Chosha's notes
I'm upset… this is the last chapter! The last one! Meh… well, all good things come to an end, I suppose. Anywho, for all you dedicated readers, this ones for you!
Disclaimer: aw… sod off! Read the others!
Last time on RKatPS
Kenshin dealt with madam Pomfrey, Harry finally regained consiousness. Good job too – the leaving feast is about to start!
Chapter Twenty One
The Leaving Feast
Now that Harry was finally awake, Kenshin no longer felt like a not-so-house-trained puppy and had something to occupy himself with, namely chatting with Harry about what Dumbledore had said to him and what had happened after he fell unconscious. Coupled with the fact that Harry no longer looked like he was about to drift into the permanent sleep called death, Kenshin felt a little calmer than he had since he had come into the wing.
It was a little later in the afternoon when the other's had come to visit, but were surprised when the Matron became over-zealous again and wouldn't let them in. It took five minutes worth of begging to the point of them using puppy-dog eyes) from the two boys until Pomfrey finally gave up and let them in.
'Harry!'
Kenshin tried not to look as if he was going to dive out of the way any second when everyone charged into the room.
'If you weren't already in bed an' haven't been unconscious for three days, I'd knock you out myself,' Sanosuke grumbled. 'You scared us half to death! Next time you're gonna tell us abou' it first!' Kaoru pounded him on the head with a fist. Harry smiled.
'Next time. Promise.'
'The whole school's been talking about it,' Ron said excitedly, 'But Sanosuke wouldn't let us ask Kenshin until you woke up too. What really happened?'
It was one of those rather rare and extremely odd occasions when the truth was less believable than the rumours (except that one about wrestling a dragon, Kenshin thought). Harry told them everything, with a little help from Kenshin when he got stuck on the details. They were a really good audience. They gasped in the right places, Hermione sent them all into seizures when she screamed as Harry told them about Voldemort hidden behind the turban and Sanosuke cheered when Kenshin told them about knocking Quirrell-Voldemort across the room.
'So, what happened to you lot, when you went back to help Ron?' Harry asked.
'Well, I got back alright,' Hermione said. 'I tried to bring round Ron, when these guys showed up and played across the room, then came to help. Kaoru and I woke Ron up, while Sanosuke and Kenshin went to the next room –'
'Hang on, Sanosuke was with you?' Harry asked Kenshin. 'But when you got to me, he wasn't there. What happened to you?' this was aimed at Sanosuke.
'That damn troll woke up and decided to pick a fight with me,' Sanosuke grinned, cracking his knuckles. 'I held him off, while Kenshin went after you.'
Harry looked as if his eyes would drop out. Of course, Sanosuke looked strong, but to have defeated that thing on his own!
'Anyway,' Hermione looked a little put out by the interruption, 'Kaoru and I managed to bring Ron around – that took a while – and we dashed up to the owlery to contact Dumbledore when we met him in the entrance hall. He already knew – Just said, "They've gone after him, haven't they?" and hurtled off to the third floor.
Kenshin was starting to think that man knew everything. He was worse than Hiko!
It wasn't long before Madam Pomfrey returned and bodily threw them out the door, leaving Harry staring and Kenshin listing Oros. Who'd have thought the Matron was so strong!
o0o
A few hours before the feast was due to start – which Kenshin was surprised to find they were allowed to go to, despite Pomfrey's obvious disapproval – another visitor decided to come. Kenshin was confused as to who it could be, until Madam Pomfrey opened the door to let him in.
Hagrid squeezed through the door seconds later. It was almost comical, seeing him try to get through the door and perch precariously on the tiny stool. He looked a little like Hiko trying to sit on a child's chair, a picture that would have sent Kenshin into hysterics, had it not been for the tense feel in the giant man's ki.
Hagrid took one look at the two of them – Harry still tucked up in bed and Kenshin with bandages covering his chest that poked through the open neck of his pyjamas – and, to their horror, burst into tears.
'It's – all – my – ruddy – fault!' He sobbed, his face in his hands, while Kenshin patted his back awkwardly. 'I told the evil git how ter get past Fluffy! I told him! It was the only thing he didn't know an' I told him! Yer both could've died! All fer a dragon egg! I'll never drink again! I should be chucked out an' made ter live as a muggle!'
Kenshin glanced at Harry. 'Dragon's egg?'
'Yeah… about that, I'll tell you later.' Harry said sheepishly. He turned back to Hagrid. 'Hagrid! Hagrid, He'd have found out somehow.'
'It is Voldemort we're talking about,' Kenshin added. 'He would have found out even if you hadn't said anything.'
'Yer could have died!' sobbed Hagrid. 'An' don' say the name!'
Kenshin and Harry glanced at each other again before bellowing simultaneously 'VOLDEMORT!' Hagrid was so shocked he almost fell off the chair. At least he had stopped crying. It was making Kenshin feel bad that he had been part of the reason the giant man was upset. 'We met him, and we're calling him by his name. Please cheer up, Hagrid. We saved the stone, its gone, he can't get it.'
'Here, Hagrid-san,' Kenshin said gently, passing him a chocolate frog with a soft smile. 'Don't worry about it. It wasn't your fault, de gozaru.'
Hagrid wiped his nose on the back of his hand and took the chocolate from Kenshin with a weak smile. 'Oh, that reminds me. I've got a present for you, Harry.'
'Its not another stoat sandwich is it…' Harry asked, looking at him apprehensively. Kenshin tried not to laugh, while Hagrid gave a watery chuckle.
'Nah,' said Hagrid, making Harry sigh with relief. 'Dumbledore gave me the day off yesterday ter fix it. 'Course, he should have sacked me instead – anyway…'
Hagrid passed Harry a large leather-bound book. Kenshin glanced at it. It looked like some type of photo album. When Harry opened it, it was full of black-and-white wizard photographs. On every page was a beautiful, smiling woman, and beside her, a man that looked uncannily like Harry, but older, both waving up at him energetically. Kenshin knew immediately that this must be the parents' that Harry never got to have.
'Sent owls off ter all yer parents' old school friends, askin' fer photos… Knew yer didn't have any… D'yeh like it?'
Harry opened his mouth, but it looked as if he couldn't answer. His eyes were watery. Kenshin turned away to give him a little privacy, squashing a tiny bit of jealousy. Harry now had pictures of his parents now, and Kenshin was happy for him. He deserved to have them, to see just who they were. Kenshin, however, had no pictures of his family left. All he had was half-faded memories, in which Kenshin couldn't even see their faces…
Not long later, it was time for them to go to the great hall for the Feast. However, Harry and Kenshin were held up by Pomfrey's fussing until Kenshin had to slip out of her grip and dashed off down the corridor, dragging Harry with him, followed by an echoing yell of 'MR HIMURA!' So, by the time they had got down there, the Great Hall was already filled.
Floating from the enchanted ceiling were banners of green and silver, a large serpent hissing motionlessly on the front - Slytherin colours. Behind the high table was a larger banner with the Slytherin serpent that seemed to dominate the entire wall. The golden plates and cups were scattered on the four house tables, but were still empty as dinner had yet to be served. There was an empty seat at the high table; Dumbledore had yet to arrive.
As soon as the two of them walked into the hall, there was a sudden hush. Kenshin's eyes widened as everyone turned to look at them. He knew his face was roughly the same hue as his hair. Ducking his head, Kenshin followed Harry as he headed over to the Gryffindor table. Harry sat between Ron and Hermione, while Kenshin hid himself between Kaoru and Sanosuke. He wasn't used to having so many people stare at him at once! It probably didn't help that he lived on a mountain where the only other person in a radius of half a mile was Hiko! To Kenshin's relief, Dumbledore showed up seconds later.
"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were… you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before the next year starts…"
Kenshin almost choked at that. Empty his head? Why on earth would he empty his head? He didn't have a death wish. Hiko would kill him if he even tried! Not that he wanted to anyway. Who would want to forget how to do magic? This was valuable knowledge!
Dumbledore continued, "Now as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: in fourth place, Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two, Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, with four hundred and seventy-two."
A storm of cheering and stamping arose from the Slytherin table. Harry wrinkled his nose in disgust. Kenshin glanced around also to see Malfoy banging his goblet on the table. He caught the boy's eyes and glared, causing Malfoy to squeak and drop the goblet (along with his plate) on the floor with a clatter. Kenshin turned back round, hiding a grin under his hair. Just then, he could see why Hiko like to tease him so much!
"However," said Dumbledore. "There are recent events that must be taken account."
The room instantly went quiet and the Slytherins' smiles faded a little. Kenshin glanced up again, looking a little baffled.
"Let's see. I have a few last-minutes points to dish out, yes…
'First – to Mr. Ron Weasley, for playing the best-played game of chess Hogwarts rarely gets to see, I award Gryffindor house fifty points"
The burst of cheers from the Gryffindor table nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver. You could hear Percy telling the other prefects, "That's my brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"
Kenshin glanced up at the teachers' table and caught the Headmaster's eye. It was twinkling more than ever. Kenshin could almost see the man's lips twitch in amusement. Dumbledore raised his hand and everything went quiet again.
"Second- to Miss Hermione Granger… for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Hermione buried her face in her arms, bursting into tears. All around her, her housemates cheered as they hugged Ron and patted Hermione on the back. They were up a hundred points!
"Third- to Mr. Harry Potter…" said Dumbledore. The room went deadly silent. You could have heard a-
Everyone glanced at the Gryffindor table to hear a small clatter. Sanosuke looked up with a blush. 'Sorry,' he said as he retrieved the pin from the floor. Kenshin sweat-dropped and Kaoru put her head in her hands.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled even more, before he continued "… for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
If the Gryffindor house could sell joy for money, they would be rich. Their yells were almost deafening. A hundred and fifty points! They were just ten away from tying with the Slytherin house!
Dumbledore spoke again, quieting the crowd. "There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."
The yells were deafening that time. Neville was white with shock as he disappeared underneath a pile of people hugging him. He has never won so much as a point for Gryffindor house before. Kenshin was pleased for him and cheered loudly along with the rest. Still, if only they had given them just one more point…
Dumbledore raised his hand again. Everyone went quiet. Was Dumbledore going to award another point? "Another type of courage to risk oneself in order to save someone dear, or even reveal a secret in order to save a friend. Therefore, I award fifty points each… to Mr Kenshin Himura, Mr Sanosuke Sagara and Miss Kaoru Kamiya
Someone standing outside the Great Hall might well have thought some sort of explosion had taken place, so loud was the noise that erupted from the Gryffindor table – no, not only the Gryffindor table, but the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables as well! People literally jumped on the three as the stared at each other in shock, before Sanosuke started making rude signs towards the Slytherins with a wide grin plastered over his face, soon joined in by the Weasley twins, Lee Jordan and Ron. Malfoy looked like he had forgotten how to breathe. The look of shock and horror on his face had Harry and Ron rolling about laughing.
"Which means," Dumbledore called over the storm of applause. "We need a little change of decoration."
He clapped his hands. The green hangings became scarlet and the silver turned gold. The Slytherin serpent vanished and was replaced by a towering rampant Gryffindor lion, roaring to the heavens. Snape was shaking Professor McGonagall's hands with a horrible, forced smile. Kenshin glanced between Harry and Snape when they caught each other's eyes. Kenshin knew Snape still hated Harry as much now as he did before – perhaps a little bit more now, as it was thanks to Harry his house had been beaten in their winning streak. Snape glanced at Kenshin and he realised he was also on Snapes Hit…er, Hate list. Still, Kenshin didn't care. He was used to it by now.
Kaoru was laughing and hugged him giddily. Kenshin returned the smile with one of his own. If a picture was worth a thousand words… then the smiles over his friends and companions faces just then were worth a million.
o0o
Kenshin could hardly believe how fast the last days of term went! He had almost forgotten they were due to have exam results back until the papers with his marks were almost thrown at his face. Hermione was in a mood with him, while the others looked like they were about to have a stroke, when they found out that Kenshin had rivalled Hermione in all of his marks. They couldn't understand how such a modest guy like Kenshin could be as brainy as Hermione and not tell anyone. Kenshin blushed under the attention, muttering he had good motivation – namely the thought of Hiko beating him to the ground with his Katana.
Not that the others had done badly: Ron, Harry and Kaoru had all got good marks, Sanosuke had managed to get through by the skin of his teeth ('Serves you right for never revising' – Hermione) and even Neville made up for his terrible Potions grade in Herbology.
Suddenly, everything was gone. Wardrobes were empty, trunks were packed, and notes were handed out to all students, warning them not to use magic over the holidays. ("I always hope they'll forget to give us these," Fred sighed dismally).
It was as they were waiting for the boats that Malfoy decided to show up.
'You got lucky this time, Potter.' He snarled. 'But you'll get yours.'
Sanosuke, Ron, Kaoru, Harry and Kenshin glanced at each other and identical evil grins spread on their faces. Sanosuke began to crack his knuckles, causing Malfoy to back off. He almost fainted as he saw Kenshin smile and finger the long parcel containing his sakabato.
'Y-you can't! you'll get in trouble!' he gasped.
Sanosuke grinned. 'house cups been awarded already. Now, we're gonna have a little talk…'
Malfoy screeched and tried to run, only to find Kaoru blocking the door with Ron and Harry. He blenched.
Finally after a long ride home on the Hogwarts Express with an unconscious Malfoy bound and gagged in the toilets, filled with eating chocolate 'til they felt ill, games of exploding snap and Oros when the hole compartment suddenly filled with smoke from the explosions, the train pulled into platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station.
It took quite some time to get off the platform. A wizened old wizard was up by the barrier, letting them out in twos or threes so as to not startle the muggles. After all, what would they think if they saw thousends of children burst out of what looks like a solid brick wall? The picture was laughable!
"You must come and stay this summer," said Ron, "all of you – I'll send you an owl."
'Thanks, I need something to look forward to,' Harry said with a weak smile
Kenshin smiled. 'It might take a while to get to me,' Kenshin said. 'After all, you'd have to go all the way to Japan – I guess I'll be going back by Portkey again. Anyway, Mika's only just forgiven me for all those times she had to send a letter to my Shishou.' Mika hooted as if to say, "You got that right!"
'I'm sure Mom won't mind,' Ron said. 'She'll be dying to meet you all.'
People jostled them as they moved forward towards the gateway back to the muggle world. Some of them called out to them as they passed.
"Bye, Harry!"
"See you, Potter!"
"Still famous," said Sanosuke with a grin.
"Not where I'm going, I promise you," said Harry.
They passed through the gateway together. On the other side, Kenshin immediately stared as he saw a large group of people, all with flaming red hair, which he guessed was Ron's family. A young girl, only a little younger than they were, was bouncing on the balls of her feet, pointing at Harry.
'Harry Potter!' she squealed. 'Look Mom! I can see-'
'Be quiet, Ginny, Its rude to point,' said a large, Kind-looking woman whom Kenshin guessed was Ron's mother. Mrs Weasley smiled down at them. 'Busy year?' she said kindly.
'Very,' Said Harry with a small smile, exchanging a glance with Kenshin.
Kenshin gave the woman a small bow. 'Thank you for the Jumper and the fudge, Weasley-dono' He said as politely as he could. He thought the woman looked ready to scoop him up and hug him.
'Oi Ugly!'
Kaoru froze and glared around at a boy several years younger than them with spiky black hair and dark tanned skin. 'Yahiko! I'm going to kill you, you freeloader!' and she was immediately at his side, pulling at the corners of the boy's mouth, growling, 'You – Little – Brat!'
'Serves you right for that Christmas present,' Sanosuke yelled to the boy, then smirked. 'Yahiko-CHAN'
The boy broke from Kaoru's ministrations and growled 'Don't call me CHAN, Rooster-head!' before jumping on Sanosuke's head and chomping on his hair.
'Oi!'
"Baka Deshi'
Kenshin looked round with a smile as his shishou came up near him, "Hello, Shishou"
"I see you managed to stay alive then. Guess My training you has paid off."
"Shishou!" Kenshin cried indignantly.
"Well, I shouldn't expect anything less as you have been taught by me. Are you ready? We have a Portkey to catch and a spar promised."
Kenshin grimaced. He almost forgot about that.
However, he was put off from tracking that thought when he caught sight of his friends. All of them were staring at Hiko open mouthed in awe. Of course, how many times do you see and almost seven-foot Japanese man standing in a large white cloak over his broad, muscular shoulders, like some superhero out of Marvel comics.
'Th-that's your Master!' Spluttered Ron.
'He's nearly as big as Hagrid!' Harry gasped in awe. Kenshin smiled.
'Yes, that's Shishou for you.'
'Ready are you?' Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at the newcomer. He was a large, purple-faced man with a brisling moustache, piggy eyes and what seemed like no neck to speak of. He seemed to radiate nastiness in his Ki and Kenshin took an immediate dislike to him. He was eyeing them all as if they were mud (or worse). Behind him was a woman with a long face like a horse, and a blonde haired boy hiding behind her… or at least attempting to. The boy looked like a miniature killer whale trying to hide behind a stick!
Kenshin watched as they finally turned to leave. Harry seemed as if the wind had been blown out of him. He was radiating misery. Kenshin paused, hesitated a little, before coming to a decision. "Wait a minute, Shishou," Kenshin said. He raced over to Harry and whispered into his ear. "I know that we can't do magic over the summer. Shishou knows that too, but…Just because you can't do magic, doesn't mean they know."
Harry looked over at Kenshin to see his eyes glittering with a slightly out-of-character impishness. Harry stared for a second, before what Kenshin said sunk in. Harry grinned, catching the hidden message.
Kenshin waved goodbye to his friends and caught up with Hiko. His master gave Kenshin a side-glance, his mouth twitching in amusement. Kenshin harboured no fantasies that his Shishou hadn't heard what he had said. Kenshin, however, looked back innocently and followed his master out of the station and into the crowded streets of London. He couldn't wait for next term. Where else would he learn all about Magic, have convocations with ghosts and talking pictures, argue with poltergeists or have such good friends? Kenshin smiled.
Well, Only at Hogwarts…
-OWARI…For Now…-
Chosha's notes
Yes, for now… mwahahahaha! Sorry, insane moment. No, really, I have taken in all votes and the sequel will continue as planned! But until then, I want to thank you all for your wonderful reviews. You guys are the ones who incouraged me to continue and I owe you lot big time. So, as a little present, I give you…
Preview of an impending tale:
A new darkness descends. Voices, baying for death. Blood messages dripping from walls. Paranoia sets in as friends fall around them. Kenshin is once more drawn into another mystery at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry - the chamber of secrets has opened once more…
The story continues in: RuroKen and the Chamber of Secrets
For now, Sayonara! See you on the next instalment of the RuroKen-Potter series!
Chosha Kurenai xXx