Okay, I meant to post this on 12/18/04, but I got side-tracked. I had to baby-sit last night. Anything else you want to know can be found in the last chapter (4.5)
Majikku no Seirei: Chapter 5
Getting Accustomed
"Is that better?"
Kurama stood up slowly, moved around cautiously, and then smiled at the school nurse. "Yes. Thank you."
Madam Pomfrey scoffed at him. "Never you mind about the thanking, boy. I don't know how you got that cut, but stop taking risks like that. I should keep you here for the next few weeks as it is."
Kurama's smile faltered and his hands stilled on the buttons of his shirt. "I can assure you, that isn't necessary."
"Isn't it? Which of us is the nurse here?" She sighed. "Very well. It is your first night here, after all, and you need to be Sorted. But if there's any discomfort—more bleeding, if you feel ill, come back here at once, do you hear?"
"Yes, ma'am." He buttoned his shirt, the crisp white fabric hiding the fresh bandages around his torso. He pulled on his black Hogwarts robes and headed for the door.
Hiei was waiting for him, leaning against the door frame. "Well?"
"I just have to take it easy." Kurama said simply.
"Hn;" Hiei snorted. "Some nurse. I've been telling you that for the last two weeks."
"I know, Hiei. But Professor Dumbledore asked me to go and see Madam Pomfrey, and I want to stay on his good side for the moment."
"Hn."
"Hn back, then. Be that way."
"Hey, there." Harry waved at them. He smiled at Kurama, relieved that the redhead's injury wasn't as serious as it had looked. "Are you all right now?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Absently curling a lock of hair around his finger—a rather feminine habit, Harry noted unconsciously—he looked curiously at Harry. "So…we need to get 'Sorted', am I correct?"
"Hm? Oh, yes. That's done in the Great Hall, I'll take you." Motioning for them to follow, he called over his shoulder. "And watch out for the staircases. They move."
After the first years had been Sorted, Dumbledore stood up. The hall fell silent. "This year at Hogwarts;" he announced. "We have the pleasure of playing host to two very gifted students from Japan. They will be studying with us this year, to learn the differences between Eastern and Western magic."
Polite applause rang through the hall. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Hiei, please step forward."
Hiei hesitated slightly. He wasn't exactly keen on the idea of getting a ratty old hat placed on his head in front of hundreds of people. He felt Kurama squeeze his shoulder and give him a gentle push forward.
As Hiei sat down on the stool, he could hear the murmuring of several females nearby. He ignored them as the Sorting Hat was placed on his head.
Hello, Hiei.
Don't waste time with pleasantries; He told it. Just put me in a house and so that I can sit down and eat.
A bit hasty, aren't you? But I suppose…that could be attributed to that fiery nature of yours, hm?"
Hiei narrowed his eyes.
No need to get defensive. I'm entitled to look into your memories. It's necessary, in order for me to know where to put you.
Hn. Do what you will.
I will, thank you. The hat was silent for a few moments, and then Hiei could hear it chuckling quietly. My, my, you are an interesting one. You have a sister, and yet you don't wish to tell her. You care for your red-haired friend—
That's enough. Stay out of it.
Very well. If it was possible for a hat to sound offended, this one did. All aspects considered, Hiei, you really aren't a very nice person.
I try. His mental voice was dripping with sarcasm.
Well, I suppose there's really only one thing to do with you.
"SLYTHERIN!!"
Shoving the Hat to Professor McGonagall, he brushed past Kurama and settled himself at the Slytherin table, indicated to him by Professor Dumbledore.
"Kurama, if you would…." Dumbledore gestured to the stool.
Kurama sat down obediently.
Hello, Kurama.
Hello, Hat.
Well, now, this is a pleasant surprise. You're a good deal more polite than your vertically-challenged friend.
One does need to keep things balanced.
Ooh, and a sense of humor to match. How on earth are you still single?
Kurama stiffened.
Apologies. Didn't mean to offend. Recent breakup?
Not...too recent. Just too fresh.
I see. Well, I won't pry. So, let's see here…you do seem like a very nice little boy…brave, as well. I don't suppose you've ever betrayed someone?
Kurama's eyes flared. Never!
That's what I like to hear.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Amid thunderous applause from the Gryffindors and moans of disappointment from the other tables, Kurama took a seat next to Harry as the smaller boy scooted to make room for him.
"That was interesting;" Kurama said mildly, as the plates in front of them filled with food.
"You haven't seen the half of it." Ron said, already shoveling food into his mouth.
As one who was use to a life of constant chaos, it was easy for Kurama to slide into the Hogwarts schedule. He memorized his class schedule on the first day—and even if he hadn't he could always follow Harry, who was in all of his classes.
He enjoyed his classes, especially Herbology. The teacher, Professor Sprout, had taken an immediate liking to him, and had recommended several botany books to him upon learning of his interest.
The Potions professor, on the other hand, had disliked Kurama on first site. When Kurama answered every one of the teachers grueling questions correctly, it didn't help to improve the teacher's opinion that Kurama was "another foolish Gryffindor".
The only class that confused him was Defense against the Dark Arts.
He had heard the stories, about how the position of DADA professor was cursed, and no one had lasted over a year for six years. The story intrigued him, and he wanted to find out about this year's curse victim.
Problem was, said victim had yet to arrive at the school.
But this was, at the moment, a good thing.
Kurama ran through the halls, trying to push as few people as possible. 'Nearly a week here and I still don't know my way around! I'd be dead right now if this were Makai!'
The bell rang and he cursed under his breath. 'Typical. Late again. Good thing the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher isn't here yet anyway.'
Someone bumped into him and he tripped, hitting the ground. His bag flew open, scattering books and parchment along the floor.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry;" a voice from above him said quickly. "I had no clue you were there. Let me help you."
Kurama took the offered hand and let himself be pulled to his feet. Only when he was standing did he get a good look at the man who had helped him. His eyes widened.
The man was gorgeous.
As he thought it, he nearly blushed. "No, I—it's my fault. I'll just…" He bent to pick up his books, but the other man was already on it.
"Don't bother." He stood up, grinning, but held on to Kurama's books. "I'll take them for you." Bright blue eyes sparkled behind light blond bangs, which the man brushed out of his eyes. "Where are you headed?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts. You really don't have to…"
"Don't worry about it, it's chivalry and all that. Besides, I'm going that way anyways. What's your name, anyways?" He asked, setting off in the direction of the classroom.
"Kurama Minamino." Kurama said, falling into step beside him. "And you?"
"Lance Renton."
"Aren't you a little old to be a student?" To say nothing of the fact that Kurama hadn't seen the man in the classroom for the whole week.
"Yeah, but that's because I'm not a student." He grinned at the redhead. "Here we are." He opened the door to the classroom, holding it open for Kurama.
'Chivalry indeed;' Kurama thought with a hint of wry amusement, passing through the door.
"There you are;" Harry exclaimed as Kurama slid into his desk. "We were about to come looking for you. Where were you?"
"I got a bit lost." Kurama said guiltily. "Thank you;" he said as Lance set Kurama's books on the desk. "I appreciate it, even if it wasn't necessary."
"No problem." He crossed to the front of the room and clapped his hands loudly. "Alright, everyone shut up!" He yelled.
Absolute silence swept the room.
He grinned. "I didn't think it would work. That's nifty. I'm Professor Lance Renton, and I'll be your DADA professor this year." He swept a bow. "We're about a quarter of the way into class right now, so I guess we'll just chill for today. Anybody got any questions for me?"
Parvati Patil raised her hand. "How old are you?"
"Twenty-three;" he said amiably. "And how old are you?"
Parvati blushed.
Hermione spoke up. "What are we going to study this year?"
There were several groans and mutters of "typical" and "trust Hermione…"
Professor Renton didn't seem daunted. "Glad you asked. This year, we're going to be covering a bit more on defensive dueling, curses, and a little bit of healing magic. And you are…?"
"Hermione Granger, sir."
He made a face. "No sir, please. God, I'm only twenty-three, come on. Who do I look like, Snape or something?"
There were several giggles. Kurama rested his chin in his hand, half paying attention to the conversation, half gazing out the window.
Harry tapped the redhead on the shoulder. "You alright?"
"I'm fine. A bit sore, that's all."
Harry looked alarmed. "It's not that wound in your stomach, is it? Do you need to go to the Hospital Wing?"
Kurama shook his head, a smile curving his lips. "No. I ran here, that's all. It was a bit of a stretch." Harry's concern for someone he had met only a week was both amusing and alarming. Kurama was reminded, in a way, of Yuusuke.
"…could get a lot worse. Kurama?"
He jumped. "I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. What were you saying?"
Harry shook his head. "Nothing important, I guess."
The bell rang. As everyone stood up to leave, Professor Renton called; "Homework for next class is a seven page essay on the importance of matching socks." At the blank, confused looks on the class's faces, he waved his hand. "Just kidding. Just show up, okay? See you tomorrow."
As they left the classroom, Kurama couldn't help but sneak a glance back at him. The professor caught his gaze, grinned, and winked.
In another part of the school, Hiei was on the verge of blowing up the school. 'If one more student asks me how my hair stands on end, I'll kill them.'
"Hey, Jaganshi."
He turned. Draco Malfoy, one of the boys in his dormitory, ran up to him, zipping his book bag closed as he ran. His ever-present groupies, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, skidded to a stop behind him.
Hiei looked at them expectantly. "What?"
Draco fell into step beside him. "I wanted to talk to you. We've been living in the same room for almost a week, and you've barely spoken."
"My sincerest apologies;" Hiei said sarcastically.
Draco shrugged. "Okay, fine. Have it your way. I'm always open." He passed Hiei, heading for the Transfiguration classroom. Crabbe and Goyle hurried after him.
"You lucked out, man;" Blaise Zabini commented later that evening, when they were sitting together in the dormitory.
Tying the drawstring on his pants, Hiei glanced over to him. "Why?"
"The old Draco would have hexed you for being sarcastic with him." Blaise said, pulling a sweatshirt over his pajama top and climbing into bed.
Against his better judgment, Hiei was intrigued. "'The old Draco'?"
Blaise nodded. "Before his dad was thrown in Azkaban, Draco was a real…well, I don't want to bad-mouth him, but he was a real bastard. Not that I like him any less for it;" he amended hastily. "He's one of my best friends, and all that. Besides, it was his dad that screwed him up. Now that his dad's out of his life, Draco can be more like himself. His mom's a real nice lady, too, and it's a good thing."
"What happened to his father?"
"I told you, he got thrown in Azkaban. You know, the wizard prison?"
Hiei raised an eyebrow, and said nothing.
"Okay, guess you don't." Blaise muttered. "Well, anyways, it doesn't matter. But I've got a question for you."
Hiei narrowed his eyes.
"About that pretty redhead you came in with…"
Hiei threw a pillow at him. "Go to bed."
Yuck. This chapter was shorter than intended. Sorry about that. The next one will be longer, and hopefully, better.
Reviewer Responses:
Megaotaku: Pairings will be revealed in time. But for anyone who's worried, there is NO crossover pairing. And Kurama and Hiei get together at the end, I promise.
Yume no Anime: You're welcome. I can't stand the shopping stuff myself, that's why I skipped it.
Mistress KC: I had to throw in the being-mistaken-for-a-girl thing. It's just too…fun, I guess. I try not to get him too OOC. I'm glad you liked it.
Lady Starlight2: As you requested…your updates.
DarkYaoiFox: YAY! PLUSHIES! ::huggles them:: Thank you!
Oya: Kurama DOES have a problem with tummy injuries, doesn't he? At the rate he's going, it's a wonder he still HAS a stomach.
rogueicephoenix: Addictive? Really? Wow. I'm flattered. For real.
angel-of-shadows23: Patience, young padawan. The yaoi is coming. But I'm warning you, most of the physical yaoi in this fic isn't Hiei/Kurama. The emotional yaoi is, though.
Chelley Angel: Here you go!
Amaya: Thank you.
SeventhAngeloftheSixthHour: Wow. That is a HARD name to type. Thank you and enjoy the update!
JMJV: That's because of my wonderful beta-er, Niyali. Who didn't beta chapters 4 ½ and 5, so any mistakes in here are my fault. Glad you liked it, though.
Lachwen: Done.
Rokiro: Don't we ALL love Kurama? Well, personally, I love to torture him, but I still love him. Sorry, but I couldn't put them in the same House. Where would all the fun be?
FireFox6: I'm glad you like it. Hopefully you'll change your mind on yaoi, but even if you don't, just enjoy the fic!
Yoko Snow: Thank you. I'm glad I'm not dead, too. Is this soon enough for you?
Clow Angel: Sorry. This one's pretty short, too. But Hiei and Kurama were in it, at least!
Bloody Cross: …Why am I evil, again?
SeventhAngeloftheSixthHour: …can you get a shorter name? Just kidding, I'll cope. Here's your update, I hope you like it!
GoldenRat: Thanks.
Okay, well, that's it for now. I'll get back to you guys as soon as I can. You just got two updates, get off my back.