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I hope you're all enjoying the new version of Demonic Teachings as much as I am. I just love eighth year fics. They're so much fun to write! X3 (I personally think that's because the epilogue in The Deathly Hollows was absolutely abysmal, but maybe it's just me. :P)
Remember if you have any questions, comments, or bits of advice, don't hesitate to contact me! XD
Chapter 1: New Acquaintances? The Mysterious Professors from the East
Present, Late August 1998
Kingsley fought the urge to chuckle as he watched the two Japanese agents stand before the Wizengamot in the one of the large court rooms of Britain's Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The council of wizards was here to evaluate Kagome Higurashi and Mimiru Asakawa for their newly appointed positions under the proposed course of political action made by the Japanese Ministry of Magic. However, before this large gathering took place, Kingsley assured the two of them that it was merely a formality. After he and the other appropriate officials met with the two girls and their superiors, the decision was made, and the plan put into action. No ruling made here would undermine that.
'As if there was even the slightest chance of that happening,' Kingsley thought, remembering the intense negotiations with the Japanese Minister.
Sesshomaru was every bit the Feudal Lord described in the legends and rumors with an unmovable will, solid battle tactics, and no room for doubt. His terms were firmly set in stone, and any anticipated changes were altered to suit his tastes even the current assembly. The council wouldn't get a full grasp of Kagome's and Mimiru's competence and skill in this brief meeting. Kingsley knew that was exactly what Sesshomaru had planned. Still, he had to admire the foreign leader. As demanding as he was, Sesshomaru's actions ensured the safety and comfort of his operatives. It was clear he held them both in high regard.
Mimiru, the most obvious source of Kingsley's amusement, slouched in her appointed seat, lazily eyeing the assembled witches and wizards, looking completely bored. If he didn't know any better, he say she was an indifferent teen here to be tried for unlawful magic use by a minor.
Kagome sat to her left with a more pleasant expression as she calmly looked at the Wizengamot. However, Kingsley caught her gently gripping the hem of her skirt, a sure sign of her nerves as the meeting stretched on.
"This council has reached a decision," the Chief Warlock finally declared, standing proud and tall, "Kagome Higurashi and Mimiru Asakawa, your appointment as instructors at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been approved by this assembly as well as the British Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt; the Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall; and the Hogwarts Board of Governors.
"All other provisos of the proposal that included this arrangement have been deemed acceptable under the condition that you both are required to submit regular reports of progress to the Wizengamot Administration Services' main office. The Ministry will also dispatch an Auror team for scheduled and unscheduled visits to monitor your performance."
Kagome nodded and stood with Mimiru taking her lead. Both bowed respectfully before the Wizengamot.
"Thank you for taking time to review us," Kagome said once she stood to her full height, "Please know that your decision will not be taken lightly by either of us, and we will both do all within our means to ensure this will be the first step to building a strong alliance between our nations."
Mimiru nodded as she bit the inside of her cheek, not trusting what might come from her mouth.
The Chief Warlock nodded and loudly banged his gavel. "Council adjourned. You are both dismissed."
Kagome and Mimiru quickly exited the warded room, eager to leave the stuffy atmosphere behind. Once they were outside, Mimiru playfully punched Kagome in the arm.
"What?" she asked.
"Where in the world did that mindless drivel come from?" Mimiru asked pointedly, "I didn't know you were capable of making up something like that on the spot."
Kagome shrugged. "If we tell them what they want to hear, maybe those fuddy duddies will leave us alone and let us work in peace. It's not like I really meant all that crap."
"That's not the first term I would use to describe them, but I believe it gets the point across," Mimiru quipped.
Kagome rolled her eyes before playfully slinging an arm around Mimiru's shoulders. "Speaking of terms, aren't you exited?" She was answered with a blank look.
"Come on!" Kagome probed with a grin, wagging her finger in Mimiru's face, "Don't think I didn't notice you putting in all that extra work, sneaking around the office, making deals with other Ministry members, and ordering all those supplies. You're doing a lot of preparations for someone who doesn't care about this latest assignment."
"I assure you that I'm not acting of my own volition," Mimiru replied, "Didn't you do the same?"
"I did, but I'm not in denial about my motives!" Kagome said with a grin. She began to giggle when Mimiru snorted. She removed her arm from Mimiru's shoulders and took a look at her wristwatch, frowning when the hands warped around the face.
"I forgot to switch out my watches," she complained, "What I wouldn't give for a normal timepiece that worked around all this magic." As unique as wizards' watches were, Kagome thought knowing the time was more useful than knowing what she and her closest companions were up to whenever she looked at it.
Mimiru nodded. "Ditto."
"You can't really compare a watch to what you're referring to," Kagome stated with a grin, "You're affinity of technology is much larger than mine."
As odd as it seemed, the demon was fascinated with technology. However, every piece of it she owned was spelled, charmed, and warded so many times that they hardly worked in the more technology friendly environment of the magical Japan let alone the Muggle World. Her favorite device was a 1997 Micron laptop. Kagome didn't see the appeal in the clunky laptop preferring to use desktop computers, but Mimiru brought it everywhere she went.
'Sesshomaru was the one who got it for her,' Kagome thought, 'Maybe he sees some merit in something like that.' She couldn't imagine how else the feline talked him into doling out three grand for the portable computer.
"Technology is the closest normal humans can get to magic," Mimiru answered with a shrug, "A technological revolution in in the making in the human world and a magical one is soon to follow."
"Really? You think something like that'll fly here?"
"Give it a decade or two. Sesshomaru-sama's taking more than a little interest in this project."
"Oh I see," Kagome reasoned, "I guess he's tired of politics and wants to give entrepreneurship a try."
"Yup," Mimiru answered with slight grin, "The old dog's done all he can for our kind in the Wizarding World. It's high time he learned some new tricks."
"So now that we're dismissed," Kagome began when the two back on the streets of Muggle London, "do you want to explore Diagon Alley? We only have a week until the term starts, and we're still confined to London. We might as well have a little fun."
"Maybe later," Mimiru replied, "For now, I'd like to go back to our room at the Leaky Cauldron and take a nap."
"So you want to take a catnap? Purr-fect!" Kagome commented cheekily, "But I think I'll be out for a while. If I'm not back by dinner time, go downstairs and help yourself!"
-O0o0O-
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny walked down the streets of Diagon Alley, enjoying the revived atmosphere in post wartimes even though they were here to purchase their supplies for school.
"Hey," Ginny began once they entered Flourish and Blotts, "Have any idea how many people are returning for this term?"
"Who knows?" Ron answered with shrug, "I reckon a lot of parents feel the same as Mum does about it, so some might have transferred." He wrinkled his nose in thought. "McGonagall did offer to let everyone from our year come back. Even Slytherins."
"Ronald!" Hermione scolded, rapping him on the arm, "Keep comments like that to yourself."
"So you think they should all come back, eh?" Ron asked her sarcastically.
"It doesn't matter how I feel about it," Hermione replied stonily, "We can't move forward after the war if people continue to think like that."
With her book list in hand, Hermione turned away from her boyfriend and curiously appraised the list.
"That's odd," she commented.
"What?" Harry asked, eager to change the current conversation topic.
"There's no textbook listed for Defense Against the Dark Arts," she answered, "It only says to use the books from previous years as reference material."
"It says the same thing on mine too," Ginny commented as she looked at her list, "Must be something the new DADA professor is doing for all the classes."
"I think I'll pick up some other supplementary books," Hermione stated, "It doesn't hurt to have more material to refer to."
Ron rolled his eyes as Hermione immediately departed from the group and went right to the bookshelves, looking for the volumes she needed. The reluctantly obedient boyfriend followed after her.
Ginny spotted a few of her seventh year friends and left Harry with a peck on the cheek to join them. Harry shrugged his shoulders and began aimlessly roaming the aisles, heading deeper into the store. He'd pick out his schoolbooks later.
In one of the older, duster sections in the back of the shop, Harry saw a petite raven standing on the tips of her toes with her arm stretched as high as she could, struggling to reach the bookcase's top shelf. Harry was short for a boy standing at five foot ten inches, but this girl reached his chin at the most.
The girl grunted softly until she managed to brush the book she wanted with the pad of her finger, leaving a small smudge in the film of dust. She planted her feet back on the ground and eyed at the hardback she sought, exasperatedly sighing and placing her hands on her hips. Harry grinned, stifling laughter at the girl's predicament, before drawing his wand.
"Wingardium Leviosa," he whispered, targeting the book and easily lifting it from the shelf. He used his wand to move it until it hovered in front of the girl's face. The girl reached out and took it, gently wiping the dust away from the cover before hugging the book to her chest. When she turned from the shelf, she spotted Harry as he put away his wand. She approached him and bowed before he could clearly see her face.
"Thank you," she told him as she rose to her full height, smiling brightly and tucking her stray hair behind her ears, "Being so short has always been a bit of a problem for me."
"No problem," Harry replied awkwardly. This girl was an unexpected and exotic beauty, possessing an allure unlike those of other females he knew. Her form though small was vivacious and generously curved with a lovely featured face and bright, blue eyes, an unusual color for an Asian.
In addition to her physical appeal, this girl did not react to Harry the way most did. By now, other girls would practically throw themselves at him, vying for a chance to get noticed by the Chosen One. It was unsettling, and Harry didn't always like to push them away especially if it seemed to hurt their feelings. Luckily, Ginny took on that task for him when they started dating.
"So what do you have there?" Harry asked politely.
The girl moved the book from her chest and clearly read its cover. "A Complete Glossary of Mythical Creatures from the East and Beyond.It's a really old book that's out of print. I'm glad I managed to find it here."
"The east?" Harry questioned.
"China, Japan, and places like that," the girl answered with a shrug, "I was hoping to see how thorough research on these areas is here."
She paused and moved the book, so that it rested on her left arm before holding out her right hand. "Thanks again for helping me. I'm Kagome Higurashi."
Harry tentatively reached out and took her hand, lightly shaking it. "Harry Potter."
"Nice to meet you, Potter-kun," Kagome replied with a smile. If she was aware of Harry's name and fame, she gave no indication.
"Same," he said with a smile as he pulled his hand away. Curiously, even though their hands were separated, Harry could still feel a tingling sensation in his palm where she touched him. He decided to dismiss it.
"So, tell me," Kagome began, "are you a student?"
"Yeah," Harry answered, "I'm going for my final year at Hogwarts. You?"
She nonchalantly shrugged. "Something like that. I'll also be at Hogwarts this year."
'Odd, I don't think I've never seen her around,' Harry thought, but, to be fair, he hasn't really been paying attention to his peers that weren't involved in the past war.
Harry and Kagome were interrupted by the sudden arrival of a black kitten with cream tipped ears and two matching tails. She ran to the two of them and hopped on top of Kagome's right shoulder.
"What are you doing here?" Kagome turned and asked the kitten, "I said you didn't have to wait up for me."
As if understanding her words, the feline shifted and brought one of its paws to its mouth, snaking out its pale pink tongue and generously licking it.
"Chocolate?" Kagome questioned when she noticed the brown smudges on her paw pads and sighed, "I suppose I should feed you now."
The kitten surprised Harry again and bobbed its head up and down.
"It seems like I have to get going," Kagome told Harry, "It was nice meeting you. I'll see you around campus."
"Same here," Harry remarked with a nod as Kagome walked away with the strange cat.
Without warning, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny came running to the back of the store where Harry stood.
"Did you see it?" Ron asked insistently, his freckled face flushed in anger.
"What?" Harry inquired at the sudden question and turned to Hermione and Ginny for answers. The two of them began to giggle.
"A cat jumped on him and stole his last Chocolate Frog," Ginny answered when she calmed down.
"It was a black one, right," Harry commented.
"Yeah," Ron answered with a nod, "Did you see it?"
"Sorry, but she just left with her owner," Harry responded.
"Bullocks!" Ron exclaimed.
"I've never seen a cat like that one," Hermione commented, ignoring her boyfriend's outburst, "Did its owner say anything about its breed?"
"We didn't have much time to talk," Harry said, "I believe her cat insisted they leave."
"She spoke to it?" Hermione asked, going more interested in the subject, "Then again I'm not surprised. Many witches and wizards form strong bonds with animals."
"Yeah," Harry commented, quietly recalling the loss of his dear companion and friend, Hedwig. He still didn't get a replacement for her.
The group picked up the rest of their schoolbooks began to walk to the checkout counter. The owner of the mysterious cat was long gone.
"If you're so interested," Ginny interjecting and stopped Hermione's speculations about the feline, "ask her about it when we get back to Hogwarts." She turned to Harry. "She is a student, right?"
Harry nodded. "I reckon so. We talked about going back for a little while."
"Really? Did see say her year and House?" Hermione asked.
"No, but I'm willing to bet it's not Gryffindor, and she looks like a sixth or seventh year to me," Harry answered but wasn't entirely sure.
"Maybe we'll see her in class then," Ginny remarked, "Did she at least tell you her name?
"Her name is Kagome Higurashi," Harry answered, "And she's Asian too, if that helps."
"How about we go check on George and Ang in the shop?" Ron suggested, eager to forget all about the cat who bested him out of his chocolate, "They should both be there, yeah?"
"I suppose there's no harm in it," Hermione remarked, "We did finish buying all of our school things."
"Let's go then!" Ginny exclaimed, latching onto Harry's arm.
Harry smiled as he looked down at her. "Sure."
-O0o0O-
After purchasing her book and leaving the bookstore, Kagome ducked into an empty alley with the black kitten still perched on her shoulder. She disappeared for a few minutes before emerging with Mimiru at her side and seamlessly blended in with the rest of the passersby. The two began to speak, communicating in their mother tongue to keep their conversation from prying ears. The Daily Prophet was notorious for having their reporters scouting for new stories by any means necessary, and the two operatives could not avoid starting an international scandal.
"I told you not to wait up for me if you got hungry," Kagome gently chided Mimiru.
"I didn't," she replied evenly, "I went to fetch you."
Kagome sighed as she shook her head. "Just as well. I was probably going to slip up if I kept talking to the guy. The Wizengamot wouldn't like it if I revealed our positions too early."
"He seemed to think you were a student," Mimiru remarked, "I wouldn't worry about it too much."
The duo walked into the Leaky Cauldron and took the vacant seats by one of the windows facing Muggle London. After ordering their food, they were quickly served and began to eat.
"That boy," Mimiru began, momentarily placing her fork down.
"What about him?" Kagome asked, pausing as well.
"His name is Harry Potter, right?"
"Yeah. Do you know him?"
Mimiru shrugged. "Not personally, but I've heard his name a few times after we first arrived in London. He's the one who defeated that dark wizard, Voldemort or something, a few months ago." She paused to take another bite of her meal. "It's easy to identify him from that peculiar scar on his forehead."
"I see. So he's the one who everyone around here's been talking about, the Boy Who is the Chosen One or something like that," Kagome replied softly before she began eating again. She recalled seeing the lightning bolt shaped mark partially hidden beneath Harry's unruly bangs.
'It's a lot better looking than mine is,' Kagome thought, thinking about the faint bite mark imprinted on her side that resembled an irregularly shaped starburst. At least hers wasn't on permanent display like Harry's.
Mimiru hummed lightly before eating the last of her bangers and mash. "Thinking about taking on a new project?"
"He's not a project," Kagome protested, polishing off the rest of her BLT, "I'm just concerned for our students. The war was really traumatic for most of them especially if they had to fight. We need to take that into consideration if we want to be success in our assignment."
"Duly noted, partner," Mimiru replied, before looking at the menu again, "You want dessert?"
"Sure," Kagome commented, looking through the sweets selection.
"There's something here called 'Battenberg cake'," she suggested, "It looks pretty decent."
"Could we get ice cream to go with it?" Mimiru asked sheepishly.
Kagome smiled. "Sure. Just don't make yourself sick before our first day, okay?"
-O0o0O-
"And you have everything you need?" Kingsley asked the two agents as they stood in front of the magical barrier dividing Platform Nine and Three Quarters from the rest of the train station. It was nearly time for the Hogwarts Express to depart, so most the Wizarding families with children attending school already came and went.
"Yes, all of our luggage has been sent to castle. Everything else we have as carry-ons," Mimiru answered, shifting the dingy brown messenger bag on her shoulder. Kagome did the same for her ratty yellow backpack she wore.
"You're sending foreign agents on a mission, not your children away to school. You shouldn't be so worked up about it."
"Mimiru!" Kagome exclaimed.
"No, she's right," Kingsley interjected with a slight smile, "I will admit that I have grown fond of keeping you both close. I'm almost sad to see you go."
"Same for us," Kagome commented, casting Mimiru a brief warning look when she huffed, "but we can take it from here. It'll be too suspicious if someone sees you on the other side."
"Of course," Kingsley said, "but are you sure you don't want to travel by Floo or Portkey? There's still time if you want to reconsider."
"We'll pass," Kagome responded, "It'll be much better if we ride to school with the students. It'll give us a chance to know what we're up against. "
Kingsley chuckled. "You make it sound as though they're your enemies."
"If Hogwarts is anything like it was in my high school days, that's a more than accurate assumption," Kagome commented with a strained grin.
"Very well," Kingsley stated, "Good luck to you."
When he held out his hand expecting a handshake, Kagome took it and pulled the older man in a hug, tiptoeing to match his impressive height. Mimiru nodded and firmly clapped his shoulder as Kagome pulled away.
"Ja mata ne, Shushō-san!" Kagome exclaimed before walking through the barrier with her partner at her side. When they were gone, Kingsley walked way and blended in with the rest of the crowd.
On the other side of the barrier, Kagome gleefully watched all the hustle and bustle of the excited Hogwarts Students as they rushed onto the scarlet red train, saying goodbye to their family and joining their friends. As a rather unconventional figure in the Wizarding World, she never had the opportunity to experience anything like this when she went to school. All of the excitement and energy was very intoxicating.
"Just look at all this! Isn't it fantastic?" Kagome asked her silent companion.
"Breathtaking," Mimiru answered dryly.
Kagome giggled behind her hand. "Come on. Let's go grab some seats."
She led her partner onto the Hogwarts Express and the two began to survey the train cars, looking for a vacant compartment. They didn't garner any attention from the other passengers; everyone seemed to dismiss them as other students.
"These compartments sure do fill up fast," Kagome commented, looking at Mimiru over her shoulder, "We might end up sharing one."
"Let's try going further back," Mimiru suggested, "We might find an empty compartment there."
They continued until they reached the last car on the train and found an empty compartment. The atmosphere seemed to get progressively somber as they approached it.
"Not the most excited bunch, are they?" Kagome commented as she sat down, placing her backpack next to her. Mimiru took the seat across from her after setting her bag in the overhead compartment.
"So it seems," Mimiru replied. She looked out the window as the train began to move.
"Are you going to look at the scenery all the way to Scotland?" Kagome asked teasingly.
"I know you have a little more reading to do, so it'll entertain me for a while," she replied, looking at Kagome from the side of her eye, "If I get bored, I'll just go to sleep."
"Thanks," Kagome said with a grin as she pulled out the book she purchased from Flourish and Blotts, "but feel free to start a conversation if you want to."
Before Kagome could read where she left off, the compartment door was pushed open. She looked up to see three students, two boys and one girl standing in the middle of them. The boy to the right was a tall and dark-skinned with high cheekbones and long, slanting eyes, a very handsome young man. The other boy was also tall and slender with sleek, white-blond hair cut in a neat, short style, steely eyes, and a pale complexion with sharp, pointed features. The girl was about a head shorter than the two boys with shoulder length black hair, chocolate brown eyes, and harsh features.
"I thought for sure this compartment would be empty. Sorry to disturb you both," the girl remarked but didn't sound particularly apologetic.
"There, there, Pans," the dark-skinned boy interrupted before the girl could close the door, "I do see some possibility in this arrangement. You ladies wouldn't mind sharing the compartment with us, would you?"
"Of course not," Kagome answered, closing her book, "Please join us."
The three students filed into the compartment and closed the door behind him. The girl sat beside Mimiru while the blond took a seat next to her. The other boy immediately took his place by Kagome, sitting as close to her as he could without looking too forward.
"So what's your name?" he asked Kagome with a charming grin.
"Kagome Higurashi," she answered, "And you are?"
"I'm Blaise Zabini."
He held out his hand to her and Kagome did the same, expecting him to initiate the customary western handshake. Instead, Blaise gently took her pale hand and brought it to his lips, planting a kiss on her knuckles. Kagome fought the urge to blush at the intimate greeting. She'd have to keep a close eye on this one. She knew a Don Juan when she saw one and had no doubt Blaise could easily charm the panties off any witch without the use of his wand.
"Draco Malfoy," the blond stated.
"And I'm Pansy Parkinson," she answered before turning to Mimiru, "And you would be?"
Mimiru turned from the window and briefly assessed the group, quickly bowing her head. "Mimiru Asakawa."
"It's nice to meet you all," Kagome remarked with a pleasant grin.
"Believe me, the pleasure is all ours, love," Blaise stated, "But I don't believe I've ever see you at Hogwarts before."
"You haven't. Mimiru and I transferred this term," Kagome replied, "And would you mind giving me my hand back?"
"Oh sorry," Blaise said as he slowly released it, stroking Kagome's fingers as he released her hand, "I didn't realize I still had it."
Across from the two of them, Kagome noticed Draco roll his eyes.
"Don't tell me," she sarcastically began, "The sound of my voice captivated you so much that forgot about it. Or maybe you were too caught up looking into my eyes?"
Pansy began to chuckle. "It looks like your old tricks won't work on this one, Blaise. I think I like her."
"Thanks," Kagome told Pansy, "I've had experience with his type before."
"That may be, but give it time, love," Blaise stated confidently, "The way I see it, you and I will be more than acquainted by the Halloween feast. I do hope you enjoy the chase."
"I'll hold you to it," Kagome halfheartedly responded. The boy will have to give up his pursuit once he found out she was his teacher.
After the introductions, the group settled into a steady conversation although Mimiru and Draco didn't add much to their discourse. During the train ride, Kagome learned the three students and most of the others seated in the rear of the train were in Slytherin House, an explanation for the change in mood. Kagome knew that particular House received more than its fair share of bad publicity due to its members' affiliation with Voldemort. It seemed like the other Houses and most of the Wizarding World either treated them with scorn or ignored them completely.
'Some of them may have been allied with that dark wizard by choice, but it's not fair to punish them all. They're still children. You can't blame them for their upbringing,' Kagome thought.
As always, her firm sense of justice was active, and she was even more determined to complete her assigned task. She wouldn't stand for any mistreatment of her new students regardless of their House, position, or blood status.
"The train's arrived at Hogwarts," Pansy announced when the train came to a smooth stop, "We had better change."
"Think you could give me a hand, Kagome?" Blaise asked, another weak attempt to get her attention, "I wouldn't want anything to get...stuck."
"Not a chance," Kagome responded with quick laugh, "but I give you five points for effort."
"Five?" Pansy questioned, "At the most, I'd rate him a three."
"Come on, ladies, you know I did better than that," Blaise implored them before turning to Draco, "What do you think, mate? Give me a hand here."
"I'd give him a nine—" Draco began.
Blaise quickly interrupted him. "Thanks."
"—out of one hundred," Draco finished, chuckling as Blaise's expression comically fell.
Kagome giggled at Draco's joke, noting he genuinely laughed for the first time since the train started. There was something captivating in his cool, grey eyes that resembled lightning struck storm clouds, concealing many things in their ashen depths. Kagome was also drawn to an unknown, dark aura encompassing his forearm. Although it was considerably faint and hidden by Draco's long sleeves, she could still detect it.
'I wonder what it could be.'
"We'll see you guys later," Kagome told the trio.
Pansy nodded before leaving the compartment to change into her school robes. Kagome and Mimiru stood and retrieved their bags, leaving their seats as well.
"No matter what House you're in, you can always find a seat by me in the Great Hall, love," Blaise told Kagome with a wink. She playfully rolled her eyes before leaving with Mimiru.
"This year won't be so bad," Blaise commented making Draco to snort.
"After all that's happened, all you think about is snogging some tart?" he asked skeptically.
Blaise shrugged as he began to put on his robes. "Snogging is a helluva lot better than what you're think about. We're here to have some fun without a madman constantly breathing down our necks. You might was well enjoy it."
"Pardon me if I have a harder time to be quite so jovial," Draco dryly remarked.
When the two boys were finished, Blaise put a comforting hand on Draco's shoulders. "It'll get better. Just wait and see."
Despite himself, Draco smiled. "Watch out, you're starting to sounds like a bloody Hufflepuff."
Blaise punched him in the arm before opening the compartment door. "Let's get going."
-O0o0O-
"You'll tell us when you see her, right?" Hermione asked as she looked around the Great Hall. The first years were all standing in their usual huddle, anxiously awaiting the imminent Sorting Ceremony.
Everyone around her sighed in exasperation. Their intelligent but intrusive friend spent most of the train ride to Hogwarts ranting about the mysterious cat she, Ron, Ginny, and Harry briefly encountered in Flourish and Blotts. She tried doing research on the strange creature but didn't find anything useful. The only conclusion Hermione came to was to find the owner of the cat to get all the answers she wanted.
"For the last time, yes," Harry mumbled, lazily looking for the Asian girl.
"She's a woman obsessed," Ron commented wryly, "You never should have mentioned that cat belonged to that girl you spoke to."
"And you never should have gotten your chocolate stolen by that cat," Harry countered with a roguish grin.
"I can't help it if the damn thing pounced on me!" Ron protested, "It stole the frog straight from the packaging. It's a bloody menace!"
After all of the first years were sorted and seated with their new classmates, the petite Asian was still wasn't spotted amongst her peers. At the close of the Sorting, Headmistress Minerva McGonagall stood, her authoritative presence quieting the sounds of the chattering teens as she gave the usual welcoming address.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," she stated with a large, friendly smile, "As to be expected, there are changes this year to our curriculum and new additions to our staff. Taking the position of our Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor is Mimiru Asakawa."
McGonagall paused while the student body waited for the new professor to stand. However, there wasn't a new face sitting with the Hogwarts faculty, only two empty seats. Then the tall doors to the Great Hall opened. A girl who looked no older than thirteen strode into the room with her head held high wearing a white top and a black cardigan paired with a denim skirt. The Great Hall was sent into a stunned silence as she approached the faculty's table and stood in front of one of the empty chairs, holding her hands in front of her and briefly bowing her head.
"In addition to Professor Asakawa," McGonagall resumed her speech, "Kagome Higurashi will be joining our faculty to teach two new elective courses. Demonic Characteristics and Behavior and The Magical History of Eastern Nations."
Another young lady emerged from the hallway and walked to join her colleagues. The petite woman drew a lot of attention with her attractive features, especially her long, smooth legs revealed by her dark green sundress underneath a white sweater and slender shaped feet accented by her white wedge heels.
"Harry," Hermione whispered, immediately noticing his emerald orbs trained on the new arrival, "That's her, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Harry answered too shocked to say anything more.
All this time, the girl he thought was just another student at Hogwarts was a new professor. Ron told them to be on the lookout of new teachers coming to Hogwarts, but he never expected someone like her or the other girl. McGonagall's voice drowned out the rest of his subsequent thoughts.
"Both of these individuals have travelled a great distance from Japan to join us and are more than capable of being instructors despite how they appear. It's my wish that we will all learn to appreciate and accept the cultures they possess and those of others."
Harry watched as Kagome fidgeted, standing beside her partner while the Great Hall was uncharacteristically silent. Without warning, he shot to his feet, alerting everyone around him of his movements. He ignored the curious looks from his friends and stared at Kagome from across the room. Locking his emerald orbs with her surprised sapphires, he smiled and began to clap loudly. It wasn't long before he was joined by the rest of the Gryffindor table and soon most of Hogwarts were giving the two new teachers a standing ovation.
Kagome locked eyes with Harry again and smiled, silently taking the boy for being so understanding and welcoming. The war hero nodded and took his seat next to his friends. As she also sat down, Kagome noticed Mimiru watching the exchange in the corner of her eye. If she had any questions or comments about it, she was keeping them to herself for now.
When the students were seated, McGonagall spoke again. "Now I believe it is time we feast."
The wide and rich array of foods appeared on each table and the ravenous group dug in, eating heartily. McGonagall sat with her colleagues and shot a pleased look in Kagome's direction.
"That went rather well," Kagome commented when she noticed her employer looking at her.
"Quite," the older woman replied, "Did Kingsley happen to introduce you to Mr. Potter while you were in London?"
"No," Kagome answered, "I met Potter-kun when I was visiting the bookstore in Diagon Alley. We spoke for a while, but I believe he was under the impression I was a student at the time."
McGonagall smirked. "I can see why. I should tell you that Mr. Potter and his friends have quite the affinity for trouble. You should keep an eye out for them."
'Looks like we have something in common,' Kagome thought.
"I'll be sure to," Kagome replied and returned to her meal. Although she wasn't familiar with all of the English dishes, everything she tried so far tasted much better than its reputation. However, there were a few odd dishes arranged on the table.
"What is this?" Kagome asked, hesitantly poking at a pie dish with fish heads protruding from the surface with her fork.
"That's stargazy pie," Professor Filius Flitwick, Charms instructor and Head of the Ravenclaw House, answered in his characteristic squeaky voice, "A Cornish dish and one of my favorites."
"Right." Kagome withdrew her utensil and looked for something safer to try. As soon as she did, Mimiru stabbed a fork into the pie, extracted a small, bite sized piece, and tasted it.
"Sardines," she stated after swallowing.
"Yes," the Potions Master and Head of Slytherin, Horace Slughorn, commented, "You certainly know your fish, my friend."
"Kimochi warui," Kagome commented under her breath, sticking her tongue out at her partner. She giggled when Mimiru pulled the entire pie tin in front of her, swatting the hands of Slughorn and Rubeus Hagrid, Care of Magical Creatures Professor and Hogwarts key and grounds keeper, when they reached for a piece.
"Blimey!" Hagrid exclaimed, "She certainly likes 'er fish an' all too!"
Kagome shook her head at Mimiru and looked for something else to try. Pomona Sprout, a stout, plump witch who was the Herbology professor and Head of the Hufflepuffs, kindly suggested she try a piece of the Shepard's pie.
"It's delicious!" Kagome exclaimed with a smile.
"You're such a sweet thing!" Sprout declared, "If you came to Hogwarts just a few years earlier, you would definitely be in my House."
"I'll have to disagree with you, Pomona," McGonagall interjected, "Kagome's a perfect Gryffindor."
Kagome giggled as the two older women spiritedly squabbled with Flitwick and Slughorn chiming in to say she would be perfect in either of their Houses as well. Mimiru rolled her eyes and struck a conversation with Hagrid, who did most of the talking.
'Maybe this assignment won't be so bad after all.'
-O0o0O-
punkish furball – I hope you've enjoyed what I've written thus far. Please feel free to let me know what you think. Until then, TCB! X3
(revised 12.03.2013)