Chosha's Notes

Konnichiwa minna! Welcome back to RuroKen and the philosopher's stone! I'm really getting into this one, and this is while I'm also still doing Fading Futures. I want to thank o.0 for the review. In answer, I am thinking of doing all the books. I have to in getting the story straight. I just hope I don't beat JK Rowling to the last book, or I'll have to make it up! (Heh!) Anyway, thank you also to everyone reading this. Just please review! I don't know how this'll come out and I really would appreciate the help! Hope you like this one!

Disclaimer: As we all know, I own zilch of RuroKen or Harry Potter. I don't even own halfa this plot!

Tanoshimimas! (Enjoy!)

Chapter Two

Professor and Master

It was several weeks until Hiko received his answer and he had almost given it up as an annoying prank. So it was a bit of a surprise when, while watching Kenshin go through the Kata of the Hiten Mitsurugi ryu several meters away from Hiko's cabin, another owl flew past his face and landed on the porch. He blinked, then, as inconspicuously as he could, moved towards the owl and took the letter from its leg. His name was written in the same style, ink and all, sealed with purple wax with the same curious symbol. Splitting the seal, he pulled out the letter and glanced down the page. It was a smaller letter and much less formal than the first, though it was written in the same hand.

Dear Mr. Hiko, (It said)

If you would, at midnight on the 16th of February, be sitting beside a lit fire alone, I will gladly provide the proof you require as to the existence of magic. Could you make sure that Mr Shinta Himura is not present at that time, however, as it is not the time for him to know.

I look forward to seeing you soon,

Yours Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore (Headmaster)

Hiko glanced at the calendar stuck haphazardly near to the door. February 16th was tomorrow.

Hiko sat silently in the small living room staring into the fire that crackled merrily in the hearth. It was close to midnight, if Hiko correctly figured it from the stars twinkling softly through the window. Except for a wolf that howled mysteriously somewhere in the mountains, all was silent, even the trees were still with no breeze rushing through them. Somewhere close by, Hiko could hear the soft, even breathing of someone deeply asleep. He glanced round to look at his apprentice laying exhausted on his futon. The bangs of his soft red hair lay over his face, just scraping the top of his brows, His closed eyes shadowed with fatigue, his mouth slightly open. Kenshin was utterly relaxed, spent after the most laborious day Hiko had ever put him through.

Hiko smiled. He sort of felt sorry for the boy. He guessed he could have sent him to town to do something, or even send him on a survival trip, but he thought that a hard day of training would be enough to have him out like a light… plus the fact that he had managed to trick him into drinking some sake too, but that was beside the point. Of course, Kenshin wasn't going to be too pleased when he wakes up the next day.

Hiko pulled his eyes away from the sleeping boy and returned his eyes to the letter in his hands, re-reading the emerald script once more. He wasn't sure whether to feel sceptical or uneasy at the prospect of having some sort of show of magic. What was this 'Dumbledore' character going to do, show him a card trick or something? Perhaps it was a mistake to answer the man's first letter, but…

Before Hiko could develop on that thought, something happened that would change his life forever. The fire began to hiss and spit and burst into life as if someone had thrown something flammable on top. It jumped so high, Hiko was afraid it would burn the place down. The warm orange glow disappeared, turning into an emerald green that danced like fireflies. Hiko jumped up as he felt a flash of ki and moved his hand towards the hilt of his sword in case of an attack. His eyes widened as, from out of the flames emerged the strangest looking man he had ever seen.

The man was quite tall, almost as tall as Hiko, with long silvery-white hair and a beard that was tucked neatly into his belt. He wore the strangest looking clothes he had ever seen, similar to that of Merlin out of the old western legends, which swept the ground over his high-heeled, buckled boots. Intelligent electric-blue eyes sparkled behind half moon glasses and his nose was long and crooked, as if it had been broken at least twice. As he stepped out of the hearth, the fire made a whooshing noise and became its normal size and colour.

"Well, thank you for doing as I asked." Said the man in slightly clumsy Japanese "I was worried that, after all the arrangements I made with the ministry of magic that you would have forgotten." He looked over Hiko, who had quickly hidden his shock, and smiled with a bow.

"You would be, Dumbledore-san, yes?" the man nodded

"Would it be possible to speak in English? I'm afraid my Japanese skills are lacking"

'Sure,' Hiko answered immediately in English. Dumbledore smiled in thanks and sat down on the extra cushion usually used by Kenshin. Hiko sat down too, but kept his hand close to his katana. The man had a strange ki that he had never felt before. Not that it felt dangerous, but it was better safe than sorry. Perhaps this was the ki of magic...

'I'm afraid I don't really have much time here, Mr Hiko, so lets talk about business, yes?'

'Why don't we start, with how you found out about my apprentice.'

If Dumbledore was surprised by Hiko's forwardness, he didn't show it. Placing the tips of his fingers together, resting his chin on top, Dumbledore said 'Just as you have your own government, We of the magical world have a government as well – the ministry of magic. When a magical child is born, the ministry tells the magical schools who and where they are. The ministry keeps track of all magic.'

'And how is it that you think he has Magic' Hiko asked seriously.

Dumbledore looked him in the eye and said. 'Has he ever done anything mysterious, something he could not explain?'

Hiko thought for a moment. Now that the man mentioned it… there was that time that half of his pottery collection vanished without a trace, and Kenshin swore it wasn't him, but couldn't explain how it had vanished. Then there was the time that a wolf chased Kenshin, or so he said, and found himself up a tree with no memory of how he got there…

Dumbledore smiled as he saw the realisation dawn on his face. He glanced over to Kenshin, still asleep and oblivious to the convocation around him. 'And, this would be Shinta?'

Hiko looked too. 'I changed his name to 'Kenshin' when I found him' he said quietly

' "Heart of the sword". Quite appropriate,' he nodded, as if he already knew the reasons. Dumbledore looked back to Hiko. 'I am guessing you have had sufficient proof that magic exists?' he gestured towards the now normal fire. At Hiko's grunt, Dumbledore continued. 'Hogwarts teaches students how to use magic with responsibility, similar to the way you teach swordsmanship. If you would allow Shi-Kenshin to attend, then we will also provide transport via Portkey to London to pick up supplies and to go to Hogwarts.'

'Hogwarts is in London?'

'Well, you get there from London, yes' he answered 'of course, we will also provide a guide for you while you are in London as well.' Dumbledore fished inside his robes and brought out another letter in his writing. 'I'm afraid I don't have the time to fully explain the circumstances in person, but I have written instructions for what to do when the time comes for Mr Himura to attend.' He passed the letter to Hiko, who, after a moment's hesitation took it. 'I hope you will allow him to attend'

Hiko thought about this for a moment before smiling. Dumbledore's ki was truthful and honest. 'Well, if it will prevent my lovely life of solitude from being disrupted, then I guess he can go'

Dumbledore laughed at the answer and stood up once more. Hiko was surprised at how such a thin-looking old man could still move with the fluidity of a man half his age. Hiko stood as well. 'I must be going now,' Dumbledore said 'Hogwarts won't run itself'

The man reached into his robes once more and brought out a strange pouch made of dark blue velvet, decorated with a golden ridge and Silver and gold stars. Dumbledore opened the neck of the pouch and slipped his hand inside, drawing out strange powder. It looked similar to ordinary sand, except for the fact that, when the wizard turned towards the fire, it glistened the colour of the rainbow. Before Hiko could ask what he was going to do or raise a word in protest, Dumbledore threw it into the fire. The fire swallowed the sand and turned emerald again.

Dumbledore turned back to Hiko and shook his hand. 'It has been a pleasure to meet a muggle such as yourself, Mr Hiko. Very few would take magic like this as easily as you have. I hope to see you again one day. Good-evening to you.' He bowed and walked into the flames. As Hiko watched, torn between amazement and amusement, Dumbledore said, loudly and clearly 'Hogwarts', before the green fire swallowed him up and he vanished. Hiko watched dumbstruck as the flames once more turned orange. It was as if the man had never been, except for the yellowish envelope now clutched in Hiko's hand.

Suddenly, Hiko swore. He forgot to ask what a muggle was.

To be continued…

Chosha's Notes

Sorry for the small chapter. This was more a bridge to Kenshin discovering he is going to learn magic. Still, I thought I'd let Hiko get a look in, seeing as he wont be present for most of the fic – sorry Hiko fans! Anyway, please review and tell me what you think.

Next time on RuroKen and the Philosopher's stone:

Kenshin gets a shock when Hiko gets round to telling him the big secret, but Kenshin's a little sceptical. Is Hiko just playing a prank, or is it really true? Find out on chapter three: Kenshin's discovery

Mata Aimasho, Minna! See you next time!