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Disclaimer: I do not own, nor claim to own, anything pertaining to Inuyasha nor Harry Potter. Just the ideas that pop into my mind ;)
—Flashback Central—
"Oooh, I hate you."
At the gritted statement, James had to cough softly, ducking his head to hide his grin. Once under control, he shot a look at his sister, holding back the urge to snicker.
It seemed he didn't do a good job of that though, as she promptly shoved him.
He didn't even care. No, James just laughed loudly at her by then.
Kagome was drenched head to toe, water dripping from the tips of her hair in rivulets as her robes hung heavily from her shoulders. Her eyes went crossed-eyed as a wet tendril of hair fell in her face, and she blew it out of the way, irritated.
"Oh, you can't even blame this on me!" James chortled gleefully as he grabbed his robes, twisting it get rid of some of the water. "We weren't being serious!"
Beside him, Sirius snickered as shook out his hair, water flying everywhere. "Well, maybe not him," he remarked wryly as he nodded at James, playing on his name.
James let loose a long laugh, shaking his head. "And if you hadn't grabbed at me, the boat wouldn't have flipped!" he countered, only grinning at the face of Kagome's glare. It wasn't their Mum's brand, so they were somewhat safe.
Remus, who walking a little bit to the side from Kagome, couldn't help but snort at Sirius' reasoning.
Kirara wasn't spared from the little swim in the lake either. From her spot on Kagome's shoulder, she stiffened just then and let out a small sneeze that could only be called adorable.
Or, it would be, if it wasn't for the phenomenon of a puff of fire that sputtered out from her muzzle right by Kagome's ear.
Remus stared at the cat incredulously. "Uh, your cat just coughed up a fireball..." he said slowly, voice a little dry. "Or was I the only one who saw that?"
Kagome gave him a lop-sided grin. "Yeah, that's Kirara for you. Instead of coughing up hairballs, she does fireballs instead," she joked, petting her kitten.
She lowered her head towards Kirara, whispering softly. "Speaking of which, I doubt you'd be allowed to come along with us inside for the feast. You can explore a little bit – find me later?" she proposed.
Kirara let out a soft, affirmative mew, touching her nose to her cheek before leaping out from her arms, padding away.
Remus blinked at her slowly and the departing form of Kirara, incredulous, before his face flushed red and he swiftly looked away.
Kagome blinked at him now, curious, before she mentally smacked her face. He was a werewolf, and from what little she knew, it meant he didn't get to have many friends – or any, to be honest. "I'm really sorry by the way," she told him, trying to reach out. "It's not fair you had to be pulled into this situation because of their stupidity," she muttered, ignoring their indigent yelps.
"Oi!"
Remus' head snapped around at her, eyes wide with surprise. "I – uh..." he stammered, shocked. "Don't worry about it," he said quickly, looking away and shoving his hands in his robe. He shrugged. "I know it wasn't really your fault," he whispered, a half-smile playing on his lips.
Kagome couldn't help but grin at that.
And she was still grinning when she turned to James and Sirius, expression the epitome of innocence as she spoke. "I do hope you realize I'll be getting you back for this?" she asked them sweetly.
She'd be lying if she didn't feel some kind of measure of pleasure by the way the two boys paled slightly, and Remus' shoulders began shaking gently.
—o—o—o—o—
They followed after Hagrid as he led them up a passageway and a flight of steps to the huge, oak front door of the castle.
Hagrid turned as he got to the door, and peered at the crowd gathered around him. "Everyone here?" he called out, receiving an affirmative. He turned again and raised a gigantic fist to knock on the door three firm times.
Almost at once, the doors swung open, and a tall witch stood there. With deep black hair, she looked to be middle-aged, maybe a bit older – it was hard to tell with the stern expression about her face.
Kagome realized in shock that it was Professor McGonagall – only about thirty years younger.
Flashes of the formidable woman scrolled by, reading out a list of students at the front of the Great Hall, walking to and fro in her classroom, lecturing.
In a room – a common room, surrounding by furniture and decorations in hues of blue and silver, Professor McGonagall was arguing with man. Her face, while it usually was stern, always held a hint of warmth.
There was nothing but coldness etched on her face right then.
The man was speaking down at her with a sneer, before he spat squarely in her face.
Suddenly, she, Harry, stepped forward, quietly said a few words, and as the man – the name Amycus arose – turned, Harry shouted, "Crucio!"
The man fell to the ground, withering in the utmost agony.
The image clouded, and then another cleared.
Professor McGongall was striding down the hall with an air of determination as she pulled her wand out. Surrounded by the other Head of Houses, various teachers, wizards, and witches all adding their magic to the massive Protego Horribillis encasing the castle, she paused at the main entrance of the castle.
Her graying hair was loose and tossed about, but her face was as stern as ever. She raised her wand arm, her eyes flashing with bright fire as she cast.
"Piertotum Locomator!" she cried valiantly. "Hogwart's is threatened!" she shouted fiercely. "Man the boundaries – protect us! Do your duty to our school!"
Suddenly, clattering and yelling sounded, becoming steadily louder and louder. As a horde of moving statues, some smaller and others larger than life, even of animals and clanking suits of armors brandishing swords and spiked balls on chains all stampeded past Professor McGonagall, a hint of a smile twitched to life on her face.
There was a soft, elated whisper.
"I've always wanted to use that spell..."
As that image faded from her mind, Kagome knew one thing for sure.
She was going to like this woman...
—o—o—o—o—
Once Professor McGonagall had welcomed them and explained a bit how Hogwarts worked, she left them to stew in their nerves and excitement in a small, empty chamber off the hall.
But not without a sharp stare to the four only first years drenched in water...
As soon as the woman left, a nervous titter spread among the group. "So... how exactly are we to be sorted?" someone, a young boy it sounded, asked nervously. Kagome couldn't see who, as she was surrounded by James, Sirius, Remus, and other children she didn't recognize.
Sirius seemed to perk up at the question and turned to stare at the boy incredulously. "You mean you don't know?" he gasped out in a nice effort of astonishment.
It did the trick.
Instantly everyone around them shushed and crowded. One random child, a girl, called out. "Know what?" The voice was shaky, nervous.
Sirius, putting on his most serious face as he went on, spoke in a stage whisper that was still loud enough for everyone to hear. "They're going to make us fight dragons..." he said ominously.
Gasps rippled through the crowd but then someone scoffed. "No way, they wouldn't make little kids fight dragons!" one boy protested.
"Yeah!" another said, agreeing.
Playing along, Kagome scoffed and rolled her eyes, shoving Sirius lightly. "Don't listen to him, we're not gonna have to fight dragons," she assured everyone, looking very confident at what she had to say.
Sirius shot her an indigent look and was about to say something, until James nudged him, grinning slyly.
Numerous children sighed in relief...
Kagome schooled her face into a solemn expression. "Dragons are for the third years, to pass or something. First years have to fight trolls," she informed them rather matter-of-factly
Remus whirled to stare at her in astonishment, eyes flashing in amusement when she only winked at him.
A slow grin crossed Sirius face and James gave him a look that said 'see?'.
Sirius palmed his face. "Oh, that's right! I completely got them mixed up!" he exclaimed in exasperation.
"How are we supposed to fight a troll?" someone gasped out.
"I don't wanna die!" another shouted.
Professor McGonagall returned right then, and just as she finished saying, "Form a line," a little girl started screaming hysterically.
"No! No! I wanna go home! I don't wanna fight a troll!"
Professor McGonagall could only stare at the girl, stunned.
A few feet away, a child was shaking his head. "No, no, no," he was saying over and over again.
Kagome, James, and Sirius couldn't help but share a grin.
However, as it became apparent what had happened, it was safe to say Professor McGonagall was not amused.
—o—o—o—o—
Stepping into the Great Hall was like flashback central, and it was safe to say that Kagome had a raging migraine.
It turned from normal dinners, lunches, and breakfasts to an all-out battle field. First, it was an infirmary, until fighting started and people were dying.
Kagome looked to the left, at the Gryffindor, and flinched at the flickering image of dead bodies laid along it.
She watched, transfixed, as a deformed man with billowing black robes strolled in, trailed after by familiarly dressed men and women wearing either masks or sadistic grins and triumphant expressions.
Not too far from the leader, whom Kagome just knew was Voldemort, was an exceptionally large man, almost giant like, carrying a lifeless looking boy.
Hagrid and Harry.
The scene fast-forwarded and Harry was gone, and there was the large snake again, except its head was soaring towards the ceiling, while its decapitator held an impressive looking, gleaming sword up in the air, a grim satisfied emotion on his face.
Neville Longbottom had destroyed Riddle's last tie to Earth.
To the side, a dark curly haired woman with a crazed looked about her was blasted to pieces and Harry was fighting Voldemort one on one. Talking, or taunting rather, was ongoing, and then the air shifted, stances were made, wands were drawn, and bright, almost blinding beams of light shot through the air.
Acid, almost neon green shot towards deep, thrumming red, before clashing explosively.
The two men were thrown back, as Voldemort's wand flew to Harry. Silence fell heavily as every person in the room able to, stopped fighting and turned to watch.
Only one stood the victor, as the other laid there, dead.
Harry Potter rose, and those fighting for the light either broke out in cheers or secured their opponents.
Voldemort was dead.
The next thing she knew, she was in the front of the Great Hall, lined up with the rest of the first years as they waited for the Sorting to start.
Luckily, no one noticed her little slip from reality - they were all either too nervous – like Sirius - or excited – like James - to care, and she had only missed the Sorting Hat's song.
Speaking of Sirius, Kagome couldn't help but notice the tension coming from him in waves.
"Hey, relax, will you?" she whispered to Sirius.
The poor boy was ramrod stiff, and the only movements were to shake his head to throw his hair from his eyes.
"What if I get sorted into Slytherin?" he whispered anxiously.
Kagome looked at him, gaze sympathetic. "Look, whatever happens, happens. I've only known you for a bit, but as far as I can tell, you're a decent, funny guy with a knack for sarcasm," she told him, lips twitching at his blush. "Being a Slytherin isn't going to change that, just like it isn't going to make you a dark wizard."
"Besides," Kagome continued nonchalantly. "I have a feeling you're a shoe-in for Gryffindor – trust me," she told him confidently, winking.
Sirius blinked at her in astonishment. "Really?" he breathed out in wonder. "Me? In Gryffindor?" It was as if the thought never occurred to him, if only in dreams.
Kagome grinned, nodding. "Oh yeah, you seem pretty brave to me," she mused.
A huge grin crossed Sirius' face. "My parents would explode..." he said gleefully, shoulders shaking.
Kagome started laughing.
Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment, and shot Kagome a stern stare – she wasn't too happy upon finding out it was she who goaded the first years into panic. But Kagome swore she saw amusement flickering somewhere in her glare, she was sure. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."
And with that, the Sorting began.
"Aubrey, Betram!"
A small boy stepped up, with mousy brown hair, brown eyes, and a cherubic face.
Nervously, he stepped up to the stool, clambered on, and set the hat on his face. Only a second later did the hat call out, "RAVENCLAW!"
Cheers from the table decorated with blue and silver banners from above erupted in cheers as Betram went to sit over there.
"Bagman, Otto!"
This time a blond boy shuffled over.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat shouted, and the Hufflepuff table cheered this time as their new member joined the table.
"Bell, Amy!"
A dark haired girl scurried over. This time, it took a few seconds, until, another shout, "RAVENCLAW!"
"Black, Sirius!"
Sirius paled, and for a moment, he didn't move at first. That is, not until James shoved him.
Kagome rolled her eyes, and whispered, "Good luck!" as he stumbled forward.
The glare that he was at the moment shooting at James grinning face, melted right off as he gave her a halfhearted smile.
Sirius swallowed thickly, before, with his head held up high, strode to the stool. With only a hint of his uneasiness on his face, he pulled on the hat, his face disappearing from underneath, and waited.
Five seconds turned to ten, which turned to fifteen. "Wonder what's taking so long – is he arguing with the hat?" James muttered, curious.
Kagome snorted wryly. He was probably doing just that.
As twenty seconds went by, Kagome peered over to the Slytherin table. She noted with amusement the confused faces of most of them.
Sirius did say that it was tradition for Blacks to be sorted in Slytherin, after all. They probably expected for him to be sorted before the hat even brushed against his head.
Kagome was happy to say, after it just hit the thirty second mark, that wasn't the case.
She was also happy she was still looking at the Slytherin table by the time the hat made its choice – their faces were hilarious!
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat called out in one of the strongest, most confident tones it had used yet.
Silence fell in a hush upon the Great Hall, and even Sirius had a look of elated astonishment on his face as he slowly pulled the hat up.
Everyone stared at the young heir in utter shock – especially the Slytherins. For no one, well, except for Kagome, thought for a moment the Black would be sorted in the opposite House his family was traditionally sorted in.
Even the teachers were surprised.
When the Great Hall was still silent, Kagome decided to change it. Elbowing James, she sent him a significant look before - "Woo hoo! Go Sirius!" she cheered, clapping heavily.
"Yeah!" James joined in, throwing a fist up.
It seemed to break the silence, as suddenly the Gryffindor table roared in applause to greet their newest, and most unorthodox, member.
A brilliant grin crossed Sirius' face as he walked over to the table decked out with scarlet and gold.
Kagome winked, mouthing 'Told you!' when he looked over, and his grin widened.
The Sorting continued smoothly after that, as one eleven year old was sorted after another.
Kagome watched as Lily Evans was soon called. The girl timidly, yet almost determinedly, walked up to the stool and jammed the hat on. Ten seconds later, it was calling out "GRYFFINDOR!"
A look of surprise flitted across her face, and the young redhead shot an apologetic look over to Severus, who was looking at her with a mixture of shock and sadness.
Kagome felt bad for the boy, who practically lost his best friend to his soon to be rival house, but had to snort as Lily turned a glare at Sirius when he tried congratulating her.
Looks like she didn't forget earlier.
More and more children was Sorted, until Remus Lupin nervously went up with a whispered good luck from Kagome.
Five seconds later, pleased surprise was written across his face as he was sorted into Gryffindor as well.
"Pettigrew, Peter!"
Kagome jerked at the name, flashes of an impressionable pudgy child who evolved into larger man, jumpy and easily scared appeared.
He was trailing after her brother, Sirius, and Remus – eyes alight with obvious admiration and envy. Then, there was a rat, who then morphed into a man, riddled with rodent-like features.
The man look worse for wear – eyes watery, face almost a sickly pale, elongated buck teeth, messy light brown hair. He was scared – frightened, and shaking in terror as he was backed in a small, deserted room of sorts.
Then, he was escaping... morphing back into a rat. The next scene showed him with, cowering and obeying orders to a raspy, harsh voice.
Then they were at a graveyard – and he was cutting into her in the midst of a ritual.
The next one was the last: dying via suffocation by a cursed metal hand the moment his loyalty to Voldemort wavered the slightest bit.
And as that image faded, a thought flitted through Kagome's already racing mind – was Peter Pettigrew savable?
Was he worthy of it?
She watched as the young, shy, timid boy scurry up to the stool and clamber on, biting his lip as he nervously put on the Sorting hat, his face blossoming with happiness and relief as it called out "GRYFFINDOR!", and Kagome couldn't help but wonder.
While it was not even questionable that the Peter Pettigrew from the future, the one who decided his fate with the actions he performed, wasn't worthy of being saved, this Peter Pettigrew - this shy, timid, and definitely impressionable young child, was, without a doubt, both worthy and savable. He was only eleven – innocent and yet to be corrupted.
For the saving part itself - it was just a matter of how.
"Potter, James!"
Kagome started, and instantly a grin bloomed on her face as she heard her brother's name be called.
She would have to think about Peter later...
James himself all but ran to the stool, and for the first time that day, Kagome saw the confidence falter as he grabbed the hat, last minute nerves getting to him.
His gaze locked with hers for a moment just before he put the hat on, and Kagome shot him a thumbs up, mouthing with confidence, 'Gryffindor.'
The uncertainty melted away as he grinned back, and he practically yanked the hat on.
It wasn't even three seconds before the hat let loose a solid, loud yell. "GRYFFINDOR!"
James' grin widened, if that was even possible, and he slipped off the hat and bounded towards the table, giving Kagome a thumbs up in return.
Kagome watched in pride as James sat at the table, right across from Sirius.
As the applause cooled down, Kagome felt a nervous flutter in her stomach and she wondered.
What House would she be in?
"Potter, Kagome!"
Now it was Kagome's turn to swallow thickly as she padded towards the stool.
It was funny how, while waiting, it was no big deal. But to sit in front of hundreds of other students as a hat pretty much decided the fate of the next seven years of your life... well... it was pretty intimidating...
Kagome saw James and Sirius' anxious faces watching her as she put on the hat, which was big enough to drop over her eyes. Black engulfed her vision and she waited for the inevitable voice to enter her head and decide her fate.
Hopefully, she'd get into the same House as her brother...
Suddenly, a slow hum echoed in her mind, wry and filled with dry amusement.
'Well, well, well. Aren't you a first?' came a deep voice in a sly drawl. 'What are you exactly? A time traveler, a miko, and the guardian of a powerful artifact to boot. But that's all in the past, yes?' The hat let out an amused scoff. 'Or is it...? But what are you now? Resurrected as a newly formed witch with a mission, I see. And what is-'
The hat stopped short, freezing.
'Oh, I see...' the hat trailed off, strangely solemn. 'It seems that Hogwarts is not as imperturbable as everyone once thought,' it rumbled sadly. 'Burning, crumbling to the ground in its wake as her children, both past and present, go against each other. The Headmaster dead, Hogwarts defiled by evil walking upon her grounds... is this what lays for her in the future?'
Kagome remained silent, waiting, feeling that the Hat wasn't done speaking yet.
'But yet you are here, when you once were not. The son of the boy I just Sorted – your brother; he sent you here to change the past and to create a new future... '
The hat shifted on her head. 'This is a dangerous game you play, you do realize that?' the hat asked her gravely.
Kagome closed her eyes. 'I'd agree, but this isn't something as frivolous as a game. It's much more than that,' she murmured mentally. 'But it's worth it all the same, don't you think? To save so many from grief and despair – it's a chance of a lifetime.'
The hat let out a thoughtful hum. 'Changing the past to suits one's purpose is a plan worthy of Slytherin, but you do so with the heart no doubt worthy of Gryffindor. It's a heavy task, and you'll need cunning, knowledge, loyalty, but most of all courage to do it. The choice is obvious, of course. Better be-'
"Gryffindor!" the hat roared loudly, louder than it ever yelled before, tone filled with conviction and pride.
'Good luck Higurashi – or Potter, it seems now. You'll be needing it,' the hat said ominously just before it was pulled from her head.
Kagome walked to the Gryffindor table with a different light to her eyes. Darkened and weighted.
It was like the whole world was dependent on her eleven year old shoulders.
And it did not feel good.
Words- 3,819
Hmm, I must say, the Sorting part, especially Kagome's, was especially fun to write. Hopefully you all enjoyed reading it.
I am sad to say that this was the last finished chapter in stock. I am almost finished with Chapter 12, though I am having some difficulties on how to proceed and such.
Till laters!
RainLily^^
A big huge honking thanks to all those who read, alerted, and fav'd this fic, and to these awesome reviewers!
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