled back into a neat bun. Wentworth ever in nurse mode came straight to Kenshin and began to check his vitals.

"Hmmm still a muggle. Eyes normal." She took his wrist in her hand and watched the clock. "Pulse normal." She squinted at him and pulled out her wand. "What exactly is the problem Mr. Himura?"

Kenshin floundered for the words to describe his experience with delicacy. "The imp attacked a student and I …got some of its blood on me."

The healer tutted, "An imp's blood. Well let's see now." She waved her wand around the quiet boy a few times while muttering incantations under her breath. "Nothing" she said finally. "No residual magic. In fact there is less magical radiation on you than when you first came here. Unusual." She walked around him in a circle.

"I don't see any blood Mr. Himura, but I think maybe you should stay here for a few minutes just to make sure you don't have a reaction of some sort. Just have a seat on a bed and I'll tell you when you can go."

8

Twenty minutes later Kenshin sat on the corner of a bed with his head nodding forward trying unsuccessfully to remain awake, when the doors of the infirmary burst open and a boy with another floating unconscious behind him sped into the room.

"What's all that racket! This is an infirmary not a quiddich pitch." The healer rushed from the back room to meet the students.

"Sorry Mrs.Wentworth, but there was a potions accident."

"Bring the patient here quickly," said the mediwitch as she pointed to a nearby bed. "What happened?"

"His potion was the right color and everything, but when he drank it this happened." He gestured to the boy's large batlike ears and the strange fine dark fur covering the surface of his normally pale skin. "And then he grabbed his head and dropped right there."

"What potion were you making?" asked the healer curiously.

"A potion to improve night vision" answered the skinny blond boy.

Wentworth gave him a look.

"He really messed this one up," explained the blond. "Will he be alright?"

The healer gave the boy a careful once over before turning to his friend. "Yes Glenn he'll be just fine. Don't you worry."

Glenn let out a breath he'd been holding and then chuckled. "He'll feel like a git when he wakes up. What I wouldn't give for one of those camera things right now." He sighed. "But they're so expensive."

Wentworth smiled indulgently at the second year, and then raised her eyes to stare just past his shoulder.

"Oh you're still here, are you? You may go anytime Mr. Himura, unless you aren't feeling well."

"I'm fine" said Kenshin quickly, not liking the look of curiosity sent his way by the blond second year. He rose from the bed and swiftly walked out of the still open infirmary doors.

8

Later that evening Kenshin slid the door to the training room open with an audible snap. 'No use in trying to remain silent when Saito can sense my presence within twenty meters.'

Kenshin quickly located his instructor who was over in his favorite corner. The two stared at each other for an immeasurable moment. Then Saito spoke.

"You are aware that today is your last here?" It wasn't really a question so Kenshin didn't answer. Instead he stepped fully into the room and asked one of his own.

"Will there be a test?"

Saito watched Kenshin with an amused look that never ceased to irritate the boy.

"A test? What for? You were chosen because you are 'sufficient' for the job. Or so the Ministry thinks. I have yet to be convinced."

Kenshin struggled not to glare at his instructor for that last statement.

"Then I will convince you right now," said the redhead, his voice tight.

"Very well, If you must" Saito languidly pushed off the wall and straightened his clothing deliberately before walking to the center of the room. Kenshin took his customary place opposite the wizard. As always the two faced each other down (or in Kenshin's case, up) waiting for some intangible signal to begin their fight.

One instant the pair stood as immobile as a muggle photograph and the next they flew together in a flurry of swipes and parries. Saito threw hexes and showers of sparks in Kenshin's path and the young swordsman wove through them expertly. He had learned quickly to watch every movement Saito made. Spell and sword were equally dangerous in the tall warrior's hand.

The fight proceeded just as it did every evening. Kenshin felt annoyed by this as he dodged a red streak of light aimed for his sword arm. 'It's time to pick up the pace a little,' he thought as he sped towards his opponent. Their swords clashed together and Kenshin could feel the force of the blow all the way up his arms. He mentally shook himself as he turned and attacked Saito again, refusing to give the older man a chance to cast any spells.

Saito met Kenshin's attacks with ease, deflecting them and returning some of his own.

"Are you truly putting effort into this?" came Saito's drawl.

In answer Kenshin doubled his efforts. In a feint he aimed his sword to his opponent's leg. As expected, Saito brought his sword down to block it. Kenshin saw his opening and thrust his sword towards Saito's neck instead.

The attack pattern was fairly basic and the redhead fully expected Saito to block it. A moment of confusion came over Kenshin when he didn't feel the ring of his sword against his opponent's. 'What just happened?' he asked himself, looking down at the end of his blade with morbid fascination. A drop of red slithered down to the end and fell to the floor.

Time slowed down as the last few seconds danced though his mind. Saito brought his sword down. Kenshin shifted his target. The wizard saw the change and begun to move out of the way, raising his katana to deflect, but he was too slow and now…

As if there was a spell cast upon him Kenshin turned slowly to look at his instructor. Saito lay in a widening pool of blood draining from the killing wound in his neck. His glazed eyes were surprised and fearful. The two emotions looked completely wrong on the formidable man's face.

Kenshin swayed, 'If this is a dream, I'd like to wake up screaming any time now.' A thought slowly filtered into the shocked boy's mind, 'The Ministry will be looking for him' and then, 'they'll come for me!' Kenshin could feel the blood draining from his face.

"I killed him" he whispered. Darkness was clawing at the edges of his mind. In disbelief it was trying to shut itself off. Suddenly angry, Kenshin fought it away. 'I can't stay here' he thought coldly. They'll come looking.' Kenshin flicked his sword to clear off the extra blood and sheathed it back at his side. He purposefully stalked from the room even though he had no clue what he would do next.

Once in the hallway, Kenshin knew he was being watched.

"Who is there?" Kenshin's voice sounded harsh even to his own ears.

"I had hoped to speak with your master" said Riddle as he stepped from the shadow of a suit of armor.

"He is busy." Kenshin said shortly.

Tom watched Kenshin closely as he slowly approached the younger teen.

"You look pale," he stated, "and your voice sounds strange. Perhaps you should go to the nurse."

"I am fine." Kenshin looked at the floor so Tom could only see his blood red bangs.

"Exactly how busy is your master? It is rather important that I speak with him."

"You can't."

"Why exactly?"

There was a minute of silence as Kenshin decided what to tell the nosey prefect.

"I think I do need to see the nurse." said Kenshin. "I feel sick"

Tom sighed at the obvious change of topic and asked the question he already knew the answer to.

"Can you find your own way there?"

"I can't" said Kenshin predictably.

"Alright then, lets go," said Riddle as he gestured down the dim hallway behind Kenshin and made as if to walk that way. No sooner had Kenshin turned around and taken his first step than Riddle had ducked into the empty classroom.

After three steps Kenshin realized Riddle wasn't following and turned to see an empty corridor stretching behind him. Panic rising within him he ran to the door just in time to see the Slytherin sliding open the door to the back room. He calmly rested his hand on the hilt of his sword waiting for Riddle's expression to change from curious to horrified, but confusion was all he saw as the handsome boy turned around.

"I thought you said he was busy. There's no one in here." Riddle paused as he wordlessly took in the placement of Kenshin's hand and his ready posture. The slytherin casually crossed his arms and looked away in disinterest.

Kenshin narrowed his eyes at the boy and stalked forward. Riddle moved to the side so Kenshin could see inside the room.

'Nobody?' Kenshin's mouth fell open and he gripped the doorframe for support. He suddenly realized that Riddle was watching him and he straightened, covering his surprise with a blank look.

"My mistake" Kenshin said easily.

"Yes…" Riddle looked about ready to ask him another question when they were interrupted.

"You wanted to speak with me, boy."

The two teenagers whipped their heads around to stare at the figure blocking the doorway to the hall.

"Only if you're not busy" said Tom sending Kenshin a sideways glance. He noted carefully the white cast of Kenshin's skin and his wide eyes as the shorter boy stared unblinkingly at Saito.

Saito smirked at Kenshin, "Is there something on my face?

Kenshin blinked rapidly and shook his head.

"Oh, in that case you are dismissed. Have fun tomorrow." The last comment held a vicious note that told Tom clearly that he did not mean for Kenshin to enjoy himself.

Saito stepped fully into the dusty classroom allowing Kenshin to scurry past. He fixed Riddle with a stare and waited for the Slytherin to speak.

"Himura seems out of sorts" commented Tom idly.

Saito waited.

"I wonder why?" he continued.

"Is there a point to your comments or am I to assume you are wasting my time?"

Tom sniffed and gave Saito a brief glare.

"I was attacked yesterday."

"Very interesting" said Saito in a bored voice.

"…by an imp." He watched Saito's face closely.

"And?" Saito sounded annoyed now.

"It was targeting me. It wasn't interested in any other students." Tom said thoughtfully. "and then Himura dashed over and chopped it to bits with his sword." He paused. "Strange how he didn't just use some spell to stop it."

Saito frowned, "What do you think I have to do with that?"

"I think you bribed it into attacking me, but I'm not entirely sure why."

"Me?" drawled Saito, "You seem the type to have lots of enemies. Why would you think I had anything to do with it?"

"But I don't have many and I know they didn't do it. So why?"

Saito stood straighter and smiled acidly, "You are prying into things you shouldn't. Don't think for a moment that I don't know you went around stirring up trouble by telling students that my…protégé is a mudblood."

"Now that we're on the subject. What exactly is Himura? He's not a wizard."

"Your questions are beginning to irritate me."

"So you tried to have me killed because I'm curious," stated Riddle

"I tried to have you killed because you were prying into ministry business by asking questions you shouldn't. It's a shame Himura succeeded in his task. Of course either way is fine with me." Saito held up his hands. He kills the imp and passes the test or he fails and an insect is removed. It's a win-win situation."

"You can't kill me that easily" said Tom with an unreadable expression.

Saito eyed the younger man before agreeing, "No I suppose not."

Tom smiled smugly.

Saito smirked back, "See that you stay away from Kenshin, at least while he is in my watch, or next time I will take care of the problem myself."

"Agreed."

8888

Eternal Wanderer (meow)

The boy gets his first tastes of BLOOD in this chapter. It's an addictive elixer that can hold people in thrall. Poor Kenshin has no idea what he might become. He could turn into a vampire or a
beserker! Creatures that kill out of need; that can't stop killing because it is all they know. Bwhahahaha!

Read their stories, Joining (ranma 1/2, dbz), And the older brother's ninja fates (naruto/Oh my goddess)