Vannen: Hmm… Six reviews. Pretty good start. Thanks people! You rock! (some new reviewers too, I'm so happy). This is probably going to be the last chapter that will be almost the exact same as the first posting. I don't know yet. It depends on what I feel like doing and how much time I have. Hope you all are enjoying!

Hiei: No, I'm not. Leave me out of this.

Vannen: Too late!

Hiei: I hate you…

Vannen: Yes, well, most people do. I don't really care. Any way, on with the fic!

Kurama: She owns nothing except characters that might be unfamiliar to you.

Vannen: Thanks Kurama! Here we go!

Chapter 2

Bad Illusions, Trains, Sorting, and Potions

September 1st finally rolled around after a few more days of lazing about. Kurama and Hiei had both woken up early and packed. Now, they waited for Dumbledore to arrive in the common room of the inn where he had said he would meet them. Kurama had a book out and was reading as he absentmindedly stroked Yugure's head. Hiei was staring off into space as he sat on a windowsill.

"This is stupid," Hiei finally growled. "The least this fool Dumbledore could do is be here on time."

"Patience, Hiei," Kurama murmured turning a page in his book. "He'll be here. He can't afford not to come."

"Hn," the fire demon turned back to the window, staring at the rain that poured.

A "pop" sounded and the old man in question appeared. "Good morning, to both of you," his cheerful manner made Hiei growl slightly. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes sir," Kurama replied standing up and closing his book.

"Good, follow me." He left the building with Kurama and Hiei dragging their trunks behind them. Outside, no one seemed to notice the three people, the fact that the drops of water spread around them as if a large glass bowl had been placed over them, or the blue car that waited. Dumbledore turned to them. "Here are your tickets to the train. To get to the platform, just walk through barriers nine and ten. I'll see you both at school." With that, he disappeared with another "pop."

"Let's go," Hiei grumbled as the rain dumped down onto their heads.


King's Crossing Station was crowded. Pushing their trunks around on carts, the two youkai dodged people as they headed for the platform that they'd been instructed to find. A family of red heads was in front of them by a few yards. The mother was complaining about something called "muggles" and her many sons and only daughter followed obediently, along with her husband.

"That is one of the worst illusions I've ever come across," Hiei commented snidely. He was looking at the barrier. "I don't even need my Jagan to see through it." Kurama turned his attention to it as well. He snickered slightly. Truly, it was a bad illusion, at least by the two demons' standards. They didn't see a solid brick wall. To them, it was more of a ghost.

"You're right, Hiei," Kurama agreed with an amused chuckle. "It is terrible." The two followed the redheaded family and a dark haired boy that had asked for help. It wasn't long until they had their things loaded onto the train. The two apparitions found an empty compartment and made themselves comfortable.

Moments later, the train started moving. Not long after that, a soft clicking reached Kurama's ears. The door to their compartment slid open shortly thereafter.

A girl with black hair, a tanned completion and pupil-less, ice blue eyes poked her head in and said something in a language they didn't understand.

"What did you say?" Hiei inquired in English.

"Oh, sorry," her English was slow and heavily accented. "May I sit here?"

"Of course," Kurama said and ordered Yugure off the seat next to him. Surprisingly, the dog did as she was told.

"Grazie," the girl nodded her head in thanks and sat down, putting what appeared to be her wand in a pocket. After drawing her knees up to her chest and setting her head on them, she fell asleep.

"Interesting," Kurama commented, "eyes like Touya's," and went back to reading his book.

The train ride went smoothly. Kurama had to wake the girl once so she could change into her robes and then again, when the train had stopped. Yawning, the girl nodded and stood as the two demons went outside.

"Firs' years! Over here please! Firs' years!" An enormous man was yelling. He held a lantern over his head and the first years flocked towards him. "Four to a boat at th' most. Three's fine." the man ordered. The students obeyed and Hiei and Kurama found themselves with the girl that had shared their compartment on the train ride. As the crafts pushed off from the shore, the students glanced around, waiting for more instructions. A castle loomed over them out of the thick fog that had risen during the night. Gasps were heard and murmuring broke out as they stared up at the magnificent structure.

Upon entering the castle, an older woman in green velvet confronted them. "You will wait here," her voice was crisp and abrupt. She had the air of a martinet, "I will come get you when we are ready." She turned and left.

Yugure bumped Kurama's legs, asking for attention. Bending with a slight smile on his face, he started scratching the large hound's ears. Taking a glance around in his current position, he noticed nothing out of the ordinary until a few girls screamed and water splashed everywhere. He stood and looked around. Another water balloon fell from above their heads. Looking up, he saw the source. It was a ghost dressed in the garb of a court jester that was throwing them.

Hiei saw the spirit as well. He wasn't fond of getting wet, so he zipped off into a corner where he couldn't be hit.

"'Ickle firsties!" The ghost was overjoyed. "You're too dry after coming across the lake. Don't worry, I'll get you wet!" He threw another balloon, hitting a group of girls that were huddling in a corner.

"Peeves!" The woman had returned. "Stop that this instant!"

"Make me!" he retorted.

Kurama had had enough. Maybe it was the fact that Peeves had just dropped a balloon close enough that it had splattered all over the youkai's clothes. After pulling out his wand to mask what he was doing, the thief shot a blast of spirit energy, impaling the ghost, and knocking it through the ceiling.

"Nice shot," Hiei now stood next to the fox. "Yusuke teach you that?"

"Hai. I had a feeling it would come in handy."

"Hn."

The woman in green came over, looking down her nose at the two boys. "Where did you learn that?" She seemed slightly angry.

"Japan," Kurama replied quickly.

"Oh, you're those two." She pursed her lips and went back to the doors she had just come through.

"The sorting ceremony is about to begin. You will all wait for me to call your name. When I do, please come forward. I will place the sorting hat on your head and you will be sorted into one of the four houses. Follow me please," she turned on her heal and threw the double doors open as wide as they would go. The first years followed timidly.

The Great Hall was something the two demons hadn't witnessed before. They didn't have long to scrutinize the oddity of the ceiling, though, as the group of first years had stopped. The woman that had led the students pulled out a piece of parchment and read off the first few names.

"Jeganshi, Hiei," she called after a few other students, mispronouncing his name terribly. After correcting her, the fire demon put the hat on his head, being careful not to mess up his hair.

Am I on somebody's head? a voice next to Hiei's ear inquired.

Yes, now get on with it, the demon retorted irritably.

I can't! the hat whined. I have to see into your mind! What's wrong? How is it that I can't see? the hat started to panic.

Stop whining, Hiei rolled his eyes and let down a small piece of the barrier he always had up in his mind. Happy now? he asked silently.

Yes, now, let's see what we have here. Woah! It's been a long time since I came across one of your kind. What should I do with you, demon? I can see you're not exactly nice, but you're intelligent, loyal to those that gain your trust, have a love for your only known sister, and more courage than I've ever seen. It seems you don't fear anything. Where do I put you? the hat hummed to itself.

Just choose a stupid spot. I have better things to do with my life than listen to you, Hiei put his barrier back into place after he had enforced his threat with an image of the hat burning.

Don't get testy. It'll have to be "Gryffindor!" The last word was shouted and cheering erupted. The sorting continued as Hiei took his seat at the red and gold table.

A little while later, the teacher called out, "Minamino, Shuuichi!"

The redheaded fox advanced and took the hat from her. Again, the hat wasn't sure if he was on somebody's head.

Yes, you are. I am Shuuichi Minanmino. Kurama replied pleasantly. Allow me to make this easier than I'm sure Hiei did. He too let down the wall he kept in front of his mind.

Thank you, the hat said. There was a pause, then, You and the other one. Why me? the hat shifted on its own a little. Intelligence, a dark past, but a thirst to correct those wrongs. Courage and cunning. Loyalty. Why are demons so hard to choose?

Youwouldhave to ask someone that knows. Kurama smiled inwardly.

I guess I would. the hat practically chuckled. You will do best in "Ravenclaw!" again the hat shouted. Shrugging apologetically to Hiei, Kurama went to his new table. At least the two could still converse through mind.

As the two demons sat waiting for what ever was supposed to happen to happen, the other students were sorted. An excessive amount of cheering and enthusiasm greeted a boy named Harry Potter as he was placed in Gryffindor like Hiei. This didn't concern them. The last name was shouted. "Raven Black!" The girl that had shared a boat and the train compartment with the two demons walked forward.

"She doesn't look old enough to be here," a nearby student stated. "How old do you suppose she is?" Guesses were exchanged all over the place. No one seemed to know anything about the girl.

Indeed, the girl seemed too young, as she was short and had a childish appearance, complete with large, innocent, staring eyes.

The hat was silent for a long stretch of time, almost as long as it had been for Hiei and Kurama. The girl's face was covered by the shadow of the hat's brim but Kurama's sensitive ears picked up her whispering. Straining, he caught a few words but it didn't make sense as she was speaking in another language.

"Ravenclaw!" Cheering erupted and Kurama joined in, still pondering over the matter.


After the feast, a teacher approached Kurama. He was to go see Dumbledore. Obeying, Kurama stepped up to the teacher's table. The old man smiled at him and then at Hiei who had come up as well.

"It seems that everything will work out perfectly. I'm happy to say that the students you are to watch over are in the same houses as you are."

"Drop the formalities," Hiei snapped, annoyed. "Who are they, what are we guarding them from, and how do I kill it so I can go home?"

Kurama glared at his friend for his bad manners. The fire demon ignored him.

"Very well," Dumbledore's expression turned grave. He turned to another teacher and whispered to him for a moment. The teacher nodded and left. "I believe that it is only necessary for one student to know that you are watching them, the other hasn't fully grasped his importance. The other knows some of what's likely to happen."

"You need me, sir?" The girl, Raven asked politely as she stepped forward.

"Ah, yes," Dumbledore's smile reappeared. "Miss Black, I'd like you to meet Mister Minamino. He will be watching over you for your stay here at Hogwarts."

"Really?" Her eyes turned on him. Any ideas of her being too young to be here were banished instantly. The icy-blue depths held years of wisdom. It slightly unnerved the youkai. Her tone was slightly apprehensive, as if she weren't at all sure about the arrangement.

"Yes, I hope that the two of you will become friends quickly." The old man's blue eyes twinkled as if he knew something they didn't. "Now, Mister Jaganshi," he turned those eyes on the fire demon. "You will be watching over Mister Harry Potter. It is vital that the both of you do not let anything happen to them. If there is anything that you require in this task, do not be afraid to ask. You may go now." The three students turned and left to catch up with their departing houses.

"Don't burn anything, Hiei. I don't want to go back to prison." Kurama warned keeping his voice low, "And try to be nice. I'll see you in the morning." With that, their houses separated and they parted ways.


The Ravenclaw dorm was in a tower in the opposite side of the castle as Griffindor's. It was structured differently as well. Each student had his or her own room instead of sharing one with their year mates. Each room was furnished simply with a bed, desk, chair, bedside table, and a place to hang cloaks. These accommodations had been made so each student could study in peace.

Now, though, every student was in the common room, at least those that were still awake.

Kurama was being swamped by girls again. Each wanted to know just about everything about him. He stood it for as long as he could before excusing himself to a dark corner. Sighing in relief, he leaned back in his chair and observed what was going on around him.

"Tired of your fan club?" The voice wasn't malicious or mocking, just curious. Kurama looked over at the girl -Raven he corrected himself- who was sitting next to him. Her cold eyes were expressionless.

"Yep," the youkai was in no mood to be polite. He was tired of this. Everywhere he went girls would flock to him. He personally hated it.

"Don't blame you," her eyes went back to her book and her finger kept sliding along the page.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"You just did so obviously not," her voice laughed but her eyes stayed blank.

A soft chuckle escaped the youkai before he continued. "Where are you from? Your accent isn't English."

"It's Italian. That's also the language I keep speaking. I'm not used to England quite yet."

"Oh, but why Italian?"

"I'm from Italy although I speak Spanish, English, French, Latin, and a Japanese."

"You're fluent in all of them?"

"Only Italian, English, and Japanese." She turned a page. "Where are you from? Your accent sounds oriental to me."

"Japan."

"That's a long way." She placed a strip of black cloth into her book and closed it. Before Kurama could see the title, she set it down on the floor next to her. She turned her full attention on him. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"What was that about when you were talking to your friend Hiei? I mean about going back to prison. What did you mean?"

"That's a long story. I'd rather not go into it right now." The fox paused. "Wait, you heard? I thought I had been quiet enough that no one would hear but Hiei."

"My hearing is-" she paused as if she had almost said something she hadn't wanted to, "-is better than most, for certain reasons." She finished. "That's something I'd rather not go into either."

"As you wish. I'll not ask about it again." Kurama murmured. "Would you not tell anyone about that conversation either? I don't need to be interrogated."

"Of course," she replied. "I won't tell anyone. I promise. Besides, you're not the only one with secrets. I'd hate for someone to tell mine to the world." Her smile was kind, but a hint of sadness lingered behind her cheerful lips. Her eyes remained inexpressive as always. She took that opportunity to leave for her own bed.

"Indeed," Kurama murmured, following her example. "I will know what you hide before I leave here."


Owls swooped into the Great Hall the next morning, flying to their respective owners. School owls glided to students that didn't have their own. Each deposited an envelope before it left.

"Class schedules," Raven commented as she opened hers. A downcast expression crossed her face as she glanced over it.

A groan escaped a student nearby. "Dang, Potions with Gryffindor AND Slytherin first. Just what we need." Sarcasm was evident in the voice.

"What's so bad about that?" Kurama asked as he looked for Hiei over at the crowded Gryffindor table.

"Gryffindor's not the bad part. It's Slytherin. They have a nasty habit of making life miserable for everyone. It's worse for me though," Raven replied as she rubbed her forehead. "I have a relative in the class and he isn't the nicest person in the world."

Nodding, Kurama went back to looking for Hiei. The fire demon finally walked in, looking absolutely miserable in his school robes, at least as miserable as Hiei could look while scowling at the world. When he finally looked at the kitsune, he noted the look on Kurama's face.

/What's going on/ Hiei's voice sounded in Kurama's head. It had an undertone of fury to it.

/Class schedule/ the fox demon replied, holding his up. /We have our first class together./

/Joy/ even Hiei couldn't mask the sarcasm that dripped from his mind voice.

/What's eating you this morning/

/Remind me that I need to have a talk with Dumbledore, concerning my immediate release from this blasted job./

/No! Hiei, you can't! What will I do/

/Don't know, don't care. I want out of this madhouse./

/You had a run-in with the ghost from yesterday, didn't you/

/No, I had to share a room with about five human boys! If I have to do that again, someone will end up FRIED/

Kurama quirked an eyebrow at the last statement. It took a lot for a ningen to tick off Hiei to the point where he would threaten to use his ki to hurt them but when it happened, the demon was usually serious. This wasn't good. /Just give it a week? Please/ The fox asked, letting a pleading undertone into his thoughts.

/I hate you and that stupid begging of yours./ Hiei grumbled silently. /Fine, but if it doesn't get any better, I'm leaving./

/I won't stop you/ Kurama let go of the connection and turned back to his breakfast.


Upon entering the dungeon classroom, a good majority of the class made faces at the odd substances floating in numerous jars that lined shelves on the walls. Hiei and Kurama, however, ignored them and sat down next to each other. The two demons immediately proceeded to converse in Japanese to prevent eavesdroppers.

The door swung opened and a particularly greasy looking teacher swept in. Professor Snape went into his familiar beginning of the year speech. Warning the class of penalties that he would invoke if someone were to mess up or goof off.

Hiei slouched in his chair, closed his eyes, and started meditating realizing that Kurama would be too busy to talk to him in his need to listen to any teacher that ever spoke. The kitsune was pathetic. Snape noticed the youkai's inattentiveness and called the class's attention to the vertically challenged demon.

"Mr.…" He started not knowing what the youkai's name was.

Hiei turned his blood red eyes on the teacher. "Jaganshi," he replied, his voice cold as ice. He wasn't pleased with being interrupted.

Upon seeing the red eyes, the teacher was slightly hesitant to challenge him. Hiei turned his eyes away again, hiding a smirk. Humans and their fears and superstitions. It was pathetic.

Snape worked up his courage. "Yes, Mr. Jaganshi. Since you seem comfortable enough to sleep rather than pay attention-"

"Meditate," the fire demon almost interrupted. Only Kurama's hand on his shoulder kept him from doing so. Instead, he settled for thinking up ways to torture the professor later

"-I will be taking away five points from Gryffindor." Snape finished. He would challenge the boy another time. He turned to the rest of the class, ignoring the snickers from the Slytherin students. "You will all pair up, and, because there is an odd number, one of you will work alone."

Every student immediately paired off, not wanting to be the only one with out a partner. Hiei and Kurama worked together, if only so Kurama could make sure his smaller friend didn't burn the heck out of anyone and anything that looked at him the wrong way. In the end, Raven was the student that would be working on her own. She almost seemed relieved.

"Here are the instructions," Snape waived his wand and words appeared on the chalkboard at the front of the room. "Well, why are you all staring at me? Get to work!" he barked. There was a large amount of noise as everyone pulled their supplies out.

Kurama thought that he and Hiei would be the first two finished, considering their accuracy with everything they did from schoolwork, in Kurama's case, to learning a new maneuver with the sword, Hiei, to fighting a new foe that neither knew anything about. However, when they were a few minutes from finishing, Snape looked up.

"What is it?" he snapped, looking at a table behind them. Everyone in the classroom turned to look at whatever student was in trouble this time. Raven had her hand up and she was watching the teacher calmly.

"I'm finished, Professor Snape," she said, her Italian accent making a few students giggle.

"Impossible," he growled. "You still have thirty minutes left. No one should be finished. No one could be finished in the amount of time that has gone by." He stepped around his desk and went back to where Raven sat. He stopped a moment to scrutinize her work. It appeared to be correct. "Do you have a pet?" He inquired after a moment's hesitation.

"Yes, sir," she answered

"Go get it immediately."

"No need," Raven put a hand to her shoulder. "She's right here." A black and silver fox, as small as a softball, climbed out from behind her curtain of hair and onto her hand.

"You will give some of your potion to it. If the potion is indeed correct, your fox will grow to its full size. If not, well, you may just have to get a new pet." The smirk on Snape's face made Kurama want to box his ears. He resisted the urge and continued work on his potion. He would be finished soon.

Also resisting an urge, this one to kick the arrogant smirk right off his face, Raven did as she was told. When nothing happened, Snape gave a cruel laugh.

"Just as I thought!" He scoffed. "It didn't do a thing!"

"That's because she's already full-grown!"

This statement stopped Snape in mid-chuckle. "Liar," he accused venomously. "She's too small to be fully grown."

"She's not an average fox! She's meant to be small, just like every other Black Fox!"

Kurama stopped pouring the final ingredient into his potion. The Black Fox was a rare breed. Very few existed at any given time. The most that had ever existed at one time was a little over one hundred and fifty in both Ningenkai and Makai put together. To have one as a pet was a rare honor. The small and cunning beings tolerated very few creatures. For a human to have one as a constant companion was almost unheard of.

"Prove it," Snape ordered icily now. Kurama added the final ingredient and turned to watch the two that were arguing. Hiei was leaning against the table, delighted in the fact that a human had the nerve to stand up against someone that could punish her in an instant. Maybe a few of this race had a bit of backbone after all.

"Fine!" Raven grabbed a beaker, filled it with her potion, and drank a few healthy gulps of it. Immediately, she grew, her hair lengthened, her eyes seemed to slant slightly, and her skin paled a little, giving her a more fragile look.

"Happy?" she snapped, anger rising in her veins. The potion started wearing off and she shrank back down to her original size of four feet and one inch tall.

Snape, refusing to answer, stomped back to the front of the classroom. "Time is up!" He snarled to the remainder of the class. "The rest of you will be trying your potions next time. If they are correct, you will have the same results as Miss…"

"Black," the girl replied, voice slightly smug.

"You will have the same results as Miss Black." Groans met this from most students and Snape assigned them all homework.

Kurama and Hiei cleaned in silence, each thinking their own thoughts about what they had seen and heard. It would be an interesting year.


Vannen: Well, that's it. Hope you all liked.

Hiei: You annoy me…

Vannen: Good.

Kurama: Now, now…

Vannen: Well, anyway. Thanks for reading all and keep an eye out for the next part if you liked it!

Kurama: R&R

Vannen: Thanks Kurama! Later all!