Chosha's notes

Hey again! Welcome back to RKatPS! A big thank you to my reviewers – Stuck-in-a-tree, LORD-BIG-DOGGIE, o.0, Kristy-chan, Dragonclan Warrior and Crazy Hyper Lady. On with the story!

To o.0: oh, Thanks for what you said. I'm glad my story helped to 'lift the veil of depression' as it were. I hope you enjoy this chapter too!

Spoilers alert for HP! I will be sticking mostly to the HP story line, but expect detours from it for my RK!

Disclaimer: sigh… do I have to keep saying it? (Receives glares from solicitors) Eep! Okay! Okay! I don't own them! Leave me alone!

Last time on RKatPS:

Kenshin finally got to Hogwarts! Put into Gryffindor along with his friends, he gonna get a taste of Magic life at the school. But something isn't right. Who is that hook-nosed teacher?

Chapter Nine

To Test Fate - Classes Begin!

Morning came and Kenshin found himself getting ready for his first-ever lessons in magic. The castle was absolutely huge. Their was over one hundred staircases – some of which moved positions just for the Hell of it, which got Kenshin, Harry, Ron, Kaoru and Sanosuke in trouble on the first day, because it changed to the third floor corridor and Filch caught them. Thankfully Quirrell came to the rescue and they got let off with a warning. Most of the ghosts – though shocking when they appeared out of nowhere - were quite helpful in pointing out the right direction. But the poltergeist Peeves made life a misery, with his teasing and practical jokes – though he made a hasty retreat when Kaoru began to pelt him with her schoolbooks. And this was all before they even got to lessons!

By Friday, Kenshin had had at least one lesson with most to the teachers and had a pretty good idea about each of them.

The tiny Professor Flitwick, who was even smaller than Kenshin and had to sit on a pile of cushions just to see over his desk, ran Charms lesson. Though it wasn't Kenshin's best class, it wasn't his worse. He liked the teacher, who made the lesson quite interesting. It was just the subject itself was quite hard. It wasn't all waving wands and saying silly words. Thankfully, he had read up on Charms at the leaky cauldron, so he wasn't as behind as some students.

Professor Binns ran History of Magic. It had been something of a shock to find that Binns was a ghost, but he had thought this would make it exciting. However, the only exciting thing was seeing Sanosuke sitting ramrod straight and literally running from the class at the end screaming about curses and being locked in a sewer by Tanooki. Binns was so boring he could keep droning on and on and wouldn't even notice if half the class left the lesson. Kenshin mostly did homework he missed in the lesson. Binns just couldn't compare to Hiko when describing how things happened. It didn't help that he already read the textbook and knew it like the back of his hand.

A dumpy witch with flyaway hair named Professor Sprout ran the Herbology class in the greenhouses outside. Here they learned about different fungi or plants and their properties. Kenshin was quite good at this class, having been taught about herbs and poisons by Hiko. But it was still a surprise when one of the plants tried to eat him, thinking he was an afternoon snack. He had to resist the urge to Doryusen it with his wand.

Just as he had thought when he first saw her, Professor McGonagall, who happened to be the head of the Gryffindor house and also ran Transfiguration, was a very strict teacher. The first day they had her, her first words were: "Transfiguration is one of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned." She had promptly turned the table into a pig and back. Everyone looked a little disappointed when they learned they would be turning matches into needles, once they finished copying long, complicated notes. Though they tried hard, only Hermione managed to turn hers grey and pointy. Kenshin's looked more like a cocktail stick and somehow or other Sanosuke managed to turn his into chopsticks ('What? I was hungry!' – Sanosuke)

Professor Quirrell ran defence against Dark Arts, also known as DADA, as he had said when Kenshin met him in the Leaky Cauldron. Kenshin really wasn't sure about this guy or this class. It was like a big joke and it seemed Quirrell didn't really know what he talking about. The room stunk of garlic, which he said was to ward off a vampire he met who wanted revenge, but all it seemed to do was to make everyone's eyes water and made them smell like garlic bread. Kenshin decided to stick to learning from the book. That seemed to be the safest way to learn. Kenshin still wasn't convinced the guy could handle someone shouting 'Boo', but even Sanosuke wasn't willing to try. He didn't want to get expelled for accidentally sending a teacher into a stroke.

But when Friday came, there was still one class they had not been to yet.

'What have we got today?' asked Harry as he poured sugar on his porridge. At Ron's shrug, Kaoru pulled out her timetable and checked it over. 'Double potion's with the Slytherins,' she informed them. She gave them a thoughtful look. 'I wonder what the teacher's like.'

'Snape? Snape's head of Slytherin,' Ron said 'They say he always favours them – we'll be able to see if it's true.'

'Wish McGonagall'd favour us,' Harry grumbled, remembering the mountain of homework she had given them on the first lesson.

'Can't be as bad as a ghost-teacher,' shuddered Sanosuke. 'I tell you – this keeps up and we're gonna wake up in the sewers!'

Everyone sweat-dropped.

Snape. So that was that teacher's name – the one with the malevolent aura. Somehow Kenshin couldn't help but fell a deep sense of foreboding – one he had been trained not to ignore…

Just then, dozens of owls flew into the room. The first morning, this had sent Kenshin all swirly eyed and oroing, but by now it had become routine. Apart from one letter Kenshin had sent to Hiko to tell him how things were – as instructed – Kenshin hadn't received post until both Mika and Hedwig fell to the table and despotised a letter in both his and Harry's laps. Opening it, he found it was the reply from Hiko, written in Japanese, which said:

Baka Deshi,

Glad to hear you're behaving yourself. I didn't sell all that pottery just to have you sent back in the first week. Things have been quiet – exactly as I like it – but I am hoping you are still training – at least in ki sensing – until the arrangements have been made. I also hope you have been doing as I asked (It wouldn't be the first time if you aren't) and keeping an eye on that Quirrell person still. Even though he hasn't done anything yet, do not let down your guard. It is possible he is biding his time. Remember that no normal person should have two Ki signatures. Also, this other teacher you told me about: it seems as if he is also a potential enemy. Watch him closely and keep me informed, but stay out of trouble.

Your Shishou,

Hiko Seijuro

PS. Make sure you don't wet the bed.

Kenshin glared at the ending, but he couldn't help but wonder about a few things. He had known Hiko long enough to know if he was worried, even when the guy was at his most arrogant. And Hiko must definitely be suspecting something was coming. Perhaps that was why Kenshin himself was feeling such a sense of foreboding. And what did he mean by until the arrangements have been made?

Harry made a sound of exclamation, breaking Kenshin from his thoughts.

'Hey, Hagrid has invited us down to his house this afternoon in our free period. I didn't know you'd met Hagrid before, Kenshin,' Harry said. 'You want to come down later? He wants me to send back an answer.'

Kenshin grinned. He hadn't seen the giant man since the sorting. 'Sure'

He never realised how much he would need the trip to look forward to.

o0o

Kenshin walked into the Potions classroom, located in the dungeons and took a seat next to Harry's right while Ron took a seat on Harry's left. Kaoru occupied the remaining seat next to Kenshin, while Sanosuke took the last one on the row by Ron. Professor Snape came into the classroom soon after, his cloak billowing out behind him impressively.

'You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making,' he began in a low, almost hissing sound. He spoke in barely more than a whisper. Kenshin could here it alright, but most of the students had to strain their ears a bit to make sure they hearing everything. 'As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle frame, brew glory, even stopper death— if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.'

Sanosuke rolled his eyes, while Harry and Ron exchanged raised eyebrows. Hermione was on the edge of her seat – as if to prove to him that she was no dunderhead. Kaoru fumed, but Kenshin kept his eyes fixed on Snape, hard and cold as steel.

Snape took the register as the lengthy silence deepened around him. But when he got to Harry's name, he paused and Kenshin felt a spike in ki.

'Ah, yes,' he hissed softly, his black eyes glittering and holding the same amount of warmth as a steel dagger in the Antarctic, 'Harry Potter. Our new… celebrity.'

Harry looked silently mortified, while Draco Malfoy and his goons sniggered behind their hands. Kaoru shot them a glare.

'Potter!' he snapped suddenly. 'What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood.'

Kenshin straightened slightly. What type of question is that to throw at someone in the first lesson? Unlike Hermione, not everyone had learned the course books off by heart.

Quietly, Harry said, 'I don't know, sir'

Snape just sneered.

'Tut, tut – fame clearly isn't everything, is it?' Ignoring Hermione's hand, Snape continued 'Then lets try again, Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?'

Kenshin could almost hear Sanosuke growing and see Kaoru mouth this is unfair! Hermione raised her hand as high as it would go without standing and Malfoy was laughing so hard he looked like he would fall from his seat. Kenshin idly wondered how he would like it. He was sure Hiko would be more than happy to.

'I don't know, sir'

'Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?'

Kenshin clenched his fists, almost snapping his quill, his eyes, nearly golden, hidden behind crimson bangs. Even if a person read the book, how was someone supposed to remember everything from it? He imagined hitting him with a Ryutsuisen, which caused him to smile grimly. Unfortunately, Snape saw that too.

'So, Himura – you think you can do better? Well then, what is the difference between monkshood and Wolfsbane?'

Kenshin glared at the man. He had thought Hiko was annoying. Next to this guy though, Hiko was the model man of the world. If he could make it through this lesson without ryutsuisening him through the floor, he would have to thank Hiko was as arrogant as he was.

Kenshin shook his head. 'I don't know, sensei'

Snape sneered and turned to Harry again, completely blanking Hermione, who was bouncing up and down by now with her hand in the air.

'Well, Potter?'

Harry was silent for a moment before saying, 'I don't know, sir. I think Hermione does, though. Why don't you try her?'

Sanosuke smirked at this, a few outright laughed. Kaoru beamed. Snape, however, looked like he had just sucked on a lemon. The ki spiked again, more violently this time.

'Sit down,' he snarled at Hermione, who dropped down, wide-eyed. 'For your information, Potter, Asphodel and wormwood create the sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the draught of living death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for Monkshood and Wolfsbane, they're the same plant, which is also known as aconite. Well, why aren't you writing this down!' Then he looked back at Harry. "A point from Gryffindor for your cheek, Potter.'

Snape then paired them off and had them mixing a simple potion. Harry and Ron worked together, while Kenshin teamed up with Kaoru. Sanosuke was stuck working with Hermione. Not that it was helping Gryffindor or anything. He was criticising almost everyone except Malfoy, even Hermione, Sanosuke, Kenshin and Kaoru, who were doing it right.

'What are you doing, Himura?' hissed Snape. Kenshin looked up, almost glaring at his teacher. He got this feeling that he was on Snape's hit (or was it hate) list already. He was about to answer when a green cloud appeared. Neville somehow managed to melt Seamus's cauldron. Their potion was leaking onto the floor, burning holes in people's shoes. Within seconds, the whole class had leapt on their stools to avoid the potion from disintegrating their footwear – or their feet for that matter. But Neville had already been soaked in the stuff and was now moaning in agony as large red boils leaped all over his body.

'Idiot boy!' Snape snarled as he cleared the potions with a wave of his wand 'Take him up to the hospital wing!' he spat at Seamus, who took the boy out hastily. Snape looked around the classroom, looking for someone to blame. Harry came into his vision.

"Potter, why didn't you warn them not to add in the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire? Another point lost from Gryffindor," said Snape. Harry was going to open his mouth to protest when Kenshin and Kaoru slapped their hands over his mouth. When it was safe, they let the boy go. 'Don't test fate,' she whispered to Harry. Harry nodded but glared at the man, hatred in his green eyes.

It was about an hour later when they left the dungeons into the light of the outside world again, but everyone was in low sprits.

'That was completely unfair, picking on Harry like that!' Kaoru growled as she stormed away from the building.

'People like that shouldn't be teachers,' Sanosuke added darkly. 'I hate people who pick on people just because they're weaker than they are.'

Kenshin stayed silent, while Harry looked dispirited. Ron was slower on the uptake, but saw the depression settling in on the dark haired boy.

'Cheer up,' Ron said. 'Snape's always taking points off Fred and George. Can I come meet Hagrid with you guys?'

At five to three, the four boys and Kaoru made their way across the grounds to Hagrid's house. Hagrid lived in a small wooden house on the edge of the forbidden forest. It had a pointed, straw roof and smoke drifted lazily from the chimney. A warm, welcoming glow came from the windows and, leaning outside the large wooden door was a crossbow and a pair of galoshes.

Harry knocked on the door and the five were surprised to hear a frantic scrabbling from inside and several booming barks. Sanosuke and Kaoru raised an eyebrow when they heard Hagrid's voice ring out, 'Back Fang – back!'

'Fang?' Kaoru questioned. Kenshin shrugged helplessly.

The door opened a fraction and Hagrid's big, hairy face appeared round the frame. 'Hang on,' he told them before disappearing inside again with another 'Back, Fang!'

'Oro?' Kenshin blinked as the door was pulled open to reveal Hagrid standing in the doorway, struggling to keep hold of the thick, leather collar of an enormous black boar-hound, which was almost as big as Kenshin himself. Kaoru let out a small 'Eep!' at the sight.

'Hello there!' Hagrid said cheerfully. 'Come in, come in.'

Everyone shot a nervous glance towards the dog before edging into the house.

There was only one room inside, not much bigger than the cabin currently occupied by Hiko on the mountain outside Kyoto. Hams and pheasants hung on high ceiling beams and a copper kettle was boiling on an open fire. In the corner stood a massive bed covered with a patchwork quilt.

'Make yerselves at home,' Hagrid said, letting go of Fang, who bounded straight for Ron and Sanosuke, flattening them as he licked at their ears – much to their protest. Kaoru giggled as the boys struggled with the bear-like dog, while Kenshin stifled a laugh. Like Hagrid, this dog was clearly not as fierce as he looked.

'That's Ron,' Harry told Hagrid in way of introduction. Hagrid glanced over as he poured boiling water into a large teapot.

'Another Weasley, eh?' chuckled Hagrid as he placed the pot and a large plate of rock cakes on the table, noticing who Harry was indicating. 'I spent half my life chasin' yer twin brothers away from the forest.' He glanced over at Sanosuke, who had finally disentangled himself from Fang, and Kaoru, who was laughing and stroking the dog's head. Kenshin got the hint.

'This is Kaoru Kamiya,' Kenshin provided as Kaoru gave a quick, 'Hi!' 'And the one with the bandanna is Sanosuke Sagara.'

Hagrid offered everyone rock cakes, but after nearly breaking his teeth twice, Kenshin gave up. He tried not to laugh when he overheard Sanosuke whispering to Kaoru, "Jeez, Jou-chan! I never thought I'd hear myself say this – but his cooking's even worse than yours!" Which promptly got him hit with stone-hard rock cake.

"Maa, maa," Kenshin said, holding back the steaming girl from pummelling the battered rooster-head any more.

Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were filling in Hagrid about their week so far. Sanosuke, despite the bump on his head, positively beamed when Hagrid called Filch, 'That old git'

'An' as fer that cat he has – Mrs Norris – I'd like to introduce her to Fang some time. D'yeh know, every time I go up ter the school, she follows me everywhere? Can't get rid of her! Filch puts her up to it.'

Harry continued to tell him about Snape's lessons, but like Ron, Hagrid didn't seem worried by the man's attitude towards him.

'But he seems to really hate me,' Harry insisted.

'Rubbish!' scoffed Hagrid. 'Why should he?'

Kenshin glanced at Hagrid with serious eyes. Why, indeed? He could have sworn Hagrid didn't quite meet Harry's eyes as he said it. He couldn't help but get even more suspicious when Hagrid asked Ron about Charlie's welfare in a poor attempt to change the subject.

While Ron was telling Hagrid about Charlie's work with dragons in Romania, Kenshin frowned. What did the giant man know about Snape that he wasn't telling? As he was thinking, Kaoru picked up her teacup and something caught his eye.

What the-?

Kenshin blinked at the piece of paper sticking out from underneath the tea cosy. Carefully he tugged it out and straightened out the wrinkles. 'Oro?' It looked like some kind of newspaper clipping. Harry blinked as Kenshin skimmed over the article.

GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST

Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts on 31st July, widely believed to be the work of dark wizards or witches unknown.

Gringotts goblins today insist that nothing had been taken. The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied the same day.

'But we're not telling you what was in there, so keep your noses out if you know what's good for you,' said a Gringotts spokes-goblin this afternoon.

Harry gave a start and snatched the patter from him.

'Hagrid!' he exclaimed. 'That break-in happened on my birthday! It might have happened while we were there!'

Kenshin straightened at this, while Sanosuke and Kaoru exchanged a startled glance. There was no doubt about it – even Harry and Ron had seen it. Hagrid definitely avoided their eyes that time. But what was Hagrid trying to hide from them? Perhaps he knew what was in that vault. But what would be so important that dark wizards would risk all those traps in Gringotts to get at it?

Kenshin looked into his teacup, watching his reflection frown back at him in the brown liquid. Something strange was going on, even by magical standards.

Too bad he didn't have a clue what…

To be continued…

(Dramatic music) … Okay! Chappy done! I can't think of muc to comment on right now for this chapter. But if you guys have a Question, complaint, criticism… you name it! Please review and I will do my best to answer!

Next time on RuroKen and the Philosophers stone:

Kenshin realises he has a lesson of a different sort on the way – Oro? Flying! Hiko also seems to be causing trouble and he isn't even there! Next episode: Of Swords and Broomsticks.

Ja ne! See you next time!

Chosha Kurenai xXx