A/N Yes, yes, I know…I haven't updated regularly…DON'T BITE MY HEAD OFF! Please, I need it so I can see what I'm typing. Heh-heh. I had to go back and fix two things in chapter 3 though, when Hagrid's at Kagome's house and Kirara comes in, as well as when I said Kagome and Harry, Hermione, and Ron went to The Three Broomsticks, well, Sugar Sprite was a GREAT reviewer (as u all are, too) and told me that The Three Broomsticks is in Hogsmeade while there is an outside café ice cream parlor that's mentioned in the Third book, so, YAY! THANKS FOR TELLING ME!

That's the only things changed.

Dedication: Sugar Sprite, for being a wonderful reviewer and telling me my mistakes, I greatly appreciate it!

Disclaimer: NOPE! Just my new big sunglasses and dog ears…I've given into the whole 'bug eye' sunglasses fad…poor poor me. Lol

Chapter 4: The Train and Sorting

The sun had shown through the window with a fierce power, though its brightness hadn't been what woke the lying girl. It seemed that all the noise from all the occupants moving about and talking had woken her up. There were many pounding noises, bags being dragged and moved, and much talking. Although when she first arrived the place didn't seem to be crowded, but, at the noise level it was obvious that the place, was in fact, filled with students and adults.

"Eh, what's goin' on…?" Kagome mumbled to herself as she sat up. Looking at her wrist watch she gasped in horror, it was already 10 and the train departed at 11! Gasping Kagome quickly jumped out of bed, grabbed her things, and ran to the bathroom to get a quick shower.

Once Kagome was done her 4 minute shower she ran once more to the room she was staying in. Opening up a compartment on her giant suitcase, she grabbed a pair of jeans similar to the ones from the previous day as well as a cherry blossom-color baby doll shirt.

Kagome had pulled on her clothes in lightening speed, and threw the rest of her things into the bag's other compartments. One hand on the handle, Kagome turned to stare across the room…what was she forgetting?

KIRARA! Kagome hadn't even noticed she was awake, but, sure enough, the cream colored demon had been sitting on the dresser, silently washing herself. The young witch giggled at her stupidity, and walked over, "C'mon Kirara, we're heading to Hogwarts now," with that Kirara was picked up, and Kagome dragged her bag down the stairs, as fast as she could with the giant case.

With a sigh Kagome dropped the bag at the bottom of the stairs and stood by it, looking out across the room. The five she'd met the previous day were talking rapidly amongst themselves as they, too, stood by their own bags. With them this time was a red haired woman who kept on trying to keep things in an ordered manner, 'The Weasley's mother,' Kagome gathered as she looked on to the red haired man that she was currently talking to, 'and their father,'.

As the young priestess still looked about the room, she sneezed, catching Hermione's attention, "Kagome! Hey, I wasn't sure if you were still here," Kagome could only nod as the girl walked over, "We're about to head out to Kings Cross Station, why don't you come with us?"

Kagome nodded her head, dark locks of hair jumping in movement, and followed the brown haired Gryffindor ahead of her. "Just, let me get my bag," With a big intake of air, Kagome had grabbed hold of her bag and practically fell from its weight. 'I'm really starting to get tired of this,' Kagome thought silently and rushed to catch up with Hermione.

"We walk through the wall?" Kagome starred at Mrs. Weasley as she nodded once more. When she'd followed Hermione, Kagome was introduced to the Weasley parents and Mr. Weasley had helped her with her bag, thank God or else she might not have made it on time, and told her about how to get to Platform nine-and-three-quarters. The new student shook her ahead again in disbelief, "I still don't believe it,"

Mrs. Weasley sighed at the girl before her, "Alright, Fred, George, you two go ahead then and show how it's done," The twins nodded, and ran forth into the wall. Kagome had expected to hear a loud, gruesome, crunch as they ran into the wall but none came, causing for her to stare.

'I can't believe it, she was right, it is a portal!' Kagome starred in disbelief. As she stared Hermione, Ginny, and Ron had already gone. "Come on, you two, the train's going to leave any minute, now!" Mrs. Weasley urged Harry and Kagome to the portal. "Just relax, and give yourself a running start, it's much easier that way."

Kagome nodded and once Harry went she pushed on her cart and ran forward, hoping she made it through. When she was sure that she wasn't harmed from a collision, Kagome opened one eye, not having even realized she closed them. "Eh…so it really does work,"

Once again, Kagome was captured in her thoughts looking around at the people, there were so many! Many mothers and fathers were kissing and hugging their children good bye, or, were talking to them through a window. Looking down at her watch Kagome noticed it was already 10:55 and ran onto the train, her suitcase surprisingly not feeling so heavy, 'No wonder Mr. Weasley was so able to carry it, he must have used a spell to lighten it…'

Having lost track of Harry, Hermione, and Ron and his family members, Kagome just walked down the train's little aisle, looking in on compartments. "Either I find them, or an empty compartment," Kagome spoke to herself.

Luckily, she was able to find an empty compartment in minutes and shoved her bag into the overhead compartment, glad that it fit without over-stuffing. Having always liked looking at views as she traveled, Kagome grabbed the window seat, glad to be there first. 'That's one plus side,'

In minutes Kagome received her first visitor, Ginny, "Hey! I found a compartment!" she called down the aisle, towards Hermione or the others Kagome supposed, "Hey Kagome, is it okay if I sit with you?" The questioned girl nodded and smiled.

"So what's Hogwarts like?" Kagome had asked with a small smile as Harry walked through the still open door, "Hey—thanks Ginny for finding a compartment," Harry thanked the youngest Weasley.

Ginny blushed and answered Kagome's questioned, "It's amazing! The classes are enjoyable, for the most part, and all that we learn and experience is terrific," Kagome nodded and turned to look out the window.

Harry nodded his head in a welcoming gesture, "Hey," Kagome nodded her head and also spoke her greeting like she'd done with Ginny.

The three sat and talked about Hogwarts and what they thought would happen in the upcoming year, as well as filling Kagome in on as much information as they could. Time passed and soon they saw Ron and Hermione coming in to the compartment.

Ron took a seat next to Hermione, who took a seat next to Kagome. "Where were you guys?" The young miko questioned.

Ron and Hermione realized that they didn't know about them being prefects, "You see, we're prefects this year at school, and we were on duty for the first shift of the train ride," Hermione explained. Kagome nodded, Harry at told her what prefects were, but, obviously overlooked who they were this year.

"So, are there any things I should be told about before arriving?" Kagome questioned with a mischievous look in her eyes.

"Draco Malfoy, for he'll most likely start to dislike you when he sees you hanging out with us. Not only Draco, but other and all Slytherins as well," Hermione explained, "There's the Potions Master, Severus Snape he—" Kagome gasped, cutting Hermione off, "What, why did you gasp?"

Kagome laughed, "So, Severus works at Hogwarts?" They all nodded, wondering why Kagome found it amusing as well as how she knew about Snape without having attended before, "Well, this'll be interesting," Kagome muttered.

Despite the interruption, Hermione continued, "Well, he usually favors Slytherin's, and can be a real bugger when he feels like it," Kagome just smirked, thinking about Severus. 'Very interesting, in deed,'

Kagome asked some more questions about Hogwarts and the classes during the train ride, and was also introduced to Luna and Neville. Neville had seemed to grow slightly taller once more during the summer, and Luna was…

…well, Kagome didn't really know how to describe Luna. 'Unique, unique is definite,' she thought. But, she had to admit, Luna was a great person and nice to be around. A few minutes after they left, Ron spoke, "Well, it seems we're almost at Hogwarts and Draco hasn't even seen us!"

Hermione, Harry, and Ginny nodded while Kagome looked confused, "Malfoy usually goes around to every compartment that he's interested in, and, he usually comes to talk crud about us and a couple other students and teachers," Harry explained. Kagome glared, to think she was talking to him just the day before!

As if they were jinxed, there was a sudden pull on the compartment door, and there stood Draco Malfoy and his two 'lackeys', Crabbe and Goyle. His fierce blue eyes looked around the room, and ended on Kagome, her sharp grey eyes glaring right on back at him. "So you've decided to befriend Potter and his friends," Malfoy practically spat on the ground when he spoke 'Potter' and 'Friends', his voice filled with great distaste and venom.

Kagome grimaced and her eyes showed pure revulsion when she looked at Malfoy. She stood up, put Kirara down on the seat, and glared at Draco, "Don't you dare speak like that about my friends. When I met you, you seemed nice, but that was all a load of bullshit, wasn't it?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Kagome nearly gasped. It wasn't like her to curse, though she did have a tendency to be angry at times. Hermione had also realized that cursing wasn't something that she did often and so also gasped when Kagome spoke. "Why don't you and your petty friends leave, before I have to use force?"

Draco laughed a hearty laugh, "Like hell you'd ever be able to force us out of here. Even your mutant cat stands no chance against us," he spoke with a smug look on his face.

It seemed to be Kagome's turn to laugh, although a second later she stopped and looked with a deadpanned face to Malfoy and his friends, "Oh, is that so?"

"AH!" Malfoy cried as he was thrown out of the doorway and into the train's aisle. Kagome smirked; glad that she was able to learn how to use her miko abilities as blunt force in the Feudal Era during all of the training sessions she had with Keade. She had focused energy into her hands, causing for them to glow a soft yet menacing pink, then she 'pushed forward' with the energy, causing for the energy to emit from her hands and slam into Draco.

This left poor Draco being slammed onto his bottom about 3 yards forward, since the opposite door stopped him from going farther, as well as a burn mark on his crisp, ironed, white button up shirt.

Ron just laughed as they all clapped at Kagome's display of power. She smiled and closed the compartments door as other students came out to also laugh at Draco, "Now that was fun," she spoke with a full blown laugh taking her seat, and Kirara sat in her lap once more.

Ginny nodded and also laughed, while Hermione began to question Kagome, "How'd you do that? Is that even wizarding magic? And how did you perform it without a wand?"

Kagome knew this was coming, but sighed, "It's all connected to the reason why I'm coming to Hogwarts so late, and I'm sorry to say that I still cannot tell you anything about it." The others nodded, and although they wanted to know all about this new student, they let the subject drop.

They talked about many things, changing subject often as well. When Harry and Ron's debate about Quidditch seemed to be coming to an end Hermione looked down at her watch, and sighed. "I'd love to talk more, but, we're going to be arriving at the school shortly, so let's get changed. Girl's first," Hermione pushed Ron and Harry out while the girls proceeded to get changed.

Kagome followed Hermione, Ginny, Harry, and Ron off the train, but stopped to stare at all the trees that surrounded the area, "It's amazing," Kagome whispered, mesmerized by the sight.

"Hold up guys, Kagome's still back there," Harry noted. He turned around and saw Kagome looking captivated by the sight of the school's grounds, "Hey, c'mon Kagome, we have to get one the carriages to head to the castle," Kagome mutely nodded and followed him and the rest of the group.

Soon enough they came to a path that was a few yards away from where Hagrid stood shouting, "Firs' years! Firs' years!", and found a carriage that was still empty. The carriage itself was a dark black metal, but what amazed Kagome was what was carrying the thing. "Hermione," Kagome leaned towards the smart girl in the group, "what are those things carrying the carriage?"

Hermione starred, she herself couldn't see the creatures (1), and she silently wondered how Kagome could. She saw that her new friend was still waiting for an answer, and so she turned to Harry so he could explained, "They're called Threstles, only those who haven seen death see the creatures," Kagome mutely nodded.

Hermione, Ron, and Harry walked onto a carriage followed by Kagome, for Ginny had left them to go on one with some her 5th year friends. On the ride to the castle, Ron and Hermione conversed amongst themselves, Hermione getting slightly annoyed only a few times. Harry sat, deep in his thoughts, as well as Kagome. Only, she did so for a different reason; she was looking around at the scenery surrounding them, while he was pondering about what would happen this coming year.

In a few minutes, the carriage stopped and the four starred up at the castle, Kagome gasping once she saw the enormous structure, "Wow…it's beautiful," She mumbled.

She wasn't able to stare much longer, for Hermione pulled her out of the carriage and towards the entrance. A minute later Hermione didn't need to pull, for Kagome was the one that let go and ran towards the entrance, when they had all heard Severus' voice. Ron starred, as did the others, and spoke, "Now why is she…"

His voice trailed off, however, for Kagome let out a cry of "SEVVY!" (2) and grasped the foul potions master into a bear hug. Their teacher starred in disbelief, but smiled fondly back at his smiling student, "I see you've decided to join us," He spoke with a laugh.

Kagome nodded, "Yeah, but who knew you were a teacher here!"

Severus chuckled once more, "I thought I told you I worked as a teacher at a mystical school?"

Kagome once again nodded, but then blushed, "I thought you were just giving the school some extra praise, seeing as how you worked there…" Severus smiled.

"Now why didn't you come here when you were eleven? I thought for sure you didn't possess magical abilities after you didn't arrive when you hit the age of entry," Severus questioned.

"It seems that I had inherited my mother's family side as well, for I needed to complete a task regarding them back home when I turned 15," Kagome answered, "Dumbledore said that he knew this, so that must be why I'm joining so late, with my task completed," Severus merely nodded at his niece's answer.

Kagome smiled, "Enough school talk," Severus gave her a strange look, meaning 'We are only seeing each other BECAUSE of the school, you do realize that…right?', but allowed for Kagome to continue, "How's your life been? I haven't seen you in so many years!"

Severus smirked, but in a friendly manner, "Is it my fault that family parties became less seasonal, and more, 'on the occasion', type of things?" Kagome merely shook her head in response.

It seemed that they had both finally noticed that others were looking at the exchange taken between the too. Severus glowered at all the watching students, "Shouldn't you be in the great hall?" He spat venomously. As he did so, as well as when the students ran to get inside, the door a few feet away from the two, Kagome let out a laugh, "Wow—who knew you could act so mean?"

Severus just nodded, his brother's daughter having never seen him possess such a merciless attitude, "Come now, Kagome, we have to find Minerva and have her take you to be sorted," Kagome just starred at him in confusion, but Severus lead Kagome inside the school anyway.

"Bloody Hell!" Ron exclaimed once the two were inside, the three of them being one of the last students out side. "Did Snape just smile, hug, and laugh in a matter of a few minutes?" He cried in disbelief.

"I believe so, Ron," Harry answered, clearly dumbfounded. Hermione just sighed, although she was surprised, the way Kagome had acted when Severus' name was mentioned on the train lead to the belief they had already known each other, so Hermione was mentally prepared for the meeting.

"Let's go, or we'll be late," Hermione had taken to pulling the two boys towards the door until she was sure they were safe to be on their own.

"Minerva, this is Kagome Higurashi, the late arriving student," Snape spoke to Professor McGonagall in his snide voice he always used around school.

The transfiguration Professor nodded and looked towards Kagome, her stern face nodded in a somewhat kind gesture, "Let's go, you're going to be introduced with all of the first years and sorted into a house," Kagome nodded at the brief direction, waving good bye to her Uncle who had already started to walk away. "Just stand in the back of the line," Minerva gestured to the line of first years that stood anxiously awaiting for the Sorting Ceremony, yet still with fearful gazes.

Kagome walked to the back of the line, still smiling, glad that someone she knew would be at Hogwarts as well, 'At least I won't feel like I don't know anyone. Although Hermione and all of them are amazing, it's great to have family, too.' She silently thought in her mind. While she was lost in her thoughts, however, Professor McGonagall had spoken to them all about the Sorting Hat and what was about to conspire. She lead the line of students out a pair of doors, the line starting at the front of the hall, and ending with Kagome practically out the doors they'd entered through.

"Wow, that's a lot of first years," Kagome heard some students mumbling at the great mass of first years. The 6th year just smiled and looked on as the first student, Joey Anderson, was placed into Ravenclaw a few moments after an old, yet sturdy, hat was set on his head.

As each 11 year old went to get Sorted, Kagome clapped for each student. Twenty minutes after they had started, all the 11 year olds for were sorted, excluding Kagome. Dumbledore gathered everyone in the Great Hall's attention, and spoke in his amazing loud voice, "Although she is not a first year, we have Kagome Higurashi here to start learning at Hogwarts as a 6th year, not coming to know of her magical abilities until recently, for a many complicated reasons,"

Dumbledore turned towards Kagome, and nodded in an understanding way. He clearly didn't wish to reveal anything to the students for he knew that the secret was Kagome's, and Kagome's alone…or so she thought.

Any who, Professor McGonagall called Kagome forth, and said teenager nodded to her teacher and sat upon the wooden stool, Wizarding hat placed on her head in moments.

"Ah, a miko," The hat pondered, searching farther into Kagome's mind, "You seem to have a caring heart, and gentle side, a personality fit for Hufflepuff. Although you're smart, you wouldn't be great in Ravenclaw, so that one is pushed aside. You'd also not do well in Slytherin, for being a priestess leaves you not having as evil a soul as those that reside in Slytherin possess. That leaves Gryffindor. You're ultimately brave, having fought many times with exquisite valor numerous times before. It's quite evident where you belong now: GRYFFINDOR!"

As the newly sorted girl stood up from the stool, setting the hat back down, she smiled at the table with the bronze and gold flag hovering above the table, and all the clapping and smiling students that gazed up at her. She walked down the aisle until she spotted Hermione, grabbing a seat on her right. "Congratulations!" Hermione spoke to the opposite girl. Kagome just smiled more and replied with thanks.

"Now that all the Sorting is complete, let the feast begin!" Dumbledore's voice rang throughout the hall as all the tables had bowls and platters filled with food as well as pitchers of liquid spaced out evenly.

Kagome eyed the food with curiosity which Hermione noted, "It's all edible, rest assured," Kagome nodded and starred at the two boys across from her. As soon as the meal had shown up, the two were shoving food into their mouths like ravenous wolves.

Still unsure, Kagome pilled small portions of a couple of things so as to test them out. The first she 'plopped' onto her plate was a small helping of Mashed Potatoes; from then on a few pieces of various sausages were also added. 'This is enough to try for one day,' Kagome decided, not wanting to be too overwhelmed by the many flavors and tastes.

Once dinner was done, desert was served. During this Kagome looked around all the sweet things, "I've heard that the sweets are…well…sweet, but, in some ways a sickening sweet…' Kagome pondered as she picked out a small slice of vanilla cake topped with sweet cream icing. She took a taste of it and thought some more, 'Very sweet indeed, but, pleasantly so,' Kagome thought with satisfactory, taking another bite of the cake.

She and Hermione talked while the boys spoke about Quidditch, and once desert was also cleared away Dumbledore stood, "I'd like to start off by saying hello to all the new students, and welcome back to the old. As always, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden, and Mr. Filch would like for my remind you all that magic is prohibited to be used in the halls, as well as no late night wondering," At this time he looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, his old eyes sparkling with delight. He turned towards a red haired man, he looked to be in his early 30's, or late 20's, "We have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher once again, and he goes by the title Mr. S."

Kagome starred at the new teacher, 'He looks so familiar…' she pondered on the thought. As she was thinking, it was noticed that everyone was leaving. Hermione tapped Kagome on her shoulder, alerting her that they were all heading to their dorms. Kagome nodded and followed the three to the Gryffindor Common Room.

"So, what do you think of the new Professor?" Harry asked his friends. Ron shrugged, and Hermione replied, "He seems normal enough, maybe classes will be somewhat back to order," The two nodded while Kagome starred on in wonder.

Ron took the initiative to explain, "Every year we end up needing a new DADA teacher, for there's always something peculiar about them," Kagome nodded in understanding.

"For some reason, I feel like I know him, though," Kagome muttered softly. Hermione starred at her, for she had heard what was said, unlike the boys who'd missed it. "I suppose it doesn't matter," Kagome looked at the three, "I'm going to head to bed; I'll see you all tomorrow,"

The all said their good nights, and stayed up for another forty-five minutes or so, chatting among fellow Gryffindor's.

A/N YES! I'm DONE IT! YIPPEE!

Sorry…this chapter took the course of three and a half days to write. Who knows why, it usually takes 3 hours not days to write a chapter. This one just seemed to drag ON and ON forever and EVER!

Any who, NUMBER TIME!:

1: I've only seen the 5th movie, and they didn't make it clear if Hermione had seen Sirius die, so, let's just leave it at that: she never saw anyone die.

2: Although this is going through editing, Severus is keeping his nickname. It's brought much joy between me and my friends, as well as a great nickname and penname, so, it's staying. I don't care what you all think, I for one love the nickname Kagome tagged Snape with from her childhood. It's fun. And it helps their relationship to come more easily.

Anyway, I'm sorry for not updating faster! Please forgive me!

U ALL ROCK SO MUCH!

Feel free to read my other fics, though they're not that great '

Word Count Excluding Author Notes: 3,941 words…OMG! o.O

(this went through editing…it seems I took off about 1,000 words…used to be 4,957 or something like that. Whoa. Lol.)