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Last time on RuroKen and the Philosopher's stone:
Kenshin Has started his journey by train to Hogwarts, Made new friends, got suspicious of Hiko and made an enemy. And he hasn't even GOT to Hogwarts yet!
Chapter eightThe Magical Castle and the Sorting Hat
The train began to slow down as it finally got near to the train station. While Harry and Ron changed into their robes, Kenshin glanced out of the window. It was getting dark now – but he could just about make out the mountains and forests under a deep purple sky. It was a little like the mountain back in Japan that he had lived on for the past four or more years. Kenshin's heart leapt. He had never left that mountain for years now, but now he was almost at Hogwarts! Just the thought of everything he was going to learn set his adrenaline running.
A voice echoed down the train: 'We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately.'
Both Harry and Ron looked rather pale as the trio crammed the last of the sweets into their pockets and joined the throng of students gathering in the corridor. When the train stopped, Kenshin tried not to be quashed under the pushing crowd and finally managed to get outside. The cold air chilled Kenshin after the warmth of the train, but ignored it as he followed Harry and Ron towards a familiar voice. He couldn't help but grin as Hagrid's hairy head beamed at both Harry and himself from over a sea of heads.
'C'mon, follow me – any more firs' years?' He bellowed 'Mind yer step, now! Firs'-years follow me!'
Slipping and stumbling, Kenshin followed the crowd down a steep, narrow path. Kenshin could barely see anything either side of the path and had a strange feeling he was walking past jet-black bushes and if he stepped off the path he would be caught in the branches. No-body spoke much, except for the occasional sniff from the toad-boy, Neville. So Everyone but Kenshin jumped when Hagrid boomed 'Yer'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec. Jus' round the bend –'
A loud 'Ooooooooo' cut him off as the castle came into sight. All Kenshin could do was oro. Never in his life had he seen such a large building that could only be described as 'magic'. Thousands of turrets reached to the skies, while its many windows sparkled like fireflies in the darkness. It was perched atop of a high mountain across a lake, which sparkled as it reflected the shinning windows.
Hagrid pointed to dozens of little boats sitting on the shore. 'No more than four to a boat!' He announced. Harry and Ron climbed into one, quickly followed by Neville and Hermione. Kenshin found himself in the one behind them, followed by a girl with long, raven-dark hair in a indigo ribbon and pretty Sapphire eyes, and a tall boy with spiky brown hair that stuck up like a roosters, tided back in a red bandanna. Both of them looked like they were of Japanese decent.
'Everyone in?' shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself at the front, 'Right then – FORWARD!'
Kenshin gave a start as the tiny fleet all moved off at once, skimming over the water like glass. Kenshin settled down again and looked back at his companions. The girl smiled. After a moment she said 'Hi! I'm Kaoru Kamiya' and she extended her hand. Kenshin could feel he ki was light as a summer breeze, tinged a little with nervousness. Kenshin smiled back and took the offered hand.
Kaoru seemed pleased that Kenshin had responded in kind. 'I didn't know there would be anyone else from Japan here.' She said 'I moved here a few years ago with my dad. This here is Sanosuke Sagara – he's an old friend of the family.'
The rooster-headed boy grinned and raised a hand. 'Hey.'
'I'm Kenshin Himura' Kenshin replied. 'So, are your family's wizards too?'
Kaoru giggled. 'No. I think my mom may have been a witch, but I didn't know her too well. Dad's a Muggle – he's a Kendo instructor.' Kenshin wasn't too surprised. Kaoru, despite the lightness of her ki, there was also a strength that spoke of sword training. He was willing to bet Kaoru also studied Kendo from her father. Kenshin glanced at Sanosuke.
'Dad's a wizard.' He replied with a lopsided grin. 'He works for the ministry in something-or-other. What about you, Kenshin?'
Kenshin shrugged. 'I don't know. They died when I was little. Hiko – he's a bit like my adopted dad – he's a muggle though.'
They continued to chat about different things to pass the time. Kenshin learned that Kaoru was the assistant master of a Kendo style called Kamiya Kasshin-ryu and had a younger cousin named Yahiko who lived with them. Sanosuke was a bit of a gangster, back home, nicknamed Zanza – though he wouldn't elaborate. He was something of a freeloader at Kaoru's house, but was like an older brother to her. Kenshin also told them about Hiko and his arrogant nature, but decided not to tell them about the Kenjutsu. After all, real swords weren't exactly legal. Kenshin found he liked these two – he hoped that they would get in the same house. Then he could introduce them to Harry and Ron, who had been pretty silent through the trip. If Kenshin didn't know any better, he would say that most of the first-years looked positively sick.
'Heads down!' yelled Hagrid from his boat. Kenshin noticed they had reached the cliff and ducked to avoid the rocks. They were carried through a dark tunnel, which seemed to take them straight under the castle until they reached an underground harbour. Kenshin, Kaoru and Sanosuke clambered out of the boats onto rocks and pebbles, while Hagrid checked the boats. Kenshin caught the other boys' eyes, receiving a nervous smile from Harry and a grimace from Ron.
'Oi, you there' Hagrid called to Neville – who was still teary-eyed – and pulled out a rather large toad from the boat. 'This your toad?'
Neville brightened up immediately. 'Trevor!' he cried blissfully, holding out his arms. Toad now clamped safely in the boy's arms, Hagrid lead them by lamplight through a passageway into the cool night air. Climbing up the damp grass to a stone path, they eventually came to a flight of stone steps, leading to a huge oak door, big enough to have two Hagrids riding piggyback to get though easily.
'Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?' Hagrid nodded at the mumbled response and raised a gigantic fist, knocking three times on the castle door.
The door swung open at once, causing a few to jump. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald green robes stood in the doorway. Her ki was as stern as her face and Kenshin knew immediately that this woman was not a person to cross. She surveyed the students for a moment before Hagrid said, 'The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall.'
'Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here'
She pulled the door open wide and Kenshin heard Sanosuke give a long, low whistle. The entrance hall put Gringotts to shame. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches, but the ceiling was too high to make out. A magnificent, white marble staircase faced them, leading off into the upper floors. However, The professor led them past the stairs and passed large doors. There was sound coming from them – the other students must have already arrived. She showed them into a small room off from the hall and they all crowded in. Everyone seemed to be huddled together nervously. Their skittishness was making Kenshin uncomfortable. Finally the woman turned to them.
'Welcome to Hogwarts.' She said 'The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the great hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting is an important ceremony because, while you are here, your houses will be your family. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.' She went on to explain what the four houses were and a point system which would go towards getting the house cup at the end of the year.
'The sorting will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up a bit while you wait.'
She looked disapprovingly at Ron's smudged nose and Neville's cloak tied under his left ear, before looking at Sanosuke's bandanna with the same look. Kenshin noticed Harry unconsciously attempt to flatten his hair. Kenshin didn't know what he looked like just then, and, to be honest, he was just feeling too nervous to really care. At least in a sword-fight you had your mind occupied. This waiting was making him go crazy!
As McGonagall left, small whispers broke out. Kenshin noticed Harry and Ron talking and could feel the green-eyed boy's ki peak in fear. He wondered what Ron had said to cause that reaction. He changed his mind as he listened to Hermione whispering about all the spells she had learned and wondering what she would have to do. He sweat-dropped and could feel Sanosuke roll his eyes and Kaoru silently fuming. Jeez, Hermione. Can't you tell you're not helping? 'Oro…'
Just then someone screamed causing Kenshin to spun round and reach for his not-present sword. He gasped at what he saw. About twenty ghosts had just floated into the room through the wall! They didn't seem to notice the children, arguing about someone – or something – called Peeves, until a ghost in a large ruff and tights finally noticed them. He saw Sanosuke look as if he was going to go into a screaming fit or something, the way he coward behind Kaoru. It had to be wrong somewhere for tough guys like him to cower behind girl's nearly half their size.
'New first-years!' a fat friar beamed at them. 'About to be sorted?'
Some nodded mutely, but it seemed to make the ghost happy. 'Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!' he said joyously. 'My old house, you know.'
'Move along now,' said a sharp voice as McGonagall returned and the ghosts left. Sanosuke relaxed visibly. Turning to the first years, McGonagall said 'Form a line and follow me.'
Stiffly, Kenshin found himself between Kaoru and Sanosuke and they followed in single file through the doors and into the great hall. Kenshin's eyes almost bulged out of his head at the sight. Thousands upon thousands of lit candles floated in mid-air over four long tables laden with glittering golden goblets and plates. Round these tables sat the other student. At the top of the hall was another table, where the teachers were sitting. Here, the first-years were led so they stood in a line facing the other students who stared at them. Kenshin shifted a little, feeling like a hare caught in the headlights. He glanced away from the staring eyes to see Harry staring at the ceiling. Confused, Kenshin glanced up too. His eyes widened as he saw the moon shinning back at him, stars glittering and the occasional dark cloud drift past. He heard Hermione tell anyone who would listen: 'It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I've read it in Hogwarts, a History'. Kenshin saw some students look at it doubtfully. He wasn't surprised. It still looked like they would get drenched if the heavens opened.
Kenshin switched his attention to look at McGonagall as she placed a stool in front of the first-years and, on top a rather battered old wizard's hat. Everyone stared at it incredulously, including Kenshin. But Kenshin stared for a different reason. He could feel a strange aura coming from the hat. Was it… magic?
As if in answer to his silent question, the hat twitched and a rip near the brim opened wide.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me."
Kenshin fell over. Was that a talking HAT!
"You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all."
Harry stared as the hat continued to sing. When he first saw it he wondered what they were going to do with an old and dirty hat. Thinking of all the magicians he saw when he was a child, the thought of pulling a rabbit out of it did come to mind. Relief filled him as he listen to the hat sing. They only had to try on a hat. That was easy.
"There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff
Where they are just and loyal
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
Kenshin shifted uncomfortably as the hall broke into applause. Although he had to admit trying on a hat was better than having to perform any of the spells Hermione had spoke of, he still felt uncomfortable that the hat would have to look into his head. It was almost an invasion of personal space – the only real privacy he had ever had, living with Hiko. But Kenshin was too polite to protest. Now he was more worried about what House the Hat would put him into. Gryffindor didn't sound too bad – but he didn't feel overly brave. Neither did Ravenclaw – but with all the times Hiko called him a Baka Deshi, he assumed he wouldn't be smart enough for that one. He thought Hufflepuff sounded a bit… flowery, to put it nicely, but he thought he would die if he was put in Slytherin. The House Voldemort was in… he suppressed a shudder.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward now, unrolling a long roll of parchment. 'When I call your name, You will sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbott, Hannah!'
A pink-faced girl with pigtails stumbled out of line and sat down, the hat placed on her head, which fell over her eyes. A moments pause. Then-
'HUFFLEPUFF!' shouted the Hat. And the Girl ran over to a table where the students were clapping and cheering. Kenshin saw the fat friar ghost wave merrily.
'Bones, Susan'
'HUFFLEPUFF!'
And so it went on. Boot, Terry was the first Ravenclaw, along with Brocklehurst, Mandy. Brown, Lavender became the first Gryffindor, but Bulstrode, Millicent was the first Slytherin. The list went on until it reached-
'Himura, Kenshin!'
Kenshin took a deep breath and sat down on the stool as the Hat was placed on his head. Everything fell dark as it slipped past his eyes. He 'Oroed' as a soft voice around his ear spoke to him.
'Hmm…' the voice said. 'Interesting. Plenty of courage here, and a definite caring for the welfare of others. There's a lot of talent here, and a curtain amount of feral power. But where to put you, hmm?'
Kenshin froze. Not in Slytherin - He really hoped he wouldn't go there. The hat chuckled. 'No, not there. Although you do have potential for it, I would say you were better suited for… GRYFFINDOR!'
Kenshin heard the last word as it echoed round the hall and heard clapping from the Gryffindors. Sighing with relief, he took off the hat and placed it on the stool before going to join the table, where he immediately found himself being introduced to two identical boys Fred and George – Ron's elder brothers, as he recalled. Now settled, Kenshin watched the sorting and grinned as he saw Kaoru, Harry, Sanosuke and Ron were all sorted into Gryffindor too and Kenshin cheered loudly with the rest of them.
Finally, the last person – Zabini, Blaise – was made Slytherin and the sorting hat and stool was taken away. Then, a man sitting in the middle of the table stood up and smiled at them all, as if seeing them was the biggest gift in the world. Kenshin recognised the man immediately from the chocolate frog card. So this was Albus Dumbledore.
'Welcome! Welcome to a New Year at Hogwarts' He announced. 'Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!
Thank you!' and sat down again.
'Oro?' Kenshin spluttered as Kaoru harmonised with a loud 'Huh?' Sanosuke just burst out laughing.
Kenshin almost fell out of his seat when the plates suddenly filled themselves with the most delicious assortment he had ever seen. Chicken, pork-chops, lamb-chops, sausages, bacon, steak, carrots, peas, gravy, all the different types of potatoes – even some Japanese food – and for some stupid reason, mint Humbugs. Kenshin was a little unsure at first, but when he saw everyone else tucking in and Sanosuke eating like there was no tomorrow, Kenshin thought it might be wise to have something before there was nothing left!
'Watch out everyone,' laughed Ron. 'Keep you hands and arms away from the rooster!' Sano snorted as the group laughed at the antics.
'It's much better than my cooking,' grumbled Kaoru, shooting daggers at everyone with her eyes. Kenshin hoped she wasn't going to take out whatever was bugging her out on him.
Sano leaned in and said, 'Yeah, well, that doesn't take much.' He jerked a thumb in her direction. 'Jou-chan's cooking is shi-'
Sano was cut off when Kaoru smacked him over the head with the pumpkin juice jug. 'You jerk! And if the foods so bad, why do you keep eating at my house – freeloader!'
It wasn't long before the remains of the food vanished, leaving the golden plates glistening as before - and the puddings took their place. All flavours of ice cream, apple pies, and jam doughnuts, jelly, Ohagi, rice pudding… the list was endless. Kenshin thought he would burst if every day had this much food.
Kenshin found himself drawn into convocation about families, while Harry listened on absently. He didn't contribute, but then everyone knew Harry Potter's background.
'I'm half an' half,' a boy with sandy hair named Seamus was saying. 'Me Dad's a muggle. Mam's a witch. A bit of a shock when he found out!'
Everyone laughed.
'What about you, Neville?' Asked Ron
'Er… well Gran brought me up and she's a witch.' Neville said nervously. 'But my family thought I was muggle for ages. My great uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off guard and force some magic out of me. I nearly drowned when he pushed me off the end of Blackpool pier – but nothing happened 'til I was eight. Uncle Algie came for dinner and was hanging me out the window by my ankles when my Aunt Enid offered him a meringue and he accidentally let go – but I bounced! All the way down the drive! Gran was so happy she cried. You should have seen their faces when I got my letter. Uncle Algie was so pleased, he bought me Trevor.'
Kenshin grinned a little. This Uncle Algie sounded a bit like Hiko when he was trying to teach Kenshin a new technique. Like when he was teaching him how to fall properly – he'd show him once, then throw him about the place until he was black and blue, but knew how to do it right.
Kenshin stopped short when he felt a flash of malevolent ki coming from the teacher's table and beside him, Harry winced and clapped his hands to his forehead.
'What's wrong?' asked Percy – Ron's older brother.
'N-nothing.'
Kenshin glanced up at the teacher's table where the ki had come from. There, near to McGonagall and Dumbledore was Quirrell in his ridiculously big purple turban, talking to a hook nosed teacher with greasy black hair. He glared passed Quirrell towards Harry, then caught Kenshin's eye, before looking away again. Kenshin felt chilled by the ki he sensed. What was it Hiko had said about keeping an eye on the guy with two ki signatures? To make sure he didn't kill anyone? Perhaps Kenshin should keep an eye on this guy as well. He seemed much more dangerous than stuttering professor Quirrell…
"Hey, Kenshin? Are you all right?" asked Kaoru, noticing Kenshin's tense form. Kenshin's eyes returned from a hard blue to violet again. He smiled at her – no point in getting her all worried on her first day.
"Daijobu, Kaoru-dono."
Kaoru blushed at the honorific. No one had ever addressed her in such a respectful way before.
As the plates cleared once more, Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again and the hall immediately fell silent. Clearing his throat, he said, 'Just a few more words now we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give to you.
'First-years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all students – and a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well'
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he looked in the direction of the Weasley twins, who tried to look innocent, but were failing miserably.
'I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held on the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for his or her house-team should contact Madam Hooch.
'And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death.'
Some people laughed, including Harry and Sanosuke, but no mater how nonchalantly he said it, Kenshin could sense that he was telling the truth. This got his curiosity going. What could be so dangerous in a school that could kill a person? His eyes flickered to Quirrell and the hawk-nosed teacher again. Then again…
'And now,' cried Dumbledore, 'before we go to bed, Let us sing the school song!' Kenshin choked. Sing? But Kenshin couldn't sing a syllable!
The teachers' smiles had become rather fixed.
Dumbledore gave an elegant flick of his wand and a long golden ribbon few out the end of it, snaking itself into words. 'Everyone pick their favourite tune,' Dumbledore said. 'And off we go!'
The school bellowed through the song and Kenshin was hard pressed not to clap his hands over his ears. For someone trained in the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu like himself, the senses were more acute – including hearing. Kami, the noise was deafening!
Finally the noise staggered to a halt, leaving only Fred and George singing a very low funeral march, which Dumbledore conducted with his wand until they, too, had finished. He was also the loudest to clap.
'Ah, music,' he sighed, wiping away imaginary tears. 'A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime - Off you trot!'
All the Gryffindors followed Percy through the crowds, out of the hall and up the marble staircase. Kenshin couldn't help but stare at the moving portraits (he could have sworn one of the girls in the picture had blown a kiss at him) and tried his best to memorise the route. But after Percy lead them through several sliding panels and hanging tapestries, Kenshin could have sworn that they had walked back on themselves several times.
'Oi, Kenshin,' said Sanosuke. Kenshin gave up trying to read the route and looked towards the taller boy. 'Was that Dumbledore guy off his rocker?' Kenshin smiled in answer.
Finally they reached the end of a corridor. There hung a large picture of a large woman, wearing a silk pink dress. As they approached, the woman turned to look at them regally and spoke!
'Password?' she demanded drolly.
'Caput Draconis,' answered Percy. The woman nodded and moved her hand outside the frame. The portrait swung forward to reveal a rounded hole in the wall. Without hesitation, the prefect climbed through the hole, hastily followed by the first-years, and they entered a large, rounded room full of squashy armchairs and a blazing fire flickered in the fireplace.
After directing the girls up one set of stairs to their dormitory, (Kaoru telling Sanosuke not to break everything before she left) Percy led the boys up another set of stairs into another rounded room – this time with seven four poster beds with deep velvet curtains. Their trunks, labelled in gold with their names, had already been brought up, along with Mika, Hedwig and Scabbers. As Kenshin approached, the barn owl hooted sleepily in greeting.
'Great food, wasn't it,' Ron said to them through his hanging. 'Get off, Scabbers! He's chewing my sheets.'
Kenshin smiled as he collapsed into the comfortable bed. In his whole life, he had never been in such luxury before. He couldn't remember his old home very well and the orphanage never really had a lot of money. Hiko, of course, had never really been the one for anything more than needed. He didn't even have a radio. Yet despite such luxury, Kenshin just couldn't get to sleep. What Hiko had said about Quirrell, the feeling behind that other teacher's ki, it kept running through his head. Would they really try to kill someone?
It was long after Neville and Sanosuke started snoring loudly that Kenshin lent against the wall and dosed off. And Harry, when he woke from a strange dream, was surprised to find the crimson haired Japanese sleeping upright with his head bowed and his hands twitching occasionally, as if in longing for a familiar object.
To be continued…
Dum, dum duuuuuuuum! Ehem… aaaaanyway, Kenshin is at Hogwarts and he should be having his first taste of real magic – which wasn't him performing it on himself… snigger. Just about the potential for Slytherin. Kenshin, as we know, becomes a hitokiri. Therefore, Kenshin must have some potential for ruthlessness to be able to survive it all for so long. I read somewhere about something of the brain that creates the instinct to hesitate before trying to kill someone – its like that even with soldiers, though it can be trained out of someone, so they will ignore it (brutalising in some cases). Well, there are people born, on occasion, who don't have that part at the front of the brain, so they will kill someone without hesitation if the situation arose. This doesn't make them evil, its just they don't have that instinct. I figured Kenshin could have been born without the instinct, so potentially has that ruthlessness, despite his gentle nature. Otherwise, Kenshin would be an all-round Gryffindor – even as Battosai, he was fighting for the freedom of the people and risked his life for others.
Oh and I had to get in the Kaoru-cooking bashing. It was too hard to resist! And I don't actually know if Kenshin can sing or not, but that would make him good at nearly everything!
Any questions, problems etc? Please review and let me know and I promise an answer (as long as it doesn't ruin the plot-line!)
Next time on RuroKen and the Philosopher's stone:
Lessons start, but what is with that hook-nosed guy? And a visit makes Kenshin a little uneasy with what he finds out. Next episode: To Test Fate – Classes Begin!