punkish furball – Greetings, guys! X3
Words to Ponder:
Thank you hello-animeXD, KEdakumi, Spastic Freak, Sin of the Fallen, PuriPuriBeth, Valleygoat, Jayne, The Path of Supreme Conquest, cristine44, SilverontheRose, Amy, Miko-Of-The-Cherry-Blossoms, Applejax XD, ShiTsukisan, kid love, Keep Going, eloquent dreams, Aloever, Silversun XD, CroOkedTwiSted, dxlmao, Lachriel, Speedykitten1643, Lunardragon33, GiggleboxGirlie, and Yohanzzon for reviewing! X3
So there's a little scuttlebutt concerning how a few characters are treated versus others, but I can assure you the distinction is totally and completely necessary. Just hang tight to see what I cooked up. It'll be worth it. Also, all previous chapters have been revised. ~.^
Also, pardon the shameless plugging, but I recently updated my InuYasha/Black Butler crossover, Serendipity, and my InuYasha/TMNT crossover, Just a Little Kiss. Check them out if you have the time! XD
Chapter 5: Culture Clash! A Provoked Power Strike
Present, Friday Morning, September 4, 1998
Kagome fought the urge to groan and throw her arms high above her head in frustration. The source of all her troubles was the Wizengamot's appointed Auror, a middle aged woman named Penelope Sanders, stationed in her classroom for the day. She already made it clear she didn't care for the subject matter or demons in general long before Kagome started teaching. The only thing she could do was grin and bear the Auror's presence, wishing their future meetings will be few and far between. Fortunately, Sanders was keeping her prejudice quiet as she gave her students time to start their homework assignments and ask her questions toward the end of the period.
'I wonder if Mimiru is faring any better than I am,' she thought, hoping her partner's allotted shadow was nothing like Sanders. Right now, Mimiru had the eighth years, and that class was another period of practical evaluation as were a few of her other ones. These lesson plans weren't as extravagant as the ones for her first class, so she shouldn't encounter any issues with that.
'And after she's finished with them, I'll have them then it'll be time for lunch. Just one more class closer to the weekend.'
"Alright, guys," Kagome announced when the time for dismissal arrived, "This is it for today. Have your first homework assignment in my office by Wednesday at 8 o' clock sharp. Late submissions will be a letter grade lower. No excuses."
Kagome grinned as the students left her classroom, hurriedly packing their bags. Despite the unwelcomed presence, she still managed to enjoy her teaching.
"Enjoy your weekend!" she called out.
"You're certainly chipper, aren't you?"
Kagome's smile lessened when she heard Sanders' voice.
"I was," she muttered under her breath.
"Pardon?"
Kagome turned to Sanders, wearing her best fake smile—even though it wasn't very convincing at all. "I'm just gathering my thoughts for my next class. Don't mind me at all."
The witch made a noncommittal noise and shifted at her post, looking away from her. Kagome sighed and turned away as well.
'Just one class closer.'
-O0o0O-
Professor Asakawa's class of eighth years headed to their next class together, Demonic Characteristics and Behavior. As expected, this class lasted much longer than the last, so the break in between the two courses was shortened considerably.
"Asakawa wasn't all that bad today," Harry commented walking in between Hermione and Ron.
"Speak for yourself," Ron said, "You were bloody brilliant."
"I just got lucky and used the only thing I could think of," he insisted, "Besides, I think she may have let me win this one."
"Still, you managed to do what no one else could!" Ron protested, "I think that amounts to something."
Harry sighed; he was just glad he was no longer a target for harassment from his classmates, his Slytherin peers in particular. After the cursed markings were removed from everyone's foreheads, Pansy wasted no time telling anyone who would listen it was Harry's fault Malfoy was attacked during the pre-exam. Surprisingly, Malfoy didn't seem to care one way or the other and remained indifferent to the teasing Harry had to endure. However, after the last class with Asakawa, the events that occurred during her assessment test were a distant memory.
During this session, Asakawa arranged another means to gage what the students had learned and retained from their previous D.A.D.A classes. To start the period, she paired everyone into groups of two to spar using basic to more advanced spells under her observation. She even paused to give a few tips and hints to improve casting form and technique. For someone who wasn't seen performing a single spell thus far, Asakawa was well versed on proper stance and skill. Every so often, she would jot down several notes about each student. Unfortunately, they were written in Japanese characters, undecipherable to anyone who tried to sneak a peek.
The addition of the Auror to their class hardly phased her. Asakawa briefly acknowledged the stout, raven haired male named Thompson O'Neil at the beginning of class and continued as though he wasn't even there. O'Neil didn't seem to mind and quietly observed the classroom, obviously uninterested.
When Asakawa reached Harry and his partner, Daphne Greengrass, she paused and watched, an interested expression on her face. At her arrival, Harry's castings became aggressive and erratic, nearly incapacitating his Slytherin partner. Asakawa didn't seem too concern with the change; other students reacted similarly to her arrival.
Still furious about their last class, Harry looked at the professor with hardened, green eyes. Asakawa's lips twitched slightly upward, amused that he appeared so angry. She approached the taller boy, looking him in the eye with her head held tall and proud.
"Perhaps your first impression wasn't all encompassing of your character, Potter-san," Asakawa said in a voice only Harry could hear, "However, such emotional displays do not help change my opinion. You could stand to improve your control. Other than that, you seem to exceed your peers. Good work."
After scribbling down a few characters, Asakawa moved on to the next group. If she hadn't attacked him before, Harry might have taken the last bit of her comments as a compliment.
After the class spent about half the period practicing spells, Asakawa arranged everyone in line alphabetically. Once they were in position, she gave out the next set of instructions. When it was their turn, each student would fire their spells at a series of stationary targets, moving targets, and, likely for her own amusement, Asakawa herself.
Hannah began the procession on word from Asakawa. Unlike before, the professor merely watched and remained silent, keeping her large non-blinking eyes trained on every student's stance down to the most basic of muscle spasms.
After everyone finished with the targets, the class was either eager or terrified to have a go at the professor. Before they began, Asakawa explicitly stated this part of the lesson was completely optional; it was purely for her entertainment. Everyone who decided to try was given five chances to cast a spell and make contact with her. There were no restrictions on the spells anyone could cast, and, as an incentive, House points would be awarded to the first student to succeed.
The few brave students who took the challenge started casting the nastiest charms and curses they could think of. All of their efforts were in vain; Asakawa skillfully avoided each and every strike. Harry had to admit the small teacher had a certain sense of style. She dodged and darted spells and hexes with agile, fluid movements and inhuman grace.
When it was Harry's turn, he cast three charms without making a single hit, not even catching the hem of her clothes. Her lithe form in motion reminded him of a cat, specifically the small black kitten Hagrid was looking after for Higurashi. The same kitten with Asakawa's luminous eyes. If the two were connected and, as impossible as it seemed, if Asakawa were indeed the feline, the professor was a demon.
Harry shook his head of those thoughts and concentrated on his next move.
'I'll never hit her head on; she's just too fast,' he mused, 'Maybe I should try something different. Is there a spell that will attract her?'
If Asakawa really was a kitten, she had to have the curiosity of one. There was only one spell that came to Harry's mind to catch her attention. It was a long shot, but it just might work.
"Expecto Patronum!" Harry shouted with his wand held high.
A white stag erupted from the tip of Harry's wand and ran toward Asakawa. She easily dodged its slow speed. However, once she was out of its path, the professor stopped and looked at the wispy creature, intrigued by its appearance. The stag advanced toward her again, circling Asakawa cautiously. Once the patronus managed to get close to her side, it nuzzled one of her hands. After it made contact, Asakawa made an odd face, a mixture of a smirk and a grimace. Raising her hand, she flicked the patronus on the nose causing it to disappear. Most of the class erupted in applause at Harry's victory.
"Very clever," Asakawa declared, "Ten points for Gryffindor."
'Well, curiosity killed the cat,' Harry thought as the attempts continued, all of them failing. He was now more confident that Asakawa and the kitten were one in the same.
Just before the class ended, Asakawa stated only four students scored with a less than Acceptable mark for the assignment after looking through her notes. She didn't reveal who they were at the time, but said they will be assigned remedial lessons in the afternoons until they were caught up with everyone else.
"I think she was more upset about wearing robes than anything else," Harry mentioned.
Instead of the casual Muggle clothes she wore from day one, the petite witch wore a set of Wizarding robes in basic black, appearing more like a student than she did before.
"Do Asian wizards normally wear robes?" Harry asked.
"Well yeah," Ron answered, "Why do you ask?"
"It just seemed like Asakawa was only wearing them because that Auror was watching," Harry said. Admittedly, she looked about as comfortable as he did the first time he wore dress robes.
"You could be right," Hermione stated, "but Asakawa-sensei is still young. She must not like to wear them all the time yet."
With Higurashi's age confirmed by Harry and other students who were brave enough to ask her, Asakawa's was the only one in question. When asked by students—usually one of the younger years—she answered vaguely if at all.
"As old as I appear to be," she always responded.
So far, most bets were on her being between twelve and fourteen. Harry and Ron met in the middle and had their Galleons on age thirteen. Hermione refused to take part, claiming that Asakawa's age didn't matter and the entire betting pool was ludicrous.
Within a few minutes, the trio arrived outside Higurashi's classroom. She was speaking to Susan and Hannah in the doorway, giggling at something one of the Hufflepuffs said.
"Bloody hell," Ron breathed at the sight of her.
Like Asakawa, she wore standard Wizarding robes only hers were a shade of soft periwinkle blue the complemented her eyes.
"Auror assignment never looked so good," Harry commented with Ron nodding in agreement.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Unbelievable!"
"It's not like we're the only ones who think so," Ron mentioned and gestured to some of the other male students. Most of them were more obvious in their appreciation.
From the corner of his eye, Harry sneered as Zabini appreciatively eyed Higurashi from a distance with Malfoy breezing passed him with little interest. By the time the blond Slytherin reached the classroom, Hannah and Susan already walked inside.
"Hello, Malfoy-kun," Higurashi greeted him with a smile.
He paused and nodded in response. "Morning."
"Good morning, my dear," Zabini announced as he appeared behind Malfoy, "You're looking positively fetching this morning."
Despite the forward greeting, Higurashi's friendly countenance didn't waver. "Thank you, Zabini-kun. Now please go in and take your seat."
"Yes. I would hate to think you encouraged this kind of behavior, Professor."
The person who spoke approached the doorway, her arms folded on top of her chest and a superior look in her eyes. It was easy to tell she was an Auror from the style and color of her robes and the badge affixed to her breast pocket. Higurashi looked at the Auror over her shoulder, her gaze cool and her entire demeanor changed.
"Of course, Auror Sanders," she stated, her tone devoid of its previous emotion.
Sanders nodded and watched Zabini leisurely walk to his desk behind Malfoy. Her distaste at the green decorating his robes was blatant, nearly as noticeable as Higurashi's distaste for her.
"She definitely does not like that one," Ron whispered to Harry and Hermione, "I'd hate to have Higurashi look at me like that."
When the trio approached the opening, the female Auror's eyes, an earthy shade of brown, lit up when she spotted Harry.
"Harry Potter! I'm Auror Penelope Sanders. It's an absolute honor to meet you!" she cried.
"Oh! Glad to hear that," Harry uttered, embarrassed. He always hated encounters with overzealous fans.
Before the conversation could continue, Higurashi cleared her throat. "Pardon me, Auror Sanders, but would you kindly step aside? Other students including Potter-kun need to enter the classroom."
"Yes of course! Please excuse me."
Obviously flustered, Sanders retreated as Higurashi smirked.
"Thank you, professor," Harry told her, relieved. The professor turned to him and grinned, her original cheerful attitude restored.
"Not a problem," she said and playfully tilted her head toward the classroom, "Now get inside before I start docking points!"
Under Higurashi's instruction, the trio walked inside and took their seats. Once Harry was settled, he looked around and noticed Sanders was close by. She winked at him when she caught his eye. Harry shuddered. Not only was Sanders zealous, but she was that kind of fan.
When the last student took his seat, Kagome strode to the front of the classroom.
"Hello, everyone. Today, Auror Sanders will be observing our class, so let's be on our best behavior. I'll start by calling roll," she announced and retrieved her roster.
Sanders made several conspicuous coughs and huffs as Kagome called out the names. She ignored them all and moved right into her lecture. The class hurriedly retrieved their quills, ink wells, and blank rolls of parchment.
"Demon is a very board category for a large number of beings and creatures. There might be some overlap with some topics in your other courses taught by my colleagues, particularly Asakawa-sensei and Hagrid-sensei," Higurashi began, proudly naming her associates.
However, Sanders snorted, a show of blatant disrespect. Higurashi paused and briefly glanced in her direction before continuing.
"Nonetheless, there will be several terms unique to this course."
Higurashi turned to the blackboard and began to write with a piece of chalk. She revealed the first term written in both the English alphabet and Japanese characters.
"The main term I'll be using is 'yōkai', an all-encompassing term for 'demon' or 'devil'," she stated. As soon as she finished her sentence, Hermione's hand immediately went up.
"Yes, Granger-chan?" Higurashi addressed her.
"Sensei, for our practical exam in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Asakawa-sensei told us it was based on 'Onigokko' meaning 'Demon Chase'. Is it the same as yōkai?" Hermione asked.
"Not exactly." Higurashi picked up her chalk again and wrote the word on the board.
"The 'demon' part of the translation comes from this character, 'oni', which is also the title for the player in the game who is 'It'. Oni is often translated as demon in general, but it directly refers to a class of yōkai of its own comparable to 'ogres' and 'trolls'. The difference between them is that oni are typically display a more varied degree of intelligence, some being considerably so."
Higurashi looked at Hermione with a smile. "Very good observation, Granger-chan. Five points to Gryffindor." She continued her lecture, writing down the terms whenever she mentioned one.
"To pick up where I left off before, yōkai literally means 'phantom' or 'strange apparition'. What separates yōkai from the magical creatures you have previously studied is the possession of one or more supernatural skills or traits specific to its species. We'll cover them more extensively throughout the course. Another term you'll hear is'hanyō'. This denotes a being born of human and yōkai parents."
"That can happen?" Seamus blurted, the tips of his ears turning pink when he realized his blunder.
Higurashi giggled. "It can. Though a successful birth is considered an extremely rare occurrence, there are statistically more hanyō today then there were centuries ago."
"There shouldn't be."
Higurashi abruptly stopped and turned to Sanders.
"What was that, Sanders?" she questioned, her voice dripping with false kindness.
The Auror snorted. "You heard me, Higurashi. You've been preaching about these abominations all damn day." Sanders paused and smirked as she stood from her seat.
"Then again, you have good reason to have a soft spot for freaks, don't you? Any sane person wouldn't dare lay with a monster."
Higurashi's lips thinned to a faint line.
"Sanders, if you do not care for the subject, you are free to leave whenever you wish," she stated, her tone eerily calm, "But do not under any circumstances disrespect it especially in my presence."
"You seem to forget the situation you're in," Sanders said with a sneer, "This isn't the Orient, you insufferable, little bint. Here you follow my rules, and I won't allow you to fill the heads of those who defeated You-Know-Who with su—"
"I'll ask you again to leave," Higurashi interrupted, "You don't want to embarrass yourself and your Ministry any more than you already have."
"Is that so?"
Sanders quickly drew her wand and slipped into a combative stance. In response to the nonverbal challenge, Higurashi simply placed her chalk down and turned to the Auror, her gaze impassive.
"Draw your wand if you think you can," Sanders taunted.
Higurashi smirked, her eyes hardened to an icy shade of cobalt. "Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't waste one on you."
Sanders' mask fell and was replaced with pure malice as she flicked her wand. Her incantation was unclear, but the burst of white light was unmistakable, a Stinging Hex. Students stood from their seats and drew their own wands, ready to defend the petite professor from the attack.
However, before anyone could act, Higurashi raised her left hand and waved the ball of light away with extreme ease, sending it crashing to the wall behind her.
"What?" Sanders uttered, lowing her wand in disbelief.
"I already told you a wand wouldn't be necessary," Higurashi said, "There's still time to put yours away. If you do, I'm sure we can forget this little incident ever happened."
"How dare you mock me?" Sanders snarled and raised her wand hand for another attack only to find it empty.
"Looking for this?"
Merrily swinging her legs, Asakawa leaned against Higurashi's desk, balancing Sanders' wand on the tip of her index finger. Strangely enough, the professor changed out of her robes and into a pair of jeans and a fitted yellow top paired with an olive green cardigan. In addition to that, her hair was cropped in a short, pixie cut, and both of her eyes were an ominous shade of carmine. At her sudden appearance, the students began to whisper.
"She looks so different from this morning. How did she change so fast?"
Hermione snorted and concentrated on her notes. Now that Sanders wasn't a threat, she was checking for any information she may have missed.
"I think a better question would be how she got in so quickly without any of us seeing her," she commented offhand.
Sanders turned to Asakawa, bristling. "Unarming an Auror is a highly punishable offense foreigner or not!"
Asakawa raised a slender eyebrow as she twirled the wand around her thumb and index, treating it as though it was a toy.
"Threatening a foreign diplomat is an even higher once," she informed her, "Not to mention violating the conditions of your assignment by attacking the subject of your observation, endangering the lives of Hogwarts students, damaging Hogwarts premises, and overall reckless and deplorable behavior for someone of your station."
She tossed the wand into the air and caught it in her fist.
"You shame your own profession, Auror Penelope Sanders. Quite frankly, I'm very disappointed if this is the caliber of agents the British Ministry of Magic can produce."
"Foreign diplomat?" Sanders managed to sputter, "Just what are you playing at?"
"Oh! Forgive me for not properly introducing myself," Asakawa said as she pushed off the desk and bowed.
When she stood up, she smiled and said, "You may call me Asakawa, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, humbly at your service."
Sanders blanched as her jaw dropped to the floor, completely stunned. Smirking further at the Auror's terrified expression, Asakawa threw Sanders her wand after giving it one final toss. The Auror nearly dropped it on the floor.
Higurashi loudly cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. "Alright, guys. I apologize for what just happened. Unfortunately, class is dismissed for today. We'll pick up where we left off next week."
The class slowly put away their things, carefully watching Higurashi, Asakawa, and Sanders in case the confrontation began anew. However, the three women composed themselves and left before any of the students did. Higurashi took the lead with Sanders trailing behind her. Asakawa was posted by the Auror's side, possibly making sure she didn't run. Seeing as the skirmish wouldn't begin again, many of the students quickly left, leaving only a few to talk amongst themselves.
"Did you see that?" Hannah exclaimed.
"Wandless and wordless magic! Simply amazing!" Ernest commented.
"Higurashi is brilliant!" Pavarti declared.
"Absolutely sensational!" Lavender concurred.
Hermione huffed. "Higurashi-sensei shouldn't have had to use her magic at all. Honestly! A trained Auror should know better than to behave like…like…like an unruly child!"
"I think you should save that tongue lashing for Sanders," Ron suggested.
"Maybe not," Dean said, "I'm sure McGonagall will do a more than adequate job. I reckon Kingsley will too once he hears about this."
"Asakawa was right," Neville began, "Sanders really should have known better than to do something like that."
"Speaking of her," Hermione mentioned, "I never realized that Asakawa-sensei is an actual Ministry representative from her country. It doesn't make sense."
"Why not?" Harry asked with a shrug, "She said so herself."
"Why would a Ministry official come all the way here for a teaching position? International Magical Cooperation personnel are likely to be involved in the implementation of this arrangement, but surely the other duties that come with her position are far more important than coming to Hogwarts," Hermione mused, pursing her lips together in thought.
"Maybe that's not the case. Asakawa looks different enough from Asakawa-sensei and introduced herself only by her surname. She could be a completely different person, a close relative I'd wager. Hmm…I'm getting to the bottom of this."
Ron sighed. "Get ready, Harry. Once again, we have a woman possessed on our hands."
Harry made a noise in the back of his throat, agreeing. He was far more concern with Higurashi's rare show of magic. She was certainly powerful enough, much more than he realized. But, if she possessed such power, why avoid performing the simplest of spells?
"Mate, you coming?" Ron asked him.
"Yeah."
-O0o0O-
Kagome let out a deep breath when Sanders and O'Neil Flooed out of McGonagall's office. Unfortunately, the ordeal was not over; a formal trial was scheduled for a later date that she had to attend. Warily, Kagome glance out the corner of her eye. Her companion didn't seem to share her sentiments on the matter.
"I'm truly sorry about all this," McGonagall amended, sincere, "To both of you."
Asakawa grinned from her spot at Kagome's side. "You needn't worry about it. In my opinion, it is better for something like this happened earlier on in the assignment than later on. And, since Kingsley-san is handling the disciplinary action himself, there is no need for intervention on our end."
She paused then coyly added, "For now."
"Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Asakawa," McGonagall replied with a nod.
"No problem at all, McGonagall-san. And please call me by my first name." She giggled.
"However it may be too late for that. If my assumptions are correct, I've already been mistaken for my younger sister," Mayaru continued.
Kagome resisted the urge to roll her eyes and thought, 'So that act from earlier was all intentional. I can't believe she chose today of all days to exercise her playful streak.'
On their way out of the classroom, she heard a few of the things the eighth years speculated about her partner and herself, most bordering on the line of absurdity. So far, Hermione seemed to be the only one with any real sense.
'Maybe I should have covered the Japanese Ministry of Magic members in my first history class,' she mused, 'Maybe then there wouldn't have been so much confusion.'
"I would be surprised if you weren't," McGonagall commented with a grin, "Knowing Hogwarts, word has already spread through the entire castle."
Kagome cringed, suddenly remembering something very important.
"You wouldn't also be referring to that part of the incident, right McGonagall-sama?" she asked. The priestess grunted when Mayaru playfully clapped her on the shoulder.
"Don't tell me you have to ask! That powerful display warranted more than a few rumors, my friend," Mayaru said, grinning.
"Lucky me," Kagome murmured under hear breath. Truthfully, explaining the nature of her abilities was something she intended to put off for as long as she could. Her unique brand of holy magic always caused quite a stir outside of Asia.
'Then again, it causes a stir there too.'
She turned to McGonagall, exasperated. "Is there anything else you need to discus with us, McGonagall-sama?"
"No, you're both free to go if you wish."
Kagome politely bowed before leaving the office with Mayaru at her side.
"I can't wait to get out of these robes," she declared, pulling on her collar, "They're so confining!"
Mayaru snickered. "Really? I think they suit you."
"And I think you're enjoying yourself too much," Kagome said with a pout, "Why are you here anyway? International Magical Cooperation takes no holidays as far as I know."
"Is it a crime to pay my friend and younger sister a visit while they're on assignment? I think that alone warrants a break from my work. I thought you would have appreciated the gesture," Mayaru inquired with a shrug, "Besides, I had to give your partner my reports."
"You mean from the assessment tests she had earlier this week?"
"Yes, but it was not too much of a chore. After the eighth years' class, McGonagall-san ordered the immediate removal of the obstacles I provided."
Kagome discretely rolled her eyes and decided to change the subject. "Well, since you came all this way, you might as well stay with us for the weekend."
"Perhaps I will."
Before Kagome could say anything else, a trio of students, two second year Ravenclaws and a Hufflepuff, approached them.
"Good afternoon, Professor Asakawa," the lead student, a bespectacled brunette Ravenclaw, said, "Do you have time to answer some questions we have about today's lecture?"
Kagome nearly sighed as Mayaru began to giggle. She was enjoying this too much.
"I'm sorry, but you have me confused with someone else," Mayaru explained, "I've come here to visit your teacher who also happens to be my younger sister."
"Wow!" the blond Hufflepuff exclaimed, "You must be twins."
"Something like that," Mayaru answered with a shrug.
"If you're looking for Asakawa-sensei, you should try her classroom or her office if she isn't teaching," Kagome kindly interjected.
"Oh!" the other male student said, recognizing her immediately, "Thank you, Professor Higurashi."
"Happy to help!" she replied with a grin.
When he and the other students began walking away, the duo could hear them whispering amongst themselves.
"That was her! Higurashi is the professor who used wandless magic in front of her entire class of eighth years."
"I heard she attacked at least a dozen Aurors without lifting a finger! It demolished the whole classroom!"
"I heard she Apparated them all straight to Azkaban prison!"
"Really? I heard she deflected a whole slew of Unforgivables too!"
"That's wicked awesome!"
"She could be more powerful than Harry Potter!"
"Or Dumbledore!"
"Or maybe even Merlin himself!"
Kagome tiredly groaned as her smile deflated. The Aurors may be long gone, but the day was far from over.
-O0o0O-
punkish furball – Somebody's in trouble! =^.^=
I hope you've all enjoyed this latest installment. Remember, if you have any questions or comments, hit me up. Until next time, TCB! XD
(edited 12.08.2013)