AN: apologies for not updating for such a long time. thanks for all the reviews during this break, and i honestly hope that there won't be such a long pause between chapters again.

disclaimer: neither YYH nor HP belong to me.

Kurama's eyes narrowed, before he smirked darkly. "Well, if you insist on that, maybe I'm not." He watched with a sense of dark glee as the Slytherins' eyes widened. "But," he continued, bemused, "Maybe I am. You hadn't seen me for a long time, Professor, before I returned about a year ago. How do you know I haven't just changed in the time I was gone? What have I done to make you suspicious?"

"That very question is suspicious!" was Snape's snarled reply.

"Oh, for the love of god, you really don't give up, do you?" Kurama rolled his eyes, watching in amusement, as Snape's glare grew darker. Then, his eyes narrowed and the corners of his lips turned up in a sly smile, alien to Harry's kind face. "Well, since you asked so nicely, I might as well answer you."

His smile grew, and his cold eyes gave it an almost cruel look. "No, I'm not." With that, he turned and leapt over the back of the couch, letting the immediately thrown Stupefy! hit the cushion where he had been resting. He snapped his fingers, and at his command, the lines of ivy that were trailing around the windows, and a few of the walls, flew towards Draco and Snape, and wrapped around their arms, legs, and neck, preventing all movement. A leaf stuffed itself into their mouths, effectively gagging them. Tendrils crawled into their pockets, and brought both wands of the Slytherins to Kurama. He twirled and played with their wands as he spoke.

"Harry is…indisposed of, at the moment. He should be returning soon, and while he's gone, I'm here to take his place." Kurama told them. He looked curiously at Snape's enraged face, ignoring the muffled, furious cries. "If I remove the gag, you won't yell, correct? I have some questions I need answering." Snape glared, and then reluctantly nodded his head.

"Draco?", Kurama asked, "You trusted me yesterday morning. Will you trust me again?" Draco looked over at Snape, then back at Kurama, slowly nodding his head. "Very well. Remember though, should you try to curse, hex, or in any other way, harm me, the gag will go back. And it won't leave again." He crooked a finger, and the leaves obediently withdrew. "Now, Snape, I want to know. How did you know I wasn't Harry?"

Snape scowled. "You obviously don't know Potter very well."

"Au contraire, Snape." Kurama interrupted. "I know Harry better than anyone else. Even better than Weasley and Granger do." Draco's eyes widened in disbelief, but he stayed silent. "Well? How did you know?"

"I had my suspicions. Potter acted differently—too differently for him to have just 'changed' over the time he was gone," Snape said

"That's not good enough, I'm afraid. I want a better answer."

"I trust my instincts, and my instincts told me something was off. That's all I can say," Snape growled. Kurama stared at him, and Snape stared back. Draco remained silent and watched. Silence reigned for a few moments before Kurama finally sighed and raked a hand through his hair. Snape was a spy, and spies relied on their instincts.

"I suppose that will work." Kurama paced around, then spun and squarely faced Snape. "If you've suspected, who else would have?"

Snape glared at Kurama. "I have not spoken about my suspicions to any other. I felt it better that I should find out the truth before going to the Headmaster."

Kurama nodded. "I appreciate that." He looked over the other two, and sighed. "I could erase or alter your memories…"

"No!" Draco cried out.

Kurama glanced over at him, "…but I won't. It wouldn't be fair to you, and I don't want anyone trying to figure out why both Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy lost their memories of the past year, or why you two remember different things from everyone else. I could," Kurama mused, "merely alter your perception on matters, but I don't think I'll do that either. Having someone who knows the truth may be useful." Kurama's voice was deadly serious, "But since you know, I'm going to ask both of you to keep silent about it. And also, please try to remember that while I look like him, I am not Harry Potter. If I gauge it correctly, Harry should be able to return within a month, hopefully sooner. If I get any reason to suspect that this has leaked out, I do not care if you're guilty or not, you will lose all memories connected to this." As he said that last word, Kurama swept out his arms in an all-encompassing manner, leaving no doubt as to what 'this' referred to.

"Understood."

"Understood."

"Good, then—" Kurama was cut off suddenly by a large yawn, which surprised everyone. He raised a somewhat shocked hand up to his mouth, then murmured with a rueful smile, "ah, the body of a young human…" He put on a bright and cheerful grin, and said "Apparently, its later than I realized. I apologize, Professor, Draco." With a nonchalant gesture, the vines withdrew, leaving Snape and Draco standing in the middle of the Slytherin common room, rubbing their sore limbs.

"What are we going to do now?" Draco asked, quietly.

"We are going to rest for the next day. Hopefully, it will be much less eventful than the past few have been. Draco, may I share your room? I believe it will be easier than trying to make my way back to the Tower." Kurama turned to leave with Draco, when the other boy nodded his acceptance.

"Wait."

Kurama turned to look at Snape, who had not yet moved. "Yes?"

"Just answer me one question: Who are you?" Snape's voice lacked the harsh quality it normally had, only holding curiosity and concern. Kurama smiled gently and replied,

"Kurama."

The name held no meaning to either of the humans, and leaving that simple answer behind, Kurama walked out into the corridor, alongside Draco. Draco's rooms were simple, but elegant, betraying his wealth and prestige. After a quick survey of the room, Kurama grew out a soft bed of brush and collapsed onto it, not bothering to change out of his robes. He faintly recognized Draco's scent when the other boy pulled a blanket over him. As Draco was not seen as a threat, Kurama did not respond to the other presence. Kurama fell into a deep, healing sleep, his youki slowly replenishing itself as the last vestiges of the youki he had gained Hiei's transfusion was used.

AN: I know this is somewhat short, but it was necessary. expect a few shorter ones, as its my vacation and my evil sister likes to take over the computer for long periods of time. makes it hard to type up an idea before i lose it. ah, well, R&R, all! comments keep me happy